Cheerleaders can perform but no vulgarity:Police

MUMBAI, Apr 25: Cheerleaders will not be banned during IPL cricket matches in Mumbai but they may have to shed their skimpy outfits with police today warning of action against the organisers if their shows are found to be vulgar.

As the police cleared the air on whether the scantily-clad cheergirls will be allowed to perform in a Navi Mumbai stadium on April 27 by imposing some conditions, the ‘ban cheerleaders’ chant grew loud with West Bengal joining Maharashtra in targeting the dancing beauties.

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also joined the chorus of protests saying the dance was a "distraction and nonsense" as a debate raged over whether US-style cheerleaders had a role during cricket matches in the country.

"The girls are merely artistes who perform as per the instructions of organisers," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance license has been granted to the organisers of the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers to be held at Nerul’s D Y Patil stadium.

In the event of the cheerleaders indulging in obscenity, Wagh said, the "license holders" (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of license terms.

Wagh said the show should not be vulgar or obscene nor offend the dignity of women. He however said there have been no instructions from the Government.

West Bengal Sports Minister Subash Chakravarty said the cheerleaders had no role and were out of context during sporting encounters and there was no need to import Western culture. Chakravarty, who was supported by PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami(RSP and Water Investigation Minister Nandgopal Bhttacharya(CPI), said he will take up the issue with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

The controversy over the cheerleaders figured in the Maharashtra Legislative Council for the second day today with the government saying it would examine whether to put a halt to their dance shows. Deputy Chairman Vasant Davkhare wanted a ban on the shows.

Minister of state for Home Siddharam Mhetre said that the Government would examine the issue whether steps can be taken to stop such performances.

The issue was raised by Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) who said that cricket matches had nothing to do with the dances of cheerleaders.

"Globalisation does not mean that we have to imbibe western influences," she said.

Gorhe called for restrictions on such performances while allowing smooth conduct of cricket matches.

Davkhare who was in the chair also agreed that performances by cheerleaders, had nothing to do with cricket matches and called for stopping it.

Mhetre had yesterday told reporters that the Government will not allow the cheerleaders to perform as their acts are "absolutely obscene" and wondered why the organisers required "semi nude" women at cricket matches.

The minister had said strict action will be taken if the cheerleaders violated the norms of decency in their attire. (PTI)

Ancient erotic sculpture found

RANCHI, Apr 25: A 45 cm tall ancient statue, similar to the ones found at the Konark Sun temple and Khajurao, has been found by the Archaeological Survey of India from Benisagar in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, indicating existence of yet another undiscovered temple.

"We stumbled on the erotic figure during a scientific clearance work by the Ranchi circle of ASI recently, Superintendent Archaeologist, T J Baidya, said here.

The statue, which could date back to the 12^{th century, was found at the Benisagar, which is close to the Orissa border, he said.}

^{Stating that the Benisagar tank named after local legendary ruler Benu Raja, the official said, the sculpture could be a part of a temple believed to have existed here, "but is yet to be discovered".}

^{The figure, standing in an erotic pose, was 45 cm in height and 30 cm wide at the base, Baidya said, adding that it was similar to ones found at Konark and Khajurao.}

^{The ASI also found a terracotta seal depicting a seated lion.}

^{Brick structures and architectural fragments, along with the sculptures of Ganesha, Mahisasurmardini, Hanuman at the eastern and southern sides of the Benisagar tank were also discovered.}

^{Baidya said nine shrines of various sizes had been found, which indicated that a "panchayan" type of temple might have existed at the spot, which falls in the present day Majhgaon block of the district.}

^{According to Assistant Archaeologist Niraj Kumar Singh, occult practises must have been flourished in the area as the finds included a "vedi" and a brick "kund", which pointed to it.}

^{Last year the same ASI team had discovered two inscriptions in "shell script" at Benisagar, closely resembling those seen on Ashokan pillars in Vaisali and Rajgir in Bihar. (PTI)}

Traffic cop sacked from service for ‘raping’ minor girl

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: A Delhi traffic police constable, who was arrested for allegedly raping a teenaged girl in a moving car, was today sacked from service.

Constable Sanjeev Kumar and a property dealer Naresh Kumar allegedly raped a 11-year-old girl in a moving car yesterday after picking her up from Shahbad Dairy locality in outer Delhi.

"The constable has been dismissed from service after he was arrested in connection with the rape case," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said.

Police said Sanjeev has confessed to his crime. A case of kidnapping and rape has been registered against them.

Sanjeev and Naresh, who were arrested yesterday itself after the incident came to light, were produced before Metropolitan Magistrate D K Jangala, who sent them to judicial custody till May nine.

