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HC verdict on Best Bakery case likely on Monday

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) HT Correspondent htmetro@hindustantimes.com
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court is likely to deliver its verdict on the appeals filed by nine convicts in Vadodara's Best Bakery case on Monday. On Wednesday, the court started dictating the judgment after the prosecution and the defence concluded their arguments on Tuesday in the case, four months after the court began hearing the appeals. The incident relates to the carnage back in March 1, 2002, in the aftermath of the riots triggered by the burning of the Sabarmati Express in Godhra, when 14 persons were killed after a mob attacked the Best Bakery in the Hanuman Tekri area of Vadodara. The Best Bakery incident was the first riot-related case to be moved out of Gujarat.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/nation/story_15693322.jsp#.T_V C7JHizDc
One Modi shows off ally, another subdued

RADHIKA RAMASESHAN
New Delhi, July 4: When Narendra Modi arrived at a power-packed social do at the capitals Ashoka Hotel on Monday with Suresh Soni in tow, it was intentional. By now its a given that the Gujarat chief minister hates sharing his walking, talking and living space with anyone, however obscure the person may be. And Sonis name barely rings a bell outside of the RSS parivar. But for Modi, the togetherness with him at the wedding reception hosted by the BJP president Nitin Gadkari for his son was a political statement aimed at his party and the RSS clan at large. Soni is the RSSs sah-sarkaryawah, its joint general secretary that places him third in the hierarchy. The buzz in the Sangh was that even after Modi sought chief Mohanrao Bhagwat and his deputy Suresh Joshis blessings for his prime ministerial aspirations, Soni wasnt taken up with the idea.
Indeed, the first display of disaffection on Modis ambition surfaced in the BJPs in-house journal Kamal Sandesh. Editor Prabhat Jha is believed to be close to Joshi and often acted as Rajnath Singhs conduit to him when the latter headed the BJP. Those familiar with the parivars internal intrigues deduced that the edit couldnt have gone if Soni hadnt green-flagged it. So did Modi unbundle the reservations he harbours about the Sangh and visit its Delhi headquarter at Jhandewalan before the reception? Its possible, said a swayamsevak, adding, The idea was to tell the BJP that the RSS stands united behind him. Modis politics which thrives on symbols and signals, created and tweaked entirely to give himself heft is now focused on rectifying the perception that his relations with the RSS are patchy. Yesterday, reports that three veteran Gujarat pracharaks Bhaskarrao Damle, Narendra Panchasar and Ramesh Gupta were eased out of the RSSs state executive panel because they were anti-Modi left several swayamsevaks stupefied. They were dropped because they were old and infirm and incapable of discharging even the small jobs they were assigned and not because of Modi, a swayamsevak stressed. However, he admitted that Damle, 90-plus, was close to Modis bete noire Keshubhai Patel and had attended meetings convened by BJP rebel Gordhan Zadaphia. Damle also spearheaded agitations against the Modi governments land acquisitions. He was a thorn in Modis flesh, so the ouster suits him. However, that was not the RSSs idea. But Modis spin doctors projected the episode as his victory, a source said. At Mondays reception, Soni came and left almost unnoticed. Modi was the scene-stealer, the show-stopper as several guests stampeded their way to reach him. They touched his feet, got his autograph and clicked pictures with him. That Modi had emerged as a power centre unto himself was reinforced when he ensconced himself on a sofa, slightly away from the high table seating L.K. Advani and Sushma Swaraj in a VVIP enclosure. Two general secretaries were glued to Modi as sundry functionaries, MPs and MLAs genuflected and then went to Advani. The BJPs other Modi, from Bihar, arrived and departed in virtual anonymity. Here comes the secular Modi, the favourite of the capitals secular journalists, a party official remarked in jest when Sushil Modi walked in well after the Gujarat chief minister had gone. Sangh sources said he too had done the Jhandewalan parikrama (perambulation) but the purported visit couldnt be independently confirmed. Even if Sushil Modi had gone to the RSS headquarters, BJP sources said he had reasons to, against the backdrop of the partys uneven equations with ally Janata Dal (United) and his own comments against the Gujarat chief minister. He has to prove that he remains a loyal swayamsevak, a source said of the secular Sushil Modi who began his career in the Sangh. The BJPs ministers and MLAs from Bihar rubbed the point that the secular-communal debate, instigated by chief minister Nitish Kumars demand for a secular leader to lead the NDA, and
Sushil Modis endorsement rankled with them. They lustily cheered the Gujarat Modi. Ironically, in this make-or-mar moment in the BJPs history it needs a leader like Modi for a chin-up but an excessive projection might shrink the scope of its alliances both Modis need the RSS on their side, even though they are presumed to stand on different sides of an ideological breach.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx? id=11537&boxid=47788&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=1310005&ed_page=5 Gujarat EDN DNA 05JUL2012

Empower yourself for cost of 10 cups of tea Scheme to equip youth with basic computer skills gets more than 1.04 lakh online registrations on Day 1 DNA Correspondent l Gandhinagar Computer training for the cost of 10 cups of tea. Thats what the Modi governments latest scheme for youth, called Empower, promises. Launched on Wednesday, it saw 1.04 lakh online registrations on Day 1 itself. Chief Minister Narendra Modi launched the Empower (Electronic Manpower) programme, which aims to train rural and urban youth in basic computer skills, to coincide with the 110th death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Addressing a large gathering of rural youth at Mahatma Mandir, the chief minister told them this was an era of technological advancement and they should realise their dreams by acquiring skills. The youth were from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Kaushalya Vardhan Kendras (KVKs) across the state. Talking about the response to the scheme, Modi said, People were informed about details of the scheme through newspaper advertisements this morning, and by 5 pm more than 1.04 lakh had registered online. Elaborating further, he said the registrations included 84% from rural areas and 16% from urban areas. It is also an achievement that 66% of those who signed up are men and 34% are women, said Modi, adding that looking at the response from the rural youth, the scheme had achieved success on first day. Modi didnt miss the opportunity to score on the speedy launch of the scheme. Comparing the the union governments budget announcement of providing broadband connections to 3,000 villages in the country, he said Gujarat has connected all its 18,000 villages with broadband four
years ago. For only 3,000 out of six lakh villages to be given broadband connectivity is too less a number. The implementation of this project is also a subject of investigation. On the other hand, the Gujarat government announced the Empower scheme in the March 2012 budget, and on July 4 we have launched it, he said. Encouraging students to pursue IT education, Modi said, The world has changed. If we do not know the new world, we will be irrelevant. In the days to come, you will be considered illiterate if you are not equipped with IT and basic computer skills. So, we have started this scheme where you can learn basic computer skills at the cost of 10 cups of tea. Training is free for SC (scheduled caste), ST (scheduled tribe), BPL (below poverty line) candidates as well as women and physically challenged students. The training __ which is a 40-hour module__ will be available at the taluka level to youngsters above 14 years and those who have passed Class 5. Fees for the course are Rs50. After completing the training, youngsters will get a certificate from Gujarat Council for Vocational Training (GCVT) as well as Microsoft. Registration can be done offline too at ITIs and KVKs. Online registrations can be done on www.empower.guj.nic.in.
PIL seeks relief for victims of anti-Sikh riots in city

Petitioner says 60 families lost property during 1984 violence in Abad; state govt denies that riots had occurred in city DNA Correspondent l Ahmedabad Kalgidhar Sewak Jattha, a Sikh organisation, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition in the Gujarat high court seeking compensation for 60 families living in the city who were affected by the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The PIL is listed for hearing on Thursday. The PIL has claimed that anti-Sikh riots had broken out all over the country after Indira Gandhis murder on October 31, 1984. The properties of the 60 families were destroyed in Raipur and Saraspur areas and FIRs in this connection were lodged with the
concerned police stations, the PIL states. However, when the families sought the relief package that was announced by the Central government at the time, they were refused such a package by the subsequent state and central governments. KM Paul, counsel for the organization, said the families had kept communicating with the Central and Gujarat governments but the governments had ignored their appeal. The state government had claimed that no such incident had happened in the city, Paul said. The lawyer further said that as the state government had denied that such incidents had occurred, the central government had also not taken any steps to asses the damage and take further steps. The central government had given compensation to Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana victims, he said. It is pertinent to note that anti-Sikh riots had broken out in many parts of the country after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Keshubhai plans to hit Modi for a six

Plans series of rallies
across state DNA Correspondent l Ahmedabad Former chief minister Keshubhai Patel will soon take to the road in an all-out bid to topple the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the state. The veteran party leader plans to hold six public meetings in six cities across Gujarat. The Parivartan rallies, which will kick off on July 10 in Bhavnagar, will culminate in Surat. It is learnt that Patel, 83, had decided to split from the BJP after his recent trip to New Delhi. He had gone to the Capital to lodge his complaint with the party top brass against the one-man
rule of Modi. But after getting a lukewarm response there, Patel decided to take on Modi ahead of the assembly polls in December. After Bhavnagar, Keshubhai will hold rallies in Junagadh on July 15, Rajkot (July 18), Jamnagar (July 20), Vadodara (July 22), and Surat (July 24). According to sources, other dissident BJP leaders like former MPs Kashiram Rana, KD Jeswani, former chief minister Suresh Mehta, MLA Kanu Kalsariya are also expected to speak out against the Modi government at the rallies.
CBI again asks govt to relieve Satish Verma

DNA Correspondent Ahmedabad
The CBI has written another letter to the additional chief secretary (home), Gujarat government, asking that IPS officer Satish Verma be relieved to assistance the agency in the investigation of Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case. Sources said the letter was received by the state government on Wednesday. In the letter, the probe agency has also written that it had written to the government in this regard earlier too but it had received no reply so far. The CBI has sought Vermas assistance in the Ishrat Jahan case as per the order of the Gujarat high court which had directed the state government to relieve him whenever required by the CBI.
AMC eyes legislators' funds for pvt chabutara upkeep

Civic body has proposed that chabutara be included among structures that could benefit from funds of MPs and MLAs
Jitendra Dave
The AMC has proposed that the chabutara of the old city, including those on private property, be included among items for whose maintenance councillors, MPs and MLAs can give money from development funds at their disposal. The heritage department of the AMC has submitted a proposal to this effect before the civic bodys standing committee and it is likely to be taken up for discussion on Thursday. The chabutara (places to feed birds) of Ahmedabad are heritage structures which are an important part of the citys unique identity. A chabutaro can be found in most pols in the old city but, unfortunately, many of them are not in good shape. The AMC is unable to take care of them largely because of shortage of funds. As a matter of policy, the civic body repairs and maintains only those chabutara which are located on the campus of the properties it owns. However, if the latest proposal of the heritage department is approved, the civic body will be able to get money from the development fund of corporators, MLAs and MPs for repair of the chabutara. The money could be used even to shift the chabutara located on privately held land. According to a survey conducted by the AMC in 2000-01, there are 126 chabutara in the walled city. If those located in other parts of the city are taken into account, their number will go up many times. The AMC survey had found that Khadia ward has 35 chabutara, the highest in the city. It is followed by Kalupur ward with 33 chabutara. On the other hand, Raikhad ward has just one chabutaro at Karanj in Bhadra area. This chabutaro is one of the finest of Ahmedabad. An AMC official said that during the survey it was found that many chabutara with heritage value were in a bad shape because they were owned by trusts, private individuals or groups. Some of them were on the verge of disappearing altogether and dangerous as they could cause accidents by tripping pedestrians, said the official. He also said that as the chabutara are an important part of Ahmedabads heritage, steps should be taken for their preservation.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx? id=11546&boxid=63358&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=1310005&ed_page=1
Gujarat EDN DNA 05JUL2012
Sadik case: Guj HC summons Tirodkar

CBI had complained that ex-journalist Ketan Tirodkar had ignored its summons
Nikunj Soni l Ahmedabad Justice MR Shah of the Gujarat high court, on Wednesday, took a stern view of the behaviour of former Mumbai-based journalist Ketan Tirodkar and asked him to be present in court on Thursday afternoon. According to Justice Shahs order, the CBI, which is investigating the Sadik Jamal encounter case, will have the liberty to take away Tirodkar to record his statement. Tirodkar is a prime witness in the encounter case. The court was hearing the CBIs petition seeking three months extension to conclude the investigation in the case. The probe agency had complained that the investigation in the encounter case had got delayed because of the indifferent attitude of Tirodkar. The agency further said that the former journalist had refused to turn up to record his statement despite the many summons issued to him. Tirodkars approach irked Justice Shah who warned that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against the former journalist for not responding to the CBI summons. Later, the judge asked Tirodkars lawyer that he should immediately present himself before the CBI to establish his bona fides. Tirodkars counsel, Japan Dave, submitted before the court that the CBI had issued summons to the former journalist twice and that he had appeared before the probe agency both the times. But no officer was available to record his statement, Dave said. Justice Shah then ordered that Tirodkar should be present in his court at 2:30 in the afternoon on Thursday. CBI DySP Rathi could then take him away to record his statement, the court said. Tirokdars testimony may prove crucial in the investigation of the encounter case. Tirodkar had earlier claimed in an affidavit filed in the Gujarat high court that Sadik Jamal was in contact with him and that it was the encounter specialist Daya Nayak who had handed over custody of Sadik to Ahmedabad crime branch. Tirodkar, a controversial journalist who was arrested under MACOCA, had also claimed that he had introduced Sadik to Nayak in good faith as Sadik was looking for a job. Nayak had taken him in his custody and, later, handed him over to police officers of Ahmedabad crime branch, Tirodkar had said. The ex-journalist had further said that he was surprised when he came to know a few days later that Sadik had been killed in an encounter by sleuths of the crime branch. The Muslim was killed in 2002 near Galaxy cinema in Naroda area of Ahmedabad.
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=572012 Mailtoday
05JUL2012 Snubbed by US, CM looks towards China NARENDRA Modi knows how to hold a grudge and wait for an opportunity to avenge an insult. Therefore it is hardly surprising that he would be drawn to China after Uncle Sam refused him a visa. The five- year- old wound continues to fester and has not healed with Time . It appears that the snub from the US has shaped Modis worldview and that he sees himself as part of an anti- US block. The BJPs latest PM- in- waiting has warmed up to China and he is rather open about it. Modi visited China about a year ago, where he was accorded a grand welcome. While he gloated in the glory, the state PR machinery went into overdrive in publicising it. Subsequently, when China released 11 Indian traders who were captured for illegal trade, Modi tweeted thanking the Chinese authorities for paying heed to his request. The relationship is now being further bolstered through a red carpet to China for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2013. A number of roadshows were organised across China recently apart from senior bureaucrats from the state making presentations to the prospective investors there. Last year, Chinese High Commissioner Zhang Yan had visited Modi in Gandhinagar and invited him to China apart from expressing interest in greater cooperation between China and Gujarat. For all his flaws, one cannot fault Modi, for less than optimum utilisation of his propaganda machinery. Courtesy his efficient media management, many countries have come to see him as a serious contender for the PMs post after the 2014 elections. While the US has succumbed to pressure from rights groups, China has no such scruples. Hence business with the man who is a persona- non- grata in the US appears a pragmatic option for the Chinese. Smarting from the rejection of his visa by the US, Modi is only too happy with this new friendship. The arrangement suits both the parties. And one resembles the other in more ways than one. Though the political structures may not be similar, the authoritarian Chinese leadership, like Modi, has blood on its hands the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and the illtreatment of ethnic minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang. Both Modi and China have adopted an attitude of defiance when faced with criticism from the international community.
And the power of both stems from the same factor economic progress. One may not be off the mark totally to say Modi has keenly followed the Chinese narrative and built up his own in similar fashion. Apparently, Modi has also been invited by the governor of Guangdong to visit the province, which forms the backbone of Chinas industrial might, in November, when Guangdong plans to host an international cooperation week. This bonhomie may assume great global significance if Modi realises his prime ministerial ambitions. The tea is already steaming. But as they say, theres many a slip, between the cup and the lip.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-fronts-offer-gujarat-voter-variety-notvariation/970385/0 IE 05JUL2012
New fronts offer Gujarat voter variety, not variation

Hiral Dave : Rajkot, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:53 hrs
With two new anti-Narendra Modi fronts likely to emerge on the election scene, the Gujarati voter is set to be presented with more serious choices than usual in a traditionally bipolar state. What may set them back is that they are so similar that neither may appear to the voter as an alternative to the other. Former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, Modis arch rival, has found a new ally in Maha Gujarat Janata Party founder Gordhan Zadaphia, who announced last week that the former would launch a new party. Days later, another BJP rebel, MLA Kanu Kalsaria, teamed up with godman Swami Agnivesh and former Congress minister Sanat Mehta to announce yet another party. Completing the fray will be the Samajwadi Party, aiming higher than ever before, and the BSP which has already tested itself across Gujarat once. The SP is expected to contest all 182 seats, having fought only 21 last time. Its ambitions heightened after its victory in UP and before the 2014 general elections, the SP has been trying to woo migrants in south and central Gujarat. The BSP had already contested 166 seats last time and is expected to compete again. The NCP too has a presence but it is a Congress ally, not an alternative to the two major parties. It is set to demand a higher share of seats after unexpectedly winning three last time. For the two anti-Modi fronts, the absence of unity between them raises the likelihood of antiCongress and anti-BJP votes being split. And the leaders of either offer little or no variations in terms of electoral planks. The stress by Keshubhai and Zadaphia, a former BJP home minister, on corruption, farmers and communities is echoed by Kalsaria: We will focus on issues like corruption, communalism and matters affecting those involved in primary occupation such as
farming and fishing. Asked if the apparently common agenda can affect each partys prospects, Zadaphia said, We know little about the new group. There is rivalry between and within the splinter groups, too. Kalsaria had won a couple of local body elections in coalition with the Congress and even teamed up with Zadaphia before finding the new allies in Swami Agnivesh and Mehta. Zadaphia and Kalsaria had earlier been supporting each others agitation. Besides, Kalsaria has also won Mahuva Taluka Panchayat with the help of the Congress. Congress leaders such as Vitthal Radadiya and Bavku Unghad have also been seen with Keshubhai and Zadaphia. Kalsaria will be fancying his chances after successfully steering a farmers campaign against the Nirma groups cement plant at Mahuva, where he went against his own partys government, and for which it has not taken any action yet. Kalsaria and his group have hinted at contesting 25 seats, with Saurashtra-Kutch as focus, but Zadaphias MJP, which will be making its electoral debut, plans to contest all 182. Gujarat has a long history of political rebellion but the rebels have traditionally had little electoral success. There have been exceptions though. One was that of the Morarji Desai-led Sanstha Congress that emerged out of a Congress split in 1970. In 1975, in the aftermath of the Navnirman Agitation, the breakaway group was part of an umbrella of five parties the others being the Jansangh, the RJP, the Majdhur Sangh and the SP that, supported by the Khedut Majdoor Lok Paksh, kept the Congress, the single largest party, out of power. Other rebels who have tasted a degree of success include Chimanbhai Patel and Shankersinh Vaghela, who formed parties after breaking away from the Congress and the BJP, respectively, but their moments were short-lived. In 1990, Chimanbhai, with the help of the BJP, became CM as leader of Janta Dal (Gujarat). The government lasted less than a year. And in 1997, Vaghela, after toppling the Keshubhai Patel government, became CM from the newly floated Rashtriya Janata Party, made largely of BJP rebels. In the elections next year, the RJP got only four seats.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-oblige-nitish/970520/0 IE 05JUL2012
Why oblige Nitish?

Ravish Tiwari :
WHILE the Media Watch section of RSS journal Organiser highlights the undue focus on BJPs internal affairs in the wake of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars insistence that the NDA pick a secular prime ministerial candidate, senior RSS leader M.G. Vaidya has contributed a full-page article analysing the debate. The article juxtaposes the two extreme points represented by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish. Claiming that no individual is secular, unless he is an atheist, Vaidya asserts that the state has to be secular because a non-secular or a theocratic state is a perversity, a contradiction in
terms. While the article says that the whole debate is uncalled for, as Lok Sabha elections are two years away, it goes after Nitish for his motives. The article also laments Nitishs haste over his prime ministerial ambition and says little to back Modis purported ambition for the same post. While the article gave little indication for who the RSSs choice for PM might be, it asserts that the Sangh Parivar is well within its right to support a devotee of Hindutva for the post of PM, just as Nitish has got the right to demand a secular PM. But there is no reason for the BJP to oblige Nitish on this issue, the article says. Why is Nitish in such haste? If he wants to severe his partys ties with the NDA, he can do it any time, says Vaidya, stating that Nitish is free to aspire for prime ministership and also amuse himself with his personal opinion about Modi. Vaidya gives assurances that the devotee of Hindutva who will be the RSSs choice will surely guarantee that his statecraft will be genuinely secular and will not practice pseudosecularism. Missing Abu Jundal THE issue of the deportation of the Mumbai terror accused Abu Jundal to India from Saudi Arabia has failed to get due space in both RSS journals, perhaps due to publication deadlines. However, the Panchjanya has an editorial that says that the revelations from Jundal further confirm Indias stance on the involvement of Pakistans state players in the 2008 attacks. The editorial has asked the Indian government to act tough against Pakistan and tell them that it will not tolerate anti-India actions emanating from their soil behind the curtain of commercial ties and talks. Gag order AN EDITORIAL in Organiser criticises the UPA governments efforts to remove offensive content from the Internet and charges them for seeking to gag the public. The UPA government is out to gag the free and critical voice, says the editorial, and alleges that government investigative agencies are on a huge hunt to locate the physical location and identity of several IP addresses from America, which have posted material not palatable to the Gandhi family. Target Akhilesh AS THE BJP tries to find its feet in the increasingly bipolar polity of Uttar Pradesh, RSS weekly Panchjanya has trained its guns at the states youngest CM, Akhilesh Kumar in an article evaluating his governments record on crime since assuming power. The article compares records on rape, dacoity, kidnapping, loot, murder, extortion and riots in the Akhilesh regime with the last two years to say that the extent of crime within this period surpasses even that of previous Mayawati regime and asserts that UP is moving towards lawlessnes and anarchy under his rule. Another report highlights the 81 per cent hike in the budget for minority welfare to charge Akhilesh with Muslim appeasement, implying it was done with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
Compiled by Ravish Tiwari

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=AMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=7&EntityId=Ar00701&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN AM 05JUL2012
Two accused of forging caste certificate

Vijay.Zala @timesgroup.com
Acomplaint against two men was registered with Karanj police allegedly for forging a schedule caste certificate. Pravinsinh Bhati, an official of Zilla Pachat Varg Kalyan Department, filed the complaint against Rahul Shiva Shah, a resident of Swastik Complex in Nava Vadaj, and Nikhans Ashokkumar Verma, a resident of Shyam Bungalows in Chandkheda, on July 2. Bhati told police: Rahul was a temp working as a data entry operator at our office on the 10th floor of Bahumali Building in Lal Darwaza. He took money from Verma, a Koli Patel, to forge a schedule caste certificate on May 4, 2011. The certificate came to the attention of our state-level observation committee. Since Koli Patels are not eligible for SC certificate, they ordered the department to register a police complaint. Bhati added, We sacked Rahul on July 2, 2011. We also checked if he had issued certificates to anyone else. After finding out that he had issued a certificate only in Vermas name, we lodged a complaint against the duo under IPC sections 114 (abetting a crime), 420, 465, 468 and 471 for cheating and forgery. Karanj Inspector M N Mirza said, Verma wanted the fake certificate so he could get admission to medical course. He had even presented it during the admission process, but the concerned authorities had recognised it as a fake. We are trying to find out more about this. PSI B K Asari is investigating the case. Caste Certificate is the proof of ones belonging to a particular caste, especially in case one belongs to any of the Scheduled Castes, as specified in the Indian Constitution. The government felt that the Scheduled Castes and Tribes need special encouragement and opportunities to progress at the same pace as the rest of the citizens. So, as part of the Indian system of protective discrimination, there exists certain special privileges granted to this category of citizens such as reservation of seats in the Legislatures and in government service, waiving off part or whole of fees for
admission to schools and colleges, quotas in educational institutions, relaxation of upper age limits for applying to certain jobs and even gain promotions, etc. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=AMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=10&EntityId=Ar01000&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN AM 05JUL2012
MLA accuses minister of sheltering killers

BJP MLA Shankar Chaudhary led a delegation of community members to junior home minister, alleging a minister from north Gujarat was behind the murder of a businessman in the region
Ahmedabad Mirror Bureau amfeedback@indiatimes.com
The murder of a young businessman at a small village tucked away in Mehsana district is threatening to blow into a major caste conflict that could even lead to internal bickering in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Leading a delegation of some members of Chaudhary community, Radhanpur BJP MLA Shankar Chaudhary called on Minister of State for HomePrafulPatelinGandhinagaron Wednesday and lost no time in accusing a minister from the region of beinginvolvedinthecrimeandprotecting the culprits. The significance of the attack on the senior leader was not lost on political observers as assembly election is a couple of months away. SpeculationswererifethatthedelegationwastoluretheChaudharysin northGujarattowardsBJPandtoconveniently sideline the senior minister whomBJPisnotkeentogiveaticketin the forthcoming assembly election. Could Chaudhary, who is the partysstateunitgeneralsecretary,accuse the minister and his kin of sheltering criminals without the sanctions of other senior functionaries? was the question doing the rounds. The delegation submitted a memorandum to Patel demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. The minister has assured us the culprits who belong to Koria gang will be arrested in 72 hours, Chaudhary told mediapersons after meeting the minister. The memorandum bearing the signature of Ganesh Chaudhary, father of the 32-year-old deceased Prakash, and other community leaders -- Ishwar Chaudhary, Manilal Chaudhary and Pravin Chaudhary -- read: Local politicians from Sidhpur are involved with Koria gang. Known criminals have been released on parole twice. Action should be taken against those who have recommended parole for the gang members. Thekillersaredangeroustosociety. It is a week since Prakash was murdered. It is a shame that the police have not been able to catch them.
LocalInspectorTKPatelknowsthegang very well yet nothing has happened. The investigation should be handed over to District Superintendent of Police Tarun Barot. ThesonofaseniorBJPleaderisinvolved in the murder of my son. Koria gang has the support of the BJP leader, said Ganesh Chaudhary while theMLAsaidthattheganghadterrorised the entire north Gujarat and it should be obliterated at the earliest. MEMORY LOSS? Minister of State for Home Praful Patel was caught feigning ignorance of major development on the law and order front for the second time in recent times. Prakash Chaudhary, 32, was found murdered on June 27 at Aithor village near Unjha. BJP MLA Shankar Chaudhary led a delegation of villagers to Patels office after the cops failed to catch the culprits even after a week. The minister spoke to DSP Tarun Barot about it in presence of the delegation. But Patel told media that nobody had given him any memorandum and he knew nothing about the murder. About a month ago, Patel had expressed his ignorance of the development at Manavadar where Vithal Radadias public meeting had led to riots, burning of shops and filing of a police complaint against former chief minister Keshubhai Patel. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=AMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=10&EntityId=Ar01002&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN AM 05JUL2012
Govt chops monsoon session to a day; scraps question hour

Apart from voting in the presidential polls, the House will do precious little; Oppn cries foul as there is no question hour
Ahmedabad Mirror Bureau amfeedback@indiatimes.com
TheBJPgovernmenthastriedto duck oppositions queries by doingawaywiththequestion hour in the one-day monsoon session scheduled for July 19. The government will meet its constitutional obligation of convening a session within six months but apart from voting for the presidential candidates, the House will not do much. Pradeepsinh Jadeja, minister of state for legislative and parliamentary affairs defended the government decision, saying that there was not enough business for the government to transact. While the ruling party is patting its back on its strategy of denying the Opposition
opportunity to corner the government on issues like corruption, law and order, missing children, and the problems of the underprivileged, opposition is livid and has said it is just not done. In a letter to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said, Gujarat assembly has a record of excellent traditions...Howeverafteryoubecame Chief Minister, these traditions are being grossly violated. It is not justifiedtocallmonsoonsessionforonly a day or two. Assembly rules give right to MLAs to ask questions in the House. However, you have made attempt in the past to not allow MLAs to ask questions. Arguing that the government is constitutionally bound to give MLAs get enough opportunity to ask questions, he wrote, Never in the past was the short session of assembly without the question hour. As an exception, the norm of question hour can be avoided when the first session of a new assembly is held or the session is called in emergency case. The session scheduled this month is a regular session and it must have question hour. Gohil cited the Congress rule when in 1993 the monsoon session was of 10 days. In 1994, the monsoon session met for 24 days and in 1995 for 29 days. While the BJP government called the monsoon session in 2005 only for three days, and in 2006 and 2007 for two days each. In the following years the monsoon sessions were called for two or three days only.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=AMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00601&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN AM 05JUL2012
CBI witness in Sohrab case planned attack on BJP leader

With the fate of encounter cases to be decided soon, star witness Azam Khans name emerging as key accused in attack on Udaipur BJP leader, is raising eyebrows
Zahid.Qureshi @timesgroup.com
In a curious turn of events, the name of a key witness in Sohrabuddin and Tulsi Prajapati encounter cases has cropped up in the incident of firing at an Udaipurbased BJP leader and builder. The accused, who were arrested by city crime branch last week, have reportedly told the police that Azam Khan, who is now the star witness for CBI in the high
profile encounter cases, was behind the attack carried out on Udaipur district BJP general secretary and prominent builder Moti Lal Dangi on June 15. The accused reportedly made the disclosure before Udaipur police which is interrogating the accused currently. The revelations have come at a time when the two high profile encounter cases are under the scrutiny of investigation agencies and various courts. The alleged involvement of Azam Khan, whose statement could play a crucial role in deciding the fate of these cases as also of several high profile cops, has heightened curiosity among top cops. It must be noted that it was following Khans statement to CBI in the Sohrabuddin case, more than 12 cops including IPS officers and then state home minister Amit Shah were arrested. Zahir, one of the accused, is Khans nephew. He had executed the plan at the behest of his uncle. He involved Ayub, Danish, Shahzad and Imranuddin and planned an attack on Dangi. We are still looking for Danish and have sought sevenday remand of the accused, said Inspector Madan Gehlot of Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur. Cops claimed that Dangis friend Manohar Giri had earlier approached Khan in connection with the sale of his Udaipur plot for Rs 8 crore. Promising to get it sold, Khan had even sought a hefty commission. But before he could zero in on a buyer, Dangi got it sold for Rs 2 crore which annoyed Khan. To teach Dangi a lesson, Khan asked his friend Ayub and nephew Zahir to execute an attack on Giri, claim cops. WHO IS AZAM KHAN? Azam Khan, an aide of Sohrabuddin and Tulsi Prajapati, has been involved in a number of criminal cases including extortion and attempt to murder in the past. He claims to have been the first one to have informed Sohrabuddins brother Ruabuddin that the former was killed in an encounter on November 26,2005. He also had made claims that before Sohrabuddin was killed Prajapati had informed him about the fake encounter plan. As per Azam Khans claims, Tulsi had also feared threat to his life and apprehended that like Sohrabuddin he too could be bumped off. Recently Udaipur police filed a closure report in a case in which Azam Khan and his aide Iqbal Chudigar had alleged that two motorcycle borne youths had fired at them on October 14, 2010. According to cops, the ballistic report inferred that Azam Khan had fired at himself to substantiate claims of threat to his life.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/complainant-in-pandya-murder-case-to-moveapex-court-for-reprobe/970577/0 Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
Complainant in Pandya murder case to move apex court for reprobe

Tanvir A Siddiqui , Leena Misra : Ahmedabad, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:37 hrs
Janaksinh Parmar, the complainant in the Haren Pandya assassination case who believes that the killing was political, plans to move the Supreme Court demanding a reinvestigation on these grounds. Parmar was suspended from the Gujarat BJP on June 29 for anti-party activities, but he claimed he was never sent an official communique to this effect. Parmar, a loyal Pandya supporter, was convenor of the city BJP sports cell. Soon after his suspension, he sat on a two-day fast demanding reinvestigation of the murder. He now plans to join a rival party to seek justice for Pandya whom he calls his political guru. In an interview with The Indian Express on Wednesday, Parmar said, I have always said it is a political murder, you can see it in the files. I first said this before the (Ahmedabad) crime branch, which was then under D G Vanzara (which probed the case first), the second time before CBI officer Sushil Gupta and then in the court of judge Sonia Gokani. The trial court had sentenced nine for life in this case, which went for appeal in the Gujarat High Court. Last year, the HC acquitted Asgar Ali and 11 others of murder charges, though they were convicted for other smaller offences. The HC had observed in its order that the CBI botched up the probe. Parmar said the acquittal of Ali was indicative that the probe went in the wrong direction. It was proved that it was a political murder after Asgar Ali was released. If the real people were caught, there might have been death sentence or a life term, he said. He claimed that Pandyas murder will be an issue even in the coming Assembly elections because this is a very serious issue. Since I am the complainant, I will approach the SC as per procedure. This will not only be justice for Haren Pandya but for the whole Gujarat and national BJP because he was a soldier of the party. Parmar claimed he was among the first to reach the spot where Pandya lay dead in his car outside Law Garden on March 26, 2003, and thus he became the complainant in the case. The day before he (Pandya) died, he had asked me to keep a bag ready, our trips to Delhi might increase, he said to show how intimate he was with Pandya. On his suspension, Parmar said he heard about it from the media. No city or state party unit president called me to inform that I was suspended, he said. Apparently, BJP leaders did not approve of the fact that he filed RTI applications that went against the party. A fact that Parmar agrees with and says, I filed too many RTIs. In the new outfit that he plans to join, he said he would fight for justice to Pandya, for the
11,000 kids who went missing in the last 10 years and for a lokayukta.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sadiq-encounter-hc-orders-mumbai-journo-toappear-before-it-or-face-arrest/970587/ Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
Sadiq encounter: HC orders Mumbai journo to appear before it or face arrest

Express news service : Ahmedabad, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:44 hrs
The Gujarat High Court has ordered Mumbai-based journalist Ketan Tirodkar, who is considered to be a crucial source of information in the Sadiq Jamal Mehtar encounter case, to either appear before the court on Thursday or face arrest. The CBI which is investigating the case had recently sought an extension of three months from the HC and had claimed that Tirodkar was not cooperating in the investigation. CBI counsel Yogesh Ravani said that the agency wanted to interrogate Tirodkar as he was important to the investigation. Tirodkars advocate Japan Dave appeared before the court and informed that Tirodkar will appear tomorrow. The court has allowed Dave to remain present with Tirodkar during the interrogation. When asked whether Tirodkar will be considered an accused or a witness in the case, CBI officials said that they would like to interrogate him first and then the agency would act accordingly. Tirodkar had claimed in his affidavit that he had mediated in the handing over of Jamal to suspended police officer D G Vanzara, who is currently in jail for his involvement in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. Tirodkar had also claimed that he handed Jamal over in Mumbai, near Sanjay Gandhi Park in 2003. Sadiq was killed in an alleged fake encounter by the DCB on January 13, 2003.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/assembly-elections-looming-cracks-surface-inkutch-bjp/970569/0 Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
Assembly elections looming, cracks surface in Kutch BJP

Hiral Dave : Rajkot, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:32 hrs
With just a few months left before the state goes to polls, cracks have appeared in BJP in the industrial district of Kutch apparently for control over the lucrative transport business there. Rebellion is brewing against Bhuj MLA and Minister of State for Social Welfare Vasan Ahir who also heads the All Gujarat Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) with party councillor at the Kutch district panchayat Pradhyuman Sinh demanding his resignation from AGTOA. Sinh has alleged that Ahir is using his clout for overloading trucks belonging to him and his relatives, leaving small-time transporters in the lurch. Sinh is the president of Kutch West Truck Owners Association (KWTOA). Party insiders say KWTAO has been backed by another BJP MLA who yields considerable clout in mining and estate businesses in Kutch. After two public meetings by KWTAO in Nakhatrana and Bhuj to press their demand for Ahirs resignation, the Kutch association has represented the matter to state Finance Minister Vaju Vala. KWTAO has threatened to launch an intensified agitation if their demand is not met. At the heart of conflict is a controversial decision taken by the Kutch Truck Owners Association (KTOA), which is headed by Ahirs nephew Trikam, to discontinue the age-old draw-of-lots practice that used to decide the daily loading turn for nearly 8,000 truck owners registered with the district association. The draw system was done away with nearly eight months ago following drop in business due to total closure of Pandhro coal mine and partial closure of Mata No Madh over the last four years. The move reduced the number of trucks ferrying coal and cement out of Kutch daily to 500 from 1,700. When business has gone down considerably and the draw system has been scrapped, the minister and his relatives now get all the business. They also overload their trucks, leaving no business for small players, alleged Sinh, adding, Instead of following the rule of 17-tonne load per truck, the ministers trucks run with over 50 tonnes of coal or cement. In last November, the district RTO had seized a truck owned by Ahirs son Navghan following several complaints of overloading. If the minister will not resign as president of the association and the draw system is not restored, there will be an intense agitation, said Sinh. When contacted, Ahir refused to comment.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/im-a-victim-of-politics-wont-resign/970595/ Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
Im a victim of politics, wont resign

KapilDave : Gandhinagar, Thu Jul 05 2012, 04:02 hrs
A day after a contempt of court plea was filed in the the Gujarat High Court against Chief Minister Narendra Modi for refusing to allow prosecution of Purushottam Solanki in an alleged Rs 400-crore scam, the fisheries minister today said he has become a victim of politics. Solanki said he would not resign from the post in the wake of the controversy. I have no reason to resign. No one, not even the CM, has asked me to resign. I am not guilty. I have become a victim of politics, he said. On the HC order regarding his prosecution, he said, The High Court has given instructions to the state government, and not to me. So I cannot say on behalf of the government. Whatever action is required (whether to appeal or challenge the HC direction in the Supreme Court) will be taken by the government only. Senior advocate Mukul Sinha had filed a contempt of court plea against Modi and his council of ministers before the HC on Tuesday for refusing to allow the prosecution of Solanki without taking the Governors consent. The HC had directed the government in its March 30 order to decide the plea seeking sanction to prosecute Solanki under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, stating the Governor would be the competent authority to take a final decision with aide and advice of the Council of Ministers.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/modi-bonds-with-leuvas-in-surat/970590/ Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
Modi bonds with Leuvas in Surat

Kamaal Saiyed : Surat, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:49 hrs
Chief Minister Narendra Modi met members of Leuva Patel community during his visit to Surat for a marriage ceremony on Tuesday evening. Sources said he spent almost one hour with Khodal Dham Sewa Samithis Surat wing president Mukesh Patel along with several other prominent leaders from the community. Modi first attended the marriage function of nephew of Kishor Virani, chairman of Karp Impex, a diamond jewellery export firm.
Several prominent people from diamond industry as well as from BJP remained present in the marriage function. Later, Modi visited Patels house for Vastu Ceremony of a bungalow at Parle Point in Surat. Over 100 people, majority of them were from Leuva Patel community, remained present to welcome Modi. Talking to The Indian Express, Patel however said that Modis visit to his house was not a political one. Several people from Leuva Patel also greeted Modi and we all are happy. We had given him the invitation long ago and got assurance from him, Patel said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pil-seeks-compensation-for-84-riotsvictims/970589/ Gujarat EDN IE 05JUL2012
PIL seeks compensation for 84 riots victims

Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha, a Sikh organisation, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday seeking compensation for 60 families in Ahmedabad who were reportedly affected in the 1984 riots. The PIL claimed that despite central governments announcements for providing compensation to the affected persons, the state government failed to provide any relief. The PIL also stated that when the affected persons raised the issue, the state government authorities refused to admit that anti-Sikh riots happened in Ahmedabad, though there were several FIRs related to the incident lodged at various police stations. According to the PIL, properties of 60 families residing in Raipur and Saraspur areas of Ahmedabad were destroyed during the anit-Sikh riots. It also stated that the central government had announced compensation for victims living in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana but nothing was done in the case of victims in Gujarat. The court will hear the case on Thursday.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/boys-death-another-fun-fair-organiserarrested/970563/ Gujarat EDN
IE 05JUL2012
Boys death: Another fun fair organiser arrested

The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) Ahmedabad on Wednesday arrested one more organiser of the Naroda fun fair who was accused of disposing of the body of nine-year-old Mayur Thakor in Banaskantha. The accused had reportedly confessed to the police that Mayur was still alive when he was being taken to Koba circle from the fun fair. The accused, Shauqat Ali Sheikh (40) from Kekdi village in Ajmer was arrested from Shah Alam crossroads in Ahmedabad after the police were informed that Shauqat was reportedly coming there to meet his aides. Mayur Thakor had gone missing at the fun fair near his house at Chamundanagar in Naroda on June 24. Five days later, Mayurs decomposed body was found. Police investigations had concluded that Mayur had got electrocuted inside the fair and the fair organisers decided to dispose his body fearing public anger and to prevent a police case. According to DCB officials, the fair organiser, Shauqat was the mastermind behind the plan to take Mayur to an unknown place and abandon him. Shauqat and co-accused Kunal Bhatt, decided to abandon the boy on a highway or throw him into a water canal. They are reported to have taken Mayur on a motorbike from the fair to Koba circle. They roped in two others, Lala and Devchand Mishra, who brought a car to take Mayur towards Palanpur, said the police. All accused would be taken to the same spot in Naroda and asked to explain how the boy got electrocuted and how they took him to Banaskantha from Koba Circle, said Inspector P G Vaghela.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=11536&boxid=30136&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=1310005&ed_page=4 Gujarat EDN DNA 05JUL2012 Verdict on Zakia plea reserved Metropolitan magistrate BJ Ganagra concluded arguements in case of handing over certain documents collected by the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the complainant Zakia Jafri and deliver verdict on July 16. Zakia has sought documents that were not handed over to her by the SIT along with other 25000 pages documents that handed over last month. Opposing her application before a magisterial court here on Tuesday, SIT counsel RS Jamuar said that the amicus curie Raju Ramchandrans report is a mere opinion which cant guide this court.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article3603930.ece
Orders on Zakias plea reserved

A local court on Wednesday reserved till July 16 its orders on Zakia Jafris plea for production of more documents, including the interim report filed by the SIT in Supreme Court, on its investigation of her complaint against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 riots. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-court-reserves-order-on-zakia-s-pleato-july-16_1710675
Gujarat court reserves order on Zakia's plea to July 16

Published: Wednesday, Jul 4, 2012, 21:19 IST Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: PTI
A local court on Wednesday reserved till July 16 its order on Zakia Jafri's plea for production of more documents, including interim report filed by SIT in supreme court, regarding its investigation into her complaint against Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and others in 2002 riots. The court of metropolitan magistrate BJ Ganatra is also likely to pass order on the application filed by activist Teesta Setalvad for inspecting the original documents, submitted by SIT with closure report, on behalf of Zakia Jafri, on that day. Continuing his inconclusive arguments from last week and opposing Zakia's plea, counsel for SIT, RS Jamuar said the SIT has produced "everything" it has collected during the course of investigation. "Demand for interim report filed by AK Malhotra of SIT in sealed cover in the supreme court is irrelevant as that is merely an opinion of an officer. This court has to decide not on the opinions but on the basis of evidences we have collected and produced before this court with our final report," said Jamuar. Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for Zakia and Teesta, said SIT changed its stand since it had filed the interim report. "There has been a change in the positions in the investigation of SIT from what it had filed the interim report to what it has concluded in the closure report," he said. "The change in positions by SIT is crucial and all reports filed in supreme court should be looked into by this court before taking cognisance of and taking final decision on the closure report," said Desai.
Zakia, wife of ex-Congress MP Eshan Jafri who was killed along with 68 others in Gulburg society massacre, had filed a complaint against Modi and others for a "larger conspiracy" in 2002 riots.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIA/2012/07/05&PageLab el=5&EntityId=Ar00503&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN TOI 05JUL2012
SIT calls bias accusations unfortunate

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad: After a rebuke from the special court hearing the Gulbarg Society massacre case, the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday complained before the magisterial court that there was unnecessary hue and cry over its closure report. Opposing Zakia Jafris plea demanding vital documents and permission for activist Teesta Setalvad to inspect original report, SIT counsel R S Jamuvar told metropolitan magistrate B J Ganatra that a din was been created outside court over the matter. The lawyer expressed reservations against certain activities, including publication of interviews of suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt. Did the Supreme Court want this to happen? Let there be a judicial order first on the issue of closure report We are facing music in the sessions court over demand of the final report, he submitted. The SIT termed accusations against it as unfortunate and its lawyer submitted that the SC formed the SIT but everyone was now issues instructions to it. Advocate Jamuvar accused Jafri and Setalvad of falsely charging the SIT of concealment despite the fact that the probe agency had submitted 25,000 documents. Jafris counsel Mihir Desai told the court that inquiry officer A K Malhotra in his preliminary report expressed an opinion, but the final report had contradictory opinion about the roles of chief minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 riots. He argued that the complainant would require all those documents that led the SIT to change its opinion. Senior counsel Desai also submitted that while filing the protest petition against the report, they are going to term SITs approach as biased. To this, the SIT contended that it cannot part with Malhotras report, as well as, other status reports given to the SC with chairman R K Raghavans notes. Jamuvar also submitted that the court cannot be guided by either Malhotras or amicus curiae Raju Ramachandrans reports. He said that providing certain documents to complainant would also be a violation of the SC order. He also argued that all those statements, on which Malhotra relied upon for his preliminary report, have been supplied to the court and complainant. After hearing lengthy arguments, the magistrate kept July 16 to pass order on Zakias plea seeking missing documents and on whether Setalvad should be permitted to inspect the
original report on basis of the power of attorney given to her by the complainant.
WAITING FOR JUSTICE: Gulbarg Society
High Court summons key witness in Sadiq Jamal encounter case

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad: After the CBI admitted its failure to interrogate the main witness in the 2003 Sadiq Jamal encounter case Ketan Tirodkar, the Gujarat high court on Wednesday asked him to remain present before the court on Thursday afternoon. While seeking another three-month extension, the central agency had cited the pending interrogation of the Mumbai-based journalist as one of three reasons. Justice M R Shah was annoyed with this, as the probe agency had cited a similar reason when it sought postponement the last time. When the hearing began on the CBIs plea, justice Shah straightaway asked the agency why no arrest had taken place. The court also asked the CBI to elaborate on what steps it had taken to
arrest the accused. When the CBI spelled out the reasons for the delay, justice Shah asked the agency what efforts it had made to interrogate Tirodkar. The CBI counsel told the court that summons were issued to Tirodkar on several occasions, but he did not turn up. To which the court asked if the agency had got an arrest warrant issued against Tirodkar for ignoring the summons. Meanwhile, Tirodkars lawyer appeared before the court and submitted that Tirodkar had gone to CBIs Mumbai office in response to the summons, but he was told that no such officer worked at that office. Upon the lawyers statement that Tirodkar was ready to co-operate, but anticipated arrest, justice Shah said that Tirodkars apprehension has no place in the process. Finally, the court directed Tirodkar to remain present in the courtroom at 2.30 pm on Thursday, from where CBI sleuths could take him for questioning. Tirodkar and Daya Nayak Journalist Ketan Tirodkar has been the prime witness in this case, as he claims to have witnessed the alleged handing over of Bhavnagar youth Sadiq Jamals custody by Daya Nayak to Gujarat police. He also admitted that he had introduced Sadiq to the cop, who took him into illegal custody. The question mark over this encounter was first raised on the basis of Tirodkars affidavit before the MCOCA court in Mumbai. After falling out with the Mumbai encounter specialist Daya Nayak, Tirodkar exposed the cops alleged illegal acts in his confession. His affidavit hasnt yet hurt Nayak in Mumbai, but Tirodkar was jailed for his admission of guilt. On the other hand, Nayak was arrested for having property disproportionate to his income, but has now been acquitted of corruption charges. However, Tirodkars confessions implicated the cop in this encounter case and the complaint by Sadiqs brother Shabbir named Nayak as one of the accused cops. Ironically, Nayak had 78 encounters against his name in Maharashtra, but is facing arrest in an encounter that took place in Gujarat. Tirodkar was also involved in the PILs on the issues of seeking a probe into the J Dey murder case and the Adarsh scam.
Keshubhai to meet missing kids parents

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad: The missing childrens issue is all set to become political. First hapless parents of the missing children wanted to meet the chief minister Narendra Modi and had taken out a rally last week in this regard. However, they were prevented from marching towards Gandhinagar and detained by city police who showed scant regard for the parents sentiments while detaining them.
Now, this matter has concerned former chief minister and political rival of Modi, Keshubhai Patel. Patels worry for the missing children was also reflected in one of his recent blogs. Patel has decided to pay a visit to the homes of two missing children Vishwa Patel, 11 and Ronak Panchal, 12, a resident of CTM, on Thursday. Patel will be accompanied by Mahagujarat Janata Party president Gordhan Zadaphia. Zadaphia told TOI: On Wednesday I took some of the missing childrens parents to the office of the Ahmedabad police commissioner. During this meeting the parents expressed their angst that they wish to meet Modi on the issue, but they are not being allowed to. I feel that the state government is not sensitive enough on this issue and is unnecessarily ignoring the matter. When I spoke to Keshubhai on the issue he volunteered to meet them. Vishwa, a class VI student, went missing on January 27 from a marriage function at the common plot of the flat. City police made ten teams of investigators and even dispatched a team to Mumbai but no leads could be found. Police went through photographs and video footage of the marriage ceremony but have not found Vishwa in any of it.
Is this King Khan with CM Modi?

Ajay Umat | TNN Ahmedabad: He is perhaps the most influential bureaucrat Gujarat ever had. A lot of industrial development that we see in Gujarat today is thanks to the vision of this King Khan, as colleagues used to call him. Former chief secretary H K Khan, who headed the Gujarat bureaucracy in the early 1990s during the regime of late Chimanbhai Patel and later became his advisor, is clearly inching closer to chief minister Narendra Modi. Last month, Khan met Modi at the Sachivalaya in Gandhinagar and this has set tongues wagging, given Modis overtures towards Muslim leaders ahead of the assembly elections due in December 2012. Senior bureaucrats, who still hold Khan in awe and had been in touch with him who has now settled in New Delhi, had already noted the positivity with which Khan had been speaking about the achievements of the Modi government. Khan (70) is presently a director with the Jubilant Life Sciences which holds almost 10% stake in the state-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), one of the numerous state PSUs which were conceived by Khan. Asked by TOI about his rapport with Modi, he said, Modi saheb is a very mature and
experienced chief minister and I am too small a person to be of help to him. Sources, however,said Modi has been in close touch with Khan ever since a senior Gujarat-cadre officer A K Vijaykumar helped build bridges between the two about six months back. While Khans expertise is in the energy sector, sources said Modi would rather have his assistance in wooing Muslims across Gujarat and network for him in bureaucratic circles in New Delhi. Khan, however, said, As of now, there is nothing of this sort. Modi meets Muslim leaders Ahmedabad: About a dozen prominent Muslim leaders met chief minister Narendra Modi at the Sachivalaya on Wednesday and discussed various community-related issues, including infrastructure and education facilities in minority pockets. The delegation included prominent businessmen Zafar Sareshwala, Iqbalbhai Keshodwala, Afroz Fata, former Congress MLA Mohammed Patel, lawyer Abraar Saiyad, Asad Ahmed Khanpuri (son of Dabhel's mufti) and Zulfi Memon (son of Mumbai-based lawyer Majid Memon).
Vibrant summit: Global PR drive intensifies

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad: In a bid to foster trade ties and highlight investment opportunities in Gujarat, a delegation of government officials and business leaders from Gujarat visited Europe between June 18 and June 28. The 12-member delegation held meetings in Germany, France and Switzerland. The group organized road shows at Hamburg, Frankfurt, Geneva, Basel and Zurich to promote the Vibrant Gujarat Business Summit 2013. The delegation met the political leadership, including ministers, city administrators and members of various chambers of commerce and industry. The state government in a statement on Wednesday said that many European companies have showed interest in investing in Gujarat, particularly in infrastructure projects, engineering, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, agro & food processing and automobile sectors. In Hamburg, the delegation made presentation at a conference with 40 companies as participants hosted by Europe India Chamber of Commerce, Hanseatic India Forum and Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. A conference was also organized in Frankfurt by the Indian Consulate in cooperation with the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce to augment collaboration between Gujarati and German companies, the statement said. Another government delegation will soon visit Africa, Tanzania and Kenya to promote investments in chemicals, engineering, plastics, infrastructure, renewable energy, textiles and pharmaceuticals sectors among other sectors.
Class no bar for WOMAN BATTERING

From Government Officers To Wives Of Drunkards, Nobody Is Immune To Domestic Violence
Parth Shastri | TNN
Domestic violence respects no class. In the Ahmedabad district, that evil finds victims from across the socio-economic spectrum regardless of whether they are Class I government officers or women caught in penury. They all come to the social justice and welfare department seeking succor. According to the departments officials, it is a misconception that the rich and affluent dont encounter domestic violence. Domestic violence is not just about physical attack but also about psychological and emotional assault on women, said Kashmira Kapadia, a social protection officer. We get a number of cases involving women from well-to-do families, who are abused for not bearing a male child or not getting enough dowry. Apart from husbands, in-laws are also the perpetrators of such crimes, Kapadia said. Some of the women complain of sexual assault whereas others complain of constant neglect, she said. Officials said that the number of complaints from women from the upper social strata was higher than the figure relating to other classes. Most of the women from good backgrounds, who are well educated, come with their family members and lawyers, said an official. In accordance with the procedure, we send couples for counselling to psychologists appointed by the government. Few opt for counselling and fewer actually try to achieve a truce. Talks do help in cases involving the lower economic strata. The official said that in such instances, family members intervene and help in ending quarrels. However, officials said, most of the battered women separate from the husbands family when filing a case and battling for justice. Sometimes, when we feel that violence verges on a crime, we file a police complaint, said the official. Often, the matter is settled by courts. Our work doesnt end when the verdict is pronounced. We work to secure alimony and report to the court if it is not paid regularly. But the departments mission is undermined by the fact that while many women dont know where to file a compliant, others dont approach the department fearing
social stigma. Such cases are higher in towns and villages, said officials. Mahila Suraksha Samiti yet to be activated While domestic violence is yet to be tackled properly, the state CID (crime) officials have recently written to the home department to start women security committees for cities and districts. Inspector general of police, CID (crime), Anil Pratham told TOI that he looked into committees and found that few activities had been reported. There are some committees in which no activity had been recorded. These committees were formed so that domestic abuse, harassment at workplace or home, and psychological trauma can be dealt with and the burden on women police stations is reduced, he said. Officials said that many of the abused women need legal aid more than police intervention. However, when the committees are without members or resources, they can render no assistance. If the committees are in place, women can directly approach them before going to police stations, said a CID official. If committee members and counsellors feel that criminal charges relating to domestic violence, sexual harassment, or dowry can be invoked, they can contact police. Protection officers are exploited too Womens rights activists in the city say that protection officers appointed to enable victims of domestic violence to file complaints under the Domestic Violence Act are victims of the system themselves. The activists say that instead of permanent positions, protection officers have been appointed on contract by the department of social justice and empowerment. There are reports that protection officers have not received salaries for the past last three months, says an activist. This amounts to exploitation.In some districts, protection officers are not even given basic furniture and have to do their job in humiliating conditions. In the Patan district, the protection officer did not have a table or chair, said another activist. She had to stand outside the office and could sit only when a chair was vacated. DEFINING ABUSE The Protection Of Women From Domestic Violence Act Offers Redress To Women Who Have Been Subjected To Any Of The Following Abuses PHYSICAL Covers physical beating; causing harm or danger to life or limb; criminal intimidation and criminal force. Biting and beating with broom are also within the scope of this section SEXUAL Includes any conduct of a sexual nature that abuses, humiliates, degrades or otherwise violates the dignity of a woman. This includes forcing wife or partner into sexual intercourse, making them watch indecent films or videos VERBAL AND EMOTIONAL Including insults, ridicule, humiliation and name calling, especially with regard to not having a child or a male child
ECONOMIC Includes deprivation of all or any economic or financial resources to which the aggrieved person is entitled. This also includes not allowing a woman to work, disrupting her going to work, not paying money to run the house, not paying the house rental THREATS Repeated threats to cause physical pain to any person in whom the aggrieved person is interested
Thrown out by violent husband?

Wait For Three Months To File A Domestic Violence Complaint!
Radha Sharma & Parth Shastri | TNN

Ahmedabad: Shahnazbanu Taili (23) was married to a boy in Pali, Rajasthan a year ago. She is now back at her paternal home in Vatva after she was kicked out for not bringing any dowry. On June 29, when Taili went to file a complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (PWDV) Act, 2005 which promises to respond to harassed womans case in three days and resolve it in maximum 60 days she was in for a shock. She was asked to come on October 3 three months from now to register a Domestic Incidence Report (DIR). Reason: there is only one protection for the entire Ahmedabad district appointed by the state social welfare department to implement the DV Act. Anjali Padhiyar (name changed), a computer engineer and a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her Australia-based husband who sent her back home, went to file a complaint last week. She has been asked to come back in September. I was hoping for speedy redressal but I am in queue, said Anjali. There is only one woman protection officer to handle the flood of complaints. Each complaint has to be filled in a form that runs into 18 pages. In six months of 2012, this office has filed 450 complaints in the court. Currently, there is a
pendency of 80 complaints. The situation has compounded after March when the second protection officer resigned and the position has not been filled. Sources in the social welfare department said that situation in other districts is worse. The DV Act is one of the best in the country to protect the interest of women. But its implementation is poor, said lawyer Shehnaz Saiyad of Right and Justice Cell, Nyaygruh. Lawyer Meena Jagtap, who handles cases of domestic violence, says that she tried to file cases directly in the court. This proved in vain as the court too gives a date of at least a month and half later as domestic incidence report is a must, said Jagtap. Dr Dinesh Kapadia, director of Gender Resource Centre that trains protection officers, said, We will analyse the situation and make suitable recommendations. P 2 Times View Keep getting beaten up for a few more months before we come and help you. This is the crass message that is being given to victims of domestic violence. It is criminal to have a waiting list of battered women wanting justice just because the social justice and empowerment department does not have enough staff. The vacancies should be filled up immediately. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIA/2012/07/05&PageLab el=7&EntityId=Ar00700&ViewMode=HTML Gujarat EDN TOI 05JUL2012
Whats on Gujarat voters mind?

