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Oppn demands HYDERABAD, Jan 26: In a bid to counter the caretaker Government’s move to pass a vote on account, the entire opposition in Andhra Pradesh, barring ......more Militancy
on the wane GUWAHATI, Jan 26: Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh today claimed that militancy was on the wane in the state ...more TRAI
to issue final NEW DELHI, Jan 26: Broadcasting regulator TRAI today said it will issue a final consultation paper early next month and follow it up with presentations ...more Chhattisgarh
would RAIPUR, Jan 26: Chhattisgarh Governor Lt Gen (retd) Krishna Mohan Seth today......more |
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Punjab CM takes salute, highlights Govt successes ROPAR, Jan 26: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today exhorted people tosolemnly pledge on this auspicious occasion to rededicate ....more Bihar
R-day function PATNA, Jan 26: The official Republic Day function in Bihar today got embroiled in a controversy following .....more Pakistan’s
Aishwarya MUMBAI, Jan 26: Now that Indian and Pakistani leaders have resolved to extend .....more Chautala’s announces bonanza for people on Republic Day SIRSA, Jan 26: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala announced a bonanza for the people of the state on the occasion of 55th Republic Day ........more |
| Kerala’s rich bio-diversity on
the extinct ....... Maharashtra rising to challenges thrown by drought: Governor ....... No objection to Priyanka or Rahul holding top posts: Rajnath ...... |
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Oppn demands President’s rule or early elections in AP HYDERABAD, Jan 26: In a bid to counter the caretaker Government’s move to pass a vote on account, the entire opposition in Andhra Pradesh, barring the Bharatiya Janata Party, today urged Governor Surjit Singh Barnala to recommend imposition of President’s Rule or holding of early elections in the state. Contending that there was no precedent of the Finance Bill being passed by issuance of an ordinance under Article 213 of the Constitution, the opposition parties, led by the Congress, demanded that the Governor either recommend President’s rule or assembly elections before March. In a two-page memorandum submitted to the Governor at Raj Bhavan here on the occasion of the Republic Day, the opposition argued that the Governor could promulgate an ordinance under Article 213 only when the state assembly was in "recess." however, in the case of Andhra Pradesh, the assembly had been dissolved. APCC president D Srinivas claimed that following its failure to ensure early elections, the Chandrababu Naidu Government was trying to "misuse" the provisions of Article 213 to pass a vote on account’ to suit its convenience. "It will only be proper that Central rule be imposed or elections held by March, so that a new Government can pass the budget," he contended. The opposition pointed out that the power to pass the Finance Bill was vested only with the lower House. That being so, it was debatable how the Governor, appointed by the President, could issue an ordinance to pass the Finance Bill, especially when the assembly had been dissolved, senior Congress leader and legal luminary Ayyappa Reddy argued. Further, there was no precedence in the country’s history of budgetary sanctions through issuance of ordinances, he added. The parties alleged that "it is immoral of the incumbent, who is just a care-taker, to try to twist even the explanations and set procedures of the Constitution for vested interest. The ruling party has created a Constitutional crisis, with its hasty act of recommending the dissolution of the legislative assembly." Hence, the memorandum demanded appropriate steps as provided for in the Constitution under Article 352 to 356, including imposition of President’s rule. The joint memorandum was signed by Mr Srinivas, CPI(M) State Secretary B V Raghavulu, CPI State Secretary S Sudhakara Reddy, Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi. While TRS chairman A Narendra represented his party, the CPI was represented by Aziz Pasha. (UNI) |
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Militancy on the wane in Assam: Governor GUWAHATI, Jan 26: Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh today claimed that militancy was on the wane in the state because of the joint efforts of the State and Central Government. Addressing the Republic Day function at the judges’ field here this morning, Mr Singh said militancy, which plagued the state for at least two decades, was being neutralised gradually and normalcy was fast returning in Assam. He said a large number of militants were apprehended by the security forces in the state in the wake of operation "all clear" launched by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) in Bhutan to flush out north-east ultras taking shelter in that country. He said the rba was also successful in apprehending a large number of ultras to be handed over to India’s security forces later during