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Campa Cola residents give in after meeting Chavan
Iraq
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Nine Gujarat workers return from Iraq
India can export fighter jets, missiles: DRDO
New PoK group plans terror attacks on India
Drunk woman kills husband
UGC warns Delhi varsity on four-year courses
Youth lodged in Malaysian jail on drug charge alleges setup
UP pre-medical exam cancelled after paper leak
IMA reunion: Officers revive old days
SAARC push: Sushma to meet mission heads
Indo-US N-deal
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Campa Cola residents give in after meeting Chavan
Mumbai, Jun 22 The decision was announced by the residents of the housing complex in plush Worli area of south Mumbai after a meeting with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan who asked them to comply with the law and assured that their proposal of 67,000 sq ft permissible floor space index (FSI) would be positively considered. “We are tired of all this, can’t do this anymore. We will explore all legal solutions. We were all fighting to save our homes. It was not a mistake. We will comply with the Supreme Court order... We will open our gates for the BMC to execute their duties,” said Ashish Jalan, a resident of the complex, while briefing the media. The residents have also written to President Pranab Mukherjee hoping for a presidential “pardon” considering the number of senior citizens living in the premises. Jalan, speaking on behalf of the Campa Cola compound residents, said, “It is a win-win situation. We will cooperate with the civic authorities as they have told us that only supplies to basic utilities would be cut and would not carry out any demolition.” Deputy Municipal Commissioner Anand Waghralkar told PTI that the civic body will begin disconnection of water, electricity and piped gas connections to the 102 illegal flats from 11 am tomorrow. In the last two days, the officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) had made futile attempts to convince the residents, amid heavy security presence, to let them in as the residents had barricaded themselves at the entrance of the complex. The MCGM officials had warned that if the residents do not allow them to implement the Supreme Court orders, they would have to use force. The civic body had also registered a police case against the society residents for obstructing the public servants from discharging their duties on Friday. The Campa Cola compound lost its plea in the apex court on June 3 when it challenged its earlier order of February 27 to vacate the building by May 31. They had argued that they were victimised for the fault of the builders and civic officials, who colluded in violating rules to build illegal floors. In June last year, the Supreme Court had ordered families occupying the illegal flats to vacate by May. Their deadline to hand over the keys ended on June 12. — PTI
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India in touch with Middle East ‘friends’ for hostages’ release
Ashok Tuteja Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 22 The Indian Embassy in Baghdad is also learnt to be in touch with various international agencies such as the International Red Crescent in this regard, informed sources here said. The government has also received suggestions from some former diplomats to ask religious leaders in Islamic countries to issue an appeal to the abductors to release the hostages as they were innocent. Sources said the government continued to be in active engagement and was doing everything possible to ensure the release of the Indian workers, most of whom belong to Punjab. One of the Indian hostages, who had fled from captivity, had, meanwhile, shared various details about the abductors with the Indian authorities. Sources said the government was also in touch with the 46 Indian nurses stranded in a hospital in Tikrit, another violence-affected city. The nurses are in a hospital and are being provided food. Sources said securing release of the kidnapped Indians and moving remaining others out of the conflict zone was the government’s top priority. It was offering assistance to a group of Indians, which, according to the Amnesty International, was stranded in Najaf. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad was in touch with the company which reportedly refused to return passports to the Indian employees. Former envoy to Iraq Suresh Reddy, who has been sent to Baghdad, was also holding extensive talks with the Iraqi authorities and other concerned organisations to secure release of the Indians. The Iraqi government has told him that the protection of foreign workers was its utmost goal. However, New Delhi is not pinning much hope on the beleaguered government.
Stepping up efforts
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Nine Gujarat workers return from Iraq
Ahmedabad, June 22 Those who had returned informed the state government that another 10 persons from the state working in the company were still stuck there. One of the nine, Mukesh Patel, said neither the company nor the local police extended any assistance to the expatriates to leave the troubled country. He said as they were trying to escape from Kirkuk, they were arrested by the local police and kept in jail for over a week. “We were freed only after the Indian Embassy in Baghdad intervened. The Embassy officials put us up on a flight to Mumbai,” he added.
