Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Another anti-Bal Thackeray Facebook post from Palghar

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 30 November 2012 | 22.44

THANE: In yet another case emerging from Palghar town in the district, police here have received a complaint about some "objectionable" matter relating to late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray posted on a "fake" Facebook account of a local newspaper.

Mohammed Hussain Nadi Sarwar Khan (30), editor of "Palghar Mirror", a fortnightly newspaper in Hindi and Marathi, complained to police that a fake Facebook account had been opened in his newspaper's name and objectionable photo and comments were posted against Thackeray.

"Last night, I was told that objectionable comments and photo were posted against Thackeray in my Palghar Mirror account on Facebook. When I saw it, I realised that my original account was not used but the hacker created another account in my newspaper's name. At about 3.30 am, I went to the police station and gave a written complaint," Khan told PTI.

But now, the fake account could not be seen as it appears to have been deactivated by the hacker, Hussain added.

"We have received an application mentioning about the objectionable comments and photo against Thackeray on fake Facebook account. We are inquiring into the matter," an officer at Palghar police station said.

This is the second complaint at the police station involving "objectionable" content against Bal Thackeray.

Earlier, two girls Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan, both 21, were arrested after Dhada had criticised in a Facebook post the November 18 the shutdown due to Thackeray's funeral. Shrinivasan had 'liked' the post. The two were later granted bail after they were remanded in 14-day judicial custody.

Though Dhada did not name Thackeray, a local Sena leader complained against the girls and police arrested the duo on November 19, sparking an outcry.

A 19-year-old boy Sunil Vishwakarma from Palghar had been detained by police on the suspicion of posting an "objectionable" Facebook comment against MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday and let off the next day after police found that a "fake account" was used by some persons in the teenager's name.

Maharashtra government had on Tuesday suspended the two police officers, SP (Thane rural) Ravindra Sengaonkar and senior police inspector Shrikant Pingle, for arresting the girls.

A bandh was observed at Palghar town in adjoining Thane district yesterday following a call by Shiv Sena against the suspension of the two police officers.

Maharashtra Police had yesterday decided to drop charges against the two girls.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Narendra Modi declares assets worth Rs 1 crore

AHMEDABAD: The value of assets owned by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark in 2012, from Rs 40 lakh five years ago, as per his affidavit accompanying the nomination papers for Assembly elections.

Modi filed the papers for Maninagar constituency here today.

The value of the assets of the Gujarat CM stood at Rs 40 lakh in 2007. His assets at the time included a plot in Gandhinagar Sector-1, bought for Rs 1,30,488, and valued at Rs 30 lakh.

The market value of this plot has been shown as Rs 1 crore in the present affidavit. The development work on the plot is worth Rs 2,47,208, it says.

Other assets, including bank deposits, gold rings, NSCs, etc, have been valued at Rs 33,42,842.

He has fixed deposits of Rs 22,59,226 at SBI Sachivalaya branch, besides Rs 4,24,836 in savings account. In 2007, Modi had deposits of Rs 8,00,000, and Rs 55,651 in the savings account.

The Chief Minister has added two more bank accounts in the last five years: at Rajkot Nagrik Sahkari Bank (Rs 30,347), and SBI Maninagar (Rs 10,000). He has also invested Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds.

His income in the latest I-T return was Rs 1,50,630. He is yet to get I-T refund of Rs 54,403, and has to get back Rs 14,363 lent to someone, the affidavit states.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

No proposal for additional cess on diesel vehicles: Government

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday said it is not considering any additional cess on diesel cars, just days after the Supreme Court asked the Centre whether a green tax needs to be imposed.

Minister of state for finance SS Palanimanickam told the Lok Sabha that there is no proposal at the moment for any additional cess on diesel cars. Currently, petrol and diesel cars are taxed at the same rate, apart from attracting education cess, secondary and higher education cess and national calamity contingent duty.

Palanimanickam said this in response to a question by Lok Sabha MP Anurag Singh Thakur who asked whether the government is considering a special cess on diesel vehicles to control their sales and make up for the subsidy that is given to the fuel.

The Supreme Court had on Monday sought the Centre's response to a radical plea for collection of 25% of the cost of a diesel car or SUV sold in the National Capital Region as green tax at the time of its purchase to deter people from buying them as they are considered more polluting than petrol cars.

Amicus curiae and senior advocate Harish Salve, who has been assisting the forest bench of the Supreme Court for nearly a decade, lamented that the benefits of switching the entire public transport system in Delhi to CNG was lost as more and more diesel cars are being added every year because of the price differential between petrol and diesel fuels.

The car industry, however, has come out strongly against any such measure, claiming that diesel vehicles are clean and not heavy polluters. "Diesel is not as polluting as it is made out to be. How can you tax a technology that is very clean and more fuel efficient?" said Vishnu Mathur, Director-General of industry lobby group, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam). Carmakers have said that the Government should look into the role of other polluters like diesel gensets; power producers and the industry.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Narendra Modi has assets worth over Rs 1 crore

AHMEDABAD: The value of assets owned by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark in 2012, from Rs 40 lakh five years ago, as per his affidavit accompanying the nomination papers for Assembly elections.

Modi filed the papers for Maninagar constituency here today.

The value of the assets of the Gujarat CM stood at Rs 40 lakh in 2007. His assets at the time included a plot in Gandhinagar Sector-1, bought for Rs 1,30,488, and valued at Rs 30 lakh.

The market value of this plot has been shown as Rs 1 crore in the present affidavit. The development work on the plot is worth Rs 2,47,208, it says.

Other assets, including bank deposits, gold rings, NSCs, etc, have been valued at Rs 33,42,842.

He has fixed deposits of Rs 22,59,226 at SBI Sachivalaya branch, besides Rs 4,24,836 in savings account. In 2007, Modi had deposits of Rs 8,00,000, and Rs 55,651 in the savings account.

The Chief Minister has added two more bank accounts in the last five years: at Rajkot Nagrik Sahkari Bank (Rs 30,347), and SBI Maninagar (Rs 10,000). He has also invested Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds.

His income in the latest I-T return was Rs 1,50,630. He is yet to get I-T refund of Rs 54,403, and has to get back Rs 14,363 lent to someone, the affidavit states.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savita Halappanavar death case: NHRC and IHRC register case

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken up the case of Savita Halappanavar, who died in Ireland on October 28 after doctors refused to terminate her miscarriage pregnancy on the ground that Ireland is a Catholic Country.

Acting on a complaint filed by Odisha based Organisation India Media Centre (IMC) the NHRC has a registered a case on the matter. Meanwhile Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Dublin also taking the issue for its attention on a complaint of IMC. Senior Enquiry and Legal Officer of the IHRC confirmed this, said Akhand, managing trustee of IMC, who had sent the petition on behalf of IMC.

"Abortion in Ireland is available only when the life of the mother is at risk. In this case Savita's life was in risk, but doctors refused to abortion. It is a case of medical negligence by the medical staff. As India has a diplomatic relation with Ireland, so both country are responsible to safe guard of citizen of each other. So Indian officials should take up the issue with Ireland. As it is a case of human right violation, NHRC may intervene in this matter, so that the Indian Government will act promptly to give justice to the victim's family," he said.

"We have requested the NHRC to issue notice to Indian Ambassador in Dublin, Irish Ambassador in India and Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India, to submit a factual report on this matter. Order for an inquiry by a Special team of Govt. of India official or Special Investigation team of NHRC and a compensation of Rs.20 lakh to the victim's family are also prayed before the NHRC," he added.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Identity proof must for sleeper-class passengers from Saturday

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 29 November 2012 | 22.44

NEW DELHI: It will be mandatory for sleeper- class train passengers to carry identity proof from December 1, this year as Railways firmed up steps to prevent misuse of tickets by touts and facilitate hassle-free travel by bonafide people.

From Saturday (December 1), passengers failing to produce original identity proof in sleeper class, as and when asked for, will be treated as "without ticket" and charged accordingly, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The rule will apply for all forms of ticket, including those for sleeper class, issued by Railways through computerised passenger reservation system (PRS) or Internet.

The decision to introduce photo I-cards for sleeper class passengers is likely to deter touts from booking tickets under fictitious names and selling them to passengers at a premium, the official said.

In February, Railways had made it mandatory for AC-class passengers to carry identity proof with them. Passengers travelling on a Tatkal or an e-ticket are also required to carry I-cards while undertaking train journey.

"Earlier, it was mandatory for AC-class passengers to carry I-cards. Now, we have decided to make sleeper-class passengers also to carry I-card. This has been done to facilitate genuine passengers to avail confirmed tickets," said the official.

He said the non-AC travellers were kept out of the photo I-card decision at that time, adding, "The policy ambit is being widened now so that every passenger in reserved class onboard a train has a valid identity card."

Passengers can carry any of these ten ID proofs while undertaking train journey -- voter ID card, passport, PAN card, driving licence, photo identity card having serial number issued by central/state government, student identity card with photograph issued by recognised school/college, Aadhar card, nationalised bank passbook with photograph and credit cards issued by banks with laminated photograph.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Another Tibetan self-immolates in Tsoe

TSOE: In yet another case of self-immolation, a 21-year-old Tibetan reportedly set himself on fire at around 7 pm (Tibet time) on Wednesday in Tsoe (Chinese: Hezuo) city of Kanlho (Chinese: Gannan) Prefecture in Gansu Province.

"According to information being received from a reliable source, Wande Khar, a 21 year old Tibetan set himself on fire. He self-immolated calling for 'the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet', 'release of the Panchen Lama', 'Freedom for Tibet', 'Culture and language Rights' and the 'protection of Tibet's environment' after which he succumbed to his injuries," said a press statement released by Students for a Free Tibet (SFT).

He is reportedly survived by his father Tsering Thar, mother Kunsang Dolma and his elder brother Jampa and younger brother Sangay Dhondup.

