Angelina Jolie visits flood victims in Pakistan

Islamabad: Hollywood actor and UNHCR's goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to meet people affected by the worst floods in the country's history and to highlight the urgent need for help, a press release from UNHCR said.

Jolie is visiting flood-hit regions on Tuesday and Wednesday as the personal envoy of UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.

The Goodwill Ambassador is travelling to affected communities and meeting people involved in the relief efforts.

The award-winning actress last visited the country in November 2005 after a devastating earthquake swept northern Pakistan.

Flooding has battered Pakistan since the onset of heavy monsoon rains a month ago, affecting a wide central belt. Pakistan's Indus River swelled and burst its banks. More than 1,600 people have died and more than 6 million are homeless, according to the UN. The total population affected is at least 17 million.

Water covers a fifth of the country – an area the size of Italy – much of which is agricultural. At least 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) – about 14 per cent of Pakistan's entire cultivated land, have been damaged.

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Angelina Jolie visits flood victims in Pakistan

Islamabad: Hollywood actor and UNHCR's goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to meet people affected by the worst floods in the country's history and to highlight the urgent need for help, a press release from UNHCR said.

Jolie is visiting flood-hit regions on Tuesday and Wednesday as the personal envoy of UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.

The Goodwill Ambassador is travelling to affected communities and meeting people involved in the relief efforts.

The award-winning actress last visited the country in November 2005 after a devastating earthquake swept northern Pakistan.

Flooding has battered Pakistan since the onset of heavy monsoon rains a month ago, affecting a wide central belt. Pakistan's Indus River swelled and burst its banks. More than 1,600 people have died and more than 6 million are homeless, according to the UN. The total population affected is at least 17 million.

Water covers a fifth of the country – an area the size of Italy – much of which is agricultural. At least 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) – about 14 per cent of Pakistan's entire cultivated land, have been damaged.

Read more »

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Indian High Commission slams Kalmadi's claim

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association President and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi is now on a sticky wicket as the Indian High Commission in Britain has refuted his claim that money was paid to a company recommended by them.

The Indian High Commission has denied his claim that it had recommended AM Cars and AM Films UK Ltd, which were used for organising a Commonwealth Games function. Kalmadi had said that the little known company was hired on the recommendation of the High Commission alone.

"AM cars and vans that we appointed for transport was recommended by the Indian High Commission," Kalmadi said on Saturday.

Moreover, the High Commission officials say they never gave a formal recommendation.

"A M Films is not on the panel of companies recommended by the High Commission usually. A M Films was reportedly given over £ 4.50 lakh by the Organising Committee without following any proper tendering procedure and there was no paper work. We have to scrutinise the email that Kalmadi is holding as proof of the High Commission's recommendation," said the High Commission.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kalmadi had on Saturday claimed that the organisers acted according to the High Commission's advice.

"The Organising Committee sent a letter to Vikran Ratan, who's the first secretary of the protocol and administration. He is the person responsible for these matters and his junior officer has replied on his behalf. It is very clear the High Commission has paid to the company recommended by them. We have gone by the High Commission advice," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi has also denied all allegations of financial irregularities in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. "I have been deeply pained by the baseless allegations of corruption in the CWG," said Kalmadi on Saturday.

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Indian High Commission slams Kalmadi's claim

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association President and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi is now on a sticky wicket as the Indian High Commission in Britain has refuted his claim that money was paid to a company recommended by them.

The Indian High Commission has denied his claim that it had recommended AM Cars and AM Films UK Ltd, which were used for organising a Commonwealth Games function. Kalmadi had said that the little known company was hired on the recommendation of the High Commission alone.

"AM cars and vans that we appointed for transport was recommended by the Indian High Commission," Kalmadi said on Saturday.

Moreover, the High Commission officials say they never gave a formal recommendation.

"A M Films is not on the panel of companies recommended by the High Commission usually. A M Films was reportedly given over £ 4.50 lakh by the Organising Committee without following any proper tendering procedure and there was no paper work. We have to scrutinise the email that Kalmadi is holding as proof of the High Commission's recommendation," said the High Commission.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kalmadi had on Saturday claimed that the organisers acted according to the High Commission's advice.

