Tuesday, July 13, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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How Sharif was saved Come clean on Kargil: Cong |
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NHRC to probe UP rights
violations Cong may withdraw support to Bansi
BJP candidates for Gujarat RS poll Compensation for custodial death
Decision on HVP-Cong merger this
week Need for educational channel Monitor population changes: Pant HC seeks record on NDA candidates Centre, states told to file
affidavits
Cong-AIADMK pact
‘certain’ 3 lakh tea workers go on strike Jats up in arms against Cong Kargil martyr’s body arrives More time sought for plea against
Sonia Contributions towards NDF continue |
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How Sharif was saved NEW DELHI, July 12 — It is no more a secret that US President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee worked in tandem to save Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif. The first move was made by Mr Vajpayee when he okayed a trip of the Observer chairman, Mr R.K. Mishra, to Islamabad on June 18, sources said and added that the exercise was in full knowledge of the US President. Then came the visit of former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Niaz Naik to Delhi and the process began. Both Mr Clinton and Mr Vajpayee had realised that a democratic Pakistan was in the larger interests of both India and the USA. Mr Mishra, whose trip was kept a secret, decided to take the initiative as the weakening of Mr Sharif would have only strengthened fundamentalist tendencies in the Pakistani polity and society. Not only that but also Mr Vajpayee was in full knowledge of Mr Mishra’s mission and even major parties were briefed about the trip, the sources said. The entire exercise had to be undertaken in such a manner that it was not popularly perceived as interference by the USA. Neither Mr Vajpayee nor Mr Sharif could afford such an interpretation as both could face hostile opposition domestically. That is why, Mr Sharif was required to take a trip to China and then to Washington. And it took almost 15 days for a meeting of the Directors-General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan to take place even when Mr Naik had told the BBC in an interview that the meeting would be arranged in a weeks. Now while India would continue to claim that the intrusion was vacated by the might of the Indian armed forces, which is also true to a large extent, Pakistan would also have a face saving instrument in hand when it would tell the domestic public opinion that the move to withdraw was essentially made with the objective of averting a full scale war. Once the hostilities came to an end, the next move would be to resume the Lahore dialogue. The composite Indo-Pak dialogue at the Foreign Secretary level would have to be put back on the rails, the sources said. Pakistan and the USA would have to wait now for the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections as the Vajpayee Government would say that the decision to resume the bilateral dialogue would be taken by a new government having the mandate of people. Meanwhile, both sides
would continue to make public statements for domestic
consumption which would hide more than they would reveal.
Though Mr Sharif has a tough domestic battle ahead of
him, he has come out of the misadventure bruised but not
mortally hurt. |
Come clean on Kargil: Cong NEW DELHI, July 12 — The Congress today asked the government to come clean on the Kargil issue by convening the Rajya Sabha session as hostilities had come to an end, failing which the party would ask one question a day. Congratulating soldiers on carrying out the difficult task with success, the Congress said "while the war was on, we were hesitant to raise certain issues." Briefing reporters, former External Affairs Minister and party spokesman Natwar Singh said "questions will have to be answered. The political leadership will have to place all facts before people. The nation must know what really happened." "The Congress believes that the loss of lives could have been avoided by a more vigilant government and a more vigilant political leadership. The best forum for this would have been the Rajya Sabha. The government has been stonewalling this request," Mr Natwar Singh said, adding that the party "will soon be asking these questions and we expect the government to answer them." Whether in Kargil conflict could have been avoided, why the government was not vigilant and who should be held responsible for this — the people had the right to know these and many other questions, the spokesman said. The Union Law Minister, Mr Ram Jethmalani, had set the precedent of asking a question a day during the height of the Bofors controversy. The government actions indicated that it might resume a dialogue with Pakistan, Mr Natwar Singh said, adding that "any talks with Pakistan must be based on the Simla Agreement and there should be no third party mediation or persuasion." The former External Affairs Minister said "the US President, Mr Bill Clinton, should not act as a mediator on the Kashmir issue. No part of our territory can be the subject matter of negotiations." Stating the BJP was trying to politicise the Kargil issue for electoral gains, Mr Natwar Singh said "the BJP was trying to encash it. Why should the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, give political overtones to his speech while opening a football match." The party took objection
to the understanding "disengagement" between
the Indian and Pakistan governments. When asked whether
this meant that India was giving a "safe
passage" to Pakistani regulars and intruders, Mr
Natwar Singh said: "Ask the Defence Minister, Mr
