SC tells Govt to take acid-throwing cases seriously

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Supreme Court today lambasted the Central Goverment for not taking the plight of victims of acid-throwing incidents seriously and told it to expedite the process of making the punishment for such an offence extemely stringent.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices R V Raveendran and M K Sharma, was not impressed by the contention of the Central Government that the matter was under active consideration of the Law Commission of India.

The Judges suggested that the punishment for throwing acid on someone should be announced to life imprisonment, as this offence is worse than a murder.

Earlier, Aparna Bhatt appearing for the petitioner, Lakshmi, a minor who herself is the victim of such an attack, suggested that the availability of acid in the market should be restricted and regulated so that it is not easily available in the market. She also suggested that a law similar to that of ‘Acid Control Order’ prevailing in Bangladesh, should be enacted and enforced in India.

Ms Bhatt also suggested that a seperate amendment should be made to make the offence of throwing acid on someone non-bailable and cited the example of the petitioner, Lakshmi in whose case the culprit was already roaming freely on bail, as he has only been charged with the offence of attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC.

Counsel for the petitioner also pleaded for making the State responsible for immediate and effective rehabilitation of such victims, who have to suffer throughout their lives and mostly girls are the victims of such attacks. Some stringent laws are urgently required to act as deterrent for such offenders, she added. (UNI)

Govt considering giving more teeth to NCW

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Government today said it was considering an amendment in the National Commission for Women(NCW) Act to make the body more effective in redressing the grievances of women and help in their empowerment.

Answering a supplementary from Ms Brinda Karat of the CPI(M), Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Choudhary told the House that the Government was fully committed to making the NCW function effectively, and was working on an amendment in the Act to give it more teeth.

Ms Karat had wanted know why the NCW had less powers than the other commisions.

To Ms Karat’s remark that the NCW was headless at present as its chairperson’s term had expired in February, the Minister said it was not true to say so as Ms Girija Vyas had been renominated to chair the Commission.

The posts of other members would also be filled when their term expired, she added.

Earlier to a suplementary of senior Samajwadi party member Janeswar Misra, who had asked the original question, Ms Choudhary said the various schemes started by the government for the upliftment of women were showing result, but a lot also depended on the cooperation of states.

She said that it was encouraging to know that under the Domestic Violence Act, 3000 complaints had been received from women, and that too from areas and sections of the population which were considered traditional.

The Minister said her Ministry had taken special care to see that the 11^{th plan approached the issue of women development in a holistic manner.}

^{She also sought the cooperation of other ministries in this task. (UNI)}

Atrocity cases against SCs/STs increased in 2006

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The number of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in the country has increased from 31,387 in 2005 to 32,407 in 2006, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Replying to a query, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said that a committee led by her has been constituted for effective coordination to devise ways and means to curb offences of untouchability and atrocities against the SCs/STs.

The Government is also offering assistance to the states mainly for strengthening of the enforcement and judicial machinery, for promoting inter-caste marriage, awareness generation and relief and rehabilitation of the affected persons.

Giving details of cases disposed off by the courts and those ending in conviction and acquittal, she said, in 2004, 20,750 cases, in 2005, 24,511 and in 2006, 24,171 cases were disposed.

In 2004, the number of cases which ended in conviction was 3,259 cases, in 2005, it was 7,110 and in 2006, it was 6,782. (PTI)

Govt awaiting NCBC opinion on
quota to dalit Muslims: Meira

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Government today said the question of giving reservation to Muslims had been referred to the National Commission for Backward Classes, so any decision on the matter would be taken after obtaining their views.

Replying to a supplementary in the Uttar Pradesh House, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar said the Government was fully committed to the uplift of Muslims and other minorities, and it was with this objective that it had constituted the Sachar Committee and also set up a Commission for religious and linguistic minorities.

The Commission had given its report on which it had sought the opinion of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes after which the matter has been referred to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), she said.

