The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Congress not expecting much from poll results
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
The Congress today settled for low expectations from tomorrow’s Assembly election results asking its leaders to look for gains over the Lok Sabha poll results. Confident about improving its performance in Haryana and Maharashtra as compared to what it was in the May 16 General Elections, the party today told its spokespersons and media panelists to treat LS results as the benchmark and compare tomorrow’s results with that.

“We won’t compare tomorrow’s results with the 2009 state election results. Our yardstick will be the LS result, which was our lowest point and the BJP’s highest. We will see how much the BJP has gained under PM Narendra Modi vis-à-vis LS results,” a Congress leader involved in drafting party’s strategy for tomorrow said.

The Congress has plans to corner the BJP tomorrow if the BJP posts a performance lower than LS. The party has prepared detailed fact sheets on Haryana and Maharashtra looking at each political outfit’s performance in the LS and asked the spokespersons to take those statistics as yardsticks. The indicators include LS leads in Assembly constituencies, seats won and vote share secured. The data was distributed to party leaders who will speak for the Congress tomorrow after results.

The Congress’ strategy includes comparing vote shares of parties in tomorrow’s results with the share it mustered in LS results. Asked why the party was setting its targets so low, a leader said, “The LS results were our poorest show. If we do better we would have improved.”

Benchmark for comparison

The Congress strategy for Maharashtra results on Sunday would include looking for alterations in vote shares of parties over and above what they got in the Lok Sabha

In Haryana LS results, the Congress had leads in 15 Assembly segments as against the BJP’s 52 segments out of 90 seats in the state

In Maharashtra, the Congress will be happy to improve its LS performance in which it had leads in 16 of 288 seats

Javadekar hurt by SC’s ‘Kumbhakarna’ remark

New Delhi, October 18
Days after the Supreme Court ticked off his ministry for sleeping like ‘Kumbhakarna’, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said “off-the-cuff remarks” made by the Supreme Court “sometimes hurt” the government.

Javadekar, who is also the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, also said it was a “bit sad” when the apex court questioned the government on Leader of Opposition (LoP) issue.

He insisted that the three pillars of democracy — Judiciary, Executive and Legislature — should work in a balanced manner to solve all problems. The minister stated this while delivering his address at the 4th foundation day celebrations of the National Green Tribunal here in which SC Judge Ranjan Gogoi was the chief guest.

“At times off-the-cuff remarks come and it is for Judiciary to think about it. Sometimes it hurts unnecessarily. Parso meine suna Kumbhakarna hogaya. Kumbhakarna kahan ho gaya...? (The other day, I heard that Kumbhakarna has happened. Where did it happen?),” he said and spoke about the steps taken by the government to address issues related to cleaning of Ganga.

Ticking off the Environment Ministry for sleeping like ‘Kumbhakarna’, the SC two weeks ago made it clear that it is not going to lift the stay for setting up of new hydroelectric power projects on Alaknanda and Bhagirath river basins in Uttarakhand unless the Centre comes out with a detailed environment and ecological impact report of each of the 24 ventures.

The court had also wanted to know why the ministry was not acting on its orders requiring placement before it of the report of the 13-member expert committee, which was asked to study environmental degradation caused by such projects.

Javadekar said the number of MPs required for claiming LoP status in the LS was 55. “...And people decide how many MPs they give to some parties.” — PTI

Court had ticked off green ministry

The SC had rapped the Environment Ministry for sleeping like 'Kumbhakarna' two weeks ago while seeking a detailed environment and ecological impact report of upcoming power projects on Alaknanda and Bhagirath river basins in Uttarakhand

The SC asked why the ministry was not acting. A panel had to study degradation due to such projects

Mathura double Suicide
UP top cops named in FIR
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, October 18
An FIR has been registered in Mathura against 38 persons, including a Director General of Police and an Inspector General of Police, for allegedly abetting the suicide of the son and daughter-in-law of poet-lyricist Santosh Anand, a senior police official said.

