Tuesday, May 11, 1999
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Kalyan to stay: BJP SC issues notices to Basu, 5
others |
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4 Karnataka MLAs resign Accused in Kunjum murder held Sale of water banned on private
kiosks Stone-throwing at CM's meeting
J&K Cong searches for
probables BJD plunges into fresh crisis FCI to resume supply to J&K Custodial death inquiry starts |
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Kalyan to stay: BJP NEW DELHI, May 10 — The Bharatiya Janata Party today ruled out a change of leadership in the electorally significant state of Uttar Pradesh. While the BJP central leadership made clear to the group of dissident MLAs that their demand of changing the UP Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh could not be accepted in view of the impending Lok Sabha elections, the issue has been merely swept under the carpet and "is likely to have an adverse impact on the party’s electoral prospects", the sources said. In Delhi, the party spokesman, Mr J.P. Mathur, said that "there is no question of a change of leadership in UP". The state unit president, Mr Rajnath Singh, said in Agra that "there will be no change in the leadership in the state and dissidence within the party has been quelled". An important leader said that Mr Singh’s choice of word "quelled" was very significant as it clearly reflects that he himself was not happy over the development. Even as the central and state leadership asserted that there was no question of change of leadership, the dissident MLAs have not entirely lost hope as they are confident that the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani’s proposed visit to Lucknow during the two-day state party executive meeting would offer them an honourable exit route. It is significant to note that the party’s spokesman in New Delhi chose to voluntarily deny reports that Mr Advani’s visit to Lucknow this weekend had anything to do with ongoing dissidence in the state. Behind public statements of the central and state leaders, an all-out effort has been mounted to bring the dissidence within the state unit and the MLAs under control. The UP Assembly Speaker, Mr Kesrinath Tripathi, is in the Capital and is meeting central leaders including the party President, Mr Kushabhau Thakre. Mr Tripathi’s views are being ascertained to find a solution so that the party’s electoral chances are not affected. Meanwhile, the dissident’s spokesman, Mr Rajesh Pande has already indicated that the meeting on Saturday would decide whether they would tender their resignations to the Assembly Speaker or not. The dissidents received a shot in the arm when party legislators from Uttarakhand came out in favour of their colleagues in the Assembly. The central leadership is reportedly also concerned over roping in of the party’s allies in the battle of supremacy in the state. While Mr Kalyan Singh
reportedly asked the UP Loktantrik Congress president, Mr
Naresh Agarwal, who is also a minister in the Cabinet, to
issue a statement suggesting that his party would have to
consider the issue of support if the dissension in the
party continued for long, the Jantantrik Bahujan Samaj
Party leader, Mr Narendra Singh, has been asked to come
to the Capital, the sources said adding that the party
high command would like to assess the situation in the
state from all possible quarters. |
SC issues notices to Basu, 5 others NEW DELHI, May 10 (PTI) — The Supreme Court today issued notices to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Jyoti Basu, the state government and five others on two petitions alleging that the Chief Minister violated all norms in allotting 276 plots to VIPs from his discretionary quota at salt lake area in Calcutta. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice S.P. Bharucha and Mr Justice M. Srinivasan also issued notices to the State Urban Development Minister, Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, former Urban Development Ministers Budhadev Bhattacharya, Ashim Dasgupta, Prasanta Sur and the Chairman of Salt Lake Municipality. The Bench was hearing two petitions, a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a retired civil servant, (Mr) Dipak Kumar Ghosh and a special leave petition by the Trinamool Congress councillor Mr Tarak Singh, which has sought the imposition of exemplary penalty on Mr Basu and others for misusing their discretionary quota. Appearing in the PIL, a senior advocate, Mr Shanti Bhushan submitted that the Calcutta High Court had observed, while dealing with the case that the Chief Minister did not follow any norm or guidelines while allotting plots from his discretionary quota. Among the beneficiaries were close relatives, friends and personal staff of Mr Basu, ministers, parliamentarians, legislators, judges, bureaucrats and husband of Surabhi Banerjee, the writer of the only "authorised biography" of Mr Basu. The Calcutta High Court had on February 5 dismissed Mr Taral Singh’s petition, which had sought the imposition of exemplary damages on Mr Basu for violating norms on such allotments, on the ground that it had not impleaded the allottees as parties. The high court had, however, held that "such allotments are without any reason." The PIL had sought a declaration that "the allotment of lands by Mr Basu, being a public servant, was oppressive, arbitrary, unconstitutional and unexceptional and as such exemplary damages be imposed on him." In 1987, the high court had restrained the government from making any allotment in the Salt Lake area without the leave of the court. However, it was later clarified by the court that it would not stop the Chief Minister from making land allotments from his discretionary quota. The petitioners sought
appointment of a committee under direct supervision of
the apex court to scrutinise all cases of discretionary
allotments after due notice to the allottees. On the
basis of the report of the committee the court should
take decision on the validity of the allotments. |
