The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	bihar Mid-day meal horror Absconding principal held Chhapra/Patna, July 24 Eight days after the mid-day meal tragedy which claimed the lives of 23 children, police today arrested the absconding school Principal and has begun interrogating her. “We arrested her from Chhapra town,” said Saran district Superintendent of Police and head of the special investigation team Sujeet Kumar. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar confirmed the arrest of Principal Meena Devi. “The investigation is on. The Principal of the school is in police custody. We will probe the incident from all possible angles,” Kumar told reporters in Patna. State police chief Abhyanand, who was present at the CM’s press meet, said the absconding Principal of Dharmasati Gandaman Primary School in Chhapra in Saran district has been arrested and she did not surrender. He, however, refused to disclose the location from where she was arrested and other details saying these were matters of investigation. Meena Devi was held even as a notice declaring her as a proclaimed offender was pasted at her Chhapra home. The notice asked Meena Devi to present herself before the police immediately failing which the process of attachment of her property will start, said the SP. Earlier in the day, she had filed an anticipatory bail application in the court of CJM Chhapra who did not provide her any instant relief. An FIR had been lodged against Meena Devi with Mashrakh police station in the mid-day meal case. She had been absconding since the incident on July 17 along with her husband, said to the supplier of the food material used on that day. The FIR has been registered under 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) among others, the DGP said. A probe report by Saran Commissioner Shashi Shekhar Sharma and DIG Vinod Kumar submitted to the government had found the Principal responsible for the tragedy. — PTI Lalu calls up HRD Minister RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday called up HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju to express concern over the lackadaisical manner in which the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar was going about implementing the mid-day meal programme. Lalu asked the Minister why Bihar had not spent the entire money allocated for the programme Raju to ask MPs for scheme review HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju on Wednesday said he would write to MPs asking them to regularly review the MDM programme in their areas of operation and hold frequent meetings of the district-level monitoring committees. The ministry has asked states to prepare a contingency plan in the event of a Bihar-like tragedy.
	Modi visa row: MPs deny signing letter to Obama BJP wants LS Speaker to take note of ‘mockery of Constitution’ Vibha Sharma/TNS New Delhi, July 24 The controversy surrounding the letter purportedly written by Indian Parliamentarians to US President Barack Obama on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s visa issue took a curious turn today when some signatories, including senior Left leader Sitaram Yechury, disassociated from the communication and hinted at forgery of their signatures. “I deny having signed any such letter. It is neither in my character nor in the principles of my party — the CPM — to petition any sovereign country on matters that fall strictly within the sovereign domain of that country. It is this very principle that leads us to strongly oppose and denounce any external interference into India’s internal affairs undermining its sovereignty,” said Yechury and suggested it was a “cut and paste” job. KP Ramalingam of the DMK claimed his signatures on the petition were fake, while Sanjeev Naik of the NCP questioned the authenticity of the letter saying he had been listed as a Rajya Sabha member on it. Naik represents Thane constituency of Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha. BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said; “It is important to catch those who forged the signatures”. He also demanded Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to take note of the “blatant invitation to a foreign country to interfere in India’s internal matters and mockery of the Indian Constitution by people’s representatives”. But Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh Mohammad Adeeb, one of the signatories of the letter urging Obama not to rescind a ban on visa to Modi, stuck to his guns saying he was ready for any inquiry as the letter and signatures were authentic. On Javadekar’s claim that more than half of the signatories had denied writing the letter, Adeeb accused them of bowing to the pressure from their parties. While the Congress appeared to disapprove of the episode, it dismissed the BJP charge that its “dirty tricks department” was behind the letter. “The nation is bigger than politics,” Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar said. Raising the issue of propriety and sovereignty, Congress MPs Pradip Bhattacharya and Joy Abraham, whose signatures are on the letter, said they did not remember signing the communication. While the letter is being seen in political circles as a brazen attempt to involve external forces into the domestic political discourse, experts call such a communiqué somewhat unprecedented saying only the External Affairs Ministry can correspond with a foreign country on visa-related issues. In March 2005, the UPA regime had lodged a protest with the US over denial of visa to Modi. Rajnath lauds Modi, says no row over his elevation Ashish Kumar Sen in Washington BJP president Rajnath Singh on Wednesday sought to downplay the controversy generated by remarks he made in the US that have angered some senior leaders in his party who see these as an endorsement of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. “There was no reason for an uproar,” Rajnath Singh told journalists in Washington. “Modi is a very, very popular leader,” Rajnath said. Asked whether he believes Modi is a prime ministerial candidate who can attract allies, he said: “Whoever (is the candidate), I don’t think there will be any problem.” He said there was consensus within the BJP over Modi. Discussing the controversy over a letter sent by some MPs asking US President Barack Obama to deny a US visa to Modi, Rajnath noted that many of the members whose signatures were on the letter have said that these were forged.
