|
|
|
|
|
Maharashtra Votes 2014
BJP, allies to get 154 seats: Survey
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
State BJP chief contradicts PM
Firing can ‘escalate’ along LoC
Centre’s approach towards Pakistan immature: AAP
Hindu Sena activists burn Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s photographs in front of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
India-B’desh border on alert after Jihadi threat
2G spectrum allocation case
Urban housing mission to be named after Sardar Patel
Odisha seeks IAF help for cyclone ‘Hudhud
Odisha is likely to experience wind speed between 130 kmph and 140 kmph when the cyclonic storm makes landfall on Sunday.
pti
NIA to probe Burdwan blast
Central Govt flags universal health coverage idea to states
Germany offers help in ‘clean Ganga’ drive
Suicides set to be mental health problem, not crime
3rd navigation satellite to be launched on Oct 16
Sunanda was poisoned, say doctors
|
|
Non-BJP parties rake up old animosities against Gujaratis
Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service
Mumbai, October 9 While the Shiv Sena was the first to accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of “harbouring an anti-Marathi agenda”, leaders of other parties, too, are speaking on similar lines. Borrowing a leaf from the BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign, the Shiv Sena is employing social media in a major way to attack its old ally. A cartoon depicting Nitin Gadkari cutting off Vidarbha from Maharashtra while Gujarati “seths” work on carving off Mumbai went viral on messaging apps pushing the BJP on the defensive. Even former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan joined in by accusing the BJP of attempting to weaken Maharashtra economically. “Efforts are on to shift the office of the Reserve Bank of India to Delhi. They are already shifting the headquarters of the Marine Police from Mumbai to Gujarat,” Chavan said at a rally earlier this week. His party colleague Narayan Rane and his son Nitesh who are contesting the elections in Sindhudurg bordering Goa, too, are creating a fear psychosis against Gujaratis. “In 1960, Morarji Desai tried to grab Mumbai for Gujarat. Now Modi is trying to do that again,” Rane said at a meeting on Wednesday. Desai’s decision as Chief Minister of the then undivided Bombay state, comprising present day Maharashtra and Gujarat, to order firing on those demanding Mumbai for Maharashtra is receiving much play 54 years later. “Gujaratis still don’t celebrate Maharashtra Day. It is as if they are mourning the inclusion of Mumbai in Maharashtra,” Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna wrote recently. MNS leader Raj Thackeray points out that Marathi-speaking people are being pushed out of their old strongholds of central Mumbai. “The Gujaratis who buy houses in ‘our’ areas do not want us because we are non-vegetarians,” Thackeray says at rallies in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Nashik where Gujaratis dominate local trade. In Mumbai, with the Gujaratis comprising 30 per cent of the voters consolidating behind the BJP, all parties are aggressively wooing the Marathis who make up 35-40 per cent of the electorate. One message from the Shiv Sena shows a map of Mumbai where Gujaratis control 13 of the 36 Assembly constituencies. Rane said the Gujaratis will dominate 13 more seats by the next elections. “Rich Gujaratis are coming to Mumbai in large numbers and buying new buildings in Mumbai, while Marathi-speaking people are being pushed to townships outside the city,” Rane said. Rane today said most voters in Sindhudurg had relatives in Mumbai and were concerned that the city would fall into the hands of Gujaratis. Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar said last week that history text books in Gujarat referred to Shivaji Maharaj as a “dacoit” because of his raid on Surat. “They never celebrated Shiv Jayanti but are praising Shivaji Maharaj for votes,” Pawar said of Modi invoking the revered king in his speeches.