the operation in the Himalayan kingdom. The Governor today renewed his appeal to militants belonging to the banned ULFA and NDFB to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream to usher in an era of peace and development in the state. He reiterated that the State Government would consider general amnesty, offered by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, to militants willing to surrender by January 31 next. The Governor said the historic peace accord with Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and subsequent formation of the interim Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Bodo areas of Assam is expected to put development on the fast track from now onwards. The State Government was focussed on the two objectives of achieving peace and development and was endeavouring to develop potential sectors like agriculture, tourism and power. Farm mechanisation and introduction of shallow tubewell based irrigation have been a boon for the agri-sector in the state and the World Bank being impressed by the performance of the state has agreed to provide funds for 8,700 shallow tubewells in the state in coming days, he added. The State Government has approved the power sector reforms policy laying down objectives of reform and restructuring. "The objective of universal access at affordable prices requires vast improvement in operational efficiency, productivity, quality and reliability in power generation, transmission and distribution. As a means of achieving these objectives, the policy provides for unbundling of Assam State Electricity Board." A public sector company for generation-one for transmission and three for distribution have been registered in the state besides the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreeing to provide 250 million dollar loan to fund power sector reforms in the state. Introduction of tourist friendly services, upgradation of tourist facilities and promotion of eco-tourism, wildlfe, tea, adventure, golf, river, religious and cultural heritage tourism would form the core of State Government’s Tourism Development plan in the coming days, he said adding that the private sector has been encouraged to come forward as equal partners with the Government for the development of Tourism Industry in the state. The Governor also announced the launching of "healthcare for the aged" scheme by the State Government on the occasion and informed that it would cover over 2,50,000 people in the age-group of 70 years and above in the state. (UNI) |
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TRAI to issue final consultation paper early next month NEW DELHI, Jan 26: Broadcasting regulator TRAI today said it will issue a final consultation paper early next month and follow it up with presentations by interested parties and discussions with experts for finalising the norms for regulating cable and broadcasting services. Also, to keep up with its increased work load, the regulator has decided to hire 10 more officials, including experts in broadcasting and cable industry, and these posts are expected to be filled up soon. However, TRAI chairman Pradip Baijal remained non-commital on whether the regulator will be able to meet the three-month deadline set by the Courts for formulating detailed guidelines for the cable and broadcasting sector. "What TRAI issued last week is only a preliminary consultation paper. We will issue a final one a fortnight after public views are with us," Baijal told PTI. He said 15 days after the final consultation paper is released and industry’s views on it are known, the regulator will call each stakeholder for presentations and open House sessions before declaring its final view. When asked about the three-month deadline, Baijal remained non-commital, saying "we are trying to work within the deadline". After threatening to end cable operators’ monopoly, TRAI has zeroed in on broadcasters, saying they cannot arbitrarily hike subscription rates and all collections from cable operators by them will have to be on the rates prevailing on December 26, 2003. The newly-appointed regulator also said it will study the cost structures of broadcasters and eventually evolve principles to regulate subscription rates they charge from cable operators. "The agreement on rates between MSOs/cable operators and broadcasters as on December 26 will have to be valid," Baijal said. On what would happen if the number of subscribers of a cable operator goes up, Baijal said "any increase in total collection will be on a pro rata basis since the broadcasters will not be allowed to increase the charges per channel per subscriber". Baijal also said TRAI was studying the cost structures of broadcasters. "I will examine their cost structures... Fixing prices for them will be difficult but we will have to evolve some principles," he said. Baijal has also warned against geographical monopolies by cable operators, saying these will have to go so that the market forces are allowed to determine tariffs. (PTI) |
