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Aviation Corps celebrates 17th raising day JAMMU, Nov 1: Army aviation today celebrated its 17th Corps day remembering gallant aviators who sacrificed their lives to fulfill missions under very difficult conditions.......more Secular
parties have RAIPUR, Nov 1: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has said the efforts of Samajwadi Party to come closer to the Congress was a clear indication that secular forces had accepted the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi. . .....more NCP
hits out at NDA Govt NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Strongly opposing NDA Government’s policy of disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings. .....more |
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SC fixes interim formula NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Requesting Cauvery River Authority (CRA) headed by the Prime Minister to resolve the water dispute at the earliest, the Supreme .....more Naveen claims BHUBANESWAR, Nov 1: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asserted that he enjoyed the ........more Yet another bomb NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Hoax bomb calls continued to keep police in the capital busy, with a caller claiming a bomb had been planted in cinema in the heart of the city causing panic and prompting its evacuation. ......more |
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Delhi climate declaration adopted unanimously ... Contempt notices against Bihar CS, Home Secy.... Modi apprehends Pak design to defeat
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Aviation Corps celebrates 17th raising day JAMMU, Nov 1: Army aviation today celebrated its 17th Corps day remembering gallant aviators who sacrificed their lives to fulfill missions under very difficult conditions. This fledging arm was initially raised on August 15, 1947 as air observation post, an illustrious wing of the artillery, a defence spokesman of Northern Command said here. The Air OP went ‘unarmed into battle’ but that did not deter the brave aviators who demonstrated rare courage in the face of enemy and won many a laurel and awards. "In both 1965 and 1971 conflicts, the unit with maximum decorations in the whole army were Air OP squadrons," he said. This tradition continued even after the army aviation became a separate arm. The 1999 conflict in Kargil bore witness to many an act of valour from the gallant aviators, the spokesman said. Form a humble beginning of two flights at the dawn of independence, the corps has today grown to a vastly increased helicopter fleet including lancer, the light-armed helicopter and the advanced light helicopter. On November one, 1986, the role and scope of the aviation wing was enhanced to include many other facets of flying duties like aerial reconnaissance and communication when it was de-linked from artillery and made into an independent corps. In Northern Command alone, the Army Aviation Corps has been providing support to not only the regular army units but also to other elements of security forces. (PTI) |
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Secular parties have accepted Sonia’s leadership : Jogi RAIPUR, Nov 1: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has said the efforts of Samajwadi Party to come closer to the Congress was a clear indication that secular forces had accepted the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi. Talking to UNI here, he described as encouraging the attitude of secular parties following the ongoing political developments in Uttar Pradesh. "In a way, this strengthens Ms Gandhi’s leadership", he added. Mr Jogi, who completed two years in office today as first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, said the Congress had emerged stronger despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and others unleashing a campaign against Ms Gandhi. "It has also become clear that people have rejected outright the propaganda regarding her foreign origin," he said, adding it indicated that the Congress would come to power at the Centre in the next general elections under the leadership of Ms Gandhi. Stating that the forthcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat would prove a turning point in Indian politics, Mr Jogi said his party would wrest power in Gujarat, making it the 16th State to be governed by the party. "People of Gujarat are fed up with communal and fascist politics. They also fear that any failure to throw the Modi Government out could result in terrorism raising its ugly head in the State," he added. Asked whether there was a need for a national level coalition of secular forces led by the Congress to take on the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mr Jogi said the decision on the issue would be taken by the party leadership. Stating that Assembly polls in many States next year would be crucial for the Congress, he said the anti-incumbancy factor would not affect propsects of the Congress. Mr Jogi claimed that discontentment was brewing against the BJP and the NDA Government. "Anti-incumbancy factor against the Vajpayee Government will play a crucial role in all the Assembly polls next year," he added. Regarding Chhattisgarh politics, Mr Jogi said the BJP has proved during the last two years that it was " weak and demoralised and that there was a mass exodus from its rank and file." Whether the Congress would call for early Assembly elections in the State, the Chief Minister said polls would be held as per schedule. (UNI) |
