Haryana to introduce new pension scheme

CHANDIGARH, Aug 18: The Haryana Government today decided to introduce a new pension scheme for all its employees who have joined service on or after January 1, 2006.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the state cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today.

An official spokesman said the new pension scheme would be implemented on the pattern of the Central Government and known as the Haryana New Pension Scheme, 2008. It will work on defined contribution basis and would have two tiers—Tier-I and Tier-II.

Contribution to Tier-I is mandatory for all Government servants who have joined service on January 1, 2006 or afterwards. Under Tier-I, a Government servant would have to make a contribution of ten per cent of his basic pay plus dearness pay and dearness allowance, which would be deducted from his salary bill every month by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer.

A matching contribution would be made by the State Government for each Government servant who contributes to the scheme.

The Tier-II of the new pension scheme would not be operational at present and no recoveries would be made from the salaries of the Government servants on this account. No deduction would be made towards General Provident Fund contribution from the Government servants joining the service on or after January 1, 2006 as the General Provident Fund scheme is not applicable to them.

The account of new pension scheme would not be mixed up with General Provident Fund accounts and their records or ledger accounts would be independent of General Provident Fund accounts. No withdrawal of any amount would be allowed from the deposits under Tier-I. The Accountant General (Accounts and Entitlement) maintain the accounts for the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The Cabinet also decided to transfer land measuring 132 acre and two kanal of erstwhile Cooperative Sugar Mill, Sirsa to HAFED at a token cost of Re one for its proper utilisation.

A decision to this effect was taken because the Sugar Mill was not found to be viable due to non availability of sugarcane. A a decision was taken by the state government on August 14, 2005 to close and wind up the mill under the Haryana Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.

The Cabinet decided to give on lease shamlat land of six villages of district Jhajjar and shamlat land of fourteen villages of district Rewari to Bharti Trust, New Delhi to establish Satya Bharti Schools.(UNI)

SC issues notices on petition seeking media restraint

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh Government on a petition seeking a direction to the media to maintain restraint in reporting sub-judice cases like the Aarushi murder case.

A bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir asked the Centre and the state government to assess whether there was a mechanism to put some retraint with regard to sub-judice matters.

The bench sought response on a public interest petition filed by Surat Singh, a practising advocate, seeking a series of directions to protect the reputation of the family of Aarushi Talwar. (PTI)

Forty-nine children died during clinical trials in AIIMS

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: As many as 49 children have died during clinical trials of new medicines in the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here during the last two-and-a-half years.

A total of 4,142 children, of whom 2,728 were under the age of one year, enrolled for the clinical trials of new drugs and therapies by the Department of Pediatrics since January one, 2006.

Replying to a Right to Information application filed by an NGO, the institution said a total of 42 clinical trials of various medicines, of which top five medicines were foreign-made, were conducted during the given period.

In its reply to the Uday Foundation for Congenital Defects and Rare Blood Groups, the AIIMS said, "a total of 49 deaths corresponding to 1.18 per cent mortality among the enrolled patients were recorded during the studies".

Rahul Verma from Uday Foundation said, "As our organisation is working for the welfare of children facing medical challenges, we used to hear or read that several studies are being conducted on human babies in the country.

"I wanted to get the factual information on such trials so we can press the government to formulate some specific policy to regulate it."

The institute said the studies were funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Bio-technology, World Health Organisation and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in USA and by AIIMS itself.

The practice of clinical trials, a method of checking the efficiency and other safety aspects of a drug, vaccine or therapy, has been prevalent in foreign countries until recent time. But of late, several foreign medicines are being sent to India for such trials.

The AIIMS has said all the clinical trials, sponsored by national agencies such as ICMR, were conducted after getting clearance from the institute’s Ethics Committee, whose approval is a pre-requisite for such studies.

Additional clearances from the Health Ministry Steering Committee (HMSC) were obtained for the studies sponsored by international agencies like WHO.

The institution has said the consent of concerned parents and guardians was also taken before conducting such studies as per the direction of its Ethics Committee.

On a query related to the socio-economic condition of the patients on whom the trials were conducted, the hospital, while maintaining that the children enrolled represented a mix of patients attending the out-patient and in-patient services, said, "no studies selectively target children belonging to low socio-economic status."

However, no specific details have been provided by the hospital on the number of children belonging to the below poverty line category.

Among the 42 clinical trials conduced for different drugs were foreign-made medicines like zinc tablets for treating zinc deficiency, Rituximab treating for chronic focal encephalitis, olmesartan and valsartan for treating blood pressure related problems and Gene-Activated Human Glucocerbrosidase for liver related ailments. (PTI)

Centre urged to implement recommendations
of AFSA review bodies

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today urged the Centre to implement the recommendations of Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission on the Review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 as well as the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Committee headed by Mr M Veerappa Moily.

Putting forth this demand on the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Act by Parliament, Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of ACHR, said,"Fifty years have passed and dozens of armed groups have spurted across North East India and Jammu and Kashmir. The AFSPA has manifestly failed to contain any insurgency, instead, it has become the symbol of oppression and repression."

