Joshi concerned about
rich-poor gap at 74:1

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28: Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi today expressed concern over the increasing gap .....more

BJP promoting its
agenda: JD(U)

SONEPAT, Jan 28: Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U) president, Ved Parkash Vidrohi has criticised the BJP for its intention to raise the issues of scrapping .....more

109 dowry deaths
reported in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 28: As many as 109 women in Kerala have allegedly committed suicide during the past .....more

MAT clears J J College
ex-Dean after 13 yrs,
restores pension

AURANGABAD, Jan 28: The Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) has set aside a previous State Government’s ....more

Caste card to feature in
Jharkhand Panchayat
elections

RANCHI, Jan 28: The caste card has once again struck the imagination of politicians in Jharkhand with ministers and MLAs belonging to the . ....more

Visit of NSCN (IM)
leaders a breakthrough: Padmanabhaiah

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Describing the recently-concluded talks between the Government and the NSCN (IM) as positive, Centre’s interlocutor on the .......more

Bikers return after hitting
road to pre-Godhra peace

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: After more than a month on the road to pre-Godhra .....more

Medical Seats
Loss for all-India
quota, gain for States

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: The Supreme Court has declined permission for third round ....more

‘Life science division on genetic engineering needed at ISRO’ ....

CBI seeks cancellation of bail of urea scam accused ....

Satellite system to monitor movement of buses in capital...

Yuva Samata to launch agitation against violence ....


Joshi concerned about rich-poor gap at 74:1

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28: Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi today expressed concern over the increasing gap between the rich and the poor, posing a question that whether the present global economic order provided any solution to this and other world complex problems.

Pointing out the gap between the rich and the poor growing at a pace from 30:1 in 1970 to 74:1 at present, while addressing the 52nd annual convocation of the Panjab University here, Dr Joshi said that several noted economists had already raised serious doubts over the present model of international economic order in providing any solution to the world complex problems.

Dr Joshi quoted economist Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel prize winner in year 2001, saying that the third world countries have actually been worse off now than they were before by following the West which had seriously mismanaged the process of privatisation, liberalisation and stabilisation through the IMF and the WTO.

"Globalisation is not at fault but the way it has been managed is faulty," the union minister said. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi urged the young generation at the today’s convocation to follow the path of non-exploitive socio-economic order, free from the ills of consumerism and a reasonable standard of living with peace and harmony.

He said that such kind of approach would reduce the rising inequalities, social tensions, psychological dysfunctions and violence and hatred.

Quoting ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (universal brotherhood) from the ‘Upanishads’, the HRD minister asked the students to follow an ideology of global ‘Parivar’ rather than global ‘Bazaar’.

He stressed upon attitudinal changes with regard to the relationship between human society and the eco-system and consumption levels.

The Union Minister stated that since the very dawn of human civilisation, the Hindu mind had reflected on the true nature of universe and man and their inter-relationship.

Reserches in modern physics were also establishing the holistic nature of universe, he added.

A total number of 395 students received their degrees, medals and prizes at the convocation. Out of 115 medal winners, 92 were girl-students. (UNI)

BJP promoting its agenda: JD(U)

SONEPAT, Jan 28: Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U) president, Ved Parkash Vidrohi has criticised the BJP for its intention to raise the issues of scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution, implementation of Uniform Civil Code and the construction of Shree Rama temple at Ayodhya in the forthcoming Assembly elections in various States of the its own agenda inspite of joining the coalition Government of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

He said that the BJP had befooled the constituents partners of the NDA and it was a high time that these partners reconsidered whether their continuation in the NDA Government was in their interest.

He alleged that the BJP had played the communal card in Gujrat Assembly elections and it was again trying to repeat it in the forthcoming Assembly elections in various States of the country.

He added that the BJP had already damaged the secular structure of the country and it was for the people to give a befitting reply to the party in the ensuring Assembly elections. Referring to the collection of funds for helping the disposed Prime Minister of Fiji, Mahender Chaudhary, Vidrohi asked the Chief Minister, Om Parkash Chautala to issue a clarification on the funds collected by him and give details of the total amount so that the general public could know the facts.

He also advised Chautala to deposit the entire amount in the Prime Minister’s relief fund without any further delay. He further appealed to all the political parties to put an end to this controversy as it had already damaged the image of the country.

