Howrah News Service - Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World

UPA govt's track record is an advertisement of failure: Advani

Sat, 17 May 2008 13:32:00 -0400

Advani today said, “As the Congress-led UPA government approaches the end of its fourth year in office, its track record has become an advertisement of its failure on almost all fronts.”

The former deputy prime minister said that the UPA it has benefited only “India?s super-rich families” and not the common man. Accusing the UPA government of betraying the “aam aadmi”, Advani said, “The earnings of 20 Kubers is today more than that of 30 crore Sudamas. I am confident that, whenever the parliamentary elections are held, the Aam Aadmi will teach a proper lesson to those who have betrayed his trust.”

Terming inflation a silent killer for the “aam aadmi”, Advani said that by letting the market go haywire, the Congress-led government had pauperized millions of people living below the poverty line. He said, “Each passing week sees further increase in the rate of inflation, which now stands at a four-year high of 7.83 per cent. Many economists have noted that the official inflation rate does not fully reflect the true extent of the rise in prices that has taken place under the UPA rule.”

Advani also charged the UPA with compromising the security needs of the county by going soft on terrorist forces for vote bank politics. He said, “UPA government's failure to contain terrorism is threatening India's national security,” adding, “The UPA government?s weak approach to fighting terrorism is guided solely by vote-bank considerations.”

The senior BJP leader further alleged that for its short-term electoral gains, the Congress party is making India pay a very heavy price in the form of the blood of innocent citizens. Earlier, just a day after the Jaipur blasts, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha had demanded for re-imposition of POTA in the country to tackle terrorist activities.

Ambitious programme for poor in India's northeast

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:17:00 -0400

Agartala, May 17 (IANS) A 14-point action plan to eradicate poverty from India's eight northeastern states promises to improve the condition of the estimated 7.9 million poor people in the region.

The poverty alleviation programme has been approved by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the planning body for the region.

"The economic poverty of the region, as per the estimates of the Planning Commission, is 19.1 percent as against 27.5 percent in the country as a whole, and is being reduced at a faster rate in the region compared to the all-India average," said Mani Shankar Aiyar, central minister for development of the north eastern region (DoNER).

"Poverty appears to be largely rural in nature and heavily concentrated in Assam (19.7 percent or 5,577,000 people) and Tripura (18.9 percent or 638,000 people)," Aiyar, who is also chairman of the NEC, told IANS in an interview.

The plan was approved by the NEC during its plenary session, attended by chief ministers, ministers and governors of the eight states here Monday and Tuesday.

According to an NEC document, 7.9 million of the estimated 40 million people in the northeast are living below the poverty line.

In the concept paper of the poverty alleviation programme, poverty in the northeast has been classified into four categories - economic poverty, nutritional poverty, human poverty and basic amenities poverty.

Among the other northeastern states, Meghalaya has 18.5 percent people living below the poverty line followed by Manipur at 17.3 percent, Nagaland at 19 percent, Arunachal Pradesh at 17.6 percent, Mizoram at 12.6 percent and Sikkim at 20.1 percent.

"The participation of the poor in the process of planning is low and only some of the poor are organised in groups such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) while local self-governments need to be empowered to address issues of poverty abolition," the document added.

"The problem of youth unemployment is perhaps the most serious and disturbing of the social and economic problems of the region, accounting, in turn, for serious political and law and order problems in many parts of the region," it pointed out.

A five-fold programme of development perspectives for the eradication of poverty in the northeast region has been highlighted in the document. These are economic development, institutional, participatory, human resource and infrastructure development.

"As with investment in industry and infrastructure, which is governed by the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy, 2007, the rural sector requires a 'North East Agriculture and Allied Activities Development and Export Promotion Policy," Aiyar said quoting the programme document.

The 14-point action plan to eradicate poverty includes land reforms and distribution of lands, updating of land records and computerisation, codification of the customary land tenure system and recognition, provision of adequate resource support by the union government, intra-regional cooperation by the NEC and promotion of the SHG movement.

According to the official document, the northeastern region has a workforce of 41.6 percent cultivators and 13 percent agricultural labourers who depended on the land for their subsistence.

"What is needed is to modernise agriculture, practise mechanised farming, promote hybrid varieties of seeds and foster minor irrigation to make the transition to high value agriculture as also to move from subsistence farming to cash crop farming," the document added.

China, Russia back India's UN "aspirations"

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:26:00 -0400

Yekaterinburg (Russia): China along with Russia on Thursday expressed support for India's 'aspirations'to play a greater role in the United Nations, signalling its readiness to back New Delhi's quest for a permanent berth in the Security Council. "The Ministers of Russia and China reiterated that their countries attach importance to the status of India in international affairs and understand and support India's aspirations to play a greater role in the United Nations," according to a joint communique of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) who held a meeting in Yekaterinburg.

Russia and China also expressed their readiness to provide additional opportunities to India within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation of which it is an observer.

In the volatile energy-rich Central Asia bordering Afghanistan, Beijing and Moscow vowed to partner and back India's developmental efforts and cooperation with the countries of the region, emerging as a chessboard for Grand Game between the West, China and Russia. India, which has historical ties with the Central Asia, regards it as an "extended neighbourhood."(PTI)

Pakistan assures India to probe ceasefire violation

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:32:00 -0400

New Delhi: Pakistan has assured India that it will investigate the ceasefire violation after New Delhi registered a formal protest against Pakistani troops opening fire on Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, an army official said today.

In a flag meeting held between India and Pakistan at Tangdhar along the LoC on Wednesday evening, the Indian Army registered its formal protest against the violation of the 2003 ceasefire.

"In yesterday's meeting held between battalion commanders, a formal complaint (verbally) has been given to the Pakistan Army along with photo evidence of bullet marks," the army official said. While denying any violation of the ceasefire, Pakistan Army authorities have 'assured investigation of the matter'.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the truce violation that occurred when Pakistani troops opened fire in the Tangdhar sector on Tuesday evening as 'worrisome. The incident, however, will not lead to any rescheduling of President Pratibha Patil's visit to the Tangdhar sector May 23, officials said in the Capital.

Senior officers of the two armies spoke on the hotline on Wednesday to resolve the imbroglio. The director general of military operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General A S Sekhon, spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Major General AS Pasha at 3 pm, an Indian Army officer said.

According to the officer, this was the first time that firing along the LoC was being classified as a truce violation. "In the past too, Pakistani troops have opened fire in support of infiltrators who were trying to sneak across. The fire was returned from our side. This time, there was no infiltration involved and our troops did not return fire. Therefore, we have classified it as a truce violation. We hope this will not recur," the officer said.

