N A T I O N

India-Britain launch cyber dialogue
New Delhi, November 8
Britain today said that it had taken into account the change in the situation on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir before lifting its two-year-old advisory to British nationals against travel to Srinagar, Jammu and Ladakh.

British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague (L) and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in New Delhi. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

Gandhi family converges on Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow, November 8
With 2014 elections not very far away, the Gandhi family is not taking any chances. After the complete rout of the party in Rae Bareli during the Assembly election, Priyanka Gandhi, who led the campaign there, is visiting her mother’s constituency for the first time.

JPC meeting on 2G scam inconclusive
New Delhi, November 8
While the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended its boycott of the Joint Parliamentary Committee going into the 2G scam today, the meeting remained inconclusive over whether or not Finance Minister P Chidambaram should be called as a witness to depose before it.

Russian envoy touches Advani’s feet New Delhi, November 8 In a rare gesture, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander M Kadakin today broke away from diplomatic protocol and touched the feet of BJP veteran LK Advani while visiting the leader to wish him on his 85th birthday.   Russian Ambassador Alexander M Kadakin seeks LK Advani’s blessings while greeting him on his birthday in New Delhi on Thursday. — PTI

Expedite paternity case hearings against ND Tiwari: SC
New Delhi, November 8
The Supreme Court today asked the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearings in the paternity suit filed by 32-year-old Rohit Shekhar seeking a declaration that he is the biological son of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tiwari.

FIR against BJP MP for encroaching on Army firing range
Bangalore, November 8
The Army versus BJP leader Suresh Angadi row got murkier today with the Army filing an FIR against the two-time Lok Sabha member from Belgaum. The FIR accused the sitting MP of criminal trespass on government property and interference with government authorities in discharge of their duties.

Raj asks his partymen to pray for Bal Thackeray
Mumbai, November 8
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray who visited his ailing uncle Bal Thackeray several times in the past few weeks today went on to ask his own party workers to pray for the Shiv Sena supremo. Several MNS leaders, originally from the Shiv Sena, organised pilgrimages and prayer sessions at important temples in Maharashtra.

Brigadier, 4 others face court martial
Chandigarh, November 8
A brigadier and a colonel are among five officers to be tried by a general court martial (GCM) for allegedly selling off ordnance equipment and other items valued at over Rs 6 crore in the guise of scrap.

Paint factory gutted

Firefighters douse a blaze that erupted in a paint factory in Bangalore on Thursday. — PTI

May close case against Maran, CBI tells SC
New Delhi, November 8
The CBI today informed the Supreme Court that it would close the 2G case against former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran if it failed to gather evidence to show that he deliberately sat on Aircel’s plea for service expansion to force its sale to Malaysia-based Maxis as part of a quid pro quo deal.

CAG can audit military canteens: MoD
New Delhi, November 8
The Ministry of Defence has intervened in the tussle between the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Armed Forces over conducting of audit of military canteens.

GoM on media rejigged, Kamal Nath in
New Delhi, November 8
The recent Cabinet reshuffle has necessitated the reconstitution of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on media, set up last year to disseminate information and relay the “government’s position on emerging issues.”

Custodial Death
Court indicts Bhatt, 6 other cops
Jamnagar, November 8
A local court today framed charges of murder and other offences against suspended Gujarat IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who has been at loggerheads with the Narendra Modi government, and six other policemen in a 22-year-old case of custodial death.

Ram was a bad husband, says Jethmalani
New Delhi, November 8
In an embarrassment to the BJP which has spearheaded the Ram Temple movement and Hindutva agenda, the party’s Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani today termed Lord Ram, the protagonist of the Ramayana, as a “bad husband”.

India-Britain launch cyber dialogue
Situation in Jammu & Kashmir has improved, says British Foreign Secretary
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
Britain today said that it had taken into account the change in the situation on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir before lifting its two-year-old advisory to British nationals against travel to Srinagar, Jammu and Ladakh. Britain also explained that its recent decision to end Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s boycott was aimed at strengthening ties all along the length and breadth of this country.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague today held talks with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. The two countries announced their decision to launch a cyber dialogue with the objective of enhancing cooperation to reduce the risk of threats from cyberspace to international security.

At a joint press conference with Khurshid, Hague acknowledged that there has been an improvement in the security situation in J&K. “We take our travel advisories very very seriously...it’s never political. It seeks to give genuine travel advice.”