He also charged the leaders of the political parties with politicising the issue for their selfish ends. (PTI)

109 dowry deaths reported in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 28: As many as 109 women in Kerala have allegedly committed suicide during the past 20 months in dowry-related cases, Chief Minister A K Antony informed the State Assembly today.

In reply to questions, he admitted that there was a marginal increase in the number of crimes registered during the period.

A total of 315 rape cases have been registered in the State during the past 20 months, he said.

Of the victims, 165 women belonged to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. During the same period, 3,944 cases of atrocities against women were also reported.

The Chief Minister said that ever since his Government assumed office in May 2001, 752 murder cases were reported in the State. Ninety accused in these cases have been arrested, while six of them had committed suicide.

Of the 752 killings, 25 of them were political murders and five of them communal. Policemen suicide:- As many as 24 policemen have committed suicide in Kerala during the past 20 months, the Chief Minister said.

However, none of the case was attributed to the harrassment being meted out by senior officials. The reasons for taking the extreme step were found to be family problems, mental illness, health related issues and financial matters.

Police firing:- A total of 41 police firing incidents have been reported in Kerala during the past 20 months.

Chief Minister A K Antony informed the Assembly that one person had been killed in the firing. As many as 20 police lathicharges to contain mob violence were also reported during the period.

Criminal cases:- The Chief Minister said 252,511 criminal cases have been registered in Kerala during the past 20 months.

Sixty per cent of them were minor cases relating to traffic rule violation. (UNI)

MAT clears J J College ex-Dean after 13 yrs, restores pension

AURANGABAD, Jan 28: The Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) has set aside a previous State Government’s order cancelling 50 per cent of pension and non-payment of gratuity to an ex-dean of the Mumbai-based JJ Medical College, 13 years after the order was challenged.

A division bench of the MAT at Aurangabad recently directed the Government to give within six months, the entire pension and gratuity amount to Dr A M Vare, the retired Dean of the college.

Dr Vare’s ordeal, now 73, began five days after he had retired on February 29, 1988. He was charged with misappropriation in the purchase of materials when he was the Dean of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Aurangabad, between 1981-1986.

The then Director Health Dr B R Kate asked the auditor and chief administrative officer of Government Medical College to conduct an enquiry in the the whole episole.

The officer was below the rank of a Dean and to conduct an inquiry itself was against the rules, said Dr Vare. "I was not even given the opportunity to look at the documents on which the allegations were based."

The inquiry officer, without verifying the records, submitted a report based on the auditors’ report.

"I made requests, even in writing, for copies of the documents and paid Rs 200, but still the copies were never given to me", Dr vare charged.

The State Government, vide a Government Resolution (GR), cancelled his 50 per cent pension and ordered non-payment of gratuity following the inquiry report in 1991.

"I never received the balance 50 per cent of the pension all these years," said Dr Vare. Dr Vare challenged the GR at the MAT bench in Aurangabad. During the argument, Mr Shinde pointed out that Dr Vare was not directly responsible for the purchases. He had formed five committees each consisting of six persons, including professors, readers, RMO, superintendent of hospital, administrative officers and clerks to make purchases.

Mr Shinde said the auditors’ report was faulty, based more on conjectures than facts. He also pointed out that the Government had finalised its decision even before hearing Dr Vare, thus flaunting the process of natural justice.

Justice A S Bhate and Justice P G Kurse observed that the applicant’s grievance was that there was no due service of charge memo at any point of time. The fact remains that charge memos were dropped at the residence of the applicant only on March 5, 1988, five days after superannuation of the applicant.

It is also admitted that no Government sanction for executing a departmental enquiry (DE) existed, which was necessary in view of rule 27(2)(b)(i) of the pension rules. The rule is mandatory and non-compliance of the same vitiates institution of the enquiry itself, the court said.

The court observed that the DE was vitiated ‘ab-initio’ and "on this sole ground the whole enquiry has to be quashed and set aside".

The enquiry by an officer lower in rank than the applicant also shows that the applicant suffered due to this disparity in status, it said.

There were several applications made by the applicant seeking to inspect material documents. But his applications appear "not to have been given due weight".

The inquiry officer has followed some strange procedures for holding the common enquiry, it added. The court said even if it is assumed that there were some irregularities, the punishment imposed was astoundingly harsh. The fact that 50 per cent of the pension was to be paid as a result of the impugned order, which has not been paid till now, left the applicant without any pension whatsoever.