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Pakistan’s Aishwarya upbeat on lasting peace with India MUMBAI, Jan 26: Now that Indian and Pakistani leaders have resolved to extend the hands of friendship, there is no power in the world that can stop them from pursuing peace, said Reema Khan, popularly known as Pakistan’s ‘Aishwarya Rai’ In India for the first time, Reema, in a free-wheeling interview with UNI, said this was not a work-related tour but she had come to spread the message of peace and amity and help strengthen the ties between the two nations. The Pakistani actress, who entered ‘Lollywood’, as Lahore film industry is called, at the age of 13 with ‘Bulandi’, also shown at the Moscow film festival, has 175 films to her credit. She is the first Pakistani actrecs to have done a commercial for Pepsi and has the distinction of having won three national awards and numerous other film honours. After interacting with her Bollywood counterparts in the city over the last three days, she said, "I am stumped that even though both our cultures, manners, dress and speech are the same, we still continue to fight. We have to somehow forget the antagonism towards each other." She said both nations have stretched the hands of friendship after having realised the futility of war and how detrimental it was to their progress. Reema said that the goodwill gestures of Indian Prime Minister and Pakistani President would be beneficial to the future generations of both the countries as nobody wanted a repeat of Kargil. This sociology graduate said though there were several people on the both sides of the border with a negative mindset, this will not effect the peace process any more because the leaders have realised that the need of the hour is a positive frame of mind. Reema, who is currently directing ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’, has met many eminent Indian producers and actors and even been offered some roles, but presently she is busy concentrating on her prior committments. The actress said she has even approached playback singers Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghosal to lend their voices to her project. Her long-standing desire to meet thespian Dilip Kumar and superstar Amitabh Bachchan was also fulfilled during the trip. "I have always been an ardent fan of Madhubala, Vaijantimala and Meena Kumari," she added. Asked about being compared to Aishwarya Rai, she noted that there were many similarities between them. "Apart from the fair skin, hairstyle and being the top actresses of their respective nations, we both have featured in international productions - Aishwarya in a British project and me in a Russian one," the actress said. She said the former Miss World is a good actress but regretted not meeting her. However, the actress is angry at the "Pakistan-bashing" in Hindi movies. She said this was wrong as art and culture were meant to lift souls and not to malign. Ms Reema asserted that in the last ten years no Pakistani film had tried to vilify India. She said that during her Mumbai sojourn she expressed these thoughts when she met ‘Gadar’ director Anil Sharma. The Pakistani beauty said there is a craze in her country for Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi films. Even though they aren’t allowed to be shown in cinema halls, ‘Baghbaan’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, both featuring the Indian megastar, were deeply moving experiences for people of her country, she said. The multi-faceted actress said that there has been a drastic change in the view of Pakistani about their country. "People have accepted that it is important to be modern and progressive but within the parameters of ones own culture and values." She said Pakistani fashion and films had improved a lot. However, she accepted that girls on either side of the border still blindly followed glamour. She added that, an opponent of this trend, she was actively working against this popular bent. (UNI) |
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Chautala’s announces bonanza for people on Republic Day SIRSA, Jan 26: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala announced a bonanza for the people of the state on the occasion of 55th Republic Day which include reduction in stamp duty, extension of Kanyadaan scheme for all sections of society living below the poverty line and free health facility to freedom fighters at their doorsteps. Filling up of all vacancies of teachers in the schools and cycles to those girls seeking admission in sixth class who do not have a middle school in their own village are also part of the bonanza. Addressing a gathering after unfurling the National Flag and taking salute from the contingents of Police, Home Guard, NCC and school children here the Chief Minister said that conveyance deeds charged at the rate of 15.5 per cent in urban areas and 12.5 in rural areas had been reduced to eight per cent and six per cent respectively. Similarly, rate of duty on other conveyances like gift, lease and mortgage (with possession) has been reduced 6.25 per cent to 3 per cent, he