George Fernandes. It appears to be similar to what he had
stated." |
EC bans transfer of poll
officials NEW DELHI, July 12 — The Election Commission today directed that there would be a total ban on the transfer of all officers and officials connected with the conduct of the elections and barred the government from taking any populist measure. In a letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories and Chief Electoral Officers, the commission said with the announcement of the election schedule, the provisions of the model code of conduct for guidance of political parties and candidates had come into force with immediate effect. From the time the elections were announced by the commission, ministers and other authorities would not announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; lay foundation stones of projects or schemes of any kind; make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc; make any adhoc appointments in government, public undertakings etc. which could have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power. On the transfers of officers and officials, the commission said the transfer orders issued prior to the date of announcement but not implemented till date should not be given effect to without obtaining specific permission from the commission. The ban would be effective till the completion of the elections. The commission further directed that the state government would refrain from making transfers of senior officers who had a role in the management of the elections in the state. In those cases where the
transfer of an officer was absolutely necessary on
account of administrative exigencies, the government
concerned had been asked to approach the commission for
prior clearance. |
NHRC to probe UP rights
violations NEW DELHI, July 12 — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked its Director General (Investigation), Mr D.R. Karthikeyan, to examine all aspects of apprehensions of violations of and threat to the human rights of people living in certain areas of Uttar Pradesh. These apprehensions are said to have had arisen from activities of mafia groups and inaction of the authorities. A Press note issued by the NHRC here today said that the aforesaid action was taken on a complaint made by the President of the Vindhya Kisan Parishad of Mirzapur and the response of the state government and the Director-General of Police, Uttar Pradesh. In another representation sent to the commission, the complainant said Kapur Chand, an activist of the parishad was allegedly killed by the mafia. He alleged that the mafia was engaged in illegal activities of exploitation of natural resources in the area. The representation further said this was a serious violation of the human and constitutional rights of the inhabitants. The DG (Investigation)
would visit Mirzapur on Wednesday and Thursday to
ascertain the veracity of the complaint and the
circumstances leading to the death of Kapur Chand. |
S. D. Sharma moved to Escorts Hospital NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — The condition of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma was stable but he was tonight shifted from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where he was undergoing treatment following a cardiac problem to the Escorts Hospital at the instance of his family members. Mr Sharma's relatives
wanted to shift him to Escorts, RML Medical
Superintendent Dr C P Singh told PTI. |
Cong may withdraw support to Bansi NEW DELHI, July 12 (UNI) — The Congress is likely to withdraw support from the Bansi Lal government in Haryana, highly placed party sources indicated today. The sources said that after analysing the political situation in the state the party high command was convinced that it was not in the interest of the Congress to continue support to the Haryana Vikas Party government as Chief Minister Bansi Lal did not concede the views expressed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi at the July 5 meeting. According to the sources, the Congress leadership wanted that the Chief Minister should recommend dissolution of the state assembly for a mid-term poll. The state Cabinet
meeting held in Chandigarh today discussed the demand but
no decision was taken on the issue. |
BJP candidates for Gujarat
RS poll NEW DELHI, July 12 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today announced the names of two candidates for the Rajya Sabha poll in Gujarat. The outgoing mayor of Surat, Savita Virendra Kumar Sharda and the Chairman of the BJP disciplinary committee in Gujarat, Mr Lalit Bhai Mehta, will contest the two Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat, party spokesperson Venkaiah Naidu told newspersons here today. The party's central election committee, at its meeting on Saturday, had authorised the party President, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, to finalise the names of candidates for the Rajya Sabha poll in Gujarat by Monday. A meeting of the campaign committee was also convened here this afternoon. Mr Naidu reiterated that the BJP had asked its state units to finalise the process of selection of candidates for the Lok Sabha poll before the first week of August. Mr Naidu said he was confident that the BJP and its allies would return to power with a comfortable majority in the poll. He said the party enjoyed tested leadership and was credited with a set of records of a scam-free and a riot-free India. Mr Naidu congratulated the armed forces on behalf of the party for their spectacular victory against the Pakistan-backed intruders and army regulars. "The BJP salutes our soldiers who have done the country proud." He said the party
congratulated the government for its diplomatic victory.
