Monday, March 22, 1999

14.6 cr for programmes on J&K
NEW DELHI, March 21 — The Centre has sanctioned Rs 14.66 crore for production of special programmes by Prasar Bharati on the developmental, cultural, historical and other aspects of life in Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year.

‘HC has no power to suspend sentence’
NEW DELHI, March 21— The Supreme Court has ruled that high courts have no power to suspend the sentence awarded to a person convicted under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act during the hearing of an appeal against conviction.

Cotton growers to restart stir
NAGPUR, March 21 — Cotton growers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have decided to restart agitation demanding a hike in the procurement price of the commodity and relief measures for farmers, affected by crop failure.

Kerala no longer most literate
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 21 — Kerala has to part with one of its most-cherished epithets — being the highest literate state in the country — which it has held proudly for decades, if a recent survey under the guidelines of UNESCO is an indication.

• MPs’ case: Centre’s reply sought
• Pope likely to visit India in Dec

Police has no clue about scribe's killers
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, March 21 — The Delhi Police is still groping in the dark to get at the identity of the killers of freelance journalist, Anil Rattan.

A police team under the supervision of Additional DCP (South), Vivek Gogia, has been set up to look into various aspects of the murder of Anil Rattan, whose partially decomposed body was discovered at his Jor Bagh residence yesterday.

The postmortem report of journalist Anil Rattan has revealed that he died due to strangulation and his body bore three stab wounds, two on the neck and one on the left side of abdomen.

The investigators believe that the attackers were known to Anil Rattan since entry to the house was friendly and secondly, the possibility of robbery being the motive is being ruled out since no valuables including an expensive ring worn by Anil Rattan were taken by the assailants.

Anil Rattan, who used to write for the Hong Kong-based newsmagazine ‘Asia Week’ and the French-owned international news magazine AFP, was cremated at the Lodhi colony crematorium this afternoon.

Anil Rattan, a bachelor and bridge player, was murdered in all probability in the night of March 18 since the newspapers of March 19 and 20 were found unopened in the house.

The murder of Anil Rattan was discovered by the maid, Maya, when she came in at about 10 am. She found the door to the house ajar and on going inside, she found Anil Rattan’s body in the bathroom.

The police later found a glass full of whisky in the house and a few empty glasses in the kitchen. Forensic teams also lifted some fingerprints. Since the bed box in the drawing room had been opened and its contents removed, the police believe that the killers probably decided initially to dump the body into it but later changed mind.

The killing of Anil Rattan has created a feeling of insecurity among journalists in the Capital. The murder of Anil Rattan comes on the heels of the brutal killing of Irfan Hussain, a senior cartoonist with Outlook magazine. His decomposed body was discovered near the Delhi-UP border. Irfan was killed brutally and his body bore 28 deep stab wounds.

Indian Express Principal Correspondent Shivani Bhatnagar was murdered in her Patparganj flat. She had been battered with a blunt object, strangled and knifed.

In August last year, two young journalists Rajeev and Monica, both employed with Zee TV were found dead under mysterious circumstances inside Rajeev’s car in the garage of his house.

On November 19, two years ago, Shivani Jajodia, a producer working with NDTV was stabbed inside her house in Vasant Kunj. She died two days later in Apollo Hospital. On November 17 last year, AIR announcer Sudha Gupta was found strangled and clubbed to death at her Park Street residence.

Paswan's appeal to Cong on Bihar
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, March 21 — Senior Janata Dal leader, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan today made an appeal to the Congress to review its decision on President’s rule in Bihar.

Launching an offensive against the recently reinstated Rabri Devi government in Bihar, Mr Paswan appealed to the Congress saying that enforcement of the President’s rule in the state was necessary to save people there from the travailing ‘jungle raj’. He pointed out that the Bihar government was busy, "communalising the situation in the state on caste lines to protect its own corrupt and criminal deeds".

In a statement issued here, Mr Paswan, who had just returned from a visit to Senari village in Jehanabad district of Bihar, where the recent massacre took place, said that the statement of the Chief Minister, Ms Rabri Devi that there was no point going to those people who had not voted for her, was highly anti-democratic and shameful. He was accompanied by the Janata Dal president, Mr Sharad Yadav and Bihar Janata Dal president Mr Ram Jeevan Singh during the visit to the village.

Mr Paswan said, that brutality of the killings was unimaginable and unthinkable, specially as the people killed had links neither with the Ranvir Sena or any other extremist outfit. There had been no dispute of any sort ever in the village and even at the time of this incident, most of the upper castes were saved by those from the backward and Dalit community.

