SAD seeks CBI probe into "land scam"

CHANDIGARH, Dec 6: The main opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today sought Governor S F Rodrige’s intervention in ordering a CBI inquiry into the alleged Rs 2000 crore "forest land scam" in Punjab.

"As the state agencies are directly under the charge of the main accused, Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, only a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation can help the people find the truth," a delegation of SAD led by party chief Parkash Singh Badal told the Governor.

In the meantime, the Chief Minister should be either asked to step down or be sacked to facilitate a fair probe, the delegation said in its memorandum to the Governor.

The memorandum also brought to the notice of the Governor all the details regarding the way this scandal progressed and how even the farmers of the region were allegedly duped by a curious Government decision which stipulated that the change of Land Promoters Ltd. (jlp) developed it.

"This put the farmers at the mercy of the JLPL, forcing them to sell their lands at throw away prices to this company. All this was done with the direct intervention of the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh," said the memorandum, copies of which were released to media here.(PTI)

BJP urges Muslims to help in Temple construction

AYODHYA, Dec 6: The BJP today exhorted the Muslim community to help in the construction of a grand temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi complex here.

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Katiyar said here by assisting in the construction of a Ram Temple, Muslims would spread the message of brotherhood.

"Like every year, this time also the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is observing the 14th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure as ‘Shaurya Diwas’. But, there is no need for all this," the firebrand leader observed.

He added that the need of the hour is to kickstart the Temple movement.

"October 30 and November 2 are more significant than December 6, since on the former days, innocent ‘Karyasewaks’ were brutally fired upon under the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime," Mr Katiyar said.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made on the 14th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure.

hile, VHP is celebrating the day as ‘Shaurya Diwas’, the Muslim organisations are observing the anniversary as ‘Kala Diwas’ (black day) to pray for the reconstruction of the demolished structure.

All meetings, conferences and speeches have been banned within the 1,500 metre radius of the makeshift temple ‘Ramlala’. (UNI)

New Pharmaceutical policy to be
announced this month: Paswan

JALANDHAR, Dec 6: Union Minister of Chemical, Fertilizer and Steel, Ram Vilas Paswan today revealed that new pharmaceutical policy with an eye to extend help to the weaker section of the society would be announced in the current month.

"Draft of the new pharmaceutical policy has already been finalized and the concrete policy in which a provision of special fund of Rs 200 crore will be kept to provide free treatment of cancer to the people of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and the poor people of little above poverty line will get a rebate of 50 per cent for the treatment of deadly decease of Cancer", Paswan told reporters here today.

Paswan further revealed that for the people in the category of BPL, a special scheme of Free Health Insurance would also be launched for which Union Government would spend Rs 3000 crore to benefit as many as 30 crore poor people of the country.

Under the free Health Insurance Scheme, treatment worth Rs 35,000 would be provided to the people of BPL free of cost, he clarified.

Pointed out that in spite of the Government’s announcement regarding reduction in the rate of several medicines, the cost of such medicines were yet to be reduced in the market, Paswan admitted the same and said that actual reduction of as many as 886 medicines, for which the cost was reduced, would take some more time due to several formalities.

"To extend maximum help to the weaker section of the society, a scheme is being launched under which hospitals will directly purchase medicines from the company for its further distribution among poors+, Paswan revealed adding that such scheme has already been launched in the state of Rajasthan.

Union Minister further revealed that it has also been planned to establish drug banks in all states and pilot project for the same would start from January 26, through which medicines would be distributed free of cost to the poor section of the society.

"State Government were asked to submit their proposal for setting up of drug banks in the state and under the scheme equal share of expenditure will be borne by Union Government, state Government and the medicine companies", he added.(PTI)

Govt comes down heavily on BJP for
raking up Ayodhya issue

NEW DELHI, Dec 6: Government today came down heavily on the main opposition BJP for raking up Ayodhya issue once again ahead of Assembly elections in UP and asked BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh to clarify whether they subscribe the view to construct temple at the disputed site.

"It is most unfortunate that BJP members came with placards in the Lok Sabha reading mandir waheen banayange. It is total negation of collective declaration of NDA which promised to abide by Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue.

