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UP Govt clamps ESMA on striking docs
ED attaches assets worth Rs 863 cr of Jagan, others
Students suspended for unruly behaviour, says varsity VC
Experts’ panel to look for AP capital soon
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Six-phase polling for UP’s 80 seats
Sindhuratna was running on borrowed batteries
Indian soldiers win UN run
Delhi HC stays ‘Gulaab Gang’ release
Subs to have indigenous periscopes soon: DRDO DG
20 years on, jawan’s court martial set aside
Rahul signals rehabilitation of ‘tainted’ Ashok Chavan
China pips India in defence spending
Fresh FIR ordered against Haryana Sports Minister
Gujarat poll officer seeks explanation
Two-phase LS, Assembly poll in Andhra
Man gets life for raping daughter
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UP Govt clamps ESMA on striking docs Lucknow, March 5 As the strike by the doctors in several parts of the state against the attack on their colleagues in Kanpur entered the sixth day today, paralysing health services, the government said it was invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) amidst reports of deaths in different districts of the state due to the strike to ensure that patients do not suffer any longer. Kanpur DM Roshan Jacob said all striking doctors and other employees at GSV Medical College have been directed to return to work following the invoking of ESMA, failing which action would be taken against them. Stepping in to end the deadlock, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court directed UP government to transfer SSP, Kanpur, Yashaswi Yadav, and other officials involved in the February 28 incident, but clarified that it was only to resolve the situation and should not be taken as a "stigma" on the officials. Taking suo motu cognisance, the Lucknow bench comprising justices Imtiyaz Murtaza and Devendra Kumar Upadhaya directed a probe by retired Justice VK Mathur into the matter. However, the state government informed it that a one-man judicial commission under retired justice RMS Chauhan has already been set up, following which the court kept its order in abeyance and directed the state government to file Justice Chauhan Commission's report in three weeks. It also sought replies from the principal secretary medical/health, SGPGI administrator and others by March 10, the next date of hearing. It also permitted the striking doctors to intervene in the matter and appointed senior advocate Jaideep Narain Mathur as amicus curiae. — PTI
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Money laundering case
New Delhi, March 5 The agency slapped separate notices against Jagan and Nimmagada Prasad whose companies were allegedly favoured by the then AP government (when Jagan’s father YS Rajasekhara Reddy was Chief Minister) in the Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) project whose aim was to develop sea ports and a green field airport in coastal areas of the southern state and industrial corridors in Prakasam and Guntur districts. The ED had in 2012 registered a criminal probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the individuals and associated firms based on a CBI FIR in this case. The ED probe said there was “quid pro quo” in this deal and hence illegal money exchanged hands. “Various concessions were extended to the VANPIC project in the form of alienation of huge chunks of assigned government land to the companies floated by Nimmagadda Prasad, development of shipyard, green filed airport, exemptions from levy of stamp duty and registration charges, seigniorage (deed-signing) fee and other undue benefits were extended,” the ED probe report said. The CBI chargesheet, which the ED relied upon, said “illegal gains to the tune of Rs 1426.17 crore was made to Prasad in the acquisition of lands and Rs 854.54 crore was made to Jagan and his companies as quid pro quo by Prasad and his companies.” “This is one of the biggest attachments done by the ED in a money laundering case. The assets will now be seized,” sources privy to the development told PTI.— PTI
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Students suspended for unruly behaviour, says varsity VC
Lucknow, March 5 He said the action was taken against the students lodged at the university’s Madan Lal Dhingra hostel for indulging in unruly behaviour on Sunday after the India-Pakistan match. “Their behaviour was not right. Windowpanes were broken. They were first suspended for three days, but the order was later amended to extend suspension till further orders,” Ahmad said. Claiming that he was aware of the reaction in Jammu & Kashmir over the suspension of Kashmiri students, Ahmad said he had received calls from Kashmir officials in that regard and that he had already explained everything to them in detail. Around 200 Kashmiri students were enrolled with the university, he said.
