|
|
|
|
|
Iraq turmoil matter of concern: Rao
Shias from India ready to take on ISIS
Sushma to meet Indian envoys to Gulf
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Appointment of 10 Governors on cards
Rajnath set to correct ‘wrong’ of Advani
Govt defers gas price hike by 3 months
Wankhede CCTVs offer no clue to Zinta-Ness spat
Rejection of Subramanium’s case for SC judge’s post alarming: Cong
UP govt okays National Food Security Act
HC bench recuses itself from hearing Adarsh plea
Alipurduar is WB’s 20th dist
Army to modernise its dog training centre
|
|
Iraq turmoil matter of concern: Rao
Srinagar, June 25 “Iraq has become a new issue of concern. Our oil pipeline comes from Southern Iraq and so far, the terrorists have not targeted this pipeline,” he said while speaking to mediapersons at the Army Srinagar-based 15 Corps. “Our government is keeping a close watch on the situation. We are hopeful that the situation will stabilise soon and our oil supplies are not affected,” said Rao. He said talks with Pakistan would only proceed if they didn’t allow the country to use its territory against India. He said, “The basic issue with Pakistan, as per the Shimla agreement, is that it will not allow its territory or your border to be used for terrorist activities against India. If it can assure this, the atmosphere will be conducive for talks. But when the guns roar, how can such talks be held?” “We are hopeful that the peaceful environment that has been prevailing since the visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister will continue,” he said. The minister maintained that the situation in Kashmir was under control and better than before. “This is all because of the efforts and brilliance of the Armed forces. They did not allow the situation to get out of hand,” he said. When asked whether China was still a threat, Rao said they had to be careful. “We cannot choose our neighbours. We have to be careful while dealing with any country with which we have had disputes in the past. We are cautious about China also,” he said.
|
|
Shias from India ready to take on ISIS
New Delhi, June 25 The youngest volunteer is eight-year-old Ehsan from Aligarh and the oldest is 71-year-old Sardar Hussain from Delhi who got their names registered to fight ISIS terrorists. Sardar Hussain said, “I am waiting for visa. If I get permission, I can even walk to Iraq to fight for the religious shrines.” Thirty three women from Jammu and Kashmir have also expressed their willingness to fight in Iraq. Anjuman Haidari general secretary Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi said following the ISIS attack on Shia shrines in Karbala and Najaf in Iraq, the Anjuman had launched a drive to register volunteers who were ready to go to Iraq to protect shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala, tomb of Ali and Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf. The Karbala is one of the holiest places for the Shia Muslims. He said more than one lakh people were willing to go to Iraq but so far, 25,000 persons, including 40 doctors, builders and executives, had submitted their travel documents. The Anjuman has a target of 10 lakh volunteers to be sent to Iraq. Besides protecting shrines, they would donate blood for the terror victims. The doctors have decided to work free of charge in hospitals where victims are admitted. He said a non-Muslim doctor in Meerut, Amit Tomar, had also expressed his desire to go to Iraq to take care of the victims. In his message to Anjuman, Tomar said, “I am against terrorism which is one of the most serious threats to the humanity.” Besides Delhi, the Anjuman has set up camps in Muzaffarnagar and Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh, Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and several cities in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh to register volunteers. Abbas said he had visited the Iraq Embassy and requested the authorities to issue visa to the volunteers, but nothing has been done so far. Naseem Haider, who visited a camp at Dargah Shah-e-Mardan at Jorbagh in Delhi said, “ISIS attacks on shrines have jolted the community. It is my religious duty to protect them.” Khurshid, another volunteer, said, “We will make a human chain to protect the shrines. We will give befitting reply to the terrorists in Iraq. We will go to Iraq under the leadership of Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a religious Shia leader based in Lucknow.” Syed Bilal, a senior member of the Anjuman, said: “The fight is against terrorists versus Muslims. The ISIS activists have damaged the grave of Hazrat Yunus. Every Muslim, whether he is Shia or Sunni, follows Hazart
Yunus.”
|
|
|
Sushma to meet Indian envoys to Gulf
New Delhi, June 25 The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of the ongoing war in parts of Iraq. Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson, MEA, said apart from the situation in Iraq and other countries in the region, the meeting would discuss India’s relations with Gulf countries and how they could be further strengthened. The Indian Ambassador to Iraq would, however, not attend the meeting, as he is required to stay there for greater ground-level issues. The Foreign Minister had on Monday convened a meeting of Indian envoys in neighbouring countries. — TNS
|
|
|
Appointment of 10 Governors on cards
New Delhi, June 25 A total of 10 new appointments are expected. As of today, there are three vacancies. Two slots will be available in three days due to retirements. In July, another three Governors are to retire and another two Governors are slated to resign, making it a total of 10 slots where senior leaders of the BJP can be adjusted over the next few weeks. “I will not rule out anything now,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said. He was replying to a question on the possibility of appointment of some Governors before the Parliament session. Sources said the first list of the new appointees would be out before the end of this month. It is still not clear if the ruling combine will appoint only against vacancies or sack more from the existing lot of Governors to appoint its own nominees. Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi and Chhattisgarh Governor Shekar Dutt have resigned in the past 10 days. Today, Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar, a former Director of the CBI, reportedly put in his papers. Another two Governors, HR Bhardawaj (Karnataka) and Devanand Konwar (Tripura), will end their five-year tenure in three days. In July, another three vacancies will occur when Margaret Alva (Rajasthan), Jagannath Pahadia (Haryana) and SC Jamir (Odisha), will end their tenures. Besides, the government has reportedly conveyed to MK Narayanan in West Bengal and BV Wanchoo in Goa that they have to quit, both on the premise that they have to be questioned as witnesses in the deal for purchase of 12 helicopters from
AgustaWestland.
