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| Pak-aided ultras "ready"
for a new war Islamabad orders troops’ alert along LoC, IB From B L Kak
BJP will
dump its From B L Kak
Rao blamed for fall NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Pulling down the Babri structure....more Year of consolidation SHIMLA, Dec 29: Consolidation of political power and.....more |
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Long term solution GUWAHATI, Dec 29: The Assam Government is hoping for a long term settlement.....more Hindi rendition CALCUTTA, Dec 29: The first ever Hindi web site on Rabindranath Tagore’s songs....more
RPCC opposes funds’ JAIPUR, Dec 29: Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) has opposed.....more Govt had directed to NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Government gave clear directions to authorities in Amritsar...more |
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Pak-aided
ultras "ready" for a new war From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Dec 29: In a swift turn of events, Pakistani troops have been put on a high alert along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s Chief Executive, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, himself ordered his country’s troops, including paramilitary Rangers, to be in "a state of preparedness" during his whirlwind tour of some areas in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday. Movement of Pakistani men and material across the border in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat as well in the past two days has been allowed at a time when a war of attrition has started between New Delhi and Islamabad, each accusing the other of having engineered the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Airbus after it took off from the Kathmandu airport on December 24. No sooner did Indian official agencies highlight the "fact" that 4 of 6 hijackers had been identified as Pakistani than the Government-controlled electronic media in Pakistan was ordered to play up what Islamabad termed as "verified information that at least one of the hijackers is the active agent of RAW". The Government of India, according to the Minister for External Affairs, cannot be faulted for its assessment that the hijacking of the aircraft could not be without the Pakistani support. On the other hand, Gen. Parvez Musharraf publicly charged India with making what he termed as "baseless" allegation against Pakistan that it was involved in the hijacking of the plane. Gen. Musharraf, in fact, criticised India for allowing the hijacked Indian Airlines plane to leave Amritsar. Happily for the trigger-happy Chief Executive of Pakistan, a number of Indians, including several serving and retired security specialists, have similar criticism against Indian authorities for their alleged bungling, which culminated in the plane being flown, under duress, from the Amritsar airport on Friday evening. While Gen. Musharraf was holding consultations with senior military functionaries during his visit to Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Monday, a spokesman of Pakistan’s Foreign Office in Islamabad reiterated his Government’s allegation on Tuesday that the hijacking was engineered by India’s RAW as part of Delhi’s plan to project Pakistan as a terrorist State. The Pak spokesman asserted that "concrete evidence" to back the claim that one of the hijackers "is an active agent of RAW" would soon be presented. And at a time when Pakistani bureaucracy took strong offence against reports linking Pakistan to the hijacking, Nepal’s ambassador to India, Mr Bhekh B Thapa, described as "incorrect" reports that the hijackers alighted from Pakistan International Airways (PIA) flight and walked straight into the Indian Airlines Airbus on December 24. Mr Thapa’s statement that there was "a difference of over 5 hours between the landing and take-off of the two flights" was repeatedly highlighted almost throughout the day on Tuesday by Pakistan’s official television network. Bhartiya Janata Party’s statement that Pakistan’s involvement in the hijacking episode had been "exposed" by the hijackers’ demand for the release of Pakistani militant, Maulana Masood Azhar, has irritated the fundamentalist lobby in Pakistan to such an extent that the Markaz Dawa-ul-Irshad, the parent religious body of the dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba, had to reiterate its "promise" of a new war which will "encompass all of India including Junagarh, Mavadar and Hyderabad". The "promise" as well as the message of hate of the ultra right-wing organisation were repeated on Tuesday in cyberspace, namely, "www. dawacenter.com". This Web site, significantly, provides insights into the Lashkar-e-Toiba’s tactical objectives and also the basis of its bloody ideology of hate. A document available on the site contains inter alia the declaration made by the founder of the Markaz Dawa-ul-Irshad, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed: "Today, I announce the break-up of India, insha-Allah. We will not rest until the whole