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

Hegde daughter worth crores

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:33:25 -0400

By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Bangalore, April 23: Congress candidate from Ramanagaram Assembly constituency in Karnataka, Ms Mamta Nichani, daughter of the late former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde, has diamond jewellery of 26.5 carats worth Rs 1,62,850, besides 1,440 gm of gold.

This interesting piece of information was provided by Ms Nichani in the affidavit she submitted when she filed her nomination papers at Ramanagaram, 50 km from Bangalore, on the Mysore highway on Wednesday. She is pitted against Janata Dal (S) leader and former chief minister H.D. Kumara-swamy.

While Ms Nichani has declared the value of her immovable properties as Rs 3.25 crores, her businessman husband Manohar Lal Nichani’s value of immovable properties is Rs 1.75 crores, including Rs 1 crore advance he has made for a flat.

Ms Nichani has no liabilities at all while her husband’s liability is Rs 20 lakhs. Neither she nor her husband own agricultural land. She has about Rs 15,000 cash in hand while her husband has Rs 1.39 lakhs. She has stated that she owns no vehicle and her husband owns a car worth Rs 3.85 lakhs. Ms Nichani has also claimed that the total value of bonds, debentures and shares in different companies is to the tune of Rs 5 lakhs.

Cine actor and former Union minister of state Ambarish’s assets are about Rs 1.62 crores, including agricultural land worth Rs 10 lakhs, jewellery valued at Rs 3 lakhs and shares worth Rs 1.5 lakhs. His wife Sumalatha’s assets are declared to be Rs 1.40 crores, including a deposit of Rs 45 lakhs, an apartment in Bangalore worth Rs 27 lakhs and jewellery worth Rs 6 lakhs.

The total assets of former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah and members of his family is Rs 1.20 crores, including 4.04 acres of agricultural land, Rs 5.50 lakhs in cash, Rs 1.85 lakhs deposit in his wife’s name and a Rs 30-lakh deposit in the name of his second son Yateendra, besides vehicles, jewellery and insurance policies. He is the Congress candidate from Varuna constituency in Mysore district.

Mamta aims to push dad’s legacy

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:33:37 -0400

By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Bangalore, April 23: Mamta Nichani, daughter of the late former Karnataka chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde, who is set to take on political heavyweight and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in the Assembly elections, knows her political moment has come. "I was nurturing an ambition to take forward my father’s legacy. And when the Congress decided to field me from Ramanagar, I think that opportunity had come," Ms Nichani told this newspaper in an exclusive interview early on Wednesday.

So long in the shadows as her father’s political manager, she was finally picked by former industries minister R.V. Deshpande to fight the leader of the Congress’ main rival in the fray.

In fact, the Congress has chosen two women to fight the two sons of Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda in the Assembly elections. Mr Gowda’s elder son H.D. Revanna is facing Anupama Ramesh, daughter-in-law of senior Congress leader G. Puttaswamy Gowda, in Holenarasipur constituency. And now, the party has roped in Ms Nichani to take on Mr Kumaraswamy. A post-graduate in political science from Bangalore University, Ms Nichani wanted to become a bureaucrat at one stage.

"While pursuing my education, I had an ambition to pass the IAS examination and become a bureaucrat. But I changed my mind." she said.

Ms Nichani was assisting her father from 1999 till his death in 2005 and has travelled extensively in her constituency while campaigning with her father. "I wanted to enter politics years ago. But my father stopped me, insisting that I should come up from the grassroots level. Making an entry this way and straightaway contesting the elections will be a new experience," she said.

Unlike other seasoned politicians, Ms Nichani was unwilling to criticise her opponent, even though their fathers were bitter political rivals. "I do not consider him my enemy. He is an opponent. I met his father on several occasions in the past. However, I could not find a chance to interact with Mr Kumaraswamy. Perhaps, during the campaign, I will meet him," she said.

Digvijay: Rahul can be PM

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:33:58 -0400

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, April 23: After Union HRD minister Arjun Singh, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh on Wednesday said AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi is competent enough to occupy the post of Prime Minister.

