Saturday, January 23, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Nek Chand’s works to
feature in UT tableau Keshubhai’s
remarks slanderous: NCM
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Herbal
drug to cure hiccups |
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Budget
session from Feb 22 File
fresh reply on Gill's plea: HC ‘Third
front sans RJD not possible’ BJP
condemns Cong reaction High
Court seeks details on steps Famine
stalks Dhakuakhana Cotton
yield may touch new low |
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Nek Chand’s works to
feature in UT tableau NEW DELHI, Jan 22 — Nek Chand’s colourful rag dolls and sculptures made from waste will breathe life into the Chandigarh tableau at the Republic Day parade here on Tuesday. Twenty-seven tableau from different states, union territories and organisations are participating in the parade this year. Better known as ‘Jhaankis’, these tableaux are aimed at spreading the message of harmony, peace and non-violence. At present, artists and designers are busy giving finishing touches to their tableaux at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the Lodhi Road here. The creator of Rock Garden, Padamshri Nek Chand, was busy supervising unloading of over 75 precious sculptures when this correspondent reached the stadium. Nek Chand has been invited to contribute to the aesthetic arrangement of the tableau by the Adviser to the Chandigarh Administration. He was also invited to work on the tableau in 1984 when the Chandigarh Administration had chosen Rock Garden as the theme of the tableau. Noted Kathak dancer, Shoba Koser, has also been invited again to contribute to teach young participants dance movements. The tableau holds a mirror to Chandigarh’s architecture with a model of the Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University. A replica of the computerised dairy farm in Kal Jharani village in Bathinda district enables viewers get an idea of the progress made by the State. Two tractors have been used to depict the traditional method of milk churning in Punjab. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has a breath-taking tableau. Designed by Delhi-based artist, Vir Munshi, the tableau depicts a chinar tree in full bloom, the lush Shalimar Bagh and shikaras in the lake. The Karnataka tableau projects milestones in the field of higher education. The tableau shows a model of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. More than 10,000 security personnel including para-military forces will be deployed along the route of Republic Day parade, from the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan to the historic Red Fort, on January 26 for the smooth conduct of the spectacle. Sharp shooters, mounted police and crack commandos would be stationed at strategic points to ward off any trouble during the day parade, a senior police official said. Door frame metal detectors would be put up in all entry points leading to parade venue and everyone thoroughly checked before entry, he said. "No one will be allowed to carry any bags, boxes, suitcases, cellphones, pagers and other such articles in the venue as a precautionary measure," he said. Only vehicles with proper labels would be allowed entry and any person causing trouble dealt with severely, he said urging the public to strictly follow the rules. "Police personnel will be stationed at all radial roads leading to the venue to assist and guide the public," he said adding special traffic arrangements would be made for the smooth movement of traffic, he said. Meanwhile, police sources said a close watch was being maintained on the hotels and motels in the Connaught Place area and in the walled city which could be used as hideouts by anti-national elements. The police might also
resort to precautionary arrests of known offenders to
ward off trouble, they said. |
Keshubhai’s remarks slanderous: NCM NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — A fresh controversy has arisen over the issue of attacks on Christians in Gujarat with the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) tonight dismissing as "slanderous outbursts" the remarks by Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel that the NCM had come out with a "biased and one sided" report on the incidents. "What the Chief Minister has said today about the NCM... qualifies in law for contempt of lawful authority. I never comment on such slanderous outbursts, which in my opinion tarnish the image of the slanderers and not of the NCM," NCM Chairman Tahir Mahmood said in a strongly-worded rejoinder. Mr Mahmood’s statement came hours after Patel accused the commission of "not being impartial" in its interim report on the incidents which was brought out by the NCM without even waiting for the version of the state government. Patel said the commission had sought a report from the state administration on the attacks by January 20 but came out with a "biased one-sided interim report" without waiting for that. Mr Mahmood said, "politicians, I am sure, know they have to duly respect the social justice enforcement mechanism of the nation of which the NCM has been made an important constituent by parliamentary legislation. But all is fair in politics they say." "Had the Chief Minister taken the trouble of speaking to me on phone he could have spared himself of the utter falsehood which his reported statement about the NCM reflects, the statement said. NMC member Prof Bawa Singh told reporters at Moga in Punjab the commission was of the view that the attacks