The DGMOs normally speak on the hotline once a week on Tuesdays. Indian Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel A K Mathur said in Srinagar, "Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on our posts. They fired scores of rounds. However, we did not retaliate." There were no casualties on the Indian side. (IANS)

Bangladesh will not allow anti-India activities: Envoy

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:30:00 -0400

“It is the Bangladesh government's stated position not to allow its soil to be used for anti-India activities,” Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India Liaqat A Chowdhury said today. “Much before this (the Jaipur terror attack) happened, we had taken action against terrorism,” the high commissioner said.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal on Wednesday said that a 'foreign hand' was suspected to be behind the blasts. Intelligence agencies suspect the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) could be behind the serial blasts in Jaipur on Tuesday evening that killed at least 61 people and injured 216.

In Dhaka, Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said that Indian media reports linking the blasts to HuJi were 'hasty'. He said that they 'should not jump to conclusions before thorough investigations are conducted'. “These are terrorists who have done these sordid and heinous deeds, and terrorists have no boundaries," he added.

The Bangladesh government on Tuesday condemned the blasts and expressed its sympathies to the victims and their families. (IANS)

Intelligence alert for more attacks in Jaipur

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:26:00 -0400

According to the agencies, terrorists can target more crowded places like Govind Dev ji temple, Srinath Temple and Ajmer holy mosque. In the warning it has been stated that LeT, HujI, HuM terrorist group can result to similar attacks in the state.

Central Intelligence agencies have conveyed warning letter to the state after the blast occurred. Moreover, confidential letter said Bangladeshi based group along with Kashmir based terrorists can go for such incidents in coming days with the help of people living in slum area.

Meanwhile, State DGP and other police officers have confirmed the development. In addition, police has arrested more than 60 Bangladeshi suspects for the blast investigation along with a woman, who is a resident of Mumbai, on Wednesday night. The primary investigation by the police has also revealed that people who bought bicycle from shops had Bengali accent.

Curfew for another day
After the second day of blast no relaxation has been provided in the curfew that was imposed on Wednesday. Collector Akhil Arora has declared a curfew from 9 in the morning to 4 in the evening today in the sensitive areas of the city. All schools in curfew area have called off holiday as of now.

Sonia Gandhi and Shivraj Patil visited the city today
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home minister Shivraj Patil arrived in Jaipur at around 10 am and went to Sawai Man Singh Hospital to meet the victims of the blast and their family members today. They were accompanied by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Jaipur blasts suspect's sketch released

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:22:00 -0400

Jaipur: Rajasthan police on Wednesday released the sketch of a 25-year-old man with medium height who was suspected to be behind Tuesday's serial blasts in the pink city.

Inspector General of Police Pankaj Singh said that the sketch was prepared on the basis of statement given by the owner of a cycle shop from where the suspected terrorists purchased cycles used to trigger the blasts with the help of explosives.

The sketch would be displayed at all important places, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said. He said that several people might have been involved in planting the bombs and the number may be more or less than nine teams.

Kataria said that two shops were identified in the walled city where from the terrorists bought cycles used in the explosions.

A rickshaw puller identified as Vijay, injured in the blasts, was being questioned as he claimed that a lady had approached him for hire to carry a new cycle to an area near Hawa Mahal, one of the sites of the terror attack, about 45 minutes before the blasts.

The rickshaw puller is undergoing treatment in hospital. The Home Minister said that as of now "we could not say which terrorist outfit was involved in the blast". (PTI)

RDX used in terror strike, probe points at HuJI involvement

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:52:00 -0400

The explosive devices were fitted with timers and planted on cycles, a modus operandi similar to the one used in 2007's blasts in court premises in Uttar Pradesh in which HUJI was involved, police said.
Eight persons including a man, who were injured in the blasts, and a rickshaw puller are being questioned, they said, noting that seven teams of Rajasthan Police and intelligence branch have begun the probe into the blasts.

"It was a hundred per cent a terrorist attack on the pattern of blasts in the court premises in UP in November last year. RDX was used in containers tagged to cycles along with timer devices," Additional Director General of Police (Crime) A K Jain said.
An examination of the blast sites indicated that the bombs were filled with ball bearings and small iron pieces to act as splinters, sources close to the investigation said.

HUJI may have been able to form sleeper cells in Rajasthan, they said, adding that a proper investigation into the blast at a sufi shrine in Ajmer in 2007 could have been a pointer.
"We have collected sufficient evidence from the places of the blasts. They are being analysed by our technical experts," Superintendent of Police, Jaipur, Raghvendra Suhasa said, adding that one unexploded bomb, found from the blast site, has been defused.

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told reporters in New Delhi that "our priority now apart from vigilance and being on the alert will be to get hold of the people responsible" for the blasts.
The sources said the blasts triggered in areas close to two Hanuman temples in the old city could have been aimed at disturbing communal peace. (PTI)

Curfew clamped as Jaipur mourns victims of terror

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:36:00 -0400

Jaipur, May 14 (IANS) As the sun rose blood red over the pink city Wednesday after the night of terror that killed 61 people and injured over 100, panic stricken people came out in hordes to buy life's essentials. They knew a curfew would be clamped over most of the Rajasthan capital at 9 a.m.

Grim faced residents flocked newspaper stalls to read minute details of the seven blasts that sent shock waves across the nation, while many prayed at the famous Chandipole Hanuman temple, where a bomb blast had killed at least six people.

"As soon as the temple opened at 5 (a.m.) we came here to pray for those killed in the blasts," 50-year-old Ganga Devi told IANS.

"People like me also came early so that we could purchase daily provisions before the area is shut down," she said.

The temple bells could be heard chiming from a distance as devotees prayed.

Curious onlookers gathered at the blast sites, marred with blood, pellets and flowers. Each had its horror story to tell. The withered red rose petals indicated that the florist would sell his wares no more. Damaged iron shutters of shops near the blast sites testified to the force of the explosions.

Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government declared state mourning Wednesday, a curfew was imposed in most parts of the pink city, so called because a medieval ruler had ordered all buildings in the walled city painted pink, a tradition that endures.

Rajasthan Home Minister G.C. Kataria said: "As a precautionary measure we have decided to impose a curfew from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in parts of the city."

Inspector General of Rajasthan Police Pankaj Singh said: "We have imposed curfew in the areas under 13 police stations to maintain law and order. During the curfew only those holding funerals for their loved ones who died in the blasts will be allowed to move about."

The curfew has been imposed in areas that fall under the jurisdictions of the police stations Lal Kothi, Adarsh Nagar, Transport Nagar, Manak Chowk, Subash Chowk, Ram Ganj, Galta Gate, Bhrampuri, Bhatta Basti, Kotwali, Nahargad, Sanjay Circle, Jalu Pura and Sadar.

Many security personnel from various agencies have been deployed in the city.

Doctors at the government run SMS Hospital said 61 people had died in the blasts but the toll might increase as at least 15 of the injured were in critical condition.

