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Centre asks for evidence from States in Abu’s extradition case

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: In a significant development, the Centre is asking various State Governments to come up with the cases along with "documentary evidence" against mafia-don Abu Salem to help in preparing an extradition case against him in a court of law in Portugal.

"We are going to hold consultations with various State Governments with whom different crime cases are pending against Abu Salem to firm up a case for his early extradition from that country," official sources told PTI.

Once all the cases along with documentary evidence were before the Government these will help it in firming up an extradition case against Abu Salem.

The Centre will also ask the Portuguese Government to initiate judicial proceedings for the same.

Asked if there was any specific information sought from the State Governments which included Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, they only said that the case along with evidence should be "acceptable" and can "stand scrutiny in a Portugese court".

Stating that the Government and its agencies were collecting information keeping in mind the 90-day deadline, the sources said the Centre was hopeful of Abu Salem’s extradition.

"Various Central investigation and intelligence agencies are co-ordinating among themselves and are collecting information and evidence against Abu Salem, progress of which is reviewed every week," the sources said.

"Things are not very simple. Lot of evidence which can stand in that country’s court of law and a firm case has to be prepared for an early extradition of Abu Salem," the sources said.

However, the sources said the CBI has concrete evidence which will enable the Government with the help of the documents from other States to extradite abu salem.

One of India’s most wanted criminals, underworld don Abu Salem was arrested along with his companion Monica Bedi by the Interpol in Portugal last month, nine years after he fled to Karachi in the wake of Mumbai blasts.

Abu Salem along with Bedi and another person Haider are in judicial custody in Portugal for 90 days since September 20.

A note verbale to Portuguese Government seeking deportation of Abu Salem, immediately after his arrest, was sent by India followed by discussions between CBI and authorities in Lisbon. (PTI)

Over 1700 nominations for 2nd Indian TV Academy awards

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: A total of 1,729 nominations in 442 programmes have been received for the 31 categories of the second Indian Television Academy awards to be presented on November 30 in Mumbai.

The awards this year will include entries from South India by opening out the popular segment for public polling, according to academy president Anu Ranjan. Online voting has also been initiated on the website www.itaa.showbizindia.com. She said the nominations this year showed an increase of 60 per cent over last year.

Mrs Ranjan said at a recent press meet here that the southern spectrum will have the popular categories in all the four southern languages in association with cinema express of Chennai. The awards are being sponsored by Hero Honda. She said awards in other languages like Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu will be introduced next year.

A segment for the TV fraternity is also being introduced for the first time. ‘The fraternity votes will include awards for the best chief executive officer, best programming head, best marketing head and best sales head. This is a segment open only to the fraternity, making it a vote by the medium for its driving forces.

The other categories include awards for anchoring, best programmes in various genres, best stars, and awards for children, cookery, film-based programmes, apart from ten technical awards. In the popular awards, there will be eight awards for Hindi or English programmes and four each in the four southern languages. Referring to remarks by the governors that Prasar Bharati must come on the ita platform, Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer K S Sarma, chief guest at the press meet said the main mandate for the public service broadcaster was to ensure balanced development of broadcasting and therefore private TV channels were not considered rivals. The opening up of All India Radio’s FM channels was a step in this direction. Those present included renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, actress and director Neena Gupta, TV producer Rajat Sharma, and filmmaker Subbarami Reddy - all governors in the ITS.

Reacting to Mr Sarma who is president of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), Academy convenor Shashi Ranjan said the ITA was an organisation of all segments involved in television programmes whereas the IBF was a body of channel heads.

Answering questions, he said awards will be adjudged by a two-tier process held this month and being tabulated and supervised by pricewaterhousecoopers. The final four names will be given to the jury by the tabulating concern next month before the event.

Noting that Doordarshan had won the largest number of awards last year, he said that 30 per cent of the 210 producers who prepared software for Doordarshan during the past year had filed nominations for awards this year.

Since it was formed mid last year, the ITA has also taken up issues other than awards, according to Mr Ranjan. These include seminars on various issues affecting the TV industry, and resolving some inter-channel disputes. (UNI)

Congress’ free power offer triggers political war in AP

HYDERABAD, Oct 23: With populism being traditionally linked to electoral politics in Andhra Pradesh, free power to agriculture has once again emerged as a key issue triggering a war of words among political parties in the State.

While power experts and officials have debunked the idea saying it is unworkable particularly in the post-reforms scenario, the main opposition Congress, in a tactical move, revived the promise to provide free power to farmers if it is voted to power in the next Assembly polls.

Free power was the main theme of the two-week long mass contact programme undertaken by Congress last month with its legislature wing leader Y S Rajasekhar Reddy telling people that the "first file to be signed" by the New Government would be the one to give effect to the promise.

Though elections are about two years away, Congress leaders have been organising rallies with all the ingredients of poll-eve fever and vowing to implement free power policy if their party was voted to power.