NTPC threat to cut power supply NEW DELHI, May 10 — The Delhi Government may move court against the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) after the corporation threat to withdraw supply of power if pending dues were not cleared. The Delhi Government could even move court, Delhi Power Minister, Dr Narendra Nath told reporters at a power sub-station complex in south-west Delhi. He pointed out that unlike in other states to which the NTPC has served notices, the case of Delhi was different as the Centre continues to have a say in several state matters. "If there is a liability with Delhi Government, the Centre cannot wash off its hands. It is also responsible to clear the liability," Dr Nath said, adding Chief Secretary Omesh Saigal would be writing a ‘protest letter’ to the NTPC to this effect. "Still, if they discontinue power supply, we can even go to court," the minister added. The NTPC had issued notices to seven defaulting electricity boards threatening discontinuance or regulation of power supply from the first week of June. The states are Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). These seven boards account for 77 per cent of the total outstanding dues to NTPC. In the case of Delhi, the principal amount outstanding is Rs 1,279.36 crore and a surcharge of Rs 745.18 crore , taking the total to Rs 2,024.54 crore. Dr Nath said as far as the Delhi Government’s role was concerned in clearing the dues, it would be done "in instalments" as in recent months Delhi Vidyut Board’s (DVB) revenue earning were on the rise. "From Rs 194 crore
in December when the Congress government took over,
revenue earning in April was Rs 261 crore", he said. |
4 Karnataka MLAs resign BANGALORE, May 10 (PTI) — Four members of the Karnataka Assembly, who joined the Congress last week after leaving Lok Shakti led by Union Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, today sent letters to the Speaker resigning from their Assembly membership. State legislature secretary Yakub Shariff told reporters that Speaker Ramesh Kumar was examining the resignation letters. Mr R V Deshpande, Mr B R Yavgal, Mr P C Siddanagoudar and Mr Gurupadappa Nagmarpalli had yesterday handed over their resignations to KPCC president S M Krishna who had said he would forward them to the Speaker for acceptance. All the four MLAs
technically continued to be Janata Dal members while
being in Rashtriya Nava Nirmana Vedike, the apolitical
forum of Mr Hegde. |
Accused in Kunjum murder held NEW DELHI, May 10 (UNI) — In a breakthrough in the sensational Kunjum Budhiraja murder case, the Delhi police today said it has arrested the main accused Hem Chand alias Nani who allegedly stabbed her to death in her paramour Romesh Sharma's farmhouse in Mehrauli in March this year. Deputy Commissioner of Police, south district, Sudhir Yadav said Hem Chand was apprehended yesterday from a park in Mangolpuri in north-west Delhi following a tip off. He was produced in court today and remanded to three days police custody. On initial interrogation, he admitted his involvement in the murder along with other associates, the police added. Hem Chand, son of Raja Ram, is a resident of Mangolpuri. Kunjum, the girlfriend of Romesh Sharma, an alleged henchman of mafia don Dawood Ibrahim, was stabbed to death at Sharma's Jai Mata Di farmhouse in the Mehrauli area when she had gone to offer prayers during the "Navratra" festival in March. Three people, including
a nephew of Romesh Sharma and two sisters who were close
to Sharma, have also been arrested in connection with
Kunjum's murder. Sharma, a businessman accused of several
frauds and instances of cheating, was an aspiring
politician. He is presently behind bars in several fraud
cases. |
Sale of water banned on
private kiosks NEW DELHI, May 10 — In an attempt to check the spread of water-borne diseases, the Delhi Jal Board has banned the sale of water through private kiosks. The ban, which began yesterday, will continue till September. Private owners have been advised by the board to put up the message 'not to be used for drinking purposes' on their machines. The borewell owners have been asked to ensure that no water is supplied through their tubewell and borewell. The ban has been issued on the ground that people can fall prey to contaminated water being sold at the kiosks. "With the cases of gastro and cholera increasing, we found it necessary to ban the water altogether," a DJB official said. The officer pointed out
that they had approached the Municipal Corporation of
Delhi for help in enforcing the ban. |
Stone-throwing at CM's meeting JALGAON, May 10 (PTI) — Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane had to face the wrath of the Koli community during a public meeting when its members hurled stones and chappals on the dais here last night. Angered at Mr Rane's refusal to initially accept their demand for reservation in government jobs, the community members also raised slogans against the Chief Minister. Police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to control the situation. Six persons were arrested in this connection and later released. Later, talking to newsmen, Mr Rane said the government would pursue with the Centre the Koli community's demand for reservation in government jobs. "The state
government cannot take any decision in this regard as it
comes under the purview of the union government", Mr
Rane added. |
5-year jail term for post master NEW DELHI, May 10 (UNI) — Post master S.C. Moravi has been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment (RI) for five years for misappropriating Rs 2.42 lakh. A CBI release said today that the convict, posted in Jabalpur, had collected the amount from the public for issuing Indira Vikas Patras, Kisan Vikas Patras and National Savings Certificates but did not deposit it. The special Judge,
Jabalpur, also imposed a fine of Rs 22,000 on Moravi in
the case. |