Santosh Anand’s son Sankalp (38), along with his wife Naresh Nandini (34) and daughter Ridhima (five) had jumped in front of a train in Mathura on October 15. While the husband and wife died on the spot, the daughter survived.

Based on the 11-page suicide note, Sankalp left in his car parked by the railway track, his father filed an FIR against 38 persons for abetment of suicide of his son and daughter-in-law.

A lecturer in sociology at the Ministry of Home Affairs-run Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences (NICFS) in Rohini in New Delhi, Anand in his suicide note had charged former director Kamlendra Prasad and IG Sandeep Mittal and others of abetting him to commit suicide.

In his suicide note, he has reportedly outlined grave financial irregularities at the NICFS. Prasad, who is presently UP’s Director General (Housing), had been the Director at NICFS from June 11, 2009 till June 17 this year. Mittal is still posted at the NICFS. Mathura SSP Manzil Saini said an FIR was registered against 38 persons at the Kosi Kalan police station late last night. CM Akhilesh Yadav was tracking the case and a CBI probe might be ordered.

Victims kin of poet-lyricist Santosh Anand

DG Kamlendra Prasad and IG Sandeep Mittal have been charged with abetting the suicide of the son and daughter-in-law of poet-lyricist Santosh Anand

Sankalp (38) along with his wife Naresh Nandini (34) and daughter Ridhima (five) had jumped in front of a train in Mathura on October 15. While the couple died, the daughter survived

(With agency inputs)

Pak Army chief rakes up Kashmir
Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Resolving the Kashmir issue is vital to peace in the region, Pakistan’s Army chief General Raheel Sharif said on Saturday.

Addressing a passing-out parade held at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, about 100 km northwest from Islamabad, General Sharif said the people of Kashmir should decide their fate as the quest for peace is the nation’s greatest strength.

“Lasting peace in the region will only come about with a fair and just resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the will of Kashmiri people, as enshrined in the UN resolution,” said General Sharif. General Sharif also said the armed forces were fully capable of responding to any “external threat”.

“Let there be no doubt that any aggression against our beloved country will get a befitting response; no sacrifice will be too great in this sacred cause,” Sharif emphasised. He said Pakistan desires regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect.

“We persistently seek peace in the region and beyond. This quest for peace is our nation’s greatest strength. We desire regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect,” he said.

On war against terrorism, General Sharif said “Operation Zarb-e-Azb” was not merely an operation but a concept and a resolve and a commitment of the nation.

“The commitment is to cleanse Pakistan of the scourge of terrorism once and for all,” said General Sharif. The Army chief said the displaced people of FATA would return home sooner than expected as all intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies and military operations were playing a commendable role in the operation.

Bilawal launches career, turns soft on India

Islamabad: Pakistan’s ‘Gen Next’ politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (pic) on Saturday said people in India should not misunderstand him over his remarks on Kashmir. “When I talk about Kashmir it does not mean we want the peace process between the two countries to be held hostage by the Kashmir issue,” said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson, who formally launched his political career at a massive public meeting in Karachi.

(With agency inputs)

Indian Mission seeks help to identify those in Pak custody

Islamabad, October 18
Unable to determine the identity of a number of people believed to be Indians in Pakistan's custody, the Indian High Commission here has issued an appeal to people back home to help in their identification.

The Indian High Commission has been informed by the Pakistan government about a number of individuals in their custody and who they believed are Indian nationals.

"The High Commission of India has not been able to establish the national identity of these individuals in the absence of sufficient detail and information of their background and place of permanent residence," according to a High Commission statement.

The High Commission stated that it is keen to establish the antecedents of those in the list who may be Indians. "Members of the public in India, especially those who may have knowledge of any of these persons from past acquaintance, are requested to share details in this regard with the High Commission of India and the Ministry of External Affairs," the High Commission said in its appeal. — PTI

Army needs 3,200 more officers over 7 years
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
As the Army is on an expansion curve, it needs 3,200 additional officers over the next seven years. These young men and, in some cases women, will be over and above the regular annual recruitment carried out annually through the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and the Officer Training Academies at Gaya and Chennai.