He said the gallantry of the armed forces, the diplomatic
initiative of the government and the support of the
people of India have brought decisive victory to
India." |
Compensation for custodial death NEW DELHI, July 12 (UNI) — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Maharashtra Government to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the dependants of an undertrial prisoner who died due to lack of medical treatment in a prison. NHRC sources today said that the commission also asked the state government to make a comprehensive appraisal for the control of the spread of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in prisons and to install, wherever lacking, adequate diagnostic facilities. The commission gave these directions following the death of the undertrial Jagannath Paoji Ingule, who had been in custody in the Nasik Road prison for more than one-and-a-half years, due to cardio-respiratory arrest caused by advanced stage of pulmonary and abdominal tuberculosis on February 3, 1997. The deceased was also suffering from severe anaemia. The NHRC regretted that the disease was not diagnosed even though the undertrial prisoner had been in custody for more than one-and-a-half years. In fact, at the time of his death, the prisoner was wrongly being treated for dysentery and anaemia while he was actually in the terminal stages of tuberculosis. "The case turned out to be fatal by reason of an insensitive custodial treatment, which led to an avoidable loss of life," the commission observed. The NHRC felt that access to adequate, timely and proper medical diagnosis and treatment was an inherent right of the prisoners whose freedom to seek and have access to medical aid outside on their own was curtailed by law. The prison authorities were, therefore, under duty to bestow a reasonable degree of care and diligence. The disease was curable
by the current state of medical science without any
sophisticated medical regime, but as a normal medically
well-accepted treatment by simple oral medication though
the duration of the treatment might have to be sustained
over time, the sources added. |
Flt-Lt Nachiketa on sick
leave NEW DELHI, July 12 — Fighter pilot K. Nachiketa, who suffered eight-day captivity in Pakistan after bailing out from his MiG-27 during Kargil operations, is presently on sick leave for two months. "Flt-Lt Nachiketa is on two months sick leave. He will be given assignments when he returns from leave"’ Air Marshal V. Patney, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command told reporters. He was replying to a question as to whether Flt-Lt Nachiketa had again participated in the air strikes in Kargil after his return from Pakistan on June 4. Flt-Lt Nachiketa, who
had been taken captive by Pakistani troops on May 27, was
released by the Pakistani authorities in Islamabad on
June 3 and handed over to Indian High Commissioner G.
Parthasarthy there. |
Decision on HVP-Cong merger this
week NEW DELHI, July 12 — A final decision on the merger of the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) with the Congress may be taken this week. "The talks with senior leaders of the HVP were at a crucial stage and the final decision on the merger would be taken this week," party spokesman Ajit Jogi, told TNS. The Congress had come to the rescue of Mr Bansi Lal-led HVP government in Haryana during the no-confidence motion last month after the BJP withdrew its support. Briefing newspersons earlier, Mr Jogi said the Congress would contest the 13th Lok Sabha poll alone and would resort to electoral understanding in one or two states. The talks with the AIADMK and the Rashtriya Janata Dal on electoral understanding were in their final stages, he said, adding that the party was also holding talks with other parties in Uttar Pradesh. "We are not having talks with Samajwadi Party leader, Mulayam Singh Yadav for an electoral understanding," he said. However, he did not rule out whether the party was holding talks with Bahujan Samaj Party. The Congress was in principle against a coalition government and would resort to electoral understanding only to defeat the communal forces; would not compromise on its policies and principles; and would be a majority partner, he said. The spokesman said the
Congress was in favour of implementation of electoral
reforms. "But, they should be adopted after an all
party meeting only," he said. |
