CHENNAI: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday invited his Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa to participate in his swearing-in ceremony on March 14.
The AIADMK supremo, however expressed her inability to attend the ceremony as she was scheduled to begin her campaign for the March 18 Sanakarankoil assembly bypoll on that day.
Having conveyed her inability to attend the swearing-in ceremony though she would have liked to, Jayalalithaa said she will depute her party MPs Dr V Maithreyan and M Thambidurai on her behalf, an official release here said.
She told Badal that her campaign schedule had already been announced.
The ruling SAD-BJP combine had retained its hold in the just concluded Punjab Assembly elections and Jayalalithaa had earlier congratulated Badal on his poll success.
Punjab Assembly Elections 2012
Showing posts with label Day To Day National News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Day To Day National News. Show all posts
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Govt Ready For 2G Fight Round-II
NEW DELHI: The government will seek a presidential reference under Article 143 asking Supreme Court to clarify on the constitutionality of the 2G verdict that struck down the first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy for allocating natural resources like airwaves as arbitrary and inherently flawed.
The Cabinet is expected to approve the presidential reference on Saturday evening, with the government likely to seek a review of the SC order that auctions should be the only means by which precious resources like minerals or airwaves are allocated.
The government has filed a review petition in the SC challenging the constitutionality of the February 2 ruling scrapping 122 scam-tainted telecom licences issued during the tenure of jailed ex-telecom minister A Raja. Under Article 143 the president can seek the court's opinion on a matter of "public importance".
The Supreme Court's "advisory jurisdiction" can be invoked under Article 143 and in the past its opinion has been sought in cases like the Ayodhya dispute, which it refused to consider, and on aspects of the implementation of an India-Pakistan agreement on exchange of enclaves along the border with erstwhile east Pakistan.
Sources said the Cabinet will consider the presidential reference that is likely to raise questions over whether the apex court overstepped its jurisdiction in pronouncing on policy on the ground that this is the preserve of the executive. The Centre's review does not contest the decision to cancel licences but argues that ruling all options other than auctions will lead to absurd results.
The government's discomfort with the order is reflected in the review petition and the detailed presentation made to the parliamentary joint committee on telecom in which it has said that the SC violated the principle of "separation of powers" between the judiciary and the executive.
The order is "contrary to settled law" and it is "not permissible for the court to take this exercise upon itself and engage in policy-making, both for the reason that it is not its role to do so and it does not have the expertise to do so," the government told the JPC.
While it did to challenge the cancellation, the Centre has in its review petition sought a relaxation in the four-month deadline set by the court for the licences to be scrapped. The order has resulted in some foreign firms that bought equity threatening their Indian partners with litigation. Others have said they will invoke bilateral agreements.
The SC order is troublesome for the government as it spreads the 2G stain beyond Raja as the FCFS policy for spectrum allocation has been stoutly defended by the Centre. It has been felt that faulting the policy will put top figures in the government - not just an ally like DMK - in the dock as well. The government is keen that this part of the judgement be revised.
Earlier, telecom minister Kapil Sibal had said that the SC ruling has implications for other sectors like mining giving the example of a scenario where a private enterprise spends considerable money prospecting and then a decision is taken to auction the finds after the entity has shouldered the risks.
Policy making, the government insists, must take into account the "weighing and balancing of different values and considerations" and this remains the job of an elected executive that is accountable to Parliament.
On the practical aspects of the SC order, the government feels that gap in the cessation of licenses and completion of auctions may result in disruption of services to 69 million subscribers. It also feels it needs to be decided whether auction should determine both price and allotee in all cases or if other considerations like preventing monopolies, ensuring level playing fields and inter-se or priority among bidders can be taken into account.
The impact on tripartite agreements between licensor, licensee and banks and fallout on firms holding 3G spectrum whose 2G licences have been quashed, legalities of other licences are other issues that the government proposes to raise in course of the hearing on its March 2 review petition.
The Cabinet is expected to approve the presidential reference on Saturday evening, with the government likely to seek a review of the SC order that auctions should be the only means by which precious resources like minerals or airwaves are allocated.
The government has filed a review petition in the SC challenging the constitutionality of the February 2 ruling scrapping 122 scam-tainted telecom licences issued during the tenure of jailed ex-telecom minister A Raja. Under Article 143 the president can seek the court's opinion on a matter of "public importance".
The Supreme Court's "advisory jurisdiction" can be invoked under Article 143 and in the past its opinion has been sought in cases like the Ayodhya dispute, which it refused to consider, and on aspects of the implementation of an India-Pakistan agreement on exchange of enclaves along the border with erstwhile east Pakistan.
Sources said the Cabinet will consider the presidential reference that is likely to raise questions over whether the apex court overstepped its jurisdiction in pronouncing on policy on the ground that this is the preserve of the executive. The Centre's review does not contest the decision to cancel licences but argues that ruling all options other than auctions will lead to absurd results.
The government's discomfort with the order is reflected in the review petition and the detailed presentation made to the parliamentary joint committee on telecom in which it has said that the SC violated the principle of "separation of powers" between the judiciary and the executive.
The order is "contrary to settled law" and it is "not permissible for the court to take this exercise upon itself and engage in policy-making, both for the reason that it is not its role to do so and it does not have the expertise to do so," the government told the JPC.
While it did to challenge the cancellation, the Centre has in its review petition sought a relaxation in the four-month deadline set by the court for the licences to be scrapped. The order has resulted in some foreign firms that bought equity threatening their Indian partners with litigation. Others have said they will invoke bilateral agreements.
The SC order is troublesome for the government as it spreads the 2G stain beyond Raja as the FCFS policy for spectrum allocation has been stoutly defended by the Centre. It has been felt that faulting the policy will put top figures in the government - not just an ally like DMK - in the dock as well. The government is keen that this part of the judgement be revised.
Earlier, telecom minister Kapil Sibal had said that the SC ruling has implications for other sectors like mining giving the example of a scenario where a private enterprise spends considerable money prospecting and then a decision is taken to auction the finds after the entity has shouldered the risks.
Policy making, the government insists, must take into account the "weighing and balancing of different values and considerations" and this remains the job of an elected executive that is accountable to Parliament.
On the practical aspects of the SC order, the government feels that gap in the cessation of licenses and completion of auctions may result in disruption of services to 69 million subscribers. It also feels it needs to be decided whether auction should determine both price and allotee in all cases or if other considerations like preventing monopolies, ensuring level playing fields and inter-se or priority among bidders can be taken into account.
The impact on tripartite agreements between licensor, licensee and banks and fallout on firms holding 3G spectrum whose 2G licences have been quashed, legalities of other licences are other issues that the government proposes to raise in course of the hearing on its March 2 review petition.
Top Woman Maoist Surrenders, Mamata Says Holi Gift
KOLKATA: Top woman Maoist Suchitra Mahato, suspected to have been with rebel leader Kishenji when he was killed during a shootout last year, surrendered here Friday, a development described by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee as a "big gift for Holi".
"I am happy that Suchitra Mahato came here to surrender today. Very recently she got married. Her husband is also here. My best wishes for the newly-wed couple. They have surrendered, responding to our peace process," Banerjee told a media conference at the state secretariat where Mahato was present with her new husband Pradush Garai.
Squad commander Mahato, widow of slain Maoist Sasadhar Mahato, surrendered with Garai. They got married Feb 25, 2012.
The security personnel had been on the lookout for Mahato, who was reportedly injured in the shootout in which Kishenji or Mallojula Koteswara Rao, a politburo member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), was killed.
According to the official version, Kishenji died in a battle with paramilitary forces and state police in a forested region of West Midnapore Nov 24. Maoists and human rights groups, however, did not agree.
The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) alleged that Kishenji was killed in a "fake encounter", while Telugu poet and Maoist sympathiser P. Varvara Rao charged the state government with murdering him in police custody. Banerjee said Mahato had first surrendered before the inspector general of police and then met her.
Describing the top woman Maoist's surrender as an achievement for the state government and a Holi gift, she said the government would ensure that everything would be done, according to the package, to enable the rebel couple to lead a normal life.
"I am proud that my Maoist brothers and sisters are surrendering. This is an achievement of the government... this is a joint achievement of the government and my brother and sisters," she said.
"At the time of encounter Suchitra also got injured. She got bullet injuries in her waist. We will treat her," Banerjee said.
Standing beside the chief minister, Mahato, dressed in a sari, said: "I have come here as Mamata di (big sister) called for peace and called upon Maoists to come back to the mainstream."
Asked whether she was arrested in the aftermath of Kishenji's killing, Mahato replied in the negative and said: "I came and surrendered today."
To a query from a scribe as to where she had been staying for the last few months, she said she had been living in the village.
However, Mahato refused to answer any more questions, contending that she was not in a position to say anything more now.
Her husband said he had been involved in the Lalgarh movement in West Midnapore district that flared up after alleged police excesses following a landmine blast targeting then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's convoy at Salboni Nov 2, 2008.
"There are lot of reasons behind the surrender. We cannot give all details now," he said.