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NCP hits out at NDA Govt on disinvestment of PSUs NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Strongly opposing NDA Government’s policy of disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings, Nationalist Congress Party today said "it is turning out to be a loot of the assets of the nation." Asking the ruling NDA to come out "clearly" on the issue, NCP general secretary P A Sangma, addressing a press conference here, referred to the views of NDA leaders including George Fernandes, Ram Naik and Uma Bharti, saying, "the squabbles in the ruling combine on sharing the booty of this loot is exposing the entire farce of reforms." Asserting that his party would strongly oppose it, Sangma said the Government’s policy was creating a "lot of confusion and it is not in the interests of the nation." Welcoming the announcement of assembly polls in Gujarat, he said that the people there must put an end to the "catastrophic misrule and non-governance of BJP." People had also given a similar signal of eclipse to the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and its supported Jhajjhar brand of VHP Hindutava, he said. On the issue of formation of a non-BJP secular front, Sangma recalled that a meeting was held recently at the initiative of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu in which it was decided that the Congress being the largest party would take an initiative but so far it had not done so. "Why should we take any initiative when it was decided that the Congress would do so," Sangma said in reply to a question. Attacking the Congress, Sangma said that it had "let down and betrayed" the people of Jammu by surrendering the Chief Ministership to PDP leader Mufti Md Sayeed. The Congress party, he pointed out, had secured votes in Jammu on the promise that their representative would be the Chief Minister. On the polls in Gujarat, he said that NCP was prepared to join hands with secular parties and in fact it was campaigning with leaders such as H D Devegowda of JD(S), Chandra Shekhar of Samajwadi Janata Party and Ram Vilas Paswan of Lok Janshakti Party there. His party, Sangma said, was concentrating on Saurashtra and tribal areas of Gujarat where the Congress was "weak" and it had "little hold" and the BJP was "strong." Welcoming Supreme Court’s order on Presidential reference upholding Election Commission’s order on Gujarat elections, he said "the BJP has been exposed with its manoeuvring and manipulations in dissolving Gujarat Assembly prematurely and then creating constitutional fuss." Commenting on the political developments in Uttar Pradesh, Sangma said that the Mayawati Government had lost its majority and it must seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the State Assembly. He also hailed the Supreme Court’s judgement on the functioning of minority-run institutions. (PTI) |
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Delhi climate declaration adopted unanimously NEW DELHI, Nov 1: The Delhi declaration on climate change and sustainable development was unanimously adopted by 169 countries participating in the UN meet with a focus on adaptation, technology transfer and capacity building as demanded by developing nations. After protracted negotiations, the key demand of developed countries for inclusion of initiating dialogue on further commitments by developing countries upon entry into force of Kyoto Protocol (KP) was dropped from the document following resistance from China and G-77 developing nations including India. In the declaration "parties that have ratified the KP strongly urged parties that have not already done so to ratify it in a timely manner". Welcoming the consensus arrived at in finalising the declaration, conference president and Indian Environment Minister T R Baalu said "it provides a new direction to our common approach to combat climate change". The declaration, marking the culmination of ten days of nerve-wracking negotiations and hard bargaining, expressed deep concern over developing countries in particular, including the Least Developing Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which faced an increased risk of negative impacts of climate change. Seeking to balance the concerns of both developing and developed countries, the document notes that mitigation actions are now taking place in both the groups and emphasises on the Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to climate change is a "high priority". At the same time, urgent action is required to advance adaptation measures. At EU’s instance, "sense of urgency" has been shown to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources in total energy supply. On eu’s suggestion, the declaration also recognises with concern the findings of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that significant cuts in global emissions are necessary. Conceding to G-77’s demand, it recognises Africa as the region suffering the most from the adverse impacts of climate change and poverty. As demanded by rich oil producing countries, the document calls for giving full consideration to the "impact of implementing response measures." Their demand of including fossil fuel technologies in advanced, cleaner and efficient energy options has also been met. An Indian official said the biggest accomplishment of the conference was making the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism fully operational. The CDM will channel private sector investment into emissions reduction projects in the developing countries to promote sustainable development. The conference also concluded three years of work for reporting and reviewing emissions data from the developed countries. The meeting also provided guidance to the global environment facility on the priorities for two new funds —special climate change fund and least developed countries fund. The delegates also agreed on improved guidelines for the national communication on emission data from the developing countries. The 13-point Delhi declaration laid emphasis on adaptation considered to be of vital importance for the developing countries. It said that capacity building for the integration of adaptation concerns into sustainable development strategies are required. On technology transfer, it underlined the need to strengthen it through concrete projects and capacity building in all sectors especially energy, transport, industry, health, agriculture, biodiversity, forestry and waste management. (PTI) |
