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AASU steps up heat GUWAHATI, Oct 27: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today stepped up heat on the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), specially former Chief Minister .....more Migratory
birds face PURI, Oct 27: The migratory birds flocking the Chilka lake every winter are facing a severe shortage of natural ....more Probe sought into charges against public servants NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Delhi High Court has issued notice to CBI Director on a plea seeking a probe into the alleged ...more Daler
being interrogated PATIALA, Oct 27: Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi today appeared before the Patiala...more |
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Diwali less polluted, less noisy this year: DPCC NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Contrary to estimates, Diwali celebrations this year caused lesser air pollution and reduced noise levels in the national capital, ....more DyPM highlights twin achievements of NDA Govt VENKATACHALAM (AP), Oct 27: Growing respect for India throughout the world and creation of self-confidence among people within the country were ...more Haryana goes quality conscious about its roads CHANDIGARH, Oct 27: Road contractors in Haryana faces a rough road ahead if they reduce quality ......more SC
refuses to alter NEW DELHI, Oct 27: In an order having major bearing on medical and dental colleges ......more |
AASU steps up heat on Mahanta before crucial meet GUWAHATI, Oct 27: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today stepped up heat on the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), specially former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, for ‘destroying’ regional issues and the very purpose for which the party was formed. AASU adviser DrSsamujjal Bhattacharrya and president Prabin Boro charged the AGP with ‘failing miserably" and said that factional feud between individuals had overshadowed the cause for which the party was shaped by the AASU. Talking to reporters here, both leaders were especially critical of Mr Mahanta for twice "ditching" the people of the state. "Now they have requisitioned an emergent executive to discuss the criticism made by the AASU president but the actual reason is to oust one another, not the issues addressed by us," said Dr Bhattacharrya. Mr Boro was even more critical. "We shall not allow Mr Mahanta and his cronies to play politics on regional issues once again," he said. The AASU’s position is very crucial for the fate of the AGP and regionalism in Assam as Mr Mahanta is busy ‘shadow boxing’ with his arch rival and AGP president Brindabon Goswami. With barely a day left for the crucial meet, the AGP is bracing for an internal fight, which has threatened to split the party into two. While the warring camps of Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Brindabon Goswami get ready for a fight to finish, the AASU’s stand threatens to make the situation more messy. Within AGP, the balance of power is slowly going in favour of Brindabon Goswami with the AASU playing the "invisible hand" and determined to block Mr Mahanta’s re-entry into Assam politics. The crux of the problem is the emergence of a strong group of young Turks with the complete backing of the party president who are out to give the AGP a new image before the election by sidelining Mr Mahanta and his loyalists. However, both Mr Goswami and Mr Mahanta have been denying that they are in a split mood. "I am ready to make any kind of sacrifice to save the party from splitting," Mr Goswami has said. His group is accused of systematic elimination campaign of Mr Mahanta and his group but he is handicapped by the fact that Mr Mahanta is said to have a "bottomless purse". Meanwhile, both the AASU leaders also made it clear that they would not allow themselves or the AASU to be used for AGP’s internal politics. "We are not siding with any faction. Let them fight or split. We only know that regionalism should survive. The burning issues of the state must be taken care of. If the political parties can give us a categorical and convincing assurance that they would work for the causes of Assam, AASU will limit itself only with educational matters," said Dr Bhattacharrya. (UNI) |
