Excelsior... Nation

Nitish invokes BPSCP Act to streamline medical services

PATNA, Dec 14: To check corruption in the state medical services, the NDA Government has invoked the 'Bihar Prevention of Specified Corrupt Practices Act 1983', for the first time after its enactment, which threatens to take legal actions, including registration of FIRs for criminal negligence of duty against errant officials.

"The BPSCP Act 1983 has came into force yesterday after a decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting with officials of my department", state Health and Medical Education Minister Chandra Mohan Rai told PTI.

Stating that the Act was invoked to tackle the truant medical officers and other staff members for the first time after it was enacted in 1983, he said it would come in handy to force 'slack' medical officers to be present at Government hospital and health centres during duty hours and also effectively deal with the truant doctors doing private practice during duty hours.

Rai said public notices were being issued in this regard to warn the doctors and other staff against violation of the Act.

Under Section 16 of the BPSCP Act, any Government doctor or other staff found absent from duty or charging money for medicines, to be provided to the patients free of cost at Government hospitals and health centres, would face imprisonment (simple or rigorous) up to one year with fine or both.

The Act also provides for similar penal action against compounders, dressers and nurses on duty along with medical officers, Rai said.

The minister said this was aimed at restoring normalcy in the functioning of Government health centres and enforce discipline among medical officers and other categories of hospital employees.

The earlier practice was to suspend medical officers and other health employees if they were found absent from duties, but the Act would facilitate registration of FIRs against them to deal with them under the law.

According to the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India tabled in the state assembly last week, 49 per cent of health sub-centres (SC), 41 per cent primary and auxiliary primary health centres (PHC/APHC), and five per cent of referral hospitals (RH) have no buildings of their own. None of the RHs provide emergency services and para-medical staff prescribe medicines in the absence of doctors.

The state faces 52 per cent shortfall in respect of SCs, 29 per cent in PHC/APHC and a whopping 88 per cent of referral hospitals, the latest report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for the year ended March 31, 2004 tabled in the State Assembly recently, said. (PTI)

Mobile counseling unit to spread AIDS awareness in slums

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Street plays, puppet shows, magic shows, audio and video presentations and a host of other events would make rounds in the slums in the national capital to create awareness about AIDS.

Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), an organisation working in various areas including AIDS sensitisation, would adopt the slums unders its mobile AIDS counseling service.

"We will cover all slums under mobile AIDS counseling service. The intention is to sensitise the slum people since they constitute the more vulnerable segment," says Shahnaz Akhtar, senior programme officer of RGF.

The organisation is presently continuing its sensitisation programme in seven slums. The unique programme, started since 1995, has so far covered 18 other slums with an estimated population of about ten lakhs.

Under this programme, a vehicle equipped with medical aids visits one slum everyday. One counsellor and an activist travel in the cab, while special trained troupes perform various educative programmes.

Persons suffering from sexually transmitted diseases are

Provided immediate medical help. Persons interested to go for HIV testing are being provided the facility also.

RGF is continuing this programme in nine states including all north-eastern states and Maharastra. RGF has created a workforce of about 1400 medical practitioners and about 450 NGOs.

"Since AIDS prevelance is fast increasing in Delhi, we have decided to intesify the programme here. And the slum population is coming under high risk category,' the officer says.

According to the surveillence report, there are about 45000 people in Delhi with HIV virus. Chairperson of Delhi AIDS control Society, Bhupinder Prasad says that 35 per cent of the HIV-infected people here were between the age group of 15-25 years.

"The awareness level is still too low among people, as the disease is spreading fast," she says.

Besides the NGO activities, the Delhi Government recently launched a school adolescence education programme which aims at educating students among other things AIDS prevention and physical growth.

The prevelance of HIV/AIDS remains alarming at the national level also. There are about 5.1 lakh HIV infected people, including 1.11 lakh AIDS patients in the country by July this year. (PTI)

Seeds of terrorism: A Pakistani perspective

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Seeds do not germinate or sprout by themselves. They need a congenial soil to grow.

This is what Mohammad Amir Rana, a Pakistani journalist who says he is under surveillance in his own country trying to convey to the world through his new book "The seeds of Terrorism." Working for 'The Friday Times' from Lahore he says he is already in the hit list of Pak officials after he expressed his fearless views on state sponsered terrorism in his first book "The Gateway to Terrorism."