He said that at the time of the President’s rule in the state the hands of security forces had been strengthened and were free to take decisions against the criminals. But after the reinstatement of the Rabri Devi government their morale again was down.

He also said that the state’s own security forces were capable of handling the situation but were unable to do anything as the groups like Ranvir Sena and other extremist groups were being provided protection by the Rabri Devi government. He demanded that the village protection force should be immediately strengthened and villagers provided with licence for arms.

PATNA: (PTI) Janata Dal president Sharad Yadav today held the Rabri Devi government responsible for the Senari massacre and demanded a Supreme Court judge should be asked to probe the recent massacres in Jehanabad district and misappropriation of funds meant for development in the area.

Mr Yadav, on his return from the carnage site, told reporters here that Mr Justice D.P. Wadhwa of the Supreme Court who was probing the killings of Christians in Orissa should be asked to probe the recent massacres in Jehanabad and "misappropriation of central funds" meant for development work in the district.

The JD president said the situation in Bihar today was of "utter anarchy".

GUWAHATI: Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh today described Defence Minister George Fernandes remarks blaming the Congress for renewed caste violence in Bihar as irresponsible.

"His statements are highly irresponsible" Mr Arjun Singh told a press conference here.

Delhi Assembly session today
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, March 21 — The Delhi unit of the BJP is sharpening its claws to take on the ruling Congress in over the deteriorating law and order situation in the Capital.

The spiralling crime graph coupled with the series of murders of journalists in the past couple of months has led to a feeling of insecurity among the populace.

Even the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly, which begins here tomorrow, is likely to be a stormy affair with the Opposition readying to attack the government on the spate of crimes and the fire which claimed 29 lives in East Delhi.

The BJP is also planning to rake up the food poisoning episode wherein over 40 persons were taken ill after consuming preparations made from ‘kuttu atta’ (flour).

The session will open with an address by Lieut-Governor Vijai Kapoor and Finance Minister M.S. Saathi will present the Budget for 1999-2000 on March 27, after two days of debate on the Lieut-Governor’s address.

This will be the first Budget to be presented since the Congress assumed power last year.

Raj Babbar to make “Bul Bul Bagh”
14.6 cr for programmes on J&K

NEW DELHI, March 21 (UNI) — The Centre has sanctioned Rs 14.66 crore for production of special programmes by Prasar Bharati on the developmental, cultural, historical and other aspects of life in Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year.

The amount includes Rs 10 crore for the current financial year 1998-99 and Rs 4.66 crore for meeting the outstanding liabilities.

Officials said today that the programmes on both Doordarshan and AIR included 128 programmes in various formats. The highest number of 91 are being made by Delhi-based production houses, followed by 17 by Srinagar-based ones and seven each by production houses based in Jammu and Mumbai.

The highest amount of Rs 1.04 crore has been approved for a Mumbai-based production house belonging to film star-turned politician Raj Babbar for a film “Bul Bul Bagh” (the garden of nightingale).

This is followed by Rs 71.5 lakh for a Delhi-based production house for a programme “Mohafiz” (protector), Rs 48.75 lakh for a Srinagar-based production house for “Imroz” (this day), Rs 39 lakh for a Delhi-based production house for “Doosra Rukh” (the other face) and Rs 35.75 lakh each for four production houses including three based in Delhi and one in Srinagar.

The sources said an additional Rs 8 crore had also been approved by the Centre for 1998-99 for production of software by Prasar Bharti on North-East.

In both cases, the amount had been sanctioned by the Finance Ministry on the recommendations of the core group of secretaries on media.

Rajasthan moves SC on closure of canals
From a Correspondent

JAIPUR, March 21 — Punjab’s decision to close the Rajasthan feeder and Sirhind feeder has been challenged through a public interest petition before the Supreme Court.

The petition filed by a former Congress Minister Ashq Ali Tak and five others is reported to have been admitted for hearing.

The Government of India, Punjab and Rajasthan have been made respondents in the petition which has urged for directive to stay the closure order unilaterally issued by the Punjab Government without consulting Rajasthan government and with little concern for the hardship of the people in summer.

The Punjab Government, without taking Rajasthan into confidence had announced that the Rajasthan feeder Sirhind feeder would be closed for a fortnight each with effect from March 27 and March 20 respectively.

