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Day after activist’s killing, M’rashtra okays ordinance against black magic
Nafed to import onion as prices soar again
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Andhra ex-minister grilled in assets case
Two more rhinos poached in Kaziranga Park
India, Iraq to sign energy pact
KISHTWAR VIOLENCE
India: Terror networks in Pak need to be dismantled
Spot-fixing: Warrants against 3 Dawood aides
US eyes Trivandrum airbase
File RTI pleas, pay fee online
Blast victims given seats in engg courses
Suicide bid by death row convict in K’taka
Tunda aided BKI in smuggling explosives
Around 100 held for Indore clash; curfew still on
Don’t politicise violence in Indore: Minister
Asaram booked for sexually assaulting girl
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Day after activist’s killing, M’rashtra okays ordinance against black magic
Mumbai, August 21 The Pune police has released a sketch of one of the suspects wanted in connection with the killing. The state Cabinet that met under Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan agreed to promulgate the anti-superstition ordinance in the next few days. Officials said the ordinance would be sent to Governor K Shankaranarayanan for his assent. It will have to be passed in the next session of the Assembly to become a law. The Cabinet decided to fast forward the ordinance after public outrage over the gunning down of the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS) president on Tuesday. Dabholkar had last month criticised Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for failing to bring the Bill to the state legislature despite it being on the agenda during the past seven Assembly sessions. While the Congress and the NCP had been in the forefront to bring in this piece of legislation, the Bharatiya Janata Party was strongly opposed to it on the grounds that it was an attack on Hinduism. The Maharashtra cabinet also decided to hold talks with the Warkaris, a Hindu sect in the state which has been opposed to the proposed law. Releasing a suspect’s sketch to the media to aid investigation, the police said the wiry youth around 5’7” tall also sported a scar on his cheek. The police said several persons had been questioned in connection with the murder. A right-wing Hindu organisation whose members had detonated explosives in Goa three years ago is under the scanner of the authorities, sources said. The police said activists of the Sanatan Sanstha, a Hindu fundamentalist body based in Goa’s Ponda district, were being probed. The Sanatan Sanstha has been at loggerheads with the ANS over a proposed legislation against superstitious practices. Adding to the public ire, Sanatan Prabhat, a newspaper published by the sanstha, in an editorial wrote that the death of a person was the result of his karma. The write up immediately resulted in a call for a ban on the organisation. The Sanatan Sanstha later said they did not have anything to do with the killing. “We are shocked at Dabholkar’s murder... we don’t have anything to do with the killing,” spokesperson for the organisation Abhay Vartak said.
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Nafed to import onion as prices soar again
New Delhi, August 21 Retail prices jumped back to Rs 70-80 per kg today, up by 10 per kg from yesterday’s level. Wholesale prices, too, rose at the same pace to 45-55 per kg in the National Capital and other states. The wholesale price at Lasalgoan in Maharashtra — Asia’s largest onion market — rose slightly to Rs 41.25/kg today. “Nafed is interested in importing onion from Pakistan, Iran, China and Egypt. Interested parties having experience in importing onion may specify the quantity that can be offered and rates on cost and freight per tonne along with final rate per tonne in rupee for delivery,” the cooperative said. The last date for submitting the offer is August 27. Global traders will have to import fresh onion grown in 2013 on behalf of Nafed and the shipment to Delhi should be effected in a week’s time after confirmation, it said. Imported onion from these countries should be of good quality and completely free from fungus infestation and attack by insects and moulds. Nafed has sought phytosanitary and fumigation certificates issued by a competent authority of the exporting country certifying onion is fumigated with methyl bromide and free from smut, dry rot and maggot. Onion prices have skyrocketed since last fortnight as the crop in Maharashtra, the largest growing state, is expected to be lower due to drought in some parts. Besides, supplies from other states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are not coming as rain has affected transportation and logistics. To control rising prices, the government had imposed a minimum export price of $650 per tonne and had directed cooperative major Nafed to import onion. Onion prices are likely to be under pressure till October when the new crop is expected to hit the market. Nashik-based National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) said the area under onion crop was down by 10 per cent from 10.87 lakh hectares this year. — PTI