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Migratory birds face shortage of natural habitat in Chilka PURI, Oct 27: The migratory birds flocking the Chilka lake every winter are facing a severe shortage of natural habitat and staple food. An increase in the salinity level in the lake following the opening of its mouth to the sea has decreased the aquatic myophites, the ideal food of the birds visiting the lake. This changeover in the last couple of years has brought a sea change in the biological situation and the flora and fauna of the lake which is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, Conservator of Wildlife Suresh Pattnaik said. The increased salinity cleared the weed that had infested the lake in the past and has helped in the emergence of new species which had become extinct in the lake. It helped in the growth of different varieties of fish and prawn in the lake but on the other hand, it has almost destroyed the habitat for the birds. Wildlife officials said the over 20,000 migratory birds, which had descended in the lake since a week, were now seen searching for lesser saline areas in the lake. They were yet to settle in Malabana islands, the famous bird sanctuary of the lake which attracts lakhs of migratory birds every year. The bird congregation inside the Chilka lake had been sighted in the river mouth areas where salinity was considerably low than the central area of the lake. Wildlife officials apprehend that if the lake continued to have the current level of salinity, the migratory birds might choose some other place for their winter abode. A study conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) too had suggested the necessity for creation of another island for the birds inside the lake. The Nalabana island, spread over 15 sq kms, had of late proved to be inadequate to accommodate the large bird population. The annual bird droppings of over 500 tonnes in the lake, sources said, served as food for the aquatic fish. Three years back, before the opening of the mouth of the lake over eight lakh migratory birds visited the lake during winter but their population drastically reduced to almost half last year although there was a rise in the number of species. Mr Pattnaik said the number of species visiting the lake had increased from 180 recorded a couple of years ago to 211 during last year.(UNI) |
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Probe sought into charges against public servants NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Delhi High Court has issued notice to CBI Director on a plea seeking a probe into the alleged criminal offences committed by some public servants who had prior information that arms were to be dropped in Purulia in 1995, but failed to pass on the information to the nearest Magistrate or police officer. Justice O P Dwivedi asked the investigation agency to spell out what action it had taken on the said information given by the petitioner in this regard. The petitioner, D K Prahladka, claimed that one of the accused Peter Bleach had in ormed the British authorities about the illegal delivery of weapons in the Indian territory and the British authorities passed on the information to the Indian authorities on three occasions — November 10 and 17 and December 15 — prior to the dropping of weapons on December 17/18. "It is obvious from the letter dated December 12, 1995 of Mr Shashi Prakash, then Joint Secretary (internal security) with Union Home Ministry to the then Chief Secretary of Governments of West Bengal and Bihar that he had prior information of designs of Commission of the said serious offences," he alleged. The public servants so aware were legally obliged to give information forthwith to the nearest Magistrate or police officer, something which was not done, Mr Prahladka said. Besides being liable for non-bailable warrants and prosecuted for concealing or omitting to give the information, the aircraft loaded with weapons could have been seized before it dropped its cargo and the police could have arrested main culprit Kim Davy and also have prevented a sizeable amount of arms being taken away by villagers and later sold to ciminals and terrorists, he added. The petitioner also sought that the CBI be directed to submit a action taken report on the said information given by him in his letter dated September 9, 2002. Meanwhile, Mr Prahladka has moved a contempt petition against three Union Home Ministry officials for allegedly stating that his clemency plea for British national Peter Bleach had been rejected by the President whereas it had actually been disposed of by the Home Minister. He said while his plea should have been disposed of by the President, on the advice of the council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister, MHA officials had informed him that pleas for clemency, other than death sentence, were disposed of with the approval of the Home Minister. On July 31, the High Court had turned down a petition seeking Contempt of Court proceedings against the Home Secretary for allegedly not abiding with directions to dispose off within six weeks a request for "remission" of Peter Bleach on the lines of the remissions granted to the other five Russian co-accused in the Purulia arms drop case. Justice Vikrama Jit Sen had disposed of the petition after Additional Solicitor General K K Sud informed him that the request had been considered and rejected on merits by the Union Home