Immediately after the dates were notified the Rajasthan Government made attempts to persuade Punjab authorities to defer the closure till January when the requirement of water has minimal for irrigation as well as drinking purposes. When efforts at official level failed to elicit any positive response Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot contacted his Punjab counterpart Prakash Singh Badal but he gave evasive response. Gehlot then urged the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to intervene.

Punjab’s stand is that its vast areas of land suffered from water-logging turning the same unproductive. It has therefore to construct a siphon to drain out the accumulated water reclaim the land. Rajasthan pleaded that problem of water-logging was not a problem which had cropped up suddenly,”It is persisting there for years together, a spokesman of the Rajasthan Government said. He said that the Rajasthan knew that closure was necessary for the construction of the siphon but the time chosen by Punjab was not proper.

Closure at this junction will threaten withering of crops for want of irrigation and leaving lakhs of people thirsty when summer was round the corner. Closure of canals will play havoc with state’s crops.

SC ruling on NDPS Act
‘HC has no power to suspend sentence’

NEW DELHI, March 21 (PTI) — The Supreme Court has ruled that high courts have no power to suspend the sentence awarded to a person convicted under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the hearing of an appeal against conviction.

A Division Bench Comprising Justice K.T. Thomas and Mr Justice M.B. Shah said, “Section 32A of the Act has taken away the powers of the court to suspend a sentence passed on persons convicted of offences under the Act (except Section 27) either during the pendency of any appeal or otherwise,”

The apex court setting aside different views given by various high courts to the question of suspension of sentence, said Section 32A would have an overriding effect with regard to the powers of suspension, commutation and remission provided under the Criminal Procedure Code.

The Bench was dealing with an appeal filed by one Maktool Singh against refusal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to suspend his sentence under the NDPS Act during the hearing of his petition challenging his conviction.

When the appellant pleaded that that it might result in miscarriage of justice in many cases if appeals were not dealt with expeditiously, the Bench said, “we are aware of such hard consequences which might erupt. The solution to such problems can be worked out by Parliament. Till then the high courts should direct the registry to board appeals under the Act on a priority basis and dispose them of as early as possible,” It added.

Cotton growers to restart stir

NAGPUR, March 21 (PTI) — Cotton growers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have decided to restart agitation demanding a hike in the procurement price of the commodity and relief measures for farmers, affected by crop failure.

A meeting of ryots would be held here on March 27 to decide on the agitational programmes, according to Mr Kishore Tiwari, president of the Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti, which is spearheading the agitation.

Mr Tiwari told PTI today that the public sector banks, which had stopped recovery of loans after the government declared it would waive interest on loans, were not reimbursed by the state government.

The banks were, therefore, collecting the dues with interest for the past nine months, thus adding to the farmers' burden, Mr Tiwari alleged.

He said the decision to start the agitation was prompted by the recent suicide by a farmer and his wife in Yavatmal district as they were heavily overburdened with debts due to crop failure.

The farmer, Gangadhar Namanwar (30), who was also Pandharkawada block BJP secretary and sarpanch of Akali village, and his wife Vaishali (27) committed suicide on March 19, he added.

Two other cotton farmers, Nanaji Pendore (28) of Valinagar in Ralegaon taluka of Yavatmal district and Gnyaneshwar Dhahake (25) of Mhkhuta in Arvi taluka of Wardha district, committed suicide on March 18, Mr Tiwari said.

Kerala no longer most literate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 21 (UNI) — Kerala has to part with one of its most-cherished epithets — being the highest literate state in the country — which it has held proudly for decades, if a recent survey under the guidelines of UNESCO is an indication.

According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation under the Department of Statistics, Kerala has been pushed down to the fourth spot with 93 per cent in the literacy rate.

The survey, conducted for the National Literacy Mission, found that Andaman and Nicobar Islands emerged first with 97 per cent while another pretty island, Lakshadweep, came second with 96. The tiny state of Mizoram stood third with 95 per cent.

However, Kerala can still take some pride from the fact that the population of the first three achievers is insignificant compared to it. But, technically speaking, since there is no classification based on population, Kerala should be content with the changed rank, says Dr M.G. Sasibhooshan, Director of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority.

According to the 1991 census, Kerala had the highest rate of literacy with 89.81 per cent as against the all-India average or 52.21 per cent. The male literacy stood at 93.62 and female literacy at 86.17 per cent, respectively.

Interestingly, according to that census, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (73.02 per cent), Lakshadweep (81.78) and Mizoram (82.27) ranked much below Kerala.

