Cong dissolves Solan, Kullu units for non-performance

SHIMLA, Jan 22: Congress has dissolved its two district units in Himachal Pradesh on the ground of non-performance in the recent assembly election.

State Congress president Viplov Thakur dissolved Solan and Kullu units of the party for non-performance in assembly poll, state party spokesman Kuldeep Rathore said today.

Congress had drawn blank in the two districts losing all the five assembly constituencies in Solan and three in Kullu.

Among those who lost on Congress ticket from Solan was Prakash Chand Karad, son of cook of 10 janpath, Padam Ram.

The party has already dissolved its Shimla urban unit.

Rathore said the state party is contemplating to call a meeting of state executive in February for conducting post-mortem of the party defeat in the hill state.

Party in-charge of Himachal Pradesh, R K Dhawan would be invited for the meeting to review poll and plan future strategies, he added.

Congress was humbled in the assembly election by the BJP. While the saffron party secured a majority in the 68-member house by bagging 41 seats, the Congress got 23 seats.

Owning moral responsibility for the defeat HPPCC chief Viplov Thakur has already tendered her resignation but she has been asked to continue till new appointment.

Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has been under attack from a section of the party leaders who blamed him for the poll defeat. Congress high command recently threw its weight behind Singh’s known detractor Vidya Stokes and got her elected as legislature party leader.

Singh is presently in Kerala. (PTI)

India doing more than China to contain nuclear Iran

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: India is doing much more than China to contain Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions and can play a greater role in convincing the Arab world to pursue the path of peace in West Asia, a top Israeli official said here today.

Mr Nimrod Barkan, Head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Centre for Policy Research (INR), who is here for discussions with officials of the External Affairs Ministry, said India could play a significant role in garnering support from Arab countries post-Annapolis conference for peace in West Asia and for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"China is not sufficiently strong in pressing Iran against pursuing its nuclear ambitions. India is doing much more...," Mr Barkan told a select group of reporters here.

He said the Palestinian President was getting insufficient support from Arabs and needed international support for the peace process including the post-Annapolis Conference scenario.

"India can play a significant role in projecting Arab support to Mahmoud Abbas...," he added.

Observing that Israel had "no complaints" against India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Mr Nimrod said Tel Aviv wanted the UN to become more responsive to international issues.

"Reforms should be viewed not in terms of representation but by efficiency also," he said.

To another question on India’s pursuit for civilian nuclear energy, he said it is any country’s right to get nuclear energy for development purposes under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He, however, said one had to be cautious about nuclear facilities falling into the hands of radical islamists.

"Civil nuclear facilities may fall into hands of radical Islamists...It should be ensured that nuclear material is safe from potential future abuse...," he added.

Expressing concern at the developments in Pakistan, Mr Barkan said any move by terrorists like Al-Qaeda to destabilise that country, should be viewed with alarm.

"If we see Al- Qaeda trying to undermine Pakistan, we are concerned. It will be seen as Al-Qaeda aimed at US and Israel. We have seen the attack in Kenya two years ago. We have a joint understanding with anti-terrorist coalition about the dangers of terrorism...All are trying to see how we can prevent rising terrorism in Pakistan which concerns us," he added.

He said that same forces whch were trying to undermine Pakistan, were also undermining Israel.

While agreeing that Saudi Arabia had exported Wahabi Islam which gave rise to terrorism, he said Israel was not against the Saudi regime.

Mr Barkan said Syria is hosting a two-day conference in Damascus of anti-Abbas forces from tomorrow. India could play a role by conveying that while on one hand, efforts were on to strengthen peace in West Asia, at the same time organising such a meet sent a wrong message.

On Iran, he said there was no explanation of the peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran had much more uranium than was required for peaceful purposes. They still had some kind of a military programme and was seen as a major threat.

He said Iran was perceived to be very threatening and was capable of building a nuclear bomb within a short time.

He claimed that Iran was developing a delivery system based on North Korean knowledge and expertise which clearly aimed at carrying nuclear warheads.