The TDP leaders were, however, quick to point out that a similar promise made by the opposition in the 1999 Assembly polls had backfired with people clearly endorsing the Government’s reforms programme.

The Congress-ruled Punjab’s recent decision to withdraw free power facility to farmers has provided the ammunition for TDP to fire at the opposition party for trying to ‘misguide people with false promises’.

"It is a disgrace for a national party like Congress to be speaking in different voices. It lacks consistency. Can it implement free power policy in 14 States where it is in power?" the TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said.

Undeterred by its Punjab unit’s volte face on the populist measure, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, overcoming initial rumblings, stood united on the issue and reaffirmed its commitment to free power to agriculture sector.

The party leaders are claiming that their high command had endorsed the ‘state-specific policy’ keeping in view the ‘peculiar circumstances’ in the State in the wake of largescale suicides by farmers who are bearing the brunt of drought and power tariff burden.

The crux of the Congress argument is that agriculture sector accounts for a mere Rs 300 crore annual revenue for the state power utility, accounting for 3 per cent of total revenues, and it can be waived in the interest of farmers.

"Free power to farmers is an economic compulsion and not a populist measure. It is the responsibility of the Government to come to the rescue of farmers who are hit hard by reforms programme," Reddy, who has been aggressively pushing the issue, told PTI. (PTI)

Season of fairs and festivals is back in Uttaranchal

DEHRA DUN, Oct 23: With the arrival of autumn, every little town in Uttaranchal, besides the Doon Valley, comes alive with an air of celebration and festivity pervading this entire hill region.

Religious, cultural, literary and business events vie with each other for attention and ‘fetes’ and ‘fairs’ can be seen in almost every town. The Doon Valley’s several well-known boarding schools celebrate their founder’s day in October and November and a large number of parents of children studying in these schools arrive here well in advance to participate in the festivities.

The Doon school’s founder’s day is a much looked forward event for all in the Valley as every year, it is a surprise for them to know who has been invited as the chief guest. Last year, it was superstar Amitabh Bachchan while this year it was the president of India himself.

Dussehra and Diwali Melas, which have always been extremely popular with the people of this region, are put up at various places by several organisations including the Lions Club and Rotarians. The old ranger’s college ground in the valley plays host to many of these fairs and fetes. With these come the school fetes. As there are a large number of schools, so the fetes too, are many. They keep school children and others busy many an autumn evening.

Various religious organisations hold ‘Kirtans’ and ‘Jagrans’ and the Doon Valley echoes with ‘Bhajans’ and ‘Keertan’, ‘Aartis’ and ‘Kathas’ for several days on end. Religious discourses by saints and godmen are held at the parade ground in the heart of the city. For those interested in cultural and literary activities, autumn and winter festivals prove extremely attractive. Along with these come the ‘Uttaranchal fairs’and ‘Uttarakhand Mahotsav’.

Religious fairs in the small hill towns of the State are commonly held during the period of dussehra and diwali. These fairs have a rich history as they evolved as a way for people to meet their relatives staying in remote areas at the central points where these celebrations were held. As they could not cover the long distances to meet their relatives and friends, the hill folk gathered at the central place where the mela was organised. This tradition continues even today.

Though the ‘Sharadotsav’ could not be held in time this year in Mussoorie, a carnival will be held this winter during Christmas season by the State Government. This will go on till the new year and will entertain locals and tourists with cultural evenings, dances of Uttaranchal, Kavi Sammelans and Qawwalis.

The last week of October will see Nainital spruced up and decorated for the ‘Sharadotsav’ which will begin there on October 28. The week-long fiesta will feature renowned flute-players like Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj and popular playback singer Amit Kumar, besides the famous folk singer Narendra Singh Negi of Garhwal who will sing Garhwali songs throughout the night on October 30 next.

Folk groups from Rajasthan and Goa aften visit this region during this season to add to the air of gaiety and celebration. On Sunday last, an extremely successful programme was staged by Rajasthani artistes at the Welham boys school here in the presence of Uttaranchal Governor Surjit Singh Barnala. A group of Sufi singers from Sudan will perform at the Indian Military Academy tomorrow.

Doonites and other people in Uttaranchal have a fill of culture and religious celebrations in this season of fairs and festivals. The excitement of Dussehra and Diwali are mingled with this atmosphere of joy and well-being. (UNI)

SP ready to provide alternative in case BSP-BJP Govt falls

LUCKNOW, Oct 23: Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav today said his party was ready to provide an alternative if the BSP-BJP coalition Government falls and expressed the hope that Congress would support them in their fight against BJP.

"We will have to think if this Government falls owing to its own inner contradictions," Yadav told newspersons here.

Claiming that the BSP-BJP Government had been reduced to minority, Yadav urged the Governor, Vishnu Kant Shastri, to dismiss the Government.

Revolt by some BJP, independent and RLD MLAs was a clear pointer that this Government no longer enjoyed majority, the SP leader said.

