The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Char Dham pilgrimage suspended for 2 days Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 17 The Char Dham yatra to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri will remain suspended on July 18 and July 19 in view of the heavy rain forecast by the Met Department. The Badrinath and Kedarnath yatra was suspended yesterday but today the Uttarakhand Government decided to suspend the entire Char Dham yatra and also the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib for two more days. “Due to heavy rains yesterday, the roads have been blocked and landslides are occurring in some areas. In view of the safety of the pilgrims, we have decided to suspend the entire Char Dham yatra for two more days,” said Subhash Kumar, Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand. All pilgrims who were en route to the shrines were in safe places and being looked after by the administration. “Around 127 pilgrims had moved from Lincholi to Bhimabali in Rudraprayag and 12 pilgrims from Sonprayag to Kedarnath,” said Bhaskaranand Joshi, Secretary, Department of Disaster Management. The water levels of all major rivers in spate have begun to recede. Alaknanda is flowing five metres below the danger mark at 622.45 metres in Rudraprayag and Mandakini, at 623.65 metres, was flowing three meters below the danger mark. Meanwhile, the National Highway-109 from Rishikesh to Kedarnath is blocked at Fata and Guptkashi. The NH-108 from Rishikesh to Gangotri was also disrupted due to landslides. The Gangotri highway is blocked at Raturiseda, Malla, Laldhang, Netala and Henlkugad. The Border Roads Organisation personnel were still clearing the Badrinath highway that was blocked at Lambagad. Heavy landslides had occurred yesterday at Sirobagar, Pagal Nala and Petal Ganga. The Met has predicted medium to heavy rainfall in the state for the next 24 hours. Hemkund Sahib yatra too put off * The Uttarakhand Government also decided to suspend the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib for two days in view of heavy rain forecast * All pilgrims, who were en route to the shrines, are in safe places and being looked after by the administration * The National Highways from Rishikesh to Kedarnath and Gogotri blocked at several places due to landslides
	Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane to quit Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, July 17 Maharashtra’s Industries Minister Narayan Rane today said he would resign from the Cabinet on Monday. “I will meet with my supporters at Kankavli on Sunday and then announce my next course of action,” Rane told mediapersons here. Rane, a former Shiv Sena leader, said he would, however, stay in the Congress. Rane was among those who demanded the removal of Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan and had even led a delegation to the Congress high command. Amid speculation that he was in touch with the BJP, Rane said, “I met Nitin Gadkari during the funeral of Gopinath Munde and since then I have not met him.” Known as a strongman of Konkan, Rane has been facing a tough battle from the Shiv Sena, the NCP and even his own party workers. His son Nilesh Rane lost the Lok Sabha elections from Ratnagiri.
	4 cops indicted for showing custodial death as road mishap Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, July 17 Four policemen posted at the Sewri police station here have been found guilty of torturing a youth to death and then passing off the incident as road accident. According to the preliminary investigation report, 23-year-old Mohammad Ali Syed was picked up for questioning on October 16, 2009, in connection with a robbery. Syed was allegedly thrashed by Assistant Police Inspector Prashant Mane and constable Suryakant Katte. Syed sustained serious injuries the police custody and died a few hours later. To cover up the crime, Mane, Katte and other officials on duty at the police station passed off the custodial death as a case of road accident. Investigations by Senior Inspector Ashok Bodhare revealed that Syed’s body was later dumped at an isolated spot. Mane, who wrote the accident report, stated that Syed was found bleeding from his head, mouth, ears and nose on the road and that he might have been run over by a vehicle. After post-mortem at KEM Hospital, Syed’s body was cremated as an unidentified person.
