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Need better communication plan: PM
‘Want peace, but Pak must act
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Shinde accuses BJP, RSS of fanning Hindu terror
Krishna’s absence clouds his role in K’taka poll
Gujarat BJP gears up for local elections
MIM MLA in soup over Gandhi statue remarks
Centre gets tough on foreign jaunts of ministers, bureaucrats
India, US finalise Rs 3,000 cr deal for jet engines
6 Naxals killed in Maharashtra
M’rashtra cuts politicians’ security cover
Pranab inaugurates integrated terminal at Kolkata airport
Jantar Mantar |
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Need better communication plan: PM
Jaipur, January 20 “A question arises here as to why our success is not being recognised (by the people)? One reason for it is that we ourselves have not advertised it. Perhaps our communication strategies have not been very effective”, he said in his address at the All India Congress Committee session here. Much of the address was devoted to the achievements of the Government on various fronts, including the successful results of polio eradication programme, in which no case has been reported for the second year. However, he was candid in admitting that the Government was unable to control rising prices and inflation rate was much above than what it wanted. The reasons behind it were sharp increase in petroleum prices in international market and the decision to pay higher minimum support prices to farmers, he said. In the next financial year the Government, he emphasised, will have to take some solid steps to control prices. Comparing the performance of the UPA Government during the last eight years since 2004 with the six years of the BJP-led NDA regime, the Prime Minister said if the annual rate of growth stood at 5.8 per cent during the NDA Government, it averaged 8.2 per cent during the UPA regime. This achievement was at a time when the world witnessed international economic crisis on two occasions. While the growth rate has dipped recently, he said, it is not so sharp as in other parts of the world. Growth in the farm sector stands at 3.7 per cent during the UPA’s eight years to 3 per cent during the Vajpayee Government The Prime Minister said there is an increase in rural consumption and reduction of poverty indicating that the benefits of economic development are reaching villages. Interestingly, Defence Minister A K Antony disputed it stating that even now half of the country is still struggling and disparity is growing. He said while the Government was taking steps, the fact is that the gap between the rich and the poor is increasing. He suggested that the rich should not be reluctant and pay more at a time when the country is facing financial crunch. The Prime Minister said the party has to ensure that the message reached the people how the Government has taken steps to fight poverty, illiteracy and disease and achieved significant success. Similarly, the people need to be informed about the polices undertaken for the benefit of the weaker sections, minorities, scheduled castes/tribes, other backward classes and uplift of the rural poor. Comparison with NDA Govt
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‘Want
peace, but Pak must act too’ Jaipur, January 20 “Pakistan committed an inhuman act along the LoC on January 8. The incident has cast a negative impact on our ties. We will take steps with care and due consideration…We want friendship with Pakistan. But they should also make efforts in this regard. It is not possible only with our efforts,” he said. The issue also found reflection in the Jaipur Declaration adopted by the party which noted that while India needs to reposition leadership in South Asia, New Delhi’s neighbours and partners at the same time must recognise the country’s legitimate security interests and concerns. “Any dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour and when these principles are violated India should not hesitate to take credible action,” the document said in an apparent reference to the recent killing. Tension between India and Pakistan peaked over the past two weeks after two Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistan troops along the LoC. One of the bodies was mutilated. India reported repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan, a fact vehemently denied by Islamabad. Dr Singh had then warned that it “could not be business as usual” with Pakistan and Islamabad “needs to realise this”. The tension was eased last week after a meeting of the Director General of Military Operations of the two countries. Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, too, offered Foreign Minister-level talks to defuse the situation which External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said was a positive development.
