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)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Girl in love killed, cremated secretly-Chandigarh-Cities-The Times of India
Caste killings Girl in love killed, cremated secretly-Chandigarh-
12 Apr 2008, 0159 hrs IST  ,Tushar Rattan,TNN
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Global 'warning' for pregnant women - National News – News – MSN India - News
Global 'warning' for pregnant women - National News – News – MSN India - News
Global 'warning' for pregnant women
New Delhi: A rise in sea levels due to global warming will force people in India's coastal areas to drink salty water, thus affecting pregnant women and their unborn children, says a scientist associated with the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)."Global warming will increase the sea level and engulf the coastal belt. Since India has a long coastline, the impact here will be severe," said Anthony J. McMichael of the Australian National University, Canberra."There will be a severe problem of potable water and people will drink salty water. This will adversely impact pregnancy in coastal India," McMichael told IANS in an interview.He was in Delhi last week to deliver the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) foundation day lecture.The Indian coastline stretches over 7,500 km and touches around eight states and two island territories. States with a coastline include Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra.According to IPCC reports, a sea level rise of between 15 cm and 38 cm will displace tens of thousands of people in the country's coastline and make drinking water a major threat to states bordering the Indian Ocean."The extra intake of salt through drinking water will lead to high blood pressure mainly during the last three-four months (of pregnancy). It has the potential to make deliveries difficult," he said."Salt is associated with heart problem as well and the sea water exposure may affect the normal life cycle of an unborn baby. The baby may develop complications after birth," he warned.He said a group of British scientists had carried out a survey in Bangladesh and found that the surge in sea level had started affecting pregnant women there."We don't have any research data in India, but the situation will not be much different. I think India needs to develop research capacity to tackle the climate change issue."We know the earth's temperature is increasing and our glaciers are melting. The Himalayan glaciers and Antarctica are losing their ice base," said the environmentalist, who is also co-chairman of the Global Environmental Change and Human Health project of the International Council of Science.He said India has enough health problems and any addition to it will be a burden on the country's economy."Environmental changes will cast an increasingly long shadow over future population health unless we effectively communicate these health risks and help society shape a sustainable way of living," said the professor.Scientists say besides affecting crops and the drinking water problem, global warming will aggravate vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya in India."We have seen the malaria problem in Rajasthan, dengue problem in Delhi and the chikungunya problem in many southern Indian states. We should take them as indicators of future problems," said Rais Akhtar, an environmental scientist who also worked with IPCC.The IPCC, which is headed by Indian environmental scientist Rajendra Pachauri, got the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The organisation shared the award with climate campaigner and former US vice president Al Gore.Source: Indo-Asian News Service
Global 'warning' for pregnant women
New Delhi: A rise in sea levels due to global warming will force people in India's coastal areas to drink salty water, thus affecting pregnant women and their unborn children, says a scientist associated with the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)."Global warming will increase the sea level and engulf the coastal belt. Since India has a long coastline, the impact here will be severe," said Anthony J. McMichael of the Australian National University, Canberra."There will be a severe problem of potable water and people will drink salty water. This will adversely impact pregnancy in coastal India," McMichael told IANS in an interview.He was in Delhi last week to deliver the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) foundation day lecture.The Indian coastline stretches over 7,500 km and touches around eight states and two island territories. States with a coastline include Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra.According to IPCC reports, a sea level rise of between 15 cm and 38 cm will displace tens of thousands of people in the country's coastline and make drinking water a major threat to states bordering the Indian Ocean."The extra intake of salt through drinking water will lead to high blood pressure mainly during the last three-four months (of pregnancy). It has the potential to make deliveries difficult," he said."Salt is associated with heart problem as well and the sea water exposure may affect the normal life cycle of an unborn baby. The baby may develop complications after birth," he warned.He said a group of British scientists had carried out a survey in Bangladesh and found that the surge in sea level had started affecting pregnant women there."We don't have any research data in India, but the situation will not be much different. I think India needs to develop research capacity to tackle the climate change issue."We know the earth's temperature is increasing and our glaciers are melting. The Himalayan glaciers and Antarctica are losing their ice base," said the environmentalist, who is also co-chairman of the Global Environmental Change and Human Health project of the International Council of Science.He said India has enough health problems and any addition to it will be a burden on the country's economy."Environmental changes will cast an increasingly long shadow over future population health unless we effectively communicate these health risks and help society shape a sustainable way of living," said the professor.Scientists say besides affecting crops and the drinking water problem, global warming will aggravate vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya in India."We have seen the malaria problem in Rajasthan, dengue problem in Delhi and the chikungunya problem in many southern Indian states. We should take them as indicators of future problems," said Rais Akhtar, an environmental scientist who also worked with IPCC.The IPCC, which is headed by Indian environmental scientist Rajendra Pachauri, got the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The organisation shared the award with climate campaigner and former US vice president Al Gore.Source: Indo-Asian News Service
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