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India, NATO hold first-ever strategic
talks
Panel formed to set up disaster control
authority
Seer spends first day outside jail
praying
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TN seeks bar on seer’s stay in South
Tamil Nadu Home Secy, DGP
shifted
Advani averts AGP
split
Yashpal Singh named UP
DGP
UP woos NRIs for
investment
BJP chief writes to PM on Anthem
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India, NATO hold first-ever strategic
talks
New Delhi, January 12 The high-powered NATO delegation, drawn from several countries, held talks with Ms Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (Disarmament) in the Ministry of External Affairs, at South Block here. It is understood that the NATO, of late, has become interested in exploring the possibility of expanding cooperation with India strategically and economically to provide long-term security and stability in the region. The development acquires more significance in view of the fact that NATO has come into the region in a big way. Since last year, it has taken charge from the USA of security operations in Afghanistan. After plethora of guerrilla-styled raids in Iraq by insurgents, the USA, which earlier was reluctant to give NATO a foothold in Iraq, is now amenable to greater role of NATO in Iraq also. “Security is the oxygen of prosperity and India, with its vast skilled human resources, is fast emerging as a global power that has the potential to provide stability in the region. Especially in the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, NATO would be most interested in enhancing economic relations with India,” Mr James Appathurai, NATO spokesman, office of the NATO Secretary-General, said at an interactive session between a the NATO delegation and Indian industries. The NATO spokesman said at the interactive session organised by the PHDCCI that in today’s integrated global set-up, security had become a pre-condition for economic development which in turn could not be sustained without enhanced security. Mr Micheal Ruhle, head of the political office of the NATO Secretary-General, said in the post-cold war era, NATO had consistently strived to realign and re-model its area of operation and objectives. With a view to go in for new alliances and providing stability and security in the world in the backdrop of global terrorism, NATO was most favourably disposed towards forging economic relations with India, Mr Ruhle said. He remarked that it was time that every nation was brought into the loop of extending all possible help in providing stability and security in strife-torn regions of the world. He emphasised that instability in any part of the world was a common threat to the well-being of all nations. NATO is an alliance of 26 countries from North America and Europe which is committed to fulfil the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed on April 4, 1949. NATO links North America and Europe on security issues. |
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Panel formed to set up disaster control
authority
New Delhi, January 12 The committee will be chaired by Additional Secretary in Law Ministry
Z.S. Negi and comprise members — Joint Secretary in Law Ministry A.P.
Agarwal, Joint Secretary in Home Ministry R.K. Singh, Deputy Legislative Counsel of Law Ministry Mukulita Vijaywargiya and K.
Biswal. Mr Patil, who chaired a high-level meeting this morning, asked the committee to sit on a day-to-day basis to finalise the draft Bill “urgently”, official sources said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced at an all-party meeting, convened on January 9 by him to discuss the tsunami disaster, that the government would set up the authority to effectively tackle the challenges posed by calamities and install an early warning system for taking precautionary measures. Asked to give details about the authority, the sources said it would provide for an “automatic and coordinated mechanism” that would come into force in case of a disaster. It would also lay down the guidelines to deal with emergencies, they said. On whether it would provide for insurance cover, the sources said the issue did not not come up at today’s meeting. While the Central and state Cabinets will be the highest decision-making authorities in case of a national emergency, the Bill will provide for establishment of National Emergency Management Authority at the central level. There will also be a similar authority at the level of states, they said. At the functional level, the sources said the District Collector or District Magistrate would be nodal officer to coordinate relief and rehabilitation measures. The Bill will also provide for requisitioning the services of the armed forces in case of a national disaster. Once the draft Bill is ready, it will go to the Union Cabinet for clearance before being introduced in Parliament, they said.
Bangalore, January 12 The Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting Technology (DART) system involved the placing of sensors in the depth of the ocean at a distance of 6 km and the deployment of several data buoys on the ocean at selected spots, he said.
