Friday, October 15, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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Cases against Basu to be
'reopened' |
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Resentment brewing in
Delhi SAD unit Pope to get state welcome Governor invites Sena, BJP, Cong
leaders
Truck operators hold talks with
govt Produce Major, orders court
Defence pact with S. Africa soon NHRC directive to Karnataka on
police atrocities Pak pilgrims cancel visit to Ajmer |
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Cases against Basu to be 'reopened' CALCUTTA, Oct 14 (UNI) — The Centre will again launch an enquiry into corruption charges against West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and his family, BJP state General-Secretary Rahul Sinha said today. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Sinha regretted that the CPM and the Congress had stalled the proceedings by dethroning the Vajpayee government unethically which would begin afresh now. He said: "Mr Basu is emphasising on his retirement now because his hope of becoming the Prime Minister by any means was shattered in the elections and there are enough indications that the BJP-Trinamool combine will emerge victorious in the coming assembly elections in the state." He thanked the party high command for choosing three ministers out of 10 MPs of the combine from the state and said a mass reception for the newly elected MPs and Mr Badal Bhattacharya, elected from Ashoke Nagar in the Assembly byelections, would be organised by the state unit of the party at the Mahajati Sadan after Lakshmi Puja. He said the state committee of the party would meet here on October 30 and October 31 to draw up strategies for the coming assembly elections, steps to counter CPM’s hooliganism and strengthening relief measures for the flood-ravaged people of the state. The press conference was
also attended by Mr Bishnupada Roy, newly elected MP of
the party from Andaman and Mr Bhattacharya, who assured
to work for the state’s interest in the assembly. |
No alert along LoC:
Fernandes NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes today said Kargil would be protected against intrusion by both physical presence as well as aerial surveillance. Mr Fernandes said the IAF, would ensure that there was no further threat of intrusion. He said there was no shortage of equipment for surveillance. The minister was talking to mediapersons when the new Minister of State for Defence, Mr Harin Pathak, called on him here today. Mr Fernandes said the developments in Pakistan was its ‘internal matter" and there was no alert along the Line of Control. Asked about the possibility of increase in budgetary allocation for defence, specially for defence production, keeping in view the ongoing exhibition Defexpo India’99, Mr Fernandes said: "We had a substantial hike in the last two Budgets". He said the armed forces
had suffered deprivation because the Budget during almost
the whole of the past decade was inadequate. "We are
undoing the situation. But it will take some time,"
he said. |
Safety is top priority: Mamata NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — Union Minister of Railways, Ms Mamata Banerjee today said that she would give priority to safety, efficiency, progress, punctuality and cleanliness in the Indian Railways. Ms Banerjee who enjoys the distinction of being the second woman leader in the country to hold this portfolio told newspersons here on Thursday that she would lay emphasis on a proper monitoring system and accountability in her ministry. The Trinamool Congress leader and MP from Calcutta (South) constituency said that the Ghaisal train accident had left people perturbed. "We want a CBI probe into the accident. We have learnt that 15,000 crore are needed for safety and security. We need to mobilise resources also," she said at a crowded press conference at Rail Bhavan. Replying to a question, Ms Banerjee denied that she wanted to be given charge of the Ministry of Railways. "We have not sought anything," she said. Ms Banerjee told TNS that she would work towards modernisation of railway stations also. Minister of State for Railways, Mr Digvijay Singh said that Railways was not just a commercial organisation, it was a social obligation also. The BJP's most important face on the electronic media in the past few weeks, Mr Arun Jaitley took over as the Minister of State (independent charge) for Information and Broadcasting with a series of meetings with senior officials of the ministry. He met officials separately and in groups to familiarise himself with the working of the various departments under the ministry and getting acquainted with the tasks involved. Mr Jaitley is the only member of the Union Cabinet who is not a member of either House. For the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishna Advani top priority would be internal security. Speaking to correspondents after assuming office in North Block, Mr Advani said after 50 years of independence, people have given their mandate for ‘Su-raaj’ (Good governance). ‘Su-raaj", he said primarily meant security of the borders (external) and also of the people and law and order (internal). Two Ministers of State, Mr Ishwar Dayal Swami, MP from Karnal