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Denying allegations, Ganguly writes to CJI
BJP poll panel meets today on LS elections
Law & disorder: Haryana tops murder graph in North
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Bachchan to attend Raj Thackeray’s rally after 5 years
Police arrest Asaram’s wife, daughter; release them later
Tejpal’s custody extended by 12 days
Habibullah terms death penalty uncivilised
Defence Ministry paves way
0for Barak Missile for Navy
Nuclear-capable Agni-III test-fired
India shuts South Sudan oilfields, evacuates staff
M’rashtra begins rolling out
free drugs in govt hospitals
Defence land lease agreements being poorly managed
Desi cervical cancer-detecting kit is here
GSLV-D5 launch: ISRO gearing up for cryogenic challenge
India set to announce email security policy
UT ex-Adviser VK Duggal is Manipur Governor
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Denying allegations, Ganguly writes to CJI
Kolkata, December 23 In an eight-page letter to Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice Ganguly, who is under pressure to step down as chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, denied allegations of sexually harassing or making unwelcome advances to the woman intern. "I have been distressed by some recent happenings. I am anguished that the Supreme Court under your Lordship did not address me correctly," Justice Ganguly said in his letter which he said was also being forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee. The CJI's office in Delhi was not available for comments as he is out of town on vacation. A three-judge Supreme Court panel has indicted Justice Ganguly by holding that the statement of the intern, both written and oral, had prima facie disclosed "an act of unwelcome behaviour (unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature)" by the judge with her in the Le Meridien hotel room on December 24 last year. In his letter, Justice Ganguly alleged "There is a concerted move to tarnish my image as I had the unfortunate duty of rendering certain judgments against powerful interests." He said, "I see in the whole game a palpable design to malign me at the instance of interested quarters." Justice Ganguly was part of a bench which had delivered various orders in 2G allocation scam including scrapping of 122 licenses granted by Centre to telecom companies. Questioning the validity of the panel, he argued that since the intern was not on the rolls of the Supreme Court and he was a retired judge, the committee was "not required to be constituted". "No complaint was ever made before Supreme Court or before your Lordship in any form by the intern at any time prior to the formation of the judges' committee and presumably at the direction of the committee she gave her statement," he said. Complaining against the conduct of the officials of the court, he said as soon as he entered he was surrounded by a posse of officers which was unbecoming of the institution. "I was treated as a person in captivity," he rued. "First of all, I wish to make it clear that I never harassed nor did I make any unwelcome advances to any female intern. The very suggestion of it, to say the least, is out of tune with my personal conduct," Justice Ganguly said in his letter. — PTI
Eight-page letter
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BJP poll panel meets today on LS elections
New Delhi, December 23 The key agenda of the meeting, the first after the Assembly elections, will be to press for an early release of the list of candidates. Sources said, “The party has decided to release its first list of candidates by mid-January for the constituencies where there are no disputes or tussles. The state units have been asked to finalise recommendations so that the selected candidates could begin campaigning and get an early start.” According to sources, around 300 seats have been identified where the BJP has the upper hand. The problem, however, is the remaining 250-odd seats, which the party has to mark gains if it wants to touch the 200 mark on individual strength. While on one hand the BJP will have to maximise gains in UP, Karnataka and Maharashtra, it will have to find a way out for no-chance constituencies in northeast, east and south. The formal announcement on the return of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurrappa is also expected soon. The party has also convened a three-day meeting of its national executive and council in January when the Lok Sabha election strategy will be concretised. The January conclave will be the last meeting before the national elections and all senior leaders are expected to attend it. “The party needs a concrete plan of action so that at least some parts where the party has no presence such as east, northeast and south can be tapped,” a leader explained. Meanwhile, the tomorrow meeting will be the first under the chairmanship of party president Rajnath Singh. It will be attended by parliamentary board members and campaign sub-committees. The last campaign committee meeting was held on August 1 under the chairmanship of Narendra Modi. After he was made the Prime Ministerial candidate, Rajnath Singh took the charge.