SEC Plans Survey Aimed At Increasing Turnout In Assembly Polls
Rajeev Khanna | TNN

Gandhinagar: Why do Gujaratis vote? What are the voting patterns? What does youth think about the electoral exercise? To find out the answers, the State Election Commission has undertaken a Knowledge Aptitude Behaviour Practice (KABP) survey with an aim to make interventions to increase voter turnout in the forthcoming assembly polls. The survey is being conducted from last weekend onwards in 21 assembly constituencies covering a sample of 4,500 voters chosen randomly. The exercise is being carried out by Sardar Patel University that was chosen over CEPT and Gujarat Institute for Development Research (GIDR) for the purpose. The aim of the survey is to find out why people vote and why they do not? Why they refrain from getting themselves registered as voters? Why there is a gender
disparity visible in the voting pattern? What the youth has to say about the electoral exercise? an official told TOI. It would also infer whether the voters feel safe while exercising their right to franchise and what leads them to participate in the democratic exercise. Twenty-one teams comprising three members each have been set up to survey four polling stations in each of the chosen 19 districts of Gujarat. These teams have to get questionnaires filled from 60 persons in every polling station. This will provide a sample of 240 persons from every assembly constituency for the experts at the university to analyze statistically. The sample selected would cover people from various economic and social strata of the state. It is after we get the analysis done that we will undertake voter education intervention at the commission level, said the official. The survey is to be completed and the results analyzed by the middle of August. Officials say that the sample selected is fairly big and would provide proper indicators. A similar survey carried out in Uttar Pradesh before the recently held polls had covered 5,000 voters of the state. Citing an example with regards to a KABP survey carried out in Bihar prior to the last assembly polls, an official said, The women respondents had raised the issue of their security when the went out to cast their votes. The Election Commission made certain interventions and the result was that the women voters went on to outnumber their male counterparts.
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Chavan, 12 others, in Adarsh charge sheet

Former chief minister says hes surprised, calls it a move to keep him out of public life
Mumbai Mirror Bureau mirrorfeedback@indiatimes.com
The CBI on Wednesday charge-sheeted Ashok Chavan and 12 others in the multicrore Adarsh Housing Society scam, nearly 18 months after Chavan was forced to quit the chief minister's post on a Congress high command directive. The charge sheet was filed before the Registrar of a session's court around 1.30 pm. The papers were brought to the court in three huge steel trunks. The CBI has accused Chavan of illegally changing the society development plan, and approving the allotment of flats to the civilians in the housing society which
was meant for the widows of soldiers who lost their lives in the Kargil war during his tenure as the State revenue minister in 2001-03, when he had dealt with files regarding the ownership of the land. Chavan has been accused of granting favours to the society as quid pro quo for getting flats allotted to his mother-in-law, his wife's relatives, and to the son of his aide Jayant Shah. The charge sheet also names retired Army officers Major Generals T K Kaul and A R Kumar, Brigadiers Madan Mohan Wanchoo and T K Sinha, Colonel P K Bakshi, former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, IAS officers Jairaj Phatak, Ramanand Tiwari and Subhash Lalla, Adarsh Society secretary R C Thakur, former deputy secretary of State Urban Development Department P V Deshmukh, and former collector Pradeep Vyas. Thakur and Gidwani have been named prime conspirators in the case. The agency had in March arrested nine out of the 14 accused after receiving a rap on its knuckles from the High Court for not initiating action against the accused. The nine who were arrested are Thakur, Wanchoo, Gidwani, Deshmukh, Tiwari, Phatak, A R Kumar, T K Kaul and Pradeep Vyas. They were however released on bail by a special CBI court after the agency failed to file charge sheet within the stipulated 60-day period after the arrests. A defiant Chavan told the media that he was being framed, it was a political conspiracy to keep him out of public life, and that he had done nothing wrong. "This (the charge sheet) is unfortunate and unexpected. The Adarsh housing is only an administrative matter and there is a conspiracy to malign me. The issue has been blown out of proportion," Chavan said, "Neither was I associated with the allotment of land to the society, nor did I have anything to do with the list of its members. I will be proved innocent and emerge out of this conspiracy unscathed." The CBI said in its charge sheet that benami transactions were still under investigation and the agency could file a supplementary charge sheet in the case. The statements of union ministers and former chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde, who are under the scanner in the scam, have not been incorporated in the charge sheet. THE ADARSH WHO'S WHO ASHOK CHAVAN: Accused of giving approvals to the society as a quid pro quo for getting flats allotted to his mother-in-law, his wife's relatives, and to the son of close aide Jayant Shah; accused of illegally approving allotment of flats to civilians in the society. KANHAIYALAL GIDWANI: Main accused in the conspiracy, he allegedly used his contacts and clout with the public servants, and offered them memberships in exchange for favours to the society. MADAN MOHAN WANCHOO AND R C THAKUR: Wanchoo and Thakur are accused of conspiring with Defence services officers and State government officials to illegally get the land allotted in favour of Adarsh Society in which they were members. The CBI alleged that records were manipulated and fabricated to get the land allotted in favour of the housing society in an illegal manner, and also get various
clearances from the civic authorities and the government. P V DESHMUKH: The CBI alleged that Deshmukh, while working as deputy secretary in the State Urban Development Department, in conspiracy with Thakur and others fraudulently communicated to the Chief Engineer (Building Plan), BMC that the Adarsh society need not secure a no-objection certificate from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=9&EntityId=Ar00902&ViewMode=HTML MM
Three incidents that led to the fall of Adarsh

Yogesh.Naik @timesgroup.com
The Adarsh society case and those accused in it have been in the news since 2003. But these are the three controversial incidents in 2010 that got things really heated up: INCIDENT 1: TOP NAVAL OFFICER CALLS BLDG A SECURITY THREAT According to the promoters of Adarsh, a very powerful officer of the western naval command approached them for the allotment of a flat in his name in 2010. When he was told that the building was complete and there were no flats left, he took up the case with the ministry of defence. He also told them that the building was a threat to the security of the naval dockyard and army establishments. The western naval command then asked the MMRDA (the planning authority for the area) not to grant the building an occupation certificate and asked for a list of its members. When Mumbai Mirror contacted this retired naval officer on Wednesday, he said, Rumours about me having demanded a flat have been doing the rounds for a long time. One of the accused and Adarsh promoters, R C Thakur even taunted me by saying, Angoor Khatte hain. What can I say about these people? INCIDENT 2: GENERAL VK SINGH VERSUS GENERAL KAPOOR Retired General Deepak Kapoor was given an out-of-turn allotment in Adarsh society and his membership was cleared by then CM Vilasrao Deshmukh. Top army sources said that when his successor General V K Singh, was to take over, General Kapoor allegedly made things difficult for him. Sources say this prompted General Singh to fuel the Adarsh controversy during his tenure. Nearly 10 army officers including General Kapoor and General N C Vij were in the dock. General V K Singh also asked the top brass of army officers to conduct an inquiry whether the Adarsh society was built on army land. When Mumbai Mirror called him, General Singh was unavailable for comment.
INCIDENT 3: ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CUT OFF AT HARSIDDHI On May 2, 2010, the electricity supply of Harsiddhi a posh society on Worli seaface, a project by IAS and IPS officers was cut off by BEST, allegedly on the orders of then general manager Uttam Khobragade. Lawyer-turned-IPS officer Y P Singh, who also had a house in Harsiddhi, said that the members held a meeting with then chief minister Ashok Chavan, but Chavan refused to intervene. When he learnt that Khobragades IFS daughter Devyani had a flat in Adarsh, Singh pursued the case in High Court and also took up the case in relevant departments like environment and urban development. We had lodged complaints even before the Harsiddhi issue and vigorously pursued the Adarsh case. Those who stay in glasshouses should not throw stones, Y P Singh said. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=9&EntityId=Ar00901&ViewMode=HTML MM
Former chief secretary Sankaran under scanner

Mumbai Mirror Bureau mirrorfeedback@indiatimes.com
The CBI probe into the Adarsh Society scam is far from over, even as it filed the charge sheet naming former chief minister Ashok Chavan and 12 others on Wednesday. Under the scanner is former Chief Secretary D K Sankaran, whose son Sanjoy owns a flat in the Cuffe Parade society. Sankaran was principal secretary of the Revenue Department when the State government issued a letter of intent to the Adarsh promoters in 2002, regarding the handing over of the plot. The CBI has learnt that among the top hierarchy of the Revenue Department at that time, Sankaran was the last bureaucrat to have gone through the Adarsh files before they were sent to Chavan for approval. A CBI source said, "Our Investigation into Sankaran's role is on and it will be made clear when the CBI files a supplementary charge sheet." Sanjoy has told the CBI in his statement that he acquired a flat in Adarsh Society three years after his father's retirement. In the charge sheet, the CBI has not mentioned the benami properties it investigated in the scam. Sources in the agency said that 26 such benami apartments have been identified, which are owned by politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen. The CBI suspects that one of the benami flats could belong to Chavan, the sources said. In the charge sheet, CBI has booked the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act, besides the Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal
conspiracy and cheating. The charge sheet consisting of 160 documents, each having close to 100 pages, says that the land on which the society came up belonged to the State government, but was in possession of the Defence forces. The scam was started by the officers of the Defence forces, who wanted a housing society in south Mumbai. The group identified land further south to the society's location, but dropped the idea of acquiring it since it came under CRZ-1 category, which would not have allowed any construction, the CBI charge sheet said. Later, they identified the Cuffe Parade land, whose ownership was in dispute as it belonged to the State government on paper, but was in possession of Defence Estates Department. To get the project going, the group inducted some serving army officers, including Brigadier Madan Mohan Wanchoo, as promoters. But when they realised that the project would need approval of the State government, they came in contact with former Congress MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani. On Chavan's role, the CBI has said his involvement led to 40 per cent of the flats being reserved in Adarsh for civilians, including bureaucrats. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2012/07/05&Pag eLabel=15&EntityId=Ar01501&ViewMode=HTML MM
US to remove images of Muslim women as SEAL targets

WASHINGTON The US Navy has said it will remove images of Muslim women as targets at a SEAL training range in Virginia Beach, Virginia, after the Pentagon was asked to pull them down. The move came hours after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) asked the Pentagon to remove the images after a daily newspaper, The Virginian-Pilot, publishedaphotoofacardboardtarget, a cutout of a Muslim woman holding a gun and wearing a hijab. CAIR had also raised concern about verses of the Quran that were hanging on the wall behind the cutout of the Muslim woman, reported the New York Daily News. "There are all kinds of people all over the world trying to do us harm," said CAIR spokesperson Ibrahim Hooper said, "Why would you use this particularly image in training people how to kill?" "It creates the impression, we believe, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, that you should view Muslim women in headscarves with hostility and suspicion," the spokesperson added. In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Nihad Awad, CAIR's executive director, said, "The target is 'offensive and sends a negative and counterproductive message to trainees and to the Muslim-majority nations to which they may be deployed'." "We have removed this particular target and Arabic writing in question from the range in the nearterm, and will explore other options for future training," said Lt. David Lloyd, a spokesman for Naval SpecialWarfareGroup2whichoversees SEAL teams.
The council commended the Navy for removing the cardboard cutouts,butaddedthatthemilitarystill needs to work harder to battle the issue of 'Islamophobia'. AGENCIES
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Tamil Nadu Factories Become New Naxalbari

Violent Red-backed militant trade unions quietly setting up base in state
V BALASUBRAMANIAN & SANJAY VIJAYAKUMAR CHENNAI
Industry in Tamil Nadu is trying to come to grips with a startling internal discovery that fringe militant trade unions code phrase for Naxalites have incognito established a foothold in key industrial belts in a state far removed from the heartland of Maoist extremism. In recent weeks, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Employers Federation of Southern India have, in closed-door meetings, discussed how to deal with this problem, two senior members of the associations told ET on condition of anonymity. The CIIs sub-committee on human relations and industrial relations itself is said to have held at least three meetings in this regard. The presence of Naxalites and the associated fear of violence and extremism could be a setback to Tamil Nadu, whose fortunes hinge significantly on industries. The state is home to the most number of factories (more than 21,000) and is the base for top global companies such as Nokia, Dell, BMW, Daimler and Hyundai. A member of the CII said the issue came to light when a number of small and medium companies started getting suspicious about the entry of new labour groups in their plants and decided to investigate. They found a number of militant groups had established themselves in key industrial belts such as Hosur, Sriperumbudur, Gummidipoondi and Cheyyar as well as pockets of Union Territory Puducherry in the garb of institutions supporting womens empowerment, culture and youth. Hosur, bordering Karnataka, is an automobile and auto ancillary hub. Sriperumbudur, where Nokia has its facility, is known for its electronics cluster. Police Sounded Out Informally Sriperumbudur is also the base for auto companies Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW and Mitsubishi Motors. Gummidipoondi houses a slew of steel plants. Cheyyar, an upcoming industrial hub, has managed to take care of the spillover of largely auto companies from the already crowded neighbouring regions Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.
There are concerns that there are Naxalite elements, the CII member said. They are taking law into their own hands. They frequently resort to violence to settle any dispute. Thats a concern. Traditional trade unions dont resort to such means, he said. As an example, he cited the case of the Puducherry-based Regency Ceramics, whose president KC Chandrasekhar was beaten to death by workers in January. ET was shown letters written to the CII by small and medium-sized companies expressing concern over the prevalence of extremist trade unions. The CII representative also disclosed to ET the names of organisations suspected to be fronts for Naxals, but requested the information not be printed as an official police enquiry is not on yet. He said the local police have been informally sounded out. VR Gajendra Kumar, deputy superintendent of police in Sriperumbudur, said he has not received a compliant so far but a top police official in Hosur said the issue was being discussed, again informally. Both the associations are now planning to raise the issue with chief minister J Jayalalithaa and explain how this problem could vitiate the investment climate in the state. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described Maoist extremism as the gravest internal security threat facing India. The emergence of fringe militant outfits as trade unions comes after a gradual worsening of the labour environment in the state. Management-labour confrontations have flared up in recent years in companies such as Hyundai, MRF and Nokia. In one violent episode in 2009, a senior manager at the Coimbatore-based Pricol was killed by angry workers. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=ETNEW&BaseHref=ETM/2012/07/05&PageLabel =2&EntityId=Ar00204&ViewMode=HTML ET
BJP Threatens Poll Petition Against Dada

Show some dignity, this is not an election for student bodies in schools & colleges, retorts Cong
OUR POLITICAL BUREAU NEW DELHI
BJP on Wednesday vowed to file an election petition against UPAs presidential nominee, Pranab Mukherjee, though he rejected its charge that the letter of his resignation from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, was fabricated. Who had forged my signature? I myself ? I do not know what they have said. Who can forge his own signature? This issue we have debated at the office of the Returning Officer and the Returning Officer responded to that, Mukherjee told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
How can somebody lodge a complaint that you forged your own signature, he asked. BJP had said on Tuesday alleged that Mukherjees resignation letter to the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was fabricated. Congress brushed aside these allegations as, frivolous, scandalous and legally untenable. Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, the authorised representative of Mukherjee, said, when you realise that winning the election is absolutely impossible, then you deploy such tricks. The Opposition nominee (PA Sangma) and the parties supporting his candidature should seriously ponder. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari added, this is not an election for student bodies in schools and colleges but presidential poll and should be fought with the dignity attached with it. However, BJP seemed firm about its threat: All options are open...election petition can be filed after declaration of result...we will cross the bridge after receiving the copy of the order on NDAs plea against Mukherjee, Opposition nominee PA Sangmas counsel Satya Pal Jain told reporters here. Jain, who heads BJPs legal cell, accused UPA of lowering the dignity of the post of President and said an election petition was the only remedy once the result was declared. Jain claimed that at the time of filing of nomination, Mukherjee was holding an office of profit as ISIs chairman. Referring to the resignation letter written by Mukherjee to ISI president MGK Menon, he claimed: It is not validly acceptable. Menon is not competent to accept the resignation as Mukherjee had been elected by a Board of Directors of ISI. Jain claimed that as per provisions of the Constitution, Mukherjee cannot contest the poll and his nomination should be nullified. Sangma wrote a letter to the Returning Officer demanding a copy of the detailed order be handed over to him. The Election Commission directed the returning officer to give a copy of the order. BJP will decide on further course of action only after a copy of the detailed order is received. Sangma, meanwhile, held a twohour meeting at leader of Opposition Sushma Swarajs residence in Delhi to discuss further course of action on the matter. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=ETNEW&BaseHref=ETM/2012/07/05&PageLabel =2&EntityId=Ar00201&ViewMode=HTML ET
CHHATTISGARH ENCOUNTER
Sorry if Any Innocent Killed: PC
Centre & state should ensure no harm comes to innocent tribals while forces carry out operations against Maoists, says Congress general secretary Hariprasad
OUR POLITICAL BUREAU NEW DELHI

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said he was deeply sorry if any innocent person had been killed in the June 27 anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh, even as he defended the Central Reserve Police Force. The minister said it was up to the state government to decide whether an inquiry should be initiated into the incident. The encounter, for some reason, is being called a fake encounter. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh spoke to me. As far as any inquiry is concerned, its a call he has to take, he said in Delhi. Chidambaram clarified that the state police had directed the joint operation with CRPF, which left 20 people dead, besides injuring six CRPF jawans. If any innocent person has been killed, I am deeply sorry. If any girl or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed, I can only be deeply sorry, the minister said, I share (Union tribal affairs minister Kishore Chandra) Deos sense of sadness and anguish at the loss of lives. The tribal affairs minister had on Tuesday slammed the Raman Singh-led BJP government in Chhattisgarh over the encounter, saying, indiscriminate firing on women and minors is unacceptable. CHIDAMBARAM DEFENDS CRPF The home minister defended CRPF, saying it had been transparent and candid on the circumstances that led to the killings. CRPF director-general has said he has nothing to hide, nothing to fear...I do not think any central force has been so transparent...I am not going into the political controversies. I am the home minister and the CRPF is under me. We have been absolutely candid, frank and upfront, he said. The minister added that if CRPF was facing casualty in the dark inside the jungle, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) required it to open fire. Chidambaram said most of the persons killed in the encounter were adults, with the youngest being a 15-year-old. At least three of them have been identified as having a criminal record, Chidambaram said. 7 MINORS KILLED: CONGRESS An interim report by a Congress partys fact-finding panel, however, appeared to contest the home ministers claims, while claiming that he may have gone by the state governments incorrect version. According to the preliminary findings of the 14-member panel, headed by Sukma MLA Kavasi Lakhma, a majority of those killed in the encounter were tribals and seven of them were minors, aged between 12 and 16 years. While the preliminary report has not established which side fired first, it says that only four of those killed had criminal cases against them. The panel has said the operation was based on wrong intelligence collected by the state government.
Blaming the state police, the report has slammed the state government for having victimised innocent tribals in the name of an anti-Naxal operation. The report has blamed the encounter on a total miscalculation on part of the state government in assessing the situation on the night of June 27. CONG WILL TALK TO CHIDAMBARAM Confirming that the interim report had been submitted to him, Congress general secretary in charge of Chhattisgarh, BK Hariprasad, said he was awaiting the final report, which he will submit to party president Sonia Gandhi. The party will then take up the matter with the home minister. The Centre and state should discharge their responsibility of ensuring that no harm comes to innocent tribals while security forces carry out their operations against Maoists, Hariprasad said. Blaming the state government, he said, Whatever our home minister is saying is according to a report given by the Chhattisgarh government... I do not agree with the report given by the Chhattisgarh government. The Chhattisgarh PCC had alleged it was a completely fake encounter. Meanwhile, the home ministry has also started working on SOPs to minimize collateral damage in anti-Maoist operations. The forces are likely to be directed to avoid engaging Maoists if the latter resort to using local villagers as human shields. Tweaking SOPs After Encounter THE HOME MINISTRY HAS started working on standard operating procedures to minimize collateral damage in anti-Maoist operations. The forces are likely to be directed to avoid engaging Maoists if the latter resort to using villagers as human shields
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Chargesheet Filed Against Chavan in Adarsh Scam

Ex-chief minister accuses his political rivals of trying to implicate him
PTI MUMBAI
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan was among 13 people chargesheeted by CBI in the Adarsh scam on Wednesday, with the Congress leader being accused of granting some approvals to the upscale housing society here as a quid pro quo for allotment of two flats for his kin. Describing as unfortunate and unexpected the 10,000-page chargesheet in connection with alleged irregularities in the scam, Chavan, who was forced to quit
as chief minister in November 2010 after the scam surfaced, accused his political rivals of trying to implicate him. This (chargesheet) is unfortunate and unexpected. The Adarsh housing is only an administrative matter. However, there is a conspiracy by my rivals to malign me. The Adarsh issue has been blown out of proportion, he said. CBI had registered a case in the scam in the housing society in Colaba on January 29 last year under IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and showing forged documents as genuine, besides sections pertaining to the Prevention of Corruption Act. In its chargesheet, CBI charged Chavan with approving additional Floor Space Index (FSI) for the housing society during his tenure as the chief minister and alleged he gave these approvals as a quid pro quo for getting flats allotted for his mother-in-law and brother-in-law. CBI also accused Chavan of illegally approving allotment of 40% of flats for civilians in the housing society, which was said to be meant for Kargil widows and war heroes, during his tenure as revenue minister in 2001-03. He had dealt with files pertaining to the ownership of land. The chargesheet also named Brig (retd) MM Wanchoo, Major Generals (retd) TK Kaul and AR Kumar, Colonels (retd) TK Sinha and R Bakshi, ex-Congress MLC KL Gidwani, IAS officer Jairaj Phatak and former CIC Ramanand Tiwari. Besides them, society members RC Thakur, PV Deshmukh, Subhash Lala and Pradeep Vyas are also in the list. The chargesheet came notwithstanding the claims made by the Maharashtra government before the Bombay High Court that the agency had no jurisdiction in probing the case. CBI informed the high court that it was going to file a chargesheet in the case after which the agency submitted the document in the sessions court. The statements of union ministers and former chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde, who are under the scanner in the Adarsh scam, have not been incorporated in the chargesheet. Neither was I associated with allotment of land to the Adarsh society nor did I have anything to do with the list of its members, Chavan said. I have full faith in the judiciary and am confident that I will be proved innocent and emerge out unscathed, Chavan said, adding he would be consulting his legal team and decide further course of action on the matter. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=ETNEW&BaseHref=ETM/2012/07/05&PageLabel =14&EntityId=Ar01404&ViewMode=HTML ET
Not Textbook Stuff

The NCERT cartoon issue is more about degeneration of political debate
At its root, the whole controversy on cartoons in NCERT textbooks underlines the malaise afflicting political debate in the country: passions whipped up in aid of divisive political ambitions. Here, rage and slanging matches trump reasoned debate. One of the stated reasons for the order of the six-member panel constituted to review cartoons that politicians and bureaucrats cant be shown in an incorrect way amply reveals that undemocratic spirit. Some of the suggestions of the panel, say, about changing the captions of cartoons that have appeared years ago border on the Orwellian. This is not just tantamount to changing history, it is indicative of school textbooks and curriculum being tinkered with according to ideological inclinations in India. Often, it is one political party or the other raising a furore over such issues, citing the oft-invoked hurt sentiments theory. Which is just another means of reinforcing the social and political faultlines the entire political class thrives on, given that it envisages politics as a competitive identity management project. Just as peoples representatives cannot amend, just because they have a majority, say, the theory of relativity, they cannot decide the school syllabus. There is a National Curriculum Framework, meant to further a consultative approach to framing school textbooks, but that fact is drowned in the cacophony of contesting, and largely manufactured, rage. Of course, school texts have to evolve, cannot, necessarily, remain stagnant as they incorporate evolving history and events. But if there is a situation where a cartoon is presumed to be causing offence decades after it was first published, then that posits the narrowing down, the shrinking, of public debate and tolerance. This also illustrates what the political class thinks of itself: as some sort of a holy cow, whose figures cant be subject to scrutiny or satire. Naturally, this will also affect the already dwindling art of political cartooning in India. When satire, the foundational principle of such cartooning, is sought to made into some sort of blasphemous act, our public culture is bound to get even poorer. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-held-for-labourers-murder/970372/
Two held for labourers murder

Express news service : Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:18 hrs
The Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested two labourers on charges of murdering another labourer, Prakash Salte (35) in Zaveri Bazaar area on Monday. Police said the arrested Ganpat Dhadve (50) and Parshuram Sarafdar (40) have confessed to killing Sathe after an argument over sleeping spots. Salte was found dead on the footpath with ligature marks around his neck. Early on Wednesday morning, we rounded up a few labourers after speaking to those who could have been in the area at the time of murder. The two accused broke down and confessed to the crime, said a Crime Branch officer who did not wish to be named.
According to their statement, Salte came drunk early on Monday morning and started arguing with them. In a fit of rage, they tied a rope around his neck when he slept and killed him. They tried to leave Saltes body hanging from a higher spot to make it look as a suicide but decided against it later and left it under the handcart on which he was asleep, he added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bal-diksha-final-hearing-on-august-1/970374/0
Bal Diksha: Final hearing on August 1

Observing that determining the position of religious custom of Bal Diksha in Jainism under the law would be a complex matter, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday posted the case for final hearing on August 1. The court was hearing a petition filed by Ashok Bagricha father of Priyal from Madhya Pradesh who was ordained as a Jain Sadhvi in 2004 at the age of eight and various Jain trusts who had contended that the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) cannot interfere in the case of Bal Diksha, as it is a centuries-old custom in the religion. In July, 2006, pursuant to court directives, the CWC had interviewed the girl and submitted a report to the court stating that the girl gave tutored replies and was in need of care. The parents of the girl, known as Sadhvi Preetvashashriji after adopting Bal Diksha, and a trust, Shri Jeevatlal Chandrabhan Kothari Jain Sangh in Malad that trained the girl, had challenged this report in the HC. Citing his personal experience, Justice D Y Chandrachud said he had witnessed young Lamas being initiated into monasteries in the North. He said a decision in the case would have wide ramifications. The central government counsel Rui Rodrigues informed the court that the government was yet to take a stand on the issue but would do so at the time of final hearing. Earliler, Rodrigues had placed a gazette notification of July 13, 2009 before the court, which stated that Bal Diksha, Bal Sadhvi, Bal Sanyasi or Bal Sadhu as practiced under the Jain religion do not come under the provisions or the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 or the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000. However, he told the court that this was not the stand of the government as the effectiveness of the notification was yet to be ascertained by the Centre.
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Big bang moment: Scientists may have found God particle
50-Year Search For Higgs Boson Ends In Triumph Geneva: After a quest spanning nearly half a century, physicists on Wednesday said they had found a subatomic particle that may be the elusive Higgs boson, popularly known as the God particle, which is believed to confer mass on matter. Rousing cheers and a standing ovation erupted at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) after scientists presented astonishing new data in their search for the mysterious particle. Many hailed it as a moment in history, and whitehaired veterans of the quest shed tears of joy. The new find is consistent with (the) long-sought Higgs boson, CERN declared in a statement. We have reached a milestone in our understanding of nature, said CERN director general Rolf Heuer. However, Heuer and others cautioned that further work was needed to identify what exactly had been found. As a layman, I would say we have it, but as a scientist I have to say, what do we have? Heuer said, adding, We have discovered a boson, and now we have to determine what kind of boson it is. Finding the Higgs would validate the Standard Model, a theory which identifies the building blocks for matter and the particles that convey fundamental forces. Peter Higgs, the shy, soft-spoken Briton who, in 1964 published the conceptual groundwork for the particle and whose name became associated with it, expressed delight. I never expected this in my lifetime and shall be asking my family to put some champagne in the fridge, the 83-year-old said, sitting next to Belgian physicist Francois Englert, 79, who too has contributed to the theory. AGENCIES QUANTUM LEAP 1 What is the Higgs boson? Higgs is the last missing piece of the Standard Model, the theory that describes the basic building blocks of the universe. In 1964, three scientists, Higgs, Brout and Englert, predicted it must exist to explain the most important property of all matterits mass. However, Higgs boson was never experimentally confi rmedtill now 2 Why is it called God particle? Nobel winning physicist Leon Lederman wanted to title his 1993 book The Goddamn Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, What is the Question? But his editor changed it to God particle. The nickname stuck though most scientists find it misleading 3 How was it found? A Higgs boson-like particle has been discovered at the $10bn Large Hadron Collider, 300ft underground near Geneva. LHC is designed to accelerate protons to very high speeds and then smash them together to create tiny fi reballs, recreating conditions that prevailed when the universe was less than a trillionth of a second old 4 Why is the fi nding important? The discovery would confirm the Standard Model of physics. Other particles predicted by this theory have already been detected. With the missing Higgs boson now believed to be discovered, scientists can look at other riddles of the cosmoslike the mysterious dark matter and energy, antimatter, supersymmetry, etcwith more surety God particle created by Big Bang 13.7bn yrs ago The Standard Model is a hugely successful theory but has several gaps, the biggest of which is why some particles have mass but others do not.
Mooted by Higgs and several others, the boson is believed to exist in a treacly, invisible, ubiquitous field created by the Big Bang some 13.7 billion years ago. When some particles encounter the Higgs, they slow down and acquire mass, according to the theory. Others, such as particles of light, encounter no obstacle. Cern uses a giant underground laboratory where protons are smashed together at nearly the speed of light, yielding sub-atomic debris that is then scrutinized for signs of the fleeting Higgs. The Higgs has been dubbed the God particle because it is powerful and everywhere, yet so hard to find. Over the years, tens of thousands of physicists and billions of dollars have been thrown into the search, gradually narrowing down the mass range where it might exist. Two Cern laboratories, working independently of each other to avoid bias, found the new particle in the mass region of around 125-126 Gigaelectronvolts (GeV), according to data they presented on Wednesday. Both said the results were five sigma, meaning there was just a 0.00006% chance that what the two laboratories found is a mathematical quirk. At a particlephysics conference in Melbourne, a participant said there was a jaw-dropping moment when scientists reacted to the announcement. AGENCIES http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=1&EntityId=Ar00102&ViewMode=HTML
Adarsh scam: Finally, CBI chargesheets 13

Chavan Named, Shinde Cleared, Vilasrao Still Being Probed
Rebecca Samervel & Rajshri Mehta TNN

Mumbai: Seventeen months after it registered an FIR in the Adarsh scam, the CBI on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against 13 politicians, bureaucrats and retired military officers. The case involving the 31-storey tower in Colaba had led to a chief minister stepping down and seven highprofile personalities, including a former BMC chief, getting arrested. The charges filed were for criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct under IPC sections 120(B) and 420 and section 13(1)(d) of the anti-corruption law. The chargesheet runs into over 10,000 pages and was filed before the registrar of the sessions court. It names 12 of the 14 people mentioned in the FIR, including exCM Ashok Chavan, former principal secretary (urban development) Ramanand Tiwari and former BMC chief Jairaj Phatak. Two names in the FIR that are not in the chargesheet are Lt Gen (Retd) P K Rampal and Brig (Retd) Romesh Chander Sharma. The accused got flats or rewards as a quid pro quo in lieu of granting approvals, said CBI sources.
MUMBAIS TOWER OF DECEIT THE 13 NAMED: Ashok Chavan | Kanhaiyalal Gidwani | Ramanand Tiwari | Jairaj Phatak | R C Thakur | Maj Gen (Retd) A R Kumar | Maj Gen (Retd) T K Kaul | Brig (Retd) M M Wanchu | Pradeep Vyas | Brig (Retd) T K Sinha | P V Deshmukh | Subhash Lalla | Col (Retd) R K Bakshi (not named in the initial FIR) 2 names in the FIR have been dropped from the chargesheet: Lt Gen (Retd) P K Rampal & Brig (Retd) R C Sharma CHARGES Criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal misconduct SECTIONS 120 (B) and 420 of IPC and section 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act Maximum Sentence 7 years ROAD AHEAD Legal experts say that Ashok Chavan and others will have to obtain bail from the special CBI court. They are likely to get bail as CBI will not require their custody now that chargesheet has been filed. However, probe into alleged benami deals still on. ED has filed a moneylaundering case against the 14 named in the original FIR http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=1&EntityId=Ar00106&ViewMode=HTML TOI 05JUL2012
Jamiat wants dress code for J&K tourists

M Saleem Pandit TNN Srinagar: Just when tourism is peaking in Kashmir, the Jamiat-e-Islami here on Wednesday asked the state tourism department to announce a dress code for those visiting the Valley, particularly from foreign countries. Jamiat spokesman Zahid Ali said the tourism department must instruct tourists not to wear clothes that are contrary to the local ethos and culture. Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen in mini-skirts and other objectionable dresses that are against our ethos and culture, and unacceptable to civil society, the spokesman said, adding, Kashmiris cannot, for the sake of their economy, give up their divine (sic) values at any cost. Around four lakh tourists have visited Kashmir so far and the government expects more than 13 lakh tourists this yearthe mainstay of its economy. The tourism department ignored the Jamiat statement. We cant instruct tourists to visit the Valley in a particular kind of dress. This wont be taken well internationally, said an official. However, disagreeing with the official line, prominent separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani joined the Jamiat and asked the director of tourism to discourage foreign tourists from visiting the Valley, particularly from Israel. Jamiat: Cultural aggression in J&K
Srinagar: Justifying a dress code for tourists in J&K, the Jamiat-e-Islami said theres a well planned design by anti-Islamic forces to push Kashmiri Muslims away from their religious ethos. The tourism department must not encourage this cultural aggression against Kashmiri Muslims who, on the pretext of promoting tourism, promote vulgarity, alcoholism, drug trafficking and other immoral activities, the Jamiat said. The tourism department said 2012 saw record tourist arrivals in J&K, both domestic and foreign. TNN
Separatist, Jundal mark Indo-Pak talks

TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: Zabihuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal dominated the talks between Indian and Pakistani foreign secretaries on Wednesday, the first day of the two-day dialogue. Although India did not give a dossier on Jundal to Pakistan foreign secretary Jalil Jilani, the visiting team will get copies of the 26/11 plotters passport and ID card to ram home the point that Jundal had received official support in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Jilani is likely to get an earful from foreign minister S M Krishna over his talks with J&K separatists after arriving in Delhi on Tuesday. Krishna plans to make his displeasure clear and tell him it isnt proper to meet separatists before holding talks with official Indian representatives. Continuing talks with Pak a challenge for India New Delhi: Foreign minister S M Krishna, who is scheduled to meet Pakistan foreign secretary Jalil Jilani on Thursday, is unhappy over the latter meeting J&K separatists. In fact, Krishna had ticked off Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar when she had met the Hurriyat leadership last year. Visiting Pakistani leaders and high officials routinely make it a point to meet Kashmiri separatists during their trips to India. In fact, Jilani was expelled from India for passing on funds to the Hurriyat. The discussions between Jilani and his Indian counterpart Ranjan Mathai, according to the MEA spokesperson, stretched over two sessions, covering all aspects of the agenda under the items peace and security as well as J&K. The talks started at 10.30am and spread with a brief working lunch. The foreign secretaries also utilized the lunch to cover a wide variety of issues, the spokesperson said. The talks will continue on Thursday. With terrorism hitting the headlines once again, the biggest challenge for India will be to continue the dialogue with Pakistan despite little progress on Islamabad prosecuting or stopping the terror networks. As one official said, For India, any discussion on peace and security is all about terrorism from Pakistan. Pakistan is looking for concessions from New Delhi in response to it opening up the trade front by giving India the MFN status. Though, Islamabad has made efforts this year to push New Delhi to get a Siachen agreement, but held up a visa agreement and postponed the Sir Creek pact. TNN
School expels boy with a stammer

Rosy Sequeira TNN Mumbai: A six-year-old Pune boy has moved the Bombay high court demanding his right for free and compulsory education after his school refused to promote him to Std I because of his stammering problem. Shaun Santamaria, through his father Francis, has argued that stammering is not a physical disability but can be cured with therapy. In his petition, the student of St Xaviers Pre-Primary School, Camp, has also sought a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the mental trauma caused to his parents by the schools insensitive attitude. Shaun was among 120 out of over 1,000 applicants selected for admission to upper KG in 2011. According to the plea, the institution, run by the Poona Jesuits Schools Society, interviewed all the children before selecting the 120 kids. The boy further pointed out that he had performed well in tests and had secured a fair rating in his final report card. However, the school, citing his speech problem, refused to promote him to Standard I of St Vincents Primary and High School (which belongs to the same group) and instructed his parents to look for some other institution. The petition stated that Shauns parents were shocked by the direction as the admission process at other schools had ended in January 2012. Although the couple admitted that Shaun did have a speech problem, they argued that therapy had helped him and he could now pronounce some of the words he had difficultly with earlier. School liable for action under RTE Mumbai: Shaun Santamaria who, through his father, has moved the Bombay high court challenging the decision of his Pune school not to promote him to Std I because he stammers, said in his petition, The school has termed stammering a physical disability, but it is not as any speech problem can be rectified with therapy. The plea added that the school could have sought the help of a counsellor or child expert to work on Shauns speech. Pointing out that the Right To Education Act mandated free and compulsory education for all children aged 6-14 years, the boy said he had moved the HC for relief as there had been no follow-up by the authorities. It appears the authorities are not serious about protecting the rights of children, the petition said. Shaun said while the familys complaint to the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights did not elicit a response, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had directed the state education department directing to investigate the case and file an action taken report. The director of education (primary), in his June 4, 2012 report, said, Prima facie, the society has mentally harassed the child and his parents, and is liable for action under Section 17 of the RTE. He added that the education officer is thinking of filing an FIR.
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TOWER OF DECEIT
States bid to scuttle CBIs Adarsh probe runs up against defence wall
Society Joins Govt In Seeking Stay On Investigative Agencys Probe, HC To Hear Matter After 2 Weeks
Swati Deshpande | TNN
The states efforts to question the basis of the CBI probe into the Adarsh scam received a big blow on Thursday as the Bombay high court allowed the ministry of defence to apply to oppose the Maharashtra governments stand. While the court was hearing two public interest litigations against the society, the ministry made an oral plea for permission to intervene and contest the Maharashtra governments claim over the land on which the 31-storey tower stands and to the states objection to the CBI jurisdiction in probing the scam. The bench of Justices Sharad Bobde and Mridula Bhatkar directed the MoD to file a written application and asked the state and the Adarsh society to give replies, if any, to the ministrys plea. It then adjourned by two weeks the hearing of the PILs. At the same time, it did not give any relief to the society, which had sought a stay on the CBI probe and on the filing of the investig ative agencys chargesheet later in the day. Before the judges directions came, the court was witness to brief, but impassioned, submissions from various parties, including the state government, the Adarsh society, the CBI, the defence ministry, petitioner Pravin Wategaonkar, and advocate Y P Singh, who appeared as the counsel for the second petitioner. The hearing began with CBI counsel Ejaz Khan stating that the agency would file a chargesheet against Adarsh members at 2pm and Kevic Setalvad, the counsel for MoD, saying that the ministry wished to intervene. The Adarsh societys counsel Shekhar Naphade immediately questioned the need for the defence ministrys intervention when the government of India was already a party to the petition. The state governments counsel Anil Sakhare too objected, claiming that the ministry was raising a dishonest claim over the title of the Adarsh plot. Naphade then asked the court to stay the CBI probe and to defer the filing of the chargesheet until the societys objections are heard. At that, Singh chipped in: The society is playing a game. Naphade shot back: It is not a game; the society, he said, has raised an issue of jurisdiction and was ready to argue its case immediately if Singh was ready. Petitioner Wategaonkar, for
his part, said he had no objection to the defence ministrys intervention. The judges, in the end, directed the MoD to file a written application. Also, they put on hold a plea made by six accused members of Adarsh, including main promoter R C Thakur, who wished to intervene in the matter too, telling their lawyer I P Bagaria, We will hear you after two weeks. MATTER OF JURISDICTION The CBI has jurisdiction to investigate cases on central government properties When the Adarsh case became public in late 2010, defence minister A K Antony, who argued that the Colaba plot belonged to the army, asked the CBI to probe However, on April 13, 2012, the state-appointed judicial commission said that the land belongs to the state The state has now filed an affidavit in the high court questioning the CBIs jurisdiction in the matter However, legal experts said the CBI can be asked to probe by a court and the high court had on Jan 18, 2011 given the CBI two weeks time to take a final decision and register an FIR The FIR was filed 11 days later
Accused slam CMs handling of case

Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN Mumbai: A section of the accused in the Adarsh scam did not take kindly to Prithviraj Chavans expression of surprise at the timing of the CBI chargesheet and criticized the CM for his handing of the controversy. One of the 14 people named in the CBIs FIR told TOI, We feel that Chavan was never serious. He decided to challenge the jurisdiction of the CBI to conduct a probe but it was too late. The state filed an affidavit before the Bombay HC on Tuesday, stating that it never asked the CBI to investigate the Adarsh case. The accused person claimed the CBI launched a discreet probe into Adarsh in August 2010 and a preliminary probe in September 2010. On the basis of information it obtained, the agency lodged an FIR on January 29, 2011. The state, the accused person said, had many opportunities to intervene. The intervention could have occurred after the defence ministry asked the CBI to initiate a probe in November 2010 and the HC sought an FIR in the case in January 2011. A PIL, challenging the allotment of land to Adarsh society, was filed in March 2010.
Following public outrage, the state government set up a judicial commission on January 8, 2011, to figure out the ownership of the land and if there was any reservation for Kargil war heroes. When the HC was hearing the PIL, the state could have brought to the courts notice that it was against a CBI probe, he said. The accused person contended that the state, alternatively, could have argued against the CBI probe on the grounds that the agency and the judicial commission were probing the same case. A former CM argued the state should have taken up the issue with the HC and the defence ministry after the judicial commission said that the Adarsh land belonged to the Maharashtra government and that there was no reservation for Kargil war heroes. It should have asked the CBI to stop investigating further, the ex-CM maintained. Taken by surprise Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said he was surprised at the timing of the CBI chargesheet in the Adarsh case. Talking to the media, he clarified that the state governments affidavit, asserting that it never sought a CBI probe, did not indicate a new stand. This is an old demand and we had hinted at it in earlier affidavits. Asked why ex-CMs were passing on the buck to bureaucrats, he said, They have the right to defend themselves. TNN
Ashok Chavan calls charges unfortunate

Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN Mumbai: Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday called the CBIs decision to chargesheet him in the Adarsh scam as unfortunate and unexpected. He drew attention to the state governments stand that it had never consented for a probe by the investigative agency. Protesting his innocence after the chargesheet was filed, Chavan said, I am not involved in the scam at all. I never allotted the small piece of land to the Adarsh society. It appears that my political rivals are determined to implicate me and oust me from public life. I am sure truth will prevail and I will come out clean and innocent. Chavan said allotment of land to a cooperative housing society is an administrative matter; the Adarsh issue, according to him, was blown out of proportion for political reasons. In the last three to four decades, revenue lands were allotted to several cooperative housing societies. But it was unfortunate that only Adarsh was singled out. After it was found that three of his relatives were allotted flats in Adarsh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had asked Chavan to step down as Maharashtra chief minister. Soon after, while the state government set up a judicial commission, defence minister A K Antony asked the CBI to probe the entire deal. Chavan said it is for the CBI to explain why it did not name his predecessorsSushilkumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukhwho too had dealt with the Adarsh file on several occasions in
its first information report. He dismissed the blame game among the former chief ministers over the Adarsh scam, arguing that it was a creation of the media. I have read the affidavits filed by Shinde and Deshmukh. I dont think they blamed any of the CMs. It was a wrong conclusion that they blamed each other. The former CM said he will decide the future course of action after studying the chargesheet. I have full confidence in our judicial system. In the end, I will come out clean and blotless. According to the CBIs FIR, Chavan, as revenue minister in 2000, took part in a criminal conspiracy to include civilians in Adarsh because he wanted flats for relatives. After the inclusion of civilian members, allotment of land was expedited, the FIR said. Later, as state chief minister in July 2009, he gave the society the concession of 15% recreation ground, which was not allowed earlier. He abused his official position and favoured the society, alleged the FIR.
Applied for flat due to Phataks links, says son

Shibu Thomas | TNN Mumbai: Kanishka Phatak, son of Adarsh accused and former civic chief Jairaj Phatak, told the two-member judicial commission on Thursday that his fathers contacts with ex-MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani were the reason he applied for a flat in the society. My father knew Gidwani when my father was food secretary in Maharashtra government. Gidwani told my father that flats were available in Adarsh and, since a few had been disqualified from the original list of members, I could apply if I met the eligibility criteria, said 29-year-old Kanishka. Kanishka, who is a CA and works for a builder, was a student when he applied for Adarsh membership in 2004. At that time, I was dependent on my father. Kanishka said he paid about Rs 54 lakh for the 605-sq-ft flat. Payments were made to Adarsh by my grandfather, father, loan availed from a bank and sale proceeds from land owned by my family, he added. The panel also grilled Adarsh members Sampat Khidse, who was working in an NGO with links to ex-CM Shivajirao Patil, and Indian Forest Service officer R K Das.
Finance co loaned money for 10 flats

Rajshri Mehta | TNN Mumbai: TOI, in its July 3 edition, had reported that the CBI would file a separate chargesheet
for offences relating to benami properties. In the March 24 edition, TOI had also reported that the CBI and the Income-Tax department are looking into 30 benami flats in Adarsh. During case hearings, the CBI had informed courts that former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani owned six flats in Adarsh, while R C Thakur, the society secretary and one of its main promoters, allegedly owned eight flats. The CBI had also said that Thakur helped finance the flats of eight Adarsh members from SAN Finance, a reported subsidiary of Nagpur-based SMS Infrastructure that is run by Abhay Sancheti. Sanchetis son Paramveer too owns a flat in the building. The Sanchetis are alleged to be close to BJP president Nitin Gadkari. Separately, P Hinduja, a former defence estate officer with a monthly pension of Rs 6,500, had told the two-member judicial commission that he was given a loan of around Rs 65 lakh by SAN Finance without security, documents or mortgage. Sudhakar Mandke, a driver with the Sanchetis group, too said that he was given Rs 60 lakh by the same company. Hinduja and Mandke, however, claimed ignorance about letters from the company which reportedly stipulated that the flats will be transferred to the company if they did not repay the sums.
GOVT GUTTED
CM not keen on Mantralaya reconstruction

Pawar Had Suggested Redevpt
Sandeep Ashar TNN

Mumbai: In a clear indication that he was not in favour of the Mantralaya redevelopment plan, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said: I am not in a great hurry to reconstruct the building. On June 22, a day after a raging fire engulfed the four upper floors of Mantralaya, NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Chavan and suggested that the government consider the redevelopment of Mantralaya. It was to involve demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new one. While claiming that reports of detailed investigations for the gutted floors were yet to arrive, Chavan said the building would be renovated if its structural safety was established. Audits conducted on the basis of visual inspection by an expert team from the National Disaster Management Authority, government engineers and another group of private structural consultants have already ruled that the building was structurally sound overall. Interim reports based on scientific tests conducted by the private consultants have endorsed this view, while pointing out certain structural
damage to concrete portions (pillars, beams and columns) in parts of the gutted floors. Chavan shared plans for Mantralayas renovation, which, he hinted, could be carried out in two phases. The fire-ravaged upper floors will be taken up in the first phase and the lower floors in the second phase, Chavan said, reiterating that the restored building would not include the contentious seventh floor, which was allegedly constructed without due permissions. The NCP-controlled public works department had originally moved a plan for Mantralayas redevelopment, which was later withdrawn. Following Pawars suggestion, all eyes were on Chavan. The CM said a minor makeover in the design of the building was under consideration. He also suggested that some departments could be shifted out of Mantralaya. E-lessons from Guj Ateam of officials from the state government will visit Gujarat later this week to study the e-file option implemented by the Narendra Modi government. After thousands of files were burnt in the Mantralaya fire, Chavan and other senior functionaries had stressed the need to implement the paperless office system on priority basis. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=3&EntityId=Ar00308&ViewMode=HTML
Kidnap case against Laila stepdad, hubby

S Ahmed Ali TNN Mumbai: The city crime branch probing the disappearance of starlet Laila Khan on Wednesday registered a kidnapping case against her stepfather Asif Shaikh and husband Parvez Tak. Sources said a special team of the crime branch would now take the help of the Kashmir police to trace Khan and her three kin who went missing last year. Tak and Shaikh are prime suspects as Khan was last seen with them. We have approached the Jammu police with a request to hand over the custody of Tak, who was arrested by them last month, said Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (crime). Tak, the police suspect, has some terror connection that needs to be probed. According to the police, Tak allegedly cheated a Punjabi woman of gold ornaments after promising to marry her. He also allegedly conned a Jammu local of Rs 4-5 lakh on the pretext of getting a government contract.
Final hearing of child diksha plea on Aug 1
Rosy Sequeira TNN Mumbai: Observing that it is a matter that will have wide ramifications, the Bombay HC on Wednesday posted to August 1 the final hearing of a petition which asserts that child diksha or renunciation is a practice integral to Jainism. Justices Dhananjay Chandrachud and Ramesh Dhanuka will hear and give their verdict on a petition filed by Ashok Bagricha and others challenging the Child Welfare Committees jurisdiction. In March 2004, the diksha ceremony of an eight-year-old girl was reported to CWC by the Childline NGO. In July 2006, the HC directed CWC to find out if she had taken diksha voluntarily. CWC reported that she needed care but her parents challenged the CWCs order in the HC, which granted a stay.
Dawoods brother denies return plan

Mateen Hafeez TNN Mumbai: Underworld don Dawood Ibrahims younger brother Mustaqueem Ali Kaskar has rubbished media reports that he wants to return to India because of a conflict with Dawood. TOI is the first paper to talk to Kaskar who has been in the news over his supposed desire to return to India. Why should I come to India? I dont want to return to be killed or harassed, Kaskar told TOI. A section of the media reported that I had an argument with bhai (Dawood) and that I want to surrender before the UAE police so that I can return to India. Bhai has taken care of us like a father. He is my brother and if I have committed a mistake, I will apologize to him, said Kaskar. All the reports of my return are false. I am not returning India as of now. Kaskar, now 42, said he left India when he was 16. He studied up to class IX at Ahmed Sailor Urdu High School in Nagpada. This is the same school where Dawood and his siblings studied. My father took me and my brother Noora to Dubai to set up our business. Initially, I ran two boutiques but shut them down eventually. Now, I run my own garment factory, he said. Kaskar claims he is being portrayed as a criminal even though there are no criminal case against him. I got married to girl from Uttar Pradesh. The video of my wedding was aired by a private news channel for two days. Is getting married a crime, asked Kaskar. He has two daughters and two sons, all of whom are now studying in an English-medium school in Dubai. Kaskar said, My elder brother Iqbal returned to India only to spend four-and-a-half years in jail. Even today, he cant roam around freely. His driver was killed driver last year. I dont want to come to India to be killed. There are times when Kaskar wants to come back. Sometimes, I feel like visiting my parents grave. But I dont want to invite trouble and that is why I have no plans to return to India, he said. Talking about his current location, Kaskar said, I am in Singapore. Travelling is my hobby.
THE D CLAN: DON & HIS SIBLINGS Saeeda (dead) Sabir Ahmad (killed in1981) Dawood Hasan Nurul Haq alias Noora (Died in Pakistan) Iqbal Hasan (Stays in Nagpada) Anees Ahmad Haseena Ismail Parkar Zaitoon Antuley Farzana Tungekar Mumtaz Shaikh Mustaqeem Ali Mohammed Humayoon
ELECTROCUTION IN POWAI
Power utility not at fault: Police

Chittaranjan Tembhekar TNN
Mumbai: The probe into the death of two children who were electrocuted in Powai on Monday has revealed that if the power supplier had installed an earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB), then their lives could have been saved. The incident occurred at around 8.15pm near Valmiki Temple at Prem Nagar in Tunga village, Powai, when Sagar (13) and Mohammed Sayyed (10) entered a waterlogged portion in the locality after a heavy downpour. The insulation of an internal wire was damaged and the live wire came in contact with a ladder on which the children were playing, said experts who surveyed the accident spot.
State energy department officials said the power consumers internal network did not have a miniature circuit breaker (MCB) which cuts off the supply immediately. In old colonies or slums, circuit breakers are absent and hence people are exposed to the hazard, said an energy department official. In this case, the electrical fault was not on the main supply line of the power supplier, Reliance Infrastructure, but on the consumers internal network, said a senior official. It is mandatory for the supplier to check and certify the power network in buildings every five years. However, this has not been done anywhere in the state. Suppliers must urge people to instal circuit breakers, he added. RInfra officials said awareness is being spread on safety gadgets. Investigators lamented the fact that the consumers never replaced the wiring even after 20 years. A senior electrical engineer said most residential and commercial in the city flouted norms. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/deeply-sorry-if-innocents-were-killed-inchhattisgarh-pc/970531/
Deeply sorry if innocents were killed in Chhattisgarh: PC

Express news service : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:55 hrs
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today defended the CRPFs role in last weeks anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh in which 19 people were killed, but said he was deeply sorry if any innocent villagers were among the victims. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Chidambaram said he was deeply sorry if any girl, or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed. However, he said the role of the CRPF was transparent and upfront. Locals and politicians in Chhattisgarh, including from the Congress, have alleged that many of those killed may not have been Maoists. The CRPF has said that at least six of those killed and one among the injured had Naxal records, while the backgrounds of others are still being investigated. The CRPF DG has said he has nothing to hide, nothing to fear... I do not think any central force has been so transparent. I am not going into the political controversies. I am the home minister and the CRPF is under me. We have been absolutely candid, frank and upfront, said Chidambaram. It is for the Chhattisgarh government to decide whether they want an inquiry, he added. Chidambarams comments came as the CRPF said it would reconstruct the entire encounter site at Sarkeguda to prevent any possible error in future operations.
We will reconstruct the scene of operation to figure out future strategies. As far as our analysis is concerned, we have not gone wrong anywhere with the way the operation was carried out, a top CRPF officer said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/day-after-akhilesh-drops-carsfrommlafundidea/970533/
Day after, Akhilesh drops cars-from-MLA-fund idea

Express news service : Lucknow, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:00 hrs
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday withdrew his decision to allow MLAs and MLCs to spend up to Rs 20 lakh from their local area development fund to buy vehicles for personal use, a day after making the announcement. A decision was taken yesterday. This was my decision... I take back the decision, Yadav told reporters here, adding that adverse reports in the media and criticism by MLAs had prompted the rollback. Many legislators are not in favour of using the fund for buying vehicles, he said. Akhilesh said he believed the government should accept good suggestions in a democracy. However, he defended his decision, saying he wanted to help legislators who could not afford to buy a vehicle to stay in touch with their area, and that it wasnt compulsory for them to do so. The BJP, BSP, Congress and RLD had all opposed the move, adding their MLAs would not use money for buying cars. Just last month, the SP government had been forced to do a U-turn within 24 hours on another order, seeking that shops and restaurants shut down early in view of the power shortage in the state.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cbi-names-excm-chavan-in-adarsh-scamchargesheet/970526/0
CBI names ex-CM Chavan in Adarsh scam chargesheet

Sukanya Shetty : Mumbai, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:41 hrs
The CBI today charged former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and 12 others for a slew of alleged crimes in the Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society scandal, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, showing forged documents as genuine and corruption. The CBI chargesheet came 17 months after it began probing the case in which politicians, bureaucrats and former defence officials are accused of building the 31-storey apartment complex on a disputed plot in a plush South Mumbai area in violation of state and Central laws. The accused or their relatives own apartments in the Cuffe Parade complex, many of them reportedly secured as a quid pro quo for allowing the building. Chavan, who had to resign as chief minister in November 2010 after the scandal became public,
is accused of granting some approvals to Adarsh in return for three flats to his close relatives, including his mother-in-law. Reacting to the chargesheet, Chavan said it was unfortunate and unexpected and accused his political rivals of trying to malign him by blowing the issue out of proportion. The chargesheet filed in the Sessions Court, which runs into over 12,000 pages, includes 12 of the 14 names mentioned in the FIR registered in the case in January 2011. While the names of two military officers, Romesh Chandra Sharma and P K Rampal, have not been included, a new name, Col (Retd) R K Bakshi, has been added to the chargesheet. Bakshi had allegedly given a letter certifying that the land did not belong to the Army, CBI sources said. Besides Chavan and Bakshi, the chargesheet names retired Army officers Brig M M Wanchoo, Maj Gen T K Kaul, Maj Gen A R Kumar, Col T K Sinha, suspended IAS officer Jairaj Phatak, former chief information commissioner Ramanand Tiwari, former Mumbai collector Pradeep Vyas, retired deputy principal secretary P V Deshmukh, former State Human Rights Commission member Subhash Lala, former state Congress spokesman K L Gidwani and retired defence estates officer R C Thakur. The CBI said it had 160 important documents to back its charges. It said Thakur and Wanchoo conspired with defence officers and state government officials to illegally allot the land to Adarsh in which they were members. Maj Gen Kumar, it said, abused his position and fraudulently issued a purported no-objection certificate to the Mumbai collector for development of the plot. The CBI has also alleged that Congressman Gidwani had joined the conspiracy, exercising his personal influence with public servants in the state government and offering them memberships for granting favours to the society. Nine of the 14 named in the FIR had been arrested and are now out on bail. None of the accused were present in court when the chargesheet was filed and chose to be represented by their lawyers. The investigation with respect to benami transactions, and any other new facts that may emerge is still continuing, and a report under Section 173 of the CrPC will be filed after completion of investigation, the CBI said in a statement, indicating that it could file a supplementary chargesheet. CBI sources said the statements of former chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde do not form part of the 150 witness statements incorporated in the chargesheet. The two, who are now in the Union Cabinet, are also alleged to have given approvals to Adarsh. Investigations are still on. We have left the investigation open against a bunch of people, including Deshmukh and Shinde. A provision under CrPC allows us to continue with the investigations even after filing of the chargesheet. A clean chit has not been given to anyone at this point, said a CBI officer. The trial against the 13 charged on Wednesday, however, cannot start immediately as two of them, Vyas and Phatak, are still in service and the Department of Personnel and Training needs to give its approval. The court cannot take cognizance until the sanctioning authority grants sanction. We have to explain each section and charges levelled against the two and seek permission. The court cannot proceed until procedural requirements are completed, said the CBI
officer, adding that the agency has already approached the state government.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/4legged-osama-hunter-adds-teeth-tocrpf/970532/0
4-legged Osama hunter adds teeth to CRPF

VijaitaSingh : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:57 hrs
They can walk 20 km without a break, detect explosives two miles away, and sniff out suspects in a room. One of them was probably part of the Navy SEALs team that hunted down Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad last year. CIA chief and former commander of US and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David H. Petraeus, says the capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine. The Belgian Malinois, a medium-sized member of the sheepdog family, is the toast of several police departments and security forces around the world. The CRPF has now joined the fan club since last month, 24 Belgian Malinois dogs have been deployed with CRPF teams in Naxalhit areas and in Jammu and Kashmir. The dogs were raised at the CRPFs training school in Taralu, Karnataka. They are quicker than German Shepherds, and are capable of attacking a suspect or criminal within seconds, said a senior officer who trained them. Dr D J Singh, commandant of the Dog Breeding and Training Centre, said the Belgian Malinois were rugged and had great stamina. They thrive in adverse situations. Considerable time is spent on their training. We hope to have about 3,000 of these dogs in four years. The 69th pup was born last month at the centre. Our dogs have been trained in infantry patrolling. We can fit small cameras with night-vision facilities on their heads, said the officer who trained them. Their size is an advantage; they go where humans cant. P M Nair, CRPFs IG (Operations), said the force was waiting for ground reports to assess the dogs performance.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kazmi-tells-police-iran-guard-unit-attackedisraeli-diplomat/970530/0
Kazmi tells police Iran Guard unit attacked Israeli diplomat

VijaitaSingh : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:54 hrs
A police officer probing the February 13 attack on an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi has claimed that journalist Syed Mohammad Ahmed Kazmi, arrested for allegedly aiding the attack, told investigators that the module behind the attack belonged to the Quds Force which conducts overseas operations for Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to Kazmis interrogation report, Houshang Afshar Irani, who allegedly stuck a magnetic bomb on the Israeli embassy vehicle carrying Tal Yehoshua Koren, had initially planned to strike on January 22 but deferred it at the last moment. Phone call records and investigations revealed that Kazmi had not been in touch with the Iranian suspects after June 2011 when he visited Tehran. It is alleged it was there that he met his handler, Syed Ali Sadr Mahdian, who asked him to avenge attacks on nuclear scientists which Iran blamed on Israeli agents. Kazmis family has maintained that he had gone to Tehran to cover the 22nd death anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini. On June 19, police in Mombasa, Kenya, arrested two Iranians on suspicion of plotting bomb attacks around the Israeli embassy there. Police recovered 15 kg of RDX. Agency reports said Ahmed Abolfathi Mohammad and Sayed Mansour Mousavi belonged to the IRGC. Several hotels along the Kenyan coast are owned by Israelis. During his interrogation, Kazmi mentioned that the Iranian suspects belonged to the Quds Force but we have little to prove this claim in court. Until the four suspects are arrested, nothing much can be said. If necessary, we will seek the help of Kenyan authorities to join the dots, said a senior officer who is investigating the attack. According to Kazmis interrogation report, Houshang Afshar Irani, who flew to Kuala Lumpur from Delhi on the day of the attack, was scheduled to travel to Tehran via Doha on January 22, the original date for the attack. Earlier, investigators had linked the Delhi attack to a botched terror attack in Bangkok on February 14 and blamed it on a module headed by Sadaghatzadeh Masoud, arrested in Kuala Lumpur on February 15 as he tried to flee. Red corner notices have already been issued against the three suspects Houshang Afshar Irani, Syed Ali Sadr Mahdian and Abolghasemi Mohammad Reza who are believed to be in Iran.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/truth-not-selectively/970558/0
Truth, not selectively