The controversy Meerut's Swami Vivekananda Subharti University Vice-Chancellor Manzoor Ahmad had suspended 68 Kashmiri students who allegedly indulged in unruly behaviour on Sunday after the India-Pakistan match
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Experts’ panel to look for AP capital soon
Hyderabad, March 5 The panel will study various alternatives and pick up a location from among various contenders including Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Guntur, Visakhapatnam. Under The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament, Hyderabad will serve as a common capital for a period of 10 years, after which it would be made the permanent capital of Telangana. In the meantime, a new capital city would be built for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, comprising Rayalaseema and coastal regions, jointly referred to as Seemandhra. The Centre would provide funds for the new capital and hinted that various facilities will come up at different locations. “It is not necessary that all facilities have to be in one location. You can have the Assembly in one location, high court in another location and other government offices in a third location,” said Ramesh, who played a key role in the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telangana. Unlike Hyderabad, where the entire development is concentrated at a single place, the new capital would have a decentralisation model of development. "Hyderabad model of development, wherein all projects were concentrated only in the city, should not be replicated," the Union Minister said. When Andhra state was formed in 1953, it had its capital in Kurnool but high court in Guntur. Citing similar examples of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Ramesh said, "The expert committee will look into all these aspects. One of the lessons from Hyderabad is that we should not have all at one place because decentralisation of development will not happen," he said. The minister said the division would throw up new opportunities for both the states and explained how the package and special category State status would bring new investments to AP. “Now, Telangana creation is a reality - a legal reality. Soon, it will be a political reality. Let us make the transition as smooth as possible,” he said. Elaborate security arrangements were made for the minister’s visit in view of the protests by those opposing the division of Andhra Pradesh. The YSR Congress Party workers tried to stop his convoy to protest the bifurcation. The police arrested several protestors.
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Six-phase polling for UP’s 80 seats
Lucknow, March 5 For four Assembly seats of Unnao, Fatehpur, Rampur Khas and Vishwanath Ganj would also elect their new MLAs during this period in
bypolls.
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Sindhuratna was running on borrowed batteries
New Delhi, March 5 The accident on board the submarine INS Sindhurtana on February 26 ighlights the shortage and lack of urgency that plague the ‘silent arm’ of the Navy. Though the Navy in statement said the cause of fire on board the vessel was not due to the faulty or old batteries, the fact is that the Navy does not even have spare set of batteries for the submarines. The ones used to do sea trials of the Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine the INS Sindhukesri that is undergoing a re-fit and its batteries, not a new set, was fitted onto the Sindhuratna when the accident occurred. At least 240 batteries, each weighing a few hundred kilos, are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines. “The batteries presently installed on Sindhuratna have till date completed about 113 cycles as against 200 cycles available for use. Further, the life of the batteries was valid”, the Navy said. Sources said the batteries were working fine, but the worrisome part was that the Navy did not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna. A battle ready Navy aspiring for a wider role would have a couple of spare sets in store. The batteries run the submarine when underwater and diesel generator charges them then the vessel surfaces partially. Batteries are produced by leading Indian company in the business of making batteries for automobiles. The Navy has said based on preliminary inspection of third compartment, the likely seat of fire has been indicated as the mess deck, which is located one deck above the battery bit. Certain electrical cables were observed to be burnt and damaged in this area. The cause for initiation of fire at this location would be ascertained in due course by the high level board of inquiry. A BoI headed by a Rear Admiral has commenced the investigation to ascertain the cause leading to the incident. New Delhi’s 30-year submarine construction plan is delayed and the fleet is ageing. India’s 30 year submarine construction plan launched in 1999 envisaged having some 30 submarines of various classes. Now 15 years latter not a single vessel has
been produced. The first of the six scorpene class submarines being built in collaboration with French Company DCNS will be ready only by 2016.
Out of stock * The batteries used during sea trials of INS Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine -INS Sindhukesri *
While the batteries are working fine, the Navy does not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna *
At least 240 batteries are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines
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Indian soldiers win UN run
India has been contributing an infantry battalion group with about 1,000 foot soldiers and support elements from other arms to the UNIFIL since 1998 and at present the 26th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment is deployed there. The UNIFIL comprises about 10,000 troops, observers and support elements drawn from 46 countries. Besides its peace keeping mandate, it organises sports and other events for the troops. In the past, Indian peacekeepers have won a host of professional competitions and sporting events.