"On Thursday, monks from the nearby monastery are paying homage and prayer at his residence in Yarki Sokdhi village which is 20 kilometer away from the Tsoe city," said the statement.

"Due to heavy Chinese police patrol and restrictions, we are unable to get further details," the statement quoted Kangtsa Jampa in India who has received this information.

Series of self-immolations in Tibet have now raised the number of self-immolations in Tibet to a staggering 88.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

CAG reports major shortcomings in defence procurements

NEW DELHI: India's official auditor Thursday reported major deficiencies in defence procurement process that could have implications for the nation's defence preparedness.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report on the air force and navy tabled in parliament points to several shortcomings, including "inordinate delay in procurement and integration of a Radar Warning Receiver system" by the defence ministry and "procurement of unsuitable Navigation Computers" by the navy.

The report highlights cases involving substantial expenditure in which either the procurement has been delayed or has failed to achieve its objective.

In the case of procurement of 336 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), the Indian Air Force failed to derive intended benefits out of an investment of Rs.521 crore as the performance of the integrated RWRs was found unsatisfactory, leading to a decision to integrate these as an interim measure till development of an advanced system.

The CAG said the Indian Navy could derive no tangible benefits from an investment of Rs.167.64 crore made about a decade back, on procurement of a system for commissioning on board four submarines. Only two of these systems could be commissioned in 2011, which impacted the operational preparedness of the Indian Navy.

"Failure on the part of Integrated Headquarters (IHQ), Ministry of Defence (Navy) to synchronise the creation of a critical test facility with the procurement of a equipment led to continuous disuse of test equipment worth Rs.10.72 crore for over three years," the report said.

The CAG also underlined the need for the defence ministry and services headquarters to improve their decision-making processes to deliver value for money.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Facebook row: SC to examine IT Act, govt issues new guidelines

NEW DELHI: Noting that the country was "outraged" over the arrest of two girls in Maharashtra over Facebook comments, the Supreme Court today decided to examine the Information Technology Act to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Hearing a PIL seeking amendments to the IT Act, a bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J Chelameswar expressed surprise over how two girls were arrested in Palghar in Thane district after sunset.

One girl had criticised in a Facebook post the November 18 shutdown for Thackeray's funeral and the other had "liked" it.

While agreeing to hear the case, the bench said it was considering taking suo motu cognisance of recent incidents of arrest of people and wondered why nobody had so far challenged the particular provision of the IT Act.

"The way the little children were arrested, it outraged the sentiments of the people of the country. The way these things had been taking place needs consideration," the bench observed while asking Attorney General G E Vahanvati to assist it when it will take up the issue for hearing tomorrow.

The Bench also noted that the charge of disruption to communal harmony was there but later it was removed.

Govt's guidelines

Yielding to public protests on the recent controversial arrest of some persons for their Facebook posts, government today came out with guidelines under which a police officer no less than the rank of DCP can sanction prosecution.

In metropolitan cities, such an approval would have to be given by officers at the level of Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Only officers of these ranks will be allowed to permit registration of a case for offences under the Information Technology (IT) Act relating to spreading hatred through electronic messages in a bid to prevent the misuse of the legislation.

"... the concerned police officer or police station may not register any complaints (under Section 66 (A)) unless he has obtained prior approval at the level of an officer not below the DCP rank in urban and rural areas and IG level in metros," a top source said. Currently, a police station in-charge or an inspector can register a case under the said provision.

Guidelines in this regard are being issued against the backdrop of the arrest of two girls by police in Mumbai under Section 66 (A) of Information Technology (IT) Act that deals with spreading hatred through electronic messages.

The arrest of two teenage girls who had criticized the shutdown in Mumbai for Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's funeral had triggered an outrage. The Maharashtra police has decided to drop the charges.

Yesterday, a 19-year-old boy was detained in Thane district on suspicion of posting an "objectionable" Facebook comment against MNS chief Raj Thackeray but later let off.

The source expressed confidence that such instances can be avoided once the new guidelines are put in place.

"There are procedural difficulties faced... we are going to circulate to all state governments as guidelines with regard to registering any complaints under Section 66 (A)," the source said.

The IT Act is not being amended, an official clarified, adding that powers vest only with Parliament and what the government intends to do is only to issue operational guidelines.

Section 66 (A), which is a bailable offence and provides for a jail term of up to three years, makes it an offence to send, by means of a computer resource or communication device, any information which is grossly offensive, menacing, causes annoyance or hatred.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

BJP slams Prime Minister's Office for giving ‘clean chit’ to Vadra

NEW DELHI: BJP today hit out at the Prime Minister's Office for giving a "clean chit" to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in the land deals with realty major DLF in Haryana and sought to know how it arrived at this conclusion without conducting any probe.

"Is it the Prime Minister's Office or a bailout office? We say this with full responsibility," BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Prasad pointed out that several questions had been raised about the deals between Vadra and DLF including how his seed capital of Rs 50 Lakh turned into Rs 300 crore within a short span of time, the controversy on an overdraft that Vadra claimed was given by Corporation Bank which the latter denied, and how Congress governments in Rajasthan and Haryana had sprung to his defence.

The PMO has said in an affidavit before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court that the allegations regarding irregular land dealings between Vadra and DLF "appear to be false, based on heresay and vexatious". Asking how the PMO had reached this conclusion, Prasad said "did you conduct an inquiry?... How can the PMO be used to shield corruption?" BJP alleged that even in the past in other cases, the PMO had given a "clean chit" to individuals who faced charges later.

"In the case of former Telecom Minister A Raja, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commonwealth Games, and Coalgate, the PMO had given a clean chit. The Prime Minister himself has been giving repeated certificates of innocence inside and outside Parliament," Prasad said. He demanded the PMO should come come clear on who probed the charges against Vadra and how he was given a "clean chit".


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prime Minister's office defends Robert Vadra

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 28 November 2012 | 22.44

LUCKNOW: In its affidavit filed in the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, the prime minister's office (PMO) has defended son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra facing corruption charges. The affidavit has been submitted in response to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Nutan Thakur requesting the court to direct the union government to probe allegations against Vadra and DLF company levelled by Arvind Kejriwal.

According to Thakur, in the affidavit, filed by Dheeraj Gupta, joint secretary in the PMO, it has been stated that the case of Vadra and DLF is a personal matter between two individuals and is a pure business transaction. It has also been said that both parties have already explained their positions and hence the allegations made seem to be "false, vexatious and based on hearsay." Further, the affidavit accuses Nutan of filing the PIL solely based on newspaper reports for political and publicity purpose. The court is expected to hear the case on Thursday (November 29, 2012). Asok Pande is the counsel of the petitioner.

Thakur had earlier sent a representation to the PMO demanding inquiry into the allegations against Vadra and DLF. However, when she did not receive any response, she filed a PIL. On October 11, a division bench comprising Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice VK Dixit heard the PIL and granted three weeks time to the central government for filing objections on the petition. Kejriwal had alleged that Vadra was favoured by realty major DLF, a charge denied by both. He has also alleged that Vadra had bought property worth crores of rupees between 2007-2010 with an unsecured interest free loan given by DLF.

Before filing the Petition, Nutan had sent a representation to the PMO enclosing allegations made by Kejriwal. She had said that despite specific denials by the DLF and Vadra, some of the basic questions highlighted by media remain completely unanswered, including the fact that how could a company grow to Rs 500 crore worth with a initial investment of mere Rs 50 lakh, hence it becomes imperative for the government to enquire into allegations through a competent authority. She had also requested PMO to officially explain the facts before the people of this country as to how and why exactly this happened.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Youth detained for posting 'abusive' comments against Raj Thackeray on Facebook

MUMBAI: While the Bal Thackery Facebook controversy that led to the arrest of two girls is still going on, another incident of detention of a 20-year-old computer student over his alleged abusive comments against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS ) leader Raj Thackeray surfaced in Palghar city on Wednesday.

The "abusive" comment came at a time when the Palghar taluka unit of the Shiv Sena had called for a bandh on Wednesday to protest against the suspension of cops in the Bal Thackery Facebook case.

Sunil Vishwakarma, a class 12 drop out pursing a computer course in Vasai was handed over to the Palghar police by MNS activists on Wednesday noon. Vishwakarma, a resident of a chawl in Manor Naka told the police that his account was hacked.

The comment which abuses Raj and the ' Marathi manoos' was posted under the name of 'Sunil Vishvakrma' . The account was created in early November this month.

The complaint was registered by Bhavesh Churne, MNS Thane rural student wing president. Churne said, "We got information about the comment on Tuesday night. He was called to our office and he said he had not posted the comment. We informed the police."

The comment was posted from a mobile phone at around 3.47 pm on Monday. The comment was followed by a comment by one Preme Patil who abused Sunil for his comment. It was followed by another comment by Sunil who further abused the MNS leader.

Thane rural SP (incharge) Anil Kumbhare said that the complaint had been received and the case was referred to the Cyber Crime cell of Thane Rural. Sunil has been detained at the Palghar police station to prevent the mob from assaulting him.

Sunil said that he was aware about the facebook controversy involving Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Srinivasan and had not gone online since then. His father Rajaram had bought him a computer a few weeks ago. He said that his son would not use foul language against anyone. He said that they monitored his Facebook and mobiles. Sunil is the only member in the family who has a facebook account. His two teenage sisters have never used Facebook.

Sunil's mother Paunavi who accompanied him to the police station collapsed and was taken for medical aid to a nearby hospital.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

China, India should get over unfortunate past: Chinese expert

NEW DELHI: China and India should get over the "infortunate incidents" of the past relating to their festering border issue and open a new page in relations as soon as possible, Li Junru, a top Chinese expert, said here Wednesday.

Li, addressing Indian media on China's once-in-a-decade leadership change, said talks on the border issue between the two countries had helped to bring in more understanding.

