Clean Chit to Omar, Nasir, Rana
‘Haji Yousuf died due to heart attack’
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) While giving clean chit
to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and his close aides Nasir Aslam Wani and
Davinder Singh Rana, Additional District Magistrate Srinagar, Muhammad Akbar
Ganaie in his probe report has said that Haji Syed Yousuf died due to cardiovascular arrest
without any external, physical assault, force, injury or mischief upon his body
or due to the negligence of any authority.
The
contents of the report were made public Monday. In his final report submitted
to the state Government, Ganie has concluded that Haji died due to “cardiovascular
arrest without any external physical assault or injury” on September 30 last
year.
The
government had ordered a magisterial probe into his death to be conducted by
the Additional District Magistrate Srinagar,
“As
I am required to determine the cause of death of the deceased after examining
57 witnesses and making physical examination of the hospital, crime branch as
well as the chief ministers camp office in Srinagar, I have come to the
conclusion that Haji died due to cardiovascular arrest without any external,
physical assault, force, injury or mischief upon his body or due to the
negligence of any authority,” the report said.
The
probe report also reveals that as such the cause of his death on September 30,
2011 at about 9.45 am in police hospital Srinagar
Talking
to VOS Ganie said, “The probe was
conducted by me and I submitted the report on February 2 to the government. I
have been transferred to Budgam since then.”
On
probe by Bedi Commission, he said, “It is separate and I can’t comment on it.”
‘Political fixer’ Yousuf had died in mysterious circumstances after he was summoned to the Chief Minister's residence, triggering a political furor.
‘Political fixer’ Yousuf had died in mysterious circumstances after he was summoned to the Chief Minister's residence, triggering a political furor.
Pertinent
to mention that on Friday, the
Justice (retired) HS Bedi Commission probing the death of Haji Yusuf disallowed
the plea to summon Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani.D S Rana
& 6 others for cross
examination.
Magisterial inquiry a mockery: PDP
‘Quid pro quo with officials’
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) Dismissing
the so called inquiry report by a magistrate on the death of Haji Yousuf
as farcical PDP to day said it is a mockery of justice , fair play and
accountability. In a statement issued here today a spokesman of the party said
while the people of Jammu & Kashmir had never expected any fair report by a
junior official on an issue in which the personal conduct of the chief
minister, his home minister and close aides was under question, to be able to
reach the truth. The projection of this report by this Govt as a “clean chit”
to the high and mighty is like adding insult to injury. “Nobody expected a magistrate
to investigate his CM or MOS home or other extra constitutional authorities
with independence and in accordance with law, but celebrating this report as a
certificate of good conduct is simply ridiculous”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the reports that the magistrate and
the doctors who had conducted the postmortem had been promoted recently, points
to a clear quid pro quo. It is a shameless attempt to cover-up some thing that
increasingly looks fishy and suspicious with every action of the Govt, that
followed the death of Haji Yousuf who was a close confident of Abdullah family,
a known NC worker and who according to CM himself had been collecting money in
the name of Dr Farooq Abdullah for appointment as MLCs and Ministers, he said.
The spokesman added that this was in sharp contrast to the punishment meted out
to the doctors, advocates and others who had handled the Shopian double murder
in which two adult women were shown as having been washed away by ankle deep
water.
The PDP spokesman said there were so many loopholes in
the cover up bid by the government that it could hardly find a buyer. On the
one hand the government keeps claiming that Haji Yusuf was never taken into
custody and on the other hand the inquiry under CrPC was conducted under the
same provision that applies to death of a person in police custody. “The death
by heart attack theory is aimed at covering up as to what lead to the heart
failure. What happened at the chief minister’s residence is crucial to entire
drama” he said and added unless there is a fullfledged criminal investigation
the truth could never be known. “Till date no FIR has been registered nor has
any person named by eye witnesses been interrogated” the spokesman said adding
Yousuf according to all evidence was in normal condition while entering the CM
house and was carried out with help. “The witnesses had publicly testified to
Yusuf vomiting blood while being taken out of the residence” the spokesman
recalled. He said even after such clinching clues the government had from day
one refused normal law to operate and tried to find safety in sham inquiries.
Expressing the party’s worry about this and other such
cases leading to lawlessness in the state, the spokesman said a message has
gone across that law was applicable only to those who can’t influence or buy
it. Instead of leading the campaign for probity and rule of law the chief
minister and his family have emerged as major violators of law, the spokesman
said. “It is significant that Yusuf died at a time when the entire edifice of
corruption in NC leadership was about to get exposed” he said and pointed out
that Haji’s death silenced him and also served as a warning for anyone who
would dare repeating it in future. The spokesman said while the ruling party
might run away from just for some time, their sense of relief was going to be
very short lived as the people of the state could not be hoodwinked any more.
