. |
. |
Assam to project itself GUWAHATI, June 29: Assam is gearing up to project itself as a preferred investment destination for outside investors. .... .more POTA
court frames MUMBAI, June 29: Almost a year after three powerful blasts shattered the metropolis killing 55 people and injuring nearly 180, a special court today ......more Declining
force levels NEW DELHI, June 29: Even as the Indian Navy has articulated a ‘maritime doctrine’ for the first time, the declining . ..more IIM fee controversy capped; poor students to get waiver NEW DELHI, June 29: Undoing a controversial decision of the previous NDA regime, Government today ordered immediate...more |
|
Haryana asks for greater Central support for development works NEW DELHI, June 29: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala today urged the Centre to provide greater assistance for development works in the ......more IAF seeks more pvt Indian participation in aviation systems,spares GUWAHATI, June 29: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has called for increased participation of Indian industry to keep the......more JAIPUR, June 29: Rajasthan Governor Madan Lal Khurana today ruled out his resignation in the wake of Centre’s move to replace Governors ......more Awadh
Nawabs: From bejewelled wardrobe to LUCKNOW, June 29: The once opulent lifestyle of the ruling class of yore that...more |
Assam to project itself as an investment destination GUWAHATI, June 29: Assam is gearing up to project itself as a preferred investment destination for outside investors. According to the economic survey of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the Assam Government had recognised the importance of infrastructure in industrial development and taken the initiative to provide a sound and efficient infrastructure base, to promote establishment of medium and large-scale industries, offering largescale employment opportunities through backward and foward linkages. The small scale industries had a vital role to play in the process of industrialisation of the state. There are more than 44,000 SSI units in Assam employing about 1.85 lakh persons till 2002. The SSI enginerring units in the state had doubled by 617 in 2002 against 305 during 2001, followed by mineral based industries, the source said. The handloom industry in the state had played a role in the socio-economic life of the people by supplementing the family income to a great extent and self employment opportunities to lakhs of people of poor and downtrodden sections in the society. The directorate of handloom and textiles, Assam was looking after the activities of this sector. The department is also implementing the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana Scheme, which was introduced in the year 2001 by the Government of India in place of project package scheme throughout the state to take care of a wide gamut of activities such as product development, infrastructure support, institutional support, training to weavers, supply of equipments and marketing support, both at macro and micro level in an integrated and co-ordinated manner. The industrial production was better in the state during 2002-2003. The survey said production of handloom fabric in the state had achieved almost one hundred per cent of its target fixed during 2002-2003. The target was fixed during 2002-2003 was 107 million sq. Mtr and it had achieved 103 million sq. Mtr. With a view to generating rural employment and to uplifting the rural economy, various kadhi and village industries were being promoted in the state by the Assam Khadi and Villages Industries Board with financial support from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). There were 57 number of khadi production centers and 59 sub-khadi production centres in rural areas. This industry had generated 11,315 employment during 2002-2003. The local spinners and weavers work and earn their wages as per norms of khadi and village industries commision. Women constitute half of the population of the state and they have been entering in every field of economic activity now a days. The Government of Assam is aware of the fact that the women entrepreneur should get due priority for their economic development as well as to meet ends of social justice. To encourage the woman entrepreneurs and for generation of employment among the women, the Government are giving preference to them by allotting industrial sheds, developed plots in industrial area/estate/ growth centre to the extent of 30 per cent and providing additional incentives for setting up of industries. In the coming years Assam has a tremendous potential for exporting various products manufactured locally to the east and south east Asian countries due to its strategic location. The State Government is already pursuing with the Centre to declare Guwahati airport an international airport with all clearance facilities. The state in association with the Union Government is setting up an Export Promotion Industrial Park(EPIP) at Amingaon to facilitate export units, by providing additional incentives to the export oriented units under the policy. (UNI) |