PLANNING Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has responded to a Delhi Confidential item published on Wednesday: The Delhi Confidential section of 4th July reports that as a result of RTI queries on the expenses incurred on my official foreign travel, my office has instructed the RTI cell to show me the details of information being released before it is given out. The fact is I had instructed some months ago that any information relating to individuals should also be shown to them. For myself I have instructed that all information about myself given in response to RTI queries will also be put out as a Press Note and posted on our website. I am a strong supporter of the RTI but I believe the purpose of the RTI is to increase transparency.
This is best done by making information released also publicly available to all, and not only to the individual seeking information, to be used, at times selectively, in so called expos. The truth will make us free only if it is known fully to all, not selectively to those asking questions. CAPITAL GAINS EVEN as they await police permission for holding their fast in Jantar Mantar, Team Anna has decided to dedicate 17 days more than in any other state for a yatra in Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Kumar Vishwas will tour various parts of Delhi and NCR from July 622 to garner support for their indefinite fast from July 25. The prolonged schedule may not be commensurate with the size of Delhi but as the experience in Mumbai last December showed, when it comes to the anti-corruption movement, Delhi has the most probably the only receptive ears. BY THE BOOK AFTER being nominated the presidential candidate of the UPA, senior leader Pranab Mukherjee has given up all official posts and facilities that he availed as a senior minister of the government. He has already hit the presidential election campaign trail in commercial flights as well as an aircraft that has been chartered by the Congress party for him. He has, however, retained his official vehicle (from the Defence Ministry pool), which he has had with him since the time he headed the Defence Ministry. The Election Commission granted Mukherjee permission to continue using the reinforced bulletproof Ambassador, for security reasons. SEATING SPECULATION AT the first meeting of the Cabinet after the resignation of presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, many were keen to see who occupies the chair vacated by the Congress stalwart in a bid to know the new pecking order within the Cabinet. There were no surprises though. It was Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar who sat besides the Prime Minister, where Mukherjee once used to sit. However, it might take another Cabinet meeting to decide whether Pawar indeed is the new No. 2 in the government now. This is because Defence Minister A K Antony was unable to attend this meeting. WATCHING BRIEF WEDNESDAY happened to be the last day of tenure of many Additional Solicitor Generals who are representing the Centre in various high courts. The government till now has neither extended their tenure or appointed replacements for them. Though the grapevine has it that most of them will be given another three-year terms, the file regarding their reappointment is said to be awaiting the final approval. With many of them having to appear in the courts on Thursday, they were hoping for a late night order from the government. Otherwise, there is the possibility of the courts refusing to accept them as governments law officers.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/probe-finds-24-benami-deals-bjp-mp-punebuilder-under-scanner/970528/0
Probe finds 24 benami deals, BJP MP, Pune builder under scanner
Smita Nair , Sukanya Shetty : Mumbai, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:48 hrs
The CBI probe into the Adarsh Housing Society scam has reportedly found 24 cases of benami ownership. These include the BJPs Rajya Sabha MP from Nagpur, Ajay Sancheti, Pune-based builder Jayant Shah and two promoters of Adarsh R C Thakur and Kanhaiyalal Gidwani CBI sources told The Indian Express. The agency is continuing with its investigations under the Benami Transactions Act. CBI sources said the names of the suspected owners have been under the scanner and could be added to the chargesheet, if not already present, if evidence is found. At least 15 of these flats are, in fact, owned by politicians. We went through bank account details of some registered apartment owners and found they only acted as a front for actual buyers, said a CBI source. Sancheti, a Nagpur-based businessman, is the joint managing director of SMS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. He is a BJP leader and is known to be close to party president Nitin Gadkari. CBI sources said Sanchetis company driver Sudhakar Madke, who earned a monthly salary of Rs 8,600, is one of the owners of a flat in Adarsh. He has paid Rs 60 lakh for the plush property. We are also probing if Sancheti has any further involvement in the case, said the officer. When contacted on his cellphone, a person identifying himself as Sanchetis personal secretary said, He is out of the country and will return only on July 18. Jayant Shah, CBI sources alleged, also owns benami flats in the building. It is alleged that Adarsh society member Malav Shah showed that he bought a flat after borrowing Rs 10.95 lakh from his father Jayant. However, it has allegedly been found that Malav gave a loan of Rs 65.05 lakh to former chief minister Ashok Chavans mother-in-law Bhagwati Sharma and Rs 70.51 lakh to Madanlal Sharma. Shah could not be reached for comment. Shah, according to the CBI, had also allegedly loaned Rs 30 lakh to former Congress MLC and Adarsh promoter Kanhaiyalal Gidwani and Rs 23 lakh and Rs 27 lakh to his relatives Kailash Gidwani and Amit Gidwani, respectively. Also, Jairaj Estates, a firm in which Jayant Shah is a partner, allegedly loaned Rs 25 lakh to Kanhaiyalal. CBI sources also said that tracking the chain of financial transactions, they found the Gidwanis had apparently loaned Rs1.04 crore to two other members of Adarsh Amol Karbhari and Kiran Bhadange. The sources said the agency is also probing benami flats owned by R C Thakur. As of now I am certainly not aware. The issue is about land. I cannot comment as I have not seen the chargesheet. Let the probe continue and I will speak at the right time, Thakur said when reached for his comment.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/god-particle-is-found-devil-is-in-the-
details/970529/0
God particle is found, devil is in the details

Associated Press : Geneva, Thu Jul 05 2012, 02:50 hrs
JOHN HEILPRIN To cheers and standing ovation, scientists at the worlds biggest atom smasher claimed the discovery of a new subatomic particle today, calling it consistent with the long-sought Higgs boson, popularly known as the God particle. We have now found the missing cornerstone of particle physics, Rolf Heuer, Director of the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), told scientists. He said the newly discovered subatomic particle was a boson, but stopped just shy of claiming outright that it was the Higgs boson that helps explain what gives all matter in the universe size and shape an extremely fine distinction. As a layman, I think we did it, he told the elated crowd. We have a discovery. We have observed a new particle that is consistent with a Higgs boson. Until now a theoretical particle, the boson is seen as the key to understanding why matter has mass, which combines with gravity to give an object weight. Two independent teams at CERN said Wednesday they have both observed a new subatomic particle a boson. Heuer called it most probably a Higgs boson, but we have to find out what kind of Higgs boson it is. The leader of one of the two teams, Joe Incandela, said it was too soon to say definitively whether it is the standard model Higgs that Scottish physicist Peter Higgs and others predicted in the 1960s part of a standard model theory of physics involving an energy field where particles interact with the Higgs boson. As a layman, I think we have it, Heuer said. But as a scientist, I have to say, What do we have?... It is consistent with a Higgs boson as is needed for the standard model. We can only call it a Higgs boson... not the Higgs boson.
Under probe NDA commandant shifted

Staffer To Lt Gen Jatinder Singh Also Held In Hiring Scam
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The ministry of defence (MoD) on Wednesday transferred commandant of the Pune-based National Defence Academy (NDA) Lt Gen Jatinder Singh after the CBI told the ministry that he was under investigation in a recruitment scam in the prestigious military academy. Lt Gen Singh has been attached to the army headquarters and is being investigated in the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of civilian employees to the NDA. A ministry spokesperson said defence minister A K Antonys order was with a view to ensuring a free and fair investigation in the alleged bribery racket in the recruitment of Group C posts in the NDA. Over the last few days, the CBI has arrested many NDA employees and touts, including the staff officer to Lt Gen Singh, Col Kulbir Singh, and another Col A K Singh. The establishment officer of the NDA, Suhas Shankar Waghmare, and at least five others are also in the CBI net. The involvement of several employees of the NDA had been a major embarrassment for the military top brass. But now with the CBI saying that Lt Gen Singh himself was under probe, the situation is taking a far more serious turn. During raids last week, the CBI had recovered Rs 1.76 crore cash and a list of names of candidates, interview letters and also a list of those who had paid bribe. The accused had taken signatures of candidates who had paid bribes on blank sheets and later filled them with correct answers, the CBI suspects. The investigation agency has also arrested a food stall owner in Pune, his employee and two touts during the investigation. The CBI believes the conspiracy was to collect bribes of Rs 3 lakh-Rs 4 lakh from each candidate to give them appointment in the NDA as cooks, gardeners, lab attendants, library attendants and cadet orderly. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=8&EntityId=Ar00800&ViewMode=HTML
At 8.2%, Mahas conviction rate worst

Lags Behind Even UP, Bihar; Disconnect Between Investigation, Prosecution Blamed
Deeptiman Tiwary TNN

New Delhi: Maharashtra, which prides itself on law and order and its Mumbai police puts itself second only to Scotland Yard, has the worst conviction rate in the country. Lagging behind even Bihar and UP, it is the only state in the country that has a conviction rate in single digit at an abysmal 8.2%. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures for 2011 show that one of the states with the best conviction rates is Kerala, which incidentally also has the highest rate of crime. Conviction rates reflect how best the police of state
investigate a case to take it to logical conclusion and ensure punishment to the guilty. Detection of offences and conviction are the best way to prevent crime. It creates fear of the law in criminals. While Bihar has a conviction rate of 15.5%, UP has an impressive rate of 59.6% a figure that should bring cheer to its young CM Akhilesh Yadav, who recently came to power on the promise of better law and order. The best figures in conviction come from the northeast with states such as Mizoram and Nagaland clocking nearly 90%. Leaving aside Mizoram (89.5) and Nagaland (88), Kerala is second that too marginally only to Uttarakhand with a rate of 65.5%. In Maharashtra, sources said, the low conviction rate is due to the disconnect between investigating agencies (police machinery) and prosecution (government lawyers). While in states such as Kerala, the prosecution is consulted by investigating agencies right from the time an offence is registered to give the investigation the right direction, in Maharashtra the norm has been to rope in the prosecution only after the case is chargesheeted. To correct the imbalance, the Maharashtra government had set up a committee two years ago which recommended that there be weekly meetings between the prosecutors and the investigators (during probe and not after chargesheet is filed). It also recommended monthly conferences among superior investigating authorities and representatives of the prosecutors office to deliberate on the ongoing cases and a half-yearly meeting between handpicked representatives of the police, the judiciary and the prosecution. It also recommended that the state police maintain a calendar of evidence for easy prosecution. Certain mechanisms were put in place after the committees report came out last year, but they clearly havent helped much as the states conviction rate is worse than last year, when it was 9%. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=8&EntityId=Ar00802&ViewMode=HTML
UP CM takes U-turn on cars for MLAs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Lucknow: Inviting comparisons with Mayawatis profligate ways, a rattled UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday rolled back his decision to allow all legislators to purchase fourwheelers worth up to Rs 20 lakh from their local area development fund. This is the second time Akhilesh has been forced to revoke his decision within 24 hours in the past three weeks. Last month, he rescinded his order to shut down malls and shops across the state by 7 pm to help tide over the power crisis. I take back the decision. The reason is that MLAs have decided not to take the offer after
media criticism, a visibly upset Akhilesh told reporters at his residence. He defended the decision saying its spirit was not understood and it was not compulsory for every legislator to buy a vehicle. He said it was meant only for those MLAs and MLCs who cannot afford a car. I felt that since MLAs have to move constantly, a vehicle will help them visit remote areas and monitor development effectively, he said. Akhilesh also said that many legislators told him that they had seven- to eightyear-old vehicles which were no longer suitable for travelling over large distances. But, incongruously, after blaming the media for misunderstanding his decision, Akhilesh said the rollback should be seen as a sign of healthy democracy where due weightage was given to the positive suggestions by the opposition parties. Akhilesh had also announced an increase in local area development fund from Rs 1.25 core to Rs 1.50 core, which was welcomed by all parties.
Pinki case: Rights panel steps in

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Kolkata: The state human rights commission on Wednesday instructed director general of police, home secretary and health secretary to inquire into the allegation that former athlete Pinki Pramaniks human rights are being violated. The commission chairperson Justice Asok Ganguly asked the three officials to submit the inquiry report within two weeks. The commission stepping in could come as much-needed relief for Pinki. On Tuesday, the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights and the Nari Nirjatan Protirodh Mancha submitted a memorandum with the commission, seeking justice for the athlete. Representatives of the two organizations complained that the athletes human rights were being violated. Some of the issues raised by the APDR in the memorandum were that Pinki was escorted by cops who touched her, she being frequently taken for gender verification tests and an MMS of her test being circulated.
Lakhvi continuing anti-India ops from jail

M Saleem Pandit TNN
Srinagar: Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the jailed mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is still active, commanding the main Lashkar-e-Taiba communication centre from within Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.This came to light after J&K police busted a recruitment module of the LeT and arrested seven local recruits of the terror outfit on Wednesday. Lakhvi is running the centre with one of his five jailed associates, Hanzullah, given the task of reviving terror groups in J&K through Fahadullah, a Pakistani Lashkar commander in Sopore, north Kashmir. Local militants were recruited with the aim of building a network of LeT operatives to be tasked with executing various terrorist acts, said Sopore SP Imtiyaz Hussain. They were in criminal conspiracy with one Pakistani terrorist, Fahadullah, who operates from Sopore. Fahadullah was receiving directions from one Hanzullah, a LeT commander based in a Pakistani jail, he added. The JUD chief and five of his Lashkar associates are being tried inside the Adiala jail by a judge of the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. However, reliable sources said Lakhvi and his five associates live a life of luxury inside the jail. They also use sophisticated communication gadgets to pass on instructions to their men operating in the Valley. According to Husain, Fahadullah is the only surviving LeT terrorist of Pakistani origin still active in Sopore. He said some members of the busted module were preparing to visit Pakistan on legal documents to get further training in bomb making and other terrorist activities, while others were preparing for actions like grenade attacks on VIP rallies and attacks on police and security forces.
US software, live TV used for 26/11

Neeraj Chauhan TNN New Delhi: The 26/11 attacks would have featured 12 terrorists had the Lashkar-e-Taiba bosses not pulled out two jihadis at the last minute. Sources said two more membersQasim and Abdullah were trained and were supposed to enter Mumbai along with Ajmal Kasab and the others. Syed Zabihuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal has told investigators that their training concluded in July-August 2008 but the duo was held back for another attack. Twelve members were trained by Jundal in speaking Hindi and on understanding the locations of Mumbai, a top official said. Jundal has not disclosed the whereabouts of these two militants. Giving more details about the control room set up for the 26/11 operation, Jundal has claimed that call phonics, a US registered software, was used by the handlers to make calls using voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Sources said LeT members had bought the software from a shop in Islamabad and it was installed in four laptops kept in the control room along with two TV sets and a satellite phone. The control room was set up a day before the attcks, Jundal said. Calls were made using laptops while the handlers watched the attack live on TV and gave
necessary directions to the 10 terrorists. Jundal further said that he had spoken to Abu Fahadullah, who was present at the Oberoi hotel, on November 26 and then he spoke to Abu Akasha, who was present at Chabbad House, on November 27. Jundal had given directions to Akasha to kill Jews at Chabad House and to Fahadullah to kill foreigners at the Oberoi, sources said.
26/11 control room not possible without Pak state support: PC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: Home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday put more pressure on Pakistan by reiterating its involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks at a time when foreign secretary-level talks are taking place between the two countries. Chidambaram said it had become increasingly clear that state actors were involved in executing the 26/11 attacks and that the terror control room could not have been established in Pakistan without state support . Chidambaram said India knew who had trained Ajmal Amir Kasab and nine other terrorists who carried out the terror strikes in Mumbai, who briefed them and how the control room, from where directions were given, had functioned. It is no longer possible to deny that though the incident happened in Mumbai, there was a control room in Pakistan before and during the incident. Without state support, the control room could not have been established, he told reporters. Quizzing Jundal jointly with NIA, Delhi police tells court New Delhi: The Delhi police on Wednesday told a trial court that the NI was jointly interrogating 26/11 handler Syed Zabihuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal with it. The reply came on a plea filed by NIA seeking custody of Jundal. The NIA, on its part, said it wanted custodial interrogation of Jundal to get more information. TNN
NDA govt to blame for IAS, IPS shortfall

TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: At a time when there is a severe shortage of IAS and IPS officers, home minister P Chidambaram has blamed the NDA regime for the mess.
Calling the shortfall a result of the misconceived policy of the previous NDA government, Chidambaram said on Wednesday that steps were being taken to recruit officers in both categories to make up for the shortage. The top two All India Services are facing a shortage of over 3,000 officers across India Without naming NDA, Chidambaram said, There is already a shortage of IAS officers because of the misconceived policy of recruiting fewer than the required numbers that was followed some time ago. He said he had corrected the anomaly regarding the IPS, which falls under his jurisdiction. ends
Fasih has been detained in Saudi, admits PC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: Admitting officially for the first time that Bihar engineer Fasih Mahmood had been detained in Saudi Arabia, Union home minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday that the government is taking all steps to extradite him. The government had told the SC last month that it had no knowledge of Fasihs whereabouts, and that the Saudi authorities were not cooperating with Indian agencies in tracing him. He is in Saudi Arabia. He was detained there. Steps will be taken to extradite him to India, said Chidambaram, adding that a Red Corner Notice had been issued for him earlier. According to the Interpol notice, Fasih is an IM member and is wanted for his alleged involvement in the Chinnaswamy Stadium blast in Bangalore and the shootout at Delhis Jama Masjid in 2010. The government was earlier forced to issue an identity certificate for Fasih after Pakistani agencies approached their Saudi counterparts, like they did in the case of Abu Jundal, claiming that he was a Pakistani national with a valid passport. Red shootout: CRPF role transparent New Delhi: Home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday defended the CRPF over the June 27 encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh but said he was deeply sorry for the loss of innocent lives in the shootout. Talking to reporters, Chidambaram said CRPFs role in the encounter was transparent and upfront. His support for paramilitary personnel came a day after Union minister for tribal affairs V Kishore Chandra Deo termed reports of deaths of civilians in the encounter as unacceptable and amid demands by Congressmen in Chhattisgarh for a probe into the violence. TNN
In-laws rape MP woman for 3 years, sell her for dowry
Suchandana Gupta TNN Bhopal: A 20-year-old womans husband, his relatives and neighbours repeatedly raped her while she was confined to a cowshed in a village in MPs Sagar district for three years as her family could not meet her in-laws dowry demands. She was later sold for Rs 50,000 and one acre of land to a moneylender in May. She was eventually rescued after a relative spotted her at the moneylenders house and reported the matter to her father on June 28. Police said the womans inlaws allegedly began mentally and physically torturing her for more dowry after she married Anand Kurmi of Parasri Tyonda when she was just 15. They had demanded Rs 1 lakh at the time of the wedding, which we paid, said the womans father, Ram Kisan, a farmer. But they kept making demands even after the marriage. They wanted a colour TV, motorbike, tractor and Rs 1 lakh more. Her in-laws forced her to abort her pregnancy soon after her marriage and, two years later, locked her with cows and buffaloes in the cowshed. Her neighbour, and his friends repeatedly raped her for months there. Kurmi later shifted his wife to a relatives house in Khurai 25 km away, where she was again locked and raped for over 20 days. She was then sold to a moneylender from Mahuna, where his neighbour raped her after promising to her to take her to a hospital. A case has been registered and three have been arrested.
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EC takes up Sangma & BJPs forgery charge against Dada

Asks Returning Officer For Documents, UPA Dismisses Allegation
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday asked the returning officer for presidential polls V K Agnihotri, secretary general of Rajya Sabha to show the documents on the basis of which he rejected opposition candidate P A Sangmas allegation that UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee used forgery to escape disqualification. The direction came amid indications of the race turning acrimonious over the charge of Sangma and his supporters that Mukherjee was unfit to stay in the contest as he did not quit as the director of the Indian Statistical Institute before filing his papers. They had argued that it was an office of profit and by holding on to it, Mukherjee attracted disqualification. The returning officer rejected the argument, but Sangma and his backers have
demanded that he spell out in detail why he rejected their allegation to allow the UPA nominee to stay in the fray. Mukherjee and his UPA sponsors were not fazed. They dismissed the charge and pressed ahead with their plans to mobilize support. In an ambitious outreach towards the UPA dissident Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee who still refuses to back the coalition nominee the GoM on media has decided to travel to Kolkata on Thursday. Although the ministerial group has been visiting state capitals, their latest destination has taken on significance because of the bengal CMs refusal to fall in line. The BJP raised the ante by alleging that the documents which Mukherjee cited to claim that he had ceased to be the director of ISI before filing his papers were forged, and indicated that it was keeping open the option of approaching the court. Responding to the BJPs charge, Mukherjee on Wednesday countered in Thiruvananthapuram, Who had forged my signature? I myself ? I do not know what they have said. Who can forge his own signature? How can somebody lodge a complaint that you forged your own signature? All these issues have been represented by my authorized representatives before the returning officer... and the returning officer has responded to that, said Mukherjee, who is in Kerala to canvass the support of MLAs and MPs. Mukherjees poll managers claimed they have drawn up a strategy to counter frivolous objections to his candidature. Alleging that the resignation letter was prepared at the last minute only to save his nomination, the BJP asked Mukherjee and eminent scientist M G K Menon, who is president of ISI, to come clean on the issue. TRS may abstain from prez poll Hyderabad: Sensing an opportunity to highlight the Telangana issue at the national level again, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi is contemplating abstainence from voting in the presidential election as it did it in the previous poll in 2008 when Pratibha Patil was elected. TNN http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=9&EntityId=Ar00902&ViewMode=HTML
SP gets flak for inviting undertrials to Pranab lunch

Pervez Iqbal Siddiqui TNN Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party (SP) government on Wednesday was criticized by the people and political rivals alike for inviting undertrial MLAs Mukhtar Ansari and Vijay Misra for lunch with UPAs presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday. While BJP state president Laxmi Kant Bajpayee demanded an inquiry into the incident, the common man appeared disillusioned. They promised to check crime and criminals and this is
how they do it? said Shamshad, owner of a health centre in Hazratganj who has been a diehard SP supporter since Akhilesh became the face of the SP in UP. Misra is facing the charge of a murderous attack on then BSP minister Nand Gopal Gupta alias Nandi in Allahabad in 2010, while Mukhtar is in judicial remand for a series of criminal cases pending against him. Though a court order specifically allowed the two to attend only the assembly session and directed the authorities to ensure that they were taken to the Vidhan Sabha in a police vehicle and ferried back to jail once the session was over for the day, both allegedly used their private SUVs to reach the official residence of the CM with the police escort in tow.
Ancient Pandyas riches lying in Swiss banks?

A Subramani TNN Chennai: If a case pending in the Madras high court is to be taken at face value, assets and valuables belonging to the descendants of ancient Tamil kings the Pandyas, worth hundreds of crores, are lying in the vaults of Swiss banks. Perhaps unwilling to rule out the possibility, a division bench on Monday directed the Centre to find out if any deposits or funds belonging to the Pandya kings are lying in any of the Swiss banks and submit a report within three weeks. Pandyas were one of the three ancient Tamil dynasties in south India which existed as early as 550 BC and thrived till the 14th century. The assets continue to be mired in legal cases involving their descendants. The matter pertains to a claim made by R Padmini Rani, daughter-in-law of Pandya descendant and the last zamindar of Sivagiri, Senthattaikalai Pandya Chinna Thambiar, on the dynastys properties. One N Jagnnathan, who holds the court-issued right of administration over the properties, has also staked his right to legal heirship. In a further twist, one Vidya Padwarthan of Maharashtra claimed that her father had been given the power of attorney by Jagannathan, who denied doing so. The bench then directed the police to conduct a probe. The report said Jagannathan had sought the help of a Swiss national to retrieve the wealth from the banks.
Pawar fickle, unreliable: Arjun Singh

New Delhi: Late Congress veteran Arjun Singhs soonto-be released autobiography, A Grain of
Sand in the Hourglass of Time, has put NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the receiving end. Singh in his book has accused Sharad Pawar of being flip-flop, unreliable and fickle and wondered when the final rupture would take place between him and the Congress, in his. The former Madhya Pradesh CM, who was Pawars colleague in the Narasimha Rao cabinet, has attacked him for raising the foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi and his subsequent hobnobbing with the Congress. My assessment of Pawars flip-flop nature proved correct in that, 13 years later..., he had written in the book. AGENCIES
CAG takes on govt over 2G loss figure

Cites Trais 2G Auction Reserve Price
Pradeep Thakur TNN

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has hit out at the government for criticizing its 2G report on allocation of licences, saying the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (Trai) recommendation of the reserve price of 2G spectrum at Rs 18,000 crore for a pan-India licence for 5 Mhz spectrum is much higher than what it had taken as benchmark for calculating the loss at Rs 1,76,000 crore. An internal appraisal of the CAG report on issue of allocation of 2G spectrum licences says that the Trais recommendation is higher than even the 3G value of Rs 16,750 crore for 5 Mhz used by the top auditor in its report No 19 of 2010-11 for arriving at the figure of Rs 1,76,000 crore. This comes at a time when the government is preparing to table three other reports, in the monsoon session of Parliament. One of them on coal block allocations say the undue gains to private parties due to allocation without bidding is to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore, much higher than the 2G loss calculation. CAG says it was because of its initiative to highlight policy lapses that the CBI intensified its investigation and several arrests were made. As the scrutiny of the issue grew and truth began to surface, the intensity of accusations against the CAG also increased, it observed. It blasted the government for not taking its report seriously and relegating it for evaluation by a JPC. The report which had to be taken to logical conclusion in the form of meaningful recommendations of the PAC fell prey to parochial politics and never saw the light of the day, CAG said. The fact that the report stated that it was only an examination of the implementation of policy and that policy making was the governments prerogative was not taken note of by those who sought to criticize the report, CAG said. The
most vehement criticism of the report was that it had exaggerated the value of spectrum and the loss caused to the nation. Not asked to favour anybody with LOIs New Delhi: A trial court was told on Wednesday that DoT officials, called for a meeting in the committee room of Sanchar Bhawan on January 10, 2008, were not aware that they had gathered to distribute letters of intent (LoI) for 2G allocation to telecom firms. Ashok Dhar, a retired DoT official, testified that they were not briefed and A K Srivastava, then deputy director general, was the overall in-charge for the purpose. He added that nobody asked them to favour anybody. TNN
Ktaka CM agrees to BJP formula

Shettar To Take Over, Gowda May Go To RS
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: The BJP has finally worked out a way to resolve its factional problems in Karnataka. With a change in leadership on the cards soon, former CM B S Yeddyurappas choice, Jagdish Shettar, is likely to take over as the new chief minister from Sadananda Gowda. Gowda is learnt to have agreed to step down but it is still not clear what he will opt for after Shettar takes over as CM. The party is learnt to have offered him a choice between leading the state unit as BJP president and a Rajya Sabha seat alongside, or to take up chairmanship of the state legislative council. While it is not clear which post Gowda will choose, it is possible that he may not want to want to work under Shettar and prefer to hold the top party post in the state and also get a seat in Rajya Sabha. The present party chief Eshwarappa has been offered the post of deputy CM. If this scheme works out, the BJP might be able to accommodate all the caste equations in the state. While Shettar, like Yeddyurappa, is a Lingayat, which forms the biggest chunk of voters for BJP, Gowda belongs to the other significant caste group, Vokkaligas. Eshwarappa belongs to the Kurba caste. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp? From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2012/07/05&PageLab el=10&EntityId=Ar01003&ViewMode=HTML
CBI victimizing Jagan, mom complains to PM
TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: Y S Rajasekhara Reddys widow Vijayamma said Congress was trying its best to besmirch the deceased leaders name because Jaganmohan had launched a new party. Faced with corruption charges and son Jagan in jail, Vijayamma met the PM and submitted a petition saying that the CBI was harassing him with a motivated campaign. She also met other political leaders to apprise them of victimization. Vijayamma said the by-election sweep had proved that people were firmly with her son. People are aware of vendetta and they believe Jagan is innocent. We are sure we can sustain this momentum, she said when asked about the fate of the party if Jagan stayed incarcerated for a long period. The timing of Vijayammas Delhi visit after YSR Congresss bypoll sweep is significant. While the breakaway party has been accusing Congress of victimizing YSRs, it believes the campaign after the by-poll victory will add weight to the claims that Congress was driven by political fears. Jagan bail plea rejected Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh HC on Wednesday dismissed a bail petition filed by YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy in an alleged DA case. Jagan, who was named as the key accused in the case, was arrested on May 27 and is under judicial remand. AGENCIES
MMS SHOCK AFTER RAPE CHARGE

An Offensive Clip On Jailed Athlete Pinki Pramanik Goes Viral & Sprinter's Lawyers Suspect Her Partner Made It To Prove Claims
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: Further humiliation was piled on champion athlete Pinki Pramanik when a 29-second MMS showing her naked went viral on the net. Her livein partner who has claimed that the sprinter raped and tortured her might have recorded the clip, Pinkis lawyers say. It must have been taken by her partner who is out to prove that Pinki is a man and that she raped her. The MMS clip proves nothing, one of her lawyers said. The objectionable MMS shows Pinki lying naked on her back, her eyes shut. A camera zooms in on her genitals. The complainant had reportedly given the footage to the police on June 15 to prove her claim that the medal-winning runner was actually a man and had raped her. Pinki was put behind bars on June 14 on the basis of this complaint. Investigators say theyve ignored the MMS and cant act unless theres a formal complaint. In any case, the clip doesnt prove anything. Earlier, there was some
suspicion that the offensive shots were taken when Pinki was taken to a private clinic for a medical examination immediately after her arrest. But on closer examination, her lawyers said, it appears the recordings were made earlier, possibly at her home. Pinkis counsel Tuhin Roy said he would raise the issue in court when her case comes up for hearing on July 12. Ive not seen the MMS but have heard about it. This is a heinous crime and the police should act against it. At the moment, theres no one from Pinkis family in Kolkata who can lodge a complaint. Once they are here, a complaint will be filed. But our priority now is to get Pinki out on bail. Whether shes eventually proven guilty or not, Pinki has been put through hell since her arrest. Hundreds gawk at her in court and pass lewd remarks. Soon after her arrest, policemen dragged her to a private clinic without a court order late at night. She was allegedly made to strip for a gender test. The athlete got to know about the MMS from a neighbour Habibur Rehman who met her at Dum Dum Central Jail on Monday. Pinki was very disturbed and pleaded with me to try and find out who has done this, Rehman said. Eminent lawyer Tirthankar Ghosh said the MMS was nothing more than obscene material that proves nothing. Its sad that its being circulated. The clip is not conclusive and doesnt throw any light on her gender. Those who are circulating it and the person who has recorded it are liable to be prosecuted, said Ghosh. VERIFY OR VILIFY? Pinki Pramanik arrested on June 14 for alleged rape of partner, fights allegations of being male Sent for tests thrice: first to private nursing home Uma Medical, then Barasat SubDivisional Hospital and SSKM hospital First tests inconclusive, but nursing home claims Pinki male Pinki, then on, treated as male. Kept in mens jail, in 'isolated cell'. No info on toilet use. Roughly handled by policemen Pramanik allegedly stripped for the gender test An MMS showing Pramanik without clothes goes viral Police say they cant act on MMS, without a complaint or an FIR. Pinki's lawyers believe her partner filmed her Times View Whats happening with Pinki Pramanik is utterly shocking. She is being subjected to a brutally insensitive inquisition. On top of that, pictures of her in the nude were allegedly released to the media by the police and are now freely circulating in cyberspace. All of this betrays a primitive and retrograde mindset of our police and sports authorities. But merely lamenting the sad state of affairs is not enough. Those responsible for this outrage must be made to pay. They must be charged with outraging the modesty of a woman never mind what Pinkis gender is still being determined and booked for cybercrimes. Or else we would have failed not only Pinki but ourselves as a nation http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?
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Voices come out in support of tormented runner

Sumati Yengkhom | TNN Kolkata: Pinki Pramanik no longer fights a lonely battle. There are voices speaking out in her support and against her humiliation. Pinki, a champion athlete, was arrested on June 14. The support, though somewhat delayed, will prove a morale booster for Pinki, who was subjected to further embarrassment when an obscene MMS of her went viral. The sprinter, whos aware of the clip, told a neighbour who met her in prison on Monday of her extreme distress. On Tuesday, the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) and Nari Nirjatan Portirodh Mancha (NNPM) approached state human rights commission chairperson Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly to complain about the inhuman treatment meted out to the athlete. We approached the rights panel so Pinki gets justice and is treated with dignity. We protest against the degrading treatment of the athlete. We are confident the commission chair will ensure Pinkis case is handled with sensitivity, said APDR vicepresident Tapas Chakrabarty. The team complained it was inappropriate for policemen to escort the athlete. She was a woman, unless gender tests proved her otherwise. Pinki has to be treated as a woman. Is it fair of policemen to drag Pinki by her hand or put their arms around her while escorting her? We want the MMS to be stopped, Saswati Ghosh of NNPM said. Ace swimmer Bula Chowdhury condemned the way Pinki was being treated. She and other athletes are rallying behind the jailed sprinter. I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to bring laurels for the country. Pinki has done the country proud. She doesnt deserve the humiliation and harassment. Let the law take its course. But be humane with her. Treat her with respect. We are with her, said Chowdhury. Dronacharya Awardee coach Kuntal Roy, too, is infuriated. Pinki is an international athlete. She has won honours for the country. She should be treated with dignity, he said. Pinkis family is in distress. Brother Joy Chand went to meet Pinki in jail on Tuesday but was turned away. When Pinki won gold for the country, there were many around us. Now, barring the media, no one comes to us. No one has extended help till now. It is heart-breaking to see her in prison vans. The complainant has also named me in her FIR, said father Durga Charan. Some of Pinkis neighbours in Baguiati, where she and her partner lived for about three years, say she has been falsely accused. The complainant wanted more money from her. Pinki wants to speak to the media to tell her side of the story. She was hopeful of getting bail after June 29 but was mentally shattered when her bail plea was rejected, said Habibur Rehman, who met Pinki in jail on Monday. PURULIA'S PRIDE Born April 10, 1986 in Purulia Track athlete, specialises in 400 m and 800 m Won silver in 4X400m relay in 2006 CWG Gold in 2006 Asiad relay Gold in 2005 Asian Indoor Games Won 3 Golds at 2006 South Asian Games (400m, 800m & relay) Two bronze medals in 2004 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships Represented Asia at IAAF World Cup Several injuries and a car crash put her out of action after 2007
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SC asks RBI not to allow foreign law firms in India

Fly-In, Fly-Out Lawyers Also Under Scanner
Dhananjay Mahapatra TNN

New Delhi: In a significant order that will affect nascent backdoor steps being taken by foreign lawyers to enter India, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) not to permit law firms from abroad to open liaison offices in the country. On a petition filed by the Bar Council of India (BCI) challenging a Madras high court order permitting foreign lawyers to visit India temporarily on a fly-in flyout basis for giving legal advicetotheir clients, a benchof Justices R M Lodha and A R Dave restrained foreign lawyers from engaging in legal practice in India, either directly or indirectly. TheBCI appeal,filedby advocate Ardhendumauli Prasad, said the Madras HC, while permitting foreign lawyers to engage in fly-in, fly-out legal practice, had ignored a Bombay HC ruling against it. After hearing BCIcounsel, senior advocate M Krishnamani,thebenchordered, Itis clarified thatthe RBIshall not grant permission to foreign lawfirmstoopen liaison offices in India under Section 29 of theForeign ExchangeRegulation Act (Fema), 1973. It is also clarified that to practice in non-litigious mattersin India, theforeign lawfirms,by whatever namecalledor described, shall be bound to follow the provisions contained in the Advocates Act, 1961. BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra toldTOIthatthey had been continuously protesting against the HRD ministrys Higher Education and Research Bill, 2011, which purportedly permitted entry of foreign lawyers into India. He said the BCI has called a two-day protest by lawyers across India on July 11, to agitate against the bill, which was clandestinely trying to sideline and harm advocates of the country and their electedstatutory bodiesin the matter of legal profession. SC stays trial against Sharief in graft case New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed trial against senior Congress leader and former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief after his counsel, senior advocate P P Rao, argued that it was a clear case of unauthorized prosecution without official sanction. The move comes less than 24 hours after a Delhi court framed charges against him for allegedly causing loss to the exchequer by taking his personal staff on a foreign jaunt two decades ago. A bench of Justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi has issued notice to the CBI and sought its response in two weeks. The 80-year-old leader was accused of flouting rules to take his then private secretary B N Nagesh, stenos S M Masthan and V M Muralidharan and driver C H
Samaullah to London in 1995. The travel of the three persons had cost the exchequer Rs 7 lakh. TNN
Inmate goes on stabbing spree to stay in jail

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Hyderabad:Aconvict aboutto complete his sentence at the Cherlapally Central Prison wenton a stabbing spreesothathe couldstayin thejail.DasariNarasimlu,34,stabbedtodeath60-year-old Venkataiah and injured five others while they were asleep on Wednesday morning. Two prisoners, Chalapathi and Ooshaiah, who were seriously injured,were admittedto the Gandhi Hospital. Chalapathi was operated upon and is in the ICU. Three prisoners who also suffered stab injuries received treatment at the jail hospital. In what appears to be a pre-meditated crime, Dasari Narasimlu stole a pair of scissors from the jail barber and hiditin the Swarnamukhibarrack where he was lodged. Narasimlu, who hails from Nizamabad, was sentenced to eight years in prison in four cases, including an attempt to murder case and dowry case, and was to be released in three months. Narasimlu told the prison authorities that he stabbed other prisoners as he did not want to be released. He said on release, he would face a threat to his life from his wife.
The Power To Abuse

Attempts to reimpose Section 377 and Mumbai cops excesses both show the dangers of archaic laws
Vikram Doctor
In Mumbai you can now be arrested for playing cards in your club. You can be arrested for making liqueur chocolates to give friends. You can be arrested for being in a place where alcohol is served and you dont have a permit, even if you are a strict teetotaller. You can be arrested for being on a crowded dance floor. And you can even be arrested for having a private party at home. All these have apparently happened in the current morality drive by a section of
Mumbais police. And in all these circumstances where the excesses are so obvious that the courts intervene (as with the senior citizens charged for playing bridge and rummy at Andheri Gymkhana) or the police promise an investigation (as with Ronit Kanuga who was told by the police that he couldnt have a private party beyond 12 pm), one response from the authorities is to pretend these are aberrations and that the laws being invoked may be ill-designed and archaic, but are hardly ever used. But the relentless way in which assistant commissioner Vasant Dhoble has carried on his crusade, constantly finding new ways to charge people (for example, the clause in the discotheque licence which says that only 10 couples are permitted on a dance floor), shows that bad laws are always a problem. They can always be used to harass innocent citizens, and to create a climate of fear and repression that is antithetical to how a modern, independent society should function. You never know when you could commit an offence that you never knew or imagined could exist. For one section of society, though, this comes as deja vu. What people as a whole in Mumbai are experiencing is similar to what life was always like for Indias lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community until, three years back this week, in the Naz India case the Delhi high court decreed that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which was used to criminalise them, no longer applied to consenting adults. It was a rare example of the courts cutting through the thicket of archaic laws we have acquired from the British and accrued to ever since then. It is a job that could have been done by Parliament, if it could turn its attention from cartoon controversies and political procrastinations. But since this seems impossible, it was left to judges like A P Shah and S Muralidhar, who wrote the Naz India verdict, to stand up for the rights of individuals. As with the case of liquor permits, it was argued by opponents of change that the law was hardly ever applied wrongly, but only in cases like rape or child abuse where there was a clear crime. But the reality is that, as with Dhobles legal discoveries, the very existence of the law casts a corrupting shadow. Because you are playing cards, you are automatically assumed to be gambling illegally just as because you were gay you were automatically assumed to be a child molester or rapist. If you were not charged, you were always afraid you might be. And this was not so because of some theoretical legal issue, but because of the very practical fact that such a corrupt law allowed for very lucrative corruption. For many years in Mumbai, a few policemen in collusion with criminals ran what was called the Matunga racket. This was a well thought out system where gay men were lured through the internet to a place near the base of these policemen in the Matunga locality where they would be stopped and charged with arrest for being gay. Since they were usually careful only to lure gay men who were obviously closeted and afraid of exposure, this nearly always resulted in excellent pay-offs. For three years now since the Naz decision there has been no report of such blackmailing. When you know for sure the law doesnt make you a possible criminal, you are no longer afraid. But there is something very like the Matunga racket about
the fear being created over morality in Mumbai. In Kanugas case the police allegedly extorted money from his family, and the chances are that there are many cases of bars or clubs paying money to ensure that a morality cop citing archaic laws doesnt land up on their doorstep. The people asking for the money may just be criminal opportunists, but as long as the law exists the fear and compulsion to pay will remain. For the LGBT community the law may have changed, but they can hardly relax. Because the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court and in hearings that took place earlier this year, all the same arguments were made about how the Naz verdict was an unnecessary tampering with a law that was hardly used and how society was somehow menaced by what LGBT people might do consensually and only affecting themselves. Such arguments should not be countenanced. In this one case, the Delhi high court has cut through archaic and actively harmful laws. The last thing that should happen now is for the Supreme Court to reimpose them and hand back the power to abuse the law to those who, as Mumbais mockery of a morality crusade shows, will always, ultimately, do just that. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/towards-certainty/970486/0
Towards certainty
The search for the Higgs boson has been a search for closure. Now it is over well, almost The Nobel-winning physicist Leon Lederman, who published The God Particle in 1993, had apparently dubbed it the goddamn particle as the Higgs boson played so hard to get. The title was shortened by his editor for commercial reasons, and its evocative name made the particle a fugitive as notorious as Osama bin Laden. Sought for almost half a century, the last missing link in the Standard Model of particle physics has finally been found by the Large Hadron Collider. Well, almost, since science treasures certainties and the results are a fraction of a percentage point short of it. The Higgs boson was postulated to account for mass, a fundamental quality without which our picture of the universe falls apart. Yesterdays findings suggest that it exists, the arcana of charm quarks and bottom quarks is real, and physicists do not have to trash cherished theories. But the Higgs boson is part of a larger story, of a crisis of uncertainty in physics. The method of science requires experiment to keep pace with theory. The scientist observes a phenomenon, formulates a hypothesis to explain it, tests it in the lab and has a eureka moment. But in physics, theory and experiment have been out of step for decades. Schools like superstring theory offer startling predictions such as the existence of multiverses and the idea that the universe is fine-tuned for the development of life intelligent design with a mathematical basis. Only experiments can establish if these theories actually describe reality, but with the laboratory lagging decades behind the blackboard, theoretical physics is peering into the void. The discovery of the Higgs boson narrows the certainty deficit. And it was fitting that Peter
Higgs, who proposed the particle, was in the audience in Geneva when the vindication of his lifes work was announced. Except that being an atheist, Higgs loathes that name God particle. Meanwhile, the Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose, for whom bosons are named, is forgotten.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/trial-by-mms/970487/0
Trial by MMS
Pinki Pramaniks ordeal is a statement on a voyeuristic public culture Pinki Pramanik, the many-medalled former athlete from West Bengal, is facing a serious allegation that of raping a woman. She has been asked to defend herself, which includes establishing her womanhood. She has gone through two gender-determination tests at different government hospitals, but the results were inconclusive. Male police officers have escorted her and pushed her around. And now, a video clip of her, naked, going through a verification test in a nursing home, has gone viral. Instead of being a straightforward investigation of the charges, the Pramanik affair has become a lurid, disrespectful spectacle, an attack on her selfhood. Being male or female is not a simple binary, and determining someones sex is not always a matter of assessing their privates. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, gender verification has long been criticised by geneticists, endocrinologists and others in the medical community. One major problem was unfairly excluding women who had a birth defect involving gonads and external genitalia. This does not give a woman competitive edge (and by that logic, it would make more sense to sort sportspersons by lung volume or height or other genetic advantages). Rather, the shaming, invasive process of determining who she really is only serves to crush her spirit. Indias Santhi Soundarajan, whose silver at the 2006 Asian Games was taken away, was later diagnosed with androgen insensitivity syndrome, which meant she looked female, though her chromosomes said otherwise. The scrutiny, she said, left her physically and mentally broken. Many women athletes, including South Africas Caster Semenya and Brazils Edinanci Silva, have been similarly questioned. The Pinki Pramanik controversy is not about her sporting credentials, but about whether she is guilty of rape. That question has, however, been played out in highly humiliating public circumstances, her privacy has been shredded. Whether or not she is culpable, those who have created this scandal around her deserve full blame.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21456&boxid=22089&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=1
CBI charge-sheets Ashok Chavan in Adarsh scam

Former CM charged with approving more FSI to get two flats in Adarsh & okaying allotment of 40% of the flats to civilians
DNA Correspondent l Mumbai

Ashok Chavan, former Maharashtra chief minister, is among the 13 people named by the CBI it its charge sheet in the multi-crore Adarsh housing scam. The CBI has accused Chavan of approving additional FSI (floor space index) to the society (during his tenure as the chief minister) in lieu of two flats for his relatives. Chavan had to give up the chief ministers post after the scam surfaced in November 2010. Chavan is also charged with illegally approving the allotment of 40% of the flats to civilians when he was the states revenue minister in 2001-03. K Sudhakar and Ejaz Khan, counsels for the CBI, submitted the 10,000-page charge sheet to special CBI judge MV Kulkarni on Wednesday. Prithviraj Chavan, chief minister, said he was surprised that the CBI filed a charge sheet when his government has always maintained that it had not asked the CBI to investigate into the matter because the land on which the 31-storey building stands belongs to the state government. The CBI had registered an FIR on January 29 last year under various sections of the IPC including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Of the 14 people named in the FIR, the CBI has dropped the names of retired brigadiers PK Rampal and Romesh Chandra Sharma. But the agency has included the name of Col (retd) R Bakshi. He is accused of giving a certifying letter that the land did not belong to the army. The CBI counsels told the court investigations into benami transactions were still on and that it might file a supplementary charge sheet once the investigation is over. Though the CBI has attached the statements of 150 witnesses, it has not incorporated the statements of former chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde. Both of them are under the CBI scanner for their roles in the scam. Apart from Chavan, the CBI has named retired army officers Brig MM Wanchoo, Major Generals TK Kaul and AR Kumar, Colonels TK Sinha and R Bakshi in the charge sheet. It has the names of KL Gidwani (former Congress MLC), Jairaj Phatak (former BMC chief) and Ramanand Tiwari (former CIC), along with society members RC Thakur, PV Deshmukh, Subhash Lala and Pradeep Vyas as well. Thakur and Wanchoo are accused of conspiring with army officers and state government functionaries to illegally get the land allotted in favour of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21456&boxid=22087&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=1
Govt questions premise of CBI inquiry

DNA Correspondent l Mumbai
Soon after the CBI filed a charge sheet in the Adarsh scam on Wednesday, the Maharashtra government raised doubts over the CBI investigation. The government even questioned the agencys authority to investigate the matter in the absence of a letter from the government or an order from the Bombay high court. Will the investigations or the charge sheet be invalid if the court finds merit in the government? A senior advocate, who did not wish to be named, said, Nicety of the law is that it can right the wrong. There are provisions that the high court can grant post facto sanction to the investigation if it, prima facie, finds merit in it. There is a Supreme Court judgment that says even if there is some illegality in collection of evidence, the evidence per se, does not become bad in law, said the counsel.
Clock struck 11, cops shot them

Chhattisgarh villagers say police fired at gathering without warning
Rito Paul l Raipur

On the night of June 28, fear gripped Sarkeguda, Kottaguda and Rajpeta of Chhattisgarh again. Seven years after these villages were burnt to the ground, 17 people, including a girl, 12, and two boys, 16, were shot dead by the CRPF and local police. The police claimed that they shot at what they believed to be a Maoist gathering, and killed two active Maoists. On July 4, the doctors in charge of treating the injured policemen at a Raipur hospital gave a statement after days of stonewalling the press that the policemen were injured by pellets which Maoists are known to use. On July 3, a fact-finding team consisting of JP Rao, activist and retired sociology professor at Hyderabads Osmania University, Nandini Sundar, activist and sociology professor at Delhi University, and Kopa Kunjam, tribal leader and activist, arrived at the spot of the killings. DNA found out that the villagers account of what transpired bore no resemblance to what the police had claimed. The killing fields Sarkeguda, Kottaguda and Rajpeta are small settlements of 70 houses altogether. The villages are a stones throw from each other and the clearing is common ground. The villagers say, on June 28, they had gathered there in the evening to discuss farming issues and plan for Bija Pandum, their annual harvest festival. We started around 8pm, but it was nearly 11pm by the time everyone got there, said Madkam Rama, 50, whose father set up Rajpeta. Just when the meeting was in full swing, we heard gunshots. Some people put their hands up, and shouted that they were not Naxalites. Others started running in panic. The bullets were coming from all directions.
That night, 16 people were killed. Villagers claim that those who hadnt been shot were hacked with axes that the police picked up from the village itself. The shooting, they say, lasted for an hour. Later, the police stopped shooting but didnt leave the area. In the morning, Irpa Ramesh, 27, came out of the house to survey the situation. The police shot him. They then followed him into his house and allegedly pounded him to death with a brick. Rameshs brother Dinesh, 22, was also killed. On June 30, when the police brought back all the bodies to the village to burn, Dineshs wasnt. He was branded a Maoist and burnt at the station itself. His elder sister Sasikala Nag says, Dinesh was not a Maoist. Sundar and Rao plan to file a case in the HC on the behalf of the villagers. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/it-takes-a-city/970507/0
It takes a city
Edward Glaeser
India needs more imaginative governance for its urban densities The future of India lies in its cities, not in its villages, and that fact creates both enormous opportunities and significant challenges. At their best, great metropolises enable the genius of Indian entrepreneurship and provide gateways to the outside world. Yet urban density needs a good government far more than rural life, and Indias cities also illustrate, all too painfully, the occasional shortcomings of Indias public sector. A new McKinsey Global Institute report, Urban World: Cities and the rise of the consuming class, estimates that 12.8 per cent of the worlds urban population growth between 2010 and 2025 will occur in India. While the report is surely correct to note the opportunities created by developing world cities for McKinseys corporate clients surging urban consumer demand, and the investment necessary to meet it, is on course to inject more than $30 trillion dollars of additional annual spending into the world economy by 2025 even more important opportunities are being created by Indias cities for their own residents. Despite their problems, Indias cities are the best chance for a wealthier, healthier and more politically open country. Thomas Friedmans The World is Flat educated many Americans about the entrepreneurial energy of Bangalores information technology sector. The book also seemed to suggest that proximity had become irrelevant, but that is not the lesson taught by Bangalore or Gurgaon. Some Americans may imagine that these great cities are far-flung spots on the edge of the world, but in reality these are great hubs of human activity that succeed by connecting smart people. Just like Silicon Valley in the US, these areas thrive because of their density, which connects young entrepreneurs and enables them to work together and learn from one another. In a sense, Bangalore exemplifies a great paradox of our age: the technologies that make it possible to connect over vast distances also appear to be facilitating face-to-face contact, and the cities that enable that contact become more important. Globalisation and new technologies have
helped unleash the greatest wave of urbanisation in human history, as the McKinsey report points out. As long as face-to-face contact and random interactions deliver insights unavailable on Wikipedia, cities will continue to thrive. The connection between new technologies and old cities reflects a fundamental aspect of return technological change has vastly increased the returns to knowledge. The ability to innovate and sell on a global market has made it possible for smart entrepreneurs to earn more than ever before. Hundreds of studies have documented the rising returns to being smart, but we get smart by being around smart people. You cant just look up on Google how to become a successful entrepreneur; you learn to be an entrepreneur by entering the maelstrom of entrepreneurial clusters, like Silicon Valley and Bangalore. That entrepreneurial energy can then power the larger economy. An abundance of land can have many failings, but when humans cluster, the public sector must address the demons of density, including contagious disease, crime and traffic congestion. According to the World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report 2011-12, India ranks in the bottom third of nations in the impact tuberculosis has on business, which reminds us that the public sector must invest in water and sewage to reduce the threat of contagious disease. Those investments are never cheap. In the early 20th century, American cites were spending as much on clean water as the US federal government was spending on everything except for the post office and the army. The McKinsey report estimates that Indian cities will account for 15.8 per cent of the increase in global demand for municipal water between 2010 and 2025. Transportation also remains an enormous challenge for Indias metropolises. The Global Competitiveness Report ranks India 85th worldwide in the quality of road infrastructure. Indeed, one reason why software consulting has been able to thrive in India is that this sector doesnt depend on roads to deliver its final product. The sector does depend on electricity, but luckily private generators make it possible for those companies to compete despite the fact that the Global Competitiveness Report ranks India 112th worldwide in the quality of its electricity supply. Cities need better road access, but they also need congestion pricing that will charge drivers for the social costs of their driving. India cant just build its way out of traffic congestion, because new roads just attract more drivers. The Fundamental Law of Highway Congestion, documented by economists Gilles Duranton and Matthew Turner, shows that vehicle miles travelled increase roughly one-for-one with highway miles built. Singapore pioneered congestion pricing 37 years ago, when it was far from wealthy, and there is no other way to make sure that drivers dont turn city streets into parking lots. While the public sector has failed to make the investments in water and transport that India needs, it does too much in other areas. There are far too many licensing requirements that stifle legal private entrepreneurship. The over-regulation of Indias cities is particularly obvious in the area of building heights. Building up is the natural alternative to building out. More building also makes real-estate space more affordable, which Mumbai badly needs. The work of my colleague Tony Gomez-Ibanez documents that despite its income, Mumbai manages to have some of the worlds most expensive Class A commercial real estate.
Indias cities are the future, but for that future to be bright, they need a far more capable public sector that delivers more infrastructure and fewer regulations. Like many, I have lost hope that the national or state governments can provide the investments that these great cities need. Indian cities need more local autonomy (as Delhi already has). Local control will help ensure that cities pay the high costs of their own infrastructure, but dont end up subsidising foolish investments in lower density areas. In the US at least, local governments have been able to avoid fractious federal politics, and focus on the basics of good urban government, like safe streets and better schools. The first path towards a brighter urban future for India is more devolution of taxing, spending and regulatory power, so that cities can fix themselves, providing the rules and infrastructure that can create vibrant urban spaces. Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard University, is the author of Triumph of the City express@expressindia.com
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shackled-by-timidity/970511/0
Shackled by timidity
Yoginder K. Alagh
Time to take the bolder steps, bring FDI to small towns When the GDP falls below 7 per cent, we need to start worrying. When it is less than 6 per cent, we must treat it as a crisis situation. Growth models show that the robust investment rates already achieved, and twice the productivity growth achieved in the 1980s and 90s, will get us 8 per cent growth. This also needed a focused savings and efficiency strategy, and a greater volume of trade. The current situation requires a policy agenda that must be pursued with dedication if growth rates are to be restored. This is no time to start wringing our hands. It is upsetting when C. Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), says there is no further fiscal space. A practical policy does not involve non-negotiable positions or choosing between two alternatives. The art of policy is to present to the political leadership possibilities that it is forced to consider seriously. This is admittedly a difficult job in a multi-party coalition system where some of the netas in power are near-Luddites. Major reform entails the need to push investment. For example, FDI must be conceptualised in a way that makes an impact. As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development shows, during recessions, everyone wants everybody else to follow open policies. But in the scramble to save jobs, inverted tariffs and non-tariff restrictions become the order of the day. Fiscal and monetary space has to be created to push investment. While infrastructure investment is key, public-private partnerships also need public support. Particularly in small towns, PPPs will need a lot of hand-holding. Public initiative may well be needed if no one goes there. According to some, FDI retail in metros will lead to a surge in the growth rate. This is optimistic to the point of being funny. What will matter is if it is allowed in non-metro towns and smaller Census Towns where the farmer brings his produce. China did it. In Chinese Walmarts, some
employees are dressed in uniform, but a number of farm women also appear to be selling their wares. When it comes to India, Walmart has said it is not very keen on retail in metros, but it is actually building facilities in district towns like Anand. Without marketing, communication and processing support, there is no chance of food inflation subsiding. Seven years ago, there was a report saying that fertiliser prices should gradually be raised to keep pace with the improvement in terms of trade for agriculture, as measured by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices. One fancy scheme followed another and all kinds of bizarre ideas were mooted, but no steps were taken towards the necessary reforms. We can start now. From the mid-1970s, when the first energy crisis hit India, it was recognised that the cooking and fuel needs of the poor had to be protected, while trying to ensure that they did not cut down forests to meet their needs. Over the last 12 years, various reports, starting with those made by Vijay Kelkar and Kirit Parekh, have proposed a gas grid for the poor and the need to align fuel price with imported energy. The matter has gone from one committee to another, with no results. Meanwhile, there are reports of civil servants and journalists being murdered by the diesel mafia. The list of areas in need of reform is endless land, coal pricing and, most importantly, public investment. The need for infrastructure in towns where farmers sell their produce has never been more pressing. Initiatives helping them will be doubly blessed. There are companies that are making money out there. Five Rajasthan arhatias, beginning with just a few crores, have developed hundreds of crores worth of assets in storages and instruments based on stored commodities as financial collateral. There are energies within the economy that are shackled by lethargy and inertia. They need to be unleashed. It is for economists and experts to design practical policies and for the political leadership to implement them. Clarity on such policies will help us start the journey out of the present crisis. The writer, a former Union minister, is chairman, Institute of Rural Management, Anand express@expressindia.com
Adarsh land tug of war intensifies

Ministry of Defence challenges state govts claim that it owns the plot where the controversial building stands
DNA Correspondent
The controversy surrounding who owns the land where Adarsh Co-Operative Housing Society has been built has taken centre stage with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) challenging the state governments ownership claim. The 31-storeyed controversial building at Colaba has been built without major clearances. On Wednesday, the Bombay high court allowed the Ministry of Defence to intervene in the bunch of public interest litigation petitions in the Adarsh scam.
Kevic Setalvad and Dhiren Shah, counsels for MoD, sought intervention challenging the governments claim over the land where Adarsh has been built. The MoD has also opposed the governments contention that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cannot probe the scam. In May, the MoD had sent a notice to the state government challenging the Commissions findings and asking it to hand over the land back to defence. A division bench of justice SA Bobade and justice Mridula Bhatkar has asked the Ministry of Defence to file its intervention application within two weeks and has kept it for hearing on July 18. The court has also asked the Ministry of Defence to file a reply on the state governments affidavit that the CBI has no jurisdiction to probe the scam. The court has allowed the Ministry of Defence access to all documents to enable it to file its reply. Anil Sakhare, counsel for the state government, opposed the Ministry of Defences intervention stating that the Adarsh Inquiry Commission had already ruled that the land belonged to the state. Shekhar Naphade, counsel for the society, argued that the HC has not passed any order asking the CBI to handle the probe. The high court had only asked the CBI to look into the missing files case. YP Singh, counsel for one of the petitioners, argued that the government and the housing society were creating confusion over the CBI probe for their own interest. He added that the earlier order of the court said that the CBI is to probe the scam. The earlier order is unchallenged. We will have to examine the issue, said justice Bobade. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21460&boxid=13890&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=2
CBI to add 55 names as accused

l Supplementary charge sheet in next few months
Preety Acharya & Pradip R. Sagar

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which filed the charge sheet in the multicrore Adarsh society scam, will file a supplementary charge sheet in the next few months. It named 13 accused, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, in the charge sheet. In the supplementary charge sheet, CBI will add around 55 more names to the accused list. It is questioning 30 people for buying benami properties as all of them bought flats in the society under somebody elses name. According to CBI officers, the inquiry is on as Chavan had allegedly demanded two flats for his relatives when the building was being constructed. The central investigating agency has also found that around 25 members of the
society had given false affidavit to acquire the flats. Around 25 people showed less income. Some of these members also showed wrong domicile documents. Some also lied that they dont have any flat in the jurisdiction of Greater Mumbai as you cant own two flats legally, said a CBI official, requesting anonymity. Society members who have flats in Thane and Navi Mumbai will not be scrutinised but those who lied about their flats in Greater Mumbai will be questioned by the CBI. The CBI found that the paper work of around 25 persons is doubtful and later it was found that people had flouted many rules and regulations. In the coming few days, CBI will make more arrests in the case. During investigation, we learnt that some of these flats were owned by people, who are not financially well off. Around 12 to 15 flat owners are under our radar, said a senior CBI official. The investigation into benami transactions and any other new facts that may emerge is still continuing. Report under sector 173 of Criminal Procedure Code will be filed separately after completion of investigation, said Dharini Mishra, CBI spokesperson. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/parties-to-democracy/970516/0
Parties to democracy
Manpreet Badal
In the life of a diverse nation such as ours, regional parties have often saved the day Wise men say that a week is a long time in politics. By that token, two years is an eternity. So while it is presumptuous for anyone to predict what will happen in the general elections in 2014, I was taken aback by the recent spate of public comment that suggests that the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 shall witness a fractured verdict, and concomitantly a coalition government shall be at the helm of affairs. The strange, a priori conclusion is that economic growth would be a casualty. Now, I dont know where this pessimism comes from, because this line of argument certainly isnt substantiated by modern Indian history. The derogatory sobriquet of Hindu rate of growth was a legacy of days when we had complete majorities at the Centre, while the heady growth decades of the 1990s and 2000s were marked by coalitions of various hues at the Centre. People forget that regional outfits have played a remarkable role in addressing the concerns of the regions they seek to represent. The most recent example is that of Bihar. It is Nitish Kumars performance and popularity in his home state, which at one time was deemed beyond redemption, that has burnished his credentials as a future prime ministerial candidate. The popularity of his counterpart in neighbouring Odisha is another example. In fact, it was Naveen Patnaiks father, who was one of the pioneers of the regional cause. It was Chandrababu Naidus TDP that gave Hyderabad its reputation of being Indias technology capital. James Madison once remarked that large, diverse republics with varying interests are a better
home for liberty and equality than uniform societies. Regional parties have played a sterling role in perpetuating the principles of parliamentary democracy in our diverse nation. The parties at the Centre have often shown their vulnerability to hegemony and the tendency to frame insensitive policies. This attitude has been facilitated by a feeble or ineffective opposition in the Lok Sabha. Under those circumstances, it was the regional parties that saved the day. The most prominent example was the response to the attempt to lay down a national language. If the resentment of the Dravidian states had not found political expression under the stalwarts of DMK, secessionist fires would have engulfed the whole of south India. A cursory look at the history of the implementation of Article 356 shall reveal that the so-called national parties have often been goaded by hubris. Imposition of Central rule in the states was inevitably followed by thumping victories for regional parties in the subsequent assembly elections. Of late, a term is gaining currency amongst Indias prosperous cognoscenti. Wisdom of the crowds is used to convey that the collective decisions of the people are more dependable than the decisions of a few. The concept is being used to power prediction markets by firms such as Google. Parliamentary democracy is the most brilliant form of this wisdom. If so many people are repeatedly voting for regional parties and local satraps, then they must be seeing some merit in them. And if the so-called national parties are truly pan-India, they should be scoring far more than the 100-150 odd Lok Sabha seats they get in every election. Their performance in state assembly elections is even more dismal. Also, if they are so confident about their all-India appeal, why do they need charismatic leaders such as Nitish to campaign for them in different states? I served as finance minister of Punjab for four years and my experience was that Central schemes are often unsuited to our specific needs. For example, the below poverty line definition as laid down by the Centre ensured that thousands of poor in Punjab could not the get much-needed financial aid. Similarly, there was no provision for upgradation of Punjabs dilapidated irrigation infrastructure in the Centres agriculture schemes. This happened because the policymakers at the Centre had failed to keep the specific conditions of Punjab in mind. The seven sisters in the Northeast often had a justifiable grudge that the governments run by national parties in Delhi seldom paid heed to their needs. Without regional parties, India would have been closer to V.S. Naipauls unfair rubric of a land of a million mutinies. India was lucky to have brilliant visionaries as its first leaders, postIndependence. B.R. Ambedkar ensured that giving adequate powers to the states was imperative to build the foundation of a thriving democracy. Even the government-appointed Sarkaria Commission recommended greater powers for state governments. But the parties at the Centre, always wary of regional leaders, have never implemented these recommendations, thereby denying people good governance and, in the process, strengthening the appeal of regional parties. I am not saying that all is well with regional parties. Many of them, especially those that have been there for a long time, are afflicted with the same ills that are symptomatic of the national parties nepotism, corruption, dynasty over merit and an indulgence in the subversion of democratic principles by browbeating smaller, upcoming players. They need to remember that stacks of cash and intimidatory tactics can work only up to a point, and if they fail to live up to the expectations of the electorate, the wisdom of the crowd shall visit the same ruination upon them as it did upon brash national parties.
The writer is founder president, Peoples Party of Punjab