“The relief is not permanent and their sins will catch up with the present
rulers, sooner than later when they will be called to account”, the spokesman
added.
100 Post Offices to also register
Shri Amarnath Yatris from May 7
This was disclosed by Shri Navin K. Choudhary, Chief
Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Until last year the
registration was done only through J&K Bank and YES Bank. In a major initiative
to provide convenience to the Yatris for the registration, Shri Amarnathji
Shrine Board has tied up with the Department of Posts for registration of
Yatris through select post offices.
The pilgrims undertake the Yatra to the Shrine which
is located at an altitude of 13,500 feet. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board had
requested the Department of Posts to do the registration of the Yatris across
the country, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar and U.P.
Shri John Samuel, Chief Postmaster General said that
the Department of Posts has a large network of 1.55 lakh post offices across
the country and given the vast infrastructure, the post office is in a position
to provide various services
to the customers. As a part of registration process, the Yatris will submit the
application form along with the prescribed medical certificate.
The Chief Postmaster General also announced that four
Yatri Post Offices will be established in the Yatra route for the benefit of
the Yatris. These Yatri Post Offices will provide basic postal services,
including letter post, Registered post and Speed post facilities for the
benefit of the Yatris. For more than 20 years these Yatri post offices have
been non-functional. The Chief Postmaster General told that during this year
all these four post offices will be revived and made fully functional.
The Chief Postmaster General told that during Shri
Amarnath Yatra special postal covers and Picture Post Cards will be brought out
and they will be available at Yatri Post Offices. These will be important
souvenir for the Yatris who are undertaking the pilgrimage.
1 die, 5 Injured in road mishaps
Meanwhile, in continuation to the road accident at Shirmal Shopian, in the
jurisdiction of Police Station Shopian on 27-04-12.
The injured Rayees Ahmad Thoker son of Bashir Ahmad resident of Chakoora also
succumbed his injuries at SMHS Srinagar. Today, a truck bearing registration number
JK13A/5411 turned turtle near security post Jawahar Tunnel, falling under the
jurisdiction of Police Station Qazigund, resulting in injuries to five persons,
Zahoor Ahmad Ganie son of Gulam Qadir resident of Sadawari, Shameema wife of
Mohammad Ramzan, Saifeen son of Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Ramzan son of
Mohammad Shasan resident of Banihal and Zahoor Ahmad Shah son of Gulam Qadir
resident of Qazigund. All the injured were shifted to Emergency Hospital
Here Fire caused by electric short circuit caused extensive
damages to four residential houses at two different places in Srinagar
PDP playing politics even over dead people – NC
"With the outcome of megisterial inquiry we stand
vindicated"
“PDP is issue less and consist of people who have
based their politics on utter lies and misrepresentation, it’s so painful to
watch their leaders using a dead man to score point over their political
opponent” said Tanvir. He added that “it is share frustration and exploitation
of the sentiments of relatives of the deceased man” The party spokesman while
commenting on the magisterial inquiry said “we stand vindicated as we have been
all along saying that we are open for any inquiry because we are clean and
clear" said Tanvir adding that " we live in a place where rule of law
prevails, we have full faith in our judiciary and we welcome any statement or
report that helps the truth and justice to triumph. Commenting on the
opposition charge about the Magisterial inquiry which according to reports have
cleared the name of Omar Abdullah and others, Tanvir said “We have to respect
and rely on Judges and commissions who are headed by people of impeccable
character, if we slander them or dismiss their report just because we don’t
like them would be insulting the judiciary”
Lashing out at the PDP Tanvir said “PDP
has lost its track and is now making absurd, untrue and bizarre statements only
to misrepresent the facts. Adding that “we will expose PDP and their leaders
one by one in times to come so that the whole world knows how scheming they
are”.
Dr Farooq and Sheikh Nazir advocate Labour rights
According
to the party spokesman, the NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that ‘May
Day’ gives them an opportunity to remind the government that constitutionally
they are protected and their rights be implemented. The President NC said that
even though the labourers have all along been working under tremendous
difficult situations it is sad that they have not been rewarded and continue to
draw very minimum wages. He said, the labour class has been contributing in the
overall development of the county and we should appreciate their efforts. He
added that everyone should realize their contribution in restoring all such
rights for their safe future. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that NC leadership has
great respect and admiration for the labour class as they played an important
role in the movement started by NC leadership against the then rulers.