 |
POTA court frames charges against 5 for triggering bomb blasts MUMBAI, June 29: Almost a year after three powerful blasts shattered the metropolis killing 55 people and injuring nearly 180, a special court today framed charges against five suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives under POTA for engineering the explosions. The accused were charged with hatching a conspiracy to explode a bomb in a bus at Suburban Ghatkopar on July 28 last year and for triggering twin blasts near Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar in south Mumbai on August 25 last year. According to special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, the conspiracy was hatched in Dubai by nine Pakistani nationals at the behest of Laskhar-e-Toiba. Police had also seized explosives from a bus in Santa Cruz electronics export processing zone at Suburban Andheri on December six, 2002. Two trunks of rdx seized from the possession of the accused were produced before the court on February 5 when the chargesheet was filed. The accused are Sayed Mohammed Hanif, his wife Fahimida and their associates Arshat Ansari, Mohammed Hussain alias Batterywala and Mohammed Rizwan alias Ladoowala. Hanif’s daughter and co-accused, Farheen, was, however, discharged as there was no evidence to implicate her in the crime. Yet another accused has turned approver and his name has been withheld in camera until the trial gets over. The charges, framed by designated Judge A P Bhangale, pertained to various offences under sections 3, 5 and 20 of POTA. Besides, the accused were also charged with various IPC sections dealing with conspiracy (120-B), Murder (302), Attempt to Murder (307) and Common Intention (34). Two persons were killed and 31 injured when a powerful bomb exploded in a bus in Suburban Ghatkopar while 53 people died and over 150 were injured in twin blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar areas of south Mumbai. According to Prosecutor Nikam, all the nine Pakistani nationals who attended the conspiracy meeting are absconding. The Prosecutor alleged that co-accused Nasir was hired by LeT to recruit other accused. He put Sayed Hanif on the job and bombs were assembled in Hanif’s residence in Mumbai by the duo. Nasir was later killed in an encounter. Describing the role played by each accused, Prosecutor further alleged that Hanif, Fahimida, Arshat and Nasir had assembled bombs at Hanif’s house in Andheri as part of the conspiracy. The four had also carried explosives hidden in bags in the boots of two taxis hired by them on August 25. One of them exploded near Gateway of India while the other went off at Zaveri Bazaar. As regarding the alleged role of Batterywala and Ladoowala, the prosecution alleged that RDX was recovered from their possession. (PTI) |
|
Declining force levels in navy can affect tasks of new doctrine NEW DELHI, June 29: Even as the Indian Navy has articulated a ‘maritime doctrine’ for the first time, the declining force levels in the fleet are emerging as a source of concern for top officials and may retard its capabilities to carry out the tasks enunciated in the doctrine. The maritime doctrine, released last Wednesday, intends to guide and chart the navy’s development and conduct through "the turbulent waters" lying ahead. It held that the missions of the navy were correspondingly more diverse and complex than ever before, with this complexity being global as well as regional, and unlikely to diminish in the 21st century. A priority aim, enunciated in the doctrine, is ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region for India’s Economic Development and National Security. It says activity around India’s maritime area was increasing and points to the movements in and around the Persian Gulf in the west and the Straits of Malacca in the southeast. Naval strategy in future wars would be to deny access to the sea to enemy forces, the doctrine proposes. Navy Chief Admiral Madhavendra Singh had told UNI that the navy, to fulfil its "bluewater" role, would need a 200 ship fleet, built around three aircraft carriers, 20 destroyers and frigates each, and appropriate number of auxilliary and support vessels. However, rather than reaching this sum, the navy is facing the spectre of declining force levels in both the surface fleet and submarine arm, with a considerable time lag before newly ordered vessels start arriving. The deal for the ‘Admiral Gorshkov’ has been signed, but it will take atleast five years before the aircraft carrier enters Indian service. Meanwhile, India’s