DHAKA, May 6:
India today announced that it will write off USD 200 million of the USD 1 billion line of credit offered to Bangladesh, and promised to implement all bilateral agreements, including those that have witnessed delays.
India had announced a USD 1 billion Line of Credit to Bangladesh, the largest it has offered to any country in 2010.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today that New Delhi had decided to consider USD 200 million of that amount as a grant rather than credit, and Bangladesh can utilise the fund for its priority projects.
“India will treat the amount as grant, not credit,” Mukherjee told a group of senior editors as he wound up a 20-hour trip to Dhaka.
“This USD 200 million will be utilised for projects that Bangladesh prioritises,” he said.
The rest USD 800 million will bear a one per cent interest, instead of previously announced 1.75 per cent, according to bdnews24.
Mukherjee also cited “ground realities” of coalition politics as the reason for India’s failure to seal the Teesta water sharing deal during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh last year.
“In a democracy such as ours… This process often becomes time consuming,” he said.
“There are certain issues that need to be resolved,” he said while referring to the Teesta issue as a “sensitive” one.
Earlier, during his meeting with Premier Sheikh Hasina, Mukherjee vowed to implement all agreements signed with the country during Manmohan Singh’s visit last year.
“Although it was late, (all) these agreements (signed with Bangladesh) will be materialised soon,” he was quoted as telling Hasina by a Prime Minister’s office spokesman.
India and Bangladesh could not sign a much talked about water sharing deal on Teesta river last year as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s last minute opposition to the deal scuttled what would have been a landmark agreement.
While the Teesta episode did not go down well with Bangladesh, there were also allegations on delays in delivering on the promised projects.
Mukherjee defended the work done so far and pointed out that five contracts worth USD 834 million had already been signed.
Hasina’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Mukherjee told the Premier that a sub-committee will be formed comprising experts of both the countries to study and analyse all things to remove confusions about the proposed Tipaimukh dam on Barak river in Manipur.
“Everyone has legitimate share with regard to indifferent river water and no country will be affected due to the agreement. All countries will get due share of water,” he said.
He assured that India would take “no unilateral action that would harm Bangladesh”.
The Finance Minister arrived in Dhaka last evening on a two-day tour to join the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore. (PTI)
India to write off B’desh LC
Child killed in explosion
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 6: An eight year old child was killed in an explosion in frontier district of Kupwara today.
Reports said that eight years old Tariq Ahmad Shah son of Abdul Majid of Sherhama village of Handwara area in border district of Kupwara was playing outside his home when he fiddled with some object which he found in the courtyard. The object exploded resulting in his on spot death.
Reports said that explosion took place as he touched a littered shell that had remained un-exploded during the encounter that took place in their house two years ago. Two militants were killed during that encounter. The killing of Tariq sent shock waves among the people and a pall of gloom descended on the entire locality.
Meanwhile, a person died in mysterious circumstances in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district late last night.
A police spokesman said that Khalid Ahmad Khan son of Khursheed Ahmad resident of Nowpora, Bandipora, died under suspicious circumstances in HCC Tunnel, Pethkote-Bandipora. Police has initiated proceedings under section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of death.
Lalu attacks Nitish, BJP hits back
PATNA/NEW DELHI, May 6:
Nitish Kumar, who was clicked shaking hands with Narendra Modi at the NCTC conference, today came under attack from RJD Chief Lalu Prasad who said the Bihar Chief Minister stands “thoroughly exposed” over his “secular facade”.
“Kumar’s secular credentials have come under scrutiny once again after he shook hands with Gujarat Chief Minister and exchanged pleasantries with him in full media glare at yesterday’s conference of the Chief Ministers on the NCTC in New Delhi,” Prasad said speaking to reporters in Patna.
Kumar, however, tried to downplay the comment made by Yadav.
“He has said this in sarcasm, now being sarcastic is all that he can do,” Kumar said in Delhi when pressed by reporters for a response to Prasad’s comment.
“The Chief Minister stands thoroughly exposed as far as his secular image is concerned as he has always sought to maintain distance with Modi in Bihar, but did not mind interacting with him at places outside the State,” Prasad added.