Doctors said many of the victims had shrapnel injuries. The carefully choreographed blasts at six spots went off within a space of 15 minutes and occurred in the Chandpole, where a Hanuman temple that draws a large number of devotees is located, as well as at Manak Chowk, Badi Choupar, Chhoti Choupar, Sanganeri Gate and Johari Bazar. All these areas are home to a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims.

Police said one explosive was defused by the bomb disposal squad near the Hanuman temple. Preliminary investigations revealed that cycle ballbearings were used in the explosions to inflict shrapnel injuries on the victims. A clock timer was also found at one of the blast sites.

"Such acts of terror will not be tolerated and the perpetrators will be brought to book," Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said soon after the blasts.

Tuesday's explosions were among the worst terror strikes in India after the Mumbai suburban train blasts in July 2006 that killed over 180 people.

As Jaipur joined the list of big cities on India's terror-stricken map, angry people blamed the security officials for intelligence failure.

"What are our government and police doing? No one took care of the victims who were lying in pools of blood and crying for help. We were the ones who removed them to the hospitals in our personal vehicles," said Om Prakash, who lost his son in one of the blasts.

"The guilty should be hanged and strict action must be taken against guilty police officials for their laxity," he added.

The market at the stretch where the bomb blasts occurred remained shut, but there were many who hoped life would return to normal.

"My only son got injured in the blast. But I came to open my flower shop, hoping I would be able to earn my daily wage. Life has to go on. We have to be brave in such adversity," said Shambhu Dayal.

80 killed, 200 injured in seven bomb blasts in Jaipur

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:34:00 -0400

Jaipur: Atleast 80 people were killed and 200 others were injured when seven powerful blasts ripped through crowded places of the pink city including the heavily guarded Hawa Mahal and Johri Bazar on Tuesday evening. The wounded were rushed to Sawai Mansingh Hospital and Janana hospital of the city.

The blasts rocked Tripolia Bazar, where large number of devotees turned up at a Hanuman temple, Johari Bazar, Manas Chowk, Badi Choupal and Choti Choupal - all located within two kilometre radius of the old city. According to the police, the first blast took place at 7:30 pm at Manas Chowk Police Station area.

Home Ministry officials said that the bombs were planted in bicycles and forensic teams were being dispatched to determine the nature of explosives. At least one explosive device was detected and defused, officials said. "Look, it is difficult to say what (explosive) was used but it could be RDX or even ammonium nitrate," said a ministry official.

The Home Ministry has sounded a nation-wide alert following the serial bomb blasts. The Centre has rushed bomb data squad of the elite National Security Guards and four companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to Jaipur. No terrorist group has so far claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, Home Ministry sources believe the banned Bangladesh based Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HuJI) to be behind the serial blasts.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje rushed to Jaipur immediately in an Indian Air Force. Talking to reporters she said that such acts of terror will not be tolerated at all and the perpetrators will be punished. The CM has announced Rs 5 lakh each to nearest kin of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for the injured.

President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. Home Minister Shivraj Patil cut short his two-day trip to the northeast and rushed to Jaipur in an Indian Air Force aircraft. Congress president Sonia Gandhi called the bombings a "crime against humanity". She appealed to the people to maintain harmony in this "grave" hour.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken to Raje after the blasts on Tuesday night and had offered all support to the state government in dealing with the situation.

The international community including Pakistan has also condemned the serial blasts. In separate messages to their Indian counterparts, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani condemned the blasts and sympathised with the Indian people.

Gillani was quoted by state-run television as saying that terrorism is a menace which needs concerted efforts to deal with. "I am saddened by the tragic incident and the loss of life, and pray for the fast recovery of the injured," he was quoted as saying in his message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Condemning the serial bombings that rocked Jaipur, US Ambassador to India David C Mulford said there was "no justification" for strikes on "innocent people". In a statement released by the US embassy, Ambassador Mulford said that the United States condemns the vicious acts of terrorism in Jaipur this evening.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also strongly condemned the serial blasts in Jaipur. A state run news agency quoted UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as saying, "The UAE vehemently condemns the blasts in Jaipur and extends full support to India's efforts to fight terrorism."

Serial blasts rock Jaipur, 60 killed; toll may rise

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:35:00 -0400

Jaipur/New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Seven synchronised blasts ripped through the Indian tourist city of Jaipur Tuesday evening, killing at least 60 people and injuring nearly 100 others - and officials feared the death toll could rise.

The carefully choreographed blasts at six spots went off within a space of 20 minutes and occurred in the Tripolia Bazar, where a Hanuman temple that draws a large number of devotees is located, as well as at Manas Chowk, Badi Choupal, Chhoti Choupal, Sanganeri Gate and Johari Bazar areas that are home to mixed populations of Hindus and Muslims.

"Such acts of terror will not be tolerated and the perpetrators will be brought to book," Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia said soon after the blasts, even as officials swung into operation to clamp stricter security measures in place.

The bombings, as also a gun battle in Jammu on Sunday between the security forces and militants that killed six, occurred days before India and Pakistan are to resume their composite dialogue process that has been stalled by the fluid political situation in the neighbouring country.

Tuesday's explosions were among the worst terror strikes in India after the Mumbai suburban train blasts in July 2006 that killed over 180 people. Jaipur is at the centre of India's famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit that draws thousands of foreign visitors every year. It was not immediately known whether any foreign or Indian tourist was a casualty in the explosions.

"At least 60 people have been killed and about double the number injured. It's incredible," Rohit Singh, Rajasthan's chief information commissioner, told IANS. Officials feared the number of casualties would mount.

"You can say it is a terrorist attack. Maximum damage has been caused to human lives," said Rajasthan police chief A.S. Gill.

The medium intensity explosions, the first major terror attack since the serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh in November last year, threw life out of gear in Jaipur and prompted a nation-wide alert to be sounded.

Anti-riot police were deployed in some of the crowded areas of the famous pink city to thwart any possible retaliation or riots, and the entire walled city area where the blasts occurred was cordoned off.

The mangled remains of bicycles and cars splattered with bloodstains pockmarked several of the blast sites. Those hit by the shrapnel thrown up by the blasts writhed in pain even as bystanders moved in to shift them to hospitals.

A priest at the Hanuman temple said: "At around 7.30 p.m. there was a big noise and I suddenly saw people lying in a pool of blood. I was not aware it was a bomb blast. My father was also hit by a splinter and died of injuries."

There were a few hundred people at the Hanuman temple when the blast took place since it was a Tuesday, considered auspicious among Hindus.

"There was total chaos after the explosions and many have been killed and injured," said an eyewitness, Lakshmi Narayan.

"I was standing at Manas Chowk when a huge and thundering explosion occurred," he added, while being treated at a hospital.

Following the blasts, most of the injured were taken to the Sawai Mansingh Hospital. People were seen standing outside the hospital appealing to passers-by to donate blood for the injured.

President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. Home Minister Shivraj Patil cut short his two-day trip to the northeast and rushed to Jaipur in an Indian Air Force aircraft.

