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CBI to file status report on Oct 22
Govt mulls Wifi hotspots in 2.5 lakh
panchayats
Retired paramilitary men seek better deal
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Fighter jets getting facelift with modern gadgetry
China on mind, Khurshid’s Manila visit begins
today
Environmentalist Sunita Narain hurt in accident
Scholarship, spirituality mark 3-day Khushwant lit fest
UP gold hunt enters Day 3
Lalu Prasad
MP Govt acquires 9 properties dating back to Ahilyabai’s rule
Spurned lover forces 17-yr-old Mumbai girl to drink acid
Police grills Asaram's wife, daughter
Decomposed bodies of 3 students found
Telugu matinee idol ANR says he has cancer
Mars spacecraft integrated with rocket: ISRO
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CBI to file status report on Oct 22
New Delhi, October 20 Highly-placed sources said the Supreme Court would be given the details of fresh FIR filed against Aditya Birla group chairman Kumar Mangalam
Birla, Hindalco and former coal secretary PC Parakh. They said the status of probe in remaining matters, including those in which investigation, has been completed will be conveyed to the apex court on October 22. The CBI has registered 14 FIRs so far in connection with the alleged graft in allocation of coal blocks in which AMR Iron and Steel, JLD Yavatmal Energy, Vini Iron and Steel
Udyog, JAS Infrastructure Capital Pvt Ltd, Vikash Metals, Grace Industries, Gagan Sponge, Jindal Steel and Power, Rathi Steel and Power Ltd, Jharkhand
Ispat, Green Infrastructure, Kamal Sponge, Pushp Steel and Hindalco have been named as accused. The agency would also give a status of the preliminary inquiry registered by it in connection with the missing files, said sources. The Supreme Court is monitoring the probe in the coal block allocation scam to "restore the larger public interest and confidence of the people into the case of this magnitude". The court is scrutinising coal block allocation since 1993 on three PILs seeking cancellation of blocks on the ground that rules were flouted in giving away the natural resources and that certain companies were favoured in this process. In a recent hearing, Supreme Court had issued notices to seven coal mining states - Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal - to explain allocation policies adopted by them by October 29. — PTI
14 FIRs
* Sources said the SC would be given the details of fresh FIR filed against Aditya Birla group chairman Kumar Mangalam
Birla, Hindalco and former coal secretary PC Parakh * They said the status of probe in remaining matters, including those in which investigation, has been completed will be conveyed to the apex court on October 22 *
The CBI has registered 14 FIRs so far in connection with the alleged graft in allocation of coal blocks *
The agency would also give a status of the preliminary inquiry registered by it in connection with the missing files, said sources
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Govt mulls Wifi hotspots in 2.5 lakh panchayats
New Delhi, October 20 The proposal, in the works at Department of Telecom (DoT), will entail additional expenditure of about Rs 5,000 crore to the Rs 20,000 crore National Optic Fibre Network project, said a senior government official. "The spend on NOFN is expected to increase to about Rs 25,000 crore. DoT is working to increase the scope of NOFN by providing Wifi hotspots to make broadband affordable for people in around 2.5 lakh village panchayats. This project along with depreciation value of rupee is going to add to existing cost," the official said. The proposal will go for clearance to the inter- ministerial panel telecom commission, and after the approval it will be placed before the Cabinet for final nod. Under the NOFN project, the government plans to provide broadband speed of up to 2 megabit per second on the network. Users of broadband network with speed of 2 Mbps can download a 600 MB file, equivalent to length of a Bollywood movie, in about 41 minutes. "Wifi devices also are coming at low cost so this will also resolve issue of affordable devices in rural area," the official said. The government had approved Rs 20,000 crore for the NOFN project in October 2011. It was expected to be rolled out by the end of 2012, but now the government expects it to be completed in 2014-15. — PTI
Mega speed
* The proposal will go for clearance to the inter- ministerial panel telecom commission, and after the approval it will be placed before the Cabinet for final nod *
Under the project, the government plans to provide broadband speed of up to 2 megabit per second (mbps) on the network *
Users of broadband network with speed of 2 mbps can download a 600 MB file, equivalent to length of a Bollywood movie, in about 41 minutes
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Retired paramilitary men seek better deal
New Delhi, October 20 The paramilitary forces include the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB). The existing strength of these forces is around 11 lakh, while the number of retired one is around 9 lakh. The BSF is the first line of defence along the Indo-Pak and the Indo-Bangladesh border, the ITBP is posted shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army along the frontier with China, the CRPF undertakes anti-Maoist operations, while the CISF guards key installations like atomic energy plants, industrial complexes, oil refineries and airports. Retired paramilitary personnel, under the aegis of the All-India Central Paramilitary Forces Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, have announced that they will now gherao headquarters of the each force at the Central Government Offices (CGO) complex in New Delhi. In a letter to the PM, the association has pointed out the nature of their duties is akin to that of military personnel, but do not get all the facilities and privileges to which the armed forces personnel are entitled. The association has also demanded a separate set of rules like the three armed forces.