These young officers are needed to fill in the vacancies created by the ongoing force accretion of the Army by way of the upcoming Mountain Strike Corps, the two new mountain divisions and the increased numbers of helicopter pilots needed by the Army.

The requirement of having additional 3,200 officers in batches over the next seven years was discussed at the Army Commanders Conference that ended today at New Delhi, sources said.

These new raisings, or accretions as referred to in military parlance, are currently being manned by drawing officer and men from the existing regiments.

The Mountain Strike Corps will have at least 75,000 men with units littered all across the Himalayas. The two new Divisions —around 40,000 men — are also in their last stage of raising using the existing manpower. The Mountain Strike Corps will have more helicopters, hence pilots are needed.

The Army Commanders were also informed that a shortage of 7,989 officers existed, i.e. 17 per cent of the sanctioned strength. Led by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, other participants at the conference were Vice Chief Lt Gen Philip Campose, all seven Army Commanders and senior functionaries posted at the headquarters here.

The Army is looking to increase its intake of Short Service Commission officers and make the service attractive for young men who can leave the force when they are between 40 and 42 years of age to be absorbed elsewhere.

In his address on culmination of the Conference, General Suhag said “measures planned to address the issue of shortage in officer cadre would fructify at the earliest”. He advised the top brass on Jammu & Kashmir to “maintain relentless pressure so that terrorists could not carry out any meaningful operations to interrupt the forthcoming elections”.

The conference was informed that almost all of the regional centres of the ECHS, the health scheme for veterans, are functioning. The Northern and Western Commands were praised by the Chief for their exemplary response to the flood disaster in Jammu and Kashmir which witnessed spontaneous mobilisation of Army resources, both manpower and equipment.

The conference also touched upon the issue of management of defence lands. Thousands of acres are under illegal occupation. Directions have been issued to carry out proper documentation in coordination with the state revenue departments and take timely legal recourse when getting land evicted from unauthorised occupation.

Assess security situation, Suhag tells commanders

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag has asked his commanders to “continuously assess” the situation in view of the security transition taking place in the neighbourhood and directed them to maintain relentless pressure on terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure peaceful polls. General Singh expressed satisfaction over the situation in the North-East and stressed upon all stakeholders to be made a part of the conflict resolution mechanism. PTI

Army keeping 24-hr vigil on borders: VK Singh

Hathras (UP): Union Minister VK Singh on Saturday said the Army was maintaining a day-night vigil on the borders and they know to reply with bullet against the bullet. The former Chief of Army Staff General Singh, who is also Minister of State for the North-East region, said Indian soldiers were not afraid of Pakistan. PTI

UK promises India pragmatic visa regime

London, October 18
Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has assured visiting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj of a more pragmatic visa regime during a “very productive meeting”. The senior Liberal Democrat leader indicated a review of rules around ICT (inter-company transfer) visas used largely by Indian IT professionals.

“We constantly need to ask ourselves whether we have got the visa rules right and whether we can improve them further. I think some of the rules around inter-company transfer visas, which affect for instance Indian IT specialists, need to be made more subtle,” Clegg told a media briefing following his meeting with the visiting Indian minister yesterday.

“There are areas where we need to be sensible and pragmatic and also need to spell out loud and clear that some of the rhetoric around the debate on immigration in the UK giving rise to the fear that we are somehow closing our door to Indian students, investors and companies – that is emphatically not true,” he added.

The two leaders covered a cross-section of issues during their bilateral talks, including the threat of terrorism and working together in the coming months in the run up to the Paris summit on climate change.

“I was very struck when I was in India, by Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s personal commitment to sustainability and green development. I urge the Indian government to assume a natural leadership role at those crucial talks,” Clegg said. The issue of India’s stance in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks also featured heavily, with the UK leader expressing confidence at some “movement” on the issue.