He said "unhappy and unfortunate incidents in the past" over the border have "hindered further development" in relations between the two countries. Five decades of the 1962 India-China war were marked in October-November this year.

But putting behind the past both countries "should open a new page as soon as possible", said Li. This, he added, "will benefit people of both countries".

Li said he was "happy to see that we are engaged in negotiations, and though a breakthrough yet remains, we have more understanding of each other."

He was referring to the joint mechanism set up on the border issue. India's National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon is to meet China's special representative Dai Bingguo in Beijing later this month to take forward the boundary talks, their 16th such.

The top Chinese expert said both sides "should make compromises... meet each other half way for early settlement of the border issue."

"I believe when it (border issue) is solved, there will be nothing in the way of China-India relations."

He said China and India relations are very important and the Chinese see Indians as friends.

"We are two large developing countries.. exchanges between the two countries will benefit both sides and contribute to peace in the world."

The two-way trade between India and China can touch $100 billion by 2015, if both sides "work harder and find ways to boost trade", said Li.

The two-way trade has grown from $4.9 billion in 2000 to $73.9 billion last year.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had met outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Phnom Penh Nov 19, which was their 14th meeting in eight years. During their 45-minute bilateral talks, Wen had told Manmohan Singh he was "very happy they had been able to develop an equation".

The two countries are holding a "strategic economic dialogue" at the end of November in New Delhi. The Indian side would be led by Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia, while China is to send a large economic delegation, comprising economic experts.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Naveen Jindal ‘extortion’ case: Zee editors sent to 2-day police custody

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court today dismissed the bail plea of two senior journalists of Zee News channel and remanded them to two-day police custody on a complaint by Congress MP Naveen Jindal's group that they tried to extort Rs.100 crore for not broadcasting news reports on coal scam linking his firm.

Police told the court that Subhash Chandra, Chairman of Zee News, and Punit Goenka, MD of the channel, are also accused in the case.

It said Chandra was complicit in the demand of money.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha remanded Sudhir Chaudhary, the head of Zee News, and Samir Ahluwalia, head of Zee Business, to police custody till November 30.

The police had sought three days custody of both the accused with Additional Public Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan arguing that their sustained interrogation was necessary to unearth the conspiracy in the case.

The police also said the two editors are accused of demanding Rs 100 crore from Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) in the form of advertisments to the channel.

JSPL is among the companies named in the CAG report as one of the beneficiaries of the controversial coal block allocations.

Police told the court that Subhash Chandra, Chairman of Zee News, and Punit Goenka, MD of the channel, are also accused in the case.

It said Chandra was complicit in the demand of money.

Both the journalists have been booked under section 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of the IPC.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Zee editors sent to police custody, chairman Subhash Chandra gets notice

NEW DELHI: The bail pleas of two senior editors of Zee News accused of attempting to extort Rs 100 crore from Congress MP Naveen Jindal's company was today rejected by a Delhi court, which remanded them in two-day police custody.

Sudhir Chaudhary, head of Zee News, and Samir Ahluwalia, Editor of Zee Business, who were arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from Congress MP Naveen Jindal's group for not broadcasting news reports on coal scam linking his firm, were produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha, who accepted police's plea for their custodial interrogation.

The Prosecution had said their custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth the conspiracy and the alleged complicity of channel's chairman Subhash Chandra and its MD Punit Goenka, who are also named as accused in the case.

The duo will now be produced before the court on November 30.

Chaudhary and Ahluwalia were arrested last night on the complaint by Jindal's company filed in October.

Both the journalists have been booked under section 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of the IPC.

Earlier, before the court proceedings, Jindal group in a statement said law was taking its own course and called it unfortunate that Zee TV has come out with a comment that the arrest of its editors in the case was a Black Day for the media.

"Zee TV's comment that the arrest of its editors is a Black Day for the media is unfortunate. The arrest of the two journalists being termed Black Day is rather demeaning the credibility of the media. Instead, Black Day was the day when these editors tried to extort 100 crore rupees from Jindal group under the garb of media," the statement said.

Delhi Police said that after the arrest of the two journalists, it has sent a notice to Subhash Chandra asking him to join investigations in connection with the case.

Additional Public Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan opposed the bail plea of the two editors and said their custody was needed to ascertain the alleged complicity of Chandra as they had demanded Rs 100 crore from Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) in the form of advertisments to the channel.

JSPL is among the companies named in the CAG report as one of the beneficiaries of the controversial coal block allocations.

The police also said it needed to find out the source from which the CAG report, which is the subject matter of dispute between the news channel and the Jindal Group, was obtained.

The prosecutor said the probe agency has evidence in the form of video and audio recordings of the two accused while demanding the money.

However, advocate Rebecca John, opposed the prosecution's theory and contended that as per the FIR registered by the crime branch on October 2, three persons of Jindal Group had approached Zee News.

"The meeting was at the behest of the complainant and not by us. The alleged tampering of the CAG report is not mentioned in the FIR and it is also not possible for others to fabricate it as it is a government report," John, appearing for the news channel, argued.

She further said that the FIR is a "counter blast" to put media on back foot so that no programme could be aired against Jindal Group for their alleged involvement in allocation of coal blocks.

John also claimed that the police is acting as a tool for the state by arresting the two mediapersons.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

FDI: Govt uses institutions to win over allies, BJP says

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 27 November 2012 | 22.44

NEW DELHI: Realising that government has mustered the numbers for the debate and voting on FDI in retail, BJP today alleged the Manmohan Singh dispensation uses institutions to win the support of other parties and said division of votes will "expose" such organisations.

"We are ready for a discussion on FDI in retail only under Rule 184 (which entails voting). The country wants to know which party really supports or opposes FDI in retail. There were some parties which were earlier opposed to it but are now supporting FDI," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Government has reached out to its ally DMK and parties like SP and BSP to win their support on FDI in retail decision.

While DMK chief M Karunanidhi said his party will support the government in Parliament on FDI to keep communal forces at bay, SP and BSP have said it should be left to the Chair in both Houses to decide under what clause the debate should be held.

"Government has intruments which it uses to change negative into positive... We want to expose such parties which have changed their stand," Hussain said. BJP has often accused the government of using CBI to win the support of SP and BSP. SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati are facing charges of graft which are being probed by CBI.

Hussain took jibes at the government, saying it had these "instruments" all along and could have used them to manage its numbers and save four days which have gone waste in the winter session of Parliament.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

London mayor mocks France for anti-Mittal stance

NEW DELHI: Mocking the French government for asking steel giant ArcelorMittal to leave France, London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is on a visit here, today said "sans-culottes"(working class militants) "appear to have captured" Paris.

Describing a 115-metre ArcelorMittal steel tower - Orbit - at the Olympics Park in London as fusion of friendship between India and UK, Johnson said, "I say this on a day when I picked up a newspaper and I see sans-culottes appear to have captured the government of Paris and a French Minister has been so eccentric as to call for a massive investor to depart".

Sans-culottes were the radical left-wing urban working class who dominated France during the French Revolution of 1789. The London Mayor was speaking to Indian industry leaders at a Ficci meeting here seeking investment for world's leading financial centre.

French industrial renewal minister Arnaud Montebourg had reportedly told a French daily, "We do not want ArcelorMittal in France any longer because they do not respect France."

The French minister was also quoted as having stated, " Mittal's lies since 2006 are damning (it) "has never honoured its commitments" to the country.

ArcelorMittal has shut down blast furnaces in Florange, eastern France, but wants to maintain its other activities there, reports said.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Zakia Jafri cannot file protest petition against SIT report: Court

AHMEDABAD: A local court today ruled that Zakia Jafri, whose husband and former Congress MP Ehsan Zafri was killed in Gujarat riots, has lost the right to file protest petition against the SIT report, giving a clean chit to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, due to lapse of time.

Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed burnt alive by a mob during the riots at Gulburg Housing Society here on February 28, 2002.

Metropolitan Magistrate B J Ganatra ruled that Jafri cannot file the protest petition as she failed to file it despite being given sufficient time.

The court ruled that Jafri can now only make oral submission regarding her protest against the SIT report.

The court order comes at a time when the state is in midst of assembly poll campaigning and Modi is seeking a fourth term as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The SIT had submitted its final report in the court regarding Gulburg Society riot case giving a clean chit to Modi and others in 2002 riot cases in February.

The SIT had provided a copy of the report to Zakia in May asking her to file a protest petition within the stipulated time of two months. However, the protest petition has not yet been filed by Jafri.

Jafri's lawyer S M Vohra told the court that they have approached the Supreme Court seeking a clarification on certain issues and the next date of hearing of the case in the apex court is December 3.

Vohra sought time from the court till the hearing in the case is over in the Supreme Court.

Vohra later told PTI that generally local courts await the outcome of the case in the Supreme Court. However, this court has chosen not to wait for the same and given an order which is "very shocking."

"We will convey this to the Supreme Court before December 3," Vohra said.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt 'confident of numbers', not averse to voting on FDI

NEW DELHI: With DMK showing the green flag, government today indicated it was not averse to voting in Parliament on the FDI in retail, a move that could end the House logjam.

"We are confident of numbers," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters after an hour-long meeting of the leaders of UPA, which presented a united picture, as news came from Chennai of DMK extending its support to the government during any voting on the FDI issue.

"The UPA is fully united on any decision of the Speaker and the Government... all constituents are firmly behind the government," parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said.

Asked if the government was ready for a vote, Nath said government is "not averse" to discussion under any rules. "I said it yesterday. I am repeating it today," he said.

"Larger numbers (parties at the UPA meeting) were in favour of discussion to be decided by the Speaker," he said.

Nath said the issue was discussed today at the UPA meeting and he will meet the Speaker to convey the sense of the meetings of all party leaders yesterday and UPA leaders.