	Infosys’ former US employees allege ‘Hindi’ bias, file lawsuit New Delhi, July 17 Former US employees of India’s leading software services firm Infosys have filed a lawsuit against it alleging discrimination because of their inability to communicate in Hindi, a charge denied by the company as “false and baseless”. The case has been filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees. Bolten was hired as a tester, while Handloser was hired by Infosys in 2004 as a sales manager. According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were “excluded” from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who “regularly spoke in Hindi” in front of them. Bolten also alleged that a vast majority of ‘Test Lead’ positions for the project were filled with South Asian workers (mostly Indians), who had less experience with software testing than her. Besides, Bolten and Handloser, the other two plaintiffs are Brenda Koehler and Kelly Parker. The case has been filed against Infosys Technologies Ltd, Inc and Infosys Public Services Inc. All the plaintiffs are US citizens. When contacted, an Infosys spokesperson said the charges were “false and baseless”. — PTI Language ‘barrier’ According to the lawsuit filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, they were “excluded” from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who “regularly spoke in Hindi” in front of them
	Oppn stalls Rajya Sabha over Gaza debate Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 17 For the second day in a row today, a united Opposition stalled any movement on the Railways Budget in the Rajya Sabha against the BJP-led NDA’s refusal to have a discussion on Israel attack in the Gaza strip on Wednesday. Demanding immediate discussion on “unprecendented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine causing death of scores of civilians” today, the Oppostion again forced several adjournments in the House. This even as rejecting the government’s plea against a debate, Chairman Hamid Ansari said the matter could be taken up at a later date. Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee, which met in the evening, is understood to have decided that the issue should be discussed on Monday. However, the Opposition is keen to have the debate before any other business. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is believed to be travelling tomorrow. BJP sources claim the entire situation has been "created" by Congress to underline its upper hand in the Rajya Sabha. “The issue is important but it can be discussed next week. Congress just wants to assert its majority position in the Rajya Sabha to get the Leader of Opposition position in the Lok Sabha,” they say. BJP sources admit a goof-up somewhere as the issue was listed in Wednesday's revised list of business. Swaraj opposed any debate on the issue arguing any discourteous remark could affect its relations with Israel and Palestine.
	HSGPC row: Akal Takht won’t review decision Nitish Sharma Tribune News Service Amritsar/Kurukshetra, July 17 The Akal Takht has rejected the appeal of the ad hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) to reconsider its decision to excommunicate Haryana Finance Minister Harmohinder Singh Chattha, Haryana Sikh leaders Jagdish Singh Jhinda and Didar Singh Nalvi from the Sikh community. "The question of reviewing the decision doesn't arise at all," said Giani Gurbachan Singh. He said the edict against these three leaders was issued after thorough deliberations. "The decision was not taken in a hurry. It was done as per the 'maryada' of the Takht," he added. Earlier in Kurukshetra, the ad hoc HSGPC and Sikh sangat today passed a resolution at the Dera Karsewa and appealed to the Akal Takht to reconsider its decision on excommunicating Chattha, Jhinda and Nalvi. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had yesterday directed the Sikh sangat to boycott Chattha, Jhinda and Nalvi socially, religiously and politically until they appear before the Akal Takht and undergo 'tankhah' (religious punishment). Joga Singh, general secretary, HSGPC, said: "We have decided to stand behind our leaders and appeal to the Akal Takht to reconsider its decision as it has hurt the sentiments of the Haryana Sikhs." He said: "The Sikh leaders have not disrespected the Akal Takht or committed any sin. They have been fighting for the rights of the Sikh community." Ad hoc HSGPC chief Jhinda said: "We have left the decision to the Sikh sangat and we will accept whatever the Akal Takht and the sangat decide for us." Nalvi said: "I would not make any comment as the matter is related to the Akal Takht. We will express our views tomorrow." Meanwhile, Chattha said, "I have not received any written notice. All Akal Takht decisions are acceptable to me." He said: "The setting up the HSGPC was decided by the Cabinet and not by me. Whatever we have done is under the rules and regulations and as per the rights provided to us under the Punjab Re-organisation Act 1966."
	Haryana panel legal: BJP leader Ravi S.Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 17 In a statement which will create rift between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal, Haryana BJP leader Anil Viz today said the legislative Act creating an independent Sikh body in the state was not “illegal”. He categorically said the Act was within the sanctity of rules. “We also had got the entire issue examined by the BJP’s legal cell and the Haryana Government could not be questioned on the legal points,” he said. Viz’s remarks come in the backdrop of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s statement that he would fight tooth and nail against the separate gurdwara panel. Yesterday, too, he along with four MPs met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and alleged that the Act was illegal.