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Shinde accuses BJP, RSS of fanning Hindu terror
Addressing the AICC session in Jaipur, he said, “Reports have come during investigation that the BJP and the RSS conduct terror training camps to spread terrorism...bombs were planted in the Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and also a blast was carried out in Malegaon.” The government would have to take these things seriously and remain alert, he added. The Home Minister’s remarks were slammed by both the BJP and the RSS, which termed them as dangerous and divisive. In New Delhi, BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the nation for Shinde’s remarks. Shinde, however, stuck to his stand saying what he said had already appeared in the media and was nothing new. “This is saffron terrorism that I have talked about. It is the same thing and nothing new. It has come in the media several times,” he said. To a question if it was Hindu terrorism or saffron terrorism, he said, “This is saffron terrorism (that) I have stated.” Charging Congress with having a "destructive mindset which was reflected in the Home Minister's statement", the BJP said it was "very objectionable". "It is not only unacceptable but dangerous also," party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. "There cannot be anything worse that the country's Home Minister giving such an objectionable statement to disrupt peace and harmony of the country," Naqvi said in Delhi. "Sometimes I feel that Congress has become a group of cowards (kayaron ki jamaat). I am terming Congress as a group of cowards because repeated terror strikes are happening in the country, terrorists are mushrooming here. They abolished the tool to fight terrorism," he said in an apparent reference to scrapping of POTA. Attacking the Home Minister, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav described his statement as "highly irresponsible" and said he had made the remarks only to please his party bosses. (With PTI inputs)
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Krishna’s absence clouds his role in K’taka poll
Bangalore, January 20 Krishna, who recently quit as Foreign Minister ostensibly to play a major role in the state unit, was recently made a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee. But he skipped the party’s conclave at Jaipur on the ground that he had a prior commitment to attend a meeting in Vietnam. With octogenarian Krishna still not showing much interest in the state politics, the Congress, the main opposition party in the state, continues to be caught in a wrangle over the leadership issue. Parameshwara, a Dalit, is right now the KPCC chief even as S Shivashankarappa, who belongs to the politically influential Lingayat community, persists with his demand to be made the state unit chief. Earlier this month, Krishna and his wife got their names included in the voters’ list of Somanahalli, a step which was being seen as a sign that Krishna may contest the Assembly poll.
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Gadkari set to be BJP chief for second term
New Delhi, January 20 There have been reports in recent days that senior party leader LK Advani had floated the names of Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the post. The two leaders have, however, not shown keenness in occupying the top post at this stage. Gadkari is said to also enjoy backing of the RSS despite allegations of corruption against the Purti group of companies with which he has been associated. The RSS feels Gadkari, who took over the reins of the party soon after the BJP’s second consecutive Lok Sabha poll defeat in 2009, should lead the party in the next election. The BJP had in September amended its Constitution at its Surjakund conclave to give a second successive term to the party chief. However, several top BJP leaders had turned against Gadkari after he courted controversy when the corruption charges surfaced against the Purti group. Noted lawyer and BJP Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani was the first to raise the banner of revolt against him. He was subsequently suspended from the party. Other senior leaders like Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh and Shatrughan Sinha were also said to be of the view that Gadkari’s continuance as the party chief would weaken its campaign against the Congress over the corruption issue. However, the dissidents seem to have fallen in line. In fact, Gadkari is expected to soon revoke Jethmalani’s suspension.