"I am happy that Suchitra Mahato came here to surrender today. Very recently she got married. Her husband is also here. My best wishes for the newly-wed couple. They have surrendered, responding to our peace process," Banerjee told a media conference at the state secretariat where Mahato was present with her new husband Pradush Garai.
Squad commander Mahato, widow of slain Maoist Sasadhar Mahato, surrendered with Garai. They got married Feb 25, 2012.
The security personnel had been on the lookout for Mahato, who was reportedly injured in the shootout in which Kishenji or Mallojula Koteswara Rao, a politburo member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), was killed.
According to the official version, Kishenji died in a battle with paramilitary forces and state police in a forested region of West Midnapore Nov 24. Maoists and human rights groups, however, did not agree.
The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) alleged that Kishenji was killed in a "fake encounter", while Telugu poet and Maoist sympathiser P. Varvara Rao charged the state government with murdering him in police custody. Banerjee said Mahato had first surrendered before the inspector general of police and then met her.
Describing the top woman Maoist's surrender as an achievement for the state government and a Holi gift, she said the government would ensure that everything would be done, according to the package, to enable the rebel couple to lead a normal life.
"I am proud that my Maoist brothers and sisters are surrendering. This is an achievement of the government... this is a joint achievement of the government and my brother and sisters," she said.
"At the time of encounter Suchitra also got injured. She got bullet injuries in her waist. We will treat her," Banerjee said.
Standing beside the chief minister, Mahato, dressed in a sari, said: "I have come here as Mamata di (big sister) called for peace and called upon Maoists to come back to the mainstream."
Asked whether she was arrested in the aftermath of Kishenji's killing, Mahato replied in the negative and said: "I came and surrendered today."
To a query from a scribe as to where she had been staying for the last few months, she said she had been living in the village.
However, Mahato refused to answer any more questions, contending that she was not in a position to say anything more now.
Her husband said he had been involved in the Lalgarh movement in West Midnapore district that flared up after alleged police excesses following a landmine blast targeting then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's convoy at Salboni Nov 2, 2008.
"There are lot of reasons behind the surrender. We cannot give all details now," he said.
Sp's Akhilesh Yadav To Be Youngest Chief Minister Of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is set to get its youngest chief minister in 38-year-old Akhilesh Yadav, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) legislature party on Saturday unanimously electing him as their leader.
Akhilesh, the parliamentarian son of SP chief and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, is to be sworn on March 15.
The decision to give him the top post was finalised at an hour-long meeting of the newly elected SP legislators in Lucknow on Saturday.
Akhilesh's name was proposed by senior leader Mohd Azam Khan. Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav seconded the proposal, after which the former bowed to his father and touched his feet.
The spadework for Akhilesh's coronation was scripted at a late night parley on Friday between Mulayam Singh, Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav.
It was at this meeting that the party supremo made "his mind clear about Akhilesh", a close aide of Mulayam Singh said.
With the newly elected party legislators already pitching for Akhilesh as chief minister and with a brute majority of 224 in the 403-seat house, leaders with a different opinion on the matter fell in line.
Both Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav were reported to be unhappy with the decision to make Akhilesh, a youngster in the party compared to both of them, the chief minister.
"For someone who has grown in front of them, you must understand that it is not easy for anyone to see him as a boss," said a close aide of Azam Khan. The differences were thrashed out Friday night.
An MP from Kannauj, Akhilesh is largely seen as a game changer in UP politics and credited with the massive mandate in favour of the party in the assembly polls.
An environmental engineer from Sydney University, Akhilesh was appointed state president of the SP in 2009. He slogged it out for the party in hostile situations, with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati at the helm of affairs.
After his elevation as chief minister, Akhilesh would now quit his seat as MP from Kannauj and is likely to contest elections for the state assembly from Jaswantnagar, a seat for long held by Shivpal Yadav.
Before Akhilesh's election as the chief minister, Mayawati was the youngest Uttar Pradesh chief minister at 39 years of age.
Akhilesh stakes claim to form government
Chief Minister designate Akhilesh Yadav met Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi and staked claim to form the next government in the state.
Flanked by Samajwadi Party leaders Shivpal Yadav and Mohd Azam Khan, Akhilesh Yadav handed over a letter to Joshi stating he had been elected the party's legislature leader.
The trio reached the Raj Bhawan together.
Later, they posed for the media, with Shivpal Yadav flashing a victory sign. Azam Khan refused to interact with the press and quietly sat in the car even as Akhilesh Yadav shook hands with officials.
Akhilesh, the parliamentarian son of SP chief and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, is to be sworn on March 15.
The decision to give him the top post was finalised at an hour-long meeting of the newly elected SP legislators in Lucknow on Saturday.
Akhilesh's name was proposed by senior leader Mohd Azam Khan. Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav seconded the proposal, after which the former bowed to his father and touched his feet.
The spadework for Akhilesh's coronation was scripted at a late night parley on Friday between Mulayam Singh, Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav.
It was at this meeting that the party supremo made "his mind clear about Akhilesh", a close aide of Mulayam Singh said.
With the newly elected party legislators already pitching for Akhilesh as chief minister and with a brute majority of 224 in the 403-seat house, leaders with a different opinion on the matter fell in line.
Both Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav were reported to be unhappy with the decision to make Akhilesh, a youngster in the party compared to both of them, the chief minister.
"For someone who has grown in front of them, you must understand that it is not easy for anyone to see him as a boss," said a close aide of Azam Khan. The differences were thrashed out Friday night.
An MP from Kannauj, Akhilesh is largely seen as a game changer in UP politics and credited with the massive mandate in favour of the party in the assembly polls.
An environmental engineer from Sydney University, Akhilesh was appointed state president of the SP in 2009. He slogged it out for the party in hostile situations, with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati at the helm of affairs.
After his elevation as chief minister, Akhilesh would now quit his seat as MP from Kannauj and is likely to contest elections for the state assembly from Jaswantnagar, a seat for long held by Shivpal Yadav.
Before Akhilesh's election as the chief minister, Mayawati was the youngest Uttar Pradesh chief minister at 39 years of age.
Akhilesh stakes claim to form government
Chief Minister designate Akhilesh Yadav met Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi and staked claim to form the next government in the state.
Flanked by Samajwadi Party leaders Shivpal Yadav and Mohd Azam Khan, Akhilesh Yadav handed over a letter to Joshi stating he had been elected the party's legislature leader.
The trio reached the Raj Bhawan together.
Later, they posed for the media, with Shivpal Yadav flashing a victory sign. Azam Khan refused to interact with the press and quietly sat in the car even as Akhilesh Yadav shook hands with officials.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Bjp Tells President Pratibha Patil To Reconvene Parliament For Lokpal Bill
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday asked President Pratibha Patil to reconvene the winter session of Parliament for a vote on the Lokpal bill that could not be passed after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned on December 29 midnight.
"We urged (the president) to reconvene the winter session for the passage of the Lokpal bill before the budget session," BJP leader Ananth Kumar told reporters, after party leaders, including president Nitin Gadkari and star LK Advani, met Patil to complain about what they said was "subversion of parliament" over the pending legislation.
Rajya Sabha leader of opposition Arun Jaitley told reporters after meeting Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan that they "complained that there has been a subversion of parliament institution".
Jaitley accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of resorting to "contrived disturbances" to adjourn parliament to avoid voting on the anti-graft Lokpal bill as they did not have the required majority in Rajya Sabha.
"This is the first time in the country that to avoid voting, the government resorted to contrived disturbances in the parliament," Jaitley said.
"In our memorandum we have urged the president to intervene in this matter," he said, adding that the party has asked the president to suggest to the government that parliament session be reconvened and the voting procedure resumed.
Lok Sabha opposition leader Sushma Swaraj, former party president Rajnath Singh as well as M. Venkaiah Naidu, SS Ahluwalia and Ravi Shankar Prasad were amongst those who went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Advani said BJP leaders sought the president's intervention.
"Our national president and all us met the president and requested her to intervene. Our complaint and dissatisfaction is on what happened in the Rajya Sabha," Advani said.
The Lokpal bill could not be passed in the upper house even after a three-day extension of the winter session. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned midnight on Dec 29 without scheduled voting.
The BJP has termed this the "murder of democracy".
"We urged (the president) to reconvene the winter session for the passage of the Lokpal bill before the budget session," BJP leader Ananth Kumar told reporters, after party leaders, including president Nitin Gadkari and star LK Advani, met Patil to complain about what they said was "subversion of parliament" over the pending legislation.
Rajya Sabha leader of opposition Arun Jaitley told reporters after meeting Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan that they "complained that there has been a subversion of parliament institution".
Jaitley accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of resorting to "contrived disturbances" to adjourn parliament to avoid voting on the anti-graft Lokpal bill as they did not have the required majority in Rajya Sabha.
"This is the first time in the country that to avoid voting, the government resorted to contrived disturbances in the parliament," Jaitley said.
"In our memorandum we have urged the president to intervene in this matter," he said, adding that the party has asked the president to suggest to the government that parliament session be reconvened and the voting procedure resumed.