Ministry. The Judge was also shown the file which gave the reasons for the rejection by the Government. On April 22, the High Court had issued notice to Home Secretary N Gopalaswami, Joint Secretary (judicial) Durga Das Gupta and Director (judicial) Venugopal V asking as to why Contempt of Court proceedings not be initiated against them for not being able to either agree to the request or turn it down by April 5. On February 24, a division bench said the representation in the regard should be disposed of by the Home Ministry as early as possible in accordance with law. Saying no further directions were necessary in the matter, the Judges had disposed of a petition filed by Mr Prahladka, who had alleged that he had written to the President in July 2000 requesting him to grant remission to Bleach, as the other accused of Latvian origin had already been granted the same. In the same month that year, the Ppresident had remitted the unexpired sentence of imprisonment and fine imposed on five Russians — Alexander Klichine, Igor Moskvitine, Oleg Gaidash, Evgueni Antimenko and Igor Timmerman — on account of bilateral relations between India and Russia . However, in August 2001, the petitioner was informed that the President had rejected his request without assigning any reason. In september 2002, Mr Prahladka petitioned the President again seeking a review on the ground that reason for rejecting his representation be specified. His request for review had been forwarded to the Home Ministry for appropriate action, he said, and added that neither the request had been dismissed nor was Bleach granted remission. Even as the crew — five Russians and the British — of the plane has been arrested, prime accused Kim Davy, who was the owner of the an-26 aircraft which dropped a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Purulia, West Bengal in December 1995, managed to escape and has been absconding since. (UNI) |
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Haryana goes quality conscious about its roads CHANDIGARH, Oct 27: Road contractors in Haryana faces a rough road ahead if they reduce quality to make more profits. A roughometer is to check the quality of the newly-laid roads and even a state-owned laboratory will be conducting tests under a new quality control by the Government. According to the Public Works Department, payments to contractors are now linked to quality control reports and the defect liability period for all major road contracts of above Rs one crore has been increased to two years. The department has restructured its quality control cell by posting three executive engineers. Completion reports will be issued only after certification of a committee consisting of a PWD head office official, a labotatory official and the area Superintendenting Engineer. The state, which had a road network of just 5,100 Km in 1,386 of its 6,745 villages when it was formed in 1966, today as a road length of 29,180 Km. Four national highways measuring 1,349 Km pass through the state, which has 2,461 Km of state highways, major district roads measuring 1,571 Km and other district roads of 23,799 Km. The Om Prakash Chautala Government has identified the road sector as a thrust area, a senior PWD official said. In view of the massive network of roads, two different agencies and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) have been entrusted with the task of construction, maintenance and repair of roads. The HSAMB, which was also making a significant contribution in improving the network of roads in the state, had spent Rs 318.21 crore so far during the tenure of the present Government for metalling of 4304.68 Km long rural roads and pre-mix carpeting of 4054.61 Km long roads. The PWD has allocated Rs 807 crore for development of roads during the curent financial year, against Rs 504 crore spent in the last financial year. A target to construct 109.06 Km long new roads and take up improvement of 4,019 Km long roads during the current financial year has been set. As many as 463 road projects announced by the Chief Minister has been commissioned under the ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar’ programme. Besides, 206 such programmes are in progress and 250 are yet to be taken up. An amount of Rs 85 crore has so far been spent to implement the projects under the ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar’ programme. Under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has approved Rs 48.04 crore to the state to complete road works during the current financial year. The PWD has taken up periodic maintenance of state highways in a phased manner under the Haryana Highway Upgradation Project. The first two phases of the project involved Rs 217.08 crore and phase III and IV involved Rs 198.10 crore. While the first two phases cover a length of 1068 Km, the phase III and IV cover 800 Km of roads. A target has been set to maintain and improve 520 Km long roads at a cost of Rs 127.52 crore under the Haryana Highway Upgradation Project during the current financial year. According to officials, a project for upgradation of 24 roads with a total length of 476.15 Km in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been approved for Rs 63.08 crore. The PWD had already received Rs 22.72 crore from the national capital region planning board and tenders for 13 works had been approved. An allocation of Rs 23 crore had already been made for the current financial year for upgradation of 173 Km long roads. The State Government has also set up a multi-discplinary state level committee to ensure safety on roads passing through the state. (UNI) |