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Gujarat BJP gears up for local elections
The state BJP parliamentary board began a three-day meeting in Gandhinagar yesterday to select the party candidates for the elections to 76 municipalities, 1,427 village panchayats and byelections for 15 seats in 11 municipalities and two seats in the Junagadh municipal corporation scheduled next month. Modi attended the meeting and exhorted the party workers to work towards ensuring party’s win in the elections to the local self-government bodies. In the past, all major political parties have kept away from contesting the local elections, below the level of municipal corporations, on the party symbol, but after Modi’s strong showing in the Assembly elections, the BJP started contesting local elections, including those of village panchayats, forcing the Congress to follow suit. In addition to the two principal rivals, the local elections this time were expected to be a three-cornered contest with the Gujarat Parivartan Party floated by former chief minister and Modi’s arch rival Keshubhai Patel announcing its intent to join the fray. While the GPP could win just two seats in the state Assembly elections, the party believed it could penetrate better at the grass-roots level and improve its prospects in the bigger elections in future. Still licking the wounds it received in the state Assembly elections, the Congress is yet to gather itself up to join the next round of electoral battle. The party is believed to be waiting for the conclusion of its “Chintan Shivir” in Jaipur before discussing the state-level issues with the party high command. A decision on the next Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, following the resignation of Shaktisinh Gohil, was also expected to be taken next week, just before the Assembly meets for two days on January 23 for the swearing in of the newly-elected members and the election of the Assembly Speaker. Battle-ready
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MIM MLA in soup over Gandhi statue remarks
Hyderabad, January 20 The Andhra Pradesh police has registered a case against Quadri, who represents Charminar Assembly constituency, for making the objectionable remarks during a public meeting at Jagityal town in Karimnagar district on January 17. The controversial MLA was believed to have questioned the rationale behind installing Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in the premises of the state Assembly building built by Muslim rulers. Responding to a complaint filed by a BJP leader B Sanjay Kumar, a local court has directed the police to book a case against the legislator, investigate the incident and file a report. The complainant submitted a copy of a CD, containing the speech made by Quadri. “Nizam rulers had built the state Assembly building in Hyderabad, but see what has happened. They have installed a statue of Gandhi there. Who constructed it and who has been installed there," Quadri said. “All important monuments and structures like Charminar, Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal and Red Fort were built by us, what they have done?” he asked while addressing the gathering. Quadri accused the state government of targeting MIM and framing his fellow party legislator Owaisi, who has since been jailed for the alleged hate speeches.
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Centre gets tough on foreign jaunts of ministers, bureaucrats
Chandigarh, January 20 According to new guidelines, state functionaries will not be able to visit foreign countries at the drop of a hat. “The post-facto approval will not be allowed and the expenses incurred on such travels, without mandated approval, would be treated as unauthorised, inviting stringent action,” sources said. Stressing the need for new guidelines, sources asserted that in a number of cases such proposals were received by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Finance Ministry after the commencement of the visit or a couple of days prior to the scheduled date of journey. In such a situation, it became difficult for the screening committee of secretaries to process the application and send it for timely approval of the Union Finance Minister. On certain occasions, the state functionaries concerned had undertaken journeys without prior approval. The screening committee of secretaries has taken a serious note of such occurrences. At present, the procedure for processing foreign visit applications by state functionaries is laid down in the Cabinet Secretariat’s order dated August 16, 1982, which was modified on September 3, 2004. These guidelines were further modified by the Cabinet Secretariat on August 26, 2010, making prior clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs mandatory before processing such applications by the DEA. Now, the DEA wants a complete proposal along with necessary clearances at least two weeks before the scheduled date of departure so that these may be processed by the screening committee of secretaries in time. A senior state government functionary said if followed in letter and spirit, the new guidelines would go a long way in checking unnecessary expenditure by the state government on the visits of politicians and bureaucrats. The whip
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India, US finalise Rs 3,000 cr deal for jet engines
New Delhi, January 20 Around two years ago, India had selected the American company General Electric over its rival European Eurojet 2000 for the LCA Mark II programme expected to be ready around 2014-15. "The deal worth Rs 3,000 crore has been finalised with the US for procuring 99 engines for the LCA Tejas MkII," DRDO officials said here. As per the contract, the order could be for 99 engines initially but India will have the option of ordering another 100 engines in the future. The engine on offer for the LCA Mark II is GE F-414 engine, which are more powerful that the GE F-404 engines fitted in the first batch of LCAs that the Indian Air Force would receive in near future. The need for changing the existing engines in the LCAs was felt after the IAF found out that the GE-404 engines were not providing enough power to the aircraft and more powerful engines were needed for the purpose. The DRDO is developing the LCA Mk II to meet the Air Force requirements and it will have latest technological equipment, including the Active Electronic Scanned Array radar and would be able to carry more payload than the LCA Mk I. As per the current plans, the IAF will induct two squadrons of the LCA Mk I which would be followed by delivery of LCA Mk II aircraft. — PTI Defence boost
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6 Naxals killed in Maharashtra
Gadchiroli, January 20 A police team was on a routine anti-Naxal operation in the jungles of Govindgaon last night when they were fired upon by the rebels. The patrolling party returned fire and in the ensuing gunfight at least six Maoists, including two women, were killed, police said, adding they are yet to be identified. All the bodies have been brought to Aheri police headquarters in the district, they said. The encounter continued for a few hours and ended at around 2.30 am, according to reports received here. Some senior members of a local dalam (armed unit) may be among those killed, police said.
