|
|
| Devi’s
ashes immersed in Godavari River NASIK, Apr 16: The urn containing the ashes of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal Choudhari was immersed in the holy Ramkunda of Godavari river yesterday........more Karunakaran defers THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Apr 16: A day after the AICC conceded three more Assembly seats to his group, senior Congress leader K Karunakaran deferred withdrawing his resignation from CWC.......more
EC asks political parties NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Expressing serious concern over the situation in Darjeeling where an.....more HC directs Centre to NEW DELHI, Apr 16: The Delhi High Court today asked the Central Government.........more |
|
IAF seeks higher budgetary NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis today projected............more CPI(M) treating us as KOLKATA, Apr 16: The Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS), recently..........more Ring railway NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Just when the capital is facing one of its worst transport crisis, a possible.......more Move to conclude NEW DELHI, Apr 16: A move is on to conclude the budget session of Parliament by April end....more |
Devi’s ashes immersed in Godavari River NASIK, Apr 16: The urn containing the ashes of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal Choudhari was immersed in the holy Ramkunda of Godavari river yesterday. Devilal had died in New Delhi on April 6 after a protracted illness. The urn was immersed by former Union Minister Sukhbirsingh Badal, Prakashsingh Badal and MLA Devaraj Diwan, according to former BJP corporator and president of Nasik Pourohit Sangh, Satish Shukla, who performed the religious rites. A report from Baroda said another urn of ashes was immersed at the confluence of three rivers— Narmada, Orsang and Saraswati— known as Morali Sangam at Chandod. The Asthi Kalash, containing the mortal remains of the deceased leader was flown by air to Baroda from Delhi this morning by Fakirchand Mulani MP and Pawan Diwar MLA from Haryana. After being received at Harni airport by the Gujarat Assembly Speaker Dhirubhai Shah and Agriculture Minister H Badami, it was taken to chandod. Gujarat Minister Badami was also present on this occasion. As per the wish of the deceased leader, his ashes are immersed in the holy rivers passing through various parts of the country. (PTI) |
 |
Karunakaran defers taking back resignation THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Apr 16: A day after the AICC conceded three more Assembly seats to his group, senior Congress leader K Karunakaran deferred withdrawing his resignation from CWC. Talking to reporters here today, Karunakaran said though he was not fully satisfied with the AICC decision, he was happy that the principles for which he stood had been accepted. ‘It is not yet time. I have explained to you the circumstances under which I resigned from CWC. They (the high command) should know what led me to resign’, the veteran leader said. He, however, gave indications that he would consider taking back his resignation if the Congress president appealed to him ‘I have always stood with the leadership. There is no question of defying the Congress president if she asks me to do something’, Karunakaran replied to persistent queries from reporters. Karunakaran, who saw merit in the three additional seats given to his group and the nominees chosen for them, wanted all factions of the Congress to work for the victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF) cashing in on the deep resentment against the ruling LDF. Karunakaran said his fight had not been for a few more seats or for accommodating personal preferences but to send a message to those involved in candidates’ selection that they could not go ahead ignoring the sentiments of a section of the Congress workers in Kerala. ‘It is not a question of defeat or loss for anybody. Neither is it an issue of satisfaction or dissatisfaction for AICC taking a decision seen as favouring me. What was at stake is principles’, Karunakaran said. Asked whether his raising a banner of revolt would not have been interpreted as defying the high command, Karunakaran said ‘I did not raise the banner of revolt but only expressed my views democratically.’ About his daughter Padmaja’s candidature being cold-shouldered, Karunakaran said ‘it is time that the whispering campaign that my fight is for a family member is stopped.’ Karunakaran said he still stuck to his position that no one should project himself as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the UDF. The senior leader said his group had never sponsored anybody as rebel candidate, adding that he would work for the victory of the UDF candidates in all the 140 seats. He said he was happy that the additional seats given to his group represented three regions of the state and nominees in them belonged to three different classes of whom one was a woman. (PTI) |
|
EC asks political parties to ensure free, fair poll NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Expressing serious concern over the situation in Darjeeling where an indefinite bandh is in force, the Election Commission today asked political parties to ensure free and fair poll in the state on May 10. "We are little concerned about the situation in Darjeeling where there is a bandh (on) for many days," Chief Election Commission M S Gill told reporters after a full Commission meeting today. Stating that the candidates were finding it difficult to take part in the poll process, he said the Commission was determined to have a free and fair poll in the state. All political parties must take steps to ensure a free and fair poll, Gill said adding that the CEO has been asked to review the arrangements and report back to the Commission. Besides the CEC, the meeting was attended by the other two Election Commissioners J M Lyngdoh and T S Krishnamurty. The Commission has also decided to appoint an additional poll observer in Kasargode, Kannur and Calicut districts of Kerala which reported violence in the recent past, he said. Congress had recently demanded adequate paramilitary forces in the three districts to ensure peaceful polling in these districts which witnessed violence during the last polls. Stating that he has also requested the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka to provide security forces for the poll process, the CEC said that the Commission would review the security scenario in the five states with the Home Ministry officials tomorrow. Meanwhile, bowing to Commission’s directive, the Kerala Government has transferred as many 80 Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers in the state in view of the ensuing Assembly polls. The Commission had directed the Kerala Government to move out all Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers working in their home districts forthwith in view of the May 10 Assembly polls in the state. (PTI) |
|
|
|
|