The book says that the 'new' face of Pakistani President Musharaf, as a fighter against terrorism is not the result of any progressive thinking but result of a compulsion. A compulsion aimed at not inviting the wrath of US after 9\11 as US was trying to divide the world over the 'now' notorious question 'whose side you are?'

Amir Rana recalls that "in 1979 General Ziaul Haq, on the urging of Americans and in collaboration with the CIA, Saudi Arabia and other Islamic states, established a mujahideen army based in Pakistan to take on Soviet Russia, in the hills of Afghanistan." The author believes that it is the same move which culminated into the deadly attack on 9\11 and says "Frankenstein' monster had returned to haunt its creators."

According to the book Osama Bin Laden, the most wanted for America after 9\11 was only one among the thirty-five thousand mujahideen recruits from forty different countries enrolled to take on Russia in Afghan with a mighty support from US. "Osama reached Afghanistan after receiving training at the Islamic Centre in New York which was run under the patronage of CIA," says the book. Amir Rana underlines the American misery by quoting an Islamic scholar Dr Iqbal Ahmad, "these are all the chickens of the Afghan jihad coming home to roost."

'The seeds of Terrorism' goes into detail about the role of ISI and CIA in the creation and nourishment of various mujahideen groups initially meant to fight Soviets in Afghan which later vowed to take on US, Israel and India.

The writer bravely puts the names of senior Pakistan officials who nurtured the Taliban and other jihadist groups.

From the roots and growth of jihadist groups and al-Qaeda the author tries to examine the contemporary situation after the WTC and Indian Parliament attacks. He says that a nominal ban on the jihadist groups is not going to yeild any result sin ce the nexus between the officialdom and these groups is so strong. "The jihadis have many supporters in Pakistan's army and secret services. It is extremely unlikely that none of them would be helping out their former friends and allies."

The book also questions the general belief that the common people in Pakistan do not support militant groups. "In January 2002, one Lashker-e-Toiba man told this writer that before the imposition of ban on collecting funds after 9\11, Lashkar had installed 250,000 fund collecting boxes all over the country and the daily income was about 12 billion rupees from these boxes alone."

The book reveals the links of terrorist groups in a systematic manner and even examines the official Pakistani claims after the hijack of an Indian aircraft to Kandahar that they don't have any involvement in the episode. But the author wonders that how it is possible for Masood Azhar who was released on demand of the hijackers to lead victory processions in Pakistan soon after his release if Pak authorities had no involvement in the entire drama.

In the propaganda front Amir Rana explains how the jihadists enjoy the support of the common people in the streets of Pakistan."The common man in Pakistan is not that well educated and is, therefore more succeptible to even the most ridiculous conspiracy theories or claims made by propagandist." He offers a new term to the media scholars 'jihadi journalism' which is playing a major role in promoting support to various militant groups and the ideology they put forth.

The author is hopeful of a solution to the Kashmir issue as "there is a widespread feeling that exists among a large number of jihadists and others that it is time to abandon guns and give peace a chance."

Amir Rana is putting forward his perceptions about terrorism, a global phenomena in a fearless manner. More important than the ideologies which runs the show he is haunted by the miseries of the people around him, near and dear of the recruits of various jihadist groups. And he never goes into an Islam thrashing mode while searching for the root causes of terrorism as many contemporary western intellectuals do.

With each and every movement of him being surveilled by the authorities he hopes for a peaceful world with all sides willing to compromise on contentious issues. (PTI)

Adobe to add more than 300 engineers in India in 2006

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: After increasing its headcount by 146 engineers in India through the global acquisition of Macromedia, Adobe is now planning to add another 300 staff at its research and development centres in 2006.

Adobe completed the acquisition of Macromedia on December 3 this year. As a result of the acquisition, its staff strength in India has grown to 650 from 504.

Though Macromedia and Adobe are functioning as seperate legal entities in India, work on integrating them was in progress.

"We will add another 300 plus engineers in India in 2006 and continue with the trend of doubling the headcount every 18 to 24 months," Adobe India Managing Director and member of global management team of the company, Naresh Gupta, told newspersons here.

"Of the total additions, 200 will be in Noida and 100 in Bangalore," he added.

Adobe's India office is the largest for the company outside US. "It accounts for 12 per cent of Adobe's employee strength and 25 per cent of total engineering strength," he said.

Since setting up its development centre at Noida in late 1997, the Adobe team in India has filed for 30 patents.

Gupta said the work on a PDF reader in Hindi was in progress. "Depending on the feedback we can launch PDF readers in other Indian languages too," he added.

