I am “fully committed” to demand for JPC into 2G scam: Joshi

Against the backdrop of unease in Bharatiya Janata Party over pursuance of 2G probe by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, its Chairman Murali Manohar Joshi on Thursday associated himself with his party’s demand for Joint Parliamentary Committee into the issue of corruption during UPA-II, saying he was “fully committed” to it.

In a statement issued a day after his reported meeting with the BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Joshi sought to clear doubts in his party by saying that the PAC would be looking into only the aspect of accountability in public spending with regard to 2G spectrum allocation.

“As a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, I stand fully committed to the demand for the formation of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to look into the broader questions related to corruption facing the country today,” Dr. Joshi said.

Contending that the “issues of corruption during UPA-II” are of great concern for the people of India, he said the PAC which he heads would look into the matters of public spending based on the CAG reports.

“The PAC has a constitutional jurisdiction and its function is well laid out. It shall function within its purview and within the rules and procedure of the Parliament.

It shall make sure that every paisa of public money is well accounted for,” Dr. Joshi said.

He noted that the PAC does not deal just with the Telecom Ministry but analyses every report of the CAG dealing with the various ministries.

“As the Chairman of the PAC, I believe in the Committee’s vast powers in bringing greater accountability to public spending. I commit myself to playing this role effectively,” the BJP leader said.

Dr. Joshi’s statement assumes significance as BJP has been uneasy with him pushing forward the PAC inquiry into 2G spectrum allocation, as it was seen as scuttling the Opposition’s relentless demand for JPC probe.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

I am “fully committed” to demand for JPC into 2G scam: Joshi

Against the backdrop of unease in Bharatiya Janata Party over pursuance of 2G probe by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, its Chairman Murali Manohar Joshi on Thursday associated himself with his party’s demand for Joint Parliamentary Committee into the issue of corruption during UPA-II, saying he was “fully committed” to it.

In a statement issued a day after his reported meeting with the BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Joshi sought to clear doubts in his party by saying that the PAC would be looking into only the aspect of accountability in public spending with regard to 2G spectrum allocation.

“As a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, I stand fully committed to the demand for the formation of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to look into the broader questions related to corruption facing the country today,” Dr. Joshi said.

Contending that the “issues of corruption during UPA-II” are of great concern for the people of India, he said the PAC which he heads would look into the matters of public spending based on the CAG reports.

“The PAC has a constitutional jurisdiction and its function is well laid out. It shall function within its purview and within the rules and procedure of the Parliament.

It shall make sure that every paisa of public money is well accounted for,” Dr. Joshi said.

He noted that the PAC does not deal just with the Telecom Ministry but analyses every report of the CAG dealing with the various ministries.

“As the Chairman of the PAC, I believe in the Committee’s vast powers in bringing greater accountability to public spending. I commit myself to playing this role effectively,” the BJP leader said.

Dr. Joshi’s statement assumes significance as BJP has been uneasy with him pushing forward the PAC inquiry into 2G spectrum allocation, as it was seen as scuttling the Opposition’s relentless demand for JPC probe.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

Summons to Lalit Modi, 6 others in cheating case

CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch police have issued summons to the former Indian Premier League chairman, Lalit Kumar Modi, and six others in a case of funds misappropriation.
The summons was sent by Speed Post to the Mumbai residence of Mr. Modi, who is now said to be staying abroad. He has been asked to appear before the investigation officer on January 7, police sources said.
The case arises out of the complaint lodged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against Mr. Modi and the others, accusing them of causing it a loss of Rs. 468 crore, mainly in the allotment of media rights and free commercial rights. The CCB registered a case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 477 (A) (falsification of accounts) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Action for
non-compliance

The investigators also served summons on Harish Krishnamachari of Mumbai; Ajay Verma of New Delhi; Kunal Das Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Digadsys Services Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai; and World Sport Group office-bearers Venu Nair, Andrew Georgiou and Seamus O Brian. “They have been summoned to appear before the CCB police in the first week of January. Action under the provisions of Section 172 of the IPC can be initiated against those who do not respond to the summons,” Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said.
Mr. Rajendran said the preliminary investigation pointed to some financial losses. “We have asked the accused persons to clarify on some issues…the line of investigation has been indicated along with the summons. The complainant [the BCCI] has answered our questionnaire.”