Mr Digvijay Singh said this in Indore, ignoring the AICC’s directive against "sycophancy". The AICC does not want a debate on who should be the party’s next prime ministerial candidate after realising that it would weaken the authority of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but its appeal seems not to be taken seriously within the party. This is because Mr Digvijay Singh is the fist AICC general secretary to demand that Mr Gandhi be projected as the next PM candidate.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar also favoured Mr Gandhi’s projection. Even external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee felt that leadership should go to youth.

"Rahul is fully competent to occupy the post of Prime Minister," Mr Digvijay Singh told reporters in Indore, adding that such an opinion should not be viewed as sycophancy.

Mr Singh said it was difficult to say who would be the Prime Minister, "but in my opinion Rahul Gandhi has all the competence which a Prime Minister should have". He said not only Mr Arjun Singh, but DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi too had expressed their opinions on the issue.

"If a seasoned leader sees talent in some person, it should not be viewed as sycophancy," Mr Singh said.

The AICC general secretary said as party in charge of Uttar Pradesh, he has had the opportunity to closely work with Mr Gandhi and "on the basis of this I can say that he has immense potential for public work".

Besides, the party MP from Amethi "is extremely sensitive with regard to dalits and poor people", he said.

JD-U will announce 2nd list of nominees

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:34:15 -0400

New Delhi, April 23: Tension between JD(U) and BJP over seat sharing for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls is showing no signs of abating with the former hinting that it would soon announce its second list of candidates.

JD(U) had announced a list of 24 candidates for Karnakata polls last week after talks between both the parties on seat sharing had remained inconclusive.

Out of the 24 seats to be contested by it, JD(U) is fielding 18 candidates from seats where BJP has already announced its nominees.

Sources in JD(U) said that the party would come out with its second list of candidates from places where they expect "positive results".

Problems between the two parties are understood to have started after the BJP offered only six seats to JD(U) in Karnataka, though the latter had sought 25 seats.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav had expressed his anger when BJP had come out with its first list. He had blamed the saffron party of violating "coalition dharma" and not consulting it before announcing the list.

Sources in JD(U) admitted that tension still prevails between the two parties over the issue. In fact, Mr Yadav did not attend the NDA meeting which was held on Tuesday. (PTI)

Kashmiri pandits blame govt for exodus

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:27:08 -0400

By Rashme Sehgal

New Delhi, April 23: Putting to rest several conspiracy theories that have done the rounds, Kashmiri pandits whole-heartedly lay the finger of responsibility on the collapse of state authority for triggering off their exodus in 1989-90.

Instead of formulating a strategy to prevent them from leaving, the administration itself was so "totally paralysed" that it made no attempt to stop them. This paralysed reaction was evident in its "inability to deal effectively with militants or the Kashmiri Muslim majority who had taken to the streets shouting slogans of freedom".

A five-year survey conducted by researchers in the University of Jammu under the supervision of Prof. Rekha Chowdhary highlighted how the state authority was openly challenged by gun-wielding militants and by the public at large who had taken to the streets demanding freedom.

The researchers, who undertook extensive meetings with Kashmiri pandits residing in migrant camps in Mishriwala, Mithi, Purkhoo, Nagrota, Kathua, Udhampur and Batal Ballian, also served to dispel the notion that then Jammu and Kashmir governor Jagmohan was responsible for encouraging them to move.

The respondents countered this question with the reply that the decision to leave had been taken in haste and often even their immediate neighbours were not informed about it. How could the government then have been in the know of their decision to move.

Most of them saw it as a temporary move and had believed that they would return to the Valley once the situation normalised. Seventy per cent of those interviewed admitted that they had not returned to the Valley even once after 1990. Many admitted they remained traumatised by the horrendous experiences they and members of their community had suffered prior to their departure.

Interestingly, the majority of the over 300 respondents interviewed insisted that relations with Muslims who were their neighbours and friends had not deteriorated. Some admitted that these same neighbours had assured them that they would take care of their property in their absence. But as conditions in the Valley worsened, it resulted in their houses being gutted and, in many cases, illegally occupied.

