The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	SC notice to Centre, four states over ‘devadasi’ practice R Sedhuraman Legal Correspondent New Delhi, February 13 The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre, Maharashtra and three southern states on a PIL for checking sexual exploitation of Dalit girls after naming them as “devadasis” or those dedicated to the service of the temple deity for life. A Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam also directed the Karnataka Chief Secretary to prevent a programme reportedly slated for tonight in Devanagar district for forcing women to become “devadasis” at the Uttarang Mala Durga temple in Harappanahalli taluk. Besides Maharashtra and Karnataka, the SC sought the response of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to the contentions of the PIL filed by NGO SL Foundation that the age-old abhorrent practice was still on at several places in these states, though the respective governments had abolished it by enacting laws on the lines of the 1988 Central legislation. “The act of dedication of ‘devadasis’ is a matter of national shame which needs to be stopped forthwith in all parts of the country,” the PIL said. Further, the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution meant everyone had the right to lead a life of dignity and decency and as such the Centre and the states “are duty bound to ensure this”. Poor parents were being forced to spare their daughters for temple service with the connivance of the authorities, the petition contended. Citing a National Commission for Women report, the petitioner said as many as 2.5 lakh Dalit girls were affected by the social evil along the Karnataka-Maharashtra border areas alone. The PIL sought a scheme for the rescue and rehabilitation of such women. Exploitation of Dalit girls * An NGO through a PIL wants an end to sexual exploitation of Dalit girls after naming them as 'devadasis' or those dedicated to the service of the temple deity for life * A National Commission for Women report suggested 2.5 lakh Dalit girls were affected by the social evil along the Karnataka-Maharashtra border areas alone, it claimed * The SC has sought response from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over claims that the practice was still on in these states.
	Bring guilty to book, Israel tells India Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 Israel today asked India to bring to justice those who carried out an attack on an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi two years ago, reiterating its charge that the official was targeted by agents of the Iranian government who attempted to assassinate her. “The terrorists who committed this heinous attack in Delhi and the government of Iran that sent them must be made accountable,” the Israeli Embassy said in a statement, reminding New Delhi that the diplomat, Tal Yehoshua Koren, was attacked this day two years ago. Clearly, suggesting that it was disappointed with the pace of investigation into the attack, Israel said the then External Affairs Minister had assured the Israeli leadership that the culprits would be brought to justice at the earliest, the law of the land would take course and India would continue with the investigation. “One Indian citizen was arrested and four arrest warrants were issued against the Iranian culprits who have escaped. It is understood that the Iranian authorities did not provide answers to the Government of India,’’ the statement said. The embassy said the terrorist act was yet another chapter in a well-documented global campaign of the Iranian government to kill Jews, Israelis and especially Israeli diplomats. In all of their attempts, it was clear that the Iranian agents use any means necessary to achieve their goal, even as the risk of life and limb of non-Israeli civilians. It said the Israeli government was grateful for the security India was providing to Israeli diplomats in order to prevent events like this from happening again.
	Naval fleets engaged in month-long drill Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 Indian Navy’s major annual exercise Tropex (Theatre level readiness and operational exercise) is under way and the participating units include aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the Russian-origin nuclear-powered submarine, the INS Chakra and the US-origin surveillance plane, the Boeing P8-I. Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, embarked on the combined fleets at sea off the East Coast today. The Eastern and Western fleets of the Navy are currently engaged in a month-long exercise. The exercise is being conducted against the backdrop of two completely networked fleets, widely dispersed across the Indian Ocean. Missile, torpedo and gun-firing will be undertaken. This year’s exercise will witness maiden participation of the recently acquired P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft as also Hawk fighter trainer aircraft. Besides UAVs and airborne early warning helicopter of the Indian Navy, air-to-air refuellers, Jaguars and SU-30 aircraft of Indian Air Force will also be deployed. An amphibious unit of the Indian Army having launch capability from a specialised warship is also a part of the exercise. Tropex has the participation of some 40 ships and as many aircraft.
