Cong says next Govt in UP will need its support

KANPUR, Mar 21: Claiming that the next government in Uttar Pradesh cannot be formed without the support of the Congress, the party has said the road show by Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi would help it get more Assembly sets this time.

"Congress’ position has been consolidated wherever Rahul Gandhi has carried out his road show. The party is gaining popularity and will get more seats this time," Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said here.

He charged the Samajwadi Party with supporting the BJP and said the Congress would not extend its support to either of the two for formation of their Government.

"SP and BJP were two faces of the same coin. SP after claiming itself to be a secular party was extending support to the BJP and this fact is well known to the people of the state. That is why there will be no alliance with SP either before or after the elections," Jaiswal said early this week.

He alleged that the two parties were helping each other to defeat Congress candidates and their understanding was also visible during the recent riots in Gorakhpur.

While the Congress had won just two seats in Kanpur city during the last Assembly election, he claimed the party will sweep all 10 seats this time.

Jaiswal said Rahul Gandhi would participate in a road show on April three or four in Kanpur. But his mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had recently addressed a public meeting in Kanpur, so it was likely that she would not visit the city for electioneering.

However, other senior leaders would address public meetings shortly, he said. (PTI)

Andhra tops in prosecuting child labour violators

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Up to 13,402 cases have been registered over the past three years across the country for violation of child labour laws, with 6,082 of them in Andhra Pradesh alone.

No case has been registered under anti-child labour laws over the period in Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal, Uttaranchal, Pondicheery, Lakshadweep, Goa, Daman and Diu, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar.

More than 3,300 cases have been registered in Karnataka, 1,136 in Tamil Nadu, 791 in Bihar, 688 in Jharkhand and 449 in Uttar Pradesh for child-labour violations over the past three years, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said in a reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Twelve cases have been registered in Assam, 185 in Sikkim, 140 in Delhi, 46 in Arunachal Pradesh, 158 in Gujarat and 49 in Maharashtra, a state-wise list referred to by the minister in connection with prosecution under anti-child labour laws said.

The Government’s national child labour project aimed at rehabilitation of working children is being carried out in 250 districts of 20 states, Fernandes said.

Employment: There is a positive impact of the new economic policy on employment opportunities, he said.

"As per the two most recent quinquennial rounds of the national sample survey organisation on employment and unemployment, employment opportunities on a current daily basis were estimated at 337.20 million in 1999-2000 (55^{th round), which has gone up to 382.66 million in 2004-05 (61st round)," the minister said in another reply. (PTI)}

Special public prosecuter removed in Jogi case

RAIPUR, Mar 21: The Chhattisgarh Government has replaced its special public prosecuter Vijay Shankar Gupta on the charges of not presenting its case properly in connection with the bail plea of former chief minister Ajit Jogi in the controversial Ram Avatar Jaggi murder case.

Official sources said Mr Gupta was removed last night, as he pleaded on behalf of the Government without proper preparation and did not consult seniors about the case.

Mr Jogi was arrested by the police on Sunday night while he was busy campaigning for the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha bypoll on the basis of a warrant issued by a local court on a ‘private complaint’ seeking to array the former chief minister as an accused in the Ram Avatar Jaggi murder case.

Opposition Congress termed his arrest on a private complaint, as a political conspiracy to keep Mr Jogi out of election scene at Rajnandgaon, as he was heading the campaign of Congress nominee Devarat Singh, who is pitted against Mr Leelaram Bhojwani (BJP) in the March 29 elections.

When Mr Jogi’s bail plea came up for hearing in the court of Additional district and Sessions Judge B L Tidke, special public prosecuter V S Gupta argued for preventing Mr Jogi from canvassing for the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha by-poll.

"The former Chief Minister is not keeping good health. His life is precious. Instead of going elsewhere, he should avail better treatment," he argued in the court.