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Posted in: INDIA news,THE HINDU

Summons to Lalit Modi, 6 others in cheating case

CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch police have issued summons to the former Indian Premier League chairman, Lalit Kumar Modi, and six others in a case of funds misappropriation.
The summons was sent by Speed Post to the Mumbai residence of Mr. Modi, who is now said to be staying abroad. He has been asked to appear before the investigation officer on January 7, police sources said.
The case arises out of the complaint lodged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against Mr. Modi and the others, accusing them of causing it a loss of Rs. 468 crore, mainly in the allotment of media rights and free commercial rights. The CCB registered a case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 477 (A) (falsification of accounts) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Action for
non-compliance

The investigators also served summons on Harish Krishnamachari of Mumbai; Ajay Verma of New Delhi; Kunal Das Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Digadsys Services Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai; and World Sport Group office-bearers Venu Nair, Andrew Georgiou and Seamus O Brian. “They have been summoned to appear before the CCB police in the first week of January. Action under the provisions of Section 172 of the IPC can be initiated against those who do not respond to the summons,” Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said.
Mr. Rajendran said the preliminary investigation pointed to some financial losses. “We have asked the accused persons to clarify on some issues…the line of investigation has been indicated along with the summons. The complainant [the BCCI] has answered our questionnaire.”

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Posted in: INDIA news,THE HINDU

India offers training slots for Sri Lankan military personnel

COLOMBO: Despite the defence personnel training academies being almost full, India on Tuesday offered training placements for the Sri Lankan security personnel.
This was part of a series of measures that were agreed upon to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.
The training offer was conveyed by the visiting Indian Defence Secretary, Pradeep Kumar, to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he called on the President at his official residence, Temple Trees, here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the two countries will have a joint naval exercise in the Sri Lankan waters in 2011. Also, an annual defence dialogue and staff-level talks between the Navy and armies of the two countries will begin from next year.
On behalf of the Indian Air Force, Mr. Kumar accepted an invitation to participate in the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Sri Lankan Air Force next year. The Air Force chief is scheduled to come here for talks later this month. The Indian Army chief and the Navy chief had held discussions with their counterparts here.
Mr. Kumar told Mr. Rajapaksa that the prevailing good defence relationship between the two nations should be expanded and strengthened.
He said the Defence Dialogue should be further expanded to include the Army and the Navy.
“I am happy over the manner in which the discussions went. We will continue the discussions,” he told The Hindu.
Mr. Rajapaksa welcomed the initiatives to strengthen defence cooperation, a release from the President's office said.
The decision to institute the annual Defence Dialogue was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Rajapaksa in June.
Earlier, Mr. Kumar paid homage to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) troops killed by the LTTE.
The Indian delegation that held multi-pronged talks with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakasa and Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris included Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha; Smitha Nagaraj, Joint Secretary (PIC), Ministry of Defence; Tirumurti, Joint Secretary (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs; Sumer Singh Additional Director General Military Operations (A), Ministry of Defence (Army); Rear Admiral A. Chawla MoD (Navy); Air Vice Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, Air Headquarters; DIG K.R. Suresh Director (Operations) Coast Guard Headquarters.

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Posted in: INDIA news,SPECIAL NEWS,THE HINDU

