A cartoon on B R Ambedkar, one of the pivot figures in the making of the Constitution, in NCERT text books today sparked a pandemonium in Parliament, forcing HRD Minister Kapil Sibal to apologise and declare that the “objectionable” caricatures were being withdrawn.
The controversy had a fall-out outside the House when Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar resigned as advisors of NCERT text book council.
Members of BSP, SP, RJD, AIADMK and CPI and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) created an uproar in both Houses of Parliament, demanding action against those responsible for the cartoon.
The turmoil led to two adjournments of the Lok Sabha before the final one for the day at around 2.10 PM. The Rajya Sabha also was also adjourned twice till 2.30 PM when Sibal made a statement.
Admitting that cartoon on Ambedkar in the textbook was “objectionable” as were many other such caricatures, he said he had already ordered their removal.
“The content is not appropriate…It is being withdrawn… This morning I called the NCERT Director and told him that there should be no further distribution of the books,” Sibal told the Rajya Sabha.
Responding to concerns expressed by members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Sibal said the Government will also examine whether any criminal offence was made out against those who drew or included Ambedkar’s cartoon in the textbook.
He said “concrete” steps are being taken to ensure that no such thing happens in the future.
Sources said the cartoon used in the class XI social science textbook ‘Indian Constitution at Work’ was actually sketched back in 1948 by Keshav Shankar Pillai, when the framing of the constitution was on, to show how the process was slow.
Noting that the cartoon was incorporated in the textbook, not by any official of the NCERT but by a committee of academics, Sibal said they would no more be associated with such work.
Outside Parliament, Sibal told reporters that he was “willing to personally apologise” although “I was not the minister at that time in 2006. I was not involved in the publication of the books.”
Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar resigned as advisors of NCERT text book council in the wake of the row over cartoon of Ambedkar in school text books.
“Yogendra Yadav who was the chief advisor of the Textbook Development Committee and Suhas Palshikar who was the member of the committee have resigned,” sources in HRD Ministry said.
Palshikar said he has quit the advisor council in the wake of the uproar in Parliament over the issue.
Sources in NCERT said they were already in the process of constitution of a new committee.
Sibal said none of the existing members of the present Textbook Committee, which had approved the book, will be part of the new Committee set up to examine objectionable caricatures. (PTI)
The CBI today opposed in a Delhi Court the bail plea of former Telecom Minister A Raja, facing trial in the 2G case, saying during its probe it has come to light that the DMK leader and others received bribe of Rs.200 crore in connection with the spectrum scam.
The agency also raised questions on his alleged links with Mauritius-based Delphi Investment Ltd, in which Reliance Telecom Ltd had allegedly transferred its shares.
CBI prosecutor A K Singh told Special CBI Judge O P Saini that Raja and other public servants may have received Rs 200 crore as bribe which has now come into light.
“This Court had issued letter rogatory for a suspected bribe amount from Reliance (RTL) people through Delphi. This accused (Raja) and other public servants are also involved in other tranche of Rs 200 crore which they have received as bribe and this was not known earlier and has come up during the investigation,” he said.
The prosecutor said the probe in the Delphi case has been going on and if Raja is released on bail at this stage, he might tamper with the “likely evidence and influence the witnesses”.
“The investigation abroad regarding the shareholding structure, management, directors, beneficiaries and other connected facts of Delphi Investment Ltd and its holding companies etc is still pending.
“It is suspected that there may be involvement of public servants, including accused A Raja and his family members etc, in the affairs of the said companies,” he told the Court which reserved the order on bail plea for May 15.
The prosecutor said the Court had already issued letters rogatory (LR) for the probe into the suspected bribe amount paid to public servants allegedly from Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) through Delphi Investment Ltd.
Raja, who has spent over 15 months in Tihar jail, had moved his bail plea for the first time on Wednesday seeking parity with 13 other 2G accused who are all out on bail.