The non-payment was on the ground that the applicant had approached the tribunal to challenge the impugned order. The court said, "we are sorry to note that the respondents did not pay even the amount which ought to have been paid as per their own order."

The court said at this juncture we are not inclined to give liberty to start fresh proceedings against the applicant. He has suffered for 14 years and is counting his days.

"In the circumstances, we direct that the respondents shall pay all the pension benefits to the applicant as early as possible and in any event within six months of receipt of the copy of this order".

However, to a contention that since there was no payment of pension for all these years the respondent be directed to pay interest, the court observed "we do not think this a fit case for granting interest because the success is mainly on technical grounds and we have refrained from permitting initiation of a fresh departmental proceeding". (UNI)

Caste card to feature in Jharkhand Panchayat elections

RANCHI, Jan 28: The caste card has once again struck the imagination of politicians in Jharkhand with ministers and MLAs belonging to the backward caste holding a meeting here to discuss the twin issues of reservation and domicile.

The meeting has been reportedly convened here today by State Power Minister Lalchand Mahato to polarise the backward class politicians in the State on the two issues, besides the Panchayat act in which the Hovernment has reserved all key posts for the tribals.

The twin issues which had raised a major controversy in the State is likely to hit the centrestage if the meeting today came out with positive programmes regarding the social rights of the backward classes in reservation and the panchayat institutions for which elections were planned by the Government in April this year, according to the political pundits here. Almost all MLAs and MPs belonging to the different political parties in the State have been invited for the meeting where a decision is likely to be taken to hold a rally of the backward castes in Jharkhand.

According to sources, the meeting is likely to formulate its programmes to be launched in the due course for pressuring the Government to concede to their demand for increasing their share in reservation, besides dereserving the key posts of the panchayat institutions in areas where demographic presence of the tribals was below 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, political analysts here are also seeing this meeting as a move by the non-BJP allies of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to build pressure on the Chief Minister, who is likely to reshuffle his ministry any day after the bypolls in Poryahat Assembly constituency. The seat was vacated by State Rural Development Minister Pradeep Yadav who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gooda in the recently held bypolls.

If the speculations doing round in the political circles here is to be taken into account a few ministers are likely to be stripped off their present portfolios.

Although sources speculate that in the given political situation where the Babulal Marandi led NDA Government was just four more than the magic figure no attempt would be made by the Chief Minister to disturb the non-BJP partners despite the fact that a few of them have by their activities in the past couple of months been attacking the style of functioning of the Government. (UNI)

Visit of NSCN (IM) leaders a breakthrough: Padmanabhaiah

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Describing the recently-concluded talks between the Government and the NSCN (IM) as positive, Centre’s interlocutor on the vexed issue K Padmanabhaiah today said the visit of the Naga leaders to India was itself a ‘breakthrough’.

"The visit of the NSCN (IM) leaders to hold talks on the Indian soil was itself a breakthrough as the earlier rounds of negotiations were held outside the country," Mr Padmanabhaiah told UNI here.

The decision of the Naga leaders to hold discussions here showed their willingness to put a permanent end to the five-decade old militancy in Nagaland, he said.

NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah who left for Amsterdam on January 24, were in the capital for 16 days to hold talks with the central leaders. It was the first meeting between the Naga leaders and the Centre on the Indian soil after 37 years.

"That the NSCN(IM) leaders extended their stay in India proved that they were satisfied with the talks and decided to continue the dialogue," Mr Padmanabhaiah noted. Mr Muivah and Mr Swu, who were scheduled to leave India on January 20, extended their stay by four days during which they held discussions with Intelligence Bureau chief K P Singh and Secretary (border management) in the Home Ministry R C A Jain apart from Mr Padmanabhaiah.

Pointing out that the talks were still in the initial stages, Mr Padmnabhaiah said, "a good beginning has been made and it is necessary to continue the dialogue from where it ended."

"It was erroneous to expect any breakthrough in this meeting. The five-decade old militancy cannot be resolved in two weeks," he observed.

On the main issues that were discussed, he said apart from the contentious issues including the enlargement of article 371 (a), issues like economic package also figured in the talks. Nagaland already enjoys a special status under article 371 (a) of the Indian Constitution. On the NSCN (IM) demand for creation of a ‘greater Nagaland’, the Centre’s interlocutor said it would be premature now to comment on this long-standing demand.

