 |
|
EVMs will be introduced in GANGKOK,
Dec 8: Electronic
voting machines will be introduced at every polling booth
in Sikkim....more JALANDHAR, Dec 8: Gurmej Singh’s search for an ideal match ended here as he was caught unawares by.....more
Sonia asks partymen NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked party MPs to remain vigilant......more
Karunanidhi deplores CHENNAI,
Dec 8: Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today deplored the AIADMK
charge.....more CHENNAI,
Dec 8: BJP has
described as unfortunate the AIADMK decision to join the
nation-wide...more |
 |
Special unit to
keep check on counterfeit currency NEW DELHI, Dec
8: A special unit
has been set up in the CBI for exclusive....more NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Shiv Sena will not oppose the screening of Deepa Mehta’s controversial movie.......more
Govt proposes to NEW DELHI, Dec 8: The Government proposes to amend the Consumer Protection Act to ensure speedy...more BJP MP stages NEW DELHI, Dec 8: A ruling party member in the Lok Sabha today created a mild flutter when he.....more
Chances of immediate relief JALANDHAR,
Dec 8: Prospects
of any immediate relief to Punjab’s farmers, who
suffered massive...more NEW DELHI, Dec 8: The Congress today made it clear that it was not angling for a mid-term poll..more |
 |
EVMs will be introduced in Sikkim Assembly polls: Gill GANGKOK, Dec 8: Electronic voting machines will be introduced at every polling booth in Sikkim for the Assembly election, due to be held in November next year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M S Gill said. Talking to the representatives of several parties, here yesterday Dr Gill, who is an official visit to this tiny Himalayan border state, said the voter’s list would also be revised before the Assembly polls. The parties included the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), the opposition Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP), the Congress and the CPI(M). Asked whether the Election Commission could "prepone" the polls, he said if Chief Minister Pawan Chamling requested the Commission on the matter, it would surely consider as there was no objection to holding early polls. Meanwhile, the Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) leaders apprised the CEC of the "total failure" of the state administration "in curbing the ruling SDF supporters creating "fear-psychosis" among the people and preventing the opposition parties from holding rallies and public meetings. Dr Gill assured that revision of electroal rolls would be taken up shortly. Representatives of the CPI(M) apprised Dr Gill of the party’s difficulties in procuring a "permanent" site for constructing its party office in the state. The party sought the CEC’s intervention for procuring "Government land" to set up its party office. Dr Gill cleared the apprehension of several parties on the "confidentiality" of the electronic machine. He said the Election Commission would impart training to all the political parties by providing sample machines. Dr Gill was expected to leave for neighbouring Darjeeling on December 11. (UNI) |
|
|
JALANDHAR, Dec 8: Gurmej Singh’s search for an ideal match ended here as he was caught unawares by his "first wife" at his second nuptial. Gurmej Singh, an NRI, married to Minal Kapadia, was staying in California. He left for Punjab to marry a local girl, Kanwaljit Kaur, without divorcing his wife. His sudden departure sowed a seed of suspicion in Minal, who followed his trail. Soon as she reached here last Saturday, Minal contacted the police and drove to the wedding venue in Daneval village. Minutes before the marriage rituals were to be completed, Minal and the police party reached the place. Gurmej and middleman Lakhbir Singh have been booked in a case of fraud. (UNI) Sonia asks partymen to be vigilant in crucial session NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked party MPs to remain vigilant as the current session of Parliament was ‘crucial’ with the ruling BJP a divided house and its allies speaking in different tones. Addressing a meeting of the general body of Congress party in Parliament, Gandhi described the national political scene as "disturbing" and said the situation needed to be watched carefully, party sources said. Stating that the BJP-led coalition has not been able to provide governance, she said the Congress would continue to play the role of constructive cooperation and would perform its constitutional duty if the need arises. Describing the Assembly election results in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as "extraordinarily in favour of the party", she said this had also cast greater responsibility on Congress as expectation of people were more from the party. She said poll results in Mizoram and Gujarat were not that good for the party, causes for which needed to be analysed and corrective steps taken. Gandhi did not directly refer to the issue of controversial Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill, but her description of BJP as a divided house was apparently aimed at the internal differences in the ruling party over it. (PTI) Karunanidhi deplores propaganda
against CHENNAI, Dec 8: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today deplored the AIADMK charge that his Government was hostile towards minorities and said arrests made on the eve of Babri Mosque demolition anniversary on December 6 were part of precautionary measures taken to maintain peace. There is an attempt in certain quarters to carry on a defamatory campaign that the Government is inimical towards minorities. I appeal to the minorities not to be deceived by such diversionary propaganda, he said in a statement here. The AIADMK and some Muslim groups had criticised the large-scale preventive arrests in the days preceding December 6, the sixth anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya in 1992. Karunanidhi said the Government had taken all precautionary steps to maintain peace on December 6, as it apprehended disturbances in the wake of announcements by some groups that it would be observed as a Black Day by some and as ‘Victory Day’ by others. All those who tried to take out procession in Chennai and at Cuddalore on that day were held and subsequently released. All 7815 people, including 2017 Muslims, who were taken into preventive custody were also released, he said. (PTI) |