“The
movement against the tyrant rulers was actually started by labourers of ‘Reshim
Khan’ , Silk factory, zaldagar and artisans from Srinagar who supported Sheikh Mohammad
Abdullah in difficult times and supported his programs against the oppression
of the oppressor” he said.
Explaining
how Sheikh Sahib started the movement against the rulers of that time and how
Sheri-Kashmir couldn’t stand the exploitation against his people who consisted
of peasants and poor people. He said, “Sheikh Sahib was a peoples leader who
would be pained at the sight of seeing his fellow men in pain and panic, his
contribution which can never be forgotten by the people of J&K is how he
restored ownership rights to peasants”.
Meanwhile,
National Conference (NC) General Secretary Advocate Sheikh Nazir Ahmad has also
expressed his total support with the labour class with the hope that both state
and central governments would work to restore the rights.
The
General Secretary said that the May Day is being observed on May 1st all
over the world with the objective that their rights would be restored so that
the widening gap between different classes of the society gets reduced. Sheikh
Nazir also said the party supports the movement of labour class and demands
that their rights should be restored without any further delay.
Shariq castigates Mufti
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) National Conference
(NC) senior leader and (MP) Member Parliament Sharief-ul-Din Shariq today
lashed out at the PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for never raising issue of Kashmir
resolution when he was the home minister and President JKPCC. In a statement
issued, Shariq said that he was surprised to see Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
advocating resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue while as PDP patron
was always involved in hatching conspiracies against National Conference
leadership whenever they would press for the resolution of Kashmir
issue.
Sharief-ul-Din
Shariq also said that for 40 years, PDP patron used to unfold congress flags in
every village of the state and now is using the green flag to hoodwink the
people adding that he opposed all such moves started by National Conference
leadership for the resolution of Kashmir
issue. The National Conference senior leader also said that people of the state
are well aware about the politics of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who eroded sovereignty and identity of the state
and used innocent people for his political gains.
Week-long ‘earth day’ celebrations conclude at KU
Prof Talat releases annual students magazine Gulala
Maintaining that the University will ensure the campus clean-up
campaign becomes a bi-annual activity Prof Talat said “It was great to see the
response of the students to the campus clean-up drive which was held last week
and we will make sure that the activity is held twice a year which will
facilitate interaction of the fresh students with university administration and
teachers in a non-formal
atmosphere outside the classrooms and
at the same time students would become familiar with their campus and its
surroundings.” Encouraging the students to come forward and help the
administration in enforcing smoke-free and polythene-free campaign in the
varsity in its letter and spirit Prof Talat said “Students must come forward
and register themselves as volunteers with the proctor’s office and department
of students welfare to help us to monitor any violation in the recent
smoke-free and polythene –free instructions.”
On the occasion Prof Talat also released the annual student’s
magazine of the University Gulala published by the department of student’s
welfare which contains articles and features contributed by the students of the
University.In her special address Dean Department of Students Welfare Prof
Neelofar while explaining that the department received a huge response to this
week-long activity from the students of different schools, colleges and
universities said “The annual students magazine and the recently held week-long
activity provides a platform to the young talented students to express their
ideas and share their views with the university management and the society
through their writings and paintings.” Earlier in his welcome address Professor
Shakeel Romshoo from the department of Geology and geophysics who was also the
organizing secretary of the earth day celebrations said “The paintings and
posters made by the students during the week-long competitions would be sent to
the ministry of Earth Sciences where they would be evaluated by a national committee
in a competition with other states which will give boost to their talent and
highlight their skills and art work at national level.” In debate competition which was held on April
23, Sarmad Mehraj from IUST, Naira Nissar Shah from history dept KU and Lubna
Wali Shah from Mathematics dept KU won the Ist, 2nd and 3rd prizes whereas in a similar debate
competition which was held on April 26, Mohammad Shahkar from business school
KU, Zainul Abidin from North Campus KU and Samreen Jeelani from KU won the Ist,
2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.
In painting competition organized for the school children from 8th-12th standard Momin Mushtaq from Linton
Hall School, Aiman Banday from GGHS Khanyar and Syed Khushboo Zulfi won the
Ist, 2nd and 3rd prizes whereas in yet another painting
competition for the students from Ist-7th standard Maleeha Feroz from
presentation Convent School, Aneesa Kahn from Mallinson Girls High School and
Huda Safwat from mallinson Girls High School won the Ist, 2nd and third prizes.
