Excelsior... Nation

Rajya Sabha Chairman Krishan Kant

Kant pinpoints
incorrect translations

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: Rajya Sabha Chairman Krishan Kant today pulled up Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Maneka Gandhi for incorrect......more

Chattisgarh ready to buy BALCO for Rs 552 crore

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: In a new twist to the controversy over BALCO disinvestment, the Chattisgarh Government today said in the Supreme Court....more

Govt committed to
letting law take its
own course on Ayodhya

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today categorically said the Government remained committed to letting the law ...more

Bandh affects life in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR, Mar 12: Former Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress chief J B Pattnaik, leader of opposition in the State Assembly Ramakanta ...more

Oppn stage walk-out
in AP Assembly

HYDERABAD, Mar 12: The entire opposition barring the BJP today staged a walk-out in the Andhra Pradesh ...more

‘Take steps for implementation of Manisana Wage Board Award’

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: The Centre has asked the State Governments to take appropriate steps for implementation of...,.more

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray

Security beefed up at
Bal Thackeray’s residence

MUMBAI, Mar 12: Security has been further beefed up at ‘Matoshree’, the residence of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray ...more

A home for the homeless

FARIDABAD (HARYANA), Mar 12: With their hands placed together in supplication the tiny tots surround a visiting father-figure in good cheer....more

Kant pinpoints incorrect translations

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: Rajya Sabha Chairman Krishan Kant today pulled up Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Maneka Gandhi for incorrect written translations provided in the house on replies concerning her ministry on two occasions even as the minister tendered apologies in this regard.

When BJP member Narendra Mohan drew the attention of Kant on the differing figures in Hindi and English written replies on a question regarding the number of NGO’s in Gujarat, Kant agreed that "the translation should be good".

Apologising for the discrepancy, Gandhi neither of the figures were incorrect as the number of NGOs at 95 stated in one of the them were the ones for which clearance had been given to operate in Gujarat while the other figure of 131 provided were the NGOs put forward for clearance.

Later, Bal Kavi Bairagi (Cong) pointed out differing figures in Hindi and English written translations on allocations for child development in Gujarat.

Kant told Gandhi that on earlier occasion she had said that the differing figures regarding the number of NGOs in Gujarat were not incorrect and this time there was again some differences in figure which should not happen.

The minister apologised and assured efforts would be made good translations. (PTI)

Chattisgarh ready to buy BALCO for Rs 552 crore

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: In a new twist to the controversy over BALCO disinvestment, the Chattisgarh Government today said in the Supreme Court that it was ready to pay Rs 552 crore to buy 51 per cent of Central Government’s share which was sold to Sterlite Industries for Rs 551.5 crore.

"We are ready to pay up Rs 552 crore to buy the shares of the Central Government which was sold to Sterlite Industries Ltd," Chattisgarh Counsel and Congress Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal said.

Taking damage control measures, the State Government assured the court that it would provide water and electricity to the BALCO plant, security to its workers and new management headed by Sterlite Industries and maintain law and order in and around the plant.

Sibal gave this assurance and sought vacation of the March seven interim order passed by the apex court saying it has caused damage to the new state’s reputation.

In view of the assurance given by the State Government, a bench comprising Justice B N Kirpal and Justice Ruma Pal said "it is no longer necessary to continue with the March seven order" on security of workers and management, supply of water and electricity and allowing willing workers into the plant.

The bench, however, said that in the matter relating to notices given to Central Government on land acquisition matters pertaining to BALCO, the State Government could proceed with it without pronouncing the final orders.

It also allowed the Central Government officers including secretaries, to whom notices had been issued to appear in person, to appear before land acquisition authorities through representatives.

Meanwhile, BALCO Employees Union through Rajiv Dhawan also assured the court that it would allow all willing workers to get back to work.

The court asked the State Government to file its response to the transfer petition filed by centre and posted the case for further hearing on April 9.

When the court asked as to why the striking workers be not restrained from holding demonstrations in the immediate vicinity of the plant, both the State Government and the union said that let the court watch the workers’ conduct first and then make any order.

Sibal said the State Government has constituted a high powered committee comprising the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Additional Director General Police (Intelligence) to monitor the law and order situation. On March seven, the Centre had moved the apex court saying the state was encouraging the striking workers to aggravate the situation and that several workers and persons belonging to management were trapped inside the plant to whom food and water were being not allowed to be given.

When Sibal got up to say that the State Government wanted the interim directions of march seven to be vacated, Attorney General Soli Sorabjee countered saying these orders were perfectly justified and added "what reasonable objections could any reasonable person have to the interim order".

