N A T I O N

On last day of 15th LS, calls for introspection
New Delhi, February 21
It was amid praises and well wishes that the most disrupted Lok Sabha in the history of Independent India adjourned Sine Die today. The country now heads for the General Elections.

Govt keeps ordinance route open on graft Bills
New Delhi, February 21 The government today left open the possibility of giving effect to six anti-graft legislations through ordinances after the Opposition did not agree to extend the Parliament session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said: “We will discuss the matter” when asked by reporters if the government would take the ordinance route on the Bills.

MPs regret bad behaviour in RS
New Delhi, February 21
The last day of the Winter Session in the Rajya Sabha saw members expressing regret for unruly behaviour in the House but that did not stop them from forcing an adjournment. A day after the government accorded special package for Seemandhra, the Opposition demanded special economic package for seven most backward states, including Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.

Modi must clear stand on gas pricing: Kejriwal
New Delhi, February 21
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal today asked BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to clear his stand on the issue of natural gas pricing that involves Mukesh Amabni-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).


Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at a press meet in New Delhi on Friday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

CBI asked to probe another AI scam
New Delhi, February 21
Indian national carrier Air India, which was recently hit by the LTC scam, has stumbled upon another case of fraud involving crores of rupees in a scheme meant for family members of the employees of the state-run airline.

Aadhaar not must for subsidised LPG
New Delhi, February 21
Subsidised cooking gas cylinders can be purchased without an Aadhaar account, Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily informed Parliament today.

Hyderabad airport on red alert after threat
Hyderabad, February 21
A red alert has been sounded at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad here today after an anonymous letter was received threatening that explosives would be used and transported on a flight.

Man kills American wife, sets himself on fire
Agra, February 21
An autorickshaw driver stabbed his American wife to death and later set himself on fire last night. The two had married just five months ago.

Minister shot at
Puri, February 21
Odisha's Tourism Minister Maheshwar Mohanty was tonight injured when miscreants opened fire at him in Puri town, police said. Mohanty sustained a bullet injury on his left arm, family sources said. — PTI

On last day of 15th LS, calls for introspection
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 21
It was amid praises and well wishes that the most disrupted Lok Sabha in the history of Independent India adjourned Sine Die today. The country now heads for the General Elections.

Unlike the disruptions and the sloganeering during most sessions of the 15th Lok Sabha, the House witnessed camaraderie on the last day even as senior leaders called for "introspection" on the way Parliament had functioned and how the country was at "crossroads".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the House Sushil Kumar Shinde, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj spoke well of each other. But Speaker Meira Kumar reminded the MPs that the Lok Sabha had done the least work when compared with the previous ones. "Such disruptions hit our Parliamentary system like a thunderbolt...I am pained in saying that the 15th Lok Sabha has not been as productive as the previous Lok Sabhas," Kumar said.

The Prime Minister said the manner in which the Telangana Bill was passed was an example that the country was capable of taking difficult decisions.

Shinde the Union Home Minister and Leader of the House, who, an year ago, in February 2013, was heckled by the BJP over his "Hindu terror" remark today showered praise on the Opposition and particularly chose BJP leader Sushma Swaraj to hail her party's support to get the crucial Telangana Bill passed. He went on to tell Swaraj “aap ki baat mein mithaas hai, mithai khane se bhi woh mithaas nahi hoti” (your tone is sweeter than sweets one consumes).

Swaraj's response drew applause as she mentioned that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath tried “shararat (mischief)", while Leader of the House Sushilkumar Shinde displayed “sharafat (decency)”.

Swaraj, who in 2004 said she would tonsure her head if Sonia Gandhi became Prime Minister, today said she was a graceful leader and went on to refer to the PM as gentleman while lauding the judicious approach of BJP patriarch LK Advani.

Last day surprises: PM’s wife’s visit, united MPs There was a buzz in the Lower House on Friday around noon when PM’s wife Gursharan Kaur arrived in the VVIP Speaker’s Gallery with friends and sat there for an hour to witness proceedings. Friday being International Mother Tongue Day also saw MPs unite to celebrate their respective languages. It was the only day of the last session of 15th Lok Sabha which saw both Question Hour and Zero Hour go off smoothly with MPs admitting that they wanted to leave a “good last impression on people.”

