Rail budget fabulous says Cong,
Oppn says its disappointing

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Terming the railway budget as ‘fabulous", the Congress today said that the budget showing Rs 20,000 crore profit was growth oriented and reduced the train fares for all.

However, the Left parties and the Samajwadi Party did not share this optimism of the Congress and said that the budget has not done much for the common man and shows that the Railways are moving towards privatisation.

Senior Congress leader and Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters here that no previous Railway Minister has presented such a budget which Mr Lalu Prasad has done. He has used the principle of economics of scale by which the volume would increase while price will be reduced and the Railways would make profit.

Stating that the overall picture of the Railway budget was very good and the Railway Minister has moved in the right direction, he said that in the new budget space has been increased by new trains and coaches and adding wagons. Wooden sleepers have been replaced and many other facilities been provided.

On the question of security in trains, Mr Sibal said that "terror blasts like Samjhauta Express could happen anywhere as terrorists could penetrate anywhere." However, a new Committee has been constituted to look into the safety and security of passengers.

Asserting that the number of train accidents have decreased recently, Mr Sibal said that railways was doing everything and taking all steps to ensure that the number of accidents were decreased.

Congress spokesman Rajiv Shukla said it was the "best" Railway Budget as till now fares were being hiked while this time it has been decreased.

However, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav differed from the Congress and said it was a very "disappointing" budget.

Forward Bloc MP Debabrata Biswas said the budget shows that the railways was moving toward privatisation. The budget had nothing much to offer to the common man, he said.

Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Abani Roy said the railway budget had failed to bring cheers to the common man as despite making so many announcements, the Railway Minister had just given a relief of Re one to the common man.

Congress leader and Minister of State for Health Panabaka Lakshmi said the budget showed the the UPA government was committed to the welfare of poor people and would be very useful for them.

However, NDA Convenor George Fernandes said he could not hear the announcements in the din caused by the opposition protests on the Quattrocchi issue. He however, said the Minister informed him, that the fare has been cut which was a welcome move. (UNI)

NCW recommends change in ‘rape’ definition in new bill

VARCA, GOA, Feb 26: The National Commission for Women has recommended changes in the definition of rape in the proposed Sexual Assault Bill to include assaults other than penetration.

"We have submitted the Sexual Assault Bill to the Government. In that, we have changed the definition of rape. We call it sexual assault," NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said on the sidelines of a seminar here.

"It means not only penetration but other kind of assault also comes under the definition," said Vyas, who was talking alongside the regional conference on "Integrated Plan of Action to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking with Special Focus on Children and Women".

The NCW is optimistic that the Sexual Assault Bill and Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill will come through.

"Last year we gave 22 bills, of which 7-8 were passed by Parliament," Vyas said.

The NCW also plans to nail down erring officials, who adopt casual approach towards rape cases. "We have demanded severe punishment to the culprit even if he is a police officer. If police don’t file FIRs they should be fined."

The NCW has suggested an annual mandatory training course for police on various laws related to women.

"There should be a separate 24-hour desk in each police station to entertain complaints related to women," she said.

Vyas said due to the lack of a comprehensive law to ensure rehabilitation of Devdasis, they were returning to the practice.

Talking about human trafficking, Vyas said Goa was becoming a hub for such activities. "Laws should be stringent to curb trafficking," she said. (PTI)

Don Babloo plans to contest assembly polls

LUCKNOW, Feb 26: Underworld don Babloo Srivastava, who was recently acquitted by the Delhi High Court in a murder case, today announced his intentions to enter the electoral fray in the coming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Babloo had contested the last Lok Sabha elections and the assembly elections unsuccessfully.

Talking to reporters here, he said he proposed to contest as an Independent from Lucknow (central) assembly seat.

The underworld don was here in connection with a criminal case appearance at a local court.

On February 22, the Delhi High Court had acquitted him and co-accused businessman Nitin Shah in the Lalit Kumar Suneja murder case.

The Delhi police had charged the two with entering into a conspiracy to kill Suneja, after Shah and Suneja had failed to settle a financial dispute between them.

Suneja was murdered at Shakarpur in East Delhi in August 1992.

Additional Sessions Judge Rajender Kumar of the Karkardooma courts in Delhi had last year sentenced the two to life imprisonment, holding them guilty of conspiracy and hiring two contract killers-Virender Pant and Manish Dixit-to eliminate Suneja. (UNI)

Budget reflects Lalu’s special love for IIM

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: ‘Management Guru’ Lalu Prasad’s special affinity with the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, today came to the fore.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2007-08, he announced establishment of a ‘Railway Chair’ at the prestigious B-school for research in railway infrastructure and management.

Prasad, credited with the turnaround of Indian Railways, had been invited to the IIM-Ahmedabad last year.