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-truant-monsoon-and-otherstories/970519/0
The truant monsoon and other stories

Shailaja Bajpai
Both news channels and soaps are preoccupied with the rains There is no sign of the rains in Delhi. That would explain our TV news reporters parched throats as they broadcast from the heat and dust of the capital on everything from Abu Jundal to the storm clouds over the economy. They have also been crying themselves hoarse over the delayed monsoon. This is the hot news of the season, and, as you suffer the sweat, you feel that for once you and the news channels are on the same planet. So, when channels like NDTV India investigated the case of the missing monsoon, El Nino and the ocean waves on Tuesday evening, you watched with much more attention than you paid to Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, B.S. Yeddyurappa or Pranab Mukherjee who, come rain or shine, grace our homes nightly. While the monsoon plays truant, theres hope for climate change on the economic front after Manmohan Singh took charge as finance minister. Singh has, by and large, been missing from TV screens during his years as PM. But since the end of June, he has been seen on TV much more than during his eight years in office thus far. Each evening, the possible revival of the economy under his stewardship is the topic of debate on one or more channels: will he do a 1991, or, are we expecting too much of him? On Tuesday, NDTV 24x7s Left, Right and Centre wondered whether there was animal spirit in the PMs first few pronouncements on the economy. And have you noticed that we hear rather more from Singh in the air than we do on the ground? Whenever he travels abroad, he holds a press conference, thousands of kilometres above sea level, and seems willing to talk on almost any topic. Thus, on his return from the G-20 summit, he held a long press conference that we saw on DD News. Maybe the PM should travel more often? And should he be entrusted with reviving the monsoon too? Not entirely sure why news channels have been playing hits from the films of Rajesh Khanna. Normally, these are telecast to remember an actor. But Khanna is very much in our midst in fact, India TV, one of the channels that played some of the biggest hits from his films, informed us that he was feeling better after being hospitalised and would be heading home shortly. His BP is low, said India TV. So, were we celebrating his recovery or was it just an excuse to visit Bollywood? Come to think of it, does India TV need an excuse? Asha Bhonsle is on song as the judge emeritus on Indian Idol (Sony). Its a treat to listen to her opinions and when she sings, oh la la, oh la la. Shes so composed in her behaviour, youd think she has been judging talent shows all her life and maybe she has. Her presence lends the show a stature and seriousness otherwise left to Anu Maliks antics. Inspired choice by the channel.
Breaking News: what is the definition of true love? Could it be when a wife and her husband wear the same colour? On Diya Aur Baati Hum (Star Plus), Suraj has gone to participate in a cookery contest it is really the flavour of the times with the return of Masterchef Australia (Star World). He wears a lilac shirt and when wife Sandhya clutches his hand to wish him best of luck, you notice shes wearing lilac nail polish. Speaking of TV serials, we are as perplexed as Priya when she discovers that husband Ram, his family and friends, are mourning her passing on while she is alive and crying, although not as right as rain (Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Sony). Rain, by the way, is a character in these soaps, since they are mostly located in Mumbai where the monsoon is pouring down. It was raining for Priya on her taxi journey home and there are constant references to the rain elsewhere: in Pavitra Rishta (Zee), one character tells the other than he should go home because the rains are about to come down. If only. Should TV ads or shows should give copyright acknowledgements to films? You would say yes after watching the Tata AIG TV commercial, which is inspired by a scene from Vicky Donor. Inspired is a kind word. Its almost a copy cat. shailaja.bajpai@expressindia.com
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/its-all-in-the-name/970523/0
Its all in the name

Komail Aijazuddin
The unfortunate Surjeet-Sarabjeet mess was created by TV news, but Indias unfamiliarity with Pakistan can produce some hilarious errors PAKISTAN recently tried to send a prisoner back to India. This did not go smoothly. We announced recently that Surjeet Singh, a man whos been in jail here in Pakistan for over three decades, was going home. There was a short statement that was later picked up by the Indian media. Simple, right? Wait. Somehow, the name Surjeet was confused for Sarabjeet, which would have been less unfortunate had Sarabjeet Singh not been another Indian prisoner in the same jail, a man now infinitely happier with his prospects. Events unfolded like a bad high school rumour with diplomatic repercussions. The wrong name was repeated so much by the press in both the countries the two names do sound farcically similar that even our officials began using the wrong one. No one had a clue what was going on so everyone decided to keep smiling until someone thought: Wait, isnt his name ? The mix-up reminded me of that delightful transparent phase when the American right-wing media kept confusing Obama with Osama in a Freudian effort to convince the electorate that the president was, in fact, a 6-foot-6-inch Saudi. Still, the false hope and confusion must have been terrible for the families of the prisoners. To say nothing of Sarabjeet, whom I imagine is now feeling quite put off by the whole affair. I find the mix-up indicative of two things: One, we now have video evidence that as neighbours we have deplorable communication skills; two, if it is on
TV enough times, it is fact. Welcome to the 24-hour news cycle: the dumpster diving of reportage and our new Template of Truth. Clearly, a name is an important thing. Take the very name, India. Ive often felt that in the Great Divorce of 1947, you got the name and we got the summerhouse. By now the name India has an identity both inherent and branded. The Incredible India campaign, which I saw absolutely everywhere a few years ago during a visit, was wildly effective (well played, India. Well played!). Even now I cant say the word India without involuntarily following it up with a whispered chorus of incredible Indiaaa. Imagining billowing saris and twirling Rajasthanis shot in HD. Ive been visiting India since I was a child and I find more of us come visit than you might think. This, plus the ubiquity of Bollywood and the Star Plus/Colors-type channels we get here and abroad (tangent: why did you send us the show Uttaran? WHY?), ensure that people experience Indian culture widely. Even in 1994, I saw the tie-breaker between Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai (rest assured India, youre still our de facto representative at beauty pageants). Despite my best efforts, I will know when Kareena Kapoor is married, or that Jaya Bachchan gave Rekha a dirty look in Parliament. I also have a vague inkling of what life looks like for some Indians. Not to sound too divisive, but the reverse is not always true. Perhaps our TV channels are not seen as much in India. Perhaps young Indians tend to think more global, less local. We all know we get along abroad (hail generic South Asian student associations) but whatever the reason, Im often surprised by how some Indians think Pakistanis live. This is particularly true in Hindi movies. Observe: The other day I went to see this new Shahid Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra movie, Teri Meri Kahaani, in Lahore. It was partly set in Pakistan, in a place they called Sargodha, Lahore. FYI: Thats like setting a movie in Agra, Delhi-ish, but lets move on. Almost immediately, came out one stereotype of Pakistanis in Indian movies (the good one, not the terrorist one): the Mughal Muslim. Suddenly its like were from Lucknow circa 1890; everyone walking around majestically in farshi ghararas in large expansive havelis and saying Adaab with an orientalist upturn of the hand to anything that moves. Everyone is stiflingly formal, segregated and pious and you can hear the Azaan. All. The. Time. Its sweet, but not altogether true. We rarely say Adaab much to the chagrin of grandmothers everywhere and women dont wear farshi ghararas to breakfast (sadly taken over by horrific kaftans among the contemporary fashionistas) and havelis are much more difficult to heat than one is led to believe, so we actually do have modern housing. Parts of Sargodha are much more likely to resemble the raunchier bits of Jaanbaaz. For real. But despite everything that sometimes seems stacked against our mutual love, there are people on both sides of the Wagah border who are trying hard for lasting peace. Pakistan and India now call each other their Most Favoured Nations (better than what we used to call each other, I say), and we supported Indias bid for the UN Security Council in hopes of reciprocation (Kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi!). My own feeling is we should be fine as long as we stick to the rules of a good dinner party: get to know ones neighbour and, for heavens sake, try to get the name right. Aijazuddin is a writer and artist based in Lahore
Clean Deshmukh, Shinde may get more party duties

With CBI not naming the two in Adarsh charge sheet, Cong may consider the former for Maha affairs, latter for leader of LS
Shubhangi Khapre
In 2010, Ashok Chavan was forced to resign from the chief ministers post after corruption charges were levelled against him in the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society scam. On Wednesday, he faced a major political setback after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally charged him in the case. But the CBI skipped the names of his predecessors union minister for power Sushilkumar Shinde and union minister for science and technology Vilasrao Deshmukh from the charge sheet, leading to speculations that the Congress might hand them more political responsibilities. The developments auger well for Shinde, who is being seriously considered for the role of leader of the Lok Sabha. The post was held by senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, who is now presidential candidate of the UPA, said an All India Congress Committee functionary. Another party member said: After getting the reprieve from the CBI, the party is willing to consider Shinde and Deshmukh to manage the organisation in the state and the Centre. But, Shinde had earlier categorically told party chief Sonia Gandhi that he did not want to return to Maharashtra politics. I dont want to return to state politics. I am happy with my job at the Centre, Shinde had said. In Deshmukhs case, the party wants to reaffirm he does not get embroiled in any other controversy when assigned the task to handle state matters. The party will have to overhaul the organisation and government before the assembly elections in 2014, said a party member. Prithviraj Chavan, who is working in isolation, cannot be expected to deliver political results without support from senior, experienced leaders like Shinde and Deshmukh. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21461&boxid=20665&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=3 Towering shame Former chief minister Ashok Chavan joins a long list of politicians to have been charge-sheeted by the CBI and will stand in the dock accused of crimes that shame not just the state, but also the country. Back in 1982, chief minister AR Antulay was accused of extorting donations for a trust set up by him, in return for cement
quotas. Those were the days of the licence-permit raj. Much water has flowed down the Godavari since and corruption has mutated alarmingly. Antulay took money for a trust; Chavan allegedly took favours for kin. This moment of shame is worsened by the states revelation that it had never asked the CBI to investigate the scandal, a stand that may well jeopardise the case. If that were to happen, a whole new investigation (not necessarily by the CBI) would be required and the outcome could well be different. While castigating Chavan, one must bear in mind that for now, he is merely an accused; the court is yet to pronounce him guilty. But this latest accusation will fuel the peoples mistrust of politicians (and their accomplices, the bureaucrats, who are equally guilty of crimes of commission and omission). That these sections could try to appropriate property that was being developed for war widows was a new low even by the moral standards of Indian public life. The CBI itself has a very poor record when it comes to conviction of politicians, particularly Congress politicians. The case may drag on for years, by which time a weary public and a media that is perennially seeking new stories are likely to lose interest. For years concerned citizens have sought a cleansing of the Augean stables that Indian politics has come to resemble. While one hopes Adarsh kick-starts this process, few believe it will. Thats the tragedy of India, and Maharashtra. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21461&boxid=20697&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=3
Congress taken by surprise

DNA Correspondent
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan was surprised that Ashok Chavan was named in the charge sheet filed in the Adarsh housing scam. Even senior Congress leaders wondered why only Ashok Chavan was held responsible for the scam. The file was cleared when Vilasrao Deshmukh was chief minister. But Ashok Chavan is being held responsible for the scam. He was asked to resign by the Congress high command to save the partys face when the possibility of the involvement of other key leaders surfaced in October 2010, said a Congress leader, requesting anonymity. Another leader said that even party leaders in Delhi had conspired against Ashok Chavan. Defence minister AK Antony was convinced by a lobby that the Adarsh land belonged to the defence. This fuelled the quick decision of the high command to demand his resignation, he added. The CM claimed that the state government had never objected to the CBI investigating into the Adarsh case. We stand by our earlier statement made in the court that the state government never demanded a CBI inquiry. We had appointed our own machinery to probe the case. The media misinterpreted the petition filed in
the court. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21461&boxid=20713&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=3
Adarsh was a game changer for realty

The scam brought transperancy into the bureaucracy and real estate industry: Developers
Sudhir Suryawanshi
The Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society scam has changed the dynamics of the citys real estate industry and the municipal corporations project approval procedure. The scam was an eye-opener for the entire bureaucracy and real estate industry in the state. We have witnessed several scams, but Adarsh was different. No one was spared, including the chief minister and IAS officer, said a real estate observer, who did not want to be named. Those who used to accept corruption as part of the system, now talk about eradicating it. It was one of the biggest positive changes brought in by the Adarsh scam, said a senior government official. Pankaj Kapoor, managing director of Liases Foras, a real estate rating and research agency, said Adarsh was a game changer. Development control rules were amended and the controversial parking FSI policy was abandoned. The government also made serious efforts to remove irregularities in plan approval procedure. Everything is in black and white now, Kapoor said. Now, even developers are eager to absorb the new system and have started cleaning up their act, especially the flat selling procedure. Manohar Shroff, managing director of Shivam Builders and general secretary of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry, said: We do not sell flats without the BMCs approval and have also stopped pre-launch bookings. We refuse to protect unscrupulous builders who violate the norms and cheat people. Shroff, however, blamed the Adarsh scam for spoiling the real estate market. After Adarsh, civic officials began sitting on files. They were reluctant to sign papers. As a result, work got delayed and project costs escalated. The low supply of flats coupled with high demand resulted in a rise in property prices, Shroff explained. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/punjab-guv-refuses-to-sign-landordinance/970579/
Punjab Guv refuses to sign land ordinance

Chitleen K Sethi : Mohali, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:38 hrs
Despite Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badals claims of being the saviour of village common land (shamlat) in the state, it is Governor Shivraj Patil who has come to its rescue. In an almost back-door move, the state government reportedly tried to amend the Punjab Village Common Lands Regulation Act, 1961 by deleting a vital clause that limited the sale and use of shamlat land in the state. The amendment was proposed to be rushed through as an ordinance and was sent to the Governor for his signatures. According to sources, the Governor refused to sign on the amendment and referred it back to the government for reconsideration. The sources said Patil took the decision because the amendment was against the spirit of the said Act. The Punjab Village Common Lands Regulation Act provides for the protection of shamlat land for use of common purposes of villagers. The Act states that only 50 per cent of shamlat in a village can be leased out or sold by the village for income. The other 50 per cent of the land has to be retained by the village for its own use. However, over the years, this provision has been violated to the point of vulgarity. Shamlat land is being sold in totality, said a revenue officer.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/under-fire-thomas-says-no-hurry-to-exportwheat/970574/
Under fire, Thomas says no hurry to export wheat

The Centres decision to export wheat has prompted criticism from the Right to Food Campaign, which called the move unjust and urged PM Manmohan Singh to scrap it. In a letter to Singh, the campaign, which is run by activists including NAC member Aruna Roy, said it was appalled the government chose to subsidise export of wheat to liquidate stocks rather than distribute it to the starving multitudes in India. Subsidised exports essentially mean the government is taking a conscious policy decision to provide subsidy to cattle in industrialised countries (which will be the use the grain will be put to) rather than provide it to the poorest of the poor citizens in the country, the letter read. Food Minister K V Thomas, meanwhile, said the Centre was in no hurry to export wheat. We are looking at international situation because prices in global market are getting better and better, he said. Our idea is to get a better price. At the same time a large chunk of grain produced in the country should go to people of this country.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/probe-cbis-harassment-of-jaganmother/970573/
Probe CBIs harassment of Jagan: mother

YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddys mother Vijayamma Wednesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded a probe into the alleged harassment of her son by the CBI. In a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Vijayamma alleged a greater conspiracy to harass Jagan and accused a senior CBI official of acting with ulterior motive. We request you to order a probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court and also the CVC into the manner in which the CBI and its official are acting with ulterior motive against Jagan and the vengeance with which it is being done, the memorandum said. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday dismissed Jagans bail plea in a disproportionate assets case.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pranab-trashes-fake-signature-charge-bjp-maymove-court/970571/
Pranab trashes fake signature charge, BJP may move court

The BJP on Wednesday upped the ante against UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee on the issue of violation of office-of-profit rules while the UPA termed the objection as frivolous and scandalous adding that it was preposterous to suggest that Mukherjee would have fabricated his letter of resignation from the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). Demanding a copy of the written order from the Returning Officer rejecting his objections to Mukherjees candidature on Tuesday, Opposition candidate P A Sangma moved the Election Commission, which directed the Rajya Sabha secretary general, the Returning Officer for the elections, to provide a copy of the order. The government said that the Opposition was taking the Presidential election to a new low. It is a scandalous suggestion and I am sure Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the candidate, has taken note of this scandalous statement, Chidambaram said in reply to a question on BJPs charge against Mukherjee. The BJP had on Tuesday said the resignation letter to ISI, Kolkata, was fabricated. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Mukherjees representative, also said the objections were frivolous. It is preposterous to suggest such a thing, he said. In Thiruvananthpuram, Mukherjee countered the BJP charges himself: Who had forged my signature? I myself? I do not know what they have said. Who can forge his own signature. This issue we have debated at the office of the Returning Officer and the Returning Officer responded to that. How can somebody lodge a complaint that you forged your own signature? BJP leader Satya Pal Jain, Sangmas representative, however, threatened to move the court on
the matter even though there appeared to be a division within the Opposition camp whether the issue should now be taken to such an extent. Returning Officers order is a quasi-judicial order, but he is not providing the copy of it for reasons best known to him. Before deciding whether we approach court to seek recourse against his order, we might have to approach the court to get the order in the first place, Jain told The Indian Express over the phone from Chandigarh, terming the delay as shocking and intriguing. That the BJP was not willing to let go of the issue was also obvious when senior leaders, including S S Ahluwalia, termed the delay in providing a certified copy of the Returning Officers order as unprecedented. Following a meeting that Sangma had with BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, Ahluwalia indicated that the party was not in a mood to relent. However, a section of party leaders confided against pressing the issue further after Returning Officers order.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/myanmar-mps-to-take-home-lessons-onindia/970568/
Myanmar MPs to take home lessons on India

Pradeep Kaushal : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:31 hrs
The executive accountability to the legislature, freedom of the media, committee system and the provision of dedicated television channels of the two Houses have fascinated the 10 MPs from Myanmar, who have come here for an orientation programme organised by the Indian Parliament for them. We would flag these key features of the parliamentary democracy in India when we go back home and report to our Speaker, Myat Nyarna Soe, belonging to Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD), told The Indian Express on Wednesday. Notwithstanding the bitter past, people across party lines are enthused over the process of national re-conciliation and democratisation undertaken by President Thein Sein. We expect her (Suu Kyi) to participate in the Parliament session, which started today, said Ti Khun Myat of the dominant Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Called Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Assembly of the Union is the bicameral legislature of Myanmar, established by the 2008 National Constitution. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw comprises two Houses the 224-member upper house Amyotha Hluttaw and the 440-member lower house Pyithu Hluttaw. On the issue of political prisoners, there are no two opinions among the visiting MPs. We will bring a motion for the release of political prisoners, Myat Nyarna Soe said. As it is, the NLD MP said, There are very few political prisoners left and none belongs to my party. When asked about restrictions on the Myanmar MPs sharing information about Parliamentary proceedings outside, Ti Khun Myat said there was no blanket ban. It is only with regard to the matters concerning security and other related matters, he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/flouting-rules-purohit-joined-abhinav-bharatattended-meetings-army-probe/970566/0 IE 05JUN2012
Flouting rules, Purohit joined Abhinav Bharat, attended meetings: Army probe
Manu Pubby : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:30 hrs
Not only was Lt Col Shrikant Purohit, the Military Intelligence (MI) official who is an accused in the September 2008 Malegaon blast, not authorised to infiltrate the Right-wing organisation, Abhinav Bharat, but he also flouted rules and attended meetings of the organisation in Bhopal and New Delhi while undergoing a language course, according to an Army probe. An Army court of inquiry, which is in the final stages of confirmation after which court-martial proceedings are likely to be ordered against the suspended officer, has determined that Purohit was an active member of Abhinav Bharat and his links with the group continued even while he was posted on a training mission in Panchmarhi and was not authorised to gather intelligence on its activities. Sources said the Army has determined that Purohit attended meetings of the organisation in Bhopal in April 2008 while he was undergoing a language course at Panchmarhi. He did this without seeking permission or informing his superiors. According to the ATS investigation, the Malegaon blast was planned during this meeting. It is learnt that the source report generated by Purohit after the Malegaon blast naming Sadhvi Pragya and others being citied in his defence that he kept seniors in the loop was done while he was posted in Panchmarhi under the Central Army Command and was not mandated to gather intelligence. As reported, investigators believe the report, sent after Pragyas involvement in the blast became apparent, was a ploy to cover his tracks as he feared his name would be dragged in too. Right from the beginning it was clear that the reports he generated were a cover. He started sending the reports only in October to cover his tracks, said a senior officer who was part of the initial investigation into Purohits involvement in the case. The Army court of inquiry is believed to have irrefutably concluded that Purohit flouted service rules by joining the Right-wing organisation. In fact, the officer was warned at least once that he should stay focussed on his charter of duties as a counter-intelligence officer and not side-step into infiltrating Right-wing organisations. At a January 2007 meeting in Deolali, where Purohit was then posted, his senior officer, Brig R Borthakur, advised him to concentrate on his primary task after he showed keenness to investigate the 2006 Malegaon blast. The senior officer reminded Purohit that the charter of duties did not include operations that are carried out by police and state intelligence agencies.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/26-11-nia-seeks-ansari-custody-court-ruling-
today/970565/
26/11: NIA seeks Ansari custody, court ruling today

A Delhi court on Wednesday deferred till Thursday its decision on a plea by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the custody of suspected 26/11 key handler Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. In a reply filed to the NIAs plea, the Delhi Police Special Cell told the court that the agency had already been granted access to Ansari for carrying out certain investigative procedures. However, the NIA clarified that this was not in connection with its recent FIR against Ansari for allegedly amassing explosives to carry out blasts in the country. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav said he would take up the matter on Thursday when Ansaris custody to the Special Cell expires. It might be the case that the special cell may seek extension of Ansaris custody tomorrow. So, I will decide your application tomorrow, the judge said. The NIA had moved the court on June 28 for custody of Ansari, who is currently being interrogated by the Delhi Police Special Cell.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-plans-for-karnataka-peace-shettar-new-cmwith-2-deputies/970576/0
BJP plans for Karnataka peace: Shettar new CM with 2 deputies

Johnson T A , Ravish Tiwari : New Delhi, Bangalore, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:35 hrs
After a week of uncertainty over the future of the BJP government in Karnataka, with dissidents demanding replacement of Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, the Central leadership is working out a formula to buy peace that can last till the Assembly polls slated to be held within a year. The high command is considering appointment of two deputy chief ministers, besides accepting the B S Yeddyurappa factions demand to give the CM post to senior leader Jagadish Shettar. BJP sources said the leaders of three warring factions divided along caste lines Gowda (Vokkaliga), Shettar (Lingayat) and partys state unit chief K S Eshwarappa (Kuruba) appeared inching towards an agreement where Gowdas replacement will be accompanied by appointment of two deputy CMs from the other factions.
Leaders in Delhi indicated that they were awaiting the final word of commitment from all factions before a formal decision was taken, which was likely within a week. The two deputy CMs being considered are Eshwarappa and Home Minister R Ashoka, a Vokkaliga. This option also provides a window for the party to rehabilitate Gowda as the partys state unit chief. One of the other options was to elevate Shettar as the deputy CM and retain Gowda. This, the sources said, was not acceptable to the rebel camp and also the OBC block represented by Eshwarappa. The other option of replacing Gowda with Shettar and keeping all other positions unchanged was said to be not acceptable to the chief minister. Senior party leaders, however, confided that a final decision would be approved only after either the party core group or partys Parliamentary Board gave its approval. Not ruling out changes in the current plan, senior leaders said they were still in touch with different factions for a peaceful accord. The Central leaders in Delhi said the entire shake-up would be done with an eye on the Assembly elections, keeping all three factions happy. In Bangalore, Gowda too hinted that he was on his way out. On his return from New Delhi following parleys with the central leadership, the CM said a decision on leadership change would be taken within four or five days. Asked if he expected to continue as the CM, Gowda told reporters after a Janata Darshan programme at his office: Whatever the decision (will be), I have the personal satisfaction of providing clean, good governance for the 11 months (that) I have been chief minister. I am a loyal soldier of the party and will abide by whatever decision the party leaders take. Whether it is to continue or step down I will not view it as a bitter or sweet option. Whatever decision is taken I will see it as being part of a continuing process in a politicians life, he added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/isi-sign-genuine-ready-to-face-probe/970570/0
ISI: Sign genuine, ready to face probe

Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay : Kolkata, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:32 hrs
The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) said on Wednesday it was ready to face any court of inquiry in case BJP Presidential candidate P A Sangma challenged in court the authenticity of the signature of UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee on his resignation letter tendered on June 20. The BJP has alleged that the signature on his resignation letter from the ISI chairmans post was different from that he used in his nomination form filed with the Election Commission. BJP spokesman Ananth Kumar said on Wednesday the signature was fabricated and that they would move court against it. There are three things related to the issue when Pranabbabu tendered his resignation; whether he was holding the office of profit; and whether his signature in the resignation was
authentic or not, Bimal Roy, Director, ISI, told The Indian Express. He explained: On June 20, we received his resignation with the signature that he used here as chairman of the ISI Council. If they go to court and handwriting experts or forensic experts are called, we are ready to face it. Of course the signature of Pranabbabu on his resignation is different than that he uses at other places. But many people use two different signatures, particularly for signing cheques. The signature on his resignation letter was the same he used here for the last four years he was chairman of the council. And so far as the allegation of his holding office of profit at ISI is concerned, we can say he never got a single paisa as remuneration or any honorarium, he added. Meanwhile, the Bengal BJP, led by president Rahul Sinha, is likely to protest in front of ISI on Thursday.
IIT aspirants still in a bind

When the IITs and the central government reached a compromise last week on the proposal for a single national-level test, most stakeholders thought that was the last they would hear of the row. But key concerns have still not been addressed. Is this just the calm before the storm? Pallavi Smart finds out
Pallavi Smart
Naveeta Singh (name changed) is not buying into claims that the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the ministry of human resource developments (MHRD) compromise formula will help cut through the clutter. Sure, the compromise formula has brought in a sense of justice. But the governments push to have it implemented soon hardly gives candidates any time to understand the new pattern and to prepare accordingly. There is no clarity on the process of examinations as well, argues the resident of Mahim. The compromise formula was drawn up following a huge uproar over the MHRDs proposal for a single, national-level entrance examination for admissions to IITs, centrally-funded institutes as well as private, aided and unaided engineering institutes. The IITs took umbrage at the plan to interfere with its autonomy. Students worked up a sweat over the clause that board examination results will be given equal weightage. Quick on the heels came several debates, a number of protests by all stakeholders the faculty and students and several online petitions against the proposal. The last straw was IIT-Delhi and IIT-Kanpurs act of defiance they both refused to kowtow to the government unfair plan. The joint admission board of the IITs then drew up a compromise formula, which was approved by the IIT council and the Centre. As per the new pattern, which is expected to be effective from next year, there will be entrance examinations on two levels main and advanced. The main tests will be on a par with the All India engineering entrance examinations. A total of 1.5 lakh
shortlisted candidates can then appear for the advanced test. But, there has been no relenting on the bone of contention giving equal importance to board examination results. Aspirants who make it through the advanced test level have to be among the top 20% scorers of their board to stake a claim on a seat in the IIT. Old wine in new bottle? Many parents allege that the new formula skirts key concerns. When the compromise formula was given the green light, many stakeholders thought that it was the last time they would hear of the row. But those who were planning to initiate a public interest litigation (PIL) in court, with the help of an NGO, before the formula was drawn up and approved are refusing to lower their guard. We are mainly opposed to the haste in implementing the reforms. Candidates will not get sufficient time to brace themselves for the changes and prepare accordingly, says a parent whose son has been preparing for the IIT-joint entrance examination (JEE) for the last years. Another parent is just as worried. Reports claim that the IIT joint admission board will finalise details in August. That will leave just seven months to prepare for the examinations. How do they expect students to get ready for the new pattern in such span of time? Even changes made at the school-level are brought into effect at the start of an academic year. Jayant Jain, president of the Forum for Fairness in Education, the NGO that was helping parents approach the court, says, The PIL was decided to be filed mainly to oppose the governments rush in implementing the JEE reforms. Students start preparing for it as soon as they pass out of Class IX. They will obviously get confused if a new formula for selection is put up before them at the end of their preparations. What many parents cant get over is the IIT facultys sudden change of heart. It had put up a strong front against the governments rush in bringing about reforms. But after the IITs and the Centre reached a compromise, all and sundry claim that students will not made to suffer. A member of the IIT-Bombay faculty says, There is not much of a change in the pattern. The basic curriculum is still the same. Flawed objectives IIT aspirants, however, clarify thats not whats got their goat. To date, candidates have had to focus only on the JEE to break into the top ranks. But when the new system becomes effective, they will have to score equally well in their board examinations. Earlier, I knew I just had to score above 60% in the board examinations. But now, I will have to focus just as much to be among the top 20% scorers in my board of examination, says a student. Candidates even claim that the governments objective to scrap multiple entrance tests to ease the pressure on them falls through. Earlier, although there were several entrance tests, each varying in the level of difficulty, students made up their minds about which to focus more on. Now, they will have to worry about three examinations the board, the main and the advanced. And, as a student puts it, not one can be taken casually.
An IIT-Bombay professor says board examinations should not cause much worry as going by the precedent, students cracking the JEE have been top performers in board examinations. But, good just isnt enough; the clincher here is to be among the top 20% of scorers in their respective board, the strength of which will differ each year depending on factors such as size of the board, difficulty levels and evaluation pattern. Praveen Tyagi, managing director of IITians PACE, a coaching class for the JEE, wonders why students are being forced to concentrate on Class XII examinations when the quality of board-level education is questionable. Another floundering argument of the government in pushing for a single, nationallevel entrance test is that it will reduce the dependency on coaching classes, which have been flourishing given the umpteen number of entrance examinations that candidates sit. But, Tyagi explains, Students will still seek specialised coaching even if its just for a single entrance test. A parent from Andheri says the new format will, in fact, make coaching classes thrive. When my son was preparing for engineering entrance examinations four years ago, he joined coaching classes. He managed studying for board examinations on his own. But this time, my daughter, who is also preparing for admission to an engineering institution, may have to go for coaching even for board examinations. Much is still left The IIT council is still looking at the nitty-gritty of the new JEE, like whether to design the advanced test in the subjective format. While most of the teaching faculty prefers posing subjective questions to candidates to assess their true merit, it might be difficult to do so given the large number of candidates (1.5lakh) wholl make it to that stage. Yes, its a difficult task, but not an impossible one. The merits and demerits of a subjective format will have to evaluated, says Dr RA Mashelkar, chairperson of IIT-Gandhinagar who is also a member of the IIT council. Mashelkar refuses to call the new format a compromise. He, instead, claims that it is a win-win situation for all stakeholders. This system achieves five principals reducing the pressure of multiple entrance tests, giving school studies their due importance, ensuring that only the best of the lot make it through, allowing equal opportunity to all meritorious students and retaining the autonomy of the IITs. The senate of IIT-Bombay will hold a meeting on Thursday, which was originally called to discuss the institutes stand on the old reforms proposed by the MHRD. Now that much water has flowed under the bridge since the decision to call such a meeting was taken, the discussions are likely to focus on the format of the advanced test and 20% eligibility criterion. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/never-expected-this-says-chavan/970556/
Never expected this, says Chavan

Kavitha Iyer : Mumbai, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:22 hrs
Claiming that he was surprised at his name being included in the Adarsh chargesheet, former chief minister Ashok Chavan said the scam and the probe had been blown out of proportion. Todays development is unexpected and unfortunate, he told The Indian Express. Stating he was involved neither in the allotment of land nor in deciding who can be given membership in the society, Chavan said, This entire Adarsh Society issue is merely an administrative issue that has been blown out of proportion. Chavan denied suggestions of political pressure on the state government to oppose the CBI probe. Asked whether the states opposition to the CBI probe was politically motivated, he said, These are actually legal questions... The provisions of law must be considered. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan reiterated the states stand on Wednesday, telling reporters the government has not sought the CBI inquiry. This affidavit is in line with the Home Departments earlier affidavit, he said, adding the government is not, however, opposed to an investigation of any irregularities. Ashok Chavan also said the days development was an effort by his political opponents to malign his image. Asked if he had not expected or been given indication that he may be chargesheeted, he said he never guessed during the interrogation or later that the CBI would take this step. However, I have faith in the countrys judiciary and I am confident that I will come out clean.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/society-pleads-oust-cbi-mod-wants-tointervene/970552/
Society pleads oust CBI, MoD wants to intervene

Express news service : Mumbai, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:19 hrs
A day after the state government challenged the CBIs right to probe the Adarsh scam, the housing society moved an application urging the Bombay High Court to declare the probe null and void while the Defence Ministry sought to oppose the states stand by intervening in one of the cases around the society. The societys application also seeks the dismissal of a PIL filed by activist Pravin Wategaonkar, alleging ulterior motives stemming from political rivalry. The society has stated all issues regarding land, construction, approvals and regulations are within the purview of the state government and not the CBI. It said the CBIs FIR has disclosed no offences, denied having committed any and justified the way memberships were granted, saying it used its discretion. The MoD, meanwhile, informed the court that it wanted to intervene in a PIL seeking the invocation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Counsel Kevic Setalvad sought time to file an affidavit on the ministrys behalf. Shekhar Naphade, counsel for society members,
said if time was to be granted, the CBI should be restrained from filing the chargesheet on Wednesday. The court granted the MoD two weeks. Lawyer Y P Singh, representing activist Simpreet Singh who had filed the first PIL, said this was a game on the societys part, an allegation hotly denied by Naphade.
www.indianexpress.com/news/fasih-was-key-im-facilitator-close-to-yasinbhatkal/970562/0
Fasih was key IM facilitator, close to Yasin Bhatkal

Rahul Tripathi : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:27 hrs
Even as Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that steps were being taken to bring back terror suspect Fasih Mehmood, who has been detained in Saudi Arabia, fresh details have emerged of his alleged involvement in terror plots since 2006. Fasih, according to investigators, is believed to have participated in almost all attacks carried out by the Indian Mujahideen (IM) since 2005-06. He has emerged as the key facilitator first while studying at an engineering college at Bhatkal in Karnataka and later when he moved to Saudi Arabia in 2006. Investigators have found evidence to suggest that the 28-year-old Fasih was in regular touch with IM chief Yasin Bhatkal alias Ahmed Siddibapa since 2005. The disclosure made by Fasihs cousin Gauhar Aziz Khomani, who was arrested by Special Cell of Delhi Police in 2011, corroborated these findings. Gauhar, an engineer by profession, met Yasin for the first time at his village in 2003. Yasin was accompanied by Fasih, who introduced him as his friend, according to Gauhars interrogation report. Investigators said it was during the investigations of September 2008 Delhi serial blasts that sleuths got on the trail of the IMs southern module. The questioning of Mohammad Saif arrested after the Batla House encounter revealed that the explosives were brought from Udupi in Karnataka. He identified the supplier as Shahrukh, one of the aliases used by Yasin Bhatkal. While Yasin remains at large, intelligence sources pointed to the involvement of Fasih in the procurement of explosives and extending finances for the blasts. Currently, the Karnataka Police and Delhi Police have secured a red corner notice against Fasih for his involvement in Bangalores Chinnaswamy Stadium blast and the 2010 Jama Masjid attack case respectively. He is expected to be deported soon, said officials. Home Minister Chidambaram also told reporters here: He is in Saudi Arabia. He was detained there. Steps will be taken to extradite him to India. Fasihs name also cropped up during the questioning of IM operative Tarique Anjuman. Anjuman was running the operations for IM in UP and Bihar and claimed to have met Fasih
many times, said officials. Arranged hideouts, carried out recruitment Questioning of the arrested IM suspects in past eight months revealed that Fasih was also tasked to establish safe houses for members of the terror outfit. One of his key responsibilities was to establish hideout at the time of crackdown by cops, said a top official. The official said Fasih went to Saudi Arabia in 2006 and was carrying out recruitment drive for Indian Mujahideen. We suspect that during his stay in Saudi, he travelled to Pakistan and met Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal. The yasin link Investigators say Fasih was in regular touch with IM chief Yasin Bhatkal since 2005. His cousin Gauhar Aziz Khomani has corroborated these findings during interrogation. Detained in Saudi arabia, deportation likely soon FASIH was picked from his home in Saudi Arabia on May 13 and detained. His wife Nikhat Parveen was deported to India. Parveen alleged that Fasih was picked by a joint team of Indian and Saudi officials, which the government denied. ON JUNE 26, Saudi authorities confirmed with CBI, which acts as nodal agency for Interpol, that Fasih was under detention. Sources said they expect Fasih will be deported soon once the formalities are completed.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-proposes-july-27-for-krishnas-pakistanvisit/970560/0
India proposes July 27 for Krishnas Pakistan visit

Shubhajit Roy : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:26 hrs
In a move aimed at conveying that bilateral talks will not be derailed despite fresh revelations of Pakistans role in the 26/11 terror attacks, India on Wednesday proposed fresh dates for External Affairs Minister S M Krishnas visit to Pakistan in July last week. Top sources told The Indian Express that it was conveyed to visiting Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani that Krishna would be able to travel to Pakistan for talks on July 27. The date has been proposed keeping in view that the monsoon session of Parliament is expected to begin on July 30. New Delhi and Islamabad will now firm up the dates, after checking Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khars availability during that period. India had postponed Krishnas visit on July 18 and 19 as it clashed with the presidential elections. While there were chances of putting off the visit till the monsoon session of Parliament got over, both sides were of the view that delaying the visit will be perceived negatively in both
countries. The urgency to undertake the visit assumed significance, especially after the arrest of Lashkar-eToiba operative Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, as both sides wanted to convey the message that the dialogue process should not be held hostage to these new revelations. The understanding in New Delhi is that Krishnas visit at an early date ensures a wider window period for Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit sometime later this year. While much of the deliverables need to be worked on to set the stage for the Prime Ministers visit, New Delhi is serious about the invitation from the Pakistan side. In fact, during talks with Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai on Wednesday, Jilani brought up the issue of the Prime Ministers visit before the end of this year. While no firm commitment has been made, there were discussions that Singh may visit any time between September and November. Sources said Mathai and Jilani also discussed the meeting for cross-LoC Confidence Building Measures, which will be taken up before the meeting of the foreign ministers, likely to be held on July 19. Both sides, however, refused to divulge details of the conversation between the two foreign secretaries. The foreign secretaries along with their respective delegations have had two full sessions of detailed discussions covering all aspects of the agenda under the items Peace and Security as well as Jammu and Kashmir, said Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs. At the end of the two sessions the foreign secretaries agreed to resume the talks tomorrow, July 5. No Ansari dossier to be given to Pak during foreign secy talks Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that no dossier on 26/11 handler Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal would be given to Pakistan during the foreign secretary-level talks. No dossier would be given at this stage but the foreign secretary has been briefed. If he feels, he can share it with them, he said. Ansari was caught in Saudi Arabia while travelling on a Pakistani passport issued in the name of Riyasat Ali. He was also found carrying a national identity card issued by the Pakistani government. Ministry of Home Affairs officials on Tuesday said they have given the details regarding Ansaris passport and identity cards to the Foreign Secretary and the same can be provided to his Pakistani counterpart. ENS
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cm-vs-cm-vs-cm/970553/0
CM vs CM vs CM
NEERAD PANDHARIPANDE : Mumbai, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:20 hrs
Three former Maharashtra chief ministers traded charges while deposing before the
governments two-member inquiry commission, each challenging various clearances granted by the other to Adarsh Housing Society during his tenure. Sushilkumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Ashok Chavan made their statements while the CBI was still readying its chargesheet. Chavan pointed to the roles of Deshmukh and Shinde in the allotment of land, while Deshmukh referred to Chavans role in allowing 40 per cent civilian membership. Shinde, in turn, noted that the additional FSI that allowed more floors was granted after his tenure, implicating Deshmukh. The letter of intent for the project had been approved by Deshmukh on January 18, 2003; the letter of allotment issued by Shinde on July 19, 2004. The chief ministers indeed seem to have passed the buck on to each other. But at another level, there also seems to be a consensus to blame bureaucrats for not giving them appropriate advice, said Simpreet Singh, one of those who have filed a PIL in Bombay High Court. Each CM said he signed clearances in good faith, depending on bureaucrats, Singh found this an unfortunate situation with the state at the mercy of persons who blindly sign documents on the basis of bureaucrats recommendations. Pravin Wategaonkar, another petitioner, noted that it has come on record that the chief ministers did, in fact, grant various levels of approval to the society, even if on someone elses advice. Timeline 2008 August 27: NAPM, an NGO, files a complaint with the Central, state and civic authorities alleging irregularities in construction 2010 October 25: Western Naval Command addresses a note to the state government raising security concerns about the building, which overlooks defence establishments October 28: Reports surface that Ashok Chavans late mother- in- law Bhagwati Sharma was one of the allottees November 1: Development authority MMRDA revokes occupation certificate given to society November 9: Ashok Chavan resigns as CM; Defence Minister recommends CBI probe November 22: Adarsh society members move HC December 23: HC refuses to direct restoration of electricity and water supply to Adarsh 2011 January 8: CM Prithviraj Chavan sets up two-member fact-finding commission January 16: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh recommends demolition
January 29: CBI registers FIR against 14 persons, including Ashok Chavan February 17: HC transfers probe into missing files to CBI April 13: HC stays demolition of building April 19: Adarsh Commission begins proceedings May 26-June 20: Former CMs Sushilkumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan file affidavits before Adarsh panel August 9: CAG report placed in Parliament, calls Adarsh a case of fence eating the crop 2012 February 28: HC criticises CBI, Enforcement Directorate for inaction March 20-21: CBI arrests seven including senior bureaucrats April 14: Adarsh commission submits report, says land belongs to state government June 25-July 1: 3 former CMs appear before commission July 4: CBI files chargesheet
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-accused-the-denials-and-thecountercharges/970551/0
The accused, the denials and the countercharges

: Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:16 hrs
The 13 Chargesheeted Chief Promoter R C Thakur Accused of conspiring with M M Wanchoo, members of defence services, officials of state government to illegally get land allotted in favour of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society. Retired army officers M M Wanchoo Retired brigadier accused of having aided and conspired with Thakur and accused Maj Gen (retd) A R Kumar; allegedly abused his official position for personal benefits. A R Kumar Retired major general was GOC of Maharashtra and Gujarat Area. Initiated and approved file and issued no-objection certificate to Collector of Mumbai for development of building. T K Kaul
Retired major general accused of not taking action on a request by Defence Estates Office for revocation of NOC even after facts were brought to his knowledge. Member of the society. T K Sinha Retired brigadier allegedly wrote to HQ Mumbai Sub Area in 2003 that management of defence land in Mumbai was entirely the responsibility of local military authorities. R K Bakshi Retired colonel had allegedly written a letter certifying that the land did not belong to the Army. LEADERS Ashok Chavan As revenue minister, accused of joining hands with others and proposing to include civilians as societys members to make his relatives members. Allegedly expedited land allotment. As CM, accused of giving 15% concession in recreation ground requirements K L Gidwani Former Congress spokesman, then a Sena legislator, allegedly part of the plot with Thakur and Wanchoo, using connections to get permissions. Deal reportedly that he would bring in 40% of the society members. One flat in society in his name, two in his sons. GOVT OFFICIALS P V Deshmukh Charged with misrepresenting a routine MoEF letter as environmental sanction for the project in 2003. Was deputy secretary in urban development department. Also signed a letter reducing the width of the road abutting Adarsh from 60m to 18m. Ramanand Tiwari, Subhash Lala Lala, then principal secretary to CM, allegedly conspired with former CIC Tiwari (above) to allow transfer of FSI from BEST land to Adarsh, which allowed the building to rise up to 103.60m. Pradeep Vyas Was collector of Mumbai when the land was allotted to Adarsh in July 2004. Ratified the first list of 71 members in Adarsh, allegedly after accepting false documents as income proof. The members list included his wife Seema Vyas, an IAS officer. Jairaj Phatak Then Municipal Commissioner accused of having illegally regularised the height of the building from 70m to 100.7m without referring the matter to the highrise committee.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dri-busts-rs-1000cr-hawala-racket-inludhiana/970547/
DRI busts Rs 1000-cr hawala racket in Ludhiana

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) claims to have busted a hawala racket in Ludhiana in Punjab, allegedly involving laundering of at least Rs 1,000 crore through different channels. The racket was exposed after a Ludhiana-based exporter allegedly used inflated bills to misuse a duty drawback scheme run by the Union Ministry of Finance and gained incentives worth Rs 60 crore. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Delhi zonal unit of DRI found that the businessman was using fake inflated bills to get incentives of the drawback scheme while exporting substandard readymade garments, said DRI officials. They said the exporter, who runs several export firms in Ludhiana, was sending garments to the United States and Middle East countries by allegedly inflating the cost of the exported garments.
Police defuse bomb that wasnt

Nearly 200 cops rush to the spot near an Andheri mall, confirm object to be a smoke creater used in films
DNA Correspondent
A drama spread out over two hours was enacted in Andheri (West) after a garbage picker discovered a bomb-like object in the dustbin near Infinity mall. Panic spread fast with nearly 200 police personnel having a tough time controlling the over 500 people who had gathered. Soon after landing at the spot, members of the dog squad of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) concluded the object to be a dummy bomb, mostly used in movies to create smoke. Officials of the Amboli police investigating the source of the object, said that the drama began around 12.05pm when garbage picker Bala Panchkarvi spotted the bomb-like object in the dustbin opposite the Dheeraj Gaurav Heights building. Panchkarvi removed it and kept it near the divider before informing the Mumbai police, which in turn passed on the information to the BDDS. While the Amboli police evacuated the area, two BDDS teams, one from Vakola and the other from LT Marg, followed by the dog squad, the crime branch and an ATS official, landed here. Post-examination, they confirmed that the object did not have any explosive in it, said inspector Vivek Shende of the Amboli police. In fact, the BDDS found seven aluminium pipes wrapped in black tape, an electrical circuit along with a wooden stick. There are several film production houses in the nearby area and it appears that somebody might have thrown the object in the dustbin. But it was not explosive, said deputy police commissioner Pratap Digaokar of Zone (IX). http://www.indianexpress.com/news/land-for-institutes-police-lathicharge-ranchi-
villagers/970546/
Land for institutes: Police lathicharge Ranchi villagers

Express news service : Ranchi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:11 hrs
The uneasy calm at Nagri village here, following the Supreme Courts rejection of a petition by villagers agitating against the acquisition of land for three higher education institutions, proved to be temporary after the police resorted to lathicharge on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one villager injured. Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi Vinay Kumar Choubey said that the villagers tried to damage the boundary walls of the 227 acre site. They caused some damage to the boundary wall and minor injuries to our personnel, including the SP (Rural) and SDO. The police had to resort to a brief lathicharge, he said. Last Thursday the SC refused to entertain a PIL moved on behalf of tribal landowners of Nagri seeking to halt the construction of the three institutions on 227 acres of land. The villagers had then said that they would intensify the agitation by ploughing even the walled area. It was such an attempt that escalated into Wednesdays violence. The state government maintains that it acquired the land in 1957-58. The Oraon-majority Nagri maintains that no tribal surrendered land back then, they have been cultivating it uninterrupted, and paid property tax till 2006.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sc-defers-pci-plea-hearing-on-troopmovement/970536/
SC defers PCI plea hearing on troop movement

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred hearing a petition filed by the Press Council of India against an Allahabad High Court order banning media from reporting troops movement. On April 10, the HC had directed authorities to ensure that there is no reporting/release of any news item by the print or electronic media, namely the movement of troops. The directions were given to the Union Home Secretary, the I&B Secretary and the Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Home). The order had come on a PIL relating to a report in The Indian Express on April 4.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/panel-calls-meet-may-junk-thoratreport/970544/0
Panel calls meet, may junk Thorat report

Anubhuti Vishnoi : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:10 hrs
A full meeting of the National Monitoring Committee on Textbooks is set to be called to discuss the Thorat committee report as well as a dissenting report by Prof M S S Pandian on cartoons in NCERT textbooks. Sources said that the Thorat committee report may be rejected on grounds of being hastily drafted and without adequate consultation. Sources said the National Monitoring Committee, headed by Prof Mrinal Miri and Prof G P Deshpande, has said that both the reports must be discussed along with all the submissions made by academic experts consulted. On Tuesday, The Indian Express reported how the 13 experts consulted by the Thorat committee find no mention in the final report. Members of the National Monitoring Committee have conveyed to the NCERT that if any evaluation of textbooks is to be conducted, it must be through a mechanism as rigorous as was adopted to draft these textbooks. At a meeting called on Wednesday by NCERT Director Dr Parvin Sinclair on the Thorat committee report, members of the textbook committee and advisers were learnt to have given a point by point rebuttal to the arguments made by the Thorat panel. The meeting also discussed the differences of opinion between Prof S K Thorat, chairman of the committee, and member Prof M S S Pandian, an eminent social scientist. The Thorat committee has recommended deletion of 21 cartoons with immediate effect and modification of caption and text in several places. Prof Pandian filed a separate report stating that these textbooks needed no changes. While both Miri and Deshpande were unable to attend Wednesdays meeting, they are learnt to have conveyed their views to the NCERT.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pm-panel-slams-iit-entrance-test/970543/
PM panel slams IIT entrance test

Anubhuti Vishnoi : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:09 hrs
The Prime Ministers Scientific Advisory Council (PM-SAC) has drawn attention to the multiplicity of entrance examinations, backed the idea of a national test, and attacked the IIT entrance exam for its negative effect on young minds. Headed by Prof C N R Rao, the PM-SAC in a recent meeting has drawn up a checklist on essential steps for progress in higher education and commented on the malaise of multiple exams. It has singled out IITs for overburdening students. IIT entrance examinations not only have the reputation of being difficult and purposeful, but also have a negative effect on young minds. Youths suffer to succeed in the entrance
examination, and lose excitement in education itself. Those who do succeed are already exhausted and not able to perform as well as fresh minds, the Council said in a submission to the PM. Examinations have got increasing importance in the last few years. Entrance examinations have become a menace, the Council added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nda-commandant-shunted-out-may-bequestioned-by-cbi/970541/0
NDA commandant shunted out, may be questioned by CBI

Express news service : New Delhi, Pune, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:08 hrs
The Defence Ministry has shunted out Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, the commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA), after seven persons, including two Colonels posted under him, were arrested by the CBI which is probing an alleged bribery racket in the recruitment of Group C employees at the academy. Lt Gen Singh was shifted on the orders of Defence Minister A K Antony after the CBI wrote to the ministry stating that he had to be removed in order to ensure a fair probe. Sources said the officer is set to be questioned by the agency in the coming days. This is the first time that the head of the prestigious training academy has been transferred under a cloud. The shifting is with the view to ensure a free and fair investigation in the alleged bribery racket in the recruitment of Group C posts in the NDA, said the Defence Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday. Sources said the decision was taken after the CBI wrote a letter to the defence ministry on Tuesday giving details of its investigation into the racket in which the accused allegedly charged Rs 3-4 lakh for the appointment of junior staff at the academy. The action is being seen as a sign that Lt Gen Singh will soon be questioned. It is learnt that Lt Gen Singh will be placed as an additional officer at the Pune-based Southern Command and his second-in-command, Rear Admiral Anand Iyer, will take charge of the academy. The move to shift Lt Gen Singh comes as the CBI widens its probe into the issue and is set to question several other officials including a Brigadier-level officer posted at the academy. The CBI has also arrested Col A K Singh, who was heading the recruitment board of the academy, after taking the main accused, Col Kulbir Singh, in custody last month. The CBI has recovered Rs 1.71 crore during various raids across the nation in connection with the alleged scam. Lt Gen Singh, who belongs to the Guards Regiment, was previously posted as the director general of the Rashtriya Rifles.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/briefly-nation-maldivian-vessel-detained-in-
kochi/970539/
Cops bust LeT module, 7 held SRINAGAR: The J-K Police on Wednesday claimed to have busted a recruitment module of the Lashkar-e-Toiba in north Kashmirs Sopore and arrested seven of its suspected members. The module was planning attacks on security installations and VIPs, Sopore SP Imtiyaz Ahmad claimed.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mp-woman-raped-sold-for-not-bringingdowry/970538/
MP woman raped, sold for not bringing dowry

Express news service : Bhopal, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:04 hrs
A woman in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, has alleged that she was raped by five men and sold once her in-laws abandoned her for not bringing in dowry. The 20-year-old was rescued by her father from Mahuna village from one Dwarkaprasad to whom she had been last sold by the maternal uncle of her husband Anand. The woman, a victim of child marriage, told the Rahatgarh police that immediately after her marriage in 2008 her in-laws started harassing her for dowry and made her live in a cattle shed where she was raped by one Guddu Maharaj. She was later sent to her husbands maternal uncle Ramsingh, a resident of Khurai village. Ramsingh and his two sons allegedly raped her, she said in the complaint, before selling her to Dwarkaprasad for Rs 50,000. The woman alleged that she was raped not only by Dwarakaprasad but also his neighbour Khadaksingh. Ramsingh, Khadaksingh and Dwarakaprasad have been arrested.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no-arbitration-work-for-retd-sc-hc-judgesgovt/970537/
No arbitration work for retd SC, HC judges: Govt

Utkarsh Anand : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:03 hrs
The Centre Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it has decided in principle to debar retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts who serve in statutory bodies from taking up arbitration work. There has been an approval in principle to put a service condition that chairpersons or members of tribunals and other such agencies will not be taking up private arbitration work.
The terms have been sent for reconsideration to the Law Ministry and a decision is likely to be taken very soon, the Centres counsel, Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok, told a Bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw. When Prashant Bhushan, the counsel for the petitioner, NGO Common Cause, submitted that the court had in February directed the government to finalise the policy within three months, Chandhiok said the policy was being finalised and should get the approval by the end of next month. The court then directed the government to intimate it of the status of the policy at the next hearing in the last week of August. Common Cause had filed a PIL, seeking directions to the Centre to restrain retired judges holding constitutional posts from taking up private arbitration cases because, the NGO argued, this violated legal and ethical norms. The petition also sought directions to prohibit retired Supreme Court judges from giving chamber advice. The court, however, refused to pass such a direction.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx? pgNo=8&edcode=820009&eddate=2012-7-05
20 yrs on, wife-killer gets life term

Mustafa Plumber
A man who was charged with his wifes murder in 1992 and later acquitted, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bombay high court (HC) on Wednesday. A division bench of justices A Oka and S Davare has directed accused Laxman Ganti to surrender within 12 weeks before the Thane sessions court which has been told to pass the necessary orders so that Ganti can undergo the sentence. Ganti was 20 when he, along with his parents, were charged of dowry harassment and the murder of his wife Lalita. The Thane sessions court, the prosecution examined a total of eight witnesses during the trial. However, the sessions court acquitted the accused for lack of evidence. The state government appealed in the HC against the order which was admitted in 1993. Additional public prosecutor, Pradeep Hingorani who conducted the appeal in the HC, said, The appeal was first heard last week and today, after a gap of over 20 years, the high court has found the accused guilty and sentenced him. He added, The sessions court had erred in not appreciating the medical evidence and the evidence of harassment presented by the prosecution during the trial which was put forth before the high court to bring home the guilt of the accused. The parents of the accused who are senior citizens were given the benefit of doubt and their acquittal order was upheld.
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx? id=21472&boxid=26752676&ed_date=2012-07-05&ed_code=820009&ed_page=8
Sena hits BJP where it hurts most

Backs NCP candidate to ensure defeat of BJPs Sanjay Kelkar in Konkan council polls
Surendra Gangan
The Shiv Senas stand of not supporting its ally in the council elections has cost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dear, with its candidate in the Konkan graduate constituency Sanjay Kelkar going down to Nationalist Congress Partys young Niranjan Davkhare. The loss is being seen as the Senas way of exacting revenge of the alleged backstabbing by the ally earlier during the Thane municipal corporations mayoral elections. Though both candidates from the Mumbai graduate and teachers constituencies swept clean their nearest rival, it was a tough fight in the Konkan constituency, where Niranjan, son of deputy chairman of the legislative council Vasant Davkhare defeated BJPs Kelkar by 4968 votes. Shiv Senas Deepak Sawant defeated NCP-supported Rajesh Teke and the Congress candidate by 12,744 votes in the Mumbai graduate constituency. Surendra Srivastava of the Loksatta party could manage only 376 votes. Also, Kapil Patil of Lok Bharti defeated BJP rival Manisha Kayande by 9,138 votes in the Mumbais teachers constituency. The results of all four seats were announced on Wednesday. The Sena and the BJP have been at loggerheads in the council elections held in four graduate and teachers constituencies on Monday. Shiv Sena had supported BJP rival Manisha Kayande in Mumbai teachers constituency, resulting in the humiliating defeat of Sharad Yadav, BJPs official candidate. The tit-for-tat attitude was resorted to by the Sena after BJP stood by a rebel of the Teachers Democratic Front, the teachers organisation controlled by Sena in the Nashik teachers constituency. Another reason for Shiv Sena to help the candidate fighting against the candidate of its ally was the clashes between the two parties in Thane municipal corporation elections held early this year. Sena leaders believes that BJP played a spoilsport in Thane mayoral election to keep the former away from the chairmanship of the standing committee. A Sena corporator went missing and two others were on the verge of remaining abstain in the Mayoral election. This led to the chaos in the mayoral elections and subsequent legal battle. Sena firmly believes that BJP was responsible for the ruckus
and Sanjay Kelkar played an important role in the gameplan. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nalco-wants-theft-accused-promoted/970535/
Nalco wants theft accused promoted

Debabrata Mohanty : Bhubaneswar, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:01 hrs
Last year, the Central Vigilance Commission indicted B N Swain, one of the directors of the National Aluminium Company, for stealing a 40-inch LCD TV from its office here, but that has not stopped its top management from recommending a promotion for him. Swain, serving as Executive Director (Human Resources & Administration), is being pushed by Nalco top brass for promotion to the post of Functional Director, even though in April the CVC had found that Swain exchanged his personal defective TV with the LCD monitor. Despite the CVC indictment of Swain, Nalcos acting CMD B L Bagara recommended to the Union Mines Ministry for promotion to the post even as the ministry in January turned down a similar request citing the case.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no-skimpy-dresses-jamaat-warns-j&ktourists/970391/
No skimpy dresses, Jamaat warns J&K tourists

Express news service : Srinagar, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:58 hrs
With hundreds of tourists currently visiting the Valley, Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious group, has asked them to follow a proper dress code. It has also asked the states tourism department to enforce the decision. The statement issued by party leader Advocate Zahid Ali said some tourists, mostly foreigners, were seen walking about in mini-skirts and other objectionable dresses, which was against local ethos and culture. Kashmiris cannot for the sake of their economy give up their divine values at any cost. We need no such guests who can become a cause of derailing society from the right track and spread immorality and immodesty in the name of tourism, said the statement. The religious group has asked officials of the tourism department to take appropriate steps and advise tourists to respect local culture. This is cultural aggression and there are elements who, in the garb of promoting tourism, are promoting vulgarity, alcoholism, drug trafficking and other immoral activities, the statement added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/machil-hc-says-army-can-conduct-courtmartial/970390/
Machil: HC says Army can conduct court martial