"The Organising Committee sent a letter to Vikran Ratan, who's the first secretary of the protocol and administration. He is the person responsible for these matters and his junior officer has replied on his behalf. It is very clear the High Commission has paid to the company recommended by them. We have gone by the High Commission advice," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi has also denied all allegations of financial irregularities in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. "I have been deeply pained by the baseless allegations of corruption in the CWG," said Kalmadi on Saturday.

Read more »

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British PM starts India tour, seeks cooperation

London/New Delhi: British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Bangalore on Tuesday night. This is Cameron's first tour to India since assuming office.

Cameron is in India at a time when restrictions on immigration to Britain, curbs on student visas and London backing the Taliban-Pakistan group in Afghanistan have not gone down well with New Delhi.

So the new British Prime Minister must play his cards carefully during his current India visit.

"We don't have a narrow mercantilist approach. Trade has to be two-way, investment has to be two-way. We recognise that relations with India have to be on a reciprocal basis, it has to be mutual advantage," said Cameron's Business Secretary Vince Cable.

The focus also appears to be on Britain selling more Hawk trainer jets to the Indian Air Force and Navy for a nearly $ 1 billion. The UK also wants India to fast track the entry of British universities into India, give more contracts to British infrastructure firms and buy Britain's green technologies.

"I think in addition the UK may well be looking towards India, also China, as alternatives for investment and growth at a time when Europe is not as strong as it used to be," says Chief Economist at Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development John Philpot.

Even if there has been a slippage in both trade and investment, the British do believe they have an advantage in India. They are making a serious and special effort to make capital use of it.

But Cameron may have to try very hard. For South Block relations with the US, China, Russia and France are distinct and stand apart with Britain appearing to be part of a crowd somewhere out there.

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British PM starts India tour, seeks cooperation

London/New Delhi: British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Bangalore on Tuesday night. This is Cameron's first tour to India since assuming office.

Cameron is in India at a time when restrictions on immigration to Britain, curbs on student visas and London backing the Taliban-Pakistan group in Afghanistan have not gone down well with New Delhi.

So the new British Prime Minister must play his cards carefully during his current India visit.

"We don't have a narrow mercantilist approach. Trade has to be two-way, investment has to be two-way. We recognise that relations with India have to be on a reciprocal basis, it has to be mutual advantage," said Cameron's Business Secretary Vince Cable.

The focus also appears to be on Britain selling more Hawk trainer jets to the Indian Air Force and Navy for a nearly $ 1 billion. The UK also wants India to fast track the entry of British universities into India, give more contracts to British infrastructure firms and buy Britain's green technologies.

"I think in addition the UK may well be looking towards India, also China, as alternatives for investment and growth at a time when Europe is not as strong as it used to be," says Chief Economist at Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development John Philpot.

Even if there has been a slippage in both trade and investment, the British do believe they have an advantage in India. They are making a serious and special effort to make capital use of it.

But Cameron may have to try very hard. For South Block relations with the US, China, Russia and France are distinct and stand apart with Britain appearing to be part of a crowd somewhere out there.

Read more »

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Maharashtra, Karnataka fight over Belgaum

Belgaum: The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka is spiraling out of control after the case took an important turn in the Supreme Court on Monday, as the court permitted the Maharashtra government to amend its original suit challenging the validity of a law that allowed the inclusion of some areas with a Marathi-speaking population in Karnataka five decades ago.

The decision of the Supreme Court to reject the affidavits filed by Karnataka as well as the Centre had sparked the violence. The miscreants from both sides attacked buses coming from the other side of the border. Three Maharashtra state buses were burnt at Kittur in Belgaum district by suspected activists of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike. MNS activists allegedly torched Karnataka state buses in Thane, Pune, Kolhapur and Solapur. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation then decided to cancel buses to Karnataka for next two days.