Any decision on the issue of quota for Muslim dalits and Christians would be taken after the NCBC’s opinion was known, and moreover, several cases relating to the issue were pending in various courts, which was also preventing the Government from taking any final view, she said.

The Member, who had asked the question, had said the denial of quota to dalit Muslims by the order of 1950 was unconstitutional as the law prohibited any discrimination on grounds of religion. (UNI)

Soharabuddin case: SC dismisses top cops’ bail plea

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Supreme Court today dismissed the bail applications of two senior IPS officers-M N Dinesh and N K Amin-allegedly involved in the fake encounter killing of Soharabuddin Sheikh.

A bench of justices Arijit Pasyat and P Sathashivan said "there was no supervening circumstances" to interfere with the high court’s judgement.

Dinesh, a Rajasthan cadre officer and Amin, a DSP rank officer in the Gujarat police had challenged the cancellation of their bail by the Gujarat High Court.

Though a trial court had granted bail to the two officers, the high court cancelled the same.

The two police officials approached the apex court claiming that the high court had considered irrelevant material while cancelling their bail.

However, the Supreme Court concurred with the findings of the high court and held that it had considered relevant material while cancelling the bail.

Dinesh had allegedly assisted the Gujarat police in the encounter, while Amin has been accused of disposing of the body of Kauser Bi, wife of Soharabuddin, two days after she was killed. (PTI)

Two million children died in 2006 in India: Minister

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: About two million children under the age of five died in India during 2006, Minister of State for Women And Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said today.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said the figures were provided by a UNICEF report - "The State of the World’s Children-2008".

Ms Chowdhary said as per a report-State of the World’s Mother- 2007 Saving the Lives of Children Under 5 " by Save the Children-India has 74 per thousand live births while Bangladesh has 73 per thousand live births.

The report compares child mortality in a country to its national income per person.

The Minister said several steps, including integrated management of Neonatal and childhood illnesses, home based newborn care and universal immunisation programmes, have been taken to improve the situation on infant and child mortality. (UNI)

Rs 1,624.69 cr in EPF inoperative account

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Rs 1,624.69 crore was lying in the inoperative account of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) till March 31, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"Instructions have been issued to all the field offices of EPFO to scrutinise the claims of inoperative account carefully and release the amount to the rightful claimants in accordance with the prescribed procedure," Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said in a written reply.

RE-INVENTING

EPF: About Rs 51 crore was spent up to March 31 on business processing and re-engineering project by the EPFO.

Social Security Number has so far been allotted to 33,48,391 EPF members, Mr Fernandes said.

SMART CARDS:

A study is being undertaken by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation on providing smart cards to ESI beneficiaries for their medical treatment.

Based on the outcome of the study, a final decision will be taken, he said. (UNI)

1680 wells in country monitor
ground water level: Soz

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today informed the Lok Sabha that his Ministry monitored the ground water level with the help of 1680 wells located in various parts of the country.

He said on that basis, the Centre informed and advised the State Governments on the drawing of ground water.

"The studies conducted by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under its demonstrative scheme of artificial recharge to ground water as also the measurements carried out during the period 2006-08 revealed that recharge to ground water in one year through various types of recharge structures such as percolation tanks, check dams, sub-surface dykes, recharge shafts/wells and roof top rain water harvesting systems was in the range of 196 cubic meters to 34.50 lakh cubic meters with consequent rise in the water table in some areas in the range of 0.25 to 12 meters," he said in the Question Hour.

He said the Government had taken several measures to promote rainwater harvesting and ground water in States/union territories. Some of the measures included preparation and circulation of Master Plan on Artificial recharge of ground water to various States and Union Territories and implementation of demonstrative schemes of artificial recharge of ground water by the Central Ground Water Board during VIII, IX and X plans.

He said the schemes of artificial recharge of ground water through wells were implemented in seven States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The Government had advised the States/Union Territories to undertake promotion of roof top rainwater harvesting in all Government buildings.