"It just exposed their hollowness that before every elections, they raise Ayodhya issue.... It is Advani’s and Rajnath Singh’s duty to answer today if they stand by the party that a temple will be constructed there (on the disputed site)," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

He recalled the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee promising to the nation that NDA would abide by Supreme Court’s order on Ayodhya issue.

Assailing the saffron party, he said UPA will not give any support to the saffron party to exploit the "passion, commotion and emotions" and divide the society ahead of Assembly elections in the state of U.P.

Asked about Liberhan Commission of Inquiry into the Babri Masjid demolition case, he said the Government had extended its tenure till 31st December, 2006 and hoped that it will be able to complete its report by that time.

"Based on the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry report, the Government will act and bring culprits to book", Dasmunsi said.

JD(U) and BJD, the two NDA allies, he said kept away from the saffron party’s actions in Lok Sabha. "I did talk to JD(U) and BJD asking them whether they are part of BJP’s protests in the House."

"You have seen us. Are we part of it", the JD(U) and BJD members have told me, Dasmunsi said.(PTI)

Inquiry against Reliance, Bharti for
violation in border areas

NEW DELHI, Dec 6: The Government has initiated investigations against telecom giants Bharti Airtel and Reliance Infocomm on provision of service in the buffer zone along international border, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for IT and Communications Shakeel Ahmad said in a written reply that investigations were also going on against AT&T, BT, Equant and MCI for providing services without license, although AT&T has now acquired the license.

Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd faces inquiry on a complaint on charging excess from public by its PCO franchise, while VSNL is under investigation for under-charging carriage cost of long distance calls. TTSL (Delhi) also faces enquiry on overcharging.

TTSL, Airtel, Reliance Infocmm face investigation for extension of area of coverage to Bahadurgarh SDCA by mobile service provider and TTML, Idea and Reliance are accused of providing services beyond their allocated area of Maharashtra.

Reliance Infocomm also had wrongfully claimed funds from the Universal Services Obligation Fund.

Vebtel faces enquiry for providing internet telephony operations through franchise beyond their service areas.

Ready link internet servcies are also operating beyond their service area in Trichy and Salem. ISP Services Ltd was also operating beyond service area, Ahmad said.

The inquiries are is in addition to Reliance Infocomm being involoved in illegal routing of international calls as local calls, where BSNL and MTNL raised bills for Rs 341.27 crore and Rs 319.04 crore respectively. Reliance has already paid the bills, Ahmad said.

The Government also levied a Rs 150 crore penalty on Reliance for license violation on the same allegations. The company has since paid the bills.

The Government also had to terminate commercial VSAT license of HFCL Satellite Communications Ltd after receiving complaints. Similarly, Government terminated the license of Trident Netcom after it was found to be involved in grey market operations.(PTI)

Centre to introduce new industry policy for NE

AIZAWL, Dec 6: The Union Trade Commerce and Industry Ministry has decided to adopt new industrial policy for the north east region.

Official sources here today said, according to the ministry the new policy would be facilitate industrial development in the region.

The sources added that the policy was outlined after detailed discussion of the issues regarding excise duty exemption while finance ministry has been asked to address other issues.

The existing industrial policy of the region will expire in March 2007.

Industry Ministers of NE states had earlier raised the issue of increasing capital investment subsidy in the new policy. (UNI)

Red mushroom a cure for ailments, say doctors

CHENNAI, Dec 6: Red mushroom, the ancient Chinese secret of health and longevity, is emerging as an elixir of life for many in India suffering from various ailments, including cancer, claim doctors in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

"It is not disease-specific or organ-specific. It is a dietary supplement which corrects the disorders of the body mainly by enhancing immunity and rebuilding lost or damaged cells", says Dr S Ranjan, a leading cardiologist here.

Dr N K Venugopal, a medical practitioner at Muvattupuzha in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, says he has been prescribing products made out of Ganoderma for over six years and claimed to have found total cure in about 1,000 patients suffering from various ailments.

"The regular intake of Ganoderma along with medication has proven that cancer can be cured in early stages," he says, adding, the polysaccharide fractions in Ganoderma are mainly responsible in developing immunity against tumours.

Prof K K Janardhanan of the Department of Microbiology, Amala Cancer Research Institute, Thrissur, says he was impressed by anti-cancer properties of Ganoderma during various studies.