The court had granted bail to Mr Jogi, who is undergoing treatment at a heart hospital here, on a personal bond of Rs one lakh and two sureties of Rs 50,000 each. (UNI)

Pramod Mahajan murder trial begins, two witnesses examined

MUMBAI, Mar 21: The trial in the Pramod Mahajan murder case began in a court here today with the prosecution examining two witnesses.

The prosecution will begin the examination of eye-witnesses in the case from tomorrow.

Sessions Judge S P Davare recorded the statement of a civil engineering student who had made a map of the scene of crime where Mahajan was shot.

The court also recorded the statement of a panchnama witness who was present when Pramod Mahajan’s wife Rekha had handed over the gown she was wearing on the day of the incident to the police.

Pravin, Pramod’s younger brother, is accused of having gone to the Worli residence of the BJP leader on April 22, 2006 and shooting him thrice at point blank range resulting in his death on May 3.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that the prosecution would begin the examination of eyewitnesses in the case from tomorrow.

"Crucial and potential eye witnesses will be examined in the court tomorrow who will unfold the scene of events as they occured," Nikam said.

Among the potential eyewitnesses in the case include Pramod’s wife Rekha and domestic help at the Mahajan’s residence on the day of the incident.

Nikam added that despite 58 witnesses being listed by the prosecution the number could be minimised as per the progress of the case in order to expedite the trial.

Pravin has pleaded not guilty to the charges of house trespass and murder. (PTI)

113 districtsidentifiedfor
second phase

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: A total of 113 new districts have been identified for coverage under the second phase of implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a reply, the Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Sahu said NREGA is a demand driven programme, though its monitoring is done on a regular basis by the government.

A Monitoring and Vigilance Committee have been set up by the Government and periodic review meetings are undertaken by Minister of Rural Development and Secretary (Rural Development) from time to time, he said.

National level montiors and area officers of the ministry visit various districts to oversee the progress of NREGA programme.

The minister said village level vigilance and monitoring committees have also been set up for the local monitoring and the ministry is not only monitoring the physical parameters but qualitative indicators as well. (PTI)

Surat eunuchs turn to gyms to loose flab

VADODARA, Mar 21: With the fitness fad embracing an increasing number of people in the country, a Surat gymnasium has been frequented by two unique patrons in the past month.

Sonam and Kajal, two "fitness conscious" eunuchs, have spent hours working out at the Arzeez club exhale gymnasium in the diamond city.

Dancers by profession, the duo does not mind floor exercise and pumping iron to get rid of excess weight.

"At first I was taken aback with their request to join my gym. They said none of the gyms in the city were keen to have eunuchs as members," Arzeez owner Raj Shetty said.

Shetty met Sonam and Kajal while moving about in a eunuch dominated locality in Surat as part of an NGO conducting aids awareness among eunuchs.

"During this programme they approached me and asked if I would allow them to work out in my gym. They wanted me to help them loose weight. Both were a bit overweight and worried that it could affect their profession," Shetty said.

Inclusion of Kajal and Sonam, however, was not easy for Shetty as several other members opposed the move.

"There was so much opposition at first. Some members even left the club. But I had faith in the two and they came regularly," Shetty said.

He also said that his experience in training the two special members has been a great one and they looked more feminine after loosing flab.

Hardwork bore fruit when the two lost six kg after a month long rigorous routine.

"It is a great achievement for me. They might extend their sessions at my gym. Also I am eager to increase the fitness of other eunuchs of their locality too if any of them are keen," Shetty said. (PTI)

Miss India 2007 pageant on April 8

MUMBAI, Mar 21: The 46^{th edition of the Miss India pageant will be held here on April eight.}

^{The event, to be hosted by Femina, will be held on MMRDA grounds in suburban Bandra, where the new beauty queens will be chosen to represent the country in international beauty pageants like Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific.}

^{Yesterday, Femina unveiled this year’s contestants and the crowns, designed by Tanishq, to be worn by the winners.}