India offers training slots for Sri Lankan military personnel

COLOMBO: Despite the defence personnel training academies being almost full, India on Tuesday offered training placements for the Sri Lankan security personnel.
This was part of a series of measures that were agreed upon to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.
The training offer was conveyed by the visiting Indian Defence Secretary, Pradeep Kumar, to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he called on the President at his official residence, Temple Trees, here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the two countries will have a joint naval exercise in the Sri Lankan waters in 2011. Also, an annual defence dialogue and staff-level talks between the Navy and armies of the two countries will begin from next year.
On behalf of the Indian Air Force, Mr. Kumar accepted an invitation to participate in the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Sri Lankan Air Force next year. The Air Force chief is scheduled to come here for talks later this month. The Indian Army chief and the Navy chief had held discussions with their counterparts here.
Mr. Kumar told Mr. Rajapaksa that the prevailing good defence relationship between the two nations should be expanded and strengthened.
He said the Defence Dialogue should be further expanded to include the Army and the Navy.
“I am happy over the manner in which the discussions went. We will continue the discussions,” he told The Hindu.
Mr. Rajapaksa welcomed the initiatives to strengthen defence cooperation, a release from the President's office said.
The decision to institute the annual Defence Dialogue was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Rajapaksa in June.
Earlier, Mr. Kumar paid homage to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) troops killed by the LTTE.
The Indian delegation that held multi-pronged talks with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakasa and Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris included Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha; Smitha Nagaraj, Joint Secretary (PIC), Ministry of Defence; Tirumurti, Joint Secretary (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs; Sumer Singh Additional Director General Military Operations (A), Ministry of Defence (Army); Rear Admiral A. Chawla MoD (Navy); Air Vice Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, Air Headquarters; DIG K.R. Suresh Director (Operations) Coast Guard Headquarters.

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Posted in: INDIA news,SPECIAL NEWS,THE HINDU

Pranab sees Naxalism as the biggest threat to nation's security and peace

NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday expressed concern over the spread of naxalism to more backward areas and pointed out that it was the biggest threat to the country's peace and security. He urged the security forces to exercise restraint while dealing with such situations.
“I am particularly concerned at the spread of left-wing extremism to some of the more backward areas. In part, it is a reflection of our failure in meeting the expectations of the local people,'' he said while presiding over the 71st Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) here.
Mr. Mukherjee noted that the government had deployed about 60,000 CRPF personnel to fight Naxalites in various States.
Corrective measures
He said:
“It is easy to misguide people who have been denied their legitimate demands or deprived of their rights and where the State has not shown adequate sensitivity to share and mitigate the local concerns. However, implementation of corrective public measures required prevalence of a certain degree of normality in the affected areas.
“It is vital to dovetail development efforts of the State in these areas to your operational strategy and practice. While we should be firm, decisive and unrelenting in dealing with the armed component of extremism, a great degree of sensitivity, patience and maturity will have to be exhibited in dealing with the general population in the affected areas.
“I urge you to handle the situation with sensitivity and a firm resolve with a view to bringing back the disgruntled elements of society into the mainstream of developmental process.''
Peace and security of the country were being challenged by threats from cross-border terrorism, insurgency in the north-eastern areas and emergence of left wing extremism. These had direct implications not only on the development and prosperity of the affected regions, but also on the overall well being of society. There was need to address these concerns urgently and in totality. The writ of the Constitution should be implemented across the country.
Mr. Mukherjee said:
“We, as the custodians of the Constitution, have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the writ of the Constitution runs throughout the length and breadth of the country with no exceptions.
“How well and successfully you are able to reach out to the tribals and other affected people, show respect in securing and protecting their rights and convince them of the opportunities that beckon them, would determine the success of your efforts.''
The government had recently approved an Integrated Action Plan for the districts affected by left-wing extremism. It covered 60 tribal and backward districts where a grant of Rs. 25 and Rs. 30 crore a district would be given during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively, he added.

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Posted in: National News,THE HINDU