Asked whether he expected the Congress to support his party in the formation of a possible alterntive Government, he said, "it is up to them to decide about supporting us. We are fighting the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. We hope better sense will prevail upon the Congress," Yadav said.

To another question he said his party was against mid-term Assembly elections in case the BSP-BJP coalition Government falls.

On whether he would meet the AICC president Sonia Gandhi to seek her party’s support, Yadav said these things are not revealed before the media.

Asked if the issue of Gandhi’s foreign origin was still on his agenda, Yadav said the issue had now been ‘hijacked’ by NCP leader P A Sangma and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha.

To another question he said that so far none of the dissident legislators had met him.

On whether his party would join a possible secular front to challenge BJP in the coming Assembly elections in Gujarat, he said his party was for a united front against the BJP and urged the Congress to take the initiative.

He denied that his party had betrayed Congress in the past saying the SP supported the Congress candidate in the election of the Vice-President and the Uttaranchal Chief Minister N D Tiwari in the by-poll.

The SP leader also referred to the sudden cancellation of the press conference of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye here on Sunday and said that it would have been better if Vajpayee had answered a couple of questions from the media.

"Had Vajpayee replied to one or two questions, the media would not have got an opportunity to read between the lines," he said.

Yadav condemned the Vishwa Hindu Parishad general secretary Praveen Togadia’s statement about Sonia Gandhi and said Togadia had also used derogatory language ragainst him. (PTI)

Baalu urges developing nations to eradicate poverty

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: Union Environment Minister T R Baalu today urged developing countries to work for eradication of poverty and take a lead role in promoting sustainable development while addressing the issues of climate change.

"Poverty eradication is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development," Baalu said while addressing the the ten-day UN conference on climate change, which began here amidst tight security.

"The linkages between climate change and sustainable development recognise the problems of poverty, land degradation, access to water and food and human health," he said.

Energy has a central role in alleviating poverty and action was needed for dissemination of innovative technologies in the key sectors of development, he said.

The eighth session of the conference of the parties to the UN framework convention on climate change is being attended by more than 3000 delegates including ministers from 186 countries.

Emphasising that all countries should promote sustainable development, Baalu said the developed countries are required to demonstrate their key role in modifying longer term emission trends and in this respect they were committed specifically to adopt mitigation policies and measures.

Rise in temperatures is already beginning to affecting physical and biological systems - frequent floods and droughts are examples of it, Baalu said adding the negative impacts of climate change in the developing countries will have an adverse effect on poverty-eradication efforts.

"Cop-8 will identify solutions, generate awareness and enhance actions at all levels to respond to this very significant global problem," he said adding it will rovide a poliical direction and take stock of implementation and promotion of sustainable development to address climate change.

The Delhi declaration will cover climate change and sustainable development, he said and asked the conference to focus on those who have contributed the least to pollution but are the most vulnerable.

Baalu tookover as president from M Mohamed Elyazghi of Morocco, who presided over the seventh conference of parties in Marrakesh last year.

Earlier UNFCCC executive secretary Joke Waller-hunter said more work might be needed to explore the development-climate interface, so as to explore the possibilities of deriving climate change action, be it mitigation or adoption, from achieving development goals. (PTI)

12 people killed in cracker fire

HYDERABAD, Oct 23: Twelve people were killed and five injured after a fire swept through a fireworks shop in the busy Begum Bazar area here early today.

Seven people died of burns and five of asphyxiation. Among the dead were a woman and a three-year-old boy.

The injured were admitted to Osmania General Hospital.

Five of the victims hailed from Gujarat.

According to reports, the fire broke out around 0430 hrs due to short circuit in the groundfloor of the building housing the fireworks shop-cum-godown. It soon spread to the Canara Bank branch situated on the first floor and the Kartikeya Inn, a private lodge, on the second floor.

Most of the victims were staying in the lodge when they were jolted out of their sleep in pitch-darkness by deafening explosions and thick smoke. As the building had a single entrance by the side of the fireworks shop, many were trapped inside.

About a dozen local people, braving heavy odds, rescued 25 inmates from the lodge.

Soon after eight fire tenders arrived and put out the blaze. The area was cordoned off by police and fire brigade personnel.

Meanwhile, police arrested Sanjay Bupe, son of Manikrao, the owner of the Shanti Fireworks where the fire broke out. Manikrao got admitted to a private hospital citing heart problem. He is under police surveillance.

Cases have been registered against Sanjay and Manikrao under section 304 of the IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and section 286 (handling of explosives in a rash and negligent manner).

City Police Commissioner M V Krishna Rao told UNI at the site that action would be taken against the builder as the building had no escape route except an entrance by the side of the firecrackers shop.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was among the first to rush to the site, described the incident as a painful one and warned of stringent action against those responsible for it. Later he visited the hospital where the injured are admitted.

Union Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya and Andhra Pradesh Ministers T Devender Goud were among others who visited the scene of the accident. (UNI)