"The AFSPA cannot address conflicts arising out of controversies such as the one relating to the Amarnath Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir but the actions of the armed forces and impunity enjoyed by them under the AFSPA can certainly alienate the people further," he said.

He said the AFSPA empowers the Governor of a state to declare certain areas as "disturbed" against the expressed wishes of the State government.

He described AFSPA as a symbol of oppression and repression, and said the Act empowers non-commissioned officers to "fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the extent of causing death, destroy any place or hide-out used including by absconders, arrest without warrant on mere suspicion and enter and search without warrant."

The armed forces enjoy virtual impunity for the actions taken under the Act, he said.(UNI)

Ashram merges architectures of
temple, church and mosque

TIRUPATTUR, VELLORE, Aug 18: Showcasing secular values in the lush green landscape of this small town is a unique ashram, with structures merging the architecture of a temple, church and a mosque, where people of all faiths offer prayers.

The entrance of the ashram has a chapel built in the shape of a temple tower (gopuram) and a Cross on top of it. With Hindu architecture in front, it has mosque style structures inside, as well as a chapel.

It was built in 1933 by two missionaries, Dr Sourirayan Jesudasan and Dr Ernest Forrester Paton of the National Missionary Society, who were inspired by Gandhian philosophy.

During weekends, both Hindus and Christians visit the ashram and offer prayers. Bhajans and keertans alike are sung by the devout here.

Once inside, a visitor finds a hall with pillars akin to a Hindu temple and an altar decorated with flowers and a ‘kuthuvilakku’ (traditional lamp).

Ashram in-charge S Victor said while Christians visit the ashram for Sunday mass, Hindus recite bhajans on festive days.

He said the ashram, which has a hospital, provides free treatment to poor people of the surrounding areas and has set up a poultry and cattle farm to provide employment to local people.

Dr Alvin Vinod, superintendent of the hospital, said the ashramites, had planted rosewood, neem and other varieties of trees to preserve the environment

Though they also wanted to cultivate paddy, water shortage in the area put paid to their plans. "However we manage to make some fodder for cattle and poultry," he said.

The ashram also houses a boarding home, which has 65 tribal children, he said, adding there were also plans to start a matriculation school and a senior citizen’s home within it.

The ashram has a branch in Madavalam, 20 km from here. (PTI)

Bribery scam: Panel has no plans as
of now to call Amar, Ahmed

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The Parliamentary Committee examining the ‘cash-for-vote’ scam has no plans as of now to call Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Congress leader Ahmed Patel for questioning.

The two leaders, both Rajya Sabha members, have been allegedly named by the three BJP MPs in their complaint before Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Both Singh and Patel have denied any involvement.

"The process of recording evidence is complete," senior Congress member V Kishore Chandra Deo, who is heading the committee, told reporters after an over three-hour hearing today.

Asked whether Singh and Patel would be called for questioning, Deo parried a direct reply saying there were no plans as of now to call any more witness.

On when the panel will submit its report, he said "as soon as possible. We will meet soon, may be within a week and try our best to give the report by August 29, 2008 (the date when the term of the committee expires)".

During today’s hearing, SP member of Lok Sabha Reoti Raman Singh, BJP activist Sudheendra Kulkarni, Amar Singh’s reported aide Sanjeev Saxena and one Suhail Hindustani, who was seen in the CD released by CNN-IBN which conducted the sting operation, deposed.

After deposing before the committee, Kulkarni told reporters he had assisted in the whistle-blowing operation.

"If an impartial inquiry is held, the truth will come out and Amar Singh will be found guilty," he claimed adding that he, however, did not doubt the impartiality of the panel.

He also said he had given evidences before the panel in support of his contention. (PTI)

Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat
to launch consumer education

NAGPUR, Aug 18: The Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat will be launching a nation-wide programme on consumer education to present economic policies of UPA Government.

The National Executive Council of Panchayat which met recently in Delhi under the Chairmanship of Rajabhau Pophali has asked the consumers to insist all political parties to give more emphasis on agriculture-based economy and this should be incorporated in their election manifesto, an official release issued here today stated.

A resolution demanding basic change in economic policy in which agriculture rural sector and small scale industry should get more priority was unanimously adopted.

The ‘Sangh Parivar’ outfit participant members have been directed to launch this programme in their respective states, the release added. (PTI)

Fishermen delegation visit
pakistan for releasing fishermen

VADODARA, Aug 18: To put pressure on Pakistan Government for release of 380 Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistan jail, a 13-member delegation from Gujarat will visit Pakistan next month.

Centre had mooted the proposal a couple of months back for release of Indian fishermen and their 369 boats and accordingly names have been forwarded, Gujarat fisheries and agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani said here today.

The Indian Fishermen Association and Fishermen Cooperative Socities Federation, Karachi also made repeated representations to the Pakistani authorities for the release of fishermen arrested from fishing zone area of Jakhau port in Kutch district bordering Pakistan.