“We attach great importance to finding an amicable and sensible solution to India’s support and ratification of the International Trade Facilitation Agreement,” he said. — PTI

Announces Dadabhai Naoroji Awards

London: The UK government has announced the inaugural Dadabhai Naoroji Awards to honour individuals who have worked to strengthen the UK-India relationship over the years. The three winners included UK India Business Council chair Patricia Hewitt in the commerce category, Dame Asha Khemka for services in the field of education and actor Madhav Sharma for culture.

US Attorney’s office takes up turban case

New York, October 18
US Attorney Preet Bharara’s office has taken up with the New York City Department of Correction the issue of alleged religious discrimination against an elderly Sikh man, who was asked to remove his turban when he visited a correctional facility here to meet his son.

Gurbhej Singh Sandhu visited the Rikers Island Correctional Facility on numerous occasions since February 2012 to meet his son, who was serving a sentence at the facility.

Sandhu was made to remove his turban every time he went to meet his son even though he explained to security officers that the turban is an essential part of the Sikh identity and removing it is a humiliation and a denigration of the Sikh faith, according to a statement by rights groups United Sikhs.

Sandhu had to comply with the orders of the security officers, who said he would not be able to meet his son if he did not follow their orders.

The legal team of the rights group sent a letter to the city’s Correction Department, seeking an explanation and remedial measures for the “mistreatment” of the elderly Sikh. United Sikhs also filed a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Commission who then directed the matter to Bharara’s office.

The US Attorney’s office wrote to the Correction Department seeking an explanation for their acts and alleged religious discrimination against Sandhu.

The office asserted in its letter that the removal of Singh’s religious headwear potentially violates provisions of the Civil Rights Act as well as the dress code policy of the department, the group said. — PTI

The case

Gurbhej Singh Sandhu visited the Rikers Island Correctional Facility on numerous occasions since February 2012 to meet his son, who was serving a sentence at the facility

Sandhu was made to remove his turban every time he went to meet his son, even though he explained to security officers that the turban is a vital part of the Sikh identity

1984 riots an issue in US congressional race

Sacramento, October 18
Anger stemming from a 30-year-old anti-Sikh riots in India that left thousands dead has crept into one of the closest congressional races in the country.

Some Sikh political activists and the California Republican Party are campaigning against Democratic Congressman Ami Bera, saying he refuses to acknowledge the alleged involvement of the Indian government in the anti-Sikh rioting in 1984. Bera, a physician representing a suburban Sacramento district, is the only Indian-American in Congress.

Other Sikh leaders dismiss the opposition as a fringe group that doesn’t represent their religious community. They praise Bera, a freshman lawmaker and Unitarian, as a valuable advocate for all South Asians.

The race between Bera and Republican Doug Ose is expected to be razor thin, so even a small-scale revolt from within a single ethnic community could help tilt the election. — AP

Modi dials Karzai, hails his contribution

New Delhi, October 18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and appreciated his effort to strengthen bilateral relations besides successfully steering his country on the path of peace, prosperity and stability which will “never be forgotten”.

Modi told Karzai that he will always remain a “special friend” for India which was like a second home to him and invited him to undertake an early visit. Karzai said he was looking forward to visiting India soon.

During the telephone call more than a month after Karzai demitted office, which he held for nearly 13 years, Modi congratulated him for his leadership in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a National Unity Government in Afghanistan, a PMO statement said.

This, the Prime Minister said, would not have been possible without the wisdom, courage and foresight of Karzai. Modi recalled Karzai’s contribution to strengthening of bilateral relations and said both India and Afghanistan had new governments in place which look to Karzai as a mentor for guidance in furtherance of the ties.

Modi noted that under Karzai, Afghanistan had achieved progress in its quest to build a strong, peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan, it said.

Karzai took over the leadership of Afghanistan in December 2001 after the fanatic Taliban regime was removed. “The way President Karzai had successfully steered Afghanistan on the path of peace, prosperity and stability during a very difficult period, would never be forgotten,” the Prime Minister told him.