Kumar’s deliberations with Modi have proved it beyond doubt that his “facade” of being secularist was aimed at keeping the minorities in good humour in order to get their votes for staying in power, the RJD supremo alleged.
All the protests by Kumar about publication of his photograph with Modi during 2010 BJP national executive was aimed at befooling the minorities with an eye on their votes in the assembly polls, Prasad alleged.
The BJP was more vocal in its response to Prasad’s comments. BJP vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that the handshake between Gujarat and Bihar Chief Ministers was a basic courtesy as BJP and JD (U) are allies in Bihar.
“They are not enemies, It was basic courtesy to shake hands. BJP and JD(U) are tested and trusted allies and Modi is one of the senior most leaders of BJP and Nitish is a top leader of JD (U). Before criticising, Prasad should understand this with an open mind,” Naqvi said.
Hitting out at Prasad, Naqvi said that neither Kumar nor Modi needed his certificate or permission to carry out their developmental or political activies.
“Both are icons of good Governance and development in their respective States. May be good governance and development does not come in Prasad’s framework or political thought. That is why such type of informal meetings form part of his political criticism,” Naqvi said. (PTI)
NCTC Constitutionally vulnerable: BJP
NEW DELHI, May 6:
Terming anti-terrorism body NCTC as a “Constitutionally vulnerable” instrument which went against the country’s federal structure, BJP today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as to why the fight against terror through POTA was “compromised” for vote-bank politics.
“When you talk of fighting against terror with a constitutionally vulnerable instrument, BJP puts forth some questions to you,” said BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, while asking Prime Minister as to why POTA was repealed and why MCOCA was allowed in Maharashtra and its replica not permitted in Gujarat.
The BJP also raised objections to UPA government fostering fresh ties with Pakistan despite its “failure” to act against Mumbai terror attack perpetrators who continued to roam around freely in that country.
“Why was POTA repealed. POTA was an instrument that was needed by the security forces in the fight against terror. POTA has been declared to be constitutionally valid by the Supreme Court. Yet in your declaration you said we shall repeal POTA… The fight against terror was compromised at the altar of vote-bank politics,” Prasad said.
He said NCTC was a body created by an executive order under the overall control of the Intelligence Bureau having complete secrecy and no Parliamentary accountability. “That is why this issue is very serious,” he said.
Terming NCTC as an attack on the country’s federal structure, Prasad said, “BJP firmly believes that there is no contradiction between the fight against terror and the respect for the federal polity of our Constitutional democracy. Both can comfortably co-exist. The fight against terror would be fought purposefully only with cooperation, in coordination and active involvement of the state government and not by trampling upon their rights by the central government,” he said.
BJP veteran L K Advani said, “Considering the views put forward by dissenting CMs, I hope the Government will respect country’s federal structure provided for by the Constitution.”
He also said if the Centre tried to weaken this structure and empower itself by curbing the powers of states, it will not be tolerated by the states.
Prasad said the fight against terror was a national issue and the BJP would support the government on it as the party hoped the UPA government would bring about certain amendments considering the reservations of a majority of states on NCTC.
He also said the party would raise the matter in Parliament if NCTC comes into existence in violation of Constitutional properiety.
“There should be a concerted fight against terror and BJP will support the government on this. But this should not happen by violating the Constitutional propriety,” Prasad said.
He said BJP notes with “assurance” that at yesterday’s meet on NCTC, most of the chief ministers, rising above their political affiliations, highlighted the federal character of the country’s Constitutional polity and expressed their reservations on NCTC.
He noted that NCTC was not formed with law, but through an executive order and said no western country’s intelligence agency has such powers as proposed to be given to NCTC, except in the case of Pakistan’s ISI.
“All security agencies have parliamentary accountabilities. NCTC is one body which is being created by an executive order under the overall control of the Intelligence Bureau having complete secrecy and no Parliamentary accountability. That is why this issue is very serious,” he said.
“The power of search, seizure and arrest – the powers of the state police as per Constitution, are being taken away. No western country has such powers given to its intelligence agencies, except in the case of Pakistan’s ISI,” he said.
Prasad also questioned the existence of MCOCA in Maharashtra and Gujarat not being allowed to enact a replica.