sole carrier, INS ‘Viraat,’ which has gone a fresh refit this year, is expected to be decommissioned in another five years or so. If there is a delay in the arrival of the Gorshkov, it will leave the navy without a carrier, as the work on the indigenous-carrier is only slated to begin in mid-2005, and it will take at least a decade to complete, according to naval sources. Likewise, even if the deal for the scorpene submarine, presently before the Cabinet Commission on Security (CCS), is signed right away, it will take seven to eight years before the first submarine arrives. Admiral Singh has been vocal about the shortages in the navy. Last week, at a press conference in Port Blair, during his farewell visit to the Andamans & Nicobar Command, he said that this was due to a decade-long policy of neglect for the force’s requirements. "As we failed to place orders for naval ships at the correct time between 1985 and 1995, the Indian Navy is being forced to work with outdated vessels. Presently, 26 per cent of the ships are more than 20 years old where the maximum service life of a ship is 20 years," he noted. Earlier, he had voiced similar concerns about the depletion of submarines in service, saying if a decision on acquiring new submarines was not taken soon, it could lead to problems in the future. "The average combat life of a submarine is 30 years and by this calculation, most submarines in the Indian Navy would reach the end of their effectiveness in the next 10 years or so," he pointed out. The need for a new submarine for the Indian Navy had assumed priority with the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine — the advanced technology vehicle — as well as the project ‘75’ still a long way off, while the current complement of 10 ‘Sindhugosh’ (kilo) class and four ‘Shishumar’ (hdw 209) class submarines have reached the half-way mark of their combat life. Meanwhile, the navy has commenced a four-year programme, under which 23 ships are sought to be acquired. It has received the three Talwar-class destroyers, while orders have been placed for three Delhi-class ships (project 15-alpha) for an equivalent number of three Shivalik-class stealth frigates (project 17) are being built at the Mazagon Docks Ltd. Three landing ships (an advanced version of the Magar-class) are also being planned. (UNI) |
|
|
|
|
|
JAIPUR, June 29: Rajasthan Governor Madan Lal Khurana today ruled out his resignation in the wake of Centre’s move to replace Governors having links with BJP. "Maine Koi Paap Ya Apraadh Kiya Hai?" (have I committed any sin or crime), he said replying to a query from mediapersons whether he will resign. Khurana said neither anybody has written to him to resign nor anyone from the Union Home Ministry has telephoned to him to do so. "I have heard that senior officers in Home Ministry had telephoned some Governors but I have not received any phone call," he said. However, he refused to answer questions if the Governors should resign with the change of governments at the centre? I won’t be able to reply to such questions because I am occupying an August constitutional office. I could have replied had I not been a Governor, he said. To a question about his quick and short trip to Delhi yesterday, he said nothing should be read into it. He denied that he met BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani in Delhi saying "of course I met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whom I never since my student days. Khurana, who is also the Chancellor of the Universities in Rajasthan, said a high level committee was set up to prepare a course draft on ‘moral education’ within two months. A 12-member committee would be headed by professor M G Bhatvadekar and a representative of Sant Asaram Bapu would formulate the course and guidelines, the Governor said. Expressing his serious concern on the downfall of moral in the society and political life, he said it was the need of the hour to inculcate moral education in children right from the primary school. Khurana said the State Government would regularise the adhoc teachers teaching in state-run universities once the legal wrangles were over. (PTI) |
|
||