"Our investigations have shown that methanolic extract of Ganoderma Lucidium, the variety commonly found in south India, possesses significant anti-tumour and anti-oxidant activities," he says.

"When mice were administered a dose of 500mg of Ganoderma per kg of body weight after implanting a tumour, it was found that the tumour load was reduced by 97.7 per cent within 10 days," he says.

Venugopal says he has noticed that even in patients in their final stages of cancer, Ganodema increases life-expectancy, reduces pain substantially, improved quality of life and reduces the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Dr Ranjan also says it was the anti-cancer effect of Ganoderma on a person with myelomonocytic Leukemia that exposed him to the virtues of the mushroom.

"A friend of mine was having blood cancer in its final stages in 1999 when he started having Ganoderma products. Within days, he showed signs of remission. He had a more comfortable living for four more years", he says.

The effect of mushroom was found to be cent percent in diabetics, psoriasis, liver and cardiovascular disorders, Dr Venugopal says.

Prof M T Joseph of Thodupuzha in Kerala’s Idukki district, says he was suffering from acute psoriasis eight years back. "Different systems of treatment, including allopathy, ayurveda and homeopathy, could not bring any relief.

Then, I came across ganoderma through a friend who was cured of acute diabetics. After consulting a few experts, I started having Ganoderma and, to my surprise, within a few months I was fully recovered", he says.

"Another remarkable thing I found was that many other smaller problems like ulcer in the stomach and bleeding of the gum also were cured."

Apart from building up immunity of the body, the mushroom also has anti-ageing properties, he claimed.

Various products of Ganoderma are being consumed by people in around 60 countries, says Dr Vengugopal adding the these have been certified by United States food and drug authority and approved by Japan in anti-cancer care.

While Indonesia has an approved diploma course in Ganotherapy, various species of Ganoderma have been included in Chinese pharmocoepia.

In China, mushrooms were in use for over 4,000 years for physicial and mental well being. Known as ‘Ling Zhi’ in local parlance, it was an expensive tonic mostly reserved for emperors and the rich.

The medicinal properties of various varieties of red mushroom, especially those found in India, have special reference in the ancient ayurvedic texts, adds Dr Venugopal.

Agricultural research centres in India, including National Research Centre for Mushrooms, in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala Agricultural University have successfully grown some species of Ganoderma.

As much as 6,000 tonnes of Ganoderma extracts are produced yearly across the globe, with China, Japan and the two Koreas being the main producers. The total trade touches USD four billion, he says.

Dr Ranjan says researchers worldwide are trying to isolate molecules to be used in the allopathic system of medicine. "Though some reaearchers have developed ganomycin A and B, the clinical tests are still not complete", he says.

Dr Venugopal wants the Central Government to give more emphasis on research in the field and make the products locally available at cheaper rates. (PTI)

Escorts urges HC to restrain IT Dept from recovering dues

NEW DELHI, Dec 6: Rajan Nanda controlled Escorts Ltd has moved the Delhi High Court seeking a directive to restrain Income Tax authorities from recovering about Rs 65 crore— the tax liabilities of Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre (EHIRC) from its Escrow account.

In a contempt petition filed through counsel Simran Mehta, Escorts said that the Income Tax department had issued a notice dated November 11, to HDFC Bank asking it to release EHIRC’s tax liability of around Rs 65 crore from its ESCROW account.

Justice Reva Khetrapal has issued a notice to the Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax asking the Department to file its reply to the petition by December 8, the next date of hearing.

According to the petition, the tax authorities had threatened to attach the account of the bank with the Reserve Bank of India, knowing fully that the same would paralyse the bank operations.

According to Mr Mehta, the money lying in the Escrow account does not belong to Ehirc and the Department had no right to recover unpaid tax demands of the Heart Institute from the account.

Earlier, the court on September 9, 2005, had ordered Ehirc to maintain status quo regarding its sale to the Ranbaxy-controlled Fortis Healthcare.

It had also directed the parties to maintain status quo with regard to the sum of more than Rs 149 crore lying in the Escrow account of Ehirc.

The direction had come in the wake of Anil Nanda, the estranged brother of Escorts chairman Rajan Nanda, challenging the divestment of 90 per cent equity in the charitable institute in favour of Fortis Healthcare Ltd for Rs 650 crore. (PTI)

Three arrested for vandalising Kaif’s house

ALLAHABAD, Dec 6: Three student leaders of Lok Janshakti Party have been arrested for vandalising cricketer Mohammad Kaif’s house here.

