The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

BJP, Sena to ‘form’ govt in M'rashtra
Shiv Kumar/Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

Mumbai/New Delhi, October 24
The BJP and the Shiv Sena have "finalised the alliance" in Maharashtra. If sources are to be believed, the Sena's support has come "without any conditions" and its MLAs will also participate in the government.

Newly elected MLAs of the BJP scheduled to meet in Mumbai on Monday are likely to elect their leader who will then meet the Governor and stake claim to form the government. The BJP legislative party will also decide on the contours of the government - ministers and distribution of portfolios. The BJP leadership has asked state leaders to finalise the names of Cabinet ministers to be sworn in with the CM.

Sources said senior leaders like Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party's Maharashtra observer JP Nadda will arrive in Mumbai on Monday to oversee the election of the leader of the BJP legislative party in Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis is seen as the frontrunner for the top job after meeting with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at Nagpur on Thursday. Gadkari's name emerged as an alternative to Fadnavis after 39 MLAs from the Vidarbha region lobbied for his candidature.

However, Gadkari said he was not keen on moving to Maharashtra and was happy with being a union minister. Significantly, Gadkari did not endorse Fadnavis' name for the post of Chief Minister, though he stressed the long relationship between both their families.

Apart from Gadkari, who is backed by a large group led by former state president Sudhir Mungantiwar, the name of his Cabinet colleague Prakash Javedekar is also doing the rounds along with other hopefuls.

Besides Fadnavis, Mungantiwar, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Vinod Tawde, Opposition leader in the outgoing Assembly Eknath Khadse and Parli MLA Pankaja Munde are the other contenders.

Sources said BJP leaders were split into Gadkari and Fadnavis camps with more MLAs now coming out in support of the latter. Fadnavis, who is seen as lacking in administrative experience, has the support of senior leaders like Eknath Khadse. Some MLAs who had attended the meeting to express solidarity with Gadkari have also switched over to Fadnavis' side on the grounds that they only wanted a CM from Vidarbha. MLAs supporting other leaders are lobbying for their favourites, though the sources say that the party's ideological fountainhead-the RSS-has already zeroed on the next Maharashtra CM.

All eyes on Shiv Sena at Modi’s ‘Deepawali Milan’

PM Modi is meeting party members and mediapersons at a “Deepawali Milan” in party headquarters on Saturday; and the day after, all MPs of the National Democratic Alliance.

Sources said the invitation had been extended to all parties in the NDA coalition. It will be interesting to see whether Shiv Sena chief Uddhav would attend the event or not.

The event is coinciding with the ongoing parleys between the BJP and the Sena over the government formation in Maharashtra.

System to review Swachh Bharat Mission on cards

New Delhi, October 24
The Union Ministry of Urban Development will put in place Management Information Systems (MIS) to enable the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to review the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Sources said Shankar Aggarwal, secretary (Urban Development), today discussed IT-based reporting and monitoring mechanisms for the mission with senior officials of the ministry. He said a user-friendly MIS should be evolved for 24-hour monitoring of the progress of the mission.

He said states and 4,041 civic bodies should be enabled to regularly upload the information regarding the progress of work in respect of construction of household and public toilets, solid waste management and awareness activities for behavioural modifications. — TNS

Gogoi rejects ULFA’s demand for plebiscite in Assam
Bijay Sankar Bora
Tribune News Service

Guwahati, October 24
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has rejected the demand of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) for holding a plebiscite in Assam and called upon the outfit to serve the people of Assam in a legitimate way.

ULFA (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, in a telephonic conversation with a local Daily here, said political leaders of India should learn from countries such as Great Britain and Canada and hold a plebiscite on the demand for the separation of Assam from India and thereby find a final political solution to the vexed problem.

“Citing that Great Britain recently held a referendum on the demand for separation of Scotlandand solved the issue for good without any bloodshed, the ULFA leader said the mindset of Indian politicians has to change for facilitating a solution to the ULFA’s demand for a sovereign Assam. Political leaders in India don’t have courage to take such steps.” He said his outfit was ready to accept any result that may come out of a fair plebiscite.