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Andhra ex-minister grilled in assets case
Hyderabad, August 21 The CBI is probing the allegation that some private companies were doled out undue benefits during the former Chief Minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s regime as part of a quid pro quo arrangement to invest in the companies owned by Jagan. Prasad Rao was the Revenue Minister when the government had allotted more than 8,840 acres of land, worth Rs 1,768 crore, to Indu Projects for developing Lepakshi Knowledge Hub in Anantapur district. The company later made investments in the companies floated by Jagan. “I have answered all the questions put to me by the CBI particularly regarding the procedural issues. I am also ready to furnish any further information as I have nothing to hide,” Rao, who was the Revenue Minister in the YSR cabinet during 2004-09, said. The meeting on Lepaskhi Knowledge hub was chaired by YSR and it was decided to acquire and hand over the land to AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC). The Cabinet had then approved the decision and allotted the land to the APIIC. Later, the APIIC allotted the land to Indu Projects. “We have no role in this further allotment. Our role ends with handing over land to the APIIC, which is another government body,” Rao who had resigned recently after his name figured in the CBI charge sheet. The state government had last year cancelled the land allotment to Lepakshi Knowledge Hub (LKH), which had proposed to set up a multi-sector industrial park project. The Indu group, the promoter of the project, a Hyderabad-based real estate player, is already under the CBI scanner for its alleged investments in Jagan’s firms. In February 2009, the LKH had signed an MoU with the Industries Department for setting up a global knowledge hub by providing integrated infrastructure support to a range of activities, including education clusters, science and technology parks, medical, aviation and aerospace and IT parks. Prasad Rao, who has been questioned by the CBI twice, was named as one of the accused in the disproportionate assets case against Jagan. He had submitted his resignation in August last year when the CBI named him as the accused. After months of dilly-dallying, his resignation was accepted by the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in May this year.
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Two more rhinos poached in Kaziranga Park
Guwahati, August 21 The authorities claimed the forest guards on duty exchanged fire with the poachers who managed to escape. The guards rushed to the spot on hearing sounds of gun shots from inside the park. They later found carcasses of an adult female rhino, with its horn removed, and its male calf. Bullet marks were spotted on the carcasses of both the animals. Four empty AK 47 rifle cartridges were also recovered from the spot. With today’s incident, 28 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the state so far this year, including 18 in the Kaziranga Park. Protesters led by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) blocked the national highway near the park in protest against the alleged failure of the state wildlife and forest department to check rhino poaching. They burnt effigies of state Wildlife and Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain and raised slogan against the state government.
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India, Iraq to sign energy pact
New Delhi, August 21 This will be after a gap of 38 years that India will exchange a visit at level of the Head of Government with Iraq. In 1975, India's then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had been to Iraq on a state visit. Briefing reporters here today, Mridul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the External Affairs Ministry, said the Iraqi PM would be accompanied by senior ministers and captains of industry. He would also travel to Mumbai. In recent months, Iraq has emerged as the second largest supplier of crude oil to India after Saudi Arabia. India is buying 12.9 per cent of its oil requirement from the country. India-Iraq bilateral trade stands at $21 billion. Kumar said the two countries were also expected to sign several other agreements, including one on water resource management. The visit is being considered important by both countries which have enjoyed civilisational links. Discussions would not only focus on energy and water management but also on housing, healthcare, education and railways.