SC order on felling triggers row in
Andamans
Port Blair, January 12 The apex court in its order on January 5 revised its earlier order, banning the felling of trees in forest areas, and allowed it for rehabilitating tsunami-affected people. A local NGO alleged that the move to request the Supreme Court to revise its earlier order is “politically motivated” while the government denied the allegations. The Society for Andaman and Nicobar Ecology said the order would benefit a few contractors having vested interests in these islands. “The Supreme Court has given its order considering the tsunami devastation but I feel a complete picture was not placed before the apex court. As much as 2,30,000 cubic metre of forest is already there, which could be commercially utilised this time, in spite of approaching the Supreme Court. So I feel this relaxation is not required,” Sameer Acharya of the society said. —
UNI
Practicals after theory exams in tsunami-hit areas
New Delhi, January 12 The announcement was made here today by the board that had earlier allowed students in the tsunami-affected areas to get their examination centres changed. The candidates have been advised to write in the requests to the Regional Officer of the CBSE in Chennai. |
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Seer spends first day outside jail
praying
Chennai, January 12 He appeared serene and was unconcerned about the storm being created around him by the Tamil Nadu Government. A large number of devotees had thronged the Vedic school to witness the worship. Some were in tears as “aarti” was performed. Kanchi Mutt officials were wary of the future actions of the state government. As news about Tamil Nadu Government’s filing of a “clarification petition” in the Supreme Court ,demanding that the senior seer should be shifted to somewhere in north India till the charge sheet was filed, reached here, one of the officials simply shrugged it away. On condition of anonymity, he said, “What else can we expect from this faithless government? If the Supreme Court orders that His Holiness should be shifted, in a way, we will be thankful. At least, there will not be sudden and unexpected arrests by the special investigation team.” However, Tamil Nadu police sources explained: “Though an undertaking has been given to the Supreme Court that the pontiff will not visit the mutt, he was seen confabulating with senior officials of the institution. Since Sri Jayendra is a very influential person, all our future actions will be planned carefully. We are convinced of the collective guilt of all those who have been arrested. When the matter reaches the trial court, everybody will come to know the truth.” The mutt today reacted strongly to the statement of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in which she averred that a break in the continuous worship of Chandramouleeshwarar was nothing new. A mutt press note said:
“This description is totally wrong and false. The worship of the deity can be conducted only by the Shankaracharyas of the mutt. It is wrong to say that pujas in the mutt used to be conducted even in the absence of the two Shankaracharyas. The idol of Lord Chandramouleeshwar, handed down by Adi Sankara, is always carried along with the Sahnkararacharyas whenever they are on tour.” |
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TN seeks bar on seer’s stay in South
New Delhi, January 12 The applications for the modification of the bail order, passed by the court on January 10, was filed one after the other in quick sucession by the Tamil Nadu Government counsel after he was getting constant instructions from the highest levels in the government, sources said. Making a plea that the Shankaracharya “should not reside in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh during the course of the investigation and trial,” the government said “the mutt is indulging in frequent advertisement in newspapers with wide circulation incurring huge cost claiming that he(seer) is innocent.” “Under the cover of freedom of speech and expression no party(in a case) can be given a licence to misrepresent the proceedings and orders of the court, or investigation and deliberately paint an absolutely wrong and incomplete picture which has the tendency to scandalise the probe and bring it to disrepute or ridicule,” the government said. It also sought to restrain the Shankaracharya, the mutt and his followers from giving press statements even when the pontiff after his release from jail had said he would observe “maun varata” and would not speak on the issue. The government further urged the court to direct the Shankaracharya to “report to the police station every day at the appointed hour as the court may specify and also keep his address furnished to the state.” In another application, the government virtually challenged the findings of the apex court recorded in four paragraphs it sought to expunge. CHENNAI (PTI): Hearing of the anticipatory bail application of seer Jayendra Saraswati, apprehending arrest in a third case, was adjourned to January 20 by a Sessions Court here, following a request by the Tamil Nadu Government that it had moved the Supreme Court to modify its order while granting bail to the seer. |
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VHP protest over junior
seer’s arrest
New Delhi, January 12 Addressing a gathering after staging a ‘dharna’ in protest against the arrest of Vijayendra Saraswathi here VHP national secretary Rajendra Pankaj said the ‘jungle raj’ in Tamil Nadu should come to an end and the government be dismissed. “We appeal to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to dismiss the Jayalalithaa government and impose President’s rule to remove fear psycosis that was prevailing all over the state due to continuous threats, intimidations and wilful suppression.” he said. KANCHEEPURAM: Meanwhile, the bail petition of junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi has been posted for hearing at the sessions court of Chengalpattu on January 17. The junior seer was arrested in the Sankararaman murder case on January 10 and remanded in judicial custody till January 24 by the Judicial Magistrate Court-I at Kancheepuram and has been lodged in the Chennai central prison since then. — UNI, PTI |
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Tamil Nadu Home Secy, DGP
shifted