The company started with an investment of three million dollars in India and in 2001 announced another 10 million dollar investment.

"In 2003 we announced an additional investment of 50 million dollars in the next five years but we are way ahead of the plan," Gupta said.

Apart from being a development base for its products, India operations of Adobe would also now do the business development for Print and Classic Publishing unit.

While Adobe India accounts for a big chunk of the company's engineering team, its contribution to the overall revenues is just 0.5 per cent.

Piracy is the biggest hurdle Adobe faces in India to increasing its revenues. "As much as 90-95 per cent of users of our products are using pirated software. If we bring down piracy by ten per cent our revenues from India would double," Gupta said.

To check piracy, the company is running a pilot scheme in China where it is giving out its products at slightly cheaper prices.

"Depending on the results we could look at differential pricing in India and other emerging markets," he said. (PTI)

HC turns down Yadav's writ petition

PATNA, Dec 14: In a major setback to RJD MP and former union minister Jaiprakash Narain Yadav, the Patna High Court today turned down his writ petition challenging the issuing of non-bailable warrant against him by a lower court, but asked the police to issue a notice to him to turn up at the police station for questioning.

Without quashing the October 24 order of Chief Judicial Magistrate (in-charge), Jamui allowing the police to include Section 409 of IPC (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) and issuing NBW against Yadav, Justice Mridula Mishra directed the police to issue a notice to the absconding MP to turn up at the police station for questioning on a fixed date.

Justice Mishra observed that Yadav is a respectable citizen of the country and hence he should be treated with dignity instead of a hot chase.

The judge directed the investigating officer of the case to issue a notice to the MP asking him to come up to the police station for questioning in the case charging him with facilitating the 'illegal escape' of his brother and RJD nominee Vijay Prakash from police custody.

The judge had on Friday reserved her order after hearing the arguments of Yadav's counsels led by noted Supreme Court lawyer R K Jain and Government advocate Lalit Kishore.

Yadav, RJD MP from Munger, is on the run ever since issue of NBW against him on October 24. He was forced to resign from Manmohan Singh cabinet after his anticipatory bail plea was rejeected by a Jamui court during october end.

Yadav had moved the HC after his criminal writ petition challenging the CJM order was dismissed by Jamui district and sessions court judge in mid-November.

During course of hearing in the HC, Government advocate Lalit Kishore had defended issuance of the NBW and application of section 409 of IPC against Yadav by in-charge Chief Judicial Magistrate of Jamui on October 24 and said any interference by HC at this stage would affect investigation.

Yadav's counsels R K Jain, Rana Pratap Singh and Chitranja Sinha had argued that the order of the Jamui court issuing NBW against their client, following addition of section 409 of the IPC, on the plea of the investigating officer, after four days of registration of the FIR could not be justified.

Hearing both the sides, Justice Mishra had reserved her order on Friday for a future date.

Trouble continued to dog Yadav ever since police lodged a case against him for 'facilitating the illegal escape' of his brother Vijay Prakash from Khaira police station in Jamui district.

While his brother Vijay Prakash lost the assembly poll from Jamui seat, his mother also bite the dust from Haveli Kharagpur constituency on RJD ticket.

Besides the electoral reverses for his family, Yadav, a close supporter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, has been on the run after issue of NBW against him on October 24.

Hearing of his anticipatory bail petition is pending in the Patna High Court. (PTI)

No formal offer from the US on leasing PC-3 Orion aircraft

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the US has indicated the availability of two PC-3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Orion) on lease but no formal offer has been received by India in this regard.

A decision in the matter can only be taken after a detailed offer is received from the US and the same is examined by the Ministry of Defenc, he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha .

He also denied any proposal to replace IL-38 aircraft for Navy.

Mukherjee also informed that a new Programme for development of Airborne Early Warning and Control System was approved by the Government in October, 2004.

To another question, he said that government was aware that certain American Companies have held informal discussions regarding India's interests in acquiring modern weapon systems but declined to disclose the details saying they were classified in nature.

It would not be in the interest of the country to divulge them on the floor of the House, the Minsiter said.

Mukherjee said that Indian Airforce and Singapore Airforce (RSAF) have planned a Joint Exercise for three weeks at Airforce Station Kalaikunda in January, 2006.

To another question, the defence Minister said that Indian Airforce has identified the MIG-29, Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft, AN-32, il-76 transport aircraft and Mi-17/Mi-17 IV helicopter for upgrade during 10th and 11th five year plan.