	Opposition raps Centre for its poverty figures Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 24 The Left and the Right parties both slammed the Planning Commission data showing a fall in the number of people living below the poverty line. The BJP termed it a “conspiracy” to deprive the poor of the benefits of government schemes and challenged the ruling Congress to show how a person could survive on Rs 34 per day. “The report showing a reduction in the number of people below the poverty line is a conspiracy of the Congress against the poor to deprive them of the benefits of the BPL schemes,” party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said. CPM leader Brinda Karat called the figures a blatant mockery of the poor in the country. “It is making a mockery out of the conditions of the poor in this country and they are using a methodology that they themselves agreed is not reflecting the reality on the ground before the Supreme Court,” Karat said.
	India, China mull CBMs to maintain LAC peace New Delhi, July 24 In the backdrop of the recent tension that erupted between the two countries following the recent incursions by PLA troops in Ladakh, India and China today discussed additional confidence building measures (CBMs) for consolidating peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Briefing the media after the third meeting of the India-China working mechanism for consultation and coordination on border affairs here, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the two delegations reviewed the recent developments in the border areas with the objective of enhancing peace and tranquillity between the two countries. “The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere.” — TNS
	After two babies die, Mumbai hospitals rush to buy ventilators Shiv Kumar/TNS Mumbai, July 24 Bureaucratic delays in the purchase of ventilators at Mumbai's public hospitals caused the death of two prematurely-born babies after they were turned down by three institutions because they did not have enough neo-natal ventilators. The two baby girls were born on June 13 in a private nursing home. "The hospital advised their father Vijay Jaiswal, an auto-rickshaw driver, to shift them to a hospital with neo-natal ICU facilities," says Rais Shaikh, a corporator of the Samajwadi Party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Jaiswal's children were denied admission to three big hospitals in Mumbai --- KEM, Sion and Wadia hospitals --- as they did not have any ventilator vacant. "Jaiswal was forced to take the babies back to the nursing home where they died after five days," says Shaikh. BMC officials say a proposal to purchase more ventilators for all its public hospital has been stuck in red-tape for the past two years. "There were problems with purchase of equipment because of the change in procurement policy," admits Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar. Of the Rs 651.42 crore budged for capital expenditure at public hospitals, the BMC could spend just Rs 179.89 crore in Financial Year 2012-13. After local level politicians raised a hue and cry following the death of the two babies, the BMC has decided to speed up purchases of emergency equipment for public hospitals. "We have now cleared the purchases of 119 ventilators and 27 neo-natal ventilators on a priority basis," an official said today. These equipment will be delivered by September, according to officials. Doctors at Mumbai's major hospitals have been demanding improved equipment for years as available infrastructure did not keep up with the number of people requiring public health services. With inadequate infrastructure available at public hospitals located in the suburbs, patients are referred to KEM and Sion hospitals which are overburdened, say officials. Tragic tale * The two baby girls were born on June 13 in a private nursing home * The hospital advised their father Vijay Jaiswal, an auto-rickshaw driver, to shift them to a hospital with neo-natal ICU facilities * Jaiswal's children were allegedly denied admission to three big hospitals in Mumbai — KEM, Sion and Wadia hospitals — as they did not have any ventilator vacant * Jaiswal was forced to take the babies back to the nursing home where they died after five days
	Goa begins probe against border toll booth employees Panaji, July 24 The Goa Government initiated a high-level inquiry today after it was revealed in a media sting operation that government employees were siphoning off toll fee taxes collected at the state's border areas. A local television news channel aired the sting operation which showed Goa Government Public Works Department employees letting in vehicles without paying toll fees at the state borders, after they pay a nominal bribe instead. Goa Government employees were shown collecting bribes of around Rs 500 from trucks without giving them any receipt, while the actual toll fee tax payable is Rs 1,000 per truck. State Public Works Department Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar said today that the department's principal chief engineer and vigilance officer inspected the Mollem checkpost on the Goa-Karnataka border where the media had exposed bribery. He said though allegations of corruption have been proved prima facie, a detailed inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the extent of money which has been siphoned off. The PWD has installed CCTV cameras at border checkposts, while records of all vehicles entering the state are maintained. — PTI
	Assault on cop Maharashtra MLAs’ suspension revoked Mumbai, July 24 The Maharashtra Assembly today revoked the suspension of five legislators, allegedly involved in the assault on a policeman on the legislature premises on March 19 this year. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil announced the development in the House following a meeting of leaders of all parties and the recommendations of a committee that probed the issue under the chairmanship of senior legislator Ganpatrao Deshmukh. The legislators, who will now be able to attend the Assembly proceedings, are: Kshitij Thakur (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Rajan Salvi (Shiv Sena), Jaykumar Raval (Bharatiya Janata Party), Ram Kadam (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) and Pradeep Jaiswal (Independent). — IANS