Karzai said he deeply cherishes his long association with India and observed that “no other country in the world had done as much for Afghanistan as India had despite constraints of resources.”

He was confident that the new government in Afghanistan will continue to attach the highest priority to strengthening of India-Afghanistan relations. Modi has already spoken to President Asraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah. — PTI

Army’s combat vehicle BMP to get more powerful engine
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
The Indian Army’s infantry combat vehicle, BMP, which is deployed at key locations across the country, will soon be faster and better equipped to run on all terrains. Engines of the BMPs – abbreviation for the original Soviet/Russian name, Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty — are being replaced with more powerful ones that will allow greater speed and longer endurance on all sorts of terrain. It will have automatic transmission with the ability to shut down the engines in case of a nuclear chemical attack.

The Army has several mechanised infantry units operating some 3,200 BMPs. The combat vehicle has tracks like a tank to run it and weighs just 13 tonnes. Like a tank, it can wade through water. Each one of it can carry about 18 soldiers cross country.

The Army had issued a request for proposal earlier this month to Indian engine-producing companies that can use their own expertise or their foreign collaborators to supply the engines.

At present, the BMPs run on UTD-20 engines of Soviet Union/Russian parentage which produce 285 hp and have manual transmission. The plan is to have “a new indigenous electronically controlled minimum 400 hp engine along with automatic transmission”, said the proposal.

The existing engine is inadequate for cross-country mobility, floatation and steep gradients. The new engine with greater power and modern technology aiding better thrust is expected to make BMPs more efficient.

The 512 Army Base Workshop, Kirkee, Pune will be the venue for fitting the new engines. The Army is looking for an engine that would start with ease in extremely cold high-altitude areas and in the desert heat where temperature can go up to 55°C.

The Army is also looking at speed in changing faulty engines – time is a scarce commodity in war. It has laid down the criteria for companies: the MTTR (mean time to replace) the engine should preferably be approximately five hours by a crew of four technicians.

For quicker service maintenance, a key factor will be easy accessibility to air, fuel, transmission and engine oil filters, injectors, cooling fan and coolant and oils.

Focus on ‘make in India’

The Army has issued a request for proposal to Indian engine-producing companies that can use their own expertise or their foreign collaborators to supply the engines for nearly 3,200 BMPs (in pic)

The plan is to have a new indigenous electronically controlled minimum 400 hp engine along with automatic transmission for cross-country mobility, floatation and steep gradients

MNCs adopt double standards: SC judge
Aneesha Sareen
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
Supreme Court judge AK Sikri today highlighted the "double standards of multinational companies (MNCs) in following food safety regulations". Addressing a colloquium on 'Pure Food' at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy in Chandigarh, he said strict implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was the need of the hour.

He said MNCs prepared food articles for various countries in strict compliance with rules and regulations of the respective countries, but indulged in adulteration when it came to India.

"We do not know about the double standards of those multinationals who violate laws in our country but follow strict procedures in their countries. Chocolates produced in Switzerland by some companies do not adhere to same food safety standards when marketed in India. Same is the case with aerated drinks," he said.

"We talk of human dignity, but the problem is with the enforcement. Judiciary can’t run the country as we also have our limitations. In legislation like this, a joint effort by the government and the judiciary is required," Sikri said.

Strong legislation needed: CSE chief

Dr Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, stressed the need for having strong legislation

She said food being consumed in the country was adulterated, unhealthy and contaminated

She said: “Farmers are using pesticides to enhance productivity, but compromise on health.”

Himachal man’s mission: Respect body donors
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 18
Shamsher Singh Pathania, octogenarian from Shahpur of Kangra district, is fighting to get justice for those who want to donate their body after death. Talking to The Tribune, Shamsher Singh said he decided to donate his body after death. However, after he approached the authorities in the Tanda medical college, he was shocked to know that there was no provision to carry the bodies of those who have donated it. Doctors in the department of anatomy in the hospital told Shamsher that though he could donate his body, his relatives would have to bring it to hospital after his death.