Lok Sabha opposition leader Sushma Swaraj, former party president Rajnath Singh as well as M. Venkaiah Naidu, SS Ahluwalia and Ravi Shankar Prasad were amongst those who went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Advani said BJP leaders sought the president's intervention.
"Our national president and all us met the president and requested her to intervene. Our complaint and dissatisfaction is on what happened in the Rajya Sabha," Advani said.
The Lokpal bill could not be passed in the upper house even after a three-day extension of the winter session. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned midnight on Dec 29 without scheduled voting.
The BJP has termed this the "murder of democracy".
Anna Hazare Not To Campaign In Poll-Bound States: Kiran Bedi
PUNE: Ailing social activist Anna Hazare won't be campaigning in five poll-bound states as he had planned earlier, his aide Kiran Bedi said on Thursday.
Bedi, a core Team Anna member, told reporters here that Hazare was recovering in a hospital but has been advised rest by doctors.
"Anna needs complete rest. Doctors have advised him not to travel. My opinion is also that Anna should be taking rest. So he won't be travelling or campaigning," Bedi said.
Team Anna had threatened to campaign against those parties that opposed the Jan Lokpal bill -- their version of the Lokpal bill -- in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur that are going to polls in the next two months. The campaign was particularly targeted against the Congress.
Hazare has been in a Pune hospital since Dec 31 after he developed health complications due to acute chest congestion.
Bedi said that the 74-year-old activist was recovering and his condition was stable.
The former police officer, who is one of the closest Hazare aides, said that the core group of their team would meet on Saturday to devise its further strategy.
Hazare due to his ailing health was earlier forced to call off his three-day scheduled hunger strike in Mumbai on December 28, less than 36 hours after he began it.
He had threatened to launch a sit-in outside the residences of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, a party general secretary. This was also cancelled after Hazare's health deteriorated in Mumbai.
Bedi, a core Team Anna member, told reporters here that Hazare was recovering in a hospital but has been advised rest by doctors.
"Anna needs complete rest. Doctors have advised him not to travel. My opinion is also that Anna should be taking rest. So he won't be travelling or campaigning," Bedi said.
Team Anna had threatened to campaign against those parties that opposed the Jan Lokpal bill -- their version of the Lokpal bill -- in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur that are going to polls in the next two months. The campaign was particularly targeted against the Congress.
Hazare has been in a Pune hospital since Dec 31 after he developed health complications due to acute chest congestion.
Bedi said that the 74-year-old activist was recovering and his condition was stable.
The former police officer, who is one of the closest Hazare aides, said that the core group of their team would meet on Saturday to devise its further strategy.
Hazare due to his ailing health was earlier forced to call off his three-day scheduled hunger strike in Mumbai on December 28, less than 36 hours after he began it.
He had threatened to launch a sit-in outside the residences of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, a party general secretary. This was also cancelled after Hazare's health deteriorated in Mumbai.
Ratan Tata Admits To Making Mistakes With Nano
NEW DELHI: The boss of Tata Group conceded on Thursday that the company had made mistakes with its Nano, the world's cheapest car, saying it now wanted to change the perception it was a "poor man's" vehicle.
The Rs 1,40,000 Nano has failed to take off as expected since its launch in 2009, with analysts blaming poor marketing and a series of technical problems including some highly publicised engine fires.
Sales have been a fraction of the 25,000 a month the company once expected, falling to a low of just 509 units in November 2010. In December, the company sold 7,466 units, a rise of 29 per cent from the same month the previous year.
"I don't think we were adequately ready with an advertising campaign or a dealer network," chairman of the Tata conglomerate Ratan Tata explained to reporters on Thursday, referring to the early days of sales.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Auto Expo show in New Delhi, he added: "I think we wasted an early opportunity but have not, in fact, seen much in terms of competition for the pricing of the car."
Tata, chairman of the Tata Group which owns Tata Motors, added that he was still confident about the car's potential in a country where millions are moving into the middle classes.
Analysts say the Nano was seen as a vehicle for Indians to buy once they could afford to upgrade from a motorbike, meaning it failed to appeal to the status-conscious and aspirational new middle classes.
"We've never pushed it as a poor man's car but an affordable, all-weather, family car," Tata said, adding that "whatever stigma has been attached to it, we will undo going forward."
The Rs 1,40,000 Nano has failed to take off as expected since its launch in 2009, with analysts blaming poor marketing and a series of technical problems including some highly publicised engine fires.
Sales have been a fraction of the 25,000 a month the company once expected, falling to a low of just 509 units in November 2010. In December, the company sold 7,466 units, a rise of 29 per cent from the same month the previous year.
"I don't think we were adequately ready with an advertising campaign or a dealer network," chairman of the Tata conglomerate Ratan Tata explained to reporters on Thursday, referring to the early days of sales.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Auto Expo show in New Delhi, he added: "I think we wasted an early opportunity but have not, in fact, seen much in terms of competition for the pricing of the car."
Tata, chairman of the Tata Group which owns Tata Motors, added that he was still confident about the car's potential in a country where millions are moving into the middle classes.
Analysts say the Nano was seen as a vehicle for Indians to buy once they could afford to upgrade from a motorbike, meaning it failed to appeal to the status-conscious and aspirational new middle classes.
"We've never pushed it as a poor man's car but an affordable, all-weather, family car," Tata said, adding that "whatever stigma has been attached to it, we will undo going forward."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Local Train Derails In Kashmir, Dozens Injured
SRINAGAR: Over two dozen people commuters were injured on Wednesday morning when a local train coming from Qazigund to Srinagar station derailed near Sadoora near Kulgam in south Kashmir.
Railway police inspector Sandeep Kour said that the train started at 11am from Qazigund station and derailed due to some miscalculation by the driver near Sadoora at about 11.15am.
two of the bogies and the engine derailed. "All the injured commuters were shifted to hospital and administered first aid," inspector Sandeep said.
Hundreds of commuters travel by train to north and south of Kashmir every day since 2008. The travelers are mostly government and private employees.
SP Kulgam Mubashir Latiffi said the accident occurred due to the brakes failing. "We are however investigating the matter," he said.
The divisional administration has asked chief area manager Northern Railway, Upinder Singh, to enquire into the matter and furnish a report.
Singh who visited the spot said that a comprehensive report would be prepared to avoid such incidents in future.
Railway police inspector Sandeep Kour said that the train started at 11am from Qazigund station and derailed due to some miscalculation by the driver near Sadoora at about 11.15am.
two of the bogies and the engine derailed. "All the injured commuters were shifted to hospital and administered first aid," inspector Sandeep said.
Hundreds of commuters travel by train to north and south of Kashmir every day since 2008. The travelers are mostly government and private employees.
SP Kulgam Mubashir Latiffi said the accident occurred due to the brakes failing. "We are however investigating the matter," he said.
The divisional administration has asked chief area manager Northern Railway, Upinder Singh, to enquire into the matter and furnish a report.
Singh who visited the spot said that a comprehensive report would be prepared to avoid such incidents in future.
Tea Should Be Declared As The National Drink : Kalam
JORHAT: Tea got a new ambassador, when former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said that the brew can be the official drink of India on Tuesday.
Even as the chief minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi declared tea as the State Drink, Kalam said that on the basis of the size of its consumers tea can be declared the national drink of India. Kalam was inaugurating the three-day World Tea Science Congress at Tocklai Experimental Station (TES), Jorhat, Assam.
Over 51% of India's tea and 13%of global production comes from Assam. The tea industry in the state is a source of about five lakh permanent employment and five lakh seasonal workers. Another 10 lakh are dependent on it for employment and services.
Gogoi said that declaring tea as the state drink would help increase its value and promote Assam tea as a brand. "Moreover, my government will persist with its effort to secure the recognition of tea as our National Drink," said Gogoi.
On the occasion Dr Kalam released a number of souvenirs, a documentary titled 'Young at 100' directed by Charukamal Hazarika, a tea table book titled, "Tocklai and Tea" and a tea soft drink at the function.
Giving his inaugural address and presenting a blueprint for the tea industry, Kalam proposed formation of tea cooperatives so as to address the problems of the small tea planters and their workers.
In order to boost the industry and give it a global edge the former President also stressed on diversification and development of value-added products such as medicinal tea, organic tea and flavoured tea.
Envisaging a leading role for TES in tea research and helping the tea industry develop a futuristic vision, Kalam suggested it to be named 'Tocklai Research Centre.'
Kalam further advocated for genetically modified varieties of tea to protect the crops from pests, instead of use of chemical pesticides. He also said that a multi-dimensional research will help tea occupy the world market with its exotic products.
Promising state government's support to the tea industry, Gogoi thanked Kalam for supporting the call to grant national drink status to the beverage. While urging the industry to follow the roadmap presented by Kalam, the chief minister said the industry need to diversify, prepare for the changing business environment worldwide, upgrade the skills of the workforce and carry out research on the impact of climatic changes on the tea industry.
Tea Research Association chairman D P Maheshwari said the organisation had acquired world class infrastructure for the station and formed a corpus fund of Rs 6 crore for setting up centenary chairs from the Rs 20-crore grant given by the centre to the organisation on Tocklai's centenary.