and Mr Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, MP from Karimnagar (Andhra Pradesh) today also assumed charge in the Union Home Ministry. Telecommunication facilities will be provided to all the villages in the country by the year 2002, and tribal areas and North Eastern states will receive special attention in this regard, Communication Minister Ram Bilas Paswan said. Talking to mediapersons after assuming charge as Communication Minister, Mr Paswan said efforts would be made to improve the quality of telecom services by modernising old exchanges. Mr Paswan said the postal services in the rural areas were not up to the mark and there were complaints of money order not being delivered or delivered very late. He would see to it that quality of postal services was improved in the rural areas. Textiles Minister Kashiram Rana is confident of implementing the new textile policy by the end of this year. "I will be able to send a note on the subject to the Cabinet by the end of December for approval," he told newspersons immediately after taking over charge here this morning. This is his second tenure in the textiles ministry. Taking over as Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Murasoli Maran stressing the need for facilitating more foreign direct investment and boosting to exports. Mr Omar Farooq and Dr Raman also took over as Ministers of State in Commerce and Industry. Mr Maran held discussions with Commerce Secretary P P Prabhu, Industry Secretary Ajit Kumar, Trade and Policy Division Special Secretary N N Khanna, India Trade Promotion Organisation Chairman and Managing Director Yogesh Chandra and other senior officers. Mr Maran said conducive policy environment should be created to attract more foreign direct investment, which he said had not grown as expected. Mr Sharad Yadav who took charge as the Civil Aviation Minister promised speedy decisions and transparency in the ministry and efforts to make air travel possible for a larger section of the public. Mr Yadav, who had the new Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta and Civil Aviation Secretary P.V. Jayakrishnan on his side at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, said he would first have to understand the working of his ministry before he could give any views on his plans for the sector. On the privatisation moves initiated by his predecessor, Mr Yadav said he would go as per the government policy. "But you all know my background," he told reporters. The minister of Planning and Programme Implementation Bangaru Laxman said effective implementation of plan programmes would be the priority of new government. While taking over the charge of his ministry, he said during his tenure sincere efforts would be made to strenthen the monitoring mechanism to ensure timely implementation of corrective measures. He said effective monitoring coupled with timely intervention would not only save time and cost overruns in mega projects but also help in accelerating pace of development. Mr Laxman said the government would lay emphasis on poverty alleviation programmes and the objective would be to link growth with employment. Mr Laxman said the government had already setup a task force on employment with a view to realising 10 crore additional jobs in 10 years’ time. Headed by Member, Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the task force is about to finalise its recommendations. Mr Laxman, he said
mid-term appraisal of the Ninth Plan was in progress and
by the end of this year the document would be placed
before the Nation Development Council (NDC) for approval.
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Resentment brewing in Delhi SAD
unit NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — Considerable resentment is brewing in the Shiromani Akali Dal's Delhi unit over the non-inclusion of any party nominee in the Union Cabinet. Although SAD had politely turned down the offer of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to join the Union Council of Ministers, apparently there is more to it than what meets the eye According to informed sources, the Prime Minister had made the offer with the consent of the SAD president but the party was not pleased with the allocation of the portfolio. The sources said SAD was told that its nominee would get the Ministry of Programme Implementation while it wanted either the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (held by Mr Surjit Singh Barnala in the previous government) or Rural Development. A section of the SAD Delhi unit charged the BJP leadership had not taken into consideration the "unconditional support" of SAD to it which began at a time when no other party was willing to touch them. "The Dal had been giving unconditional support to the BJP since 1996 but they have not reciprocated this time," the vice-president of the state unit of the party, Mr Harmanjit Singh, said today. Mr Harmanjit Singh, who is also a member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, said at a time when SAD had lower representation it was for the BJP to show that it was with SAD. He said already many party workers in the Capital were questioning why SAD supported the BJP if it could not reciprocate the sentiments. The president of the Delhi unit of the Youth Akali Dal, Mr Bakshi Paramjit Singh, today condemned the Prime Minister for not giving representation to Sikhs in his Council of Ministers. "Sikh voters all