There was no doubt that Iran was projecting itself as a regional power having a combination of Shiite fundamentalism and Iranian nationalism. Hezbollah and Hamas were aligned to Iran which was training and funding them, he added. (UNI)

I am leader, other women are just
inheritors of political power: Mayawati

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati has classed herself apart from other women political leaders of the country, saying others have just inherited political power while she has got it through struggle for a change in the society.

In her autobiographical book released on the occasion of her 52nd birthday here last week, She said she had set a "rare example in such a young age" of taking upon herself the burden of "the Himalayan task of bringing about a social change to ensure equality and dignity to the down trodden.’

The BSP chief, in the opening chapter of the book ‘Mere Sangharsgmai Jeevan Aur BSP Movement Ka Safarnama’(The Story of My Struggle in Life and Of BSP Movement) talks in detail about the significance of the ‘Mayawati phenomenon’ in the 21st century India and the attack by all political forces to contain her.

There are several women who were playing political and social role in this country, but, says Ms Mayawati, "it should be kept in mind that a woman who was just running Government by inheriting political power was different from a woman who, like a crusador, was working for the great aim of bringing about revolutionary social changes in the society."

"If you think with a neutral and dispassionate state of mind, you will realise the truth of what I am saying," she adds.

Quoting British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that "History will judge us kindly.. Because I shall write the history’, Ms Mayawati said though she cannot like him claim to write the history, she has the passion and the courage to turn the course of politics of her country.

She also expresses her gratitude to a foreign news magazine ‘Newsweek’ for "shaking people of her country into recognising her worth’ by listing her among the eight most powerful women in the world.

"There are people who keep their eyes shut towards the ground reality and do not change their views with changing time. It is a bitter truth that the role I played in the Dalit movement and the sacrifices I made in the process of their empowerment were neglected in my own country until a foreign news magazine highlighted them," she said.

Ms Mayawati frequently attacked the Congress, the BJP and Samajwadi party in the book, saying that all these parties were status quoist and left no stone unturned to finish her politically and harm the Dalit movement.

About alliances with the Samajwadi Party and the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, she said she did it out of tactical reasons to speed up the dalits’ march to power in the state.

She, however, says that despite aligning with the BJP, she never let that party affect her programmes and policies’

"Maine Kabhi Bhi Bhajapa Walon Ko Apni Neeti Aur Siddhant Par Haavi

Nahin Hone Diya, Balki Har Prakar Se Unko Jooti Ki Noke Par Rakkha (I never let BJP people dominate my programme and policies, rather I kept them in their place.)"

The BSP supremo also attacks "those parties which exploited the name of Dr Ambedkar while playing lackeys to the Congress."

She notes with glee the success of the "social engineering" in the last Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in which she was able to "carry the high caste people too with her and set on a course of ‘Sarvjan jan hitay, Sarvjan Sukhai."

Ms Mayawati also talks about the mental and social trauma she underwent during the illness of BSP founder leader Kanshiram. She says her rivals did everthing to create a divide between his family members and her, but ultimately she came out of this situation as truth was on her side.

The book is the third and closing volume of the series. The earlier two volumes were released on her 50th birthday. (UNI)

Mansa Devi shrine to get a face lift

CHANDIGARH, Jan 22: The Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula district will be developed on the pattern of the Golden Temple and Akshardham Temple.

A ‘sarovar’ would also be developed in the vicinity of the shrine.

This announcement was made by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while presiding over a meeting of the Shri Mansa Devi Shrine Board here today.

Mr Hooda, who is the chairman of the Board said Mansa Devi Complex would be developed and it would be a centre of attraction for the pilgrims. He emphasised that the preservation of historical identity of the shrine would be maintained while intiating the developmental works.

The Board at its meeting approved the budget of the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board amounting to Rs nine crore for the year 2007-08.

The Chief Minister directed the Board Authorities to hold the Board meeting twice a year so that the review of the ongoing projects could be undertaken well in time.

The Chief Minister asked the PWD(B&R) authorities weather the 42 quarters being constructed for the employees of the Board be complete by April. Similarly, he directed that the 63-room ‘Dharamshala’ under construction be completed by March 31.

Finance Minister Birender Singh while addressing the meeting laid stress on setting up a conventional solar energy system in the shrine complex, he also suggested that an Art Institute be set up in the premises.

The Board meeting also decided that coins would be made from the gold offerings made at the shrine and these coins could then he sold to pilgrims.

Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies P K Gupta apprised the Chief Minister about the activities going on in the shrine premises. He said that the temple had 10.32 kg gold and 445 kg silver in its coffers. (UNI)

BJP comes out with report card of Sheila Govt

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: "Sealing, billing and killing," is how the BJP today described the nine years of the Congress government in Delhi.

The BJP today presented a report card of the nine years of the Sheila Dikshit Government in Delhi.

The 28-page report "Sheila Government Nine Years : Achievements and Failures" was released here by former Union Ministers Vijay Goel and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi besides other senior BJP leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Goel challenged the Delhi Chief Minister for a public debate on the "achievements" of her nine years of rule.

He claimed that the Congress had fulfilled not even a single promise made in its manifesto for the 2003 polls.

Mr Goel, who is the BJP secretary, said the Sheila Dikshit Government had been "non-sensitive" towards the problems faced by the people of the national capital.

He also criticised Ms Dikshit for making statements such as "Delhi would be turned into Paris," saying that 90 per cent of the population in the national capital live in miserable conditions.

Mr Goel attacked the Congress Government on "poor" transport system, "rampant corruption," water, electricity, education, healthcare and regularisation of unauthorsied colonies.

He alleged that the privatisation of electricity was a "big scandal" and the bills were being inflated.

The former Union Minister said there was no end to the spate of killings by the Blueline buses and charged the Delhi Government with "failing" to secure general amnesty for traders in the sealing drive.

He said Delhi was fast becoming the "Crime City" of the country with more than 53,000 FIRs registered in various police stations across the national capital.

Mr Goel said the Sheila Dikshit Government lacked a consistent policy on any matter and claimed that there was no coordination among different departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naqvi described the Congress Government’s nine years as the rule of "sealing, billing and killing".

He said the people of Delhi were "fed up" with the policies of the Congress Government and wanted a change of guard.(UNI)

Udit Raj asked to appear before trial court

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: The Delhi High Court today directed Dalit leader and President of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations Udit Raj to appear before a trial court for allegedly holding a demonstration in the prohibitory area near Parliament nine years ago.

Refusing to quash the Non-Bailable Warrants (NBW) issued against him by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM), Justice Sanjay Kishen Kaul asked him to appear before the trial court on May 14, the next date of hearing in the matter.

Filing a petition through his counsel Bankim Kulshreshta, the petitioner sought exemption from personal appearace before the trial court.

On January 11 last year, the ACMM had issued NBW against Udit Raj, the former Additional Commisssioner of Income Tax for his failure to appear before the court during the recording of witnesses’ statements.

Udit Raj is accused of holding a demonstration illegally near Parliament in 1999 during a political rally under Section-147 (rioting) of the IPC. (PTI)

Stay calm; No liquidity crisis: FM
to panic stricken investors

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: Finance Minister P Chidambaram today sought to calm investors panicked by a meltdown of over 2,000 points this morning leading to suspension of trading, saying that enough liquidity would be provided to market players.

"I am assured by RBI and all the banks that enough liquidity will be provided to brokers and market players. Liquidity will not be an issue," Chidambaram said.

Ahead to his visit to Davos for participating in the World Economic Forum, Chidambaram exuded confidence that investors would return to market as fundamentals of the economy were strong.

"Worries of western world should not be allowed to overwhelm us... Our economy is very different from some economies of developed countries. Our economy is a strong economy and corporate sector is very strong," he said after the exchange authorities suspended trading within minutes after the bourses witnessed a sharp plunge.