Till 2003 fishermen delegation from Gujarat used to visit Pakistan frequently for the release of seized Indian fishermen and boats. The released Indian fishermen from the Pakistani jails, used to sail in the same boat to reach Okha port in Gujarat from Karachi port in Pakistan.

But after 2003 the fishermen were released through Wagah border while no boats were released.

The Indian government after the installation of Yousuf Gillani government decided to revive the practice of sending fishermen delegation to facilitate of its fishermen.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi had also demanded that like Sri Lanka, India-Pakistan should sign a pact to release fishermen straying into international waters within a fortnight of their arrest. (PTI)

China keen to strengthen ties with India: Envoy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Aug 18: Advocating a long standing and peaceful relations with India, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan has called for a better cultural and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

"As fast growing economic powers, it was in the interest of both countries to strengthen mutual ties," Zhang said while inaugurating the Kerala Chapter of the India-China Economic and Cultural Council (ICECC) here last evening.

"What China wished was permanent peace in Asia and strong ties between the countries was a major factor in ensuring that," he said.

He said China’s cultural ties with India dated back to centuries and this could be further cemented by increased co-operation in areas like commerce and tourism.

Kerala Home and Tourism Minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who spoke on the occasion said formation of the Kerala Chapter of the Council would help strengthen India-China ties, especially in tourism. (PTI)

Rain recorded above normal in first half of Aug

LUDHIANA, Aug 18: The month of August (till 14^th) recorded 245.0 mm rain as against the normal of 180 mm in Punjab, where the three major rivers, Beas, Sutlej and Ravi are in spate.

Rainfall from June 1 to August 13, which is recorded at 670 mm, is one of the highest in the past 35 years in Punjab. During the last 35 years, this situation occurred only twice that these three months received rainfall above 670 mm against the normal of 480 mm.

Earlier in 1980, the state received 707.6 mm rain from June to mid-August and then in 2001, 818 mm rain was recorded in Ludhiana. The state received above 250 mm rainfall in the month of August in 1976, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2003. In 1995 and in 1997 the rainfall in the current month went upto 404.5 mm and 409.8 mm respectively.

The monsoon rainfall in Punjab spreads mainly over three months, July, August and mid-September, with the highest rainfall in July followed by August, September and least in June but this year the trend is totally different, G S Bains, Head, Department of Agricultural Meteorology of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) stated here today.

According to Dr Bains, this year, June and August received more rainfall (till Aug 14) as compared to July. Comparing rainfall with the last year data during Kharif 2007, Dr Bains said the monsoon rain remained below normal and were also not very evenly distributed in the state, but this year rainfall is very well distributed.

Discussing the rainfall trends K K Gill, a Agrometeorologist at PAU said normal onset of monsoon in Punjab is around July one but this year the monsoon arrived on June 15. The month of June recorded nearly 277.7 mm of rain against the normal of 66.4 mm while only 152.5 mm of rainfall was recorded for July against the normal of 232.2 mm. (UNI)

Centre changes ARWSP funding pattern for Northeast

SHILLONG, Aug 18: The Ministry of Rural Development has amended the funding pattern for the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) with respect to the north eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir.

The funding pattern for the programme in northeast and Jammu and Kashmir will now be in the ratio of 90:10 (centre:state), whereas in the rest of the states it is 50:50, an official release here said.

The allocation criteria is based on factors such as rural population as per the 2001 census, number of village panchayats and blocks.

The funding pattern of the special dispensation (a part of ARWSP) has been increased to five per cent at 75:25. The sustainability component has also been increased to 20 per cent at 100:100 funding pattern.

The amendment has been done keeping in view of the fact that most states found it difficult to implement the criteria of 50:50 which left some of the states unable to lift their full share of allocation in the last few years, the release said. (PTI)

I&B Ministry urged to act upon
TRAI recommendations on IPTV

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The IPTV Forum has urged the Centre to come out with its guidelines for making the new mode of delivering the TV signals available across the country.

The IPTV or the Internet Protocol Television is a technology of distributing television programming via broadband networks. It provides content through broadband using Internet Protocol.

In India the IPTV holds immense potential in redefining the way entertainment is offered and consumed and furthering India’s broadband penetration.

Chairman IPTV India Forum Shymal Ghosh said, "The I&B Ministry guidelines are very critical for accelerated growth of IPTV. Once this happens IPTV networks will compete with cable, HITS and DTH distribution platforms."

Pointing out that a few months ago telecom regulator TRAI had given its recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for determining the policy guidelines for providing the IPTV services in the country, he said the matter should be expedited to give the needed boost to the IPTV sector.

In India there are 70 million cable homes, 286 million mobile phones, 40 million land line connections and 4.39 million Internets enabled broadband connections.

Due to convergence of technologies, television can be viewed on all available mediums. In this converged era, cable TV operators can also provide broadband for internet and voice over IP, and Telecom service providers can give a single medium - a land line phone -for voice, data and video thus creating a triple play effect.

Till date several telecom operators including MTNL, BSNL, RCOM, Airtel are known to be setting up IPTV networks. In some cities MTNL and BSNL have already allowed franchisees to start the business. (UNI)