|
|
BJP, allies to get 154 seats: Survey
New Delhi, October 9 Incumbent Prithviraj Chavan is the second choice for the chief minister though his party Congress is predicted to get an abysmally low 25 seats. Percentage wise, the BJP has been placed way ahead of its rivals by 36.50 per cent votes followed by 17.10 per cent of the Shiv Sena and 11.97 per cent of the Congress. The survey conducted by ‘The Week’ and Hansa Research, paints a gloomy picture for Sharad Pawar’s NCP, which is projected to get only 17 seats and 5.85 per cent votes. Pawar is the fifth choice for the chief minister’s post and stands behind MNS leader Raj Thackeray and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis. Shiv Sena is predicted to be the second largest party after the BJP with 47 seats, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, according to the survey, is likely to get 10 seats. MNS is predicted to get 5.11 per cent votes. The survey has given 20 seats to Independents with 4.71 per cent votes and 15 to other parties with 6.79 per cent votes. After 15 years of running coalition government in Maharashtra, the Congress and NCP have parted ways and the BJP-Shiv Sena’s old alliance has also fallen apart paving the way for a five-cornered contest, with MNS being the fifth player which has recently made noises favourable to Shiv Sena. The BJP is going to polls with smaller “Mahayuti” allies. It has worked out a seat-sharing deal with Mahadeo Jankar’s RSP, Raju Shetty’s SSP, Shiv Sangram and RPI. — PTI
|
|
|
State BJP chief contradicts PM
Mumbai, October 9 Fadnavis, who is facing a tough battle in Nagpur in the Vidarbha region, is promising creation of a separate state if the BJP comes to power. “The BJP is committed to create a separate Vidarbha if elected to power,” Fadnavis says at every rally. In fact after Modi promised that Maharashtra would not be divided as long as he was in office, Fadnavis immediately said in a message on Twitter that the PM only meant that Mumbai would not be carved out of Maharashtra. According to observers, Fadnavis is facing a tough contest from the Congress and sections of the BJP are hinting that he is a possible candidate for the post of chief minister if the party is voted to power. The BJP president’s comment has come in for attack from the rival Shiv Sena. After every speech by Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aditya sends out messages on social media pointing out to what he calls the BJP’s double speak on the issue.
|
|
|
Firing can ‘escalate’ along LoC
New Delhi, October 9 Sources said with thousands of civilians displaced and stances hardening, the forces on either side couldn’t withdraw or hold back their fire without an agreement that would be acceptable to both sides. The firing can escalate over the next 72 hours and its arch could widen as both sides would want to draw the other away from the epicentre of firing that is presently spread across Sambha and RS Pura sectors. The displacement of villagers could very well become a political issue in Jammu and Kashmir which is expected to go to Assembly elections later this year, lest the forces effectively silence the Pakistani guns, said the sources. The number of those fleeing border villages is estimated at 20,000 on either side. Intelligence agencies said Pakistan had asked villagers on its side to vacate the areas on October 1, a day before the firing had started. New Delhi and Islamabad today accused each other of starting the firing. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said: “Pakistan, in these attacks, has clearly been the aggressor.” A couple of hours later Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasneem Aslam Khan retorted: “Pakistan did not start any aggression on the border and condemn Indian aggression”. Both sides have taken a stance of not seeking a flag-meeting of military commanders, the first step to talk de-escalation. Pakistan’s security council will meet tomorrow and set the course for Islamabad’s reaction. New Delhi will fine tune its response and retaliate accordingly. Top government sources refuted reports of the deployment of BrahMos hyper sonic missile, which once fired, travels at some 2.8 mach – or 3,346
kmph.
Pak security council decides future course today
* Pakistan's security council will meet on Friday and set the course for Islamabad's reaction. New Delhi will fine tune its response and retaliate accordingly * Top government sources refuted reports of the deployment of BrahMos hyper sonic missile, which once fired, travels at some 2.8 mach - or 3,346 kmph * Senator Timothy M
Kaine, Chairman of the US Senate Subcommittee on South and Central Asian Affairs, on Thursday met Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi
|
|
|
Centre’s approach towards Pakistan immature: AAP
New Delhi, October 9 The AAP’s reaction comes in view of the continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the international border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The AAP said developments over the past four months indicated that the BJP government’s moves had swung between extremes of the “so-called saree-shawl diplomacy” to the “hasty cancellation” of foreign secretary-level talks. “Right from the beginning, the government’s approach to Pakistan has lacked consistency and a long-term vision,” said AAP senior leader Yogendra Yadav, adding that it appeared a knee-jerk reaction driven more by domestic, political calculus than by a long-term vision. “Political parties should be briefed about the exact situation. There is a dual danger that the government may be casual on the question of the national security and adopt adventurous step. The situation warrants a delicate handling and so far the government has not shown a matured approach,” he said.