Although the NSCN (IM) leaders had described the present Indian leadership as "mature" and "realistic" and assured that the outfit would not interfere in the February 26 Assembly polls in Nagaland and there would be no more violence in Nagaland and no more fighting with the Centre, they were intransigent on their long-standing demand for a ‘greater Nagaland’ comprising Nagaland and Naga majority areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal.

An all-party delegation from Manipur, led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, was in the capital last week to discuss the issue with the Central leaders. Manipur had witnessed violent demonstrations in 2001 after the Union Government decided to extend the jurisdiction of its ceasefire with the NSCN (IM) to cover the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur and other northeastern states that have sizeable Naga populations.

According to the sources close to the NSCN (IM), the Naga leaders were upset with Prime Minister’s assurance to the Manipur Chief Minister that any solution to the Naga issue would not lead to the dismemberment of Manipur.

On Mr Muivah’s statement that the NSCN (IM) cadres would not lay down arms immediately, the former Home Secretary said the question of laying down of arms would not arise till a final settlement was reached.

"In the peace negotiations across the globe, the warring groups do not lay down arms till an accord is signed. There is no quick fix solution to the Naga problem...We need to build upon the beginning that has been made," he noted.

"The just concluded talks were nothing but a confidence building measure," he added. The significant outcome of this round of talks were the commitment by the NSCN (IM) leadership to continue the formal talks until a lasting settlement was reached and need for a peaceful and violence-free environment, the Centre’s interlocutor said.

"They have also promised to recognise the aspirations and demands of the other ethnic groups of the Northeast including the Meitis and Assamese," he added.

In a statement issued by the NSCN (IM) on Saturday, the militant outfit said although it wanted the boundaries of Bagaland to be redrawn, it wanted to live in peace with neighbouring States and that ‘there should be no differences between us that cannot be resolved through dialogue and understanding.’

Another important outcome had been the willingness of the NSCN (IM) to prevail upon the other insurgent groups of the region to enter into a dialogue with the Centre. They were willing to play the role of facilitator in the process, the former Home Secretary said.

Most of the separatist groups of the region receive assistance from the NSCN (IM) and any solution to the Naga problem will have impact on the insurgency of the entire region.

On reports that both the sides were "flexible" on the next venue for the talks, Mr Padmanabhaiah said, "the date and venue for the next round of talks have not yet been fixed."

During the two-week stay here, the Naga leaders also met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his Deputy L K Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, opposition leader Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Ministers P V Narasimha Rao, V P Singh and H D Deve Gowda and Rama Pilot, wife late Rajesh Pilot. Rajesh Pilot had visited Bangkok in 1996 as a special emissary of the then Prime Minister Deve Gowda to hold negotiations with the NSCN (IM).

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the NSCN (IM) today, the outfit expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for inviting the Naga leaders and said the hospitality extended to them had been acknowledged by all Nagas alike.

The official declaration by the Ventre recognising "unique history and situation of the Nagas have immense siginificance and we highly appreciate the central leadership for the depth they have gone into demostrating their political courage and wisdom."

The visit of the Naga leadership has proved meaningful in enhancing mutual trust and confidence, which is more essential for resolution of the issue. The aspiration of the Nagas to live together is nothing unusual but natural. This, of course, does not adversely affect anyone for Nagas are not going to take away anything that belongs to others and more importantly they are not going to disturb the right of others who want to determine their own destiny, they added. (UNI)

Bikers return after hitting road to pre-Godhra peace

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: After more than a month on the road to pre-Godhra Gujarat, the six ‘peace riders’ have finally returned to Delhi, having covered 12,000 km across 19 States.

And not a day too early, for every delay means men, women and children displaced by the cruel hands of fate — and vote bank politics — have to spend another day without food, shelter and education.

The funds the riders raised through the ‘Aman Yatra’ will go towards rehabilitation of some 5,000 families, including 2,000 children rendered homeless due to the sporadic communal riots that the State witnessed ever since the Sabarmati Express carnage on February 28 last year.

Braving the biting cold, Chandan M Lahiri, Solomon Jacob, Joy Raja, Inderjeet, Arnab and Saurabh, set off on December 21 and covered 26 cities spanning the length and breath of the country to spread the message of peace and harmony.

The daredevils even made unscheduled stops at towns like Barmer in Rajasthan as well as small towns and villages, at times having to wheel their motorcycles through unmotorable roads. Aman Yatra became a reality as a result of the "pro-active stance" taken by Actionaid India, an NGO with the motto of "fighting poverty together".