However, in response Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the people of Assam had been overwhelmingly taking part in all elections held under the provisions of Indian Constitution and that should suffice for the ULFA to realise that their demand for sovereignty had few takers in Assam.

Enforce counter-terror resolutions: India to UN

United Nations, October 24
India has told the UN Security Council that condoning the use of terrorism on account of perceived political purposes is counter-productive and the powerful world body must ensure its resolutions to combat the global menace are implemented without exception.

India’s Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji while speaking at an open debate on the “Working Methods of the Security Council”, highlighted the shortfalls in the council’s methods in drawing up mandates of UN peacekeeping operations and the impact of its working methods which dilute the international effort against terrorism.

“We strongly believe that the council must seriously and transparently take measures available to it under the charter to require member states of implement its resolutions on countering terrorism without exception. To condone the use of terrorism on account of perceived political purposes is counterproductive, and will engulf more and more member states in an ever-widening spiral of violence and destruction,” Mukerji said. “We therefore specifically call for the council’s working methods to include a mandatory time-bound reporting requirement to the wider membership of the United Nations on implementation of Security Council Resolutions on countering terrorism,” he said.

Mukerji stressed that terrorism was fast emerging as the single-most important challenge to the maintenance of international peace and security. He called for a beginning on the proposal by having a report to the wider membership of the UN with respect to the latest resolution adopted by the council last month.

One of the provisions in the resolution calls on member states to assist in criminal investigations relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts and foreign fighters. Other provisions were on improving cooperation among nations to take steps to stop the travel of foreign terrorists and to share information to identify them.

“Our concern is that the current working methods, which have been provisionally applied since the council was established, have deviated from the clear provisions, and indeed, objectives of the UN Charter, making the council ineffective and unrepresentative of the world as it is on October 23 2014,” he said. — PTI

India a nation with vast power: Kerry

India and the US can work together to fight against terrorism, create opportunity for young people in both the nations, combat climate change and achieve greater progress by pushing back the boundaries of science and technology.
John Kerry, us secretary of state

Washington, October 24
Describing India as a country of enormous energy and power, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a moment when Indians and Americans got a real sense of what the two “natural partners” were able to achieve together.

“Everybody here knows better than anybody in the world, India is, of course, a country of enormous energy and power,” he said while speaking at the first ever Diwali celebrations at the US state department headquarters on Thursday.

“It is by far the largest nation in South Asia and last month during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States, we had an unforgettable chance both to build on the already deep ties between America and India, and many of you were here when Vice President Biden and I welcomed the PM right here to this very stage,” he said after lighting the diyas. The top US diplomat said Modi’s visit was a moment when Indians and Americans could get a real sense of what the two countries were able to accomplish by working together.

India and the US could work together to fight against terrorism, create opportunity for young people in both the nations, combat climate change and achieve greater progress by pushing back the boundaries of science and technology, he said.

“And we are determined to build on that moment that was so well defined here in the Prime Minister’s words and in the Vice-President’s words, so that the world’s oldest and largest democracies can realise the truly extraordinary, boundless potential of our relationship,” Kerry added.

Lauding the decade-long efforts of leaders from both the countries, he said, they worked hard to prove that India and the US were “natural partners.” The secretary of state said India and the US were two optimistic nations who did not believe in the deterministic forces of history, but that they had the power to shape history.

“We are two optimistic nations who believe that history doesn’t shape us, but that we have the power to shape history,” Kerry said.