Jama’at-e-Islami
expresses sorrow over accident in Rajouri
RUN FOR FUN ORGANISED BY 55 RASHTRIYA
RIFLES
KU
to hold national workshop on
capacity building for women
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) Women’s
Studies Centre is organizing 5-days University Grants commission (UGC) sponsored Sensitivity,
Awareness, Motivation workshop on Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher
Education from 1st to
5th May-2012 at Gandhi
Bhawan, University of Kashmir.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Talat Ahmad will be the Chief
Guest at the Inaugural function of workshop and Prof.
Pam Rajput,Member, Govt. of India, High Level Committee on the Status of Women,
Executive Director, Women's Resource and Advocacy Centre Vice President,
National Alliance of Women (NAWO) will deliver the key note address at the
inaugural event .
Prof. (Mrs.) Nilofer Khan Coordinator of the programme said that the
main the main objective of the workshop is to achieve the increase in the
number of women in decision-making positions in higher education and develop a
gender friendly environment. The workshop invites universities to nominate women
holding higher and middle level positions to
undergo the training, which extends to five days, she said .
50 thousand devotees participated in Eid-i-Milad (SAW)
Conference organized at Bugam
In
the second session, Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami and Maulana Reyaz-ul-Haq
Noorabadi in their address delivered spiritually captivating lecture on words
and deeds of Prophet (SAW). All the participants later participated in
Zikr-o-Azkar. Scholars who spoke on the occasion were of the view moral
teachings of the Sufi Saints of the Kashmir
valley should be propagated and followed as they have always worked for
strengthening the bonds of love and brotherhood. They appreciated the efforts
of those who are showing their love for Aulia Kiram by paying obeisance at the
Holy Shrines.
PHE
Deptt was the first to empower Panchayats: Taj
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) Terming Panchayats as
the building blocks of democracy, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood
Control, Mr. Taj Mohi ud Din today said PHE Department was the first to empower
Panchayats in terms of functions and functionaries.
Addressing a series of public meetings at Kalakote, Manwa Barwari, Saaj and
adjoining areas, the Minister said his Department has entrusted Panchayats with
regulating drinking water distribution in villages hoping the Panches and
Sarpanches would perform the duties responsibly and with dedication. He said
the Sarpanches have been empowered to check the availability of field staff of
water supply schemes in their areas and ensure their availability at the scheme
sites.
Mr. Taj impressed upon the Sarpanches to strengthen democracy at village levels
by re energizing Panchayats. He asked them to assume powers Government has
already conferred upon them. He said PHE Department has decided that henceforth
water supply schemes in villages duly recommended by Panchayats would be considered
for execution. He said every Panchayat would be provided with a water testing
kit by which they can test the quality of water in their village.
On the performance of his Departments, Mr. Taj said besides taking many path
breaking steps, systemic functioning of the Department was also streamlined. He
said for the first time a proper procedure was adopted by which the cases of
casual, seasonal, consolidated workers were decided. He said a similar
procedure was adopted for deciding the land compensation cases where ever land
was acquired for constructing water supply schemes.
Addressing the public meetings, Minister of State for Power, Mr. Shabir Ahmad
Khan complimented Mr. Taj for re energizing the PHE, Irrigation Department particularly
in Rajouri district. He said a lot of improvement has taken in
infrastructure sector in the District and many new projects in road
connectivity, power, health, education etc are being started in the district.
Enroute, Mr. Taj inaugurated two water supply schemes at Saaj and Bhatian thus
meeting the long pending demand of the
Sagar visits Khanyar
fire victims
Srinagar,
April 30 (VOS) The
Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr.
Ali Mohammad Sagar visited Khanyar Tabardar Mohalla and expressed his sympathy
with the fire victims where yesterday 4 residential houses gutted in a fire
accident.
The Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar accompanied with him
to release immediate relief from Red Cross in favour of the victims. He also
assured the fire sufferers that other necessary step would be taken for their
early rehabilitation.
Akhoon discusses State
food situation with union Minister
Srinagar, April 30 (VOS The Minister for
CA&PD and Transport,. Qamar Ali Akhoon met Union Minister for CA&PD,
Prof KV Thomas in New Delhi
today. The
Minister discussed Food Security Bill with the Union Minister and demanded
additional ration quota for the remote areas of the state adding that since the
state of Jammu and Kashmir is border State, it often experiences shortage of
food grains.