Chennai, January 12 He was succeeded by DGP (Intelligence) A.X. Alexander. Ms Sheela Rani Chunkath, Home Secretary, too, was shunted out to the Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Pawan Raina, Principal Resident Commissioner in Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi, was given the pivotal post of Home Secretary. These changes are being seen as Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s sign of displeasure about the functioning of these officials, especially in the context of the arrests of the Acharyas of Kanchi. UNI adds: Mr Jasbir Singh Bajaj, Joint Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi, will hold additional charge of the post of Principal Resident Commissioner until further orders. Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary N. Sundaradevan was transferred as the Revenue Department Secretary vice Mr R. Satpathy. Mr Satpathy would be the new Secretary, Energy Department, vice Mr N.S. Palaniappan, holding additional charge. Mr B.P. Nailwal, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, was posted as the Chairman of Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, Chennai. He will also hold additional charge as the DGP, Crime. Mr K Ramanujam, Inspector-General (Intelligence), Chennai, will head the intelligence wing till further orders. |
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Advani averts AGP
split
Guwahati, January 12 The AGP was heading for a split,though not fully averted yet, due to the ego tussle between present President Brindaban Goswami and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumer Mahanta, the founder President of the AGP. Of lateMr Mahanta was barred from taking part in any party activities following his alleged involvement into an extra-marital relationship during his tenure as the Chief Minister except for his own constituency, Nagaon, by the present AGP President. While Mr Prafulla Mahanta enjoys good relations with Mr Advani, as he met the BJP supremo recently in Delhi too, Mr Brindaban Goswami, too, is eager to form an alliance with the BJP before the next Assembly poll. In fact, during his recent visit to Assam to tone up the state unit of the party, Mr Advani described the “Assam agitation” between 1979 and 1985 as the greatest popular mass movement that the country witnessed in independent India, sending out positive feelers to both AGP and the all- powerful All -Assam Students ‘Union
(AASU), the guiding force behind the AGP. It was state BJP President Indramoni Bora,disclosed sources in the AGP, who reportedly mediated between Mr Goswami and Mr Mahanta, as advised by Mr Advani, following which the 12- member steering committe of the AGP, which met here on Monday to decide the fate of Mr Mahanta in view of his recent public outburst against the existing leadership, restrained itself from issuing a summons toMr Mahanta, and his trusted aide,Bhrigu Phukon, to explain their conduct. It is felt that by not issuing a summons,Mr Brindaban Goswami made the first move to build bridges between him and Mr Mahanta so that a united AGP can take on the Congress with either a covert or overt electoral understanding with the BJP, depending on the AGP’s success to rope in the United Minority front
(UMF), which commands influence among the strong minority voters in the state who can influence the outcome in at least 35 of the 126 seats. In fact, the last- minute intervention by Mr Advani foiled the designs of Mr Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, who tried to take advantage of a divided AGP being guided by his Leftist friends in Tripura and West Bengal, who had allegedly patronised division in the Congress in the form of the Congress and the Trinumool Congress to ensure their stay in power in the respective states. |
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Yashpal Singh named UP
DGP
Lucknow, January 12 The abrupt end of DGP Nair’s 18-month tenure led to speculation about its possible
cause. Speculation about the departure of V.K.B Nair, a Mayawati appointee, had been in the air for a long time. However, the timing has foxed officials. While both the outgoing DGP and Principal Secretary (Home) Alok Sinha remain tight-lipped, none of the officials could offer a reason for the sudden transfer. The worsening law and order of the state has been a stick with which the official opposition parties, the BJP and the BSP, and the supporting party Congress have been beating the ruling alliance. Yet there had been no immediate provocation for this high- level transfer, maintain senior officials. Meanwhile, the new DGP, a 1972 IPS officer, said that his immediate priorities would be to improve professionalism in the force, deal with the cop-criminal nexus and improve the image of the police. Terming the Naxalite disturbances as not strictly a law and order problem, he said that the state police had already sent a detailed proposal to the state government to deal with it. |
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UP woos NRIs for
investment
New Delhi, January 12 He assured them that the state government would take strict measures soon to improve it. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla,CMD of the Aditya Birla group, said,"our group has made an investment of over $ 2 billion in the state, largest investment by any group. I have found that despite political turmoil over the past decade, the state government has created congenial environment for investment.” |
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BJP chief writes to PM on Anthem
New Delhi, January 12 In his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a public interest litigation seeking deletion of the word “Sindh” from the National Anthem before the Supreme Court, Mr Advani said petitioner’s plea was not only fundamentally flawed and frivolous, but also had the potential to generate pulls and pressures by “narrow- minded forces” that could undermine the unity and integrity of India. Wondering what public interest was served by this PIL which claimed the word “Sindh” was geographically and politically untenable after the partition, Mr Advani said the argument was completely ignorant about its “civilisational salience” not only for India’s past, but also its present and future. “The very name and identity of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the oldest in the world and the mother of India’s civilisational heritage is derived from Sindh.” |
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