The home ministry also issued an advisory to all states to remain extra vigilant following the Jaipur blasts.

"It is very unfortunate this has happened. I appeal to the people to stay calm," said former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is a former Rajasthan chief minister.

"I condemn this act of terrorism that was meant to create tension between the people," said Sachin Pilot, who represents Rajasthan's Dausa constituency in the Lok Sabha.

"We must not let terrorists succeed in what they intended to do," Pilot added.

This is the first terror attack in Rajasthan after two pilgrims were killed and 17 wounded in a bomb blast at the Ajmer Sharif shrine seven months ago.

"There is panic in the city as this is happening in the midst of the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket frenzy. Most of the police and security forces are busy in the preparations of the IPL matches," said Manas Kumar, an eyewitness.

According to the police, the first blast took place at the Manas Chowk Police Station area. The second blast was near the most famous sweet shop in the city, Lakshmi Mishtaan Bhandar that is in Johari Bazaar.

The third blast took place in Tripolia Bazar where a Hanuman temple drew a large number of devotees Tuesday, while the fourth and fifth blasts were reported at Badi Choupal and Chhoti Choupal.

"It is clearly a well planned operation and strangely the state police had no intelligence information. All the blasts happened when people were milling around these places," said a top intelligence officer.

"We have sent a bomb disposal team to Jaipur. The team would be investigating the nature of blasts and chemical used in these deadly blasts," said J.K. Dutta, the Director General of the National Security Guard.

Home ministry officials said the bombs were planted in bicycles and forensic teams were being dispatched to determine the nature of explosives. At least one explosive device was detected and defused, officials said.

"Look, it is difficult to say what (explosive) was used but it could be RDX or even ammonium nitrate," said a ministry official.

Rajasthan's Chief Secretary B.C. Sawant said that police were deployed in all communally sensitive locations.

In the national capital, Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said: "An alert has been sounded in the wake of the Jaipur blasts."

Additional police personnel have been deployed along with bomb disposal squads at Delhi Metro stations, at railway stations and bus terminals.

"Extra security cover has been extended to all the religious places, including the Jama Masjid, Akashardham and Iskcon temples," Bhagat added.

Delhi Police sleuths have put road barricades at various intersections and dog squads have been deployed at railway stations. Metal detectors are in place at entry points in busy markets and security agencies are keeping a close watch over all VIP areas.

At least 434 people have died in terror attacks across India in the past two years. Six serial blasts in the cities of Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi in November last year ripped through civil court premises, killing 13 people.

SC asks Tata, WB Govt to file reply on Singur land

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:47:00 -0400

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought reply from Tata Motors, the West Bengal government and others as to why `fertile multi-crop agricultural land` was acquired for the company`s small-car project at Singur.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan while issuing notice to the company, the state government and the West Bengal State Industrial Development Corporation (WBSIDC) posted the matter for further hearing in July.

The petition filed by Kedar Nath Yadav, a practicing lawyer, while seeking immediate halt of the Nano car project had challenged the Calcutta High Court`s decision that upheld as legal the acquisition of land by the West Bengal government for the Nano project.

The acquisition of fertile multi-crop agricultural land by the government in various parts of the state for Tata Motors` upcoming project, for Indonesia`s Salim Group in Haldia and the Reliance group, was violative of farmers` rights guaranteed by the Constitution, Yadav`s petition filed through Sarla Chandra stated.

It also goes against the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the petition said.

Tata Motors, which proposes to roll out the world`s cheapest car Nano from the Singur facility, submitted before the court that it had spent more than Rs 700 crore on the small-car project.

However, the manufacturer of the world`s cheapest car Nano had earlier requested the apex court not to pass any orders on the petition without hearing it.

Such action on the part of the state government to acquire 997.11 acres of land at Singur in the name of public purpose without any specific master plan and depriving farmers of their livelihood without giving proper compensation was malafide, arbitrary and illegal, Yadav and other petitioners said.

CPI(M) MP, Lakshman Seth threatens DIG CRPF

Sun, 11 May 2008 16:33:00 -0400

Nandigram: Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) MP Lakshman Seth on Sunday called DIG CRPF Aloke Raj over phone and threatened him to confine himself to his area; and all this happened in the full glare of the media as Raj had put his mobile on speaker.

Raj, who was on a patrol with District Magistrate A K Agarwal, sternly told the MP that he had been doing his duty and he (Seth) had no right to restraint his movement or interfere in his work.

He also felt sorry on an FIR of molestation logged against him and told that he will approach the court against such false allegations by CPI-M supporters.

Meanwhile, Lakshman Seth, when contacted, said, "I called him up regarding CPI-M supporters being beaten up by CRPF jawans. He was doing all this with a motive." "Aloke Raj also beat Nandigram OC Debasish Cahkroborty and he is in the hospital," said Seth.

He called Raj's putting the mobile on speaker as unethical and said that Raj did it intentionally. "Media too is spreading wrong information on the incident," said the angry MP.

It's DIG vs MP in Nandigram, poll takes a backseat

Sun, 11 May 2008 04:52:00 -0400

Nandigram (West Bengal): Nandigram is once again on the edge. CPI-M has charged Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) DIG Alok Raj with dereliction of duty on a day when panchayat polls are underway in Nandigram.

CPI-M activists have told CNN-IBN that they lodged an FIR against Raj since he has not been able to control his personnel from harassing people in Nandigram. On Saturday night, two women were also reportedly injured in Sonachura.

A case has been filed in the Nandigram police station however no arrests have been made so far. But Raj said he has nothing to fear as he claimed he is being falsely implicated.

Refuting the charges, Raj told CNN-IBN, “I don’t care about false allegations. If there is an allegation let there be an independent enquiry. If I am guilty then I should be punished but if I am not then shame on the person or the system who filed the FIR.”

Raj also accused CPI-M MP Laxman Seth of threatening and blackmailing him. Raj admitted that an FIR was lodged accusing him, but he stressed he never touched anyone.

The DIG even has an alibi that at 1630 hours IST on Saturday he was at the police station in a meeting. He also said that he was never alone, and was constantly with local police personnel who are his witnesses.

Meanwhile, the local administration is on tenterhooks fearing another breakout of violence between the CPI-M and the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC), which is leading a campaign against farmland acquisition in the area.

Sporadic violence was reported in Nandigram as people queued up at polling booths.

There were reports of a skirmish at a booth in Kathua where polling has been halted because the name of the CPM candidate contesting from the area was incorrect.

Despite heavy security presence and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's assurances of peaceful polls in Nandigram, 15 people were reported injured and one person missing.

He had said, “Things have now radically changed. And in this changed situation I assure you there will be a totally peaceful election in Nandigram.”

But these words hardly matched the ground reality in Bengal's battleground. Least of all for Jahanara Bibi, who is among hundreds of BUPC activists rendered homeless and she blamed the local administration for the violence in Nandigram.

