|
|
|
HYDERABAD, Feb 24: The main opposition Telugu Desam Party today staged walkout during question in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, protesting ....more Sweeping reforms in criminal law in the offing: Bhardwaj NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Centre is contemplating "sweeping reforms" in criminal justice system with emphasis on witness protection and streamlining .....more Congress gears up for re-enactment of historic dandi march NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Hectic preparations are on for the re-enactment ....more Political
parties demand restoration of democracy NEW DELHI, Feb 24: A convention of major political parties, barring the NDA constituents, .....more |
|
After Shwaas’ missed bus, Oscar hopes rest on ‘Little Terrorist’ NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Shwaas may have missed out on an Oscar nomination in the best foreign film category but a short film about life in a ....more Positive
response to NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The positive response to the female condom by sex workers, as reported by a study, could prove to be a major tool in quelling the....more Herbal medicine can resist breast cancer: Oncologist KOLKATA, Feb 24: "Protykin", a drug found in a local herb, can be used as an ....more Jaya decides to go ahead with relief package for fishermen CHENNAI, Feb 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today decided to go.......more |
 |
|
SC dismisses Geelani’s plea for CBI probe directs police protection ..... Left parties seek hike in plan outlay to boost various sectors ..... |
|
|
|
HYDERABAD, Feb 24: The main opposition Telugu Desam Party today staged walkout during question in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, protesting against alleged negligence by the State Government of agriculture extention work and refusal to extend the services of Multi-Purpose Extention Officers(MPEO). Termination of the contract of 6,906 MPEOs was raised by the TDP members Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, D Narendra Kumar, K Acchannaidu and V Narendra Reddy during question hour. They urged the State Government to extend the services of these contractual employees. Replying to the question, Minister for Agriculture N Raghuveera Reddy said there were only 916 qualified persons among the contractual staff and they would be accommodated against regular vacancies after following due procedure. He said waitage of ten marks for their experience, 15 marks for their seniority and 75 marks for qualification would be given while regularising these employees. He said rest of the farmer MPEOs would be provided suitable alternataive employment through Government self employment scheme of Rajiv Yuvasakti . The State Government was unwilling to post unqualified and inexperienced persons in the agriculture extention work, he added. Mr Reddy charged that the Telugu Desam Party had itself abolished 1375 posts of agriculture officers in 1997 through a GO and stated that there would be no further recruitment for these posts. He questioned the TDP how it could claim concerned for agriculture extention work when it had abolished existing posts. He said the MPEOs were, strangely, given an extention of just five months from April to September last year against the normal practice of a full year. He alleged that the then TDP Government had given extention to the MPEOs only for electoral gains and was now shedding crocodile tears to gain their sympathy. The minister said the State Government had already given notification for filling up 491 vacancies of agriculture extention officers and would shortly be issuing notification for a further 170 posts. CPI(M) member M A Gafoor said it was improper on the part of the State Government to terminate 7000 employees, and promising to recruit only 700 of them. Congress member G Chinna Reddy said that there was 1.3 crore acres of cultivable land in the state and 13000 Extention Officers (EOs) had to be appointed. The minister said that with the new recruitment taken up by the Government, there would be one extention officer for every 3,770 hectares. Mr Raghuveera Reddy also said that his Government has convinced banks to extend loans to even tenant farmers. This was acclaimed by noted agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan, he said, adding the State Government has organised loans to the farmers to the tune of Rs 7,500 crores as against Rs 5000 crores last year. Strongly protesting over the reply of the minister, leader of the opposition N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the enhanced loan was mere paper adjustment . The growth rate in the agriculture sector had gone down by 5.6 per cent after the present Government assumed power, he alleged. Speaker K R Suresh Reddy advised Mr Naidu not to make a speech while expressing his protest. The practice of expression of protest was to make a mention of the gist of the problem and not repetition of the whole thing. An angry Mr Naidu said that there was no need for the Speaker to teach parliamentary practices. We are not elementary school children , he retorted. Protesting agaisnt the State Government’s refusal to extend the services of MPEOs and its negligence towards extention work,Mr Naidu walked out of the House along with his party members. Mr Raghuveera Reddy objected to the way in which Mr Naidu addressed the chair. The chair should not be so lenient, said. He claimed that Dr Swaminathan recently observed in an article that the State Government was bringing revolutionary changes in the agariculture sector in Andhra Pradesh. He claimed that Dr Swaminathan also lauded the initiative of the State Government in getting loans for even tenant farmers. (UNI) |
|