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Law & disorder: Haryana tops murder graph in North
Karnal, December 23 Haryana earned the distinction of being the worst among northern states with 3,058 cases, whereas national capital Delhi recorded the maximum among the union territories with 1,629 out of 1,868 cases registered in seven union territories. According to the data procured from National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), on an average 93 persons are murdered in the country every day, out of which three are in Haryana. Big states like Bihar and Maharashtra accounted for 11,126 and 8,274 cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh (8,063), Madhya Pradesh (7,303) and West Bengal, which recorded 6,759 cases. Naxalite-infested states of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh recorded 5,130 and 3,173 cases, respectively, while 4,313 cases were registered in the adjoining state of Odisha. According to information procured from the NCRB by RTI activist advocate Rajesh Sharma, Punjab accounted for 2,598 murders, followed by Uttarakhand (571), Jammu and Kashmir (510), Himachal 375 and Chandigarh (66). Among the union territories, Lakshadweep was the ideal in the country with no case of murder in three years. UTs of Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar Haveli reported 14 and 27 cases, respectively, followed by Andaman and Nicobar (38) and Puducherry (94). The number of murder cases was comparatively low in north-eastern states of Mizoram (104), Nagaland (166), Arunachal Pradesh (213), Manipur (253), Tripura (437) and Meghalaya 441. However, Assam was an aberration with 3,894 murder cases registered between 2010 and 2012. The famous tourist destinations of Sikkim and Goa were safer with 38 and 128 murder cases, respectively, while Kerala in south reported 1,102 cases, one case a day. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), crime, SS Deswal, who is also the director of the State Crime Record Bureau, Haryana, said migrant population especially in National Capital Region of Gurgaon, Faridabad and Sonepat had added to the number of murder cases. “Besides, we share boundary with Uttar Pradesh and interstate gangs involved in heinous crimes also add to the number. The percentage of detection of culprits in murder cases has increased,” he added. Senior police officials opine that increase in population and economic growth are directly proportional to increase in crime and the number of murder cases registered indicates that crime is reported in Haryana.
Soaring crime
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Bachchan to attend Raj Thackeray’s rally after 5 years
Mumbai, December 23 MNS spokesperson Vageesh Saraswat told mediapersons today that Bachchan would be the chief guest at the seventh anniversary function of Maharashtra Chitrapat Sena, the film artistes’ wing of the party. "Amitabh Bachchan has consented to be the chief guest at the seventh anniversary function," Saraswat said. Sources said Raj Thackeray called up Bachchan last week and requested him to attend the function thus signalling a patchup. Thackeray who was close to the actor in the past fell out with him when he began a campaign against North Indians after launching the MNS five years ago. Their relationship soured even further after Bachchan decided to become the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh. Thackeray accused him of betraying Mumbai, the city where he attained stardom. Bachchan continued to enjoy good relations with Raj Thackeray's estranged cousin and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray which further fuelled the MNS leader's animosity towards the actor.
Friends again
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Police arrest Asaram’s wife, daughter; release them later
Ahmedabad, December 23 "As a part of the procedure we arrested Asaram's wife Laxmi and daughter Bharti yesterday as their names appear in the FIR filed in the rape case," a police official said. "They were later released as they have procured anticipatory bail," he added. The victim, one of the two Surat-based sisters, had in her complaint also named wife and daughter of Asaram as co-accused, alleging that they were hand-in-glove with the godman in exploitation of girls like her. The two sisters had lodged complaints against Asaram's son Narayan Sai and the godman of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement and other charges. The elder sister had accused Asaram of repeated sexual assaults between 1997 and 2006 during the time she was living at his ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. —PTI
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Tejpal’s custody extended by 12 days
Panjim, December 23 Judicial magistrate first class Sarika Faldesai extended the judicial custody of Tejpal, after his initial 12-day custody expired on Monday. Tejpal, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman journalist, has been lodged in Sada sub-jail near Vasco town. The lawyers representing Tejpal moved a petition before the district court seeking his bail stating that "the accused has not been questioned by police since he was lodged in the judicial custody". The petition mentions that Tejpal was only questioned when he was in the police lock-up, and was not interrogated from the time he was remanded in judicial custody. Hearing on the bail petition would be held on December 26. Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a junior woman colleague in a hotel here in early November, was arrested by Goa Police on November 30. — PTI
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Habibullah terms death penalty uncivilised
New Delhi, December 23 Referring to the apex court verdict upholding capital punishment to Afzal Guru, Habibullah also asserted that the death penalty had “no place in modern society”. “It (death penalty) is a direct contradiction of the Indian spiritual and philosophical tradition,” he said in his address during a seminar on capital punishment. He also referred to the “ahimsa” tradition as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. On apex court's judgment in the Guru case, in which it had held that the collective conscience of society would only be satisfied if capital punishment were to be awarded to the offender, Habibullah averred that “law should not succumb to public opinion, which is fraught with danger”.— PTI
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Defence Ministry paves way
0for Barak Missile for Navy
New Delhi, December 23 In addition to 262 Barak missiles, the council also gave its approval for acquisition of 41 Dhruv indigenously produced advanced light helicopters, two Deepsea Submergence [submarine] Rescue Vessels (DSRV) and 16 anti-submarine shallow water crafts for the Navy, said sources. While the Barak deal will require the clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the Prime Minister, the DAC has accorded Acceptance of Necessity for the DSRV worth Rs 1,500 crore and shallow water craft worth 13,400 crore. While the Army Aviation Corps will get 40 Dhruv copters, the Navy will get one. The approval for Barak anti-missile defence should bring relief to the Navy that has been struggling to fill the shortage of missiles to go on the systems mounted on 14 frontline warships, including the aircraft carrier, Shivalik stealth frigates and guided missile destroyers. Barak missiles were acquired by the Indian Navy in the late 1990s for INS Viraat but the one ordered post Kargil conflict in 1999 came under cloud and a CBI probe was ordered in 2006. The missile is jointly developed by Israel Aircraft Industry and Rafael Armament Development Authority. Pending the inquiry, the Defence Ministry had kept order for the missiles on the hold but understood to have got clearance from the Attorney General. The CBI case is said to be in the final stages and the probe agency is planning to file a closure report.