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Fighter jets getting facelift with modern gadgetry
New Delhi, October 20 The IAF faces a crisis as the key IAS official handling the Dassault Aviation purchase in the Ministry of Defence died of an heart attack a couple of weeks ago. The process is complex and the new appointee may take a few months to understand the matter that relates to purchase of 125 twin-engine Rafale planes at the cost of $15 billion (approx Rs 90,000 crore at today’s valuation). Moreover, the ongoing issue of localisation of production is yet to be sorted out. As of now, the IAF is upgrading some 210 fighter jets in its fleet to meet the challenges and equip the planes with the gadgetry of today’s war fighting scenario. The upgrades will be on the Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar, all purchased in the 1980s from France, Russia and the UK, respectively. The next phase will be to upgrade the older lot of Sukhoi-30 MKI planes to equip them with latest radars like the ‘X-band’ allowing a simultaneous track on 30 aerial targets and engage at least six of them. Also the radar signature will be reduced and it will have a new longer range missiles. The upgrade was anyway needed to bring the planes in tune with latest technology, but the slow place on deciding on the purchase of 126 Rafale has added a tinge of urgency. The IAF Chief had said on October 4: “Negotiations are still on. I cannot place a timeline on when the deal will be signed…The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Dassault are in talks and hope they come with an agreement”. Besides this, starting next year, three different versions of the MiG 21 planes are to be phased out. Also the MiG 27, another Soviet-era plane used by the
IAF, will be phased out. These two planes form the lowest layer of IAF fighter jets in terms of technology. The MiG 29, the Mirage-2000 and the Jaguar are the second layer while Sukhoi-30 MKI is the frontline top-layer. The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons (some 16 to 18 planes in each) but it has just 33. The 34th, a Sukhoi-30-MKI squadron, is being raised at Sirsa in
Haryana. The upgrades will make the IAF carry on with the older planes for at least 15 more years. The MiG 29 fleet of 62
twin-engined planes inducted in the mid 1980s is being upgraded at a cost of $964 million. The upgrade will convert these planes into multi-role fighters, a new avionics suite, latest radars. Similarly the fleet of 51 Mirage-2000 planes is being upgraded under a $2.4 billion contract by Dassault Aviation, its manufacturer. This will also have a new radar, a night vision compatible digital cockpit, helmet-mounted sights and new missiles.
Fitness exercise
* The upgrades will be on the Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar, all purchased in the 1980s from France, Russia and the UK, respectively. *
The next phase will be to upgrade the older lot of Sukhoi-30 MKI planes to equip them with latest radars like the 'X-band' allowing a simultaneous track on 30 aerial targets *
The Jaguars, around 100 with the
IAF, called the ‘deep penetration strike aircraft’, will get a new engine and weapons delivery system
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China on mind, Khurshid’s Manila visit begins
today
New Delhi, October 20 Khurshid, who is leaving here tomorrow, will have wide-ranging talks with Philippine leaders on a range of issues. He will also co-chair the second meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation
(JCBC) with his Philippine counterpart Del Rosario. Beijing’s aggressive posturing over the resource-rich South China Sea is expected to be high on the agenda during his meetings in
Manila. Khurshid visit to the Philippines assumes significance against the backdrop of Manila’s attempt to seek international arbitration on conflicting claims over the sea. Manila has launched an arbitration case with the United Nations to challenge the legal validity of Beijing's sweeping claims over the sea, a move which has angered China no ends. China claims almost the entire oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, overlapping with claims from Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam. Even with India, China has been at loggerheads over the disputed sea. Last year, Beijing had issued warnings to New Delhi not to undertake oil exploration in blocks allotted to India by Vietnam in its own maritime waters in the area. India, which is not directly a party to the dispute, is of the view that the matter should be resolved by China and its neighbours diplomatically while ensuring freedom of navigation for all nations in international waters. From Manila, Khurshid will travel to Singapore to co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee
(JMC) with Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam. "The JMC would focus on reviewing the steady development in our strategic partnership and also explore new mechanisms to add momentum to our relations, apart from discussion on regional and multilateral issues, the MEA said.