The loss of these properties is one of the major grievances of the pandits, the majority of whom have to continue against tremendous economic odds. The report highlights how the state government has admitted that over 635 houses and 2,000 kanals (1 acre = 8 kanals) of the migrants’ land continues to remain under illegal occupation. Also, state government records show that from 17,000 houses that were left behind, over 5,870 have been gutted or damaged. Some respondents, however, admitted their property continued to be looked after by their neighbours but their number is quite low.

From those interviewed, 122 admitted to their property being destroyed, 93 complained about not receiving any compensation while only 29 claimed they had received some compensation.

The report highlights how migration has created an identity crisis for pandits. They feel that their identity was tied to the Valley. Therefore, loss of territory has resulted in their belief that their entire "Kashmiri" character now stands endangered.

A major concern is that their children no longer want to learn Kashmiri. As one interviewee Tusha Rani said, "Here (Jammu) we have found that everything has changed — language, dress, even marriage ceremonies. Our marriages used to take place during the day but now Kashmiris are following the customs of Punjabis and Dogris by having marriages in the evening."

The report highlights how displacement and uncertainty about the future has generated a new mindset among pandits. Many pandits have begun redefining their history as that of an "oppressed" community. This present exodus is not an isolated phenomenon but a continuous process which has been taking place over the centuries, they now claim.

Militancy has also brought about a change in inter-community relations. Pandits now view Kashmiri Muslims with greater suspicion. They are also sceptical about the increasing role of religion in politics and the increasing space being given to fundamentalist forces in the Valley. Another sore point with the pandits, highlighted in the report, is the lack of employment opportunities open to them. The state government had failed to create any job openings for those living outside the Valley. After the retirement of those pandits with jobs in the state services, the representation in government jobs has now come down drastically.

But the greatest loss in their departure has been the change brought about in the syncretic nature of Kashmiri society.

Joint namaz proposed for Shias, Sunnis in Lucknow

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:27:25 -0400

By AMITA VERMA

Lucknow, April 23: If all goes well, then the Id-ul-Fitr this year may usher in a sea-change in Muslim society.

A proposal to make the Sunnis and the Shias offer the Id namaz together has been mooted. The clergy of the two sects have also accepted the proposal and efforts are now being made to make the common members of the sects accept the same.

Well-known Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, who mooted the proposal, explained, "During Haj, Shias and Sunni Muslims offer namaz together, so what is the problem in offering namaz together during Id too? I want to lead the Shia community to the Idgah this year and join the Sunni brothers in offering namaz. We have had enough of infighting and social unrest within the community and it is time that we sink our petty differences and move towards a new horizon."

Sunni cleric and Naib Imam of Idgah, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, meanwhile, has welcomed the proposal of one namaz during Id.

"If the Shia clerics come to Idgah to offer namaz with the Sunnis, we will welcome them with open arms. We have no objections to the proposal and we hope that this Id will usher in a new era of harmony within the community," he said.

The two clerics, however, were not too bothered about the response of other clerics to the proposal. "So far, none of the other Maulanas have registered their protest. I will lead my supporters to the Idgah on Id and those who agree with the idea of promoting unity in the community will come with me," said Maulana Kalbe Sadiq.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, on the other hand, said that every right-minded individual should support the proposal that only seeks to strength bond between Muslim brothers.

If the proposal actually turns into reality on Id, it will end years of acrimony between the Shias and Sunnis in Lucknow.

Bachchan hits out at Shatru

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:24:28 -0400

Mumbai/Shimla, April 23: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has taken a swipe at film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha for his remarks that the nomination list of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards were "fixed". Bachchan, in his newly created blog said, "A section of the print media carried a comment from my colleague, friend and neighbour Shatrughan Sinha. It reportedly quoted his reactions to the nomination list of IIFA awards wherein he has purportedly said, ‘Sab kissika beta hai, ya kissiki bahu, ya kissiki biwi’."

Describing Bachchan as his good friend, Mr Sinha on Wednesday said, he was taken aback by superstar’s outbursts against him over IIFA award nominations.

Bachchan’s comments on him were "unnecessary and in bad taste", the shotgun told PTI by telephone.