	Govt to protect gay rights, says Harsh Vardhan Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 17 In what can be termed as a shot in the arm of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenders) rights activists, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today said it was the job of the government to protect the human rights of everyone, including gays. Vardhan was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event held to mark the launch of National Health Profile 2013, a collection of health-related information in India. “It is the job of the government to protect the rights of everybody, including gays,” said Vardhan at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing a curative plea challenging a former Apex Court order restoring Section 377 of the IPC which criminalise same-sex relationships even if they are consensual. The SC had earlier rejected the Delhi High Court order of reading down Section 377 to leave out consensual adult same sex relationships from its purview. Vardhan’s party, the BJP, has for its part not taken a considered view on the matter and has maintained that it was for the government to take a call on the matter. A section of leaders in the BJP such as former party chief Rajnath Singh supported the SC view. The Congress today backed Vardhan’s view saying it had been party’s stand to back human rights of LGBT community. Vardhan’s statement is important because the SC while hearing the curative petition will seek the Health Ministry’s opinion in the matter. The Health Ministry has consistently said before the court that Section 377 of the IPC stood in the way of reaching LGBT community which is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
	Vaidik-Hafiz parleys High Commission not aware of meet: Sushma New Delhi, July 17 Indian High Commission in Pakistan was not aware of journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik’s meeting with JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and there was no question of facilitating it, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. “We have received a report from the Indian High Commission (in Pakistan). The High Commission has categorically stated that they did not have any information about this meeting and, therefore, question does not arise about the High Commission facilitating it,” Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha. Making a brief statement after vociferous demands for it by Opposition Congress and the RJD, she said she had heard that Vaidik “told some news channels that the High Commission knew about the meeting. We had then sought a report from the High Commission.” Swaraj said she had made it clear earlier too and “I am again saying with full responsibility that the government had nothing to do with either the visit of Vaidik (to Pakistan) or his meeting with Saeed.” Her statement came after the Congress and the RJD members trooped into the Well with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asking if the ministers can make a statement on the matter outside Parliament or even in Rajya Sabha, “Why can’t they do it here (Lok Sabha).” — PTI
	50% power plants have less than seven-day coal stock New Delhi, July 17 Nearly half of the thermal power plants in the country, including over 20,000 MW capacity stations of state-run NTPC, are reeling under coal shortage with stocks to last less than a week, an official data said. According to latest CEA (Central Electricity Authority) data (July 15), 46 coal-based generating stations, of the total list of 100, reported fuel stock for less than 7 days. NTPC, the country’s largest power producer and also the biggest consumer of domestic coal, is the worst sufferer as 8 of its total 23 electricity generating stations have stock to last mere two days, the official data said. These eight power projects — Jhajjar (1,500 MW), Rihand (3,000 MW), Singrauli (2,000 MW), Korba (2,600 MW), Sipat (2,980 MW), Vindhyachal (4,260 MW), Simhadri (2,000 MW) and Ramagundam (2,600 MW) — comprise 20,940 MW of its total 43,128 MW capacity of NTPC. According to the data, these plants are mainly affected due to lesser supplies by Coal India. The public sector firm and its subsidiaries are supplying lesser fuel to the power utility plants than the annual contracted quantity (ACQ). As per reports, NTPC has also urged the Ministry of Power to take cognizance of the matter which is of grave concern due to acute power cuts across Northern and Central India amid rising mercury levels. India reported a peak power deficit — shortfall in electricity supply when the demand is at its highest — of 3.7 per cent last month. — PTI NTPC worst-hit * The Central Electricity Authority data says 46 coal-based generating stations, of the total list of 100, reported fuel stock for less than 7 days * NTPC, the country's largest power producer and also the biggest consumer of domestic coal, is the worst sufferer as 8 of its total 23 electricity generating stations have stock to last mere two days, the official data said
	6,000 Indians lodged in foreign jails: Minister Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 17 Nearly 6,000 Indians are currently lodged in foreign jails, and 71of them continue to languish in jails despite having completed their sentences, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. Of 5,968 Indians lodged in 73 countries, the maximum 1,400 are lodged in Saudi Arabia followed by 985 in the United Arab Emirates, 468 in Pakistan, 430 in the United Kingdom, 377 in Nepal, 332 in Malaysia, 274 in Kuwait, 203 in Singapore, 195 in the United States, 135 in Oman, 128 in Bangladesh, and 115 in China among others, Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh (retd) said this in a reply to a question by Punjab MP Avinash Rai Khanna (BJP). The Minister said Indian Missions and Posts had taken up with the respective foreign governments for speeding up the process, including the issue of final exit visas, waiver of penalties imposed on Indian workers, etc. from the authorities concerned and for the early return of the Indians who completed their sentences. Where required, the Indian Missions and Posts abroad also provided air tickets for facilitating the return of the Indian prisoners who have completed their sentence, added Singh. In the case of Pakistan, the Indian Mission informed there were 219 civil prisoners, believed to be Indian. However, as per information provided by Pakistani authorities to the Indian High Commission 2014, as on July 1 this year, there are 47 civil prisoners, believed to be Indian, lodged in their jails. As per information available with the Mission, besides civil prisoners, there are 249 fishermen believed to be Indians.
