Work hit in Central govt offices, banks in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Dec 14: Work in Central government offices and banks in Kashmir was hit today due to a 24-hour countrywide strike called by Trade Unions affiliated to the Left Parties to protest economic and industrial policies of the UPA regime.

Postal, banking and insurance services were the most affected by the strike. All nationalised banks and insurance companies observed a complete strike. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank functioned normally and work at the Srinagar Airport was not affected as all incoming and outgoing flights operated as per the schedule.

The employees of Central government offices also struck work in response to the strike call.

Hundreds of employees took out a protest march here, seeking implementation of their 16-point charter of demands, including a legislation to protect 370 million people in the unorganised sector, stopping violation of Labour laws and preventing disinvestment of profit-making PSUS and a comprehensive law for Agricultural workers.

Reports of protests and demonstrations were received from various district headquarters in the Kashmir valley.

CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, who is also the CITU-Jammu and Kashmir chapter president, later congratulated the workers of public, private and government sectors for observing the strike.

He urged both the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government to heed to the voice of the working class and come up with concrete measures to redress the genuine and legitimate grievances of the workers and the employees. (UNI)

CBSE XII board exams to start from
March One, X from March 2

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: The Class XII exams conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will commence from March one next year while the Class X exams will start from March two.

The Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII) will be over by the second week of April whereas the Secondary School Examination (Class X) will be over by the end of March, the CBSE said in a release here today.

The date sheet for both the examinations will be announced soon, it said. (PTI)

Women to pay half the fare on buses from March next year

JAIPUR, Dec 14: As a Women’s Day gift, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has announced women travelling in state buses will have to pay only half the fare from March 8 next year.

Speaking after laying the foundation for an international bus terminal at Mansarovar yesterday, Raje said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 450 crore for a Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) to ease the traffic woes of the city.

The bus terminal to come up over 50,000 square metres of land, is a joint venture of HUDCO and RSRTC and would be completed within two years. RSRTC would execute the project.

When the terminal is commissioned, it will relieve some of the burden on the Sindhi camp main bus terminal and ease traffic congestion, Raje said.

"Low floor buses would be inducted into the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation fleet from January 16 for convenience of the women, senior citizens and physically challenged travellers and seats in all services would be reserved for these sections," she added. (PTI)

Bill to prevent child marriages moved

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: A Bill aiming to provide stringent penalties for performing child marriages was today moved by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury in the Rajya Sabha.

Stating that the "two words-child and marriage-were contradictory", the Minister said the Bill aimed to stop the pernicious practice that was to be found even among the educated and affluent households in several states.

Ms Chowdhury said 65 per cent of young girls were married off below the age of 18 years and became mothers even though they were physically unprepared to give birth. She regretted that these girls were treated like a "transferable commodity" by their families.

Without mincing words, the Minister described the practice as the "biggest obscenity" cast on society and blamed illiteracy, societal attitudes and social acceptance as the reasons for its continuance despite several laws prohibiting.

The Bill which seeks to replace the Sharda Marriage Act of 1929 by making it a crime to solemnise a marriage of a child by giving a strong deterrence.

Child marriages are practiced in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

In view of the importance of the Bill, the Elders decided to dispense with the lunch hour to sit through the discussion.

Reminding the members that the Bill was introduced in the House in the winter session of 2004, the Minister said the Parliamentary Standing Committee addressed it two years ago. Following its recommendations, the matter was looked into by the Group of Ministers and the Bill sent for Cabinet approval.

BJP member Kalraj Mishra, initiating the discussion on the Bill, however, expressed reservations over the stringent punishment of one year’s imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh on the child’s parents saying that child marriages often took place among the poor, and Dalit sections of society.(UNI)

Nagaland seeks amendment of truce ground rules

KOHIMA, Dec 14: The Nagaland Government today demanded the amendment and effective implementation of ground rules for the truce with insurgent groups to rein in warring rebels.

Pointing out that factional clashes in the state were part of the unresolved Naga political conflict, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told the assembly that his Government had been suggesting to the Centre that the ground rules be amended.

During his recent visit to New Delhi, he held detailed discussions on the increasing clashes with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the presence of ministry officials and the state Chief Secretary.

Rio claimed that as a facilitator to the ongoing peace process, his Government had done its best to bring about some understanding among the warring factions of the NSCN with the services of civil groups and instill a sense of security among people.

Stating that the clashes were everybody’s concern, Home Minister Thenucho earlier informed the House that 46 people were killed in 89 such incidents during this year.

Thenucho claimed that barring factional clashes, the law and order situation in the state was normal and the government had done its best to prevent gun battles between reebels through the intervention of tribal councils, civil society groups, mothers and churches.

