Centre agrees to rehabilitate victims of Tripura fencing

AGARTALA, Mar 25: The Centre has agreed to rehabilitate about 7,500 families rendered homelesss due to fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here today said the rehabilitation task would begin soon, as the Central government had agreed to provide funds for resettlement of the victims, and the state government has been looking for safe and feasible land for the purpose.

A stretch of about 642 km of the total 856 kms international border between Tripura and Bangladesh has so far been fenced.

He, however, stated that opening and closing of designated gates on the fenced Indo-Bangla border had emerged as a major problem for farmers living in all 14 border subdivisions across the state.

"Although there is a clear guideline for the opening and closing of gates along the border, it has not been implemented at the grassroots level, causing confusion in some areas," Mr Sarkar said, adding that the state government’s decision to erect barbed wire fencing from zero point line could not be maintained due to strong opposition from the Bangladesh Rifles(BDR) as a result of which, a sizeable area of cultivable land and constructions went out of the fencing.

In view of the safety of the Indian villagers, whose land went beyond the fencing, BSF authorities have identified certain emergency gates so that people could cross the fenced border but assured that the State Government would discuss the matter with the BSF authorities Mr Sarkar added. (UNI)

Bachchan does not want to donate his Lonavla farm land

MUMBAI, Mar 25: Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has gone back on his decision to donate his agricultural land in Maharashtra that he bought from original owners, saying that he wants to retain it.

Confirming Bachchan’s decision, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Maval Taluka Sanjaysinh Chavan said, "we have received a letter from Bachchan yesterday saying he wants to unconditionally withdraw his earlier decision to donate his land to original owners."

The letter, signed by Bachchan, who had earlier decided to give back the land following controversy over land deal in Uttar Pradesh, was delivered to the office of SDO through his counsel Advocate Unmesh Deshpande.

In the letter, the ‘Big B’ says, "I myself as karta (the family head) and on behalf of my son, Abhishekh request you to kindly treat the matter closed."

He further says, "We realise that our action and interaction to surrender the land in favour of the erstwhile owners was based on utterly wrong premises. We, therefore, unconditionally withdraw the said letter send dated July 19, 2007."

The actor was in the controversy some time ago after he purchased the land in Pale near the Pavna dam, some 70 kms from Mumbai, by attaching documents that showed he owned agricultural land in Daulatpur village in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh.

Bachchan had purchased a plot of land near Lonavla in Pune district in 2000. As per Section 63 of Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948, no person can purchase agricultural land in Maharashtra if he is not a farmer.

Bachchan had used the UP land allotment as a testimonial to establish his credentials as a farmer for this deal. He had submitted the documents in March 2006.

In the same month, the Pune District Collector had written to the Barabanki District Magistrate for the authentification of Bachchan’s testimonial.

Bachchan’s land registration in Maharashtra was deemed legal on the basis of a certificate given by district collector of Barabanki to the effect that Bachchan owned agricultural land since 1982 and that gave him the status of a farmer.

The problem for Bachchan began when a court in Uttar Pradesh ruled that Bachchan is not a farmer. (PTI)

Goa govt to hand over Scarlett case to CBI

PANAJI, Mar 25: Under pressure on the credibility of police probe, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has said that the state government is willing to hand over the the case of death of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling to the CBI.

Kamat made this announcement on the floor of the Assembly late last evening when it met for the first day of the budget session.

Scarlett’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, had sought a CBI inquiry into her death and alleged cover up by the police.

Rubbishing the allegations of a cover up, the Chief Minister said that "there are no moves to hush up and no attempts to hide anything in this case."

In a statement in the House, Home Minister Ravi Naik, who was accused of having drug trade links by Fiona, also said he was not opposed to a CBI probe.

The statements came after opposition benches highlighted rampant drug trade and deteriorating law and order situation in the coastal state.

Kamat, replying to all the allegations, said that there was a sustained campaign to spoil Goa’s name to harm the tourism industry.

"These isolated incidents happen all over the world but a systematic campaign was carried against the state for over 20 days by the media," the Chief Minister said.

He urged the members to take a united stand so that no one could harm state’s interests.