During the production of the accused, Magistrate asked police why it did not invoke section 34 of Indian Penal Code (common intention to commit crime) against the duo.

The investigating officer informed the court that police would add the charge.

Yesterday’s rape was the second such incident of a minor girl being sexually assaulted in a moving car this month. A 12-year-old girl was raped allegedly by three persons known to her on April three in Jhwala locality.

According to Delhi Police statistics, 581 rape cases were registered last year. (PTI)

2007 saw rise in polio cases in India: Govt

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: The number of polio cases reported in 2007 increased to 867 with the maximum patients-- 497-- from Bihar, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi said the number of type 3 polio cases reported in 2007 and so far in 2008 was high compared to similar cases in 2006.

However, she said Type 1 polio cases reported during the same period was quite low in UP and Bihar.

The Minister said the National Polio Eradication was reviewed by the India Expert Advisory Group on polio (IEAG) comprising National and International experts from the WHO, UNICEF and the Centre for Disease Control Atlanta in December.

IEAG recommended that in the first half of 2008 activities should be undertaken with the objective of interrupting Type 1 polio in low contraction season while maintaining good control over type 3 polio, she added.

Listing out the steps taken by the Government to tackle the problem, Ms Lakshmi said the National immunisation days were implemented in January and February and sub National Immunisation rounds were also undertaken in March in UP, Bihar, Delhi, Mumbai.

She said quality of the immunisation and reaching maximum number of people was also ensured. (UNI)

Only two ST students have availed of NOS

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: Only two Scheduled Tribe students have availed of the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) to pursue higher studies abroad since 2005-06, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Rameshwar Oran gave the figures in reply to a written question on the total number of beneficiaries who have availed of Government sponsored schemes such as NOS.

"During 2005-06 and 2006-07 no new students have gone abroad for pursuing higher studies. However, in 2007-08, two new students have proceeded for higher studies abroad," he said.

The minister said that overall 10.09 lakh beneficiaries have received post matric scholarship in 2006-07.

Giving details of facilities being provided by the Government to Scheduled Tribe students regarding admission and tuition fees, the minister said, the scheme of Top Class Education for ST students have been introduced to encourage meritorious students for pursuing studies at degree and post degree level.

"Around 127 institutes in both the Government and private sector in various sectors such as management have been identified for the purpose," the minister said.

During 2007-08, grants have been sanctioned to 23 institutes for 79 ST students, he added.

Regarding Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, the Minister said, "during 2005-06 and 2006-07, grants have been released for 400 and 376 ST students respectively. During 2007-08, grants have been released to UGC for 667 anticipated candidates." (PTI)

Import duty racket: Two arrested for using fake passports

MUMBAI, Apr 25: Two persons who were part of a cartel involved in using fake passports to obtain Transfer of Residence certificates in order to evade duty on vehicles to be imported were arrested today, police said.

"We have arrested two persons who are part of the racket and further investiations are on," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Ramrao Pawar said.

The case had come to light after actress Sushmita Sen was slapped a penalty of Rs 20 lakh by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai after her Toyota Land Cruiser was found to have been imported by evading the duties.

In a report submitted to the court, police said they suspect there is a "cartel" operating in the city which imports car using the modus operandi.

Pawar said he will be adderssing a press conference later in the day to give further details on the case. (PTI)

Left party leaders meet PM, demand check on rising prices

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: Days before the passage of the Finance Bill in the Parliament, Left party leaders today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded urgent steps by the UPA Government to check growing prices of the essential commodities.

Top leaders of four Left parties, supporting the Government placed six demands before him, saying these measure should be taken immediately to curb burgeoning prices.

"We want the price rise to be curbed immediately. We have placed six demands before the PM and hope the Government will take immediate steps to implement them," CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters after the 45-minute-long meeting.

Asked about the response of the Prime Minister, Karat said he assured them that these demands would be considered.

Asked whether the demands would have an impact on the passage of the Finance Bill, Karat said, "there are one or two demands."

The demands put forward by them included strengthening public distribution system and restoring cuts made in supply of foodgrains to states under the PDS. They also sought a ban on forward and futading in 25 essential commodities as recommended by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

The Left leaders also demanded that customs and excise duties be cut on petroleum products. They said stringent action should be taken against blackmarketeers and hoarders.

They also wanted curbs on procurement of foodgrains by private companies and traders. They demanded that the limit of public declaration of stocks by a trader should be reduced to 10,000 tonnes, which at present was 50,000 tonnes.