However, sources said, government has conveyed to Lok Sabha that it did not favour voting on FDI in retail in Lok Sabha arguing it would send a wrong precedent of voting on an executive decision taken by the government. At the same time, it has left the decision to the Speaker.

Opposition BJP and Left parties insisted that the discussion on FDI should be followed by voting.

While in Lok Sabha, the government appears to be comfortably placed in the numbers game with promise of support from SP and BSP and DMK's open backing today. Trinamool Congress with 19 MPs has also been cold towards Opposition demands for a vote on the issue.

However in Rajya Sabha, where the UPA coalition does not have the numbers on its own, may have problems in case of a vote.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tremors shake towns in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: Tremors of a light intensity were felt in Himachal Pradesh Tuesday evening. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported.

An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was felt for some seconds around 5.45 pm in the state, including in Shimla and Solan districts, an official at the state meteorological office here said.

He said the epicentre was in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.

Last month, Himachal twice felt earthquakes of light intensity. The epicentre of both quakes was on the border of Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti districts.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nitish says Bihar to play dominant role in nation building

Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 November 2012 | 22.44

PATNA: Asserting that his government is committed to the path of growth with justice, chief minister Nitish Kumar said the government approved agenda of good governance and its programmes are regularly monitored. Nitish said, "I wish that Bihar plays an important and dominant role in nation building, through which Bihar can regain its past glory."

The seventh Report Card of Nitish quoted Canadian high commissioner Stewart Bake who noted, "In Bihar there have been amazing changes in law and order, governance, infrastructure, creation, agriculture, industry, healthcare and tourism industry." The CM said the government has been able to establish the rule of law by improving the law and order situation. In the last seven years, more than 75,000 criminals have been convicted by the court and in the campaign against the corruption special laws have been passed and special courts constituted to deal with cases of economic offences.

The CM said the special measures are being taken by the government to fill up the scarcity of police force. New cybercrime police stations and economic offences units have been constituted. The report card mentioned police achievement between January and October during which 1,44,850 arrests were made including 3236 hardcore criminals with recovery of 1499 weapons, 39 gun factories were unearthed.

Nitish said for the purchase of arms, ammunitions and other equipment under police modernization scheme, Rs 25 crore sanctioned. An open jail with the necessary amenities in Buxar as part of jail modernization scheme established. In that jail a scheme for the establishment of solar power plant of 100 KW capacity has been approved.

He took pride in stating that the factories and workshops being run in the state jails a revenue of Rs 16.7 crore has been generated which is a record in the history of any jail in the country. The state has now capacity of 33,249 prisoners and at present there are 24,767 inmates.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Make workplace harassment laws gender neutral, demand NGOs

NAGPUR: Workplace harassment laws in the country favour women and differentiate against men. These laws should be made gender neutral, demanded a coalition of multinational NGOs.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2010 was passed by the Lok Sabha in September. NGOs like Save Indian Family Foundation, Men Seek Justice, All India Men's Welfare Association, Indian Affiliate Chapter of Association for International Men's Rights Activism and Welfare believe that the bill is a violation of the fundamental rights of any citizen not to be discriminated against on grounds like religion or sex.

"It is an outdated concept that only women are victims of sexual harassment. The bill was gender neutral to begin with till the intervention of the Women and Child Development (WCD) ministry and some militant women's NGOs, after which the name of the bill was changed to The Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010," informed Rajesh Vakahria of city unit of Save Indian Family Foundation.

The ministry had said that they would conduct a survey on workplace harassment to see if it needs to include men but the survey has been pending since the last 15 years. "Some independent organizations have shown that a big proportion of those harassed at workplaces were men, who were abused by female bosses," he said. The words men and women must be replaced by gender-neutral terms like person, employee and boss in the bill, he added.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Akhilesh presents UP's maiden supplementary budget

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today presented a Rs 5,861 crore supplementary budget with maximum provisions being made for fulfilling the promises made in Samajwadi Party's election manifesto.

The supplementary budget--the first for fiscal 2012-13-- envisages among other allocations, a provision of Rs 26 crore for improving sports facilities in Saifai, the native village of chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in Etawah and Rs 50 lakh for 'Saifai Mahotsav', a star-studded annual gala event.

Yadav, who holds the finance portfolio, presented the Rs 5,861.60 crore supplementary budget in the State Assembly.

The budget provides for Rs 400 crore for waiver of farmers' loans, Rs 450 crore for distribution of 'Kanya Vidyadhan Yojna (education scheme for the girl child)' and Rs 200 crore for free water from canals and government tubewells.

It has also sought Rs 126 crore for MLAs' local area development fund and Rs 135 crore for roads and electricity in connection with 'Kumbh Mela' preparations.

Yadav presented his maiden budget on June two to provide for his election promises like giving laptops to students and an unemployment dole along with a raft of sops for the minorities and the poor. He was sworn in as chief minister on March 15 after Samajwadi party swamped the ruling BSP in the Assembly polls.

The Rs 2 lakh crore-plus budget was 18 per cent larger than Mayawati government's last one and increased allocation for social welfare schemes, education, health and infrastructure by between 14 and 34 per cent.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

SP, BSP spar over bill on reservation in promotion for SCs and STs

NEW DELHI: The all-party meeting to resolve the stalemate over FDI issue in Parliament today saw SP and BSP attacking each other over a bill to provide reservation in promotion for SCs and STs in government jobs.

During the meeting, BSP supremo Mayawati raised the issue of the constitutional amendment bill pending in the Rajya Sabha and demanded its early passage. She said the government should fulfil its promise to get it cleared in Parliament.

It is learnt that leaders of both the parties from Uttar Pradesh have conveyed their sentiments on the bill to government managers. They have indicated that government should take into account their respective stands on the bill while seeking their support on the issue of FDI.

Mayawati's demand was opposed by SP leaders Rewati Raman Singh and Naresh Agarwal in the meeting who claimed that it was against the interests of 82 per cent of the government employees.

"We said in the meeting that we will oppose its passage, we will go to any extent to oppose it. We won't let the House function," Agarwal said after the meeting.

BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra said his party was ready to face any opposition to the legislation. "Let people vote for or against it. Let them come out openly in its opposition," he said.

Just before the all-party meet, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of FDI. Government managers have been in touch with BSP leadership.

The bill seeks to provide reservation in promotion for SC and ST employees in government jobs. It was introduced in the Upper House in the Monsoon session but could not be taken up for consideration and passage.

It was listed in today's Rajya Sabha business but could not be taken up. The bill is part of tomorrow's revised list of business of the Upper House.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Centre asks West Bengal government to amend law and give political prisoner status to Maoists

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked West Bengal government to immediately amend a law that grants political prisoners status to Maoists in the state.

Following a Kolkata High Court order allowing the status of political prisoners to People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) leader Chatradhar Mahato and six alleged Maoists booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Home Ministry had in a letter written on October 8 this year asked state government to amend the West Bengal Correctional Services Act, 1992.

The Home Ministry told the state government to move the Supreme Court and amend the Act as the August 8 High Court order has "pan-India implications" and would provide grist to CPI(Maoist) propaganda machinery.

In the absence of any move by the state government to challenge the High Court order, the Centre is upset that the status quo is also being taken advantage by Aftab Ansari, convicted in American Center terror attack case, to also claim the political prisoner status under the same law passed by the state in 1992 but enforced eight years later. Following the footsteps of Mahato and V Venkateshwara Reddy, alias Telugu Dipak, who were granted the status of political prisoners, the 2007 American Center shootout mastermind Aftab Ansari, who is on death row at Kolkata's Alipore Central Jail, has also demanded political prisoner status for himself.

"It is a very worrying development. Despite asking West Bengal government more than a month ago, there is no action. Since it is a state law, the central government cannot act or interfere. The state government has to act fast to amend the Act," a Home Ministry official said.

According to the West Bengal Correctional Services Act, 1992, which came into force in April 2000, any offence committed or alleged to have been committed in furtherance of any political or democratic movement or any offence arising out of an act done by an individual with an exclusive political objective free from personal greed or motive shall be considered as a political offence.

The 'political prisoner' status entitles prisoners to special treatment, including separate cell, chair, table, access to books and periodicals, home-cooked food etc.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India's peak demand and power needs rising continuously

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 November 2012 | 22.44

NEW DELHI: The demand for electricity in India when its consumption is at the maximum - the peak demand - as well as the country's energy requirement have been rising continuously.

There was a 6.3 percent jump in the peak demand in the country in 2011-12 over the previous year. The increase in energy requirement in 2011-12 over the previous fiscal year was even higher at 8.8 percent.

For October 2012, for instance, there was provisionally a deficit of 9.1 percent between requirement and availability of power equivalent to 7,654 MU (million units), the new Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia informed parliament this week.

Against an all-India requirement of 84,094 MU of power during the month, the availability was 76,440 MU.

For the six-month period between April-Oct 2012, which also witnessed India's worst power blackout in end-July, the peak power shortage, defined as shortfall in generation capacity during the time of the peak demand was 9 percent or the equivalent of 12,159 MW.

A Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report last month said that the country is estimated to face a peak power shortage of 10.6 percent in the current fiscal.

According to the CEA data, total electricity demand of the country during the year is 140,090 MW, of which 125,234 MW is expected to be met, leaving a gap of 14,856 MW.

The peaking shortage would prevail in all the regions varying from 3.2 percent in the western region and 26.3 percent in the southern region.

"A capacity addition of 17,956 MW during the year 2012-13 comprising 15,154 MW of thermal, 802 MW of hydro and 2000 MW of nuclear power stations has been considered," the CEA said.

As per the 18th Electric Power Survey (EPS), eletricity requirement by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan period (2016-17) is estimated to be 1,354 BU (billion units).

Million or billion unit (MU, BU) indicate the amount of power or energy produced, while megawatt (MW) is used to refer to generation capacity.