|
|
|
Nagaland Guv resigns
New Delhi, June 25 “I resigned this morning and came to Shimla. I am relaxed now,” Kumar said. The resignation of 63-year-old Kumar came days after Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami had telephoned some of the Governors, appointed by the previous UPA regime, to step down after the Narendra Modi government assumed charge. Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi and Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt have put in their papers last week. — PTI
|
|
|
Rajnath set to correct ‘wrong’ of Advani
New Delhi, June 25 Faced with a shortage of 930 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, Rajnath Singh today directed his officials to prepare a
comprehensive plan for filling up the vacancies and regular promotions of the IPS cadre. The minister was reviewing the functioning of the police division of the Ministry which deals with the IPS recruitment, promotion and other career-related matters. Currently there are 930 vacancies in the IPS despite hiring anything between 130 and 150 officers every year into the service. The backlog, which started in the late 1990s during the time of the then Home Minister LK Advani, has not been cleared. Sources cited a report by former IPS officer Kamal Kumar on “Recruitment Plan (2009-2020) for the Indian Police Service”. It had said in October 2009 against the 85 IPS officers needed per annum, only 36 candidates were recruited each year from 1999 to 2002, resulting in a shortfall of 49 officials per year or a total shortfall of 196 candidates. The damage could be corrected only over a period of 11 years that is till 2020. The committee suggested recruiting at least 130 IPS officers each year. This had been implemented during P Chidambaram’s tenure (November 2008 to July 2012).
|
|
|
Govt defers gas price hike by 3 months
The current pricing of domestic natural gas at $4.2 per unit will continue for three months, as a decision on a hike has been deferred. A CCEA statement said the domestic natural gas pricing guidelines, which were announced on January 10, were later deferred due to the model code of conduct that had been affected in the country at that time. The CCEA today decided that the comprehensive discussions were necessary on the issue and the guidelines. It was decided that consultations would be held with all stakeholders and it was important to keep public interest in mind. The gas pricing norms announced by the UPA in January would have almost doubled the price of natural gas for producers like ONGC and RIL. — TNS
|
|
|
Wankhede CCTVs offer no clue to Zinta-Ness spat
Mumbai, June 25 “There were 172 rotating CCTV cameras inside the Wankhede ground and five CCTVs installed at Garware pavilion. The examination of these five CCTV footages did not provide any evidence that would help us in the probe,” said a police officer privy to the probe. “The five CCTV cameras which we thought would give some crucial leads have neither captured any argument nor any scuffle between the two,” the officer said. Zinta had filed a complaint on June 12 alleging that Wadia outraged her modesty at the stadium on May 30. Wadia has rubbished the allegations. Meanwhile, Zinta, whose supplementary statement was recorded yesterday, has given a list of 14 names to the police, including that of a foreigner named Jean, as among those who were witness to the incident. The foreign national would also be asked to record his statement, if required, police said. — PTI
|
|
|
Rejection of Subramanium’s case for SC judge’s post alarming: Cong
New Delhi, June 25 Attacking the BJP government for undermining institutions, former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said the move would lead to politicisation of every institution. Praising Subramanium as "one of the finest legal minds" of India who was appointed as an amicus curiae by the Supreme Court in many high-profile cases, including the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case of Gujarat in which Narendra Modi's close aide Amit Shah came under scrutiny, Sharma said it was evident why his elevation had been stopped. "Real reasons are clear. Gopal Subramaniun is one of the finest legal minds of India and is respected globally. He was requested to accept the proposal of becoming a Supreme Court judge," Sharma said lamenting institutional abuse in the issue. The Congress spokesperson said the matter should set alarm bells ringing. Former SG's name was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha for elevation to the apex court bench along with some other names. But the government rejected the same returning the file while accepting recommendation related to others including Rohinton Nariman. Meanwhile, Subramanium asked the Chief Justice of India to withdraw the recommendation of his candidature as a judge of the Supreme Court.
|
|
|
UP govt okays National Food Security Act
Lucknow, June 25 Presiding over a cabinet meeting, Yadav yesterday approved the criteria for selection of beneficiaries who would get food grain in the state under the Food Security Act. Under the provisions of the Act, the beneficiaries of the Antodaya category will continue to get Rs 35 kg food grains per family. A new category of priority households would be worked out in place of the Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line categories. Under this category, food grain will be provided as per the number of members in a family. Every member of an eligible household will be provided 5 kg of food grain.