Even as the chief minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi declared tea as the State Drink, Kalam said that on the basis of the size of its consumers tea can be declared the national drink of India. Kalam was inaugurating the three-day World Tea Science Congress at Tocklai Experimental Station (TES), Jorhat, Assam.
Over 51% of India's tea and 13%of global production comes from Assam. The tea industry in the state is a source of about five lakh permanent employment and five lakh seasonal workers. Another 10 lakh are dependent on it for employment and services.
Gogoi said that declaring tea as the state drink would help increase its value and promote Assam tea as a brand. "Moreover, my government will persist with its effort to secure the recognition of tea as our National Drink," said Gogoi.
On the occasion Dr Kalam released a number of souvenirs, a documentary titled 'Young at 100' directed by Charukamal Hazarika, a tea table book titled, "Tocklai and Tea" and a tea soft drink at the function.
Giving his inaugural address and presenting a blueprint for the tea industry, Kalam proposed formation of tea cooperatives so as to address the problems of the small tea planters and their workers.
In order to boost the industry and give it a global edge the former President also stressed on diversification and development of value-added products such as medicinal tea, organic tea and flavoured tea.
Envisaging a leading role for TES in tea research and helping the tea industry develop a futuristic vision, Kalam suggested it to be named 'Tocklai Research Centre.'
Kalam further advocated for genetically modified varieties of tea to protect the crops from pests, instead of use of chemical pesticides. He also said that a multi-dimensional research will help tea occupy the world market with its exotic products.
Promising state government's support to the tea industry, Gogoi thanked Kalam for supporting the call to grant national drink status to the beverage. While urging the industry to follow the roadmap presented by Kalam, the chief minister said the industry need to diversify, prepare for the changing business environment worldwide, upgrade the skills of the workforce and carry out research on the impact of climatic changes on the tea industry.
Tea Research Association chairman D P Maheshwari said the organisation had acquired world class infrastructure for the station and formed a corpus fund of Rs 6 crore for setting up centenary chairs from the Rs 20-crore grant given by the centre to the organisation on Tocklai's centenary.
Tamil Nadu Engineering Students Design 'Nano Bike'
NAGAPATTINAM: A group of final year mechanical engineering students of a private university in Tamil Nadu claimed to have designed a 25-kg single-seater 'nano'motorcycle that could give a mileage of 97 km per litre of petrol.
The students of PRIST University, Thanjavur, have designed the motorcycle under the guidance of their professors and in collaboration with Hi-Tech Project Industries, a private engineering services company at Porayar in the district.
Demonstrating the motorcycle, named 'Nano Bike' at the Hi-Tech Project Industries campus yesterday in the presence of the company's research wing staff, the students claimed the vehicle can touch a maximum speed of 45 kmph and carry one person.
The main frame of the motorbike is made of steel while the wheels are made of aluminium alloy and the petrol tank is made of plastic. To reduce noise, belt drive has been used instead of the traditional chain drive mechanism, the students said.
The students claimed that commercial production of the motorcycle was viable and would cost only about Rs 8,000 per unit.
The students of PRIST University, Thanjavur, have designed the motorcycle under the guidance of their professors and in collaboration with Hi-Tech Project Industries, a private engineering services company at Porayar in the district.
Demonstrating the motorcycle, named 'Nano Bike' at the Hi-Tech Project Industries campus yesterday in the presence of the company's research wing staff, the students claimed the vehicle can touch a maximum speed of 45 kmph and carry one person.
The main frame of the motorbike is made of steel while the wheels are made of aluminium alloy and the petrol tank is made of plastic. To reduce noise, belt drive has been used instead of the traditional chain drive mechanism, the students said.
The students claimed that commercial production of the motorcycle was viable and would cost only about Rs 8,000 per unit.
Tamil nadu cinema owners not to screen 'dam 999'
CHENNAI: Theatre owners in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday decided not to screen controversial movie 'Dam 999', saying it was against the interests of the state, after political parties, including DMK, raised the pitch against its release.
The decision came as the film generated considerable heat in political circles, with DMK, MDMK and PMK calling for its ban, contending that it was based on the Mullaperiyar dam, over which Tamil Nadu and Kerala have a long standing dispute.
"The film justifies breaking of the (Mullaperiyar) dam (since the plot revolves around the collapse of a dam). It is against interests of Tamil Nadu. We have decided not to screen the film to express our concerns," Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners' Association general secretary R Panneerselvam told PTI.
The 116-year old dam, located in Iddukki district of Kerala, is under the Tamil Nadu Government control and meets the irrigation needs of farmers in southern districts.
Citing safety concerns, Kerala has proposed construction of a new dam to replace the old structure, but Tamil Nadu has been opposing it, saying it would affect the state's interest.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi said in a statement today that if the film was released in the state, it would affect cordial ties between people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and pose a law and order problem.
"Considering this, it becomes imperative that the release of the film should be avoided in the state," he said. Karunanidhi said while the Mullaperiyar dam issue remained unresolved for many years, some people have made the film giving it a "motivated title", an apparent reference to the 999 year rights held by Tamil Nadu over Mullaperiyar dam.
MDMK chief Vaiko has said the film, financed by Keralites, starring Indian and Hollywood actors and directed by Sohan Roy has been named 'Dam 999', referring to the legal rights held by Tamil Nadu over the dam for 999 years.
He warned of protests in theatres if the film was released. MDMK workers were yesterday arrested after they staged a protest outside a preview theatre in the city where a screening of the movie had been arranged, besides damaging the the film roll.
The decision came as the film generated considerable heat in political circles, with DMK, MDMK and PMK calling for its ban, contending that it was based on the Mullaperiyar dam, over which Tamil Nadu and Kerala have a long standing dispute.
"The film justifies breaking of the (Mullaperiyar) dam (since the plot revolves around the collapse of a dam). It is against interests of Tamil Nadu. We have decided not to screen the film to express our concerns," Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners' Association general secretary R Panneerselvam told PTI.
The 116-year old dam, located in Iddukki district of Kerala, is under the Tamil Nadu Government control and meets the irrigation needs of farmers in southern districts.
Citing safety concerns, Kerala has proposed construction of a new dam to replace the old structure, but Tamil Nadu has been opposing it, saying it would affect the state's interest.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi said in a statement today that if the film was released in the state, it would affect cordial ties between people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and pose a law and order problem.
"Considering this, it becomes imperative that the release of the film should be avoided in the state," he said. Karunanidhi said while the Mullaperiyar dam issue remained unresolved for many years, some people have made the film giving it a "motivated title", an apparent reference to the 999 year rights held by Tamil Nadu over Mullaperiyar dam.
MDMK chief Vaiko has said the film, financed by Keralites, starring Indian and Hollywood actors and directed by Sohan Roy has been named 'Dam 999', referring to the legal rights held by Tamil Nadu over the dam for 999 years.
He warned of protests in theatres if the film was released. MDMK workers were yesterday arrested after they staged a protest outside a preview theatre in the city where a screening of the movie had been arranged, besides damaging the the film roll.
Bjp Blames Congress For Parliament Logjam
NEW DELHI: With both Houses of Parliament being adjourned till Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday mocked the ruling Congress Party's rigid attitude in perpetually blaming the opposition for disrupting proceedings.
"Some people have spread this rumour that the Parliament cannot function because of the opposition. Every time the proceedings of the parliament get disrupted due to the rigid ness of the Congress Party, resulting in obstruction," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told mediapersons here.
"We have asked for holding discussion on black money and inflation. We have also said that neither we will listen to P Chidambaram nor we would let him speak during the session because in 2G spectrum, either on the findings of PAC (Public Accounts Committee) or the findings of finance ministry, it was mentioned that if Chidambaram wanted, then this scam could have been prevented," he added.
Meanwhile, another BJP leader Balbir Punj said the probe in the telecom scam could not be conducted in a fair manner as long as Chidambaram holds the position of the Home Minister.
"We will continue to boycott Mr. Chidambaram because we see in him an accused in the biggest scam of independent India running into Rs. 176 crores and no investigation, independent objective investigation is possible till this man continue to occupy the powerful position of the home minister," he said.
Chidambaram has been at the centre of an extensive political storm ever since certain reports revealed of his alleged role in ''deciding'' the prices of 2G-spectrum during his earlier tenure as the Finance Minister, thus embroiling him in the telecom scam.
His name cropped up in a recent letter of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in which Mukherjee blamed his predecessor for not sticking to the established procedures in auctioning of the 2-G spectrum.
The letter stated that sufficient steps were not taken by Chidambaram to prevent the colossal scam from occurring in the first place, considering he could have ''stuck to the stand'' of auctioning of the precious spectrum instead of giving it at throwaway prices.
The telecom scam, one of India's biggest graft cases ever, may have cost 39.57 billion dollars in revenue to the public exchequer as per the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
A Raja was sacked in November last year and later arrested after being charged with giving away telecom licences in 2008 for a pittance, at meagre prices of 2001 in the CAG report. Raja is presently facing trial along with a group of telecom executives and DMK lawmaker Kanimozhi.