“MCOCA is fine in Maharashtra … And exactly the same Act, a replica of this Act in Gujarat, you will not approve it. Upon the insistence of the Government of India, the Gujarat assembly made some amendments, yet it is not allowed. How we can fight terror and organised crime when you have these standards,” he questioned.
On the Prime Minister’s statement, Prasad said what message was being given to the nation with fresh ties being fostered with Pakistan despite the fact that it had failed to act against perpetrators of terror attacks in India.
Terming Mumbai blasts of 2008 as a shame in the fight against terro, he said all the planners and patrons of the ghastly attack in India are safe and secure in Pakistan.
“Pakistan has not acted against them till date. Even after receiving dozens of dossiers, people like Hafiz Saeed are roaming about freely in Pakistan and you are talking of fostering new relations with Pakistan,” the BJP leader said.
Pointing out that “the step-motherly treatment given over the years to non-UPA and non-Congress state government by the UPA government bears ample testimony to the government’s intention”, Prasad said, “BJP hopes the government would seriously take into account the issues raised yesterday and respond accordingly with honesty and bring about the necessary changes”.
Reacting to BJP’s contention, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, “So far as the NCTC is concerned, it is our considered opinion that if we have to fight terrorism then NCTC is the need of the hour.”
“Government of India is trying its best to build a consensus. We are consulting all the CMs, all the political parties. We are till now unable to build a consensus, but we are making our efforts,” he said. (PTI)
Better infrastructure in border areas priority of Govt: DyCM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today visited far-flung border areas and took stock of the problems being faced by the people. During the whirlwind tour of various villages of Khour constituency alongside the LoC and International Border, he addressed series of public meetings at Garar, Gigrial, Darh Khour and Chaprial.
While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister said development of rural and far- flung areas of the state is top most priority of the Government and work on the roadmap to develop these areas on most modern line is apace. He said exemplary development initiatives have been taken by the present dispensation in order to equip these areas with all required infrastructure.
“Coalition Government with active support from the Central Government has launched mega infrastructure projects in the state and completion of these prestigious projects would effectively address development aspirations of the people of the state,” he added.
At the public meetings, the people of the area presented their demands which include, rent compensation of land acquired by the army, crop compensation, de-mining of land, better facilitation for crop cultivation by Army for land both across and along the LoC and IB, up gradation of Jhakara to Garar colony road, need for improved power infrastructure, augmentation of potable water resources and better road connectivity.
While responding to the demands, Mr. Tara Chand directed the Divisional Commissioner to formulate a committee in order to take the matters concerning the Army and the people on priority and in a time bound and effective manner, adding that the demands need to be projected at the right quarters so as to mitigate the same and give the agriculturist a sigh of relief.
He said the Government is alive to the problems of the people living in border areas and purpose of such visits is to bring the administration to the door step of people, so as to address the grievances of the people in more effective and efficient manner.
Calling upon people for judicious utilization of water and power, Tara Chand said that the Government is exploring all possibilities to augment power and potable water resources but consumers must realize that better services can only be provided if better revenue is received. He directed the Power and PHE authorities to address the problems put forth by the public and ensure that people get regular potable water and electricity.
Laying stress on maintaining quality standards in works, Mr. Tara Chand emphasized on undertaking routine inspections to keep a check on pilferage and to ensure use of quality material in development works undertaken by the department, adding that durable infrastructure can only be created when proper standards are maintained in work execution.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pradeep Gupta, District Development Commissioner, Jammu Sanjeev Verma, DIG, Jammu Mr. J.P. Singh, Chief Engineer, PHE B.R. Dogra, Chief Engineer, PWD(R&B) Tehsin Mustafa, Defense authorities and other senior officers and engineers of different departments accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the tour.
Post Offices to also register pilgrims for Shri Amarnath Yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 6 : Hundred Post Offices located across the country will also register pilgrims for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012.
This decision was taken by Sachin Pilot, Minister of State, Department of Posts, after receiving a request from the Chairman, Amarnathji Shrine Board, N. N. Vohra, Governor, J&K. Consequently, after discussing the detailed arrangements with the concerned officers, Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board signed an MoU in the matter with Alka Jha, Director, Department of Posts, at New Delhi.