Mir Ehsan : Srinagar, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:57 hrs
The J&K High Court on Wednesday said Army has every right to conduct trial of its own men and quashed orders passed by lower courts that had rejected the court martial option in the 2010 Machil fake encounter case. Justice Hasnain Masoodis order cleared the decks for court martial of the accused Army men. Ministry of Defence counsel Karnail Singh Wazir told The Indian Express that he would now seek the custody of the Territorial Army personnel who is in custody. The court quashed the two previous orders of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Sopore and Principal Sessions Court in Baramulla that had rejected the court martial option in the case. In December 2010, the Army had filed a revision petition in High Court against the lower courts orders. Three persons, including the Territorial Army personnel, are under detention in connection with the case. On April 29, 2010, two counterinsurgents along with the Territorial Army jawan allegedly lured three young men from Nadihal village Shezad Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad and Mohammad Shafi to Kalaroos on the LoC with the promise of job and money. The three were killed by troopers of 4 Rajputana Rifles near the Sona Pindi post and dubbed as foreign infiltrators. The J&K Police have produced chargesheet against an Army Colonel, two Majors, five soldiers and three civilians in the fake encounter case.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wife-framing-me-french-official/970389/
Wife framing me: French official

Johnson T A : Bangalore, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:56 hrs
A deputy head of chancery at the consulate general of France in Bangalore, who has been arrested for the alleged rape of his three-year-old daughter on the basis of a June 14 complaint by his wife, has in police statements accused his Indian-origin wife of framing him to gain control over their three children. Pascal Mazurier (39), who has been in judicial custody since June 19, has applied for bail after his judicial custody was extended on July 3. Mazurier was arrested on the basis of a complaint by his wife Suja Jones (37). The complaint was backed by a medical report given by the Baptist Hospital in Bangalore, which examined the child and said there were signs of rape. The police have also gone in for a DNA test to match alleged traces of semen found during the examination of the child. The test results are awaited.
Mazurier told the police he had intercourse with his wife using a condom the night before the alleged rape of his daughter and that Jones had insisted on disposing the condom herself. He said she was upset with his decision to move the family to South Africa where he was set to take up a diplomatic position.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/assam-floods-national-calamity-bjp/970387/
Assam floods national calamity: BJP

Express news service : New Delhi, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:55 hrs Terming the Prime Ministers Rs 500 crore interim relief for flood-affected Assam too little, the Opposition BJP on Wednesday demanded that the Centre declare the floods a national calamity and provide more relief. The amount of Rs 500 crore announced by the PM is too little even for relief, not to talk of rehabilitation and reconstruction, said BJP general secretary in-charge of Assam Vijay Goel, who recently visited the state. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/up-governor-asks-govt-to-probe-misconductcharge-against-cic/970534/0
UP Governor asks govt to probe misconduct charge against CIC

Faisal Fareed : Lucknow, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:00 hrs
UP Governor B L Joshi has referred to the state government a complaint accusing Chief Information Commissioner Ranjit Singh Pankaj of concealing information about a fine imposed on him by Allahabad High Court in 2009. The administrative reforms department has written to Pankaj, seeking his version. Lal Bahadur, a Right to Information (RTI) activist from Ambedkar Nagar, wrote to the governor on May 21, asking him to suspend Pankaj and send a reference to the Supreme Court for his dismissal on grounds of misconduct in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act. According to the complaint, former IAS officer Pankaj was secretary, mining and geology, before being appointed CIC on June 30, 2009, by the Mayawati government. On November 13 that year, the high court fined him Rs 50,000 in a matter pertaining to a time he was in the government, and directed him to deposit the penalty within four weeks by a bank draft made from his salary account to the registrar general of the court, says the complaint. Pankaj allegedly concealed this fact from the appointing authority who is the governor and filed, without taking the authoritys consent, an appeal in court on December 11, 2009.
On May 31 this year, Raj Bhawan sent Lal Bahadurs complaint to the principal secretary, administrative reforms, Prabhat Kumar Sarangi, asking him to take action after obtaining Pankajs version. Confirming the developments, Sarangi said, I have passed the complaint to the CIC office for his version. I am yet to receive a reply. Once I get a response, it will be forwarded to the governors secretariat, he said. CIC Pankaj said he had not received Sarangis letter. Lately, I have not been going to office and hence I am not aware of any such letter. I will check with my office, Pankaj said. Asked about the fine imposed on him by the high court, he said, It is an old issue of 2009. It has been stayed by the high court. There is no substance in the charges. On the alleged concealment of facts, Pankaj said, Everybody knows it. The state government is aware of it and even the governors secretariat is aware. There is no truth in it. The complaint, the CIC said, was frivolous and motivated. Under Section 17(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, the state CIC or information commissioner can be removed by the governor on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity proved in an inquiry conducted by the Supreme Court on a reference made by the governor.
Talks on CBMs with Jundal in mind

India-Pak foreign secretaries discuss Kashmir, peace & terror on first day
Iftikhar Gilani l New Delhi

The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan on Wednesday began two day talks at the Hyderabad House. Sources said foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai while welcoming his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani raised the issue of terrorism in the light of latest revelations by LeT terrorist Abu Jundal and the way it constrains Indias options by affecting the public opinion against bilateral relations and the measures to settle disputes. The spokesman of external affairs ministry Syed Akbarudin said both sides utilised the opportunity of the working lunch also to cover a wide variety of issues. As home minister P Chidambaram in the morning said it has become increasingly clear that state actors were involved in executing the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and that without state support the terror control room could not have been established in Pakistan, external affairs ministry is treading a cautious line. They are toeing the prime minister Manmohan Singhs line, maintaining that Pakistan has to do more on tackling terrorism but point out that the progress on the matter can not held the dialogue process to ransom. It was clearly pronounced by the external affairs minister SM Krishna while
returning form Tajikistan that acrimony of old times was no longer there. Asked whether New Delhi would hand over Islamabad any dossier on Jundal during the talks, Chidambaram said no dossier would be given at this stage but Mathai was free to share whatever he has been briefed about. Diplomatic sources said two sides discussed in detail issues related to military and nuclear CBMs. Amid growing concerns over the security of Pakistans nuclear assets, two sides explored a range of confidence building measures in a bid to increase predictability and trust. Both sides have already signed an agreement on the advance notification of testing of ballistic missiles. The CBMs among conventional forces, discussed by two sides included initiating rudimentary military-to-military contact the heads of Coastguard exchanging visits, seats in respective national defence institutions and facilitating exchange of military bands. During the session on Jammu and Kashmir, the two sides discussed varied cross LoC CBMs, impediments in way of trade and travel. India had been pushing for opening up more contact points like Kargil-Skardu road link. But, Pakistani position is to first strengthen existing confidence building measures. http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21462&boxid=15690&ed_date=2012-0705&ed_code=820009&ed_page=9
NDA commandant shunted, to be grilled

DNA Correspondent l New Delhi Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, commandant of the NDA at Pune, has been shunted out to ensure a free and fair investigation into the recruitment scam in the training institute where Rs3-4 lakh was allegedly taken as bribe from each candidate for jobs including that of cooks and gardeners. The commandant has been shifted to ensure a free and fair investigation in the alleged bribery racket in the recruitment of Group C posts in the NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune, defence ministry spokesperson N Aao said in New Delhi. Defence minister AK Antony took the said decision after several employees of the academy including the staff officer of Lt Gen Singh were arrested by CBI for allegedly taking bribes. The investigating agency has sought armys permission to interrogate Lt Gen Jatinder Singh as he was heading the unit. The CBI on Wednesday made fresh arrest in the case by arresting a physical training officer and presiding officer Colnel AK Singh of the Board appointed by National Defence Academy (NDA). The CBI had arrested Lt Gen Singhs staff officer Col Kulbir Singh along with five others for allegedly receiving bribe from candidates during a recruitment drive at NDA last month. Establishment officer of NDA Suhas Shankar Waghmare was also arrested by the CBI last week over allegations that he had taken money from over 15 candidates in the alleged recruitment scam. CBI has alleged that Col Singh in conspiracy with the other accused had obtained illegal
gratification of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh from each candidate to give them appointment for subordinate staff like cooks, gardeners, lab attendants, library attendants and cadet orderlies. The accused persons had allegedly taken signatures of those candidates, who had agreed to pay bribe, on blank sheets and later filled them with correct answers, it said.
PC regrets death of innocents in Cgarh

Manan Kumar l New Delhi Under fire from tribal affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo who has called the CRPF offensive in Chhattisgarh as completely unacceptable and the civil society, union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday tried to steer the CRPF clear of the controversy while conveying deep regrets for the loss of innocent lives. If any innocent person has been killed, I am deeply sorry... if any girl, or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed, I can only be deeply sorry... I share Deos sense of sadness and anguish at the loss of lives, Chidambaram said during the cabinet briefing on Wednesday. Another reason for the Centres worry is that a fact-finding team comprising of activists Swami Agnivesh, BD Sharma and Himanshu Kumar is expected to visit the place of the incident Sarkaiguda village, approximately 3 kms from Basaguda on July 6. Moreover, the state unit of the Congress has claimed that seven innocent minors were killed in the CRPF attack. In an attempt to muster up defence for the CRPF, Chidambaram said, The CRPF DG has said that he has nothing to fear. I do not think any central force has been so transparent I am not going into the political controversies. I am the home minister and the CRPF is under me. We have been absolutely candid, frank and upfront. He quoted the CRPF DG as saying that if in the dark jungle, if the CRPF is facing casualty, the Standard Operating Procedure requires it to open fire. Sources told DNA that feeling the heat and aware that such incidents can recur again by an onthe-offensive CRPF, the Union home ministry has asked the force to draw up fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for night operations keeping in mind the situations wherein Maoists can use human shields to protect themselves. The MHA also seems to be in a favour of giving compensation to the family of innocents who lost their lives in the incident, for which the state government will have to take the final call. Fearing violence during the bandh call given by the Maoist in south Bastar region, the union ministry of home affairs has also alerted Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Wheat export ban lifted to settle cabinet feud

DNA Correspondent l New Delhi
Ending differences between agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and food minister KV
Thomas, the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh did a balancing act, by lifting a four-year-long ban on export of wheat as well as releasing 8 million tonnes in the domestic market. The CCEA approved export of 2 million tonnes of wheat from the central stock. The two ministers were at loggerheads on the issue. While Pawar advocated export of wheat to clear overflowing godowns, Thomas proposed to sell 30 lakh tonnes of old stock at a concessional rate to private flour mills and provide additional supply to both APL and BPL families. The issue of storage had become so acute that the Uttar Pradesh government decided to stop wheat procurement last month. Briefing about cabinet decisions, home minister P Chidambaram said the proposal was one of the steps to manage overflowing wheat stocks in the central pool. As a measure to soothe the nerves of food minister, the government also agreed to release additional 5 million tonnes of food grains to BPL families and allowed sale under Open Market Sale Scheme of 3 million tonnes of wheat. The governments decision of permitting wheat export may also raise hackles in the United States as the price set for exports (12,400 per ton) is even below this years minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 12,850 per tonne. It means subsidising the foreign consumers to the tune of Rs800 crore. The US had been warning that selling wheat below cost will be in violation of the World Trade Organisation rules. Since Indias export was already in the pipeline, the US had warned the commerce ministry that it cannot sell below the MSP at which it buys from the farmers. The US may move WTO against India. The actual price of wheat was coming to the tune of Rs 16,500 per tonne. But the cabinet note prepared for the CCEA, pointed out that there would be no buyer at this price, defeating the very purpose of offloading the extra stock from the central pool. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kerala-dumps-its-waste-does-not-collectit/970383/0
Kerala dumps its waste, does not collect it

Shaju Philip : Thiruvananthapuram, Thu Jul 05 2012, 00:51 hrs
For months now, mounds of garbage have been piling up in public places across Kerala, from the capital to district headquarters to scores of small municipal towns. This is happening in a state that topped the Indian Human Development Report of 2011 with high scores in health, income and education, and which in 1996 pioneered decentralised planning at three-tier local bodies. It is these local bodies that are now struggling with solid waste management amid local resistance at the traditional garbage yards. Waste removal at source, including from houses, has stopped for six months in Thiruvananthapuram after people at Vilappil, the capitals garbage yard since 2001, shut the door
on waste. And dumping has stopped for four months also in Laloor near Thrissur, the centre of Keralas oldest battle over garbage, where locals have been agitating since 1988. The government has won a Supreme Court order allowing opening of the dumping yard at Vilappil but has not proceeded for fear of resistance. Admits Thiruvananthapuram mayor T Chandrika, Definitely, politics is involved in the deadlock. We want to reopen the Vilappil yard. Why cant the government implement the Supreme Court order? The government faces a similar struggle at many places, particularly Kollam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Thalassery and Kannur, besides Thrissur. As a result, the Kerala residents fastidious attention to personal hygiene and his tradition for movements against industrial pollution and deforestation, such as the legendary Silent Valley agitation, has not been reflecting in the upkeep of his surroundings. With waste no longer being collected from his house, he has been dumping it in public places or burying it in small pits. The monsoon has made it worse. Human waste is frequently being seen in paddy fields and farmlands near residential areas. Contractors who pump waste out of septic tanks into tanker trucks have been flushing it out in open spaces or roadside drains. In a piecemeal solution never heard before, the government last week decided to collect the trash dumped in open yards in the five corporations, pack them into bags and keep them under shelter, spending Rs 30 crore. Amounts & attitudes Until six years ago when the government made its last such assessment in 2006 the average urban resident of Kerala was generating 300 grams of waste a day, amounting to a total daily generation of 8,300 tonnes in municipal towns, according to a study by Clean Kerala Mission, a government body for coordinating waste management. We are looking at updating the figures and expect a 10 per cent increase in the last six years, says CKM executive director George Chakkachery. He says municipal bodies are not keen on giving priority to waste management. None of the five municipal corporations has a proper waste management system, other than the dumping yards in nearby villages. Of the 60 municipal towns, only two are effectively managing waste. Among 9,780 village panchayats, many of which have grown into busy towns with high-income residents, only 122 have at least thought about waste management. The waste generated would be beyond the capacity of dumping yards-cum-plants, even if they werent shut. At the 54-acre Vilappil yard, the windrow composting plant has a capacity of 70 tonnes but was getting 300 tonnes a day. After it was shut down early this year, the municipal corporation announced plans to install one lakh pipe composting units in peoples houses. People were offered an 85-per-cent subsidy, a net cost of Rs 200 per household, but so weak has their enthusiasm been that less than 10,000 units have been set up until last month. The government has now raised the subsidy to 90 per cent, hoping for a better response.
People need to change their attitude, says Chakkachery, citing the governments limitations. The government effort to make rainwater harvesting mandatory for all buildings failed. How then can a waste management system be made compulsory? Chakkachery lists obstacles such as Keralas population density, lack of land for open dumping and a heavy monsoon. Everyone here wants to dump waste onto someone elses premises or in public places. Our people lack civic sense. The idea is only to keep the waste away from oneself. Types & trends Green activist C R Neelakandan says solid waste has multiplied in recent years as a result of a change in lifestyle. Keralites now follow a market-oriented life, he says, which tells on the nature and raises the quantity of domestic waste. Market dependency for all daily provisions, including milk and vegetables, has increased the flow of plastic into municipal solid waste. With cattle rearing dwindling in urbanised rural areas in Kerala, that means of consuming food waste no longer remains in houses, says Neelakandan. What distinguishes Keralas waste from that of most other places is a high proportion of nonvegetarian and water content, a reflection of the Keralites eating habits. According to the Kerala Animal Husbandry Department, the states daily requirement of meat is 5,000 tonnes, with chicken dominating. Truckloads of chicken and cattle are brought to Kerala through routes legal and illegal and sold in countless stalls. These stalls and slaughterhouses then drop the waste from vehicles on roads, usually in the dark. Last month, the government had warned of criminal action against those dumping waste in the capital where, according to district collector K N Satheesh, 4,000 tonnes of garbage remain to be shifted out. However, several bags of slaughterhouse waste remain dumped on the roads. The Clean Kerala Missions 2006 study found that while 51 per cent of municipal solid waste in the country is organic and compostable in nature, in Kerala it is 77 to 88 per cent. However, the idea of generating biogas or electricity is yet to gain larger acceptance in Kerala. Biotech India chairman A Saji Das says biogas plants can solve the problem to a great extent. Our firm has implemented waste to power projects in 42 village panchyats, where power generated from market waste is used for street lights, Das says. The government wants to pack the waste into bags; it is not interested in a lasting solution.
Prez battle gets uglier

EC directs returning officer to give Sangma details of Pranabs nomination order
DNA Correspondent l New Delhi As the BJP threatened to explore all options, including filing a legal challenge, the Congress
charged that the lacking any substantive issue the opposition is reducing the presidential contest to the level of college elections. The opposition is forgetting that this is the election for the highest office in the land. All their objections are frivolous, ill-concieved and baseless, said Union parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal who is also Mukherjees authorised representative. His assertion came in response to the BJPs charge that Mukherjees resignation letter from the office of the chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute was fabricated. If Mr Mukherjees signature is forged, then he should be complaining about it. How can anyone else have a grievance about it, said Bansal. Giving elaborate details about the arguments that took place before the returning officer VK Agnihotri, Bansal said that every trifling aspect of the resignation was discussed. It was only then the nomination was accepted, he added. But the opposition candidate Purno Sangma demanded the detailed order passed by the returning officer rejecting his complaint with the idea of challenging it in the courts of law. The Election Commission subsequently asked the returning officer to provide Sangma with the proceedings and orders passed while scrutinizing the nominations of candidates. Now that the nomination papers have been accepted and the electoral process is underway, there can be no legal challenge as per several Supreme Court rulings. If any legal challenge has to come up it shall have to be before the Supreme Court within 30 days of the presidents taking the oath of office, Bansal informed. The BJP is simply reducing the seriousness of the election to the highest office in the land, by nit-picking on the date on which the UPA candidate resigned from an office of profit. Indeed, if the opposition candidate is serious about the election, then he should concentrate on winning tribal votes from the UPA side, said Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari. Even as this war of words has taken an ugly turn, Mukherjee is travelling throughout the country on the campaign trail.
In 22 years, 5,300 soldiers lost to war on terror

Ishfaq-ul-Hassan l Srinagar India has lost over 5,300 security force men in its fight against the Pakistan-sponsored proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 22 years. The fatalities are higher than in any full-scale war fought by India against any country postIndependence. Data released by the J&K government has revealed that 5,396 security forces and police personnel were killed while 12,947 others were injured in the war against terror. At least 21,449 militants were killed while 21,655 were arrested in this period. According to official data, 13,246 civilians were killed in the terrorist violence, while 22,088 civilians were injured during the two decades. Besides, 3,655 civilians were killed while maintaining law and order. The government has, however, not said anything about the civilian killings by security forces.
The security forces have made tremendous sacrifices to preserve peace and protect the lives of innocent civilians. Sustained operations against the militants were undertaken by the forces to ensure security and tranquility of the state is not disturbed, wrote the under secretary of the J&K home department in a letter to the State Human Rights Commission. Security experts said it should be no surprise that casualties on security forces are large but that is part of the game. The graph of militancy and its acceptability had drastically gone down. That means the sacrifices have not gone waste. Pakistan has nothing to celebrate, said MM Khajuria, former DGP.
Prez polls precursor to major realignment

Nilotpal Basu
Purno Sangma has now unveiled his agenda for the presidential contest. Essentially, he wants the Electoral College to vote according to their conscience. And, he wants a televised presidential debate. Strange that he isnt aware that anti-defection law doesnt apply here. And the trouble is that he is harking back to the past. The call for a conscience vote became a war cry for the presidential contest for VV Giris election. And, the war cry was directed against all those who were opposed to bank nationalisation and protecting the privy purse. But that was another time and another context. Today, both candidates are wedded to the neoliberal paradigm. Sangmas other proposition is bizarre. Televised debates are for the American elections. The executive presidency in the US makes the choice of presidents the most important election in the worlds most influential country. Obviously, the focus is on individual candidates and their television performance. The president election here does not pose any such predicament. That the presidential election this time has turned into a two-horse race is common knowledge. And, even though the Constitution envisages the president to be a titular head, it cannot be divorced from contemporary political reality. The most striking feature of this election lies in the new permutations. The UPA and NDA have seen breaking of ranks on this specific question. Why has this happened? It is hardly influenced by the persona of the candidates. It has got more to do with the policy predicament that individual political parties of the alliances face. How each of these parties would relate to the alliances to which they belong and alliances would approach the people in the 2014 elections is of vital importance. Starting with the UPA and the Congress, one cannot overlook the growing disenchantment of the people. This has happened because of a drift afflicting them in the midst of loss of credibility of the neoliberal paradigm globally. After what is happening in the US or Europe, they betray cluelessness. And, domestically the question of price rise and corruption has led to increasing levels of popular disillusionment. This is now manifested in by-elections in geographically dispersed
regions. But, interestingly, many regional parties that find the BJP unacceptable due to the specific composition of the electorate in respective states are veering towards the Congress candidate. This is not necessarily because Congress is strong; but it allows them the freedom to be more assertive in dictating the agenda of governance. The sole exception in the UPA is the Trinamool Congress. The TMC is the overwhelmingly larger partner in West Bengals ruling alliance and it is also the second largest constituent of UPA. This position of importance has emboldened the TMC so much so that its unilateralism and intolerance is directed against not just the Left, but also aimed to usurp whatever little residual electoral base the Congress continues to retain. Therefore, the TMC has flexed its muscles on the presidential candidate. And, paradoxically, the movement of other parties within the UPA and outside towards the Congress candidate Pranab Mukherjee has put them in a spot. The NDA, on the other hand, faces bigger trouble. The BJPs internal convulsions, intense clash of personalities and damning charges of corruption in the states have sapped their potential to be proactive and forced them to adopt the BJD-AIADMKsponsored Sangma. But the more serious question is posed on their communal image. The second most influential constituent of NDA, the JD(U), has also dumped Sangma for now. These twists in the run-up to the president election hint at the possibility of a realignment. While the president election itself is not the reason, it definitely reflects the symptoms. The real realignment, however, will take place due to the inability of the two major coalitions to pose any real alternative to address the livelihood concerns of vast majority of the people. Given the policy nature of the turbulence, it is quite obvious that the Lefts platform offers a basic alternative from what either alliance can offer. Despite its recent electoral reverses, the Left platform offers a potential alternative to the agenda of neo-liberalism that the UPA and NDA pursue. Therefore, the Left cannot stay insulated in its attempt to intervene in these fluid times. Therefore, the choice of a president who remains uninfluenced by the RSS-Hindutva paradigm challenging the modernist vision of our secular democratic Republic has become imperative. Sangma, by announcing that he has pardoned the forces responsible for the Graham Stein murder and the massacre of Christians in Dangs in Gujarat, has made the choice simple. The writer is a member of the central committee, CPI(M) http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=572012
Cong sees red over botched operation By Kay Benedict in New Delhi THE controversy brewing over the alleged killing of innocent tribals during the June 28 encounter, in which security forces claimed to have shot down 20 Maoists in Chhattisgarhs Bastar district, has got murkier.
The preliminary report of a Congress fact- finding team set up to inquire into the joint operation by the Chhattisgarh Police and CRPF stated on Wednesday that seven of those slain were children between the ages of 12 and 16. This contradicted the initial contention of home minister P. Chidambaram and state CM Raman Singh that only Maoists were killed in the shootout. The report submitted by the 14- member Congress team, headed by tribal Congress legislator from Konta ( south Bastar) and vicepresident of the state PCC Kwasi Lakma, mentioned it was difficult to establish who fired the first shot that triggered the encounter. This conclusion, too, was at variance with the version of security agencies, which had maintained they were forced to open fire after their jawans got injured in firing from the other side. The panel was set up a day after the encounter. The Congress castigated Singh even as it made a veiled attack on Chidambaram for endorsing whatever the CM had said based on allegedly half- baked intelligence inputs. AICC general secretary B. K. Hariprasad said the operation was botched up and resulted in the killing of innocent tribals, including minors. Chidambaram also appeared to have slipped into damage- control mode on Wednesday when he apologised for any collateral damage. I am deeply sorry if any girl or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed, he said. At the same time, the home minister stuck to his guns pointing out the CRPFs role in the encounter was transparent. The CRPF DG has said he has nothing to hide, nothing to fear... I do not think any central force has been so transparent... I am not going into the political controversies. I am the home minister and the CRPF is under me. We have been candid, frank and upfront, Chidambaram told the media on the sidelines of a cabinet briefing. He further quoted the CRPF DG as saying that if the force is facing casualty in the dark in the jungle, the standard operating procedure requires it to open fire. Chidambaram said most of the persons killed in the encounter were adults, with the youngest being 15- year- old. At least three of them had been identified as having a criminal record, he added, reiterating that six jawans were injured in the firing. Under fire from the Congress, particularly Union tribal affairs minister Kishore Chandra Deo, Chidambaram directed the CRPF to abandon operations henceforth if Maoists were spotted using civilians as shields. Disapproving the method of the operation, Hariprasad said the safety of tribals was the primary concern for the party and tackling Maoists came later. The tribals are killed by the police on the pretext that they are hand- in- glove with Maoists and the latter label them as police informers and slay them. They are caught in the crossfire, he said. Priority should be given to saving the lives and property of tribals. They should not become victims of the fight between security forces and Maoists. They should be protected at all costs, he said. In Chhattisgarhs capital Raipur, former CM and Congress leader Ajit Jogi said: We have sought an independent inquiry by an agency like the CBI since we believe the encounter was fake. Several tribal villagers, including some school- going kids, were killed in cold blood. Jogi alleged that ever since the BJP government had taken over the reins of the state, tribals in nearly 900 villages in the south Bastar region were forced to flee owing to Maoist terror. The state had asserted that the gunbattle on June 28 was genuine and those killed included at least four Maoists. The remaining, according to it, were sangham members ( footsoldiers among the rebels) used as human shields. In Delhi, Hariprasad said: Precautions were not taken by the CRPF and state police. Only four of those killed were hardcore Maoists and the rest were villagers. He added that the panel would submit a full report to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi later. Inputs from Sahar Khan in Raipur Congress report states that seven of those killed by security forces were kids
CRPF TOLD TO ABORT OP IF CIVILIANS INVOLVED

THE home ministry has told the CRPF to abandon its operations if it spotted the Maoists taking civilians as human shields. Home secretary R. K. Singh asked the CRPF brass to evolve standard operating procedures ( SOPs) for carrying out operations against the rebels if civilians are spotted in between to avoid collateral damage, as well as revise the SOPs at night. Singh had a high- level meeting with the CRPF brass on Wednesday, just days after the security forces were accused of killing civilians along with Maoists during an operation in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur. The CRPF defended itself by saying it opened fire in darkness after its men were fired at.
If any operation is conducted at night, the forces will now be asked to take light to illuminate the area so that it can be figured out if the Maoists are trying to take civilians along with them. Night- vision devices are also to be used, the ministry has impressed upon the CRPF. Mail Today/ New Delhi
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=572012
GRAFT ENDEMIC TO MoD SYSTEM by Amitabha Pande TWO MONTHS ago, at the peak of the Tatra gate/ COAS versus MOD imbroglio, I had attempted an analytical understanding of corruption in defence procurements why does it occur and what is special about it, where does it occur and how does it occur. Some of those arguments need reiteration and some further peculiarities of the Indian Defence establishment need to be highlighted because corruption is so deeply embedded in the very architecture of the establishment that only a radical redesign can offer a way out. On the question of why I had referred to the monopsonistic ( a monopoly on the demand side) nature of the defence market, combined with, paradoxically a limited number of suppliers because of the whimsies and uncertainties of the market. A perverse kind of monopoly therefore prevails both on the demand as well as the supply side leading to an extremely unhealthy buyer seller relationship. Structure The Indian defence establishment, modelled somewhat on the Soviet system, is a closed universe which does not permit access to any healthy external market forces or influences. The Defence Empire consists of three distinct Kingdoms each having its own duchies, provinces, satrapies and fiefdoms. These are the Department of Defence, the Department of Defence Production and the Department of Defence Research. Each of these kingdoms has its own, exclusive, rent seeking preserves which it jealously guards. The kingdoms of Defence Production and Defence Research, in particular, control gigantic establishments, PSUs, Ordnance Factories and Defence Laboratories all hugely lumpy, capital guzzling investments. The ostensible justification for these monstrously inefficient investments is to achieve some kind of strategic self reliance. Private industry has to be kept away except by way of reluctant ancillarisation and supply of some components a process which opens up yet another area of rent seeking opportunities. The Armed Forces work out their present and futuristic requirements, qualitatively ( the GSQRs) and quantitatively and communicate these to the Defence Research establishment. The DRDO develops the products to match these requirements. The Armed Forces try out and approve the prototypes or the pilots and then Defence Production comes in to designate one of their units to ( a typical Indian usage) productionise the product. The product is inducted into service and everyone lives happily thereafter, until the next product development cycle begins. Because everything is within the confines of the MOD it is supposedly insulated from corrupting influences from outside. Practice shows a perfect perversion of theory. First, each kingdom and each fiefdom within each kingdom has its own bewilderingly complex procedures, and crossing each stage of these designed hurdles requires intermediation, facilitation and payment of rent. Rent seeking opportunities increase geometrically. By way of illustration, those framing GSQRs do so primarily by drooling over Janess catalogues and cherry picking specifications from different competing products in the hope that they will achieve the best combination. The smarter international players try to enter at this stage itself to influence the framing of requirements in a way that is favourable to their existing product range or the ones they are developing for the international market. Considerable sums exchange hands at this stage itself. Process Once framed and passed on to the Defence Labs the Labs decide which are the parts of technology they themselves will develop, which aspects they will seek technology cooperation with international partners and which parts or components they will fully import and then integrate with the full system ( e. g the engine in an aircraft or a tank). Inevitably, the tendency to reinvent the wheel delays the product development cycle and on the one hand leads to extraordinary pressure from the Armed Forces for imports and on the other ensures that by the time the product is even halfway developed it is already completely out of synch with contemporary technology. Making the product acceptable at this stage again requires heavy intermediation and facilitation, the burden for which is borne by the foreign component supplier. The story goes on and on and one can elaborate a hundred different ways in which corruption is guaranteed by the system. What can be done to change this state of affairs? First, devolve and delegate clear and full decision making authority for procurements massively down the chain of command from the Ministry to the Service Headquarters, from the Service Headquarters to the Commands and so on. Restrict the role of the Ministry to procurement of major weapon systems and platforms. Second, simplify procedures dramatically, moving from administrative controls and restrictions to budget based methods of control. Need Third, enhance the level of discretion available to the decision makers rather than reduce or constrict it. There is no substitute for trust. Trust a group of wise and professionally competent men to weigh the pros and cons of each option and take a decision they feel is in the best interests of all stakeholders. Guarantee them complete protection from any allegations of misuse of trust. Four, distinguish between middlemen/ agents who perform a genuine service for the supplier and the deal fixers, and give the former legal recognition and allow them
free and easy access to the buyers/ decision makers. Five, make a transition from engineering solution based specifications to critical performance parameters. Six, integrate the Departments of Defence Production and Defence Research with the Department of Defence and privatise the Defence PSUs, the Ordnance Factories and the Defence Labs by converting them into widely held public limited companies answerable to their shareholders for performance. While this may appear too radical an agenda, the point is that the kind of changes in procurement policies and systems that have been attempted so far have managed to achieve the impossible deterred the honest from taking any decision and paralysed the system and paradoxically, substantially increased the opportunities for the dishonest to eke out his rent from a vast new range of hurdles which a supplier has to go through to secure business. Only radical reform can break this deadlock. The writer is a former civil servant who has worked in the Ministry of Defence
Gujarat EDN DNA 05JUL2012
Cheerful Solanki attends cabinet A week after the cabinet decided against giving permission for his prosecution in the alleged Rs400 crore fisheries scam, Parshottam Solanki took part in the weekly meeting DNA Correspondent l Gandhinagar A week after the state government decided not to give permission for prosecution of fisheries minister Parshottam Solanki in an alleged Rs400 crore scam in allotment of fishing contracts, the beleaguered minister attended the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Solanki was skipping cabinet meetings for the past few weeks amid the uncertainty over the decision regarding his prosecution in the alleged scam. He was also reportedly unwell and was admitted in a Mumbai hospital in the last week. However, the minister attended the weekly meeting this Wednesday. Emerging from the meeting, the junior minister, who appeared in good health and in a cheerful mood, told mediapersons that he had full faith in the judiciary. I have not done anything wrong. I have full faith in the judicial system and the state government. I have been attending cabinet meetings and also frequently visiting my constituency, Solanki said. He, however, declined to comment when asked about allegations that he was closely working with former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who has drawn the battle-lines with Narendra Modi, and is likely to quit BJP any time now. The Gujarat High Court had on March 30, 2012, directed the Governor, in consultation with council of ministers, to decide within three months on giving sanction for Solankis prosecution under The Prevention of Corruption Act.
In its meeting on June 27, i.e. just three days before the court ordered deadline over, the state cabinet decided not to give the sanction. In the wake of this decision, the complainant in the alleged scam filed a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against the state government. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article3603925.ece
Pranab refutes BJPs charge

Special Correspondent
Pranab Mukherjee, the United Progressive Alliances Presidential candidate, on Wednesday denied the allegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party that his signature on his resignation letter to the Indian Statistical Institute was forged. Who has forged my signature? Myself? I put my signature on it [the resignation letter]. Who can forge his own signature? Mr. Mukherjee asked, while responding to questions on the issue at an interactive session with media persons. This issue we have debated at the office of the returning officer and the returning officer has responded to thatSomebody forged the signature of another person, then that person should complain. How can somebody lodge a complaint that you forged your own signature, he said. To repeated questions on this, Mr. Mukherjee said his authorised representatives had replied to the allegations and that he had nothing more to add to it. Mr. Mukherjee who arrived here to meet the MLAs and MPs supporting him in the election, appealed to the rest of the parties to support his candidature. Asked why his magic had failed to work with Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, he said every political party took a decision on the basis of its assessment of the political situation. Their decisions were not based on policies which have a prominent place in general elections. Policy issues were debated only during the general elections, he said. I hope she will take a decision at the appropriate time and her decision will be in my favour. He said the Presidential election was not fought on the basis of political programmes or policy issues. The Presidents job was to uphold the Constitution. He represented the essence of the Constitution. Mr. Mukherjee said he had so far covered six States since launching his campaign on June 30. He hoped to cover all the States by July 15. To a question on the CPI(M)s support for his candidature despite its opposition to his economic policies, he said it was the UPA IIs economic policies and not his. The President has no politics and that is why he resigned and was given a farewell as the oldest member of the Congress Working Committee, he said.
After rigorous self-appraisal, CAG sticks to its guns on 2G

Shalini Singh
The CAG, after completing this month a detailed internal appraisal of two of its most highprofile reports, has not just stood by its findings regardless of media comments and the statements made by senior functionaries of the government, but also substantiated them, citing additional crucial events. The internal assessment has been done on its reports on the 2G spectrum scam of November 2010 and Civil Aviation (Air India) of September 2011. The entire issue of irregularities in award of government contracts/licences in general, and specifically for scarce natural resources, to private parties, took centre stage. It gained further momentum with the arrest of the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, and several senior industry leaders, starting February 2011. Later, the debate took a new turn after the Prime Ministers statement in June 2011 that it was not the CAGs business to comment on policy issues and that it should limit itself to the mandate given under the Constitution. It is these events that have led to a rigorous internal self-appraisal by the CAG. 2G scam report Where the 2G scam is concerned, the November 2010 report, apart from highlighting a massive loss to the exchequer, flagged violations in policy implementation such as illegal advancement of the cut-off date, manipulation of the first come, first served procedure, undue haste in granting Letters of Intent and undervaluing spectrum by selling it without auction in 2008 at 2001 prices. The report highlighted serious concerns over governance systems within the Department of Telecom and the consequent, undeniable loss to the national exchequer. The CAG provided 3 estimates based on specific evidence 3G auctions and the Swan and Unitech transactions along with a caveat that the amount of loss could be debated. Internal appraisal Appraising its own conclusion of a loss, the CAG cites the Supreme Court judgment of February 2, 2012 which concluded that the actions of Mr. Raja and officers of the DoT were wholly arbitrary, capricious and contrary to the public interest, apart from being violative of the doctrine of equality. The material produced for the quote showed that the Minister for C&IT wanted to favour some companies at the cost of the public exchequer. The CAG has highlighted that the court independently cited the same reasons, for cancelling the licences, it had pointed out while concluding that a loss had been caused to the exchequer. Criticised for having estimated a staggering Rs 1.76 lakh-crore revenue loss as a result of auctions not being held for 2G which the government has dismissed as being a presumptive figure, the CAG now says, it is only fair to point out that TRAIs latest [May 2012] collation of reserve price for 2G spectrum approximates the calculation in CAG [2010 2G spectrum] report. In fact, the appraisal highlights that TRAI has recommended a reserve price for 2G spectrum of Rs. 18,000 crore for a pan-India licence for 5 MHz spectrum which is higher than the 3G value of Rs. 16,750 crore for 5 MHz used by the CAG for arriving at a [loss] figure of 1,76,000 crore.
The CAGs internal assessment concludes that its 2G report clearly stated that it was only examining the implementation of policy and that policymaking was the governments prerogative. In the final analysis, the CAG says, the internal assessment points out that its 2G report had highlighted the unjust and opaque manner of allocation of scarce natural resources and that the Supreme Court having taken note of the issue has directed that natural resources being the wealth of the people, the state necessarily needs to adopt a mode of auctions to ensure a just distribution of natural resources.
SIT quizzes Mani for five hours

A Correspondent
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the political murders in Idukki district of Kerala since the 1980s interrogated the former Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretary, M.M. Mani, for nearly five hours on Wednesday. He came at the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police here at 10 a.m. and let off by 3 p.m. Later, Inspector General of Police of Ernakulam range K. Padmakumar, who heads the SIT, told reporters that Mr. Mani agreed to appear before the SIT whenever summoned. More information (on the murders) has been elicited from him. He would be summoned after examining the information. After the interrogation, Mr. Mani said he would fully cooperate with the investigation. It is understood that Mr. Mani told the SIT that he had no role either in any conspiracy or in the crime. What he had referred to in his controversial speech at Manakkad, near here, on May 25 were historical facts. Mr. Mani was accompanied by CPI(M) district secretary and MLA K.K. Jayachandran and MLA S. Rajendran. Blames media Before the interrogation, he told journalists he had nothing to tell them. He, however, blamed the media for speculating that he had gone into hiding. He said he would abide by his partys direction. Mr. Padmakumar reached the Dy.SPs office by 11.30 a.m. and Mr. Mani was questioned in the presence of all the four Dy.SPs in the SIT. The questioning was recorded on video. There were speculations that Mr. Mani was staying in the area committee office of the party at Munnar. Manis speech
Mr. Mani, in his speech, allegedly said the CPI(M) had prepared a list of those who should be eliminated and three of them were killed. The accused in the three cases were acquitted for want of evidence. The SIT is also inquiring into the murder of one Balu at Peerumade. Statements of nearly 200 persons, including the accused, relatives of the victims, and witnesses were taken in the four cases. When a notice was served on Mr. Mani for the first time on June 6, his counsel contested it in the Kerala High Court, saying the case was sub judice . He was issued a second notice on Saturday last after the High Court on Thursday rejected his plea for quashing the FIR filed by the police before the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court at Thodupuzha. The High Court ordered that further investigation was needed in the cases. The murders referred to by Mr. Mani included that of Ancheri Baby (shot dead on November 13, 1982), Muttukad Nanappan (June 6, 1983), and Mullanchira Maithai (January 16, 1983).
High Court rejects Jagans bail petition

Legal Correspondent
Justice Samudrala Govinda Rajulu of the A.P. High Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy seeking bail in illegal assets case. The Judge said that this court is of considered opinion that the petitioner is not entitled for bail pending investigation of entire aspects relating to case. The verdict means he will remain in jail as a CBI court has extended his judicial remand till July 18 a few hours after the High Court rejected his bail petition. The judge, who heard a senior counsel appearing for the petitioner and the CBI over two days, felt that this was a serious economic offence. He recalled that three charge sheets have been filed and there are five more instances which are being investigated. Justice Govindrajulu said that the Enforcement Directorate was investigating the allegations regarding money laundering. The court had elaborately discussed upon the argument that the MP was losing his rights and there was no harm in releasing him, he said and added: if this is viewed in bifocal manner this court is of the opinion that individual right of petitioner for bail cannot have precedence over the larger interests of society. The judge recalled that the allegation made in the case was that of substantial wrongful loss of public money of a large magnitude which was meant for development and welfare of public of the State. Jagan, who was named as the key accused in the case, was arrested on May 27 and is under judicial remand at Chanchalguda jail here. His lawyers moved the High Court for bail on June 21. The Judge had completed hearings on the petition on June 27 and had reserved the orders for
today. Eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani who had argued for Jagan, contended that his client was a prominent public figure heading a political party having 17 MLAs and two MPs. Jagans arrest was politically motivated and that there was no absolute evidence about his client being noncooperative with CBI or the possibility of tampering with the evidence. On the other hand, senior counsel for CBI Ashok Bhan had argued that the case involved financial irregularities to the tune of Rs.43,000 crore and the agency was investigating the fund flow into Jagans companies. Giving bail to the accused at this time may hamper investigation as the probe agency was yet to file some more charge sheets in the case. Petitioner is not entitled to bail pending investigation of entire aspects relating to case, says judge
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article3603883.ece
Opposition slams the brakes on Akhileshs luxury car plan

Atiq Khan
Under fire from all quarters for his decision to allow legislators to buy luxury cars costing up to Rs. 20 lakh from the constituency development fund, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav withdrew it within 24 hours of his announcement in the Assembly on Tuesday. The Opposition unanimously rejected the offer, saying it amounted to misuse of the Vidhayak Nidhi for self-gratification and would send a wrong signal. The embarrassment to the new Samajwadi Party government headed by the youngest Chief Minister, who turned 39 only on July 1, comes on the heels of its scrapping a decision last month on closure of shopping malls, multiplexes and commercial establishments at 7 p.m. to tide over the power crisis. The move was withdrawn within 24 hours following a public outcry and criticism from trade organisations. Opposition views taken On Wednesday, Mr. Yadav told journalists here that the move to enable legislators to get luxury cars was dropped in view of the suggestions from the Opposition, which, he said, played an important role in parliamentary democracy. Mr. Yadav, however, defended his offer, citing the mobility factor of the legislators.
No skimpy clothes, says J&K Jamaat-e-Islami

The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir has asked tourists visiting the Valley to desist from
wearing skimpy clothes and warned them of angry reaction if they failed to do so. Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in short mini-skirts and other objectionable dresses openly, which is against local ethos and culture. This is not acceptable to civil society at all, the Jamaat, a politico-religious organisation, said in a statement here. The Valley is witnessing a surge in tourists over the last two years. Nearly 15 lakh tourists arrived here last year and over five lakh tourists have visited the Valley this year so far. The Jamaat asked the Tourism Department to impress on tourists to honour local ethos. It said the guests were supposed to respect the sentiments of the host. For simple monetary benefits, no nation can compromise on its morality and obligatory customs and as such endanger its future generation, the statement said. We need no such guests who can become a cause of derailing society from the right track and spread immorality and immodesty in the name of tourism, the Jamaat said. PTI
Geelani trying to scare Kashmiri Pandits

Panun Kashmir, the organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, on Wednesday criticised separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for his statement alleging that the Centre was trying to settle Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members in the Valley, saying the hardliner was trying to vitiate atmosphere in the State. We strongly express resentment and anguish over the statement of Mr. Geelani against the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. His statement is meant to vitiate the atmosphere and suit the unholy design of the separatists, Panun Kashmir general secretary Kuldeep Raina said here. He asked the Government to take into account Mr. Geelanis fascist declaration and try him for intimidating the minority community. Mr. Geelanis statement is a grave threat to the security and safety of the remaining Pandits who are working in the Valley under employment packages, Mr. Raina said. Panun Kashmir appeals to the State and Central government to provide foolproof security to members of the community, he said, adding, We are watching the developments very keenly and will not allow the community to be intimidated by the fascist threats of fundamentalists. Mr. Geelani had on Tuesday said the Centre was settling Sangh Parivar members in the Valley in the garb of the return of Kashmiri Pandits. PTI
Futile to deny state role, Chidambaram tells Pakistan

Sandeep Joshi
Upping the ante against Pakistan, India on Wednesday reiterated that without the involvement of state actors, the Karachi control room could not have been established to coordinate the Mumbai terror attacks, even as New Delhi started the process to get another alleged terrorist Fasih Mohammed extradited from Saudi Arabia. It is no longer possible to deny that though the incident happened in Mumbai, there was a control room in Pakistan before and during the incident. Without state support, the control room could not have been established, Home Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists here. After Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive who clearly talked about the involvement of state actors in the attacks, Syed Zabiuddin Ansari, alias Abu Jundal, now corroborated the claim, Mr. Chidambaram said. After Abu Jundals interrogation, it was clear that there were state actors. Dots are increasingly getting joined. Though there were many pseudonyms, it is clear that state actors were there. Pictures are getting clearer and clearer. We have been able to know who were there and where they were. Mr. Chidambaram said India knew who trained Ajmal Kasab and nine others who carried out the strikes in Mumbai in 2008 and who briefed them from the Karachi control room. Criticising Pakistan for denying that there were no state actors involved in the attacks, he said no sovereign state could allow terror activities to emanate from its soil. I cant allow any non-state actor to carry out any terror activity in a neighbouring country. Referring to Fasih Mohammeds arrest in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Chidambaram said: He is in Saudi Arabiahe was detained there. Steps will be taken to extradite him to India. A Red Corner Notice has already been issued [by Interpol]...he was wanted in several cases. The 28-year-old engineer is wanted for his alleged involvement in Bangalores Chinnaswamy Stadium blast and Delhis Jama Masjid shooting incident. NIA seeks Ansaris custody Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) moved a Delhi court for Zabiuddin Ansaris custody to interrogate him about the larger conspiracy hatched by the Lashkar-e-Taiba for terror strikes across the country. The Delhi Police Special Cell told the court that it had allowed the NIA to interrogate him jointly with it. The court deferred the NIAs plea to Thursday, when police custody expires. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav told NIA counsel Ahmed Khan that he could not pass orders unless the Special Cell revealed whether it intended seeking further custody of Ansari. However, counsel clarified that the interrogation of Ansari, done in the custody of the Delhi Police, related to the NIA case of a larger conspiracy to wage war against India, including the 26/11 attacks; but the agency needed his custody for investigation in respect of an FIR it registered on June 8 against Ansari and another person for allegedly amassing explosives. The
FIR was filed on the direction of the Home Ministry, and the terrorists targeted not only Mumbai and Delhi but the whole of India. (With inputs from Jiby Kattakayam)
Chidambaram backs CRPF on encounter

Sandeep Joshi
Says deeply sorry if any innocentwas killed in the operation Defending the Central Reserve Police Force, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said its encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh was transparent and upfront, but added that he was deeply sorry for the killing of any innocent person. Meanwhile, the Centre is planning to evolve a new set of standard operating procedures (SOP) to carry out operations in the Naxal areas to avoid collateral damage. CRPF DG [Director-General K. Vijay Kumar] has said he has nothing to hide, nothing to fear I do not think any Central force has been so transparent. I am the Home Minister and the CRPF is under me. We have been absolutely candid, frank and upfront, Mr. Chidambaram told journalists here. In the two encounters that took place on June 27, 20 alleged Maoists were killed. On the demand for inquiry into the allegations of fake encounter, Mr. Chidambaram said it was for the Chhattisgarh government to take a call on it as the operation was conducted under the State police. Refusing to be drawn into any political controversy over the issue, Mr. Chidambaram said: The encounter for some reason is being called a fake one. If any innocent person has been killed, I am deeply sorry. If any girl, or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed, I can only be deeply sorry. Pointing out that most of the persons killed were adults with the youngest being 15-year-old, he said: At least three of them have been identified as having a criminal record. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is planning to come out with new SOP for carrying out operations in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas to avoid any collateral damage and save lives of innocent people if spotted with Maoists. Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh has already had a meeting with the CRPF brass. Forces operating in the Naxal-affected areas are likely to be told to draw a proper strategy to save innocent lives during operations. Step up vigil In a related development, the MHA has asked all the LWE-affected States to step up vigil fearing
retaliatory attacks in view of the recent killing of Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Naxals have also called a bandh for Thursday.
SIT quizzes CPI(M) leader

A Correspondent Mani says what he referred to in his speech were historical facts
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the political murders in Idukki district of Kerala since the 1980s interrogated the former Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretary, M.M. Mani, for nearly five hours on Wednesday. He came at the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police here at 10 a.m. and let off by 3 p.m. Later, Inspector General of Police of Ernakulam range K. Padmakumar, who heads the SIT, told reporters that Mr. Mani agreed to appear before the SIT whenever summoned. More information (on the murders) has been elicited from him. He would be summoned after examining the information. After the interrogation, Mr. Mani said he would fully cooperate with the investigation. It is understood that Mr. Mani told the SIT that he had no role either in any conspiracy or in the crime. What he had referred to in his controversial speech at Manakkad, near here, on May 25 were historical facts. Mr. Mani was accompanied by CPI(M) district secretary and MLA K.K. Jayachandran and MLA S. Rajendran.Blames media Before the interrogation, he told journalists he had nothing to tell them. He, however, blamed the media for speculating that he had gone into hiding. He said he would abide by his partys direction. Mr. Padmakumar reached the Dy. SPs office by 11.30 a.m. and Mr. Mani was questioned in the presence of all the four Dy. SPs in the SIT. The questioning was recorded on video. There were speculations that Mr. Mani was staying in the area committee office of the party at Munnar. Mr. Mani, in his speech, allegedly said the CPI(M) had prepared a list of those who should be eliminated and three of them were killed. The accused in the three cases were acquitted for want of evidence. The SIT is also inquiring into the murder of one Balu at Peerumade. Statements of nearly 200 persons, including the accused, relatives of the victims, and witnesses were taken in the four cases. When a notice was served on Mr. Mani for the first time on June 6, his counsel contested it in the
Kerala High Court, saying the case was sub judice . He was issued a second notice on Saturday last, after the High Court, on Thursday, rejected his plea for quashing the First Information Report filed by the police before the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court at Thodupuzha. The High Court ordered that further investigation was needed in the cases. The murders referred to by Mr. Mani included that of Ancheri Baby (shot dead on November 13, 1982), Muttukad Nanappan (June 6, 1983), and Mullanchira Maithai (January 16, 1983).
Recommendation most unfortunate: Panikkar

G. Krishnakumar
Historian K.N. Panikkar has said the S.K. Thorat panel, constituted to review the use of cartoons in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks, had undone an academically commendable effort. Terming the majority panel recommendation to delete several cartoons and texts of some others from the political science textbooks most unfortunate, Dr. Panikkar told The Hindu it is pardonable if politicians err on a matter like this, as they did in Parliament, demanding the removal of the cartoons, withdrawal of the textbooks and the punishment for the authors. for their awareness about the academic and pedagogic reasons which govern the preparation of a textbook is at best very superficial. That is precisely the reason why the textbooks were referred to a committee of experts. The political leaders objecting to a particular cartoon is understandable, because they have to worry about their support base. The academic experts are not constrained by any such consideration, he said. Dr. Panikkar, a former Professor of History at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, pointed out that the responsibility that devolved upon the committee, therefore, required a very careful academic consideration of the criteria adopted for either deleting or retaining the cartoons and texts. Unfortunately, the committee appears to have been carried away by the extra academic argument about the prevalence of multiple sensitivities in Indian society. It is entirely true that in a society as vast and diverse as India is, there can always be room for different understanding of the text and interpretation of visuals. That is precisely the reason why the students should be exposed to such texts and interpretations and their different understanding so that they overcome the in-built prejudices in society. Explaining that attempts to hide different perceptions about social realities would only help to perpetuate the prejudices, Dr. Panikkar said cartoons with their humorous intent were perhaps one of the most effective media to sensitise students on such situations. This is not to suggest that injury to the feelings of any section of society by representation or interpretation be overlooked.
Reprieve for Sharief in 1995 corruption case

Legal Correspondent
The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed, for two weeks, criminal proceedings against the former Railway Minister, C. K. Jaffer Sharief, in a 1995 case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A Bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation on Mr. Sharief's appeal against the Delhi High Courts order rejecting his discharge plea. He was accused of conspiracy and taking four railway personnel along with him when he went to England for his medical treatment in 1995 as Minister, and causing the exchequer a loss of Rs. 7 lakh. Earlier, senior counsel P.P. Rao said the CBI, in prosecuting the 80-year-old Congress leader, was trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. To a question from Justice Sathasivam, Mr. Rao said it was an official visit and Mr. Sharief as Railway Minister, was entitled to take personal staff during his foreign trip. Further, no sanction was accorded for his prosecution. The Bench then said it would examine the matter. In his appeal, Mr. Sharief said initially the CBI filed a closure report. But it was not accepted and the trial court took cognisance of the offence. His plea for quashing the charges was rejected by the High Court. Mr. Sharief said the act, alleged against him, was within his executive powers. Discharge of executive functions per se , and in the absence of any pecuniary consideration, would not constitute an offence, much less under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In London, he was also discharging his executive functions. As he was a public servant at the time of the alleged act, he was entitled to the protection of Section 197 Cr.PC and undeniably, sanction for prosecution was refused by the competent authority. In such circumstances, prosecution was unwarranted, said the special leave petition.
Antony shifts Commandant of scam-hit NDA

Special Correspondent
Taking a serious view of the bribery scam in the National Defence Academy, Pune, Defence Minister A. K. Antony has ordered the immediate shifting of NDA Commandant Lt. Gen. Jatinder Singh from there. This shifting is with the view to ensuring a free and fair investigation into the alleged bribery racket in the recruitment for Group C posts in the NDA, Khadakwasla, the Defence Ministry spokesperson said here on Wednesday. The CBI has already registered a case and is probing the scam in the prestigious training academy, where Rs. 3 lakh-4 lakh was allegedly taken as bribe from each candidate.
Staff Reporter writes: The presiding officer of a recruitment board set up by the NDA has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the bribery case. The CBI has obtained the custody of Colonel A.K. Singh till Saturday. Searches were conducted on the premises of the accused at Purnia and Saharsa in Bihar. A case was earlier registered in the matter against Staff Officer to the Commandant, NDA (Pune), two private persons and unknown persons in connection with the appointment of subordinate staff, including gardener, cook, lower-division clerk, cadet orderly, laboratory attendant and library attendant, in the month of May and June, said a CBI official. It is alleged that the Staff Officer, in conspiracy with some private persons and other NDA employees, obtained bribes from each prospective candidate before appointing them. The accused had allegedly taken signatures of the candidates on blank answer-sheets and filled them out later by fraudulent means. The agency had earlier arrested the Staff Officer, Establishment Officer and another employee of NDA (Pune) besides four private persons in the case.
Cane farmers demand release of pending compensation

Staff Correspondent
Demanding the government to release pending compensation of Rs. 15 crore, a large number of sugarcane farmers from across Bijapur district staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioners office here on Wednesday. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda through the district administration, the farmers said that in 2006-07, the government had promised to give compensation of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to sugarcane crop that remained uncrushed. It said the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had promised to release the amount. The issue was also mentioned in the BJPs election manifesto. Farmers in 14 districts were supposed to get a total compensation of Rs. 30 crore for the sugarcane that remained uncrushed. Of this, Mr. Yeddyurappa got Rs. 15 crore released in 2010, that too after several rounds of agitations across the State, the memorandum said. While distributing cheques to farmers in 2010, Mr. Yeddyurappa had promised that the remaining amount would be released on priority. However, farmers were waiting for the promise to be fulfilled even after two years, it said. Farmers were fearing crop loss this season owing to slackening of monsoon. Moreover, their financial condition was poor. The government should come to the rescue of farmers by releasing the pending compensation immediately, the memorandum said. Deadline
Setting August 1 as deadline to release the compensation, the farmers said if the government failed fulfil their demand, they would intensify their agitation.
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Court changes investigating officer in honour killing case

Nirnimesh Kumar
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday changed the investigating officer probing the murder of newly-wed woman Deepti Chikara, who was allegedly killed by her brother, mother and uncle for saving the family honour, and has asked the Deputy Commissioner of Outer Delhi to personally monitor the investigation of the case. A Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice S.P. Garg passed the direction on a petition by Lalit Vats, husband of the woman, alleging that the police had not earnestly acted on his complaint about his wife going missing and also did not upload her photograph and the other important details on the Zonal Integrated Police Network immediately which cost him dear. The Bench also pulled up the police for the delay in acting on the complaint by Mr. Vats and for not uploading the womans photograph and the related details on the network. It directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to look into the negligence on the part of the officers dealing with the case and to see that such conduct on the part of the investigating agency was not repeated in future. The police also directed the Police Commissioner to ensure that complaints of couples regarding threats to their lives were taken seriously and attended to in right earnest. The Bench also asked the investigating agency to file a status report about the progress of the investigation into the case within six weeks. Mr. Vats had in his petition submitted that he had last talked to his wife on April 19. Thereafter, she went missing. He lodged a complaint with the local police but instead of acting on it the investigating officer threatened him. He claimed to have also e-mailed the details of the case to the Office of the Police Commissioner when the local police failed to take any action on his complaint. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police in their status report said that Deeptis mother Veermati and her brother Mohit had been arrested after they admitted to the crime.
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Civil society steps up campaign for justice for Bihar massacre victims
Staff Reporter
Hundreds of civil society activists have stepped up their campaign for justice to the victims and survivors of the Bathani Tola massacre. Addressing a Press conference here, Kavita Krishnan of the All-India Progressive Womens Association announced a nation-wide public campaign including the formation of Citizens for Justice for Bathani Tola and organising several public hearings on July 11, the anniversary of the carnage at Ara in Bihar. On July 11, 1996, 21 landless poor, mostly women and children from Dalit and backward Muslim communities, were murdered by the Ranveer Sena, an upper caste army, a case in which the Patna High Court in April 2012 set aside a Sessions court verdict convicting three to death sentence and 20 others to life imprisonment. These days public campaigns have become necessary to ensure justice to socially marginalised people like those who were killed in the Bathani Tola massacre. That is why we have decided to form Citizens for Justice for Bathani Tola which will be a platform to continue the struggle for justice for these landless poor people, said Ms. Krishnan. The Bihar Government had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Patna High Court verdict but the activists have alleged a pro-Ranveer Sena bias in the prosecution and that is why they have decided to get the survivors, represented by Raju Ramachandran, file an independent appeal in the Supreme Court. The prosecution has been showing a pro-Ranveer Sena bias during the course of the trial. In the Bathani Tola massacre the three police eyewitnesses to the massacre are defence witnesses who are giving statements to save the people who brutally killed innocent women and children. After all this how can we trust the Government, asked Ms. Krishnan. On the anniversary of the carnage a massive public meeting will be held at Ara in Bihar which will be attended by survivors of the massacre and several civil society activists. A convention will be held at Constitution Club here on July 15 where a documentary on the massacre will also be shown. Film screenings, conventions, poster exhibitions and other events will also be held across the country to mobilise public support.
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Malians seek to liberate north from Islamists

Protesters from northern Mali on Wednesday held a sit-in in Bamako against Islamists who have enforced strict Sharia, destroyed ancient shrines and trapped residents with landmines in their region. Some 2,000 people gathered in the pouring rain at the Independence Square monument in
Bamako chanting: We want weapons to liberate the north. All together for the liberation of our country, read one banner. Another complained that the north of our country has been abandoned by our leaders who have other concerns. Rebels foolishness If the army doesnt want to go to war, then give us the means to liberate our territory! said Oumar Maiga, a leader of a collective of citizens of the north. Tuareg lawmaker Nock Ag Attia said the tribes present in the north, the Tuareg, Fulani, Songhai, did not share the foolishness of the Tuareg rebels and al-Qaeda-linked Islamists. The protest came as the international community mulled over options to help Malis embattled interim government in Bamako save its north from the armed Islamists. The presence of the rebel Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith), which is openly allied with alQaedas north African franchise, has sparked concern that the vast desert region may become a new haven for terrorism. The ramped up diplomatic efforts came after Islamists in the fabled city of Timbuktu set about wrecking ancient shrines, which they consider idolatrous and are part of a U.N. world heritage site now listed as endangered. Ansar Dine has already enforced strict Sharia law in Timbuktu in recent months, as well as other key cities, and at the weekend began their rampage against the tombs they consider haram , or forbidden. They smashed seven tombs of ancient Muslim saints as well as the sacred door to a 15th century mosque. Rebellion hijacked And in the key northern city of Gao, Ansar Dines al-Qaeda allies have planted landmines around the city to prevent a counter-offensive by the Tuareg fighters they violently expelled last week. The Tuareg descendants of those who founded Timbuktu in the fifth century spearheaded the initial takeover of the north as part of a decades-old rebellion to reclaim what they consider to be their homeland. However, the previously unknown Ansar Dine who had been fighting on their flanks swiftly took the upper hand and pushed the Tuareg rebels from all positions of power, most recently in bloody clashes in Gao. AFP
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U.S. mistrust over Pakistans terror links persists, say experts