Need for educational channel NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — Gross imbalances in literacy and education in different regions of the country has renewed the demand for an exclusive educational channel to bridge the gap. “India’s population of 950 million consists right from the illiterate, neo-literate, educated to the highly-educated. The literacy figures range from 90 per cent in Kerala to 38 per cent in Bihar in multilingual spectrum,” says Dr M.M. Chaudhri, Director of the Consortium for Educational Communication here. “There is no doubt that there are gross educational imbalances in different regions of the country. Even within a state, one finds different levels of literacy and education. That is the primary reason why we need an educational channel,” says Dr N. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman of the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) here. Besides, in a nation having vast diversity of geography, food, clothing, culture and religion, it is one element that could create unity and is not going to be political rhetoric but opportunities to information and knowledge, says Dr Chaudhri. One such base to information and knowledge can be provided by an educational channel reaching the people through satellite and terrestrial network, he says. “The total budget for five years to operate an educational channel comes to about Rs 200 crore which would include training, production, import of foreign programmes, dubbing, promo, capsuling and uplinking,” says Dr Chaudhri The expansion of the terrestrial system of the channel would require an additional one-time investment of about Rs 1,500 crore, he says. It has not been very clear in previous discussions on the subject as to the source of funding for such a channel. Dr Rao says in 1975-76, India had become the first country in the world to use satellites for educational purposes through the “Satellite Instructional Television Experiment” (SITE). According to Dr Chaudhri, there has been talk of an educational channel ever since the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made satellite transponders available for communication in 1984, and Doordarshan went beyond terrestrial expansion into creating DD-2, DD-3 and regional and international channels. The need for an educational channel is “largely in the middle and lower middle class of our TV population residing more in smaller towns where exposure to good libraries and competent teachers is limited and which may not have access either to VCR or cable at home. This viewership is mainly confined to the terrestrial system of DD-1 and DD-2,” says Dr Chaudhri. Dr Rao agrees that the
need for an educational channel, both satellite as well
as cable, is being felt much more in the backward rural
areas. |
Monitor population changes: Pant NEW DELHI, July 12 — Mechanisms of monitoring changes in population need to be put in place to check population growth, the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr K C Pant said here today. Speaking at a seminar on population dynamics organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here, Mr Pant said appropriate interventions needed to be initiated to provide for the minimum essential needs of the vulnerable migrant population. The current phase of demographic transition is both a challenge and an opportunity. The opportunity is that the country has the right combination of factors, which if properly utilised, will enable us to vault to a higher socio-economic status in the next two decades, the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman said. Mr Pant further said the government had initiated an exercise for a mid-term review of the Ninth Plan to push the economic growth rate to 6.5 per cent this financial year. Asked if 6.5 per cent GDP growth was attainable in the face of the economic slowdown, Mr Pant said every effort was being made to achieve the target. Mr Pant’s
observation assumes significance in the face of fiscal
deficit widening rapidly with the government having
utilised 27 per cent of the budgeted amount in the first
two months of the current fiscal itself. |
HC seeks record on NDA candidates NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre to place before it the record how 141 candidates of a previous batch were accommodated along with 232 for the 101st course of National Defence Academy (NDA) last year. A Division Bench, comprising Justice Usha Mehra and Mr Justice Madan Lokur, asked the Defence Ministry to place before it the entire record before July 20, the next date of hearing. The court was hearing an appeal filed by the government, challenging an earlier order by a single Bench directing it to call all left over candidates of the 101st batch for training. Mr Justice Mudgal on May 26 had allowed the petition by some affected candidates left behind from the 101st batch even after a final selection by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and medical test by the Service Selection Board (SSB). Mr Justice Mudgal had directed the Additional Director-General of Recruitment (ADGR) to issue call letters to all candidates left over from among 337 selected by the UPSC for the 101st course. He had also directed the
successful candidates to intimate their option to the
ADGR for joining training within a stipulated time.