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SC refuses to alter Sept 30 deadline for medical admissions NEW DELHI, Oct 27: In an order having major bearing on medical and dental colleges across India, the Supreme Court today rejected repeated pleas of the Union Government to extend the September 30 deadline for fresh admissions to MBBS and BDS courses. This would mean that those colleges which have not filled the seats available in the MBBS or BDS courses for the academic year 2003-04 by September 30, would not be allowed to take in more students than those already admitted. A bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice P V Reddi said that the deadline of September 30 was fixed by the Apex Court last year so as to give adequate number of working days to the students to prepare for their studies. The deadline given in the case pertaining to medical Council of India vs Madhu Singh so as to maintain the excellence in the medical and dental courses which was vital to the health services of the country. The Union Government said that it was willing to give extension to the medical colleges as this was the first year for implementation of the September 30 deadline and there were certain difficulties in doing so. Accepting the argument of senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for MCI, the bench said it was for the MCI to regulate the medical courses and not the Centre. "Maintain excellence in education. Let there be no more admissions this year. You can wait for the next year for streamlining the admissions," the bench observed while dismissing an application by a Uttaranchal Government Medical college seeking extension of the admission deadline. (PTI) Adnan Sami, Kaante get top nominations in US NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Renowned Ghazal singer Pankaj Uddhas, who made many eyes moist amongst the Indian diaspora all over the world when he rendered Chitthi Aayee Hai more than a decade ago, will be the toast of the annual Bollywood awards to be presented in New Atlantic city in New Jersey later this week. The fourth annual Bollywood music awards, where the maestro is to receive the special achievement award for his contribution to popularising Indian music overseas, will be held on November 1 at the Mark G Etess arena at the trump Taj Mahal resort in Atlantic city in New Jersey. Mr Kamal Dandona, founder of the Bollywood music awards, told UNI in a communication from the us that "Pankaj Udhas was among the first ghazal singers to gain widespread acceptance and fame, and thereby paved the way for men and women of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds to enter the music world. He is a symbol of ghazal music and his music career has enveloped the globe and therefore, is most deserving of the international special award." The music of the Hindi films Sur and Kaante , the pop song Tera Chehra by Adnan Sami and the re-mixed Kaanta Lagaa by Shaswati have topped the nominations of the awards, Mr Dandona said. Awards are being given in five categories for Hindi film music and six categories for indipop, apart from an award for the best music company category. Five nominations have been short-listed in each of the twelve categories, based on votes by the Indian diaspora in different countries. Artistes expected to perform include Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu, Hans Raj Hans, Sukhwinder Singh, Tanaaz Currrim, Pankaj Uddhas, Sunidhi Chauhan, Anamika, Sapna Mukherjee, Bombay Vikings, remix artiste Harry Anand, Ishtar from Alabina, arrow (alphonsus cassell): king of Soca, Shefali, and Mahalaxmi Iyer: in addition, there will be performances by mimic artiste Sunil Pal, Indar Kanhai and the Maharani dancers, and maria Conchita Alonso, the Latin sensation from Hollywood. While Sur and Kaante got five nominations including best music director (M M Kareem and Anand Raj Anand respectively) and best song ( Aa Bhi Jaa and Ishq Samandar respectively), Adnan was nominated for best pop album and for best pop singer and Kaanta Lagaa by D J Doll received three nominations (singer Shaswati, remix, and dance categories). The music company of the year