Awadh Nawabs: From bejewelled wardrobe to Rs 2 ‘wasiqa’ LUCKNOW, June 29: The once opulent lifestyle of the ruling class of yore that manifested itself in grand palaces, a bejewelled wardrobe, rich cuisine and genteel nautch girls, has given way to crumbling dwellings lining old neighbourhoods in this ‘city of nawabs’. A century and half since the last Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, was dethroned in 1856, a majority of the blue-blood progeny is leading a life of abject poverty. For the descendants of nawabs who lead a non-descript existence, their attire and surroundings seem far removed from the luxury associated with their ancestors in whom they take such pride. In fact, some feel fortunate to manage two square meals a day. These ‘Nawabs’ occupy slum-like accomodations in dingy areas of old Lucknow — Raees Manzil, Sharif Manzil, Langarkhana, Muftiganj and Masahabganj. The amount of ‘wasiqa’ (pension) that these nawabi descendants draw from the Government by virtue of their royal lineage is paltry, often humour-inducing. ‘Wasiqa’ is drawn against the millions worth of rupees and property that the nawabs handed over to the British for their descendants to live off the interest. However, with the number of descendants running into hundreds, the sum has whittled down to a two-digit figure. The ‘wasiqa’ office situated in Hussainabad here has records of several blue-blooded progeny who draw between Re 1 and Rs 10 as pensin per month. Shabana Khatoon, Mohammad Ahmad and Haider Ali, some of those drawing a wasiqa of less than Rs 2.50, feel inhibited to comment on their anonymous lives. Understandably, the blue blood, Abysmal poverty notwithstanding, keep honour aloft, when they politely turn down request for a camera to photograph their living conditions. "Taking photographs will only disrepute our lineage, not better our lives," grimances S M Kazim Hussain, drawing a ‘princely’ sum of Rs 7.32 as wasiqa. However, a small circle of nawabs still maintain the lifestyles of their ancestors, though without clout. They, in fact, are the torch-bearers of the nawabi legacy. The old dilapidated ‘kothis’ in Sheeshmahal, Kashmiri mohalla, Wazirganj, Shahadatganj, Golaganj and Nakkhas areas of the city house this blessed minority. Some have business interests in the US, the UK, Canada, Iran and in the Gulf. Still others have migrated to these lands. A minuscule proportion of them have joined the services profession. Zaigmuddin Haider, descendant of the seventh Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider, retired as principal of the Shia degree college here and Dr Ali Sadiq as Principal of the Maulana Medical College, affiliated to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The ‘kothi’ of Nawab Mir Zafar Abdullah, who belongs to the family of Nawab Mutjimuddaula Bahadur, in Sheeshmahal is reminiscent of a lavish bygone era. The rooms are still adorned with priceless antiques, pictures and paraphernalia associated with the nawabs. "Our ancesters never attached much significance to formal education. They stressed upon learning mannerisms (addas) and royal traits at home," said the nawab, with a nostalgic glint in his eyes. He recalled that Bahu Begum Sahiba, the widow of Nawab Shujauddaulah who ruled Awadh from 1753-1775 and fought two battles against the British but tasted defeat, and mother of Nawab Asafuddaulah, had handed over Rs 70 lakh in cash, besides high-value property to the British on July 25, 1813 so that her descendants received regular payments. Similarly, Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider, who ruled from 1814-1827 from his capital Lucknow, also deposited Rs 56.82 lakh in the British treasury for the purpose, apart from helping the foreign rulers with Rs 3 crore during the war in the then Burma and Nepal. Other nawabs had also made such provision for their descendants in their lifetime. However, due to proliferation in numbers over several generations, the sum of ‘wasiqa’ has actually become a matter of jest, he regretted. Nawab Abdullah’s statement is vindicated by the fact that the highest ‘wasiqa’ stands at Rs 569 as per offical records. "Thankfully, some royal families survive by utilising their traditional skills such as Chikankari and of Zari and Zardozi," he adds. On a philosophical note, the nawab sums up: "We have to change with the times, lest it ruins our future." (UNI) Pandharpur reverberates with chants of Lord Vitthal PANDHARPUR, MAHARASHTRA, June 29: This famed pilgrim centre in western Maharashtra came alive with chants of ‘Jai Hari Vitthal’ and ‘Gyanba Tukaram’ as thousands of people converged on the last leg of the three hundred year old ‘Palki’ (Palanquin) festival on the auspicious occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ today. State Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his wife Ujjwala performed the traditional ‘Mahapooja’ early today at the ancient Vithoba Temple, which was renovated in 1195 AD. Lord Vithoba or Vitthal of Pandharpur is one of the most revered deities of Maharashtra and this town, about 72-km from Solapur district headquarters, is also known as the southern Kashi. Every year, nearly a million devotees walk to Pandharpur from Dehu and Alandi near Pune to seek the Lord’s blessings on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi (the 11th day of Ashadh, a month in the hindu calendar). The pilgrimage is called ‘wari’ and the devotees are known as `Warkaris’. Legend has it that Dyaneshwar was blessed by Lord