Some 300 guests, including a large number of eminent Indian-Americans and envoys from other South Asian countries, were present to celebrate Diwali for the first time at the state department’s historic Benjamin Franklin room, which was lit with many small diyas and candles. — PTI

Stop giving India ill-informed advice: Lord Paul to UK

I am concerned about and share the disquiet that so many Indians feel about the stream of ungenerous and often ill-informed advice that is directed from this country to India — generally offering unsolicited counsel on how India should conduct its democracy and manage its affairs.
Lord Swraj Paul, nri ndustrialist

London, October 24
NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has told Britain that it should end a stream of “ungenerous and often ill-informed advice” that is directed at India on matters including human rights, corruption and Kashmir and take steps to reverse the slow decline affecting bilateral ties.

Participating in a debate in the House of Lords last evening on the assessment of British Government of the outcome of the general election in India, Paul said: “After a lifetime linked to both societies, I am deeply conscious that the things that unite us are far greater than the things which divide us.

“That is why...I am concerned about and share the disquiet that so many Indians feel about the stream of ungenerous and often ill-informed advice that is directed from this country to India — generally offering unsolicited counsel on how India should conduct its democracy and manage its affairs.”

Citing a few instances, Paul, the Chairman of the Caparo Group of industries, noted that the “ungenerous and often ill-informed advice” directed to India pertained to issues of human rights, corruption and on Kashmir.

“There are cases of (human rights) abuse in India, but they are invariably investigated through independent judicial inquiries and the outcomes are inevitably taken very seriously. Ill-founded allegations are made over and over again suggesting Indian indifference to these situations,” he said.

On corruption, he said: “There are serious issues but the Narendra Modi government has addressed this with an unprecedented vigour and seems to be making progress on this hugely complex problem. A problem that Your Lordships well know is not confined to India. Even Britain is not exempt. Little, if any, credit is given to the determined efforts now underway to correct this situation.” On Kashmir, Paul noted: “There is a cascade of intrusive comment, instruction and advice. India is in constant discussion with Pakistan and has made it clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India.” He also noted that it was a “very special year” for India which saw over 800 million voters register their vote.

“A new leader, and we must congratulate Narendra Modi, was able to secure a one-party majority and a stable government after many years minority or coalition rule. In these days of political turmoil, times when democracy often seems so unstable and fragile, this bodes well for the future of India,” he said. — PTI

India-Vietnam talks next week
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 24
India and Vietnam will take stock of the progress made in the areas of defence and security cooperation architecture when Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visits New Delhi on October 27-28.

India will also focus on the economic cooperation, buoyed by the fact that the bilateral trade target of $7 billion by 2015 was surpassed during 2013-14.

Fresh targets for trade could be reset after a meeting between the visiting Vietnam leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi even as New Delhi examines Hanoi’s offer of additional oil blocks for exploration in the South China Sea.

“We are working on those targets and the targets will be decided by the Prime Ministers when they meet,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said when asked if the trade target will be revised given that both countries have already achieved $7 billion target set for 2015. A 50-member business delegation from Vietnam is travelling to India with their Prime Minister.

On whether Beijing’s concern over India’s presence in the South China Sea would be a factor in deciding on the Vietnam’s offer, the spokesperson said: “We are examining it [offer of additional oil blocks for exploration] and if they are commercially viable for us we will take that into account and proceed further. India and Vietnam relationship is not contingent on other issues.”

SC: Govt employee can't seek promotion after refusing it

New Delhi, October 24
A government employee, whose promotion is canceled owing to his refusal to accept it, cannot ask for it at a later stage, the Supreme Court has said.

The apex court set aside the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court which had directed the state government to restore the promotion of one of its employees whose promotion was cancelled after he turned down the offer as he did not want to get transfered to some other place.

"As we find that it is the respondent himself who is responsible for cancellation of the promotion order as he did not join the promoted post, the impugned order of the high court is clearly erroneous and against the law," a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar said.

The court passed the order on an appeal filed by Madhya Pradesh government challenging the high court order. — PTI

Security beefed up at airports after threat of AI flight hijack
Manas Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, October 24
A threat of hijacking of an Air India flight —from Ahmedabad to Mumbai or Mumbai to Kochi — by a terror organisation sparked an alert with authorities tightening the security at Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kochi airports.