Scarlette Eden Keeling was drugged, raped and left to die in shallow waters on Goa’s popular Anjuna beach on February 18. Two locals have been arrested in the case. (PTI)

Development of border trade on Centre’s radar: Governor

ITANAGAR, Mar 25: The Centre is taking interest in opening up border trade with South East Asian countries through Arunachal Pradesh to boost the economic development in the state.

Governor General(Retd) J J Singh, who was on a day-long visit to Pangsau Pass at the Indo-Myanmar border yesterday, commented that cross-border relation would attribute a new chapter to the economic growth of Arunachal Pradesh.

The historic Stilwel Road (now NH 153), passing through Changlang district, would link India with the SE Asian countries and bring about development in border trade, official sources here informed.

"The top priority in my personal agenda is to develop the road to meet international standard and I am taking up the issue with the Central authorities," he disclosed.

"Next to the power sector, Arunachal Pradesh has scope in tourism and to develop this sector should be made mandatory," he said.

The Governor’s visit to Pangsau Pass would be a major boost to materialise the Centre_s "Look East Policy", which significantly moved ahead after the visit of Union Minister of State for Comerce Jairam Ramesh on November 24 last to inaugurate the border trade center (BTC) at Nampong, a small town near the Indo-Myanmar border.

Talking to Myanmarese army officials, the Governor elaborated that the Indo-Myanmar affinity exists since many decades and efforts were being made to further strengthen the relationship.

"To navigate the Indo-Myanmar relation to the next level, all possible endeavors are being initiated by the Centre," he stated while extending his graritude to all Myanmarese officials for their hospitability during his visit.

"We need to encourage our people to opt for commercial medicinal plant and orchid farming," the Governor said while interacting with Government officials at Nampong.

He further stressed on the need to work for the welfare of the local populace and concentrate on the economic uplift of the people.

Earlier, the Governor, while interacting with the teaching community encouraged them to keep up the divine task and contribute for nation building exercise.

The Governor, accompanied by his wife and Speaker Setong Sena, also interacted with army personnel, sources added. (UNI)

SC orders Modi Govt for a team to
investigate 2002 Gujarat riots

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: The Supreme Court today directed the Narendra Modi Government in Gujarat to constitute a five-member Special Investigative Team (SIT) to further investigate ten major cases of the 2002 Gujarat Communal Riots.

The Team will include former CBI Director R K Raghavan and Retd IPS officer Satpathy.

A three-Judge bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat, directed that the SIT shall submit its report within three months.

The apex court also directed that the SIT shall record the statements of those witnesses who have not been examined till now and may recall the witnesses who have already been examined, if it so desires.

The formal order shall be announced tomorrow.

Ten major incidents, which took place at seven places in the state, include the Naroda Massacre Case.

The ten cases also include the incident in which former Congress MP Ahasan Zafri and his family members were burnt alive by the rioters who were protesting against the Godhra train-burning incident. (UNI)

Goa govt to hand over Scarlett case to CBI

PANAJI, Mar 25: Under pressure on the credibility of police probe, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has said that the state government is willing to hand over the the case of death of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling to the CBI.

Kamat made this announcement on the floor of the Assembly late last evening when it met for the first day of the budget session.

Scarlett’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, had sought a CBI inquiry into her death and alleged cover up by the police.

Rubbishing the allegations of a cover up, the Chief Minister said that "there are no moves to hush up and no attempts to hide anything in this case."

In a statement in the House, Home Minister Ravi Naik, who was accused of having drug trade links by Fiona, also said he was not opposed to a CBI probe.

The statements came after opposition benches highlighted rampant drug trade and deteriorating law and order situation in the coastal state.

Kamat, replying to all the allegations, said that there was a sustained campaign to spoil Goa’s name to harm the tourism industry.

"These isolated incidents happen all over the world but a systematic campaign was carried against the state for over 20 days by the media," the Chief Minister said.

He urged the members to take a united stand so that no one could harm state’s interests.

Scarlette Eden Keeling was drugged, raped and left to die in shallow waters on Goa’s popular Anjuna beach on February 18. Two locals have been arrested in the case. (PTI)

Centre agrees to rehabilitate victims of Tripura fencing

AGARTALA, Mar 25: The Centre has agreed to rehabilitate about 7,500 families rendered homelesss due to fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here today said the rehabilitation task would begin soon, as the Central government had agreed to provide funds for resettlement of the victims, and the state government has been looking for safe and feasible land for the purpose.