|
AIADMK decision to join stir unfortunate: BJP CHENNAI, Dec 8: BJP has described as unfortunate the AIADMK decision to join the nation-wide general strike on December 11 against the BJP-led Government’s policies and urged it to reconsider the decision. It is unfortunate that an alliance partner who is in the Union Government is joining a strike against the Government. This is a unique and new phenomenon, BJP State General Secretary L Ganesan told newsmen here today. Being a member of the ruling coalition, AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalitha had every opportunity to raise the issues and seek explanation. The AIADMK could have done this instead of supporting the strike, he said. Asked about AIADMK leader Jayalalitha’s remarks yesterday that the AIADMK front in Tamil Nadu was over, Ganesan said as far as the BJP’s state unit was concerned it had been in a ‘defecate’ position and had now become ‘dejure’. Queried whether the AIADMK was likely to withdraw support to the Vajpayee Ministry, Ganesan said he hoped AIADMK’s support would continue for full five years since the AIADMK front had contested the Lok Sabha polls with this assurance. ‘However, in the present political situation, even if the AIADMK withdraws support, the Vajpayee Ministry will last its full term’, he claimed. (PTI) |
|
Special unit to keep check on counterfeit currency NEW
DELHI, Dec 8: A
special unit has been set up in the CBI for exclusive So far, fake currency valued at about Rs 24 lakh was seized till September this year from various parts of the country, including about Rs 5.6 lakhs from Delhi from where two persons were arrested, Home Minister L K Advani said in a written reply. Reserve bank was also issuing press releases to enable public distinguish between genuine and fake currency notes. Militants: As many as 4909 militants or ISI agents have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir between 1995 and October 22 this year and 10,518 arrested, Advani said in reply to another question. Various Kashmiri militant outfits like JKLF, Hizbul Mujahedeen, Harkat-ul-Ansar, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al-Faran and those from Punjab including Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar), Babbar Khalsa International and International Sikh Youth Federation (Rode) were operating from Pakistan, he said. Migration: There is no proposal regarding Central assistance for resettlement and rehabilitation of those who have been shifted due to heavy firing by Pakistan from Kargil, Gurez, Karnah, Kerann Matchil and Uri areas, Advani said, adding ex-gratia payment and free ration was being given to the victims. So far 72 civilians and 58 security personnel have been killed since may this year. Netaji: Government is examining the order of Calcutta High Court on setting up of a Commission to probe the circumstances behind the death of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Advani said. The High Court had directed the Government this April to launch a vigorous inquiry in accordance with law by appointing if necessary a commission of inquiry as a special case for the purpose of bringing an end to the controversy internet: Government is taking steps to counter anti-India propaganda on internet by terrorists, and agencies concerned have been sensitised to take corrective measures and keep a regular watch on contents of these Web-sites, he said, adding magazines containing anti-India propaganda published from Pakistan for the last few years were being smuggled into India. J and K Government has been advised to initiate steps to check this, he added. TADA: As many as 14,422 people were arrested under TADA from 1990 to 1998 of whom 317 are under interrogation at present, the Home Minister said. Bandhs: Around 250 bandhs have been organised in the country, at the state, district and local levels since the Supreme Court judgement imposing a ban on bandhs, Advani said adding that it was for State Governments take a view on it. Police: Cases related with police criminal behaviour rose from 1,301 during 1995-96 to 2,806 in 1996-97 and 2,700 in 1997-98, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) records, he said. The NHRC registered only 801 cases in 1994-95. (PTI) |
|
Sena not against Fire minus
vulgar scenes: NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Shiv Sena will not oppose the screening of Deepa Mehta’s controversial movie on lesbian relationship ‘Fire’ in Delhi if the vulgar scenes are deleted, its city unit chief Jai Bhagwan Goel said here today. We have nothing against either the film or its director. We are only opposed to the vulgar scenes. If they are removed, we will not oppose its screening, Goel told. While appreciating the Government move to get the film reviewed by the Censor Board, Goel said the Sena will not allow the film to be screened if the board does not censor the scenes which went against Indian culture. Asked whether the recent attacks by Shiv Sainiks on cinemas showing the film tantamounted to an onslaught on artistic freedom, Goel retorted, are not the artists part of the society. Can they ride roughshod over public sensibility. In India, there is certain sanctity attached to each relationship. We do not see every one as a prospective sexual partner. If ‘Fire’ is allowed, there will be others who distort mother-son and brother-sister relations, he said. On the public interest litigation filed by some leading artistes seeking uninterrupted screening of the film, Goel said, the Supreme Court should give us also an opportunity to present our case. Goel was arrested following the attack on the regal cinema here by Shiv Sainiks on December 3. He was subsequently released on bail. (PTI) |
|
|
investigation of counterfeit currency and
Border Security Force alerted to check smuggling of fake
notes from across the border, Lok Sabha was told today. 