Describing the mega star as his good friend with whom he did many successful movies, Mr Sinha said that he failed to understand the reason for his being overtaken by anger. (PTI)

Keep politics out: Pitroda

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:24:46 -0400

By PARUL CHANDRA

New Delhi, August 23: Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), has not said it in as many words, but the message is clear.

He has indicated that the appointment of the heads of the many IITs, IIMs and Central universities expected to come up during the Eleventh Five Year Plan should be kept free of political interference.

Further, he has clearly said that these appointments should also be kept free of direct interference by the concerned ministries.

In the case of top-notch institutions like the IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, IISERs as also Central varsities, Mr Pitroda has said, "The appointment of directors/vice-chancellors of the new IITs, IIMs, IISERs, Central universities, AIIMS must be made by a search committee that has an independent chair, capable of exercising the highest quality of judgment. The direct involvement of administrative ministries can result in unfortunate situations."

It is not for the first time that NKC has drawn the government’s attention to issues of governance.

Earlier too, it has drawn attention to the "acute need for reform in the structure of governance of universities". It had also noted that the prevailing system neither preserved autonomy nor promoted accountability.

And that "the autonomy of universities is eroded by interventions from governments and intrusions from political processes".

The NKC chairman added, "This must be stopped."

While acknowledging that the major expansion towards which higher education is headed in the next few years "will be the key drivers to a better future", Mr Pitroda has stressed.

IAF Dornier transponder fault had led to radar blip

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:23:49 -0400

By SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI

New Delhi, April 23: The blip on the Air Traffic Control (ATC), radar at New Delhi airport on Tuesday evening — that resulted in a mid-air scare for the Prime Minister’s aircraft — was caused by the reflection of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Dornier aircraft on account of a transponder fault in the Dornier, civil aviation ministry official sources have confirmed. Ministry officials said that there had been no security breach since the Dornier aircraft was more than 20 nautical miles from the Prime Minister’s aircraft. This was stated in a report submitted by the directorate-general of civil aviation (DGCA), to the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday, top civil aviation ministry sources told this newspaper.

What happened, according to the civil aviation ministry, was that as the Prime Minister’s aircraft was descending to land at the Delhi airport, the IAF pilot of the Dornier aircraft switched on his transponder. According to the ministry officials, a fault in the transponder functioning in the Dornier aircraft led to a reflection which fell near the Prime Minister’s aircraft. This reflection was picked up as a blip on the radar by the ATC. That was the reason why there was no aircraft in the airspace pin-pointed by the blip as it was only a reflection. But interestingly, IAF sources told this newspaper that the air defence radars of the IAF picked up no such blip and that there was no transponder mal-function. "The IAF’s air defence radars at Aya Nagar did not pick up any blip. So, we have no reason to believe that the transponder on the Dornier aircraft mal-functioned," IAF sources said. "Even the civil aviation ministry is saying that the Dornier aircraft was more than 20 nautical miles away from the PM’s aircraft," IAF sources added. However, they said that the IAF would take any corrective action possible if it was conclusively proved that a mal-function in the aircraft led to the incident.

Meanwhile, top civil aviation ministry sources pointed out that the enquiry into the incident would continue.

Maha won’t have sex education

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:24:07 -0400

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Mumbai, April 24: Members of the Opposition and the ruling parties in the Lower House vehemently opposed sex education in Classes 9 and 11 in state schools on the grounds that "sex education is not hygienic for cultured Maharashtra".

On Tuesday, Maharashtra education minister Prof. Vasant Purke declared sex education to be included in Classes 9 and 11 in schools in the state. However, on Wednesday, the averment done in the Upper House of the Vidhan Sabha was opposed in the Lower House.

Many members felt that the minister should have shown restraint before making such an important announcement. After a heated debate led by BJP’s Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Shobhatai Phadnavis demanding an adjournment motion, Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar virtually stayed the implementation of having sex education in the state for the time being. The Opposition, demanding the adjournment motion sought discussion on the subject just after the Question Hour. "Why is it (sex education) being forced? Last year, Rajendra Patki had moved calling attention motion challenging the decision to have sex education in schools, Mr Lodha said.