of India is dissolved into Pakistan". His call for a new war against India has been mirrored in the arrest of Lashkar operartives from Hyderabad, Bhiwandi and several places in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The Content on the Lashkar Web site is not centred exclusively on India. An article on the relevance of jihad, while referring to Muslims being butchered in Chechnya and Bosnia, has taken strong exception to the "millions of innocent Muslims having been put to death in China, Russia, Albania and Yugoslavia". Some intelligence specialists are of the view: Most disturbing about the Lashkar’s cyberspace ravings is that they clearly have official sanction from Pakistan. These specialists claim to have gathered "significant" evidence about the "fact" that the Lashkar-e-Toiba, in the given situation, is the largest terrorist group in Jammu and Kashmir. According to these specialists, Markaz Dawa-ul-Irshad’s esprit de corps, Hafiz Mohammed saeed’s promise of a new war to "encompass all of India" has surfaced only after the presence of effective groups of Islamic fundamentalists and subversives in various parts of India, other than the State of Jammu and Kashmir, has become real than apparent. BJP will dump its allies soon: Scindia From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Mr Madhavrao Scindia, senior Congress leader and long-time Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, has strongly justified his party’s drive to make people understand the dangers of the ‘hidden agenda’ of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserts that even the allies of the BJP in the Government must understand that BJP is riding piggyback on them only to consolidate its power. Mr Scindia, who is acknowledged as the virtual number two in the Congress party after Ms Sonia Gandhi, warned in an interview that allies of the BJP would b e jettisoned once the BJP can gain enough strength to form its own Government and then the party will go ahead with implementing its ‘hidden agenda’. Will the Congress party let the BJP implement its agenda unchallenged ? Mr Scindia’s reply: "I appeal to the BJP’s allies to understand the ugly face of the BJP. The allies must also be clear in their mind whether they want to be a part of this ugly face or the BJP especially as the party makes no bones about it. We meet the others (from other parties) at social events where idea are exchanged. But it is for them to reflect on this. One thing I am sure about is that they too will reach the same conclusion as we have about the BJP. But if they go about supporting the BJP, then they will have to be answerable to the people when the day of reckoning comes during elections". What are the chances that the BJP will sober down and keep out controversial issues to continue in power ? Mr Scindia replied this question by pointing out: "Hardly any. One has to look at history the world over. Look at what happened in Europe in pre-World War II days. The Fascist parties used others to consolidate sand once their aim was achieved, the others were nowhere to be seen. The allies of the BJP must learn their lesson from the past". What next, after some changes on the organisational front have taken place in the light of the Antony committee on introspection ? Mr Scindia’s reply: "It is up to party president, Ms Sonia Gandhi. But there are three issues in this. First of all, it has to be seen if changes are required. Second, if required, then which are the areas where reorganisation needs to be taken up. And third, once the areas are identified, how the exercise is to be taken up. Along with these, what needs to be looked at is the role of individuals in the reformed party structure, in identifying the right person for the right job". Asked if trouble in Orissa and Goa could have been avoided had the Congress leadership been more vigilant, Mr Madhavrao Scindia argued: "This is a democracy and once has to go by the will of the people and in a Government, with the will of the legislators. It is the responsibility of the respective Chief Minister to run the State and not that of the All India Congress Committee. Sometimes, a Chief Minister may not be able to handle day-to-day affairs efficiently which result in situations like the one in Orissa where 45 MLAs got together and demanded Giridhar Gamang’s removal…. With Goa, even the Chief Minister was not aware of the rebellion till a day before it happened". There was little coordination among the Opposition parties in the just concluded winter session of Parliament. Why did the Congress, as the largest and main Opposition party, not take the lead in this regard ? Mr Scindia had this to say: "The winter session began with the Government taking up economic legislations which were in tune with our party policies…. There was divergence on economic issues, sand this was evident in the proceedings in Parliament". When asked if one can expect the Congress party to take the lead in taking other Opposition parties along and act in a united fashion in taking on the Government headed by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr Scindia observed: "It was not as if the Opposition was in disarray even during this session. Even though there is a slight hangover from the way the business was conducted in the first few days, on issues such as disinvestment, imports of sugar, edible oil and wheat, the entire Opposition was united. You saw what happened on the issue of Ayodhya temple. The Opposition parties were completely united. As the days go by, you will see the unity among Opposition parties getting stronger". |