Arif Iqbal, Prayag Rai and Krishna Murari - all leaders of the party’s student wing - were arrested from Civil Lines police station area last night for their alleged involvement in vandalising Kaif’s house on November 27 after the cricketer’s poor show in the one-day series against South Africa, police said today.

Earlier, Kaif’s father Mohd Tarif had threatened to leave the town prompting the district authorities to assure him that action would be taken against the culprits.

Iqbal, former state president of LJP’s student wing, was suspended from primary membership of the party for six years on Monday.

State LJP chief Shashi Prakash told PTI that notices would be issued to Rai and Murari also.

General Secretary of the party’s student wing, Ravi Jaiswal, was also placed under suspension for six years while president of state women’s wing Neeta Sahu was removed from her post for "indulging in an activity that was against the party’s policies and harmed its image". (PTI)

Ayodhya resonates in both Houses

NEW DELHI, Dec 6: Ahead of the electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh, the Babri mosque demolition anniversary resonated in Parliament today with both Houses adjourning before lunch following clashes between BJP-Shiv Sena members on the one side and SP, RJD and Left on the other.

While the Lok Sabha was adjourned twice, once each in Question Hour and Zero Hour, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned only once during pre-lunch session.

Both the Houses witnessed noisy scenes over the Babri issue which generated a lot of heat as rival parties in Uttar Pradesh wanted to extract maximum political mileage in the run-up to assembly elections early next year.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP-Shiv Sena members shouting slogans waved placards reading "Jai Shri Ram, Mandir waheen banayenge" (Hail Lord Ram, we will construct temple at the same spot) and "Ram Naam Se Sharmate, Afzal Ko Gale Lagate" (Shy away from Lord Ram’s name and embrace Afzal).

This was countered by SP, Left, RJD and some Congress members who raised anti-BJP slogans. Shiv Sena members were supporting saffron scarves in support of the Ayodhya cause.

In the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

When the House re-assembled, similar scenes prevailed and the House was adjourned again till 1400 Hours.

In the Upper House, trouble broke out during Zero Hour when Amar Singh (SP) raised the issue. BJP and Shiv Sena members were on their feet and soon trooped into the well shouting "Jai Shree Ram".

Countering them, SP members joined by RJD and Left members too rushed into the well and tried to shout BJP-Shiv Sena members down.

With both sides showing no signs of relenting, the House was adjourned till 1400 hrs. (PTI)

Body of a Punjab resident recovered

SRINAGAR, Dec 6: A body of a Punjab resident was today recovered from the downtown city, official sources said.

They said the body of Dileep Singh, a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab, was found at Ganderpora in the downtown city.

Police have taken the body and started investigation, they said, adding the cause of the death was not immediately known. (UNI)

Bollywood to launch signature
campaign support Sanjay on Dec 12

MUMBAI, Dec 6: The Bollywood today decided to launch a signature campaign on December 12 to express their support to actor Sanjay Dutt who has been held guilty under the Arms Act for possessing weapons used in 1993 serial bomb blasts case.

"We are grateful to Sanjay for his kind deeds and the help he extended to workers in the film industry and hence we are launching signature campaign to express our feelings that the entire Bollywood is with him in this moment of crisis", said Pahlaj Nihalani, film producer and President of Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers.

The signature campaign would be just for a day at the Film City in suburban Goregaon where members of film industry in various cadres-spot boys to actors, producers and directors -"will come together to show their support to Sanjay whom they all love", Nihalani said.

"We do not have any intention to interfere with the court’s order or influence the judiciary. The idea is to express our support to Sanjay who has in the past helped the film industry workers in whatever way he could", Nihalani said.

"All that I can say is that Sanjay is a nice person, always helpful to others and has already undergone punishment by spending some time in jail and going to TADA court regularly for the last 13 years", Nihalani said.

The film producer further said the entire Bollywood welcomed the verdict to the extent that Sanjay had been exonerated of terrorism charges.

After pronouncing him guilty on November 28, the court gave Sanjay time to surrender till December 19 and would hear arguments before awarding him the punishment. (PTI)