Cutting across party lines, MLAs expressed concern at the escalation of factional clashes that vitiated the atmosphere and urged the Government to spell out in clear terms whether the factional fighting was a law and order problem or a political issue.

Opposition Congress members, during question hour of the one-day winter session of the House, asked the government to clarify its stand on the quit notice served to a particular community by an underground group. They also sought the number of civilians killed during the same period in armed clashes.

Independent member and former finance minister K Therie insisted the State Government cannot disown responsibility for enforcing rule of law by passing the buck to the Centre on the ground that the ceasefire was agreed upon between rebels groups and the Union Government.

Lamenting that the equi-closeness policy of the State Government was losing ground and elected representatives were isolating themselves from the people, Therie urged the regime to take concrete steps to bring warring factions to a unified view on the Naga political issue and take up the matter with the Centre for a honourable settlement.

Intervening in the verbal clash between the Home Minister and MLAs, Rio said the clashes were part of the Naga political issue and taht he had suggested the amendment of the ground rules during his recent meeting with the Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Rio said though there was a ceasefire monitoring group, it remained toothless and the rules could not be enforced on the rebel factions.

He said as facilitator to the peace process, his Government has been insisting on an effective truce monitoring mechanism to be put in place for implementation of the rules.

Terming the quit notice served on a particular community as "most unfortunate", Rio said this development was everybody’s concern. He hoped good sense would prevail and the notice would be withdrawn. (PTI)

Job fair for disabled to begin from Dec 17

CHENNAI, Dec 14: A job fair aiming to provide employment opportunities for the disabled and create a platform for corporates to reach out to them, will be held here on December 17.

The third edition of ‘Employability 2006’ would be organised by the Ability Foundation, in association with industry body CII and Lions Club Padi-Shenoy Nagar, CII-Southern Region, CSR Sub-Committee Chairman T T Ashok told a reporters here today.

The number of corporates participating in the fair has increased from 32 in the first year to 69 this year, Ability Foundation Founder Jayashree Raveendran said.

"We have received tremendous response from the companies as well as disabled people," she said.

The first year saw 600 disabled people take part and the number has grown to 1,100 from 13 states this year, she said.

Jobs would be offered solely on the basis of talent and the fair is an equal opportunity for all, she said. (PTI)

Father pleads for mercy killing of ailing son

KANPUR, Dec 14: After running from pillar to post seeking funds for his ailing son’s treatment, a disheartened father here has urged the President to grant him permission for the ‘mercy killing’ of his son.

Praveen Kumar, 20-year-old son of Suresh Bajpai, has developed excess flesh on his face which chokes his respiratory tract, thereby threatening his life. Praveen has been on bed for the last one year.

Bajpai, who sold his house for Praveen’s treatment and took him to Lucknow and Delhi hospitals, today said that he was unable to bear the expenses.

"Doctors in Delhi said that it would require Rs fifteen to twenty lakhs for his treatment," he said.

Bajpai said he had sent applications to the District Magistrate, the state Chief Minister and the Prime Minister seeking their help but there was no response.

He said that he along with his wife have sent an application to the President urging him to permit mercy killing of their son. (PTI)

Senior police official smashes
camera of PTI photo-journalist

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: The nationwide general strike called by various trade unions turned ugly in the national capital today when a senior Delhi Police official roughed up a PTI photo-journalist besides smashing his camera and damaging it.

The incident took place outside the Indira Gandhi Airport this morning when the journalists and camera persons were covering the demonstration organised by employees of the Airports Authority of India Limited.

Irked by its failure to pacify the angry demonstrators, a Delhi Police team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police B B Choudhary turned its heat towards the photographers and camera persons, who were covering the news for their respective organisations.

The high-handedness of police crossed the all limits when the ACP assaulted PTI’s photo-journalist Kamal Singh, snatched his camera and smashed it on the ground damaging it beyond repair.

After this, the senior Delhi Police official threatened the photographer with dire consequences and even "ordered" his men to arrest him.

The high-handedness of police was opposed by scores of media persons present at the scene, who immediately called the superior officials of the Delhi Police for an immediate intervention.

Sensing trouble, Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul rushed Joint Commissioner Aditya Arya to scene.

The senior police official, instead of probing the matter, was seen enjoying the afternoon winter sun along with the ACP and also refused to entertain the demand of the scribe for registering of an FIR against the erring official.

The journalists gathered at the police station demanded registering of the FIR.

However, the Delhi Police Sub Inspector Jagat Singh only took the complaint and refused to register an FIR, a move which was in clear violation of the Supreme Court’s recently issued guidelines whereby refusal of registering an FIR was also a crime.