Meanwhile, BJP another spokesperson Prakash Javadekar accused the Congress Party over its failure to deal with rising prices of essential commodities.
"There was issue of inflation also which also we want discussion under voting rule. So all these are the issues which government is not ready to discuss. So here is the case where opposition wants immediate discussion and government is running away from the discussion," said Javadekar.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Basudev Acharya also echoed similar sentiments and accused the government for not resolving the issues related with inflation and the fall in the value of rupee.
"The farmers commit suicide because of the rapid increase in the prices of fertilizers and other products that are required for their crop. The farmers are not being compensated adequately for their produce. The farmers are forced to sell their produce at half the cost of the minimum support price. This is the condition of our country," said Acharya.
"We want a discussion on all these questions. However, on the issue of inflation and on the value of currency, we want to bring in an adjournment motion and the government must accept it," he added.
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Thursday, as the opposition refused to back down on the issue of price rise and other issues.
Food inflation has been stubbornly high over the last few years in India, in spite of record foodgrain production and robust buffer stocks.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already raised rates 13 times since early March 2010 to clamp down on stubborn inflation, largely driven by high food prices.
Inflation has remained over nine percent since December 2010. The headline inflation measured on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was 9.7 percent in October, while the rate of price in food segment for the week ended November 05 was 10.6 per cent.
"Some people have spread this rumour that the Parliament cannot function because of the opposition. Every time the proceedings of the parliament get disrupted due to the rigid ness of the Congress Party, resulting in obstruction," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told mediapersons here.
"We have asked for holding discussion on black money and inflation. We have also said that neither we will listen to P Chidambaram nor we would let him speak during the session because in 2G spectrum, either on the findings of PAC (Public Accounts Committee) or the findings of finance ministry, it was mentioned that if Chidambaram wanted, then this scam could have been prevented," he added.
Meanwhile, another BJP leader Balbir Punj said the probe in the telecom scam could not be conducted in a fair manner as long as Chidambaram holds the position of the Home Minister.
"We will continue to boycott Mr. Chidambaram because we see in him an accused in the biggest scam of independent India running into Rs. 176 crores and no investigation, independent objective investigation is possible till this man continue to occupy the powerful position of the home minister," he said.
Chidambaram has been at the centre of an extensive political storm ever since certain reports revealed of his alleged role in ''deciding'' the prices of 2G-spectrum during his earlier tenure as the Finance Minister, thus embroiling him in the telecom scam.
His name cropped up in a recent letter of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in which Mukherjee blamed his predecessor for not sticking to the established procedures in auctioning of the 2-G spectrum.
The letter stated that sufficient steps were not taken by Chidambaram to prevent the colossal scam from occurring in the first place, considering he could have ''stuck to the stand'' of auctioning of the precious spectrum instead of giving it at throwaway prices.
The telecom scam, one of India's biggest graft cases ever, may have cost 39.57 billion dollars in revenue to the public exchequer as per the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
A Raja was sacked in November last year and later arrested after being charged with giving away telecom licences in 2008 for a pittance, at meagre prices of 2001 in the CAG report. Raja is presently facing trial along with a group of telecom executives and DMK lawmaker Kanimozhi.
Meanwhile, BJP another spokesperson Prakash Javadekar accused the Congress Party over its failure to deal with rising prices of essential commodities.
"There was issue of inflation also which also we want discussion under voting rule. So all these are the issues which government is not ready to discuss. So here is the case where opposition wants immediate discussion and government is running away from the discussion," said Javadekar.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Basudev Acharya also echoed similar sentiments and accused the government for not resolving the issues related with inflation and the fall in the value of rupee.
"The farmers commit suicide because of the rapid increase in the prices of fertilizers and other products that are required for their crop. The farmers are not being compensated adequately for their produce. The farmers are forced to sell their produce at half the cost of the minimum support price. This is the condition of our country," said Acharya.
"We want a discussion on all these questions. However, on the issue of inflation and on the value of currency, we want to bring in an adjournment motion and the government must accept it," he added.
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Thursday, as the opposition refused to back down on the issue of price rise and other issues.
Food inflation has been stubbornly high over the last few years in India, in spite of record foodgrain production and robust buffer stocks.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already raised rates 13 times since early March 2010 to clamp down on stubborn inflation, largely driven by high food prices.
Inflation has remained over nine percent since December 2010. The headline inflation measured on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was 9.7 percent in October, while the rate of price in food segment for the week ended November 05 was 10.6 per cent.
Jayalalithaa Completes Deposition In Assets Case, Answers 1,339 Questions
BANGALORE, Winding up her deposition before a special court here, Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday maintained the disproportionate asset case against her was "politically motivated" and "fabricated" at the instance of her rival DMK.
Appearing for the fourth time since last month before special judge B M Mallikarjunaiah in the 15-year-old case, she completed answering 1,339 questions framed by the judge, who recorded her statement in the closed door hearing held at the high-security makeshift court hall at Parapana Agrahara on the city outskirts.
Jayalalithaa, who had replied to 580 questions yesterday, fielded the remaining 192 today, special public prosecutor B V Acharya told reporters after the more than three-hour-long proceedings.
"With today's deposition she has answered all the 1,339 questions which were framed by the court under section 313 of CrPC (relating to recording of statement)," he said.
The AIADMK supremo had appeared before the court on October 20 and 21 when she replied to about 571 questions.
She deposed in the court yesterday for the third time after Supreme Court rejected her plea for exemption from personal appearance and seeking permission to submit written answers.
Apparently relieved at the completion of the deposition, Jayalalithaa who emerged out of the court greeted the onlookers with folded hands and sporting a smile as she drove to the airport en route to Chennai.
During today's proceedings, Jayalalithaa also filed "a very detailed" statement along with several documents in addition to her deposition, he said adding in her statement she had asserted the case was fabricated at the instance of DMK which was in power in 1997. "Therefore it is a politically motivated case."
Acharya said the court adjourned the next hearing in the case to November 29 when it will record the statements of the other three accused including Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala, at the regular special court in the city.
In her statement, Jayalalithaa also said the case was taken up and an inquiry ordered under the CrPC on the basis of a 'false' complaint by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy.
She also stated that the search warrant was only taken in respect of her 31/3 Poes Garden residence and not the adjacent house. Therefore, the search (in the other house) was illegal.
On seizure of costly sarees and matching accessories like footwear and watches during the raids, she said as a famous actress she had acted in about 120 films in various languages, where she was required to wear them with matching accessories.
"Because a saree once used in a film will not be used again, she had kept all them and police are wrong in valuing all these sarees and footwear," Acharya quoted Jayalalithaa as telling the court in the written statement.
She termed the investigations by police officials as 'illegal' and said permission was granted only to probe the complaint filed by Swamy.
She said searches of all her properties in Hyderabad was illegal as the court has no right to issue a search warrant for properties outside Chennai.
Jayalalithaa alleged that the case has been instituted by her political opponents to defame her and tarnish her image in the eyes of the public.
She, however, admitted that music director A R Rahman attended the marriage of her estranged foster son Sudhakaran in 1996 and also performed at the instance of the bride's family. "We have not received any payment for it."
She said Rehman produced some silver articles given to him by the bride's family while inviting him for the marriage.
Jayalalithaa denied the statement by an IAS officer that she had used government officials for her private purpose.
She also stated that during the check period, she had no other property except the Poes Garden property.
She said that during investigation, the then law minister Madhavan and DMK leader Arcot Veerasamy interfered in the process, which she termed illegal.
Jayalalithaa's senior counsel B Kumar, said she answered all the remaining questions "correctly and to the point."
He said she has also filed a written statement detailing her grievances and that her examination under Sec 313 CrPC has been completed.
Kumar said the questions pertained to investigation by police and documents acquired by them during the raids.
Kumar said the "whole case is false and engineered by her opponents and is totally mala fide."
Appearing for the fourth time since last month before special judge B M Mallikarjunaiah in the 15-year-old case, she completed answering 1,339 questions framed by the judge, who recorded her statement in the closed door hearing held at the high-security makeshift court hall at Parapana Agrahara on the city outskirts.
Jayalalithaa, who had replied to 580 questions yesterday, fielded the remaining 192 today, special public prosecutor B V Acharya told reporters after the more than three-hour-long proceedings.
"With today's deposition she has answered all the 1,339 questions which were framed by the court under section 313 of CrPC (relating to recording of statement)," he said.
The AIADMK supremo had appeared before the court on October 20 and 21 when she replied to about 571 questions.
She deposed in the court yesterday for the third time after Supreme Court rejected her plea for exemption from personal appearance and seeking permission to submit written answers.
Apparently relieved at the completion of the deposition, Jayalalithaa who emerged out of the court greeted the onlookers with folded hands and sporting a smile as she drove to the airport en route to Chennai.
During today's proceedings, Jayalalithaa also filed "a very detailed" statement along with several documents in addition to her deposition, he said adding in her statement she had asserted the case was fabricated at the instance of DMK which was in power in 1997. "Therefore it is a politically motivated case."