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Contempt notices against Bihar CS, Home Secy PATNA, Nov 1: Patna High Court today issued notices to the Bihar Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the Director General of Police, among others, to show cause why contempt proceedings should be initiated against them for violating an earlier directive to present an action plan to the court. The court had asked them to present an action plan regarding the removal of encroachments on lands acquired by the State Housing Board in Digha and give the possession to the actual allottees. Justice R S Garg passed the order in the presence of the Chief Secretary, the DGP and other officers, including the Urban Development Secretary of the Bihar Government, District Magistrate and Police Superintendent of Patna while hearing petitions filed by the allottees who were not given the possession of the land even after 20 years. The judge clarified in his order that if the show cause was not submitted latest by November 20, non-bailable warrant of arrest would be issued against them. Justice Garg made the adverse remarks against the divergent stand taken by the Government officials in this regard. During the last hearing of the matter the judge had reprimanded the Housing Board and other Government officials and police for their negligence in giving actual possession to the allottees and warned the officials that strict action would be taken against them if they failed to comply with the order of the court as well as the provision of law. But the officials despite presenting the action plan before the single bench of the court preferred an appeal before the division bench of the High Court challenging the validity of the order passed by Justice Garg. The appeal was also heard today by a division bench comprising Chief Justice R S Dhawan and Justice R N Prasad who reserved the judgement. Although during the hearing of the appeal the judges observed that the Government officials should have placed their difficulty if any in presenting the action plan before the single bench. At the same time Justice Garg also observed while issuing contempt notices today that a welfare State Government should not assist the anti-social elements to gain popularity. Earlier, Justive Garg had expressed his concern over the failure of the Housing Board in handing over the possession of the allotted land to the allottees who had already deposited the consideration amount. Later, the State Government demanded money from the Housing Board for giving police force. On the other hand the board, relying upon the provision contained in Section 88 of the Bihar State Housing Board pleaded that it was the duty of the State Government and police officials to provide absolute help and assistance to the Board. The judge had made strong observation on the previous day of hearing by saying that the non-action and inaction on the part of the Housing Board, administration, police and all other responsible was conveying a message that instead of being honest one should take law in its own hands, encash his criminal and nuisance value and enjoy the fruits of his wrongs. The judge directed the officials to present the action plan in presence of the State Advocate General. (UNI) Modi apprehends Pak design to defeat BJP AHMEDABAD, Nov 1: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today expressed fears that Pakistan may intensify attempts to vitiate the communal atmosphere in the state through attacks on religious institutions with a view to ensuring BJP’s defeat in the coming Assembly elections but said the party would seek a "positive vote" on its performance. "Under the pressure of world opinion, Pakistan is now resorting to semi-terrorism the way it attacked churches in Goa and Bangalore earlier and distributed provocative pamphlets in the name of Hindu outfits. Such actions can increase in the coming days," Modi told PTI in his first interview after the announcement of the poll dates. Pakistan is also likely to pump in fake currency and narcotics, he said adding "Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf wants to install a Government that suits him and we are determined to foil Islamabad’s evil designs." Asked whether the state police had any specific intelligence inputs about the possibility of such attacks, he said "when the whole world knows about it, do we need any more information?’ Modi, who has been widely criticised for his role in the post-Godhra communal riots in the state, said he would be seeking a "positive vote" from the people of Gujarat on the basis of the party’s "performance" in the past over four years. Charging the Congress with speaking in "Hurriyat’s language", he alleged that state Congress president Shankersinh Vaghela had blamed BJP for the Godhra incident during his recent US visit and promised he would permit a us religious freedom team to probe the communal violence. "Ours is a Gaurav Yatra, theirs was a dollar yatra. The same people who attend Musharraf’s functions attended his functions as well," Modi alleged. Asked about VHP’s decision to launch an aggressive campaign in his support, he said "we want the whole country to support us. It is not our subject to analyse why people are doing so." To a question whether he opposed VHP leader Praveen Togadia’s remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Modi said "I don’t want to get into any controversy." On the reported differences within the BJP, including the absence of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel from the party’s campaign launch at Karamsad yesterday, Modi said "we are one. We were united and will remain united. Keshubhai could not be present as he had to attend a pre-arranged function in Saurashtra." Asked as to how many seats BJP would win in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, he said "it will be more than what we did the last time." On the general feeling that Gujarat polls would decide the fate of BJP at the national level, Modi said "I don’t believe in this philosophy. There are no full stops in political and social life." Refuting the allegations that BJP had nothing to claim except playing the ‘Hindutva’ card, the Chief Minister said "the state has made rapid progress in every walk of life during the BJP rule. This includes construction of 20,000 check dams within the present tenure compared to 4,000 dams in the past 45 years." The creation of a water grid - "the first in the country", the linking of the Narmada with Sabarmati and plans to link all the 24 rivers in the state, the construction of the country’s first expressway between Ahmedabad and Vadodara and work on stopping rivers from flowing into the sea and thus preventing wastage of water were among the other major achievements of the BJP Government, he claimed. (PTI) |
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