He urged the Union Minister to provide food grains quota to the state under
special category. He also asked the Minister to provide special ration quota to
meet the requirements for the ensuing Amarnath Yatra Akhoon asked that ration
quota for migrant pundits, Gujjar and Bakerwals, Nomads, orphanages, Bal Ashram
and schedule tribe and schedule caste hostels need to e enhanced in view of
increased requirement.
Mr. Akhoon also demanded enhancing ration quota under BPL category. He also
asked for supply of adequate quantity of K-Oil to the state.
Third Conference of Heads of Election Management
Bodies of SAARC
Countries Begins
ECI Calls for Innovative Methods and Strategies to Deal With New
Problems in Electoral Field
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The Third Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies of SAARC
Countries started off today in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Dr S Y
Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India. The 3-day Conference
brings together the Chief Election Commissioners and senior election
officials of the region on a common platform to share best practices
in election administration and management. Some of the important
topics to be discussed are: Empowerment of Election Management Bodies;
Inclusive elections, Voters Education, Controlling Money Power in
Elections, Technology for cost-effective elections etc. The
discussions will also focus on the final shape of the Forum of SAARC
Election Management Bodies, which was agreed at the last Conference
held in Islamabad.
Mr Fazel Ahmad Manawi, Chairman, Independent Election Commission of
Afghanistan, Mr Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, Chief Election Commissioner of
Bangladesh, Mr Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Chief Election Commissioner of
Bhutan, Mr Neel Kantha Upreti, Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal,
Mr Ibrahim Waheed, Commissioner, Maldives, Mr Justice Muhammad Roshan
Essani, Member, Election Commission of Pakistan and Mr Mahinda
Deshapriya, Commissioner of Elections of Sri Lanka lead their
delegations. Representatives from UNDP, SAARC Secretariat and Mr J
Lyngdoh, former CEC are attending the Conference as special invitees.
Speaking at the Conference, Chief Election Commissioner, Dr S Y
Quraishi, pointed to the common challenges before election managers in
South Asia who deal with over a billion electorate which is 60 to 70
percent of the whole democratic world. He said that the Election
Commissions of SAARC countries have to find innovative methods to deal
with the new problems in the electoral field. Dr. Quraishi said,
bitter political competition, the use of money power and apathy of
citizens in the electoral process call for innovative methods and
strategies. Election Commissioners, Shri V S Sampath and Shri H S
Brahma emphasized on continuous exchange of experience and expertise
between the SAARC Electoral bodies.
Bangladesh hosted the first Conference in May 2010 and the second
Conference was held at Islamabad last year.
Election Commission of India works in close collaboration with the
Election Management Bodies of South Asian Countries. In the recent
weeks, officials from the Election Commissions of Afghanistan,
Maldives and Bhutan received training at the India International
Institute of Democracy and Election Management, IIIDEM of the
Commission. [PIB]
Countries Begins
ECI Calls for Innovative Methods and Strategies to Deal With New
Problems in Electoral Field
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The Third Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies of SAARC
Countries started off today in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Dr S Y
Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India. The 3-day Conference
brings together the Chief Election Commissioners and senior election
officials of the region on a common platform to share best practices
in election administration and management. Some of the important
topics to be discussed are: Empowerment of Election Management Bodies;
Inclusive elections, Voters Education, Controlling Money Power in
Elections, Technology for cost-effective elections etc. The
discussions will also focus on the final shape of the Forum of SAARC
Election Management Bodies, which was agreed at the last Conference
held in Islamabad.
Mr Fazel Ahmad Manawi, Chairman, Independent Election Commission of
Afghanistan, Mr Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, Chief Election Commissioner of
Bangladesh, Mr Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Chief Election Commissioner of
Bhutan, Mr Neel Kantha Upreti, Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal,
Mr Ibrahim Waheed, Commissioner, Maldives, Mr Justice Muhammad Roshan
Essani, Member, Election Commission of Pakistan and Mr Mahinda
Deshapriya, Commissioner of Elections of Sri Lanka lead their
delegations. Representatives from UNDP, SAARC Secretariat and Mr J
Lyngdoh, former CEC are attending the Conference as special invitees.
Speaking at the Conference, Chief Election Commissioner, Dr S Y
Quraishi, pointed to the common challenges before election managers in
South Asia who deal with over a billion electorate which is 60 to 70
percent of the whole democratic world. He said that the Election
Commissions of SAARC countries have to find innovative methods to deal
with the new problems in the electoral field. Dr. Quraishi said,
bitter political competition, the use of money power and apathy of
citizens in the electoral process call for innovative methods and
strategies. Election Commissioners, Shri V S Sampath and Shri H S
Brahma emphasized on continuous exchange of experience and expertise
between the SAARC Electoral bodies.