on Christians in Gujarat were organised and the state government had failed to protect them. The National Minorities Commission is of the view that recent attacks on Christians in Gujarat were organised and the state government had failed to protect them, but the Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel charged the commission with coming out with a "biased and one sided report". Prof Bawa Singh, who was a member of the commission team that visited Gujarat, said the final report would be submitted to the Centre by the month-end and the full commission would call on President K.R. Narayanan on February 1 with recommendations for the safety of the minorities, who were feeling insecure in Gujarat. The interim report had already been submitted to Union Home Minister L.K. Advani. Patel said the basic cause of the incidents was conversions which led to tension among a section of tribal people in the Dangs district, but the situation there was now under control. The commission in its
interim report indicted state government and asked the
Centre to invoke constitutional provisions to direct it
to check anti-minority violence and protect the state
from "internal disturbance." |
File fresh reply on Gill's plea: HC NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today asked Centre to file a fresh reply to former Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer (CEO) S.S. Gill’s petition as he has amended his plea challenging the Prasar Bharati ordinance in view of the new promulgation order of January 9. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice Devinder Gupta and Mr Justice J.B. Goel asked the government to file replies by March 11, the next date of hearing. The court also asked other petitioners, who had challenged the August 29 ordinance, to file amended petitions in view of the latest ordinance. Three other public interest litigations, filed after Mr Gill’s plea, had been clubbed with the case. Mr Gill, who had challenged the august ordinance on the ground that it was brought with a "mala fide" intention to remove him from the CEO’s post, in his amended plea contended that his stand had been "vindicated" with the government not been able to pass the Bill in Parliament. The court had on September 2 last issued notices to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Law and Justice and Prasar Bharati Corporation. The court has yet to decide on the question of notices to the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ms Sushma Swaraj, and the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, whom Mr Gill had accused of acting with a "mala fide" intention. The court at that time had observed that any appointment to the post of CEO would be subject to the final order of the court on the writ petition. The government while promulgating the earlier ordinance on August 29 last year, which restored the original 1990 Prasar Bharati Act, had terminated the services of 72-year old Gill. The ordinance had fixed the age limit for CEO at 62 years. Mr Gill had challenged the constitutional validity of the ordinance and termed the government action as "mala fide". The January 9 ordinance was promulgated because the earlier ordinance was to lapse on January 10. The government was not able to pass the Prasar Bharati Bill in the Rajya Sabha during the recent winter session. The new ordinance also replicated the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Amendment Bill and in addition provided for a suitable succession mechanism. It also provided for
establishment of a broadcasting council to determine the
quality and contents of the programmes being broadcast by
Doordarshan and All India Radio. |
‘Third front sans RJD not possible’ PATNA, Jan 22 (PTI) — Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha (RLM) president and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav today said the third front would remain “mere wishful thinking” as long as Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD was not included. “Laloo Yadav is a formidable force. The third front will be strong and vibrant only when his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is a part of it”, he said, adding he had already begun “fruitful negotiations” on the issue with the Left parties at the national level. The Left parties had expressed some reservations on an alliance with the RJD in the context of Bihar and such differences at the state-level would be settled by Laloo Yadav, he told reporters at the airport. He did not attach much significance to the former Premier V.P. Singh’s reported statement that the third front would be effective and strong only when the Congress formed government at the Centre. “V.P. Singh aise hi bolte rahte hain (he keeps saying such things),” he said, adding the issue of supporting a Congress government would be discussed at the party fora at an “appropriate time.” Janata Dal national president Sharad Yadav, who is also in the city, told PTI that the plan for a third alternative was a “far cry” in the absence of “common and concrete programmes and policies.” The RLM president said a crucial meeting of morcha constituents would be held in Delhi on February 1 “to decide on the strategy to fight the communal and fascist forces.” Referring to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s statement that the Janata Dal would support the Congress if it formed government at the Centre, he said “we have not yet held discussions for inclusion of the dal in the third front”. Mr Sharad Yadav suggested a debate by United Front constituents to ascertain reasons for its disintegration despite having a common agenda and said effective steps were being taken to strengthen the JD at the national level. He criticised Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s proposal for a national debate on conversions saying “The Constitution itself provides for change of religion. The Prime Minister’s statement is aimed at diverting the people’s attention from the real issue.” Mr Yadav also took serious