Vitthal, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and he along with his brothers and sister went for the Lord’s darshan at Pandharpur. People from all castes and faiths still throng this holy place and the Wari festival has today become an annual tradition. Scores of devotees took a dip today in the holy Chandrabhagha river that flows through Pandharpur. Later, they took the ‘Padsparsha Darshan’ of the Lord. Anyone, irrespective of caste and creed, can enter the Temple’s sanctum sanctorum and offer prayers to Lord Vitthal. The centuries-old ‘Palki’ tradition has become an integral part of the cultural ethos of Maharashtra and it attracts people from all walks of life. Warkaris accompanying the Palkis of revered saints Dyaneshawar and Tukaram and others gather at Wakhari, five kms from Pandharpur, for the Wari festival. Each year, pilgrims accompany the Palkis, singing devotional songs and carrying ‘Padukas’ (sandals) of saints Dyaneshwar and Tukaram. They undertake the 18-day journey on foot, oblivious of the hardships on their way to meet the Lord. The 300-year-old tradition of taking the Palkis was started by haibait Baba Ansalkar, a resident of Alandi near Pune and devotee of Dyaneshwar Maharaj. He would carry the Padukas of the saint around his neck and with a handful of devotees and walk to Pandharpur singing ‘Abhangas’ (devotional songs) and chants of Lord Vitthal. Devotees form a ‘Ringan’ (circle) where they dance and chant holy mantras. The exercise is meant to generate enthusiasm and happiness and as a preparation to meet the Lord. The Warkaris, mostly rural folk, exhibit high endurance during the trek, oblivious to the discomfort and absorbed in chanting the name of the Lord. The Palki of Dyaneshwar set out from Alandi on June 10 while those of Tukaram, Nivrittinath and Ekanath left on June 9 from Dehu, Tryambakeshvar and Paithan respectively to converge here. Nearly 60 Palanquins from all over Maharashtra flock to Pandharpur but Palkis of Dyaneshwar and Tukaram attract the most attention. Each Palki is accompanied by a number of ‘Dindis’ (bhajan parties) who sing the Abhangas of various saints along the route. The procession reaches Pandharpur on the tenth day of the latter half of the month, that is one day before the Ekadashi. Falling in the Hindu calendar months of ‘Jyeshta’ and ‘Ashadha’, this annual ritual brings together Palkis of 50 saints at Wakhari. Lakhs of Warkaris, who set out on foot from different places accompanying Palkis of saints, began arriving in Pandhapur late last night. The State Transport Corporation has made elaborate arrangements for the annual fair. Over 1,000 buses were pressed into service. Additional buses were also being plied to Pandharpur from Kurduwadi, the last railway terminus before the Temple town. Both saints Tukaram and Dyaneshwar came to represent the ‘Bhakti Sampradaya’ founded over 700 years ago and based on principles of simplicity, renunciation and devotion. Dyaneshwar’s commentary on the Gita ‘Dhyaneshwari is a highly revered book that explains philosophical teachings in simple language. (UNI) Predictable climax to actor PMK fracas CHENNAI, June 29: What seemed to be heading for an action filled climax in Tamil Nadu has fizzled out into a predictable ending with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leadership and Tamil actor Vijayakanth fans calling truce to the feud. For over two weeks each hit out at the other following Vijayakanth’s remark that Dr R Anbumani, son of PMK founder leader S Ramadoss, had become a Union Minister without even facing elections. PMK volunteers burnt the actor’s effigy and ransacked his fan clubs. His fans also retaliated in equal measure. The PMK leadership, taking exception to the charismatic star’s criticism, announced that they would prevent screening of Vijayakanth’s films especially his new film in the making ‘Gajendra.’ even as the polemics and the violent acts of burning down each other’s properties continued, the Tamil Film Industry, headed by film employees’ Federation of South India, sought to pacify the two warring factions saying that the industry must not suffer. Condemning Vijayakanth’s criticism, the PMK leadership blamed the actor’s fan clubs squarely for the eruption of violence saying that it was they who had first burnt the effigy of their founder leader. They also observed that Vijayakanth’s criticism of Dr Anbumani was not only unwarranted but also reflected the star’s ignorance. The drama also attained political hues due to the speculation that Vijayakanth’s remarks at a function of his fan club about dr Anbumani was a prelude to the actor entering the fray. The actor had expressed a desire to make it to politics. However, suddenly on June 27, Dr Ramadoss announced at Vellore that he was prepared to talk peace and sort out the imbroglio with anybody from the film industry. Late in the