|
|
|
HC bench recuses itself from hearing Adarsh plea
Mumbai, June 25 “Not before us” said a Division bench of Justices VM Kanade and PD Kode when the petition filed by activist Praveen Wategaonkar came up before them. This petition was tagged on to another petition which had sought to make Shinde as an accused in the Adarsh housing scam case. Wategaonkar had in July 2013 filed the petition seeking to make Shinde as an accused. However, in its reply on October 9, 2013, the CBI gave a clean chit to Shinde saying they had probed the case and found evidence against the former Union Home Minister as “deficient and insufficient.” The petitioner said the Adarsh Commission, in its report tabled before the Maharashtra Legislature, had observed that Shinde, in his capacity as the Chief Minister, had failed to pay attention to a suggestion given by the finance department against allotment of land to the Adarsh housing society. The petitioner further said that Adarsh Commission report had also concluded that “Shinde had failed to note this and acted in undue haste to bestow benefit on the society.” The Maharashtra Government had on June 9, 2011, appointed a two-member judicial commission, led by a retired Bombay High Court judge, JA Patil, with former state chief secretary P Subramanian being the member, to investigate the alleged irregularities and corruption. Seeking the court’s direction to the CBI to produce all evidence it had gathered, Wategaonkar argued that though the CBI did not find any evidence against Shinde, the Adarsh panel has stated that Shinde had failed to act in Adarsh case. The CBI had stated in its affidavit filed before the High Court in 2013 that there is no evidence to suggest that Shinde, during his tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister, had abused his position as a public servant. — PTI
|
|
|
Alipurduar is WB’s 20th dist
Kolkata, June 25 The district was constituted by bifurcating Jalpaiguri and it included most of the tea gardens in the Duars and several other ‘mouzas’ which the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) was demanding to be included in the separate Darjeeling district. But the chief minister turned down the
request. — TNS
|
|
Army to modernise its dog training centre Army dogs have not only carved a niche for themselves, proving their worth during counter-insurgency deployment or disaster management, but are also a star attraction at public events where their skills and discipline are showcased. But behind all this is months of toil at their training centre at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, which is now being modernised. Plans have been approved to upgrade the infrastructure and technical facilities available at the Canine Breeding Centre and the Dog Training Faculty at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College and the tendering process is underway. The college is introducing new training aids, fine tuning new disciplines like assault training and enhancing the training and capability development of Army dog trainers at home and abroad. Work has also been initiated for infusion of new germplasm for canine breeding stock. The technology for cryo preservation of quality semen from proven studs has been standardised and will be further developed. The RVC is 235 years’ old and responsible for the breeding, training, maintenance and medicare of horses, mules and dogs in military service. Dr Mishra named
BrahMos chief
Top missile scientist Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra will take over as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the BrahMos Aerospace Corporation, a joint venture of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and the Military Industrial Consortium NPO Mashinostroyenia of Russia that produces the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile for the armed forces. He will take over from Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, who retires next month after being at the helm of the company’s affairs for over a decade. Dr Mishra is currently serving as the director of the missile programme at the DRDO headquarters. BrahMos has been one of the few success stories among DRDO’s strategic projects. After the missile’s land-based version, the air launched and under-water launched versions are in the pipeline. The challenge is also to increase the Indian content in the missiles, especially the engine. The company had commemorated its 13th anniversary on June 12. MVC recipient passes away
The community of brave hearts and the Sikh Light Infantry in particular lost a valued comrade when Brig PK Nandgopal, a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, breathed his last on June 16. He was 87 and hailed from Vellore in Tamil Nadu. As a battalion commander during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he had personally led the assault on Kalidhar in Jammu and Kashmir on September 28 and captured two intermediate objectives. On October 30, the battalion was given the task of clearing the same objective and secured its objective in spite of heavy enemy shelling. The battalion continued to press forward and successfully secured three other important features the same day. On one occasion, Lt Col Nandagopal personally led the forward company and was involved in a desperate hand-to-hand fight with the enemy in which he received injuries on the head and face. NCC girls’ trekking expedition As many as 1,000 girls of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) from across the country took part in a three-week trekking expedition conducted at Baijnath-Paprola in the foothills of the Dhauladhar Ranges of Himachal Pradesh this month. The cadets traversed a distance of 60 km of mountainous terrain, visiting historic places like Tashi Zong Buddhist Monastery and Lord Shiva Temple at Baijnath. A trek to the world famous site of paragliding at Bir and Billing provided an opportunity to inculcate the spirit of adventure among the cadets in addition to giving them an opportunity to understand the importance of preservation of ecology and forest wealth. — Vijay Mohan |
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Army dogs have not only carved a niche for themselves, proving their worth during counter-insurgency deployment or disaster management, but are also a star attraction at public events where their skills and discipline are showcased. But behind all this is months of toil at their training centre at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, which is now being modernised. Plans have been approved to upgrade the infrastructure and technical facilities available at the Canine Breeding Centre and the Dog Training Faculty at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College and the tendering process is underway.
New Delhi, June 25