Govt keeps ordinance route open on graft Bills

New Delhi, February 21
The government today left open the possibility of giving effect to six anti-graft legislations through ordinances after the Opposition did not agree to extend the Parliament session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said: “We will discuss the matter” when asked by reporters if the government would take the ordinance route on the Bills.

He also indicated that the government would consider what views President Pranab Mukherjee may have in regard to promulgation of ordinances. Nath said despite persuance, the political parties did not agree to extend to the session.

BSP chief Mayawati said: “Though we support the Bills, they should have come much earlier. Now the government, which itself is involved in corruption, is trying to change its image through the Bills.” — PTI

MPs regret bad behaviour in RS
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 21
The last day of the Winter Session in the Rajya Sabha saw members expressing regret for unruly behaviour in the House but that did not stop them from forcing an adjournment.

A day after the government accorded special package for Seemandhra, the Opposition demanded special economic package for seven most backward states, including Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.

JD(U)’s NK Singh called it a matter of disappointment that the PM yesterday chose not to respond to the demands for special package for backward states which led to Samajwadi Party members raising slogans demanding special package for UP.

Soon BSP members joined TMC and JD-U members demanding packages for West Bengal and Bihar.

Modi must clear stand on gas pricing: Kejriwal
Ananya Panda
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 21
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal today asked BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to clear his stand on the issue of natural gas pricing that involves Mukesh Amabni-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).

He has written an open letter whose 10 crore copies in various languages will be distributed across the country. A similar missive will be sent tomorrow to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asking him to come clean on the matter.

Alleging a nexus among the corporate honcho and the BJP and the Congress, he asked Modi and Rahul to disclose whose private helicopters they use and the source of funds for their party rallies.

Questioning RIL group president Parimal Nathwani’s nomination to Rajya Sabha on a BJP ticket, he asked the Gujarat Chief Minister: “What is your and your party’s connection to Mukesh Ambani? You and Rahul use helicopters and private jets in India and abroad. Whose jets are these? Are these free or do you have to pay? Crores are spent on your rallies. From whom do the funds come? Some people say it is Mukesh Ambani.”

CBI asked to probe another AI scam

New Delhi, February 21
Indian national carrier Air India, which was recently hit by the LTC scam, has stumbled upon another case of fraud involving crores of rupees in a scheme meant for family members of the employees of the state-run airline.

The case has been referred to the CBI after a discreet probe launched by the vigilance department of the public carrier unearthed a scam in its Family Fare Scheme (FFS) in which the cash-strapped airline was defrauded, sources said today.

The department sought CBI’s help for further probe since the case had all-India ramifications, the sources added.

Under the FFS, concession is given to employees of the airline in which they could take their family to a domestic destination once a year at subsidised cost. — PTI

Aadhaar not must for subsidised LPG

New Delhi, February 21
Subsidised cooking gas cylinders can be purchased without an Aadhaar account, Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily informed Parliament today.

“A clarification will be issued within a week,” Moily said, referring to the government's earlier decision to suspend the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme till a panel reviewed its implementation.

Along with the decision to raise to 12 the cap on annual availability of subsidised LPG cylinders, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs last month decided to suspend the DBTL scheme, thereby delinking the Aadhaar account from disbursal of subsidised cooking gas cylinders. Many consumers either do not have the Aadhaar number or do not possess a bank account linked to their Aadhaar number. — IANS

Hyderabad airport on red alert after threat

Hyderabad, February 21
A red alert has been sounded at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad here today after an anonymous letter was received threatening that explosives would be used and transported on a flight.

"We have stepped up security and intensified checking on two main entry points towards the airport,” Joint Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad Commissionerate, Y Gangadhar said. — PTI

Man kills American wife, sets himself on fire

Agra, February 21
An autorickshaw driver stabbed his American wife to death and later set himself on fire last night. The two had married just five months ago.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur said Bunty (32) killed Arianne Willinger (35) after a quarrel and committed suicide by setting himself on fire in his room.

Mathur said the US Embassy had been informed about the death of the American woman.

Bunty had met Willinger during her visit to Agra along with a group of Americans in July, he said. The two got married in a court on October 11 and started living together in the Shaheed Nagar Colony.

Soon, differences surfaced and the two started living separately - Arianne in Tajganj and Bunty in Sanjay Nagar, Ukkarra.

Arianne reported the matter to the Tourism police and a case was registered with the Family Court. The two, however, kept meeting each other. — PTI