The Railway Minister had also addressed visiting students of Wharton Business School.

He also announced that the Railways would be training Railway personnel of African countries.

Prasad said the Chairman Railway Board had been elected as the first Chairman of the Asian Railway Association as also the first non-European President of the International Railway Union (UIC). (PTI)

Lalu terms BJP as ‘anti-poor’

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Describing BJP as "anti-poor", Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said the main opposition sought to disrupt the Rail budget proceedings as it did not want the country to know how benefits of the Railways have been onpassed to all sections of the people.

"BJP and its ‘Ram Lila mandali’ (Ram Lila group) know what direction the Railways had taken under their rule. They also know how 16 lakh employees of the Railways worked unitedly to bring it out of the financial rut and posted profits," he told reporters after presenting the Railway budget in the Lok Sabha.

"They (BJP) know that how all sections of the people have continued to benefit in three rail budgets of the UPA Government. That is why they kept shouting so that the people do not come to know what benefits are being passed on to them," he said adding the people would decide on BJP’s fate.

Describing Rs 20,000 crore worth of profits posted by the Railways as a "historic surplus", Prasad also elaborated on the various "pro-people" measures announced by him in the budget, including lowering of fares and charges on all classes. (PTI)

Lalu gives credit for good showing to Rly staff

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Attributing the turnaround in the Railways to the hard work of its 14 lakh employees and the utmost affection and support of the countrymen, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad toay likened the "miracle" to the mythological lifting of the Govardhan mountain by Lord Krishna.

"When faced with a crisis, Lord Krishna had lifted the Govardhan with his finger, he was called Girdhar. But the mountain was supported, in the process, by thousands of villagers with their lathis," Mr Prasad said as he began reading out his speech while presenting his fourth Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha.

"Even though the people are giving me credit for the turnaround in the Railways, I would like to tell the House in all humility that this miracle has been accomplished, thanks to the untiring efforts of the 14 lakh railway emloyees and the utmost affection and support of the counrymen," he said.

The Minister quoted four lines in support of his observation, saying "Navajish hai sabki, karam hai sabhi ka,

Bade Fakhra Se Ham Bulandi Par Aaye

Tarakki Ke Sare Mayaron Se Aage,

Naye Dhang Laaye, Sahee Soch Laaye."

Mr Yadav again recited a couplet in support of his claim that by earning a historic surplus inspite of reduction in the passenger fare he had exploded the myth that the Railways were sinking into financial crisis due to social obligations. Our turnaround strategy based on a perfect blend of commercial wisdom and empathy for the people had made the Railways a centre of attraction for the world.

"Mana Ki Badi Badi Baaten Karna Hamen Nahi Aaya,

Magar Dil Par Badi Karigari Se Naam Likhte Hain." (UNI)

NHRC issues notice to Centre on Land Acquisition Act

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Centre on a petition seeking amendment in the "out-dated" Land Acquisition Act 1894, which it alleged was being used "arbitrarily" against farmers to grab their land.

The petitioner P Pullarao, an economist from Andhra Pradesh, moved the Commission alleging that in the past three years many acres of land has been acquired under the Act, displacing over 10 million farmers across the country in the name of development.

"No explaination is being given by the state governments or officials. The land is taken away using the Act. Farmers are thrown away from their villages without ensuring them any proper rehabilitation," he said.

Pointing out "flaws" in the current land acquisition procedure, he said, "the District Collector issues a notification of land acquisition. It is then followed by revenue officials giving notice of vacation from the property."

While drawing the attention of the Commission to the various provisions under Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which does not allow any public hearing on the issue of land acquisitions, Pullarao said it amounts to human rights violation.

Terming the Section 3 (2) of Chapter II titled "Establishment of SEZ" as a "bully" act on the part of the government, Pullarao has sought intervention of the NHRC in the matter.

The section states that "any person who intends to set up a SEZ may after identifying the area make a proposal to the State Government concerned for the purpose of setting up the SEZ".

In Andhra Pradesh, alleged Pullarao, the officials had been grabbing the land by forcing the farmers to voluntarily accept the compensation whatever decided by them.

Seeking suspension of the land acquisition Act, the petitioner has urged the NHRC to direct the Ministry of Rural Development to amend it in a "sensitive manner."

Taking cognisance of the complaint, the Commision has also issued notice to Andhra Pradesh to submit the factual report in the matter within six weeks. (PTI)

Vast opportunities for Keralite nurses in UK

KOCHI, Feb 26: Leading UK Immigration Advisers, Bison UK feels that there are vast opportunities for Keralite nurses to work in the over 20,000 private care homes for elderly in Britain.