In response to a separate query on coal supply to power plants, the power minister informed parliament that power utilities had reported a generation loss of 11.63 BU during 2011-12 owing to shortage of coal.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jethmalani challenges BJP to take action against him

NEW DELHI: A belligerent BJP MP Ram Jethmalani, who attacked the party for its criticism on the appointment of the new CBI director, today challenged the party leadership to take action against him for his stand on the issue.

"If there is any action taken against me, I will welcome it but I don't think anyone has the guts to take any action against me," he told reporters here.

Replying to questions, the Rajya Sabha MP said, "I cannot speak for the party. I am a very small person in the party, I can't predict its action but that does not permit me from speaking the truth.

"I have expressed my view and I am very happy that at least 3-4 persons have supported me," he said.

On if there were more people in the party having a similar stand, Jethmalani said, "I am sure there are more. I am 100 per cent sure that there are many more, many more but all don't have the capacity to speak the truth publicly and openly."

Actor-turned MP from Patna Sahib, Shatrughan Sinha has joined Jethmalani and Yashwant Sinha in demanding resignation of party President Nitin Gadkari facing allegations of corruption, saying the issue raised by them should be looked at seriously.

"The issue raised by them (Jethmalani and Yashwant Sinha) should be looked at seriously," Sinha had told reporters yesterday in Patna replying to a question whether he agreed with the other two BJP leaders' demand for Gadkari's resignation.

Jethmalani, while demanding Gadkari's resignation, had claimed some other BJP leaders were with him on the demand for Gadkari's exit as party chief.

The advocate-politician, who has embarrassed BJP earlier by openly demanding Gadkari's resignation, again put the party in discomfiture when he attacked Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Sushma Sinha and Arun Jaitley for criticising the appointment of new CBI Director Ranjit Sinha and said the government's decision has "averted national calamity".

"....I was astonished to read that the BJP has attacked the Prime Minister and the Congress party for what the party calls the fast-tracked appointment of Mr. Ranjit Sinha as the Director of the CBI," he said in a letter addressed to Gadkari, copies of which were marked to the Prime Minister and the media.

"I regret that this criticism is a result of complete ignorance of relevant facts and has been instigated by a most undesirable rival who had to withdraw his petition before the CAT yesterday as a result of the appointment," he said.

Taken aback by Jethmalani's outburst against the party, BJP had indicated yesterday it may take disciplinary action against him.

"Jethmalani has been making statements against the BJP President and has now spoken against the two Leaders of the Opposition. We completely deny his charges against them. The party has taken serious note of his statements and strong action will be taken at the appropriate time," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain had said.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Entire BJP behind Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley says

AHMEDABAD: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Sunday said that since so many leaders have campaigned in Gujarat, it indicates that the entire BJP is behind Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

"Many BJP leaders are going to address rallies. This is a indication that the entire party is standing behind Gujarat BJP and Narendrabhai. We are here to give our party a historic victory," Jaitley said.

BJP has organized 87 public rallies in the state on Sunday and Monday in which leaders will campaign for phase one of the poll.

However, though Jaitley is scheduled to address public rallies in Jamnagar district, names of LK Advani and Lok Sabha's leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj are missing.

Replying to a question about rebellion within the party by former chief minster Keshubhai Patel who has fielded candidates from all constituencies during the first phase, and another MLA Kanubhai Kalsaria fighting under the banner of Sadbhavna Manch, Jaitley said, "People will not accept those leaders who have left our party".

"People left BJP not because of ideological differences, but due to personal differences. Those who left the party have regretted their decision. How they will affect us will be clear on the day of result," Jaitley said.

"The Congress does not have any leader to match the calibre of chief minister Narendra Modi and that is the reason they are targeting him. I believe that Modi is one leader whose stature has increased due to this systematic targeting," he said.

On the issue of Modi being prime ministerial candidate for 2014 elections, Jaitley said, "His stature has increased at the national level, but the party will take a decision at an appropriate time on how to use him in future".


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

DMK seeks fresh round of UPA discussion on FDI

CHENNAI: The DMK, a constituent of the ruling United Progressive Alliance, wants another round of discussion within the coalition on allowing FDI in retail, Union health and family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here on Sunday.

Azad met DMK president M. Karunanidhi here, seeking his party's support for the central government's move to allow FDI in retail.

Soon after his meeting, Azad told reporters here that the DMK president suggested another round of discussion with the alliance partners on the issue.

According to Azad, such a meeting of alliance partners will be held in a day or two where the parties could express their views.

The DMK, which has 18 members in the Lok Sabha, had earlier expressed its opposition to FDI in retail.

The DMK president was assured that the central government would not force any state government to allow FDI in retail.

The Congress is seeking the support of its allies on the government's move to allow FDI.

The opposition parties have demanded discussion with voting in parliament on FDI in retail and the government is taking a stock of the views of its allies on the matter.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Retired CAG officers ready for debate on 2G spectrum report

NEW DELHI: Joining the controversy over the CAG report on 2G spectrum allocation, retired senior officers of the public auditor have expressed their keenness to debate the issue with government functionary on any platform.

"If the Minister and his colleagues having been outdone on television debates and still desire another public debate, we -- retired senior officers -- are willing for any debate on any platform of their choice. After all, their star performer is also a retired Indian Audit & Accounts Service officer," B S Gill, former deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on behalf of senior retired officials, said in a statement.

The statement comes in response to a call by Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari who sought an open debate on the 2G spectrum report with Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai.

A new twist to the controversy had been added earlier by retired CAG Director General R P Singh who had distanced himself from the report which had said that government suffered a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore on account of allocation of 2G spectrum without auction.

The CAG, the statement said, is too high and dignified a Constitutional authority to engage in any unseemly public debate.

"It is for good reasons that the founding fathers of our Constitution have compared his (CAG) position to that of a Supreme Court judge. Even when Ministers preferring to ignore Constitutional decorum, make such unreasonable statements, we would never advise the CAG to be a party to such an extraordinary impropriety," Gill said.

Noting that government finding CAG reports uncomfortable was not a new phenomenon, he said, "never has there been such a strident attack in the media against the institution of the CAG. To prop up a retired officer and have him make disparaging remarks against the professional practices of the department is a new low."


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kerala militant outfit killing dogs for training: BJP

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 24 November 2012 | 22.44

KOZHIKODE: The BJP's Kerala unit on Saturday alleged that dogs were being hunted down in north Kerala by an extremist group as part of their training programme and lambasted the government for not taking the matter seriously.

"Government has not taken seriously increasing number of cases of dogs killed at night as part of a training programme by a militant outfit in some places in North Kerala.It is not the work of anti-social elements or an isolated incident " BJP state general secretary K Surendran told reporters here.

Surendran alleged 40 dogs have been attacked with blades at various places in the last three months.

The state government's stand was that these incidents are isolated ones and there was no need for any probe, he charged.

He also demanded the Centre probe sources of funds distributed by Indian Union Muslim League ( IUML) under the guise of relief following reports of counterfeit currency being pumped into the state.

Meanwhile, director general of police KS Balasubramanian told reporters on the sidelines of a function that reports of killing of dogs is being investigated. "A comprehensive probe is being carried out and details cannot be disclosed now," he said to a query.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twelve killed in Jammu and Kashmir region bus accident

JAMMU: At least 12 people were killed and 38 others injured when a bus carrying a marriage party rolled down into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district Saturday evening, police said.

The bus was carrying 50 people to Dudu Basantgarh, about 110 km north of Jammu, when it skidded off the road and rolled down into the gorge.

"The bus rolled down about 300 feet down a deep gorge," said a police officer.

Twelve people were killed on the spot while 38 others, including the bridegroom, were injured. The police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units immediately started the rescue operation.

"There are chances of the toll rising," said the officer.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives.

Mountainous roads in Jammu region are notorious for road accidents. They are mostly attributed to over-loading of passenger buses, poor maintenance of vehicles, and shabby road conditions coupled with lack of skills to drive in mountainous conditions.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Peace begins in the heart of man, Dalai Lama says

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said Saturday he hoped that the remaining 88 years of this century would be peaceful. He said that for peace to endure, it should begin in the heart of man.

"Peace will not fall from the skies or emanate from the earth. No resolution of the United Nations and no feat of science or technology can bring peace. It should originate from the heart of man," said the Dalai Lama, while speaking at 80th Sivagiri pilgrimage at the Sivagiri Madhom, 40 km from here at Varkala, Saturday.

Sivagiri is the hometown of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, renowned for his work to end casteism in the 19th century Kerala.

The Dalai Lama arrived in the state capital Friday on a five-day visit.

At Kochi Sunday, the Nobel Peace Prize winner is set to address the Catholicate centenary celebrations of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

The Dalai Lama pointed out that the 20th century was one in which an unprecedented number of people had died because of war and violence. Nearly 200 million people met violent deaths in the 20th century, he said.

"Scientific and technological advancement had its own share in propelling violence. This was in spite of its significant role in reducing disease and tackling other major achievements to the benefit of humanity. The century saw the extensive use of nuclear arms, and we had Hiroshima and Nagasaki," the Dalai Lama pointed out.

He added that mischievous elements were present in all religions and communities, and asked seers to reach out to the masses, rather than confine themselves to temples reciting slokas and performing poojas.

"Sanyasis (seers) should go out to the masses and strive to cultivate core values for a creating a better society," the Dalai Lama said.

He also released a logo of the exhibition to be held in connection with the Sivagiri pilgrimage, and planted a jackfruit sapling.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Petroleum minister says cap on domestic LPG cylinders could be increased

MYSORE: The Union petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily on Saturday said he is focusing on reducing India's dependence on fossil fuel and cut down the oil imports to 50 per cent of the total needs.

"As we know, US waged Gulf war to secure its energy safety. With whom can we wage war to cut down out oil imports? We've to focus on alternate sources of energy. That is now priority," he said announcing the plans to cut down oil imports to 50 per cent by 2016. It is 80 per cent now, which, he said, is affecting the fiscal management. As part of the initiative, the cabinet has cleared mixing of 5 per cent ethanol with fossil fuel for use in automobiles, he stated.