Pranab sees Naxalism as the biggest threat to nation's security and peace

NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday expressed concern over the spread of naxalism to more backward areas and pointed out that it was the biggest threat to the country's peace and security. He urged the security forces to exercise restraint while dealing with such situations.
“I am particularly concerned at the spread of left-wing extremism to some of the more backward areas. In part, it is a reflection of our failure in meeting the expectations of the local people,'' he said while presiding over the 71st Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) here.
Mr. Mukherjee noted that the government had deployed about 60,000 CRPF personnel to fight Naxalites in various States.
Corrective measures
He said:
“It is easy to misguide people who have been denied their legitimate demands or deprived of their rights and where the State has not shown adequate sensitivity to share and mitigate the local concerns. However, implementation of corrective public measures required prevalence of a certain degree of normality in the affected areas.
“It is vital to dovetail development efforts of the State in these areas to your operational strategy and practice. While we should be firm, decisive and unrelenting in dealing with the armed component of extremism, a great degree of sensitivity, patience and maturity will have to be exhibited in dealing with the general population in the affected areas.
“I urge you to handle the situation with sensitivity and a firm resolve with a view to bringing back the disgruntled elements of society into the mainstream of developmental process.''
Peace and security of the country were being challenged by threats from cross-border terrorism, insurgency in the north-eastern areas and emergence of left wing extremism. These had direct implications not only on the development and prosperity of the affected regions, but also on the overall well being of society. There was need to address these concerns urgently and in totality. The writ of the Constitution should be implemented across the country.
Mr. Mukherjee said:
“We, as the custodians of the Constitution, have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the writ of the Constitution runs throughout the length and breadth of the country with no exceptions.
“How well and successfully you are able to reach out to the tribals and other affected people, show respect in securing and protecting their rights and convince them of the opportunities that beckon them, would determine the success of your efforts.''
The government had recently approved an Integrated Action Plan for the districts affected by left-wing extremism. It covered 60 tribal and backward districts where a grant of Rs. 25 and Rs. 30 crore a district would be given during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively, he added.

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Posted in: National News,THE HINDU

PLA secretary arrested in Imphal

IMPHAL: In a major breakthrough, the team of police commandos and troopers of 39 Assam Rifles arrested the secretary of the Division No. VI of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military wing of the proscribed underground organisation Revolutionary People's Front, on Monday night. The rebel was identified as T. Sanju, 27, of Thoubal district. Police recovered two AK 56 rifles and two 9 mm pistols.

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Posted in: National News,THE HINDU

PLA secretary arrested in Imphal

IMPHAL: In a major breakthrough, the team of police commandos and troopers of 39 Assam Rifles arrested the secretary of the Division No. VI of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military wing of the proscribed underground organisation Revolutionary People's Front, on Monday night. The rebel was identified as T. Sanju, 27, of Thoubal district. Police recovered two AK 56 rifles and two 9 mm pistols.

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Posted in: National News,THE HINDU

Buddhadeb sends his reply to Centre

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday sent in his reply to a letter written to him by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Mr Bhattacharjee, who received the letter on Monday, days after it was leaked to the media, had said at a party rally that he would send a fitting reply.
The Home Ministry's letter reportedly raised several issues, including those of armed camps set up in the Jangalmahal area and of the killings of workers and supporters of Opposition parties.
Copy on Wednesday
Asked by the media at the State Secretariat about the contents of his letter, Mr. Bhattacharjee declined to disclose the details. “I have sent my reply, you will get a copy on Wednesday,” he said.
Sources said the Chief Minister's response was faxed and that he would make the contents public only after the addressee read the letter.
On Monday, Left Front chairman Biman Bose condemned the media-leakage of confidential communication even before the Chief Minister saw it, saying it was a not an honest method of writing a letter to a State government. He said camps had been set up in the left wing extremism-affected areas to shelter party workers and supporters who had been ousted from their homes by the rebels.
Incident-wise list
He demanded that the Trinamool Congress furnish a detailed and factual report on the number of killings of its activists. “I have with me an incident-wise list of the 337 Left Front workers and supporters killed between the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and December 26, 2010.” Of these, 222 were in the Jangalmahal area, where 120 adivasis were killed. “The Trinamool has said that 96 workers were killed, but they should have ready a list like we have,” he said.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