Repeated requests by the agitated scribe for registering of the FIR failed to yeild any result and instead the Delhi Police inspector brought in more force, possibly for yet another action.

The scribes later filed a complaint against the ACP which was received by the Delhi Police with an assurance that "some action" would be taken soon.

When contacted, the Police Commissioner promised that an appropriate action would be initiated soon against the erring Delhi Police official. (PTI)

SC asks MCD to approach MC against
sealing on three streets

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: The Supreme Court today did not hear a plea by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) seeking exemption from sealing of commercial establishments on three streets in a South Delhi market, inadvertently left out of the protection guaranteed under the controversial September 7 notification.

"You (MCD) go and impress upon the Monitoring Committee in this regard," a Bench headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal said when corporation’s counsel Sanjib Sen mentioned the matter before it.

The counsel said that the three streets-Maa Anandmai Marg, Guru Ram Dass Marg and Shiv Mandir Marg-in Lajpat Nagar area, should be exempted from sealing drive though they were not covered under 2183 streets and stretches identified as mixed use streets under the notification.

The civic body had appraoched the court saying that these streets fulfil all the criteria as per the notification and were inadvertently left out during the previous survey though the extent of commercialisation of these streets are more than 90 per cent.

The MCD said it was seeking court’s intervention as its September 29 order has restrained the concerned authorities from issuing any other notification for conversion of residential user into commercial user except with the permission of the court. (PTI)

HC seeks details about quake money

SRINAGAR, Dec 14: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the State Government to submit fresh disbursement report about the amount meant for the survivors of the devastating earthquake of October 8 last year.

In his compliance report, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary Finance Department informed the court that Rs 34.33 crore and Rs 150 crore had been received from the Centre.

However, he did mention whether the amount has been released to quake survivors as second and third installments.

The State Government has claimed that all such bills pending in treasuries have been cleared.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan and Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani, directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch and the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla to file fresh disbursement report of the amount received before the next date of hearing.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir informed the court that two officials were found involved in the embezzlement of quake relief.

He said the two officials-Mohammad Younis Kakru and Abdur Rashid-were later placed under suspension and the matter has been referred to the Crime Branch of the state police.

The Bench ordered the Crime Branch to complete the investigations within three weeks.

It also asked the Crime Branch to inform the court about the progress made into the investigations on the next date of hearing. (UNI)

Sanjay Gandhi remembered on 60^{th birth anniversary}

^{NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Rich tributes were paid to late Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi on his 60th birth anniversary here today.}

^{Sanjay’s wife and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi and her son Varun visited his memorial at Shantivan and offered floral tributes.}

^{Congress President Sonia Gandhi also visited the memorial on the banks of river Yamuna and took part in a prayer meeting organised to remember the departed soul. (PTI)}

With Over 250,000 hits, President’s web
site abuzz with activities

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: With a hit rate of over 250,000 per day, President APJ Abdul Kalam’s personal web site -- www.President of India.Nic.In <http://www.President of India.Nic.In>-must be firmly ensconced in a realm of world records.

On certain special occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day, the hit rate goes spiralling up to nearly a million.

The disclosure came straight from the computer-savvy occupant of Raisina Hill.

"Rashtrapati Bhavan has introduced connectivity with our citizens, institutions, universities, government departments and multilateral agencies during the last four years.

"For enabling such connectivity, all the important events in which I participate are brought out in the website immediately after the function," Dr Kalam said during his inaugural speech at "India Telecom 2006: Mapping the Road Ahead".

Known as much for his silver locks as for his scientfic acumen, the ‘missile man’ said on an average, this web site has a hit-rate of over 250,000 per day.

"In addition, I receive over 500 e-mails and 500 letters on an average from various people from all over the country and abroad. I also receive 100_s of questions from the students and children every day."

Dr Kalam said the President’s House had built in an e-Governance system to study all the correspondence on a day to day basis, analyse, prioritise, verify and determine the action requirements to be taken by Rashtrapati Bhavan and other agencies of Government and the relevant institutions both public and private.

"We have now established a less-paper, dynamic and secured workflow system for the file movements. We have a fibre broad band POP (Point of Presence) which can connect up to 64 Mbps. We have established within Rashtrapati Bhavan facilities for G2G and G2C connectivity," he said.

The President also informed that the process was on for establishing the high bandwidth broadband VPN connectivity with the Central and state Governments and other relevant institutions for seamless flow of information within the existing systems and procedures of governmental functioning.

"This will soon become the part of the e-Governance GRID. Similar Grids are required to be developed for connectivity amongst all the institutions in the country," he said, adding that the telecom sector could act as a trigger to achieve this goal in a cost-effective manner.

(UNI)