The Government had also circulated a model bill to States and Union Territories for enactment of ground water legislation, which in turn had mandatory provision for roof top rainwater harvesting. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under section 393 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 advised States to take necessary bye-laws and also promote conservation of ground water in such areas, Prof Soz added. (UNI)

India, Nepal to gain from renegotiating 1950 treaty: Mishra

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Noting that renegotiating the Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty should not be difficult, former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra has said the new agreement would also be based on reciprocity, with both sides gaining from it.

"I don’t think it should be difficult at all. We have never said that Nepal is not a sovereign, independent country. It has its own requirements. We have our own requirements. Obviously, the new treaty will also be based on reciprocity," Mishra said in an interview with Karan Thapar on the CNBC 18 programme ‘India Tonight’.

Observing that both countries would gain from it, he said, "I don’t consider the abrogation or renegotiation of the treaty as a disaster for India. It’s not," Mishra said.

"We should take advantage of a renegotiation to improve the conditions of our people and Nepal about which we have had lots of problems in the past," he said, replying to a query on Maoist leader Prachanda’s statement that the two countries should have renegotiated the 58-year-old treaty.

To a question on whether the victory of the Maoists posted a threat to India, he said he did not think it was a cause of threat or concern, but added that the new situation would require a great deal of reappraisal between the relations of the two countries.

He, however, added: "Fundamentally, the relationship between the two countries is not going to alter... There may be some reservations on the part of the new Government about certain aspects of the relationship. But it is not going to turn inimical," Mishra said.

Mishra downplayed the Nepali Maoists’ announcement that they want equidistance between Beijing and New Delhi, saying it was not possible in practice if India continues to give preferential treatment to the citizens of Nepal.

On concerns that the Maoists coming to power in Nepal would have an impact on the Maoist insurgency here, he said the Naxalite movement has become an "extortionist movement" and the people would eventually be disenchanted with it.

"The Maoists of Nepal have won democratically. How long are these Naxalites going to continue with this mindless violence?" he asked and rubbished reports on the Maoists forming a "red corridor" from Nepal to the Indian Ocean.

He said the Indian Government should tell Prachanda, tipped to become the new Prime Minister of Nepal, "We are with you," and added that India would have to be careful so that it is not seen as being hostile to the neighbouring country.

He observed that India should have no qualms in giving asylum to Nepal monarch King Gyanendra if he seeks it.

On the criticism that India has "kowtowed" to China on the issue of Tibet, Mishra, who was NSA in the erstwhile BJP-led NDA regime, said the view was not justified at all.

"The attitude of the Government of India, although it has been described by some as timorous or as lacking courage, is strictly, legally, technically, fine," he said.

"No, of course we are not subservient. We have a relationship with China which we want to advance... China hasn’t told us to do something which we have done. What we have done is because we consider that to be right," he said.

Mishra further said the Indian Government handled the Olympic torch issue well.

On the issue of the Chinese Government reportedly summoning Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao, he said according to his information Rao was called at nine pm and she eventually met the Chinese authorities at 11 pm that night. (PTI)

Arunachal Gov conferred Mother Teresa
Lifetime Achievement Award

ITANAGAR, Apr 28: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh has received the prestigious Mother Teresa Lifetime Achievement Award for ‘Social work and Service to the Nation’, in an impressive function at Kolkata.

Raj Bhawan sources here today said the Award was presented by Rt Rev P S P Raju Bishop of Kolkata on saturday.

Mother Teresa’s first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth International Awards have been presented by the Mother Teresa’s International and Millennium Awards Committee, Kolkata, to prominent personalities, who have worked tirelessly for world peace and harmony and served the underprivileged sections of the society and the poorest of the poor in India and other countries.

They were Jyoti Basu, Late King Mahendra of Nepal, Hillary Clinton, Late Rajiv Gandhi, Hema Malini and Rev Fr Luciano Colussi, S D B.

In his address, the Governor told the gathering about importance of voluntary social work initiated by saintly personalities like Mother Teresa.

He also appealed to the Bengali community, known for their love for adventure and travel, to come and explore Arunachal Pradesh as a tourist destination, sources informed.