However, the government had challenged the order by way
of an appeal before the Division Bench. |
Repatriation of Bangladeshis NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — The Supreme Court today gave six weeks’ time to the Centre and the governments of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura to file affidavits on a public interest litigation seeking repatriation of over 1 crore Bangladeshi migrants illegally staying in India. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice A S Anand, Justice M. Jagannadha Rao and Justice Santosh N. Hegde, while giving the time, observed that matter was of serious nature and the states and the Centre should not delay it further. The PIL filed by the All-India Lawyers Forum for Civil Liberties through its president O P Saxena had alleged that over 1 crore Bangladeshi migrants had crossed over to India illegally and were putting a severe strain on the resources of poor North-Eastern states as well as West Bengal. It had sought a direction from the court to the Centre to identify these Bangladeshi nationals and repatriate them with the help of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other agencies. The Centre, in its earlier affidavit, had admitted that there was large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh and had put the number unofficially between 1.2 to 1.8 crore. It said due to ethnic, linguistic, cultural, physical and social similarities, the Bangladeshi nationals tended to merge easily with the local population making it difficult to identify them. However, all steps to identify these illegal migrants were being taken under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and under illegal migrants’ determination by the Tribunal Act, 1983, of Assam, Centre had said. It said no Bangladeshi, who had entered India before March 25, 1971, could be repatriated as per the Indira-Mujib joint communiqué. The West Bengal government in its earlier affidavit had said the Bangladeshi authorities had not shown any willingness so far to formally accept those who were sought to be deported from India. “Consequently all action for pushing back infiltrators are turning out to be infructuous”, West Bengal Government said and added “Many of those who were pushed back, re-entered into Indian territory through clandestine routes”. The state governments of
Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, have not yet filed
any reply to the petition. |
Dilip not to return award NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI, UNI) — Thespian Dilip Kumar said last night that he would not return the Pakistani award “Nishan-e-Imtiaz”, following a meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. “Nobody should doubt your patriotism and your commitment to the nation,” Mr Vajpayee told the actor during the 30-minute meeting, adding that it was up to him to decide whether to surrender the award, sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said. Mr Vajpayee also said
nobody should put pressure on Dilip Kumar who had served
the nation throughout his long film career. The actor had
been in the centre of controversy after the Shiv Sena
demanded that he return the award in the wake of the
Kargil conflict which was also supported by some other
parties. |
Cong-AIADMK pact ‘certain’ CHENNAI, July 12 (PTI) —TNCC President Tindivanam K. Ramamurthee today said the electoral alliance between the Congress and the AIADMK was a certainty. “I am sure it is coming,” he told a press conference here, answering questions on the status of the Congress-AIADMK talks in which two rounds had already been held. However, Mr Ramamurthee declined to specify when the third round was likely to come off, saying that it would be held at the convenience of the Congress and the AIADMK. Asked about the
perception that AIADMK chief Jayalalitha was
“reluctant” to project Congress President Sonia
Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, he said this
was not true as the alliance was yet to be finalised. |
3 lakh tea workers go on strike SILIGURI, July 12 (PTI) — More than three lakh tea workers of about 300 tea gardens of Terrai, Dooars and Darjeeling in north on part of West Bengal went on an indefinite strike from today throwing tea production into uncertainty during the peak season. The call for the strike was jointly given by the Co-Ordination Committee and the Defence Committee for Plantation Workers’ Right (DCPWR) to press for their demands, including additional employment of labourers, establishment of Central Hospitals, supply of drinking water and fuel and allotment of three-room pucca quarter for all workers. This was for the first time during the past two decades that all trade unions, cutting across political affiliations, came together, Mr Chitta Dey and Mr Samir Roy, Convenors of the Co-Ordination Committee and the DCPWR respectively, said. The strike was resorted to after two rounds of tripartite talks initiated by the state’s Labour Minister, Mr Shanti Ghatak, failed to minimise differences between the planters and union leaders on the additional employment issue. Mr Roy said their
principal demand was additional employment at the rate of
three persons per hectare. “Practically there was no
employment in the industry since 1985 though the industry
had flourished many times since then,” he claimed. |