over the country and particularly in Punjab and Delhi
have paid the price for standing by the BJP. Even Punjab
has not get any representation in his Cabinet," he
said in a statement here today. |
Pope to get state welcome NEW DELHI, Oct 14 (PTI) — Pope John Paul II will be accorded a state welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan as head of the state of the Vatican on his visit to India next month, during which he will meet various religious leaders in the country. The Pope, who arrives here on November 5, will meet President K R Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee the next day, Delhi Archbishop Alan de Lastic told reporters here today. Detailing the Pope's programme during the visit, Lastic said the pontiff would pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and meet the bishops of the Asian Synod who have assembled here to discuss the developments in and challenges before the community in the new millennium. He would formally close the special assembly of the bishops and promulgate the Synod document at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the city, besides conducting a holy mass at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Lastic said. On November 7, the Pope would meet representatives of various religions at Vigyan Bhavan. The names of representatives from various religions are yet to be finalised, the archbishop said. On the possibility of
the Pope bestowing sainthood on Mother Teresa, Lastic
said, "I have no idea". |
Governor invites Sena, BJP, Cong leaders MUMBAI, Oct 14 (PTI) — Maharashtra Governor P.C. Alexander has invited the leaders of the Shiv Sena, the BJP and the Congress tomorrow to explore the possibility of forming a government in the state, which has thrown up a hung assembly in the recently-concluded polls. Outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Sena leader Narayan Rane will meet the Governor at 10.30 a.m., secretary to Governor V.K. Jairath told PTI here. The Governor had sought a combined meeting of both Rane and Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Gopinath Munde, he said. But as Mr Munde has other engagements, he will join the meeting at 11 a.m., he said. The Governor has invited
the Congress delegation at 12 noon, Mr Jairath added. |
Truck operators hold talks
with govt NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — Truck operators, who have threatened to go on an indefinite nationwide strike from October 21 to protest against steep hike in diesel price, today held their first round of talks with the government. The talks were held here between the president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, Mr O. P. Agarwal, and the Joint Secretary in the Union Surface Transport Ministry, Mr K R Bhatti. Mr Agarwal said the truck operators apprised the government the problems they were facing following the hike of diesel prices. The AIMTC, the apex body of motor transport operators affiliated to state and regional associations, demanded the government to roll back the prices of diesel and discontinue the toll tax cess imposed in 1962. The government has asked the truckers to give their demands in writing before holding further rounds of negotiations. Senior officials of the ministry will meet tomorrow to discuss the demands made by AIMTC. The state and regional association would commence their agitation from October 16, when fast would be observed by truckers in front of the residence of Chief Minister and District Commissioner, Mr Agarwal told The Tribune. He said that the prices should be rolled back as it was on October 5, "failing which the transporters shall be compelled to suspend their work which will effect the movement and supply of all goods, including essential commodities." The government has increased the price of diesel by 40 per cent with effect from October 5. He also demanded that
there should not be any "toll tax" on the
converted roads. "The government is converting many
roads into toll roads after renovation and levying toll
charges on such roads," Mr Agarwal said. |
Subsidy on LPG to finish by 2001 NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — Subsidies on domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene are likely to be phased out by 2001, the Executive Director of the Oil Coordination Committee, Mr M.S. Ramachandran, said here today. "There is a proposal to de-control petrol, LPG for domestic use, kerosene and high speed diesel (HSD) by 2001", Mr Ramachandran said while speaking at a meeting organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) here. The LPG and kerosene subsidy currently stands at more than Rs 12,000 crore which is double the amount of food subsidy in the country. The schedule for dismantling the administered price mechanism (APM) in the petroleum sector, which has been approved by the government, empowers the government to reduce subsidy on both LPG and kerosene in a phased manner. It has been reported the Petroleum Ministry has worked out a plan to increase the prices of kerosene and LPG in two stages and the plan is likely to be placed before the new government for approval. As per the plan, reports said, the price of kerosene sold through the public distribution system would be raised by Rs 1.50 a litre and LPG prices by Rs 40 per cylinder. Mr Ramachandran said for the "time being", however, kerosene and LPG would continue to have 33 per cent and 15 per cent subsidy, respectively. He said the HSD would soon be available for power generation. A decision has been taken by the Oil Coordination Committee and a notification from the Ministry of Power expected shortly in this regard. From April 2000, all Indian refineries will produce fuel with only 3 per cent benzene content as against the 5 per cent prescribed by the Supreme Court. The effort is to bring the Benzene level to 1 per cent, he said. Mr Ramachandran said the