Activists of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) were lathicharged by Belgaum Police. The activists were protesting the Centre's affidavit in the Supreme Court saying Belgaum district in Karnataka cannot be ceded to Maharashtra merely because it has a large Marathi speaking population.

Here’s the history of five-decade old border dispute and when did it all begin:

On 1956: the Belguam district was incorporated into the newly formed Mysore state.

On 5 June, 1960: Government of India constituted Mahajan Committee to look into the border dispute.

Mahajan commission rejected Maharashtra's claim on Belgaum city. The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) came into being in 1948 for the sole purpose of getting Belgaum into Maharashtra.

On 27 October, 2005: the MES-controlled Belguam City Corporation passed a resolution for the merger of disputed border areas in the district of Belgaum.

Pro-Karnataka group called Kannada Rakshana Vedike manhandled the BCC mayor Vijay More, former mayor Shivaji Sunthakar and former legislator B I Patil, in Bangalore.

On 21 November, 2005: the Karnataka government dissolved the Council, under pressure from Kannada activists.

Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray warned that Kannadigas in Maharashtra will be attacked if even a single Marathi-speaking person in Belgaum is targeted.

On 15 March 2006: the Maharashtra government filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

On 25 September, 2006: for the first time Karnataka government convened a five-day Assembly session in Belgaum to assert its hold over the border city. The Houses unanimously adopted a resolution, endorsing the Mahajan Commission report.

The Supreme Court began its hearing on Maharashtra's petition on January 17, 2007.

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Maharashtra, Karnataka fight over Belgaum

Belgaum: The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka is spiraling out of control after the case took an important turn in the Supreme Court on Monday, as the court permitted the Maharashtra government to amend its original suit challenging the validity of a law that allowed the inclusion of some areas with a Marathi-speaking population in Karnataka five decades ago.

The decision of the Supreme Court to reject the affidavits filed by Karnataka as well as the Centre had sparked the violence. The miscreants from both sides attacked buses coming from the other side of the border. Three Maharashtra state buses were burnt at Kittur in Belgaum district by suspected activists of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike. MNS activists allegedly torched Karnataka state buses in Thane, Pune, Kolhapur and Solapur. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation then decided to cancel buses to Karnataka for next two days.

Activists of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) were lathicharged by Belgaum Police. The activists were protesting the Centre's affidavit in the Supreme Court saying Belgaum district in Karnataka cannot be ceded to Maharashtra merely because it has a large Marathi speaking population.

Here’s the history of five-decade old border dispute and when did it all begin:

On 1956: the Belguam district was incorporated into the newly formed Mysore state.

On 5 June, 1960: Government of India constituted Mahajan Committee to look into the border dispute.

Mahajan commission rejected Maharashtra's claim on Belgaum city. The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) came into being in 1948 for the sole purpose of getting Belgaum into Maharashtra.

On 27 October, 2005: the MES-controlled Belguam City Corporation passed a resolution for the merger of disputed border areas in the district of Belgaum.

Pro-Karnataka group called Kannada Rakshana Vedike manhandled the BCC mayor Vijay More, former mayor Shivaji Sunthakar and former legislator B I Patil, in Bangalore.

On 21 November, 2005: the Karnataka government dissolved the Council, under pressure from Kannada activists.

Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray warned that Kannadigas in Maharashtra will be attacked if even a single Marathi-speaking person in Belgaum is targeted.

On 15 March 2006: the Maharashtra government filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

On 25 September, 2006: for the first time Karnataka government convened a five-day Assembly session in Belgaum to assert its hold over the border city. The Houses unanimously adopted a resolution, endorsing the Mahajan Commission report.

The Supreme Court began its hearing on Maharashtra's petition on January 17, 2007.

Read more »

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FIRST CUT: Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? is entertaining

Warner Bros production Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? is based on Sharad Joshi's novel Tum Kab Jaoge Atithi. While going to watch this film, do remember that it is not a madhouse comedy like Priyadarshan's or David Dhawan's. It takes you there slowly and subtly, bringing home the message.