Acharya said the court adjourned the next hearing in the case to November 29 when it will record the statements of the other three accused including Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala, at the regular special court in the city.
In her statement, Jayalalithaa also said the case was taken up and an inquiry ordered under the CrPC on the basis of a 'false' complaint by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy.
She also stated that the search warrant was only taken in respect of her 31/3 Poes Garden residence and not the adjacent house. Therefore, the search (in the other house) was illegal.
On seizure of costly sarees and matching accessories like footwear and watches during the raids, she said as a famous actress she had acted in about 120 films in various languages, where she was required to wear them with matching accessories.
"Because a saree once used in a film will not be used again, she had kept all them and police are wrong in valuing all these sarees and footwear," Acharya quoted Jayalalithaa as telling the court in the written statement.
She termed the investigations by police officials as 'illegal' and said permission was granted only to probe the complaint filed by Swamy.
She said searches of all her properties in Hyderabad was illegal as the court has no right to issue a search warrant for properties outside Chennai.
Jayalalithaa alleged that the case has been instituted by her political opponents to defame her and tarnish her image in the eyes of the public.
She, however, admitted that music director A R Rahman attended the marriage of her estranged foster son Sudhakaran in 1996 and also performed at the instance of the bride's family. "We have not received any payment for it."
She said Rehman produced some silver articles given to him by the bride's family while inviting him for the marriage.
Jayalalithaa denied the statement by an IAS officer that she had used government officials for her private purpose.
She also stated that during the check period, she had no other property except the Poes Garden property.
She said that during investigation, the then law minister Madhavan and DMK leader Arcot Veerasamy interfered in the process, which she termed illegal.
Jayalalithaa's senior counsel B Kumar, said she answered all the remaining questions "correctly and to the point."
He said she has also filed a written statement detailing her grievances and that her examination under Sec 313 CrPC has been completed.
Kumar said the questions pertained to investigation by police and documents acquired by them during the raids.
Kumar said the "whole case is false and engineered by her opponents and is totally mala fide."
Friday, November 18, 2011
Ndia To Put On Track Lanka's Railway Link
NEW DELHI: India will rebuild the damaged railway tracks in Sri Lanka's war-ravaged Northern Province. Railways' Public Sector Undertaking IRCON International signed an agreement on Friday with Sri Lankan railways for the restoration of the 5 km Pallai-Kankesanthurai rail track in the northern Jaffna peninsula that was damaged in the ethnic conflict.
Railway Board (Member) A P Mishra said, "With the completion of this project, Yal Devi (Goddess of Jaffna) train will again run to Kankesanthurai from Colombo, facilitating access to Sri Lanka." The project, expected to be done in two years, will cost $149.3 million. The project is the fifth project in SL's Northern Province to be covered under Indian Line of Credit. It would be funded as part of a loan of $800 million given by India at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.5% and a 20-year repayment period with a five-year moratorium.
Railway Board (Member) A P Mishra said, "With the completion of this project, Yal Devi (Goddess of Jaffna) train will again run to Kankesanthurai from Colombo, facilitating access to Sri Lanka." The project, expected to be done in two years, will cost $149.3 million. The project is the fifth project in SL's Northern Province to be covered under Indian Line of Credit. It would be funded as part of a loan of $800 million given by India at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.5% and a 20-year repayment period with a five-year moratorium.
Self-Harm Growing Among Girls: Study
NEW DELHI: Self-harm is becoming common among women aged 15-24 years, globally. The first population-based study on self-harm has found that almost one in 12 young people inflicted self-harm as adolescents, with more girls being involved in such acts.
Published in the Lancet, the study said self-harm has become a global health problem. "It is especially common among 15-24 year old women, a group in whom rates of serious self-harm seem to be rising," it added.
Self-cutting/burning as the commonest form of self-harm for adolescents along with other methods of self-harm, including poisoning/overdose and self-battery.
The authors followed a sample of young people from 1992 to 2008. The young people had a mean age of 15 years during the entry period of 1992-93, and a mean age of 29 years during the final wave of follow up in 2008.
Dr Nimesh Desai, head of the department of psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, agreed with the trend.
He said, "As gender roles change and women get more empowered, they demand and enjoy more financial and personal independence. Along with this increase their frustrations they can't address. We call these personality disorders and not mental illnesses." He added, "Among adolescents, self-harm is becoming very common. This is the result of our society changing - stress increasing and social support reducing. India too is seeing an increase in incidents of non-fatal deliberate self harm."
Experts say self-harm is an act with a non-fatal outcome in which an individual deliberately initiates behaviour (such as self-cutting), or ingests a toxic substance or object, with the intention of causing harm to themselves.
In the study, a total of 1,802 participants responded in the adolescent phase, with 149 (8%) reporting self-harm. More girls (10%) than boys (6%) reported self-harm, translating to a 60% increased risk of self-harm in girls compared with boys.
Adolescents, who experienced depression or anxiety, were around six times more likely to self-harm in young adulthood than adolescents without depression/anxiety.
During adolescence, incident self-harm was independently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety (3.7 times increased risk as compared with no depression/anxiety), anti-social behaviour (doubling of risk), high-risk alcohol use (doubling of risk), cannabis use, (near-doubling of risk) and cigarette smoking (2·4 times increased risk).
A substantial reduction, however, in the frequency of self-harm during late adolescence was recorded and by age of 29, less than 1% of participants reported self-harm. In order to look at the continuity of self-harm, the authors looked at length at the 1,652 participants who had observations in both time periods, 136 of whom reported self-harming during adolescence.
Of these 136, 122 (90%) reported no further self-harm in young adulthood and only 14 (10%) reported continuing self-harm. Of the 14, who did continue with their self-harming behaviour, 13 were female and one male.
The study was conducted by Dr Paul Moran, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, UK, and Professor George C Patton, Centre for Adolescent Health at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Published in the Lancet, the study said self-harm has become a global health problem. "It is especially common among 15-24 year old women, a group in whom rates of serious self-harm seem to be rising," it added.
Self-cutting/burning as the commonest form of self-harm for adolescents along with other methods of self-harm, including poisoning/overdose and self-battery.
The authors followed a sample of young people from 1992 to 2008. The young people had a mean age of 15 years during the entry period of 1992-93, and a mean age of 29 years during the final wave of follow up in 2008.
Dr Nimesh Desai, head of the department of psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, agreed with the trend.
He said, "As gender roles change and women get more empowered, they demand and enjoy more financial and personal independence. Along with this increase their frustrations they can't address. We call these personality disorders and not mental illnesses." He added, "Among adolescents, self-harm is becoming very common. This is the result of our society changing - stress increasing and social support reducing. India too is seeing an increase in incidents of non-fatal deliberate self harm."
Experts say self-harm is an act with a non-fatal outcome in which an individual deliberately initiates behaviour (such as self-cutting), or ingests a toxic substance or object, with the intention of causing harm to themselves.
In the study, a total of 1,802 participants responded in the adolescent phase, with 149 (8%) reporting self-harm. More girls (10%) than boys (6%) reported self-harm, translating to a 60% increased risk of self-harm in girls compared with boys.
Adolescents, who experienced depression or anxiety, were around six times more likely to self-harm in young adulthood than adolescents without depression/anxiety.
During adolescence, incident self-harm was independently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety (3.7 times increased risk as compared with no depression/anxiety), anti-social behaviour (doubling of risk), high-risk alcohol use (doubling of risk), cannabis use, (near-doubling of risk) and cigarette smoking (2·4 times increased risk).
A substantial reduction, however, in the frequency of self-harm during late adolescence was recorded and by age of 29, less than 1% of participants reported self-harm. In order to look at the continuity of self-harm, the authors looked at length at the 1,652 participants who had observations in both time periods, 136 of whom reported self-harming during adolescence.
Of these 136, 122 (90%) reported no further self-harm in young adulthood and only 14 (10%) reported continuing self-harm. Of the 14, who did continue with their self-harming behaviour, 13 were female and one male.
The study was conducted by Dr Paul Moran, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, UK, and Professor George C Patton, Centre for Adolescent Health at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Fuel Price Fixation Not In Sc Domain
NEW DELHI: Whatever the public angst and suffering over the spiralling petrol prices, the Supreme Court on Friday said it would never enter into the price fixation sphere and question the government about the mechanism in fixing the selling price of motor fuel.
Dismissing a PIL filed by the All India Youth Federation, a bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar said that the SC in a judgment several years ago had banned judicial review of any price fixation mechanism adopted by the government.
The petitioner's counsel and senior advocate Upamanyu Hazarika said the other grievance of the petitioner was that though the government has set up the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, it has not entrusted it with the power to monitor or fix the price of petrol or diesel. The bench said the oral arguments of the counsel did not match the pleadings in the writ petition and asked the petitioners to withdraw his plea and file a fresh one.
Dismissing a PIL filed by the All India Youth Federation, a bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar said that the SC in a judgment several years ago had banned judicial review of any price fixation mechanism adopted by the government.