Taking this point, the factors on which these states could make a turnaround possible should prompt a soul-searching, say many educationists.

Kerala, tomtomed as a model state mainly because of its high literacy rate, first notched this coveted position in 1961 registering 56.85 per cent literacy against the national average of 28 per cent.

Over the decades, it could steadily consolidate the position as the following decennial censuses showed. The rate went up to 60.42 in 1971 and 70.42 in 1981, thus bringing in accolades from far and wide.

Leading activists and officials associated with the literacy campaign had attributed a number of reasons for the failure to keep up the momentum of literacy. Lethargy coupled with complacency both on the part of the officials and the people were the main reasons, a mission authority official said.

However, the state authorities are not lying down, taking in the humiliation or burying under the carpet the shocking evidence. The issue was forthwith discussed in an executive meeting of the authority which was also attended by the Director of General Education in the state.

The mission has prepared a project, called “Operation Restoration for Total Literacy” and will submit it to the National Literacy Mission before March 31.

The project aims at winning back the top spot before 2001, when the next decennial census will be taken up. “We are confident that we will be able to achieve this,” says Dr Sasibhooshan.

Doc seeks 77 cr for wife's death

NEW DELHI, March 21 (PTI) — A US-based Indian doctor has claimed damages to the tune of over Rs 77 crore from a private clinic and three Calcutta-based doctors for the death of his wife allegedly caused due to “wrong” treatment given to her in May last year.

Dr Kunal Saha, at present engaged in the study of AIDS and HIV in the USA, in a complaint filed before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) here recently, said, the doctors were liable to pay the damages for their “wilful acts of omission and commission” in treating his wife.

He also sought to initiate appropriate action against the doctors responsible for prescribing “wrong” treatment to his wife, a child psychologist and counsellor in the USA, who died on May 28 in Calcutta after she suddenly fell ill during a visit there for her brother-in-law’s marriage.

According to the complaint, the damages were claimed taking into account her annual salary of $ 30,000, expenses on treatment in India and travelling including from USA and the mental agony caused to the complainant.

The compensation demanded includes special damages of Rs 10 crore from the doctor who initially examined her and Rs 10 crore from two other doctors who treated her subsequently when shifted to a private clinic.

Dr Saha had named 16 other doctors as respondents in his plea and sought appropriate action against them for their alleged role in treating his wife.

Fidgeting best way to lose calories

NEW DELHI, March 21 (UNI) — All those compulsive foot-tappers, head-nodders, side-slappers and finger-drummers who are often a butt of jokes by their colleagues due to their clumsy involuntary movements have an edge over others when it comes to shedding their extra calories without any extra effort.

That some people, just by sitting up-and fidgeting, may succeed in burning off 10 times the amount of calories compared to those who resort to dieting, weight-lifting and all those work-outs, has been proved by a study carried out by James Levine, Michael Jensen and Norman Eberhardt of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says a recent report published in the journal “Science”.

The study has revealed why these fidgets can pig out on puddings, chocolates and cookies and still stay thin, while others have to loosen their belts on a diet of lettuce and water crackers or follow a regular regimen of exercise in their bid to lose fat. The study also found a fidget who is always on the move can burn up as many calories as would be lost in jogging or swimming sessions two or three times a week.

In course of the research, it was found that eight hours of vigorous foot-tapping in the office almost equalled one work-out session in the gymnasium, or 30 minutes of squash. In fact, the researchers observed that several involuntary foot-tappers had a tendency to indulge in that particular activity for long periods without even being aware of what they were doing.

MPs’ case: Centre’s reply sought

NEW DELHI, March 21 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court has referred a petition, seeking direction to the government to bring in a legislation for fixing a higher qualification for MPs and MLAs, to a three-judge Bench to decide whether such a direction can be issued by the court.

The Bench headed by acting Chief Justice Devinder Gupta recently directed the centre to file reply to the public interest litigation by advocate Rakesh Kumar Singh by April 5 and fixed April 9 for next hearing.

In his petition he said: “The court may direct the respondents to give effect to a prescribed qualification for the legislatures before the next general election.”

The PIL, which has made the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary as respondents, said, members of Parliament and State Assemblies require comparatively higher qualifications to understand the concepts of “justice, social, economic and political equality, liberty and expression of belief and faith,” as enshrined in the Constitution.