“The local administration is perpetuating violence. Something needs to be done about them first. They should be taught a lesson. If we die, we'd rather take a few policemen with us,” Jahanara Bibi said.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties alleged their candidates are under threat from the CPM cadre. Trinamul Congress leader Sheikh Abu Taher said, “They are issuing threats to our candidates and assaulting them. Our people are intimidated and have taken shelter in relief camps.”

However, the CPM's allegations are no different. A house of a CPM supporter in Aamgechhia was allegedly torched by BUPC activists and yet the Left claim things are under control.

"Flags of all parties are flying high. They are holding meetings just like us. The only difference is they are not able to attract people,” CPM leader Ashok Guria said.

Even with central paramilitary forces around, the administration is having a tough time in convincing refugees to return. An overriding sense of fear and suspicion has embraced the people of Nandigram. With people's faith in the administration steadily dwindling, a free and fair election seems to be a far cry on Sunday. ( CNN-IBN )

PM hindering West Bengal`s growth: Buddhadeb

Sat, 10 May 2008 15:51:00 -0400

West Bengal is suffering due to Manmohan Singh`s incompetence, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Saturday, a day after he lashed out at the Prime Minister for rising inflation."A number of state projects are awaiting Singh`s clearance for over a year. I don`t know why he is sitting on them. This delay is affecting the development of Bengal," Bhattacharjee told reporters.

"The projects awaiting his approval include a deep sea port, a chemical hub at Nayachar in East Midnapore district, Light Rail Transit, greenfield airport and upgradation of Bengal Engineering and Science University."

The Chief Minister accused Singh of failure to control inflation.

"Not only Bengal, but entire India is suffering because of his lack of decision-making power and wrong actions. Take inflation for example. Inflation today shot to 7.61 percent from 7.57 percent. And he is still sitting hand-on-hand thinking what to do. He is not concerned about the common people," Bhattacharjee said.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the Chief Minister said Singh had failed to perform his duties and responsibilities as a Prime Minister on all fronts. "With all regards to Singh, I must say that he has failed as a Prime Minister. Besides, after he assumed office, the Congress party lost major elections like those in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

"Singh does not have leadership qualities. If nothing is done now, the Congress will lose the Karnataka polls as well," he said.

Bhattacharjee`s attack on Singh on Friday had prompted an immediate reaction from the Prime Minister`s Office, saying the allegations were unfounded and lacked legitimacy.

Asserting that in the "daily din of politics" such statements are often made, Singh`s media adviser Sanjaya Baru said: “The country is aware of the record of Manmohan Singh and it is there for everyone to see. The Indian economy has never performed more strongly than in the past four years and India`s global standing has never been higher than today. The Prime Minister has made the growth process more inclusive. The facts speak for themselves."

Earlier on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister lashed out the Prime Minister and the UPA Government at the Centre saying the government has failed on the economic front. West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was once the PM's the blue-eyed boy.

"I repeat what I said earlier. This isn't to denigrate the PM's high office. I have great regards for Manmohan Singh. But the government under him couldn't check inflation and rising prices of essential commodities," Buddha said, toeing the CPM line that has started distancing itself from Congress in the run-up to the next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Whether CPM would support a Congress-led government at the Centre if the Left and its allies failed to gain a majority in the next year's polls, he said: "It's too early to say. The party will decide on this only after the parliamentary elections."

Buddhadeb attacks Manmohan Singh; PMO reacts

Sat, 10 May 2008 02:06:00 -0400

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee on Friday lashed out against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that he had failed to check rising inflation and advocated a third front alternative. "I repeat what I have said. I did not try to denigrate the Prime Minister. I have high respect for him. Unfortunately he is heading a government which is failing to perform," he told reporters in Kolkata. "He could not control the inflation and the price rise of essential commodities," Bhattacharjee said.

The attack prompted an immediate reaction from the Prime Minister's Office, saying the allegations were unfounded and lacked legitimacy. Asserting that in the "daily din of politics" such statements are often made, the Prime Minister's media adviser Sanjaya Baru said the "country is in fact aware of the record of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and it is there for everyone to see."

"The Indian economy has never performed more strongly than in the past four years and India's global standing has never been higher than today. The PM has made the growth process more inclusive. The facts speak for themselves," he said. Baru said Bhattacharya's remarks targeting the PM are all part of politics.

Earlier, Bhattacharjee said that the Prime Minister was heading a government which is failing to perform and alleged, "He could not control the inflation and the price rise of essential commodities."

Asked whether the CPI(M) would again support the Congress to form the government if the Left and allies failed to get majority to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party away, Bhattacherjee said, "It is too early to say. After the parliamentary elections, the party will meet and decide."

"We are supporting the Manmohan Singh government on certain conditions. On the economic front, the government is failing, but Congress is a secular party," he said.

Stating that the Congress was losing election after election and the BJP was taking advantage, he said "Our position is clear. We cannot support the BJP-led NDA. We cannot support the Congress. Our goal is to build up a third alternative at the Centre minus Congress and BJP and we are trying for it." (IANS)

Nandigram will have peaceful poll: Bengal CM

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:02:00 -0400

Kolkata: Nandigram in East Midnapore district of West Bengal will have a peaceful panchayat poll Sunday, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has asserted. Bhattacharjee said,”Nandigram will have a free and fair poll. I assure there will be no violence during the poll. Instead people there will be in a festive mood."

"The situation is not as bad there as publicised by the opposition part. Nothing serious has happened over the past three-four days. There is a legacy of bitterness, but the attitude of people has radically changed. Now the majority supports us and we are confident of winning the poll," he said.

"Minor opinion differences are still there. But the communication between Nandigram and the government has developed so well that we are being able to root out the conflicts easily. All the homeless have returned. Only a couple of cases of murder and conflict have been detected. But the media and opposition party are focusing the issues as major ones. For example, one of the homeless was reported missing and anticipated as murdered by the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) activists by the media. The next day he came back unharmed and said he had lost his way," he added.

Commenting on the decision of city-based intellectuals under the banner of "Swajan" to go and monitor polls at Nandigram, Bhattacharjee said,"They have the right to do what they think right. But let me tell people that these intellectuals are not concerned about Nandigram but their own publicity.”

"We aim at uplifting the 3,700 villages across the state. But there is no alternative to industrialisation. Now even villagers understand that. In the case of Nandigram, we hurried up a bit and it led to a disaster. Now we won't proceed an inch without public consent," he added.

Panchayat polls in the state are scheduled May 11-18.(IANS)

Better late than never: US removes 'terrorist' tag from Mandela

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:30:00 -0400

Washington, May 9 (IANS) Fourteen years after Nelson Mandela became South African president after its first democratic elections in 1994, the US House of Representatives has passed a bill to remove his name from its lists of terrorists.