Activist and Actionaid India chairperson Nafisa Ali, MP, Joint Commissioner of Police Amod Kanth, silk route vocalist Mohit and international motorcyclist Bittoo Sondhi welcomed the team on the culmination of their gruelling tour last evening.

Brainchild of Actionaid India CE and fundraising director Jeroninio Almeida and Chandan Lahiri of outthere adventurers, the idea of an all-India motorcycle yatra was an instant draw with the masses and gradually gained fruition.

"We were looking for an event which would not be run-of-the-mill ... Something which would grab the people’s attention first and then the message of peace and harmony could be eased into the environment," Almeida said.

Actionaid is of the firm belief that "if every person, who is proud of being a citizen of India, donates Rs 10," a Rs 1,000 crore corpus would be generated to improve the lot of "these helpless families". (UNI)

Medical Seats
Loss for all-India quota, gain for States

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: The Supreme Court has declined permission for third round of counselling to fill up 213 all-India quota medical seats in 19 States for the academic year 2002-03 and directed that these would now be filled by State waiting list candidates.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu, Justice D M Dharmadhikari and Justice G P Mathur yesterday rejected the application by some candidates in the all-India quota waiting list requesting for third round of counselling.

The court was informed by the Director General of Health Services that of the 1800 seats around 200 had fallen vacant even after the completion of the second round of counselling.

The State-wise break-up of vacancies in various medical collegs were: Maharashtra (30), Tamil Nadu (22), West Bengal (21), Punjab (17), Karnataka (17), Gujarat (17), Kerala (16), Uttar Pradesh (12), Madhya Pradesh (12), Goa (8), Haryana (7), Rajasthan (6), Delhi (5), Orissa (5), Pondicherry (5), Assam (5), Chattisgarh (4), Himachal Pradesh (3) and Jharkhand (2).

Rejecting the prayer of the applicants, the bench said just because in a given year the all-India quota was not filled up, the scheme framed by the court allowing the seats to be reverted back to the States should not be changed by allowing another round of counselling.

Vacating the interim-order not to fill up the all-India quota seats, the bench directed the States in which vacancies have arisen to take appropriate steps to fill them up. (PTI)

‘Life science division on genetic engineering needed at ISRO’

VISAKHAPATNAM, Jan 28: There is a need to open a life sciences division at the prestigious Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to study the interplay of human genes in zero-weight environs as to help man live for extended periods in space in the future, according to an US-based Indian expert.

Establishment of a genetic cell division in ISRO would enable the scientists to understand the medical physiology and premature ageing of man — a phenomenon experienced by people after returning from a space voyage, pointed out Dr Krishna R Dronamraju, president, of the US-based Foundation for Genetic Research.

The NRI scientist, who is also adviser to the US Secretary of Agriculture and Chairman of the Indo-US Millennium Foundation, which is striving for a balanced transfer of genetic technology from the US and Europe to benefit India, told UNI that he had already urged ISRO chief K Kasturirangan for the establishment of such a division at the earliest.

Such research efforts have helped the National Aero Space Administration (NASA) of the US, the European space agency of France, the Russian space agency and of late Chinese space agency on genetic studies in space environment, he said.

The ISRO could also promote agriculture in a big way by undertaking studies about plant growth factors and fruitfly, he said. "No cure has so far been found in India for the fruitfly disease. Hence, we (India) should not lag behind in opening a life sciences division, specifically to fuel research in genetics and stem cells," Dr Dronamraju said. Referring to advancement in stem cell research in the West, Dr Dronamraju said India could intensify the activity, as many American scientists were ready to collaborate with this country on the project with the activity banned in the US for various ethical and religious reasons.

Simultaneously, India could undertake studies in ‘therapeutical cloning’, pointed out the scientist who has authored 13 books on genetics and biotechnology, the more recent being "infectious disease and host pathogen evolution" and "biological wealth and other essays" that got wide acclaim demystifying certain debates surrounding dna cloning, patenting, stem-cell research and related topics.

India, with its rapid strides in the it sector, could also make much headway in manufacturing dna chips to help undertake gene mapping and dna sequencing at a mind-boggling speed in the field of human genome, Dr Dronamraju opined.