During arguments, senior counsel Ramesh Gupta, appearing for Raja, said other co-accused have been granted the relief from Courts and even the Supreme Court, in its order granting bail to former telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura, had not distinguished the case of a public servant with others.
Raja’s advocate said the Supreme Court had repeatedly held that “bail is a rule and jail is an exception” and the other 13 co-accused in the case have been granted bail by the apex Court, the Delhi High Court and the trial Court.
He also cited the order of the special judge granting bail to Raja’s former private secretary R K Chandolia, a co-accused in the case, saying that it had observed that despite being a public servant, he deserved bail.
“This Court, in its order granting bail to Chandolia, had observed that though he is a public servant, still he deserves bail. You (judge) had said in your order that Raja and Behura are placed on different footing with Chandolia and out of them, Behura has already been granted bail by the Supreme Court,” Gupta said.
Pressing for bail, Gupta said probe in the case has been completed and the charge sheets have been filed by the CBI so no useful purpose would be served by keeping Raja in custody.
Equating the case of Raja with Behura, he said both are facing charges of abatement, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
He said the CBI’s apprehension that Raja would tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses is misplaced as he is no longer a Minister and he knows if he disrespects the system, fingers would be pointed towards him.
“Raja is no longer a Cabinet Minister and he is no longer near the department (DoT). He is in custody for the longest period as on today and the record will show that he is the most co-operative person as compared to others in the trial. (PTI)
JAMMU, May 11: Supreme Court has stayed the order of the Division Bench of State High Court banning private practice by the State Government doctors and tuition by teachers.
The Division Bench of State High Court had on November 18, 2011 banned the private practice by the State Government doctors and tuition by teachers and against this order the State Government filed Special Leave to Appeal before the Supreme Court.
After hearing the counsels for the petitioner, Supreme Court bench comprising Justice D K Jain and Justice Anil R Dave condoned the delay in filing SLP and issued notice to the respondent—Vichar Kranti International and Others.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the impugned judgement.
NEW DELHI, May 11: BJP President Nitin Gadkari is likely to get another term at the helm as the party today initiated the process of amending its constitution to facilitate it.
The BJP national office bearers at a meeting here today approved a proposal to amend the party constitution to allow a second term for the party president, sources said.
Asked about the proposal, party general secretary Ananth Kumar only said “some internal party matter were discussed at today’s meeting of the national office bearers. Any decision about the internal party matters would be taken up at BJP’s national executive meeting at Mumbai later this month.”
Party sources said that at the conclave to be held on May 24 and 25, the national executive is expected to adopt a resolution to amend the clause pertaining to the president’s tenure.
As per present rules, a BJP president gets only one term of three years. There is no provision for a second consecutive term for the incumbent.
However, it was felt that three years is too short a time for the party president to implement his plans. This proposed amendment will help Gadkari to steer the party in the 2014 general elections.
RSS is said to have approved the proposed change in the BJP constitution and has given its nod to extend Gadkari’s term. Gadkari’s present term expires in December this year.
Gadkari was named party President in 2009 after the second consecutive drubbing of BJP in Lok Sabha polls. Both RSS and a major section of BJP feel since Gadkari brought about organisational changes with 2014 Lok Sabha polls in mind, he should lead the party in the next elections.
During today’s office brearers’ meeting here, which was chaired by Gadkari, party’s senior leader L K Advani was not present but Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley were present.
Among other major decisions taken at the office-bearers meeting today included the attachment of BJP Secretary Murlidhar Rao with the party president for coordinating with various states, Ananth Kumar said.
“Many issues that would form the agenda of the party’s forthcoming national executive meeting was also discussed at today’s meeting. The strategy for coming assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was also discussed even as party office-bearers assessed the recent assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur,” Kumar told reporters.
The party office-bearers also adopted a resolution to congratulate Chhattisgarh Government and state chief minister Raman Singh for its “adroit handling” of the situation arising out of the abduction Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon by Maoists.
