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Congress to occupy middle ground, carry along allies
Amarinder for farm reforms
Gang rape accused moves SC, wants trial out of Delhi
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Count judicial officer's Army service for pension benefits: HC
Fauja Singh, 101, to run in Mumbai Marathon today
Focus on North-East to draw foreign tourists: Chiranjeevi
TMC workers go on rampage
Pizzas to Coke, consumer giants flock to Mahakumbh
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Congress to occupy middle ground, carry along allies
Jaipur, January 19 Inherent in the proposition is the long-term goal of establishing the primacy of the party with a pan-India presence. Realising the compulsions of coalition politics, the party seeks to occupy the political space and minds of the larger sections of the electorate. The party feels it should seek to occupy the middle ground and fight against the fringe elements that foster divisive and destructive ideologies. The challenge is to represent the vast majority and represent the values and aspirations of this section. Over the past two days, party leaders deliberated on the response of the Congress to the emerging challenges and felt that alliances with like-minded parties could be maintained but party activities to expand its base would continue. The draft document will be finalised at a day-long session of the All-India Congress Committee at the end of the Chintan Shivir here tomorrow. While most favoured alliances, some senior leaders like Kamal Nath suggested the party should not enter into pre-poll alliances. It will be interesting to see the stance the Congress takes in the Hindi heartland states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, considering that the Bahujan Samaj Party is averse to any tie-up with the bigger parties, while the Congress is not comfortable with the Samajwadi Party. One line of approach suggests that the party first identifies its political adversaries and then formulates policies to counter them, outlining the dilemma of a national party to equate with parties on the regional level whose outlook remains restricted to the interests of the state or region. For instance, the document which formed the basis of the debate suggests that in Punjab if the regional adversary is the Shiromani Akali Dal, in the case of Orissa it is the Biju Janata Dal. But in an attempt to match a political rival at the regional level, the party will have to draw a line that divides the Congress and the adversary. As the Congress president mentioned in her opening address, the party document feels there is a need to stop erosion in its support base and expand it. The challenge is to identify the causes that led to the moving away of the traditional base and win them back. Also, extra effort needs to be made to win the support of the youth and the urban middle class. Realising the altering law and order problem, including those of the Naxals, the party feels it is time to counter the problem politically rather than seek a solution through bureaucracy or police. Taking part in the debate, Punjab Pradesh Congress chief Amarinder Singh flagged that in his state the problem of Maoist preaching was on the rise in as many as 20 districts. He said besides tackling the problem politically, policies should be formulated to empower the poor and marginal farmers economically.
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Amarinder for farm reforms
Jaipur, January 19 Participating in the discussion on political challenges before the party, former Punjab Chief Minister told the delegates that considering that a vast majority of the people in the country and the state depend on agriculture, policies for the farm sector should be strengthened, party sources said. Since the party document visualises a major challenge from Naxalites, the PCC chief felt that in his understanding, this underground organisation was spreading its activities in Punjab and as per estimates around 20 districts were under Naxal influence. Narrating the experience of his government in allowing BT Cotton, he said it not only increased the revenue for the farmers but reduced farmers’ dependence on fertilisers and prevented the adverse impact on account of its usage in the cotton-growing areas of the state. Arguing in favour of GM crops, he felt that not only will the farmers be able to get better yield from fragmented land they hold but this would also generate more income for them, empowering them economically.
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Gang rape accused moves SC, wants trial out of Delhi
New Delhi, January 19 Extensive media coverage of the case, every day agitations, political statements and the personal interest shown by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had put tremendous pressure on the police and the judiciary to work against him, he has pleaded. Seeking the transfer of the trial to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, he said he would not get justice in Delhi. Following a nation-wide public outcry, the government has set up a special fast track court to hold the trial against the six accused against whom the Delhi police has already filed a chargesheet holding them responsible for the rape and assault on the girl. The girl died on December 29. The trial is scheduled to start on January 21.