The Centre was in full strength to defend the order as Solicitor General Harish Salve, Additional Solicitor General Kirit Raval and Advocate Maninder Singh were seen assisting the attorney during the hearing in a jam-packed court room.

When Sibal made the offer of Rs 552 crore, Sorabjee said sometime back the State Government was making a valuation of Rs 1500 crore and asked what happened to that.

Sibal said the Centre was resorting to litigation on behalf of a private party and that the deal did not appear to be a transparent one.

The Attorney said "all these things are nice to be said outside the court" and challenged the State Government to make these allegations on oath so that necessary consequences could follow.

The court had on March 2 stayed all proceedings on petitions challenging disinvestment in public sector Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) before High Courts in Delhi and Chattisgarh.

Five days later, the Central Government had moved the apex court seeking directions against the State Government.

The bench today said "it is very unfortunate that the Centre and State Government were fighting against each other on such an issue." (PTI)

Govt committed to letting law
take its own course on Ayodhya

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today categorically said the Government remained committed to letting the law take its own course with regard to the cases relating to the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya.

During his reply to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the president for his address to the joint sitting on February 19, Mr Vajpayee also said his Government had not withdrawn any case relating to anyone in the Government and had no intention of doing so.

The Government does not issue any directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation nor can it do so under the law, he asserted, saying that the CBI was an independent investigative agency. He added that even the prosecution lawyers for the CBI in the case had been appointed prior to his Government assuming office three years ago.

Referring to his statement before the special judge in Lucknow, he asserted that the Government had not interfered in the due process of law since it assumed office and no intention of doing so.

He said the CBI’s case before the special judge was that its chargesheet against various individuals was maintainable notwithstanding the judgment of the Allahabad High Court. Mr Vajpayee declined to comment further as the matter was sub judice. The following is the text of the Prime Minister’s statement on the Ayodhya case before the special judge, Lucknow:

"Ever since our Government assumed office, it has remained fully committed to the due process of law. Neither has it ever interfered in the legal process in any matter, nor will it ever do so."

Unlike in the past, our Government has never withdrawn any criminal case against any individual or individuals associated with the Government. Even the prosecution lawyers arguing for the CBI in the Ayodhya case are those appointed prior to my Government assuming office three years ago.

The CBI is an independent investigative agency. The Government does not issue any direction to the CBI, nor can it, in law, issue any such direction.

The CBI’s position before the special judge in Lucknow is that it chargesheet against various individuals in the Ayodhya case is maintainable notwithstanding the judgement of the Allahabad High Court.

The matter is subjudice before the special judge. Therefore, I wish to make no further comment on it. (UNI)

Bandh affects life in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR, Mar 12: Former Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress chief J B Pattnaik, leader of opposition in the State Assembly Ramakanta Mishra, former Union Minister Srikanta Jena and several other leaders were arrested as they tried to enter the Secretariat here today to ask the employees to support the state bandh.

The dawn-to-dusk Orissa Bandh was called by the opposition Congress to protest the injustice meted out to the state in the railway budget.

Several Congress leaders, including former ministers, MLAs and youth Congress activists, were arrested from various places in the state while trying to obstruct the movement of vehicular traffic.

The bandh affected life in most parts of the state as buses were off the roads and train services were badly affected. Business establishments and banks were closed.

The Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLAs boycotted the assembly session. The Congress MLAs sat on a dharna for sometime near the entrance of the State Secretariat.

Several long distance trains were stranded at several places as Congress activists squatted on the railway tracks.

Several senior Congress leaders and youth Congress activists led by PCC chief J B Pattnaik came in a procession from the Congres Bhawan to the State Secretariat and shouted slogans against the Centre for the injustice meted out to the state in the railway budget.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sushil Pradhan said Mr Pattnaik and other Congress leaders were arrested for trying to enter the area where prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were clamped.

Police said 1000 Congress workers were arrested from various places in coastal Orissa for resorting to picketing and obstructing vehicular movement. About 150 activists were arrested from the state capital.

PCC chief J B Pattnaik described the bandh as a "total success" and claimed spontaneous response to the Orissa bandh called by his party. He said the opposition parties in the state had tacitly supported the bandh.

Former Union Ministers K C Lenka, Srikant Jena, former ministers Bhagbat Prasad Mahanty and Niranjan Pattnaik, Bhubaneswar Municipality Chairman Jagannath Mahapatra, leader of opposition Ramakanta Mishra, Congress MLA Smesh Swain and Suresh Routray were arrested in the state capital.

A Cuttack report said altogether 500 Congress workers, including former minister Seikh Matlub Ali and Ms Bijayalaxmi Sahoo, were arrested from the district. Altogether 241 workers were arrested from the city.