said. He hoped that this decision will benefit a large section of the society and reduce the tendency of undervaluation of documents at the time of registration. This would also lead to increase in revenue of the State Government in the long run, he said. Chautala said that the Kanyadaan scheme of giving Rs 5100 on the occasion of marriage of the daughters of Scheduled Castes and Tribes had been extended to all families living below the poverty line in the state. Chautala said that all posts of teachers in all subjects would be filled by the next academic session of 2005 for the benefit of the students. He said that work on all the schools which need repair would commenced on war footing from tomorrow. He said that in order to attract girls students to pursue higher studies the State Government has decided to give free cycles to the girl students seeking admission in sixth class from April 2004. The State Government has also decided to provide free health facilities to the freedom fighters at their residences. On this occasion, interactive voice response system and a website HTTP://www.Aghry.Nic.In was started today for the benefit of 2.73 lakh employees of the Haryana Government who could get details about their gpf contribution, loans and advances. The pensioners can also get the latest information regarding their cases. (PTI) Kerala’s rich bio-diversity on the extinct THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 26: One-third of the rich bio-diversity in Kerala will be extinct by the year 2030 if immediate measures are not taken for conservation, according to economic review 2003. Ruthless exploitation of biological and genetic resources for profit, poor knowledge of species and eco-systems and narrow focus of attention by conservationists are cited as the major obstacles in conservation of bio-diversity. Kerala represents an epitome of the bio-diversity profile of the western ghats in India. The state is endowed with diverse types of eco-system, each supporting unique assemblage of biological communities, with an impressive array of species and genetic diversity. The state represents 95 per cent of the flowering plants and 90 per cent of the vertebrate fauna of the western ghats. "At the present rate, Kerala would have a population of 60 million by 2030. By that time, one-third of our bio-diversity would be extinct," the report says. Since Kerala has the highest population density, it is prudent on the part of the local institutions/panchayats to ensure conservation and management of protected areas with the active participation of people right from the grassroots level, the report points out. Kerala has 10,035 species of flora, which represents 22 per cent of India’s flora, occupying a land mass of just 1.18 per cent of the nation. Nearly 23 per cent of the total endemic flora species are in Kerala. Out of the 1,272 such species, 102 species are exclusively in Kerala. There are about 3,872 flowering plants and among them 1,272 are endemic and 159 species have been classifed under different threat categories. The flowering plants include about 1,000 species of ornamental plants, 900 medicinal plants, 450 wild edibles, 175 gums, resins and dyes, 165 timber, 14 bamboo and eleven canes. Hardly, ten-15 per cent of these plant resources have been exploited, while the rest remain as a potential gene pool as yet untapped. Among the resource species, medicinal plants are the most collected from the forests of Kerala. There are about 102 species of mammals, 476 birds, 169 reptiles, 89 amphibians and 202 species of fresh water fish reported from Kerala. Of this, 56 species of mammals, 85 birds and 139 reptiles are recorded as endemic. One of the challenges of bio-diversity conservation is to locate areas of high concentration of endemic species so that critical endemic plant site can get priority for conservation. In Kerala, there are three hotspots of endemic centres — Agasthamala, Anamali high ranges and silent valley-wayanad. Catchment areas and coastal areas are two ecologically-sensitive areas in Kerala. The coastal areas have become a cesspool of pesticides and toxic materials discharged from agricultural operations at the highlands. The bio-diversity of marine life of coastal areas is dependent on the control of pesticides use in the highlands. (UNI) Maharashtra rising to challenges thrown by drought: Governor MUMBAI, Jan 26: Describing the massive drought relief work as a "huge challenge" Maharashtra Governor Mohammed Fazal today said the state was taking all possible steps to effectively tackle the scarcity situation that was likely to incur an expenditure of over Rs 2000 crore by July. In his Republic Day address to the people of the state he said Maharashtra to which had set new milestones of development in the last 43 years, has been facing acute drought due to failure of rains for the fourth year in succession. The State Government had spent Rs 1,072 crore on drought relief measures so far. The Governor, who has visited most of the scarcity-hit areas, said the severity of the drought that has