Sweeping reforms in criminal law in the offing: Bhardwaj NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Centre is contemplating "sweeping reforms" in criminal justice system with emphasis on witness protection and streamlining evidence recording procedure to check an alarming rise in the number of hostile witnesses leading to large scale acquittals in cases pertaining to heinous crimes. "We are considering sweeping reforms in the criminal justice system. Witnesses should not be allowed to be influenced. There is also a need to improve evidence recording system. We are also trying to trim the procedure", Law Minister H R Bhardwaj told PTI. "I have already held discussions with the Home Ministry on the issue", he said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Bar Association of India. He said certain "contradictions" in the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC), that affect the examination of witnesses in courts, also had to be removed. Citing an example, the minister said "as per section 161, CRPC, a police official may reduce into writing any statement made to him during the investigation by a witness. But the next section says no such statement shall be signed by the witness, this helps the witness to retract", he said. Bhardwaj said in many cases the police officials also tend to distort the statements of witnesses and do not record the truth and felt there was a need to have an overseeing authority in this regard. (PTI) |
|
Congress gears up for re-enactment of historic dandi march NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Hectic preparations are on for the re-enactment of the historic dandi march on its 75th anniversary from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12, traversing the same path taken by Mahatma Gandhi, in an apparent message to the Sangh Parivar in BJP stronghold of Gujarat. The 26-day march, being seen as a Congress answer to the saffron party’s plank of cultural nationalism, will seek to galvanise the party ranks all over the country and to convey that Gandhi’s ideology remained relevant, Congress general secretary and coordinator for the march Ashok Gehlot said today. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is also the chief patron of the march, will inaugurate the event by administering a pledge of communal harmony and development to the volunteers. Simultaneously, Congress workers will take a similar pledge at the district headquarters’ throughout the country coinciding with the inauguration. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is the patron, all Congress Chief Ministers, CWC members, PCC presidents, MPs and MLAs will also take part in the march, Gehlot said. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sunil Dutt, who has himself taken out many a padayatra to promote the cause of peace and brotherhood, is actively associated with the venture. Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Tushar Gandhi, who is the chief trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, had conceived the idea of the re-enactment of the march. Gehlot said Tushar Gandhi and the Gujarat PCC president B K Gadhvi were busy in giving final touches to the exercise that will go through Nadiad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad districts in Gujarat. Gehlot said the march was significant in Gujarat where the Sangh Parivar had allegedly "communalised" the situation that was reflected in the post-Godhra violence threatening the country’s secular fabric. Cultural troupes from various parts of the country would perform during the night halts of the march and street theatre groups would accompany it to spread the message of de-addiction and communal harmony. (PTI) Political parties demand restoration of democracy in Nepal NEW DELHI, Feb 24: A convention of major political parties, barring the NDA constituents, came together today to demand restoration of democracy in Nepal and condemn the "authoritarian" action of King Gyanendra in seizing power. Leaders of NDA constituents like BJP and JD(U) were conspicuous by their absence. JD (S) leader Surendra Mohan, who is involved in mobilising support for political freedom in Nepal, said "we had called everybody." BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however, said "as far as BJP is concerned, we were not invited." A demand was also voiced at the convention that the Government should make efforts to see that there was "full freedom" in Nepal. Senior leaders and representatives of 17 parties, including Congress, CPI(M), CPI, forward bloc, CPI(ML), RSP, Janata Dal (secular), Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Samajwadi Janata Party and RJD, gathered under the banner of Nepal Democracy Unity Committee (India) to express solidarity with people and democratic forces in Nepal in their struggle against the monarchy. The convention passed a resolution demanding withdrawal of emergency in Nepal, immediate release of all political detainees and restoration of democracy, freedom of speech and the press. It also asked the Indian Government "not to take any step which will give political legitimacy to the present authoritarian regime in Nepal." Former Prime Ministers V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar were also present at the convention, attended by representatives of several Nepalese political parties. Speaking on the occasion, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet said the challenge posed by King Gyanendra’s decision on February one to take over the reins of power also presented an opportunity for people there to strive to achieve "full freedom". "Our Government should also try to see that our neighbour attains full freedom and we will support its actions in this regard," he said. Chandra Shekhar said "the conditions in Nepal did not deteriorate suddenly, but India did not pay proper attention to it. "However, we are happy that the Indian Government has stopped arms supply to Nepal and openly condemned King Gyanendra’s move." V P Singh said India should make efforts through diplomatic channels and direct talks with the Nepalese leadership to ensure that elections were held there at the earliest. However, he said the decision to stop arms supply, "though a good pressure tactic at the moment", should be reviewed later as this could lead to "chaos" in Nepal because the Maoists would gain strength. "The surgery should not be worse than the cure," he added. Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said the fighting among political parties in Nepal was partly responsible for the present crisis. "But now unity is visible and is sure to yield results," he added. CPI leader A B Bardhan said "this is not for the first time that the people of Nepal are fighting for democracy and I am sure that within three months, King Gyanendra will have to review his decision." (PTI) |