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New Delhi, January 19 Corporate Affiars Minister Sachin Pilot said the entire party has been energised due to the decision. "It's a historic decision and we welcome it. It has energised the party workers throughout the nation. We will go to the next Lok Sabha election with a renewed vigour now", he said adding Rahul "will be a unifying force" for the Congress. Union Minister RPN Singh said "it is going to be a big game-changer for the Congress. He has given a new energy and hope to Congress party. He will bring new vigour to the party". His colleague Jitin Prasad said "I am happy that he (Rahul) has accepted the responsibility and be the face of the party in 2014 polls...We want him to be the face of the party. He will drive the youth of the country." The BJP said Rahul Gandhi being named the Congress' vice-president was a "mere eyewash" as it was a known fact for long. BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "After hearing the announcement, I felt very amazed that a member of the same family is getting a post in the same party..It is something hilarious." Meanwhile, RJD President Lalu Prasad supported giving a bigger role to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "This will be a good thing (giving a bigger role to Rahul in 2014 General Election)," Lalu said. — PTI
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Gadkari set to get another term as BJP chief New Delhi, January 19 Gadkari is likely to be the sole candidate for the post of party President. BJP sources said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke to LK Advani today and is understood to have discussed the party Presidential poll. The RSS is keen that Gadkari gets a second tenure as BJP chief. There has been growing demand within the BJP that the leadership issue be sorted out soon as Lok Sabha elections are due next year. Gadkari has been facing corruption charges and rebellion within BJP. — PTI
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Count judicial officer's Army service for pension benefits: HC
Chandigarh, January 19 In his petition before the Bench of Justices Surya Kant and RP Nagrath, Uppal asserted that he was granted Emergency Commission in February 1964, before being demobilised from military service in July 1969 after national emergency was lifted. He then joined PCS (Judicial Branch) in October 1977 on the basis of a competitive examination against the vacancies reserved for released Army personnel. The respondent-state, in its reply, claimed it was for the High Court of Punjab and Haryana to decide his claim for counting military service. Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted: “We, however, find that the state government being the competent authority is responsible for making a decision with regard to the grant of pensionary benefits, though in consultation or seeking comments from the High Court.” During the course of hearing, counsel appearing for the Punjab and Haryana High Court submitted that the petitioner was relieved from the military service in 1969 and joined the PCS (Judicial Branch) in 1977. There was a gap of about eight years after he was demobilised from Army service. Therefore, the petitioner would not be entitled to count the length of Army service towards pension benefits. The Bench asserted: “This argument in our considered view, is wholly misconceived.” It also took note of the argument by the state counsel, who said the exercise for counting military service was required to be conducted at the time of appointment and not thereafter. The Bench said, “The note (to this effect) rather casts a duty on the competent authority to decide this matter immediately after the appointment of a person in public service... The petition, therefore is allowed with a direction to State of Punjab to count the period of actual military service rendered by the petitioner for pensionary benefits.”
The case
Kuldip Singh Uppal was granted Emergency
Commission in February 1964, before being demobilised from military service in July 1969 He then joined PCS (Judicial Branch) in Oct 1977 He had sought from the court that his military service be counted for pensionary benefits
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Fauja Singh, 101, to run in Mumbai Marathon today
Mumbai, January 19 Fauja Singh, who lives in London, will participate in the 4.3 km event for senior citizens. He would turn 102 in April. He said he will retire after the Hong Kong Marathon of February 24. “I am enjoying it. The adulation keeps me motivated,” he told reporters here. Known as ‘Turbaned Tornado’, Fauja Singh took up the sport when he was in his eighties after moving to London. “Every bit of money that has been raised is for charity. Whether marathons or local religious tournaments, all the raised funds will go to charity. This is what has kept me blessed and healthy. “I decided to run my first 20 km in the London Marathon in 1992 under the training of my coach Harmander Singh ...today, I view life differently,” the centenarian said. — PTI
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Focus on North-East to draw foreign tourists: Chiranjeevi
Guwahati, January 19 He was addressing a gathering at the inauguration of an International Tourism Mart with focus on the North-East. The film star-politician said efforts would be made to promote film tourism in the North-East. “We will soon get in touch with the film fraternity of the country and abroad to facilitate shooting of films in the North-East,” he said. A colourful programme showcasing the tribal folk culture of the region was organised. The mart is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Tourism in coordination with the eight north-eastern states, including Sikkim and West Bengal. An exhibition has been organised portraying region’s unique ethnic way of life, culture and tradition. Dr Chiranjeevi said the mart could become an annual event in the region. Delegates, hoteliers and representatives from 23 countries including the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, France, Japan and ASEAN countries are attending the event, which ends tomorrow. Cambodia and Laos PDR are being represented at the ministerial level. He said the recent decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs to lift restrictions on the re-entry of foreign nationals visiting India on a tourist visa would also benefit the region.