Unanimously passed Thursday, the bill would remove any notation that would characterise the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa ANC and its leaders -including Mandela - as terrorists, from all US databases.

"This long-overdue bill is the direct result of a stunning and embarrassing story for the United States," said the bill's author, Democrat Howard Berman, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Despite recognising two decades ago that America's place was on the side of those oppressed by apartheid, the Congress has never resolved the inconsistency in our immigration code, which treats many of those who actively opposed apartheid in South Africa as terrorists and criminals," he added.

Nobel laureate Mandela became South Africa's first black president on May 10, 1994 heading a 'Government of National Unity' after his ANC won 62 percent of the votes in the country's first democratic elections with full enfranchisement.

For decades, the ANC had resisted apartheid and advocated the rights of black South Africans - first through non-violence and community activism, and then through the actions of its military wing.

The racist white South African government banned the ANC in 1960, and the US denied entry to ANC members based on the group's activities. With the end of apartheid in 1990, the ANC grew to become a leading political party and today continues to lead South Africa in a multiracial, multi-party democracy.

Berman said: "Astonishingly, while South Africa completed its monumental political transition, the US position regarding entry for ANC's leaders remained frozen in time.

"Leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Govan Mbeki - father of President Thabo Mbeki - were continually barred from entry to the US and had to apply for special waivers to gain entry."

Berman's legislation effectively removes the 'terrorist' label from the names of current and former ANC members.

Congressional sources said the legislation has the support of the State Department and is expected to receive unanimous approval from the US Senate as well.

Once President George Bush signs it into law, ANC membership alone will no longer trigger additional investigation into an individual's application for a visa to the US.

Dasmunshi thunders on Left's advocacy for third front

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:26:00 -0400

Krishnanagar: Reacting to CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee proposal of an 'alternative alliance'or third front at centre, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi on Thursday said, “It may be one of their calculated speculation for which we are not at all concerned.” On Bhattacharjee apparent threat of withdrawal of support from UPA government Dasmunshi said, “The CPI (M) is welcome to do so, but should first check whether they would be able to afford it or not.”

Dasmunshi made this counterattack while speaking to media at Krishnanagar circuit house in Nadia before leaving for addressing election rallies. He also came down heavily on chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for terming the Congress a 'feeble and sleeping force'. He said: “If the CPI (M) thinks that Congress is sleeping then why they do not raise a wake up alarm.”

Meanwhile, in a significant move Dasmunshi has called people to vote for candidates belonging to Left front allies like RSP and Forward Block, who raised voices against CPI (M) on issues like Nandigram and Singur. He said, “Anti-CPI (M) people should vote for RSP and FB candidates wherever Congress or Trinamool Congress or even Independent candidates are not available.” This is important to defeat the CPI (M), he said.

Justifying the point and refuting any alliance with any political party for panchayat poll he said, “In panchayat election no political party is actually concerned for legislative mechanism rather opts practical mechanism to defeat its opponents.

Dasmunshi also lambasted CPI (M) state chief Biman Bose's proposal on abolition of post of governor. “This could only be done through constitutional processes for which CPI (M) has to get enough strength to amend the constitution,” said Dasmunshi before addressing two election rallies in Nadia.

F/A-18 Fighter is IAF's best bet: US Neavy

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:22:00 -0400

California: The race for a $10 billion Indian order for 126 fighters just got hotter with the US Navy enthusiastically batting for the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, saying it was best suited for an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for a multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA)."The F/A-18 has delivered on all that it promised to do - and more. We are sure it will do the same for you," Captain Hal Murdoch, commander of the Strike Fighter Wing of the US Pacific Fleet, told a group of visiting Indian journalists in California on Thursday. "Your air force operates the Sukhoi -30 and this is a formidable aircraft. Without meaning any disrespect, I submit to you that the F/A-18 is ahead in its ability to manoeuvre," added Commander Greg Harris, the squadron's commanding officer.

The F/A-18 is one of the six jets in the fray for the IAF order, which is likely to go up to 200 aircraft. The bids submitted by the six manufacturers were submitted last week and these will now be evaluated over the next three years before the winner is selected. The US Lockheed Martin F-16, the French Rafale, the Swedish Grippen, the Russian MiG-23 and the Eurofighter Typhoon that is manufactured by a four-nation European conglomerate are the other aircraft in the fray.

"The US Navy's support to the Super Hornet has been demonstrated successfully and can be tailored specifically for India," Harris added. Should the Super Hornet be selected, he said, the initial batch of IAF pilots and technicians would be trained on the US Navy's simulators at Lemoore and brought up to levels that would enable them train their colleagues in India."This training would be jointly conducted by Boeing and the US Navy and the cost of this had been factored into the tender that had been submitted by the manufacturer in response to the IAF's request for proposal," Harris added.

The IAF desperately needs new aircraft to replace it fast depleting fleet of Soviet-era MiG jets of various variants, principally the MiG-21. This has seen IAF force levels plummeting to an alarming 30 squadrons from a peak of 39 1/2 - against a sanctioned strength of 45 squadrons.

At one time, it was thought that the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) would fill the void. However, time and cost overruns in this project had prompted the IAF to issue a request for information (RFI) in 2003 for the MRCAs. The Tejas is likely to be inducted into squadron service only around 2012 - around the time the MRCAs that win the IAF order are likely to start arriving. At the same time, there are indications that the IAF is not too happy with the Tejas and may induct only two squadrons of the aircraft.(IANS)

Decision making has fallen into a bit of disarray in Congress: Arjun

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:43:00 -0400

New Delhi: In a veiled criticism of the way decisions are now taken in the party, senior Congress leader and Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh has said that the decision making process has "fallen into a bit of disarray". "Earlier there were many opportunities to contribute to the decision and even major decisions of the Congress were taken after going through the process of consultations and people used to accept it," said Arjun.

"But now this process has fallen into a bit of disarray and when people do not have feeling that they have contributed to the decision making process, then they have no hassles in defying it," Singh added.
He said this in a wide-ranging interview to noted journalist Kanhaiyalal Nandan in a book edited by him titled "Mohi Kaha Vishram" a compilation of various articles on the HRD Minister and interviews given by him. President Pratibha Patil will release the book on Friday.

When asked about leaders whom he regarded as great as an administrator as also a leader, Singh said Mahatma Gandhi was in a different league and leaders like Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and Subhash Chandra Bose are part of that group. Besides, he said, Kamaraj could also be included in that league.
Indira Gandhi was in a "class apart" as she had been a leader who had a wonderful capacity to take immediate and urgent decisions, Singh said. (PTI)

Angry Mamata enters SP's office in Midanpur

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:37:00 -0400

Tamluk: Entire District Administration in Midanpur East District was paralyzed as Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee entered the SP office in the District Headquarter in Tamluk at about 8 PM to night on his way to Nandigram. Immediately after entering the office of the SP she started hurling allegations against the district administration in general and the SP in particular for terrorizing her parties voters in Nandigram and alleging that the police and the administration have been instrumental in driving away TMC voters from Garchakraberia, Sonachura, and other neighboring villages for ensuring the victory of the CPM candidates in the area.