Official sources claimed that Government offices and banks functioned normally. Bandh supporters squatted on the railway tracks at some important stations forcing the authorities to stop trains at various stations.

The State Government while asking the people of the state to reject the bandh called by the opposition Congress stated that it was committed to the all round development of the state. (UNI)

Oppn stage walk-out in AP Assembly

HYDERABAD, Mar 12: The entire opposition barring the BJP today staged a walk-out in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly in protest against the Government’s refusal to order a CBI inquiry into the killing of seven Congress activists allegedly by the ruling TDP workers in Guntur district on Saturday last.

The issue which dominated the day’s proceedings in the house for two hours saw the opposition members persisting with their demand for a CBI inquiry and the suspension of the area circle inspector.

Leader of the opposition Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, who led the walk out by his party members, said the Government was sending a wrong signal to the people in not suspending the circle inspector as there was a prima facie evidence that he had acted in a partisan manner.

The opposition alleged that the circle inspector had visited the house of one of the assailants on several occasions and the prime accused in the gruesome massacre was the son of a sitting TDP MLA Ms Durgamba. To ensure a free and fair probe it was necessary to suspend the circle inspector, they added.

Denying that the police had acted in a partisan manner, Home Minister T Devender Goud said the circle inspector concerned was being shifted immediately and a senior officer in the rank of IGP would be asked to inquire into the incident.

Mr Goud assured the members that severe punishment would be given against to the circle inspector if he was proved guilty after the inquiry.

He said it would not be proper to suspend any officer after every incident because the police officers worked under tremendous pressure, particulalrly in faction-ridden areas.

He agreed with the opposition demand to constitute all party committees at the district level to decide about the threat perception of any political leader for the purpose of providing gunmen.

The minister said so far two people were arrested in connection with the killings and announced a reward of Rs.50,000 to those who give clues leading to the arrest of other accused.

Condemning the incident, the minister said special teams were formed to nab the culprits. Severe action would be taken against the culprits, he added. (UNI)

‘Take steps for implementation of Manisana
Wage Board Award’

NEW DELHI, Mar 12: The Centre has asked the State Governments to take appropriate steps for implementation of the Manisana Wage Board Award and submit status report on a quarterly basis.

In reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Labour Muni Lal said the implementation of the Wage Board Award lies with the State Governments.

He said the recommendations of the Wage Board were accepted by the Government with some minor modifications.

The minister said in reply to another question that a ban on recruitment of housemaids by Kuwait has been imposed. He said the Government has received complains of harassment of 6891 Indian workers abroad last year.

These complaints were taken up by the Indian mission with various foreign employers. Most of the grievances are redressed with the cooperation of foreign employers and the concerned foreign Governments.

Mr Satyanarayan Jatiya, Labour Minister said the Government is examining recommendations of the Dave Committee, which was set up to examine the policy questions connected with the old-age income security in India.

The report recommended measures intended to help every person to build up savings during his working life, which could serve as a shield against poverty during old-age.

He also confirmed that there were 78.62 lakh employees covered under the ESI scheme in the year 2000 as against 80.85 lakh employees in the preceding year.

Decline in ESI coverage is attributed to closure of industries in certain states and shifting of industries in non implemented areas. The Centre today clarified that there was no proposal to review big dams to be constructed in the country in the wake of the adverse report of the world commission on dams.

Water Resources Minister told the Bjoya Chakraborty told the Lok Sabha today that the Government has examined the report and is of the opinion that the report is not based on adequate data and is biased against dams.

The report has ignored the many socio-economic changes that dams bring about in the long run, he said.

The Central Water Commission is monitoring about 200 major and medium ongoing projects in the country and bringing out periodical status reports to identify bottleneck on way to their completion, Mr Chakraborty said.

The Ministry of Water Resources and the Central Water Commission have formulated a national perspective plan envisaging interlinkages among various peninsular rivers and the Himalayan rivers for transfer of water from surplus basins to water deficit basins.

The plan envisages 17 water transfer links under peninsular rivers and 14 water transfer links between peninsular rivers development component, he said.

Minister of State for Surface Transport Maj Gen B C Khanduri said the Government has approved a programme of 40 projects covering 4659 km to be undertaken during 2000=2001 and 2001-2002.

He said the golden quadrilateral component is scheduled to be completed in December 2003 and the north-south and east-west corridor by December 2007.

Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav said that the CBI has completed investigations in the country into the purchase of a-aircrafts by the India Airlines. The agency is now following up the same in certain foreign countries.

He said that no time frame can at present be indicated in respect of the completion of this enquiry. The conclusion of the enquiry would primarily depend upon the cooperation of the foreign agencies where the letter rogatory is pending. (UNI)