Jats up in arms against Cong JAIPUR, July 12 — Jats have started a virtual “jehad” against the Congress party in Rajasthan. In a clarion call the Jat Mahasabha has asked Jats in the state not to vote for the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections as ‘it has betrayed the Jats on the issue of reservation.’ A Jat maha panchayat was held here yesterday to formulate a strategy for the coming elections as despite the Congress party’s poll promise Jats had not been given OBC status till now. Over 500 delegates from all districts of Rajasthan attended the panchayat. Briefing reporters about the decisions of the maha panchayat, the patron of the Jat Mahasabha and former DGP, Dr G.P. Pilania,said here today that the panchayat felt that the community has been betrayed by the party. Dr Pilania said it was due to the party’s promise of reservation for Jats in its manifestos during the last two Vidhan Sabha elections that they had supported the Congress last year. But for the supports from the community the party would not have captured 153 out of 200 Vidhan Sabha seats in 1998, he said. But after coming to power the party has forgotten its promise of reservation, Dr Pilania said. A resolution passed at the maha panchayat said, “we condemn Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his betrayal and pledge that we will not vote for Congress candidates in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections”. Jats have always been a vote bank for the Congress but now they feel that they have been thrown out in an insulting manner, the resolution said. Dr Pilania said the decision taken at the panchayat was final and would not be reconsidered. “But this does not mean that we will vote for the BJP”, he clarified, he said. Though the BJP never promised to grant us reservation, the fact is that its government at the Centre has not issued notification is this regard despite the fact that the Central Commission for OBCs had recommended inclusion of Jats in OBCs” For us the Congress and the BJP both are like "saampnath" and “naagnath” and we will remain equidistance from both in the Lok Sabha elections, said Dr Pilania. He hinted that the Jats may field their own candidates in the elections. Dr Pilania said they
were already in touch with the BSP, Mr Ajit Singh and
others. Other parties were also contacting them. And they
had kept options open. But the final decision about the
future course would be taken here on August I when
another maha panchayat would be held, he said. |
Kargil martyr’s body arrives CHENNAI, July 12 (PTI) — The body of Sepoy Senthil, who laid down his life while fighting Pakistani intruders in Kargil, was brought here this morning from New Delhi by a scheduled Indian Airlines flight. The body was received with full military honours. Four Tamil Nadu ministers and the Marumalarchi DMK chief paid floral tributes when the coffin containing the body was brought to the Indian Airlines cargo complex. Senior armed forces officials were also present at the airport. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has announced Rs 5 lakh solatium to the family of the sepoy, an official statement said here today. He also directed the
Additional Director of Ex-Services Men Welfare Department
to extend all help to the family, the statement added. |
More time sought for plea against Sonia NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) —A non-governmental organisation which had challenged Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s claim to form government after the fall of the BJP-led coalition in the Delhi High Court, today sought further time to file an additional affidavit on its contention to oppose a foreign born citizen’s claim for the high office. Senior advocate P.N. Lekhi, who had argued the matter at length on the question of maintainability of the petition earlier, told the court he needed at least six weeks’ time to file an affidavit as he was collecting material from various foreign sources to show that no country had provision for foreign born citizens to hold high constitutional posts. The petition by Rashtriya Mukti Morcha (RMM) filed about two months ago had challenged President K.R. Narayanan’s invitation to Mrs Sonia Gandhi to explore the possibility of forming an alternative government after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had lost the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha in April. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice Devinder Gupta and Mr Justice S.K. Agarwal adjourned the matter for September 6. The petitioner had
challenged the President’s invitation to Mrs Gandhi
on the ground that she was a “total stranger”
to Parliament, while the convention is that the
“acknowledged” Leader of on Opposition will be
asked to explore such a possibility and fix
accountability. |
Contributions towards NDF continue NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — Contributions towards the National Defence Fund (NDF) for Kargil martyrs are continuing with donations to the tune of Rs 4.46 crore presented to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee here today. Cheques worth Rs 4 crore were presented by Urban Development Minister Jagmohan on the behalf of employees and officers of his ministry and various PSUs under it. The HUDCO had also set aside a sum of Rs 5 lakh for community asset building. Minister of State for Health and Family Planning Dalit Ezhilmalai handed over a cheque of Rs 3.81 lakh by way of contribution by the employees of the ministry. Chairman of the Oswal Group Abhay Oswal donated cheques worth Rs 21 lakh to the Prime Minister. Among the other donors were Gram Sudhar Samiti, Transport Corporation of India and CGHS Suppliers Association. Sivananda Orphanage, a well-known institution near Chennai, has offered to admit children of Kargil martyrs. The offer was made by the institution’s correspondent S. Rajaram, when he met Home Minister L.K. Advani here today. CHENNAI: The Tamil
Maanila Congress (TMC) has collected Rs 50 lakh from the
people of Tamil Nadu towards the Kargil Relief Fund. |
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| HC bans smoking in public
place KOCHI: In a landmark judgement, Kerala High Court on Monday banned “public smoking of tobacco” in any form including cigarettes, cigars and beedis and held it was illegal, unconstitutional and violative of article 21 of the Constitution. A Division Bench comprising the acting Chief Justice, Mr A.R. Lakshmanan and Justice K. Narayana Kurup passed the judgement on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) moved by Mr K. Ramakrishnan of Kozhikode and Prof Mariamma Kokkad, BCM College, Kottayam. — PTI Adults of 21 districts
made literate Thalassemics
India awarded MLA held,
released on bail 16 killed in
floods 4 Naxalites
killed Yakshagana
exponent dead 5 killed in
accident Freedom fighter
dead |
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