Giving further details, the Chief Executive Officer said that this arrangement will enhance the convenience of the pilgrims who are residing in areas where J&K Bank and YES Bank branches are not available. The Post Offices which will provide registration facilities are located in districts of Akbar Pur, Faizabad, Rosebery, Sultanpur, Bulandshar, Khurja, Mainpuri, Ghazipur, Pratapgarh, Amroha, Bijnor, Rampur, Azamgarh, Barirumpur, Gonga, Banda, Fatehpur, Mirzapur, Lal Ganj, Sila Pur, Dhampur, Hardoi, Khori, Hapur, Gorahkpur in Uttar Pradesh; Betul, Chattapur, Damoh, Mandla, Sagar, Sidhi, Vidisha, Ratlam, Shajapur, Dhar, Bhind, Mandsour, Katni, Dewas, Neemuch, Morena, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh; Dadar, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Latur, Parbhani, Satara, Nanded, Yavatmal, Dhule, Ratnagiri, Chandrapuram, Sangli, Akola, Buldhana, Amravati, Wardha in Maharashtra; Aurangabad, Gaya, Buxar, Siwan, Katihar, Jehanabad, Banka, Gopal Ganj, Darbanga, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Katihar, Chapra, Samastipur, Ara in Bihar; Kheda, Mahesana, Godhra, Patan, Amroli, Junagarh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surindranagar, Bharuch, Valsad, Navsari, Gandhinagar, Nadiad, Dohad in Gujarat; Sangrur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Ropar in Punjab; and Sonipat, Bhiwani, Jind, Sirsa, Narnoul in Haryana. The list of bank branches is already available on the website of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. The details of the Post Offices can also be seen on the Board’s website.
As the Post Offices would be handling the registration arrangements for the first time, and some logistical issues are involved, the CEO explained that the Post Offices would commence registering pilgrims from 15th May.
With the addition of 100 Post Offices, the registration facility for Yatra 2012 has nearly doubled to 274, from 149 outlets in 2011. The Yatris can also register on-line on the website of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board from 7th May, 2012 onwards. The Chief Executive Officer re-iterated that the intending pilgrims will need to obtain a health certificate from a registered medical practitioner before seeking a Yatra Permit.
He reminded that it would not be possible to obtain a Yatra Permit without first obtaining a Health Certificate. Even those Yatris who register on-line will need to furnish their health certificates for being permitted to embark on the pilgrimage. This provision has been made compulsory in the interest of the pilgrims.
CS takes stock of arrangements for Darbar move offices
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 6: The Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal today visited New Secretariat and took stock of the arrangements made for re-opening of the Government offices at Srinagar after a gap of six months.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B Vyas, Secretary GAD, Sheikh Mushtaq, Director Estates, Khursheed Ahmad, Deputy Director, Estates, Farooq Ahmed and other civil and police officers.
The Chief Secretary inspected many halls including revenue clerical hall, meeting hall, committee rooms, Chief Minister’s cabin and Chief Secretary office and got on the spot feedback about the arrangements. The Chief Secretary took keen interest in the repair, renovation and modernization works. The Director Estates briefed about sanitation and cleanliness in and around the complex.
Later, Mr. Madhav Lal also visited the residential colonies for employees including Tulsi Bagh and reviewed the arrangements made for the Darbarmove employees. He directed the Estates Department to ensure sanitation, proper water supply, electricity and other basic required things, so that the employees may not face any problem.
The Director Estates assured the Chief Secretary that every possible effort will be made to satisfy the move employees and additional manpower will be utilized to settle the Darbar move employees comfortably.
BSP warns agitation for implementation of Mandal Commission report
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The Government should either implement the Mandal Commission recommendations in toto or quit, warned the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders while addressing a one day conference of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) here today.
The conference was presided over by R L Chargotra vice president, BSP. Narinder Kashyap MP and Parkash Bharti state co-ordinator BSP were the chief guests while Tulsi Das Langeh State president BSP was the guest of honour.
The function was convened by Ayodhya Kumar Manwa general secretary, BSP, Dr Harjeet Singh and Mohinder Kashyap State secretaries of the party.