Puneet (Ajay Devgan) is a scriptwriter who's landed a big film project. He has an interior designer wife, Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) and a little son.

Life is pretty much routine for them until a relative arrives one day from Gorakhpur, calling himself Chachaji (Paresh Rawal). While friends and neighbours are irritated with guests at home, Puneet and Munmun actually welcome their new arrival.

But right from the moment he enters the buildingcomplex, Chachaji causes havoc with his old-fashioned and some very weird and annoying ways. Soon, Puneet and Munmun start looking for ways to get rid of him, but to no avail. This old worldly and simple uncle just doesn't seem to get the hint.

The first half of the film goes in establishing all this, and does a pretty good job of it. There are twists and turns in the second half, all tackled with the help of comic situations.

What scores is that the film does not have slapstick or in-your-face comedy. It is just about loving and accepting your guest, the way he or she is - taking the good things from them and ignoring the bad. However, the film does not say whether one should accept and endure guests who are not relatives of the hosts. That could be a different story altogether.

Paresh Rawal is the rockstar in Atithi.... Here is one character actor for whom people flock to the box office.

It looks like Ajay Devgan would continue his successful spree after 2009's All the Best, although London Dreams didn't do that well. The actor is in full form in the scene where he confesses he wouldn't even have tolerated his dad as a guest for more than four days, and that his son would do the same.

Konkona Sen Sharma is a natural as the modern, working wife, mother and daughter-in-law. She looks pretty, too, and adds a freshness to the film.

It's an exciting week for Satish Kaushik, with two films releasing on the same day. He convincingly plays the film producer in Atithi..., as well as the mechanic in Studio18's Road, Movie. The beginning of a good year for the lovable 'Calendar' from Mr. India - who is more successful as an actor than a director.

Writer-director Ashwani Dheer's Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? almost reminds you of Karan Johar's 'It's all about loving your family' punch in his films - although in the message, not the treatment. But Atithi... is a good eye-opener for today's youngsters who lead a fast life just like Puneet and Munmun, and have no time even for parents. And never does the film get boring or sermonic. But remember, it's not a laugh riot, but displays comedy with the help of dialogues, situations, and parodies (like Beedi Jalailey becomes prayer song Jyoti Jalailey).

Verdict: All in all, Atithi... is a family film, and seems like a best bet this week to watch with one's family, as compared to the other films.

Read more »

Posted in: IBN live

FIRST CUT: Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? is entertaining

Warner Bros production Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? is based on Sharad Joshi's novel Tum Kab Jaoge Atithi. While going to watch this film, do remember that it is not a madhouse comedy like Priyadarshan's or David Dhawan's. It takes you there slowly and subtly, bringing home the message.

Puneet (Ajay Devgan) is a scriptwriter who's landed a big film project. He has an interior designer wife, Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) and a little son.

Life is pretty much routine for them until a relative arrives one day from Gorakhpur, calling himself Chachaji (Paresh Rawal). While friends and neighbours are irritated with guests at home, Puneet and Munmun actually welcome their new arrival.

But right from the moment he enters the buildingcomplex, Chachaji causes havoc with his old-fashioned and some very weird and annoying ways. Soon, Puneet and Munmun start looking for ways to get rid of him, but to no avail. This old worldly and simple uncle just doesn't seem to get the hint.

The first half of the film goes in establishing all this, and does a pretty good job of it. There are twists and turns in the second half, all tackled with the help of comic situations.

What scores is that the film does not have slapstick or in-your-face comedy. It is just about loving and accepting your guest, the way he or she is - taking the good things from them and ignoring the bad. However, the film does not say whether one should accept and endure guests who are not relatives of the hosts. That could be a different story altogether.

Paresh Rawal is the rockstar in Atithi.... Here is one character actor for whom people flock to the box office.

It looks like Ajay Devgan would continue his successful spree after 2009's All the Best, although London Dreams didn't do that well. The actor is in full form in the scene where he confesses he wouldn't even have tolerated his dad as a guest for more than four days, and that his son would do the same.