Bangladesh hosted the first Conference in May 2010 and the second
Conference was held at Islamabad last year.
Election Commission of India works in close collaboration with the
Election Management Bodies of South Asian Countries. In the recent
weeks, officials from the Election Commissions of Afghanistan,
Maldives and Bhutan received training at the India International
Institute of Democracy and Election Management, IIIDEM of the
Commission. [PIB]
Radiation Tags for Cell Phones
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
All cell-phones would soon be carrying radiation tags. All the
indigenous manufacturers have been instructed to display Specific
Absorption Rate (SAR) value on the mobile handsets on or before 1st
September 2012.
Giving details in Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Minister of State for
Communications and Information Technology Sh Milind Deora said the
Department of Telecommunications has adopted SAR (Specific Absorption
Rate) level for mobile handsets as 1.6 Watt/Kg, averaged over a mass
of 1 gram of human tissue. On 25th January 2012, all the indigenous
manufacturers have been instructed to make necessary changes in the
design, software and packaging in compliance with these instructions
by 01.09.2012.
Shri Deora said, to regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile
phones, Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame
standards for all mobile phones under the BIS Act 1986. All cell phone
handsets sold in the marked in India will comply with relevant Bureau
of Indian Standard’s (BIS) benchmark. [PIB]
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
All cell-phones would soon be carrying radiation tags. All the
indigenous manufacturers have been instructed to display Specific
Absorption Rate (SAR) value on the mobile handsets on or before 1st
September 2012.
Giving details in Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Minister of State for
Communications and Information Technology Sh Milind Deora said the
Department of Telecommunications has adopted SAR (Specific Absorption
Rate) level for mobile handsets as 1.6 Watt/Kg, averaged over a mass
of 1 gram of human tissue. On 25th January 2012, all the indigenous
manufacturers have been instructed to make necessary changes in the
design, software and packaging in compliance with these instructions
by 01.09.2012.
Shri Deora said, to regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile
phones, Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame
standards for all mobile phones under the BIS Act 1986. All cell phone
handsets sold in the marked in India will comply with relevant Bureau
of Indian Standard’s (BIS) benchmark. [PIB]
Movement of Troops
New Delhi, April 30 , 2012.
The Indian Army is a professional organization and maintains a high
degree of preparedness against internal and external threats. Training
is the bedrock of maintaining this operational preparedness.
Mobilization forms an important facet of training and is considered a
critical performance parameter. These are carried out in a routine
manner by various formations/units and do not require any formal
notification. Exercises of large formations i.e. at Corps or full
divisional levels are notified to the Army Headquarters by the
concerned formations. Exercises close to the borders are notified to
concerned agencies/neighbouring countries including Pakistan as per
existing agreement.
The recent troop movements towards the National Capital Region (NCR)
were routine training exercises. Hence no action was taken to fix
responsibility.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Shri NeerajShekhar and others inLok Sabha today.
[PIB]
New Delhi, April 30 , 2012.
The Indian Army is a professional organization and maintains a high
degree of preparedness against internal and external threats. Training
is the bedrock of maintaining this operational preparedness.
Mobilization forms an important facet of training and is considered a
critical performance parameter. These are carried out in a routine
manner by various formations/units and do not require any formal
notification. Exercises of large formations i.e. at Corps or full
divisional levels are notified to the Army Headquarters by the
concerned formations. Exercises close to the borders are notified to
concerned agencies/neighbouring countries including Pakistan as per
existing agreement.
The recent troop movements towards the National Capital Region (NCR)
were routine training exercises. Hence no action was taken to fix
responsibility.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Shri NeerajShekhar and others inLok Sabha today.
[PIB]
Pak Activities in Border Areas
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The government has taken cognizance of the construction of bunkers,
towers and outpost by Pakistan on the border.
Generally bunkers, towers and outposts related construction works are
undertaken beyond 150 yards from International Boundary. However, BSF
has always raised objection to such construction and lodged strong
protests with concerned Pak Rangers. There is reportedly no
encroachment activity by Pakistan in the Indian maritime zone in the
Arabian Sea.
No Anti-India broadcasting activities have been noticed in the Border
area of Gujarat.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Shri Kunvarjibhai M. Bavaliya and others in Lok Sabha
today. [PIB]
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The government has taken cognizance of the construction of bunkers,
towers and outpost by Pakistan on the border.