Besides Karat, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yetury, CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja and RSP leader Abani Roy were present at the meeting. (PTI)

3FM to meet bank heads on May 1
on farmers debt waiver scheme

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said hewill meet the heads of all banks on May 1 and ask them to continuenormal lending to farmers, pending guidelines on the debt waiver scheme.

Reassuring members in the Lok Sabha that the loans would bewaived by June 30, as announced in the budget 2008-09,Mr Chidambaram said the guidelines to the banks to implement thescheme would be formulated by then.

"We will finalise the guidelines in consultations with the RBIand Nabard.... I still have a lot of time," he said during thequestion hour.

"If there are still any apprehensions... That the banks are notgiving loans pending the guidelines, please do not worry. I havecalled the Chairmen and Managing Directors of all the banks on May1, and I will impress upon them that normal lending operationsshould continue and these guidelines will be issued," he said.

Mr Chidambaram said various suggestions had been received fordrafting the guidelines.

These broadly relate to:

— Doing away with the land holding criteria.

— inclusion of those farmers in the scheme who have taken loans

from moneylenders.

— varying the land holding criteria taking into account the

irrigation status or productivity.

— extension of the benefits of the scheme to farmers who have

paid their loans in time.(UNI)

Urban Ministry seeks additional fund
for infrastructure scheme

NEW DELHI, Apr 25: The Urban Development Ministry has sought an additional allocation of over Rs 3000 crores from Planning Commission for implementing Urban Infrastructure Development Schemes in small and medium towns across the country.

"We have written to the Planning Commission for additional funds as there is a shortfall of Rs 3295.19 crores," said a Senior Urban Development Ministry official.

There are 649 approved projects to be implemented in 524 towns while the total allocation was Rs 6,400 crores for a seven year period from 2005.

The Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme aims at improvement in urban infrastructure in towns and cities in a planned manner.

"The objectives of the scheme are to promote planned integrated development of towns and cities by improving infrastructural facilities. It would help create durable public assets and quality oriented services in cities and towns," the official said.

The scheme also envisages public-private partnership in infrastructural development.

The scheme includes construction and upgradation of roads and highways, shifting of industrial establishments from non-conforming areas to conforming areas to reduce congestion, replacement of worn-out pipes by new and higher capacity ones, renewal of sewerage system.

Development of heritage areas, construction of parking lots and preservation of water bodies can also be taken up under the urban development scheme for small and medium towns.

Tamil Nadu has got maximum number of 120 projects under the scheme followed by andhra pradesh with 96 projects. While 48 projects have been approved in Gujarat, Maharashtra has got 60 projects.

However, till date only 13 projects have been completed.

Our target is to complete 171 projects by March 2009, said the official.

About the delay in executing the projects, he said, there are many states including Bihar, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttra Pradesh who have not submitted the progress report on implementation of the projects regularly.

Inspite of several reminders many states are also not submitting the progress on urban reforms which is mandatory for releasing funds, he said.

States like Uttaranachal, Meghalaya and Goa are yet to submit any project proposals. (PTI)

Rahul tells tribals to be vigilant of their rights

JAGDALPUR (Chattisgarh), Apr 25: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today told tribals to be vigilant of their rights and that they must get their share of benefits of development works so that they are not influenced by Naxals.

"You need to be vigilant of your rights and your share of development activity in your place. This could be one way to counter many of our problems including Naxalism," said Gandhi addressing a meeting of tribals at the start of his two-day tour of Chattisgarh which has large Naxal pockets.

At another meeting, Panchayat and Tribal Youth Congress leaders voiced their strong reservation on the controversial Salwa-Judum campaign against Naxals.

The delegates were of the view that armed resistance to Naxalism have proved ineffective and was only adding to the number of civilian deaths.

"Tribals are being victimised in Salwa-Judum. We die on both sides, the campaign is not effective and the Centre should immediately stop it," Rajkumari Diwan, a leader of the Adivasi Vikas Parishad, told Rahul.

Similar views were expressed by many other delegates during the meeting. The Salwa-Judum campaign in the State is headed by the leader of the Congress legislative party Mahendra Karma.

The campaign aims at arming the tribals to fight naxals. More than 30,000 tribals are living in Salwa-Judum camps across the State.

The scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family is slated to visit a Salwa-Judum camp tomorrow to get a first hand information about how the campaign is organised.

Gandhi travelled from Ambikapur to Bishrampur and also stopped on the way in several villages and interacted with tribals. Media was kept out of bound during this interaction.

His visit to Dantewada district was earlier cancelled due to security reasons. Coinciding with his tour today, a lethal Naxal attack in Dantewada in a private company facility is reported to have destroyed 52 vehicles today.

The tribals also raised their grievances of the non-implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.(PTI)