More teeth for forces
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Nuclear-capable Agni-III test-fired
Balasore (Odisha), Dec 23 The operation of the surface-to-surface missile was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army with logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The indigenously developed missile was flight-tested from a mobile launcher at launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range at about 1655 hrs, defence sources said. "It was the second user trial in the Agni-III series carried out to establish the 'repeatability' of the missile's performance," a DRDO official said. For data analysis, the entire trajectory of today's trial was monitored through various telemetry stations, electro-optic systems and sophisticated radars located along the coast, and by naval ships anchored near the impact point, sources said. The Agni-III missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant system. With a length of 17 metre, the missile's diameter is 2 metre and launch weight is around 50 tonne. It can carry a warhead of 1.5 tonne which is protected by carbon all composite heat shield. The sleek missile, already inducted into the armed forces, is equipped with hybrid navigation, guidance and control systems along with advanced on-board computer. The electronic systems are hardened for higher vibration, thermal and acoustic effects, a DRDO scientist said. Though the first developmental trial of Agni-III carried out on July 9, 2006 could not provide desired result, subsequent tests on April 12, 2007, May 7, 2008 and February 7, 2010 as well as the first user trial on September 21, 2012 from the same base were all successful. — PTI
Two-stage solid propellant system
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India shuts South Sudan oilfields, evacuates staff
New Delhi, December 23 All 11 executives working on 40,000 barrels per day Greater Nile Oil Project and Block 5A were airlifted, a top source with direct knowledge of the development said. "The evacuation happened in two batches. All the officials have arrived in India safely," he said. Before departure, the last job the Indian executives did was to shut down the oilfields yesterday.ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), had deputed 11 employees at Greater Nile Oil Project and Block 5A in Sudan.The company made all arrangements to evacuate its personnel as rebel forces loyal to deposed South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar captured Unity state which housed most of the fields it was operating. OVL owns 25 per cent stake in the Greater Nile Oil Project which produces about 40,000 barrels of oil per day and 24.125 per cent in Block 5A that produced 5,000 bpd. Other partners in the blocks - China's CNPC and Petronas of Malaysia too have decided to evacuate their officials from South Sudan, source said. Fighting in South Sudan, which broke out on December 15, has already claimed as many as 500 lives, including Indian soldiers working as United Nations peacekeepers. Source said rebels so far have not captured any of OVL's oil wells but as a precaution all of them were shut before officials left the country. — PTI
Battle looms in rebel-held Bor town
Juba: South Sudan’s army said on Monday that it was poised for a major offensive against rebel forces, as the country slid towards civil war despite international peace efforts. South Sudan army spokesman Philip Aguer said the government was on the offensive. "Our soldiers will regain control of Bor town from the forces of the rebellion. The forces of Riek Machar are still in control of the town, but we are readying to take back control," he said. — PTI
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M’rashtra begins rolling out
free drugs in govt hospitals
Mumbai, December 23 Under the project, several important drugs will be provided free of cost to patients irrespective of their economic status. "We have a list of 422 essential drugs which will be prescribed to patients who need them," says Radhakrishna Pawar, Assistant Director, Directorate of Health Services. State-run hospitals including primary health centres will be required to install the e-Aushadhi software which will enable them to update the stock position at their pharmacies in real time, according to Pawar. The medicines would then be distributed to the hospitals as per their requirements. The DHS has already sent a list of essential medicines required for the project to the state government. Tenders would be issued and pharmaceutical companies will be required to send in their bids. Only generic drugs will be issued under this scheme, according to Pawar. Health department officials say, the project will be rolled out in January and should be operating in a full-fledged manner in the coming months. Incidentally, this scheme was proposed by the Maharashtra Government in a different form two years ago. But this was shelved due to lack of budgetary provisions. Sources say, both the Centre and the state government will be responsible for sharing the costs incurred towards this scheme.