The speakers said that BSP started movement right from tehsil to national level in the year 1983 –84 for implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations. After the inception of BSP in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram it warned the State Government and Centre either to implement the Mandal Commission report or quit and the same slogan is reiterated by the Party this time also as the successive Governments in the State played with the cause of OBCs always by not giving them due share in the reservations, they added.
The BSP leaders said the struggle, which was started by the Party in 1984 is still on and in the year 1985 a Jail Baro Andolan for the implementation of the recommendations was launched in front of Parliament.
They said that the Party intensified its moment to such an extent that in 1990 the then Prime Minister, V P Singh was forced to implement the recommendations. Though the Government decision was stayed by court but in 1992 the Supreme Court gave its verdict to implement the reservations for OBCs but J&K Government has made a joke with OBCs who constitute 45 percent of the total population of the State by denying them their due right.
These people are provided only two percent reservations instead of 45 percent, which is a cruel joke with them, they said adding the NC Government denied the implementation of the report even on the floor of the House when the Party MLAs raised question in State Assembly in this regard.
The BSP leaders warned that the Party will be left with no alternative but to come on streets for the implementation of the report, if it is further delayed.
Harsh Dev flays Govt for total breakdown of education set up
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: National Panthers Party (NPP), MLA Harsh Dev Singh today flayed the Government for total breakdown of education set up in the State.
Claiming that thousands of Government schools were facing acute deficiency of teaching staff, he said that the remote area schools were the major sufferers and have almost become defunct due to staff paucity and non-availability of teaching faculty.
Singh strongly condemned the failure of the Government to create posts for various high and higher secondary schools, created and up-graded after the year 2008-09, thus adversely affecting not only the pass percentage of the said schools but also jeopardizing the career of students.
He said that the cabinet decision taken in July 2010 for filling up the vacant posts of teachers in remote and bad pockets areas on RET pattern had neither been honoured, nor a single step initiated in this regard.
He decried in particular the total failure of the Government to launch RMSA in the State which though was started all over the country in 2008. He said that the funds provided under RMSA during the past three years for staff creation, for infrastructure creation and for other developmental related activity in education had remained completely unspent and un-utilized due to gross negligence, apathy, neglect and red-tape of the concerned officers and bureaucrats.
Singh expressed concern over the extremely poor pace of progress in the implementation of GOI sponsored girl education projects in the form of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalas (KGBVs).
He urged the Governor to personally intervene as the people of the State were not only deprived of the benefits of GOI schemes, but were also feeling extremely helpless in the face of a highly irresponsible, reckless and despotic bureaucratic Government set up.
PDD, PDC facing problems due to shortage of staff: CNGEEU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: J&K Central Non-Gazetted Electric Employees Union (CNGEEU) today said that the Power Development Department (PDD) and Power Development Corporation (PDC) have been facing a lot of problems due to the shortage of staff and both require strengthening of the system.
Addressing a press conference, Parshotam Sharma, State General Secretary, said that in 1981 reorganization, hardly 60 per cent of the department was effected while several areas remained untouched, since then a lot of infrastructure has been added but the field divisions remained unable to run the system properly.
He pointed out that a station where atleast 10 to 12 men are required, hardly 2 to 3 men are made available to run the system. Field staff is also under pressure due to vast area of responsibility allotted to them, the daily wagers in PDD and PDC in overall the State are mostly running the system, but they too, are being discriminated against and require regularization in addition to appointment of about three times more staff members, Sharma added.
The union demanded reorganization of PDD according to present requirements and requested all the employees of PDD and PDC to observe “Kaam Chhoro Hartal” on May 8 and 9, in order to boost the morale of the struggling employees and to remind the Government of the agreement made with JCC members.
Further the leaders of the association have requested all the employees to remain united until the struggle leads to its logical conclusion. The leaders further informed that the operational staff of all emergency services would remain exempted from the hartal.
Among others present were Mohd Aslam Choudhary, provincial president, Mohd Ayub Chouhan, Des Raj, Suresh Sharma, Farooq Ahmed Bhat, Sanjay Sharma, Hamid Paul, Nazar Hussain, Raj Kumar, Gurnam Singh Slathia and Surjeet Khajuria, district presidents.