Describing Indo-British ties as a ‘genuine partnership between two equals’, Hague said his country was expanding its diplomatic presence in India with the opening of new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh and Hyderabad. The move would make the UK the largest diplomatic mission in India.

Asked whether Britain had decided to cut or stop its development aid to India, the British leader was evasive and jocularly said, “Aid is past, trade is the future.”

Hague said Britain was fully supportive of India’s claim for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council as also its membership of the international export control regimes.

On his part, Khurshid noted that India had become the third largest investor in the UK. Relations with Britain had grown significantly over the past decade and the aim was to double trade between the two countries by 2015, he added.

‘partnership between two equals’

• The opening of new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh and Hyderabad will make the UK the largest diplomatic mission in India
• Britain supports India’s claim for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council and its membership of international export control regimes
• India has become the third largest investor in the UK. The aim is to double trade between the two countries by 2015

Gandhi family converges on Uttar Pradesh
Shahira Naim/TNS

Lucknow, November 8
With 2014 elections not very far away, the Gandhi family is not taking any chances. After the complete rout of the party in Rae Bareli during the Assembly election, Priyanka Gandhi, who led the campaign there, is visiting her mother’s constituency for the first time.

Interestingly, the entire Gandhi family was in the area today. Congress president Sonia Gandhi who arrived yesterday on a two-day visit to her constituency was today joined by son and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka.

Priyanka first visited Amethi with brother Rahul, attended a meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust office in Jais where she spent time with around 150 women who recently received training in trades like candle-making and chikankari.

During the 2012 Assembly elections, Priyanka Gandhi campaigned here along with her husband and children. While her family returned to Delhi in a few days, she stayed on for 17 days holding hundreds of public meetings.

However, her charisma could not create any magic and the Congress was completely wiped out in Rae Bareli. The party drew a blank in neighbouring Sultanpur and could manage only two seats in Amethi.

Priyanka had not visited the area since then. She has been, however, meeting party people from the area in Delhi on regular basis. During her visit to Amethi today, she assured the people that she would now be visiting them more regularly.

While Rahul had a string of engagements in Amethi, Priyanka left for Rae Bareli to join her mother at the Bheymau guest house.

eye on 2014 poll

Priyanka Gandhi visits Amethi with Rahul; meets Sonia in Rae Bareli

JPC meeting on 2G scam inconclusive
Girja Shankar Kaura/TNS

New Delhi, November 8
While the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended its boycott of the Joint Parliamentary Committee going into the 2G scam today, the meeting remained inconclusive over whether or not Finance Minister P Chidambaram should be called as a witness to depose before it.

As members of the GSM operators’ body - Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) - appeared before the committee, its chairman PC Chacko reportedly informed the members that a special meeting of the JPC would be convened to decide on whether or not to summon the Finance Minister. The Finance Minister would be summoned only if there is unanimity among the members.

Reports said both the BJP and the Left were sceptical of the move and feel the Finance Minister would never be summoned as the Congress members were opposed to it.

Reports suggested that both parties had raised the issue with Chacko, who again apparently put off the matter.

The proceedings

• BJP ends its boycott of the JPC after staying away from last two meetings
• Chairman may convene special meeting to decide on summoning of FM
• FM to be summoned only if there is unanimity among the members

Russian envoy touches Advani’s feet

New Delhi, November 8
In a rare gesture, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander M Kadakin today broke away from diplomatic protocol and touched the feet of BJP veteran LK Advani while visiting the leader to wish him on his 85th birthday.

Kadakin was one of the first visitors to reach Advani’s residence this morning to greet him on his birthday. Advani received him in the portico of his bungalow.

Soon after alighting from his car, Kadakin presented Advani with a bouquet. He then bent down to touch Advani’s feet to seek his blessings.

Such a gesture is virtually unheard of in diplomatic circles as most diplomats and heads of state or government only go to the extent of folding their hands in a ‘namaste’ to wish an Indian leader. Shaking of hands is the norm in such meetings. — PTI

Expedite paternity case hearings against ND Tiwari: SC
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 8
The Supreme Court today asked the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearings in the paternity suit filed by 32-year-old Rohit Shekhar seeking a declaration that he is the biological son of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tiwari.