Generally bunkers, towers and outposts related construction works are
undertaken beyond 150 yards from International Boundary. However, BSF
has always raised objection to such construction and lodged strong
protests with concerned Pak Rangers. There is reportedly no
encroachment activity by Pakistan in the Indian maritime zone in the
Arabian Sea.
No Anti-India broadcasting activities have been noticed in the Border
area of Gujarat.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Shri Kunvarjibhai M. Bavaliya and others in Lok Sabha
today. [PIB]
Loss of Lives in Siachen
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The number of casualties in Siachen in the last one year is 26.
Twelfth Round of Defence Secretary level talks were held between India
& Pakistan on 30-31 May 2011, during which both sides welcomed the
ongoing dialogue process, contributing to an enhanced understanding of
each other`s position. It was also agreed to continue the discussions
in a meaningful and result oriented manner.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Dr. Ajay Kumar and Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar in Lok
Sabha today. [PIB}
New Delhi, April 30, 2012.
The number of casualties in Siachen in the last one year is 26.
Twelfth Round of Defence Secretary level talks were held between India
& Pakistan on 30-31 May 2011, during which both sides welcomed the
ongoing dialogue process, contributing to an enhanced understanding of
each other`s position. It was also agreed to continue the discussions
in a meaningful and result oriented manner.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in
written reply to Dr. Ajay Kumar and Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar in Lok
Sabha today. [PIB}
Ferry carrying around 250 people capsizes in Brahmaputra near Dhubri in Assam
GUWAHATI: A ferry with around 250 passengers aboard sank in the Brahmaputra river near Fakiragram in west Dhubri district in Assam on Monday following a storm, police said. The police said that nearly 50 people had swum to safety.
According to reports, the double-decker ferry sank in the rapidly swelling Brahmaputra river due to storm and heavy rainfall in the area. About 35 bodies have been recovered so far and the fate of the other 200 passengers was not immediately known. Inclement weather is hampering rescue operations. The Border Security Force has been called in for the rescue operations.
Presidential polls: Congress seeks consensus, BJP ‘will not support Pranab Mukherjee’
NEW DELHI: Congress, which has begun talks with allies to decide on presidential candidate, on Monday said it was for "widest possible consensus" and "maximum consultations" on the issue and disfavoured any speculation about names.
Party spokesperson Manish Tewari at the same time ducked queries on whether Congress finds itself averse to the idea of an "apolitical" President, a demand raised by various parties.
"There is no question of A political or B political or non-political President. Our choice like everybody's choice will be subscribed by the constitutional provisions required for election of a President ... Congress is always for a President that fits the bill as per the provisions dealing with the election of a President," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.
Noting that that the term of the present President expires in July, the Congress spokesperson disfavoured speculations about the highest constitutional authority of the country.
"Let us not speculate ... Let us not second guess if a preliminary consultation process is underway. The President of India is an extremely august office. This is not an office which should be brought into the realm of unnecessary speculation," he said, adding that the process should instead be allowed to be fructified.
Tewari said that in matters related to election or appointment of constitutional heads, Congress has followed a policy that "whatever happens should have widest possible consensus. Whatever happens should have largest possible consent."
Asked whether Congress favours another term for former President Abdul Kalam, he said it was "extremely immature to start speculation about names. We should keep in mind the dignity of the highest constitutional office of the country".
Tewari also dismissed BJP's criticism on Congress' relations with its allies saying "we have always behaved with dignity with our allies" and reminded BJP of the desertions of constituents from NDA.
Won't support Congress candidate: BJP
Earlier today, senior BJP member Sushma Swaraj told reporters that her party wouldn't support either finance minister Pranab Mukherjee or Vice-President Hamid Ansari for the president's post. She said, "We will not accept any Congress candidate, including Pranab Mukherjee, for the President's post."
The names of Mukherjee and Ansari have been doing the round as being among the probables in the presidential election. Asked about Ansari, Swaraj said he does not have the stature to be President and hence BJP will not support him. She also categorically said there will be no understanding with the Congress under which NDA would support UPA's presidential candidate and get their support in return for the Vice-President's post.
"We are looking at the 2014 elections and do not want to give the impression that we have any truck with the Congress," Swaraj said. She said BJP was gauging the mood of the UPA allies on the presidential elections. On whether a non-Congress candidate like APJ Abdul Kalam, Swaraj said BJP is open to the idea. "We can have an understanding with non-Congress parties where we support their presidential candidate and they support our vice-presidential candidate," she said.