Spotlight on South China Sea
* The Philippines is widely perceived as an adversary of China *
Beijing's aggressive posturing over the resource-rich South China Sea is expected to be high on the agenda during Khurshid's meetings in Manila *
His visit to the Philippines assumes significance against the backdrop of Manila's attempt to seek international arbitration on conflicting claims over the sea *
From Manila, Khurshid will travel to Singapore to co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee with Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam
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Scholarship, spirituality mark 3-day Khushwant lit fest
It began with a flourish and climaxed on a note of scholarship and spirituality. The three-day Khushwant Singh Literary Festival at Kasuali Club attended by a select gathering culminated on Sunday afternoon. As on other days and so on the final day, book launches, interactive sessions and slide shows marked the concluding day.
In the fitness of things and in honour of the man, easily the most famous sardar of the country Khushwant Singh, his latest book ‘The good The Bad and The Ridiculous’ was released. As Sir Mark Tully remarked: “The book is full of wonderful reminisces of the people you would have known and heard about.” People and land are the stuff books are made of and it was evident in two other sessions. Satyananda Stokes, an American who settled in India and participated in the Indian Freedom Movement, best remembered today for having introduced apple cultivation to Himachal Pradesh, came alive as his granddaughter and writer of the book ‘American in Khadi: The Definitive Biography of Satyanand Stokes’, Asha Sharma shared her thoughts on him. Making interesting observations in conversation with Tully, she brought out little known as well as more significant aspects of the great visionary American who became an Indian in more ways than one. If facts intrigued, so did fiction. In a dramatised rendering of passages from Juggi Bhasin’s novel ‘The Avengers’, book lovers were taken enroute an imaginary journey of private enterprise’s war on terrorism. Well-known theatre actor Vijay Crishna read out with emotive power. And voice became a vehicle of communication once again when Vijay Vardhan spoke about his book ‘Kurukshetra’ and how the holy land can’t be spoken about without reference to its spirituality. Actually when he began writing the book, which he insists is neither an encyclopaedia nor a tourism brochure, he realised there were no secondary sources of information. So he turned to primary sources and writings dating back to Harshvardhan’s times. On Lord Krishna’s connection with the land, he made an interesting observation as to how Lord Krishna is Vishnu’s complete avatar and he doesn’t become complete without Kurukshetra. The same thread of spirituality became palpable in erudite scholar and noted art historian Dr BN Goswamy’s slide lecture on Sufis as seen by Pahari painters. In his adept masterful way he made those present see the unseen. Interspersing his lecture with Persian couplets, he pointed out images of Sufi mystics listening to the anhad, in sync with wild life and at peace with wilderness. He reminded that the essence of Sufism lies in the word fana, in self-realisation and negating the ego. During the morning session, the former bureaucrat turned author Robin Gupta’s memoirs which he calls his legacy to the world was released as well. Founding director of the Mussoorie Writers’ Mountain Festival Stephen Alter’s latest thriller ‘The Rataban Betrayal’ too became a subject of interest. As the curtains fell on the festival, Khushwant’s son Rahul Singh summed up his father on a poetic note remarking on his ability to be like a king yet be one with commoners. And finally the success of all festivals is measured in terms of books sold, a count on which the festival did fairly well with Navtej Sarna and Rajmohan Gandhi emerging as clear favourites of book lovers. ‘Married to Punjabis’ In a lighter vein and perhaps as a tribute to Khushwant Singh’s unputdownable sense of humour, a small session called ‘Not So Strange Bedfellows: Married to Punjabis’ generated much mirth and interest. While Manish Kashyap married to a Punjabi woman regaled with some anecdotes, Parbina Rashid hailing from north-east and married to a Sikh called herself and her hubby the original ‘Jab We Met’ couple for they met in a train.