Narayan Lakshman
Notwithstanding Tuesdays dramatic apology by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, some South Asia specialists in Washington have cautioned that mistrust of Pakistan over its intelligence apparatus links to various terror groups is likely to persist. In a readout of her telephone conversation with Ms. Khar, Ms. Clinton said, I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives... We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. However, Ms. Clinton referred to mistakes on both sides that led to the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers, an account that her Pakistani interlocutors have rejected in the past. Earlier this year a U.S. military investigation found that the soldiers deaths were inadvertent and resulted from a skirmish in which the Pakistanis fired first at U.S. ground forces. Pakistani officials have said their forces were not the first to fire. Regardless of this difference of opinion on the incident, Ms. Clinton went on to emphasise details of the no-charge transit for NATO trucks via the GLOC, a move that would help the U.S. and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost. She also alluded to Ms. Khars assurance that no lethal equipment will transit the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF. Despite these arrangements being greeted with a measure of triumph in Islamabad some experts in Washington appeared to be more sceptical about what it meant for the future of the U.S.Pakistan relationship. In comments to The Hindu , Bruce Riedel, Senior Fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, said the problems that divided the two nations remained. We are on opposite sides of the Afghan war: America backs Karzai and the internationally recognised Kabul government, Pakistan backs the Taliban, he explained. When acute tensions surrounding the continuing drone war in Pakistan were added to the mix the relationship is sure to go from crisis to crisis, said Mr. Riedel. Shamila Chaudhary, a South Asia analyst at the Eurasia Group, was quoted saying that while the apology would lower the temperature on U.S.-Pakistan relations, these relations are not on the mend. They remain very much broken and will remain so unless the two countries resolve broader policy differences on Afghanistan. Similarly, Juan Zarate, Deputy National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush, said to a television news channel that the U.S. apology to Pakistan will help relationship but wont heal distrust. Lisa Curtis, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia at the Heritage Foundation, noted that the seven-month closure of the GLOC led to the U.S. incurring an additional cost of approximately
$100 million per month in the Northern Distribution Network. This was, however, only about half of what we spent on security and economic aid to Pakistan in FY 2011, she pointed out. She also argued that the core issue of the links between Pakistani intelligence apparatus and some terror groups had not been resolved through this exchange. Pakistan reopening the supply lines does not address the fundamental problem of continuing Pakistani support for the Taliban and Haqqani network that are killing U.S. and coalition forces on a daily basis in Afghanistan, she said, adding that Pakistan never explained, let alone apologised, for its lack of action against the enemies of the U.S. that find sanctuary on its soil. Reopening the supply lines does not address the fundamental problem of continuing Pakistani support for the Taliban and Haqqani network
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India ups Pak pressure with Jundal details K.S. JAYASEELAN and NEW DELHI, Foreign secys to continue talks, home minister raises the pitch The first day of two-day talks between India's foreign secretary Ranjan Matahai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday focused on terror, Abu Jundal's startling revelations and Jammu and Kashmir. Union home minister P. Chidambaram raised pressure on Islamabad, saying Jundal had clearly indicated the involvement of Pakistani state actors in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage. India noted Jundal confessed he and Lashkar-eTayyaba founder Hafiz Saeed were in the Pakistan control room during 26/11. New Delhi also pointed to the issuance of a Pakistani passport to Jundal, voicing dismay at the slow pace of the 26/11 trial in Pakistan, saying that country had to do much more to bring the perpetrators to book. The two delegations also discussed trade, travel, other confidence-building measures. On Jammu and Kashmir, the officials conferred on ways to boost commerce across the Line of Control. MEA spokesperson Syed Akabaruddin said the foreign secretaries and their delegations had two full sessions of detailed discussions covering all aspects, and would resume parleys Thursday on other items. The signing of a pact on liberalised visas, which could not be done in May in Islamabad, might be taken up. Mr Jilani will call on external affairs minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday. Mr Chidambaram, taking a hard line against Pakistan for its complicity in 26/11, said Wednesday the role of state actors in the Mumbai carnage has become increasingly clear . He said the 26/11 control room in Pakistan could not have been set up without state support. The home ministry, in a detailed note to MEA, provided details to prove that Pakistan was sheltering key 26/11 handler Abu Jundal. In further evidence that confirms Indias fear of importing polio virus from neighbouring countries, a recent study has revealed that a major chunk of children below three years in Pakistan and Afghanistan are not receiving the oral polio vaccine. According to the study published in Lancet, experts found a sharp decline in the vaccine
coverage from 2008 to 2011. According to Lancet, vaccine coverage in Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and southern Afghanistan saw a significant decrease from 2006 to 2011. Pakistan and Afghanistan are two of the three remaining countries yet to interrupt wild-type polio virus transmission. The experts noted that access to routine immunisation decreased in Balochistan and Fata in Pakistan, with just 25-33% of children under three years old reported to have received three or more doses of the oral polio vac cine through routine services in 2011. Experts revealed that in 2011, 40% of children under three years in Balochistan and Fata in Pakistan and in southern Afghanistan were unprotected against the P1 strain -the wild strain of the polio virus. Between January 1, 2001 and December 2011, there were 883 cases of P1: 710 in Pakistan and 173 in Afghanistan. Pakistan reported the highest incidence of poliomyelitis in a decade. Over 60% of all cases in endemic countries and 34% of cases worldwide were recorded in Pakistan, Lancet said. Experts blamed weak service delivery for the affected polio eradication programme in Pakistan.
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Chavan, 12 others face Adarsh charges MUMBAI, AGE CORRESPONDENT The CBI Wednesday filed a 10,000-page chargesheet in the multi-crore Adarsh scam against former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and 12 other accused. Besides Mr Chavan, the chargesheet also named several retired Army officers - Brig. M.M. Wanchoo, Maj. Gen. T.K. Kaul, Maj. Gen. A.R. Kumar, Col. T.K. Sinha and Col. R. Bakshi; as well as former Congress MLC K.L. Gidwani, IAS officer Jairaj Phatak and former CIC Ramanand Tiwari. Besides them, society members R.C. Thakur, P.V. Deshmukh, Subhash Lala and Pradeep Vyas were also named by the CBI. The CBI registered a case on January 29, 2011 against Mr Chavan and the others. Thereafter, the CBI in March 2012 arrested nine out of the 14 accused after the high court pulled up the agency for not acting against the accused persons. CBI sources said it had not named two other retired officers -Brig. P.K. Rampal and deputy GOC R.C. Sharma -as there was not enough evidence against the two. However, it included a new name in the chargesheet -Col. Bakshi (Retd). It is alleged Col. Bakshi gave a letter certifying the land did not belong to the Army. The chargesheet mentions a list of 150 witnesses in the case. All the accused were charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday expressed surprise over the CBI filing a chargesheet against his predecessor Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh Housing Society scam. However, for the Opposition, the surprise was the fact that the CBI closed the investigation and filed a chargesheet without indicting two other exCMs and a few other bigwigs.
The CM refrained from commenting on the nittygritty of the case, but confirmed the stand taken by the home department that the state government had never asked for any CBI inquiry. But, he indicated that the Central government also had the power to hand over an investigation to the CBI. As far as the land is concerned, we have the judicial commission's report before us. The Central Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the case separately. It will submit in the court what it has to say. We cannot comment on the CBI investigation, Mr Chavan said.
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Akhilesh U-turn on MLAs' cars AMITA VERMA LUCKNOW, Stung by unexpected criticism from the Opposition, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday withdrew his decision to allow state legislators to purchase fourwheelers worth up to `20 lakhs out of their local area development funds. The chief minister briefly said at a hurriedly-convened press conference at his residence: I take back my decision because many legislators decided not to take up the offer after the (way) the media interpreted it wrongly. In any case, this was optional and not binding on all legislators. The CM apparently decided to rescind the decision after the entire Opposition termed it antipeople and refused to be a part of it. Leader of the Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya said Wednesday it was a welcome sign that the government rectified the mistake and accepted the views of the Opposition. The BJP, BSP and Congress had said on Tuesday their MLAs would not spend funds development of their constituencies on buying luxury vehicles for themselves. Some Samajwadi MLAs had also opposed the move. SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra said he would not spend funds on a vehicle as it was meant only for development. Senior SP minister Azam Khan, however, defended the CM, saying that the scheme was meant for legislators who came from a financially weak background and could not afford luxury vehicles.
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Right concept, wrong place

Philip G. Altbach
The Indian and Bihar governments, with the support of the East Asian Summit, are resurrecting the Sixth century Nalanda University, near its original site in rural northern Bihar. Significant funds have been earmarked for the project, and planning is now under way. Impressive
international linkages have already been made. The concept, of course, is wonderful to recreate in modern garb a true cultural and intellectual treasure of ancient India. The plan for the university focuses on the humanities, social sciences, ecology, and business studies not the usual engineering and technology emphasis. But some serious practical and conceptual questions need to be asked. Location, location The site of academic institutions is of key importance. For Nalanda International University, which wants to attract the best and brightest from India and the world, location is of special relevance. Are top students and faculty going to be attracted to rural Bihar? Perhaps, unfortunately, this option is not likely. The best minds want to be in the centre of intellectual, cultural, and political life. They want to be able to easily mingle with peers and value easy travel connections. The Internet assists scholarly communication, but it does not at all replace human interaction. They value amenities, not only good libraries and laboratories, but also art museums and even an array of attractive restaurants and coffeehouses. The experience in India and elsewhere, in recent decades, is that it is difficult to build top institutions far from centres. Several of the original Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) were located near but not in major urban centre. Thus, there was room to build a campus, while at the same time permitting relatively easy access to a wider intellectual community and to urban centre. Some of the new central universities, as well as the new IITs, located away from cities and communities are finding it difficult to attract the best faculty and students. There are some examples of recently established green field academic institutions. Without doubt the most expensive is the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), located near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Located near a large city, benefiting from a multibilliondollar endowment and an unlimited construction budget and connections with top universities overseas, its success is not assured. Luring the best academics to Saudi Arabia is not an easy task. It is significant that King Abdullah, who established the university, kept it separate from the Saudi government, with its own budget and endowment. He did not want the new institution to get bogged down in governmental bureaucracy. This example may have some relevance for India. POSTECH, the Pohang University of Science and Technology, on the other hand, seems to constitute a significant success, although located in a provincial city in South Korea. Just 20 years old, it is well ranked globally. A private institution, it has benefited from the deep pockets of the Pohang Steel Company. The Japanese government located a technological university on the island of Okinawa, far from the Japanese mainland, several decades ago and made a huge investment. Many claim that it is a success, but the jury seems to be out. As Development Projects Some of the great American public universities may also offer some insights. Most of the best of them were established in the 19th century in or close to urban centres the University of California-Berkeley, for example, is near San Francisco and the University of Michigan is near Detroit, while the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is in the middle of corn fields. While the latter is a fine university, it is not as distinguished as Berkeley or Michigan and it
suffers when competing for top faculty. Governments in many countries decide on the location of new universities for many reasons. Students in an area may not have access to a convenient place to study. A particular region may be in need of investment or development. Or local politicians may have a loud voice. There are often very good arguments for placing higher education institutions in locales where they can contribute to economic growth, student access, or other laudable social goals. India has often been quite successful with this tactic. But it is always a mistake to try to locate a top-level research university to meet development goals. The initial investment is large, and the chances of success are limited. The fact is that the needs of a research university are quite specialised and not comparable to those of an academic institution focused mainly on teaching. Can it work? The new Nalandas location is dictated by the site of the original Nalanda and not by specific development goals. However, most likely, part of the motivation is to bring resources and modernisation to Bihar there is even talk of moving the site of an airport. The challenges facing the new Nalanda, in its effort to become a world-class university, are daunting. As noted, location is a highly negative factor, perhaps even a determining one. Money may also be an issue building a top-class university is extraordinarily expensive, especially in a rural and undeveloped location even with assistance of foreign donors and the central government. Funding for the first stages of development is significant, and levels of financial support must be maintained over time to ensure success. Nalanda International University, as an institution that plans, quite rightly, to stress ecology, development, peace studies, and similar soft subjects, will find it difficult to obtain recognition in the global rankings, which largely measure the hard sciences. The best tactic here is to forget about the rankings, but this is not an easy thing to do. The involvement of many agencies, of both State and Central government, may create bottlenecks and bureaucracy which often seems to be the case in India as well as elsewhere. Perhaps the best course of action would be to keep the name and the spirit of Nalanda but move the university to a more practical location. (Philip G. Altbach is at Boston College in the United States.) For the new Nalanda University to flourish, it must move closer to a vibrant urban centre where it will have access to a wider intellectual community
A step away from corruption is anarchy

Shanti Bhushan
The state of affairs in the country is characterised by rampant corruption at all levels leading to a breakdown in the rule of law and lack of accountability all around. One can say that there is a complete collapse of governance in the country. Something drastic needs to be done soon, else
the country will become an ungovernable anarchy. Elusive The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 were intended to empower the people to plan for their development themselves by providing for the establishment of self-governing panchayat institutions in villages and municipal institutions in towns. Unfortunately, even 20 years later, the promise of local self-governance remains largely unimplemented. Consequently, most people remain at the mercy of a corrupt administration imposed upon them from above, which has continued to exploit them. It is this failure which has given rise to militant Maoism in large areas of India. The country is blessed with significant natural resources and mineral wealth. Unfortunately, instead of being used in the public interest, most of this wealth is being looted by a corrupt government and its band of crony capitalists. If these natural resources were to be treated as belonging to the people living in those areas, the people would cooperate with others for their exploitation for mutual benefit. We will have to repose our trust in these people if we want to rid India of militant Maoism. Let us consider the deficits in governance which have led to this alarming state of affairs. Corrupt, insensitive organisation The police impacts the lives of all of us, particularly the poor, in a big way. The Indian Police is universally regarded as a corrupt, insensitive, immoral and indisciplined organisation of oppressors, which led Justice A.N. Mulla to comment even 50 years ago that it is the largest organised gang of armed criminals in the country. That is largely because the police in India was set up by the Imperial British government for preserving British Rule and not to serve the Indian people. Several commissions, including the Dharam Vira police commission in 1982, have recommended the comprehensive restructuring of the Indian police. The Supreme Court ordered such restructuring six years ago. But successive governments have resisted these reforms, not willing to let go of their control over the police, which they have abused in their own interests. There is tremendous corruption in every department of the government. The tax authorities often use their powers to extract bribes rather than honestly collect taxes. Yet there is no independent ombudsman to check their corruption. Since this suits the politicians who get a part of the bribes collected, they have done nothing to remedy this. If an independent ombudsman had been set up, the menace of black money would not have become so huge. Does the Prime Minister not know that virtually no building plan is sanctioned without payment of bribes, that no electricity connection is given to new houses without payment of bribes, that hardly anything moves in any government department without the greasing of palms? What has this Prime Minister or, for that matter, his BJP predecessor, done in the past 14 years to change this? Everyone knows that the main reason for this is the lack of an independent anti-corruption agency. That is why the U.N. Convention against Corruption required every country to set up anti-corruption agencies (which we named Lokpal) which would be independent of the government. Of what use is his honesty?
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does not take any money for himself while others in the Congress as well as in other political parties make money for not only the party, but also for themselves. But what is the use of such honesty to the people if the Prime Minister allows his ministers to make money by corrupt means, even if only for augmenting party funds? Does the Prime Minister not know the reason why coalition parties insist on so-called lucrative ministries? If such are the compulsions of coalition politics, how do the people benefit from such a coalition remaining in power? In the 2G case, was the PM not aware that his government was giving away spectrum to private companies at a tenth of its market price, allowing them to make profits of thousands of crores at the expense of the public exchequer? In the Coal-Gate case, there is clear evidence that the UPA government permitted corruption in the allocation of coal blocks for private parties to go on for years, causing a loss of about Rs. two lakh crores to public funds. The documents referred to in the CAGs report make it clear that the Prime Ministers Office knew about the huge undue profits being given to the chosen allottees of coal blocks. Does it require a Sherlock Holmes to tell us that where one official allows a private party to make huge undue gains, it must be for taking from such person a share of their gain in the form of a bribe? It was for this reason that Section 13 (1) (e) was enacted in the Prevention of Corruption Act, making a public servant guilty of corruption even when no evidence of bribery surfaced but an act of a public servant caused the receipt of undue gains by some person. The documents and notings in the files of the Coal Ministry which the Prime Minister himself headed from 2006 to 2009 show that he kept postponing the implementation of the coal secretarys 2004 recommendation to auction the coal blocks, even after the Law Ministry clarified that no legislation was needed to give effect to it. The PM was fully aware that the coal secretary submitted a note on September 25, 2004 highlighting the different kinds of pulls and pressures experienced by the screening committee during the decision-making process and stressing that it was desirable that all pending applications be decided on the basis of competitive bidding. Is the Prime Minister also not aware that the coal secretary put up a note to him on March 7, 2005 stating that if the proposed procedure for allocation of coal blocks was not put in place quickly enough, pressures would again mount on the government for continuing with the present procedure, which might not be desirable in the interests of bringing about total transparency in the allocation of coal blocks? And yet the Prime Minister overlooked these concerns and continued with arbitrary allocation of coal blocks, causing huge losses to the government and undue gains to all kinds of private companies. It is obvious that the common man has ceased to matter for those who govern and what matters to them is the growth of GDP and the massive opportunities for political parties to make money. It is apparent that the country needs a peaceful revolution in the country to change this. The question is, when and how? (The author is a Senior Advocate and a former Union Law Minister.) Most people remain at the mercy of a venal administration that, encouraged by the absence of an independent watchdog, exploits them relentlessly
Absurd indeed
The hard hitting and timely editorial Theatre of the absurd (July 4) on the Thorat Committees recommendation to remove many cartoons from NCERT textbooks rightly lampoons the present state of affairs. Our politicians and bureaucrats ascribe to themselves an aura of infallibility. It is the public that is at the receiving end of all politicians deeds and misdeeds. They are temporary but the damage they cause to the nation is permanent. Thanks to this nation, they are unaccountable and end up having the last laugh. But they do not tolerate being laughed at. They take themselves so seriously that they do not even want to be caricatured. Cartoons are an indicator of a democracys maturity. When you teach youngsters to appreciate political cartoons, you are teaching them the inevitability of the absurdities and inadequacies of the political system and the need to tolerate dissent. The exercise of clipping the cartoons from the textbooks shows that the political class is bent on making our children intellectually poor, emotionally intolerant and psychologically immature a reflection of itself. K. Rajagopal, Visakhapatnam The editorial was forthright and timely. The implementation of the Thorat Committee recommendations will be an act of emotional and educational suicide. Had Nehru been alive, he would have surely condemned the move and lamented the intellectual bankruptcy. C.P. Chandra Das, Coimbatore All cartoons recommended for deletion speak volumes about the political condition of a particular era. As a student who studied the textbooks with the cartoons in them, I did not find anything sensitive religious or political. I still remember how we, the students, looked with great awe and admiration at the cartoon which has been recommended for deletion on the ground that it affects religious sensitivity. All 30 students of our class agreed with the message it conveyed. We even had a full-fledged discussion on it. I pity my juniors who will now be studying the political science textbook without these cartoons. A. Reshma, Thiruvananthapuram As one who studied political science in school, I recognise that the cartoons not only made the subject more interesting and easy to understand, but also encouraged me to look at political history from a different perspective. It is surprising that the Thorat Committee believes that students are incapable of appreciating political humour. Some cartoons have been termed inappropriate as politicians and institutions are represented as animals in them. I fail to understand how allegory and symbolism, two important devices of expressing ones opinion, become inappropriate for students of social and political science. In his
famous satire Animal Farm , George Orwell used animals to represent political leaders like Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Do we go ahead and ban such books? Apoorva Roshan, Chandigarh I totally agree with the views expressed by M.S.S. Pandian in his dissent note (The textbooks should be used as they are, July 4). Students, I am sure, are encouraged to think out of the box when they see cartoons. What is a matter of political or regional sensitivity to some need not be so for others. The cartoon of a poor man in rags peeping out of the Massive Support cup or The cup that cheers, for instance, has been termed politically sensitive. But I find that it reflects the emotions of hundreds of thousands of people reeling under poverty. It is apt and propoor. As Oscar Wilde said in The Picture of Dorian Gray , let us understand that It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Mrinalini, Ramagundam It was heartening to read the article. As a student of CBSE, I never had any doubts about the quality of NCERT textbooks. They are among the best and cater to the intellectual needs of not only school-goers. They are recommended for civil service aspirants. It is shocking to see the cartoon issue being politicised. I am thankful to Mr. Pandian for trying to restore the sanctity of the textbooks. Altering the content will spoil the intent with which they were conceptualised. The purpose of education cannot be fulfilled if the NCERT is not given the freedom to enlighten young minds by sparking their thought process. C.M. Karthikaeyan, Chennai I am a plus-two teacher of political science in Malappuram, Kerala. The recommendation that some cartoons be deleted from textbooks is pathetic. Teaching without aids like illustrations is boring for teachers and students. Cartoons and pictures play an important role. More than enabling students to think critically, they help in transforming the classroom atmosphere and lead to the active participation of students. M.P. Rafeeque, Kuzhimanna I disagree with the view that textbooks encourage students to read leading magazines to have a wider perspective of issues. Inculcating such a habit depends more on the faculty and methods of classroom teaching. Most teachers and school managements focus only on the marks and examination aspects of education. Once a lesson is taught, key words are highlighted and students asked to learn them and present them in the exams. Gone are the days when issues were debated, discussed and opinions expressed in classrooms. A. Aparna,
Hyderabad Political and social issues are subject to criticism and scrutiny. Opinions should be invited and respected with an open mind. Thought-provoking newspaper articles should be read out in classrooms and students asked to offer their opinions. Yet another suggestion is that teachers should teach students how to differentiate among different components of a newspaper reports, editorials, articles, cartoons and even letters. Janakan V. Balu, Bangalore It is painful that many scholars, intellectuals, and civil society members are pitching for the removal of the cartoons, failing to appreciate the long-term implications of such a step. The problem lies not with the cartoons per se but in our understanding of education. We perceive education as just a means to livelihood, while it actually stands for the overall development of a person. There is a strong disconnect between what is taught in the classroom and how society functions, often confusing students. This anomaly is what NCF 2005 sought to remove. No person with an open mind and commonsense will be hurt by the cartoons. Their removal would be a retrograde step. Mozahidul Islam, Aligarh Democracy is built on the bedrock of freedom of speech and expression. Our leaders and administrators should demonstrate a statesman-like spirit with a catholicity of temper and genuine fondness and appreciation for humour. Textbooks are meant to sharpen the creativity and critical thinking of students rather than provide only information. Visual aids like cartoons trigger creativity and sense of humour. Suman Mahapatra, Bhubaneswar I am reminded of the Vernacular Press Act. At that time, our colonial masters were unable to understand the languages and message the vernacular press published. Today, our Ministers are unable to understand the message conveyed by the innocent cartoons. Mayank Prakash, Ghaziabad
Ansaris arrest
The Indian investigating agencies which nabbed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, one of the handlers of the terrorists who struck on 26/11, deserve to be lauded. If proved guilty, he can join the elite ranks of other VVIPs like Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab. He will remain safe under the
protection of our security guards. Arun Malankar, Mumbai The capture of Ansari and subsequent developments have been hogging media headlines for almost a week. Every news channel comes out with information gained through various sources. One justification for airing the information is making people aware of Pakistans hand in the 26/11 attacks. But that was well established the day Ajmal Kasab was captured. The media has played an active role in exposing corruption, for which it deserves appreciation. But, as a former intelligence chief pointed out, too much coverage of Jundals investigation can cause operational difficulties. What does the public gain from the details of his investigation? Competition is unavoidable but it should not drive TV channels to expose information related to security and intelligence. Ezra Prince, Chennai
Austerity undermining Europes grand vision

Amartya Sen
The dream of the unification of Europe goes back at least to the 15th century, but it is the nastiness of the world wars in the 20th century that established its urgent need in our time. The challenge was well described by W.H. Auden in early 1939: In the nightmare of the dark /All the dogs of Europe bark, /And the living nations wait, /Each sequestered in its hate. It is important to appreciate that the movement for European unification began as a crusade for cross-border amity and political unity, combined with freer movement of people and goods. Giving priority to financial unification, with a common currency, came much later, and it has, to some extent, started to derail the original aspiration of European unity. The so-called rescue packets for the troubled economies of Europe have involved insistence on draconian cuts in public services and living standards. The hardship and inequality of the process have frayed tempers in austerity-hit countries and generated resistance and partial noncompliance which in turn have irritated the leaders of countries offering the rescue. The very thing that the pioneers of European unity wanted to eliminate, namely disaffection among European nations, has been fomented by these deeply divisive policies (now reflected in such rhetoric as lazy Greeks or domineering Germans, depending on where you live). As a result, the costs of failed economic policies extend well beyond economic lives (important as they are). There is no danger of a return to 1939, but it does not help Europe to have dogs barking, sequestered in resentment and contempt if not hate. On the economic side, too, the policies have been seriously counterproductive, with falling incomes, high unemployment and
disappearing services, without the expected curative effect of deficit reduction. Two issues So what has gone wrong? Two issues need to be separated out: one, the counterproductive nature of the policy of austerity imposed on (or, as in Britain, chosen voluntarily by) governments; and two, a reasoned suspicion about the lack of viability of the shared euro. The moral appeal of austerity is deceptively high (if it hurts, it must be doing some good), but its economic ineffectiveness has been clear at least since Keyness debunking of the remedy of austerity in the Great Depression of the 1930s, with unemployment and idle capacity due to a lack of effective demand. It is also self-defeating in reducing public deficits, because austerity tends to depress economic growth, so reducing a governments revenue. Much of the eurozone has been shrinking rather than expanding since the inception of these policies. However, we have to go well beyond Keynes in understanding the harm done by the ill-chosen cult of austerity. We have to ask what public expenditure is for other than just strengthening effective demand (on which Keynes concentrated, focusing on the expenditure itself, rather than on the services it supported). Savage cuts in important public services undermine what had emerged as a social commitment in Europe by the 1940s, and which led to the birth of the welfare state and the national health services, setting a great example of public responsibility from which the entire world would learn. Turning to the second problem the euro, with fixed exchange rates for all countries in the zone economies that fall behind in the productivity race tend to develop lack of competitiveness in exports, as countries such as Greece, Spain or Portugal have been experiencing already. Competitiveness can, of course, at least partly be recovered through slashing wages and living standards, but this would lead to great suffering (much of it unnecessary), and generate understandable popular resistance. Sharp increases in inequality between regions can be remedied, to be sure, by large-scale migration within Europe (for example, from Greece to Germany). But it is hard to assume that persistent population inflow to the same countries would not generate political resistance there. The inflexibility of fixed exchange rates of the euro is inherently problematic when the economic performance of countries continues to differ. A unified currency in a politically united federal country (such as in the U.S.) survives through adjustment mechanisms (including large internal migration and substantial transfers) that cannot yet be a norm in a politically disunited Europe. If European economic policies have been economically unsound, socially disruptive and normatively contrary to the commitments that emerged in Europe after the Second World War, they have been politically naive as well. The policies have been chosen by financial leaders with little attempt to have serious public discussion on the subject. Policy mistakes Decision-making without public discussion standard practice in the making of European financial policies is not only undemocratic, but also inefficient in terms of generating reasoned practical solutions. For example, serious consideration of the kinds of institutional reforms badly needed in Europe not just in Greece has, in fact, been hampered, rather than
aided, by the loss of clarity on the distinction between reform of bad administrative arrangements on the one hand (such as people evading taxes, government servants using favouritism, or unviably low retiring ages being preserved), and on the other, austerity in the form of ruthless cuts in public services and basic social security. The requirements for alleged financial discipline have tended to amalgamate the two in a compound package, even though any analysis of social justice would assess policies for necessary reform in an altogether different way from ruthless cuts in important public services. The problems we are seeing in Europe today are mainly results of policy mistakes: punishments for bad sequencing (currency unity first, political unity later); for bad economic reasoning (including ignoring Keynesian economic lessons as well as neglecting the importance of public services to European people); for authoritarian decision-making; and for persistent intellectual confusion between reform and austerity. Nothing in Europe is as important today as a clearheaded recognition of what has gone so badly wrong in implementing the grand vision of a united Europe. (Amartya Sen is a Nobel prize-winning economist.) Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2012 Economic policy is triggering disaffection among countries the very thing the pioneers of unity hoped to erase
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PRANAB VISIT Row over `dons' at CM's lunch AMITA VERMA LUCKNOW, JULY 4 The presence of two jailed legislators, Mukhtar Ansari and Vijay Misra, at Tuesdays lunch hosted by UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in honour of presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee kicked off a major controversy. The two criminalturned-politicians, who were the special invitees to the lunch hosted by the UP chief minister, are currently lodged in jail and had been given special permission to attend the Budget Session of the state Assembly which concluded on Tuesday. According to the court permission, the two are permitted only to attend the session and cannot ho elsewhere during the period. The two should have gone back to jail after the Assembly adjourned sine die but both chose to attend the lunch at the chief ministers residence. Mukhtar Ansari, elected on the Qaumi Ekta Dal ticket, is an accused in the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai and has been in jail since 2005. He is currently staying at the Medical College in Lucknow pleading hypertension. Vijay Misra, SP MLA from Bhadohi, has been accused of conspiracy in the bomb attack on former BSP minister Nand Gopal Nandi. He too occupies a bed at a government hospital these days on health grounds. Swami Prasad Maurya of the BSP told reporters on Wednesday that the chief ministers office should have taken care while preparing the list of invitees. If such people were invited and allowed entry to such a VIP function then it not only speaks poorly of the government but also violates the court order, he said.
A senior BJP leader, while speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if jailed dons are seen enjoying lunch at the chief ministers residence, then one can understand the priority of this government on the law and order issue. How can we even expect the police force to act tough against criminals? he asked. The Congress, meanwhile, refused to say anything on the controversy and not a single senior police official was willing to comment on it either.
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Nitish ministers to monitor rally Patna, July 4: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday deputed all the 17 JD(U) ministers in his NDA government to supervise preparations for the November 6 Adhikar Rally at Gandhi Maidan here to press for the special category status to Bihar. Presiding over a meeting of top JD(U) functionaries at his official residence, Kumar told all the 17 JD(U) ministers in his Cabinet to supervise preparations for the Adhikar Rally at the district level with some ministers being given the task to look after preparatory works in more than one district. He charted out the schedule for mass mobilisation campaign from block to district level over next four months and asked the ministers to accordingly plan to make the JD(U)'s showpiece political event a mega success. As per the schedule okayed by the chief minister, the JD(U) ministers will conduct meeting with the district organising committees from July 10-20, 2012 to be followed by a similar meeting at the block level from July 21-30. A block-level Adhikar Sammelan will be held through out the state from August 9-30, 2012 and that will be followed by such meetings in the districts in September this year. The ministers and other JD(U) functionaries will fine tune preparations in October this year to make the Adhikar Rally at Patna a major success. The JD(U) had announced its decision to organise the Adhikar Rally in Patna on November 6 next to mobilise the people in large numbers to press for the chief ministers pet political agenda of seeking a special category status to Bihar to woo private investment for industrial development and with a long-term objective to overcome economic backwardness. Apparently stung by rejection of special status demand by the InterMinisterial Group under the Plan panel, the chief minister had vowed to mobilise massive public support to compel the Centre to grant such a status to Bihar which fulfilled three of five criteria for the same. PTI
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NCERT examines panel's suggestions on cartoons NEW DELHI, JULY 4 AGE CORRESPONDENT The process of examining the recommendations of a committee, which has suggested deletion of certain cartoons from NCERT textbooks, began on Wednesday. A decision on the issue is likely
to be taken soon after the process of consultation is completed. Sources stated that Yogendra Yadav, who had resigned as NCERT textbook adviser in the wake of the Ambedkar cartoon row, along with Suhas Palashikar, gave detailed clarification about cartoons selected for the textbook. More detailed consulta tions will take place in the coming days to examine the Thorat Committee suggestions before a fullfledged meeting of the national monitoring committee. Wednesdays meeting was attended by NCERT director Parvin Sinclair, Hari Vasudevan of the NCERT Textbook Development Committee for Social Sciences, former NCERT head Krishna Kanth, among others. National Monitoring Committee Mrinal Miri could not attend the meeting. The six-member panel, which was set up after the controversy over B.R. Ambedkars cartoon in Class 9-12 textbooks, has also recommended some changes in words and phrases with negative implications. Headed by Sukhadeo Thorat, former UGC chairperson, the panel has sought the removal of 21 out of the 173 cartoons in the books. The report was submitted to the NCERT on June 27. It has also recommended some changes in words and phrases with negative implications. The panel has suggested the removal of the content as it felt that they conveyed a sense of ambiguity. The panel also felt that B.R. Ambedkars position as a chairman of the drafting committee should be mentioned appropriately in the textbook.
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CRPF role was transparent: PC NEW DELHI, JULY AG E C OR RE S P ON DE N T Naxal ops: Forces plan separate night SOP Amidst the possibility that Naxals used villagers as human shields'' during the recent anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh, home minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said the CRPF's role in the encounter was transparent and upfront but he was deeply sorry if any innocent person has been killed. He also said it is for the state government to decide whether or not it has to initiate any inquiry into the operation conducted under state police direction. Mr Chidambaram further said that most of the persons killed in the encounter were adults with the youngest being 15-yearold and at least three of them have been identified as having a criminal record. He also pointed out that six jawans were also injured in the firing. On tribal affairs minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo's charge that the offensive is completely unacceptable, Mr Chidambaram said, If any innocent person has been killed. I am deeply sorry...If any girl, or boy or man or woman not involved with the Maoists at all has been killed, I can only be deeply sorry...I share Deo's sense of sadness and anguish at the loss of lives. The CRPF DG has said he has nothing to hide, nothing to fear..I do not think any Central force has been so transparent...I am not going into the political controversies. I am the home minister
and the CRPF is under me. We have been absolutely candid, frank and upfront, he told reporters on the sidelines of a Cabinet briefing. Meanwhile, admitting to possibility of extra collateral damage during the encounter, the security forces are mulling evolving Standard Operating Procedures to counter Maoists strategy of using human shields especially during night operations. The guidelines would consist of using enough night vision devices and exercising maximum restraint. The home ministry held a detailed review meeting with the CRPF on Wednesday The MHA has also alerted all LWE states, particularly Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Orissa, about possible retaliatory action by Maoists during Thursdays bandh called by the Dandkaranya Zonal Committee of the CPI(Maoist). On the allegations against CRPF, Mr Chidambaram said, The encounter for some reason is being called a fake encounter. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh spoke to me. As far as any enquiry is concerned, its a call he has to take, he said.
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NIA plea on Jundal custody deferred EW DELHI, JULY 4 AGE C OR RE S P O N D E N T The NIA officials, who had sought for the custody of alleged terrorist Abu Jundal for interrogation in a case for alleging conspiring to carry out terror attacks in various parts of the country, has been deferred for July 5, as he will be produced before the court on the same day after his 15 days remand custody with the special cell of the Delhi police expires. Chief metropolitan magistrate Vinod Yadav, while deferring the plea made by the NIA for Jundal's custody, mentioned from the NIA's written application to the court that the federal agency are already involved in a joint interrogation with the special cell of Delhi police. It is pertinent to mention that NIA officials have already been granted access to the accused, Sayed Zabiuddin, for carrying out certain investigation procedures on the basis of an official request from them (NIA), wrote the special cell of the Delhi police. To this, the NIA sleuths clarified that the joint interrogation between them was on a larger conspiracy involving US national David Coleman Headley.
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India faces polio threat from Pak, Afghan TEENA THACKER NEW DELHI, JULY 4 In further evidence that confirms Indias fear of importing polio virus from neighbouring countries, a recent study has revealed that a major chunk of children below three years in
Pakistan and Afghanistan are not receiving the oral polio vaccine. According to the study published in Lancet, experts found a sharp decline in the vaccine coverage from 2008 to 2011. According to Lancet, vaccine coverage in Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and southern Afghanistan saw a significant decrease from 2006 to 2011. Pakistan and Afghanistan are two of the three remaining countries yet to interrupt wild-type polio virus transmission. The experts noted that access to routine immunisation decreased in Balochistan and Fata in Pakistan, with just 25-33% of children under three years old reported to have received three or more doses of the oral polio vac cine through routine services in 2011. Experts revealed that in 2011, 40% of children under three years in Balochistan and Fata in Pakistan and in southern Afghanistan were unprotected against the P1 strain -the wild strain of the polio virus. Between January 1, 2001 and December 2011, there were 883 cases of P1: 710 in Pakistan and 173 in Afghanistan. Pakistan reported the highest incidence of poliomyelitis in a decade. Over 60% of all cases in endemic countries and 34% of cases worldwide were recorded in Pakistan, Lancet said. Experts blamed weak service delivery for the affected polio eradication programme in Pakistan.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261875/ban-laughter.html
Ban on laughter
The recommendation by a committee appointed by the government for large-scale changes, verbal and visual, and for deletion of cartoons, in NCERT textbooks is highly retrograde and shows an unhealthy attitude to education. Twenty cartoons will be deleted from the school books as a result of the recommendation. The committee, under S K Thorat, chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research, had been set up in the wake of the recent controversy over a cartoon on Ambedkar, for which the government had apologised to Parliament. The sixmember committee reportedly found, by a majority of five to one, that the cartoons are politically sensitive and educationally inappropriate. The objections raised against the Ambedkar cartoons were themselves wrong and the move now for a wholesale massacre of cartoons raises questions about the basics of our educational policy. School text books are meant not only to convey information to students but also, more importantly, to develop a questioning and critical attitude among them. Cartoons are a good medium to inculcate this attitude through humour. The reasons given by the committee for removal of the cartoons are ridiculous. The thrust of the objections is that they portray politicians and bureaucrats in a negative way, and are politically sensitive. In fact these are the very reasons for which the cartoons should be retained in the text books because they help to give the children different perspectives about the society, institutions and individuals that they try to understand. One cartoon which is not liked by a section may appeal to another.
There cannot be a society with uniform tastes and standards. Educational material should help to promote a culture of diverse opinions and judgments and the committees recommendation goes counter to this. There is a false notion that children, even when they are in the higher secondary classes as in this case, cannot be trusted with political matters, opinions on social issues and views on man-woman relationship. This is another side of the attempts at the indoctrination of young minds with certain world views and attitudes. This illiberal and intolerant trend is growing in society, especially among the political class. It is unfortunate that a committee of experts has taken a cue from them and decided to deny the children normal mental and intellectual fare that is vital for their development. The need is to encourage children to laugh more, to be more open and to ask more questions. http://epaper.asianage.com/PUBLICATIONS/ASIAN/AAGE/2012/07/05/ArticleHtmls/Se curity-Wise-Cyber-Neanderthals-05072012006016.shtml?Mode=1
Security Wise Cyber Neanderthals Bharat Karnad The NTRO fears that any collaborative work with professional US organisations will expose them as poseurs and frauds, or incompetent Te news story about the Chinese hack er corps get ting into the computer systems of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and stealing information related to the Arihant nuclear submarine came as no surprise. Like everything else they do, the Chinese are thorough in casing out likely adversaries as part of their military preparedness regime. The senior echelon in the government had been warned through unofficial channels about the Chinese achieving improbably high levels of access into ostensibly fire-walled servers of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, missile design facilities (such as the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad) and other critical DRDO installations, the ministry of defence and the various service headquarters and, perhaps, even the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). How vulnerable such agencies are can be gauged from the fact that at one point in time not too long ago Indian hackers forcefully assumed control of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and BARC servers (named after Indian rivers -Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, etc.). A more malicious force could have merrily wreaked havoc, sucked out information and secreted away bugs of the kind the Chinese hackers placed in the ENC's computer network -designed to relay targeted classified information to external sources. There's no guarantee this was not done. One might, in the circumstances, wonder just what it is that official Indian agencies tasked with cyber defence are doing. The supposedly premier National Technology Research Organisation (NTRO), like every other institution in the overly bureaucratic Indian state, is busily aggrandising turf and monopolising capabili ty, but, by itself, has con ducted near zero offen sive
or even defensive cyber operations -the reason why the Indian government remains exposed to almost any passing cyber threat. Heavy financial invest ments in the NTRO have so far led to it success fully warding off Resear ch & Analysis Wing's (RAW) attempts to have its own offensive cyber operations cell, for inst ance, but not to it moun ting even a single sus tained offensive agains Chinese networks. Such offensive programmes protocols and algorith ms that have been creat ed are products of infor mal Indian hacker groups working for the NTRO. Except that the NTRO has expropriated and passed off this work as its and won laurels for itself! The NTRO, which is manned by DRDO stal warts, like the RAW, has huge funds at its dispos al for which there is no accountability, afford ing ample opportunities for siphoning off public monies. How is this done? One method, as already indicated, is to hire highly motivated young privateers who hack as serious hobby but are also eager to do their bit for the nation They are promised much but paid a pittance and that too tardily thereby de-incentivising them. By one account, as much as nine-tenths o any sanctioned expenditure is thus spirited away. The NTRO, in other words, is yet another vehicle for unreported scams on a vast scale. If this organisation is proving to be more a cyber liability than help, what are the other agencies in the same business up to? The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, ministry of defence, has under its wing the Defence Information Assurance and Research Agency. It is manned by veteran officers from the EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) Corps of the Indian Army, who have almost no clue about the cyber warfare domain, leave alone what to do in it. The Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force have separately developed capabilities for engaging in purely defensive operations. They can repel cyber strikes and penetration attempts -apparently not all that well in light of the Chinese cyber infection of the ENC communications hub -but cannot counter-attack. Extant Indian cyber capability and efforts are, in actuality, so pathetic that the NTRO has stalled exploratory inquiries by the US National Security Agency to jointly develop means to attack and defeat the Chinese cyber threat. The NTRO understandably fears that any collaborative work with professional American organisations will quickly expose them as poseurs and frauds or, at the very least, as incompetent. The trouble is, despite boasting of incomparable cyber talent in the country in the nongovernmental sphere, India is saddled with a government, a science and technology establishment, and a military that are strictly industrial age. It is doubtful if anybody in the PMO, for instance, knows anywhere near enough to appreciate the basic fact of cyber reality -that the most inspired offensive and defensive cyber operations and breakthroughs are done by youngsters barely out of school who can negotiate their way through the most complicated protection schemes and plant logic bombs in heavily defenc ed communication networks on a dare or just to show off to their peers. This enormous human resource wealth is available and can be mobilised for the national cause by offering these computer whizkids not babu pay scales and suffocating bureaucratic environs of work, but freedom to operate as they wish to overcome meaty challenges. Of course, they have to be compensated directly and well (without intervening organisations decanting the moolah). Pitting a huge number of teams of these young guns hired by military and intelligence agencies
-the more of them the better -to compete with each other in relentless offensive, defensive and pre-emptive cyber campaigns, bypassing the usual mode of government functioning, is a desperate need. They would seriously discomfit any adversary -something the wretched NTRO and other cyber-wise Neanderthal government organisations cannot ever dream of doing. The problem, however, is the reliance on technology imports. Everyone is aware of the Chinese Army-controlled Huawei telecommunications company being permitted to sell area networks, including switching systems, in India, on the condition that its wares are certified by a Huaweifunded centre at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. This is a joke considering the centre is given select units to examine. Worse, the Indian government talks incessantly of buying Indian but its agencies as studiously purchase possibly compromised cyber software and enabling systems from RSA, Cisco, etc, rather than support indigenous development of comparable software and hardware, such as the enormously efficient router developed by IIT Mumbai. In the event, one should be prepared for cyber-savvy states, like China, to disable the Indian government and military at will early in any crisis. The writer is a professor at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
http://epaper.asianage.com/PUBLICATIONS/ASIAN/AAGE/2012/07/05/ArticleHtmls/TH E-AGE-DEBATE-The-Three-Graces-05072012007007.shtml?Mode=1 THE AGE DEBATE The Three Graces
Too many `third front' cooks will spoil the broth We will come back as UPA-3 Rashid Alvi If regional parties try to come together, it will be for the sake of power alone. These parties are diverse and do not share a common ideology. A substitute to BJP, Cong is in offing D. Raja A viable third alternative seems more and more real as it is being realised that the Congress and the BJP are at best a substitute for one another Ican understand that developments in the course of the presi dential election process have triggered an interest in the possible realignment of forces. Of course, it is premature to talk about the permutation and combination of political forces for 2014, but given the track record of the BJPled NDA or third front alternatives, I am sure we will make a comeback in the shape of UPA-3. My confidence about the UPA-3 returning emanates from the fact that no government before has accomplished what the UPA-1 and the UPA-2 have. The UPA-1 waived an unprecedented `70,000 crore farmers' loan and passed people-friendly laws like the Right to Information and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). The NREGA showed that India could provide legal right to jobs to its rural citizens where full-scale employment could not be gained. Such unemployment bhatta or allowance is given only in some developed countries. The UPA2 government also gave legal entitlement to children to get school education, and the National Food Security Bill is in the offing. I am confident and believe that the people of India are very intelligent. Ultimately, they will pay attention to the achieve ments of the government under the leadership of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. They will not succumb
to the Opposition rhetoric. Price rise is a serious concern, however. It has put undue pressure on the common man. But the people know prices have shot up globally, not just in India. Another issue haunting the nation is corruption. People realise, however, that those found guilty are facing punishment, regardless of their status. As far as the BJP-led NDA is concerned, they are unable to set their own house in order. Their leaders are fighting each other viciously in vying for the post of Prime Minister. How can such people run a huge and diverse country like India? Ordinary Indians know this well. As for the regional or state parties, we only need to go into their history to look at their future. They have come together before and even formed governments, but the personal ambitions of their leaders have let them down. Their governments have crashed. The country has been denied stability under their rule. All this is common knowledge. I also wish to stress the point that if regional parties try to come together, it will be for the sake of power alone. These parties are diverse and do not share a common ideology or grand perspective which is important in pursuing a goal. On account of asymmetry in their ideology, the regional parties have failed to serve the people when given a chance. The present situation is even more precarious for the regional forces as I don't see a leader among the state parties who could knit them together. Even if they get the numbers, the regional satraps will fight one another for leadership. If they think of forming a secular third alternative, this would not be possible without Congress, and in that case the Congress would be the focus, as in the UPA-1 and the UPA-2. The writer is national spokesperson, Congress T he Congress-led UPA 2 govern ment has exhausted its mandate without living up to it. We can safely predict its demise in the next general election. There is unprecedented political, economic and moral crisis in the country. The value of Indian rupee has declined to its lowest level ever. The prices of essential commodities are spiralling and we have near double-digit inflation. The government makes no effort to contain it. On the other hand, the government is brazenly in favour of multinational companies and has no compunction about subjecting the aam aadmi to suffering, and burdening the people through indirect taxes of different kinds. Tax exemptions are doled out to corporate houses. The common man has seen through the game. In foreign policy matters, too, the tilt towards the United States is pronounced. The government is suffering from a loss of credibility and moral authority. It has failed to deliver and is in power by default. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA is little different from the UPA. Their economic policy, outlook on fiscal and monetary matters, and leanings on foreign policy are near-identical. Moreover, the BJP is in complete disarray. If the Congress is in power today, it is because the BJP is at sixes and sevens. In the emerging situation, we do not visualise either the Congress-led UPA or the BJP-led NDA
coming to power in the next general election. There is strong likelihood of a realignment of political forces which can lead to change in the balance of forces in the country. The CPI and other Left parties are striving to project a viable third alternative. Such an alternative seems more and more real as it is being realised that the Congress and the BJP are at best a substitute for one another. The policies they pursue are the same. They cannot offer change that would better the lives of ordinary people. The Left and democratic forces have a role to play here and do have space in such a scenario. We acknowledge that regional parties are a reality in the country and the Left parties have to deal with the regional forces. These should not be allowed to be wooed by Right-wing or neo-liberal forces, and the Left needs to intervene here. It has to evolve tactics in order to win over regional parties or co-operate with them. So there is definitely a possibility of a third alternative emerging in 2014 as an alternative to both the Congress and the BJP. It is evident that the days of one-party rule have ended. Today no political party can win the election on its own or form a government on its own. People have already seen governments led by the Congress as well as the BJP, and know from experience that such governments do not work in their interest. What people want to see now is a government with an alternative outlook which is not led by the Congress or the BJP. Such a coalition is on the cards. This is where the Left parties foresee possible change. The writer is a CPI leader
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Dev 360 Brazil learns to drape the sari Patralekha Chatterjee India and Brazil, two emerging powers, also share a passion for melodramatic love stories on the screen. If India has Bollywood, Brazil has its `telenovela'. Politics and economics are not the only things that bind Brazil and India. The two emerg ing economic powers with increasing geo-political clout also share a passion for melodramatic love stories on the screen. If India has Bollywood, Brazil has its telenovela, a dramatic soap opera. Call it good karma, or that alltoo familiar adventurous spirit which seizes many journalists in the middle of covering a UN conference, that led me to a woman who had a ringside view of the soap opera that had kindled an interest in India in the minds of millions of Brazilians. On a weekday afternoon last month, when I should have been stalking elusive international civil servants negotiating thorny issues on behalf of their governments, I slipped out of Rio Centro -venue of the mega meet on sustainable development, better known as Rio+20 -and headed towards Projac, the sprawling production studio of Rede Globo, Brazil's largest television network. I was on my way to meet Flavia Azevedo, a Brazilian who had designed the costumes for Caminho das ndias, a soap opera set in India, which took Brazil by storm.
The Portuguese word caminho translates into path in English. The somewhat bland official English title of the TV series, India: A Love Story, that rolled across Brazilian small screens for the first time in 2009, does not really capture the excitement it generated across that nation of 200 million. The soap opera, originally screened as six one-hour episodes per week, Monday to Saturday, became one of Brazil's highestrated programmes. It returned to the small screen in 2010, in an edited avatar. Rede Globo's telenovelas have a special place in Brazil: they not only have the nation riveted but are also sold to more than 100 countries around the world. Much like Bollywood. I heard about Flavia through a chance conversation with her sister, Luciana, a teacher at Rio's famous Pontifical Catholic University. Luciana's eyes had lit up the moment she heard that I was from India. Like every other Brazilian I met, she was soon telling me about Caminho das Indias. However, there was a twist to her tale. Luciana actually knew someone who had been part of the project -her sister Flavia. And so I found myself, with Flavia, inside a corner of Rede Globo's production studio, which was a patch of India in all its colourful mirror-worked glory. On rack after rack hung traditional Indian couture. Flavia took me on a guided tour of the studio, and as she spoke, the story behind the costumes and the telenovela that had mesmerised Brazil and triggered a sari craze tumbled out. The storyline of the soap opera would have mesmerised Indians as well -the main plot pits love against a social evil, in this case the caste system. Bahuan, a dalit adopted by a Brahmin family, falls in love with Maya, played by Brazilian actress Juliana Pais, an Aishwarya lookalike. She is beautiful and a Brahmin, working in a call centre. Needless to say, Maya's family is scandalised. Predictably, forbidden love prevails. Then there is another character, Raj, whose family wants him to get married to Maya, but he falls for a Brazilian woman who tries to get to the bottom of Indian social mores, unleashing more complexities. And much like in a Bollywood film, there are sundry other characters with their own stories. There are families, friends, elders, a web of relationships, all meshed together, not to forget music, colourful costumes etc etc. Flavia pointed out the red lehenga which Juliana had worn at one point. As I sat listening to Flavia, I couldn't help but imagine how Indians would lap up this Brazilian blockbuster of forbidden love, complete with the Taj Mahal, which had made the sari a hip style statement among Brazil's fashionistas. Initially, Rede Globo tried to buy saris over the Internet, but was not hugely successful. So Flavia came down to India, did the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur circuit, looking for clothes which would look good on the Brazilian cast. While in India, she also learnt how to drape a sari. That particular skill came in handy as the demand for sari theme parties surged among the Brazilian elite. Flavia says she was asked to demonstrate how to tie the sari in a morning television show. Then there were phone calls from the rich and fashionable seeking her services for sari-draping. For each sari draped, the charge would be $250. I made a lot of money..., she said. Today, the sari craze has faded, but there is a huge potential for cultural exchanges and diplomacy. We still don't know each other as people, said Flavia.
Brazilians know the word namaste and Indians know about samba. But there is so much more. Brazilians and Indians have a lot in common. We like to celebrate, we like colour, we often treat life as a party. There is a lot one can build upon, along with the geopolitics and economics. Indeed, pieces of India filter through the streetscape in Rio, Brazil's second-largest city. In the Sunday flea market next to Ipanema beach, one sees Brazilians selling statues of Shiva, wall paintings of Brahma. On hearing I am from India, one salesman slipped a tiny statue of Ganesh into my palm, gratis. The mirror-work bags from Rajasthan are also on display at various roadside stalls. In Rio, where samba classes, along with the martial arts of capoeira and jujutsu are hugely popular, one can find some great yoga studios. Ask an Indian what s/he knows about Brazil, and apart from samba, you are likely to hear about football. Yes, of course, there is Samba and football and telenovelas. But there is so much more about the largest and economically most powerful country in Latin America. While the Rio+20 conference was nearing its finale, the big news in Brazil was the deal it had struck with China, by which the two countries would be able to trade without using the US dollar as a medium of exchange. It was the kind of win-win deal that is increasingly possible in a multi-polar world. Given the changing dynamics of the world, it is only natural that Brazil and India, two emerging economies, will be drawn closer to each other. The writer focuses on development issues in India and emerging economies. She can be reached at patralekha.chatterjee @gmail.com
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/262015/terror-common-threat-dont-play.html
Terror common threat, don't play blame game: Pakistan

New Delhi, July 5, 2012, (IANS) Terrorism is a common threat for both India and Pakistan and a blame game will not help, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said Thursday. Responding to questions at a press conference with Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai after their two-day talks, Jilani said Pakistan was ready for a joint investigation with India into the disclosures made by Abu Jindal, the Indian arrested here for his role in 26/11. "Terrorism is a common threat to both India and Pakistan because citizens in both countries are facing terror. If we blame each other like this, it will have no benefit and we will reach no conclusion," Jilani said.
"I, my government and my people are very serious about this... Terrorism is a serious issue. We need serious and sincere efforts to resolve it," he said. Jilani added: "We will investigate this matter. We will even be willing to offer joint investigation in this matter." Jilani's response came after Mathai said evidence on Jindal had been shared with Pakistan. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261855/exhume-unmarked-grave-kashmirrights.html
Exhume unmarked grave in Kashmir: Rights panel

Srinagar, July 4, 2012, (IANS) : In a significant development of far reaching consequences, Jammu and Kashmir's apex rights panel Wednesday ordered the first exhumation of an unmarked grave in a border village and DNA matching of its remains. The tate human rights commission directed the district magistrate of north Kashmir's Kupwara district to exhume a body buried in Kanipora (Kalaroos) village in July 2003 and examine whether it is that of Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, then aged 14 and a resident of Anderbugh Lolab village of the same district. "The district magistrate concerned will order exhumation of the dead body from the particular grave which in this instant case is identifiable under the supervision of a magistrate and thereafter, a DNA test will be conducted," the rights panel said. "In case the results received match with the parents or relatives of the subject then the state government/district administration shall sanction and pay ex-gratia to the next of kin," the panel said. "Further the investigation of the missing report which stands already lodged in the police station Lalpora Kupwara be re-opened and taken to logical end so that the culprits are shown the doors of the court", the commission said in its landmark judgement. The father of the missing boy had filed an FIR with a local police station alleging that his son had been kidnapped when he had gone to attend a religious discourse along with two of his friends in July 2003. "While two of my son's friends managed to escape from the illegal custody of their kidnappers, but my son Mohammad Yusuf Bhat was killed by the army", the father
had alleged. Elders in Kanipora (Kalaroos) village have confirmed to the SHRC that an unidentified boy was buried in the village graveyard in July 2003 whose clothes and belongings were later identified by the victim's father to have belonged to his missing son. A report filed before the SHRC by the state police had briefly said the boy had crossed over to the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2003 for obtaining training in firearms and was still there. It must be mentioned that there are hundreds of unmarked graves at many places in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir wherein parents and families of missing persons fear their loved ones could have been buried after their alleged extra judicial murders by the security forces. The state government has said the tradition of marking graves with tomb stones etc is essentially an urban tradition and scores of graveyards in Kashmir countryside are full of unmarked graves which means such graves do not necessarily belong to persons killed after their forced disappearance. State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has earlier welcomed the decision to undertake the DNA matching of such unmarked graves where suspicions have been raised that these might contain bodies of persons killed after their forced disappearances. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261819/india-ups-pressure-2611disclosures.html
India ups pressure on 26/11 disclosures, discusses Kashmir with Pakistan

New Delhi, July 4, 2012, (IANS) : India Wednesday asserted that the interrogation of 26/11 plotter Abu Jindal Hamza had "confirmed" that the terror attack was controlled from Pakistan even as the foreign secretaries of the two countries held talks on peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to keep the dialogue process on track. Assisted by senior officials, Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani held two sessions of delegation-level talks and decided to continue their dialogue Thursday.
"The foreign secretaries, along with their respective delegations, have had two full sessions of detailed discussions covering all aspects of the agenda under the items peace and security as well as Jammu and Kashmir," Syed Akbaruddin, India's external affairs ministry spokesperson, told reporters here. The talks started at 10.30 a.m. and continued over a brief working lunch. The spokesperson declined to reveal any details of the talks except for saying that a joint statement will be issued Thursday. Jilani will also call on External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna before leaving for Islamabad Friday. In the opening round of talks, the two sides reviewed the dialogue process and focused on ways to bolster peace and security, including confidence-building measures (CBMs) aimed at easing trade and travel between the two countries. The two sides also decided to fast-track implementation of CBMs related to Jammu and Kashmir, informed sources said. The agenda for the talks had been fixed well in advance, but the disclosures made by Jindal, alias Zabiuddin Ansari, an Indian 26/11 plotter with suspected links to Pakistani militants and Pakistani state actors, has put the focus again on Pakistan's link to the Mumbai terror spree. While the details of the foreign secretary-level talks are yet to become clear, Home Minister P. Chidambaram upped the pressure on Islamabad about the disclosures made by Jindal and asserted that it has confirmed that that the terror attack was controlled from Pakistan. "We now know how the control room functioned. So I think the dots are being connected. It is no longer possible for anyone to deny that the incident happened in Mumbai but the control of the incident, before and during the incident was in Pakistan," Chidambaram said here Wednesday. Jindal's interrogation showed how the control room of the Mumbai terror attack functioned, he said. Jindal, who hails from Beed in Maharashtra, has confessed to being amongst those directing the 10 Pakistani terrorists who docked in Mumbai on the night of Nov 26, 2008, sources in the investigation team have said. He was arrested at the airport in Delhi June 21 after his deportation from Saudi Arabia.
Jindal is being interrogated by several investigating teams, including the Intelligence Bureau, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad team and a special Delhi Police team. Jindal's passport shows his present and permanent address in Pakistan and his visa for Saudi Arabia had been also issued on the Pakistani passport. Islamabad has been in denial, calling Jindal's passport fake. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261889/saffronisation-plan-violates-nationalcurriculum.html
Saffronisation plan violates national curriculum framework

By Niranjanaradhya V P The overt statement of the state BJP president to saffronise school education has reopened the debate on the agenda of saffronisation by right wing political parties. There is nothing new about the hidden agenda of the political groups to choose the school curriculum to indoctrinate their ideology to the young minds to orient them to a single-minded thinking process to achieve their political objective. The BJP ruled state government of Karnataka, as usual, initiated the process of twisting historical facts in school textbooks. In fact, a similar kind of exercise was carried out in other BJP ruled states during the NDA rule at the Centre, in the past. There is a need to address this recurring question beyond party politics but certainly in a more professional and academic manner. To bring in the discussion into the academic circle, particularly by involving teachers who are responsible for transacting the contents prescribed in text books, one needs to understand that there are broad parameters or frameworks for the revision of curriculum followed by syllabus on the basis of which text books need to be revised or modified. In pedagogical terms, the renewal and restructuring of curriculum is a continuous process to keep the dynamic character of the education system. Revising and updating knowledge within the pedagogical parameters is a dynamic process of building and constructing new knowledge. For this purpose, the central and state governments have created legitimate expert academic bodies to undertake the work within the larger framework developed by the centre from time to time. However, the question of objectivity and transparency in the process depends upon the unbiased character of the ruling party and the people appointed for the process.
In fact, the most recent framework by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an academic body at the national level, is a comprehensive document called the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) in 2005. The NCF
should be the guiding document for the state and Union Territories to revise their curriculum and syllabus to develop textbooks for various disciplines including social sciences. Procedurally, it is obvious for the states to develop a curriculum framework initially based on the broad framework developed by the centre before revising the syllabus and text books. Ideally, such frameworks need to be developed based on the broad parameters discussed in the NCF. It is more important in the case of social sciences; which is always sensitive and prone to misinterpretation of historical facts to suit the political and ideological underpinnings of the ruling governments, unlike other subjects like mathematics and science. Examine guidelines The NCF in Para 3.4 specifically outlines the broad parameters to be followed while developing curriculum for social sciences. In the wake of the current controversy in the state, it is important to cull-out and examine the basic guidelines provided in the NCF while revising the social science texts to take the debate forward in a professional and academic manner, without mixing party politics or a particular type of ideology. The NCF while emphasising the need for teaching social sciences in schools says that social Science perspectives and knowledge are indispensable in building the knowledge-base for a just and peaceful society. The content should aim at raising students awareness through critically exploring and questioning of familiar social reality. Further, the NCF clearly recognises the fact that Selecting and organising the material in a meaningful curriculum to enable students to develop a critical understanding of society is therefore a challenging task. While doing so, the framework reminds us the pluralistic nature of a society like ours and therefore says it is important that all regions and social groups be able to relate to the textbooks. More specifically, the NCF framework while emphasising the normative responsibility of social sciences emphasises that the social sciences carry a normative responsibility of creating a strong sense of human values, namely, freedom, trust, mutual respect, and respect for diversity. Social science teaching should aim at generating in students a critical, moral and mental energy, making them alert to the social forces that threaten these values. While emphasising on the integration and organic linkage of social sciences with other subjects, the framework should stress the need for planning the curriculum for the primary grades, the natural and the social environment will be explained as integral parts of languages and mathematics. Children should be engaged in
activities to understand the environment through illustrations from the physical, biological, social, and cultural spheres. The language used should be gender sensitive. Teaching methods should be in a participative and discussion-oriented mode. It is evident from the NCF that states should follow the basic assumptions and broad parameters while developing the curriculum and thereby ensure that there is no bias and discrepancies in the contents used for developing textbooks. However, the ongoing debate in the state indicates that the state has failed to adhere to the NCF while revising the textbooks especially social sciences textbooks. Education being in the concurrent list the state has an obligation to follow the National Curriculum rather than its own political agenda. (The writer is with the National Law School, Bangalore) http://www.dailypioneer.com/home/online-channel/360-todays-newspaper/78204jak-calm-rashtriya-rifles-to-take-n-e-job.html
J&K calm; Rashtriya Rifles to take N-E job