A Bench comprising Justices Aftab Alam and CK Prasad passed the order after senior counsel PS Patwalia contended that his client was suffering from poor health, having suffered a cardiac arrest and a brain stroke.

Rohit had become a recluse and seldom went out of his house causing concern for his mother Ujjawala, Patwalia said while pleading for speedy disposal of the case. At this, the SC passed an order requesting the HC to conclude the trial in the suit “expeditiously without any delay.”

In the paternity suit, Rohit has claimed that he was born out of a relationship his mother had with Tiwari. At the instance of the SC and the HC, all the three - Rohit, Ujjawala and Tiwari - underwent the DNA test which confirmed the claim.

FIR against BJP MP for encroaching on Army firing range
Tribune News Service

Bangalore, November 8
The Army versus BJP leader Suresh Angadi row got murkier today with the Army filing an FIR against the two-time Lok Sabha member from Belgaum. The FIR accused the sitting MP of criminal trespass on government property and interference with government authorities in discharge of their duties.

Angadi had lodged a police complaint earlier accusing Colonel Vinod Kumar of the Infantry School at Belgaum of manhandling the security guard of his engineering college (Angadi Institute of Technology and Management) at Savagaon.

The college, on the outskirts of the Belgaum town, is in the eye of a controversy for not obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Army. Angadi, however, maintains that it is not required.

The Army is constructing a compound wall and it is attached to the college compound. The land where Angadi has set up his college allegedly belongs to the Army for use as a firing range.

Raj asks his partymen to pray for Bal Thackeray
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 8
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray who visited his ailing uncle Bal Thackeray several times in the past few weeks today went on to ask his own party workers to pray for the Shiv Sena supremo. Several MNS leaders, originally from the Shiv Sena, organised pilgrimages and prayer sessions at important temples in Maharashtra.

In the midst of the concern for the health of the patriarch, Raj Thackeray quietly moved in to consolidate his own party’s hold in Nashik. The MNS admitted three prominent leaders of the Sena in its fold and is on the look out for more.

According to Shiv Sena sources, Raj visited his uncle and cousin Uddhav who underwent an angioplasty at a hospital here last week and spent time with the family.

Brigadier, 4 others face court martial
Accused of selling off equipment worth Rs 6 cr as scrap
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
A brigadier and a colonel are among five officers to be tried by a general court martial (GCM) for allegedly selling off ordnance equipment and other items valued at over Rs 6 crore in the guise of scrap.

The GCM is expected to commence this month at Meerut, where the officers are attached for disciplinary proceedings. Sources said Maj Gen Suresh Gupta, General Officer Commanding of a Sub Area, has been detailed as the GCM’s presiding officer.

Earlier, a court of inquiry headed by Maj Gen A Kamran to investigate into allegations of impropriety had held the commandant of the Central Ordnance Depot, Agra, along with the other officers blameworthy of selling off new items in place of 49 lots of scrap items that were to be disposed of instead.

Sources said the brigadier faces seven charges under Sections 52 and 63 of the Army Act for intent to defraud and acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline. There are five charges against the colonel and 13 charges against a lieutenant colonel.

Items illegally sold off by the officers included high-value ferrous metal rods, spare parts of vehicles, plywood lots, camouflage items and packaging material, sources said.

Allowing unauthorised entry of vehicles into the depot, accepting money from contractors and lack of adequate supervision are among other charges the officers are facing. The trial of each officer will be conducted successively.

Charges levelled

• Brigadier faces seven charges under Sections 52 and 63 of the Army Act; colonel five; lieutenant colonel 13
• Allowed unauthorised entry of vehicles into depot; accepted money from contractors; allowed inadequate supervision

Items sold off as scrap

• High-value ferrous metal rods
• Spare parts of vehicles
• Plywood lots
• Camouflage items
• Packaging material

May close case against Maran, CBI tells SC
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 8
The CBI today informed the Supreme Court that it would close the 2G case against former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran if it failed to gather evidence to show that he deliberately sat on Aircel’s plea for service expansion to force its sale to Malaysia-based Maxis as part of a quid pro quo deal.

Arguing before a Bench of Justices GS Singhvi and KS Radhakrishnan, senior counsel KK Venugopal said the CBI was trying to collect material in Malaysia and Mauritius to substantiate the charge that Maxis, after clinching the Aircel deal, allegedly invested Rs 800 crore in Sun Network owned by Maran’s brother, Kalanidhi, through the Mauritius route.