upstream sector would be the crucial sector in the coming
years and substantial deregulation would continue to be
achieved in this sector as well as the refinery sector. |
Produce Major, orders court NEW DELHI, Oct 14 (UNI) — The Delhi High Court today directed the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the Army Staff to produce Major A.B. Dwivedi, alleged to be illegally detained in the psychiatry ward of Base Hospital in the Delhi cantonment area, in the court tomorrow. A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Dev Singh and Justice S. Sodhi issued show cause notices to the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of the Army Staff, the Commandant of the Base Hospital and Col D. S. Goel, senior adviser in the psychiatry ward. The production of Major Dwivedi was ordered on a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife Asha Dwivedi through senior counsel Shyamala Pappu. The petition alleged that Major Dwivedi was illegally detained in the psychiatry ward of Base Hospital and was not allowed any access or contact with his family members and the authorities concerned were bent on boarding him out of service on flimsy pretexts. Ms Pappu argued that there was no ground to detain Major Dwivedi and there was absolutely no material to support the decision to board him out of service. She submitted that on
August 19 medical opinion supported by the opinion of
three medical experts was that Major Dwivedi’s
category was to be upgraded and was absolutely fit for
retention in service. The decision after four days on
August 23 to board him out was without any basis and
utterly mala fide, she added. |
Rat menace on Rajdhani CALCUTTA: Going by the Rajdhani Express these days from Calcutta to Delhi and back, is not a very happy and comfortable journey. And now it is because of rat menace. Since this prestigious train was introduced on this route linking the country’s Capital and the states’ about a decade back people have been crazy for travelling by this train, particularly, because of the time factor (16 hours instead of 24 hours by other trains) and better comfort and hospitality in the beginning. But as days passed, the travel by the Rajdhani got plagued by delays and lesser passenger amenities. The Eastern Railway, which runs the Rajdhani via Gaya as well as Patna (each train carries 800 passengers), have been making efforts to improve the service. The ER’s General Manager, Mr S.Ramanathan, after receiving several complaints from passengers personally monitors the services of the Rajdhani and other fast-running trains between Howrah and Sealdah. The spokesman for the
Railways, admits to the existence of rat menace on the
Rajdhani. Mr K. Mukherjee, Chief Public Relations
Manager, says, of late, rats might have been attracted by
the delicious dishes served on the Rajdhani. To fight the
menace, 120 traps were being kept in car sheds as well as
compartments. Special rat-catcher squads have been
formed. |
Defence pact with S. Africa soon NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — India and South Africa will shortly finalise an agreement on defence cooperation in various areas, including research and development, co-development and production, the South African Defence Minister, Mr M. Lekota, said here today. Mr Lekota who is heading his country’s delegation to the Defexpo India’99, addressing a press conference here, said no particular area had so far been identified for cooperation in defence. But the relationship was open and exchange of technology, including that of missiles could take place in the future. "There will be no limit and whatever collaboration we will have, will be negotiated from time to time. Defence cooperation constitutes an essential element of our strategic partnership," he said. "We look to your country and hope to enhance and expand our strategic partnership." He said one of the main concerns of South Africa was to make the Indian Ocean a zone of peace and India’s cooperation would be very much required in this. The task could not be accomplished without India’s help. He expressed satisfaction over the address by Defence Minister George Fernandes at the inaugural session of the "International Seminar on Force Multiplier Technologies" yesterday in which he (Mr Fernandes) had emphasised on the importance of co-production between countries, technology transfer, joint ventures, co-development and joint business and marketing. It was encouraging to note that India and South Africa had already embarked on this path, he said, and hoped that there would be even greater advances in this direction. Mr Lekota said the Indian Government had recently begun deliberations for procuring 155/52 calibre towed Howitzer guns from South Africa which were the best in the world. There already existed a joint development project Bhim which had put together the Arjun a tank fitted with a South African T-6 Turret (155 mm Artillery Howitzer). He said South Africa had already supplied 90 Casspir mine-protected armoured personnel carriers. Also, the Indian government had placed the second order for full component of mine clearing vehicles. He said the two nations