The function attended by Justice Shyamal Sen, Chairman, Human Rights Commission of West Bengal, Retd Rev Raju, Bishop of Kolkata Rani P K Devi Rana, Member of Royal family of Nepal and many other prominent persons.

Among others, who were honoured at the function were Rani Mukherjee, actress, who was presented the award by His Execellency Gen (Retd) J J Singh along with Dhanraj Pillai, Hockey, Samar Banerjee, Football, Aktar Ali, Tennis, Sudesh Bhosle and Anup Jalota, both are renowned singer.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has conveyed felicitations on behalf of the entire state for the great achievement of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, sources added. (UNI)

No kissing scene for me: Neha Oberoi

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Bollywood’s new entrant Neha Oberoi, who started with the ‘lovebuds’ story in the film ‘Dus Kahaniya’, says she is happy with a glamorous image but will not be comfortable doing bold scenes.

"I am a glamorous girl but I am not open to doing bold scenes. I am not comfortable doing kissing scenes or shedding clothes on screen," says Neha, who has acted in Sanjay Gupta’s film ‘Woodstock villa’, releasing next month.

Oberoi, who play ‘Reshma’ in the film, is happy with the way her character has shaped. "I consider it as my debut film because this was the first Hindi film that I signed."

"I play a ambitious small town girl who comes to Mumbai to become a model and an actor. It is a suspense thriller also starring Sikander Kher (Anupam Kher’s son)," she says.

Neha, who debuted with a very small role in ‘Dus Kahaniya’, however, is not worried about her unconventional launch but finds herself lucky to work with some great actors.

"I am happy with the way my career is shaping up. Though I started with a small role but I can’t be more thankful to God because during this film I got the chance to work in the company of actors like Naseerji, Shabanaji, Nana Patekar," she says.

Even as Neha’s film ‘Woodstock villa’ is all set to hit the theaters next month, the actress is not sitting idle. She has already bagged an important role in a film starring Sanjay Dutt.

"I am also working in a film ‘EMI’ which stars Sanjay Dutt. The film is a satire on how the loan recovery agents harass a common man to recover loan amount," she says.

So, was she nervous working opposite Sanjay Dutt? "Well, I was nervous initially. But I had already worked with him in a song for ‘Woodstock Villa’. There was no problem and we shot some long shots quite easily," Oberoi says.

Although competition is the buzz word in Bollywood but Neha is all prepared and confident to create a space for herself in the film industry.

"I don’t have any competition because I am not competing with anybody. I believe there is enough space for everybody and if I am good then my work will speak for me," she quips with confidence.

However, Oberoi admits that she had no inclination nor any idea about acting which happened quite by a chance. The actress had never thought to make a career in Bollywood.

"I never thought that I will be an actor someday. After my 12 standard, I did a music video and soon offers started pouring in from south and I decided to give it a shot,"

"My first film ‘Balu’ won me a filmfare award and it gave me a big boost," she says. (PTI)

Eighty-three vacant posts for Judges in high courts

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Only a single vacancy exists for the post of judges in the Supreme Court, but in various high courts, there were 83 such vacancies as on April 16 this year, the Government informed the Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply, Law and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj said the maximum number of vacancies for Judges existed in the Allahabad Court where 27 posts had to be filled.

Allhabad High Court is followed by Gujarat High Court with 11 vacancies, Kolkata High Court (10), Andhra Pradesh High Court (8), Rajasthan and Patna High Courts (4 vacancies each) and Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand and Kerala high courts (3 vacancies each).

Mr Bhardwaj said as many as eight vacant posts for judges were filled in the Supreme Court between April 16, 2006 and April 15 this year.

Similarly, a total of 164 Judges were appointed in various high courts during the period.

The minister said the process of initiation of proposal for appointment of Judges of a High Court lies with the Chief Justice of that High Court.

"The Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of the High Courts, from time to time, to initiate proposals for filling up of the present vacancies as well as the vacancies anticipated during the next six months," he told the Upper House. (UNI)