The cabinet will decide on raising the annual cap on the supply of subsidized cooking gas refills to each family. I'm taking the issue to the cabinet. I'm hopeful it will get through, he told reporters. According to him, the MHRD will have to extend financial assistance to the oil PSUs to get subsidized LGP cylinders to escape the 6-per-year cap. I know the midday meal programme is affected by the decision, which was taken as our financial condition is bad, he stated.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

AIIMS -2 to have national cancer institute and national cardio care centre in Haryana

ROHTAK: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Gulam Nabi Azad today announced that National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Cardio Care Centre (NCCC) would be set up at the second campus of All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) at Badsa in Jhajjar district of Haryana.

Accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the union minister also inaugurated the Outreach OPD of the AIIMS-2 at Badsa village, 47 km from the AIIMS- Delhi on Gurgaon-Badli Road in Haryana.

Azad also announced that AIIMS-2 would be developed as a world class institution and Expression of Interest has already been invited for drafting its master plan through international bidding.

AIIMS-2 Campus is being setup over an area of 300 acres, which has been provided free of cost by the Haryana Government. A committee headed by Union Health Secretary would finalize the selection of master plan for the institute.

The union minister also launched the free medicine facility at AIIMS-2, as per which generic medicines would be provided free of cost to all the patients getting treatment at the OOPD.

Addressing the people on the occasion, he said that the AIIMS OPD would serve as alternate OPD of the Delhi AIIMS and it would not only serve the state of Haryana, but also the whole country. "The waiting period of OPD at Delhi AIIMS will decrease considerably after AIIMS-2 starts functioning. This is the first OPD where free medicines would be provided. The Outreach OPD comprises of the departments of General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Anasthesia and General Surgery. It will also have diagnostic and laboratory facilities", he added.

Azad said that as the heart and cancer diseases were increasing in modern day lifestyle, need was felt for national level institutes. "With 600 beds, the NCI will be biggest Cancer Institute in the country and bigger than even the Tata Cancer Institute, Mumbai. It will be a comprehensive cancer centre having all the facilities to deal with various types of cancers including research and development", he stated.

The National Cardiac Care Centre is also proposed to be established at the same campus. The AIIMA has plans to establish several super-specialty and world-class research facilities at Badsa.

The union minister said that due to high number of patients visiting the Delhi AIIMS, the infrastructure is bursting at the seams with most departments handling workload in excess of their designed capacity. The Outreach OPD at Badsa, Jhajjar has been conceived and designed to handle approximately 1,000 patients per day.

On this occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced that Badsa would be connected through four-lane road to New Delhi and Gurgaon-Badli road would be four-laned with an investment of about Rs 250 crore. The Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway is also near the AIIMS-2, he added.

Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda said AIIMS-2 would accelerate the pace of development in the whole area.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

EC sometimes takes decisions in over-anxiety: SC

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 23 November 2012 | 22.44

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has done good work in recent years but sometimes it takes decisions in over-anxiety, the Supreme Court today said while referring to poll watchdog's order on cash seizure above Rs 2.5 lakh in transit ahead of Gujarat assembly elections.

"It has done good work in the last few years and we must appreciate it. We must give credit to you for this but sometimes you do something in over-anxiety," a bench headed by Justice D K Jain said.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Election Commission challenging order of Gujarat High Court which had quashed it's orders for cash seizure above Rs 2.5 lakh saying that it was unconstitutional.

The bench, however, did not pass any order and adjourned the hearing for Monday.

The High Court, on a PIL filed by Bhagyoday Jan Parishad and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had on November 9 said that EC's directive to randomly search and seize 'in-transit' cash above Rs 2.5 lakh in poll-bound Gujarat was "unconstitutional" and directed it to immediately stop such operations.

"The instructions by the EC which empower its officers to randomly search any vehicle and seize cash above Rs 2.5 lakh is ultra vires (beyond powers) being violative of Article 21 of the Constitution, and also beyond the powers conferred on the EC," the High Court had said.

"We direct the EC that (such) instructions shall not be implemented and there shall not be any indiscriminate or random search or seizure of any vehicle, unless there is any reliable or credible information with the EC," it had said.

The Election Commission directive, dated October 3, followed announcement of the state Assembly elections.

EC had deployed 587 static surveillance teams (SSTs) and 182 flying squads in the state, which have so far seized Rs 22.56 crore of unaccounted money, of which Rs 22.20 crore was handed over to the Income Tax department.

The search and seizure drive had caused a lot of resentment in the business community.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

BJP district president elected amid allegations of forged signatures on rival's nomination

JALANDHAR: Even as former district BJP President Ravi Mahindru was declared elected by returning officer and state general secretary Manjit Singh Rai but the election was mired into controversy with Rai holding that signatures of one of the proposers on the nomination form of Mahindru's rival candidate Shiv Dyal Chugh were forged.

Interestingly Chugh was enjoying support of Local Bodies minister and BJP legislature party leader Bhagat Chunni Lal and latter was taking a lot of interest for getting Chugh elected. Mahindru is a confidant of former local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia. His election as president of district BJP is being seen as setback for Bhagat in the internal politics of BJP.

Though Rai claimed that he checked the records to ascertain the genuineness of the signatures but delegate Jagmohan Verma, who signatures had come under question mark, said that these were his signatures.

Rai told TOI that he had accepted nomination papers from the candidates and when he was checking the papers he found that signatureof delegate and proposer Jagmohan Verma initiated with letter 'G'. "I got suspicious and when I checked the old records carrying Verma's signatures there was a lot of difference and it was clear these had been forged," he said.

Rai held that apart from this defect in papers he personally met the delegates and found that majority was with Ravi Mahindru. "I declared him president on the both the grounds," he said.

However after this serious allegation, Verma owned the signatures stating that he himself signed on the paper. He said that he had two types of signatures however he could not give a satisfactory answer that why his signatures started with letter 'G'. Chugh also denied any forgery holding that all the signatures were genuine on his papers.
22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa lashes out at Centre for its 'negative approach'

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday accused the Centre of continuing to adopt a "negative approach" on various issues including the power front and the contentious Cauvery River water issue."It is the same approach that it (Centre) is adopting even in the Mullaperiyar River issue", she said at a marriage function in the city.

"I wanted to fulfill my people's requirement. Is it possible? How many hurdles the centre is creating. It is also usurping the state's rights", she said. Stating that the Centre was also continuously reducing the quantum of kerosene allocation for the state, Jayalalithaa said her repeated letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh fetched only routine acknowledgement that it has been received.

"We have to overcome all these hurdles and challenges. I am working with a resolve to secure the states' rights," she said pledging to achieve them with people's support Jayalalithaa also pointed out that the Centre has remained silent on convening the CRA meeting and it was only at the intervention of the Supreme Court that the state got "some" water from Karnataka.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jayalalithaa lashes out at Centre for its 'negative approach'

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday accused the Centre of continuing to adopt a "negative approach" on various issues including the power front and the contentious Cauvery River water issue."It is the same approach that it (Centre) is adopting even in the Mullaperiyar River issue", she said at a marriage function in the city.

"I wanted to fulfill my people's requirement. Is it possible? How many hurdles the centre is creating. It is also usurping the state's rights", she said. Stating that the Centre was also continuously reducing the quantum of kerosene allocation for the state, Jayalalithaa said her repeated letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh fetched only routine acknowledgement that it has been received.

"We have to overcome all these hurdles and challenges. I am working with a resolve to secure the states' rights," she said pledging to achieve them with people's support Jayalalithaa also pointed out that the Centre has remained silent on convening the CRA meeting and it was only at the intervention of the Supreme Court that the state got "some" water from Karnataka.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Map row: India calls China's action 'unacceptable', hits back

NEW DELHI/BEIJING: India on Friday termed as "unacceptable" China depicting Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as its territory in maps of the country on their new e-passports, a step that led to retaliatory action by New Delhi.

China sprung the surprise on India when it showed these territories as part of its own in the maps on their new e-passports.

The Indian embassy in Beijing responded by issuing visas to Chinese nationals with a map of India including Arunachal and Aksai Chin as part of its territory.

In India's first official reaction, external affairs minister Salman Khurshid said, "We are not prepared to accept it."

"We, therefore, ensure that our flags of disagreement are put out immediately when something happens. We can do it in an agreeable way or you can do it in a disagreeable way," he told NDTV.

China, on its part, sort of fudged the issue with its foreign ministry spokesperson saying that the matter should be dealt with in a "level headed and rational manner" to avoid "unnecessary disruptions" to people to people exchanges.

"Hope the countries regard it in a cool-headed manner. China would like to maintain communication with other counties to ensure convenience of travel for both Chinese and foreigners", she said in Beijing.

After the Chinese government started issuing new e-passports, carrying pages with watermark Chinese maps including Arunachal and Aksai Chin as its parts, India hit back by issuing visas to Chinese nationals with a map of India including these places as part of its territory.

Earlier also, China had triggered a diplomatic row by issuing stapled visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, terming it as a "disputed territory" and denied visas to those hailing from Arunachal Pradesh.

Peeved over this action, India lodged a strong protest with China which subsequently reverted to issuing normal visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir but without officially admitting that they were doing so.

China's claim to Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, which shares a 1,030km unfenced border with it, is not new.

In 1962, China and India fought a brief war over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, but in 1993 and 1996 the two countries signed agreements to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to maintain peace and tranquility.

Significantly, these developments occur even as a high- level team of Chinese diplomats, for the first time, visited Sikkim in connection with consular issues, which was seen as reconfirmation of Beijing's stance of accepting the state as part of India.

The development comes even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Cambodia where the two leaders discussed ways to move forward on the vexed boundary issue.