He said during the last three years (from 2002-03 to till Ninth December, 2005) a total of 21 Mig-21 aircraft of Indian Airforce met with accidents. (PTI)

EC to consider all aspects before deciding Assam poll

GUWAHATI, Dec 14: The Election Commission would take all aspects into consideration, including festivals and examination schedule, before taking a decision on the timing of the Assam Assembly election.

"It is too early to indicate but we have to take into consideration a number of factors including the ensuing Bihu festival, examinational schedule, weather and avalaibility of forces and then take a decision at an appropriate time," Chief Election Commissioer B B Tandon told reporters at the conclusion of his three-day visit to the state.

The visit was meant to asses the ground realities before the election with the term of the present assembly ending on May 29, 2006.

Tandon, who met leaders of five national political parties and a regional party as well as government and police offcials during his stay here, said almost all political parties except CPI wanted poll before the Bihu festival in April and in two to four phases.

The CPI suggested a single phase poll while the Congress preferred the same but would not object to a multi-phase poll if decided by the EC, he said.

The CEC said there was concern about law and order considering the insurgency problem in the state as well as cross-border crimes.

As the term of state assemblies in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Union Territory of Pondicherry would expire more on less at the same, that factor will also taken into consideration, Tandon said adding " we normally try to hold elections simultaneously".

All the political parties demanded maximum deployment of security forces and the demand would be given due consideration by the commission before deciding the date of election, Tandon said.

During his meeting with officials, the CEC said he had pressed for strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct and the need to provide a level playing field to all political parties and political neutrality.

Tandon said the Commission had decided for a revision of the electoral roll taking January one, 2006 as the qualifying date and a process has been laid down and the final publication would be made on February nine next year.

There are 1.74 crore electorates in Assam ,of whom 90 lakh are males and the rest females with total number of polling stations at 18,710, he said.

Expressing concern over the slow rate of disposing cases in case of non-bailable warrants, the CEC said there were 11,937 such cases in the state and for the names of offenders, whose properties have been seized, have to be deleted from the voters' list.

The CEC said that for the first time EVMs would be used in the state assembly election and in the absence of photo identity cards, the voters' production of a proper document would be mandatory to prove their identity in the polling stations.

Responding to the question on "doubtful voters" or alleged illegal migrants, Tandon said the number of such voters have come down gradually.

In 2004 the figure was 1.89 lakh, in 2005 1.63 lakh and in 2006 it is 1.59 lakh, he said.

"We have come to know from the District Commissioners that all these cases have been referred to tribunals under the foreigners act now that the Illegal Migrants (determination by tribunal) Act (IMDT) have been struck down by the Supreme Court," Tandon said. (PTI)

PM to constitute National Panel to check illegal mining, pilferage

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has proposed to constitute a National Committee comprising representatives of the coal industry to check pilferage and illegal mining which has often been the cause of accidents in mines.

Admitting that illegal mining is being carried stealthily and clandestinely in abandoned, closed, disused and even from the non-working part of active mines, Minister of State for Coal Dr Dasari Narayana Rao told the Lok Sabha that it was primarily the responsibility of the state Governments to take necessary deterent action to stop or curb the illegal mining and pilferage of coal.

However, Mr Bhubneshwar Prasad Mehta, a CPI MP from Jharkhand and several other MPs accused the officials of coal companies-- Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL)-- of colluding with the coal mafia and smugglers in such illegal and underhand activities.

They MPs wanted to know what action the Government would take against the officials of the coal companies, found having links with the smugglers.

The members also questioned the official toll of two casualties in the recent September 29 coal mine accident in Jharakhand, with Mr Mehta saying the actual number of casulties was fifteen, including some women, and the coal authorities and the administration had deliberately lowered the death toll to minimise the gravity of the accident.

He said that an official of the coal company had allowed the illegal mining, leading to the accident and there should be a high level inquiry into the matter to punish the erring officials. (UNI)

MIG-21 has 21 accidents since 2002-03

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: As many as 21 accidents involving the IAF MiG-21 fighter aircraft were reported in the last three years, the Government informed the Rajya Sabha

today.

Of the 21 accidents, it was found that 11 were due to human error, 8 due to technical defect and one was due to bird hit, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a written reply.

P3C Orion aircraft: The United States has offered to lease two P3C Orion aircraft to India, Mr Mukherjee told Mr Datta Meghe.