	Border pact, Chetia top list as B’desh FM arrives today Ashok Tuteja Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 24 Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is arriving in India tomorrow on a three-day visit amid clear signs of wrinkles in ties between the two neighbours over a host of issues. While New Delhi is insisting on an early extradition of ULFA chief Anup Chetia from Bangladesh, Dhaka wants India to implement the land-boundary agreement (LBA) and resolve the long-pending issue of sharing of Teesta waters. Though Moni will be in India primarily to address a lecture being organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), she will hold meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, informed sources said. During the talks, the PM is expected to reassure Moni of New Delhi’s commitment to implement the LBA in letter and spirit and also brief her on the efforts being made by the UPA government to build a consensus on Teesta water sharing accord. The PM is also likely to renew his invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in August. However, Bangladesh is yet to accept the invitation. The sense in Dhaka is that there is no point in Sheikh Hasina visiting India unless there is a productive outcome, like the ratification of the LBA by the Indian Parliament. Elections in Bangladesh are a few months away and the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government appears to be on a sticky wicket. The delay by India in ratifying the LBA and resolving the Teesta water sharing issue is being held against her by her opponents, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) headed by former PM Khaleda Zia. The BNP is seeking to cash in on the sentiments against the ruling party by raising an anti-India pitch. Indian officials, however, are quite hopeful that Parliament, during the upcoming monsoon session, will pass the Constitution Amendment Bill to ratify the LBA, which was signed during Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka in September 2011. Sticky issues * Dhaka wants India to implement the land-boundary agreement (LBA) and resolve the long-pending issue of sharing of Teesta waters * New Delhi is insisting on early extradition of ULFA chief Anup Chetia from Bangladesh * Dipu Moni will hold meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley
	India concerned at US withdrawal in Afghanistan Ajay Banerjee/TNS New Delhi, July 24 India today made its apprehensions clear to the US on what it perceives will be the situation in Afghanistan after the US-led international forces start withdrawing in June 2014. The Indian defence establishment pointed out its opinion to US Army Chief Gen Raymond T Odierno today. The US Army Chief is on a visit to India and he called on Defence Minister AK Antony besides interacting with Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh and Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi. The Indian side today raised issues and possible scenarios which may emerge following the disengagement of US-led forces from Afghanistan and attempts of the US to engage the ‘moderate group of Taliban’ in talks. New Delhi is suspicious of talks between the US and the Taliban. The first round was to be conducted at Qatar a few weeks ago. However, it was cancelled. Both India and Afghanistan had reacted sharply to the US move. India, which has invested $2 billion (approx Rs 12,000 crore) in Afghanistan since the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001, is unhappy at US reconciliation with the Taliban. New Delhi believes it would give legitimacy to militant groups, some of which are backed by Pakistan and thrive on its land.
	Mumbai shuts down amid fears of high tide Shiv Kumar/TNS Mumbai, July 24 Life in Mumbai came to a near standstill this morning after the local administration wary of heavy rain coinciding with exceptionally high tides ordered schools to shut down and advised people to stay home. Managements of many schools sent back buses with children after the authorities warned them against beginning classes. Memories of July 26, 2005 when Mumbai received record rainfall flooding the entire city for days revisited most people as the downpour turned heavy early in the day. “We had asked people to stay indoors fearing heavy rainfall coinciding with high tides,” mayor Sunil Prabhu said. With the weather department predicting high tides measuring up to 4.95 metres, the administration did not want to take any chances, Prabhu said. The municipal corporation could not deploy pumps to evacuate floodwater into the sea due to high tides. Rain, however, subsided by afternoon though the sky remained overcast portending heavy rainfall later in the evening. The weather department said the city received 215 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours, one of the highest this season. Traffic was diverted in many parts of the city as low-lying areas remained flooded. The traffic police put out SMS messages advising the closure of important roads. Motorists were also advised against taking out their vehicles unless necessary. Local trains and BEST buses plied behind schedule. Train services on both the Western and Central railways were affected temporarily. The Mumbra bypass on the national highway connecting Mumbai to Delhi and Ahmedabad was shut after some cracks were noticed, officials said.
	Another brigadier challenges top-level JAG promotions Vijay Mohan/TNS Chandigarh, July 24 Controversy continues to dog the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Department, the Army’s legal-cum-judicial branch, with yet another brigadier alleging manipulation and violation of policy in the selection board proceedings to promote officers to the apex position in the department. Army sources said Brigadier PK Sharma, who heads the Northern Command’s JAG Branch, today filed a petition in that regard before the Chandigarh bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal. The case is expected to come up for the first hearing later this month. The petition alleging irregularities in the promotion process comes close on the heels of the Defence Secretary ordering a probe against Judge Advocate General Maj Gen PS Rathore, the Army’s senior-most law officer, for alleged acts of professional impropriety and another senior JAG officer Brigadier Dinker Adeeb challenging the proceedings of the selection board for promotion of officers to the rank of major general. Brigadier Sharma’s petition, sources said, contained contentions similar to that raised in Brigadier Adeeb’s petition that came up for hearing on July 10. The Allegation Brigadier PK Sharma has alleged that there were serious violations of the laid-down policy and procedure besides underhand activities to favour certain officers for promotion