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India can export fighter jets, missiles: DRDO
New Delhi, June 22 DRDO chief Avinash Chander said the country needs a “policy mechanism” for exporting weapon systems and the defence research agency has suggested a “single window clearance” for sale of arms to friendly foreign countries in a time-bound manner. “We have a list of equipment that includes the Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, ‘Akash’ air defence system, ‘Prahar’ class of missiles and ‘BrahMos’ supersonic cruise missiles along with a number of systems that can be exported,” he said. “We are discussing the methodology for developing the export potential as well as a policy mechanism for export of weapon systems,” Chander said. The DRDO chief was asked about a recent comment by the Prime Minister that India should produce arms for itself and also supply them to other nations. Tejas is a lightweight, multi-role, single-engine tactical fighter aircraft. Akash, a surface-to-air missile, has a range of 25 km. Prahar is a 150 km-range tactical missile system while BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile with a strike range of 290 km. On the cost benefit for countries procuring arms from India, Chander said: “Many times Indian weapons are a lot cheaper. There are various other systems, like if you take strategic missiles, the long-range missiles that China sells to Saudi Arabia and the cost at which we produce, it would be one-third or one-fourth,” he said. Chander said, “We can talk only about the price at which people sell and what comes out in published figures about the contracts of the day. By that, our production cost would be much lower. What will be the export cost, that will be the policy decision of the government.” — PTI
Regional head hurt in knife attack
Hyderabad: The regional director of DRDO, RK Satpathy, was injured in a freak knife attack while shopping in the crowded Charminar area of Hyderabad on Sunday. He was stabbed by a boy who was being chased by people, the police said. The attacker was allegedly trying to escape after committing a theft. —TNS
Arsenal on offer
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New PoK group plans terror attacks on India
New Delhi, June 22 Guru was hanged on February 10 last year inside Delhi's Tihar Jail for his involvement in the December 2001 Parliament attack. Sources said with not more than 30-40 members, the squad was looking forward to carry out attacks in India. Sources said the two attacks through Hiranagar near Kathua were the handiwork of the group. The latest was in March this year. The first attack through the route was in September last year when terrorists had attacked an Army camp in Samba. Sources said the group had been directed to do something 'spectacular' in case its members face the Army or the Border Security Force along the Line of Control. Banned Jamaat-ul-Dawaa chief Hafiz Saeed, who is wanted in India for his role in the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, had in February last year reacted to Guru hanging by saying "Guru's death has brought new life and vigour to the freedom movement in Kashmir. It has revitalised the locals to such extent that I am seeing them going towards their destination -- the liberation of Kashmir".
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Drunk woman kills husband
Bangalore, June 22 Harish (44) had died on Friday night. Investigation revealed that he was killed by
his 21-year-old wife, Prashantini. Both Harish and Prashantini were fond of alchohol. They got drunk on and got into a quarrel, resulting in the killing. Harish pulled Prashantini’s hair while she knocked him down. She then strangled him to death by putting a rope around his neck, sub-inspector Khader said. Prashantini, after killing her husband, went to his sister’s house and told her that Harish had collapsed after drinking alchohol. A doctor was called and he declared Harish dead. Her sister went to the police and reported
the death. The police found marks on Harish’s neck and also found the rope apparently used in the crime. Prashantini feigned ignorance and wept inconsolably to mourn the passing away of Harish. The victim, an electrician, had married Prashantini about six years ago when she
was a minor. Their marriage was registered after she turned 18 and the couple were living in a rented house. The neighbours say Harish suspected her of being unfaithful. The couple have a one-and-half-year-old daughter.