— PTI
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M’rashtra cuts politicians’ security cover
Mumbai, January 20 The security cover of several former ministers and MLAs is under review and orders to scale it down are being implemented. This week, the state government scaled down the security cover provided to Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray’s residence. Thirty policemen and women posted at Matoshree were withdrawn and more would be pulled out in stages, say sources. Sources say the security cover of a number of leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and former Deputy Chief Minister Vijaykumar Gavit, has also been scaled down. In all, around 800 policemen guarding the VIPs in Mumbai will be freed up in the next few weeks, say officials.
— TNS
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Pranab inaugurates integrated terminal at Kolkata airport
Kolkata, January 20 With the opening of the new terminal (with 59 aircraft bays and 15 boarding bridges), Kolkata assumed a new importance and a new landmark. Governor MK Narayanan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, among others, were present on the occasion. The Rs 2,300 crore new terminal, the third of it's kind in the country, will be now ready for facilitating the air travel of 7,450 passengers, both domestic and international, during the peak hour.
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Jantar Mantar
Rahul on ‘lateral entrants’ in Cong
The importance of being Ayesha The launch of a book on the late Nawab of Pataudi Mansoor Ali Khan last week turned out to be a touching event. While his wife and well-known film actor Sharmila Tagore, who has written the foreward to the book, spoke movingly about her long association with the dashing cricket captain, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also added a personal touch to the function. Speaking about his friendship with Pataudi, Khurshid told the audience about a letter written by the cricketer to his late daughter Ayesha shortly before she died of a kidney ailment nearly a decade ago. Wishing the young patient well, Pataudi wrote that he had always been partial to the name Ayesha. This is understandable as Sharmila was named Ayesha after her marriage to the former prince.
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Jaipur/New Delhi, January 20
Ahmedabad, January 20
Prime Ministerial contenders in the BJP are understandably feeling jittery following reports that the RSS has agreed to move Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Delhi with the intention of declaring him as the party's PM candidate in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. This apprehension was clearly reflected in senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj's recent comments while speaking at the launch of a portal on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Heaping praise on his leadership qualities, Swaraj underlined that Vajpayee was a true democrat who never imposed his will on others. Recalling her experiences as a minister in the Vajpayee government, Swaraj said there were several occasions when the former PM found himself in a minority but as a quintessential team player, he always went by the majority opinion. The BJP grapevine promptly interpreted Swaraj's remarks as being directed at Modi given the serious reservations among senior leaders about his autocratic style of functioning. But Modi's fan following among BJP cadres remains intact. Last week, Modi's social visit to Chennai was converted into a show of strength as slogan shouting BJP workers hailed him as their future leader.
Participating in the discussion on organisation matters at the Congress chintan shivir in Jaipur last week, Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi gave a pep talk to the participants on strengthening the party. He also acknowledged the concern of several delegates over outsiders or "lateral entrants" being given eminent positions in the party while loyal workers are marginalised. He agreed with Youth Congress leaders who pointed out that "turncoats" should not be given tickets during elections. Rahul Gandhi's comments would have normally been cheered lustily but in this case, they were greeted with stunned silence. The reason: even as Rahul Gandhi spoke, he was flanked on either side by AICC general secretaries Mohan Prakash and Madhusudan Mistry, known to be the Congress yuvraj's favourites. Prakash was previously with the Janata Dal while Mistry was associated with former BJP leader Shankersinh
Vaghela.