Buddhadeb sends his reply to Centre

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday sent in his reply to a letter written to him by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Mr Bhattacharjee, who received the letter on Monday, days after it was leaked to the media, had said at a party rally that he would send a fitting reply.
The Home Ministry's letter reportedly raised several issues, including those of armed camps set up in the Jangalmahal area and of the killings of workers and supporters of Opposition parties.
Copy on Wednesday
Asked by the media at the State Secretariat about the contents of his letter, Mr. Bhattacharjee declined to disclose the details. “I have sent my reply, you will get a copy on Wednesday,” he said.
Sources said the Chief Minister's response was faxed and that he would make the contents public only after the addressee read the letter.
On Monday, Left Front chairman Biman Bose condemned the media-leakage of confidential communication even before the Chief Minister saw it, saying it was a not an honest method of writing a letter to a State government. He said camps had been set up in the left wing extremism-affected areas to shelter party workers and supporters who had been ousted from their homes by the rebels.
Incident-wise list
He demanded that the Trinamool Congress furnish a detailed and factual report on the number of killings of its activists. “I have with me an incident-wise list of the 337 Left Front workers and supporters killed between the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and December 26, 2010.” Of these, 222 were in the Jangalmahal area, where 120 adivasis were killed. “The Trinamool has said that 96 workers were killed, but they should have ready a list like we have,” he said.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

53 buses destroyed during Shiv Sena bandh

Pune: The bandh called by the Shiv Sena on Tuesday started on a violent note and ended with the party declaring that it will not stop the campaign till the statue of Dadoji Konddeo is restored to its original place in the Lal Mahal.
However, the average Puneite was able to carry on with his daily activities.
The bandh was called a day after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) removed the statue of Dadoji Konddeo, whose status as Shivaji's mentor is a matter of debate, from the historic monument Lal Mahal.
A total of 53 buses were destroyed by the Shiv Sainiks during the day. More than 375 people were detained and let off by the police. The Shiv Sena blocked the Bangalore Pune express highway in protest. Later in the day, a bus was set on fire in Pune's Chinchwad area.
In the nearby Lonavala district too, Shiv Sainiks attempted to stop trains from leaving the station. Security was beefed up at various political establishments, according to Pune Commissioner of Police Meera Borwankar. Bandobast was witnessed at major bus stands and railway stations.
Speaking to the media at the end of the day, Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe claimed that the bandh was successful, while accepting that the protest did take a fierce turn. “Six hundred-year-old history cannot be changed forcefully. Our opposition today was against the Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government. It was not against the people,” she said.
Many civic rights organisations opposed the bandh.
“The Opposition parties forget other pressing needs of the city and are fighting for an issue that most Punekars are not worried about,” Kiran Moghe of the All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) said.
“The corporation could have decided on the issue in a democratic way. All the parties are only trying to play caste politics through this entire episode.”
However, the Sena-BJP combine denied the allegation that it was trying to polarise castes. The ruling NCP-Congress alliance made it a political issue, it said. “This is a social issue. We are answerable to our people,” BJP leader Girish Bapat said.
“The guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has said that he was not involved in this decision, but we do not buy that. It is they who are playing the political game. They want to win the election on this emotional issue, not us.”
Meanwhile, a police case was registered against 32 corporators who created ruckus at the Pune Municipal Corporation on Monday. The loss at the PMC amounted to Rs. 5,73,000, according to the police. In an unusual move, the four parties have agreed to share the compensation cost, so as not to bother the tax payer.
There were protests in Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Sangli also.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

53 buses destroyed during Shiv Sena bandh

Pune: The bandh called by the Shiv Sena on Tuesday started on a violent note and ended with the party declaring that it will not stop the campaign till the statue of Dadoji Konddeo is restored to its original place in the Lal Mahal.
However, the average Puneite was able to carry on with his daily activities.
The bandh was called a day after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) removed the statue of Dadoji Konddeo, whose status as Shivaji's mentor is a matter of debate, from the historic monument Lal Mahal.
A total of 53 buses were destroyed by the Shiv Sainiks during the day. More than 375 people were detained and let off by the police. The Shiv Sena blocked the Bangalore Pune express highway in protest. Later in the day, a bus was set on fire in Pune's Chinchwad area.
In the nearby Lonavala district too, Shiv Sainiks attempted to stop trains from leaving the station. Security was beefed up at various political establishments, according to Pune Commissioner of Police Meera Borwankar. Bandobast was witnessed at major bus stands and railway stations.
Speaking to the media at the end of the day, Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe claimed that the bandh was successful, while accepting that the protest did take a fierce turn. “Six hundred-year-old history cannot be changed forcefully. Our opposition today was against the Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government. It was not against the people,” she said.
Many civic rights organisations opposed the bandh.
“The Opposition parties forget other pressing needs of the city and are fighting for an issue that most Punekars are not worried about,” Kiran Moghe of the All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) said.
“The corporation could have decided on the issue in a democratic way. All the parties are only trying to play caste politics through this entire episode.”
However, the Sena-BJP combine denied the allegation that it was trying to polarise castes. The ruling NCP-Congress alliance made it a political issue, it said. “This is a social issue. We are answerable to our people,” BJP leader Girish Bapat said.
“The guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has said that he was not involved in this decision, but we do not buy that. It is they who are playing the political game. They want to win the election on this emotional issue, not us.”
Meanwhile, a police case was registered against 32 corporators who created ruckus at the Pune Municipal Corporation on Monday. The loss at the PMC amounted to Rs. 5,73,000, according to the police. In an unusual move, the four parties have agreed to share the compensation cost, so as not to bother the tax payer.
There were protests in Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Sangli also.