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TMC workers go on rampage
Chinsurah (WB), January 19 The party workers set up road blockades and threw stones at buses on the Tarakeshwar-Chinsurah route in the Dhaniyakhali area leading to the police action, the sources said. They also gheraoed the Dhaniakhali police station where party worker Kaji Nasiruddin died, sources said. They demanded immediate removal of the officer-in-charge Barun Ghosh, alleging that Nasiruddin was beaten to death at the police station. The para-military Rapid Action Force was deployed in the area. Hooghly Superintendent of Police Tanmoy Roychowdhury said Nasiruddin was taken to police station by a night patrol after he was found in an inebriated state. He said Nasiruddin's wife Manuja Begum filed an FIR at the police station that her husband, a resident of Jairambati village, was allegedly beaten to death by the police. He said that the post-mortem report was awaited. — PTI
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Pizzas to Coke, consumer giants flock to Mahakumbh
Allahabad, January 19 Not everything about the Mahakumbh is religious after all. An equally strong commercial element has come to define the world’s largest open religious rendezvous where visitors can try a range of interesting options from free head massages to free take home shampoo pouches which companies are offering to boost product sales. There is also a Dominos Pizza corner for those among the pilgrims who wish to try something Italian! Thanks to a surging visitation, the Mahakumbh has emerged as a huge business and branding destination for top firms, be it Dominos and Pepsi or Coke and Sahara Q shop, whose sales officers are calling terming presence at the fair as “significant to the future expansion of their businesses”. “Sahara Q shop is a new product launched only in August this year. We had an all India launch in August. At Mahakumgbh, we are having our second big launch. We are expecting huge business supply chains to build and a lot of franchise-ship requests,” Upendra Taneja, Zonal Head, Sahara Q, Varanasi told The Tribune. Sahara Q has been the top bidder in the auction of shops at ‘Meena Market’, Kumbh’s commercial area where 284 units have been sold to a range of entities from fast-moving consumer firms selling detergents, biscuits and batteries to private and public banks using the complex for both advertising and banking. ICICI, HDFC have set up shop here. For a 2,000 square feet area, Sahara paid Rs 7 lakh. In all, the UP Government has already made close to Rs 5 crore from the commercial auction of space at Meena Market and 65 display stalls and 10 counters in the Food Plaza area of the fair where top food guns such as Bikaner and Dominos have set up base. The value of Mahakumbh as a branding destination stems from massive visitation to the Ganga ghats. The first ritual bath of January 14 attracted 100 lakh visitors. This will surge to an estimated 305 lakh by the upcoming baths on January 27 (Paush Poornima) and February 10 (Mauni Amavasya); the latter touted as the most auspicious among the six bathing dates this time. Free distribution as a market strategy is being practiced by most consumer goods firms, including Bajaj, which is using the Kumbh for advertising its new ‘Kailash Parvat oil’. A free head massage is guaranteed at the Bajaj counter!
Branding destination
The value of Mahakumbh as a branding destination stems from massive visitation to the Ganga ghats The first ritual bath of January 14 attracted 100 lakh visitors. This will surge to an estimated 305 lakh by the upcoming baths on January 27 (Paush Poornima) and February 10
(Mauni Amavasya) The UP Government has already made close to Rs 5 crore from the commercial auction of space and it is expected to go up to Rs 10 crore
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Bettiah (Bihar)
Raipur
Jorhat (Assam)
Nagpur
Darjeeling Bhagalpur Three persons, including two children, died after eating poisonous food at Nakki village of Bhagalpur district in Bihar, the police said on Saturday. An elderly woman and her two grandchildren started vomiting after eating rice and vegetable on Friday. They were hospitalised where they later died. Daughter of the deceased woman complained to the police that her sister-in-law had laced the food with poison. The police has arrested her sister-in-law. — PTI
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The Congress has decided that its best bet lies in offering a stable government while carrying along like-minded parties, expand its support base and occupy the middle ground in the country.
The world’s oldest runner Fauja Singh (101) will be participating in the 10th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday in what could be his first and last appearance in the city.
Fauja Singh, who lives in London, will participate in the 4.3 km event for senior citizens. He would turn 102 in April. He said he will retire after the Hong Kong Marathon of February 24.
The Ministry of Tourism aims at increasing the international tourist arrivals in India from 0.6 per cent (66
lakh) to 1 per cent (one crore) in the next five years. To achieve this target, the government will hard sell the North-East as an adventure tourism destination, said Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism Dr K Chiranjeevi here today.
A few kilometres from the Mahakumbh, the world’s largest human congregation, life-size posters of actors Akshay Kumar, Riya Sen and Bhagyashree greet pilgrims, enticing them to buy the consumer goods the stars endorse. Some distance away, sales representatives of corporate houses from Pepsi and Dabur India to Parle and Ranbaxy vie with each other to catch the consumer attention.
Kochi