^{The finalists from different parts of the country walked the ramp. They were attired in black cocktail dresses by Pantaloons, the title sponsors of this year’s event. The show was choreographed by fashion designer Hemant Trivedi.}

^{All the aspiring finalists, while continuing their journey towards the coveted pageant, will undergo a three week-long training by fitness, skin, nutrition and make-up experts. The main show will be aired live on Sony television.}

^{The reality series ‘Main Miss India’ is being shot as part of the training programme. The series will offer the viewers a sneak peek into the lives of the contestants and will be telecast on Zoom TV from March 24 to 30. The theme song of the series, sung by Alisha Chinai, was also launched last evening as the contestants walked the ramp.}

^(UNI)

SC to examine new technlogy for cleaning river Yamuna

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Delhi Government’s plan to introduce a new technology for cleansing of dying Yamuna river has to pass the test of Supreme Court which today expressed its displeasure that despite spending crores of rupees the quality of water has deteriorated in the last 15 years.

"You (Delhi Government) are speaking about new proposal. Even the earlier plan of setting up Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) was approved and your engineers have studied it. Now STP are not completely working," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan observed.

The court was informed by the Delhi Government that it was in favour of the ‘interceptor sewage’ technology proposed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for making the 22 km stretch of river passing from Delhi free from pollution.

However, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, assisting the court as an amicus curaie in the matter, objected to the proposed plan saying it would further delay the work for cleaning the river as was clear from the plan put by the civic body that it would take over five years to complete it.

He said the plan for setting up of STP at the mouth of the drain reaching the Yamuna was considered after detail study and was the most workable solution.

Further, the cost on interceptor sewage would run in to crores, Kumar said, which was objected by the Delhi Government counsel D N Goverdhan, who contended that new technology would be most feasible and was proposed by DJB, a statutory body.

However, the Bench also comprising Justices AR Lakshmanan and D K Jain, was not happy with the Delhi Government on the matter which the court has been monitoring for the past 12 years after taking a suo motu coognizance of a newsreport about the pollution caused to the river Yamuna.

While the two counsel were pressing their submissions by countering each others argument, the Bench wondered what directions could be issued at this stage when it was not clear which technology the authorities were going to adopt for implementation of the various court orders.

The Bench said it could only proceed on the matter after taking suggestions from those associated with the matter and posted its hearing for April 3.

During the hearing which lasted for an hour, the court wanted to know whether any expert of international reputation was associated with the project for cleaning the river or not.

Kumar, who read out various orders and observations of the court, which for over a decade has been monitoring the steps taken for reducing the pollution of river, said crores of rupees have gone into drain.

"Despite spending crores on reducing the pollution level, the quality of water had deteriorated from bad to worse," he said referring to various reports including that of Central Pollution Control Board.

He said Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) can give a report as to which technology was most feasible and would be workable in case of river Yamuna.

A court-apppointed high level committee had considered the setting of STP at the mouth of 16 drains flowing to Yamuna as the most feasible. It was adopted after examining the success of cleaning river Thames in London by the United Kingdom authorties. (PTI)

Nurse arrested for stealing new-born .....

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: In a shocking incident, a staff nurse of a prominent Government hospital here was arrested on the charge of stealing a new-born male child.

Sunita Pawar, who was unable to conceive after 14 years of marriage, had allegedly kidnapped the baby, who was born at the Bara Hindu Rao Hospital on Sunday, police said.

The 38-year old was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by the baby’s father Sanjay, a daily wage earner and resident of a slum cluster in north Delhi.

According to police, Sunita had taken away the infant after delivery by Sanjay’s wife Shobha on the pretext of keeping him in the nursery for two days for medical reasons.

But when Sanjay went to the nursery yesterday he was told that the baby was never brought there, after which he informed the police about the incident.

Police questioned Sunita and she allegedly confessed to have stolen the baby boy. She was arrested later, Deputy Commissioner of Police (north district) Devesh Srivastav said.