He, however, added that no formal offer had been received from the US in this regard. A decision in the matter would be taken only after receiving the formal offer.

Mr Mukherjee told Mr Hariprasad that there was no proposal to replace IL-38 aircraft of Navy.

Based on the experience gained and technology developed on the previous programme on Avro aircraft, a new programme for development of Airborne Early Warning and Control system was approved in October 2004, the minister said. (UNI)

South Africa for early resolution of Denel controversy

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Observing that the Denel deal controversy had affected growth of bilateral cooperation with India in defence sector, South Africa today said it wanted early resolution of the issue so that the two countries could go in for more purchases besides joint research and production.

South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad invited Indian private sector to his country to exploit the "unlimited" potential in the field of economic cooperation, particularly when Pretoria was on the verge of unveiling a massive new programme of development.

South African company Denal is under investigation by CBI for allegedly paying commission to foreign agents to obtain certain confidential information on Indian defence contracts.

"This (Denel) issue is in the courts. We do not want to interfere into the process but want the matter to be resolved so that we continue with the excellent cooperation in science and technology," Pahad told PTI in a wide-ranging interview covering bilateral and international subjects like UN reforms and Iran nuclear issue.

Emphasising that the Denel issue has not had any impact on overall relationship between the two countries, Pahad, however, said "this is a hurdle" in the path of tapping the "huge" potential existing in the defence sector.

"We must solve it.... Off course, we can't move too decisively in other areas till we resolve this. There are accusations and counter accusations. We must resolve this so that we move faster on other aspects," said Pahad who is here on a two-day visit.

A controversy broke out in April with allegations being made that Denel company had paid commissions to agents in British isles to obtain confidential information on Indian military price negotiations committee on a tender for anti-material rifles in 2003.

The alleged scam is being investigated by the CBI and Government has blacklisted the South African firm till the probe is completed.

"We are waiting for investigations to finish so that we get rid of this problem and start looking at other areas -- research, joint production and other purchases from each other," the South African minister said.

"There is a political commitment in both countries not to interfere in this but to get it resolved quickly," Pahad said.

The relations between India and South Africa were too strong and deep to be affected by this matter, he said adding "we must not allow this one issue to divert us from our strategic partnership with India."

THe South African leader said his country would be making certain regulatory changes to make the process of forging partnerships "less cumbersome".

Noting that there was "unlimited" potential for Indian companies in Africa, Pahad said "ignorance" in the private sector in both countries was proving to be a hurdle in realising this.

Pahad said Pretoria will be rolling out next year the New Partnership in African Development (NEPAD), a massive developmental programme covering infrastructure, transport, energy, health and agriculture.

"We have identified some priority sectors and India is a leading player in some of these like infrastructure, IT, HRD, agriculture, railway and transport," the South African Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Indian companies can benefit by entering Africa as South Africa has a fast growing economy besides minerals and energy resources, he said. "Indian companies can go in for partnerships for mutual benefit."

He noted that Tata, which entered the South African car market only few months back, had found tremendous response. "They are not even able to meet the demands."

On Iran's nuclear issue, Pahad stressed that IAEA members should have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes with adequate safeguards.

"Our own view is that members of the IAEA, within the safeguards of the IAEA, should have a right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said, adding South Africa is in the same category and we would like to do this.

"Everybody should be confident that any technology is not misused for nuclear weapons. We are continuing to discuss that aspect. We will stress the importance of non-proliferation to make the world free of nuclear weapons," Pahad said.

"It is a long term process. We have to look at the nuclear issue in totality," he said.

The South African minister said Iran had the right to use nuclear enrichment sites with international partners.

He, however, favoured restart of Iran's negotiations with EU-3 countries, hoping that all sides would understand that there needs to be a solution to the issue with the ambit of IAEA.

"We want resolution of the issue outside the UN Security Council because going to the Security Council will mean a lot of serious implications in the future," Pahad said.

On the position of 53-member African Union (AU) on UN reforms, particularly on inclusion of new members and veto issue, he said "we hope to go to the General Assembly to test the world view whether they accept AU's view."

"If the world does not support AU view, then we have to look for further discussions with G-4 (India, Brazil, Japan and Germany) and other countries to find a way forward," he said.

He, however, maintained that the UN was "not representative enough, transparent enough or democratic enough" and a way needed to be found to transform it.

He said the developing countries needed to work together on various issues like common definition of terrorism, peace-building and Human Rights Commission, which are fundamental issues affecting them.