Pope likely to visit India in Dec

NEW DELHI, March 21 (PTI) — Pope John Paul II is likely to visit India in December as the Vatican has shortlisted the country among the three possible venues for the Papal Asian visit of this millennium.

Iraq and Hong Kong are the other two countries on Pope’s agenda for the Asian continent and the Vatican will announce the final decision, Catholic Bishops Conference of India president and archbishop of Delhi Alan D. Lastic has said.

“India has been shortlisted for the probable venue for the Papal visit. Hong Kong and Iraq are the other two Asian countries under consideration. The final decision is yet to come,” he said.

Pope Paul VI was the first pope to visit India in 1964.

The visit is to inaugurate the celebrations of Jesus Christ’s birth anniversary in this part of the world.

New treatment for ulcer
GUWAHATI: A new treatment for ulcers in oral cavity medically known as “aphthous ulcer” has been reported by an Assam-based dermatologist. The new treatment reported by Dr Bishnu Ram Baishya of Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh, and published in the Indian Journal of Association of Dermatologists, Venerologists and Leprologists, comprises an antibiotic ointment in combination with a steroid. He claimed that ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide helped in faster and more specific treatment. — PTI

Scribe held for dacoity
VALSAD: A Madhya Pradesh weekly’s chief editor and his two accomplices were arrested on Saturday in connection with a dacoity last week at Valsad district’s Billimora Taluka. According to Inspector J.S. Desai, police station in charge of Billimora, Amar Khan Sudbudh Khan Pathan, who is accredited as a journalist with the Madhya Pradesh Government and his associates were nabbed from a house at Khermaon town of Chikhli Taluka of the district. — PTI

Refugee camp gutted
MADURAI: At least 85 huts were gutted in a fire that broke out in a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp near Oodanchattiram in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, the police said. It said the fire broke out when one of the inmates of a hut attempted to light a stove. The huts were destroyed before fire tenders could be rushed from Palani and Dindigul. — PTI

Bangladeshis ‘kidnap’ labourers
MALDA: Twelve labourers working for the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) were on Saturday forcibly taken away by over 100 Bangladeshis from the Ramkeli border area in West Bengal’s Malda district, Assistant Director of Border Security Force said. This was apparently in retaliation to driving of 22 cows from across the border from the Sona Masjid area in Bangladesh by a group of 17 Indians earlier in the day. — PTI

AGP ex-MPs join Cong
GUWAHATI: Former Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MPs Kirip Chaliha and d Iswar Prasanna Hazarika on Sunday joined the Congress in the presence of senior Congress leader Arjun Singh. Speaking on the occasion here at the state Congress headquarters, Mr Arjun Singh accused the “communal and reactionary forces” of “targeting Sonia Gandhi.” — PTI

Pandit Jog, others awarded
CALCUTTA: The West Bengal Government has honoured violinist Pandit V.G. Jog, painter Manik Lal Bandhapadya, dramatist Sajal Roychoudhury, Baul Sanathan Das and Odissi Dance Vision and Research Centre for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields. State Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya at a function here on Saturday conferred the Alaudin Award to Pandit Jog, Abanindra Award to Manik Lal Bandhapadya, Dinabandhu Award to Sajal Roychoudhury and Lalan Award to Baul Sanathan Das. The award also carried a citation and cash prize of Rs 25,000 each, besides mementoes. — UNI

Four persons killed in road mishap
JAIPUR: At least four persons were killed and six injured when a Tata-Sumo carrying them smashed into a truck near Kushalgarh on the Alwar-Jaipur highway, the police said on Saturday. The passengers, mostly youths, were going to celebrate “Gangaur” festival. — PTI

10,000 Orissa villages drought-hit
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa Government has declared 1,668 villages in Balasore, Ganjam and Kendrapara districts as drought-affected, taking the total number of such villages to 10,353, an official press note said on Sunday. It amounted to more than one-fifth of the total number of villages in the state. — PTI

Reshuffle in bureaucracy
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government on Sunday accorded the status of Cabinet minister to Mr Nawal Kishore Sharma, convener for the state’s golden jubilee celebrations, and effected a minor reshuffle in the bureaucracy. Mr Sharma, who will look after the celebrations of state’s foundation starting on March 30, has been accorded the Cabinet rank, an official press note said. — PTI

PM’s book in Bengali
CALCUTTA: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Saturday released a Bengali translation of his collection of poems, “Meri Ekawan Kavitayen”. Translated by Jalaj Bhaduri, the collection was released by Mr Vajpayee at the Brigade Parade Ground. — PTI