According to police, the nurse had been faking pregnancy for the last nine months and was planning to steal a baby from the hospital.

After stealing the baby, he also got admitted to the post-natal ward of the hospital. She was discharged on Monday and took the baby home, police added.

Police is also investigating whether other staff members of the hospital are involved in the incident. (PTI)

Govt to tackle power theft on war-footing: PM

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Government will tackle the electricity theft and distribution losses on a war-footing and work for a broad national consensus on power distribution and pricing reforms.

"High transmission and distribution losses and theft of electricity are unacceptable. These need to be tackled on a war-footing," the Prime Minister said here after giving away national awards to the power utilities.

Singh said reforms in the distribution, which were vital for commercial viability and sustainability of the power sector had not received adequate attention in the past.

He said there was a need to forge a broad national consensus on these reforms.

The Prime Minister said the demand for power had outstripped the supply and the shortages remained a constraint on the development and livelihoods of people.

"It is indeed regrettable that across the country, power shortage in varying degrees still remain a constraint on development and livelihoods," he said, adding the total addition of generation capacity in 10th five year plan was just about 50 per cent of what had been targeted.

Even in a premium state like Maharashtra, children were not able to study during examination times because of power outages, he said. "That’s the measure of our gap. We must introspect what is it that has gone wrong," he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government was giving attention to hydro electricity and given the geographical concentration of hydel generation, an efficient transmission was required to transmit power from far off sources to load centres.

Once the southern regional grid was synchronised with the 90,000 mw national grid in the 11th plan, the entire country’s transmission system would operate as one large interconnected grid, he said. (PTI)

Putin asks his Govt to speed up defence projects with India

MOSCOW, Mar 21: Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked his Government to speed up joint defence projects with India. "I would ask you to speed up implementation of joint projects agreed during our visit to India in January," Putin said presiding over the meeting of Federal Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation (MTC) with foreign countries at his country residence Novo-Ogoryovo last night. In his televised opening remarks at the nodal arms export control body meeting Putin underscored that Russia should seek to develop weapons together with foreign partners, including India. "Our primary objective is to find new forms of cooperation. The priority here is certainly joint weapon development and their subsequent serial production both for the domestic and export markets," he stressed. During the Russian President’s visit to New Delhi in January, India and Russia agreed to jointly develop and produce a fifth generation fighter aircraft and multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) with the involvement of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia’s Sukhoi Corporation. Putin also lauded the performance of NPO Mashinostroyenia, the Russian partner in the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). According to local defence experts BrahMos Aerospace has been given a green signal by the two Governments for the export of its deadly anti-ship cruise missiles to third "friendly" countries. India and Russia have a long history of military cooperation, which goes back almost half a century. The existing Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation programme till 2010 covers up to 200 projects to the tune of USD 18 billion. Addressing the MTC Putin said that Russia has defence exports orders worth USD 30 billion. India and China remain leading importers of Russian armaments, accounting for some 80 per cent of the country’s total weapons exports. But Russia, as local defence experts say is trying to breakout of the "Indo-Chinese ghetto" and has been looking to expand its presence on arms markets in Latin America and the Middle East, and currently supplies weapons to more than 60 countries. (PTI)

Cases involvement of armed personal with ISI come to light

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Government today said a few cases of involvement of armed forces personnel with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence have come to light recently.

Observing that two such cases have been registered in 2005 and five in 2006, Defence Minister A K antony told the Rajya Sabha that "Pakistan’s ISI is suspected to be involved in such espionage activities". In reply to a written question, he said 16 armed forces personnel have been arrested for alleged espionage links and 14 of them have been awarded stringent punishment. The minister said the counter-inhtelligence set-up in the armed forces was being synergised on a regular basis to meet the new challenges. "Comprehensive preventive measures based on the modus operandi of hostile countries and organisations are being enforced and regular security review is carried out from time to time with a view to sensitise the environment for making the security apparatus fool-proof", he said. (PTI)