	PM for better ties with Latin America Brasilia, July 17 Asserting that distance is not a barrier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India will work more closely with the resource-rich Latin American nations than ever before as the setting up of the BRICS development bank opens up newer opportunities for cooperation. "I assure you that India will work more closely with South America than ever before. At the bilateral level, as a BRICS member, in the G-77, as well as other international forums," he told leaders from South America. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who was the host of this year's BRICS summit, invited leaders from South America, including those from Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay on the lines of President Jacob Zuma inviting those from Africa during the last year's summit in Durban. "Our discussions today should throw up new ideas for partnership between BRICS and South America. BRICS nations have already started a new chapter in this with the BRICS New Development Bank. This will open up newer opportunities of cooperation," Modi said. Noting that there is a growing presence of Indian investors in South America, he said it was still well below potential. Modi said South America had tremendous potential. "It is blessed with vast resources and talent. It can become an important pillar of the global economy. In the face of economic uncertainty its growth can be crucial for global prosperity," he said. — PTI
	Kejriwal to LG: Must ensure BJP has numbers New Delhi, July 17 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal today launched a scathing attack on Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, who he claimed, was expected to invite the BJP to form a government in Delhi today. Amid reports of the BJP forming the government in Delhi, Kejriwal attacked Jung, with whom he has had a love-hate relationship, and asked whether the LG should not ask for a letter of support of MLAs or else he would be seen as acting partisan. “Sources claim that despite public outcry, LG likely to invite BJP to form government today. BJP will accept it...BJP still does not have numbers. Congress MLAs not yet ready. BJP’s assessment - After taking oath, it would become easier to buy MLAs... “Would LG save his chair or the constitution - nation will keenly watch. If a party (BJP) has once already declined the offer to form govt - can the LG invite the same party in the existing Vidhan Sabha again? ... Shouldn’t LG first ask for a list of supporting MLAs? Else wouldn’t LG be seen to be acting partisan?” Kejriwal said in a series of tweets. He also said that would encourage horse trading if he invites the BJP for government formation. “Would LG encourage horse trading if he invites a party to form govt despite knowing that they don’t have numbers? Questions - can LG invite a party to form govt without prima facie satisfying himself whether the party has numbers?” Kejriwal tweeted. — PTI
	Monsoon rain leads to seepage in Lok Sabha chamber Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 17 Signs of ageing appeared on the face of Parliament tonight when a monsoon shower led to seepage in parts of the Lok Sabha chamber during Budget discussions. The seepage started at 7.45 pm following a heavy rain that lasted over three hours in the capital today. The turn of events forced some MPs, including AAP’s Bhagwant Mann and Congress’ Ranjeet Ranjan, to move away from the wet area. Chamber attendants were later called in with a towel to wipe water off MPs’ desks. While Ranjan made light of the development saying in her speech that even the House was crying over a poor Budget document, sources in Lok Sabha secretariat admitted that the seepage was a serious matter and a clear sign of an ageing Parliament building, which goes back to 1927. “The building is ageing fast and maintenance remains a challenge. This remains one of the most fortified buildings in the capital and is also heavily cabled. All this exerts pressure on it,” said sources adding that it was not easy to fend for an 87-year-old building. Today’s developments reignited the debate around the ability of the existing Parliament building’s to cope with the rising pressure in terms of numbers of MPs, growing footfalls and challenges in servicing an ever-increasing number of people in the complex. A proposal for a separate Parliament building has been hanging fire since former LS Speaker Meira Kumar first flagged it in 2013. The idea at that time was to preserve the Parliament building as a heritage building and create another structure to serve the demands of changing times.
	R'sthan minister's son booked for eve-teasing Jaipur, July 17 Four persons, including son of a state minister, have been booked for allegedly eve-teasing girls in Alwar district, police said today. A case was registered against Surendra Bhadana, son of Rajasthan MoS for Food & Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Hem Singh Bhadana, and his three friends Montu, Sumit and Neeraj in Sadar police station yesterday, police said. An FIR was filed following complaints by locals of a residential complex that the four were teasing girls there, they said adding, one of the accused, Neeraj, has been arrested. Meanwhile, the locals have accused police of shielding the minister's son. — PTI
	Bengali daily owner gets life term AGARTALA, July 17 Editor-cum-proprietor of a local Bengali daily, Sushil Chowdhury, who was pronounced guilty in a triple murder case by a local court, was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment till the last day of his life with the judge noting that it was a 'rarest of the rare case'. The 76-year-old editor of 'Dainik Ganadoot' was present in court when the order was read out. Special public prosecutor Dilip Sarkar, while initiating the hearing, sought capital punishment for Chowdhury for his direct involvement in the crime. "Being an editor and owner of the newspaper, he was supposed to protect his employees but instead he killed three of his employees, Ranjit Chowdhury, Balaram Ghosh and Sujit Bhattacharjee," he told the packed court. Hearing the charges against him, Chowdhury said, "I am innocent, I don't know who has killed them. Please pardon me considering my age." Additional district and sessions judge West Tripura Kripankar Chakraborty replied, "It has been proved that you have killed three persons. "It was a fit case for hanging the convict but considering his old age, the convict Sushil Chowdhury is hereby sentenced to suffer imprisonment for entire life, means the whole natural life, that is till his death for the offence under Section 302 read with 120 (B)/ 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and to pay Rs 50,000 as fine." Three employees of 'Danik Ganadoot', a vernacular daily were killed on office premises at Palace Compound in the heart of the city on May 19 last year sending shock waves across the entire state. — PTI Shocking case * Three employees of 'Danik Ganadoot', a vernacular daily were killed on office premises at Palace Compound in Agartala on May 19 last year sending shock waves across the entire state * Investigating officer Manas Paul had submitted a 562-page chargesheet accusing its Editor-cum-proprietor Sushil Chowdhury of the gruesome incident before the court
	Outrage after 6-yr-old raped in Bangalore school Bangalore, July 17 Hundreds of outraged parents on Thursday stormed into a private school here, protesting against the alleged sexual assault on a six-year-old student by two teachers during school hours. “We have detained the accused for interrogation after a complaint was filed against them on Wednesday on the incident, which is reported to have occurred July 2,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Satish Kumar. Though the victim told her parents and teachers on July 9 that she was physically abused by the sports teacher and physical instructor on the school premises, the Vibgyor High School authorities failed to act against the accused and tried to hush up the incident. “The incident came to light on Tuesday after the parents brought it to our notice. We registered the case under Section 376 of the IPC on their complaint,” Kumar said. Seeking stringent action against the accused, protesting parents sought security for their children studying in the school where the tuition fee alone is Rs.1.5 lakh a year. “We have told the school management to file a separate complaint with the police against the accused so that the case could be investigated properly and the guilty punished,” said Nandish Reddy, the parent of a student. The school remained shut on Thursday in view of the protest by parents and guardians. — IANS Centre seeks report New Delhi: The HRD Ministry on Thursday sought a detailed reply from the Karnataka Government on why the school was allowed to flout safety guidelines every management was required to follow under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act passed two years ago. HRD Minister Smriti Irani expressed concern over the incident and asked the School Education Secretary to speak to Karnataka Chief Secretary on details of the case