|
|
|
|
Jaya decides to go ahead with relief package for fishermen CHENNAI, Feb 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today decided to go ahead with the permanent rehabilitation package for Tsunami affected fishermen, including mechanised boat owners, "hoping that the Centre will reimburse the state for the expenditure incurred." In a statement, she said under the package, fishermen, whose catamarans were fully damaged, would be sanctioned fifty per cent subsidy, subject to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh and a minimum of Rs 75,000. Replacement of fully damaged or lost mechanised boats would be taken up with a subsidy of 35 per cent of the total cost, restricting the subsidy to a maximum of Rs Five lakh per boat, she said adding repairs of mechanised boats would be taken up with a subsidy at 60 per cent of the assessed damage restricted to a maximum subsidy of Rs 3 lakh per unit. She said "the subsidy would be released to individual fishermen directly and steps would be taken to ensure that the assets are procured immediately," and wherever they wanted, arrangements would be made to send their applications to the public sector banks to enable them get the sanctioned loan. Blaming the Centre for the delay in undertaking the permanent rehabilitation measures for fishermen, she said it was unfortunate that when her Government had taken up permanent rehabilitation measures in full swing, the procedural changes indicated by the Centre had delayed the work. While the Centre had increased the susbidy for purchasing catamarans from 35 to 50 per cent and routed the subsidy through the State Government, it struck to its stand that in case of mechanised boats, subsidy would be maintained at 35 per cent and would be disbursed through nationalised bank and not through the State Government. Jayalalithaa said she had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to adopt the same procedure for mechanised boat owners also. "I had also requested that the issue could not be prolonged any further and the same procedure accepted for small fishing craft costing up to Rs 1.5 lakh may be made applicable in the case of mechanised boats and the funds may be released to the State Government," she said. The final view taken by the Centre on the matter was not yet known, she said. She reiterated her oft-repeated demand that the fishermen should be fully subsidised for their losses. With today’s package, the State Government had sanctioned Rs 550.27 crore as total assistance for the permanent rehabilitation of fishermen, she said. (PTI) |
|
||
SC dismisses Geelani’s plea for CBI probe directs police protection NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Giving a free hand to the Delhi Police investigating into the murderous attack on S A R Geelani, the Supreme Court today dismissed an application by the Delhi University teacher seeking probe into the February 8 incident by the CBI. "Any comment on the conduct of investigations at this stage may create bias," a bench comprising Mr Justice P V Reddi and Mr Justice P P Naolekar said, while turning down the plea by Geelani who sought probe by an independent investigating agency as police was treating "a victim of crime as an accused." The court, however, said that Geelani, whose acquittal in the Parliament attack case has been challenged in the Apex Court by the Delhi Police, was free to file a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution in the Apex Court or under Article 226 before the Delhi High Court for appropriate relief. The Supreme Court, which is presently hearing an appeal against Geelani’s acquittal, further directed the Delhi Police to provide adequate security to the Delhi University lecturer who received three bullet injuries in the incident. On Geelani’s lawyer Nandita Haksar expressing lack of confidence in the Delhi Police, Delhi Police counsel Gopal Subramanium agreed to consider his plea for security by the Rajasthan Police. On Geelani’s counsel Kamini Jaiswal seeking an immediate hearing on the pending application yesterday, the court had intervened to observe that much "restraint" was required in such matters and adjourned the hearing till today. "The way the investigation is going on in the case, we have no faith in the Delhi Police," Ms Jaiswal asserted. She alleged that despite the victim stating that he suspected the hand of Delhi Police in the incident, no note was taken of this aspect. She also reiterated the allegation that Geelani, his lawyer Nandita Haksar and his brother were being harassed by the Delhi Police. In the application filed through Ms Jaiswal, Geelani has alleged that despite serious nature of injuries, the police "have been constantly feeding false information about him to the media and public and making it look as if the applicant is deliberately obstructing the investigation which is being directed only against his well wishers." "Police have been treating me as an accused so much so that my wife, children and brother were not allowed to meet me or even see me," he said. While he was struggling for his life at the hospital, his well wishers, family and lawyers were being "harassed and