OROP implementation With the announcement of the election schedule and the consequent enforcement of the model code of conduct, the service community is abuzz with speculations and opinions about the status of the implementation of the promised “one rank, one pension” (OROP) formula. While the announcement in Parliament by the Finance Minister that OROP has been accepted by the government and that Rs 500 crore earmarked for it in the Interim Budget was widely hailed, there is also some skepticism about the statement being a political gimmick and fear whether the government will be able to notify the decision ahead of the model code of conduct. They had been demanding early notification to ensure clarity of the situation. Some veterans believe with the model code of conduct having been enforced, the government cannot now issue the notification, without which no public money can be spent, and it will now be up to the new government to deal with the matter. Others are of the opinion since the decision on OROP has been already announced, enforcement of the model code will have no bearing on it. Beating the code of conduct An early morning press note of the Ministry of Defence on March 5 listed out achievements of AK Antony’s eight-year tenure. The urgency, it seems, was to beat the imposition of the model code of conduct that would have kicked in the moment the Election Commission announced the schedule for the General Election. The Election Commission’s invite for a press conference at 10.30 am on March 5 was like a tip-off for the Defence Ministry spokesperson, who beat the commission’s announcement by more than three hours and issued a huge, 11,200-word press note detailing what all Antony had done. Government spokespersons cannot send any communication highlighting the good deeds of the minister once the code is enforced. Army’s first seminar on HR The Army conducted the first-ever brainstorming session to carry out an appraisal of its existing human resource policies. The aim was to have effective career management to match Individual aspirations and organisational requirements. Part of it was devoted to having good relations between officers and the rank and file. There have been a few clashes between officers and jawans in the recent past that have not gone down well with the top brass and have also tarnished the image of the Army. Organised by the Military Secretary Branch at the Army Headquarters, the seminar was attended by around 400 officers from all seven commands. Unique project on World Wars It is well known that many Indian soldiers contributed and laid down their lives fighting for the British India during the World Wars. The United Services Institution (USI) and the Ministry of External Affairs have embarked on a unique project to build institutional memory. This week two researchers, helicopter pilot Squadron Leader Rana Chinna (rtd) and Prof Peter Stanley made a presentation tracing the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War-I in ‘Australia & India: A century of shared military history’. It dwelt on an issue that evaded collective conscious of the people of India and Australia, that besides curry and cricket, there is something more between the two countries. (Ajay Banerjee, KV Prasad and Vijay Mohan)
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Delhi HC stays ‘Gulaab Gang’ release
New Delhi, March 5 Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva restrained the film's producers, Sahara One Media Entertainment Ltd, and their agents from "releasing, exhibiting, distributing and promoting" the film till the next date of hearing on May 8. The court was of the prima facie view that "irreparable damage and injury" would be caused to Pal if the movie is released. Pal in her plea has claimed that her permission was not sought prior to making of the film and had alleged that it contains defamatory content which would adversely affect her reputation. — PTI
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Subs to have indigenous periscopes soon: DRDO DG
Dehradun, March 5 The country at present was importing periscopes. Talking to The Tribune in Dehradun today, Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to Union Defence Minister and Director General, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), disclosed that a periscope constituted an important component of submarines and the DRDO was working towards giving the Indian Navy its first indigenous periscope within the next two years. When a submarine is submerged, a periscope can provide a view of the objects on the surface of water and in the air. Chander said the DRDO was also working to install state-of-the-art fire control system and night vision devises in Naval ships. He disclosed that the DRDO was engaged in developing a sensor fabrication facility. The Rs 700-crore project will enable indigenisation of sensors which will enhance efficiency of country’s weaponry. Currently, these sensors were being imported from France, Israel and Russia. Chander said the country’s spending on Research and Development was minuscule, probably the lowest in the world. “We spent around 5 per cent of our defence budget in Research and Development. It should have been at least 8 per cent”, he said. The countries like South Korea and China are spending 15 per cent and 20 per cent of their defence budgets, respectively, in the R&D. On delays in the research projects, Chander asserted that efforts were being made to make decision-making process faster.