A stretch of about 642 km of the total 856 kms international border between Tripura and Bangladesh has so far been fenced.

He, however, stated that opening and closing of designated gates on the fenced Indo-Bangla border had emerged as a major problem for farmers living in all 14 border subdivisions across the state.

"Although there is a clear guideline for the opening and closing of gates along the border, it has not been implemented at the grassroots level, causing confusion in some areas," Mr Sarkar said, adding that the state government’s decision to erect barbed wire fencing from zero point line could not be maintained due to strong opposition from the Bangladesh Rifles(BDR) as a result of which, a sizeable area of cultivable land and constructions went out of the fencing.

In view of the safety of the Indian villagers, whose land went beyond the fencing, BSF authorities have identified certain emergency gates so that people could cross the fenced border but assured that the State Government would discuss the matter with the BSF authorities Mr Sarkar added. (UNI)

Dell to sell laptops, desktops through Croma outlets

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Dell laptops can now be bought through a retail outlet in the country as the company today announced its tie-up with Croma, a consumer electronics retailer, to sell laptops and desktops ("Dell Products").

Beginning in April, customers will be able to experience and place a customised order for a wide range of award-winning Dell Products at select Croma stores in Mumbai, said a statement.

This announcement marks the first time that Dell Products will be made available in the country through a retail outlet. Currently all Dell products have to be ordered online.

The Dell XPS and Inspiron systems will be available at the Croma stores with distinctive Dell branding and support.

This will allow customers to touch, feel and browse, Dell Products, request for customisations of the said Dell Products to suit their specific needs as well as have them home delivered.

"Our primary goal is to create an environment where customers can experience Dell’s award-winning technology first hand. The agreement with Croma will strengthen Dell’s consumer presence in India, making our products more accessible to more customers," said Dell Vice President (sales and marketing) Michael Tatelman.

In the past several months, Dell has announced relationships with Carrefour in Europe, Best Buy and Staples in the US and Canada, Courts in Singapore, Gome in China, Bic Camera in Japan, Carphone Warehouse in the UK, DGSi and Tesco in various parts of Europe and Wal-Mart in the US, Canada, Brazil and Mexico, and Argentina. (UNI)

FICCI-Frames Living Legend award
to Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi

MUMBAI, Mar 25: Bollywood veterans, Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi, the duo captivating film-lovers in the blockbuster ‘Chandni’, will be honoured with the coveted FICCI Living Legend Award during the annual convention FICCI-Frames 2008, that got under way here today.

These living legends in the world of showbiz will join the hall of fame that is adorned by lead actors of yesteryears - Dharmendra and Hema Malini and Kamal Hassan and Rekha.

In the best traditions of Bollywood, the entertainment night on March 27, following the presentation of the FICCI Living Legends Awards, will regale the awardees and the 2500-odd delegates that have traveled great distances from India and overseas to be part of the great Indian entertainment and media industry event.

FICCI-Frames will also honour excellence in animation, visual effects and gaming segments of the entertainment industry through the FICCI-BAF Awards 2008. Presented by Autodesk, the awards will be given away at a special function on March 26 in 16 categories.

The categories are: Animated Feature Film, Animated Short Film, Animated TV Episode, Animated Ad Film, Animated Promos, PC Games, Console Games, Mobile Gaming, Best VFX in a Motion Picture, Best VFX in a TV Episode, Best VFX in a Commercial, Best VFX in a Music Video, Best VFX Short of the Year, Animated Film on Social Welfare, Best Online Game of the Year and Outstanding Original Indian Content in Animation, Gaming and VFX. The keynote address at the FICCI-BAF Award eve will be delivered by Stig Gruman, Vice-President, Media & Entertainment Division, Autodesk.

Besides these coveted awards, FICCI-Frames 2008 has lined up gala entertainment evenings, beginning with a fashion show today, by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the young designer from Kolkata who is making waves in the Indian and global fashion circuit. Sabyasachi, who had the distinction of being voted by Asia Inc, a Singapore-based business magazine, as one of the 10 most influential Indians in Asia, alongside Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Gandhi, Sabeer Bhatia and others, entered the celluloid world with his costumes designed for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, ‘Black’ which bagged the National Award in 2005.

(UNI)