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UGC warns Delhi varsity on four-year courses
New Delhi, June 22 Stating that "under no circumstances shall the University of Delhi or any of the colleges under it admit students to the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP)", the commission warned them that any deviation from its directive would be deemed to be in contravention of the UGC Act, 1956, thereby inviting consequences. This comes a day after the DU defied the UGC directive of reversing its FYUP by communicating a resolution passed in the university's Academic Council, asking the academic funding agency to reconsider its order. In pursuance of its June 22 order relating to reversal of FYUP, the UGC has instructed the university to report compliance to its directives by Monday morning. In case of violations, they could lose grants from the autonomous funding body and degrees offered by DU may stand to be de-recognised. Sources said even DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dinesh Singh may be asked by the Visitor (the President) to proceed on "leave" or otherwise until further orders from the Ministry of Human Resource and Development. It is understood that the Prime Minister and the President Offices are in the loop on the matter. Further, the commission has issued a public notice in the interest of students apprising them of the recent developments around the controversial FYUP stating "the current FYUP is not in consonance with the National Policy on Education (1986) and the (10+2+3) structure envisaged under it. The DU has faltered in terms of the prescribed procedure defined by the DU Act, 1922 as well". The commission has decided to constitute a 10-member standing committee with representations from teachers, students and statutory bodies to advise the DU on easy migration from the FYUP to the three-year structure and implement the directive. The committee is said to comprise the UGC vice-chairman, DUTA president and students' body DUSU among others. While the university administration is still to decide on its next move (deliberation among DU officials on), minority St Stephen's College issued a statement saying the college has deferred its undergraduate admissions till a final call is taken on the matter by the competent authority. Key person behind "Save DU" campaign against FYUP, executive council member Abha Dev Habib said: "The Vice-Chancellor should take a positive step now. Staff council meetings should be held in colleges and the university should go back to the 2012 in terms of no of seats in various courses."
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Youth lodged in Malaysian jail on drug charge alleges setup
New Delhi, June 22 Sanjay (23) had boarded a flight from Delhi to Penang, Malaysia, on September 28 last year. He was caught by airport officials for allegedly possessing 3 kg synthetic drug called 'Ice', which was hidden in a cavity of his suitcase. In his letter, Sanjay wrote that he was lured to transport the suitcase by Danish Khan, who allegedly works at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, and a Manipuri woman named Lalla Ramabati, alias Dinda. Atar Singh Chauhan, a relative of Sanjay, in a statement to the Delhi Police, stated that Sanjay had met Danish and Dinda while working for a company running first-class lounges at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Atar met Sanjay in the prison on May 30 this year. Atar said Danish had introduced himself to Sanjay as a manager of GMR. Danish took Sanjay to a company called Cargo International Aviation, which has its office in south Delhi's Mahipalpur locality. There, Sanjay was introduced to Riyadh Khan and Dinda. "Danish had told Sanjay that he would be given a permanent job in the firm after he delivers a small parcel abroad, “ he said. In September last year, Danish and Riyadh booked a Cathay Pacific Airlines ticket for Sanjay to Penang. "Riyadh and Dinda gave Sanjay a suitcase containing branded clothes, which was to be given to Judi at Johor Bahru," Atar said. “When I reached Malaysia, the authorities told me that there is something inside the cover of the suitcase. They broke it open and found two packets containing medicines. I didn't deliberately take these drugs. I was trapped by Dinda and Danish," reads the letter.
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UP pre-medical exam cancelled after paper leak
Lucknow, June 22 At 213 centres across the state, the examination had either begun or students were waiting for the papers to be distributed when it was announced that the exam had been cancelled. King George Medical University (KGMU), which is conducting the examination this year, has announced July 20 as the next date for the examination. An FIR against unknown persons has been lodged in the Kotwali police station of Ghaziabad by the UP Special Task Force (STF). The STF has taken hold of the CCTV footage in one of the banks. Calling such exams “sacred”, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also asked Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to set up a high-level committee to probe the tampering of the papers. Ghaziabad SSP Dharmendra Yadav said Ghaziabad ADM informed him early in the morning that the seal on boxes containing the papers was broken. The papers were stored in lockers of the State Bank of India and Allahabad Bank’s Navyug Market branches.