	Why disparity in relief, SC asks UP Legal Correspondent New Delhi, February 13 The Supreme Court yesterday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to explain the disparities in the compensation amount given to the victims of the September 2013 riots in Muzaffarnagar and its adjoining districts. A Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam posed the question after senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for some of the victims, contended that the state government had restricted the compensation package only to those in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts, ignoring those affected in the nearby areas in Meerut, Saharanpur and Baghpat districts. Gonsalves said the state government had given a compensation of Rs 15 lakh to the family of a news channel reporter killed in the riots, but the kith and kin of similar victims, numbering over 60, were offered only Rs 10 lakh. “We will certainly look into this,” senior advocate UU Lalit, who argued for the state, told the Bench, which included Justices Ranjana Desai and Ranjan Gogoi. During the day-long arguments, Lalit, however, opposed the petitioners’ plea for an independent probe into the riots. The state police had done a thorough investigation and filed the chargesheets and as such there was no need to hand over the case to the CBI or a special investigation team (SIT), the state government pleaded. Gonsalves, however, contended that large-scale communal violence had always been handled by the CBI or SITs, be it the 1984 anti-Sikh riots or the incidents against Muslims.
	Clot-busting drug for heart patients New Delhi, February 13 Indian scientists have developed a clot-busting cost-effective drug for heart patients which can also reduce the risk of internal bleeding. The drug, expected to be launched in the market by 2016, has been cleared for phase II human clinic trial, said Dr Girish Sahni, Director of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology. He described it as a third-generation improved clot-buster which is a result of seven years of developmental process under a public-private partnership between CSIR-IMTECH and Nostrum Pharmaceuticals of the US. The drug-the clot specific streptokinase (CSSK)—has been patented and has received permission from the Drugs Controller General of India to conduct phase II trial on 75-80 patients. — PTI
	UP apologises for revealing rape victims' names New Delhi, February 13 The Uttar Pradesh Government today tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for naming rape victims in Muzaffarnagar riots in its written submission to the court. Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, state counsel UU Lalit and Gaurav Bhatia apologised after the victims' advocate pointed out the blunder committed by the government. In a note filed before the apex court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions on Muzaffarnagar riots, the state government named the gangrape victims which is not allowed under law. During the arguments, advocate Kamini Jaiswal, appearing for the victims, pleaded that the court should direct a CBI probe as the state police is not conducting the investigation in a proper manner and there is likelihood that the accused might not be brought to book. The apex court, which has been monitoring the relief and rehabilitation measures in violence-hit districts of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and other adjoining areas, is undertaking final hearing on a batch of petitions. — PTI
	Rao Inderjit enters BJP fold with his flock Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 Congress MP from Haryana and former Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh today joined the BJP along with several leaders, including a former minister from a minority community in the state. Rao Inderjit, a three-time MP and four-time MLA, had been a member of the Congress for the past 35 years. He announced joining the BJP in the presence of party president Rajnath Singh. Welcoming him, Rajnath claimed the party would form the government at the Centre and in Haryana, too. A large number of Rao Inderjit Singh’s supporters from Haryana, mainly owing allegiance to the Congress, converged on the BJP headquarters and expressed approval of his move. Among those who joined the BJP today included Hassan Mohammad, former state minister, Zahid Hussain and Prof Karam Illahi, both prominent faces in the minority-dominated Mewat district. Presidents of the district Congress committees of Rewari, Gurgaon and Mahendergarh, chairpersons of the Gurgaon Zilla Parishad and the Municipal Corporation, Gurgaon, and around 12 councillors also joined the BJP. Addressing his supporters on the occasion, Rao Inderjit said he would remain devoted to the BJP for his entire life. He said although he had been associated with the Congress for more than three decade, he became an MLA for the first time in 1978 as a nominee of the Vishal Haryana Party. Former Haryana Chief Minister and Rao Inderjit’s father Rao Birender Singh, who was the head of the Vishal Haryana Party, merged the organisation with the Congress on September 23, 1978, at the instance of Indira Gandhi. This marked his family’s association with the Congress.