“This is a landmark event in the history of dealing with the Naxal menace. BJP takes pride in this achievement. The courageous, non-compromising and yet resilient as well as practical approach taken by Chhattisgarh government is highly commendable…While congratulating our Government in Chhattisgarh, we affirm our commitment to take our fight against anti-national forces to its logical end,” the resolution stated. (PTI)
SAMBA, May 11: The people from at least half a dozen villages and hamlets near Nud and Shah Balod areas held strong protest demonstration against the Geology and Mining Department and contractors involved in lifting sand and other material from the tributaries of river Basantar today.
The people of these villages strongly opposed the lifting of sand by the tippers and tractor trolleys from Rui Khud and another tributary of river Basantar. These villagers alleged that due to massive illegal mining from the rivulet, the water table as gone down in many villages and hamlets in the low lying areas. They said during summer months, massive shortage of water is observed every year and natural sources go dry.
The villagers further pointed out that the contractors even lift sand in tippers and trolleys, just closer to bridge on the upper side and it exposes its pillars to floods. During rainy season it becomes threat to the bridge but no agency is bothered about it. They alleged that when some villagers stopped tippers and trolleys yesterday, some contractors took out weapons and warned the villagers of dire consequences. They said earlier also for over four years, they did not allow any mining and they will not allow again in future. The villagers had also clash with the operators of the vehicles and after stoning, they were forced to run away.
A large number of villagers, then met the Deputy Commissioner Samba Mubaral Singh and sought his intervention. They said that Geology and Mining Department be asked to stop issuing any royalty for these two tributaries of Basantar. The DC assured that an order in this regard will be issued.
The villagers held strong protest on the main Samba-Mansar road for over one hour then dispersed and warned the contractors to stay away from lifting sand or face the consequences. They said if any mishap or further violence occurs there, District administration will be responsible for it. They also sought deployment of police in the area as contactors equipped with weapons were terrorizing the locals.
Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma addressing a public gathering on Friday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma today termed the role of Panchayats as of utmost importance in effective implementation of State and centrally sponsored schemes designed to ameliorate socio-economic status of the people especially those living Below Poverty Line.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing the Panchayat representatives at Youther Galla, Akhnoor. He hoped that these vital institutions would leave no stone unturned in providing adequate awareness to common masses regarding the flagship programmes of the Government in their respective areas.
On the occasion, the Minister asked the concerned officers and line departments to apprise the people about the initiatives taken by the Coalition Government regarding time bound public service delivery, restricting corruption and empowering grassroot public representatives and involving them in development process.
The Minister directed the officers to ensure that the orders of empowering the panchayat representatives are implemented in letter and spirit and action initiated against the officers deviating from the same. “Empowerment of panchayats will surely add to progress and prosperity of the State besides ensuring effective implementation of development programmes”, he added. He also said that the present Government has ensured effective decentralization of power to the ground level.
‘We do not believe in rhetoric and selling false ideas and misleading the people but in sustained action coupled with effective implementation of development programmes. It is after decades that the revolutionary measures have been initiated where by the people at grass root level have been involved in policy formulation and implementation”, the Minister maintained. He directed the 14 line departments to involve Panchs and Sarpanchs in implementation of various schemes and work in close coordination with them so that proper and area specific development is ensured.
The Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma to keep a close monitoring of utilization of funds allotted to the Panchayats for effective development. He also asked them to convene a monthly meeting with the Sarpanchs and Panchs to review the pace of progress on various development works.
Deputy Commissioner said that efforts would be made to make such campaigns more vibrant and meaningful by involving panchayat level functionaries so that the real benefits of these schemes percolate at grass root level.
Later, the Minister inspected the construction work on accidental hospitals being established in the area with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.50 crore. He directed the executing agency to ensure timely completion of this prestigious project.
*Revenue officials, property dealers being bookedHouse of a Defence Estate official being searched by the CBI at Janipura on Friday. —Excelsior/Rakesh
Documents, pen drive, laptops seized; accounts frozen
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 11: The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) today conducted simultaneous raids in Jammu, Ambala, Patna and New Delhi in connection with multi-crore Defence land scam near Srinagar Airport and seized documents pertaining to issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the then Defence Estates Office of the Ministry of Defence, Srinagar for sale of military land.