Shamsher said it was inhuman to expect from relatives of a deceased to carry the body to the hospital for donation. Initially, the state government was not giving any aid to carry the donated body to hospital and it fixed the responsibility of the kin.

However, now they have added insult to injury by taking a decision that the kin of deceased would be paid Rs 5,000 for carrying the donated body to hospital.

“I had to persuade my sons hard for donating the body. I even consulted pundits in Haridwar and Pehowa on performing my last rites after donating the body. Only then, my kin allowed me to donate the body. In such a situation, it is an insult on the part of the government to offer Rs 5,000 to my kin to carry the body to hospital. After listening to the proposal of the government, I offered to give them Rs 50,000 for carrying my body to hospital,” Shamsher said.

Shamsher further said he had written to Kangra MP Shanta Kumar and Minister for Health Kaul Singh to arrange for a vehicle to carry the donated bodies to the Tanda medical college. But he did not get any response from them. “I had great expectations from Shanta Kumar,” he said.

“Now I have decided that the pensioners forum will donate a van to the government for carrying donated bodies to the hospital from Kangra district,” Shamsher said.

Orders not followed

Himachal Health Minister Kaul Singh said the matter was brought to his notice by those who had donated their bodies

He had issued specific instructions to the civil surgeons that it was the duty of the state government to carry the donated bodies to medical colleges

The government was even ready to perform the last rites of those who donate their bodies, he said

But sources say despite the directions of the minister, arrangements were not in place for carrying the donated bodies to the medical college

No more bungalows for memorials: Govt
Girja Shankar Kaura
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
The government today decided not to "make available" anymore bunglows for memorials. This is seen as a fallout of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and former Civil Minister Ajit Singh seeking to hold onto a bunglow in Delhi's Lutyen's Zone by seeking to create a memorial in the name of his deceased father, Jat leader and former Prime Minister Charan Singh.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.

After a prolonged Union Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "As regards the allotment of bunglows for memorials, the Cabinet decided that henceforth no bunglow would be made available for memorials".

Last month, Ajit Singh had demanded that the house that he was staying in - 12, Tughlaq Road - be turned into a memorial to his father, former Prime Minister Choudhary Charan Singh, who used to live there.

Singh stayed at the bungalow for over 36 years, first occupying it when his father was appointed a Union minster. The Urban Development Ministry asked him to vacate it after he lost the elections from Uttar Pradesh earlier this year.

The notice served on Singh had also resulted in parts of Central Delhi being locked down after hundreds of farmers from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh tried to reach 12, Tughlaq Road, to protest against the Central government's eviction order.

The ministry has now decided that Singh will have to pay over Rs 5 lakh in fine for overstaying at his 12, Tughlaq Road residence in Central Delhi.

Singh, who vacated the Type-VIII bungalow on September 30, overstayed at the house for three months despite being asked by the Centre to pack up. A notice to this effect has also been served on Singh.

In another decision, the Union Cabinet gave its approval for the framework of the signing of an inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran to allow India's participation in Chahbahar port.

A JV or other appropriate Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be created to allow the lease of two fully constructed berths in Chahbahar port's Phase-I project for a period of ten years, which could be renewed by "mutual agreement".

The JV company will invest US $ 85.21 million for equipping the two berths within 12 months as a container terminal and the second as a multi-purpose cargo terminal.

New tool unveiled to check air pollution
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
The government has launched a new methodology — “National Air Quality Index’ (AQI)” — to create awareness about the quality of air and its likely health impact. Using the “One Number-One Colour-One Description”, the AQI proposes six categories — good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor and severe.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar yesterday said the tool would be helpful for the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity. Expected to be operational initially in million-plus cities by mid-December, Javedkar said the index was a continuation of the initiatives under “Swachh Bharat Mission” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The minister said the aim was to make clean air a people’s campaign. “It won’t be business as usual. In future we will act differently, we will succeed and we will take people along,” he said.