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Rao blamed for fall of Babri structure NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Pulling down the Babri structure at Ayodhya seven years ago could have been prevented if the then Premier P V Narasimha Rao had resorted to the scientific tests for ascertaining the exact date of its construction, a former member of the Congress party’s science cell has claimed. In an affidavit filed before the Ayodhya Commission of inquiry, Ashok Rai, who was the member in-charge of science, technology and environment cell with the AICC from 1986 to 1996, said he had suggested to Rao in November 1992 for radio carbon dating and uranium thorium test of the monument for conclusive evidence regarding its date of construction. The application of this test would have given the nation the precise date of construction of the disputed monument, which would have gone a long way in conclusive resolution of the highly politicised dispute, the affidavit filed through counsel Vivek Sood said. This test, which had resolved many such disputes in the world, was based on scientific logic and would have been acceptable to all the communities making rival claims regarding the status of the disputed monument, the affidavit, filed before the Commission headed by Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, said Rai claimed that this plan was hushed up by the then Prime Minister and others obviously for vested political interests. The monument was razed to ground on December six, 1996 following which horrifying riots had broken out in several parts of the country. (PTI) |
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Year of consolidation of
political and hydro SHIMLA, Dec 29: Consolidation of political power and spectacular achievements in development of hydro-power marked 1999 in Himachal Pradesh which, however, enters the new millennium under the shadow of grave financial crisis. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal held sway on all the fronts and led the BJP-HVC combine to landmark victory in the Lok Sabha polls, winning all the four seats and securing lead in 64 out of 68 Assembly segments for the first time in history of Himachal. Political uncertainty which gripped the state during 1998 turned to political stability in 1999 with the strength of the ruling BJP-HVC combine going up to 37 in 67 member house while Congress lost another seat following unseating of Krishana Mohini, party MLA from Solan, reducing its strength to 28. The Kargil conflict cast its shadow on the land of soldiers with the state losing 62 brave sons. Capt Vikram Batra and Sanjay Kumar were awarded Paramvir Chakra while four others were awarded Mahavir Chakra for extraordinary acts of bravery. The State Government took lead in paying befitting tributes to the martyrs and announcing a package for the families which was adopted as model by other states. Roads and institutions were named after the martyrs and the Chief Minister worked out a new formula for distribution of compensation by dividing it into three equal units comprising the parents, widows and children to avoid hardship to any of them. The Government also took care of the pre and post-Kargil martyrs and decided to give a compensation of Rs three lakh to all those who were killed in action after May 1, 1999 but not included among Kargil causalities. Himachal was given representation in the Union Cabinet for the first time when former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar was inducted as minister for consumers affairs and public distribution in the Vajpayee Government. In the hydro-power sector, restoration of 40:60 ratio in respect of hydro power and thermal power generation by the centre was a major achievement of the State Government, paving way for huge investments for harnessing 21,000 mw identified hydro power potential of the state. The 2051 mw Parvati Valley Hydel Project finally got off following laying of foundation stone by Prime Minister Vajpayee on Dec 12 and the Chamera Stage Project (300 mw) was handed over to the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) for execution. An agreement was also signed for execution of 1000 mw Karchhamwangtoo Hydro Power Project with Jai Prakash Industries while a power purchase agreement was signed with Om Power Corporation for execution of 15 mw Neogal Project. Government introduced efficiency linked incentives for the power generating companies by signing an agreement in respect of 86 mw Malana Project, which was heading for completion two years ahead of schedule. On the financial front the Chief