The agency could make little headway on this front despite the cooperation being extended by the Indian mission in Kuala Lumpur, Venugopal said.

At this, the Bench passed an order asking the Indian High Commission to extend all help to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to carry out their investigations.

Yesterday, the Bench had remarked that the sequence of events as revealed in the CBI probe within India had prima facie indicated a nexus between the sale of Aircel and the investment.

Aircel’s then chief C Sivasankaran had alleged that Maran forced him to sell his company to Maxis, owned by Ananda Krishnan.

Venugopal said the CBI would file a closure report if it failed to gather evidence to prove the charge of quid pro quo against the DMK leader as the trial court would anyway throw out the case unless the agency was on a strong footing.

Maran quit as Union Textiles Minister in July 2011 following the allegations. Maran was Telecom Minister in the UPA I government (2004-09).

During the hearing today, the SC also wondered as to why the government was offering in the proposed auction only part of the spectrum bundled with the 122 telecom licences cancelled by it on February 2, 2012.

What it said

• CBI trying to collect material in Malaysia and Mauritius to substantiate the charge that Maxis, after clinching the Aircel deal, allegedly invested `800 crore in Sun Network owned by Maran’s brother, Kalanidhi, through the Mauritius route
• May make little headway on this front despite the cooperation being extended by the Indian mission in Kuala Lumpur
• The Bench asked the Indian High Commission to extend all help to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to carry out their probe

CAG can audit military canteens: MoD

New Delhi, November 8
The Ministry of Defence has intervened in the tussle between the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Armed Forces over conducting of audit of military canteens.

The CAG will be allowed to scrutinise and audit accounts of the Unit-Run Canteens (URCs) for the portion of money they receive from the Consolidated Fund of India in the form of qualitative discounts.

The Armed Forces had opposed it claiming that the URCs were run by a non-public fund. — TNS

GoM on media rejigged, Kamal Nath in
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
The recent Cabinet reshuffle has necessitated the reconstitution of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on media, set up last year to disseminate information and relay the “government’s position on emerging issues.”

While Finance Minister P Chidambaram continues to head the ministerial panel, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and Railway Minister PK Bansal have made way for Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Soni’s successor Manish Tewari. Soni has been excluded as she is no longer a minister while Bansal is learnt to have opted out.

Except for these three changes, the other members names remain unchanged. These include Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid and V. Narayansamy.

Custodial Death
Court indicts Bhatt, 6 other cops

Jamnagar, November 8
A local court today framed charges of murder and other offences against suspended Gujarat IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who has been at loggerheads with the Narendra Modi government, and six other policemen in a 22-year-old case of custodial death.

Jamkhambaliya Sessions Judge NT Solanki, after rejecting the applications of the accused, today completed the process of framing charges and fixed December 4 for recording of evidence.

Apart from Bhatt, who has alleged Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s complicity in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, the six accused policemen are: Dipak Bhagwandas Shah, Keshubhai Jadeja, Shailesh Pandya, Pravinsinh Jorubha Jhala, Pravinsinh Babubhai Jhala and Anopsinh Jethwa.

The case pertains to the death of Prabhudas Vaishnani who allegedly succumbed to injuries inflicted on him while in custody at the Jamkhambaliya police station. The police had allegedly thrashed him on the night of October 30, 1990.

Bhatt was the Jamnagar Assistant Superintendent of Police then. He had arrested Vaishnani and over 100 people for rioting and other offences. They were protesting BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani’s arrest after he had embarked on a Rath Yatra. — PTI

Ram was a bad husband, says Jethmalani

New Delhi, November 8
In an embarrassment to the BJP which has spearheaded the Ram Temple movement and Hindutva agenda, the party’s Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani today termed Lord Ram, the protagonist of the Ramayana, as a “bad husband”.

Speaking at a function to launch a book on a man-woman relationship, Jethmalani said, “Ram was a bad husband. I don’t like him at all. Just because some fisherman said something, he sent that poor woman (Sita) to exile.” He went on to take a jibe at Lakshman by saying he was “even worse”. He said, “When Sita was abducted, Ram asked him to go and find her as she was abducted during his watch.

“Lakshman excused himself saying she was his sister-in-law and he never looked at her face, so he wouldn’t be able to identify her,” he said. — PTI