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

Curbs on New Year parties at hotels

CHENNAI: The Chennai police have announced several restrictions and guidelines for hotels organising New Year parties, including setting 1.30 a.m. as the deadline for winding up the celebrations.
Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran, at a meeting with hotel representatives on Tuesday, said they should inform the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned about the special programmes/events. They should obtain structural stability certificate if they planned to erect a stage. The hotels should also install surveillance cameras at vantage points.
Swimming pools should remain closed from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1. Liquor should be served only at the bar, Mr. Rajendran said. “Liquor should be served only up to 11 p.m. We have asked them to wind up the celebrations by 1.30 a.m.”
Mr. Rajendran said hotel authorities must ensure that there is no eve-teasing. While restricting the number of tickets/passes, the hotel staff should ensure that guests in an inebriated condition do not drive vehicles. Such guests should be accommodated in the hotel till a driver is arranged. All vehicles entering the premises should be thoroughly checked.
Mr. Rajendran said the hotel authorities have been told to inform employees that they should alert the police in case they came across any unclaimed baggage on the premises. “Such parties can be soft targets…we have asked them to take basic security measures to ensure that the celebrations are incident-free.”
Hotels should not allow guests to park their vehicles on the road. Steps should be taken to make alternative parking arrangements. “If foreign nationals are engaged to perform, they should have necessary travel documents. Our idea is to ensure that each and every guest is identified. Night patrolling will be intensified and adequate police personnel deployed across the city during the celebrations,” Mr. Rajendran said.

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Posted in: CHENNI NEWS,National News,THE HINDU,Wishes

Curbs on New Year parties at hotels

CHENNAI: The Chennai police have announced several restrictions and guidelines for hotels organising New Year parties, including setting 1.30 a.m. as the deadline for winding up the celebrations.
Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran, at a meeting with hotel representatives on Tuesday, said they should inform the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned about the special programmes/events. They should obtain structural stability certificate if they planned to erect a stage. The hotels should also install surveillance cameras at vantage points.
Swimming pools should remain closed from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1. Liquor should be served only at the bar, Mr. Rajendran said. “Liquor should be served only up to 11 p.m. We have asked them to wind up the celebrations by 1.30 a.m.”
Mr. Rajendran said hotel authorities must ensure that there is no eve-teasing. While restricting the number of tickets/passes, the hotel staff should ensure that guests in an inebriated condition do not drive vehicles. Such guests should be accommodated in the hotel till a driver is arranged. All vehicles entering the premises should be thoroughly checked.
Mr. Rajendran said the hotel authorities have been told to inform employees that they should alert the police in case they came across any unclaimed baggage on the premises. “Such parties can be soft targets…we have asked them to take basic security measures to ensure that the celebrations are incident-free.”
Hotels should not allow guests to park their vehicles on the road. Steps should be taken to make alternative parking arrangements. “If foreign nationals are engaged to perform, they should have necessary travel documents. Our idea is to ensure that each and every guest is identified. Night patrolling will be intensified and adequate police personnel deployed across the city during the celebrations,” Mr. Rajendran said.