J&K Cong searches for probables NEW DELHI, May 10 (PTI) — The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress has begun an exercise to select candidates for the September Lok Sabha elections which it will fight alone. The elections are expected to witness a direct contest between the National Conference and the Congress in Kashmir valley and Ladakh and a triangular one in Jammu region with the BJP as the third party. Although no names have been finalised, Mr Mufti Mohammad Syed, member of the dissolved Lok Sabha, is the most likely candidate from Anantnag, from where he won the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, Congress sources told PTI here. Other “strong” contenders for the candidature are Mr Aga Sed Mehdi from Srinagar, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma from Jammu and Mr Thuptsan Chhewang from Ladakh, they said. Although, Mr Mehdi and Mr Mangat Ram Sharma had failed to make it to the 12th Lok Sabha, they are considered to be “hot favourites”, the sources said. The party unit has, however, not been able to shortlist the names of possible candidates for Baramula and Udhampur. Former JKPCC President and former Lok Sabha member Ghulam Rasool Kar has reportedly expressed his desire to contest again after he refused to enter the fray last year. Thakur Randhir Singh, who unsuccessfully contested the last elections from Udhampur, is reportedly being marked out of the contest and a search has been launched for a “new face”. The Congress had won only one of the six seats in the state last time. While the National Conference had bagged Srinagar, Baramula and Ladakh and the BJP Jammu and Udhampur. Party sources said the list of candidates would be finalised after an “assessment” at ground level and consultations with the party leadership. JKPCC President Chaudhary Mohammad Aslam met party President Sonia Gandhi here last week to apprise her about the Congress’ standing in the state. Asserting that the
Congress was “on a strong footing this time”,
sources said the party would capitalise on the
“negative feeling among the people against the
ruling National Conference”. |
BJD plunges into fresh crisis BHUBANESHWAR, May 10 (PTI) — The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) plunged into a fresh crisis as the party President, Mr Naveen Patnaik, dissolved the party’s political affairs committee (PAC) late last night. The decision fuelled anger within a section of the 17-month-old party with several leaders questioning the timing of the action which came a day before the joint rally of the BJD-BJP combine here tomorrow to be addressed by Mr L.K. Advani. The powerful PAC was headed by the dissident leader, Mr Bijoy Mohapatra, who described Mr Patnaik’s decision as “not proper”. The party president is trying to split the BJD, he told reporters here. Asked if the move would cause a split in the party, Mr Mohapatra said, “Let’s wait. This may trigger a lot of political development soon”. The dissident leader said he had apprised the BJP president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, about the political developments and would discuss the matter with Mr Advani when he arrives here tomorrow. We shall decide our future course of action in consultation with the BJP leadership and leaders of other like-minded parties, he said. While dissolving the PAC, Mr Patnaik said it had been done as per the decision of the state executive committee of the BJD in view of the mid-term poll and by elections to the state Assembly. The PAC, which had been functioning on an ad hoc basis, would be revamped soon to face the polls effectively, he added. Asked about the reasons to dissolve the PAC, Mr Patnaik said the decision was part of an ongoing process and discussions had been going on with senior party leaders on this. He denied that the exercise would lead to bitterness among senior leaders and said “I have no bitterness towards anybody.” Asked about the possibility of some BJD leaders joining the BJP, Mr Patnaik said it was mere speculation. The BJP leadership had assured that none from the BJD would be taken in the party, he said. Mr Mohapatra, who said he had not been communicated the decision (of dissolution of the PAC) so far, said the president’s action would weaken the BJD-BJP alliance’s fight against the Congress. Our main fight should be
against the Congress and that should be a united fight
and not a divided one, he said. |
FCI to resume supply to
J&K NEW DELHI, May 10 — The crisis in the public distribution system in Jammu and Kashmir has been resolved following the state government’s payment of Rs 4 crore to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as part of its outstanding dues. Government sources today said that the Union Food Ministry has directed FCI to resume supplies of grain including wheat and rice, to the state. The J&K government has also paid the FCI an amount of Rs 19.92 crore as pre-payment for supplies upto May 31 this year. The PDS in J&K was heading for a crisis following a freeze on supplies from the Centre over the last one month due to the state’s pending liability of Rs 80 crore over nearly four months. J&K has paid nearly
Rs 700 crore to the Centre for purchase of food ever
since Dr Farooq Abdullah government took over in
September 1996, and reportedly cleared a back log of Rs
65 crore. |
Custodial death inquiry starts VIJAYAWADA, May 10 (UNI) — A CB-CID team has started an inquiry in the case relating to the death of a woman in custody at the all-women police station here on Thursday last. The team, headed by Superintendent of Police Lakshman Mohan, visited the police station yesterday where the woman, Konakrishna Kumari, had allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself. Meanwhile, human rights
forum member K. Sudha today alleged that the death of
Kumari was a clear case of murder. |
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| Dr B.C. Roy award for
surgeon NEW DELHI: An eminent ENT surgeon, Major Dr R.R. Thukral, has been named for this year’s prestigious Dr B.C. Roy National Award. The award, instituted by the Medical Council of India (MCI), will be presented to him at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, next month. He is honorary surgeon to the President of India. — PTI Draftsman to figure in
dictionary 4 killed as
truck falls into khud Workshop to
promote handicraft Scholarship for
soldiers’ children Ramakrishna Math
ex-chief dead Medical student
ends life Extremists kill
five 3 rail employees
run over by train |
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