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20 years on, jawan’s court martial set aside
Chandigarh, March 5 In 1994, an officer, Lt Col Madal Lal, had alleged that he had seen the jawan, Phool Chandra, then posted at Command Hospital, Chandimandir, stealing diesel from a service vehicle parked on the main road. The officer had further alleged that on being asked, the jawan had told him that he was taking out diesel for use in his kitchen. He was tried by a summary court martial on a single charge under Section 63 of the Army Act for “improperly taking out diesel from a vehicle” and awarded six-month imprisonment, besides being dismissed from service. The Tribunal observed that the trial had been convened solely on the basis of an allegation and there was no written complaint and any other corroborative witnesses or statements. Further, neither was the identity of the jawan officially established at the purported site of the incident and nor was any pipe, can or bottle in which the diesel was being taken out, recovered. The records of the court martial had also been destroyed by the Army during the pendency of the litigation.
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Rahul signals rehabilitation of ‘tainted’ Ashok Chavan
Mumbai, March 5 Chavan shared the stage with Gandhi at a rally in Aurangabad. Rahul had earlier forced Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to reverse his rejection of the Adarsh Inquiry Commission, which had indicted Ashok Chavan and others. But the Congress leadership has come under pressure from Chavan's Maratha community which accounts for more than 30 per cent of the state's population. Several Congress leaders in Maharashtra were keen that Chavan be rehabilitated. Sources say Chavan was keen on contesting the Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket from his pocket borough of Nanded. His supporters who include several MLAs and MPs want the disgraced former CM to head the Congress party's campaign committee as well. But those opposed to the move feel elevating Chavan would hurt the Congress-NCP's prospects in the state since the BJP-Shiv Sena and the Aam Aadmi Party are expected to raise the Adarsh housing society scandal during the election campaign. There is also talk that the party leadership may appease Chavan by agreeing to the candidature of his wife or another close relative from
Nanded.
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China pips India in defence spending
New Delhi, March 5 China, the biggest economy of Asia, today announced its defence budget for the year 2014 allocating $ 131.57 billion, 12.2 per cent more than the $117 billion allocation for 2013. This is collectively more than the defence budgets of Japan and India, Asia’s second and third largest economies, respectively. The two countries collectively have a budget of $ 81.86 billion, US $ 50 billion less than China and both face threats. Japan has announced its budget for 2104 at $ 45.86 billion and India’s budget hike, eroded by the rising rupee-dollar exchange rates, now stands at $ 36.3 billion for the fiscal commencing April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015. Both India and Japan have territorial disputes with China. India has an alignment of 3,488-km-long line of actual control (LAC) with China, while Japan has a dispute over control of Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. China’s widening strategic arch includes a running dispute with six countries in the hydro-carbon rich South China Sea (SCS). Beijing claims 90 per cent of this sea, while The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims. China, like Japan, follows the calendar year as the financial year. India follows an April to March fiscal. For India, the red herring should be Beijing’s stated goals. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, while addressing the Communist Party-controlled National People's Congress (NPC) today, said: “We will resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests… place war preparations on a regular footing and build China into a maritime power”. He added that China would “strengthen research on new and high technology weapons and equipment… enhance border, coastal and air defences”. The People’s Liberation Army is 2.3 million strong and the stress on high-technology weapons will be watched. It already has 11,000 km-range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) the Dongfeng-31 and its road mobile version the DF-31-A. The Submarine launched ICMB version named Julang 2 could be ready anytime now. China is testing the landing of fighter aircraft on the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier - the ‘Liaoning’ - and has conducted a test to destroy satellites by firing a missile from earth.