Even after the market opened at 1100 hours, the sentiments were heavily toward sell and within an hour the BSE Sensex was reading down by over 2200 points.

To a query, Chidambaram said there is no ground for sentiments to be negative in the long run as fundamentals of Indian economy are strong.

"We will grow at nine per cent this year. Even Rangarajan Committee (Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council) has said we will grow at 8.5 per cent next year," the Finance Minister said.

Banks have reported that investments in the economy are running very high as the demand for credit is strong, he said.

"RBI has stated that investment in pipeline is also strong. Fundamentals (of the economy) are very sound. Corporate profits are high and corporate income tax is at an all-time high," he said.

When asked whether institutions would be advised to buy stocks at this moment, Chidambaram said: "We are not advising institutions to do this or that. Institutions are good judge of what are valuations today."

However, he said analysts and advisers have advised investors to stay calm. "I am sure investors will take informed and matured decisions and not give any room to unwarranted apprehensions and market rumours," he added.

In the morning, stock market suspended trading for an hour after the benchmark Sensex hit the lower circuit limit.

The Finance Minister expressed confidence that investors will return, when the market reopen for trading.

The Sensex did reduce the loss initially after resumption of trade, but that lasted only for a while. (PTI)

India doing more than China to contain nuclear Iran

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: India is doing much more than China to contain Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions and can play a greater role in convincing the Arab world to pursue the path of peace in West Asia, a top Israeli official said here today.

Nimrod Barkan, Head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Centre for Policy Research (INR), who is here for discussions with officials of the External Affairs Ministry, said India could play a significant role in garnering support from Arab countries post-Annapolis conference for peace in West Asia and for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"China is not sufficiently strong in pressing Iran against pursuing its nuclear ambitions. India is doing much more...," Mr Barkan told a select group of reporters here.

He said the Palestinian President was getting insufficient support from Arabs and needed international support for the peace process including the post-Annapolis Conference scenario.

"India can play a significant role in projecting Arab support to Mahmoud Abbas...," he added.

Observing that Israel had "no complaints" against India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Mr Nimrod said Tel Aviv wanted the UN to become more responsive to international issues.

"Reforms should be viewed not in terms of representation but by efficiency also," he said.

To another question on India’s pursuit for civilian nuclear energy, he said it is any country’s right to get nuclear energy for development purposes under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He, however, said one had to be cautious about nuclear facilities falling into the hands of radical islamists.

"Civil nuclear facilities may fall into hands of radical Islamists...It should be ensured that nuclear material is safe from potential future abuse...," he added.

Expressing concern at the developments in Pakistan, Mr Barkan said any move by terrorists like Al-Qaeda to destabilise that country, should be viewed with alarm.

"If we see Al- Qaeda trying to undermine Pakistan, we are concerned. It will be seen as Al-Qaeda aimed at US and Israel. We have seen the attack in Kenya two years ago. We have a joint understanding with anti-terrorist coalition about the dangers of terrorism...All are trying to see how we can prevent rising terrorism in Pakistan which concerns us," he added.

He said that same forces whch were trying to undermine Pakistan, were also undermining Israel.

While agreeing that Saudi Arabia had exported Wahabi Islam which gave rise to terrorism, he said Israel was not against the Saudi regime.

Mr Barkan said Syria is hosting a two-day conference in Damascus of anti-Abbas forces from tomorrow. India could play a role by conveying that while on one hand, efforts were on to strengthen peace in West Asia, at the same time organising such a meet sent a wrong message.

On Iran, he said there was no explanation of the peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran had much more uranium than was required for peaceful purposes. They still had some kind of a military programme and was seen as a major threat.

He said Iran was perceived to be very threatening and was capable of building a nuclear bomb within a short time.

He claimed that Iran was developing a delivery system based on North Korean knowledge and expertise which clearly aimed at carrying nuclear warheads.

There was no doubt that Iran was projecting itself as a regional power having a combination of Shiite fundamentalism and Iranian nationalism. Hezbollah and Hamas were aligned to Iran which was training and funding them, he added. (UNI)