beset 71 talukas in eleven districts in western Maharashtra and parts of Marathwada, was distressing. With disrupted agricultural operations and huge scarcity of drinking water and fodder, the demand for relief employment was increasing every week, he added. At present, 6,26,000 people were employed under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in drought-hit districts and the number was expected to exceed one million in the next few months. Despite the hardships, Mr Fazal said, Maharashtra has been the first state to conceptualise and operationalise social justice for the benefit of vulnerable sections of the society. "Similarly, the state was taking result-oriented steps in the field of agriculture, industry and a quantum leap in the emerging Information Technology (IT) sector." The Governor commended the good work done by the Commissioners, Collectors and District Officials in providing relief to the drought affected areas besides complementing the State Government for taking "result oriented steps" in all spheres which had brought an atmosphere of enthusiasm among agricultural and industrial sectors in Maharashtra. A seven-point programme - ‘Krishi Saptak’ was being implemented to boost agriculture along with agro-information marketing centres, agro clinics, farm produce centres, plantations of aromatic plants and crop insurance scheme have thrown open new vistas of employment in the rural pockets, he said. The golden industrial triangle was coming up in the Mumbai-Pune -Nashik tripod. The special economic zone set up in Navi Mumbai has been one of the first belt of its kind in the country, and "till today, 27 it parks from the public sector and 19 from the private sector are already on stream." Mr Fazal said e-governance was being widely used in the state administration to ensure transparency and quick redressal of works also the Government website has bagged the national golden icon award recently. To ensure the benefits of it trickle down to the grassroots two novel programmes - ‘SETU’ and ‘SARITA’ were introduced, which received accolades from all over the country, Mr Fazal said. Various welfare schemes had been implemented to give succour and fair deal to the underprivileged. For instance, under the ‘Kanyadaan’ scheme, an assistance in cash and kind is extended to couples from the scheduled castes and tribes who enter matrimony through community marriages, the Governor stated. Mr Fazal said the ordinance for regulation of transfers of government staff would be converted into an act in the coming session of the legislature and from August last, a novel insurance scheme - ‘Rajiv Gandhi Vidyarthi Suraksha Yogana’ had been implemened under which premia is paid by the State Government on behalf of the students. Inclusion of IT as a new subject in the syllabus of standard 11th and 12th, introduction of new it based curriculum, the Chief Minister’s career guidance scheme can be cited as some of the other impact making measures in operation in the state. Similarly, the ‘Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’ clean village competition and Sant Gadgebaba rural cleanliness drive were the two programmes which were hailed by the world community, he observed. "It is a matter of gratification to note that 10,000 women sarpanchs had the privilege to hoist the national flag during the last Republic Day." He said the Democratic Front Government successfully connected villages having more than 500 population with all-weather roads. For Mumbai, the State Government had launched various projects to upgrade and strengthen transportation facilities. Further, the pace of developmental works under the Krishna Valley Development Corporation has accelerated with today, 136 irrigation projects consisting of seven major, 16 medium and 113 small having been completed, the Governor noted. The Governor also said the State Government was committed to the allround economic, social, educational and cultural development of Maharashtra along with the progress of the underprivileged, neglected and the minorities and sought the people’s co-operation to take the state to the pinnacle of excellence and eminence. (UNI) No objection to Priyanka or Rahul holding top posts: Rajnath LONDON, Jan 26: Claiming that Congress president Sonia Gandhi becoming Prime Minister of India was against "national pride" because of her foreign origin, senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh has said his party will have no objection to her children Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi joining politics and getting elected to top posts of the country. "Sonia ji has given birth to Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi. We would not raise any finger on both of them, if they enter politics and even if they were to attain the top position of the country," Singh, also Union Agriculture Minister, said participating in BBC’s `Aap Ki Baat BBC Ke Saath’ programme. Asked why the BJP and the ruling alliance did not leave the question to be decided by the people of the country, Singh said "I do not agree