evening, PMK president and MLA G K Mani called upon partymen to give up their protests as the party leadership would handle the issue. On Monday morning, Vijaykanth Fans Association Secretary Ramu Vasanthan also reciprocated advising the star’s fans to bury the hatchet. Later, Vijayakanth himself cried ‘pack up’ asking his fans to stop all action against the PMK. But contrary to speculation, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi had not essayed any role in scripting the end to this high drama by getting in touch with Dr Ramadoss. The PMK, is a key ally of the DMK-led seven-party Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), as it is common knowledge. However, the DPA allies feel that the basic plot to this political potboiler of a drama could have been scripted by the ruling AIADMK. It is also being speculated that Vijayakanth would like to be on the ‘friendlier’ side of the State Government as he is running a private engineering college. But both the ideas are mere minor ‘sub plots.’ Dr Ramadoss’s confrontation with Vijayakanth was not the first such "flimsy filmy" drama of its kind. A few months before the elections to the 14th Lok Sabha, his PMK locked horns with another Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and his fans. What triggered off the drama then was Dr Ramadoss’s direct criticism of Rajinikanth, who had also been dithering over his entry into politics for the last seven years and the statement that the portrayal of roles by the actor were a bad influence on the youth. As in the case of Vijayakanth, the PMK issued a threat at that time that screening of Rajinikanth’s films would be disrupted. The PMK cadres had also attacked theatres showing film of Rajinikanth titled ‘Baba,’ which in any case failed at the box office. PMK cadres also attacked Rajinikanth fan clubs with the latter retaliating in the same vein. The drama was diffused after the state police foisted a murder charge on Dr Ramadoss for his partymen’s violent attack on Rajinikanth fans. Finally, Rajinikanth himself wrote the denouement to the drama coming out in public and issuing a statement to the press asking his fans to teach the PMK a lesson by not voting for the party’s candidates in the six constituencies they contested in the may ten Lok Sabha elections. Rajinikanth also hit out at Dr Ramadoss calling his personal attack on him as uncivilised and unbecoming of a senior politician. Thus, both the scripts of Vijayakanth and Rajinikanth, names rhyming perfectly, ended predictably, on a tame note like many of their repetitive potboilers. (UNI) Navy Chief given ceremonial send off in Mumbai MUMBAI, June 29: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Madhvendra Singh was this morning given a ceremonial send off by the Western Naval Command (WNC) at the naval air station in south Mumbai. The air at the naval base reveberated with the ‘men in white’ paying homage to the Admiral with cries of "Admiral Madhvendra Singh Ki Jai". Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh walking by the side, the flag officers of the WNC, the sword arm of the Indian Navy, and Commanding Officers of the ships and establishments of the command pulled up in an open jeep from the Kunjali II Air Station Commanding Officer’s office to the main gate with Admiral Madhvendra Singh acknowledging them. The ‘pulling out ceremony’, a traditional function to bid farewell to the Chief, was watched by senior officers, their wives and sailors of the WNC in the presence of Ms Kaumudi Kumari, wife of the Naval Chief, who was on a farewell visit to the Western Naval Command. The Naval Chief, a Graduate of the National Defence Academy(NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune, will relinquish his command on July 31 after 41 years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy. Earlier on his arrival, Admiral Singh, a recipient of the Param Vishisht Medal (PVSM) and Ati-Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), inspected a ceremonial parade at the naval air station. In his brief address, the Naval Chief said that the Indian Navy had made tremendous progress since the time he was commissioned and it would further develop into one of the leading navies with more acquisitions. A gunnery specialist, he had subsequently undergone an advanced gunnery course at the Royal Military College of Science, UK, and a postgraduate of the United States Naval War College. Admiral Madhvendra Singh has, over the years, commanded the missile frigate INS Talwar, missile destroyer INS Ranvir and the aircraft carrier INS Virat. As a Flag Officer, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Chief Instructor (navy at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington) and on promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral served as Controller Warship Production and