|
|
|
India-B’desh border on alert after Jihadi threat
Guwahati, October 9 The alert has been sounded, sources said, following the death of two jihadis — Sakil Ahmed and Sobhan Mondal — at Bardhaman in West Bengal while they were making bombs on October 2. The incident brought to light the collusion between Bangladesh-based Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Indian Mujahideen (IM) for spreading terror in the country. The intelligence agencies apprehend that the JMB and IM were conspiring to carry out terror strike in many cities in the country and were stockpiling IEDs and explosives in West Bengal to implement their sinister designs. The Assam police have also been alerted by the Central intelligence agencies about fleeing ‘jihadi’ elements from West Bengal entering bordering Dhubri areas in Assam which has boundary with West Bengal. There were inputs about jihadi elements from Bangladesh sneaking into India through the border in Dhubri sector. Such elements may try to stockpile explosives in Assam also to carry out strikes in other parts of the country. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his recent visit to Nepal had commented that jihadi elements were carrying out anti-India activities through the India-Bangladesh border.
|
|
|
Kanimozhi, others oppose CBI plea
New Delhi, October 9 In her reply filed before Special CBI Judge OP Saini, who is exclusively holding trial in all 2G scam related matters, Kanimozhi said the agency has filed this application for summoning additional witnesses at a “highly belated stage” when the recording of evidence has already been closed. “The present application (filed by CBI) has been filed at a highly belated stage,” she said in her reply, adding that the “application is liable to be dismissed”. Kanimozhi and others, including former Telecom Minister A Raja and several top corporate executives, are facing trial in the 2G case for their alleged involvement. During the day’s proceedings, Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, a co-accused in the case, also filed his reply on the CBI’s plea and sought dismissal of the application on the same ground — that it has been filed at a belated stage. Some of the other co-accused in the case told the judge that they would not file written reply on CBI’s plea but will advance their arguments orally. The court asked the defence advocates to file their replies, if any, by October 14 and fixed the matter for arguments on October 27. The court had earlier issued notices to all the accused seeking their replies on CBI’s application after the agency had placed some new facts before the court. The court had said it would hear the submissions of the accused before deciding on CBI’s plea. CBI had moved the application seeking court’s permission to summon some prosecution witnesses and to place additional documents on record saying they were necessary to arrive at the truth. Besides Rajeshwar Singh, CBI has sought permission to call ED’s Assistant Director Satyendra Singh, Under Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Navil Kapur and bank official D Mani. — PTI
|
|
|
Urban housing mission to be named after Sardar Patel
New Delhi, October 9 Union Minister of Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) M Venkaiah Naidu said this today at the ‘World Habitat Day –Voices from Slums’ programme. He said “Sardar Patel Urban Housing Mission” would soon be launched to ensure housing for all by 2022. This Mission is in pursuit of the Prime Minister’s call for “Har parivar ko ghar” and 30 million houses would be built by 2022, mostly for the economically weaker sections and low-income groups. The houses will be built through public-private-partnership. Buyers will be given loan at low rate of interest, he said. The Minister also emphasised the need for proper urban planning to ensure “slum-free India” in the long run. The government is focusing on “in-situ” development of slums by encouraging vertical construction. He said about ~50 lakh crore would be required for various initiatives such as Housing for All, urban infrastructure development and building smart cities.
|
|
|
Odisha seeks IAF help for cyclone ‘Hudhud
Bhubaneswar, October 9 “Severe cyclone Hudhud will cross the North Andhra Pradesh coast around Vishakapatnam by the forenoon of October 12, the India Meteorological Department today said. “I would request you to kindly issue standing instruction to defence forces, especially the Indian Air Force to remain in readiness to extend support to the state administration for rescue and relief operation as and when required,” Patnaik wrote to Jaitley. Stating that Odisha was likely to experience wind speed between 130 kmph to 140 kmph when the very severe cyclonic storm makes landfall on Sunday, Patnaik said the entire coastal area was vulnerable to the calamity. Therefore, the state government wanted to ensure that the pilots and personnel of the IAF should remain alert so that their help can be sought at the time of need, he said. Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth today reviewed the preparedness for the cyclone which is likely to hit the two states on Sunday. Seth, who heads the National Crisis Management Committee, has asked the representatives of all central ministries, departments and Chief Secretaries of the state governments concerned to take necessary steps for preparedness to meet any eventuality from the cyclone, a release issued by the Home Ministry said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed its five battalions (about 5,000 personnel) situated at Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar on high alert. These NDRF battalions comprise 51 teams. In Andhra Pradesh, six rescue and relief teams have already been deployed , it said. In Odisha, nine NDRF teams are being considered for deployment in districts Gajpatti, Ganjam, Khurda, Cuttak, Puri and Balasore, the Ministry said. Four teams each from NDRF Patna, Kolkata and Chennai battalions are moving towards Odisha and AP. “27 teams are being deployed in vulnerable areas as a proactive measure to mitigate the situation during cyclonic storm,” the release said. A total 162 boats and 54 deep diving sets with other flood rescue equipment are being sent to meet any challenges which may arise due to cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’, it said. The cyclone would continue to move west¬northwestwards and intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm”. — PTI To hit AP on Oct 12 *
Cyclone Hudhud is moving in from the Bay of Bengal and is expected to develop into a very severe cyclone before hitting the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on October 12 *
Hudhud is now classified as a Category 1 severe cyclonic storm on a scale that rises to Category 5 *
It is predicted to strengthen to Category 4 before landfall around the key port city of Vishakapatnam
|
|
|
NIA to probe Burdwan blast New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday decided to hand over the probe into the October 2 bomb blast in Burdwan in West Bengal to National Investigation Agency (NIA) after the state government gave in-principle approval to it. The decision to hand over the case to NIA was taken in view of international ramifcations of the case where some nationals from neighbouring country Bangladesh were also allegedly involved in this, sources said. — PTI
|
|
|
Jaya moves SC for bail
New Delhi, October 9 The 66-year-old AIADMK chief has cited her poor health and age as the reasons for pleading for bail. She has approached the SC following the rejection of her bail plea by the Karnataka High Court on October 7. Jayalalithaa is lodged in a Bangalore prison after being convicted and sentenced by a special court in the 18-year-old case for possession of assets worth about Rs 54 crore, which was much higher than her declared income. The trial court also slapped a fine of Rs 100 crore on her, going by the present market value of her assets. Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, who was unsuccessful in getting bail for Jayalalithaa, is likely to plead with the SC tomorrow for an urgent hearing of his client’s plea. Justice AV Chandrashekhara of the Karnataka HC had rejected the bail petition, citing SC rulings that corruption amounted to violation of human rights and as such convicts in graft cases did not deserve bail or suspension of sentence.
|
|
|
Central Govt flags universal health coverage idea to states
New Delhi, October 9 In this first meeting with senior health bureaucrats of states, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan flagged board contours of the BJP’s manifesto promise — the National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), which seeks to provide 50 allopathic generic drugs, 30 AYUSH drugs and a range of medical diagnostic facilities free of cost to the entire population at the government primary health centres and hospitals. Vardhan also shared with health secretaries a report of the expert group set up to recommend the mission features. What’s more, he sought inputs from the states on the proposed new National Health Policy and the idea of making health a “social mission” by reducing tobacco use, creating awareness around diseases and reducing dependence on allopathy by promoting Ayush (ayurveda, yoga, siddha, yoga and homeopathy). As for NHAM, it is proposed to be funded through an insurance model, proposes free medical care to BPL families from primary through to tertiary levels. Non-BPL individuals will have access to free 80 medicines and a list of diagnostics at government facilities but will have to pay a predetermined insurance premium for secondary and tertiary care. The government is considering 30 per cent premium for secondary level services and 50 per cent for tertiary care. Top Health Ministry sources said: “These percentages can change if the insurance firms get a boarder client base. We are currently considering an 80:20 funding pattern for the mission between the Centre and states. The mission will work through insurance and comprise a list of secondary and tertiary level care for diseases. It will also comprise a preventive and promotive health package. The idea will be discussed with state health secretaries tomorrow.” The Health Ministry plans to broad base the existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to cover the BPL households under the mission and the scheme currently being run by the Labour Ministry, will soon come to Health Ministry. For the rest, it will depend on states to work our best possible agreements with insurance firms.