Sisir Adhikary MLA and her chief aide in East Midanpur District also entered the SP's room and was scene crying allegations against the SP S S Panda. Large number of TMC and Bhoomi Uchched Protoride Committee (BUPC) supporters surrounded the SP's office outsides shouting Vande Mataram and anti-CPM slogans.

A nervous S P requested the TMC supremo to take a chair and tried to discuss the problem with her. But the undaunted leader refused to sit and said she will not leave the SP's room until Nandigram returns to normalcy.

“I am the last person to leave this place and will keep standing till the police stops terrorizing my voters in Nandigram. Hundreds of my voters have been driven out of their villages, some of women's voters were raped and others were stripped and forced to join CPM processions. This cannot continue. I want to see what do you want finally?” Mamata asked.

CSE slams IMA for endorsing Pepsico product

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:47:00 -0400

New Delhi: It was 'very wrong' for the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to have endorsed a particular brand of fruit juice, director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain said in the Capital today, as the endorsement of the Pepsico brand stirred a controversy.

Pepsico's India affiliate has entered into a three-year deal with the IMA under which the association that represents 176,000 doctors is endorsing the 'Tropical' brand of fruit juices and the Quaker oats brand.

IMA's former president Ajay Kumar has said, "Tropicana juices and Quaker (oats) have scientifically proven health benefits", but Narain called the endorsement an 'advertising trick'.

"It was very wrong for the IMA to make the endorsement," Narain said. "What's the difference between 'Tropicana' and any other fruit juice? Why are they endorsing only one particular brand?" she asked.

Sources at IMA said that for the endorsement the medical body received Rs 5 million, which will go into their general fund. "A doctor cannot endorse any brand, but the IMA as a body can do it. We have earlier also endorsed other brands like Eureka Forbes (water purifiers), for which we received Rs 30 million. Just like cricketers and Bollywood stars endorse a product, we also do the same," the source said.

The association has also endorsed Dettol, an antiseptic, and Disprin, a pain-killer. Talking about the 'Tropicana' endorsements, Narain said the same company, Pepsi, was "fighting the establishment of standards in the soft drinks industry". A few years ago, CSE had charged that pesticide residues had been found in soft drinks made by Pepsi and Coca Cola, a charge denied by both companies. The furore caused by the charge led the Indian government to start the framing of standards for bottled drinks.

The IMA official said, "We're not supporting Pepsi, we're supporting a fruit juice." Narain said, "If I have to watch a Pepsi advertisement, I'd rather watch (film star) Aamir Khan than some doctor. At least I know why he is modeling, and he's definitely better looking." (IANS)

Women's quota Bill gives priority to SCs, STs

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:45:00 -0400

New Delhi: The Women's Reservation Bill that ensures 33 per cent of seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women is being bitterly contested by some parties arguing for a 'quota within quota'. But the document anyway gives preference to women belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

A close reading of the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill, tabled by Law Minister H R Bharadwaj amid uproarious scenes in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, reveals that even within the seats reserved for SCs and STs, priority would be given to women candidates.

The Bill will be implemented in blocks. For instance, if a state or union territory has only one seat and that is reserved for SCs or STs, it will first go to a woman. In the subsequent second and third election, women will not be given preference.

If there are two reserved seats "one seat shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the first two general elections in such a manner that that the same constituency is not reserved for women," the document states.

The Bill, which comes as an amendment to Article 330 of the Constitution that provides reservation for SCs and STs, provides for one third of seats for women in the total number of seats - including both general and the reserved seats. No particular seats will be reserved; reservation of seats for women will cease 15 years from the time of implementation.

The present Bill is just an enabling legislation, and Parliament has to pass further laws to determine the modalities of how it will be implemented. The Bill has now been referred to the standing committee on law. The Bill was introduced by various governments in 1996, 1998 and in 1999 in the Lok Sabha but lapsed each time the House dissolved.

Now, by introducing the Bill in the Upper House, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has ensured that will not happen again.

The legislation also provides for quotas for women in nominated seats. "One seat shall be reserved for nomination of a woman of Anglo-Indian community to every house constituted after first two general elections and no seat shall be reserved for the women of that community in the house constituted after the third general elections," it states. The legislation is not applicable to the Rajya Sabha and the legislative councils in states. (IANS)

CID probe ordered into stripping of women at Nandigram

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:59:00 -0400

The West Bengal government on Tuesday ordered a CID probe into the alleged stripping of three women supporters of the Trinamool Congress-backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) in Nandigram.

"Though no official complaint has been lodged as yet, the CID inquiry has been ordered on the basis of media reports and political reaction to the alleged stripping at Nandigram yesterday," IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told reporters.

Special IGP (CID) Sanjoy Mukherjee has reached Nandigram for the probe, he said.

To a question, Kanojia said the situation at Nandigram, rocked by fresh violence prior to the panchayat polls, was 'under control' with no incident reported during the day.

The IGP said deployment of additional forces, including CRPF and state police, had started at Nandigram to restore order and peace.

He said all existing CRPF camps at Nandigram were being strengthened.

"Till the election is over, one officer of IPS rank will be posted at Nandigram to monitor the situation," he said.

Biman Bose rues Congress' demand of poll suspension in Nandigram

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:55:00 -0400

Ranaghat: Left Front chairman and CPI (M) state secretary Biman Bose flayed Congress demand of suspension of panchayet poll in Nandigram on Tuesday. His reaction came in the wake of Congress leader Priyaranjan Dasmunsi's demand, which he made during a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Virtually making a counter attack against Congress while speaking at an election rally in Ranaghat on Tuesday evening Bose said, “Why they do not raise similar demand for suspension of poll in Bandwan and Balarampur in Purulia or in Bankura and Birbhum where the so called Maoist have been killing our party leaders almost on regular basis.”

He also claimed that “those killers are actually our political opponents like Trinamul or Congress who in disguise of so-called Maoists are killing our party activists and probably for which they are silent to raise such poll suspension demand in those place.”

Bose alleged that state Congress leadership is just making fun of the incidents. “I am really surprised that how they could raise such an illogical demand?”. He said that the Congress has now become similar to “two-headed snake” (Do-Mookhi saap), one speaks for themselves while the other for Trinamul Congress.”

Bose also virtually ruled out any fresh violence in Nandigram and said there has been an unnecessary hue and cry being made. “What has happened there in last two days in simple term is a organized resistance by our party cadres against unleashing of terror some outsiders”, he claimed on the recent development in Nandigram

Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after the rally, Bose ruled out any possibility of talks with the Maoists in the state even after chief minister expressed his eagerness to talk with Nepal?s Maoist supreme Prachanda. He said: “ Prachanda had asked the Maoist in WB should learn from us first.”