Read more »

Posted in: CHENNI NEWS,National News,THE HINDU,Wishes

Suspected militant arrested

KASHMIR: A suspected militant was arrested and a cache of explosives and live ammunition recovered from him in Baramulla district in north Kashmir on Tuesday, the police said.

Mohammad Maqbool Lone was arrested after the police received information from Kaw Check village in Kreeri, 35 km from here.

The police said eight hand grenades, eight under-barrel grenade launcher grenades, 11 detonators, 323 rounds of AK-47 and a wireless set were recovered.

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Posted in: Jammu Kashmir,THE HINDU

Suspected militant arrested

KASHMIR: A suspected militant was arrested and a cache of explosives and live ammunition recovered from him in Baramulla district in north Kashmir on Tuesday, the police said.

Mohammad Maqbool Lone was arrested after the police received information from Kaw Check village in Kreeri, 35 km from here.

The police said eight hand grenades, eight under-barrel grenade launcher grenades, 11 detonators, 323 rounds of AK-47 and a wireless set were recovered.

Read more »

Posted in: Jammu Kashmir,THE HINDU

Despite Joshi's assertion on PAC's scope, BJP insists on JPC probe

NEW DELHI: Even as senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who heads Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), is enthusiastic about the committee's ongoing probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the main Opposition party is putting up a brave front, maintaining that only a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) can ensure accountability.

The BJP dismissed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's offer to appear before the PAC, arguing it had no meaning and the issue was not just about accounts but about accountability.

Not at all enthusiastic about Dr. Joshi's comments about the PAC as its Chairman, senior BJP leaders merely said the PAC was an independent body and Dr. Joshi was only fulfilling his constitutional duty.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj chose Twitter to say that “[The] scope of PAC is totally different from that of JPC. While PAC deals with accounts, JPC deals with accountability and governance.''

Party spokesperson and MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy was emphatic. “BJP at its highest level reiterates its stand that to go deep into the 1.76 lakh crore scam, nothing less than a JPC probe will do. We want to state categorically that the BJP will not accept anything less than a JPC,” Mr. Rudy told journalists here on Tuesday.

Clearly, the BJP finds itself speaking in different voices and in a peculiar situation, with Dr. Joshi commenting on Monday that the PAC could go beyond the CAG report on the 2G spectrum scam and would look into the Prime Minister's offer to appear before the panel.

“Joshi doing his job”

Asked about a pro-active PAC under the chairmanship of Dr. Joshi, the party spokesperson said: “The PAC Chairman is aware of his duties. He is doing his job. He has never said there is no need for a JPC.''

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU

Despite Joshi's assertion on PAC's scope, BJP insists on JPC probe

NEW DELHI: Even as senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who heads Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), is enthusiastic about the committee's ongoing probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the main Opposition party is putting up a brave front, maintaining that only a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) can ensure accountability.

The BJP dismissed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's offer to appear before the PAC, arguing it had no meaning and the issue was not just about accounts but about accountability.

Not at all enthusiastic about Dr. Joshi's comments about the PAC as its Chairman, senior BJP leaders merely said the PAC was an independent body and Dr. Joshi was only fulfilling his constitutional duty.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj chose Twitter to say that “[The] scope of PAC is totally different from that of JPC. While PAC deals with accounts, JPC deals with accountability and governance.''

Party spokesperson and MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy was emphatic. “BJP at its highest level reiterates its stand that to go deep into the 1.76 lakh crore scam, nothing less than a JPC probe will do. We want to state categorically that the BJP will not accept anything less than a JPC,” Mr. Rudy told journalists here on Tuesday.

Clearly, the BJP finds itself speaking in different voices and in a peculiar situation, with Dr. Joshi commenting on Monday that the PAC could go beyond the CAG report on the 2G spectrum scam and would look into the Prime Minister's offer to appear before the panel.

“Joshi doing his job”

Asked about a pro-active PAC under the chairmanship of Dr. Joshi, the party spokesperson said: “The PAC Chairman is aware of his duties. He is doing his job. He has never said there is no need for a JPC.''

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Posted in: INDIA news,National News,THE HINDU