"We will contest to win. We will work out an arithmetic," she said.
Maoists agree to release Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon
NEW DELHI: Abducted Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon will be freed by Maoists within 48 hours, said a government official on Monday.
Principal secretary to chief minister BaijendraKumar said Maoists and the government have reached an agreement to release Menon.
The Maoists had demanded release of 17 people, eight of them hardcore Naxalites and nine others who in jails following their arrest in connection with separate violent incidents.
Reuters bureau chief to appear in Tehran court over report on Ninjas
The Reuters bureau chief in Iran is to appear before a Tehran court in the coming days over an earlier report by the London-based news agency describing female Iranian martial arts students as “assassins,” Press TV reports.
In a February 16 report, Reuters claimed that “thousands of female ninjas train as Iran's assassins.”
The Reuters report also accused the Iranian government of training hired murderers, which the court will be addressing as well.
Judicial sources have told Press TV that Reuters bureau chief Parisa Hafezi will have to respond to the charges.
Earlier, a number of Iranian students shown in the Reuters video clip filed a lawsuit against the news agency over charges of defamation.
Iran has suspended the activities of the Reuters office in Tehran over the issue.
Israeli military building wall along Lebanon border
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) monitors the border between Lebanon and Israel, near the Lebanese town of Kfar Kila on April 30, 2012 as the Israeli military begins building a wall in the border area.
The Israeli military has begun building a wall along part of its border with Lebanon to avoid what it called ''frictions'' in the area.
According to Israeli sources, the cement wall would be several meters high and intended to protect the recently-constructed settler units in the Israeli border town of Metulla from fire coming from the Lebanese side.
It is expected to take several weeks to build the wall, which would be more than 1km long. An Israeli security fence already runs along the entire border.
"This construction, which began on Monday, is being carried out in coordination with UNIFIL (the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and the Lebanese army. The wall is intended to avoid frictions on the border," an Israeli military spokeswoman said.
The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL troops, responsible for coordinating security along the Lebanese border, maintained a heavy presence in the area as the Israeli military started the project. Israel and Lebanon are technically in state of war.
The Israeli military invaded Lebanon in July 2006 with the intention of eliminating the resistance movement, Hezbollah.
The invasion, also known as the 33-Day War, took the lives of at least 1,200 Lebanese most of them civilians.
Hezbollah, however, inflicted heavy losses on Israeli forces and Tel Aviv faced a humiliating defeat without having achieved any of its objectives.
The Reuters bureau chief in Iran is to appear before a Tehran court in the coming days over an earlier report by the London-based news agency describing female Iranian martial arts students as “assassins,” Press TV reports.
In a February 16 report, Reuters claimed that “thousands of female ninjas train as Iran's assassins.”
The Reuters report also accused the Iranian government of training hired murderers, which the court will be addressing as well.
Judicial sources have told Press TV that Reuters bureau chief Parisa Hafezi will have to respond to the charges.
Earlier, a number of Iranian students shown in the Reuters video clip filed a lawsuit against the news agency over charges of defamation.
Iran has suspended the activities of the Reuters office in Tehran over the issue.
Israeli military building wall along Lebanon border
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) monitors the border between Lebanon and Israel, near the Lebanese town of Kfar Kila on April 30, 2012 as the Israeli military begins building a wall in the border area.
The Israeli military has begun building a wall along part of its border with Lebanon to avoid what it called ''frictions'' in the area.
According to Israeli sources, the cement wall would be several meters high and intended to protect the recently-constructed settler units in the Israeli border town of Metulla from fire coming from the Lebanese side.
It is expected to take several weeks to build the wall, which would be more than 1km long. An Israeli security fence already runs along the entire border.
"This construction, which began on Monday, is being carried out in coordination with UNIFIL (the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and the Lebanese army. The wall is intended to avoid frictions on the border," an Israeli military spokeswoman said.
The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL troops, responsible for coordinating security along the Lebanese border, maintained a heavy presence in the area as the Israeli military started the project. Israel and Lebanon are technically in state of war.
The Israeli military invaded Lebanon in July 2006 with the intention of eliminating the resistance movement, Hezbollah.
The invasion, also known as the 33-Day War, took the lives of at least 1,200 Lebanese most of them civilians.
Hezbollah, however, inflicted heavy losses on Israeli forces and Tel Aviv faced a humiliating defeat without having achieved any of its objectives.