exception to Defence Minister George Fernandes’
allegations of “an international conspiracy” in
recent attacks on Christians and their places of worship. |
BJP condemns Cong reaction NEW DELHI, Jan 22 — Stung by the Congress’s criticism of Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, for bowing before Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the Bharatiya Janata Party today hit back saying that it was following "disruptionist" opposition politics. "The actions and utterances of the party (Congress) leadership show that the Congress believes in being a disruptionist opposition, negative in its approach and confrontationist in its politics", the BJP spokesman, Mr K.L. Sharma, said in a written statement. Instead of welcoming the amicable resolution of the dispute relating to Pakistan’s cricket tour to India, the Congress has embarked upon scoring political gains, making one wonder "whose side the Congress is batting for", Mr Sharma said stressing that "it is definitely not for the Indian side". The BJP spokesman said it was "sad" that the Congress took the stand that Mr Advani "bowed" before Mr Thackeray. He said that the BJP had expected that the Congress, in its role of the main opposition party, would react positively to the amicable resolution of the dispute, keeping in mind the national interest. Expressing hope that
Pakistan would give a positive response towards improving
bilateral ties by stopping ISI activities in India, Mr
Sharma said that Indo-Pak cricket matches would open a
"new chapter" in the relations between the two
countries and Islamabad would appreciate the Vajpayee
government’s determination to maintain peace at all
costs. |
Cong for impartial probe into Sena role NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — The Congress today sought an independent and impartial inquiry into entire episode of the alleged role of the Shiv Sena and its threat to disrupt the Indo-Pakistan cricket series in the country and take action against all those including Sena chief Bal Thackeray if found guilty. "We are not demanding action against any individual... it is for the state agencies to investigate who violated the law... we are for an independent and impartial inquiry into the entire episode", party spokesman Ajit Jogi told reporters. Asked if the reported statements of the Shiv Sena chief were violative of laws and if the Congress was in favour of action against him, Mr Jogi said "it is for the state agencies to decide who violated the law... the party is for respect for law and punish all those including Thackeray if found guilty in the matter". How the party expects an independent and impartial inquiry into the matter when the Home Minister himself approached the alleged law violater, Mr Jogi said "we have full faith in the system and the judiciary". Mr Jogi said by going to
Thackeray as Home Minister to "coax and cajole"
him on the issue, the Home Minister was "trying to
influence the administration of justice". |
Thackeray case: EC view given in Sept NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill yesterday said the commission gave its recommendation in September last on the issue of denial of right of franchise to sena chief Bal Thackeray because of an electoral malpractice but declined to give any further details. “This is a pending legal matter. We heard the matter and sent our recommendation in September to the appropriate authority. After that our job was over,” he said when asked about the fate of the commission’s recommendation in the Thackeray case. He parried questions whether the matter had been pending with Rashtrapati Bhavan or with the government. The case relates to an Assembly bye election in Vile Parley Assembly constituency in Mumbai in December 1987 in which Sena candidate Ramesh Yashwant Prabhoo was declared elected. But, the Mumbai High Court set aside Prabhoo’s election in April 1989 while giving its verdict on a poll petition and held him guilty of making inflammatory speeches which was an electoral malpractice. Thackeray was also named for making such a speech amounting to corrupt practice by the High Court. An appeal by Thackeray
against the high court order was dismissed by the Supreme
Court on December 11, 1995. Thereafter the matter was
sent to the commission to decide on quantum of
disqualification. |
Court accepts Chautala’s reply NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today accepted the contentions of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Om Prakash Chautala that he had not used "derogatory language" against Justice Saikia Commission which probed the violence during 1990 Assembly by-election to the Meham seat in Haryana. Disposing of a public interest writ against Mr Chautala, a Division Bench comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice K.S. Gupta said the purpose of the petition had been served in bringing the issue before the court. The petition filed earlier had alleged that Mr Chautala while addressing a public meeting in Haryana on February 12, 1994, had criticised the Saikia Commission which had submitted its report to the government few months earlier and subsequently placed before Parliament. Mr Chautala in his latest affidavit submitted through his advocate Mahbir Singh said, "I cannot think even remotely to bring any commission headed by any high court or Supreme Court judge into disrepute or use any humiliating or derogatory language against it." Refering to the newspaper reports in this regard, the INLD leader said though it was not possible for him to recollect what statement had been attributed to him in the media report, but he "distinctly remembers" that he did not utter the words "denigrating the reputation of the commission." Mr Chautala further stated