with this. See this is a case of national pride. If this was the scene, then why did we drive the British out of the country? "The world may not like it, but it is a fact for us and the truth of the matter is that a person of foreign origin cannot be Prime Minister of our country. It is not that she has been in the country for generations. See India is not a country where anyone can come and then aspire to be the Prime Minister after 10-15 years. On former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh’s re-entry into BJP, Rajnath Singh pointed out it is natural that he has expressed the desire to return to the party fold, saying what has happened is a part of history, let us end all that and I now want to be in the party again. "A person who has been in the party for a long time now again wants to be a part of the movement. Therefore the party thinks it is right now.", Singh said. Reminded about Kalyan Singh’s past charade against the top BJP leadership of having hatched a conspiracy for demolishing the Babri Masjid, Singh said "look what he is saying now. Today he is praising Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in particular and is admiring the achievements of the NDA Government. Now he wants to forget the past." Asked whether BJP has now understood that Ram Temple construction cannot be the main issue, Rajnath replied "it is a fact that the BJP has stood for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. But we have never said we would do it by force. "Our Government has been making efforts to resolve this issue through talks. At the moment, I can say that progress has been made in these talks. It is possible that in the coming months, the people of the country come to know about this." (PTI) Punjab Governor calls upon people to remain vigilant PATIALA, Jan 26: Punjab Governor O P Verma today called upon people to remain vigilant of nefarious desgn of anti-national forces who can create communal strife in the state. Addressing the people at a state-level Republic Day function organized at Patiala, Verma said that Punjab was merllcifully free from communal and caste tensions and violence but we have to remain vigilant and ensure that the spirit of brotherhood was strengthened and incidents like village Talhan were not repeated elsewhere. He said that it could be ensured only if we uphold the dignity and respect of humans as humans irrespective of caste, colour or creed. Verma said that the Republic Day was an occasion for the Government and the citizen to reflect and introspect and to initiate measures to overcome our shortcomings. The Governor said that rising rate of population not only eroded benefits of economic growth butr was also at the root of many social ills such as illiteracy, poverty and unemployment and also drug addiction among the youth. He said that this menace has to be fought collective largely public awareness and social pressure. Speaking about the challenges, Justice Verma said that there was an urgent need to upgrade infrastructure in rural areas to provide quality education and health coverage. The girl child was still neglected lot and discrimiantion was still rampant and high incidence of female foeticide in the state could not be justified or tolerated. He gave a call to the people to join hands to remove this evil. Verma said that there are challenges on economic front as well. Punjab must sustain its pre-eminent position in agriculture through new strategies including diversification of crop pattern. He said that it is the right time for Punjab to embark upon the second green revolution, which will enable it to increase its productivity in the agricultural sector. He said that the State Government had also committed itself to provide 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to rural areas by 30 June, 2004 at a cost of Rs 261 crore. To strengthen the power sector infrastructure, power generation project at Lehra Mohabbat, Bathinda has been sanctioned with an investment of Rs 1700 crore. The project will generate 500 Mw of additional power for the state. Verma said that the smooth functioning of Indian Democracy during the last 54 years, at a time when many countries, fell prey to totalitarian system has shown the world that we the world’s largest democracy have the strength to withstand all challenges. The real strength of our nation lies in our democratic traditions. Earlier, the Governor unfurled the National Flag. Verma also inspected the parade by the contigents of Punjab Police, PAP, NCC and various education institutions. Tableaus and Jhankians of various department depicting the development of various sectors were attraction of Republic Day programme. Justice Verma also distributed sewing machines and try-cycles to the needy persons. The cultural programme specially bhangra and giddha drew maximum applause. Later in the date at home function was organized at Circuit House, Patiala in which senior civil and police officers and distinguished citizens of Patiala participated. (PTI) |
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