National security adviser Shivshankar Menon is expected to visit Beijing soon for the next round of boundary talks at the level of special representatives with his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chhath stampede: Two cases filed against Bihar CM

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 22 November 2012 | 22.44

PATNA: Two cases have been filed in separate courts here against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in connection with the stampede on Chhath festival that claimed 17 lives.

While the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Patna, has fixed hearing in a case on November 26, the court of First Class Judicial Magistrate, Patna City has posted the hearing for November 30.

A local social worker Kishori Das filed a complaint under various sections of IPC in the court of CJM Patna, Ramakant Yadav naming the CM, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi and five others in the incident at Adalatghat on November 19 in which 17 people, including 10 women and children lost their lives.

The CJM admitted it and fixed November 26 for the hearing.

The complainant claimed that his wife was among those injured in the incident.

Another social worker Ramji Yogesh filed a case on the stampede in Patna city court against nine persons, including the CM and his deputy.

First Class Judicial Magistrate of Patna city court Prabhakar Jha posted the matter for hearing on November 30.

The complainant had filed the writ under various sections of the IPC in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Priti Verma, who transferred the case to the court of first class judicial magistrate.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

2G case: Court lets Raja visit Tamil Nadu

NEW DELHI: Former Telecom Minister A Raja, facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case, was today allowed by a Delhi court to visit Tamil Nadu till November 25 from tomorrow.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini gave Raja permission to visit Tamil Nadu on his plea, after it was not opposed by the CBI.

The court also allowed the plea of Swan Telecom promoter and 2G case accused Vinod Goenka to visit Sri Lanka from November 26 to November 28 for business purposes.

Raja sought permission to visit his native place because the court, while granting him bail on May 15 this year, had stipulated that he would not visit his home state without its prior permission.

"Accused A Raja has filed an application for permission to visit Tamil Nadu from November 23 till the night of November 25, 2012.

"Senior Public Prosecutor has no objection to the prayer. Prayer allowed. Accused A Raja is permitted to visit Tamil Nadu...," the judge said.

The court had granted bail to the 49-year-old DMK MP and had directed him not to visit the Department of Telecom (DoT), which he hade presided over as minister, and not to make any inducement, threat or promise, either directly or indirectly, to any person linked to the case.

Raja, along with DMK MP Kanimozhi and others, is facing trial for offences punishable under various provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, faking documents, abusing official position, criminal misconduct by public servant and taking bribe.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

BJP leaders to meet PM over dinner

NEW DELHI: BJP leaders are expected to press their demand for discussion on FDI in multi-brand retail under rules that entail voting during their dinner meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday, party sources said.

The Prime Minister has invited senior party leader L.K. Advani, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to the dinner in which an attempt is likely to be made to narrow down differences on contentious issues, including foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.

The winter session of parliament started Thursday.

The dinner meeting was rescheduled after it was cancelled Saturday last because of the death of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

"The FDI issue may come up during the meeting," a party leader said.

The BJP, along with Left parties, is insistent on a discussion on FDI in multi-brand retail under rules that entail voting.

The logjam on the issue persisted Thursday with the BJP accusing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of keeping the parliament in the dark on its decision of FDI in multi-brand retail.

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, however, denied that there had been any violation of the assurance given by the government in the two houses of parliament last year, of arriving at a consensus on the FDI issue.

The government has legislative agenda for the winter session which it would like to see passed.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain Thursday said the UPA government should allow a debate on FDI in multi-brand retail under rules that entail voting.

He said if the parliament does not function, it will be because of the "arrogance" of the UPA government.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intellectuals bat for Taslima's return to Kolkata

KOLKATA: Demanding the return of exiled controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen to Kolkata, a section of intellectuals and rights activists have alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal was silent on the issue as it was "apprehensive of a backlash from Islamic fundamentalists".

"Being an author, why can't Taslima have the independence to write? It's the readers who decide what they want to read. Readers haven't spurned her. Let there be a decision on her return," said Magsaysay-winning author Mahasweta Devi in a letter that was read out at a meeting Thursday organised by intellectuals and activists.

Nasreen, author of the controversial "Lajja" was exiled from the city on this day (Nov 22) in 2007 after some religious clergy issued a fatwa against her. The issue also sparked violence, and the then Left Front government deported her from the state.

Since then, Nov 22 has been observed as "Lajja Diavs" (Day of Shame) by a section a intellectuals and rights activists.

Observing that readers had not raised any objection to Nasreen's writing, Mahasweta Devi demanded that she be allowed to return to the city so that she could continue to write.

"I sincerely hope and wish that Taslima returns to Kolkata and keeps writing like she used to. Writing in the state is not an offence. This government has come to power only because the people who voted had desired a change," she said in the letter.

Speaking on the occasion, noted educationalist Sunando Sanyal accused the incumbent government of being silent on the issue.

"Perhaps the government is afraid of a backlash from islamic fundamentalists. The people who earlier had criticised the decision are now in power but unfortunately they are silent," said Sanyal.

Human rights activist Sujato Bhadra said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had clearly denied providing any help in this matter.

"Last year I met her (Banerjee) but she clearly said she could not help us. But we will continue to raise our voice demanding Nasreen's return," said Bhadra.

Nasreen fled Bangladesh in 1994, after "Lajja", published in 1993, became hugely controversial for its depiction of a Hindu family persecuted by Muslims.

Nasreen has since lived in exile in different cities, including New Delhi.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Trinamool's no-confidence a small game: IAC

KOLKATA: India Against Corruption(IAC) leader Yogendra Yadav today said the failed attempt by Trinamool Congress to bring a no-confidence motion against the UPA government in Parliament was a 'small game' to prove that it is different.

"These are small games played by political parties who want to put up a show in Parliament. They try to show that they are different from others when they are not," the political analyst working with activist Arvind Kejriwal told reporters here.

"There are small differences between TMC and UPA which are exaggerated. I don't know why should we be interested in these games," he said when asked to comment on TMC's opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail and other issues.

Kejriwal is scheduled to announce his political party on November 26.

TMC's no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the UPA government over FDI in retail flopped earlier in the day in the absence of requisite numbers.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kasab hanging to have adverse impact on Indians in Pakistan jails, says Kuldeep Nayar

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 21 November 2012 | 22.44

Rohtak: Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha MP Kuldeep Nayar has justified the hanging of Pakistan terrorist and convict in Mumbai attack case in 2008, Azmal Kasab who was hanged to death in Yerwada jail in Pune on Wednesday morning. Addressing a 'Meet-the-Press' programme organised jointly by the Haryana Union of Journalists (registered under the Trade Union Act) and the Press Club in Rohtak, Nayar said "It's a delayed but justified decision. It will have positive reaction from India but draw counter reaction from the neighbouring country".

He said that Indians languishing in the Pak jails could be in more trouble after the hanging as they are likely to lose any sympathetic consideration for their release from the Pak authorities. Asked about the fate of another terror mastermind Afzal Guru who is also on the death row like Kasab for many years, Nayar stated that his fate is linked with the Kashmir problem which is perhaps adding to the quandary of the Indian government in taking a decision over his fate. The veteran journalist also expressed concern over the changing face of journalism in India.

"With most of the Media groups being owned by the individuals/corporate entities, the authorities of the journalist as well as editor has been eroded to some extent. Still the media have immense impact and credibility among the masses", he said. While advocating for in-house mechanism to curb malpractices in the media, Nayar stated that he had proposed to the Editors' Guild of India to make it mandatory for newspaper editors to declare their assets but it was turned down. Haryana union of Journalists' district president Tarif Sharma, Press Club Rohtak president Manoj Prabhakar and other members of the two organizations attended the press conference.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Omar mocks US media: 'Hamas are terrorists but, a Kasab a gunman'

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday mocked the American media for describing 26/11 convict Ajmal Kasab, who was executed in a Pune jail on Wednesday morning, as a "gunman" and not a "terrorist".

He tweeted: "So Hamas are terrorists but Kasab was a gunman. Well done American media you really call it like it is. *sarcasm"

Ajmal Kasab, who was the sole surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 attack in Mumbai in which 166 people were killed, was hanged in a jail in Pune's Yerwada jail on Wednesday morning at 7.30am.

In his earlier tweet during the day, Omar Abdullah wrote: "Gotta hand it to the Govts at the centre & in Mumbai for the mature way they handled this. Shows we can still keep a secret if we need to."


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kasab's execution decided two months ago, hangman paid Rs 5,000

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government had decided two months ago to execute Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab on Wednesday at the Yerwada prison in Pune, home minister RR Patil said.

"The Supreme Court upheld Kasab's death penalty on August 29 this year. On September 9, the state government began process for implementation of the death penalty. On September 11, in consultation with the additional sessions judge, the date for execution of Kasab's death penalty was fixed for today," Patil told reporters.

The entire operation was called 'Operation X', the home minister said, adding, the reason behind the secrecy was security concerns and for the execution to be performed smoothly.

"On November 12, I had a meeting with senior officials in Pune to discuss logistics. On November 18, Kasab was shifted to Yerwada prison," Patil said.

He further said that as per jail manual, Kasab was informed in Hindi and Urdu about the execution and his signature was taken on the death warrant.

"Jail manual also prescribes for the family of the accused to be informed. The state government approached the Union ministry of home affairs, which through ministry of external affairs informed the Pakistan high commission," the minister said.

According to Patil, the hangman who executed Kasab was paid Rs 5,000 for the job.

"Earlier, the hangman used to get Rs 10. Now it is Rs 5,000. Although we had received several applications from persons expressing their willingness to do the job for free, the government felt it would be best if an authorized person does it," Patil said.

Before Kasab, the last person to be executed in Maharashtra was in 1995, Patil said.

Patil also clarified that the state government would not be bearing the expenditure incurred by the security cover provided to Kasab by the ITBP personnel.