that in a press conference he had contested the report on
the facts and never questioned the integrity of the
commission. |
Helmet: Delhi women to get exemption NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (UNI) — Women riding two-wheelers in Delhi will soon be exempted from wearing helmets. Union Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism Minister Madan Lal Khurana told reporters that when he met Home Minister L.K. Advani recently to convey the feelings of the Sikh community against the mandatory provision of wearing helmets for women two-wheeler riders, he was informed that the ministry had already written to the Delhi government about it in October last. The Home Ministry directives, however, could not be given effect as the Assembly elections had already been announced,he said. Mr Khurana said he had written a letter to Delhi Lt-Governor Vijai Kapoor on January 19 drawing his attention towards the Home Ministry directive and urging him to amend the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993 to exempt women from wearing helmets. Mr Kapoor, Mr Khurana said, had assured him that necessary action would soon be taken. Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee welcomed the decision of the union government to exempt Sikh women from wearing helmets which was violative of Sikh tenets. In a statement, DSGMC
president Jaswant Singh Sethi, however, said the orders
should have been issued long back as unnecessary delay
and indecisiveness had hurt the religious sentiments of
the entire Sikh community. |
Dropsy case NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (UNI) — The Delhi High Court today directed the state government to list out details of steps taken to identify the officials who failed to check the adulteration of mustard oil in the Capital which killed more than 60 persons and left hundreds sick. A Division Bench comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice K.S. Gupta asked the government to file an affidavit placing on record the report which may list the persons who may have been responsible for not checking the adulteration of the oil. The Bench also asked the government to state as to what steps it had taken to prevent occurrence of such incidents in future. To a query of the Bench as to who were the persons involved in the tragedy, advocate Arvind Nigam, appearing for the government, said the Central Bureau of Investigation was probing the matter and all the queries could be answered only after it submitted its findings. Mr Nigam replied in negative when he was asked whether any effort was made to find out the reason for the occurrence of the disease. Petitioner B.L. Wadehra
blamed the government of not acting in a proper manner
before and after the tragedy. Dr Wadehra’s PIL had
sought a CBI inquiry into the matter and arrest of all
those who were responsible for the oil contamination. |
Famine stalks Dhakuakhana DHAKUAKHANA, (Assam) Jan 22 (UNI) — Death, destruction, famine and starvation stalk Dhakuakhana in the remote north- eastern corner of Assam where recurring floods leave a trail of misery. Yet even by these standards, the recent floods were unprecedented burying the fertile land under 3 to 5 feet of sand. As a result no vegetation survives and the area has virtually turned into a desert. A visiting UNI correspondent found women shivering on the embankment of Matmari, with tattered clothes barely covering their bodies. They have been surviving on dried fish and digging up roots as no vegetation above the ground had withstood the fury of the surging waters. Assam Assembly Speaker Ganesh Kutum, AGP MLA Dilip Saikia and Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah are unanimous that the situation is nothing less than a catastrophe. “You will not believe the destruction and hardship our people have been facing,’’ Mr Kutum said. His constituency, Gahpur, is one of the worst-affected. “Today, Mishing (tribal) women do not even have something to cover themselves with. One has to see to believe it,’’ says Dimbeshwar Miri, who had gone along with an NGO of Lakhimpur to distribute aid to those camping on the Matmari embankment. Officials of the Dhemaji
district administration under which Dhakuakhana falls,
concur and admit that the relief measures are beyond
their means and they have no other way to help these
unfortunate people whose numbers run into thousands. |