shared a ‘unique bond’. "The centrepiece
of our bilateral relationship is the concept of a
strategic partnership expressed and formalised by a
declaration signed in 1997 by the then Prime Minister
Deve Gowda and President Nelson Mandela," he added. |
NHRC directive to Karnataka
on police atrocities NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — The National Human Rights Commission has issued directions to the Karnataka Government on police atrocities on farmers of 10 villages. The Commission has asked the Karnataka Government to assess the quantum of loss of property and nature of injury of farmers by inviting public claims. The Commission has sought a compliance report by December 28. While endorsing the report of the special rapporteur, the NHRC said a compensation of Rs 5000 be awarded in each case of simple injury and cases of prolonged treatment/hospitalisation be decided on indivdual merit. According to the complaints made to the Commission, the government’s failure to keep its promise of providing lift irrigation facilities to compensate loss of water resulted in huge losses to the farmers. Tanks and wells had dried due to seepage in the Bagur-Navile tunnel. Due to barren land, over two lakh coconut trees did not yield any fruit. According to the Horticulture Department, the loss of the farmers was estimated to be Rs 25.61 crore. The farmers resorted to
agitation after their pleas to the government fell on
deaf ears. They stopped the flow of water in the main
canal by constructing a mud wall. The agitation lasted
over three months. After two buses and a police jeep were
set afire by a mob, the police retaliated by beating up
innocent villagers including two pregnant women, two deaf
and dumb boys and a blind girl. They even damaged houses,
machines and vehicles. |
Pak pilgrims cancel visit to
Ajmer JAIPUR, Oct 14 — Visit of Pakistani pilgrims to Ajmer has been cancelled. According to the schedule they were to arrive at Ajmer on Wednesday to participate in the annual Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The delegation of the pilgrims were to leave Pakistan for India by train from Atari border. A special train had been arranged to bring them to Ajmer, and was to leave with the Pakistani passengers from Atari on October 11 and was to arrive at Ajmer on Wednesday via Delhi. The administration had also made arrangements for the reception of the pilgrims at the Ajmer Railway Station and their subsequent stay in the town. According to the
information reaching here though all arrangement of
Pakistani’s visits had been made, the Pakistani Home
Ministry did not clear the trip till the last moment and
hence the pilgrims could not board the special train.
However, 26 Pakistani had arrived in the city on their
own. |
AIBOC for bus fare fixation
panel NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — The All India Bus Operators Confederation has sought the setting up of a bus fare fixation commission for updating fares in accordance with changes in input costs. There is an urgent need to create a standing arrangement for constantly updating the bus fares and "for this we propose that a bus fare fixation commission may be set up within the Ministry of Surface Transport", Mr Chittaranjan Dass, adviser to AIBOC said. "This shall keep a
constant watch on variations in cost of operation and
based on a well designed formula decide upon the required
revision of bus fares periodically," Mr Dass said. |
Free cancer camp NEW DELHI, Oct 14 — A free cancer check-up camp was organised by the World Homoeopathic Development Organisation in the Capital today. Similar camps would be
organised on October 15, 16 and 17 at Parwanoo, Himachal
Pradesh, a press note stated. |
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| PoWs’ release from
Pak jails sought NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been urged to facilitate the release of 54 Indian Prisoners of War (PoW) languishing in Pakistan jails since the 1971 war between the two countries. The "Indian Social Mission for Kuwaiti Prisoners of War" has appealed to the NHRC to make full efforts for the release of the 54 PoW on humanitarian grounds. The organisation has urged the NHRC to pressurise Pakistan to follow the Geneva convention resolution concerning PoW and release the Indian pilots and Army officials as early as possible. — UNI Advocate
sentenced to death Babies
administered ink Sanjay Dutt
allowed to go abroad Insurgents
kidnap two in Tripura New Speaker for
Arunachal People cautioned
during Dasehra Gujarat minister
indisposed |
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