Acquisitions. As the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, he had commanded the Southern Naval Command (1996) and Western Naval Command(1998). A keen environmentalist, Admiral Singh is keenly involved in preserving maritime heritage and history and was recently awarded the "individual achievement award" by the world ship trust, london, for restoration and conservation of Bombay castle. A command reception in the honour of the outgoing Naval Chief was held last evening at the WNC headquarters here, attended by senior officials of the command as well as from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army. (UNI) UP RLD ministers submit resignations, CM to meet ministers LUCKNOW, June 29: As the D-day for the downsizing of ministry approaches, political activity is gaining momentum in Uttar Pradesh with Rashtrya Lok Dal ministers submitting their resignation letters and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav calling a meeting of his ministers tomorrow. All the seven RLD ministers, a major ally of the Samajwadi Party led Government in the state, handed over their resignation letters to their supremo Ajit Singh here late last night. "In the letter, the RLD ministers, including three of cabinet rank, have expressed full faith on the leadership and assured that there will be no grievances if removed from ministry," said an RLD leader. The RLD has 13 MLAs in the State Assembly. Meanwhile, Mr Yadav has convened a crucial meeting of all his ministers at 1100 hrs tomorrow in the Vidhan Sabha to discuss the issue of downsizing. However, a senior SP leader said the Government would accomodate the removed ministers in Government owned corporations where they will continue to get the status of minister. "Chairman posts in most corporations are vacant so there will be no problem in accomodating about two dozen ministers in them," sources claimed. Besides, in some corporation, BJP leaders are holding the posts at present who might be removed," the leader further added. By July 6, the UP Government has to downsize the state ministry as stipulated by the new law. The RLD ministers who had put down their papers are three cabinet ministers Anuradha Choudhury, Kokab Hamid and Virendra Singh, while rest are minister of states - Babu Lal, Tejpal Singh, G P Pushkar and Swami Omvesh. Ms Aunradha Choudhury had already been elected to the Lok Sabha from Kairana seat but she was yet to resign from state ministry. RLD sources said while five of these handed over their resignation letters to Ajit Singh last night, the rest did so this morning. The RLD president is likely to be present during tomorrow’s crucial meeting of the State Ministers which will be addresssed by the Chief Minister. The strength of the UP Assembly is 404 (one nominated) and according to the Constitution (91st amendment) bill 2003, the ministry will have a maximum strength of 61 only (15 per cent of the total members of the Assembly). However, the actual number of ministers to loose their job would be 24 as six of them have already resigned following their election to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. A senior SP leader said the Government had formulated a strategy to minimise the ministry. "The CM is in constant touch with RLD’s Ajit Singh to ensure a smooth downsizing," he added. The sources said Mr Yadav had asked his ministers to submit their resignation letters to him soon so that he could have a free hand in the job. Out of 91 ministers in Mr Yadav’s cabinet, 20 belong to allies, mainly the RLD and other smaller parties and independents, while the remaining 71 are his own party SP. There are 28 Cabinet Ministers including the CM, 10 Ministers of State with independent charge and 53 ministers of state in the state coalition. The sources said the CM could ill-afford to displease his allies or SP supporters. In fact, though Mr Yadav had supported the bill, it has not found favour with his party leaders. The pruning exercise is already causing a flutter among the ministers as many of them are uncertain about their future if they are removed. There is, however, no possibility of any defections in the SP due to the new anti-Defection Law, the sources added. The state had been witnessing large-scale defections since Mr Kalyan Singh formed his Government in 1997 with the support of defectors from the BSP and the Congress. His successors Ram Prakash Gupta, Rajnath Singh, Mayawati and now Mr Yadav, followed his footsteps in ‘effecting’ defections in other parties for the survival of their Government. Several legislators had held ministerial posts in all these five ministries. Sources said limiting the ministry size will be good news for the fund-starved exchequer also. Several hundreds of crores of rupees are spent on them annually. (UNI) |
||
|
||
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