nominations went to universal for Sur , T series for Chalte Chalte and Kaante , Saregama for Saathiya and Jism , times music for Mumbai matinee , and crescendo for Jhankaar Beats . The other nominees in the best film Music Director were A R Rahman ( Saathiya ), Jatin Lalit ( Chalte Chalte ), and Vishal/Shekhar ( Jhankar Beats ). The other nominees for best song of the year were O Humdum Suniyo Re ( Saathiya ), Tauba Tumhare Yeh Ishare ( Chalte Chalte ), and Pari Pari ( Hangama ). The best male singer nominees are Lucky Ali ( Sur ), Sonu Nigam ( Saathiya ), Shaan ( Jhankaar Beats ), Sukhvinder ( Chalte Chalte ) and K K ( Humraaz ). Shaan also won a nomination as best male pop artist for Bhool Jaa . The female singer nominations went to Sunidhi Chauhan ( Kaante ), Richa Sharma ( Kaante ), Shreya Ghosal ( Jism ), Alka Yagnik ( Chalte Chalte ), and Chitra ( Armaan ). Among the new discoveries in film music, Mmahalaxmi Iiyer won the nomination for both Sur and Jhankaar Beats . The other nominees were Shekhar ( Supari ), Sonu Kakkar ( Dum ) and Shashwati ( Mumbai matinee ) who also rendered the pop re-mix Kaanta Lagaa . The other nominees for best album besides Adnan Sami were Alisha Chinoy ( Alisha ), Abhijeet ( Tere Bina ), Euphoria ( Teri Gully ), and Bombay Vikings ( Woh Chali ). The best male pop artists besides Adnan and Shaan were Abhijeet, Nitin Bali ( Baliwood ), and Neeraj Shridhar ( Woh Chali ). The best female pop artists besides Shashwati are Falguni Pathak (Yeh Kisne Jadoo Kiya’), Alisha Chinoy, Anamika ( Pyar Hai ) and Sunidhi Chauhan ( Pyar Ke Sur ). Nominees in the Bhangra category are Hans Raj Hans ( Chorni ), Jazzy B ( Tera Roop ), Punjabi MC ( Mundian To Bach Ke ), Gurdas Mann ( Panjiri ), and Daler Mehndi ( Maujaan Laen Do ). The best remixed albums besides Kaantaa Lagaa are Kaliyon Ka Chaman by Umi 10 Harry Anand, return of Daddy by DJ Aqueel, dance romance by Bally Sagoo, and Baliwood by Nitin Bali. The best dance video are Mundiya To Bach Ke , Kaliyon Ka Chaman , Kaanta Lagaa , Kabhi Naheen , and Aaika Dajiba . Indians and south Asians living in north America will also see the internationally renowned and the King of Soca and the Voice of the Carribean, ‘Arrow’ (Alphonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell Mbe - member of the British empire) perform live at the event, which is expected to be telecast on some Indian television networks and several TV stations throughout the world. Asked about the reasons for the popularity of Indian music overseas, he said he did not immediately have an answer but deep down inside me, I knew that Indian movies are the eternal bond between thousands of others like me and our roots, which have their foundations in the memories of our motherland. Over the many years I have spent in the United States of America, I observed that it was the magnificent medium of Hindi films which was an enduring and lovable link between Indians abroad and their countrymen back home. Be it following the latest stars and songs, or cherishing old classics, the film lovers in America are in close touch with the movie happenings in Bollywood. (UNI) Amendment to POTA a safeguard measure: Venkaiah NELLORE (AP), Oct 27: BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu today rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s charge that the Centre’s proposed move to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) would weaken the legislation. Talking to newspersons here, he said the Centre’s decision was only a safeguard measure. "The Centre is very clear that the sanctity of the act has to be maintained and for this, certain things have to be taken care of." The last 15 months of experience after POTA came into existence showed certain cases of misapplication of the act, he said and added that it was decided to give power to the review committee as a safeguard measure. Defending the BJP-led NDA Government’s move to amend the act and give more power to the review panel, Mr Naidu said such committees had existed even during the emergency when MISA was enforced. "The main challenge before the country is terrorism and that is why we’ve come out with an extraordinary legislation..... The decision to amend POTA is taken after considerable thinking and consultations." The BJP president expressed hope that the Tamil Nadu Government would be able to understand the rationale behind the decision. As far as the BJP was concerned, it was very clear that POTA should be used effectively and properly against terrorists and terrorist organisations. He dismissed as "unfounded" the apprehension expressed by Ms Jayalalithaa that the proposed amendment would amount to interferring with judicial process. "No. It is only a remedial measure. The Supreme Court is always there." While being categorical that the powers of POTA Courts would not be reduced, Mr Naidu asked "suppose a POTA Court comes to a conclusion