The petitioner's counsel and senior advocate Upamanyu Hazarika said the other grievance of the petitioner was that though the government has set up the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, it has not entrusted it with the power to monitor or fix the price of petrol or diesel. The bench said the oral arguments of the counsel did not match the pleadings in the writ petition and asked the petitioners to withdraw his plea and file a fresh one.
Pm Manmohan Singh To China's Wen Jiabao: Back Off On South China Sea
BALI: India firmly rejected China's objections to its presence in the South China Sea, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telling Chinese leader Wen Jiabao that Indian interests were "purely commercial" and sovereignty claims must be settled according to international law.
Questioned by Wen Jiabao on projects involving India in the marine zone that China sees as its strategic backyard during their meeting here on Friday, Singh said India's oil exploration activities were legitimate commercial ventures. Wen raised the issue during a 55-minute meeting with Singh on the sidelines of the Asean summit here and Singh gently but firmly told him, "issues of sovereignty should be resolved according to international laws and practice".
Sources said the PM's response came during the interaction that saw Wen seek greater coordination between India and China on the agenda of the East Asia summit.
Wen's raising of the South China Sea issue with Singh signaled Beijing's growing concerns particularly as it has fought hard to keep this out of the purview of both Asean and East Asia Summits, preferring to deal with the matter bilaterally.
Addressing Asean leaders during the Asean-China summit later this morning, Wen warned "outside forces" from getting embroiled in the South China Sea dispute. The Chinese uneasiness reflects increased preoccupation with neighbours like Vietnam with whom the Asian giant has not always had peaceful relations.
"The dispute which exists among relevant countries in this region over the South China Sea is an issue which has built up for several years," Wen told Asean leaders. "It ought to be resolved through friendly consultations and discussions by countries directly involved. Outside forces should not, under any pretext, get involved," he added.
China has reason to sweat. Not only is India exploring for oil in areas Beijing feels lie in its territory. China's Asian neighbours and rival claimants to South China Sea want the differing perceptions to become a multilateral issue so they together have a stronger case. And now the US has jumped into the dispute as well by pushing maritime security to the forefront of the East Asia summit.
US President Barack Obama, attending his first East Asia Summit here, told PM Singh that this forum should be the premier one to discuss maritime issues, despite China's objections. The gathering "can be the premier arena for us to be able to work together on a wide range of issues: maritime security or nonproliferation," Obama told Singh.
India has raised China's hackles because of an oil exploration agreement with Vietnam, signed during the Vietnamese president's recent visit to New Delhi. A joint statement after that visit said pointedly, "disputes in the East Sea/South China Sea should be resolved by peaceful means... in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea."
The Singh-Wen meeting was characterized as "warm and friendly", with each showering compliments on the other. They covered a range of bilateral and regional issues, said Sanjay Singh, secretary (east), MEA. Both acknowledged business and trade ties to be at the heart of their relationship.
Trade is expected to touch $70 billion this year, though Singh pushed for a greater balance. India and China will resume defence dialogue from December, and both leaders hailed the new border mechanism to maintain peace and tranquility.
Singh told Wen, "We are neighbours and large growing economies of Asia. We should cooperate bilaterally and globally. Whenever we have worked together, say on climate change, we have had a positive impact on the global stage."
Singh also briefed Wen on his meeting with Pakistani premier Yousaf Raza Gilani during the SAARC summit in Maldives. In turn, Wen briefed the PM about his meeting with Gilani on the sidelines of the SCO summit. But the PM refrained from bringing up China's activities in PoK, while Wen himself said that the official "resolution" of the stapled visas issue was underway.
Questioned by Wen Jiabao on projects involving India in the marine zone that China sees as its strategic backyard during their meeting here on Friday, Singh said India's oil exploration activities were legitimate commercial ventures. Wen raised the issue during a 55-minute meeting with Singh on the sidelines of the Asean summit here and Singh gently but firmly told him, "issues of sovereignty should be resolved according to international laws and practice".
Sources said the PM's response came during the interaction that saw Wen seek greater coordination between India and China on the agenda of the East Asia summit.
Wen's raising of the South China Sea issue with Singh signaled Beijing's growing concerns particularly as it has fought hard to keep this out of the purview of both Asean and East Asia Summits, preferring to deal with the matter bilaterally.
Addressing Asean leaders during the Asean-China summit later this morning, Wen warned "outside forces" from getting embroiled in the South China Sea dispute. The Chinese uneasiness reflects increased preoccupation with neighbours like Vietnam with whom the Asian giant has not always had peaceful relations.
"The dispute which exists among relevant countries in this region over the South China Sea is an issue which has built up for several years," Wen told Asean leaders. "It ought to be resolved through friendly consultations and discussions by countries directly involved. Outside forces should not, under any pretext, get involved," he added.
China has reason to sweat. Not only is India exploring for oil in areas Beijing feels lie in its territory. China's Asian neighbours and rival claimants to South China Sea want the differing perceptions to become a multilateral issue so they together have a stronger case. And now the US has jumped into the dispute as well by pushing maritime security to the forefront of the East Asia summit.
US President Barack Obama, attending his first East Asia Summit here, told PM Singh that this forum should be the premier one to discuss maritime issues, despite China's objections. The gathering "can be the premier arena for us to be able to work together on a wide range of issues: maritime security or nonproliferation," Obama told Singh.
India has raised China's hackles because of an oil exploration agreement with Vietnam, signed during the Vietnamese president's recent visit to New Delhi. A joint statement after that visit said pointedly, "disputes in the East Sea/South China Sea should be resolved by peaceful means... in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea."
The Singh-Wen meeting was characterized as "warm and friendly", with each showering compliments on the other. They covered a range of bilateral and regional issues, said Sanjay Singh, secretary (east), MEA. Both acknowledged business and trade ties to be at the heart of their relationship.
Trade is expected to touch $70 billion this year, though Singh pushed for a greater balance. India and China will resume defence dialogue from December, and both leaders hailed the new border mechanism to maintain peace and tranquility.
Singh told Wen, "We are neighbours and large growing economies of Asia. We should cooperate bilaterally and globally. Whenever we have worked together, say on climate change, we have had a positive impact on the global stage."
Singh also briefed Wen on his meeting with Pakistani premier Yousaf Raza Gilani during the SAARC summit in Maldives. In turn, Wen briefed the PM about his meeting with Gilani on the sidelines of the SCO summit. But the PM refrained from bringing up China's activities in PoK, while Wen himself said that the official "resolution" of the stapled visas issue was underway.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Yeddyurappa, Former Karnataka Cm, Gets Anticipatory Bail
BANGALORE: In a breather for former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the high court on Wednesday granted him anticipatory bail in two corruption cases.
Justice H Billappa of the high court granted bail to the 68-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader on condition that he furnish a bond for Rs.200,000, two sureties for the same amount each and not tamper with evidence.
Yeddyurappa is already out of jail on bail in two other corruption cases and has sought anticipatory bail in a fifth case.
The five cases of corruption and illegal land deals were filed by two Bangalore advocates Sirajin Basha and K N Balaraj in January this year.
Yeddyurappa, BJP's first chief minister in Karnataka, was in Bangalore's central jail for 21 days from Oct 19, though he was arrested Oct 15 in two cases. He spent only a few hours in jail on Oct 15 and spent three days in two hospitals complaining of chest pain.
He resigned as chief minister July 31 after the then Lokayukta (ombudsman) N Santosh Hegde recommended his trial for corruption in an illegal mining scandal.
Justice H Billappa of the high court granted bail to the 68-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader on condition that he furnish a bond for Rs.200,000, two sureties for the same amount each and not tamper with evidence.
Yeddyurappa is already out of jail on bail in two other corruption cases and has sought anticipatory bail in a fifth case.
The five cases of corruption and illegal land deals were filed by two Bangalore advocates Sirajin Basha and K N Balaraj in January this year.
Yeddyurappa, BJP's first chief minister in Karnataka, was in Bangalore's central jail for 21 days from Oct 19, though he was arrested Oct 15 in two cases. He spent only a few hours in jail on Oct 15 and spent three days in two hospitals complaining of chest pain.
He resigned as chief minister July 31 after the then Lokayukta (ombudsman) N Santosh Hegde recommended his trial for corruption in an illegal mining scandal.
Leak Of Lokpal Proceedings: Punjab Government Threatens Jail
CHANDIGARH: Those who have revealed the details of complaints against Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his ministerial colleagues before the Punjab Lokpal and published the content of the complaint, may be jailed upto six months for breaching "in-camera" proceeding provisions of the Punjab Lokpal Act.
The veil of secrecy in the law at a time of the clamour for a transparent Lokpal and then its violation by complainants just ahead of the assembly election is intriguing.
As per Sections 18 and 19 of the Punjab Lokpal Act 1996 (as amended in 2004), the proceedings have to be completely "in-camera" with even revealing or publishing the names of the complainant, its details and the suspect becoming punishable.