UPA-Left's N-talk inconclusive, next round on May 28

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:54:00 -0400

As a result the fate of the much hyped Indo-US nuclear remains as speculative as ever. The Left leaders did not look satisfied with UPA's explanations for the deal and demanded further clarifications on the objections raised by them. The next round of meeting of the Committe to reach a workable agreement has been scheduled for May 28, 2008.

In a joint press address, both CPI(M) polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee expressed hope that the deadlock between the Left and government would be dealt in a positive way. Mukherjee also said, "In-depth discussion on the India-specific Safeguards Agreement between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Left leaders have sought for further clarifications, which will be provided in the next few days."

On being asked about their objections to the deal, the senior CPI(M) leader said, "We have conveyed our objections to the government and they have promised to give clarification on the concern raised by us and the clarification will be in written form." However, another senior left leader indicated that the deadlock between the Left and UPA would continue for few more months as the left parties are in a mood to linger the issue and see the reaction of the US, which has given the ultimatum to the UPA government to get the deal done by June.

But, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a key interlocutor between the UPA and Left on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, appeared very optimistic. "We are hopefull for a positive outcome of the final discussion," he said. All the members of the Committee were present there in the meeting except Congress MP Prithviraj Chavan.

Must religious beliefs impede development, wonders apex court

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:51:00 -0400

Its observation came as lawyers argued before it that the dredging of the Ram Setu to develop a shorter navigational sea route around the Indian peninsula would go against religious beliefs, which enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be allowed to be disturbed.

Ram Setu, also known as Adam's Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals 48 kms long. Many Hindus believe that it was built during Lord Ram's era to facilitate his journey from southern India to Sri Lanka.

"But people consider even earth as mother and worship it; does it mean there should be no construction on it? They even worship the Himalayas, does that mean no stone can be removed from there?" asked the bench. "How will it make a difference if 300 metres of the Ram Setu is cut (to make the passage for the ships)?" it asked.

One answer to the poser came from senior counsel C S Vaidyanathan, who said: "It will destroy the fundamental character of the bridge. A bridge is a bridge because it joins two land masses. If a part of this is destroyed, it will no longer be a bridge."

Senior counsel Soli Sorabjee said: "A religious belief, which is genuinely and conscientiously held over a long period by a substantial number of adherents of a particular religion, becomes an integral part of that religion and is entitled to protection under Article 25 of the constitution."

He added that, unless found mitigating with public order or morality, a religious belief cannot even be subjected to any restriction for the sake of "public interest" as the constitutional freedom of speech and expression is subjective.

Sorabjee pointed out to the bench that freedom of religion also implies freedom to practice various rites and rituals associated with it and state has no authority to interfere with or ban those practices.

“ The court cannot sit in judgement over beliefs,” Sorabjee put forth firmly.

Senior counsel K Parasaran told the court that the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992 was an unfortunate event and wounds arising out of it were yet to heal. "The destruction of any part of the Ram Setu would leave a bigger scar on the religious faith of the Hindus," he said.

As the court resumes its hearing on Wednesday, it would be the turn of former central minister and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy to present his argument in favour of protecting the Ram Setu. (IANS)

US points to India, China for oil price hike too

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:49:00 -0400

A presidential spokesman Monday also stuck to its guns on bio-fuels asserting that US policy of promoting corn-based ethanol in motor fuel supplies was having only a "small impact" on world food prices.

"I would point out that obviously the demand for oil is growing around the world," spokesman Scott Stanzel told reporters when asked to comment on oil price hitting a record $120 a barrel Monday."Many developing nations like India or China are having greatly increased demand, which obviously is having an impact on price," he said.

Asked to clarify Bush's remark last week that growing prosperity of India's large middle class is contributing to rising food prices around the world, Stanzel said: "I can certainly clarify that. We think it is a good thing that countries are developing, that more and more people have higher and higher standards of living."

"The point I think that was to be made is that as you increase your standard of living, the food that you eat - it can venture more into meats that require more commodities to feed the livestock, which uses more of those commodities, whether it's corn or wheat or other commodities, and it drives up the price," he said.

"So that is just a function of how those food prices that we've seen spike in the... around the world."

But reacting to the retort from Indian politicians that that US policy of promoting corn-based ethanol has had a bigger impact on world food prices, he said food prices rose about 43 percent over the last year. "Of that portion, an increase in the biofuel production, about 1.5 percent of that, is due to an increase in biofuel production."

"The other majority, vast majority of that, is due to things like increased demand, like you were talking about, or increased energy prices, or weather-related problems in Australia or in Eastern Europe - problems with wheat production, as an example - that's driving up the price of those commodities.

"So the fact that we are making more biofuels so we reduce our dependence on foreign energy has an impact, but we believe it is a small impact," Stanzel said.

"... actually, it's the view of the economic advisors that the impact of biofuel production on food price will diminish over time."

Stanzel said a law signed by Bush in December regarding energy put a cap of 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol that the US can produce.

Bush's remarks on Indian middle class had touched off a furore in India with political parties across the spectrum making critical comments and Defence Minister A.K. Antony describing them as a "cruel joke".

Noting that the US is importing about 12 million barrels of oil per day, Stanzel said the record oil price was "another example that it's important for the United States to become less dependent on foreign sources of energy."

"We also have to do more in terms of weaning ourselves off of that foreign oil by expanding the use of alternative sources of fuel, not only corn-based ethanol, but other types of ethanol that we're investing heavily in - cellulosic ethanol as well as hydrogen battery - or battery technology, hydrogen fuel cell technology." ( IANS )

Mukherjee, Tendulkar, Bhosle awarded Padma Vibhushan

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:46:00 -0400

New Delhi:External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, cricket star Sachin Tendulkar and melody queen Asha Bhosle were among the celebrity recipients of the Padma Vibhushan from President Pratibha Patil on Monday for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields. Infosys chief mentor N R Narayan Murthy and renowned hotelier P R S Oberoi were also conferred with the award. The first man to step on the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.

Noted author Dominique Lapierre, teacher Shyama Chona and classical musician Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Khan Dagar received the Padma Vibhushan while FICCI Secretary General Amit Mitra, sports person Bula Chowdhury and journalists Vinod Dua and Rajdeep Sardesai were presented with the Padma Shri.

Ignoring the clamour for Bharat Ratna triggered by BJP leader L K Advani's letter to the Prime Minister proposing Atal Bihari Vajpayee's name, Government decided against naming anyone for the award for the seventh consecutive year this time. Bharat Ratna was last given in 2001 to Lata Mangeshkar and Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Pranab Mukherjee is the first ever serving Cabinet minister to get a Padma award. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other cabinet ministers were present on the occasion. (PTI)