after 10 to 12 years of hearing that something is not proper, what is the remedy for the sufferings undergone by POTA detainees?" So, the proposed amendment was only thought of as a remedial measure, he reiterated. Stating that there were two extreme views prevailing on POTAdemand for repeal of POTA and demand for full powers he said the BJP did not want both the views. On Ms Jayalalithaa’s criticism, he said "I don’t want to answer every criticism...The NDA Government has taken the decision in the larger interest of the nation." The BJP president claimed that the action taken by the Vajpayee Government had been widely welcomed. Political criticisms would always be there, he said and added that if anyone offered meaningful suggestions, the Centre would be willing to discuss. Mr Naidu denied that the proposed amendment to POTA was brought in under the pressure of the DMK and the MDMK—its allies. "Both the parties have demanded the repeal of POTA. But, we are not repealing...How can anyone say we are acting under pressure? the Vajpayee Government will not succumb to any pressure," he asserted. (UNI) SC issues notices to ASI and ministry of culture on Red Fort NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Archaeological Survery of India and the Centre on a Public Interest Litigation alleging that the major restoration and conservation work carried out at the Mughal monument Red Fort was destroying the heritage building. A bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha also issued notice to Union Ministry for Culture and Tourism on an application filed along with the PIL seeking stay of the conservation work. The petition filed by Rajeev Sethi and six others alleged that fundamental principles of conservation have been abandoned with regard to the so-called restoration work underway at Red Fort, which was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in the 17th century. "The restoration of the Red Fort is continuing with complete disregard for international standards of conservation, leading to the concealment, material alteration and/or destruction of the historical integrity and authentic morphology of the Red Fort," the petitionerrs alleged. They alleged that Culture and Tourism Minister Jagmohan has not responded to their repeated letters pointing out the reported damage caused to the original work of the Red Fort through the restoration activities. "No remedial measures were taken with regard to the damage and destruction of historical evidence being caused by the so-called restoration work at Red Fort," they said. The petitioners were Sethi, who was recently awarded Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the field of development of arts and handicrafts in the rural areas, A G Krishna Menon, Anupam Mishra, Smita Dutt Makhija, Malvika Singh, Hafiz Ahmed and Shamim Khan. The restoration work included concealment of historical evidence of stairways descending into Hayat Baksh garden from the Neher-i-Behist terrace with a lime plaster infill in complete disregard for its significance in the larger architectural and hydrological scheme, they said. "The introduction of an oblong, scallop-shaped morphology to the configuration of the Neher-i-Behist, culminating in a uniformly paved pool, bore no resemblance to any Mughal structure or historical precedence," the petitioners alleged. The restoration work has failed to preserve the footprint of the Moti Mahal Plinth, where the Neher-i-Behist goes underground, they said. (PTI) Daler not put under arrest, iscooperating: SSP PATIALA, Oct 27: Denying that Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi had been put under arrest, Patiala Superintendent of Police Paramraj Singh Umranangal today said he was being questioned on the basis of the FIR registered against him on October 6 and as per the orders of Delhi High Court. During the four hours of questioning so far, the singer is "cooperating", Umranangal told reporters here. The duration of the questioning would depend on the investigations being carried out by Special Investing Team (SIT) headed by SP (headquarters) R I Monga and comprising a Deputy SP and two Inspectors under the supervision of DIG (Patiala) I P S Sahota, the SSP said adding can be called again tomorrow. Rubbishing allegations that there was a threat to the life of Daler Mehndi and his counsel Ravinder Kumar, the SSP said "there is nothing of the sort. The mob was present due to resentment against the singer". "We will give full protection to Daler Mehndi, his family and counsels", he added. The SSP said in addition to the 31 complaints mentioned by Patiala Police, some more complaints against the singer had been received. He said the wives of Daler and Shamsher, who is presently in judicial custody, Daljit Kaur and Balwinder Kaur, had also been asked to join the investigations. (PTI) |
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