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UP gold hunt enters Day 3
Unnao (UP), October 20 Excavation was resumed today by the Archaeological Survey of India team in the presence of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vijay Shankar Dubey and Circle officer Charanjeet Singh. “The team had yesterday dug 70cm. The work has recommenced,” official sources said here. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Sonia Singh said night-vision cameras would be installed at the site to ensure enhanced security. Archaeologists began digging on Friday for the treasure which is supposedly buried under the ruins of the 19th century Raja Rao Ram Bux Singh fort on the basis of a seer’s dream. The excavation was carried out amidst tight security at the fort in Unnao’s Daudiakala village by a 12-member ASI team. — PTI
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Lalu faces security threat in jail
Ranchi, October 20 The special branch of the Jharkhand Police has alerted the jail administration about Lalu Prasad's security. "Lalu Prasad may face a security threat, and should be given adequate security in the jail," an official of the special branch said, expressing concern. Lalu Prasad has been kept in the upper division of the jail, where he is separated from other prisoners. He has also been provided all facilities extended to VIP prisoners --- a separate bedroom, a mosquito net, cot and other facilities. There is also a TV set in the cell, and he is allowed to watch Doordarsan news and read newspapers every day. "Jail authorities have been asked to keep a proper vigil on the security of Lalu Prasad. We have also informed police in Ranchi about the need for heightened external security of the jail," a source from the Birsa Munda Central Jail told IANS. Jail sources say there are two counts on which security for the former Bihar Chief Minister is a concern: First, he receives many high-profile visitors; second, Maoists are among the prisoners in the jail. Jail sources say scores of people meet Lalu Prasad each day. Some visitors are high-profile, like Jharkhand Tourism Minister Suresh Paswan and Water Resources Minister Annapurna Devi, who belong to the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The RJD is a partner in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition government of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Former Union Minister and Ranchi Congress Lok Sabha MP Subodh Kant Sahay was also among those calling on Lalu Prasad in jail. Lalu Prasad reportedly spends a few hours each day in the chamber of the jailor, meeting people and discussing various matters. He is also reported to have issued some jail officials veiled threats. A Public Interest Litigation has been filed against the comforts that Lalu Prasad is allowed in jail. "As per the jail manual, relatives can meet a prisoner once in 15 days. Jail manual 1001 says there should be no political discussion in the jail. Lalu Prasad meets around 100 people, including political leaders, everyday. He holds political discussions in jail," said Rajiv Kumar, the lawyer who filed the PIL. — IANS
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MP Govt acquires 9 properties dating back to Ahilyabai’s rule
Khandwa, October 20 Acting on the orders of the Indore Collector and Land Records Office, Khandwa, the local administration yesterday acquired the properties in Omkareshwar town. Official sources said the action followed a complaint that Khasgi Trust, which managed the properties, had sold two of them to a Dutch national and another to a local religious leader. — PTI
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Spurned lover forces 17-yr-old Mumbai girl to drink acid
Mumbai, October 20 The accused, Jitendra Sakpal (21), who has done a hotel management course, was arrested yesterday and was produced before a court today, which remanded him in police custody till October 24. The girl's father is a Class IV employee in the city's civic body, while the accused boy's father is employed with a private firm. — PTI
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Police grills Asaram's wife, daughter
Ahmedabad, October 20 Asaram's wife Laxmi and daughter Bharti were today questioned by the Special Investigation Team constituted by Ahmedabad Police at the Anti Terrorist Squad's office, a police officer said. The victim, who has accused Asaram of repeated sexual assaults during her stay in Asaram's ashram here between 1997 and 2006, has said in her complaint that on one occasion Asaram's wife and daughter had helped him in committing the crime. The magistrate's court in Gandhinagar yesterday remanded Asaram in further police custody till October 22 (Tuesday). The victim's younger sister has levelled similar allegations of sexual assault against Asaram's son Narayan Sai. — PTI
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Decomposed bodies of 3 students found
Rajahmundry, October 20 The deceased are in the age group of 17-18, they said, adding their bodies were sighted when irrigation officials visited canal gates on complaint of water flow getting blocked. The students belonged to a local college and are being identified. The police is probing whether the reports of missing persons filed in different parts of the district matched with the deceased. — PTI
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Telugu matinee idol ANR says he has cancer Hyderabad, October 20 ANR, as the matinee idol is popularly known, has shocked millions of his fans when he made a public announcement that he has been diagnosed with intestine cancer. Instead of wallowing in sympathy, the legendary actor showed grit and an exemplary fighting spirit by declaring that he would wage battle against cancer with the blessings of people. The veteran actor called a press conference at his Annapurna Film Studios here to make the announcement in the presence of his family members, including his actor-son Nagarjuna and actor-grandsons Naga Chaitanya and Sumanth.
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Faced with the reality that the deal to buy 126 new fighters from France’s Dassault Aviation will not be inked for the next few months and could possibly be delayed till the next government is in saddle in May next year, the Indian Air Force has begun upgrading a major chunk of its fleet of fighters.
It began with a flourish and climaxed on a note of scholarship and spirituality. The three-day Khushwant Singh Literary Festival at Kasuali Club attended by a select gathering culminated on Sunday afternoon. As on other days and so on the final day, book launches, interactive sessions and slide shows marked the concluding day.