The AQI has a colour scheme beginning from green and ending in dark red. It is aimed to quickly disseminate air quality information almost in real-time that entails the system to account for pollutants which have short-term impacts.

The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants — PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3 and Pb.

A CPCB initiative, the AQI was developed by an expert group comprising medical professionals, air quality experts, academia, NGOs, and state pollution control boards.

Govt pulls out of annivs, execpt Mahatma’s
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18
Marking an end to the politics of identity and appropriation of legacies of top leaders, the BJP government today decided that henceforth the Centre would not be associated with the birth or death anniversaries of any leader except Mahatma Gandhi.

The decision was taken at today's meeting of the Union Cabinet.

The move means the government will no longer give newspaper advertisements or memorials in remembrance of any leader except Mahatma Gandhi. Among those who will be excluded are former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said barring Mahatma Gandhi's birth and death anniversaries, the Central Government would no longer organise any other function in the memory of other departed national leaders. The government, he said, would only associate with the Rajghat Committee that organises functions to mark Gandhiji's birth and death anniversary.

Jaitley said the birth and death anniversaries of other leaders can be observed by trusts, family members, political parties and family members. The move is bound to attract sharp reaction from the Congress, whose leaders’ anniversaries have so far been Centrally observed.

CBI may probe ‘lapses’ in purchase of tents by RAW

New Delhi, October 18
The CBI is likely to register a case soon to probe alleged irregularities in purchase of high-altitude tents by Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s external intelligence gathering wing.

Sources said the CBI had received a request for a probe into the purchase of tents during 2010 by the Special Frontier Force (SFF), which was created by RAW.

The papers sent by the intelligence agency are being scrutinised and a case is likely to be registered in the coming week, the sources said.

Recommendation for a thorough probe was made by RAW to the CBI for fixing responsibilities of people involved in the alleged bungling in the purchase of these costly tents.

The decision to handover the case was taken after an internal enquiry conducted by the external snooping agency indicated involvement of some of its officials in the alleged bungling. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Odisha
Probe panel notice to govt
Justice PK Mohanty Commission, probing the Pipili gangrape and murder case of 2012, has issued notice to the Odisha Government seeking a reply to it before the next date of hearing on November 1. It also sought the presence of the Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) as the branch did not examine any political leader in its probe. PTI

Hyderabad
National meeting on ICT
A five-day national convention on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be held in Hyderabad from December 10 on the emerging trends in the application of IT in governance. The convention is expected to see the participation of 2,500 students and 1,000 delegates from the industry, academia and research institutions from across the country. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam will inaugurate a conference of students. TNS

Firemen douse a blaze at an election special train at Chiwki near Allahabad on Saturday. PTI

Women pray at a paddy field for good harvest on “Kati Bihu” in Dibrugarh on Saturday. PTI

Kerala
Technology zone project
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will launch the initial phase of the Technology Innovation Zone (TIZ) at the Kinfra Hi-Tech Park at nearby Kalamassery on Monday. The state government aims to offer incubation facilities for start-ups in sectors such as telecom and IT, agriculture, tourism, electronics and biotechnology. pti

Thiruvananthapuram
600-ft-long cake!
In a first, the Kerala Bakers Association (KBA) is planning to bake a 600-feet-long cake to mark the 131st anniversary of cake-making in the country. The association is planning to bake the cake at a convention centre in Thrissur on October 30 to showcase the legacy of 'plum cakes' in the country. PTI

Patna
Manjhi retracts on doc remark
Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi retracted from his "chopping hands of doctors" comment saying he had used a Hindi proverb for doctors not serving the poor. PTi

Kolkata
Radar trouble delays flights
Flights were affected on Saturday at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport as the ATC faced problems in the automatic radar system due to failure of BSNL link. pti

Muzaffarnagar
Arms factory unearthed
The police have unearthed an arms factory and seized parts of 400 pistols, machines and accessories from a house in Shamli. pti