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KISHTWAR VIOLENCE R Sedhuraman Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, August 21 On the directive of the SC, Chief Secretary Iqbal Khandey filed an affidavit stating that Rs 5 lakh each was being paid to the kin of three persons killed in the incidents — two in Kishtwar and one at Gulabgarh (Atholi). As many as 43 persons, including two police officers, were injured in the violence which had erupted “abruptly” on August 9, the day of Eid, he said. Further, the state government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore to be paid as compensation for damaged shops and other property. A three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam asked the PIL petitioner, Sudesh Dogra, to give his views by August 23 on the state’s averments and posted the next hearing for August 26. Dogra has pleaded with the SC to direct the state to take a number of steps to protect people and their property. The SIT headed by a Superintendent of Police was probing “on a war-footing” 10 cases registered at Kishtwar police station and five cases at Atholi. Most of the 357 Machel yatris and 70 members of a langar party stranded at Gulabgarh were taken care of and had since been facilitated to return to their places. However, some of them were still staying at Machel willingly waiting for the “Chhari Mubarak.” The situation at Kishtwar was peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, the Chief Secretary said.
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India: Terror networks in Pak need to be dismantled
New Delhi, August 21 “This merely underscores our long-held position that there exists a terrorist network and support framework in that region that needs to be targeted and dismantled,’’ MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a media briefing here. Washington had yesterday designated Ganj Madrassa in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar as a terrorist organisation supporting the LeT, Al-Qaida and
Taliban.
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Spot-fixing: Warrants against 3 Dawood aides
New Delhi, August 21 Special Cell of the Delhi Police moved an application in the court seeking issuance of NBWs against Pakistan-based Dr Javed Chutani, Salman, alias Master, and Ehteysham, all considered associates of Dawood, saying they were based in Karachi and Lahore and were instrumental in the conspiracy. “The crux of the argument is that it is not possible to execute warrants to these accused in Pakistan... In view of the above, issue open NBWs against the three accused as requested,” Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma said. An “open” warrant has no time limit fixed for its execution. The police also moved a plea in court seeking issuance of NBWs against four alleged bookies - Sanjay Aggarwal, Mohd Shakeel Amir, Praveen Kumar G Thakkar and Sandeep Sharma - saying their names had cropped up during the interrogation of other accused. The court allowed the plea, saying: “Let NBWs be issued against these four accused as requested, returnable by September 30, 2013.” The police had on July 30 filed a charge-sheet in the case, alleging that Dawood and Chhota Shakeel, who had been “controlling the fixing and betting market” in cricket in India, were behind the IPL spot-fixing racket. The police, which named 39 persons as accused, including Rajasthan Royals’ S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, has said the syndicate run by Dawood and his aide had been actively operating from safe havens. — PTI
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US eyes Trivandrum airbase
New Delhi, August 21 A US base in India, that too in Kerala, Defence Minister AK Antony’s home state, would be a proverbial “political hot potato”. Political ideologies in the state are closer to the Left and Antony allowing any such US base could back fire. General Herbert J Carlisle, Commander of the US Air Force’s Pacific Air Force command, has claimed that under the Pacific Security Plans, the US Air will expand engagements and have a rotational presence through the Pacific. He named Trivandrum as one of the bases for that. “In a lot of ways we’ll increasingly move south and west with rotational presence. Darwin, Tindal, (Pilbara), Changi East in Singapore, CARAT in Thailand, Trivandrum in India,” he had been quoted in the US media as having said. The Defence Ministry here denied this categorically, saying: “There is no such proposal. Nothing of this sort has even been discussed by the US in any of the meetings with Indian authorities.” India had denied the US the use of its airbases when the US forces started moving to Afghanistan in 2001. In July 2009, a military plane flying over the Indian airspace without any advance notice was asked to land at Mumbai for an inspection.