When asked about the "in-camera" provisions of the Lokpal Act, the Punjab Lokpal Justice (retd) DS Dhaliwal refused to confirm any details about the complaint saying, "As per the Punjab Lokpal Act, even a list of court appearances of the two parties is not displayed as it happens in normal courts to maintain proceedings completely secret till either the complaint is closed or the investigation has been completed."
Though it may sound completely out of tune in the present age of transparency, yet even those who publish the details of the complaint may be punished.
Justice Dhaliwal said information about the details of the complaint can not be procured even through the Right to Information Act till the matter has reached a finality - either closed or decided.
While this time, the complaint has become public, a similar proceeding against three Congress ministers including Congress vice president Lal Singh remained secret till the matter reached the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The latest complaints coming out in the open may open floodgates for the interested parties to use the Punjab Lokpal to launch a smear campaign against those in power just ahead of elections.
Another complaint was filed in the Lokpal later to investigate into an alleged transport scam in Punjab.
When asked Justice Dhaliwal said, "No details can be given from the Lokpal about any case."
In fact, as election is drawing close there are increasing threats of reporting different matters to the Lokpal by the Congress members.
When asked, if the Lokpal is taking any action against those who have violated the much protected secrecy under "in-camera" proceedings, Lokpal office said, "We have not yet taken any action against anybody."
The veil of secrecy in the law at a time of the clamour for a transparent Lokpal and then its violation by complainants just ahead of the assembly election is intriguing.
As per Sections 18 and 19 of the Punjab Lokpal Act 1996 (as amended in 2004), the proceedings have to be completely "in-camera" with even revealing or publishing the names of the complainant, its details and the suspect becoming punishable.
When asked about the "in-camera" provisions of the Lokpal Act, the Punjab Lokpal Justice (retd) DS Dhaliwal refused to confirm any details about the complaint saying, "As per the Punjab Lokpal Act, even a list of court appearances of the two parties is not displayed as it happens in normal courts to maintain proceedings completely secret till either the complaint is closed or the investigation has been completed."
Though it may sound completely out of tune in the present age of transparency, yet even those who publish the details of the complaint may be punished.
Justice Dhaliwal said information about the details of the complaint can not be procured even through the Right to Information Act till the matter has reached a finality - either closed or decided.
While this time, the complaint has become public, a similar proceeding against three Congress ministers including Congress vice president Lal Singh remained secret till the matter reached the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The latest complaints coming out in the open may open floodgates for the interested parties to use the Punjab Lokpal to launch a smear campaign against those in power just ahead of elections.
Another complaint was filed in the Lokpal later to investigate into an alleged transport scam in Punjab.
When asked Justice Dhaliwal said, "No details can be given from the Lokpal about any case."
In fact, as election is drawing close there are increasing threats of reporting different matters to the Lokpal by the Congress members.
When asked, if the Lokpal is taking any action against those who have violated the much protected secrecy under "in-camera" proceedings, Lokpal office said, "We have not yet taken any action against anybody."
Mayawati Accuses Congress, Bjp Of Misleading People On Up's Division
LUCKNOW: Accusing Congress party of double speak over the issue of re-organisation of UP into four small states, UP chief minister and BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday dismissed allegations that her decision to bring a resolution for UP's division in the upcoming winter session of the state assembly has been taken in view of 2012 assembly elections.
She also accused SP and BJP of opposing re-organisation of UP for political gains and said that the demand of formation of State Reorganisation Commission for UP's division is misleading because there is no such compulsion in the Constitution.
In an official statement, Mayawati said that the state government does not have any constitutional obligation to bring a resolution for re-organisation of state. She said Article 3 of the Constitution only Centre government can bring a legislation for re-organisation, re-naming and division of states. She said that ideally, Congress led UPA government should have initiated the process of UP's division into smaller states. She said that UPA government should have passed the legislation in the Parliament and send it to the President for approval and consent of UP assembly. She said that she has been constantly pursuing the matter with the prime minister since 2007 when she came to power in UP. But when the Centre did nothing, she had no other option but to bring a resolution for reorganisation of the state in UP assembly in order to mount pressure on the UPA government.She was forced to take the decision because of inaction of Congress and Opposition parties, hence her move should not be connected with the assembly elections due next year in March-April.
Mayawati said that on one hand Congress leader Digvijay Singh says that his party supports re-organisation of UP and he will request the Centre government to constitute State Reorganisation Commission for division of UP. But, she added, at the same time no action has been taken by Congress government at the Centre. This, she said, shows difference between Congress's speech and action.
She said that BJP is also saying that it is in favour of smaller states but want it to be done through State Reorganisation Commission. This, she added, shows that BJP, like Congress, is creating hurdles in division of UP. She said that SP has been against division of the state since day one. She also said that she has proposed division of UP into four small state for better management and development. Hence, she added, all the parties creating hurdles or Opposing her move are against development of UP.
Mayawati also described the demand of forming State Reorganisation Commission for for UP's division as misleading. She said that as per the Constitution there is no compulsion that the decision of reorganising states has to be taken through State Reorganisation Commission. She pointed out that Uttrakhand was carved out from UP without forming State Reorganisation Commission. Similarly, she said, the states of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh were also formed without any State Reorganisation Commission. She said that it is evident from Digvijay Singh's statement that Congress wants to defer reorganisation of UP like it has done in the case of formation of a separate state of Telengana in Andhra Pradesh.
Mayawati also reminded the Rampur Tiraha incident which occurred on October 2, 1994, when several people were killed after police opened fire at Rampur intersection in Muzaffarnagar. The people were going to Delhi for peaceful demonstration demanding creation of a separate state of Uttrakhand. But, she said, the then state government under Mulayam Singh Yadav opened fire and killed innocent people.
The BSP had then supported creation of Uttrakhand, she added, hence those who describe her proposal to divide UP in four state as political stunt are misleading people and working against the interest of the state. She said that architect of India's Constitution Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar was also in favour of smaller states. She said that Article 4 of the Constitution clearly states that reorganisation or division of states will not be considered as an amendment of the constitution.She said that Supreme Court in (Pradeep Chaudhary Vs Union of India) a case has ruled that Centre can reorganise state with the approval of the President. And, he said, opposition of the concerned state opposes would be of no consequence on the decision.
She also accused SP and BJP of opposing re-organisation of UP for political gains and said that the demand of formation of State Reorganisation Commission for UP's division is misleading because there is no such compulsion in the Constitution.
In an official statement, Mayawati said that the state government does not have any constitutional obligation to bring a resolution for re-organisation of state. She said Article 3 of the Constitution only Centre government can bring a legislation for re-organisation, re-naming and division of states. She said that ideally, Congress led UPA government should have initiated the process of UP's division into smaller states. She said that UPA government should have passed the legislation in the Parliament and send it to the President for approval and consent of UP assembly. She said that she has been constantly pursuing the matter with the prime minister since 2007 when she came to power in UP. But when the Centre did nothing, she had no other option but to bring a resolution for reorganisation of the state in UP assembly in order to mount pressure on the UPA government.She was forced to take the decision because of inaction of Congress and Opposition parties, hence her move should not be connected with the assembly elections due next year in March-April.
Mayawati said that on one hand Congress leader Digvijay Singh says that his party supports re-organisation of UP and he will request the Centre government to constitute State Reorganisation Commission for division of UP. But, she added, at the same time no action has been taken by Congress government at the Centre. This, she said, shows difference between Congress's speech and action.
She said that BJP is also saying that it is in favour of smaller states but want it to be done through State Reorganisation Commission. This, she added, shows that BJP, like Congress, is creating hurdles in division of UP. She said that SP has been against division of the state since day one. She also said that she has proposed division of UP into four small state for better management and development. Hence, she added, all the parties creating hurdles or Opposing her move are against development of UP.
Mayawati also described the demand of forming State Reorganisation Commission for for UP's division as misleading. She said that as per the Constitution there is no compulsion that the decision of reorganising states has to be taken through State Reorganisation Commission. She pointed out that Uttrakhand was carved out from UP without forming State Reorganisation Commission. Similarly, she said, the states of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh were also formed without any State Reorganisation Commission. She said that it is evident from Digvijay Singh's statement that Congress wants to defer reorganisation of UP like it has done in the case of formation of a separate state of Telengana in Andhra Pradesh.
Mayawati also reminded the Rampur Tiraha incident which occurred on October 2, 1994, when several people were killed after police opened fire at Rampur intersection in Muzaffarnagar. The people were going to Delhi for peaceful demonstration demanding creation of a separate state of Uttrakhand. But, she said, the then state government under Mulayam Singh Yadav opened fire and killed innocent people.
The BSP had then supported creation of Uttrakhand, she added, hence those who describe her proposal to divide UP in four state as political stunt are misleading people and working against the interest of the state. She said that architect of India's Constitution Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar was also in favour of smaller states. She said that Article 4 of the Constitution clearly states that reorganisation or division of states will not be considered as an amendment of the constitution.She said that Supreme Court in (Pradeep Chaudhary Vs Union of India) a case has ruled that Centre can reorganise state with the approval of the President. And, he said, opposition of the concerned state opposes would be of no consequence on the decision.
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