Ring railway NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Just when the capital is facing one of its worst transport crisis, a possible answer to it seems to be idling away. The ring railways, a circular train service covering a 35-km radius around the capital, goes as unutilised as ever even when commuters travel with much difficulty in jampacked and sparse Delhi Transport Corporation and State Transport Authority buses. Started in the late 1970s on the Delhi Avoiding Line (DAL) which was till then used for goods trains, the commuter trains were elevated to Electric Multi Units (EMU) sometime in the early 1980s. Currently running a fleet of 12 trains, six each in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, from the Hazrat Nizamuddin station, the trains take a circular journey around the capital in just under two hours. Areas covered by the EMUs in its circular journey from Hazrat Nizamuddin include Pragati Maidan, Tilak Bridge, Sadar Bazaar, Daya Basti, Patel Nagar, Naraina Vihar, Brar Square, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, almost the entire Delhi. However, senior railway officials say that despite covering large distances in just few minutes and priced reasonably low in comparison to other modes of transport, the trains only carry half their capacity. Northern Railway Chief Passenger Traffic Manager (CPTM) Ajay Shukla reasons it out this way. "The basic failure, if we can call it that, with the the ring railway is that most of its stations lie far away from the main roads which make them inconvenient for public access," he told UNI. "The problem is compounded as we currently have no arrangement with the DTC wherein they route their buses in such a way that they pass through these stations. At present, it difficult for commuters to reach the stations," he added. Mr Shukla said the capital’s ring railway was not as successful as Mumbai’s suburban trains as the former’s route was circular along Delhi’s periphery and not linear as in Mumbai. "Despite going to various parts of the capital, the trains touch only the periphery and not the heart of the city, making them unpopular" he said. "Also, the circular train service is not an alternative to DTC. These can supplement the current road transport modes but cannot replace it," he said. The ring railway tickets are priced cheaply, comparing the ease and the speed with which they cover distance. For a distance of 1-10 km, one has to shell out a mere Rs 3 while for 11-25 kms, the ticket costs Rs 5. For its maximum distance of 26-35 kms, the price is Rs 8. Due to low demand, the trains run only during the peak office hours in the morning and the evening, with each having six bogies. However, Mr Shukla adds that expecting more passengers due to the CNG crisis, the railways, on their own initiative, augmented eight trains and increased their coaches to ten from April 3. "But, there was just a marginal increase of passengers even due to the CNG crunch. There was a slight rush only on the first day, with things returning to the same state from the next day," he said. Asked whether they had any talks with the DTC regarding re-routing of buses to accomodate the ring railway stations, Mr Shukla said the initiative should come from the delhi government or the DTC and not from the railways. "If such a suggestion comes to us from their side, we are ready to initiate talks," he added. However, DTC Chairman Rakesh Mehta, asked about the suggestion, also replied in the same manner. "We are not aware of any such idea as yet. However, if the railways approach us, we may consider it," he said. Transport Secretary Ashok Pradhan said the railways should take into account the ground realities. "The problem with the railways is that they have less number of trains and low frequency. Also their lines are used by goods trains and so they cannot provide services all the time". "However, we would welcome any suggestion by the railways in making the transport system better," Mr Pradhan said. Sources in the Railway Ministry say it is this lack of communication and understanding between the railways, the DTC and Transport Ministry which has made the circular trains so ineffective and almost redundant. Mr Shukla said despite the low demand of their ring service, they had no plans to reduce the frequency or the number of trains. "We are satisfied with whatever way they are functioning now. If people feel that these trains can be utilised in a better way, we are open to suggestions," he said. Citing an example, he said EMU services on routes like Delhi-Ghaziabad, Delhi-Palwal, Delhi-Saharanpur had been augmented on public demand. "Trains on these routes are doing exceedingly well in serving commuters and on their demand, we have time and again increased the number of coaches" he said. A regular ring railway commuter, Piya, said the major drawback with circular trains was that the stations were located at places, inaccessible by other public transport modes. "If their stations are easily accessible, then I am sure more and more people will be attracted to this service," she added. Mr Shukla said among other things, "public awareness" about the ring railway should also be increased to have more people using the system. (UNI) |
|
||
Move to conclude budget session
of NEW DELHI, Apr 16: A move is on to conclude the budget session of Parliament by April end, nearly two weeks ahead of its scheduled adjournment, in view of Assembly elections in five states. A suggestion to this effect was made by some parties at a meeting convened by Speaker GMC Balayogi today. According to sources, Government is not averse to the idea provided the house completes crucial legislative business like the finance bill and railway budget, which have to be passed before May 14. Government is of the view that if the session is cut short it should be adjourned sine die, though some opposition parties want trifurcation of the session so that the house meets again after the Assembly polls. As of now, the session is scheduled to end on May 11. Sources said none of the political parties present at the meeting opposed the suggestion to cut short the session. The NDA, barring DMK, does not have much stake in the May 10 elections in five states — Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry, but for the Congress and left it would be a crucial poll. When asked if the session would be cut short keeping in view the demand made by some opposition parties, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said "when there is consensus on any issue, Government does not oppose." However, he said any decision on the matter would be taken at a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting which is likely to be held later today to discuss various issues, including the deadlock caused by the Tehelka expose. Meanwhile, on the Tehelka expose, which paralysed the functioning of Parliament for ten days in the first leg of the session, the opposition has thrown the ball in the Government’s court saying it was "their responsibility" to run the house. The opposition said it was not its intention to disrupt proceedings in the Lok Sabha but Government had equal responsibility and should respond suitably, sources said adding that all the parties wanted the house to function. Government said at the meeting it was open to a discussion on any issue and under any rule, which would be decided by the Speaker. Balayogi urged the leaders to ensure smooth functioning of the house, particularly in view of important legislative business. Mahajan said he was hopeful of smooth functioning of the house from tomorrow and was prepared to discuss any issue. He said the subject and rule under which discussions are to be held will be decided by the BAC. (PTI) |
||
|
||
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