In Jammu, the CBI raided residence of Vijay Kumar at Lakkar Mandi in Janipura, presently posted as SDO-I in Rajouri, formerly in Defence Estate Office at Srinagar and seized documents regarding issuance of NOC, pen drive etc. The joint locker of the officer along with his wife Swaran Lata and back accounts with State Bank of India (SBI), Rehari branch and Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited (JKBL), Rehari branch have been seized.
The CBI also raided residence of Ajay Chowdhary, a 1997 batch Defence Estate Official at Ambala in Haryana and seized documents. Resi- dences of other officials, who were posted in Defence Estate Office at Srinagar at the time of issuance of NOC of military land measuring over 200 acres to property dealers and local people for raising constructions, were also searched.
The NOCs were issued in connivance with a number of Revenue officials of the State, who have been identified by the CBI and could be called for interrogation along with property dealers and private persons involved in the land scam.
Exact cost of the prime military land near Srinagar International Airport sold in connivance of Defence Estate Office, Revenue officials, property dealers and local people was being worked out but it ran into hundreds of crores.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the CBI today conducted raids after registering FIR No. 7/2012 at its New Delhi branch, which had been entrusted inquiry into the scam by the CBI Headquarters. The FIR has been registered under Sections 120 and 420 RPC read with Section 5 (1) (D) further read with 5 (2) Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act.
Defence Minister A K Antony had referred the land scam for CBI probe. Bharatiya Janata Party’s Anti-Scams Committee had detected the scam.
Sources said the CBI has found that more than 70 NOCs were issued by the Defence Estates Department in Srinagar. These NOCs were issued to private parties to buy more than 200 acres of land near high-security military installations in Srinagar.
Sources said a CBI team from New Delhi had taken search warrant from Special Court of Anti-Corruption at Srinagar yesterday for raiding the house of Vijay Kumar.
Raids were conducted simultaneously from 8 am today at residences of all the then officers of Defence Estate Office, Srinagar, who were involved in issuance of NOC for sale of military land worth crores near Srinagar Airport. From all the places, the CBI has recovered documents, pen drives, laptops and other instruments, which carried details pertaining to the scam.
A CBI team from New Delhi with the assistance of its Jammu wing raided the house of Vijay Kumar at Lakkar Mandi, Janipura. Vijay Kumar was presently posted as SDO-I Rajouri and was in the office of Defence Estate at Srinagar at the time of scam. The searches in the presence of a Magistrate and independent witnesses continued for three hours.
Sources said the CBI team seized some documents pertaining to issuance of NOC. The CBI also seized a pen driver containing some important data. The raid was conducted in the presence of Vijay Kumar.
The CBI team along with Vijay Kumar then proceeded to SBI and Jammu and Kashmir Bank branches at Rehari and checked bank accounts and locket of Vijay Kumar, sources said, adding that the bank accounts have been frozen and locker sealed. The CBI has asked the bank authorities to furnish details of banking transactions of the official especially for the period pertaining to land scam.
Sources said no one has been arrested so far in connection with the scam. However, the arrests have not been ruled out. They added that all officials, whose houses were raided today at Jammu, Ambala, Patna and New Delhi would be called for questioning. Depending upon their involvement, some arrests in the scam were not ruled out.
All raiding parties from different States would be returning to New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday and would be sharing evidence on Monday before proceeding with the case.
Sources said residence of Ajay Chowdhary, a 1997 batch Defence Estates Officer, who was posted in Srinagar at the time of scam, was also searched at Ambala in Haryana and some important documents seized from there. His bank accounts were also searches in the local banks.
Ajay Chowdhary and Vijay Kumar have already been named in the FIR along with a woman and other officials then posted at Defence Estate Office of the Ministry of Defence, Srinagar.