Minister presented a very gloomy picture with budget deficit touchingrs 2000 crore by the close of current financial year. The white paper on the state’s finances and the supplementary paper on projection for the period 2000-2005 gave a frightening picture with total debt going up from Rs 7200 crore to Rs 25,000 crore and the interest burden taking a quantum jump from Rs 770 crore to about Rs 3000 crore. With expenditure on salaries, pensions, maintenance and interest increasing at an alarming rate since 1994-95 and tax revenue showing marginal increase the state faces severe financial crisis in the next millennium. Government imposed series of economy measures, increased bus fares by 20 per cent, rationalised the passenger tax and took some other steps to mop up additional revenue but substantial financial grant from centre alone could bail out the state. However, the state had some relief with the announcement of Rs 400 crore package by Prime Minister Vajpayee during his recent visit to the state. In another significant move to save the poor from exploitation, Government banned the state lottery and also the sale of tickets of other lotteries in the state. (PTI) |
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RPCC opposes funds’ cut on
marketing JAIPUR, Dec 29: Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) has opposed the State Government’s move to cut spendings on development of agricultural marketing yards. Funds meant for development of agricultural marketing yards should not be subjected to cuts because this would affect rural development, PCC chief Girija Vyas told Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a letter, a PCC release said here. Market yards were essential for providing farmers adequate returns on their produce by freeing them from the clutches of middlemen and any cut in funds would adversely affect rural development, Vyas said in her letter. She reminded the Chief Minister that the yards development fund was not slashed even when the state’s annual plan was reduced by Rs 1221 crore by the State Government recently. The issue of development of marketing yards was connected with rural roads which should not be neglected, she added. (PTI) |
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| Govt had directed to immobilise hijacked
plane in Amritsar NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Government gave clear directions to authorities in Amritsar to immobilise the hijacked Indian Airlines plane and an oil tanker for refuelling approached it with personnel instructed to deflate the tyres of the aircraft, which then turned round and took off without refuelling. Authoritative sources said both the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister spoke to senior police officials in Amritsar directing them that the plane should not be allowed to go without prior permission of Crisis Management Group (CMG) and that time should be bought. The sources also said the Director General of National Security Guard (NSG) had been directed to rush the elite force commandoes to Amritsar even before it was known that the aircraft would land there. The order was given in anticipation that it might be forced to land in Indian territory if Pakistan failed to give permission for landing as its fuel was running out. However, flying time from Delhi to Amritsar was 50 minutes and there was no way that the NSG could have reached Amritsar in time and succeded in its mission before the aircraft took off. Added to this was the fact that a storming operation by the Commandos before separating passengers from hijackers would have been ill-advised. The sources also said it was doubtful whether negotiations could have started in Amritsar at all before the killing of passengers if the runway had been blocked as hijackers were in a mood of "extreme desperation". Most of the time the aircraft kept constantly running its engine as well as moving and changing directions on the tarmac. The CMG had also recorded inputs that the hijackers were heavily armed with revolvers, AK-47s and grenades. Had the fuel tanker tried to block the runway, the result would have been disastrous as the hijackers were reported to have killed four persons by then and were about to kill more as per a message from the Pilot. Besides the aircraft was on the runway itself, moving and turning sometimes thereby ruling out the possibility of landing by an aircraft carrying NSG commandos. In between there was a mysterious call from Delhi for immediate refuelling of the aircraft from one G Lal, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry. It was a fake call as there is no such Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Sffairs. The call was apparently made by someone on behalf of the hijackers. Directions were therefore, repeated by the Crisis Management Group that refuelling should be delayed and the aircraft prevented from taking off. There was no question of a flat denial of the facilities demanded by the hijackers as it would have exposed the passengers to immediate risk. (PTI) |
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