Herbal drug to cure hiccups CALCUTTA, Jan 22 (PTI) — Hiccups — sudden unwelcome spasms in the respiratory organs — will no longer be a cause for embarrassment in public, thanks to a drug developed by medicine researchers here. The herbal drug, “ignatia amara”, successfully used by a team of doctors at the National Institute of Homoeopathy on a group of persons suffering from hiccups, recorded a 70 per cent success rate. Presenting their findings at the 86th session of the Indian Science Congress in Chennai earlier this month, team leader Dr Narayan Chandra Dutta, said the drug was already being used to treat gastro-intestinal problems, ano-rectal diseases and different kinds of cough. Extracted from St. Igmatius bean, the formula provides relief shortly after administration, the paper by the Dr Dutta and his team said. The study was carried out on 20 patients of either sex from various age groups divided into 10 groups of ten each — an experimental medicinal group and a control or placebo group, the paper said. A 200th potency of the drug tested at the rate of four doses every day for as many days showed absolute cure in the experimental group in the first eight days. It also said high risk cases like patients suffering from neurological diseases and fractures should avoid the intake of the drug. Though the definite
curable property of the drug had been established,
further study was needed to evolve it as a marketable
drug, the paper added. |
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NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (PTI) — The Budget session of Parliament will commence on February 22, it was officially announced today. Subject to exigencies of government business, the session is likely to conclude on May 14, according to a Lok Sabha press note issued here today. The session will commence with President’s address to a joint sitting of both the Houses in the central hall of Parliament. The Lok Sabha will have a recess between March 18 and April 12 to enable the standing committees to consider the demands for grants of ministries and departments and prepare reports, the press note stated. According to indications, the General Budget for 1998-99 will be presented at 1100 hours on February 27, instead of the last working day of February as it falls on a Sunday. The pre-Budget economic survey is likely to be presented on February 26. The Railway Budget for
1998-99 is likely to be presented on February 25.
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Cotton yield may touch new low SRIGANGANAGAR, Jan 22 — Cotton production in the North Zone comprising Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab is likely to touch a record low of 20 lakh bales due to inclement weather. The zone, which used to contribute about 25 per cent of the total production of cotton of the country, has been witnessing a decline in production since 1997-98. The production of cotton in the current season is expected to be 20 lakh bales as compared to the 24 lakh bales last year. Cotton markets in the region which witnessed business transactions of 50 lakh bales in 1989, are now no more attractive for the cotton traders. Apart from low production, cotton traders and mills owners from Mumbai and South India are not purchasing cotton due to the poor quality of cotton. The quality of cotton was affected this season due to the untimely rain. The Northern India Cotton Association, according to its report released on December 31, estimated the production of 21.35 lakh bales of cotton in the region. However, every month, the association has been lowering its estimates. The association, which started with the estimated production of more than 30 lakh bales in the North Zone is now apprehending that according to latest arrival trends even the target of 20 lakh bales is difficult to be fulfilled. Mr Ashok Kapur, vice-president of the association, told TNS that last year up to January 20, the arrival of cotton in the region was 18.40 lakh bales but this year the arrival has been 12.90 lakh bales only. He pointed out that drought-like conditions during the sowing season, shortage of certified seeds, spurious fertilisers and pesticides and repeated attacks of bollworm and other diseases and untimely rain at the time when the crop had started ripening had led to the unexpected fall of cotton production. He added that due to the unexpected fall in production, about 165 cotton and ginning mills had been closed in Punjab only. Mr Kapur said taking into consideration the present rate of cotton in the market, it could be said with certainty that cotton growers had suffered a loss of more than Rs 1500 crore. He added that with the decline in production, the three states were also witnessing low sales tax revenue earnings. Mr Kapur said cotton growers were facing double loss this season. First, the production was low, second the growers were getting less price per quintal of cotton this season than the prices prevailing in the corresponding period last year. He added that at present the prevailing price of desi cotton and narma were Rs 1950 and Rs 2200, respectively, as compared to the Rs 1975 and Rs 2450 of desi cotton and narma, respectively, last year. He said current trends in
cotton production showed that cotton production had
suffered a maximum loss in Punjab while in Haryana it had
suffered moderate loss and in Rajasthan the loss was
less. |
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| 15 rescued from sinking
ship MUMBAI: Fifteen persons were rescued from a sinking ship after it struck an obstacle at Colaba light house, off Mumbai coast early on Friday. The Indian ship, “Sabira al Sarani,” returning from Dubai and carrying a consignment of dates, sank around 2 a.m. after it dashed against some iron obstacles, the police said. — PTI Patil takes over as Chief Justice Fear of bears in
Sikkim Nirankari sant
samagam Anti-erosion work
on river Use of
radionuclides in medicine Training course Militants kill
CRPF jawan |
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