According to the CBI case, it was alleged that a huge area of Defence Ministry land near a sensitive zone in Srinagar was suspected to have been taken by private persons in connivance with officials of Revenue Department of J&K State and Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE), Srinagar.
There was no provision to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the office of DGDE for the purpose of sale or purchase of defence owned or occupied land, the CBI said.
As per the existing rules, defence land cannot be alienated to anyone without prior approval but the accused officials allegedly entered into criminal conspiracy with unknown private persons and issued NOCs for the purpose of sale or purchase of defence land measuring 12.25 acres which was neither owned by Defence Ministry or by the State Government.
On the basis of these unauthorisedly issued NOCs by Defence Estate Office, certain private persons dishonestly and fraudulently managed to execute the sale deeds and attestation of mutation of the defence land, the CBI said.
Some of the private persons had approached Deputy Commissioner of Budgam and the Court seeking compensation on the basis of sale deed executed against such defence land and attestation of mutation thereof, the CBI said.
The agency had registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) into the matter last year during which it claimed to have found evidences that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were granted to private persons for this prime and strategic piece of land arbitrarily.
Ministry of Defence owns 17.53 lakh acres of land, out of which approximately 1.57 lakh acres is situated within the 62 notified cantonments and about 15.96 lakh acres is outside these cantonments.
According to an agency report, a CBI team today raided the residence of suspended CEO of Ambala Cantonment Board Ajay Choudhary in connection with the J&K multi-crore land scam.
The CBI team comprising officials from Delhi and Chandigarh reached the bungalow of Ajay Choudhary at Staff road this morning.
Later, the CBI took Choudhary in a vehicle but it was not immediately known whether he was detained for questioning or had been arrested.
Choudhary, whose name had figured in the land scam during his stint as Defence Estate Officer in Srinagar, was suspended for his alleged involvement in the scam in which costly land was disposed of to some private party in violation of rules.
Chaudhary was transferred to Ambala in April 2010 from Srinagar.
According to sources, about 200 acres of military land near Srinagar International Airport was sold to property dealers and some local people after the Defence Estate Office had issued NOC for the land in connivance with Revenue Department officials. The land was valued in hundreds of crores of rupees. A CBI team was engaged in working out exact cost of the scam.
The State Government has not initiated any action against the Revenue Department officials so far.
Sources said the CBI has prepared a detailed list of Revenue officials, property dealers and local people, who had purchased the land, in the scam. The CBI would be initiating action against them shortly by summoning them for questioning. They added that without the connivance of Revenue officials, the military land couldn’t have been converted into private land and sold to property dealers and private persons for raising constructions.
The Defence Estate Office of the Ministry of Defence had facilitated the scam by issuing NOC of military land in favour of property dealers and private persons. The land was very prime as it was located just adjacent to Srinagar International Airport.
Sources confirmed that the CBI raids at all four places at the residences of the officials then posted in Srinagar has fetched important documents and other material pertaining to scam, which involved establishment of the officials in the multi-crore scam.
The BJP’s Anti-Scams Committee led by MP Kirit Somaiya and J&K Co-ordinator Dr Jitendera Singh had first unearthed the scam and submitted all documents along with a detailed report prepared by them after visiting the spot to Defence Minister A K Antony.
The Defence Ministry had first studied the report at its own level, got the matter inquired and formally handed over the case to the CBI for detailed investigations. Sources said the CBI after holding thorough probe into the scam carried out simultaneous raids today.
Sources said the CBI had also conducted enquiry into the records of the Directorate General of Defence Estates and the local revenue, following a request from the Defence Ministry to probe the sanction of the NoC for sale of this land in Srinagar.
Defence Minister A K Antony had last year informed Parliament that on receipt of complaint, a preliminary enquiry was conducted during which it was found that prima-facie there have been irregularities in the issuance of NOCs which may have wider implications.
According to the probe report of the Defence Ministry, some of the land belonging to defence remains in the name of private persons or State Government in revenue records, which is a cause of concern as a few persons may take advantage… and enter into fraudulent sale/purchase transaction.
The Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) looks after the land for training, ranges, depots, airfields, quartering, camping and offices for military activities.
Ministry of Defence owns 17.53 lakh acres of land, out of which approximately 1.57 lakh acres is situated within the 62 notified cantonments and about 15.96 lakh acres is outside these cantonments.
Artists of Natrang group posing for photograph with dignitaries at Ramban on Friday.
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, May 11: Ramban police in collaboration with Natrang group organised a Theatre show at Dak Banglow, in which artists presented two dramas titled “Parvaaz” and “Suno Tagore Di”.
On the occasion, Ajeetha Begum, Additional SP Ramban was the chief guest while Mushtaq Ahmed, president, Bar Association Ramban, was the guest of honour.
The purpose behind organizing such programme was to aware the people about the communal harmony, women education, eradication of social evils and empowerment of weaker section of the society.
The programme gives due importance and wide publicity among the inhabitants of the area especially youth and young bloods so that can they could play a vital role to abolish great curse—early marriage of the girls and dowry system from the society.
Ajeetha Begum, Additional SP Ramban, in her speech said that these programmes will go a long way in generating awareness among the masses about the evils prevailing in the society.
The local populace congratulated the police for organizing such kind of programme, which was not only a mode of entertainment but also brought awareness among the people. They requested the police for organizing such programme in the future also.
Among others present were Dy SP Headquarters Perbeet Singh, Dy SP DAR Sanjeev Khajuria and local populace.
The theatre show was organised under the direction of Dilbagh Singh, DIG and under the management of Balwant Thakur, Director, Natrang group.
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 11: The meeting of Association of Truckers, the Industries and the Transporters was conducted jointly by Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, here today to resolve the ongoing dispute over the allotment of trucks owned by local transporters for loading of goods from the industrial units operating in the District.
The representatives of Industrial Units, Truckers Association and Transport Companies also participated in the meeting.
The representatives of Truck Association raised the issue that the industrial units functioning in the Industrial Growth Centre of the District were not providing priority to local transporters and instead of hiring their trucks, they were hiring the vehicles from outside the State or other places, which had led to financial hardship to them.
They further alleged that some of the industrial units were engaging the trucks after offloading the goods at much lower rates than the market rates, which was also adding to their sufferings.
On the other hand, representatives of Industries expressed that the rates being charged by the local Transport Association were much higher than the prevailing market rates at Jammu and Bari Brahmna, which were not feasible to them.
After listening both sides, it was resolved that preference would be accorded by the Industrial Units to the available local vehicles owned by the local transporters subject to the condition that the rates charged would be reasonable and in consonance with the market rates. It was also decided in the meeting that the two representatives from each association would further meet to resolve their minor issues, which might come up from time to time.
It was further decided that all the stakeholders would abide by the rules and the norms so as to ensure that the operation of transportation was carried smoothly in the Industrial area in the District.
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora speaking during seminar on Friday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Celebrating renowned short story writer, Saadat Hassan Manto’s centenary, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a seminar here today.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora was the chief guest while Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Mohammed Yusuf Taing was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Describing Manto a revolutionary author, the Minister said that the late short story writer was one of the finest writers of short stories in the world and as a literary organisation the Cultural Academy would keep on holding events on him. He assured early completion of Tagore Hall and said that he would personally see to it that the hall was thrown open for public in the shortest possible timeframe.
Speaking on the occasion, Taing described the late writer as a high stature short story author and impressed upon the need of organising such events to pay tribute to the great legends.
Earlier, Chief Editor, Urdu, M. Ashraf Tak said that the Academy has many Manto centric events in the pipeline and the organisation would do its best in showcasing Manto’s contribution to Urdu short story writing.
As part of the event, a paper reading session was also held in which
Ghulam Nabi Khayal read an extensive paper on Manto. Captioned as ‘Manto and Kashmir’ the paper introduced the audience to abstracts from Manto’s correspondence with India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru.