The chips could be utilised for drawing what he termed as "protein maps" of human beings so that the genetic defects of a particular human being could be detected and corrected by identifying the missing or surplus proteins responsible for the disorder, said the scientist, who had been a member of former US President Bill Clinton’s entourage to India in 2000 and had advised the then first lady on various aspects of genetic engineering.

Top-ranking companies like Affymetrix and Genelogic, engaged in the manufacture of DNA chips, are located in the US. The chips could measure the "gene expression and activity" besides monitoring the progress of disease and studying the new mutants and their behaviour in the body even during the gene therapy session. The earnings of one company in the US engaged in biotechnology in the field of pharmaceuticals, metabolism and drug therapy was much more than the total earnings of the related indian companies put together. Hence the importance of genetic engineering for India, Dr Dronamraju underlined.

Born in Pithapuram near the port town of Kakinada in eastern Andhra Pradesh, the 75-year-old scientist is among the few Indians to occupy high positions in the American administration.

Stressing that the foundation he was heading would promote science and technology between India and the US, Dr Dronamraju said ‘therapeutic cloning’ could help clone organs such as kidneys, heart and lungs to facilitate transplantation benefiting the human society. But, this again depends on intensified stem cell research.

At the same time, he brushed aside the reports of the first cloned human baby ‘Eva’ from the raelian cult as "ridiculous" as it was not available for independent verification. "It takes a few hundred attempts to achieve a successful clone in animals. There is also the ageing effect on the clone. Moreover, a clone is not identical to the parent, physiologically, socially or culturally. Such reproductive cloning does not appear to confer any immediate benefit on human society, but can be commercially beneficial in animal breeding."

Credence should not be given to media reports and baseless propaganda of activists about the possible damage genetically modified crops could cause on the food chain. Concern for genetically modified organisms in some countries like India and Europe and little of it in the USA is partly due to lack of transparency and public education, he stated. Dwelling at length on the benefits of genetic engineering applications, he said its opponents do not know much of the dna structure or its properties. The DNA molecule is highly unstable in warm climate in the presence of oxygen, moisture and micro-organisms, but survives for centuries in cold climate and oxygen free dry sterile surroundings.

"DNA in any stray pollen from transgenic crops will disintegrate rapidly in the warm climates of asia, africa and central or South America. Yet some groups in India are raising false alarm about the harmful impact of dna on the environment in India. They represent political lobbies, not informed scientific opinion," he said.

The scientist advised the developing countries to devise an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) regime. Much of the world’s biodiversity was located in the poorest countries whereas the rich nations possessed the technology to exploit those resources and enrich themselves even further.

He suggested that the Indian universities should include in the curriculum various finer aspects of the ipr besides ensure protection of their rich natural resources by opening biodiversity parks.

At the same time, he urged the business houses and organisations to offer investment for promoting research in biotechnology, which had a bright future for India. "Too much dependence on Government for research is of no use," he added. (UNI)

CBI seeks cancellation of bail of urea scam accused

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Delhi High Court today issued notice on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea seeking cancellation of bail of Brazilian broker A E Pinto, an accused in the Rs 133 crore urea scam case.

Justice R C Chopra issued notice, returnable on February 17, to Pinto on CBI’s petition saying the Brazilian national, who had no roots in the country, could flee the country and would not be available for trial.

On October 29 last, the special court had granted bail to Pinto. He had been arrested in London in December 1997, extradited to India in August 2000 and had been on jail since.

The trial court was currently recording evidence in the case, chargesheet for which had been filed in December 1997.

In May 2002, the Delhi high court had directed the completion of the trial in the case within six months, ordering day-to-day hearings.

Rejecting the bail application of two executives of the Turkish firm Karsan, which defaulted on its agreement to supply 200,000 tonnes of urea to the National Fertilisers Ltd (NFL) in 1995, Justice S K Aggarwal had said the recording of evidence in the case should be completed within six months.

If the trial was not completed within the stipulated period, the two accused were at liberty to approach the court again for bail, he said. However, the accused in that case would have to give a bank guarantee of 38 million dollars, he added.

Rejecting the bail pleas of Karsan executives Tunkay Alankus and Cihan Karanci, the judge said the entire defrauded amount had till date not been seized and it was still beyond the reach of justice.

"In the facts and circumstances of the case and keeping in view the nature of allegations, gravity of the offence and conduct of the petitions no case for grant of bail was made out." Arguing for bail, counsel for Alankus and Karanci had contended that the two had been in custody for the past five-and-a-half years and the delay in trial was not their fault. Besides, all the other accused in the case had been granted bail.