A dog squad has been deployed at the Ahmedabad airport to assist the central security staff.

Sources said the Ahmedabad airport authorities received a letter, a phone call and an e-mail today stating of a possible terror attack on the airport and hijacking of a flight from Ahmedabad. The police refused to disclose the source of the letter or the e-mail stating that it was under verification.

The local police, the Central Industrial Security Force and other authorities conducted a high-level meeting this evening to review security measures at the airport.

Mehta first Sikh from Valley to become Lt Gen
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 24
Lieutenant General PS Mehta, a second generation Army officer, has become the first Sikh officer from the Kashmir valley to rise to the rank of lieutenant general. At present posted as Major General General Staff (MGGS), Western Command, Chandimandir, he was promoted as a three-star general this week.

Lt Gen Mehta, who is expected to be appointed a Corps Commander shortly, has his parentage in Shogapora (Badgam) and Singhpora (Baramulla) and studied at Presentation Convent School, Srinagar. He was commissioned into the Skinner’s Horse armoured regiment in September 1978 after passing out as first in the order of merit (gold medallist) from the OTA, Chennai.

In his service spanning over 36 years, Gen Mehta has commanded a T-90 Armoured Brigade and an Armoured Division, besides serving in counter insurgency environment and in the Military Operations Directorate.

As part of the recent promotions and posting orders issued by the Army Headquarters, Lt Gen Rajeev Tiwari, an Armoured Corps officer, posted at the Army War College, Mhow, will be taking over as the General Officer Commanding, 9 Corps at Yol in Himachal Pradesh, tomorrow. He will replace Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who will be moving as the Chief of Staff, Northern Command, at Udhampur.

BURdwan Blast
NIA probe hints at Jamaat link

New Delhi/Kolkata Oct 24
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today said the accused arrested in the Burdwan blast and their associates were members of terror organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), who were preparing IEDs for transporting them to that country for possible terror attacks.

In a statement issued tonight, the NIA said it had completed the initial phase of probe into the Burdwan blast. The probe indicates the involvement of JMB cadre.

Two persons — Shakil Ahmed and Suvon Mandal alias Subhan — both allegedly residents of Bangladesh, were killed while manufacturing IEDs. Abdul Hakim was injured and held besides three others.

“Investigation so far has revealed that the accused and their associates were the members of the JMB, and they were preparing IEDs which were being transported to Bangladesh," the NIA said. It said it is focussing on the activities of JMB covering all aspects, including the funding of terror activities. — PTI

dowry death
No true dying declaration if in-law present, says SC
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, October 24
The Supreme Court has ruled that no dowry victim can make a true dying declaration in the presence of her accused mother-in-law.

A Bench comprising Justices V Gopala Gowda and AK Goel made the remark while setting aside a high court verdict acquitting the victim’s husband and mother-in-law in a dowry death case.

Pointing out that the victim had made her statement to the magistrate in the presence of her mother-in-law, the apex court said, “The deceased could not have made any voluntary and independent dying declaration in such circumstances as the influence of the accused could not be ruled out.”

The Bench also noted that the victim had also made oral dying declarations to her brothers, sisters, mother and brother-in-law which were corroborated by the dying declaration recorded by the police officer.

Under such circumstances, the court should go into the authenticity of the rival versions in the dying declarations and decide which one was more reliable, the SC clarified.

The Bench said an additional fact that went against the accused in the present case was that they had wrongly pleaded that they were not even aware of the fact that the victim was on fire. Their false plea was exposed by the victim’s dying declaration that she was brought to the hospital by her mother-in-law, it pointed out.

“In the case of an accident, the deceased would have tried to run away or escape...Extensive burns and other circumstances support the version of unnatural death. In these circumstances, the dying declaration (recorded by the police) is consistent with the circumstances on record, while exhibit D-7 (the declaration recorded by the magistrate) is not,” the apex court ruled.