Up by 12.2 per cent * China on Wednesday announced its defence budget for 2014 allocating $ 131.57 billion, 12.2 per cent more than 2013 allocation *
This is more than the collective defence budgets of Japan and India *
China's military spending is now second only to that of the US, which has a $ 633 billion defence budget
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Fresh FIR ordered against Haryana Sports Minister
Gurgaon, March 5 The court of Judicial Magistrate Seema on Tuesday ordered an FIR against the minister and Gurgaon MLA and 13 others in connection with the case. The court ordered the city police station chief to register the case under sections of cheating, preparing and using fake documents and criminal conspiracy (Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code). Hearing a petition filed by Om Prakash Kataria, Aam Aadmi Party's Haryana executive council member and chief of Gurgaon-based Matdata Jagrookta Manch, the court passed the order under Section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Alleging that forged documents were used to get voter cards made at the behest of the minister, the petitioner requested for registration of a criminal case against Sukhbir. Accepting the complainant's request for the FIR, the court, in its order, said thorough and in-depth investigation would be required into the facts and the circumstances mentioned in the complaint as there are allegations of conspiracy as well. Complainant Om Prakash said the minister won by 2,138 votes in 2009 as an Independent candidate. The Gurgaon administration, based on his complaint, had since cancelled 32,000 bogus votes. The court asked the police to submit status report of investigation after the FIR at the next hearing April 7. A total of 10 cases of bogus votes were pending in different courts in which the minister was accused of being the mastermind. The complainant said it was strange that the police remained inactive despite several FIRs lodged against the minister. — IANS
Bogus vote case
* Three FIRs have already been lodged against Haryana Youth and Sports Minister Sukhbir Kataria in Gurgaon in connection with the case *
The court of Judicial Magistrate ordered the registration of the case against Kataria and 13 others under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B (cheating, preparing and using fake documents and criminal conspiracy) of the IPC *
The order came after Aam Aadmi Party's Haryana executive Om Prakash Kataria alleged that forged documents were used to get voter cards made at the behest of the Sports Minister, who won by 2,138 votes in 2009 as an Independent candidate *
The Gurgaon administration, based on his complaint, has since cancelled 32,000 bogus votes .
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Gujarat poll officer seeks explanation
Ahmedabad, March 5
As the district administration and the local police gave contradictory reasons for detaining Kejriwal for about 30 minutes, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Anita Karwal has sought explanation from the district authorities on the issue.
The police claimed Kejriwal was not detained but was only taken to the police station to “explain” that his “cavalcade” was disrupting traffic. The district collector, however, said the AAP leader was detained for taking out a “political procession” without prior permission, thus violating the model code of conduct.
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Two-phase LS, Assembly poll in Andhra Hyderabad, March 5 The Union Home Ministry had last night announced that June 2 will be the “Appointed Day” for the new state comprising 10 out of the total 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh. AP is currently under President's rule following resignation of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who is opposed to the division of the state. The Union Government has already issued a gazette notification on the formation of the 29th state of the country. Hyderabad will serve as common capital for both states for 10 years, after which it will be made permanent capital of Telangana. The undivided Andhra Pradesh has 42 parliamentary seats and 294 assembly seats. Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Assembly constituencies, while Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions, jointly referred to as Seemandhra, have 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 175 Assembly seats. In the two-phase elections, Telangana region would go to the polls on April 30 and Seemandhra on May 7. “Whoever is elected MLA under the law will automatically become a member of the state concerned," the Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said. With the Election Commission announcing the poll schedule, the political parties stepped up their activity. The bifurcation of the state has thrown up new challenges and changed the political dynamics. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which has been in the forefront of the statehood movement since its inception in 2001, has delivered a blow to the Congress by deciding against merging with the ruling party. However, it is open to working out a poll alliance with the Congress. In the Seemandhra region, there is a palpable public anger against the Congress for dividing the state. The announcement of special category status and financial package does not appear to have assuaged the hurt feelings of the Seemandhra people. The YSR Congress Party, headed by Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party are locked in a fierce battle to win over the voters in the region. Naidu is keen on reviving alliance with the BJP to further boost his party's prospects.
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Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who had to resign from his post following his alleged involvement in the controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society scandal staged a comeback today after he shared the dais with Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Indian soldiers have once again proved their prowess in the international arena by bagging top honours in the CISM Day Run organised by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) under the aegis of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) or International Military Sports Council, one of the largest multidisciplinary organisations in the world with 133 countries as its members.