Justice Aggarwal had also dismissed a pleas by the two executives and Brazilian broker A E Pinto, seeking a separate trial from that of the Indian co-accused in the case.

"Prima facie the offence appears to have been committed in the course of the same transaction. The conspiracy is one and the evidence of the conspiracy would have to be examined once and not time and again. Therefore, a joint trial can and should be held," the court said dismissing the petition.

The accused, who had been extradited to India under the extradition act, sought a separation of the trial challenging the clubbing, under the criminal procedure code (CrPC), of their case with the other accused, who had been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

The public sector NFL had entered into a contract with Karsan in 1995 for import of 200,000 tonnes of urea which was not supplied within the stipulated period. The CBI later found that huge kickbacks were paid to many people in India by the Turkish firm, which allegedly did not make any effort to honour the contract.

The CBI succeeded in freezing about Rs 90 crore deposited in various foreign banks. This money was supposedly a part of the Rs 133 crore siphoned off in the scam.

Among the accused in the case are former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao’s relative Sanjiva Rao, former Fertilisers Minister Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav’s son Prakash Chandra Yadav, former NFL chairman C K Ramakrishnan and its executive director D S Kanwar. (UNI)

Satellite system to monitor movement of buses in capital

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Buses of the state-owned Delhi Transport Corporation are being fitted with the Geographical Positioning System (GPS) to ensure that they make their full-day trips.

Inaugurating a four-day ‘Map India-2003’ conference, Asia’s largest international conference on Geographical Information System (GIS) and GPS, here today, Chief Minister Sheila Diskhit said, "a GPS-fitted bus can be tracked through the satellite system to ensure that it makes its full-day trips.

The satellite system had also the potential to improve the services of public transport besides managing existing routes more effectively, she held.

Ms Dikshit said her Government would extensively use GIS and GPS for better management of existing civic amentities like laying of drainage and water supply systems, checking illegal construction and identfying faulty street lights.

Pointing out that major cities in the world were using this new field of information technology for providing improved civic amenities to their people, she said GIS and GPS would also help in saving the urban areas from a collapse. "Unplanned urbanisation, industrialisation and development of infrastructure are already taking their toll on the health of Delhi."

The Chief Minister said GIS would be put to maximum use for improving health care, controlling pollution and checking unauthorised construction.

The Map India-2003 is being organised jointly by the Delhi Government, Centre for Spatial Database Management and Solutions (CSDMS), National Consortium on Remote Sensing in Transportation (NCRST), US and the Survey of India. Former Union Power Minister Suresh Prabhu, who was also present, said GIS had wide applications in various fields including defence, telecom, transport, health, police, education, sales and marketing.

Mr Prabhu made a strong case for the State Electricity Boards and private distribution companies to extensively use GIS and GPS for improving their services through a better management of distribution network and transformers and reduction in distribution losses.

In his welcome address, CSDMS Chairman Dr M P Narayanan said more than 1000 global and national experts, academicians, IT and management professionals and scientists from various parts of the country were attending the conference.

US space agency, NASA, is attending the conference for the first time.

Ms Dikshit also gave away awards to four organisations including Reliance Infocom, Department of Science and Technology, Registrar General of India and Government of Karnataka for using GIS for mass benefit.

GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating and displaying geographically referenced information. It is presently being used by the Government and the private sector in various fields including urban development, transport, telecom, defence, disaster management, railways, highways and power distribution. (UNI)

Yuva Samata to launch agitation against violence

PATNA, Jan 28 : Yuva Samata chief Bhagawan Singh Kushwaha today announced that a massive dharna would be organised here on January 31 in protest against the spurt in violence and police "high-handedness".

Addressing a press conference, he said that Yuva Samata leaders would submit a memorandum to Governor V C Pandey to take steps for providing protection to lives and properties of the citizens as well as the security personnel who had become targets of extremists.

Besides office bearers of the organisation, convenor of Samata Party and MP Basisth Narayan Singh would also address the congregation of participants in the dharna, he said.

Mr Kushwaha cited a number of instances to corroborate his contention that the State Government had done nothing to check recurrence of violent incidents and restore law and order in the state. He said Yuva Samata would extend full support to any agitation launched by policemen on the issue, he assured. (UNI)

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