Thursday, 05 July 2012 00:08 Rahul Datta | New Delhi Hits: 142
To counter China and bolster Indias counter-insurgency grid in the North-East, the Army plans to move thousands of jawans of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) from Kashmir. In the first phase, nearly 5,000 jawans and officers (five battalions), specialized in counterinsurgency operations, will be shifted from Kashmir Valley to the N-E. The issue was discussed between Defence Minister AK Antony and Army Chief General Bikram Singh here on Monday. This major step comes along side the Government speeding up construction of 20 strategic roads in the North-East, repairing and upgrading 25 airfields and building advanced landing grounds and helipads in inaccessible areas. These measures will ensure round-the-year logistical support to the troops manning the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as the Chinese have a vastly superior military infrastructure including roads right up to the LAC, nearly 10,000 kilometre of rail network in Tibetan plateau and airfields. At present, 63 battalions are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir while two battalions are doing duty in the North-East. With security situation improving in Kashmir and violence levels petering out somewhat, security forces including the Army are not averse to drawing out some of
their battalions without hampering the overall operational matrix. Moreover, the State Government has often demanded thinning out the presence of the Army. The growing military capabilities of China and the some North-East insurgent groups getting backing from Beijing, has forced the Government to increase Army presence in N-E region, sources said. The issue of force accrual in the North-East sector in the backdrop of Chinese threat was one of the main topics of discussion when Antony reviewed operational preparedness and modernization of the Army with General Bikram Singh here on Monday. Sources said the Army may move five battalions of the RR to N-E in the first instance. More will follow later. Once shifted to the North-East, besides counter-insurgency operations, these units will also support the Armys plan to strengthen its presence by having a China-specific mountain strike corps, officials said. Explaining this factor, they said the Rashtriya Rifles soldiers are trained soldiers and, if need be, can revert to conventional war in the shortest possible time while deployed in the eastern theatre. Elaborating upon the plan to relocate Rashtriya Rifles battalions from Kashmir to the North East, sources said the Army will have little problem in doing so as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in force in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya. It means that the Rashtriya Rifles, now operating under the AFSPA cover in Kashmir, will have no difficulty in adjusting to the North-East. Moreover, the presence of 63 battalions of this force in Kashmir is posing a problem of accommodation due to shortage of space, and relocation to the North East will be a smooth transition, sources said. Raised in 1992 as a dedicated counter-insurgency force, the Rashtriya Rifles comprises officers and jawans drawn from various Army units like infantry, artillery and armoured corps. The personnel usually serve a stint of two years in the Rashtriya Rifles and then go back to their parent units. The Rashtriya Rifles operates in Kashmir hinterland and forms the second tier of offensive patrol near the 750-km long Line of Control(LOC) guarded by regular infantry units.
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Its now Yadav vs Yadav

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:51 Sana Shakil | New Delhi
In a new twist to the Nitish Katara murder case, Vishal Yadav undergoing life term in the case, sought to foist the crime on his cousin Vikas Yadav on Wednesday. Appealing against his conviction in the Delhi High Court, senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, appearing for
Vishal told the court that the deceased was last seen with Vikas and not Vishal. Terming the trial in the case a mistrial, Jethmalani sought a re-trial in the case. This conviction cannot be sustained as proper legal procedures were not followed. There should be a re-trial, Jethmalani said. Citing the statement of a prosecution witness who was later dropped off from the case, Jethmalani, argued before the bench of Justices Gita Mittal and JR Midha sought to put the entire blame of Nitishs murder on Vikas, who is also undergoing life term in the case. He referred to the statement of Kamal Kishore, a security guard of Vikass politician father DP Yadav that he had seen Vikas bringing Nitish to DP Yadavs Ferozshah Road bungalow on the fateful night. Nitish was murdered on the intervening nights of February 16-17 in 2002. Quoting Kishores statement, Jethmalani said, After staying in the bungalow for about half an hour, Vikas and Nitish left the bungalow in Vikass car. He added, Vishal was nowhere in the picture. There is no evidence which shows Vishal was last seen with the deceased. To this, Justice Gita Mittal also pointed out that Vikas could get into deep trouble if Kishores statement is to be relied upon. However, Jethmalani refused to relent and insisted that deceased was last seen with Vikas Yadav. I am defending Vishal and I am not concerned about anyone else, the lawyer said. Trying to strengthen his case further, Jethmalani said that the weapon of offence in this case was a hammer and another object used in the commission of murder was the Tata Safari car but none of them was recovered from Vishal. Instead, the lawyer in an indirect reference to Vikas, indicated that the objects of crime were found in possession of other convicts in the case. Other convicts in the case are Vikas Yadav and hired killer Sukhdev Pehelwan. Jethmalani pleaded, The deceaseds watch is said to be recovered from Vishal but that does not prove anything. Meanwhile, Jethmalani contended that the way the trial was conducted by the sessions court was not in accordance with the law and the accused persons deserved a re-trial in the case. We are very much willing for the re-trial, Jethmalani told the bench. The noted lawyer alleged that the prosecution as well as the trial court judge did not follow the proper procedure during the trial. The trial court ignored the fact that the witnesses were not examined by the prosecution properly, he further alleged. Yadavs were convicted in 2008 by the trial court for kidnapping and later murdering Nitish Katara, son of an IAS officer, as they were against his affair with their sister Bharati Yadav. The duo had killed Katara on the intervening night of February 16- 17, 2002, after abducting him from a marriage party in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad.
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SC stays graft trial against ex-Railway Minister Sharief

Thursday, 05 July 2012 00:03
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed criminal proceedings against former Railway Minister CK Jaffer Sharief in a 1995 case where he was accused of diverting public funds to foot the travel expenses of his personal staff while on an official tour. The apex bench of Justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi directed stay of further proceedings in the case pending with a Delhi court which had framed charges against the senior Congress leader on Tuesday. Senior advocate PP Rao who appeared for Sharief blamed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for making a mountain out of a mole. The case pertained to Shariefs tenure as Railway Minister when he took four of his personal staff on Government expense to London. As rules did not cover expenses of personal staff traveling with the Minister, a case under Prevention of Corruption Act was filed against Sharief. The CBI which investigated the matter had earlier filed a closure report. On being prodded by the trial court, CBI conducted further probe leading to a finding against the Minister for causing wrongful loss to the exchequer to the tune of rupees seven lakh. Sharief had earlier approached the Delhi High Court challenging the trial courts decision to proceed trial against him which was dismissed on April 11 this year. Sharief, who had gone to London for his treatment, however, maintained he was entitled to take his personal staff on such tours.
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Rajasthan probes Naxal hand in MLA abduction

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:57 LOKPAL SETHI | JAIPUR
State and Central intelligence agencies are probing the involvement of Naxal elements behind the abduction of Banswara legislator Arjun Singh Bamnia. The Congressman was kept hostage until he signed a declaration stating that he will oppose a proposed nuclear power plant in the area. On the face of it though, it appears that Kanti Lal Maeda, sarpanch of Bari and son of former Minister Dali Chand Maeda, was behind the kidnapping of the MLA. But law enforcement agencies are not ruling out the infiltration of Maoist elements among the group of armed tribals that kidnapped the politician for a night on Sunday. He eventually relented and declared in writing that he would oppose the nuclear power project near Bari in Katumbi area of the district.
Intelligence sources said that the way the tribesmen were equipped with arms and had attacked the police party reeked of the way the Red ultras in adjoining Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh operated. Intelligence agencies had information that with the mounting pressure of police on Naxal elements in Chhattisgarh and MP, the rebels were fleeing to tribal dominated districts of Banswara, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh in search of safety. At the same time they were making efforts to mobilise tribals to embrace their ideology and become a part of their network, sources said. On Sunday night when, Bamnia was returning from Kota after attending a function, an armed mob of about hundred people stopped him near Bari. The mob was lead by Bari sarpanch Maeda, who had also served as a Minister of State briefly in the early nineties. The legislator was taken to Dali Chands house which was surrounded by a large armed crowed to foil any attempts by the police to rescue the Bamnia. When he initially refused to sign a declaration to oppose the nuclear power project, he was allegedly thrashed by those present. When a police party, lead by ASP Pankaj Kumar reached the village to rescue Bamnia, it was attacked by the armed mob. A police vehicle was damage and SHO of the area Bhanwar Singh received injuries. As information about the kidnapping of a Congress MLA reached the State headquarters, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and chief secretary CK Mathew swung into action. He was released at around 2 am on Monday after he signed the letter addressed to the Chief Minister, opposing the nuclear power plant in the area. Sources said the way in which the entire incident panned out has given authorities strong indication that a Naxalite hand may be involved.
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Islamic body wants J&K tourists to mind attire

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:56 Khursheed Wani | Srinagar
A prominent politico-religious group in Kashmir Jamaat-e-Islami has asked the tourists visiting Kashmir Valley to follow a proper dress code consistent with the ethos of Kashmir. The group has urged the Department of Tourism to enforce the dress code lest the Kashmiri Muslims were deviated from their religious values. This is the first radical reaction to the heavy influx of tourists in Kashmir this year but there was no impact of the diktat on the ground level. Jamaat, which has off late restricted its role to religious preaching and social reforms, has not issued any threat to the tourists. However, many in Kashmir believe that the diktat is a covert threat and is reminiscent of several such curbs implemented in Kashmir in the heydays of militancy in the early 1990s when cinema halls and liquor shops were closed and women were forced to wear head-to-toe burqas.
Some tourists are seen wandering mini-skirts and objectionable dresses, which is against the local ethos and is not acceptable to the civil society at all, they said.
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PC ups ante, blames Pak for 26/11 again

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:48 Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
Even as the Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks were being held, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday continued to up the ante against Islamabad against the backdrop of LeT terrorist Abu Jundals revelations. The picture is getting clearer now. We now know who trained and who briefed the 26/11 terrorists. It is no longer possible to deny that though the incident happened in Mumbai, its control was in Pakistan, Chidambaram said while briefing media here. He, however, said no new dossier on Jundal will be given to Pakistan. Dismissing Pakistans claim that no state actors were involved in the 26/11 attacks, the Home Minister said no sovereign state could allow terror activities from its soil. I cant allow any nonstate actor carry out any terror activity in a neighbouring country, Chidambaram said. He said India knew who had trained Ajmal Kasab and nine other terrorists who carried out the terror strikes in Mumbai, who briefed them and how the control room, from where directions were given, had functioned. It is no longer possible to deny that though the incident happened in Mumbai, there was a control room in Pakistan before and during the incident. Without state support, the control room could not have been established, he maintained. Chidambaram said after Kasabs interrogation, evidence clearly pointed to the involvement of state actors and it was corroborated by the statement given by Jundal, who was arrested on June 21 after his arrival from Saudi Arabia. After Jundals interrogation, it was clear that there were state actors. Dots are increasingly getting joined. Though there were many pseudonyms, it is clear that state actors were there. Pictures are getting clearer and clearer. We have been able to know who were there and where they were, he said. Asked whether New Delhi would hand over Islamabad any dossier on Jundal during the ongoing Foreign Secretary-level talks, he said no dossier would be given at this stage but Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai was free to share whatever he has been briefed about. The Foreign Secretary has been briefed. If he feels, he can share it with them, he said.
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jak.html
Day 1 talks focus on Jundals revelations, J&K

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:47 PNS | New Delhi
LeT operative Abu Jundals revelations on Pakistans involvement in Mumbai terror attacks and Jammu and Kashmir dominated the first day of talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan. Without divulging any details, MEAs official spokesperson Syed Akabaruddin only said the Foreign Secretaries, along with their respective delegations, have had two full sessions of detailed discussions covering all aspects of the agenda under the items Peace and Security as well as Jammu and Kashmir. Official sources said, India flagged its concern over anti-India terror activities being planned from Pakistani soil in the backdrop of the arrest of Jundal who has revealed that he, along with LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, was in the control room in Karachi during the 26/11 Mumbai carnage in which 166 people were killed. The Indian side also raised the issue of Jundal being issued Pakistani passport and Pakistans domestic identity cards under the name of Riyasat Ali, to the visiting delegation, indicating the involvement of its state agencies. India is also understood to have reiterated its concern over the slow pace of Mumbai terror attacks trial in Pakistan. Both sides also discussed all aspects related to Jammu and Kashmir besides ways to enhance cross LoC trade. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani will resume the talks on Thursday.
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Cartoon row: Govt may forward Thorat pointers to NMC

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 23:45 Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
With a confrontation between the HRD Ministry panel over review of cartoons in NCERT books and advisers of those textbooks, the Ministry is likely to forward the Thorat Committee recommendation to its National Monitoring Committee (NMC). HRD Ministry sources said that even NCERT is not happy the way the panel has prepared the report by completely ignoring its view on the placement of cartoons or any illustration in the textbooks.
The NCERT and the HRD Ministry are not too keen on accepting the suggestions of the panel in its present format. The Ministry may send the report to NMC for a broader approach on the subject, said an HRD official. The Consultative Committee meeting of NCERT on Wednesday witnessed protests from within the members and advisers for the textbooks. Sources said that the members lodged their protest questioning why they were involved in the entire book material selection process when their suggestions have been disregarded at this stage. The meeting was called to examine the recommendation of a committee which has suggested deletion of certain cartoons from political science textbooks. Sources said that former NCERT textbook adviser Yogendra Yadav, who resigned in wake of the Ambedkar cartoon row in May 2012 along with Suhas Palashikar, gave point-by-point clarification about the cartoons selected for the textbook and the idea of having them. He is also believed to have presented a draft with his views. Some academicians including a few committee members have already questioned the committees procedure on arriving at a consensus. The meeting was attended by NCERT director Parvin Sinclair, Hari Vasudevan, Ujjwal Singh of NCERT Textbook Development Committee for Social Sciences, former NCERT head Krishna Kanth among others. Sources said some more deliberations will take place in the coming days to examine the Thorat Committee suggestions before a full-fledged meeting of the national monitoring committee. Headed by Sukhadeo Thorat, chairperson of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the panel in its report submitted to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal last month has sought removal of some RK Laxman cartoons from the textbook, a cartoon of Shankar and that of Surendra among others contending that they were ambiguous and portrait politicians in incorrect way. The Thorat Committee has stirred up a controversy after it recommended deletion of cartoons on Nehru-Gandhi family besides many other cartoons or illustrations from NCERT textbooks. The six-member Thorat Committee report has been signed by only three members. While Prof MSS Pandian gave a dissenting note, the assent from two other members Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim and Sanskriti school teacher Abha Malik was reportedly taken over phone.
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For Congress: What 1962?

Claude Arpi
The party refuses to even acknowledge, let alone discuss, the events that led to the countrys defeat at the hands of China. This is no way to look ahead. It is called amnesia. Last year, when a souvenir, Congress and the Making of the Indian Nation, was released on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the party, incredulous
readers could not believe their eyes. Though the Indian National Congress was still able to remember the role of former Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi in the IndiaPakistan conflicts of 1965 and 1971, the authors/eminent historians had amazingly forgotten that there was a traumatic war with China in October/November 1962. Edited by Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the souvenir recalls that in 1971, Mrs Indira Gandhi was hailed as Durga, an incarnation of Shakti; the armed conflict which saw the birth of Bangladesh was her personal success! Fine, but the party showed a very selective memory. The presidential candidate wrote in his introduction: This publication is but to a considerable extent the history of the Indian people... This glorious history should serve as a guide and an anchor in helping the country negotiate future challenges. But how to negotiate the challenge if the past, however painful it was, is still brushed under the carpet? The 1962 conflict with China remains a deep scar on the Indian psyche; it is only by giving the complete information to the people of India that it can be healed. One of the problems with this amnesia, bordering on Alzheimer syndrome, is that the opposing party of the 1962 conflict has not forgotten anything, unfortunately it remembers the event through its own glasses. Mr Hong Yuan, a researcher with the Center of World Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences recently wrote in The Global Times: China won, but never wanted, Sino-Indian war. Mr Yuan said: China initially tried to avoid military confrontation, out of respect to Indias ancient culture and sympathy that it had suffered a similar painful past of oppression by colonial powers. However, Indias persistent provocation eventually breached Chinas bottom-line, and the Peoples Liberation Army was forced to join the battle in self-defense. The same old version of the disastrous events. The poor quality of memory of the Congress (and the Indian Government in general) also shows the level of modern official historians. Foremost amongst the writers of the souvenir was Ms Mridula Mukherjee, the then director of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture which flouted Government rules prohibiting the director of such bodies from associating himself/herself with a particular political party. Interestingly, this came soon after another release: Two letters sent by Jawaharlal Nehru to US President John F Kennedy on November 19, 1962. Thanks to the eminent journalist Inder Malhotra, these two missives are today in the public domain. How is it that the Indian Government does not remember that the Indian Prime Minister wrote to the US President about Indias desperate situation? Nehru begged the US to immediately dispatch a more comprehensive US military aid, if the Chinese are to be prevented from taking over the whole of Eastern India. Till these letters were declassified by Mr Malhotra, there was only a brief mention about their existence in the Foreign Relations of the United States published by the US State Department; it mentions: The letter was the first of two letters sent by Nehru to Kennedy on November 19. The
second was delivered to the White House by the Indian Ambassador on the evening of November 19. These letters have not been declassified by the Indian Government. The US Office of the Historian quoted the summary published by S Gopal, Nehrus biographer: Nehru, apparently without consulting any of his Cabinet colleagues or officials, apart from the Foreign Secretary, MJ Desai, wrote two letters to Kennedy describing the situation as really desperate and requesting the immediate despatch of a minimum of 12 squadrons of supersonic all-weather fighters and the setting up of radar communications. American personnel would have to man these fighters and installations and protect Indian cities from air attacks by the Chinese till Indian personnel had been trained. The letter continues asking for planes to assist the Indian Air Force (which was not even allowed to participate in the war). A panicked Nehru also wanted Indian pilots to be sent immediately for training in the US. Nehru told Kennedy that after the fall of Chushul in Ladakh, there was nothing to stop the Chinese till they reach Leh. Though 50 years later New Delhi does not remember, that in November 1962, with the advance of the Chinese in massive strength, the entire Brahmaputra Valley is seriously threatened and unless something is done immediately to stem the tide; these were Nehrus words. Fortunately, the Chinese had already decided to declare a unilateral cease-fire. Fifty years after the tragic events of 1962, India still cant access its own history as the Government remains adamant not to publish the Henderson-Brooks report of the 1962 debacle and other documents related to the conflict (such as the Himmatsinghji Committee Report on the North-east borders said to be untraceable by the Ministry). On December 7, 2005, another senior journalist Kuldip Nayar applied to the Union Ministry of Defence under the RTI Act to see the famous report. When the case came to the Chief Information Commissioner, the Ministry of Defence stated: Disclosure of this information will amount to disclosure of the Armys operational strategy in the North-east and the discussion on deployments has a direct bearing on the question of the demarcation of the Line of Actual Control between India and China, a live issue under examination between the two countries at present. The second argument might be true, but the first one is ridiculous. A democratic Government should be willing to open its archives and let a thousand histories bloom and give its own official version of the facts. In the meantime, the Chinese have a field day. The Global Times says: When the sound of Chinas artillery reached New Delhi, the PLA decisively halted its military operation and pulled back its troops. The PLAs performance in the war shocked Western strategists and did [China] proud. Its victory has also brought peace on one of Chinas most important borders for half a century. In another words, India should thank China for bringing 50 years of peace to the subcontinent. At that time, for Mao and for Beijing still today: War is a negotiating approach, but not a goal. Similarly, Chinas decision to fight back against India in the 1962 border war was to strike a
peace with its neighbour. The Chinese historians pretend that: Chinas peaceful intentions were further testified by its unilateral ceasefire on November 22, 1962. Mao just wanted to wake [Nehru] up from the superpowers influence by giving him a heavy punch, so that he would come to his senses and end the war. War is an extreme means of communication between civilizations. And Beijing added: Mao wanted to send a message of peace to India, and to lay a good foundation for long-term friendship. The conclusions of The Global Times were: Fifty years ago, the Indian Government was blinded by selfish interests, and wanted to force the Chinese to accept an illegal border line created by colonial powers. This was boldly rejected. The result of the Governments obstinacy is that 50 years after the events the world has today only one version of those two months: the Chinese one. Even if blunders were committed and they have been committed it is more important for the nation to learn from them, rather than to hide them. It is by learning from its mistakes that a nation progresses, not by amnesia.
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No more voyeurism
Supreme Court verdict is key to saving Jarawas The Supreme Courts ruling on Monday banning all commercial particularly tourism activities in and around the Government-designated Jarawa reserve in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a promising step towards protecting the indigenous tribe. The apex courts judgement effectively upholds a 2007 order by a local tehsildar that declared the area within a five kilometre radius of the Jarawa reserve as a buffer zone. No person who was not a member of the aboriginal tribe let alone hotel contractors and resort builders was to be allowed entry into the buffer zone. Unfortunately, the order was followed mostly in the breach and eventually squashed by the Calcutta High Court which upheld the right of a resort owner to set up his own enterprise within the buffer zone, only three kilometres away from the reserve. The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands then appealed to the apex court which stayed the order, asked for opinions from all stakeholders including the Union Government (which attempted to dilute the 2007 prohibitory orders), and finally overturned the Calcutta High Courts verdict on Monday. The judgement could not have come a day soon as the Jarawas today are an endangered tribe desperately needing the protection of the state. In recent years, unchecked voyeurism under the guise of tourism that is the touchstone for development in the Andaman islands has pitted the Jarawas against the outside world in an unfair fight for survival. The troubling and often abusive, relationship that has developed between the Jarawas who are curious to explore the world outside their forest, and the battery of tour operators and even police officers out to capitalise on the ancient tribes exotic value burst into public view earlier this year. In January, videos depicting semi-naked Jarawa girls dancing for tourists in return for food from police officers provoked large-scale outrage. It is against this backdrop of unethical, and indeed inhuman, tourism practices that the Supreme Courts blanket ban on commercial activities in the area must be seen.
For now, there is much disagreement on how best to respond to the Jarawa tribe. Should the state actively work towards the integration of the Jarawas into mainstream society or should it leave the tribe to its own devices? The Governments previous efforts to integrate the Great Andamanese tribe have failed miserably. Despite providing the latter with jobs and modern amenities, the tribe succumbed to disease, alcohol and beggary, and today less than 50 of those tribals remain. Nobody wishes the same fate for the Jarawas, but until a better plan is formulated, the state must protect the tribe from extinction. Already, unbridled contact with outside forces, and that too in the most exploitative manner possible, has made the tribe vulnerable to diseases to which they were earlier thought to be immune. The Supreme Courts order, if effectively implemented by local authorities, will contain some of the menace. But the threat of extinction for the Jarawas will remain as long as the civilised world continues to treat them like an exotic animal species. Lets not forget that, while businesses in and around the reserve may be shut, the Andaman Grand Trunk road that ferries tourists from the north to the south of the island and cuts right through the buffer zone is still open. The revolting human safari may still go on.
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Listen to the locals

Flood relief money alone is not the solution This week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a relief package worth `500 crore to flood-hit Assam. Earlier, he conducted an aerial survey of the States regions affected by the flood. This happens every year: The State gets ravaged by an overflowing Brahmaputra river, the Prime Minster goes on an aerial survey, he then grimly talks of the destruction caused and finally announces a relief package. What neither the Centre nor the State Government has been able to do is find a solution to this ritual destruction. Take the case of Asias largest fresh water island, Majuli, located in the State and the worst hit by this years flood. The island had a total area of 1,250 sq km but today it stands at a mere 422 sq km, with its land lost to erosion. Around 70 villages have been submerged and nearly 30 wiped out of existence and official records. Life has become uncertain for Majulis hapless inhabitants, more than 75,000 of whom are camping in make-shift shelters. With their homes inundated, standing crops destroyed and means of livelihood wiped off, the inhabitants face a bleak future. This frequent flooding, soil erosion and silting has depleted the land of its strength and rendered it increasingly unfit for agriculture. Perhaps a great deal of this annual devastation could have been avoided had the authorities been listening to the locals and helping them protect their land and livelihood in the way that social activist Sanjoy Ghose had done during his defining work in Majuli before he was abducted by the United Liberation Front of Asom 15 years ago on July 4 and allegedly killed. Ghose and his group of workers had recognised the importance of engaging the locals in building a low-cost flood-and-erosion-resistant slope. If the authorities had replicated his work, the island could have been saved the tragedy that we are witnessing. Locals have been crying themselves hoarse that the officials must do more to check soil erosion rather than spend disproportionate amounts of time and money on flood control measures. The locals have a point because soil erosion continues to harm them long after the flood has receded. This years flood in Assam has reportedly been the most devastating in recent memory. Almost 42 breaches in the embankments of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries have been reported till
date. Floods and landslides have together claimed 81 lives in the State so far. The propensity of the Government to keep pouring in funds on relief efforts rather than on preventive measures is also perhaps because there are vested elements at play who make hay while floods claim lives and property. This is true of every flood-affected State. Everyone knows that a large part of the relief funds finds it way into the pockets of unscrupulous middlemen and Government officials.
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For Syria, even the best isnt much

Gwynne Dyer
Kofi Annan may be doing his best, but the cycle of violence in Bashar al-Assads land refuses to end. A new approach is needed Former United Nations Secretary-General and now special UN envoy for Syria Kofi Annan does the best he can. At least he's back in harness, doing what he does best: Trying to make peace where there is no hope of peace. The rest of them do the best they can, too, give or take the odd Russian. Well, not exactly the best they can, but at least they do enough to make it look like they're trying. And you can't really blame them for faking it, because they all know that it can't work. On Saturday Mr Annan, announced that a special action group meeting in Geneva had come up with a plan to stop the carnage in Syria. Or at least a faint hope. Or not, as the case may be. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council were there, plus some of the biggest regional players (but not Iran, which backs the Syrian regime, or Saudi Arabia, which supports the rebels). They condemned the continued escalating killing and agreed that there must be a transitional Government body with full executive powers. Then they all went outside and spat into the wind, just to show how determined they were. An early draft of the communiqu said that those whose continued presence and participation would undermine the credibility of the transitional Government Syrian President Bashar alAssad, in other words should be excluded, but that wording was gone from the final document. So Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was delighted with the outcome, since no foreign solution was being imposed on Syria. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Council, the most coherent Opposition group, said it would reject any plan that did not include the unconditional departure of Mr Assad, his family, and his close associates. Mr Assad himself told Iranian television that no amount of foreign pressure would make his Government change its policy. And on Friday, the day before the Geneva meeting, an estimated 190 people were killed in Syria, most of them by the Government. Mr Assad's regime has now killed around as many people 16,000, by last count as his father did in suppressing the last revolt against the regime in 1982. He must take hope from the fact that his father, in the end, terrorised all Opposition into silence, and ruled on until his death in 2000. Mr Assad might win too and besides, what choice has he, at this point, but to fight until the last ditch?
So many people have already been slaughtered by his troops and their Alawite militia allies, that there is no forgiveness left among the Opposition. There is so little trust that a negotiated handover of power could not succeed even if Mr Assad wanted that. His only remaining options are victory, exile or death. It bears repeating that this is not how the Arab Spring ended up. It's just how Syria has ended up, after eight months of non-violent demonstrations in the face of extreme regime violence which gave way to armed resistance. The other Arab revolutions have not been drowned in blood (with the exception of Bahrain), and some of them, like Tunisia's and Egypt's, have already wrought huge changes. There's even another one starting up in Sudan right now. Two things make Syria different. One is its extreme religious and ethnic complexity, which makes it hard for protesters to maintain a united front against a regime that is adept at playing on inter-group fears and resentments. The other is that Mr Assad heads the Syrian Baath Party, an utterly ruthless machine, for seizing and holding power. Why, then, would we expect it to behave any better than its former twin, the Iraqi Baath Party that was led by Saddam Hussein? Even the party's role as the political vehicle for a religious minority was the same: Alawites in Syria, Sunni Muslims in Iraq. So, how long will the killing in Syria last? Until the rebels win, or until they are crushed? Are they going to win? Nobody knows. Will the neighbouring countries get dragged into the fighting? Probably not, although Lebanon is seriously at risk. Can Mr Annan, the United Nations or the great powers do anything about this? Not a thing.
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Not the care that India needs

Mayuri Mukherjee
Obamacare is one of the most progressive, pro-people legislations in recent time. The manner in which the White House pushed it shows the power of political will, which is a lesson for New Delhi. But India must look inward to find its own healthcare solution The US Supreme Courts endorsement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act last Thursday is undoubtedly a defining moment in the Obama Administrations efforts to provide healthcare coverage to all Americans. Popularly known as Obamacare, the legislation was the US Presidents most important electoral promise back in 2008. It was signed into law in 2010 and aims to insure millions of Americans who live dangerous lives without any medical coverage. In short, Obamacare makes it compulsory for almost all Americans to buy health insurance. If one cant afford health insurance, the state shall provide for it. But anyone without insurance will have to pay a penalty. Termed Individual Mandate, this second clause was hotly contested and there were legitimate concerns if it would stand judicial scrutiny. The Supreme Court put those fears to rest last week when it ruled that the penalty was indeed a form of tax, and that the Government had the right to impose.
That apart, another salient feature of Obamacare is the manner in which it aims to rein in private health insurance providers. For instance, private insurers routinely refuse patients with prior health conditions. By making insurance mandatory for all, Obamacare has in effect blocked that loophole. Similarly, by extending the coverage available to the elderly under Medicare which along with Medicaid forms the two main state-sponsored insurance schemes it has also plugged the notorious doughnut hole that compelled senior citizens to pay for their expensive medication. But none of this comes for free. In fact, Obamacare lays the ground for enormous Government spending. Not only will the exchequer have to pay for the insurance of those who cant afford it, it will also have to foot the bill for an extended Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Washington, DC hopes to pressure the States to eventually chip in but even that will not be before 2020, if at all. Nevertheless, there is no denying that Obamacare is perhaps the most progressive, pro-people legislation that has been formulated in recent times. Yes, it will cost the federal Government an obscene amount of money and yes, it will drastically change things within the healthcare industry. But more importantly, Obamacare sends out the message that it is wholly unbecoming of a civilised country to not make basic healthcare available to all its citizens. Expectedly, this is a message that has found resonance in India where political apathy, crumbling infrastructure and rising costs have deprived thousands of the healthcare they rightly deserve. One can only hope that the raucous over Obamacare will also generate debate on Indias healthcare systems and eventually push the topic of public health into the national mainstream. Some have pointed to the Planning Commissions stated goal of achieving Universal Health Care in the country by end of the 12th Plan period in 2017 as a positive step in that direction. Indeed, towards that end, an expert panel has even recommended a National Health Plan which will, by law, make every citizen entitled to a basic healthcare package. Unfortunately, this is where the comparisons with Obamacare become problematic. Not only is such a project far more ambitious than Obamacare, given its proposed scale and density but it is also a pointless exercise that will serve as a topic for academic discussion at best and an excuse for colossal money laundering at worst. An Obamacare-like plan will have little positive impact in India because it is not designed to address Indias problems. Instead, Obamacare is a tailormade response to the American problem of sky-rocketing medical expenses wherein healthcare is so ridiculously expensive that insurance is an absolute necessity. In India, however, medical services are relatively cheap and affordable. Government hospitals and healthcare centres across the country provide medical services at highly subsidised rates and often even free of cost to marginalised communities. The problem here is not so much the cost of the treatment but the quality of it. Abysmal infrastructure at many Government-run hospitals and healthcare centres means that even the best of doctors cannot effectively tend to all their patients. If the Government is indeed considering pumping money into Indias healthcare system, it is in this aspect of improving infrastructure that the money should be invested. Or else, a hair-brained health plan that is really a cross between the wasteful populism of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the wall flower-like idealism of the Right to Education
Act will come to naught. Ultimately, if the Government is really serious about achieving its UHC goal by 2017, it must leverage the countrys inherent potential to build a workable model that provides quality yet affordable healthcare to all. Take for instance, the Aravind Eye Hospital network that is headquartered in Madurai and provides high level ophthalmic care to poor patients across south India. Here, cataract cases form the bulk of the patient body only 30 per cent of which comprises paying patients who shell out anything between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 for one surgery. But the revenue this section generates is enough to fund the treatment of the remaining 70 per cent of patients. This financially self-sustaining model is based on the unique Indian innovation of the Small Incision Cataract Surgery. Instead of using modern phacoemulsification machines that are expensive, have high disposable costs and are not well-suited to cut out advanced and mature cataracts that are typical of developing world populations, doctors at Aravind perform a manual, sutureless, small incision extracapsular procedure with indigenously produced equipment on poor patients. The procedure is quick, cheap and safe and the results comparable to surgeries done on paying patients using the phacoemulsification machine. There are several such examples wherein Indian doctors have come up with low cost but high efficiency technology that has revolutionised the way medicine is practised in this country keeping it away from the debt trap of the Wests bloated healthcare system. And if Aravind in south India has used technology as a game changer, across the country in the small towns and mofussils of Bengal, Disha Eye Hospital (another regional chain) has capitalised on Indias burgeoning population to build a financially sustainable model that provides worldclass health facilities. Its hospital in Barrackpore alone caters to approximately 1,200 to 1,500 patients daily. Out-patient fee is a nominal Rs 60 but the tremendous bulk of the patient body renders this a profit-making institution that is able to provide quality medical services. Hospital chief Debasish Bhattacharya has his fingers on the pulse of his patient body when he says, Whenever we think of eye care, we either picture a state-of-the-art hospital or a charitable organisation for the poor. The common man with his handful of money and heart full of pride fit nowhere. If only the Government would care to listen.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/item/51934-learn-to-laugh-at-yourself.html
Learn to laugh at yourself

K Datta
What would Jawaharlal Nehru have to say over the ridiculous censoring by our politicians of cartoons that depict the countrys political and social reality? Here is his appeal to Parliament Honourable Speaker and Members of Parliament:
Thank you for allowing me, a man who died 48 years ago, the privilege to address this august House. Sixty-five years after India rose to freedom for its tryst with destiny, it appals me to find that the minds of the present generation of politicians are not liberated and enlightened enough to appreciate cartoons and caricatures. What, pray, has gone wrong with your sense of humour? Let me without diversion come straight to the point. This harmless cartoon depicting me and Babasaheb Ambedkar attempting, with whips in hand, to hasten the pace of progress in framing the Constitution caused us no offence at all. Both of us, as also countless others, had a good laugh when we saw it in the media. The year was 1949, if memory doesnt fail me. I thought Shankars cartoon portrayed a sense of worry that we were proceeding at the proverbial snails pace in the epic task of writing the countrys Constitution, and Shankars cartoon came as a timely crack of the whip on our backs. Far from objecting to the cartoon, I would have shaken the hand of Shankar if only I had met the naughty man that morning over six decades ago. Newspapers can hardly be called complete without a cartoonist poking some fun at somebody. May I remind honorable members that I myself had once told Shankar not be spare me in his cartoons. I cannot understand why over 60 years down the line some member is so incensed as to demand action against the cartoon finding its way in textbooks for Class XI students. And, what is worse, the countrys Education Minister abjectly apologising as though someone has committed a grave crime. Had I been in the honorable Ministers shoes I would have risen to the defence of the innovative scholars, better qualified than you and me, who had put the cartoon there in the textbooks. At last, someone had shown the courage to make dreary school books a little more interesting. What is even more distressing is that a few people had gone to the extent of vandalising the office of one of the scholars responsible for introducing new, more interesting, ways of learning. Permit me to remind honorable members that students of Class XI, at age 17, have a degree of adulthood in them and are quite aware that in a years time they would be eligible to vote. They are not that dumb mentally not to appreciate cartoons and jokes. The offending cartoon will be taken out of their political science books, but students will continue to notice the unflattering caricatures in the flesh that members of this august House have succeeded in making of themselves. Thank you for your indulgence. I return to where I came from with a prayer that better sense prevails in this august House. But before I do so, let me share with the members my fears that this will not be the last that we are going to hear on the subject. There has been an outcry for the deletion of many more cartoons from textbooks, and these demands unfortunately far outnumber people with saner and more liberal minds. Boys and girls in their late teens, who are students in senior school, are in the process of developing minds of their own and lessons in their textbooks ideally should help them evolve abilities of critical thinking. Their textbooks, which now include cartoons and illustrations, are a refreshing change from the earlier ones. In any case, these boys and girls have already seen the cartoons in the morning newspapers, and often even discussed them with their families and peers before they set out for school. For the sake of our childrens minds let us have many more innovative textbook writers and lesser noises of protests from unenlightened people.
This is not what people like me and, I dare say, Ambedkar, would have like to see so many decades later. Thank you.
http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=415639&catid=35
Probe justifies firing

KOLKATA, 4 JULY: The Justice Narayan Chandra Sil Commission of Inquiry has justified the 5 February 2008 police firing on a Forward Bloc rally at Dinhata in Cooch Behar in which five FB activists were killed and held local FB leaders responsible for losing control over the rally, leading to the tragic incident. In a stinging comment on the political class the commission stated: Political leaders should not use general people's life for their political gain or to increase intra-party image and importance. At the same time the commission slammed the two state combat force constables ~ Punam Koirala and Sunil Roy ~ for not being sufficiently careful while opening fire on the violent mob. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee later said the state government would appropriately act on the report. The FB Cooch Behar district secretary and Dinhata MLA, Mr Udayan Guha, was leading the procession organised to press a seven-point charter of demands, including work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The commission, set up by the previous Left Front government, had submitted its report in 2010. The Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government didn't publish the report which subsequently went missing. There was speculation then that the government didn't want to divulge the adverse findings as it would antagonise its ally, the FB. The Trinamul Congress-led government stated in reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query late last year that the report was untraceable, but it was retraced a few days ago. The 360-page report, in two parts listing exhibits and a 170-page booklet detailing the probe proceedings, findings and recommendations, was today laid in the Assembly by parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee. In paragraph 166 of the report the commission stated : It has been established that the firing was made perfectly in consonance with the given situation and in terms (in pursuance) of the Police Regulation of Bengal. But, it noted : The two police combat force personnel ~ Punam Koirala and Sunil Roy~ were not sufficiently careful at the time of firing, although (the) situation warranted police firing.
Australian sentenced to life for killing three Indians

Press Trust of India
MELBOURNE, 5 JULY: A 42-year-old Australian was today sentenced to at least 35 years in jail without parole for brutally killing his Indian girlfriend and her two siblings ~ the longest sentence handed down in Queensland history. Queensland Supreme Court judge Mr John Byrne handed down three life sentences to Massimo 'Max' Sica for killing his former 24-year-old girlfriend Neelma Singh, and her siblings ~ Kunal, 18, and Sidhi, 12 ~ in 2003 in Brisbane. The three were found dead in the spa of their parents' home at Bridgeman Downs, on Brisbane's northern fringe. Mr Justice Byrne called Sica manipulative and deceitful and said he had shown no remorse for the brutal, horrific crimes in the worst category of murder. Sica showed no emotion as the sentence was read out. Earlier on Tuesday, a jury of eight men and four women found Sica guilty of triple murder. The judge said the crimes had devastating consequences for the Singh family, causing them awful misery they would suffer for the rest of their lives. Sica was sentenced to serve a life sentence for each victim, and Justice Byrne said he must not be released for 35 years unless under exceptional circumstances. Crown prosecutor Mr Brendan Campbell had submitted that Sica should serve 45 years in prison and described it as the horrendous nature of the killings, including the murder of an 18 and a 12-year-old in a callous, calculating way to cover his tracks. He said Sica had showed an intent to kill, had operated normally the next day and had an appalling criminal history. His crimes had a devastating affect on the Singh family, and the ensuing trial revealed salacious family details which added to their pain, media reports said. The 35-year non-parole period is five years longer than the previous record sentence in Queensland. Campbell read Sica's extensive criminal history to the court, including convictions for the arson and attempted arson of two Brisbane police stations when he was in his 20s. How could anyone so cold blooded do what was done to our children? the victims' mother Mrs Shirley Singh wrote in her statements which was read to the court. Shirley described in detail how horrifying it had been upon finding out her children had been killed, identifying their bodies and her devastation at the funeral. She described her daily rituals of lighting a candle in the spa and still prepares meals for her three children. They never hurt anyone, harmed anyone or annoyed anyone. What I saw of my children and how I saw, I pray to God no other mother will see what I saw. My heart aches as I write this. Victims' older sister Sonia Pathik said: My life has never been the same since 22 April, 2003. Father Mr Vijay Singh's statement read: How could he take their lives the way he did, taking the young and vulnerable, those who could not protect themselves? During the trial, it was heard that Neelma died first of asphyxiation caused by sustained manual compression of her neck ... that is, she was strangled. The prosecution case was that Sidhi died next from blunt force trauma to her head, inflicted with a severe degree of force. Kunal was believed to have drowned in the spa bath where all
three bodies were discovered, after suffering blunt force trauma to his head. The bodies were found inside a spa in the bedroom ensuite on 22 April, 2003, by Sica who said he entered the home after becoming concerned when Neelima failed to take his calls. No charges were laid until 30 December, 2008, when a painstaking forensic investigation was finished, capping what had been an intense police examination of the case. Sica protested his innocence throughout the entire five-year investigation and continued his defiance at the verdict.
NCERT begins examination of recommendations

NEW DELHI, 4 JULY: The National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) today began examining the recommendation of a committee which has suggested deletion of certain cartoons from political science textbooks, amid indications that it is reluctant to accept the suggestions in toto. Former NCERT textbook advisor Yogendra Yadav, who resigned in the wake of the Ambedkar cartoon row along with Mr Suhas Palashikar, gave point-by-point clarification about the cartoons selected for the textbook and the idea of having them, sources said. He is also believed to have presented a draft with his views. The meeting was attended by NCERT director Parvin Sinclair, Hari Vasudevan of NCERT Textbook Development Committee for Social Sciences, former NCERT head Krishna Kanth among others. National Monitoring Committee Mrinal Miri could not attend the meeting. Sources said some more consultations will take place in the coming days to examine the Thorat Committee suggestions before a full-fledged meeting of the national monitoring committee. The report was submitted to NCERT on 27 June. Some academicians including a few committee members have already questioned the committees procedure on arriving at a consensus. Insiders contended that both NCERT as the HRD ministry are not too keen on accepting the suggestions of the panel in toto. In his dissenting note, panel members M S S Pandian has said he found nothing inappropriate in the book. I did take into account suggestions by subject experts and concerns expressed by political parties, educational and other NGOs and intellectuals. I do not find contrary to my expectations anything educationally inappropriate in them and they should be used as they are, he said in his note. Of the 173 cartoons, the panel has sought deletion of about 21 of them. It has also recommended some changes in words and phrases with negative implications. However, the report was signed by only three members. While Pandian gave a dissenting note, the dissent of two other members were taken over phone. The panel in its report has sought removal of some R K Laxman cartoons from the textbook, a cartoon of Shankar and that of Surendra among others contending they were ambiguous and portrait politicians in incorrect way.
One of the Laxmans cartoons, which the Thorat panel has sought removal, is that of a beggar holding a bowl out to garland Indira Gandhi and a Shankar cartoon showing Jawaharlal Nehru using his foot to propel a politician up into a building labelled governorship. The panel has suggested removal of these content as it conveys a sense of ambiguity. It also asserted that B R Ambedkars's position as a chairman of the Drafting Committee should be mentioned appropriately in the textbook. Pti http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=415545&catid=38 Dr Kalams welcome candour! Manmohan Singh As PM And The Office Of Profit Bill Rajinder Puri ONE may regret Dr APJ Abdul Kalams political naivet. One must applaud his intellectual honesty. In his new book about his years in Rashtrapati Bhawan, Turning Points: A Journey through Challenges, he has vindicated the solitary opinion expressed by this scribe in relation to two contentious events that occurred during his tenure. The first related to the installation of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh when Mrs. Gandhi was reputed to have sacrificed the post for herself on the urgings of an inner voice. The second event relates to the defective Office of Profit Bill that was erroneously signed by President Kalam to make it law. A national daily has published excerpts from Dr Kalams new book. Dr Kalam has written that he did not refuse to make Mrs Sonia Gandhi Prime Minister. She herself did not stake her claim. The Congress party is putting its own spin on Dr Kalams version to reiterate the view that Mrs Gandhi made a supreme sacrifice. But a careful reading of Mr Kalams writing suggests otherwise. He wrote: I had a number of emails and letters from individuals, organizations and parties that I should not allow Mrs Sonia Gandhi to become the Prime Minister of the country. I had passed on these emails and letters to various agencies in the government for their information without making any remarks At the allotted time, 8.15 pm, Mrs Gandhi came to Rashtrapati Bhawan along with Dr Manmohan Singh she showed me letters of support from various parties I saidRashtrapati Bhawan is ready for the swearing-in ceremony at the time of your choice. That is when she told me that she would nominate Dr Manmohan Singh. Dr Kalam has not indicated what letters from which sources he had received and to which government agencies had he forwarded them. Now read the above in conjunction with what I wrote on 7 June 2004: There is no report of the President offering her the post of PM. His letter clearly stated that as the leader of the single largest party and largest pre-poll alliance, he wanted a discussion with her. Why should the President have held back? Is it because she could have been a security risk? And hence could not be given access to Indias nuclear secrets ~ making her thereby untenable as PM? On 16 May 1999, The Statesman carried a report by B Raman, a retired high-ranking intelligence official attached to the Cabinet Secretariat. Raman recounted that when the then PM, Rajiv Gandhi, tried to foist a training project by Italian intelligence for RAW officers, the idea had to be shelved. The Italian agent for the project was Walter Vinci, Sonias brother-in-law, who was
connected with Italian intelligence. RAW officers pointed out that Italy was a conduit for nuclear technology to Pakistan. The report was never contradicted. But the day after The Statesman report appeared, Sonia resigned as Congress president Rashtrapati Bhawan denied that the President discussed Sonias citizenship issue. But can one not be a security risk regardless of citizenship Will Rashtrapati Bhawan tell us? Then again on 13 June 2005, I wrote: Sonia Gandhi did not renounce the PMs post. She was debarred for security reasons. This column requested the Presidents office to contradict these facts if wrong. The Presidents office remained silent. It had been quick to rebut Subramanian Swamys claim that Sonias citizenship debarred her from office. Sonia subsequently amended the Congress constitution, created an extra-constitutional post, and became the governments remote control. So much for Mrs Gandhis much touted sacrifice after heeding her inner voice. Unless we know what precise communications the President received urging him to debar Mrs Gandhi from becoming Prime Minister and to which agencies he forwarded these letters, the reason of her being a security risk cannot be discounted. The other event related to the Office of Profit Bill is an open-and-shut case. When the incident occurred I had pointed out that the President had violated his oath of office to preserve and protect the Constitution and law by signing a Bill which Parliament itself had acknowledged was defective. This is what Dr. Kalam has written related to that Bill: I received the Office of Profit Bill from the Parliament for approval. I studied the Bill and found that it had many anomalies I did not find a systematic approach towards deciding the question of what constituted an office of profit. Instead exemption was given to only the existing offices which were occupied by MPsI returned the Bill to Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for reconsideration by both the Houses of Parliament. The Prime Minister met me and he was surprised, as I normally send the approved Bill the next day. Why were weeks rolling by with no action, he wondered. I said some action is needed from Parliament the Prime Minister said that the Parliament has already decided on the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for going into all aspects of the Office of Profit as per my suggestions I received a message that the formation of a JPC on the Office of Profit Bill had been approved by Parliament I immediately signed the Office of Profit Bill. After a few months, Parliament approved the JPC report which was not complete and did not address the problem which I had suggested. There! Dr Kalam admits he was deceived by the PMs assurance and signed a Bill which both he and Parliament considered defective to make it a law. What he has omitted to mention is that the original existing Office of Profit Law would have unseated Mrs Sonia Gandhi and around 50 MPs to remove the UPA government from office. Not since President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed the Emergency Bill had such a disastrous unconstitutional decision emanated from Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Kalam was instrumental in keeping in office for two years an illegal government that had by law lost its majority in Parliament. All this needs to be recalled not for diminishing Dr Kalam but because we are on the verge of electing a new President. The President is required to have political understanding as well as unimpeachable integrity. Dr Kalam was strong on integrity but short on political understanding. The current aspirants for the post may be strong on political understanding. How do they measure on integrity? The writer is a veteran journalist and cartoonist
http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=415544&catid=38 SICK LOSERS? Cry foul before kick-off CONTEMPORARY usage has injected additional meaning to sick and loser: the former is no longer restricted to health-status, the latter refers to more than unsuccessful participation. Both negative nuances come into play when evaluating the ethical propriety of Purno Sangmas supporters trying a cheap ploy to prematurely eliminate Pranab Mukherjee from the presidential election fray. Hardly a sign of confidence. The Returning Officers assertion that their objections were untenable and lacked merit ought to have brought that episode to a close. Instead, they not only hinted at legal action but alleged that Mukherjees letter resigning from the Chairmanship of the Indian Statistical Institute was a fabricated document, indeed questioned its acceptance by the institutes president. Does a general secretary of a political party have no qualms when damning not only as senior an official as the secretary-general of the Rajya Sabha and as eminent and respected a scientist as Prof MGK Menon? Surely elder statesmen of the BJP, like LK Advani and Jaswant Singh must wave a red flag. Or do they, like the official and the scientist, count for nothing in the RSS-Gadkari-Sushma-Jaitely scheme of things? Similarly distasteful was Navin Patnaiks accusation that as finance minister Mukherjee had favoured UP, West Bengal and Bihar in return for support in this election: was Mukherjee then even aware that he would get Sonias nod? Remember it was Mamatas Kalam-call that proved the trigger. Given this display of opposition strategy, it would be easy to assume they are already crying robbed. Sangma cannot disassociate himself from such specious tactics, even if at some stage he accepts that it was from his shoulder that a splintered opposition fired the opening salvos for 2014. That he did not immediately condemn the muckraking of his opponent confirms that even in this Olympic year he does not appreciate the sentiment that the important thing is not to win, but to take part. In fact he set the lowly agenda of attacking Mukherjee. Sangma should understand that thus far ~ the campaign still has a fortnight to run ~ there has been no personal counterattack, but he does have weaknesses too. Who knows, the office of the President could be further denigrated before 22 July. And the neutrals are still awaiting projection of a single reason why Sangma deserves to make it to Rashtrapati Bhawan, rather than why Mukherjee should be halted at the foot of Raisina Hill. This newspaper sees little to choose between the two politicians on offer. http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=415544&catid=38 MARKET MATRIX Coping with a vicious cycle FOOD inflation is much too close to the bone to be diluted by political diversions or legislative gimmickry. Two parallel developments, coinciding with a belated high-level meeting at the West Bengal secretariat, were seemingly intended to score political brownie points ~ the Chief Minister blaming the Left for the ballooning price of vegetables and the Lefts walkout from the Assembly, holding empty plates aloft. This puerile sideshow of the political class will neither unnerve the seller ~ wholesale or retail ~ nor convince the consumer, his patience sorely tried by
lifes essentials. Neither the establishment nor the Opposition ought to obfuscate the issue. Mamata Banerjee has ruled out an all-party meeting, a decision that occasions surprise in the context of her move to launch an initiative ~ cutting across party lines ~ to buttress the demand for a Central moratorium on interest, an overture that has now been turned down by the Left in a tit-for-tat move. She is right when she asserts that the Centres decision to allow forward trading in food is largely responsible for the price spiral. Equally, the State cannot evade responsibility for its failure to crack down on hoarders. It was only on Monday, when the price of green chillies hit the roof, that a firm directive was issued to the enforcement department to raid cold storages. The fiddle with potatoes, which sparked a major controversy in the late Nineties, has now affected almost every vegetable. The decision to draft what the Chief Minister calls suitable legislation doesnt inspire confidence in the context of her admission that the existing Anti-Profiteering Act of 1958 is not functioning. The ground has indeed been lost since Dr BC Roys time, as this newspaper had occasion to comment in another context. The decision to set up a task force is of a piece with the mushrooming committees, a time-tested recipe for prevarication. It is all too apparent after a year that government by committees is not working; a task force ~ only a change in nomenclature ~ is neither a long-term solution nor future-proof; it is merely a sticking plaster. It bears recall that the task force on food, formed last year, has come a cropper. And should the new entity include traders, it may be still more difficult to reach a consensual decision. If experience is any indication, reports can get docketed or not filed at all, as in the other crucial segment of education. Not that there is a shortage of vegetables; official reports dont suggest a withering away of the crop. Both the price differential from market to market and the role of the middleman need urgently to be addressed. An earnest all-party/government initiative may yet signal the start of decisive action. Such coordination is the essence of democracy. http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=415544&catid=38 NOT QUITE CONTRITE Assads belated regret FACED with the defection of senior military officers to Turkey and the chilling exposure of torture by Human Rights Watch, President Bashar al-Assads expression of injured innocence a month after the Syrian attack on a Turkish jet is unlikely to impress the world, least of all Turkey. By regretting that his forces had shot down the plane, he has made a belated statement of fact couched in the hope that bilateral equations will not be soured any further. Assad being Assad, it is unlikely he is being contrite. He has tempered his contrived regret by shifting the initial blame to Turkey, specifically that his forces had mistaken the reconnaissance plane for an Israeli jet in view of Ankaras decision to cut channels of communication. In a word, Assad would have the world believe that Syrian forces shot down a Turkish jet, thinking it was Israeli. It is hard not to wonder how the Syrian forces could be so hideously wrong in todays age of technology. Whether or not there is a mending of fences with Turkey, Syrias one-time ally, Assads mood of belligerence is bound to have a bearing on Middle East geo-politics ~ We learned that the plane belonged to Turkey after shooting it down. Of course I might have been happy if this had been an Israeli plane. His remarks must be seen in the context of continuing defections from the army and the mounting pressure that his forces are facing on the ground.
Quite obvious is the anxiety to diffuse the explosive situation, by staving off fresh conflict in which his denuded and overstretched forces might get involved. Aside from the misadventure in the air, Assad has his back to the wall with the report of Human Rights Watch, detailing the horrific torture by his regime, which has been accused of administering electric shocks and ripping out fingernails. The report has ignited widespread international condemnation and outrage with the HRW recommending that the cases of torture be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hence the desperate attempt to set the record straight vis-a-vis Turkey, but by his own lights. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/nation/story_15693325.jsp#.T_VC85Hiz Dc
Mom dies, every 10 minutes