Konkona Sen Sharma is a natural as the modern, working wife, mother and daughter-in-law. She looks pretty, too, and adds a freshness to the film.

It's an exciting week for Satish Kaushik, with two films releasing on the same day. He convincingly plays the film producer in Atithi..., as well as the mechanic in Studio18's Road, Movie. The beginning of a good year for the lovable 'Calendar' from Mr. India - who is more successful as an actor than a director.

Writer-director Ashwani Dheer's Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? almost reminds you of Karan Johar's 'It's all about loving your family' punch in his films - although in the message, not the treatment. But Atithi... is a good eye-opener for today's youngsters who lead a fast life just like Puneet and Munmun, and have no time even for parents. And never does the film get boring or sermonic. But remember, it's not a laugh riot, but displays comedy with the help of dialogues, situations, and parodies (like Beedi Jalailey becomes prayer song Jyoti Jalailey).

Verdict: All in all, Atithi... is a family film, and seems like a best bet this week to watch with one's family, as compared to the other films.

Read more »

Posted in: IBN live

Govt plans courts for cases involving Rs 5 crore or more

New Delhi: The Government wants special courts to settle disputes involving Rs 5 crore and above to facilitate industry. But legal experts have denounced the move terming it unfair to set up courts especially for the rich.

In December 2009 there were over 3 crore cases pending in courts across the country.

A World Bank report also says India ranks very low when it comes to legal environment for doing business. In fact India is ranked 122 in a list of 188 countries.

But now the Government wants to change this with the Commercial Division of High Courts Bill 2009 envisaging fast tracking high value cases involving Rs 5 crore.

The Rajya Sabha Select Committee where the bill is being studied is questioning the constitutional validity with the Left and the BJP asking how can there be courts for the rich and the poor.

Even eminent jurists feel that the bill will violate the Fundamental Rights.

"It is unfortunate that this discrimination, so flagrant, is not noticed by the government, which moves this bill," said justice Krishna Iyer.

Law Minister Veerappa Moily, though, is denying that the proposed legislation is discriminatory in nature.

"A series of World reports say making investment in India is very difficult. We have been classified among the nation where investors are not attracted where the cases are not disposed off," said Moily.

In August 2009, Moily was forced to withdraw the controversial Judges Declaration of Assets Bill after an uproar from a united Opposition.

The Commercial Division of High Courts Bill, too, could face the same fate.

Sources say the Opposition could force a division if the Government looks to push it through in which case the Congress will be faced with an embarrassing situation given the party's lack of numbers in Rajya Sabha.

Read more »

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Govt plans courts for cases involving Rs 5 crore or more

New Delhi: The Government wants special courts to settle disputes involving Rs 5 crore and above to facilitate industry. But legal experts have denounced the move terming it unfair to set up courts especially for the rich.

In December 2009 there were over 3 crore cases pending in courts across the country.

A World Bank report also says India ranks very low when it comes to legal environment for doing business. In fact India is ranked 122 in a list of 188 countries.

But now the Government wants to change this with the Commercial Division of High Courts Bill 2009 envisaging fast tracking high value cases involving Rs 5 crore.

The Rajya Sabha Select Committee where the bill is being studied is questioning the constitutional validity with the Left and the BJP asking how can there be courts for the rich and the poor.

Even eminent jurists feel that the bill will violate the Fundamental Rights.

"It is unfortunate that this discrimination, so flagrant, is not noticed by the government, which moves this bill," said justice Krishna Iyer.

Law Minister Veerappa Moily, though, is denying that the proposed legislation is discriminatory in nature.

"A series of World reports say making investment in India is very difficult. We have been classified among the nation where investors are not attracted where the cases are not disposed off," said Moily.

In August 2009, Moily was forced to withdraw the controversial Judges Declaration of Assets Bill after an uproar from a united Opposition.

The Commercial Division of High Courts Bill, too, could face the same fate.

Sources say the Opposition could force a division if the Government looks to push it through in which case the Congress will be faced with an embarrassing situation given the party's lack of numbers in Rajya Sabha.