"It is not going to entrench the powers of major powers but will ensure that all are part of the process that makes us a better world," Pahad said. (PTI)

Moderate quake shook North India

NEW DELHI/DEHRADUN, Dec 14: Several parts of north India, including the national capital, were rocked by a moderate intensity earthquake today triggering panic among people, but there were no reports of any damage or casualty.

Besides the capital, the temblor at 12:39 pm, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale was felt in Uttaranchal and Chandigarh.

The quake was epicentred in Badrinath area of Chamoli district in Uttaranchal, Met Department said.

In Uttaranchal, the quake was felt in Chamoli, Uttarkashi and nearby areas of Garhwal and people ran out of houses and offices as window panes were broken. Mild tremors were felt in some parts of the state capital, Dehra Dun, also.

Chandigarh also experienced the temblor for a shortwhile as hangings in various buildings, including ceiling fans and light chandeliers, shook.

This is the second temblor in Delhi in two days as it was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude quake epicentred in the Hindukush region of Afghanisthan yesterday. (PTI)

'Economic terrorism' threatening Punjab : Sidhu

CHANDIGARH, Dec 14: Claiming that Punjab lacked attention of the Central Government, cricketer-turned- politician Navjot Singh Sidhu today said "economic terrorism" is threatening the border state in a big way.

"Punjab is now at the peak of corruption. There is no infrastructure for the common man and the state's per capita income is drastically coming down. The worst form of terrorism - which is economic terrorism - is threatening Punjab in a big way," Sidhu told reporters here.

He said Punjab's industry was no longer attracting the youths in the state. "The youths of the state are going abroad," he said participating at a 'meet-the-press' programme organised by the Press club here.

"Development is taking place only on the front of corruption," Sidhu claimed.

He demanded that 'Punjab Disturbed Area Act' should be repealed and proper infrastructure should be set up in Amritsar for enhancing trade with neighbouring Pakistan.

Asserting that Amritsar had connections with central Asia, Sidhu questioned why the Samjautha Express running between Attari and Delhi do not stop in any of the stations in Punjab.

Pointing that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows is lowest in Punjab, he said that as against a maximum of Rs 37,000 crore FDI in Maharashta, the FDI inflow to Punjab in the current year was a meagre Rs 2,200 crore. "This is shameful," he said.

"The Centre's talks about improving Indo-Pak relations are meaningless unless there is a visa office at Amritsar, Sidhu said.

"The provisions for granting visa must be there at Amritsar. The Centre spends around rs 2500 crore on about one lakh muslims for their visit to Mecca," he said and questioned why consulate was not opened at Amritsar so that sikhs visit to Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan could be facilitated.

Asserting that Amritsar had connections with central Asia, Sidhu questioned why the Samjautha Express running between Attari and Delhi do not stop in any of the stations in Punjab.

He also found it "absurd" that the passengers travelling in the Delhi-Lahore bus were not allowed to disembark at Amritsar.

"For travelling around just 22 km, a person has to travel about 900 km to vist Amritsar from Pakistan," he said.

Pointing that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows is lowest in Punjab, he said that as against a maximum of Rs 37,000 crore FDI in Maharashta the FDI's inflows to Punjab in the current year was meagre Rs 2200 crore. "This is shameful," he asserted.

Industry was moving out of the state following the announcement of centre for grant of special economic package to hill states, he said and stressed that incentives muust be given to the industry in the state.

Sidhu also emphasised on constructing eight lanned highway between Delhi and Wagah and said that development of infrastructure must be the priority of the Government.

Noting that border must be strenghtened in order to make the country stronger, he said that.

Accusing the Punjab Government of failing to set up Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Amritsar, he said that the Amarinder Singh Government had failed to provide land for setting up of SEZ.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced setting up of Rs 1700 crore SEZ at Amritsar, he said however, adding that "the Government is sleeping over the issue for the past about one and a half years."

"Neighbouring Haryana had agreed to provide over 2000 acres of land for setting up of SEZ which will draw investments to the tune of rs 40,000 crore," he added.

Sidhu said that Punjab lackked topclass airport and demanded that the frequency of flights between Dubai and Amritsar from the Amritsar airport must be increased.

Ruling out revival of terrorism in Punjab, he however, listed lack of infrastructure and FDI as the major reasons behind resurgence of militancy in any form.

The MP also vowed to raise the issue of corruption, especially allegedly involving some of the parliamentarians for raising issues of their areas as shown in a private channel. (PTI)