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IMA reunion: Officers revive old days
Dehradun, June 22 The batch that passed out on February 9, 1964, comprised of 1,192 GCs (Gentlemen Cadets), including 20 GCs of Nigerian Army, 151 from 33rd Regular Course, 52 from 3 OTU (NCC course), 49 from 4 SSRC (technical entry) course and 914 of EC-7 course. Lt Gen SK Kaushal (retd) said meeting his batch mates after 50 years was like a dream. “During our service, we kept meeting each other individually, but getting back together as a whole is an entirely different feeling,” he said. “Many of us have gone bald with age and our faces have changed tremendously. It was slightly difficult to recognise each other at first. For two days spent at the academy, we were GCs once again. We were pulling each others’ leg, recalling the nicknames, punishments and pranks,” he said. Lt Gen Kaushal recalled, “During those days, even a simplest of act would invite punishment for the entire course. “I still remember how a GC from our course had once whistled during a movie being screened in the academy. The course officer stopped the movie and the entire course was made to run with bicycles on their heads. These memories will last forever,” he said. Brig MS Dulad (retd) said it was an emotional moment for the batch mates. “After passing out from the academy, we hardly met each other. In fact, a lot of us were looking forward to the golden jubilee celebrations,” he said. The importance of the reunion for these officers could be gauged from the fact that while some especially flew down from the US and Australia, few others postponed their foreign trips. “I was supposed to go to the US on June 16. But when I got to know about the reunion, I postponed my trip. Nothing can be more important that meeting your friends,” said Brig Zorawar Singh Khosa.
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Preity arrives in Mumbai
Mumbai, June 22 Preity had filed a police complaint on June 12 alleging she was molested by Wadia at the Wankhede Stadium on May 30. —PTI
Rhea accuses Paes of domestic violence
Mumbai: Model Rhea Pillai has filed a case of domestic violence and harassment against her estranged live-in partner ace tennis player Leander Paes and his father in a local metropolitan magistrate court. —PTI
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SAARC push: Sushma to meet mission heads
New Delhi, June 22 The meeting, the first of its kind, comes within a month of Modi’s meeting with SAARC leaders and aims at charting out concrete follow-up plans with each South Asian neighbour within specified timelines, official sources said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will chair all sessions to take stock of the current state of play in India’s relations with each of its neighbours, including China and Pakistan, and set down the new government’s priorities and approach. Swaraj will also pay a goodwill visit to Bangladesh from June 25-27. The visit takes place at the invitation of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. This is Swaraj’s first stand-alone visit abroad as the External Affairs Minister. She had accompanied Prime Minister Modi on his recent visit to Bhutan. During the visit, Swaraj will hold discussions on bilateral issues with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister. She will also call on the Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She will also have engagement with think tanks, chambers of commerce and industry and cultural
organisations.
B’desh visit from June 25
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Nod for greater access to monitoring body
New Delhi, June 22 The Additional Protocol was ratified last week and this has been conveyed to the Vienna-based IAEA, the global watchdog of nuclear activities. The IAEA had, in March 2009, approved an additional protocol to India’s safeguards agreement consequent to a pact reached with the agency the previous year to place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. That agreement had paved way for the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant India-specific waiver for it to have commercial relations with other countries in the civilian atomic field. The waiver was necessary as India, despite being a nuclear-armed state, is not a signatory to the NPT. — PTI
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In a climbdown, residents of Campa Cola compound, who have been resisting authorities since Friday, today agreed to allow municipal officials to enter the premises tomorrow and disconnect
electricity.
New Delhi, June 22
New Delhi, June 22
The University Grants Commission (UGC) today ordered Delhi University (DU) and its 64 colleges to admit the new batch of students (for 2014-2015) only under the three-year undergraduate programme.