Mission proposes 80 free drugs for all n National Health Assurance Mission seeks to provide 50 allopathic generic drugs,
30 AYUSH drugs and a range of medical diagnostic facilities free of cost to the entire population at the government primary health centres and hospitals
|
|
|
Germany offers help in ‘clean Ganga’ drive
Mumbai, October 9 “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ganga rejuvenation priority is an excellent example that India is thinking big. Clean Ganga Fund is a brilliant idea,” Steiner said at the inauguration of three-day trade exhibition IFAT India 2014, organised by trade show company Messe Munchen’s IFAT India. He said: “India’s Prime Minister has an ambitious programme, to stimulate India’s economic growth to pull millions out of poverty, to improve living standards. And also to achieve a clean India.” The German Ambassador said his country was standing ready to support India’s mission towards clean Ganga, adding that a German scoping mission has already started working in this regard this week. He said their experience stems particularly from cleaning up Germany’s river Rhine which flows through Ruhr valley that used to be biologically dead.— PTI
|
|
|
Portals of Hemkund Sahib close today
Gopeshwar, October 9 Preparations for the ceremonial closure of the doors of the revered shrine have been given finishing touches even as hordes of Sikh pilgrims are arriving at Govindghat and Ghanghariya, the two major halts on way to the temple, to participate in the last prayers of the season, Manager of the Gurdwara said. After offering final prayers for the season, the doors of the shrine situated at 16,000 ft above sea level will be closed for six months at forenoon tomorrow, he said. Immediately after the closure of the temple, the Sikh pilgrims will begin retreating to Govinddham. Areas around Hemkund Sahib have been receiving light snowfall for the past few days but pilgrims are braving the cold to arrive at the shrine in large numbers. The number of visitors at the shrine has already touched the 1.8 lakh mark this season, he said. Though the trek route was heavily damaged in last year’s calamity, Hemkund Sahib received more pilgrims this season than the famous char dham, including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, he said. — PTI 1.8 lakh pay obeisance * Pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib crossed the 1.8 lakh mark this season, even though the trek route was heavily damaged in last year’s calamity * The famous Sikh shrine received more pilgrims this season than the famous char dham, including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri * After offering final prayers for the season on Friday, the doors of the shrine situated at 16,000 ft above sea level will be closed for six months at forenoon
|
|
|
Suicides set to be mental health problem, not crime
New Delhi, October 9 The first National Mental Health Policy to be unveiled tomorrow will recognise suicides as a mental health challenge and talk of an action plan to address suicidal tendencies alongside other mental health disorders for which the government will assure healthcare access. Suicides have thus far been a criminal offence punishable with a jail term under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. Though the pending Mental Health Act decriminalises suicides, it is yet to pass the test of Parliament. The listing of suicides among other mental health conditions in India’s first Mental Health Policy is the government’s attempt to display its commitment to helping people with suicidal behaviours instead of stigmatising them. “How long can we continue to be the world’s suicide capital,” asks Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. On the eve of policy’s launch, Vardhan told The Tribune that the policy lays down action plans to deal with a range of mental conditions, including suicidal tendencies. “Prevention of suicides is very much on our agenda,” he said. Last year, India witnessed 1,35,445 suicides with one in every three suicide deaths involving a 15 to 29-year-old. This means, the trend is mostly inflicting India’s young and productive population. Overall, suicides are the highest among 15 to 44-year-olds who account for 68 per cent (two in every three) of all reported suicides in 2013, suggests the National Health Profile published by the Health Ministry.
|
|
|
3rd navigation satellite to be launched on Oct 16
Bangalore, October 9 IRNSS-1C, the third satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), will be launched with the help of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C26) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota near Chennai around 1.30 am, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said. “The launch window of the mission opens at 0132 hrs IST and lasts till 0147 hrs IST. The lift-off is scheduled at the opening of the launch window at 0132 hrs IST. PSLV-C26 will carry the 1,425 kg satellite,” the agency said. The launch of the satellite, earlier scheduled for October 10, was postponed due to a problem with its tele-command system. It is learnt that the satellite has already been integrated with the launcher and the final phase of checks is progressing. The Mission Readiness Review Committee and the Launch Authorisation Board of ISRO met on Tuesday and cleared the launch for October 16. The 67-hour countdown for the mission will commence at 0632 hrs on October 13. IRNSS-1C’s predecessor IRNSS-1B was launched in April, while IRNSS-1A, the first satellite of the constellation, was launched in July last year. Inspired by the GPS of the US, IRNSS is also designed to be an independent regional navigation satellite system providing position information in the Indian region and 1,500 km around the Indian mainland.
|
|
Sunanda was poisoned, say doctors New Delhi, October 9 The new report by the three-member panel of doctors, who had conducted the autopsy on her, was prepared on the basis of the findings of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) which had examined Sunanda's viscera, sources said. They said that the team had again concluded like it did in its first report that her kidney, liver and heart were functioning normally and that her death was caused by poisoning. The new report was submitted to the police nine days ago. — PTI
|
||
|
| 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 | |
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today said the Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s policy towards Pakistan had been “inconsistent” and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley’s latest remarks were more of a “knee-jerk reaction”. The party sought an all-party meeting and a national consensus over the prevailing situation.
With cyclonic storm “Hudhud” approaching the coast, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley to issue instruction to the Indian Air Force to be ready to extend support to the state administration.