ANANYA SENGUPTA
New Delhi, July 4: Next time you take a 10-minute coffee break, spare a thought. By the time you come back refreshed, a mother would have died. India recorded 56,000 maternal deaths in 2010, according to a UN report, which makes it six every hour or one every 10 minutes. The report, released in India on July 2, means that despite various schemes launched by the Centre and state governments, the number of deaths during pregnancies and childbirth has not come down as expected. That isnt all. India, which accounted for nearly a fifth of all maternal deaths in the world in 2010, had a maternal mortality rate higher than that of Sudan, Ethiopia and Bangladesh. It is a matter of shame that Indias MMR is higher than that of even Bangladesh. Through the right interventions we can save as many as 75 per cent of the women. These deaths are a result of systemic failures. The main reason is the low social status of women, said Aparajita Gogoi, director, Centre for Education, Development and Population Activities, India. According to the World Health Organisation, maternal death is the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of pregnancy. Gogoi, who is also national co-ordinator for the White Ribbon Alliance in India on Safe Motherhood, said right from the time a girl is born, its a story of neglect. Women get married (off) young, they have no access to family planning methods and no say in reproductive matters. Many women also suffer from anaemia and malnutrition. The state with the lowest MMR, or the number of maternal deaths per 1,000 women of
reproductive age, is Kerala (81). But Indias best is way below Sri Lanka (35), China (37), Thailand (48) and Brazil (56). However, all is not lost. The UN report says India has reduced its MMR significantly from 437 per 1 lakh live births in 1999 to 212 now, although it needs to hasten the pace under the National Rural Health Mission to achieve the related Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of 109 MMR. India has also done better on infant health, and is well within sight of reaching the MDG of reducing infant mortality rate (IMR) to 42 per 1,000 live births. According to estimates, Indias IMR is 47. Indias progress on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis is also satisfactory.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/nation/story_15693320.jsp#.T_VC55Hiz Dc
Human shield review after mix-up CRPF to take fresh look at operating procedures following Chhattisgarh encounter
NISHIT DHOLABHAI
New Delhi, July 4: The CRPF will review standard operating procedures (SOPs) on tackling Maoists human shields and conducting night operations, sources said today, less than a week after Fridays controversial operation in Chhattisgarh that resulted in 19 deaths. The move came on a day a preliminary report by a panel of state Congress leaders suggested six of those killed were villagers in their teens. Yesterday, Union tribal affairs minister Kishore Chandra Deo had said the forces had no right to mow down children even if they were recruited by the rebels. The sources said the issue of compensation was also being debated but the apprehension is that any such assistance could be construed as an admission of guilt that ordinary villagers were killed in the gun battle at Sakreguda in Bijapur district. Sources close to Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh have denied any discussions on compensation so far while a magisterial inquiry was in progress. Union home minister P. Chidambaram suggested it was up to the states BJP government to conduct a probe. The encounter for some reason is being called a fake encounter. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh spoke to me. As far as any inquiry is concerned, its a call he has to take. The decision to review CRPF procedures was taken today at a Union home ministry meeting chaired by secretary R.K Singh. Sources told The Telegraph that there would be a few
inclusions and deletions from the list of dos and donts for anti-Naxal operations. One of these could be to assess whether all are Naxalites or not. Well, in that case, we will suffer casualties, said a CRPF officer who attended the meeting. CRPF inspector-general (operations) Pankaj Kumar Singh said the force would have to put its heads together to tackle the increasing instances of Maoists using human shields. The rebels have used women and children as such shields, according to security officers. They had done so in an encounter in Koel-Sankh, a liberated zone in Jharkhand, and in Lohardaga in the same state, the officers said. It was also decided at todays meeting not to use heavy equipment at night but CRPF officers described the advisory as redundant as such devices are not deployed anyway for tactical reasons. We hardly use heavy mortars or heavy machinery during nights. Using heavy mortars in the night means deciding on equipment, trajectory and even risking an accident so we avoid that in most cases, said an official. In last weeks incident, Pankaj Kumar said the CRPF team was carrying some heavy equipment like grenade-launchers but none of it was used. But todays reassessment could mean a fresh set of manuals on how and when to use automatic assault rifles, night-vision devices, grenades and small mortars gadgets that are carried by troops of the CRPF and those its elite COBRA unit in battling Maoists. Although the CRPF bosses insisted no heavy-duty weapons were used in the Bijapur incident, the Congress committee said in its preliminary findings that extreme caution should have been exercised in such operations. The final report will be submitted to Sonia Gandhi. Boys aged between 12 and 16 were caught in the crossfire between the Maoists and the security forces but it is not clear which side started the gun battle, the committee said. Home minister Chidambaram said he was deeply sorry if any innocent was killed but added this could be established only after a detailed inquiry. He claimed, however, that the CRPF team was fired upon in the jungle on Friday night and had to retaliate as part of the standard operating procedures. Chidambaram also quoted the CRPF director-general K.Vijay Kumar that the procedures require forces to open fire if they are attacked in the dark in a forest. Asked about the possibility about Naxalites using tribals as human shields, tribal affairs minister Deo termed it completely unacceptable but added the forces should handle such situations with extreme care. He, however, alleged that the Chhattisgarh governments record in conducting anti-Naxalite operations was notorious.
What other players want

najmuddin a. shaikh While it is easy to identify the USA and its Nato allies and Pakistan as the principal
external actors in the Afghan imbroglio, history shows that it has often been other external players who have prevented what Afghanistan most needs ~ reconciliation as the necessary prerequisite to peace and stability. In the immediate aftermath of the Soviet withdrawal, more particularly after the resignation of Najibullah, Pakistan did make an effort to work out a reconciliation formula under which power would be shared by the various Mujahideen parties in proportion to the representation they could provide for various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. Pakistan had this role thrust upon it because it was playing host to the seven main Mujahideen parties and because at that time the rest of the world seemed to have lost interest in Afghanistan. Certainly there was no more than a passing interest shown by the USA or its western allies. In fact, this was the period in which the USA had imposed the Pressler Amendment sanctions on Pakistan. It was the time when the principal preoccupation was with the effects in Europe of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the consequent renunciation of the controls that it had exercised over the East European states. Afghanistan so far as the USA was concerned had served its purpose. It had inflicted on the Soviet Union the same sort of humiliation that the Americans had suffered in Vietnam and had offered the additional bonus of contributing to the downfall of the Soviet empires in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Many in the USA may have felt that a further attenuation of the Soviet or now Russian connection with landlocked Central Asia could be brought about by bringing stability to Afghanistan and providing the Central Asian states access to the sea via Afghanistan and Pakistani ports. The Americans, however, chose to avoid the mess they saw in Afghanistan and put their eggs in the Turkish basket. The Turkish Exim Bank lent vast sums of money to Turkish contractors who spread out among the Central Asian states to undertake various projects. But this did not reduce the dependence of the Central Asian states on the Russian route as the only viable one for the export of their fossil fuels and the import of what they needed. Had they then sought to put forward the idea of the Silk Route that is now so much in the news and helped Pakistans efforts to bring peace and a viable administration to Afghanistan there would now have been a very different story to tell for the entire region. The Peshawar accord of 1992 and the Islamabad accord of 1993 were accepted by all the Mujahideen parties ~ Hekmatyar refused to sign on to the Peshawar accord ~ but the accords were violated before the ink on them had dried because various factions could draw upon outside support. In the ensuing civil war, there was more destruction than during the 10-year Soviet occupation. Today, it is clear that various factions in the Afghan polity are being supported financially and otherwise by at least three neighbours and near neighbours ~ Iran, India and Russia ~ in addition, of course, to Pakistan. All three have made clear their reservations and misgivings about a possible Taliban return to power. Would they, however, accept some form of power-sharing between the current
administration, the loyal opposition and the Taliban? Iran theoretically should welcome stability in Afghanistan because it is the largest victim of the opium grown in Afghanistan. Only stability would allow some form of government control on this scourge which has led to Iran having more than four million opium and heroin addicts. Yet Iran, currently under severe sanctions, probably feels that its interests are best served by an unstable Afghanistan that keeps the USA and Nato forces off balance. Its reservations about the anti-Shia policies of the Taliban are also a factor. Russia too has repeatedly emphasised the heavy damage that opium and heroin smuggled out of Afghanistan is doing in Russia and in the Central Asian republics through which it transits. Russia, however, appears opposed to any Taliban presence in the Afghan power structure presumably because it fears that the Taliban would seek to spread their brand of extremist Islam to the Central Asian Republics that the Russians regard as their near abroad and to the large Muslim population in Russia itself. They have opposed the Nato withdrawal stating that these forces should not leave until they have fulfilled the UN mandate of eliminating the Taliban. They, however, are also opposed to the maintenance of an American military presence after the Nato withdrawal. This again would suggest that their attitude towards reconciliation would be ambiguous. India has in recent statements seemed to suggest that it has tempered its vehement opposition to Taliban participation in the Afghan power structure. It is amusing in this context that the Taliban have welcomed Indias socalled rebuff to defence secretary Leon Panettas call for further involvement in Afghanistan. India justifies its involvement in Afghanistan on three grounds. First, it wants to maintain its traditional ties with Afghanistan. Second, it wants to prevent Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorists intent on attacking India. Third, it wants to use the Afghan transit route for trade with Central Asia. This conveniently overlooks the fact that terrorists can attack India only through Pakistan and economic transit for trade with Central Asia is also possible only thorough Pakistan. It also seems to ignore the concerns that the growing Indian presence in Afghanistan creates in Pakistans security establishment and the deleterious effects this has on the current efforts to improve India-Pakistan relations. Whatever our view India is now a player in Afghanistan. In the past, regional efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan focused on the six countries that share land borders with landlocked Afghanistan ~ Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. Russia and America were also included. Now if Pakistan were to take the initiative to bring all interested parties together to promote a genuine non-interference policy in Afghanistan that would force the Afghans to sort out their power-sharing issues between themselves the net will have to be cast wider. Apart from the countries identified above Turkey and Saudi Arabia will have to be included. This is what was attempted in Istanbul but such an effort can have a
chance of success only if Pakistan, the country whose intentions are globally regarded as most suspect, takes the lead and convinces the others that it will faithfully adhere to the non-interference clause in the pact on good neighbourliness signed in Kabul in 2002. dawn/ann The writer is a former foreign secretary of Pakistan http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/opinion/story_15690372.jsp#.T_VDiZHi zDc
ROAD SHOW
Seven months after 24 Pakistani soldiers died from firing by Nato forces on the border with Afghanistan, the United States of America has eaten its words and mouthed those that Pakistan wanted it to speak. It now not only regrets the incident in Salala, but is also deeply sorry. For the beleaguered civilian government in Pakistan, which has been repeatedly tested for its ability to stand by Pakistans ghairat or honour since the Abottabad incident, wresting the words from the US is a major victory that is expected to shore up the popularity rating of its new prime minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf. But if the words came finally tumbling out of the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, it is because saying them would hurt the US less than not saying them. Pakistans closure of the land route for Nato supplies to Afghanistan following the incident, and its insistence on an apology from the US to reopen the route, had forced the US to route its supplies by air through Russia and Central Asia. This was draining it of millions of dollars every month. With the date of the drawdown getting closer and transit of goods destined to get busier, it made infinite sense to swallow pride and say what Pakistan wanted to hear. The words have already had telling effect. Pakistan has promised that it will not charge a transit fee and a muchrelieved US has promised to release the $1.8 billion aid to Pakistan and develop the road network. The agreement removes a major roadblock in the improvement of US-Pakistan ties, but having tasted blood, Pakistan may now eagerly push for a clampdown on drone strikes that it has been demanding for some time. In any case, drone strikes and the supply route are bound to remain tricky issues, given the steady rise of anti-Americanism in Pakistan and the campaign of Islamic parties such as the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Difa-e-Pakistan. Contrary to expectations, the route deal may even project the two governments as weaklings in their respective homelands in the course of the virulent campaign that the election-bound nations are about to witness. Given that the US is nowhere close to making Pakistan give up its soft policy towards terror groupings and Pakistan is unwilling to abandon its time-tested strategy in the region, conflicting interests and trust deficit may continue to drive the two nations down opposite paths.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/opinion/story_15671525.jsp#.T_VDkJHiz Dc
A NATION MARKED BY BLOOD

Afghanistans turbulent history indicates that peace will not return any time soon, writes Abhijit Bhattacharyya
As the belligerents involved in the war in Afghanistan prepare to retreat from the landlocked nation, the focus shifts to the legacy of the past and the possible outcome of the future. Why is Afghanistan so inflammable? Is it because of its geography, history, and tradition? Perhaps there are no precise answers. However, there does appear to be a sense of pre-ordained fatalism. Else, how does one explain the involvement of the mighty British imperial power in Afghanistan in the 19th and early 20th centuries? Moscow and Kabul were at war between 1979 and 1989. And now, we have the ongoing conflict between the coalition forces led by the United States of America and Afghanistans non-State actors. Interestingly, in all these wars, the Afghans have never crossed their own borders to attack London, Moscow or Washington DC, or the allies for that matter. The Afghans have never operated through the sea. They seldom have had effective air power. But they are born fighters and are equally at ease fighting a civil war or external forces. Given the rugged terrain, inherent backwardness, the absence of technology, and a vast mass of illiterate people, Afghanistan has remained a medieval, tribal society. If there is one nation that has incurred the fury of Afghan warlords, it is India. On turning the pages of history, one would encounter numerous Afghan rulers who have invaded India. What is significant is that while Indians have been compelled to leave Afghanistan in recent times, Afghans have rarely been pushed out of India. On the contrary, people from Afghanistan have usually found a safe sanctuary in India, which has been at the receiving end of innumerable foreign invasions. Understandably therefore, India would be more than anxious to analyze the dynamics in Kabul and frame a long-term Afghan policy based on a reality check of at least two of the five wars that have been fought in Afghanistan: the fourth war with that of the Soviets and the fifth against the US and its allies. Incalculable damage was caused by the fourth Afghan war. The Soviets fought the war without any help from allies. They faced a formidable opposition, comprising at least 10 foreign powers (the US, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran and Israel) and a consortium of militias (Harkat-e-Islami, al Qaida, Hizb-e-Wahdat, Jamiat-eIslami, Hezbollah-e-Afghanistan, Ittehad-i-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam). The war left innumerable landmines scattered all over the Afghan countryside. It also resulted in irreparable ecological and agrarian damage. The fourth Afghan war also had a far- reaching impact on Afghan society. Afghan children started suffering from the permanent-war syndrome. For the children, war became a way of life. Consequently, Afghanistan turned into a society of orphans, widows, the physically handicapped and tombs. The situation remains unchanged even as the fifth Afghan war completes 11 years three months from now. Compared to 1,15,000 Soviet and 55,000 Afghan fighters, today there are reportedly 1,37,638 soldiers from 49 nations and 1,75,000 Afghan national army troops scattered around the countryside, trying to hold on to their garrisons against
the enemy. As things stand today, peace and harmony are unlikely to return in Afghanistan at the end of the fifth Afghan war because the nations hyper-sensitive and action-minded populace is not known to believe in the philosophy of forgive and forget. The term, badla, (revenge), which is one of the principal codes of conduct among Pashtuns, comes to ones mind in this context. Undoubtedly, the US-led coalition is keen to leave and let Afghans rule their nation. But one of the problems that remains unsolved is the existence of hundreds of illegal armed groups that will continue to threaten the stability of the Afghan government and harass the forces operating in the country. Non-State armed militias and warlords apart, the low literacy rate and shifting loyalties often lead to the frequent killings of allied soldiers in the treacherous terrain of Kabul. There is also an acute trust-deficit between the Western trainers and the Afghan trainees in the barracks. There exists a situation on the other side too. The increasing incidents of mental breakdowns among American combatants has led to the suicide rate reaching its zenith in the last one year. Understandably, this is far from a win-win situation for the foreign armies in the turbulent tribal territory. Although Americans usually are adept in research, as foreigners they still do not possess the remedy for a complicated society like Afghanistan. This is mainly due to their lack of appreciation of Afghan culture. The Soviets too had failed in Afghanistan because of this very reason. Afghanistan continues to be a corruption-ridden, top-heavy administration with a fractured society based on tribal loyalties and ethnic identities. Hence it would not be surprising if there is an absence of cohesion in the barracks after the US decides to leave the country. Of equal concern, however, is the current recruitment process. The attrition rate at training stage is supposedly as high as 15 per cent. The difficulties associated with Indias role can be understood in this context. The Talibans recent appreciation of India for its refusal to heed the USs request and play a greater role in Afghanistan raises a fundamental question. Is India in touch with the Taliban through back-channel diplomacy? Does the Taliban statement signify a change of heart? Or was it a ploy to drive a wedge between the US and India? Despite the confusion, certain things remain in the realm of probability. The US withdrawal will be compensated by an indirect presence of the Central Intelligence Agency. Afghan warlords are unlikely to unite. Pakistan cannot do away with the Pashtun warriors and the lame Kabul administration. India cannot be seen as a military substitute for the US in Afghanistan. China will do its best to make money and avoid being seen as a bully. No Afghan ruler is likely to die in peace or be out of danger, whether in or out of power, in the near future.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/opinion/story_15692936.jsp#.T_VDkJHiz Dc
ACTION PLAN
The alarming decline of the Indian Parliament must be arrested without delay
The most serious threat to our democracy today is not the policy paralysis in the government which will pass but the decline of the Indian Parliament as an institution of accountability and oversight. This malaise is not unique to India. However, in our country, the decline of Parliament has reached such alarming proportions that the very fabric of our democratic system could become seriously strained. In our system of Parliamentary democracy, the sovereignty of the people is exercised through Parliament. While it is the responsibility of the government to formulate and implement policy to give effect to the political, social and economic objectives of the State, it is the responsibility of the legislature to exercise control over the executive, specially over its finances, and approve legislation. Therefore, parliamentary performance is a key indicator of the state of our democracy. Unfortunately, Parliament today appears enervated and effete and its gradual decline over the last four decades has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the power of the other two organs of the State, namely the executive and the judiciary. Surprisingly, the honourable members of parliament do not seem to be very concerned about the threats confronting this institution. The decline of our Parliament started in the 1970s. While Parliaments powers to amend the Constitution were sought to be circumscribed in 1973 by the Supreme Court, the first direct challenge to the authority of Parliament came from the executive with the declaration of Emergency in 1975. This was followed by the 39th and the 42nd amendments to the Constitution. Parliament bumbled through the post-Emergency era with some defensive action but it could not recover what Jawaharlal Nehru (following Bagehot) had called its majesty. Parliament continued to decline in the 1980s and thereafter. In my view, this has happened because of three factors. Firstly, the traditional mechanisms of holding the executive to account such as questions, motions, discussion and the instruments of budgetary oversight have been found to be ineffective. Secondly, the committee system has failed to secure the substantive accountability of the executive. The compulsions of coalition politics and extreme partisanship have weakened the system lately. Thirdly, the change in the composition of Parliament because of regional, caste and religious factors has fuelled confrontations between coalitions in Parliament and reduced the institutional cohesion that is so necessary for institutional integrity. The judiciary has also become increasingly assertive after the Emergency and this has led to a whittling down of parliamentary power. Judicial assertion was evident soon after the Emergency in the Minerva Mills case (1981) in limiting the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution and in upholding the basic structure doctrine earlier propagated by the Supreme Court in 1973. This was accompanied by the creation of Public Interest Litigation jurisprudence in exercise of the Supreme Courts powers of judicial review. Parliament did not react with any seriousness to the implied reduction of its legislative powers. Experience has shown that in our constitutional system of checks and balances, power is a zero sum game. If one organ of the State accumulates it, others have to part with it. Parliament allowed such accumulation by acquiescing to the conversion of an essentially proscriptive mandate of judicial review into a prescriptive power. The Parliaments ability to function as an accountability and oversight institution has also been eroded on account of factors not related to our constitutional scheme. First, the era of fractured mandates and coalitions has resulted in a proliferation of political parties in Parliament based on personal, caste or regional loyalties, and not on clearly defined ideologies. This has made consensus on any issue except the most trivial ones a distant dream. Second, the legislative business of the Parliament has grown in volume and complexity. Most MPs find it difficult to
cope with the sheer volume and complexity of legislation. Third, the growing influence of organized interests and pressure groups like industry associations, trade unions, activist groups and non-government bodies has had a negative impact on the initiative of parliamentarians. Such pressure groups primarily promote group interest, not public interest. They are not only consulted but often co-opted by the government and even allowed to initiate and determine the shape of laws or policies. Fourth, globalization of trade and financial markets has curtailed the ability of national parliaments to control events. Economic decision-making is now increasingly governed by international treaties and commitments to multilateral organizations. Fifth, the creation of a host of sectoral regulators with overlapping statutory powers has diluted parliamentary control over the determination and resolution of problems relating to consumer interest. Sixth, Parliaments power has also declined on account of the growing reach of the media, particularly the electronic media. Sensational reporting of discussions in parliamentary committees coupled with intrusive and over-simplified analysis of policy in its formative stages with participation of ministers and MPs on TV has reduced the significance of parliamentary debate. I am not saying that this is necessarily bad, because media scrutiny is democratic and justified. But over-simplification and, sometimes, tendentious reporting on legislative matters detract from the importance of parliamentary discussion. Finally, democracy is all about communication and negotiation. The governments own record of communication and negotiation with Parliament has been dismal, particularly in an era of coalitions. The solution to the problem lies in improving institutional cohesion in Parliament, at least for responding to constitutional challenges; improving the existing mechanisms of accountability and oversight; reviewing, collaboratively with the government, the other areas mentioned above. In my view, the time has come to consider if it would be advisable to set up a group of eminent experts to make specific suggestions for strengthening the Parliament so that it can hold the government to account in a more effective manner.
VIJAYENDRA N. KAUL http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Ashok Chavan chargesheeted in Adarsh; 2 ex-cms witnesses
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan surprised that charges were framed against the former CM
MUMBAI: Former chief minister Ashok Chavan and 12 others were on Wednesday chargesheeted in the Adarsh housing society scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the first step on the road to their trial.
This is the first time that the name of a former chief minister of Maharashtra has figured in a charge sheet. The CBI filed a 10,000-page charge sheet more than 17 months after registering the First Information Report. The agency has dropped the names of two former defence officers Brigadier (retd) PK Rampal and Brigadier (retd) Romesh Chandra Sharma who originally figured in the FIR filed on January 29, 2011, owing to lack of evidence, but has added a new name in the charge sheet: Col (retd) RK Bakshi. Those chargesheeted include retired defence personnel and retired as well as serving state bureaucrats (see box). The 160 witnesses named in the charge sheet include former CMs Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde. The CBI has proposed charges of conspiracy, cheating, criminal misconduct and misuse of official position for personal gain under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency initiated its inquiry into the Adarsh scam following a request by the defence ministry. The state government on Wednesday filed an affidavit before the Bombay high court questioning the propriety of the CBIs Adarsh probe. CM Prithviraj Chavan said he was surprised that charges had been framed against his colleague Chavan. The former CM is likely to come under the scanner again as the CBI continues its probe pertaining to suspected benami transactions.
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

FOR THE FIRST TIME, A FORMER CM OF THE STATE HAS BEEN NAMED IN A CHARGE SHEET
Activist alleges some persons were holding benami flats on their behalf
MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former state chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde as witnesses in the Adarsh Housing Society scam charge sheet filed on Wednesday. Expressing surprise, the Opposition has demanded that both should also be named as accused in the charge sheet. A CBI officer claimed the agency decided to name them as witnesses after it found that their purported role was limited to signing relevant files pertaining to the society.
Deshmukh and Shinde, however, are still on the CBIs radar. Ravindra Singh, superintendent of police, CBI, earlier filed an affidavit in the Bombay high court stating the agency was also investigating the allegations made by Thane-based social activist Pravin Wategaonkar against the two, along with Nationalist Congress Party minister Sunil Tatkare and some highly placed Maharashtra bureaucrats and retired defence personnel. Wategaonkar had filed a criminal PIL seeking invocation of provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against 15 persons figuring as accused in the Adarsh Housing Society scam, but not named in the CBIs first information report (FIR). He has alleged these persons misused their official positions for personal benefit and therefore the purported roles played by them need to be investigated. He alleged that some persons were holding benami flats in Adarsh on behalf of the two former CMs. Deshmukh was CM and also headed the Urban Development Department when the proposed widening of Captain Prakash Pethe Marg was dropped and permission was given to the society to utilise FSI of 2,669 square metres (in addition to FSI of 3,824 sq m of the original plot) of the adjoining plot reserved for a BEST bus depot. Wategaonkar said Shinde, during his tenure as CM, cleared a list of 51 civilians for society membership. Also, the Letter of Intent regarding allotment of the land was issued to the society during his tenure, he said.
Leader of opposition in the Assembly Eknath Khadse said: This charge sheet filed against Chavan has come too late in the day. The list doesnt include names of many others who played an important role in clearing files. Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said the comments made by the government when the charge sheet was being filed were unnecessary. There was no need for the government to say it had not asked for a CBI probe. If people are guilty, they should be charged, she said. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai)
ADARSH TIMELINE
SEPTEMBER 21, 1999: The first proposal regarding Adarsh society is received by the state government. Narayan Rane is the chief minister and also revenue minister. FEBRUARY 7, 2000: Another application for land comes before the government. The application says the society is for serving and retired defence employees. Vilasrao Deshmukh is the chief minster. APRIL 5, 2000: The navy issues a no-objection certificate, says plot is outside defence boundary. MAY 12, 2000: The Mumbai collector sends a report saying the land belongs to the state but is in possession of the army.
JUNE 2, 2000: Another letter received from Adarsh, in which the promoters claim some of the society members have fought in Kargil. Then revenue secretary DK Sankaran remarks that the society can be given a letter of intent, provided the members prove eligibility and permission for construction in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is sought. Vilasrao Deshmukh is the chief minister, Ashok Chavan is revenue minister. APRIL 10, 2002: Urban development department reduces the size of a road adjoining the building from 60 metres to 18 meters. Vilasrao Deshmukh is the chief minister. JANUARY 16, 2003: Vilasrao Deshmukh resigns as chief minister, Sushilkumar Shinde takes charge. JANUARY 18, 2003: Adarsh is given a letter of intent, the administrative clearance for which is given on January 16. MARCH 11, 2003: Environment ministry sends a letter to P V Deshmukh, deputy secretary, urban development department, informing him that the society should follow the coastal laws and approach the state environment authority for clearance. This is taken as an environment approval by the state. JULY 9, 2004: Allotment letter is issued to the society by revenue minister Shivajirao Nilangekar. The society has 20 members. JULY 24, 2004: The society requests that its members be increased to 51. SEPTEMBER 20, 2004: Chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde authorises the district collector to scrutinise and give permission to the members. AUGUST 5, 2005: The urban development department allows Adarsh to use the FSI of the adjoining 2,669 sq m plot. Vilasrao Deshmukh is the chief minister and urban development minister. SEPTEMBER 23, 2005: The civic body allows Adarsh to construct the building. AUGUST 23, 2007: The civic body clears the high-rise committees decision to allow the tower to be built at a height of 97.6 metres, when the maximum height allowed is 30 metres. Vilasrao Deshmukh is the chief minister. 2009: The civic body okays another height increase for Adarsh its 104 metres now and sends it to MMRDA for approval. Ashok Chavan is the chief minister. SEPTEMBER 16, 2010: MMRDA gives occupation certificate to Adarsh. OCTOBER 2010: Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin writes to naval chief, alleges prime defence plot has been grabbed in a conspiracy involving senior bureaucrats and politicians. NOVEMBER 9, 2010: Ashok Chavan resigns as chief minister after it is found out that his relatives, including his motherin-law, have been allotted a flat in Adarsh society.
NOVEMBER 15, 2010: The CBI registers a preliminary inquiry against Adarsh society. NOVEMBER 29, 2010: Key Adarsh documents are said to be missing. Urban development department files FIR. JANUARY 4, 2011: The environment ministry gives a hearing to Adarsh society. JANUARY 8, 2011: A judicial commission comprising retired justice JA Patil and former chief secretary P Subrahmanium is appointed to probe into Adarsh scam JANUARY 10, 2011: Adarsh responds to the environment ministrys notice. JANUARY 13, 2011: Environment ministry advisor Dr Nalini Bhatt issues a report, recommends complete demolition of Adarsh and that the area be restored to its original condition. JANUARY 16, 2011: Ministry issues orders, gives three months time to demolish the building. JANUARY 29, 2011: The CBI registers a first information report (FIR) in connection with the irregularities in Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society naming 13 persons as accused including former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan. The CBI later adds the name of former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Jairaj Phatak in the FIR as the 14th accused. FEBRUARY 17, 2011: The HC suggests the CBI should slap provisions of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, which provides for confiscating benami properties held by persons in somebody elses name. MARCH 12, 2012: The HC comes down heavily on the CBI for failing to arrest any of the 14 accused named in the FIR. If you arrest people in other offences, why exception this time? Are you feeling shy of taking action? the judges ask the agency. MARCH 20, 2012: CBI makes first arrests in the case. It arrests PV Deshmukh, the then principal secretary, urban development department, Retd Brigadier MM Wanchu, exdefence estates Officer RC Thakur and former Congress MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani. Three more arrests follow IAS officer Pradeep Vyas and two retired major generals AR Kumar and TK Kaul. APRIL 4, 2012: The CBI arrests former Maharashtra bureaucrats Ramanand Tiwari and serving senior IAS officer and former BMC chief Jairaj Phatak. APRIL 30, 2012: Enforcement Directorate informs the high court that the agency had on March 15 registered the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against all the 14 accused figuring in the CBIs FIR. MAY 29, 2012: Seven of the arrested accused secure bail, as the CBI fails to file a charge sheet within the stipulated time.
JUNE 7, 2012: Two more accused are granted bail by the court for CBIs failure to file a charge sheet.
JULY 4, 2012: The CBI files a 10,000 page charge sheet against 12 of the 14 accused named in the FIR including former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan. An additional name of a 13th person, Col (retd) RK Bakshi, who died before the FIR was filed, is included in the charge sheet. The accused have been charged with conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

State not opposed to CBI probe: CM

MUMBAI: Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said he was surprised that charges had been framed against former chief minister Ashok Chavan, but made it clear that he was not opposed to the CBI probe. Significantly, the state on Wednesday filed an affidavit before the Bombay high court questioning the propriety of the CBI investigation. Chavan said the position taken in its affidavit is in line with what was said in its first affidavit. We said we did not ask for a CBI inquiry, as the land on which Adarsh stands belongs to the government. Our stance has not changed, the CM said, adding that it did not mean opposition to the probe. Sources close to him said with the high court monitoring the situation, the state felt it was best that law take its own course. Otherwise we would have been accused of a cover-up, the source said. There were murmurs of protest within the Congress. The state should have questioned the jurisdiction of the CBI inquiry after the judicial commission submitted its report in our favour. But there was no political will then, and even now. Look at the NCP, it shields its ministers, said a senior Congress leader. NCP has protected two of its ministers, Gulabrao Deokar and Sunil Tatkare, despite a criminal case being lodged against the former and allegations of disproportionate assets against the latter. In bureaucratic circles, there was a sense of vindication. The three former chief ministers in their deposition before the judicial commission had blamed bureaucrats for the irregularities in granting clearances to the tower. At least one politician will be held responsible. All three exCMs are neck deep in the scam, but all blame has been shifted on to officials, said a senior bureaucrat, requesting anonymity.
When asked about former CMs blaming bureaucrats, the CM said: Everyone has a right to defend themselves.

Inclusion in charge sheet an attempt to malign me: Chavan

MUMBAI: Expressing his anger against his inclusion in the CBI charge sheet on the Adarsh housing society scam, former chief minister Ashok Chavan on Wednesday called it a conspiracy by political rivals. It is unexpected and unfortunate that my name has been included in the charge sheet. It was a purely administrative issue that was blown out of proportion by my political opponents to malign me and end my political career, said Chavan. Calling the inclusion surprising, he said: The judicial commission had made it clear that the land belonged to the state. I was not involved in allotting land or membership of the society. The charge sheet has come as a shock to the Chavan camp as the former CM was looking at political rehabilitation following the report of the stateappointed judicial inquiry committee ruling that the land belonged to the state. It felt that the report would compel the Centre to end the CBI probe into the case. State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre chose not to comment on the issue. However, ministry sources said that some factions in the state Congress view the development as an embarrassment for the party Chavan is the first CM to be charged for conspiracy to grab land. Though the commission ruled that the land did not belong to the army, the fact remains his in-laws owned flats in Adarsh, said a senior Congress minister. If the Chavan camp is expecting help from the party it should read the signs from the response of the defence ministry, led by Congress nominee AK Antony. The Centre doesnt appear to be keen on bailing him out, he added. Chavan now has a long lega battle ahead of him. I have ful faith in the judiciary. I am a loya Congress worker and continue to remain one.

HT Correspondent htmetro@hindustantimes.com
Chavan, other accused to receive summons

MUMBAI: Based on the CBI charge sheet filed in the Adarsh society scam, the special CBI court will issue summons to all the accused named in the charge sheet, including former chief minister Ashok Chavan. The agency may, as part of procedure, formally arrest the four accused who had not been arrested before, including Chavan. However, sources in the CBI said that the decision to arrest the accused that have not been arrested before is upon the discretion of the investigating officer. The court is yet to take cognisance of the charge sheet. The central agency on Wednesday afternoon submitted the charge sheet, with original documents and statements of witnesses recorded during the investigation. As per procedure, the charge sheet is first submitted to the registration department which scrutinises and verifies it before sending it to the concerned court, said sources in the court. On receipt of the charge sheet, the court will issue summons to all the accused, asking them to remain present in court All the accused will then be given copies of the charge sheet Sources said the timing of the summons would depend on when the registry finishes examining the documents and evidence attached with the charge sheet.

HC allows MOD to challenge states stand on CBI probe
The state also submitted an affidavit stating they had not requested the CBI to investigate the scam
MUMBAI: A fortnight after the state government questioned the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the Adarsh housing society scam, the Bombay high court on Wednesday allowed the defence ministry to contest the states stand by intervening in pending public interest litigations (PILs) concerning the scam. A division bench of Justice SA Bobde and Justice Mridula Bhatkar has granted the ministry two weeks time to file its intervention application. The CBI initiated a preliminary inquiry into the Adarsh scam on a reference forwarded by the defence ministry for inquiring into the allotment of defence-owned land for the construction of
the building. It appears that the state government is questioning the CBIs jurisdiction to investigate the case. The ministry wants to contest the stand taken by the state government and had sought permission to file an intervention application on behalf of the ministry, senior advocate Kevic Setalwad, representing the ministry, said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, who represents the housing society, had opposed the ministrys request with the argument that the CBI and the ministry are not different entities as they are part of India and that therefore the ministry had no right to intervene and say anything in the matter. Anil Sakhare, special counsel for the Maharashtra government, had also said the state had objections to the intervention plea. The court, however, discarded their objections. Prima facie, we dont agree with you, it said. Naphade then pointed out that if the court was inclined to grant the ministry time to file an intervention application, it should order the CBI not to file the chargesheet. The court declined to accede to Naphades request. Sakhare also submitted an affidavit on behalf of the state, stating that the government had not requested the CBI to investigate the Adarsh scam. However, on the CBIs request, the state has made available all relevant records it has requisitioned and continues to extend co-operation, said the two-page affidavit filed by Ruprao Deshmukh, joint secretary, home department.

JAIN BAL DIKSHA A COMPLEX ISSUE WHICH HAS WIDE RAMIFICATIONS

MUMBAI The Bombay high court on Wednesday said that the widely contested arguments around Jain Bal Diksha is a complex matter which will have wider ramifications. A division bench of justice DY Chandrachud and justice RD Dhanuka has kept the case for final hearing on August 1. Bal Diksha involves children renouncing the material world. The case pertains to a petition filed by Ashok Bagricha and others challenging the jurisdiction of the Child Welfare Committee in taking custody of the child in July 2006 when it was brought to the committees notice by a NGO called Childline. The parents had had filed a petition, pointing out that the CWC passed the order without considering that it is a practice of their religion. The court had asked whether the practice conflicts with the right to childhood.
The central government counsel Rui Rodrigues on Wednesday said that they have not taken a stand on the issue yet, but will do so when the case comes up for final hearing. Interveners too have filed applications supporting as well as opposing the practice.

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Rahul Mahajani rahul.mahajani@hindustantimes.com
Crime branch back in Delhi to seek 26/11 handler Abu Jundals custody
Officials say Delhi police may seek extension of custody, which expires today; NIAS custodial plea may be given preference
MUMBAI: After failing to get 26/11 handler Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundals custody last week, the Mumbai police crime branch will try to convince a Delhi court again on Thursday, when the custody granted to Delhi polices special cell ends. However, there is little likelihood of the crime branch team dispatched on Wednesday succeeding this time either. A senior crime branch official said the team was sent with a public prosecutor to present their claim for the transfer custody in the November 2008 terror attack case, which the crime branch is investigating. The crime branch was the first to present its claim for the custody of Jundal in the Tees Hazari court in New Delhi when he was deported from the Middle East. However, sources said the Delhi special cell is likely to seek extension of Jundals custody and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has two cases against Jundal, is likely to get his custody after that of the Delhi police expires. The Mumbai crime branchs case against Jundal in the 26/11 terror attack is based on the statements of convicted Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, who revealed that Jundal, along with three others, Abu Hamza, Abu Kafa and Zakiur-rehman Lakvi, had come to see off the attackers at a Karachi port in 2008. Kasab also named Jundal and Lakvi as the ones who had imparted training to the 10 attackers who took part in the 26/11 carnage. Jundals name also features as a tutor who taught Kasab to speak in Hindi. When the crime branch gets Jundals custody, it would match his voice sample with the ones intercepted by the agencies during the 26/11 attack. Officials said Jundal played a significant role in the destruction of Chabbad House, and his voice
was intercepted by Indian agencies while giving instructions to the terrorists during the attack.

BJP loses Konkan graduates council seat after 40 years

Mumbai: The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) faced a major setback in Wednesdays legislative council poll results, which saw the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) wresting the Konkan graduates seat, seen as the saffron partys home ground. NCPs Niranjan Davkhare, son of legislator and senior NCP leader Vasant Davkhare, defeated sitting legislator of the constituency, Sanjay Kelkar of the BJP. Davkhare polled 27,733 votes against Kelkar's 22,092, winning by a margin of 5,641 votes. The Shiv Sena managed to retain Mumbai graduates constituency, while MLC Kapil Patil held on to his seat from Mumbai teachers constituency with the support of the Congress and NCP. Patil defeated Sena-supported BJP rebel Manisha Kayande, which had created fissures in the saffron alliance. This [Konkan win] is something that has not taken place in the past 40 years. The Congress support and the hard work of our NCP workers has paid off, said deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar. The win has also improved Vasant Davkhares position in the party since there was an internal rift between him and MLA Jitendra Awhad over supremacy in the Thane region, which had seen him working against Niranjans nomination. BJP leader of the house in the legislative council, Vinod Tawde said, As a leader of the house, I accept responsibility. In their infighting, both the BJP and Sena lost out on the Mumbai teachers constituency seat. Despite several requests made by the BJP to support Sharad Yadav of the Shikshak Parishad, Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) backed BJP rebel Manisha Kayande. In the bargain, sitting MLC of the Lok Bharti, Kapil Patil, won the seat with the support of Congress and the NCP. Patil won by a huge margin of 8,220 votes, after getting 9,749 votes, while the nearest rival, independent candidate Balasaheb Mhatre, got 1529 votes. There was unnecessary politics, but the support from teachers helped me win. I will be strongly voicing my opinion against privatisation of education in this term, Patil said.
5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Presley Thomas presley.thomas@hindustantimes.com
Handler reveals Lets transnational network

LASHKAR-E-TAIBA HAD SET UP BASES IN BANGLADESH, NEPAL, SRI LANKA, SAUDI ARABIA AFTER 26/11 MUMBAI: It is not just Muridke near Lahore in Pakistan that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operates from. Abu Jundal has allegedly told investigators of LeTs transnational network spread across Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudia Arabia and other Gulf countries. The terrorist organisation had set up these bases to pursue its anti-India campaign after the Mumbai 26/11 attack. The change in LeTs tactic was devised after pressure was mounted on Pakistans government, from India and the US, to crack down on the outfit, said police sources. These LeT bases are being used to recruit youth, and also to launch attacks in India in the future, sources said. Jundal told investigators that Shafiq Khafa, a Pakistan-based LeT commander, played a key role in setting up LeTs base in Sri Lanka. Muzzamil Bhat alias Yusuf, a top LeT commander who oversees the outfits India operations, had initiated the plan to set up the base in Sri Lanka with the help of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Muzzamil later handed over the responsibility to Shafiq, said police sources. Similarly, LeT has a widespread network in Bangladesh which is used to infiltrate and exfiltrate operatives. The Bangladesh unit was set up by Afghan war veterans Maulana Mohammad Monsur Ali alias Maulana Habibullah and Mufti Sheikh Obaidullah, a former Indian Railways employee. LeT suffered a major blow when the detective branch of Dhaka police arrested Habibullah and Obaidullah in 2009. But Jundal has told investigators that despite the loss, LeT has revived the Bangladesh operations because of its strong association with Harkat-ul-Jihad-Islami (Bangladesh). The set up now has the capability to train LeTs operatives in all facets, said police. While Nepal happens to be a transit point for LeT men, the bases in Saudi Arabia, and Gulf countries have been set up as safe houses or to gather finances.

LETS BASES OUTSIDE PAKISTAN

1. SRI LANKA: Muzzamil Bhat alias Yusuf, a top LeT commander who oversees the outfits India operations, had initiated the plan to set up the base in Sri Lanka with the help of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Muzzamil later handed over the responsibility to Shafiq, said police sources 2. BANGLADESH: LeT has a widespread network in Bangladesh which is used to infiltrate and exfiltrate operatives. The Bangladesh unit was set up by Afghan war veterans Maulana Mohammad Monsur Ali alias Maulana Habibullah, and Mufti Sheikh Obaidullah, a former Indian Railways employee. The detective branch of Dhaka police arrested Habibullah and Obaidullah in 2009, but Jundal has told investigators that LeT has revived the Bangladesh operations 3. NEPAL: The country is a transit point for the LeT operatives, with the option to infiltrate and exfiltrate through its porous borders with India
4. GULF: Bases in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have primarily been set up as safe houses or to gather finances, according topolice sources. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Upasana Mukherjee letters@hindustantimes.com
NIA given access to LET operative

NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths have interrogated 26/11 terror attack handler Abu Jundal jointly with Delhi polices special cell, a Delhi court was informed on Wednesday. "NIA officials have been granted access to the terrorist [Jundal] for carrying out investigation procedures," Delhi police told chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) Vinod Yadav, who is hearing NIA's plea for Jundal's custody. The CMM adjourned the hearing to July 5, saying, "It might be the case that the special cell may seek extension of Jundal's custody tomorrow [on Thursday]. So, I will decide your application tomorrow. NIA told the court it wanted Jundal's custodial interrogation to "get more information" about the conspiracy hatched by LeT for terror strikes across India. NIA said the joint interrogation was not in connection with a recent FIR registered by it on June 8 against Jundal and one another person for allegedly amassing explosives to carry out blasts in India. It said it had interrogated Jundal in connection with the case relating to the larger conspiracy behind the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack, involving US national David
Coleman Headley. Jundal was arrested by the special cell of Delhi police from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and was produced before the CMM's court on June 21. He is currently in the custody of the special cell till July 5. Pursuant to an order by a designated NIA court, the agency had moved the magistrate court seeking custody of Jundal on June 28 to produce him before the NIA court on July 6.

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) HT Correspondent letters@hindustantimes.com
India alleges state involvement in 26/11 attacks, seeks action
BILATERAL TALKS While both India and Pak seemed keen to continue with the talks, they are yet to arrive at an agreement on core issues
NEW DELHI: Following confessions by arrested militant Abu Jundal that hint at the possibility of Pakistani state actors' involvement in the Mumbai terror strikes, India has asked its neighbour to show greater commitment in bringing the attackers to justice and addressing the issue of terrorism. While both the sides seemed keen to continue with the talks, they are yet to arrive at an agreement on core issues something that would infuse momentum in the dialogue process and pave the way for PM Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan. While terrorism remains the core issue for India, Pakistan would like to get a concession from India on the issue of Siachen and Jammu & Kashmir. The discussions between foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistan counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani, will conclude with a press interaction and joint statement on Thursday. The foreign secretaries, who discussed issues such as peace, security, terrorism and the Kashmir problem, will take up the topic of friendly exchanges on Thursday. "The discussions are freewheeling, and they are still on," said an official. The issue of terrorism and the 26/11 case came up for detailed discussion during the talks, with New Delhi insisting that Pakistan do more to bring the conspirators to justice. However, India maintains that failure on the part of its neighbour to curb terrorism need not affect the talks.
"We want Pakistan to do more on terrorism and take action against conspirators of Mumbai attackers and bring them to justice We have given enough evidence in the forms of dossiers to Pakistan But this issue is not holding the dialogue process to ransom," external affairs minister SM Krishna has said. "It is no longer possible to deny that though the incident happened in Mumbai, there was a control room in Pakistan before and during the incident. Without state support, the control room could not have been established, home minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday. After Abu Jundal's interrogation, it was clear that there were state actors Chidambaram said.

FOCUS ON PAKISTANS LINK TO THE MUMBAI TERROR STRIKE

We now know how the control room functioned. So I think the dots are being connected. It is no longer possible for anyone to deny that the incident happened in Mumbai but the control of the incident, before and during the incident was in Pakistan. P CHIDAMBARAM, home minister INDIA IS EXPECTED to strongly flag the issue of terror activities being planned from Pakistani soil in the backdrop of arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal, who has revealed Pakistani involvement in Mumbai terror attacks. INDIA WILL ALSO ask Pakistan to find out how such crucial national documents were issued to Jundal and to find out who were behind providing the passport and the two ID cards to Jundal. THE INDIAN SIDE will also hand over a list of Jundals Pakistani contacts given by him during his sustained interrogation by the security agencies.
THE INDIAN SIDE is also expected to hand over copies of the PAKISTANI PASSPORT and PAKISTANS DOMESTIC IDENTITY CARDS (in pic) issued to Jundal in the name of Riyasat Ali to the visiting delegation, indicating the involvement of its state agencies. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Ashiq Hussain letters@hindustantimes.com
Jamaat issues dress code for visitors in the Valley
THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS IS EXPECTED TO CROSS 2 MILLION THIS YEAR

SRINAGAR: At a time when Kashmir is well on its way to receiving a record number of tourists, the Jamaat-e-Islami has issued a dress code for visitors. The hardline outfit has advised visitors, especially foreigners, to dress properly and respect local ethos. Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in miniskirts and other objectionable dresses, which is not acceptable to the civil society, said Jamaat spokesman Zahid Ali. Azim Tuman, president of the houseboat owners association, was not impressed with the Jamaat advice. First we need to correct ourselves, only then we can address other dimensions, he said. The manager of a hotel on the banks of Dal Lake termed the Jamaat move draconian. Most tourists are sensitive and dont need such advice, he added. The number of tourists coming to the Valley is expected to cross 2 million this year, surpassing the record 1.3 million footfalls recorded last year.

Link between Jundal, LET boss exposed

NEW DELHI: Investigators on Tuesday claimed to have unearthed the link between alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Abu Jundal and one of the terror outfit's top bosses, Zaki-UrRahman Lakhvi. Touted as the 'highest-ranking Indian' in the LeT's organisational setup, Jundal has identified one Shauqat as the man who led him to "safety" in Pakistan after the Aurangabad arms haul of 2006. "While the Maharashtra police was busy arresting his associates, Jundal contacted and met his 'carrier' Shauqat in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur before proceeding to Pakistan," said a senior Delhi Police officer. More than 10 persons were arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for procuring and transporting a sizeable cache of arms and ammunition from an isolated spot in Aurangabad's Manmad on May 9, 2006. Sources said Jundal, who was a key element in the conspiracy, was escorted to Lakhvi's care in Karachi by Shauqat.

Lokayukta orders probe against Kumaraswamy

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Lokayukta court on Wednesday ordered a probe on a complaint accusing JDS' state unit chief HD Kumaraswamy of illegally denotifying land during his tenure as chief minister. The superintendent of police was directed to investigate and submit its report by August 17. The complaint, filed by a BJP worker, accused Kumaraswamy of illegally denotifying about 2.24 acres in Halagevoderahalli in Bangalore causing loss of about R55-60 crore to the state exchequer. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
The legacy of Kutur
Indias rebellions will never fade as long as collective punishment continues to be accepted doctrine
In the early 1960s, when Nagaland was emerging from its grim tradition of headhunting lopping off and preserving the heads of enemies a man called Hembo was beheaded in the lush, hilly eastern district of Tuensang. His murder sparked off a series of events that displayed in ample measure an enduring, disturbing and, many would argue, counter-productive Indian attitude to rebellion. Hembo was apparently killed by men from a neighbouring village called Kutur. Since revenge formed a cornerstone of local culture, Hembos kinsmen set out for Kutur, where his body lay. Alarmed officials alerted their colleagues, and SC Dev, then assistant commissioner of Tuensang, rushed to protect Kutur with a unit of Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force controlled by the army. While he was inspecting Hembos blood stains, Dev later awarded a Padmashri for his efforts in bringing Naga insurgents overground heard shots and found two troopers dead, killed by passing rebels who apparently thought the deployment was an ambush laid for them. A remarkable way indeed to express gratitude; I mumbled in disgust, Dev wrote in his memoir, Nagaland: The untold story. His contention: No rebel could enter the village unnoticed. Such faithless betrayal deserved exemplary punishment, I concluded, and indignantly I decided to burn the village a ruthless decision it was, to burn the huts but an administrator has to be ruthless at times. The village was burned. It was in Nagaland that independent India faced its first major armed insurgency, where the Indian Air Force even bombed its own people. Nearly 50 years later, collective punishment is accepted, if unwritten, Indian doctrine in combating rebellion. If we really wanted to, we could have razed the entire village, an unnamed paramilitary trooper told The Hindu earlier this week after it emerged that many of the 20 Maoists killed in a Chhattisgarh village were residents including women and children. Security forces in Chhattisgarh have previously been accused of burning entire villages as a
warning to locals sympathetic to the Maoists, who also visit retribution on uncooperative villages. History is replete with examples of the human proclivity to punish a people for the perceived sins of individuals. Modernity is no hurdle, as Nazi Germany proved with the Jews, and as Israel, ironically, proves with the Palestinians. After collective punishment imposed on Palestinian villagers by the Israel army for land mines planted by insurgents, Israeli general Moshe Dayan wrote in 1955 that it made sense to harass the nearby village than search for a particular Arab. Dayan said: The method of collective punishment has so far proved very effective. As societies emerge from the dark of backwardness and conflict into the light of civilisation, they cannot condone collective punishment. There are two reasons. One, no nation that aspires to greatness can endorse something so fundamentally unfair. Two, such punishment rarely brings lasting peace. In Israel, Palestinian resentment against Israelis is at a peak, 56 years after Dayan propounded the policy of collective punishment against the Palestinians. Collective punishment is strong in the Indian psyche, a hangover of history that will not subside easily, as periodic massacres of minorities prove. The Geneva Convention, 1949, an agreement between 194 countries, lists collective punishment as a war crime. India signed it in 1960 when Parliament passed the Geneva Conventions Act, which prescribes death or life imprisonment for any Indian citizen involved in willful killing of any person protected by the Convention. It is obvious that the Indian government thinks collective punishment works. Consider the peace in Kashmir and Nagaland, both lands that witnessed more collective punishment by the Indian State than anywhere else. In Kashmir, the theory of collective punishment was also used by militants against Hindus. As in Israel, the peace in both these lands is tenuous. Collective punishment generates collective resentment, which culture sustains easily over generations, especially in this age of the mass media. In Kashmir, the cycle of punishment and resentment is reflected best in Why we Rebel, a recent song of Roushan Ilahi, better known as the rapper MC Kash: They gave us blood and hate, then wondered why we are all rebels In the land of saints, each man raised is called a rebel. This is a critical phase for the current Maoist insurgency, which isnt as old as those in Nagaland and Kashmir. The security forces make limited headway, and the rebels struggle to move beyond their areas of influence. As the government tries to break the stalemate, it must ensure no further alienation of Indias tribal heartland. It is not in Indias interests to create another mental mutiny that ripples through generations, sustained by poem, song and story. Consider the work of Temsula Ao, a retired English professor, author and poet, whose writing, suffused with metaphors and similes, echoes the continuing angst and resentment of the Nagas, even as the days of collective punishment pass, even as they spread across and join the new India, a phenomenon that sometimes creates singular ironies, as I found with Ao.
When I met Ao last year, I told her how ironical it was that Naga police battalions deployed in Chhattisgarh were accused of some brutalities against tribals there. I also told her that the commander of the Chhattisgarh police in tribal Bastar was also a Naga, Inspector General of Police TJ Longkumer. Ao nodded. I know him, she said. He is my son. Samar Halarnkar is a Bangalore-based journalist samar11@yahoo.com
The views expressed by the author are personal http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
A storm is brewing
Varghese K George varghese.george@hindustantimes.com Varghese K George recently visited Israel on an invitation from The Israel Project
Irans nuclear expansion will upset power equations in West Asia

ISRAEL DOES NOT TRUST IRANS CLAIMS OF A PEACEFUL NUCLEAR PROGRAMME BECAUSE IRAN IS SIMULTANEOUSLY PURSUING A MISSILE PROGRAMME, WITH ISRAEL WELL WITHIN ITS RANGE Mohamed Morsi, the newly-elected president of Egypt, has added to West Asias volatility by stating that he would reconsider the terms of his countrys peace treaty with Israel and seek friendship with Iran. This comes at a time when Irans nuclear ambitions and the uprisings across the Arab world in which anti-Israel slogans were commonplace have heightened Israels existential insecurity. Israels campaign to stop Irans nuclear pursuit signals the possibility of yet another war in the region. Israelis feel that a nuclear Iran will change the strategic balance of the region. There is not much time left, warns Jeremy Issacharoff, an Israeli foreign ministry official. The point of no return is not when Iran makes a nuclear bomb, but when it acquires the capability to make one. Israeli officials claim evidence of expanding enrichment activities at the Qom nuclear facility in Iran. Iran is believed to be in possession of 120 kg of 20% enriched uranium. While the International Atomic Energy Agency calculates that Iran is adding 8 kg of 20% uranium every month, Israeli estimates put it between 10-12 kg a month. Around 220 kg of 20% enriched uranium is required before it can be enriched further to weapons grade for a nuclear device. At the current pace, Iran would reach that target by the end of 2012, if not earlier, say experts. In other words, by the end of the year, Iran could have the capability to make a bomb. Israel does not trust Irans claims of a peaceful nuclear programme because Iran is simultaneously pursuing a missile programme, with Israel well within its range. Israel also fears the possibility of a nuclear Iran changing the power equations in the region. For
instance, the nature of Irans support to Hamas and Hezbollah, two Islamist groups inimical to Israel, could change post-nuclearisation. Some analysts also believe that Iran will never prop-up Arabs against it. Iranians will fight us not until the last Iranian but until the last Arab, says a former official of the Mossad, Israels intelligence agency. Peace agreements between the Arab States and Israel have become fragile after the Arab Spring as Morsis statement shows. The peace treaty with Egypt was not between two peoples but between two governments, admits Ilan Mizrahi, former Head of Israels National Security Council. Once nuclear, Irans ability to steer sentiments in the Arab countries will increase. The border areas surrounding Israel have become permeable to forces outside the control of any central authority. Israeli experts fear the possible emergence of an eastern front led by an antiIsrael Iraq in which Iranian influence is strong and growing. Israel hopes that Bashar al-Assad holds on in Syria, but it is overwhelmed by the anti-Israel sentiments unleashed by the Spring. Israel, however, underscores that it has not lost faith in diplomatic efforts and sanctions. It is also working to stop the Qom facility from further enrichment and shipping out from Iran, its existing bulk of enriched uranium. India has a stake in the region. For one, Saudi Arabia may want a nuclear device soon after Iran gets one and the country it will turn towards will be Pakistan. This will overturn the gains that Indian diplomacy has made in Saudi Arabia, illustrated most recently in the extradition of Abu Jundal, suspected to be a key participant in the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
Iran going nuclear is as dangerous as a war to preempt it more the reason why diplomacy must work. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Occupy Kumbh Mela
The 2013 edition of the jamboree will have luxury tents for those who can afford them. We are not amused
There was a time when pilgrimages were not for comfort-loving travellers. But with the advent of modern transportation and the hospitality industry, seeking salvation has become a much easier mission today, provided you have a decent kitty to enjoy those expensive options. Starting with helicopter services to temples tucked away in the mighty Himalayas and in southern India, e-donations and e-prasad and e-aarti, the salvation journey has become much more comfortable too. So we were hardly surprised to read that the 2013 edition of the Kumbh Mela will also get a healthy dose of such worldly comforts and pleasures. According to a news report, the 2013 edition of the world famous spiritual jamboree, when at least eight crore people are expected to land up in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, will also have a few hundred Swiss cottages for weary and rich participants. These cottages will be equipped with geysers, toilets and all other amenities that a hotel would usually provide. The snug tents will cost around R6,000 per night
and they would be located barely a few metres from the confluence of three rivers all that the pilgrims will have to do is walk out of their luxury spaces to take that all-important dip. And therein lies a wonderful, delicious irony: even after paying so much for comfort and exclusivity, the residents of the Swiss tents would still have to take a dip in the same river, along with the same unwashed masses that they are so keen to avoid. Thats not all; the cocooned brigade will miss out on everything that the Kumbh Mela is known for: different kinds of people from all across the world, round-the-clock action and a riot of colour and ideas some absolutely vague but entertaining nonetheless. The best part is that the mega mela still retains a lot of its old-world charm. It has never been packaged like, for example, the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, but it still manages to attract thousands of people from across the world. And missing out on all that fun will be absolutely sacrilegious.

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Yogesh Yoshi letters@hindustantimes.com
Antony shifts NDA chief for fair probe into recruitment scam
The commandants transfer comes on the heels of the CBI arresting eight people for taking bribes from job aspirants
NEW DELHI/PUNE: Defence minister AK Antony on Wednesday ordered the immediate shifting of National Defence Academy (NDA) commandant Lt Gen Jatinder Singh to ensure a free and fair investigation into the alleged recruitment scam at the training facility. The commandants transfer comes on the heels of the Central Bureau of Investigation arresting eight people including two colonels for allegedly taking bribes from job aspirants during a recruitment drive for Group C posts at the academy in Khadakwasla, Pune. Col Kulbir Singh, Lt Gen Jatinder Singhs staff officer, is among those arrested. It has been alleged that the staff officer in conspiracy with NDA employees and civilians had obtained illegal gratification to the tune of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh from each prospective candidate. Rajkumar Vhatkar, superintendent, CBI Anti-Corruption Bureau, Pune, said, Our headquarters had requested the ministry of defence to shift the NDA commandant. This was done to ensure a free probe. On Monday, CBI had arrested Col AK Singh, a physical training officer and presiding officer of the board appointed by the NDA for the recruitment drive. A CBI spokesperson said the suspects had allegedly taken signature of candidates who had paid
bribes or agreed to pay on blank answer sheets and later filled them with correct answers, cheating deserving candidates. After raids across the country, CBI officials have recovered Rs 1.76 crore cash and incriminating documents. Investigating officials are also trying to trace a sum of Rs 52 lakh, which they suspect was paid to Col AK Singh by Col Kulbir Singh. The recruitment process has been put on hold.

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) HT Correspondent letters@hindustantimes.com
Deeply sorry if any civilian died in Chhattisgarh: PC

The CRPF DG has nothing to hide or fear. I do not think any central force has been so transparent. P CHI DAMABARM NEW DELHI: Even as the Congress upped its ante on last week's antinaxal encounter in Chhattisgarh and claimed innocent tribals and children were killed by the security forces, union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said he was "deeply sorry" if any civilian died in the anti-Maoist operations. Union tribal affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo told HT that he is also collecting information from various sources and will present them before the Prime Minister. "I am determined to go to the bottom of the encounter. I am concerned about the safety of the tribals and ensure that such type of incidents don't happen again," Deo said. Chidambaram, however, backed CRPF's "transparent and upfront" role in placing the facts. "The CRPF DG has nothing to hide or fear. I do not think any central force has been so transparent," he said. The home minister also added that the state government will have to take a call on any inquiry into the operation as it was "conducted under the directions of the state police".
The Congress, however refused to buy the state government's argument that only Maoists were killed in the encounter. BK Hariprasad Congress general secretary incharge of Chhattisgarh slammed the state government's version and claimed that a preliminary report of the party's fact-finding team had found that severa "innocent people and minors" got killed. http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
5 Jul 2012
Hindustan Times (Mumbai) HT Correspondent letters@hindustantimes.com
Akhilesh withdraws order to dole out R20L to legislators for cars

LUCKNOW: A day after entitling MLAs to purchase four-wheelers worth up to Rs 20 lakh from their local area development fund, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday withdrew the order. The CMs swift U-turn came amid a backlash from the opposition and media reaction to allowing the use of public money for buying swanky cars. The role of the opposition in a democracy is important and appropriate suggestions should be accepted. Even the reaction from the media was not good, Yadav told mediapersons. The issue is now closed. Yadavs largesse for the states 402 MLAs as well as 100 MLCs could have potentially cost the exchequer more than Rs100 crore, but the opposition parties turned down his offer. Leader of the opposition, BSP MLA Swami Prasad Maurya, said the ruling Samajwadi Party had bowed to opposition pressure. It is good that the government has rectified the mistake. Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap Singh said the government had shown it has the courage to rectify a wrong. BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak welcomed the withdrawal of the order, but questioned why the offer had been made.

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) Imtiaz Ahmad letters@hindustantimes.com
Muted response in Pak to opening of Nato supply lines

KARACHI: Within hours of a much awaited American apology on the attack on the Salala border post, the Pakistani government said it would reopen the Nato supply route, thereby bringing an end to an eight-month standoff between the two countries.
The announcement was met with a muted response by various quarters. The Difa- ePakistan
Council, the umbrella body of religious and militant organisations in the country, threatened a country wide protest on Friday. But there was no reiteration of an earlier call to attack Nato containers. Possibly this was because the military was behind the decision, commented Talat Masood, a defence analyst. On Tuesday, information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said, High-level officials of the US government had stated that they will not apologise, yet they went against their stated position and apologised. We should at least appreciate that. It has also emerged that secretary of state Hillary Clinton had discussed with her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar the language of her apology statement while she was working on it during the last few weeks.
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/jul/050712-Kashmiri-group-issues-dress-codefor-tourists.htm
Kashmiri group issues dress code for tourists

A Kashmiri religious group called Jamaat-e-Islami has asked the tourism department to ensure that tourists visiting the valley follow a "proper dress code."
July 05, 2012 Srinagar
A Kashmiri religious group Jamaat-e-Islami has asked tourists visiting the valley to follow a "proper dress code" and told the tourism department to enforce it. "Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in short mini-skirts and other objectionable dresses here openly, which is quite against the local ethos and culture and is not acceptable to the civil society at all," Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement Tuesday evening. The group said it was the duty of the tourism department to tell tourists to honour local ethos. "Kashmiris cannot for the sake of their economy give up their divine values at any cost," it said. "We need no such guests who can become a cause of derailing the society from the right track and spread immorality and immodesty in the name of tourism." Zahid Ali, an advocate associated with the group, said,"Jamaat-e-Islami J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) cautions people against the well designed vicious plans of the anti-Islamic forces who are working here tirelessly to deviate the Kashmiri Muslims from their religious ethos which are indispensable for their identity."
He said the group was also impressing upon the tourism department not to encourage "this cultural aggression against Kashmiri Muslims and remain vigilant against elements, who, in the garb of promoting tourism, are promoting vulgarity, alcoholism, drug trafficking and other immoral activities." The current diktat is reminiscent of the early 1990s when radical groups banned cinema halls, wine shops and beauty parlours calling these anti-Islamic and against the ethos of the valley. Kashmir has been witnessing a record number of tourist arrivals this year, both domestic and foreign. The tourism department says more than 400,000 tourists have visited the valley so far. This excludes the over-130,000 pilgrims who are here for the annual Amarnath Yatra.

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http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.

HC verdict on Best Bakery case likely on Monday

5 Jul 2012 Hindustan Times (Mumbai) HT Correspondent htmetro@hindustantimes.com

One Modi shows off ally, another subdued

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PIL seeks relief for victims of anti-Sikh riots in city

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Keshubhai plans to hit Modi for a six

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CBI again asks govt to relieve Satish Verma

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AMC eyes legislators' funds for pvt chabutara upkeep

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Sadik case: Guj HC summons Tirodkar

New fronts offer Gujarat voter variety, not variation

Why oblige Nitish?

Compiled by Ravish Tiwari

Two accused of forging caste certificate

MLA accuses minister of sheltering killers

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Govt chops monsoon session to a day; scraps question hour

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Im a victim of politics, wont resign

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Modi bonds with Leuvas in Surat

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Boys death: Another fun fair organiser arrested

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SIT calls bias accusations unfortunate

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High Court summons key witness in Sadiq Jamal encounter case

Keshubhai to meet missing kids parents

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Is this King Khan with CM Modi?

Vibrant summit: Global PR drive intensifies

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Class no bar for WOMAN BATTERING

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Thrown out by violent husband?

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Whats on Gujarat voters mind?

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Chavan, 12 others, in Adarsh charge sheet

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Three incidents that led to the fall of Adarsh

Former chief secretary Sankaran under scanner

US to remove images of Muslim women as SEAL targets

Tamil Nadu Factories Become New Naxalbari

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BJP Threatens Poll Petition Against Dada