Thousands of nurses will retire within the next few years and by 2010 there will be a huge shortage of nurses in the UK, Bison Managing Director Charles Kelly told reporters here.

There is shortage of staff for the elderly, mentally challenged and those with learning disability, he said.

Asked about the stringent new immigration laws, which could affect the job prospects of Indian doctors, he said Britain had decided to keep the new immigration law on hold for the time being. But the rules would not affect nurses, he said.

Bison and A Mark college, London have teamed up with Indian Manpower consultants, Euro Asia, to provide student visa services to people in Kerala the opportunity to study in the UK. There are excellent opportunities for Indians to come to the UK to study and earn while they learn.

A Mark college is a fully accredited college, which provides a wide range of courses including National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Levels 2, 3 and 4 and the Popular Registered Managers Award (RMA) in Health and social care, Cheranjeev Bhasin, a trainer at the college, said. After a three-month course, the students are sent to care homes for getting on the job training, she said.

Euro Asia Managing Director, Thankachan, said his agency had sent 89 nurses to the UK. (PTI)

Council of Ministers approve dissolution
of Punjab Assembly

CHANDIGARH, Feb 26: The Council of Ministers in Punjab today approved dissolution of the state Assembly ahead of counting of votes tomorrow, an official spokesman said.

The recommendation has been sent to the Governor for further action on the resolution approved at the meeting presided over by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the spokesman said here.

This would pave the way for the constitution of the 13^{th legislative assembly after the counting of votes of 116 of the 117-member house.}

^{Official sources said Amarinder Singh would submit his resignation and the Governor would ask him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister till the formation of new government.}

^{On the proposal to implement the Supreme Court judgment on Police Reforms, the Council of Ministers decided that the matter may be considered by the next Government.}

^{The meeting, however, approved transfer of 391.53 acres of land in SAS Nagar (Mohali) to the Centre for establishment of Knowledge City comprising various institutions, including Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, National Institute of Nano-technology and National Institute of Agri-Food Biotechnology, the spokesman said. (PTI)}

SC seeks details from Centre on Quattrocchi’s extradition

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: The Supreme Court today sought details from the Government on the steps taken for extradition of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Bofors pay-off case, and his detention in Argentina earlier this month.

A bench headed by Justice C K Thakker issued notices to the Centre and CBI and sought their replies within a week.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subrahmaniam, while accepting the notices, said that a special team of the CBI is being sent to Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, for expediting the extradition process.

The court issued the direction after a lawyer, Ashok Aggarwal who had filed a PIL on the issue, made a mention of Quattrocchi’s detention at Iguazu international airport in Buenos Aires on February six on the basis of a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol at the behest of the CBI.

He alleged that though the CBI had the knowledge of his detention as earlier as on February seven, it kept the matter under wraps for "obvious" reasons.

The Bench then remarked it was a serious matter.

Later, Subrahmaniam told PTI that Quattrocchi’s extradition has to be decided by the Argentinan Government and the local court there.

He said two countries have no extradition agreement at present and that could make it difficult for Indian Government in its attempt to get his extradition.

Aggarwal moved the apex court on Saturday seeking a direction to the CBI to submit status report on the steps taken for Quattrocchi’s extradition.

The application contended that CBI withholding information about Quattrocchi’s detention in Argentina amounted to contempt of court.

The application said since Indian Government was not having extradition treaty with Argentina, there was apprehension that the CBI may not be able to get Quattrocchi back.

"It has, therefore, become necessary for the petitioner to approach this court for direction to CBI and other authorities in the Government to take immediate steps to accomplish extradition of fugitive Ottavio Quattrocchi, lest he again becomes scarce to CBI, which is already having a lukewarm approach in the matter favouring Quattrocchi," the application said. (PTI)

HC direction to Bihar Govt on Shahabuddin’s petition

PATNA, Feb 26: Patna High Court today directed the Bihar Government to file its reply within four weeks on a petition of controversial RJD MP Mohd Shahabuddin seeking amalgamation of five FIRs registered against him on a single day.

Justice Shyam Kishore Sharma asked the state government to file its reply through a counter affidavit.

Naresh Dikshit, counsel for RJD Lok Sabha member from Siwan, contented that since all the five FIRs had arisen from raids at the MP’s residence on April 24, 2005, these be amalgamated into one.

Five separate FIRs were registered against Shahabuddin with Hussainganj police station of Siwan district following raids at his house.

The cases related to recovery of stolen vehicles, seizure of bullet-proof jacket and unaccounted foreign exchange, recovery of a country-made pistol and ammunition, seizure of a foreign-made pistol and cartridges and power-theft.

Shahabuddin is currently lodged in Siwan jail in connection with several cases ranging from murder, attempt to murder, to kidnapping and possession of illegal weapons. (PTI)