Read more »

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Asking students not to go to Australia a possibility: Krishna

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna tonight spoke of the possibility of Government advising Indian students not to go to Australia if the attacks on them which has claimed one life so far continued.

Krishna said different kinds of action can be taken by the Government in the wake of the attacks like issuing an advisory for Indian students not to go to Australia.

"But, I think that(the advisory) would not be in the interest of our bilateral relatiaons. So I am not thinking on those lines," he told NDTV.

Krishna however kept the option of asking Indian students not to travel to Australia open saying it could possibly be one of the actions that the government can take if the "present trend"(rise in attacks) continued.

Krishna said he was sure Australian authorities would take cognisance of the fact that India talks "softly" but certainly when the decisive moment comes the country can also act which, he said, will not be in the interest of either of

the two countries.

He feared that if the string of attacks continued the way it has been in the last few days the flow of Indian students to Australia might slow down and could unfortunately taper off also.

"This will have to be kept in mind by the Australian authorities and also the provincial governments," he said.

The Minister said it was unfortunate that though there were students from several countries studying in Australia it is only a section of foreign students, mainly from India, that are being attacked.

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Asking students not to go to Australia a possibility: Krishna

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna tonight spoke of the possibility of Government advising Indian students not to go to Australia if the attacks on them which has claimed one life so far continued.

Krishna said different kinds of action can be taken by the Government in the wake of the attacks like issuing an advisory for Indian students not to go to Australia.

"But, I think that(the advisory) would not be in the interest of our bilateral relatiaons. So I am not thinking on those lines," he told NDTV.

Krishna however kept the option of asking Indian students not to travel to Australia open saying it could possibly be one of the actions that the government can take if the "present trend"(rise in attacks) continued.

Krishna said he was sure Australian authorities would take cognisance of the fact that India talks "softly" but certainly when the decisive moment comes the country can also act which, he said, will not be in the interest of either of

the two countries.

He feared that if the string of attacks continued the way it has been in the last few days the flow of Indian students to Australia might slow down and could unfortunately taper off also.

"This will have to be kept in mind by the Australian authorities and also the provincial governments," he said.

The Minister said it was unfortunate that though there were students from several countries studying in Australia it is only a section of foreign students, mainly from India, that are being attacked.

Read more »

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Govt proposes national counter terrorism centre

New Delhi: Calling for a radical restructuring of India's security architecture, Home Minister

P Chidambaram on Wednesday proposed the setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre.

"As the name suggests the goal is to counter terrorism. Such an organisation does not exist today; it has to be created from scratch. I am told that the US was able to do it within 36 months of 9/11," Chidambaram said.

"India cannot afford to wait for 36 months. India must decide now to go forward and succeed in setting it up by the end of 2010," he added.

He was delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here.

Chidambaram asked state governments to recruit more policemen and women.

"In my estimate states would have to recruit over 400,000 constables this year and over the next two years to fill the vacancies."

He also wanted 24x7 police control rooms in all districts.

Chidambaram added that the central government had decided to set up a National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid).

"Under Natgrid, 21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence and enforcement agencies," he said.

The project will be completed in 18 to 24 months.

Read more »

Posted in: IBN live

Govt proposes national counter terrorism centre

New Delhi: Calling for a radical restructuring of India's security architecture, Home Minister

P Chidambaram on Wednesday proposed the setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre.

"As the name suggests the goal is to counter terrorism. Such an organisation does not exist today; it has to be created from scratch. I am told that the US was able to do it within 36 months of 9/11," Chidambaram said.

"India cannot afford to wait for 36 months. India must decide now to go forward and succeed in setting it up by the end of 2010," he added.

He was delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here.

Chidambaram asked state governments to recruit more policemen and women.

"In my estimate states would have to recruit over 400,000 constables this year and over the next two years to fill the vacancies."

He also wanted 24x7 police control rooms in all districts.

Chidambaram added that the central government had decided to set up a National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid).

"Under Natgrid, 21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence and enforcement agencies," he said.

The project will be completed in 18 to 24 months.

Read more »

Posted in: IBN live