interrogated" by the police, Geelani said, adding that on February 12 his house was ransacked and intruded by the police. He alleged that with the sole attempt to harass and intimidate him, his car and children’s computer had been seized by the police. On the prejudice against him, he pointed out that the thrust of the argument of the police in the appeal in the Apex Court had been directed against him. He pointed out that he had also filed an affidavit on March 14 last expressing apprehensions that he might be killed in a false encounter. The Delhi University teacher had been reportedly shot at in the Vasant Enclave area in south Delhi where he had gone to meet his lawyer Nandita Haksar. Police has already filed a status report before the Apex Court on the progress of investigation into the incident. Geelani has been alleging bias against the Delhi Police which had challenged a October 29, 2003 High Court order acquitting him. He had been awarded death sentence by the trial court. The pota court had found Geelani, who teaches Arabic at Delhi University, guilty of being involved in the conspiracy to launch an attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. While Geelani, M D Afzal and Shaukat Hussain Guru were awarded capital punishment, Shaukat’s wife Afshan Guru was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of five years by the trial court. The High Court, which upheld the conviction and sentence of Afzal and Shaukat, had acquitted Geelani and Afshan. (UNI) Left parties seek hike in plan outlay to boost various sectors NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Observing that the thrust of economic reforms should shift from capitalist profit to people’s welfare, left parties today sought an increase of Rs 50,000 crore in the central plan outlay to step up public investment in agriculture, employment generation and education and health sectors. Emerging out of a two-hour-long meeting of the UPA-Left Coordination Committee here, CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury said "the thrust of reforms must shift towards people’s welfare rather than capitalist profit and this shift, we hope, will be reflected in the budget." Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Government had "greatly benefitted" from the discussion with leaders of Left parties on a 12-point note they had submitted on the budget few weeks ago. Both, however, refused to divulge details of the discussions between the Government leaders and the Left quoting "budgetary secrecy". Besides the two, the meeting was attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet, CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja, Debabrata Biswas (forward bloc) and Abani Roy (RSP). Asked whether the issues of FDI in banking and real estate sectors or patents came up for discussion, Yechury said these were not discussed as these did not form part of the budgetary exercise. "These issues are being discussed at different levels and we will continue to discuss them". In the note submitted to the Government earlier, the Left parties had sought a hike in spending on rural infrastructure, irrigation and credit by Rs 14,000 crore, allocation of additional sum of Rs 20,000 crore on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and an additional allocation of Rs 8,000 crore each on education and health sectors. They had also suggested bringing down defence spending and measures to increase the tax-GDP ratio by around 1.5 per cent, which, they said, should be sufficient to meet additional expenditure of Rs 50,000 crore that was being suggested by them. The Left suggested measures like doing away with corporate tax exemptions and fixing of specific targets for realisation of tax arrears and recovery of non-performing assets of banks and financial institutions to meet the expenditure. They recommended that additional revenues could also be mobilised by levying new corporation taxes and customs duties as well as widening tax net by focussing on the upper classes. Among various other measures, these parties, providing crucial support to the UPA Government from outside, had suggested imposition of an ad valorem tax on all foreign exchange outflows to protect capital flight. The Left parties said no foreign entity should be allowed to hold rupee denominated sovereign debt, either directly or indirectly. They also suggested several steps to enhance rural credit, besides revision of customs and excise duties to benefit domestic manufacturers and opposed any move to make power sector a virtual zero import duty segment. (PTI) Shahabuddin released from Beur jail PATNA, Feb 24: Controversial RJD Lok Sabha member from Siwan, Mohammed Shahabuddin was today released from high-security beur jail here following the directive of Chief Minister Rabri Devi, highly-placed sources said. Shahabuddin, who was detained by the District Magistrate (DM), Siwan, C K Anil, in judicial custody till February 28 under the Bihar Crime Control of Crime Act apprehending disturbances during the poll, was let-off by the Beur jail authorities after receiving the State Government’s order this morning. The sources said that Chief Minister Rabri Devi, who is also in-charge of Home Department, ordered the release of Shahabuddin as the polling in Siwan ended yesterday. The Patna High Court had on February 18 granted regular bail to Shahabuddin in connection with the abduction-cum-killing of the CPI-ML (liberation) activist Munna Choudhury. Hours after the court’s order, DM had debarred Shahabuddin from entering the limits of Siwan for a year and he had subsequently detained Shahabuddin in judicial custody in Beur jail. The sources said that the Chief Minister had set aside DM’s order detaining Shahabuddin and ordered his release as he had already completed formalities for securing bail in the Munna Choudhury abduction-cum-murder case. (PTI) |
||
|
||
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
