India to Pakistan: Release Sarabjit Singh, punish attackers

NEW DELHI: India on Monday appealed to Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of Sarabjit Singh's case and release him.

India said that it is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to ensure safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody.

The Indian government also demanded that the attack on Sarabjit Singh be thoroughly investigated and those responsible punished.

Earlier, Pakistan on Monday said that the "best possible care" is being given to Indian death row convict Sarabjit Singh - comatose in a Lahore hospital after a brutal assault - and that there are no plans to move him.

They dismissed a report that a medical board was considering a proposal to send Sarabjit abroad.

Sarabjit, 49, is being provided the best possible care in a Lahore hospital, and there are no plans to move him, information minister Arif Nizami said.

Nizami, a key member of the caretaker government, told PTI that Sarabjit "would continue" to be treated at Jinnah hospital in Lahore and there are no plans to move him.

"The best possible care is being provided to Sarabjit", he said on the sidelines of an official event in Islamabad.

The caretaker govt has also taken steps to provide consular access to Sarabjit for Indian officials, he said.

Meanwhile, officials said the four-member medical board headed by Jinnah Hospital chief executive Mahmood Shaukat conducted a routine examination of Sarabjit on Monday morning, officials said.

They rejected a media report that the board was mulling a proposal to send Sarabjit abroad for treatment.

"No such proposal has been under consideration," an official of the health department of Punjab province said.

"In fact, the medical board has no mandate (to decide about sending Sarabjit abroad)," said the official, who did not want to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The medical board is "minutely monitoring the patient" and Sarabjit is being given the "best treatment" at Jinnah Hospital, the official said.

Sources in the hospital said that there had been "no improvement whatsoever" in Sarabjit's condition.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India formally asks Pakistan to release Sarabjit Singh

NEW DELHI: India on Monday asked Pakistan to release death row convict Sarabjit Singh, whose condition remains critical after being brutally assaulted by jail inmates in Lahore, and demanded that a through investigation be done into the attack to ensure punishment to the guilty.

The Indian government also asked Pakistan to consider the option of transferring 49-year-old Sarabjit to India so that he can benefit from the best medical treatment available here.

Based on the most recent medical bulletin put out by doctors treating him, it is clear that his condition remains critical, ministry of external affairs said, adding that it "shares the anguish and concern of his family members, and our prayers will remain with them".

In a statement, the ministry said, "In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh."

It reiterated its demands that the attack on Sarabjit be thoroughly investigated to identify those who were responsible and to ensure that they are punished.

MEA also noted that "it is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody."

Meanwhile, the ministry said officials of the Indian high commission are in touch with the medical authorities at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore and "we would like them to consider the option of transferring Sarabjit Singh to India so that he can benefit from the best medical treatment available here."

Earlier, minister of state for home RPN Singh said India is ready to provide full medical assistance to Sarabjit.

"It is our endeavour and we will do whatever is in our hands to make sure that all proper medical treatment is given to Sarabjit Singh — whether it is Pakistani doctors or medical experts from foreign countries. We are also ready to provide full medical assistance, if there is a need for any assistance from our side," he told reporters outside Parliament House.

Sarabjit sustained several injuries, including a skull fracture, when six prisoners attacked him in Kot Lakhpat Jail on Friday and doctors have said his chances of survival are slim.

He was hit on the head with bricks and grievously injured with sharp weapons. He is in a deep coma and on ventilator support in an intensive care unit of Jinnah Hospital.

He was convicted of alleged involvement in a string of bomb attacks in Punjab province that killed 14 people in 1990. His mercy petitions were rejected by the courts and former President Pervez Musharraf. The Pakistan People's Party-led government put off Sarabjit's execution for an indefinite period in 2008.

His family says he is the victim of mistaken identity and had inadvertently strayed across the border in an inebriated state.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chinese troops erect fifth tent in Ladakh, deploy dogs

LEH/NEW DELHI: Showing no signs of withdrawing from the Indian territory after their incursion in Ladakh two weeks ago, Chinese troops have erected an additional tent in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector raising to five the number of such structures in the area.

The Chinese troops have also deployed molosser dogs to keep a vigil, according to latest reports on Monday from the site of incursion, 70km south of Burtse in Ladakh division. The reports said the Chinese side have increased the number of tents to five.

A banner hoisted outside the camp reads in English "you are in Chinese side" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel maintaining a round-the-clock vigil along with the molosser dogs which are considered as the best for keeping a watch in these high-altitude areas, official sources said.

While their officers were armed with Chinese Makarovs, the PLA soldiers had a variant of AK series of assault rifles.

According to a detailed report, the additional tent has come up after three failed flag meetings between Indian and Chinese armies at Chashul.

The report said aggressive patrolling by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had managed to push back intruding Chinese troops back by at least 9km before they settled down at the present location which is nearly 18km inside Indian territory in the DBO Sector. The sector is at an altitude of 17,000 feet.

According to a report submitted to the ministries of home and defence, the incursion was detected by the ITBP on the intervening night of April 15 and 16 which sent its quick reaction team which not only prevented the Chinese PLA personnel from further progressing in the area but also pushed them back across the Rakhi Nallah.

The sources said the situation would have further worsened if the ITBP personnel, deployed at the high altitude, had not moved in quickly.

The Chinese, however, halted their retreat and pitched their "artic" tents well 18km inside the Indian territory.

The ITBP jawans immediately erected flags with message in Mandarin and English reminding the Chinese troops of "peace and tranquillity agreement and asking them to return to their side".

The face-off between the two sides has since continued even as ITBP jawans are assisted by Ladakh Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army.

There is no aggressive patrolling by either side, the sources said.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Poojari lambasts at Modi

MANGALORE: Former Union minister B Janardhan Poojari has likened Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to Hitler.

"There is no democracy in Gujarath. The state is under the dictatorship of Modi. He make all ministers and officials work according to his diktat. Modi claims that Gujarath is a developed state. It is Bihar, which is the richest state in the nation and it has been ranked fifth richest state in the world," Poojari told TOI.

He said that Modi was indirectly responsible for the Gujarat riots. "It is ridiculous to hear the claims of Modi that BJP is a clean party, even when he was flanked by deputy chief minister R Ashok, who is facing corruption charges and BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar, who is involved in loan scam," Poojari ridiculed.

Quoting CAG report, Poojari alleged that Modi has incurred huge loss of Rs 580 crore to Gujarath government exchequer.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt to give protection to 'retired' public servants for any bona fide mistake

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet may in its next meeting on Wednesday approve a much-awaited proposal to bring certain amendments in the Prevention of Corruption Act, providing a safeguard to 'retired' public servants from unnecessary prosecution for any bona fide omission or commission in the discharge of their official duties during their service period.

Besides, the amendments also provide for allowing confiscation of property acquired by public servants through corrupt means and broadening the definition of 'bribery' covering act of foreign intermediaries or middlemen as an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

At present, the government's protection -- which is available to only serving public servant in the form of prosecution sanction -- does not extend to 'babus' once they retire. Government has felt the need to bring the amendment to extend this protection to the retired ones so that it would be mandatory for the prosecuting agency to get prior sanction before going in to prosecute them for something which they might have done with good intention.

The proponents of the amendment, giving protection to retired public servants, believe that there is a need to protect such officials as they had to sometimes take a decision in good faith keeping in mind the larger public interest.

"Public servants won't take any tough decision if you go on prosecuting them for any bona fide omission or commission in the discharge of their official duties", said an official.

Other amendment relates to confiscation of properties of corrupt public servants. If accepted by the Cabinet, the change will empower special judge to exercise powers of attachment of properties before judgment in the corruption case.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

pls put online

NEW DELHI: Countering the Opposition's call for removal of P C Chacko as chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) looking into the 2G spectrum issue, Congress members of the panel on Thursday wrote to LokSabha Speaker Meira Kumar seeking the removal of BJP members Jaswant Singh, YashwantSinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad, citing a conflict of interest.

Stating that the three members were "very closely associated with the decision-making process in the government between 1998 and 2004, which have come under scrutiny of the JPC," the letter from the six Congress MPs on the JPC said this "has led to conflict of interest resulting in their vehement opposition to the findings of the committee in the draft report".

Interestingly, the realization that the three BJP MPs on JPC had a conflict of interest has come rather late in the day. The timing of the Congress MPs letter obviously raised questions, given that it immediately followed the Opposition members' letter to the Speaker seeking removal of P C Chacko as JPC chief for being "partisan".

The Congress MPs' letter recalls that Jaswant Singh, as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, was chairman of the high-level Group on Telecom (GoT) constituted by the government on New Telecom Policy on November 20, 1998, and was re-appointed to head the Group on March 1, 1999, even after he became the external affairs minister. Yashwant Sinha, who was then minister of finance, was appointed as chairman of the Group on Telecom and IT Convergence on November 10, 2000. "Jaswant Singh, as minister of finance, was again appointed as chairman of GoM on telecom matters constituted on September 10, 2003, of which Yashwant Sinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad , as minister of state (independent charge) for Information and Broadcasting, were members.

"In their capacity as chairmen/members of the GoM/GoT/GoT-IT and as Union ministers, these members were instrumental in taking major decisions relating to the telecom sector, that are being investigated by the JPC as its terms of reference are spread over the period from 1998 to 2009. As the Committee is in the process of finalising its report, they (Singh, Sinha and Prasad) have begun to show their restlessness and resistance as their decisions have come under the scanner of the committee," the Congress MPs complained to the Speaker.

"As they were themselves part of the decision making process by either being on the council of ministers or on the panels on telecom, this could constitute conflict of interest with their duty as members of the JPC...as such, it would not be fair to allow them to sit in judgment on their own decisions," they said.

Citing House conduct rules that empower the Speaker to decide on removal of a member where an objection is taken to his/her inclusion in a committee on the ground that he/she has a personal, pecuniary or direct interest of such an intimate character that it may prejudicially affect the outlook and decisions of the committee, the MPs requested Meira Kumar that they be expeditiously removed from the membership of the JPC "in the interest of justice and fairness."

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Congress seeks removal of Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Ravi Shankar from JPC

NEW DELHI: Countering the Opposition's call for removal of P C Chacko as chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) looking into the 2G spectrum issue, Congress members of the panel on Thursday wrote to LokSabha Speaker Meira Kumar seeking the removal of BJP members Jaswant Singh, YashwantSinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad, citing a conflict of interest.

Stating that the three members were "very closely associated with the decision-making process in the government between 1998 and 2004, which have come under scrutiny of the JPC," the letter from the six Congress MPs on the JPC said this "has led to conflict of interest resulting in their vehement opposition to the findings of the committee in the draft report".

Interestingly, the realization that the three BJP MPs on JPC had a conflict of interest has come rather late in the day. The timing of the Congress MPs letter obviously raised questions, given that it immediately followed the Opposition members' letter to the Speaker seeking removal of P C Chacko as JPC chief for being "partisan".

The Congress MPs' letter recalls that Jaswant Singh, as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, was chairman of the high-level Group on Telecom (GoT) constituted by the government on New Telecom Policy on November 20, 1998, and was re-appointed to head the Group on March 1, 1999, even after he became the external affairs minister. Yashwant Sinha, who was then minister of finance, was appointed as chairman of the Group on Telecom and IT Convergence on November 10, 2000. "Jaswant Singh, as minister of finance, was again appointed as chairman of GoM on telecom matters constituted on September 10, 2003, of which Yashwant Sinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad , as minister of state (independent charge) for Information and Broadcasting, were members.

"In their capacity as chairmen/members of the GoM/GoT/GoT-IT and as Union ministers, these members were instrumental in taking major decisions relating to the telecom sector, that are being investigated by the JPC as its terms of reference are spread over the period from 1998 to 2009. As the Committee is in the process of finalising its report, they (Singh, Sinha and Prasad) have begun to show their restlessness and resistance as their decisions have come under the scanner of the committee," the Congress MPs complained to the Speaker.

"As they were themselves part of the decision making process by either being on the council of ministers or on the panels on telecom, this could constitute conflict of interest with their duty as members of the JPC...as such, it would not be fair to allow them to sit in judgment on their own decisions," they said.

Citing House conduct rules that empower the Speaker to decide on removal of a member where an objection is taken to his/her inclusion in a committee on the ground that he/she has a personal, pecuniary or direct interest of such an intimate character that it may prejudicially affect the outlook and decisions of the committee, the MPs requested Meira Kumar that they be expeditiously removed from the membership of the JPC "in the interest of justice and fairness."

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abu Jundal's trial in 26/11 case to start from May 4

MUMBAI: The trial of suspected LeT operative Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case will start here from May 4.

"The sessions court (which is conducting the trial) today issued production warrant against him," said a crime branch official.

Mumbai crime branch took Jundal's custody from Delhi police in the 26/11 case on July 21, 2012, and filed chargesheet in October. The chargesheet says he was a key conspirator who was in the 'control room' in Pakistan during the attacks and gave instructions to the terrorists.

A native of Beed in Maharashtra, Jundal was arrested in Delhi following his deportation from Saudi Arabia in June 2012. Currently he is at Arthur Road jail here.

Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008 left 166 dead and many more injured. The chargesheet speaks about Jundal's training in Pakistan, preparations for attack, LeT hierarchy, the precise roles played those involved, etc.

According to Jundal's confession, LeT training camps enjoyed full support from local, federal police and para-military organisations in Pakistan.

According to crime branch, after fleeing Maharashtra in May 2006, Jundal went to Bangladesh. Pakistani agency ISI facilitated his travel to Pakistan.

In Maharashtra, Jundal is also accused of involvement in Aurangabad Arms Haul case of 2006, German Bakery blast case in Pune, and Nashik Police Academy attack conspiracy case.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police reform: SC asks chief secretaries of states to file response

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the chief secretaries of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa to file their affidavits on compliance of its directions on police reforms and constituting state security commission (SSC).

A bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi directed the chief secretaries to respond when the SSC was constituted and how many sittings had taken place and directed them to provide the minutes of the meetings.

"We direct the chief secretaries of Rajasthan, Haryana, UP, AP, Maharashtra and Goa to file their affidavits on total compliance of direction given in Prakash Singh case on constituting the SSC," the bench said.

It said that on the next date of hearing, the bench will also consider giving any further direction and whether the Chief Justice of the concerned high court can be asked to monitor the functioning of the SSC.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mamata Banerjee under attack for asking people to smoke more

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday came in for sharp criticism from within her party and the opposition after she suggested people to "smoke more" to provide compensation to victims of a chit fund scam.

"Smoking is bad.. let there be tax on it. But am I responsible for what Sudipta Sen did? Why should I pay more tax on every cigarette I smoke? I haven't fleeced the people, I haven't fleeced their money," rebel Trinamool Congress parliamentarian Kabir Suman said.

The singer-turned-politician said the 10 percent additional tax on cigarettes announced by the Banerjee government on Wednesday was not a "valid political argument".

Banerjee on Wednesday announced the constitution of Rs 500 crore relief fund for compensating depositors who have lost money by investing in chit funds run by the Saradha Group.

After declaring the 10 percent additional tax on cigarettes, Banerjee with a smile had said: "Smoke a little more to help the investors".

Congress MP and spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury described Banerjee's suggestion as "alarming and destructive".

"When the world has been campaigning against the fatal effects of smoking, the chief minister comes out asking people to smoke more. It is alarming, it is destructive," said Chowdhury.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

TMC MP blames Centre, RBI for not acting against Saradha group

KOLKATA: With the Trinamool Congress government under fire over the alleged fraud by collapsed chit fund company Saradha Group, senior party leader Saugata Roy on Wednesday blamed central agencies like RBI for not taking action in the matter.

"The Centre did not take action. RBI could have taken steps. But it did not act," Roy, a TMC Lok Sabha member told .

Roy said he had made a case against chit funds during his speech in Lok Sabha on December 18 last year.

To a question on the return of money to the defrauded depositers, he said that the West Bengal government had no role in it.

"Even if the state government wanted it cannot do so. It has to be done at the direction of the high court. If the matter later goes to court and a liquidator is appointed, then it can be done," he said, adding that government has instituted a SIT probe and an high-level inquiry into it.

"Morever, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said that action will be taken against all involved in the matter," Roy added.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Center to explore Kerala model on 'community policing for students'

NEW DELHI: Amid growing demand for involving local people in a day-to-day non-core police works, the Center has approved a proposal to increase the fund for 'community policing' from existing Rs 5 lakh per district per annum to Rs 10 lakh per district per annum. The token amount, given to the state, is basically meant for making citizens aware of their roles in assisting cops.

NEW DELHI: Besides, the home ministry is considering a proposal of the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) on 'Community Policing for Students', adopting 'Student Police Cadet' model of Kerala which is a school-based youth development initiative that trains high school students by inculcating in them respect for the law, discipline, civic sense, empathy for vulnerable sections of society and resistance to social evils.

The Kerala model, which is meant for all government, government-aided and private unaided schools, imparts training to students through various camps and classroom activities involving local police personnel who interact with them at regular intervals with instructions on certain dos and don'ts.

Community police officers, staff of supporting departments including traffic and drill instructors are involved in interactive training programmes in schools at least twice a week. Though the state government funds the 'Student Police Cadet' scheme in Kerala, private unaided schools meet expenses from their own resources.

Referring to the BPR&D proposal, the MoS for home affairs M Ramachandran on Tuesday said, "Its implementation (across the country) is subject to availability of funds, consent of state governments and acceptance of other agencies, that are proposed to be engaged in the project". The minister was responding to a Parliament Question on the issue of 'community policing' in Lok Sabha.

The concept of the community policing is aimed at associating citizens with the local police in solving neigbourhood problems in enforcing laws, preventing and detecting crimes, restoring order and peace in the area and reducing crimes against women and weaker sections.

Locating and reporting to the police about strangers and other persons of doubtful character, assisting local police in patrolling at night in crime prone areas, ensuring timely flow of crime related intelligence from the community to the police and ensuring communal harmony through collective efforts particularly during festivals, religious processions and public functions are some of the key functions of 'community policing'.

A home ministry official said, "The increased fund for the community policing is currently meant for 106 districts in disturbed areas which are covered under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme of the Center".

Other districts in both rural and urban areas are covered with funds provided by the state police. Expenditure under the SRE Scheme is first incurred by the states and thereafter reimbursed by the Centre. However, 25% advance of the approved annual work plan outlay is provided to the states in the beginning of the financial year for smooth implementation of the Scheme.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Saradha chit fund scam: Mamata govt to set up Rs 500 crore relief package for the duped

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Wednesday said that it would set up a Rs 500 crore relief fund for the investors allegedly duped by the Saradha group and that none including Trinamool Congress MPs would be spared if found guilty.

"The government will set up a Rs 500 crore relief fund for the affected small and medium investors of Saradha group. Their names will be recommended by the commission of inquiry which has been set up," chief minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters here.

The chief minister also said that none of players involved in the incident including Trinamool MPs would be spared if found guilty.

Obliquely referring to TMC MPs Kunal Ghosh who had recently resigned as the CEO of the Saradha Media group, which had owned a TV news channel and party MP Srinjoy Bose, editor of a Bengali daily, Banerjee said, "One journalist is being targetted ... There are so many journalists ... there is no use of identyfying one channel and one newspaper.

"If any MP of Trinamool Congress has committed an offence, the law will take its own course," she said, accusing the CPM of politicking over a people's issue.

"How many CPM MPs have stashed their money and with how much did they run their party? And, a news channel identifying others will be exposed.

"Iswar and Allah knows who has kept money for how many days. The government has no data," she said.

Banerjee said, out of Rs 500 crore, Rs 150 crore would be raised by imposing tax on tobacco products. The balance would be garnered without burdening the people, she said.

She said that the affected investors were also urged to give the details of their investments to the commission to be headed by former CJ of Allahabad high court Shyamal Sen.

Expressing regret over the turn of the events which unfolded since the collapse the Saradha Group, the chief minister urged the affected people to stay calm while the government made efforts to help them.

"Forget that it is your problem or my problem, it is the people's problem," she added.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karnataka CM targets Rahul Gandhi, says he insulted people

MYSORE/CHAMARAJNAGAR: The BJP on Wednesday stepped up campaigning for the party candidates in Mysore and Chamarajnagar districts with key leaders-CM JagadishShettar and national general secretary Anantha Kumar-leading the charge attacking the opposition.

The two leaders toured the twin districts and addressed public rallies. They railed the Congress and KJP accusing it of corruption and double speak. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's visit to North Karnataka on Tuesday was referred by the two leaders to charge him of insulting the voters. What they picked up in particular was the time Rahul Gandhi addressed the rallies, which, they said, shows his concern for the people who wait for him. Rahul Gandhi has asked the electorate to defeat BJP accusing us of corruption. He spoke for merely 5-10 minutes. This displays his concern for the people waiting in the sun for him for hours, the CM said addressing a rally at Chamarajnagar.

In Mysore, Anantha Kumar said, in all, Rahul Gandhi spoke for 24 minutes at three rallies. This is an affront to the people. According to him, Congress had done badly in the constituencies where Rahul Gandhi had canvassed in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. This should work for us, he stated. Congress-led UPA has involved in corruption, he said naming 2G, Commonwealth scam, which, he said has made the country poorer by Rs 10 lakh crores.

Both the leaders downplayed corruption charges made by KJP leader V Dhananjaya Kumar against BJP patriarch L K Advani. "Yeddyurappa has apologized and the issue is closed. We've complained to the EC," Anantha Kumar told reporters. It is cheap politics and there is no need to respond to the charges, Shettar stated. Meanwhile, Dhanajaya Kumar continued to be defiant and said he stands by his charge. Advani control the governments where BJP is ruling. I'll release the evidence, he said at Chamarajnagar.

Meanwhile, Anantha Kumar has said Congress is afraid to name its CM candidate unlike their party. Let them announce the CM candidate if they really want people to choose their leader in the polls. "We've announced CM Jagadish Shettar as our choice. What is the Congress choice?" If Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi believe in democracy, let them name their nominee, he stated.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Army to raise two new airborne units for deployment near China border

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of China strengthening its capability to airlift soldiers, India is planning to raise around 1,500 more airborne troops for deployment in the northeast along the China border.

Under the 12th Defence Plan, India is planning to raise two new battalions of the airborne troops with around 1,500 personnel under the elite Parachute Regiment of the Army, defence ministry sources told PTI here.

The new raisings would be apparently used to check any move by any adversary to airdrop their troops within Indian territory and capture that area, they said.

The new units would also be used for the conventional roles in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in that area and would also be capable of being dropped behind enemy lines in case of any future war, they said.

Recently, the Army raised the 11 Para (SF) that is being deployed under the Tezpur-based 4 Corps and 3 Corps in Dimapur which are two of the Army's main formations looking after the border with China in the northeast.

The Parachute Regiment has 10 units under it of which eight are special forces units while the rest are Para Commando units with capability of launching airborne operations.

Seven among them have already been trained and classified as special forces, which are supposed to carry out counter-insurgency operations during peacetime and sabotage enemy installations beyond enemy lines during wars.

They are deployed in different sectors of the country and have also been given the responsibility to handle 26/11 type attacks near their area of deployment.

China in the recent past has significantly enhanced its capability to launch airborne operations and according to some reports, can air lift more than 3,500 soldiers for operational deployment in one go.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

SC to consider draft rules on sexual harassment at apex court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to constitute a committee headed by an eminent jurist to finalise the draft rules for dealing with sexual harassment complaints of women, including lady lawyers, working at the apex court.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, said the name of the chairman of the committee, which will also go into various other issues raised in the report prepared on its order, would be decided on Thursday.

A report placed on Tuesday before the bench said the sexual harassment complaint committees at various high courts and district courts across the country existed only on paper without much power or guidelines and there is a lack of space for their working.

The report was prepared by Asha Menon, member secretary, National Legal Services Authority, who was asked by the apex court on March 21 to provide data on the establishment of committees constituted in different courts across the country as per the Vishaka judgement dealing with the issues of sexual harassment of women at workplace.

"The picture that emerges from this report is that the committees are only on paper," advocate Binu Tamta told the bench, also comprising justices A R Dave and Ranjana Prakash Desai.

Tamta, who filed the petition on the issue along with another lady advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija, said the report is clear that "there is a need to have rules to empower the committee".

Makhija said they have prepared the draft rules which can be considered by the committee to be appointed by the apex court.

She submitted that there was a need for two separate committees which could go into the complaints of the employees of the court and another can look into the complaints of women lawyers working in the Supreme Court and other courts.

Attorney general G E Vahanvati told the bench that the apex court had on October 19, 2012 considered the 1997 Vishaka verdict and addressed the issue by directing all regulatory bodies like Bar Council of India (BCI) and Medical Council of India (MCI), which regulate different professions, to set up a committee to deal with all cases of sexual harassment at the workplace.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tripura, Meghalaya to ban gutka, pan masala

AGARTALA/SHILLONG: Following the direction of the union government, Tripura and Meghalaya will ban the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) and pan masala (a chewing mixture), officials said on Tuesday.

Health department officials of Tripura and Meghalaya said that both the states have already taken initiative to ban the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka, khaini, pan masala and other chewing products containing tobacco or nicotine.

Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim have already banned such products.

The Supreme Court earlier this month directed 23 states and five Union Territories to file status report on the implementation of the notification issued by them banning these products and also asked the remaining states and Union Territories to explain the reasons why they have not imposed the ban so far and the time they need to do so.

"Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura have emerged as the maximum tobacco consuming states in the country. Incidence of cancer has been rising alarmingly in the hilly northeastern region, almost half the cases being attributed to consumption of tobacco products," Goutam Majumder, superintendent of regional cancer centre in Tripura, said.

He said that people who use tobacco in public places should be punished and an awareness campaign should be launched about the cause of cancer.

According to official figures, the number of patients registered with the regional cancer centre in 2006 was 1,263. The figure increased to 1,386 in 2007, 1,444 in 2008, 1,524 in 2009 and 1,836 in 2010.

According to the population-based cancer registry (PCR) in Mizoram, cancer is on the rise in the mountainous state with 600 to 650 people dying of cancer annually in the state.

Officials supervising the PCR said: "Around 1,300 new cancer cases are being detected in the state on an average every year."

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

SAD opposes wealth tax on farmers

CHANDIGARH: Ruling ShiromaniAkaliDal on Wednesday opposed the imposition of wealth tax on farmers by the Centre and termed the decision as "blow to the farming community."

"It was strange that Congress-led UPA government was taking one step after the other to harm the debt ridden peasantry," a release quoting SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said.

The decision to impose 1 per cent tax on agriculture land falling within the 8-km of urban areas with keeping the collector's rate as base would hit the farmers, he said.

As per the decision, more than 70 per cent of the farmers of the state would be forced to pay this tax, Cheema said.

The SAD leader termed it as an "ill conceived" and "harsh" decision, and alleged the Congress-led UPA government of taking care of the interest of corporates only.

He said the farmers were expecting big relief from the Union government. "Instead of helping them the government has taken a series of anti-farmers decision including withdrawing subsidies on fertilisers, decontrolling diesel prices, inadequate MSP," he said.

As per the collector rates of the land, it would be impossible for the farmers to pay tax as it would be many times more than their annual income from their land, he said.

The Core Committee of SAD will meet here on April 25 to discuss the whole issue and chalk out a strategy to oppose the anti-farmer move of the UPA government, Cheema said.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coal scam: BJP, Congress spar over demand for PM's resignation

NEW DELHI: The demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation on the coal scam led to a political slugfest on Tuesday with BJP attacking Sonia Gandhi for her "arrogance" in dismissing its demand and Congress ridiculing the Opposition party for sticking to its "favourite slogan".

BJP revived the demand for resignation of Singh and pressed for sacking of law minister Ashwini Kumar in the wake of reports of interference in the preparation of CBI report to the Supreme Court on the coal scam.

But the Congress president was quick to trash it. "Let them ask" was her terse remark while AICC spokesman P C Chacko suggested the demand as worthless.

"How many times they have made the demand in last four years. PM's resignation was always the favourite slogan of the opposition. They have no value at all," Chacko said.

While leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he was not surprised at Gandhi's response to their demand, BJP deputy leader in the Upper House Ravi Shankar Prasad did not wish to comment on her "arrogant style".

Jaitley said Gandhi may see Singh's alleged role in the coal allocation case as a "virtue" but BJP feels this is nothing less than a scam.

"I don't wish to comment upon the arrogant style of Madam Sonia Gandhi if she gave this remark. But at least in all humility, I would expect a reply from Madam Sonia Gandhi who has been Congress president that how is it and why is it that the JPC report by one of its own Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha is praised even today including its conduct, while that of its own Congress leader P C Chacko is open to so much of doubt, including its credentials," Prasad said.

Congress, meanwhile, sought to project that the opposition was not keen for passage of key bills on food security and land acquisition and paralysing Parliament.

"We appeal to all parties to help pass these bills," Chacko said.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chinese incursion: India likely to send Army contingent to Daulat Beg Oldi sector

NEW DELHI: With Chinese forces intruding nearly 10km inside Indian territory in Ladakh, India is likely to send an Army contingent to the area to be on guard even though it wants to avoid a confrontation.

Indian Army had earlier sent a team of Ladakh Scouts — an infantry regiment specialising in mountain warfare — to the Daulat Beg Oldi sector, manned by the troops of Indo—Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) — soon after it was discovered that the Chinese troops had set up a camp there.

Additional troops may be deployed in the area if the situation does not de-escalate and Chinese troops do not go back to their old position, sources said here on Tuesday.

A platoon—strength contingent of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had come 10km inside the Indian territory in Burthe in DBO sector, located at an altitude of about 17,000 feet, on the night of April 15 and established a tented post there.

A Chinese Army Platoon usually consists of around 50 troops.

India and China on Tuesday conducted second round of flag-meeting in the area since the incursion was reported and India asked the Chinese side to revert to the status quo position. The first meeting was held on April 18.

On earlier occasions, the Indian and Chinese troops had transgressed into each other's territory due to differences in perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Defence Ministry had earlier also maintained that the LAC is not properly demarcated in some areas.

ITBP troops have also established a camp approximately 300m opposite the Chinese location and is monitoring the development.

DBO, located in northernmost Ladakh, is an historic camp site and located on an ancient trade route connecting Ladakh to Yarkand in Xinjiang, China.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arun Jaitley's wife visits Khalsa College in Amritsar

AMRITSAR: Sangeeta Jaitely, wife of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, visited historic Khalsa College and was overwhelmed by the grandeur architectural style of the building.

She, with her eight female companions was on her private visit to the 'holy city' when she landed at the college and walked through its corridors, appreciating rich Sikh and Punjab's composite culture. She was honoured at the college campus by Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.

"It is great to be here at this historical institution that stands tall to the rich Punjabi culture and history. I had long cherished wish to visit the College,'' she stated. Later she went to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and visited the Attari border flying back to Delhi.

She was also honoured at the Indian Academy of Fine Art (IAFA). Jaitley appreciated the art work going on at the gallery and said she would love to visit again to the city to taste its food and do some shopping. I have heard about the bazaars and markets of Amritsar and would like to visit again for the taste of its food'', she said. BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh was present during the visit.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hamid Ansari proposes automatic suspension of disorderly members in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Suggesting suspension of live telecast of question hour in the Upper House of Parliament, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha chairman and M Hamid Ansari on Sunday said there is a need to correct the "collective behaviour" responsible for frequent disruptions.

The Vice-President, in an all-party meeting here, said he called the meeting in "agony and distress" as the disruptions caused by members in the House were adversely affecting the public perception of Parliament.

"Since one possible objective of disruptions is to seek instant publicity through live telecast of proceedings, we may dispense with simultaneous telecast of the question hour and instead have it on a deferred basis," official sources quoted the Vice-President as having said.

Ansari also said that the members creating disruption by rushing towards the chairman's podium or otherwise indulging in "grossly disorderly behaviour" should be named in the records, the sources said.

He suggested that consultations should be initiated for incorporation in the rules a provision of automatic suspension for a specified period of a member creating grave disorder in the House. He said a similar rule existed in Lok Sabha, they said.

"The sad, and deeply disturbing, truth is that such adjournments have been forced with disturbing frequency. If this practice goes unchecked, public esteem for Parliament as the highest forum of our democracy will be adversely affected leading, eventually, to questions about its very relevance," said Ansari.

The Vice-President said expressions like "competitive hooliganism" and "collective shame" were used to describe the behaviour of unruly members by media and this reflected poorly on the dignity of the House of elders and brought it down in public esteem.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed each other for the disruptions.

"Parliament is not a forum for demonstration, it is a forum for discussions. But the opposition BJP has been irresponsible ... If the BJP wishes to make disruptions part and parcel of Parliament, let there be a change in the rule," Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told a TV News channel.

BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, meanwhile, said the allies of ruling party were disrupting the House and not the opposition.

"We feel sad that Parliament is not functioning, but 99 per cent disruptions are by the allies of the ruling party members. Some day it was the Sri Lanka issue, some day it was the SP (Samajwadi Party), and some day the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) ... it's the ruling party's allies" that are rushing towards the presiding officer's podium, he said.

He also said that Parliament was not just for debate but seeking answers from the government on questions raised by the opposition.

"Parliament is not a debating society, you need to have a response from the government ... If the government does not respond, opposition has to take the course of disruption," Naidu said.

The first half of the Budget session saw disruptions over several issues, losing valuable time and only 11 out of 68 listed bills could be passed. The loss of time also forced the appropriation bill to be passed without debate in the Rajya Sabha.

Some unruly scenes were also witnessed in the Upper House when some members tried to vandalize a microphone on the podium when Congress member Renuka Chowdhary was in the chair.

The second half of the Budget session starts Monday.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Not a single polio case in UP in last 3 years: Akhilesh

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh has become polio-free as not a single case of the disease has been reported in the state in the past three years, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said today.

"The programme to make UP polio-free was launched during the earlier SP government and it was taken to villages as a result of which not a single child has been afflicted by the virus in the state," he said.

Polio drops should be administered to children regularly and a pledge should be taken to ensure that the disease did not surface again, Akhilesh said.

Addressing 'Sankalp Diwas' function to mark three years of eradication of polio in the state, he said the health department was making untiring efforts to provide better services to the people.

0n the occasion, health minister Ahmad Hasan said the government would run effective health programmes for the poor to help them avail maximum benefits.

Two ambulances would be made available in every district to take patients to PGI, KGMU or any other leading hospital and the service would be free of cost, he said.

Free ambulance service would also be provided to pregnant women from their homes to hospitals and back, he said.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

CPM rejects allegations on chit funds, demands probe

KOLKATA: Former West Bengal finance minister AsimDasgupta today urged the Centre to intervene in the chit funds scandal and, if necessary, ask the CBI to investigate the matter, rubbishing claim that such companies had mushroomed during the Left Front rule.

"Why did this Trinamool Congress regime not take any action against these chit funds? Why did they take so long to issue arrest warrant against the director of Saradha Group? The government should have taken strong steps against it," Dasgupta said while addressing reporters here.

Dasgupta, who was the long-serving finance minister in the erstwhile Left Front government, said the Centre should immediately intervene in the matter and, if needed, ask the CBI to conduct a thorough inquiry in coordination with SEBI and other organizations,

The CPM leader said that his government had taken strong steps against chit fund companies in the early 90s and that it had also passed a bill in the state Assembly which was later sent to the President for approval.

"We had arrested several big fish who were involved in these business and were fleecing people. We had also passed a bill in the Assembly for taking strong action against the such companies. The bill was sent to the President for approval so that it can become a law, but the bill is yet to be approved," Dasgupta said.

He also brushed aside allegations by the TMC regime that the businesses of chit funds had mushroomed during the Left Front regime.

"It is an absolutely baseless allegation. Either they don't know it or they are trying to mislead the people. The approval to these firms are given by Registrar of Companies under the Union Commerce Ministry and other financial organizations of the central government. The state has no role in their approval," Dasgupta claimed.

He said that about 100 chit fund companies were operating in the state, out of which 15 are big firms and in last few years they accumulated more than Rs 30,000 crore.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roads are 'USP' of my government: Nitish

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today described roads as the USP of his government and expressed confidence that his government would significantly reduce travel times from all districts headquarters to state capital.

"The state government has already achieved a travel time from any district headquarter except Kisanganj to Patna within six hours by building quality roads. The target for Kisanganj district would also be achieved by this year," Kumar told the Fourth foundation function of Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) here last night.

"After completing the task, we will revise the target to less than six hours," the CM said.

The government has accorded high priority to building quality roads and the state, hitherto known for potholed paths, is earning praise for quality roads, he said.

Kumar said better roads have sped up development process in the state and his government has decided to link villages of above 250 population with all-season concrete roads.

Pratya Amrit, Roads Development Secretary and Managing Director of BSRDCL, said the corporation was entrusted with renovating 1,461 km roads of 18 state highways, of which it had completed work on 675 km and job was underway on 499 km.

Roads development minister Nand Kishore Yadav said the government was giving top priority to building top quality roads to connect the Buddhist circuit to promote tourism in the state.

The BSRDCL, which came into existence on April 20, 2009, has received funding from Asian Development Bank, HUDCO and other leading institutions.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

LJP to hold nationwide protest for SC reservation in private jobs

NEW DELHI: Accusing the government of being "apathetic" towards dalit issues, LokJanshakti Party and DalitSena will hold a nationwide agitation in August to demand reservation for scheduled castes and OBCs in private jobs, judiciary and promotions.

"We have decided to hold a nationwide agitation on August 9. We have been demanding reservation for dalits in private sector, judiciary and promotion but the government is completely apathetic to the demands," LJP Chief and Dalit Sena founder Ramvilas Paswan told here.

Dalit Sena, an organisation for emancipation and welfare of the backward section, was established by Paswan in 1983.

Earlier after inaugurating the national convention of Dalit Sena here, Paswan demanded that the sum allocated under Special Component Plan for scheduled castes should be judiciously spent for uplifting of the backward sections.

"There have been instances when money allocated under this fund was diverted to other sectors. We demand that it should be used for dalits only," he said.

Dalit Sena also demanded setting up of a dalit regiment in defence forces.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rahul wants to 'correct the system' within Congress

KHANNA: Rahul Gandhi today said he wanted to "correct the system" within Congress as problems of grassroots level workers did not reach its top brass and assured partymen that he was available to them at any time.

In a closed-door interaction with delegates as part of organization building exercise here, the fourth such meet in Punjab, the Congress Vice President told partymen that he wanted to "correct the system" within the party.

To drive home the message that he was a playing captain, Rahul refrained from addressing the delegates from the dais and instead sat among them and moved from table to table to listen to their grievances.

"Your problems don't reach us...I want the party should be aware of problems of partymen at grassroots level. Congress is like a family," he said, adding, "We need to respect each other within the party."

"I am available to you at any time," he told them.

Referring to the party's defeat in Punjab assembly polls, he said it was not a loss for the party chief, but for partymen working at the lowest level and stressed the need for fixing responsibility of each person within the party.

Power must remain with workers at lower levels, he said.

"If we give enough powers to workers at lower levels only then party policies and programmes will succeed," he said.

Rahul stressed the need for maintaining discipline among the party cadres at all levels and warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated at any cost.

"We need to maintain discipline and respect each and every worker," he said in his about 40-minute interaction.

Rahul said, "We will respect and welcome those who join us on idealogical grounds but at the same time the seniority and the respect of the Congress workers will not be ignored."

Each participant was handed over a seven-page booklet on "how to strengthen the Congress party".

To a suggestion by Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar, Rahul said the party would soon launch an awareness programme among unemployed youth to register their names in the Employment Exchange so that they could get unemployment dole.

He also shared a view that grassroots level workers should have a greater say in framing party policies and selection of candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls.

PCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa, Union Ministers Manish Tewari and Preneet Kaur were among those present.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drought: TN seeks Rs 19,665 crore assistance from Centre

CHENNAI: The drought-hit Tamil Nadu today decided to knock the Centre's doors with a plea for an assistance of Rs 19,665.13 crore as the Jayalalithaa government extended a relief package given to Cauvery delta regions to other affected districts also.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said a drought memorandum would be sent immediately with various components, including a compensation of Rs 9,286.20 crore towards damage suffered by the agriculture sector and losses by TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation) to the tune of Rs 2661.32 crore.

Her government's demand for relief in view of various assistance given in the context of drought included Rs 2,424.47 crore towards employment guarantee programme, over Rs 1,100 crore for drinking water projects and Rs 247 crore for cattle.

The deficient southwest and northeast monsoons, besides the Cauvery dispute had resulted in drought in 32 of the 31 states with Chennai being the lone exception, Jayalalithaa said.

The affected states had already been declared drought hit and various sops including land tax waiver had been announced by the government.

State Finance Minister O Panneerselvam-led high level panel, formed to assess drought situation, had submitted its report after touring non-Cauvery Delta districts, she said while rolling out her relief package of Rs 1,754.86 crore for these regions.

The chief minister announced a compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre for farmers, who had suffered a loss of of over 50 per cent in yield. A total of over 6.25 lakh farmers will benefitted by these relief programme.

Similarly, farmers without irrigation facility for their land and who had suffered loss of over 50 per cent will be compensated Rs 3,000 per acre.

Among other drought-relief measures, she announced compensation for coconut farmers and taking up various works under MGNREGA.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sonia holds strategy meet with Congress leaders

NEW DELHI: With politics hotting up over the draft of the 2G Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report before the second half of parliament's budget session starting April 22, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Friday reviewed the party's strategy with leaders, said party sources.

According to Congress sources, Gandhi reviewed the political situation with senior leaders. They included Home Minister and leader of the Lok Sabha Sushilkumar Shinde, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, defence minister A K Antony and Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel.

Political waters were further muddied Friday after former telecom minister A. Raja claimed everything was done in "consultation" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a day after the draft report of the JPC on 2G spectrum blamed him but cleared Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram of any wrongdoing.

The government also faced flak recently over the alleged toning down by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar of a Central Bureau of Investigation CBI) report on the faulty allocation of coal blocks.

The opposition is likely to disrupt parliament over both the issues.

The Congress leadership is also keen to ensure a smooth passage of the finance bill, besides key legislations like the food security bill, land acquisition bill and the Lokpal bill, said party sources.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

BJP says JPC report a cover-up, will raise it in Parliament

NEW DELHI: BJP today dubbed the draft JPC report on 2G spectrum scam as a "cover-up" attempt to "save" Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and vowed to raise it in Parliament next week.

The party refused to believe that the Prime Minister was not involved in the process of allocating the 2G spectrum in 2008 and accused Congress of using the JPC to "subvert" the truth.

It accused JPC chief P C Chacko, a Congress leader, of denying an opportunity of deposition to former telecom minister A Raja who is the main accused in the scam and had claimed the PM and then finance minister P Chidambaram were in the loop.

"This looks like a cover-up," BJP President Rajnath Singh told PTI while commenting on the draft report which has given a clean chit to the Prime Minister and the finance minister.

He pointed out that Raja has been requesting to depose before the JPC to give his version.

"He (Raja) is the main accused. It is surprising that despite his request he was not called. The country would like to know why a minister, who was even jailed in the case, was not called despite his request. This question will definitely be asked in Parliament," Singh said.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said "history repeats itself once as a tragedy and again as a farce. This is the second time in history that Congress and UPA neck deep in corruption had subverted the truth using the JPC mechanism."

He said if the JPC finds that Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram were innocent, "all I can tell you is this JPC report will meet the same fate as the Bofors JPC. Its credibility will probably be worse than earlier JPCs".

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Activists seek stronger whistleblower's act

NEW DELHI: With over 16 activists killed and thousands under attack or threatened, RTI activists have demanded a stronger whistleblower law, including provisions for accountability and compensation for the victims. The Whistleblowers Protection Bill is likely to come up in the Parliament in the budget session starting next week.

Activists feel that the bill in its present form is not strong enough to prevent deaths. National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI) has sought making section 4 of the RTI Act-- that calls for proactive disclosure of information—mandatory, besides ensuring that there is accountability under the whistleblower's bill.

Speaking on the need for a strong law, National Commission for Minorities chairman Wajahat Habibullah said that there was no accountability under the whistleblower's bill. "We have seen cases where people have gone and complained right up to the PM but there is no action. Officials must be held accountable," he said. He was supported by NCPRI members including Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey and Anjali Bharadwaj.

The NCPRI has also demanded that the definition of victimization should be broadened to include not just threat to physical life and liberty but also anything that violates the act, violates the policy of the public authority, is not in conformity with general practice and is not based on sound reasons.

The activists felt that the law must stipulate a clear time frame, no more than 45 days, within which the discreet inquiry by the authority must be completed to prevent inordinate delays. The recommendations that came after a day-long tribunal where whistleblowers' and their families presented their testimonials include the provision that people who are providing information through documents and other material to the whistleblower must also be protected.

The NCPRI has demanded that the bill should provide for acting upon anonymous complaints if it is accompanied with adequate supporting documents, which reveal a prima facie case.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander arrested in Sopore

SRINAGAR: A top commander of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was today arrested and his close aide was killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore township of north Kashmir, police said.

Chief commander (operations) of LeT for north, Qari Naveed alias "Fahad" was arrested from Bahrampora village of Sopore, 55km from here, by a joint party of police and Army, inspector general of police, Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir told reporters here.

He said Naveed, a resident of Multan in Pakistan, was arrested on a specific information and his questioning led to the killing of his close associate Shabir Ahmad Sheikh alias "Tamim" in a gunfight at Wagub village near Tarzoo in Sopore.

"Based on the information provided by the Pakistani militant during questioning, an operation was launched by security forces to track down two militants in an orchard at Wagub. The militants hiding in the orchards fired upon the advancing security forces and in the retaliatory fire, Sheikh was killed," Mir said.

However, one militant identified as Hilal Moulvi alias "Khalid" managed to escape from the area using the men and women working in the orchards as "human shield", the officer said.

He said Sheikh, who was a resident of Palhallan area of Baramulla, was the mastermind in the killing of sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Yatoo in Pattan area in September last year.

Giving details about involvement of Naveed, the IGP said he was the top most commander of LeT in the Valley and had taken over the outfit after the killing of Abdullah Uni and Akash Bader in Sopore in 2011.

"The Pakistani militant was involved in the killing of SPO Riyaz Ahmad in September last year besides masterminding the grenade attacks in Sopore in July, August and September last year," he said.

He said two AK assault rifles, five magazines, two pistols and five grenades were recovered from the possession of the arrested and slain militants.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dearness allowance for central govt employees hiked to 80%

NEW DELHI: Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal to increase dearness allowance (DA) to 80 per cent, from existing 72 per cent, benefiting about 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners of the central government.

The hike would be effective from January 1, 2013 and the employees and pensioners will be entitled to arrears.

The decision to raise the DA will impose an additional annual burden of Rs 8,629.20 crore on the exchequer, information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari told reporters after the meeting of the Union Cabinet.

Taking into account the additional outgo for the January- March period, the total burden during the current financial year would be Rs 10,067 crore.

The government had hiked DA to 72 per cent in September last year. It had come into effect from July 1, 2012.

As per the practice, the DA is merged with basic pay when it breaches the 50 per cent cap. This helps employees get higher allowances as they are paid as proportion of the basic pay.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Adarsh commission submits final report on Adarsh Housing Society scam

MUMBAI: Two years after it was set up, the two-member commission which inquired into Adarsh Housing Society scam submitted its final report to Maharashtra government today.

The 700-page report was submitted in a sealed cover to the chief secretary, home department by N N Kumbhar, secretary of the commission. The report will, however, not be tabled before the Legislative Assembly, as its session ended today.

Kumbhar, refusing to divulge contents of the report, said government may table it in the monsoon session of Assembly.

The commission, headed by retired High Court judge Justice J A Patil, was formed in January 2011.

Its mandate was to look into several aspects including ownership of the land in south Mumbai where the 31-storey building stands, whether it was reserved for families of Kargil war heroes, and whether rules were flouted while granting permissions for the construction.

The commission's interim report has said that land belonged to the state government and not the Defence Ministry, nor was it reserved for war widows.

The final report is expected to give findings on the alleged complicity of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and bureaucrats, accused of granting undue favours to the society.

The report would also comment on the roles of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh and union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, as they had also handled files pertaining to the building during their tenures as Chief Minister.

Chavan, Deshmukh and Shinde deposed before the commission; only Chavan has been named as an accused (with 12 others) by CBI in its FIR.

182 witnesses were examined by the commission.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Corporate houses pledge to train 17,000 Jammu & Kashmir youth

NEW DELHI: Corporate houses have once again ambitiously committed to train around 17,000 educated youth from Jammu & Kashmir over the next five years under "Udaan", a government-industry skill development initiative, which, ironically, has seen no more than 185 youth complete their training in its first year.

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Thursday announced that the Udaan project appraisal committee had, at its last meeting on March 15, approved the proposals of IYogi for training 5,742 graduates, Accenture (3,300), 24x7 Inc (6,000) and Ligare Voyages Limited to train 2,000 youth over a period of five years. "Eleven corporate houses are visiting J&K for selection of candidates from April 19 to May 4," said Shinde, while identifying these companies as IYogi, Rooman Technologies, Religare, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), 24X7 Inc, Accenture, Infosys, Bajaj Alliance, Learning Links, Canara Bank and ONGC.

Corporate houses, who had shown interest and offered to train J&K youth under Udaan — a scheme piloted by the home ministry as part of the Centre's skill development initiative for the militancy-hit state — have been slow in delivering on the committed volumes. They have blamed the procedural impediments in the scheme and the ongoing recession for their lukewarm response.

Of the 600 corporate houses that the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) had reached out to, only 3.5% showed interest and committed to train and place around 24,000 students against the target of 40,000 in five years. By early January, 2013, barely 185 youth had completed their training with the corporate houses, that too with nil/negligible placement.

When Shinde's attention was drawn on Thursday to the poor placement record of the "corporate-trained" J&K youth, all he said was the effort would be to place the 17,000 youth to be trained with the same corporate "as far as possible".

Incidentally, the new training commitments from the corporate houses come amidst efforts by the Centre to redraw the policy to suit the industry better. The altered terms propose to cut down the period of training at facilities of the corporate partners from the existing nine months to a year to a "more realistic" six months, besides making the expenditure heads under the overall Rs 1,000 crore budget for the scheme, flexible.

So, a trainee, who being extended a fixed Rs 4,000 as travel expenses to his place of training, may now get a reimbursement of upto Rs 10,000. Similarly, the Rs 300 daily reimbursement for boarding and lodging of the trainee is proposed to be raised to Rs 500 per day. A separate coordinating agency will be engaged to help the private sector scout for and shortlist qualified youth that suit the job profile sought by the corporate.

The corporate houses may also to be advised to help the J&K youth they wish to hire at facilities across the country with problems like finding suitable accommodation.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Udaan, a government-industry skill development initiative, a ray of hope or just a let down

NEW DELHI: Corporates have once again ambitiously committed to train around 17,000 educated youth from Jammu and Kashmir over the next five years under Udaan, a government-industry skill development initiative that, ironically, has seen no more than 185 youth complete training in its first year.

Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Thursday announced that the Udaan project appraisal committee had, at its last meeting on March 15, approved the proposals of IYogi for training 5,742 graduates, of Accenture for 3,300 candidates, of 24x7 Inc for 6,000 candidates and of Ligare Voyages Limited to train 2,000 candidates over a period of five years. "11 corporates are visiting J&K for selection of candidates from April 19 to May 4, 2013," said Shinde, while identifying these companies as IYogi, Rooman Technologies, Religare, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), 24X7 Inc, Accenture, Infosys, Bajaj Alliance, Learning Links, Canara Bank and ONGC.

Corporates who had shown interest and offered to train J&K youth under Udaan - a scheme piloted by the home ministry as part of the Centre's skill development initiative for the militancy-hit state - have been slow in delivering on the committed volumes. They have blamed the procedural impediments in the scheme and the ongoing recession for their lukewarm response.

Of the 600 corporates that the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) reached out to, only 3.5% showed real interest and committed to train and place around 24,000 students against the target of 40,000 in five years. By early January 2013, barely 185 youths had completed their training with the corporates, that too with nil/negligible placement.

When Shinde's attention was drawn on Thursay to the poor placement record of the "corporate-trained" J&K youth, all he said was the effort would be to place the 17,000 youth to be trained with the same corporate "as far as possible".

Incidentally, the new training commitments from the corporates come amidst efforts by the Centre to redraw the policy to suit the industry better. The altered terms propose to cut down the period of training at facilities of the corporate partners from the existing nine months to a year to a ""more realistic"" six months, besides making the expenditure heads under the overall Rs 1,000 crore budget for the scheme, flexible.

So, a trainee who being extended a fixed Rs 4,000 as travel expenses to his place of training may now get a reimbursement of up to Rs 10,000. Similarly, the Rs 300 daily reimbursement for boarding and lodging of the trainee is proposed to be raised to Rs 500 per day. A separate liaisoning agency will be engaged to help the private sector scout for and shortlist qualified youth that suit the job profile sought by the corporate.

The corporates may also to be advised to help the J&K youth they wish to hire at facilities across the country with problems like finding suitable accommodation.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India, China to hold first dialogue on Afghanistan

BEIJING: India and China would hold their first-ever dialogue on Afghanistan here tomorrow aiming to cooperate to deal with the impact of US troops' pullout from the war-torn country by 2014 amid fears of return of Taliban and al-Qaida.

The dialogue between the two countries signifies China's interest in seeking convergence with India on the emerging grim situation in Afghanistan even as it held similar talks with Russia and its close ally Pakistan.

The meeting is taking place in the backdrop of talks between the National Security Advisors of India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

China also held a trilateral meeting with Russia and Pakistan later.

From Indian side the talks will be led by Y K Sinha, Additional Secretary, Pakistan Afghanistan Iran, (PAI) of the external affairs ministry, and his counterparts in the Chinese foreign ministry, officials here told .

Singnificantly, the meeting is followed by annual counterterrorism dialogue on April 11 and 12 here in which the Afghan situation and emergence of militant groups and threats posed by them to the countries in the region were discussed.

After that China and Pakistan held talks on the same subject few days ago, the outcome of which, official say lays a broad framework for tomorrow's Beijing-New Delhi talks on Afghanistan.

China's concerns over US pullout from Afghanistan arises out of its USD three billion dollars investments in that country, besides its fears of a adverse impact on its Muslim Uygur dominated Xinjiang province, which border Afghanistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

They are also concerned that the groups inimical to Chinese interest should not be get safe heavens after combat troop withdrawal.

Apart from "gazing" each others stance and strategy in the war-torn country, the two sides will try to explore areas of cooperation to protect their economic interest.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India for expansion of UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS: India has underlined the need for expansion of the UN Security Council saying that no change in its composition in decades is an "unnatural situation of stagnation" in a dynamic and rapidly changing international environment.

India's new Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Kumar Mukerji said the last expansion of the Council that took place in 1963 which saw a "modest" change in membership from 11 to 15.

While 80 more countries have joined the United Nations since then, composition of its premier body UNSC, which is mandated to maintain international peace and security, has not undergone even the slightest change.

"This is an unnatural situation of stagnation in a dynamic and rapidly changing international environment," Mukerjee said at the 9th Round of Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council here yesterday.

"Reform of institutions of global governance, including the UN Security Council, and ensuring that they reflect contemporary reality, has been a matter of foremost importance to my country," he said.

Mukerji described as "truly bizarre" that while nearly 80 per cent of the work of the Security Council is focussed on the continent of Africa, the 15-nation body has never had even one permanent member from any of the 53 states of the African continent.

Stressing that UNSC reforms are more compelling than ever before, Mukerji said it would be a matter of time when the body may "either have to willingly embrace change, or be made to accept change as a 'fait accompli'.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

SFI general secretary apologizes for manhandling of Amit Mitra

KOLKATA: SFI General Secretary RitabrataBhattacharjee today apologized for the manhandling of West Bengal Finance minister AmitMitra in Delhi on April nine, but said that his organisation was not involved in it.

"I have earlier said that if there is footage of Amit Mitra being heckled by me during the protest then I will go to jail myself. But we can't avoid our responsibility for the protest. We condemn the incident and apologize for it," Bhattacharjee said at the condolence meeting for SFI leader Sudipto Gupta.

Referring to the death of Gupta in police custody on April 2 for which the protest was held when chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the finance minister were entering Yojna Bhavan in Delhi on April 9, Bhattacharjee said "The entire incident of Sudipto Gupto's death was condemned by the entire country.

"But what happened outside Yojna Bhawan is against communist principles. We have earlier said that we the SFI are not involved in the incident," he said.

The chief minister had subsequently fallen ill and had been admitted to the Belle Vue Clinic from where she was discharged on April 13.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress secretary-general Partha Chatterjee criticized the presence of Bhattacharjee at the condolence meeting.

"Courtesy demands that the accused be handed over to the police instead of allowing him to be present at a meeting here," Chatterjee said.

"It was a murderous assault on the chief minister and the finance minister which the people of the state will never forgive," he said.

He said despite FIR lodged with the Delhi police, none of the SFI attackers had been arrested.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shiv Sena warns of 'Mahabharata' if BJP ignores NDA allies

MUMBAI: Comparing NDA constituents to horses of Arjun's chariot, Shiv Sena on Tuesday cautioned that BJP should take allies into confidence on the issue of its prime ministerial candidate or else there could be a "Mahabharata".

With the chasm between BJP and JD(U) widening over Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial nominee, the Sena also insisted on convening a meeting of the opposition alliance to end the prevailing "confusion".

"BJP has the right to name its PM candidate but it cannot do so on its own steam. This (NDA) is Arjuna's chariot and has many horses (allies). Every horse is important. Or else, there will be a different Mahabharata and the chariot wheel will get stuck," the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"On one hand, those in UPA are speaking in one voice. They may have one thing in their minds and another on their lips, but as of now, all are behind Manmohan the Puppet.

"However, in NDA, everyone is beating his own trumpet and breaking people's eardrums. This is not a good picture," it said.

"There is a lot of confusion ... there are several wannabes. There are squabbles within the NDA on the PM candidate issue. Rajnath Singh, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj should comment on this and the confusion should be cleared by convening a meeting of the NDA at the earliest," Sena, BJP's oldest ally, said.

The 'Saamana' editorial defended Modi against criticism over the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, saying that the post-Godhra riots were a "reaction" to the burning of the Sabarmati Express.

"Had even Keshubhai Patel or Shankarsinh Vaghela (both former chief ministers who parted ways with BJP) been in Modi's place, then also the reaction would have been the same," it said.

Hinting at a possible split in NDA over Modi being named as prime ministerial candidate, the editorial said, "declaring someone's candidature, may result in gain of 5-10 (read some) seats but some old allies will leave, costing 5-25 (read even more) seats."

"On the one hand, those in UPA are speaking in one voice. They may have one thing in their minds and another on their lips, but as of now, all are behind Manmohan the Puppet.

"However, in NDA, everyone is beating his own trumpet and breaking people's eardrums. This is not a good picture," it said.

"There is a lot of confusion ... there are several wannabes. There are squabbles within the NDA on the PM candidate issue. Rajnath Singh, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj should comment on this and the confusion should be cleared by convening a meeting of the NDA at the earliest," Sena, BJP's oldest ally, said.

The 'Saamna' editorial came days after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar made clear his strong opposition to projecting Modi as prime ministerial candidate.

JD(U) has said that BJP should declare its prime ministerial candidate having "secular credibility beyond doubt" for the next general elections.

Later, Sena MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut said he had requested JD(U) president and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav to call a meeting of the alliance to sort out the issue.

"I have requested Sharad Yadav to call a meeting of the NDA to discuss the issue. All allies, including Nitish Kumar, should be present and a final decision taken," he said.

Responding to the editorial, BJP president Rajnath Singh said he had not yet seen it. "They (Sena and JD(U)) are our old allies. We will discuss things when necessary," he told TV news channels.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

1.2 million Indian soldiers who died for Britain get their due

LONDON: UK has decided to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the 1.2 million men from the Indian Army who fought for Britain in the First World War during a visit to the battlefields of France and Belgium.

Kicking off the campaign, Britain's Faith and Communities minister Baroness Warsi visited the grave of Indian soldier Khudadad Khan - the first Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross (the highest military honour) in Belgium.

She stopped at the village of Hollebeke where she laid a wreath at a memorial to Sikh soldiers. This was where Indian soldiers saw some of their first action in the early months of the war.

Baroness Warsi said "Our boys weren't just Tommies, they were Tariqs and Tajinders too. A picture of a soldier in a turban is not what we immediately associate with the Great War. And yet so many men from so far away came to Europe to fight for the freedoms we enjoy today. Their legacy is our liberty, and every single one of us owes them a debt of gratitude."

"It was particularly poignant to see the endless names - of Khans and Singhs, Alis and Atwals - listed on the memorials. It was also fascinating to hear how arrangements for religious and cultural observances, such as Ramadan and wearing turbans, were part of their lives, even on the frontline. I will make it my mission to ensure that the centenary is a chance for everyone to learn about the contribution of the Commonwealth soldiers."

As part of the government's programme to commemorate the forthcoming centenary of the 1914-1918 conflict, she went to the Western Front, where 140,000 men from the Indian army fought alongside Britain.

During the First World War, 1.2 million soldiers from undivided India served with the Allies, 74,000 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

Baroness Warsi's first stop was the Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial in France, which honours the 4,742 Indian soldiers on the Western Front who have no known grave.

Neuve-Chappelle was the battle, in March 1915, where the Indian troops corps fought their first major battle as a unit, suffering heavy casualties.

At Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, the second largest site in Belgium, she saw the grave of a Hindu fallen soldier alongside comrades from the Chinese Labour Corps.

Baroness Warsi also visited Grootebeek British Cemetery, which includes graves of soldiers who came from her parents' village in Gujar Khan, Pakistan.

She met the owner of the nearby farm, who recounted his father's experiences when the barn was turned into a hospital for wounded Indian soldiers.

Her visit ended at the Menin Gate in Ypres, which includes the names of the 54,000 of the fallen who have no known graves - including 414 Indians.

Baroness Warsi also had the chance to read accounts of the letters of soldiers as she visited the areas where they had served.

One, a Sikh sepoy, convalescing in England, wrote to his brother: "With a shout to our Guru we hurl ourselves forward. The enemies bullets scorch our heroes, while machine guns and cannons spread their shot about us."

Another, a Muslim soldier who wrote from France to his brother in India, said "What better occasion can I find that this to prove the loyalty of my family to the British Government? The flag of victory will be in the hands of our British Government. Be not at all distressed. Without death there is no victory, but I am alive and very well, and I tell you truly that will return alive to India."

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rajnath holds meeting with UP BJP leaders on LS poll strategy

NEW DELHI: BJP President Rajnath Singh today held a meeting of the party's Uttar Pradesh Core Group and other senior leaders of the state to chalk out a strategy for boosting its electoral prospects in next Lok Sabha polls.

With 80 Lok Sabha seats, UP is a politically significant state for BJP where it had reaped rich electoral harvests during the Ayodhya temple movement. The meeting held here today discussed ways of ending internal feud in the party and putting up a united fight. Singh, who is a former chief minister of UP, held separate discussions with senior party leaders from the state to know their views.

This was followed by a discussion with the whole Core Group and the senior leaders. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said "the meeting discussed all poll-related issues. The situation in the state is bad due to poor law and order, corruption and scams. The party has decided to go for an aggressive campaign in all parts of UP."

BJP intends to take on ruling Samajwadi Party and Congress in UP on issues like law and order, corruption and scams, "bad governance" of both the UPA government at the Centre and the SP-led Samajwadi Party regime in UP. But BJP is still on the lookout for key poll planks post-Ayodhya on which it can woo the voters.

BJP leaders, who espouse the Hindutva cause, are reportedly of the view that the Ram temple issue should be highlighted once again and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi should be the party's face to win voters.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

All political parties call for Thane shut down on April 18

THANE: Bitter rivals from all political parties have shed their differences and came together to protect unauthorized residential structures from being demolished, by calling a 'Thane bandh' on Thursday, April 18.

The shutdown has been called to express their "concern" over the demolition of unauthorized structures, without providing alternate accommodation to residents who will be displaced.

At a press conference this evening at the Tip Top Plaza here, political leaders of all parties announced that a march would be taken out by from Thane to the Mantralaya demanding "first rehabilitation and later demolition".

Leaders of political parties including Balkrishna Purnekar, President of the Congress, Jitendra Bunty Awhad, MLA and President of the NCP and Eknath Shinde, MLA and District Chief of the Shiv Sena said that they would participate in the shut down.

All parties also condemned the state government's and the civic body's move to raze unauthorized structures without providing shelter to lakhs of residents who would be left without shelters.

Addressing reporters at the press conference, the Shiv Sena leader said that of about 18 lakh people in Thane, more than 50 per cent lived under extreme fear of the corporation razing their houses.

Hence, the government should first take a decision to shelter them, before razing their houses, he said.

It may be recalled that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar who was in the city a couple of days ago was also of the opinion that people ought to be rehabilitated first before demolition is carried out.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sikh players wearing turban to be accommodated on the soccer pitch in Canada

AMRITSAR: Sikh players wearing turban would now be accommodated on the soccer pitch after Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) directed to soccer associations and referees across the country that Sikh players who wear the turban can be accommodated on the soccer pitch.

While hailing the decision World Sikh Organization (WSO) President Prem Singh Vinning told TOI on Tuesday, "The accommodation of the turban already takes place not just across Canada but across the world. There is no reason why the turban can't be accommodated. We're glad the CSA has clarified the issue for referees and has hopefully resolved this matter for good."

He said that CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli, had advised the WSO that in light of the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to allow headscarves for players, and in response to inquiries by referees, the CSA Board of Directors has confirmed that "referees may, until further notice, extend this ruling to the wearing of turbans/patkas/keski." Notice of this decision was sent out to the CSA's provincial and territorial members across Canada late last week, said he.

Vinning said that the CSA's decision has opened doors to Sikh players in Quebec who had been excluded from soccer leagues because of the turban. Although soccer leagues across Canada already accommodate the wearing of the turban, it was reported in June 2012 that 17 year old Aneel Samra and other Sikh players in the LaSalle Minor Soccer Association in Quebec had been told that they would not be permitted to play because of their religiously mandated turbans. He said that WSO had been working on an ongoing basis with the CSA and other stakeholders to ensure that the turban would be accommodated for this coming soccer season.

WSO's Quebec vice-president Mukhbir Singh said, "We welcome the CSA directive allowing the turban. Sikh children in Quebec were needlessly being excluded from playing soccer with their peers and we are hopeful that as a result of this decision, they will be able to take part again this summer."

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

No combat role for women personnel as of now: Army study

NEW DELHI: Around 200 new vacancies for granting permanent commission to women officers will be created in army but they will have to wait for some more time before getting combat roles, an Army study has said.

The study, under South Western Army Commander Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan, was ordered by Army Headquarters to take a holistic review of the role of women officers and their aspirations.

The study, completed in March, was discussed at the Army Commanders' Conference last week.

It has recommended opening up of 200 more avenues for permanent commission to women but recommended some more time for army to take a final decision on their role in combat, Army sources said.

The study had also compared the working conditions and roles of women officers in countries such as China, Russia, the UK and the US, which recently inducted females in combat duties.

The 200 vacancies for women officers are to be created in branches, including legal and ordnance corps branches, where they already get permanent commission.

Before finalising the study report, the team of Lt Gen Bhushan met around 350 women officers from all the commands of the force and assessed their ability to withstand toughness required for soldiering.

It also met 120 lady cadets at the Officer's Training Academy at Chennai and held deliberations with the Director Generals of the various arms and services in the force along with the heads of CRPF and BSF.

The study has also given its views on the impact of increased recruitment of women officers can have on the non-combat postings of their male counterparts, they said.

At present, women officers are posted in peaceful stations only.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court rejects Sanjay Dutt's plea to surrender before jailor

MUMBAI: A designated TADA court on Monday rejected the plea of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, to surrender before jail authorities instead of the court.

Dutt has to surrender by April 18 before the TADA court in keeping with the directive of the Supreme Court, which recently upheld his conviction in the bombings while reducing his imprisonment from six years to five.

The actor has already served 18 months in jail and has to spend three years and six months more to complete the sentence.

Dutt's lawyer made an oral plea before the court to give him the liberty to surrender before the jail authorities.

However, the designated TADA Judge GA Sanap rejected the prayer saying that surrender requires complying with formalities such as verification and identification of the accused.

Meanwhile, the court has rejected the prayers of three other convicts — Mohammed Kasam Lajpuria, Dada Sharif Parkar and Issac Hajwani — seeking more time to surrender citing poor health.

The Supreme Court had, in its verdict last month, enhanced the 14-year imprisonment of Parkar (80) to life term in jail, while it also increased the sentence of Hajwani (85) to life imprisonment. Parkar has already spent 14 years in prison.

Lajpuria, who was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment, is yet to complete the sentence as most of the time he was on bail.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

SC seeks expalanation from govts on ads glorifying political leaders

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued notice to Centre and state governments on a plea seeking its direction to restrain them for spending public money on glorifying political leaders through advertisements on their birth and death anniversaries.

A bench of justices CK Prasad and VG Gowda granted four weeks time to governments to file their response.

The court passed the order on a plea of an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, seeking its intervention on the issue as crores of rupees of tax payers' money are spend by the governments and public sector units to glorify personalities of ruling political parties by way of advertisements.

"It is submitted that the governments and state instrumentalities are continuously and in routine manner misusing the public funds to glorify personalities of ruling political parties by way of advertisements," advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, said.

He said "such a blatant and misuse of public fund by governments in routine manner is not only breach of public trust and violation of the rule of law but it is also damaging the democratic set up of the country".

"The political parties in power are blatantly squandering taxpayers' money to highlight their achievements and to glorify their leaders of present or past. Such a practice is either aimed to avail unfair advantage in elections by political parties or to assert loyalties towards the political leadership of the party in power. This wasteful and wholly unnecessary exercise cannot be justified in any manner," the petition said.

The bench, after hearing his plea, issued notice and asked the governments to file response within four weeks.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Minor cannot be put in lock up: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file response within a week on detention of a 10-year-old rape victim by police in Bulandshahr, when she approached them to lodge a complaint.

"A minor cannot be put in lock up," a bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said while expressing its displeasure over the incident.

The bench also asked advocate Anita Shenoy to assist it in deciding the matter in which it took suo motu cognisance of media reports about detention of the girl.

The incident allegedly took place on April 7 when the girl had gone to a general store close to her house to buy some essentials. She was reportedly taken away by the accused, who raped her and fled.

When the victim and her parents went to the police station for filing a complaint, the girl was kept in the lock-up of the mahila thana for several hours.

After the incident came to light, two women constables on duty at that time were suspended while the mahila thana in-charge Gayashree Chauhan and sub-inspector Sarita Dwivedi, who were first sent to the Reserve Police Lines, were later removed.

Bulandshahr police yesterday claimed to have arrested the accused who had allegedly raped the minor.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India, Maldives agree to enhance defence cooperation

NEW DELHI: India has assured Maldives it is committed to further enhancing the defence cooperation and security partnership, ranging from exercises and capacity building of its armed forces, with the 1,190-island archipelago where China is making steady strategic inroads.

This came at an hour-long meeting between defence minister A K Antony and his visiting Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Nazim here on Monday. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, who is also the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, also called on Nazim, apart from the Army and Navy vice-chiefs and the Coast Guard director-general.

``It was decided to take measures to step up cooperation in the ongoing areas of training, exercises, infrastructure-strengthening and capacity-building.Both sides also agreed that there is a need for India and Maldives to continue to work together to tackle security concerns in the interests of peace and stability in the region,'' said an officer.

India is helping Maldives to set up a network of ground radars in all its 26 atolls as well as bolstering cooperation in the fields of military training, hydrography, maritime patrol and surveillance.

With Maldives still locked in a political tussle, China is trying to expand its footprint in the strategically-located country in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) after establishing a full-fledged embassy there. Over the last decade, China has steadily forged maritime links with eastern Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia, among others.

India, on its part, has tried to counter these strategic moves in the IOR by stepping up its own defence engagement with the countries concerned. Ever since Antony's visit to Male in August 2009, for instance, Indian warships and Dornier reconnaissance aircraft have been regularly helping Maldives in maritime patrol and surveillance.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India to further bolster defence cooperation with Maldives

NEW DELHI: India has assured Maldives it is committed to further enhancing the defence cooperation and security partnership, ranging from exercises and capacity building of its armed forces, with the 1,190-island archipelago where China is making steady strategic inroads.

This came at an hour-long meeting between defence minister A K Antony and his visiting Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Nazim here on Monday. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, who is also the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, also called on Nazim, apart from the Army and Navy vice-chiefs and the Coast Guard director-general.

``It was decided to take measures to step up cooperation in the ongoing areas of training, exercises, infrastructure-strengthening and capacity-building.Both sides also agreed that there is a need for India and Maldives to continue to work together to tackle security concerns in the interests of peace and stability in the region,'' said an officer.

India is helping Maldives to set up a network of ground radars in all its 26 atolls as well as bolstering cooperation in the fields of military training, hydrography, maritime patrol and surveillance.

With Maldives still locked in a political tussle, China is trying to expand its footprint in the strategically-located country in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) after establishing a full-fledged embassy there. Over the last decade, China has steadily forged maritime links with eastern Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia, among others.

India, on its part, has tried to counter these strategic moves in the IOR by stepping up its own defence engagement with the countries concerned. Ever since Antony's visit to Male in August 2009, for instance, Indian warships and Dornier reconnaissance aircraft have been regularly helping Maldives in maritime patrol and surveillance.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More