	TRIBUNE SPECIAL Secy shifted, had opposed Desai’s nomination to MCI Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 Union Health Secretary Keshav Desiraju, transferred unceremoniously from the ministry yesterday, had in December last firmly opposed the nomination of Ketan Desai, tainted former Medical Council of India president, back to the elected council which took over last year. Information available with The Tribune reveals that Desiraju had written a strong note on file, opposing Desai’s re-induction into the reconstituted MCI. Desai has since 2001 faced a series of corruption charges in the running the apex health regulator as its president. On April 23, 2010, the CBI had arrested Desai for accepting Rs 2 crore bribe from a Patiala-based medical college in return for the favour of enhanced enrolment. Desai’s exit provoked the health ministry to dissolve the MCI and set up a Board of Governors comprising eminent doctors to run the regulator. In December last after the amended Indian Medical Council Act (MCI Act) was passed by the Parliament ensuring anti-corruption safeguards and limited the tenure for the MCI chief, elected character of the MCI was restored. It was in this elected body that Desai was nominated by the Gujarat University. Sources in the Health Ministry disclosed that while there was a general feeling at the top that Desai, if duly nominated to a reconstituted MCI should be allowed to return, Desiraju opposed the move listing seven cases of corruption Desai faced. Desiraju prevailed over Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to refer the matter of Desai’s nomination to the Law Ministry. “The matter was referred to the Law Ministry after the state Assembly elections of November 2013. The file hasn’t come back. We didn’t understand the reason for Secretary’s sudden ouster. It has demoralised all officers,” ministry sources said hinting at lack of agreement on Azad and Desiraju on the issue. Sources close to Desiraju said the minister did not tell him the reason for transfer though the former is learnt to have inquired. When contacted, Azad said transfers were routine. There is strong resentment in bureaucratic circles over the way Desiraju was transferred summarily without reasons being cited. The government seems to have violated of its own new cadre rules which say an IAS officer will have minimum tenure of two years at a post. Desiraju was appointed health secretary only in February 2013. “The minimum tenure was ordered by the apex court on a PIL we filed to protect bureaucrats from political interference. The Centre could well have committed contempt of court,” former union cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian said. Was appointed in Feb 2013 * The government seems to have violated its own new cadre rules * The rules say an IAS officer will have minimum tenure of two years at a post. * Exceptions will be made only on the recommendations of a civil services board which the Centre and states will set up. * Desiraju was appointed health secretary only in February 2013.
	Delhi Govt to table Jan Lokpal Bill today Kejriwal threatens to tender resignation if the Opposition doesn't support it Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced to present the contentious anti-corruption Bill in the Delhi Assembly tomorrow, saying he would resign if the Opposition did not support the Bill. Addressing a press conference after attending the first day of the special session of the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal said the copies of the Bill had been distributed to the legislators and it would be tabled in the House tomorrow. The four-day Assembly session, which began today, has been called by the Delhi Government to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill and the Swaraj Bill. While, the anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill will be bought in the House tomorrow, the Swaraj Bill, giving power to mohalla sabhas, will be tabled on Saturday. On the extreme chaos that marked the Delhi Assembly session today, Kejriwal said the collusion between the BJP and the Congress was exposed today. "It was match-fixing between the BJP and the Congress for the first time in the history," said Kejriwal. The Chief Minister said the two parties were opposing the government decision to file an FIR against Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani and therefore disrupted the proceedings of the House. Ruckus prevailed in the Assembly session over the demand of resignation of Law Minister Somnath Bharti for his alleged manhandling of some African women during a raid last month. Protesting BJP MLAs climbed onto the tables of the Speaker and Kejriwal and tore their files. They did not let the Speaker convene the House and broke his mike during the commotion. BJP MLA RP Singh heckled Bharti and threw bangles and lipstick on his table. Swaraj Bill New Delhi: The Delhi cabinet on Thursday cleared the Swaraj Bill, which intends to devolve power directly on the people to curb corruption at the local level. A detailed discussion on the Swaraj Bill was also held in Wednesday's cabinet meeting. Touted as a measure for achieving true "self-rule", the Bill provides for decentralisation of power by setting up mohalla sabhas at ward level. — PTI
	4,600kg ammonium nitrate seized in Bihar New Delhi, February 13 Security forces today seized a whopping 4,600 kgs of Ammonium Nitrate, used for making IEDs and bombs, from Bihar's Rohtas district. Sources said the recovery of the chemical was affected by a special team of paramilitary CRPF alongwith state police from the Gopi Bigha area of the district. Also, a senior official here said, copper wires, gun powder and a car was recovered in a raid which was conducted on a godown which was suspected to be pilfering the chemicals to Naxals and ultras. The chemical was packed in 50kg bags, they said. PTI
	AFT declines relief to 52 pensioners Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 13 The Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has dismissed a bunch of 52 petitions in which ex-servicemen had sought grant of arrears that arose after the fixation of pension anomalies. The petitions, filed by personnel below officer rank (PBOR), sought arrears for revised scales applicable between January 1997 to October 1997. On implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission, the pay scales in respect of PBOR were revised with effect from January 1996 and subsequently rationalised effect from October 10, 1997. Jawan gets bail The Armed Forces Tribunal has granted bail to a jawan, awarded four months imprisonment by a court martial, for his involvement in a case of collective indiscipline in an armoured unit. The jawan, Dinesh Kumar, had been charged and found guilty of four charges against him for absence from duty, abetment whereby he instigated his unit soldiers to absent themselves without leave from the unit and act prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
	Cong, NCP to announce candidates by weekend Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, February 13 The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — who have finalised seat sharing talks for Maharashtra — will announce their candidates by this weekend, sources said today. Following weeks of wrangling, leaders of the two parties agreed to contest the same number of Lok Sabha seats as they did during the last general elections. While the Congress will contest 26 seats, the NCP will field its candidates in 22. Meanwhile, both parties are still negotiating over swapping selected seats. While the Congress wants to field its candidate from Kolhapur, the NCP is keen on retaining this seat. Kolhapur is held by Independent MP Sadashiv Mandalik, who has now joined the Congress. Similarly, the NCP has offered the Hatkanangale seat in exchange for Raigad, held by the Congress. However, Congress leaders are opposed to the swapping as the party is strong in Raigad, while it faces a tough battle in Hatkanangale from the farmers’ outfit Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, a part of the NDA. Meanwhile, leaders of the two parties hope that the exchange of seats is sorted out so that they can commence their joint campaign in the next few days. A public rally is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on February 23, said sources. The two parties are also setting up a joint campaign committee to plan their strategy for the Lok Sabha elections
	College guard attacks staff with axe in Nashik Nashik, February 13 In a bizzare incident, four people including three professors were seriously injured here on Thursday after being allegedly attacked with an axe by their college security guard, the police said today. The incident took place this morning on the campus of Sonawane Arts and Science college at Satana, a tehsil town of Nashik district after accused — Bahadursingh Pal (42) — suddenly came charging in a fit of rage, they said. Meanwhile, the police said they are investigating the incident. — PTI
	Assam first state to ban smokeless tobacco Tribune News Service Guwahati, February 13 Assam has become the first state in the country to impose a ban on the consumption of all forms of smokeless tobacco, including pan masala, by enacting a legislation that came into effect from today. The Act bans manufacturing, advertisement, trading, storage, distribution and sale of such substances. The Assam Health (Prohibition of manufacturing, advertisement, trade, storage, distribution, sale and consumption of zarda, gutkha, pan masala, etc, containing tobacco/or nicotine) Bill, 2013, got Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik’s assent on February 11. State Health Minister Himanta Bishwa Sarma said any violation of the provisions of the Act relating to manufacture, advertisement, trade, storage, distribution and sale of such products would attract punishment (up to seven-years imprisonment) and fine (from Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh). Consumption of zarda, gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco shall be punished with a fine of Rs 1,000 for the first offence and Rs 2,000 for each subsequent offence.
	Andhra CM keeps resignation option open Suresh Dharur Tribune News Service Hyderabad, February 13 The introduction of the Telangana Bill in the Lok Sabha, amid unprecedented ruckus, is bound to have a profound impact on Andhra Pradesh politics ahead of the General Election. The rebellious Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is strongly opposed to the division of the state, is keeping the resignation option open. "We will take a decision collectively after consulting party MLAs, MPs and Union Ministers," Kiran told reporters minutes after the AP Reorganisation Bill, 2013, was introduced in Parliament. Terming the manner of introduction of the Bill as "unfortunate and undemocratic", the Chief Minister, for the first time, assailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for reaching out to BJP leaders to seek their cooperation on passage of the Telangana Bill. "Why did you have luncheon meeting with them (BJP)? My party leaders call them communal. Why are you taking their support? Why are you taking them on board? When there is division of the state, the people have to be consulted and convinced about it", the Chief Minister said. "The PM says his heart is bleeding (over the noisy disruptions in Parliament). It would be better if he understands how crores of hearts of Telugu people are bleeding over the decision to divide the state", he said. On the introduction of the Bill in Lok Sabha and the subsequent suspension of Seemandhra MPs, he said, "This is most undemocratic. If decisions are taken by force, no one will accept". Kiran, who had threatened to quit in the event of the Parliament passing the Bill, faulted the UPA government for "bulldozing the legislation" and forcibly thrusting its decision on the Telugu people. Sources close to the Chief Minister said he is gearing up for an exit once the Bill gets Parliament’s approval. Though the Bill for creation of separate Telangana state was introduced in Parliament today, there are still lingering doubts whether it will be passed. Complicating the matters further, the principal opposition BJP has hardened its stand and ruled out any further talks with the government on Bill’s passage.