"We had earlier also said that the central government should bear the expense as the attack was not just on Maharashtra but on the entire nation. We have not yet received any response from the Centre," Patil said.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Expedite decision on Afzal Guru: Digvijaya Singh

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: Calls for speedy hanging of 2001 Parliament attack death row convict Afzal Guru grow louder after the execution of Ajmal Kasab today with opposition BJP leading the charge. Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh also wanted the government to "expedite" the decision on the issue of Afzal Guru, who was sentenced to death in 2004.

President Pranab Mukherjee, meanwhile, returned seven mercy petitions, including that of Guru, for consideration of the Union home ministry. Official sources said it was a normal procedure for the President to refer all pending mercy petitions for consideration to a new home mMinister after he takes charge. Since Sushilkumar Shinde took charge as a home minister on August 1, the seven mercy petitions, including that of Guru, were sent to him for consideration, they said. Shinde himself refused to say anything on when a decision on Guru would be taken, hours after the operation to execute the lone surviving Pakistani gunman in the Mumbai attack was carried out in secrecy.

"What about Afzal Guru, who attacked Parliament, our temple of democracy, in 2001? That offence predates Kasab's heinous act by many years," BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. On Kasab's hanging, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said it had been delayed and asked why Guru had not been sent to the gallows yet. "Kasab has been hanged. But it has taken a lot of time. I want to ask the UPA government why Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru has not been hanged even 10 years after the incident ... Will this government implement the Supreme Court verdict on Afzal Guru. This government should clarify," Gadkari said at a rally in Delhi.

He also accused Congress of doing vote bank politics. Welcoming the execution of Kasab, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh hoped the government would now pursue the case against the handlers in Pakistan as also expedite the decision on Guru.

"I welcome it. Now the government of India should pursue the case against the handlers in Pakistan. They should expedite the decision on Afzal Guru," Singh said. Seven people were killed in the Parliament attack during which five militants were also eliminated.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Online petition urges Maharashtra DGP to drop charges against Palghar girls

NEW DELHI: An online campaign petitioning the director general of police, Maharashtra to drop the charges against the two Palghar girls, Shaheen Dhadha and Renu Srinivasan, has gathered more than 8,500 signatures at the time of writing, numbers steadily climbing. Started by a Kolkata-based 28-year-old Mukut Ray on Tuesday, the petition will be sent to the police commissioner of Thane, the chief minister of Maharashtra and director general of police, Maharashtra after it hits the 10,000-mark.

"I started out with a Facebook status, to see what my friends thought of it. But they were scared to even 'like' it. They asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this. But I was very angry and frustrated about what had happened. It is undemocratic and totally wrong," says Ray, who works for a non-profit organisation that works for underprivileged women and children.

Ray says she did not expect the kind of response she received for the petition, hosted on the website change.org. There were obvious apprehensions about posting it online since the arrests in question had been made for voicing a contrarian opinion on the web.

The Palghar girls were arrested after one of them posted a status update wondering about the efficacy of the state bandh following Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's death. The other was arrested for merely "liking" the status. Shaheen Dhadha's uncle's ortheopaedic clinic in Palghar was also vandalized by Shiv Sainiks before the arrest. The girls were arrested under section 505 (2) of the IPC and released later on bail. Nine Shiv Sainiks were arrested for vandalism.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Facebook post on Bal Thackeray: Shiv Sena justifies police action against two girls

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 20 November 2012 | 22.44

MUMBA: Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut on Tuesday justified the police action against the two girls from Palghar for their Facebook post on Bal Thackeray's funeral. "Balasaheb's death has been a shock to the entire nation. Sainiks showed tremendous restrain in controlling their emotions," Raut said

"The bandh was spontaneous and not forced by Sena. It was because of love and respect for Balasaheb. Shiv Sainiks were naturally upset at the misuse of the social media to post provocative comments," he added.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government said the report of inquiry into girls' arrest is expected on Wednesday. "The inquiry has begun and will look into whether the arrests were warranted and whether the sections applied were correct. Similarly, the probe will also investigate the incident of vandalism in the aftermath," Home Minister R R Patil said.

The government instituted an inquiry headed by the Konkan range IG into the matter yesterday and sought a report immediately.

Patil said it would be wrong on his part to comment on the police action when the inquiry was on.

The report of the IG level inquiry in the case is expected tomorrow, he said.

"Government has taken the incident very seriously," he said, adding more clarity was required in the IT Act to prevent misuse.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters, "Let the report come, then action would be taken."

Outrage grows

The outrage over the arrest of two girls grew today with Union IT Minister Milind Deora lending weight saying there should be no "misuse" of laws and a complaint also being filed alleging human rights violations.

The police, meanwhile, arrested 10 Shiv Sainiks in connection with the attack on the clinic of the uncle of Shaheen Dada, who was arrested along with Renu on Sunday. The activists were later granted bail by a local court.

The two girls were arrested for posting comments opposing the Mumbai shutdown for the funeral of Bal Thackeray on Sunday However, they were granted bail yesterday after they furnished personal bonds.

Shaheen said she has apologised for the post. "I have apologised for the post," she said, adding that whatever happened was unfair.

Shaheen said she would never use the social media network henceforth. She had no comments to offer on whether she had done anything wrong but described Thackeray as a "great guy" whom they "truly respected".

Deora, the Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology hoped that the Maharashtra government would take remedial measures. The arrests were an "undue harassment" by law enforcement agencies, he said.

"In my opinion what they posted on Facebook does not warrant any FIR or arrest under Information Technology Act or under draconian IPC sections," he said.

Deora, a Congress leader from Mumbai, said Maharashtra government must send out a clear message that any of these laws will not be misused by or it by local agencies. He also condemned the attack on the clinic and hoped those behind it will be brought to justice.

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said the state government has taken the case "very seriously."

"So far, we have arrested nine persons in connection with ransacking the clinic of Abdul Dhada. We are looking for some more people," SP Thane rural Ravindra Sengaokar said.

Eminent lawyer Abha Singh filed a complaint before Maharashtra State Commission for Women alleging human rights violation in the arrest of the two girls.

She also demanded dismissal of the police officers involved in registering the case.

TOI had reported in its edition dated November 19 that Shiv Sainiks, angered by Shaheen Dhada's post on a social networking site, vandalized a clinic in Palghar owned by her uncle.

On Sunday, Shaheen Dhada (21) posted a comment on her Facebook page questioning the shutdown (following Bal Thackeray's death). Local Shiv Sainiks in Palghar objected and asked her to apologize, which she allegedly refused to initially. Despite her later posting of an apology, a big mob of activists vandalized the Dhada orthopaedic hospital belonging to her uncle Dr Abdul Dhada and manhandled staff and patients.

Under Sainiks' pressure, police detained Shaheen and her friend Rini Srinivasan (21, who had 'liked' Shaheen's comment on FB) late at night and arrested them on Monday morning for "hurting religious sentiments." The charge was later reduced and the two girls granted bail on surety of Rs 15,000 each.

(With inputs from PTI)


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mamata removes key industry officials

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has removed two key officials from the industry department, thus sending out the message of revitalizing a sector which is crying for attention.

Nandini Chakravorty, managing director of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), the premier agency of the state's commerce and industry department, has been replaced with Krishna Gupta, who was managing director, West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL). C M Bachhawat is the new industry secretary, replacing Alapan Bandopadhyay.

Bachhawat, has been finance secretary in the Mamata government and had sought a transfer "to a less daunting department" a year ago. He has now been given added responsibility (in addition to food and supplies where he was principal secretary). Bachhawat has served as director, industries and executive director, WBIDC. Gupta has had a stint in the Union ministry of commerce.

Industrialists however remained nonchalant of the move since the government is determined to continue with its hands-off land acquisition policy and no-SEZ stance. One of them anonymously said, "We still don't know if industry is a priority with this government. What can officials do when there is no political will?"

The Mamata government which completed one-and-a-half year on Monday has been in the eye of a storm over the way it handled the Haldia dock crisis that saw a cargo handler leaving the state, citing unsafe work conditions. Since then, the chief minister has been on a damage-control mission - trying to formulate a new industrial policy, based on feedback from chambers of commerce. Mamata will also organise a business meet in Delhi on December 17 to woo captains of industry.

The chief minister's decision to remove Chakravorty and Bandopadhyay came as a surprise to IAS officials. The former has been the chief minister's blue-eyed officer, entrusted with two key roles - as principal secretary, information and culture and as MD, WBIDC. The 1994-batch officer was the youngest MD of the organisation - from Tuesday she also became the shortest serving MD, WBIDC. Chakravorty will, however, remain the information secretary and Bandopadhyay will continue to hold his other charge - that of secretary, municipal affairs. Krishna will be replaced by Barun Roy.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

No-trust motion: Congress ridicules Trinamool

NEW DELHI: Ridiculing Trinamool Congress plans to move a no-trust motion in Lok Sabha, government today expressed confidence about its numbers, which it was ready to establish "as and when required".

"For the first time in my 32 years in Parliament, I am seeing a party with 19 members moving a no-confidence motion," an upbeat Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said in a brief interaction with reporters ahead of the Winter Session beginning Thursday.

Projecting Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as a mercurial leader, he said, "She was on this (government) side till the last session, now she is on that (opposition) side."

Taking a dig at TMC, he said, "a former ally of 19 members threatening us does not mean it is a threat. It does not mean we are counting our numbers. We are confident of our numbers ... We are not a government without numbers. As and when required we will establish it on the floor of the House."

Nath, who had convened a meeting of the chief whips of all political parties earlier in the day, said Trinamool leaders did mention that they planned to move a no-confidence motion on the first day but "no other party made any comment on their support".

Leader of the Lok Sabha and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also dismissed any threat to the government.

"We are not not afraid. We have the numbers," he said separately.

Insisting that FDI in retail was a policy matter, Nath said that never in the past has there been a voting in Parliament on a policy issue.


22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger