Friday, May 30, 2008
Govt cuts fuel supplies to check Gujjar stir
Karwadi/Bayana (Rajasthan): Fuel rationing was on Friday imposed in Karwadi and Bayana by the district authorities in a bid to check the movement of Gujjar protesters as their agitation entered the eighth day here.
"The collector has ordered a stipulated amount of 10 litres of diesel and one litre of petrol to vehicles in all tehsil areas except district headquarters," District Supply Officer A Punia told PTI over telephone from Bharatpur.
A vehicle can only get a full tank at Bharatpur, he said.
Supply of essential food items has not been hit in Bayana, but authorities said that the situation could worsen if the agitation continues.
The shopkeepers in Bayana rue their business has gone down since the agitation as it had hit the truck traffic in the district.
"I read about the agitation in the newspapers. I felt that I should visit the area and also let my children see what all is happening here," a woman came from Surote in the district said.
As the agitation entered its eight day, curious villagers from adjoining districts of Karauli and Bharatpur are reaching here to express solidarity with the protesters who are being led by 70-year-old Kirori Singh Bainsla, a retired army colonel.
"I read about the agitation in the newspapers. I felt that I should visit the area and also let my children see what all is happening here," a woman who came from Surote in Bharatpur district said.
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
Friday, May 30, 2008
India's food inflation lowest among 15 developing nations
India's food inflation lowest among 15 developing nations
Friday, 30 May , 2008, 17:45
New Dehli: India has been better off in managing food inflation compared to several other developing countries in 2007-08, even as the government faces public and political anguish over sharp rise in prices.
Prices of food articles rose by 5.8 per cent in India, the lowest increase among 15 developing countries for the period ending February 2007-08, a joint report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said.
Food prices showed the highest increase at 25.6 per cent in Sri Lanka, followed by Kenya at 24.6 per cent and China 23.3 per cent, the report entitled 'Agriculture Outlook 2008' said.
A record foodgrain production estimates at 227.32 million tons during 2007-08, against 217.28 million tons last year has helped India keep food inflation under control, experts said.
However, recent negative yield shocks in key food commodities like pulses and oilseeds have contributed to the price increase, they said, adding that global price rise had a spill-over affect on domestic rates as well.
However, India's food inflation still remains higher than the developed countries like the US and Japan during the review period, the report said.
Rate of rise in food prices stood at 1.4 per cent in Japan, at 5.1 per cent in the US and at 5 per cent in France, it noted.
Friday, 30 May , 2008, 17:45
New Dehli: India has been better off in managing food inflation compared to several other developing countries in 2007-08, even as the government faces public and political anguish over sharp rise in prices.
Prices of food articles rose by 5.8 per cent in India, the lowest increase among 15 developing countries for the period ending February 2007-08, a joint report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said.
Food prices showed the highest increase at 25.6 per cent in Sri Lanka, followed by Kenya at 24.6 per cent and China 23.3 per cent, the report entitled 'Agriculture Outlook 2008' said.
A record foodgrain production estimates at 227.32 million tons during 2007-08, against 217.28 million tons last year has helped India keep food inflation under control, experts said.
However, recent negative yield shocks in key food commodities like pulses and oilseeds have contributed to the price increase, they said, adding that global price rise had a spill-over affect on domestic rates as well.
However, India's food inflation still remains higher than the developed countries like the US and Japan during the review period, the report said.
Rate of rise in food prices stood at 1.4 per cent in Japan, at 5.1 per cent in the US and at 5 per cent in France, it noted.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Omar sore over photo of prez with gun
Monday, May 26, 2008
Omar sore over photo of prez with gun
New Delhi: A photograph of President Pratibha Patil holding an AK-47 during her ongoing visit to Jammu and Kashmir has been criticised by National Conference Chief Omar Abdullah.
In his blog, the former Union Minister said he wanted to see her photographs with children in some far-flung hamlet rather than "brandishing" an "object which has caused so much death and destruction in the last 18 years."
Patil was photographed on Saturday holding a gun while visiting a forward post in Jammu and Kashmir during her five-day visit to the state.
"The photograph was of President Patil brandishing an AK-47 and smiling... Somehow the two things didn't seem to go together," Abdullah wrote.
"They say a picture speaks a thousand words and I would have been thrilled to see a photograph of the President talking to kids, as a grandmother would, in some far flung hamlet about the promise of a better future," he said on his `The Kashmir Blog' (http://jknc.Org/blog/).
He continued: "I know she's the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but the photograph reminded me of a rather forgettable Sylvester Stallone movie - `Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot.'"
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
Omar sore over photo of prez with gun
New Delhi: A photograph of President Pratibha Patil holding an AK-47 during her ongoing visit to Jammu and Kashmir has been criticised by National Conference Chief Omar Abdullah.
In his blog, the former Union Minister said he wanted to see her photographs with children in some far-flung hamlet rather than "brandishing" an "object which has caused so much death and destruction in the last 18 years."
Patil was photographed on Saturday holding a gun while visiting a forward post in Jammu and Kashmir during her five-day visit to the state.
"The photograph was of President Patil brandishing an AK-47 and smiling... Somehow the two things didn't seem to go together," Abdullah wrote.
"They say a picture speaks a thousand words and I would have been thrilled to see a photograph of the President talking to kids, as a grandmother would, in some far flung hamlet about the promise of a better future," he said on his `The Kashmir Blog' (http://jknc.Org/blog/).
He continued: "I know she's the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but the photograph reminded me of a rather forgettable Sylvester Stallone movie - `Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot.'"
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Orissa police to probe Vedanta ‘forgery’
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Orissa police to probe Vedanta ‘forgery’
Bhubaneswar: A week after the Orissa High Court stayed land acquisition for the proposed Vedanta University near Puri, the police today registered a case to investigate the alleged ‘forgery’ committed by the Vedanta Foundation, which was planning to set up a world class university at an investment of Rs 15,000 crore.
“We have registered a case to probe the allegations against Vedanta as per the direction of the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate's (SDJM) court, Bhubaneswar,” Capital Police Station Inspector in-charge Rabi Satpathy told PTI, adding the case was registered under Section 156 (3) of the Cr.P.C.
The SDJM yesterday directed the local police to probe the allegation made by one 75-year-old Dwarika Mishra who lodged several allegations of “fraud” against the Vedanta Foundation, which was later renamed the Anil Agarwal Foundation.
The SDJM also directed the IIC, Capital Police Station, to report compliance within a week.
Vedanta officials were not immediately available for comment.
Mishra, in his petition at the SDJM court alleged that though Vedanta had submitted a document showing it as a public limited company on December 24, 2006, it was in fact a private limited company till May 7, 2008.
The petition alleged that the firm gave forged documents obtained from the Regional Director, Ministry of Company Affairs, Mumbai showing it as a public limited company.
Earlier, the Orissa law department had objected to land acquisition for Vedanta as it was a private limited company. The department cited provision under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 which did not allow the government to acquire private land for a private company.
Earlier on May 15, Orissa High Court's bench comprising Justice I M Quddusi and Justice S R Singharavelu, while hearing a petition filed by villagers, stayed land acquisition by the Anil Agarwal Foundation.
“Land acqusition in Samagara village under Puri Sadar Tahasil, shall remain stayed till the next hearing date on June 23,” the Court said.
The court had also issued notice to both the Orissa government and the Anil Agarwal Foundation to submit counter affidavits within three weeks.
The petitioner prayed before the HC that acquisition of land in Beladala village by the government which would be handed over to the company be declared as “illegal.”
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
Orissa police to probe Vedanta ‘forgery’
Bhubaneswar: A week after the Orissa High Court stayed land acquisition for the proposed Vedanta University near Puri, the police today registered a case to investigate the alleged ‘forgery’ committed by the Vedanta Foundation, which was planning to set up a world class university at an investment of Rs 15,000 crore.
“We have registered a case to probe the allegations against Vedanta as per the direction of the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate's (SDJM) court, Bhubaneswar,” Capital Police Station Inspector in-charge Rabi Satpathy told PTI, adding the case was registered under Section 156 (3) of the Cr.P.C.
The SDJM yesterday directed the local police to probe the allegation made by one 75-year-old Dwarika Mishra who lodged several allegations of “fraud” against the Vedanta Foundation, which was later renamed the Anil Agarwal Foundation.
The SDJM also directed the IIC, Capital Police Station, to report compliance within a week.
Vedanta officials were not immediately available for comment.
Mishra, in his petition at the SDJM court alleged that though Vedanta had submitted a document showing it as a public limited company on December 24, 2006, it was in fact a private limited company till May 7, 2008.
The petition alleged that the firm gave forged documents obtained from the Regional Director, Ministry of Company Affairs, Mumbai showing it as a public limited company.
Earlier, the Orissa law department had objected to land acquisition for Vedanta as it was a private limited company. The department cited provision under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 which did not allow the government to acquire private land for a private company.
Earlier on May 15, Orissa High Court's bench comprising Justice I M Quddusi and Justice S R Singharavelu, while hearing a petition filed by villagers, stayed land acquisition by the Anil Agarwal Foundation.
“Land acqusition in Samagara village under Puri Sadar Tahasil, shall remain stayed till the next hearing date on June 23,” the Court said.
The court had also issued notice to both the Orissa government and the Anil Agarwal Foundation to submit counter affidavits within three weeks.
The petitioner prayed before the HC that acquisition of land in Beladala village by the government which would be handed over to the company be declared as “illegal.”
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Rajasthan blasts
http://indiasecular.wordpress.com/
May 14, Indian Express
Jaipur, May 14: Rajasthan Chief Minister on Tuesday condemned the serial blasts in the pink city which claimed at least 60 lives and said that it was a well designed conspiracy by the terrorists outfit to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Addressing a late night press conference, Raje said: “never in the history of the state such a heinous incident had happened and this is not an attack on the state but on the nation.”
She asked all the political parties to come together and face the crisis.
Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke to Raje and assured all possible help from the Centre.
Already a company of NSG has arrived to assist the police, she said.
Appealing to the people to maintain peace, she said that section 144 has been promulgated in the city and police vigil has been intensified.
She said investigation was going on and reports is expected tomorrow which would specify who were behind this heinous crime.
Raje also announced a state mourning on Wednesday and said: “all government offices, schools and colleges will be closed for a day as a mark of respect for all those killed in the serial blasts in the pink city.”
At least 60 people were killed and about 200 injured in eight near-simultaneous blasts in Jaipur on Tuesday night.
Raje said that a strong law like POTA should be brought to contain the terror in the country which has spread everywhere and is destroying social harmony.
“We need a strong law like that in Gujarat to deal with this menace which has vitiated the atmosphere in the country and claimed innocent lives,” she said.
May 14, Indian Express
Jaipur, May 14: Rajasthan Chief Minister on Tuesday condemned the serial blasts in the pink city which claimed at least 60 lives and said that it was a well designed conspiracy by the terrorists outfit to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Addressing a late night press conference, Raje said: “never in the history of the state such a heinous incident had happened and this is not an attack on the state but on the nation.”
She asked all the political parties to come together and face the crisis.
Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke to Raje and assured all possible help from the Centre.
Already a company of NSG has arrived to assist the police, she said.
Appealing to the people to maintain peace, she said that section 144 has been promulgated in the city and police vigil has been intensified.
She said investigation was going on and reports is expected tomorrow which would specify who were behind this heinous crime.
Raje also announced a state mourning on Wednesday and said: “all government offices, schools and colleges will be closed for a day as a mark of respect for all those killed in the serial blasts in the pink city.”
At least 60 people were killed and about 200 injured in eight near-simultaneous blasts in Jaipur on Tuesday night.
Raje said that a strong law like POTA should be brought to contain the terror in the country which has spread everywhere and is destroying social harmony.
“We need a strong law like that in Gujarat to deal with this menace which has vitiated the atmosphere in the country and claimed innocent lives,” she said.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
WB rural polls: Trinamool wins Nandigram, Singur
21 May 2008, 1602 hrs IST,PTI
KOLKATA: In a jolt to the CPM-led Left Front, Trinamool Congress on Wednesday defeated its candidates in trouble-torn Nandigram in the three-tier panchayat elections in West Bengal. ( Watch )
The Front also faced rout in three zilla parishad seats in Singur to Trinamool Congress candidates.
The polls are seen as a litmus test for the Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee government's farmland acquisition policy for industries.
Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress wrested control of zilla parishad in East Midnapur where trouble-torn Nandigram is located. It won 32 of the 53 seats, results of which were declared so far.
It is the first time that Trinamool Congress gained control over a zilla parishad, the main decision-making body in the district. In the last poll in 2003, the Trinamool had two seats in the zilla parishad.
Never before has the industry been a major plank in the panchayat polls, particular in Nandigram and Singur.
The Left Front was, however, maintaining a lead in other districts and having a neck-and-neck contest in zilla parishad seats in Congress strongholds of Murshidabad and Malda.
Polls were held to the three-tier panchayat system in three phases on May 11,14 and 18.
21 May 2008, 1602 hrs IST,PTI
KOLKATA: In a jolt to the CPM-led Left Front, Trinamool Congress on Wednesday defeated its candidates in trouble-torn Nandigram in the three-tier panchayat elections in West Bengal. ( Watch )
The Front also faced rout in three zilla parishad seats in Singur to Trinamool Congress candidates.
The polls are seen as a litmus test for the Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee government's farmland acquisition policy for industries.
Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress wrested control of zilla parishad in East Midnapur where trouble-torn Nandigram is located. It won 32 of the 53 seats, results of which were declared so far.
It is the first time that Trinamool Congress gained control over a zilla parishad, the main decision-making body in the district. In the last poll in 2003, the Trinamool had two seats in the zilla parishad.
Never before has the industry been a major plank in the panchayat polls, particular in Nandigram and Singur.
The Left Front was, however, maintaining a lead in other districts and having a neck-and-neck contest in zilla parishad seats in Congress strongholds of Murshidabad and Malda.
Polls were held to the three-tier panchayat system in three phases on May 11,14 and 18.
SC says no double quota, annuls order of Madras HC
SC says no double quota, annuls order of Madras HC
20 May 2008, 0240 hrs IST,Dhananjay Mahapatra & Ashish Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: UPSC is facing the prospect of having to rework Friday's results of the civil services exams after the Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Madras high court judgment which had virtually increased posts reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs in the top bureaucracy beyond the specified 50% limit.
A good number of candidates savouring the success now stand a high risk of being thrown out of the list when it is revised in the light of the stay ordered by a vacation bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and L S Panta on a petition filed by the Centre.
"The implication of the stay order will be known at the time of allocation of services," personnel secretary Satyananda Mishra told TOI.
At the heart of the issue was the HC order of March 20.
Though the HC order pertained to the batch which cleared civil services examinations (CSE) 2005, it has implications for the candidates who made the grade on Friday.
The HC order struck down Rule 16(2) designed to deal with the reserved category applicants, who claim quota benefits after having cleared the exams as "general category" candidates.
All such reserved category applicants, who are selected on "merit", are ranked among general category students. But as per Rule 16(2), they can claim reservation benefit to get a "better" service. For instance, somebody who makes it to the Indian Revenue Service can invoke his "reserved" status to get into IAS.
But the very same rule also laid down that the IRS post so vacated would come to the general pool. Madras HC, however, voided the rule, which meant that the IRS post would go to the reserved category - SC/ST/OBC - to which the successful candidate belonged.
In its petition, the Centre had said the implementation of the HC order would mean a breach of the 50% cap on quota. It was because of the Madras HC order being challenged in SC that UPSC has called the Friday results as "provisional".
The import of the bureaucratese started sinking in only on Monday after SC's order and the resultant risk of reversal of fortunes for many. This time, the exact impact of the stay order would be known once it becomes clear how many reserved category candidates actually made it to the general list, and how many of them finally opted for service allocation on basis of their reserved status.
Past records show that a good number of reserved candidates have been finding a place on the general list. Their number was 32 in 2005. It is, therefore, likely that names of some candidates may have to be deleted from this year's list. Chances are that the order may have far more significant fallout for this year's list.
Unlike past years, UPSC had, this time, recommended a list of candidates against all 734 vacancies in IAS, IPS, IFS, Group A and Group B services. Before the Madras HC ruled against Rule 16(2), UPSC used to announce a truncated merit list. It used to leave out the exact number of reserved candidates who had found a place on the general list so that there was no violation of the SC-mandated 50% cap on reservations.
These candidates then had the option to be considered in the "reserved" or "general" categories. Depending on the final situation during the allocation of services, UPSC used to issue a second list.
20 May 2008, 0240 hrs IST,Dhananjay Mahapatra & Ashish Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: UPSC is facing the prospect of having to rework Friday's results of the civil services exams after the Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Madras high court judgment which had virtually increased posts reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs in the top bureaucracy beyond the specified 50% limit.
A good number of candidates savouring the success now stand a high risk of being thrown out of the list when it is revised in the light of the stay ordered by a vacation bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and L S Panta on a petition filed by the Centre.
"The implication of the stay order will be known at the time of allocation of services," personnel secretary Satyananda Mishra told TOI.
At the heart of the issue was the HC order of March 20.
Though the HC order pertained to the batch which cleared civil services examinations (CSE) 2005, it has implications for the candidates who made the grade on Friday.
The HC order struck down Rule 16(2) designed to deal with the reserved category applicants, who claim quota benefits after having cleared the exams as "general category" candidates.
All such reserved category applicants, who are selected on "merit", are ranked among general category students. But as per Rule 16(2), they can claim reservation benefit to get a "better" service. For instance, somebody who makes it to the Indian Revenue Service can invoke his "reserved" status to get into IAS.
But the very same rule also laid down that the IRS post so vacated would come to the general pool. Madras HC, however, voided the rule, which meant that the IRS post would go to the reserved category - SC/ST/OBC - to which the successful candidate belonged.
In its petition, the Centre had said the implementation of the HC order would mean a breach of the 50% cap on quota. It was because of the Madras HC order being challenged in SC that UPSC has called the Friday results as "provisional".
The import of the bureaucratese started sinking in only on Monday after SC's order and the resultant risk of reversal of fortunes for many. This time, the exact impact of the stay order would be known once it becomes clear how many reserved category candidates actually made it to the general list, and how many of them finally opted for service allocation on basis of their reserved status.
Past records show that a good number of reserved candidates have been finding a place on the general list. Their number was 32 in 2005. It is, therefore, likely that names of some candidates may have to be deleted from this year's list. Chances are that the order may have far more significant fallout for this year's list.
Unlike past years, UPSC had, this time, recommended a list of candidates against all 734 vacancies in IAS, IPS, IFS, Group A and Group B services. Before the Madras HC ruled against Rule 16(2), UPSC used to announce a truncated merit list. It used to leave out the exact number of reserved candidates who had found a place on the general list so that there was no violation of the SC-mandated 50% cap on reservations.
These candidates then had the option to be considered in the "reserved" or "general" categories. Depending on the final situation during the allocation of services, UPSC used to issue a second list.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Congress and Democracy in India
A perceptive article from the Telegraph, Kolkata, May 19
The Congress needs internal democracy and a stated ideology
S.L. Rao
The United Progressive Alliance coalition was an innovative separation of powers between the Congress president and the prime minister, with outside support from an ideology-based Left Front. The Left probably deliberately weakened the coalition from the beginning by its aggressive and interventionist opposition to government initiatives and policies.
Ministerial and cabinet positions were decided by the Congress leadership, not by the prime minister, and on considerations of loyalty rather than ability. The prime minister was weakened by the separation of powers. Several times, the party leader did not publicly support him against unruly ministers. This led to increasing indiscipline among ministers. In contrast, the previous National Democratic Alliance coalition government was more harmonious.
The chief minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, finds the prime minister weak, indecisive, lacking in leadership and a political failure because the Congress has lost so many elections during his tenure. In fact, the Congress president took all critical decisions and, with her son, spearheaded the elections. Arjun Singh, the old First Family loyalist and bête noire of the prime minister, has now discovered flaws in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and the prime minister.
The UPA’s ministerial appointments were decided by the Congress president.
Natwar Singh was made external affairs minister because of his closeness to Sonia Gandhi. He publicly differed with the prime minister by persisting with an anti-US policy, banking on communist support. He persisted with non-alignment, despite the end of the Cold War. He tried to reverse the foreign policy direction initiated by the NDA government and continued by Manmohan Singh. He was dropped only when his Iraqgate connections were exposed by the United Nations.
Arjun Singh, in the cabinet because of his loyalty to the First Family, has been an embarrassment as minister for human resources. Interfering in appointments in the Indian institutes of management, pushing for reservation for other backward classes without infrastructure or faculty, not effective in programmes like education for all, he introduced divisive policy initiatives.
Mani Shankar Aiyar asked his leader for a cabinet position. He became petroleum minister by accident and encroached on other ministerial turfs. The home minister demonstrated incompetence in handling terrorism, Naxalites, Taslima Nasreen, and many other subjects that needed decisive action. He was protected by the First Family.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s health minister took ill-advised initiatives and squabbled with the director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The DMK’s surface transport minister caused an uproar in Parliament and the country with an ill-considered affidavit insulting Hindu faith on the Ram Setu and later, with his nepotism. The commerce minister kept pushing the special economic zone policy despite widespread protests that it was a land grab.
The prime minister could take no action against any of them.
The authority of the Congress president, her family and confidantes, was always respected. Often, she did not discipline her loyal ministers even when they contradicted government policies and the prime minister.
The ministers could ignore the prime minister as long as they enjoyed the protection of the First Family. Aiyar lost his portfolio when he lost this protection, as will Arjun Singh soon.
The Left forced vast expenditures on subsidies, pushing up deficits, stopped all privatization, even disinvestment of shares, and much foreign direct investment. To bolster foreign exchange reserves, the finance minister was encouraged to put the country’s financial system at risk by making foreign institutional investment easy, even anonymous and highly volatile by exempting it from short-term capital gains tax.
The Left’s anti-Americanism is losing India the opportunity to move forward with its nuclear energy programme. Its silence on aggravations from China have also silenced the necessary strident government responses. The Left emasculated the unique three-man reforming team of ministers into becoming uncoordinated reformers.
Still, the Left also brought balance to reforms that, till this government came, had primarily opened up financial and industrial sectors to private and foreign investors. The Left forced programmes for the poor. The “aam admi” programme became a reality because of it. It did this through the National Advisory Council, the supra-coordination body chaired by the Congress president.
This also diminished the prime minister’s authority. Credit was given to Rahul Gandhi when the national rural employment guarantee scheme was extended nationally. The government was dancing to the Family song.
Manmohan Singh as a social scientist and thinker might have taken many economic and foreign policy initiatives. Communist outside support to the government and political authority resting with the Congress president have stifled him. While she may have meant to support the prime minister, many times when he should have got public support from her, she did not give it.
In contrast, wily P.V. Narasimha Rao marginalized Sonia Gandhi from the outset and was able to move India to a growth path by opening up the economy. He did not win elections, but Sonia Gandhi and her son have lost many in the last four years.
The Congress is in power not because of spectacular election results in 2004 but by recognizing that power would come only with a coalition.
Coalitions between opposing parties are not uncommon. Our short-lived coalitions under Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, H.D. Deve Gowda, Inder Gujral, all had opposing parties as members. Their only ideology was power. They achieved little and had few policy differences.
The communists exercise control on the UPA by micro-managing their opposition to specific government initiatives. They kept the Bharatiya Janata Party out, but weakened the government and specially the prime minister.
The NDA coalition radically shifted India’s policies, especially foreign and security policies. The NDA’s economic policies introduced privatization, ushered in the telecommunications revolution, invested massively in roads, and established independent regulatory frameworks. Vajpayee persisted with ‘confidence building measures’ with Pakistan during Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorship despite the downturn in relations after the Kargil war and Musharraf’s later walk-out from the Agra summit. These measures have sharply reduced 60-year-old tensions between India and Pakistan. Vajpayee as prime minister was also the unquestioned leader of the BJP, and very adept at managing the contradictions in such a coalition.
In the UPA, this job should have been performed by the Congress political leadership. It has failed in this and in maintaining discipline among ministers from its own and other parties.
Coalition governments at the Centre prevent extremism from dominant parties. To work effectively, coalitions must be led by a national party with more seats than the other parties. The national party should have an ideology. (The Congress’s only ideology is to unite around the First Family.
Apart from Hindutva, moderated by coalition partners, the BJP ideology is reforms.
The Left is anti-US, pro-China, industrial and government employees.
The Congress, to run effective coalitions should have inner-party democracy and an honest statement of its ideology.
Outside support by a large political group is dangerous when it has a strongly motivated ideology. The coalition should have an agreed common programme and a coordination mechanism. The programme must be seen as a whole and not just in its parts and permit flexibility to the government in a changing foreign affairs scenario. There must be no separation between the political leadership of the principal party and its prime minister.
Demo-narchy of India @ http://indiaview.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/de%e2%80%99mo-narchy-of-democratic-india/
Congress Dynasty @ http://indiasecular.wordpress.com/2007/10/05/congress-dynasty-matrix
The Congress needs internal democracy and a stated ideology
S.L. Rao
The United Progressive Alliance coalition was an innovative separation of powers between the Congress president and the prime minister, with outside support from an ideology-based Left Front. The Left probably deliberately weakened the coalition from the beginning by its aggressive and interventionist opposition to government initiatives and policies.
Ministerial and cabinet positions were decided by the Congress leadership, not by the prime minister, and on considerations of loyalty rather than ability. The prime minister was weakened by the separation of powers. Several times, the party leader did not publicly support him against unruly ministers. This led to increasing indiscipline among ministers. In contrast, the previous National Democratic Alliance coalition government was more harmonious.
The chief minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, finds the prime minister weak, indecisive, lacking in leadership and a political failure because the Congress has lost so many elections during his tenure. In fact, the Congress president took all critical decisions and, with her son, spearheaded the elections. Arjun Singh, the old First Family loyalist and bête noire of the prime minister, has now discovered flaws in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and the prime minister.
The UPA’s ministerial appointments were decided by the Congress president.
Natwar Singh was made external affairs minister because of his closeness to Sonia Gandhi. He publicly differed with the prime minister by persisting with an anti-US policy, banking on communist support. He persisted with non-alignment, despite the end of the Cold War. He tried to reverse the foreign policy direction initiated by the NDA government and continued by Manmohan Singh. He was dropped only when his Iraqgate connections were exposed by the United Nations.
Arjun Singh, in the cabinet because of his loyalty to the First Family, has been an embarrassment as minister for human resources. Interfering in appointments in the Indian institutes of management, pushing for reservation for other backward classes without infrastructure or faculty, not effective in programmes like education for all, he introduced divisive policy initiatives.
Mani Shankar Aiyar asked his leader for a cabinet position. He became petroleum minister by accident and encroached on other ministerial turfs. The home minister demonstrated incompetence in handling terrorism, Naxalites, Taslima Nasreen, and many other subjects that needed decisive action. He was protected by the First Family.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s health minister took ill-advised initiatives and squabbled with the director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The DMK’s surface transport minister caused an uproar in Parliament and the country with an ill-considered affidavit insulting Hindu faith on the Ram Setu and later, with his nepotism. The commerce minister kept pushing the special economic zone policy despite widespread protests that it was a land grab.
The prime minister could take no action against any of them.
The authority of the Congress president, her family and confidantes, was always respected. Often, she did not discipline her loyal ministers even when they contradicted government policies and the prime minister.
The ministers could ignore the prime minister as long as they enjoyed the protection of the First Family. Aiyar lost his portfolio when he lost this protection, as will Arjun Singh soon.
The Left forced vast expenditures on subsidies, pushing up deficits, stopped all privatization, even disinvestment of shares, and much foreign direct investment. To bolster foreign exchange reserves, the finance minister was encouraged to put the country’s financial system at risk by making foreign institutional investment easy, even anonymous and highly volatile by exempting it from short-term capital gains tax.
The Left’s anti-Americanism is losing India the opportunity to move forward with its nuclear energy programme. Its silence on aggravations from China have also silenced the necessary strident government responses. The Left emasculated the unique three-man reforming team of ministers into becoming uncoordinated reformers.
Still, the Left also brought balance to reforms that, till this government came, had primarily opened up financial and industrial sectors to private and foreign investors. The Left forced programmes for the poor. The “aam admi” programme became a reality because of it. It did this through the National Advisory Council, the supra-coordination body chaired by the Congress president.
This also diminished the prime minister’s authority. Credit was given to Rahul Gandhi when the national rural employment guarantee scheme was extended nationally. The government was dancing to the Family song.
Manmohan Singh as a social scientist and thinker might have taken many economic and foreign policy initiatives. Communist outside support to the government and political authority resting with the Congress president have stifled him. While she may have meant to support the prime minister, many times when he should have got public support from her, she did not give it.
In contrast, wily P.V. Narasimha Rao marginalized Sonia Gandhi from the outset and was able to move India to a growth path by opening up the economy. He did not win elections, but Sonia Gandhi and her son have lost many in the last four years.
The Congress is in power not because of spectacular election results in 2004 but by recognizing that power would come only with a coalition.
Coalitions between opposing parties are not uncommon. Our short-lived coalitions under Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, H.D. Deve Gowda, Inder Gujral, all had opposing parties as members. Their only ideology was power. They achieved little and had few policy differences.
The communists exercise control on the UPA by micro-managing their opposition to specific government initiatives. They kept the Bharatiya Janata Party out, but weakened the government and specially the prime minister.
The NDA coalition radically shifted India’s policies, especially foreign and security policies. The NDA’s economic policies introduced privatization, ushered in the telecommunications revolution, invested massively in roads, and established independent regulatory frameworks. Vajpayee persisted with ‘confidence building measures’ with Pakistan during Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorship despite the downturn in relations after the Kargil war and Musharraf’s later walk-out from the Agra summit. These measures have sharply reduced 60-year-old tensions between India and Pakistan. Vajpayee as prime minister was also the unquestioned leader of the BJP, and very adept at managing the contradictions in such a coalition.
In the UPA, this job should have been performed by the Congress political leadership. It has failed in this and in maintaining discipline among ministers from its own and other parties.
Coalition governments at the Centre prevent extremism from dominant parties. To work effectively, coalitions must be led by a national party with more seats than the other parties. The national party should have an ideology. (The Congress’s only ideology is to unite around the First Family.
Apart from Hindutva, moderated by coalition partners, the BJP ideology is reforms.
The Left is anti-US, pro-China, industrial and government employees.
The Congress, to run effective coalitions should have inner-party democracy and an honest statement of its ideology.
Outside support by a large political group is dangerous when it has a strongly motivated ideology. The coalition should have an agreed common programme and a coordination mechanism. The programme must be seen as a whole and not just in its parts and permit flexibility to the government in a changing foreign affairs scenario. There must be no separation between the political leadership of the principal party and its prime minister.
Demo-narchy of India @ http://indiaview.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/de%e2%80%99mo-narchy-of-democratic-india/
Congress Dynasty @ http://indiasecular.wordpress.com/2007/10/05/congress-dynasty-matrix
China builds dam for Mumbai's water needs
China firm to build dam for Mumbai's water needs
Mon, May 19 03:33 AM
A Chinese state-run firm is all set to become the first from the country to build a dam in India, which aims to ease the drinking water shortage in the country's financial capital Mumbai.
Despite some critics raising the bogey of the security implications of such a project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has selected a joint venture between China International Water and Electric Engineering (CWE) and India's Soma Enterprises for constructing the Middle Vaitarna dam across the Vaitarna river, about 145 km from Mumbai, sources told The Indian Express.
The civic body selected the company after it submitted a technical bid of Rs 490 crore - well below the projected tender cost of Rs 550 crore. A proposal to approve the selection will be placed before the BMC standing committee of corporators soon, and this is expected to be a mere formality. The project, whose total cost is estimated at Rs 1,600 crore, is one of the most ambitious for the BMC.
When completed in 2011, it aims to supply an additional 450 million litres of water per day. Global tenders were invited last year and seven companies - five of them Chinese - had bid for the project. One Indian and one Chinese firm were disqualified for technical reasons. "We then had to make the selection from the remaining five companies. Since CWE/Soma Enterprises fit all technical aspects of constructing the dam and have also quoted a lower price than the other companies, they have been selected," a top BMC official said. The construction is expected to last three years and use advanced RCC technology, expertise for which was not available for such large projects in India, BMC officials said.
The 105-metre tall dam will be the largest in Maharashtra and will be located in Mokhada in Thane district, almost halfway between Mumbai and Nashik.
But some critics, said to be backed by Indian firms, have launched a campaign through the media against awarding the contracts to Chinese firms, citing what they say are security implications of such a vital project.
They say that the dam, while being a vital installation in itself, will also be located within a few hours from sensitive facilities like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Tarapur, defence establishments in Nashik and the currency press there. Besides, in anonymous documents circulated in the media, they have also cited the Central Government's sensitivity over awarding major infrastructure projects to Chinese firms, giving the example of New Delhi directing Chennai and Mumbai port authorities to reject the bid of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings to build new container terminals, among others.
But BMC officials dismiss such concerns. They point out that the Chinese firm will only be bringing its technical expertise and its employees would be involved in project management, while the actual construction would be done by Indian labourers.
Security clearances for Chinese nationals would come from New Delhi, they added. "Moreover, there will be security from the civic body at the spot during construction," one official said.
Mon, May 19 03:33 AM
A Chinese state-run firm is all set to become the first from the country to build a dam in India, which aims to ease the drinking water shortage in the country's financial capital Mumbai.
Despite some critics raising the bogey of the security implications of such a project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has selected a joint venture between China International Water and Electric Engineering (CWE) and India's Soma Enterprises for constructing the Middle Vaitarna dam across the Vaitarna river, about 145 km from Mumbai, sources told The Indian Express.
The civic body selected the company after it submitted a technical bid of Rs 490 crore - well below the projected tender cost of Rs 550 crore. A proposal to approve the selection will be placed before the BMC standing committee of corporators soon, and this is expected to be a mere formality. The project, whose total cost is estimated at Rs 1,600 crore, is one of the most ambitious for the BMC.
When completed in 2011, it aims to supply an additional 450 million litres of water per day. Global tenders were invited last year and seven companies - five of them Chinese - had bid for the project. One Indian and one Chinese firm were disqualified for technical reasons. "We then had to make the selection from the remaining five companies. Since CWE/Soma Enterprises fit all technical aspects of constructing the dam and have also quoted a lower price than the other companies, they have been selected," a top BMC official said. The construction is expected to last three years and use advanced RCC technology, expertise for which was not available for such large projects in India, BMC officials said.
The 105-metre tall dam will be the largest in Maharashtra and will be located in Mokhada in Thane district, almost halfway between Mumbai and Nashik.
But some critics, said to be backed by Indian firms, have launched a campaign through the media against awarding the contracts to Chinese firms, citing what they say are security implications of such a vital project.
They say that the dam, while being a vital installation in itself, will also be located within a few hours from sensitive facilities like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Tarapur, defence establishments in Nashik and the currency press there. Besides, in anonymous documents circulated in the media, they have also cited the Central Government's sensitivity over awarding major infrastructure projects to Chinese firms, giving the example of New Delhi directing Chennai and Mumbai port authorities to reject the bid of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings to build new container terminals, among others.
But BMC officials dismiss such concerns. They point out that the Chinese firm will only be bringing its technical expertise and its employees would be involved in project management, while the actual construction would be done by Indian labourers.
Security clearances for Chinese nationals would come from New Delhi, they added. "Moreover, there will be security from the civic body at the spot during construction," one official said.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Indian PM pitches for anti-terror federal agency-India-The Times of India
PM pitches for anti-terror federal agency-India-The Times of India
PM pitches for anti-terror federal agency
18 May 2008, 1252 hrs IST,Dhananjay Mahapatra,TNN
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday made a strong pitch for a federal agency to deal with terrorist crimes against India, on the same day that Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan called for special anti-terror laws.
Conceding that the Jaipur blasts could hamper normalisation of India’s relations with Pakistan, the PM — on his way back from Bhutan — argued for a federal probe agency to investigate acts of terrorism and other crimes with inter-state ramifications.
Talking to media at Bagdogra, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh justified the demand to classify terrorism related crimes as federal crimes and set up a federal investigation bureau fully equipped to deal with it.
"There is a case in such demands. This matter has been discussed several times in the inter-state councils. We should explore all possibilities for recognising crimes like terrorism, white collar crimes and human trafficking as federal crimes and setting up a federal agency which is fully equipped to discharge the onerous function of dealing with it," he told reporters after winding up his two-day official visit to Bhutan and during a re-fuelling stopover. PM’s support for the federal agency came when Congress has become more vocal in stating the need for one.
Singh also spoke of the chief stumbling block — states being chary of losing their exclusive control over "law and order" issues. States are reluctant to cooperate in surrendering power. He, however, made clear that he was not ready to engage in a blame game." I am not apportioning blame. The Centre and the states have a common problem at hand and hence should work together to deal with the issue," he said.
Chief Justice Balakrishnan repeated his backing for the demand for a federal anti-terror law. Speaking at a Seminar in the capital, he said he would favour an all-India anti-terror law, while acknowledging that the matter did not fall within his domain. Speaking to media at Bagdogra, Singh also said that the terrorist violence should not come in the way of efforts to normalise ties with Pakistan.
Saying that terrorists could be seeking to disrupt the talks with Pakistan, Singh said: "There is no doubt that terrorist elements have many objectives to disturb the atmosphere of communal harmony in our country, create communal disturbances and to prevent normalisation of relations with Pakistan. We have to be mindful of these nefarious designs and we are adopting effective counter-strategies."
He also spoke against the politicisation of terror. "This is not a matter that should divide political parties. All parties — Congress, BJP and other political parties — have an obligation not to politicise human miseries inflicted by terrorists. They should put their heads together and pool wisdom to deal with the issue," he said.
The Prime Minister also defended intelligence agencies under attack for their alleged failure to foil the terror attacks. "I would not say India’s intelligence network has weakened. Terrorism poses new challenges, Techniques of terror has miniatured and the terrorists are becoming more and more bold having the advantage of springing surprises."
He agreed that with effective intelligence terrorist attacks could be minimised, but firmly stood behind the security and intelligence agencies saying their good work in averting serious human tragedies almost always goes unnoticed.
PM pitches for anti-terror federal agency
18 May 2008, 1252 hrs IST,Dhananjay Mahapatra,TNN
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday made a strong pitch for a federal agency to deal with terrorist crimes against India, on the same day that Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan called for special anti-terror laws.
Conceding that the Jaipur blasts could hamper normalisation of India’s relations with Pakistan, the PM — on his way back from Bhutan — argued for a federal probe agency to investigate acts of terrorism and other crimes with inter-state ramifications.
Talking to media at Bagdogra, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh justified the demand to classify terrorism related crimes as federal crimes and set up a federal investigation bureau fully equipped to deal with it.
"There is a case in such demands. This matter has been discussed several times in the inter-state councils. We should explore all possibilities for recognising crimes like terrorism, white collar crimes and human trafficking as federal crimes and setting up a federal agency which is fully equipped to discharge the onerous function of dealing with it," he told reporters after winding up his two-day official visit to Bhutan and during a re-fuelling stopover. PM’s support for the federal agency came when Congress has become more vocal in stating the need for one.
Singh also spoke of the chief stumbling block — states being chary of losing their exclusive control over "law and order" issues. States are reluctant to cooperate in surrendering power. He, however, made clear that he was not ready to engage in a blame game." I am not apportioning blame. The Centre and the states have a common problem at hand and hence should work together to deal with the issue," he said.
Chief Justice Balakrishnan repeated his backing for the demand for a federal anti-terror law. Speaking at a Seminar in the capital, he said he would favour an all-India anti-terror law, while acknowledging that the matter did not fall within his domain. Speaking to media at Bagdogra, Singh also said that the terrorist violence should not come in the way of efforts to normalise ties with Pakistan.
Saying that terrorists could be seeking to disrupt the talks with Pakistan, Singh said: "There is no doubt that terrorist elements have many objectives to disturb the atmosphere of communal harmony in our country, create communal disturbances and to prevent normalisation of relations with Pakistan. We have to be mindful of these nefarious designs and we are adopting effective counter-strategies."
He also spoke against the politicisation of terror. "This is not a matter that should divide political parties. All parties — Congress, BJP and other political parties — have an obligation not to politicise human miseries inflicted by terrorists. They should put their heads together and pool wisdom to deal with the issue," he said.
The Prime Minister also defended intelligence agencies under attack for their alleged failure to foil the terror attacks. "I would not say India’s intelligence network has weakened. Terrorism poses new challenges, Techniques of terror has miniatured and the terrorists are becoming more and more bold having the advantage of springing surprises."
He agreed that with effective intelligence terrorist attacks could be minimised, but firmly stood behind the security and intelligence agencies saying their good work in averting serious human tragedies almost always goes unnoticed.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Quota confusion: Calcutta HC stays IIM admissions
Quota confusion: Calcutta HC stays IIM admissions
Quota confusion: Calcutta HC stays IIM admissions
Shreya Dhoundial / CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:05, Updated at Thu, May 15, 2008 in Nation section
Sagarika Ghose
City of dreadful knights
New Delhi: Just when the dust had settled down on demonstrations and protestors had reconciled to the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, Calcutta High Court has dropped a bombshell — an interim order staying the intake of the backward castes in IIM Calcutta.
The petitioner's lawyer, Chameli Majumdar says, "The injunction is in terms of prayer eight, which was an order to issue staying the operation of the reservation clause of the notice."
There was an area of confusion in the five-Bench judgement which allowed backward reservation. Three judges had wondered if a person can retain the OBC status if he or she is a graduate.
Graduation, according to their view, bestows an advanced status on the person and an OBC graduate, therefore, no longer qualifies for the OBC benefit at the postgraduate level.
The Human Resource Ministry had said at the time that this part of the judgement was not mandatory and that quota had been generally allowed at all levels and it's something that HRD Minister, Arjun Singh, still maintains.
"We have already said that the Post Graduate courses are not affected. But if the High Court feels that it is, then it will hear the arguments and decide," says Arjun Singh.
But, the interim order on the petition prevents IIM Calcutta from going ahead with admissions and by default, raises doubts over the entire postgraduate admission process in all IIMs.
The HRD Ministry is now getting ready to respond to the court order. Interestingly enough, the process of admissions to all IIMs except IIM Calcutta is already over and preparatory classes are supposed to start in the beginning of June.
Call it a case of bad timing, but the next hearing of the case is scheduled for June 2, 2008.
(With inputs from Anjita Roy Chaudhary in Kolkata and Sumit Pande in New Delhi)
Quota confusion: Calcutta HC stays IIM admissions
Shreya Dhoundial / CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:05, Updated at Thu, May 15, 2008 in Nation section
Sagarika Ghose
City of dreadful knights
New Delhi: Just when the dust had settled down on demonstrations and protestors had reconciled to the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, Calcutta High Court has dropped a bombshell — an interim order staying the intake of the backward castes in IIM Calcutta.
The petitioner's lawyer, Chameli Majumdar says, "The injunction is in terms of prayer eight, which was an order to issue staying the operation of the reservation clause of the notice."
There was an area of confusion in the five-Bench judgement which allowed backward reservation. Three judges had wondered if a person can retain the OBC status if he or she is a graduate.
Graduation, according to their view, bestows an advanced status on the person and an OBC graduate, therefore, no longer qualifies for the OBC benefit at the postgraduate level.
The Human Resource Ministry had said at the time that this part of the judgement was not mandatory and that quota had been generally allowed at all levels and it's something that HRD Minister, Arjun Singh, still maintains.
"We have already said that the Post Graduate courses are not affected. But if the High Court feels that it is, then it will hear the arguments and decide," says Arjun Singh.
But, the interim order on the petition prevents IIM Calcutta from going ahead with admissions and by default, raises doubts over the entire postgraduate admission process in all IIMs.
The HRD Ministry is now getting ready to respond to the court order. Interestingly enough, the process of admissions to all IIMs except IIM Calcutta is already over and preparatory classes are supposed to start in the beginning of June.
Call it a case of bad timing, but the next hearing of the case is scheduled for June 2, 2008.
(With inputs from Anjita Roy Chaudhary in Kolkata and Sumit Pande in New Delhi)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Rs 30 billion on school scholarships
HindustanTimes.com » HT Next » Trendy Teens » Education » News
Govt to spend Rs 30 billion on school scholarships
IANS
New Delhi, May 9, 2008
In order to arrest the increasing dropout rate from schools after class 8, the government Friday decided to allocate Rs 30.04 billion as scholarship to poor students.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said here that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting Friday morning had sanctioned the amount and had decided that the money would be spent during the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012).
Chidambaram expected the scholarships would encourage students to complete school.
According to the scheme, the government will provide at least 100,000 scholarships of Rs 6,000 each for students from class 9 to class 12.
The scholarships are meant for students in government schools, whose parents' income is not more than Rs 150,000 per year.
To win the scholarship, class 8 candidates will have to appear in an examination, to be conducted by the state governments under the guidance of the National Council for Educational Research and Training.
Govt to spend Rs 30 billion on school scholarships
IANS
New Delhi, May 9, 2008
In order to arrest the increasing dropout rate from schools after class 8, the government Friday decided to allocate Rs 30.04 billion as scholarship to poor students.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said here that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting Friday morning had sanctioned the amount and had decided that the money would be spent during the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012).
Chidambaram expected the scholarships would encourage students to complete school.
According to the scheme, the government will provide at least 100,000 scholarships of Rs 6,000 each for students from class 9 to class 12.
The scholarships are meant for students in government schools, whose parents' income is not more than Rs 150,000 per year.
To win the scholarship, class 8 candidates will have to appear in an examination, to be conducted by the state governments under the guidance of the National Council for Educational Research and Training.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Pioneer - Indian Newspapers in English Language from two editions.
The Pioneer - Indian Newspapers in English Language from two editions.
CPM renews attack on Gopal's Gandhigiri
PTI | Kolkata
West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was being "childish" with his self-imposed power cuts at Raj Bhavan, CPI(M) stalwart Jyoti Basu said on Friday, while Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee chose to avoid a controversy, saying he would not comment.
Basu said the Governor's action was not in consonance with the dignity of his post and he should have consulted Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee and inquired about the situation.
"It is an act against the State (Government). I am openly saying he should call the Minister if he has to say anything on any matter. He should do so if he really wants any good of the State," Basu said.
Refusing to comment on the Governor, the Chief Minister claimed that the power situation was comfortable.
Asked to comment on Basu and CPI(M) State secretary Biman Bose's criticism of the Governor, Bhattacharjee said, "I will not comment on it. You can ask Jyoti Basu and Biman Bose about what they have said."
Asked whether he too was for abolition of the post of Governor as demanded by his State party secretary, Bhattacharjee skirted the question, saying the Centre has set up a commission to go into Centre-State relations.
"After Sarkaria Commission, major issues are still to be addressed. When this Commission starts functioning, our party will submit a memorandum. You will then come to know what our stand on the issue is."
Gandhi's voluntary power cuts at the Raj Bhavan since Wednesday to share the plight of citizens suffering from widespread power cuts, has raised the hackles of the CPI(M) top brass in the State.
CPM renews attack on Gopal's Gandhigiri
PTI | Kolkata
West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was being "childish" with his self-imposed power cuts at Raj Bhavan, CPI(M) stalwart Jyoti Basu said on Friday, while Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee chose to avoid a controversy, saying he would not comment.
Basu said the Governor's action was not in consonance with the dignity of his post and he should have consulted Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee and inquired about the situation.
"It is an act against the State (Government). I am openly saying he should call the Minister if he has to say anything on any matter. He should do so if he really wants any good of the State," Basu said.
Refusing to comment on the Governor, the Chief Minister claimed that the power situation was comfortable.
Asked to comment on Basu and CPI(M) State secretary Biman Bose's criticism of the Governor, Bhattacharjee said, "I will not comment on it. You can ask Jyoti Basu and Biman Bose about what they have said."
Asked whether he too was for abolition of the post of Governor as demanded by his State party secretary, Bhattacharjee skirted the question, saying the Centre has set up a commission to go into Centre-State relations.
"After Sarkaria Commission, major issues are still to be addressed. When this Commission starts functioning, our party will submit a memorandum. You will then come to know what our stand on the issue is."
Gandhi's voluntary power cuts at the Raj Bhavan since Wednesday to share the plight of citizens suffering from widespread power cuts, has raised the hackles of the CPI(M) top brass in the State.
The Hindu - Indian Newspapers in English Language from eight editions.
The Hindu - Indian Newspapers in English Language from eight editions.
TC, BUPC supporters lathicharged at Nandigram
Nandigram (PTI): In yet another incidence of violence ahead of Sunday's Panchayat polls, some Trinamool Congress and BUPC supporters were lathicharged by the Rapid Action Force as they tried to prevent a truck with material for elections from moving out of the BDO's office.
The TMC and Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee workers had stopped the truck on the ground that they would be unable to vote as they had been driven out of their villages, the police said.
Justifying the lathicharge, the office-in-charge of Nandigram Debasish Chakraborty said "police have done their duty." A journalist was also injured in RAF action, he said.
The truck carrying the election material moved out after the supporters were dispersed.
The CRPF, meanwhile, searched the house of a CPI(M) supporter Panchanan Jana at Kakaberia after initially being denied permission by the police. However, nothing was found. A BUPC supporter was on Friday admitted to a hospital after he was allegedly beaten up by suspected CPI(M) activists, sources in organisation had said.
On his part, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had played down the renewed violence at Nandigram while assuring the people on Friday of a "peaceful" panchayat election.
TC, BUPC supporters lathicharged at Nandigram
Nandigram (PTI): In yet another incidence of violence ahead of Sunday's Panchayat polls, some Trinamool Congress and BUPC supporters were lathicharged by the Rapid Action Force as they tried to prevent a truck with material for elections from moving out of the BDO's office.
The TMC and Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee workers had stopped the truck on the ground that they would be unable to vote as they had been driven out of their villages, the police said.
Justifying the lathicharge, the office-in-charge of Nandigram Debasish Chakraborty said "police have done their duty." A journalist was also injured in RAF action, he said.
The truck carrying the election material moved out after the supporters were dispersed.
The CRPF, meanwhile, searched the house of a CPI(M) supporter Panchanan Jana at Kakaberia after initially being denied permission by the police. However, nothing was found. A BUPC supporter was on Friday admitted to a hospital after he was allegedly beaten up by suspected CPI(M) activists, sources in organisation had said.
On his part, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had played down the renewed violence at Nandigram while assuring the people on Friday of a "peaceful" panchayat election.
Thanks to inflation, you are losing money on FDs-India Business-Business-The Times of India
Thanks to inflation, you are losing money on FDs-India Business-Business-The Times of IndiaThanks to inflation, you are losing money on FDs
10 May 2008, 0050 hrs IST,Prabhakar Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: Inflation is no longer just eating into your pocket by way of higher grocery bills. It's also eroding the money you've safely put away in a fixed deposit in your bank or post office.
That's because at 7.61%, it is more than enough to offset your interest earnings, giving you negative real returns.
Most banks offer interest in the range of 8% to 8.75% on fixed deposits of tenures ranging from one year to 10 years.
The country's largest bank, SBI, for instance, offers 8.5% on deposits of two years or more, while for shorter duration deposits, it gives 8.75%.
That may seem like it still gives you some positive real return after accounting for inflation, but that's an illusion for most.
This is because the interest income is taxable, even if your deposit is covered by Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
If your annual income is above Rs 5 lakh, the tax deduction would be at 30.9% (including education cess), which means the effective interest income comes down to 6.05% if the nominal rate is 8.75% and to 5.87% if the rate is 8.5%. In either case, the current level of inflation more than wipes out this return.
Even if your income is lower, between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh per annum, where the tax rate applicable is 20.6%, the effective interest rate would be between 6.75% and 6.95%, again not enough to give you a positive real return on your deposit.
Real estate and gold, which typically appreciate fast in inflationary periods, are possible options that are relatively risk-free.
Equity could be another option, but that requires a different kind of risk appetite and more in-depth knowledge of the market.
With an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh current levels of bank deposit rates and inflation give you a marginal positive real return.
With a tax rate of 10.3%, your effective interest earnings on deposits would be between 7.62% and 7.85%, barely allowing you to keep your nose above water.
10 May 2008, 0050 hrs IST,Prabhakar Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: Inflation is no longer just eating into your pocket by way of higher grocery bills. It's also eroding the money you've safely put away in a fixed deposit in your bank or post office.
That's because at 7.61%, it is more than enough to offset your interest earnings, giving you negative real returns.
Most banks offer interest in the range of 8% to 8.75% on fixed deposits of tenures ranging from one year to 10 years.
The country's largest bank, SBI, for instance, offers 8.5% on deposits of two years or more, while for shorter duration deposits, it gives 8.75%.
That may seem like it still gives you some positive real return after accounting for inflation, but that's an illusion for most.
This is because the interest income is taxable, even if your deposit is covered by Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
If your annual income is above Rs 5 lakh, the tax deduction would be at 30.9% (including education cess), which means the effective interest income comes down to 6.05% if the nominal rate is 8.75% and to 5.87% if the rate is 8.5%. In either case, the current level of inflation more than wipes out this return.
Even if your income is lower, between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh per annum, where the tax rate applicable is 20.6%, the effective interest rate would be between 6.75% and 6.95%, again not enough to give you a positive real return on your deposit.
Real estate and gold, which typically appreciate fast in inflationary periods, are possible options that are relatively risk-free.
Equity could be another option, but that requires a different kind of risk appetite and more in-depth knowledge of the market.
With an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh current levels of bank deposit rates and inflation give you a marginal positive real return.
With a tax rate of 10.3%, your effective interest earnings on deposits would be between 7.62% and 7.85%, barely allowing you to keep your nose above water.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Modi Again
Friday, May 09, 2008
Bureaucracy bows down to politics in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: When a Gujarat bureaucrat bows down before Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he is bound to create a controversy.Amreli District Collector D.G. Jhalawadia did exactly that while accepting a cheque from Modi at a function last week. After receiving the cheque, Jhalawadia bowed down in a gesture of touching the CM’s feet. Modi was in Amreli for Gujarat’s foundation day on May 1. After announcing various schemes for the district, the chief minister had handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore to the district collector.
Though bowing before the chief minister by recipients of awards, grants and compensation cheques is a common phenomenon, an IAS officer’s gesture of touching Modi’s feet has sparked a controversy.
The opposition Congress and Modi’s detractors have cried foul over what they see as a gesture of sycophancy. A source said there is no clear guideline from the General Administration Department on whether an IAS officer should touch a CM’s feet at a public function. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Shaktisinh Gohil told HT there is no place for personality worship in a democracy. “The collector touching the CM’s feet puts the bureaucracy in a bad light,” he said.
© Copyright 2008 HT Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
Bureaucracy bows down to politics in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: When a Gujarat bureaucrat bows down before Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he is bound to create a controversy.Amreli District Collector D.G. Jhalawadia did exactly that while accepting a cheque from Modi at a function last week. After receiving the cheque, Jhalawadia bowed down in a gesture of touching the CM’s feet. Modi was in Amreli for Gujarat’s foundation day on May 1. After announcing various schemes for the district, the chief minister had handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore to the district collector.
Though bowing before the chief minister by recipients of awards, grants and compensation cheques is a common phenomenon, an IAS officer’s gesture of touching Modi’s feet has sparked a controversy.
The opposition Congress and Modi’s detractors have cried foul over what they see as a gesture of sycophancy. A source said there is no clear guideline from the General Administration Department on whether an IAS officer should touch a CM’s feet at a public function. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Shaktisinh Gohil told HT there is no place for personality worship in a democracy. “The collector touching the CM’s feet puts the bureaucracy in a bad light,” he said.
© Copyright 2008 HT Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Gmail - [WaronTerror] RJD threatens to withdraw support - jacobthanni@gmail.com
Gmail - [WaronTerror] RJD threatens to withdraw support - jacobthanni@gmail.com
RJD threatens to withdraw support
The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Wednesday upped its opposition to the women's
reservation Bill threatening to withdraw support to the UPA government if
the legislation was not amended to provide sub-quotas for OBCs and Muslims
within the generic gender quota in legislatures.
In a development which undercut the PM's effort to dispel the perception of
a split in the UPA over the women's quota, the RJD accused the Congress
leadership of rushing through the Bill without hammering out a consensus.
Speaking at a function after RJD held out the threat, PM Manmohan Singh
sought to downplay the split with Lalu Prasad's outfit. He spoke of a
consensus within the government over the matter, stating that all "concerns"
would be addressed by Parliament's standing committee.
RJD's aggressive posture was yet another instance of how OBC resentment over
the "present form" of women's quota had strained ties between allies.
The issue also threatens to introduce serious tensions between Samajwadi
Party and its natural ally, the Left, with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led
"social justice" formation looking set to spell out its opposition to CPM's
activism over the issue.
At its meeting on Thursday, SP's parliamentary group is expected to vent its
annoyance with CPM by threatening a re-think of its opposition to the
nuclear deal, by shaking off its indifference towards the "atrocities" in
Nandigram and by criticising
China'scrackdown
in Tibet.
"We have taken the first step. If there was no consensus in Cabinet, how
could we have come with the introduction? There are concerns with respect to
representation of backward communities and we are hopeful of consensus in
the standing committee. We hope it will take note of their concerns," the PM
said.
Early on, RJD leadership fielded party MP Devendra Yadav to warn the
Congress leadership not to mistake its protest to be just pyrotechnics.
Yadav said his party would go to any extent to thwart the passage of the
already-delayed legislation.
"The bill could cost the government more dearly than the
India-US
nuclear deal," he told reporters.
The RJD wants the bill, providing to reserve by rotation one-third of seats
in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, to have a "quota within quota"
for SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.
While the bill already provides for quota for SCs and STs, similar
provisions for minorities and OBCs would conflict with the Constitution
which does not recognise religion and caste, except in the case of the
erstwhile untouchable categories, as the basis for
reservationin
legislatures.
The government also has to take into account the worrisome prospect of the
Muslim and OBC quotas within the generic gender quota becoming the basis for
demands for reservation for the two categories not just in "women only
seats".
Although the Constitution does provide for job and similar quotas to
backward classes, a similar arrangement for the minorities would go against
what the founding fathers adopted as the basis in unveiling a secular
republic.
RJD MP Yadav charged that the government had introduced the bill in the
Rajya Sabha on the sly.
"We are the second largest party in the government and they have ignored our
views. They have violated coalition dharma. We can never ignore social
justice. We can go to any extent," the senior party member said.
"It was brought through the back door, without consulting the major
partners, without taking consensus, and without bringing the House to order,
which is a pre-requisite for any bill requiring constitutional amendment,"
Yadav said.
Considering RJD's combative posture, the chances of the bill's passage - the
government wants it to be taken up in the monsoon session - appear remote.
RJD, with 24 members in the Lok Sabha, has been the Congress party's most
trusted ally.
The RJD leader alleged that the PM had gone back on his promise that an
all-party meeting would be held to evolve consensus on the issue.
"What happened is unprecedented. All constitutional amendments since 1951
have been introduced and passed with consensus. This would be the first
amendment to be subjected to a division of votes. If accepted in its present
form, the bill would exclude 85% of women," Yadav said.
Another UPA partner, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which has
four members, asserted that enacting the bill was not possible "immediately"
because the delimitation commission had just completed its work. Paswan took
the debate to a new scale, arguing that 33% quota would mean creation of
additional 181 seats.
SP and JD(U) are the other arch opponents of the bill.
RJD threatens to withdraw support
The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Wednesday upped its opposition to the women's
reservation Bill threatening to withdraw support to the UPA government if
the legislation was not amended to provide sub-quotas for OBCs and Muslims
within the generic gender quota in legislatures.
In a development which undercut the PM's effort to dispel the perception of
a split in the UPA over the women's quota, the RJD accused the Congress
leadership of rushing through the Bill without hammering out a consensus.
Speaking at a function after RJD held out the threat, PM Manmohan Singh
sought to downplay the split with Lalu Prasad's outfit. He spoke of a
consensus within the government over the matter, stating that all "concerns"
would be addressed by Parliament's standing committee.
RJD's aggressive posture was yet another instance of how OBC resentment over
the "present form" of women's quota had strained ties between allies.
The issue also threatens to introduce serious tensions between Samajwadi
Party and its natural ally, the Left, with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led
"social justice" formation looking set to spell out its opposition to CPM's
activism over the issue.
At its meeting on Thursday, SP's parliamentary group is expected to vent its
annoyance with CPM by threatening a re-think of its opposition to the
nuclear deal, by shaking off its indifference towards the "atrocities" in
Nandigram and by criticising
China's
in Tibet.
"We have taken the first step. If there was no consensus in Cabinet, how
could we have come with the introduction? There are concerns with respect to
representation of backward communities and we are hopeful of consensus in
the standing committee. We hope it will take note of their concerns," the PM
said.
Early on, RJD leadership fielded party MP Devendra Yadav to warn the
Congress leadership not to mistake its protest to be just pyrotechnics.
Yadav said his party would go to any extent to thwart the passage of the
already-delayed legislation.
"The bill could cost the government more dearly than the
India
nuclear deal," he told reporters.
The RJD wants the bill, providing to reserve by rotation one-third of seats
in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, to have a "quota within quota"
for SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.
While the bill already provides for quota for SCs and STs, similar
provisions for minorities and OBCs would conflict with the Constitution
which does not recognise religion and caste, except in the case of the
erstwhile untouchable categories, as the basis for
reservation
legislatures.
The government also has to take into account the worrisome prospect of the
Muslim and OBC quotas within the generic gender quota becoming the basis for
demands for reservation for the two categories not just in "women only
seats".
Although the Constitution does provide for job and similar quotas to
backward classes, a similar arrangement for the minorities would go against
what the founding fathers adopted as the basis in unveiling a secular
republic.
RJD MP Yadav charged that the government had introduced the bill in the
Rajya Sabha on the sly.
"We are the second largest party in the government and they have ignored our
views. They have violated coalition dharma. We can never ignore social
justice. We can go to any extent," the senior party member said.
"It was brought through the back door, without consulting the major
partners, without taking consensus, and without bringing the House to order,
which is a pre-requisite for any bill requiring constitutional amendment,"
Yadav said.
Considering RJD's combative posture, the chances of the bill's passage - the
government wants it to be taken up in the monsoon session - appear remote.
RJD, with 24 members in the Lok Sabha, has been the Congress party's most
trusted ally.
The RJD leader alleged that the PM had gone back on his promise that an
all-party meeting would be held to evolve consensus on the issue.
"What happened is unprecedented. All constitutional amendments since 1951
have been introduced and passed with consensus. This would be the first
amendment to be subjected to a division of votes. If accepted in its present
form, the bill would exclude 85% of women," Yadav said.
Another UPA partner, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which has
four members, asserted that enacting the bill was not possible "immediately"
because the delimitation commission had just completed its work. Paswan took
the debate to a new scale, arguing that 33% quota would mean creation of
additional 181 seats.
SP and JD(U) are the other arch opponents of the bill.
Women Reservation Bill: RJD threatens to withdraw support
*RJD threatens to withdraw support
*8 May 2008, 0203 hrs IST,TNN
Print
EMail Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save
Write to Editor
NEW DELHI:
The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Wednesday upped its opposition to the women's
reservation Bill threatening to withdraw support to the UPA government if
the legislation was not amended to provide sub-quotas for OBCs and Muslims
within the generic gender quota in legislatures.
In a development which undercut the PM's effort to dispel the perception of
a split in the UPA over the women's quota, the RJD accused the Congress
leadership of rushing through the Bill without hammering out a consensus.
Speaking at a function after RJD held out the threat, PM Manmohan Singh
sought to downplay the split with Lalu Prasad's outfit. He spoke of a
consensus within the government over the matter, stating that all "concerns"
would be addressed by Parliament's standing committee.
RJD's aggressive posture was yet another instance of how OBC resentment over
the "present form" of women's quota had strained ties between allies.
The issue also threatens to introduce serious tensions between Samajwadi
Party and its natural ally, the Left, with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led
"social justice" formation looking set to spell out its opposition to CPM's
activism over the issue.
At its meeting on Thursday, SP's parliamentary group is expected to vent its
annoyance with CPM by threatening a re-think of its opposition to the
nuclear deal, by shaking off its indifference towards the "atrocities" in
Nandigram and by criticising
China'scrackdown
in Tibet.
"We have taken the first step. If there was no consensus in Cabinet, how
could we have come with the introduction? There are concerns with respect to
representation of backward communities and we are hopeful of consensus in
the standing committee. We hope it will take note of their concerns," the PM
said.
Early on, RJD leadership fielded party MP Devendra Yadav to warn the
Congress leadership not to mistake its protest to be just pyrotechnics.
Yadav said his party would go to any extent to thwart the passage of the
already-delayed legislation.
"The bill could cost the government more dearly than the
India-US
nuclear deal," he told reporters.
The RJD wants the bill, providing to reserve by rotation one-third of seats
in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, to have a "quota within quota"
for SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.
While the bill already provides for quota for SCs and STs, similar
provisions for minorities and OBCs would conflict with the Constitution
which does not recognise religion and caste, except in the case of the
erstwhile untouchable categories, as the basis for
reservationin
legislatures.
The government also has to take into account the worrisome prospect of the
Muslim and OBC quotas within the generic gender quota becoming the basis for
demands for reservation for the two categories not just in "women only
seats".
Although the Constitution does provide for job and similar quotas to
backward classes, a similar arrangement for the minorities would go against
what the founding fathers adopted as the basis in unveiling a secular
republic.
RJD MP Yadav charged that the government had introduced the bill in the
Rajya Sabha on the sly.
"We are the second largest party in the government and they have ignored our
views. They have violated coalition dharma. We can never ignore social
justice. We can go to any extent," the senior party member said.
"It was brought through the back door, without consulting the major
partners, without taking consensus, and without bringing the House to order,
which is a pre-requisite for any bill requiring constitutional amendment,"
Yadav said.
Considering RJD's combative posture, the chances of the bill's passage - the
government wants it to be taken up in the monsoon session - appear remote.
RJD, with 24 members in the Lok Sabha, has been the Congress party's most
trusted ally.
The RJD leader alleged that the PM had gone back on his promise that an
all-party meeting would be held to evolve consensus on the issue.
"What happened is unprecedented. All constitutional amendments since 1951
have been introduced and passed with consensus. This would be the first
amendment to be subjected to a division of votes. If accepted in its present
form, the bill would exclude 85% of women," Yadav said.
Another UPA partner, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which has
four members, asserted that enacting the bill was not possible "immediately"
because the delimitation commission had just completed its work. Paswan took
the debate to a new scale, arguing that 33% quota would mean creation of
additional 181 seats.
SP and JD(U) are the other arch opponents of the bill.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
*8 May 2008, 0203 hrs IST,TNN
Bookmark/Share
Save
Write to Editor
NEW DELHI
The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Wednesday upped its opposition to the women's
reservation Bill threatening to withdraw support to the UPA government if
the legislation was not amended to provide sub-quotas for OBCs and Muslims
within the generic gender quota in legislatures.
In a development which undercut the PM's effort to dispel the perception of
a split in the UPA over the women's quota, the RJD accused the Congress
leadership of rushing through the Bill without hammering out a consensus.
Speaking at a function after RJD held out the threat, PM Manmohan Singh
sought to downplay the split with Lalu Prasad's outfit. He spoke of a
consensus within the government over the matter, stating that all "concerns"
would be addressed by Parliament's standing committee.
RJD's aggressive posture was yet another instance of how OBC resentment over
the "present form" of women's quota had strained ties between allies.
The issue also threatens to introduce serious tensions between Samajwadi
Party and its natural ally, the Left, with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led
"social justice" formation looking set to spell out its opposition to CPM's
activism over the issue.
At its meeting on Thursday, SP's parliamentary group is expected to vent its
annoyance with CPM by threatening a re-think of its opposition to the
nuclear deal, by shaking off its indifference towards the "atrocities" in
Nandigram and by criticising
China's
in Tibet.
"We have taken the first step. If there was no consensus in Cabinet, how
could we have come with the introduction? There are concerns with respect to
representation of backward communities and we are hopeful of consensus in
the standing committee. We hope it will take note of their concerns," the PM
said.
Early on, RJD leadership fielded party MP Devendra Yadav to warn the
Congress leadership not to mistake its protest to be just pyrotechnics.
Yadav said his party would go to any extent to thwart the passage of the
already-delayed legislation.
"The bill could cost the government more dearly than the
India
nuclear deal," he told reporters.
The RJD wants the bill, providing to reserve by rotation one-third of seats
in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, to have a "quota within quota"
for SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.
While the bill already provides for quota for SCs and STs, similar
provisions for minorities and OBCs would conflict with the Constitution
which does not recognise religion and caste, except in the case of the
erstwhile untouchable categories, as the basis for
reservation
legislatures.
The government also has to take into account the worrisome prospect of the
Muslim and OBC quotas within the generic gender quota becoming the basis for
demands for reservation for the two categories not just in "women only
seats".
Although the Constitution does provide for job and similar quotas to
backward classes, a similar arrangement for the minorities would go against
what the founding fathers adopted as the basis in unveiling a secular
republic.
RJD MP Yadav charged that the government had introduced the bill in the
Rajya Sabha on the sly.
"We are the second largest party in the government and they have ignored our
views. They have violated coalition dharma. We can never ignore social
justice. We can go to any extent," the senior party member said.
"It was brought through the back door, without consulting the major
partners, without taking consensus, and without bringing the House to order,
which is a pre-requisite for any bill requiring constitutional amendment,"
Yadav said.
Considering RJD's combative posture, the chances of the bill's passage - the
government wants it to be taken up in the monsoon session - appear remote.
RJD, with 24 members in the Lok Sabha, has been the Congress party's most
trusted ally.
The RJD leader alleged that the PM had gone back on his promise that an
all-party meeting would be held to evolve consensus on the issue.
"What happened is unprecedented. All constitutional amendments since 1951
have been introduced and passed with consensus. This would be the first
amendment to be subjected to a division of votes. If accepted in its present
form, the bill would exclude 85% of women," Yadav said.
Another UPA partner, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which has
four members, asserted that enacting the bill was not possible "immediately"
because the delimitation commission had just completed its work. Paswan took
the debate to a new scale, arguing that 33% quota would mean creation of
additional 181 seats.
SP and JD(U) are the other arch opponents of the bill.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sunday, May 4, 2008
6-yr-old beaten to death as policemen look on-Kolkata-Cities-The Times of India
6-yr-old beaten to death as policemen look on-Kolkata-Cities-The Times of India
6-yr-old beaten to death as policemen look on
4 May 2008, 1539 hrs IST,PTI
BAHARAMPUR: A six-year-old boy was beaten to death allegedly by a neighbour at a village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Sunday, while three policemen present there reportedly stood as mute spectators.
The shocking incident took place when the policemen were sent from Hariharpara police station to apprehend one Rafiq Sheikh (25) from his Choa Dilpara village home after complaints of torture by his father Nawazi, police said.
On seeing them, an angry Rafiq rushed out of his house with a stick, pounced upon the son of his neighbour playing nearby and started beating him up mercilessly.
As policemen stood looking on, villagers pleaded with them to stop Rafiq who beat the boy, Shamim Sheikh, to death.
Rafiq then tried to flee but the villagers gave him a hot chase and overpowered him. He was beaten up and handed over to the police.
There was no enmity between the man and the child's family, police said adding, Rafiq had earlier been arrested once on complaints by his father.
Following the incident, women of the village came out of their homes with sticks and damaged two police vehicles parked at the spot.
District police authorities suspended the three constables who were present when the child was being beaten up, along with an assistant sub-inspector who had also gone to the spot.
6-yr-old beaten to death as policemen look on
4 May 2008, 1539 hrs IST,PTI
BAHARAMPUR: A six-year-old boy was beaten to death allegedly by a neighbour at a village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Sunday, while three policemen present there reportedly stood as mute spectators.
The shocking incident took place when the policemen were sent from Hariharpara police station to apprehend one Rafiq Sheikh (25) from his Choa Dilpara village home after complaints of torture by his father Nawazi, police said.
On seeing them, an angry Rafiq rushed out of his house with a stick, pounced upon the son of his neighbour playing nearby and started beating him up mercilessly.
As policemen stood looking on, villagers pleaded with them to stop Rafiq who beat the boy, Shamim Sheikh, to death.
Rafiq then tried to flee but the villagers gave him a hot chase and overpowered him. He was beaten up and handed over to the police.
There was no enmity between the man and the child's family, police said adding, Rafiq had earlier been arrested once on complaints by his father.
Following the incident, women of the village came out of their homes with sticks and damaged two police vehicles parked at the spot.
District police authorities suspended the three constables who were present when the child was being beaten up, along with an assistant sub-inspector who had also gone to the spot.
CPM-Trinamool activists clash in Nandigram-India-The Times of India
CPM-Trinamool activists clash in Nandigram-India-The Times of India
CPM-Trinamool activists clash in Nandigram
4 May 2008, 1928 hrs IST,PTI
NANDIGRAM (WB): A fresh clash between supporters of the state's ruling CPM and those of opposition Trinamool Congress erupted here on Sunday. Meanwhile, 4OO villagers were sheltered in releif camps following mounting violence in the run up to coming panchayat elections.
Police said two groups of the rival political parties clashed with bombs at Sonachura this morning. No one was, however, injured.
Official sources said the displaced villagers had been sheltered in two relief camps near the BDO office in Nandigram and adjacent Maheshpur for the past few days. They have come from Sonachura and Garchakrabaria villages.
CPM-Trinamool activists clash in Nandigram
4 May 2008, 1928 hrs IST,PTI
NANDIGRAM (WB): A fresh clash between supporters of the state's ruling CPM and those of opposition Trinamool Congress erupted here on Sunday. Meanwhile, 4OO villagers were sheltered in releif camps following mounting violence in the run up to coming panchayat elections.
Police said two groups of the rival political parties clashed with bombs at Sonachura this morning. No one was, however, injured.
Official sources said the displaced villagers had been sheltered in two relief camps near the BDO office in Nandigram and adjacent Maheshpur for the past few days. They have come from Sonachura and Garchakrabaria villages.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
'Remains of Buddha statue in Bamiyan damaged in blast'-Rest of World-World-The Times of India
'Remains of Buddha statue in Bamiyan damaged in blast'-Rest of World-World-The Times of India
'Remains of Buddha statue in Bamiyan damaged in blast'
3 May 2008, 1550 hrs IST,AP
KABUL: An explosion has cracked historic remains of one of the famed Bamiyan Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban seven years ago, an Afghan official said on Saturday.
NATO-led troops destroyed two pieces of unexploded ordnance close to the smaller of the two statues on Thursday, Najibullah Harar, chief of information and culture for Bamiyan, told The Associated Press .
The blast caused cracks in what is left of the 34.5 meter-high statue and its side walls, he said.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique said there had been a controlled explosion about 100 meters from the statue and the UN was checking into the incident. He said it was unclear if the Buddha remains were damaged.
Controlled explosions are forbidden in the area of the World Heritage Site, Siddique said.
'Remains of Buddha statue in Bamiyan damaged in blast'
3 May 2008, 1550 hrs IST,AP
KABUL: An explosion has cracked historic remains of one of the famed Bamiyan Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban seven years ago, an Afghan official said on Saturday.
NATO-led troops destroyed two pieces of unexploded ordnance close to the smaller of the two statues on Thursday, Najibullah Harar, chief of information and culture for Bamiyan, told The Associated Press .
The blast caused cracks in what is left of the 34.5 meter-high statue and its side walls, he said.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique said there had been a controlled explosion about 100 meters from the statue and the UN was checking into the incident. He said it was unclear if the Buddha remains were damaged.
Controlled explosions are forbidden in the area of the World Heritage Site, Siddique said.
Govt recalls 46,000 Z-series passports-India-The Times of India
href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Government_withdraws_46000_Z-series_passports/articleshow/3007718.cms">Govt recalls 46,000 Z-series passports-India-The Times of India
Govt recalls 46,000 Z-series passports
4 May 2008, 0202 hrs IST,Daniel P George,TNN
CHENNAI: Nearly 46,000 people across the country will have to surrender their passports and get them exchanged for new ones, as the government has recalled passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925, most of them issued in Dubai.
"The government has issued instructions that all Indian passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925 are to be recalled and new passports issued in their place," a release said.
Though the official announcement did not specify the reason for the recall, sources here say there could be chances of some of the passports issued in Dubai, falling into "wrong hands". Holders of the ‘Z’ series of passports will now have to submit fresh applications. While those in Dubai can approach the Indian Consulate there, those in India can approach the regional passport office concerned.
Sources in the MEA’s passport and visa division in New Delhi, however, said that passports were being recalled not just from Dubai but from all over the world. They added that this was because of a technical error in these travel documents.
Sources in the Chennai International Airport said immigration officials have been asked to look out for the passport, especially with passengers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) sources in Mumbai police said:
"We and the immigration authorities at the Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport have special instructions to keep a watch for passports of the ‘Z’ series."
Dubai’s population increased from 1.130 million in 2005 to 1.422 million in 2006, with Indians adding to the growth. People from TN, who constitute about 20% of UAE population, are a worried lot as they could face problems while travelling.
Govt recalls 46,000 Z-series passports
4 May 2008, 0202 hrs IST,Daniel P George,TNN
CHENNAI: Nearly 46,000 people across the country will have to surrender their passports and get them exchanged for new ones, as the government has recalled passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925, most of them issued in Dubai.
"The government has issued instructions that all Indian passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925 are to be recalled and new passports issued in their place," a release said.
Though the official announcement did not specify the reason for the recall, sources here say there could be chances of some of the passports issued in Dubai, falling into "wrong hands". Holders of the ‘Z’ series of passports will now have to submit fresh applications. While those in Dubai can approach the Indian Consulate there, those in India can approach the regional passport office concerned.
Sources in the MEA’s passport and visa division in New Delhi, however, said that passports were being recalled not just from Dubai but from all over the world. They added that this was because of a technical error in these travel documents.
Sources in the Chennai International Airport said immigration officials have been asked to look out for the passport, especially with passengers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) sources in Mumbai police said:
"We and the immigration authorities at the Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport have special instructions to keep a watch for passports of the ‘Z’ series."
Dubai’s population increased from 1.130 million in 2005 to 1.422 million in 2006, with Indians adding to the growth. People from TN, who constitute about 20% of UAE population, are a worried lot as they could face problems while travelling.
Raj targets North Indians, dares govt to arrest him-India-The Times of India
Raj targets North Indians, dares govt to arrest him-India-The Times of India
Raj targets North Indians, dares govt to arrest him
3 May 2008, 2218 hrs IST,PTI
MUMBAI: Defying police warning on making provocative speeches, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday resumed his 'war of words' against north Indians, saying he would not allow them to 'destroy' the culture of Maharashtra.
Daring the government to arrest him, Raj said only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra.
"Let the government arrest me if it wants. I am not afraid. I maintain my stand that only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra," he told a rally here to mark MNS' second anniversary.
Justifying what he said about superstar Amitabh Bachchan, he took a swipe at his actor-wife Jaya for her comments on him (Raj) and scoffed at Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Raj ostensibly was mocking at Jaya for her comments at a press conference in which she had said the only Thackeray whom she knew was Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.
The MNS was formed after he broke away from Shiv Sena following differences with his cousin and the party's executive president Uddhav Thackeray.
Raj targets North Indians, dares govt to arrest him
3 May 2008, 2218 hrs IST,PTI
MUMBAI: Defying police warning on making provocative speeches, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday resumed his 'war of words' against north Indians, saying he would not allow them to 'destroy' the culture of Maharashtra.
Daring the government to arrest him, Raj said only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra.
"Let the government arrest me if it wants. I am not afraid. I maintain my stand that only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra," he told a rally here to mark MNS' second anniversary.
Justifying what he said about superstar Amitabh Bachchan, he took a swipe at his actor-wife Jaya for her comments on him (Raj) and scoffed at Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Raj ostensibly was mocking at Jaya for her comments at a press conference in which she had said the only Thackeray whom she knew was Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.
The MNS was formed after he broke away from Shiv Sena following differences with his cousin and the party's executive president Uddhav Thackeray.
Government procures 154.2 LT of wheat; exceeds 150 LT target - Yahoo! India News
Government procures 154.2 LT of wheat; exceeds 150 LT target - Yahoo! India NewsGovernment procures 154.2 LT of wheat; exceeds 150 LT target
Fri, May 2 07:36 PM
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) As the government tries to contain surging prices of foodgrains and other essential items, state-run agencies have mopped up 154.2 lakh tons of wheat from farmers, exceeding this year's procurement target of 150 lakh tons.
The government is further hopeful of procuring about 30 lakh tons more wheat for the buffer stock, as the harvesting season is still on. "We are hopeful that procurement may reach about 180 lakh tons by end of the season (which runs from April 1 to June 15)," Food Corporation of India chairman and managing director Alok Sinha told reporters here.
FCI, country's biggest buyer of foodgrains, had started procurement on a positive note with its wheat stock position reaching 55.49 lakh tons as on April 1 compared to the buffer norm of 40 lakh tons.
The total procurement by government agencies in 2007-08 was 111.2 lakh tons.
Lower procurement during last two years had forced the government to import wheat in a large quantity for meeting the buffer stock requirement. In 2006, India imported 55 lakh tons as procurement was only 92 lakh tons.
Last year also, the procurement fell short of target prompting the Centre to import 18 lakh tons. Wheat production is estimated at 76.
78 this year. The government is offering a minimum support price of Rs 1,000 per quintal to farmers.
Fri, May 2 07:36 PM
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) As the government tries to contain surging prices of foodgrains and other essential items, state-run agencies have mopped up 154.2 lakh tons of wheat from farmers, exceeding this year's procurement target of 150 lakh tons.
The government is further hopeful of procuring about 30 lakh tons more wheat for the buffer stock, as the harvesting season is still on. "We are hopeful that procurement may reach about 180 lakh tons by end of the season (which runs from April 1 to June 15)," Food Corporation of India chairman and managing director Alok Sinha told reporters here.
FCI, country's biggest buyer of foodgrains, had started procurement on a positive note with its wheat stock position reaching 55.49 lakh tons as on April 1 compared to the buffer norm of 40 lakh tons.
The total procurement by government agencies in 2007-08 was 111.2 lakh tons.
Lower procurement during last two years had forced the government to import wheat in a large quantity for meeting the buffer stock requirement. In 2006, India imported 55 lakh tons as procurement was only 92 lakh tons.
Last year also, the procurement fell short of target prompting the Centre to import 18 lakh tons. Wheat production is estimated at 76.
78 this year. The government is offering a minimum support price of Rs 1,000 per quintal to farmers.
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