422 essential drugs
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Defence land lease agreements being Chandigarh, December 23 Around 2,500 acres of land owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), valued at Rs 11,000 crore, is on lease for a total annual rent of Rs 2.13 crore, which the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says is “negligible given the present market value of the land”. Vacant or unused land is often leased out to various public and private users on rent for a fixed term and is subject to renewal at enhanced rent as per the conditions mentioned in the agreement. Of the 7,560 lease agreements, no progress has been made in the renewal of 3,780 cases and in 1,800 cases no requests for renewal have been received. Further, in 1,081 cases the status of the lease agreement was unclear. Requests for renewal have been received by the MoD in only 899 cases or less than 12 per cent of the total number. Such landholdings and lease agreements are managed by the Defence Estate Officers (DEO) located at various places as well as the local military authorities (LMA). “The management of these leases is extremely important as failure to renew the leases in time can lead to loss of substantial revenue to the government and can jeopardise government’s claim on the land,” PAC’s latest report states. “Often, lack of proper contract in matters of land leads to protracted litigation,” the report adds.
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Desi cervical cancer-detecting kit is here
New Delhi, December 23 The new lost cost “Audio Visual Magnivisualizer” developed by the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology of the ICMR will for the first time enable easy, mass and early detection of this cancer. The machine comprising a light source and a magnification device allows doctors as well as nurses and paramedics to examine the cervix and detect pre cancerous lesions paving the way for further screening and treatment. Most such lesions take decades to become full blown cancers. The device marls a huge improvement considering it costs Rs 10,000 as against the Rs 10 lakh pap smear/cytology screening currently in use. Also, the cytology screening consists of a huge device and is available only in 27 regional cancer centres and some of the 300 medical colleges of India leaving several women undetected. “The new technology reduces the cost drastically and will enable cancer detection even in rural areas up to the primary health care level. We will first provide this technology at community health centre level, going down to 4000 sub district hospitals and 24000 PHCs. It is under production and will be made available over the next six months,” Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said launching the technology whose development began 10 years ago after the realization that cytology screening wasn’t feasible for developing countries. The new technology is of special advantage to girls married off early and who have many children. “Girls of this category have two times the risk of developing cervical cancer. They must get detected to rule out lesions. The technology must also used by women in reproductive ages,” said Dr VM Katoch, ICMR head. Cervical cancer screening is valid only for married women, said ICMR’s gynecologist Dr Veena Singh adding that vaginal speculum has to be used for detection. She said the new technology can catch all pre cancerous lesions with 95 pc accuracy as against 99 pc accuracy in cytology screening. The device has been tested for accuracy in six ICMR centres across India. Invented by Dr Aditya Parashari of ICMR, it is the first of its kind visual inspection method which even nurses and paramedics can use for cancer detection. “A three month training programme will suffice,” said Veena Singh. The technology is useful because cervical cancer takes a decade to develop into a full blown case and early detection can save lives. Lack of hygiene is a huge risk factor for this cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer
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GSLV-D5 launch: ISRO gearing up for cryogenic challenge Bangalore, December 23 After being placed at geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), the 1,982-kg GSAT-14 will use its own propulsion system to reach its geostationary orbital home and will be stationed at 74 degrees east longitude. The satellite will help provide various communication services to the country including tele-education and telemedicine. The high point of the launch, eighth flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV programme, is the use of the indigenously developed CUS. While the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) could successfully carry out a moon mission and is in the middle of executing a complicated mission to Mars, success has eluded it when it comes to indigenous CUS. The GSLV-D5/GSAT-14 mission will be launched from Sriharikota near Chennai. The total flight duration is 17 min 8 sec. An ISRO spokesman said the fuel booster turbo pump of CUS had been re-designed to withstand the expansion and contraction of the bearings and casing at cryogenic temperatures.
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India set to announce email security policy
THIRUVANANTHPURAM, December 23 All public sector employees in the country would be brought on the government domain of National Informatics Centre (NIC) as part of the policy, he told a press meet here. "Cybercrimes are linked not just to any particular institution, state or nation. We have to tackle it with institutional capacities and with the co-operation of local police and international agencies," Deora said. "As part of the National Cyber Security Policy, we are trying to create a new email policy for government employees. It will make them move away from foreign email services like Gmail and bring onto nic.in, the government's email domain managed by NIC," he said. Since the country had its own 'cloud', there was no reason for people to depend on foreign services, he said. Deora, who had a discussion with the officials of BSNL, Postal and C-Dac here, said the ministry was planning to allot three new post offices and a training centre for post office staff here. PTI
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UT ex-Adviser VK Duggal is Manipur Governor Duggal had served in the City Beautiful as UT Adviser from September 27, 1993 to November 6, 1995. Duggal, an UT cadre IAS officer of the 1968 batch, retired as Union Home Secretary in March 2007. Duggal is currently member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the apex body for disaster management in India which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
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Chandigarh, December 23