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File RTI pleas, pay fee online
New Delhi, August 21 The portal--www.rtionline.gov.in-- was launched today by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy here. "This is a very important initiative by the government. Without filling any paper or going to any office, citizens can file RTI applications online," he said after inaugurating the website. Narayanasamy said the RTI was a weapon in the hands of people and it was doing wonders across the country. "At present, about 82 Central Government ministries have been covered with this portal. Soon we will bring all Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under it," the minister said. The Ministry of Personnel, which acts as administrative department for implementation of the transparency law, will also write to all state governments asking them to adopt this platform of online filing of RTI applications. "We will be writing a letter to all state governments asking them to follow this facility," he said, adding the government intends to strengthen people by many more such steps. The Centre's flagship Right to Information Act, which was enacted in 2005, mandates timely response-- within 30 days -- to citizen requests for government information. One has to pay a fee of Rs 10 for seeking information. An information seeker can submit a fee of Rs 10 via Internet banking through SBI and its associated banks using the website. One can also use credit or debit cards. — PTI
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Blast victims given seats in engg courses
Bangalore, August 21 In view of their injuries, both girls were allowed to take the Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by Karnataka government in the hospital itself where they were undergoing treatment. The state government has also taken a decision to sanction them Rs 1 lakh each besides meeting the hospital expenses for both the victims.
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Suicide bid by death row convict in K’taka
Bangalore, August 21 Shivu Munishetti slashed his private parts and wrist allegedly with a blade which mysteriously found its way into his cell. “He is being treated at the jail hospital only. His condition is okay now. We are conducting a probe into the incident,” said VS Raja, DIG, Karnataka Prison Department. Jail officials had made all arrangements to hang both Shivu Munishetti and his associate Jadeswamy Rangashettti after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected their mercy petitions on August 13. — TNS
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Tunda aided BKI in smuggling explosives
New Delhi, August 21 “The explosives were brought from Pakistan through Nepal,” said a Delhi Police officer. The explosives were then allegedly used in a bomb blast attempt in Amritsar on December 31, 2009. According to the officer, the bomb had been kept in a car, parked near an eatery named ‘Hindu Dhaba’ on the outskirts of Amritsar. Punjab Police foiled the terror attack and recovered 10 kg of RDX from the car. The investigation into the foiled bomb blast revealed the name of an alleged leader of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Ratandeep Singh as the key conspirator. Punjab Police suspected that he had used Tunda’s network to escape to Nepal, from where he went to Pakistan via Bangladesh.
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Around 100 held for Indore clash; curfew still on
Indore, August 21 The clash occurred yesterday in Chandan Nagar area of the city after the recovery of a cow carcass and till now, the police has arrested around 100 people in this connection, Superintendent of Police (west) Anil Singh Khushwaha told PTI. Following the violence yesterday, in which 50 persons including 20 policemen were injured after two groups indulged in stone-throwing, curfew was clamped in the area, which was still on as a precautionary measure, he said. No untoward incident was reported from Chandan Nagar after curfew was imposed, Khushwaha said, adding that heavy police force had been deployed in the area. — PTI
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Don’t politicise violence in Indore: Minister
Indore, August 21 "Such incidents hamper the development, and no politics should be played," he said while talking to reporters here. But in reply to a question, he said, without naming anyone, that a Congress leader had said a few days back that "there would be riots in the state". Meanwhile, state minister for Public Health Mahendra Hardia visited the MY Hospital here where those injured in yesterday's violence are admitted. About 100 people have been arrested by the police in connection with the incident. The clash between two groups started after a cow's carcass was found, Superintendent of Police Anil Singh Khushwaha told PTI. Fifty people, including 20 policemen were injured in the stone-pelting, and curfew was clamped in the area. — PTI
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Asaram booked for sexually assaulting girl
New Delhi, August 21 The teenage girl, along with her parents, went to Kamla Market police station here yesterday and gave a written complaint against the 74-year-old self-styled godman of sexually assault on her. “After sexual assault was confirmed in the medical examination of the girl, a case under relevant sections of IPC has been registered at Kamla Market police station. As the incident took place in Rajasthan, we have moved the case to Jodhpur,” said a police officer. A spokesperson of Asaram Bapu’s Ashram rubbished the charges. “This is an entirely false case. It is yet another attempt to tarnish Bapu’s image. Let the investigation happen. Whoever is behind this (case) will be exposed,” said Neelam Dubey, Asaram’s spokesperson.— PTI
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Guwahati, August 21
