Webdunia News

Cong achieves goal of Opposition divide

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Home minister P Chidambaram struggles to get into his car after tabling the Liberhan report in Parliament. (AP)Forced to cave in for the second time within a week, the Congress seemed to have achieved its immediate objective.It split the Opposition that came together at the start of this Parliament session and looked set to consolidate that unity before the government beat a retreat on sugarcane.But

Ram scuffle in House

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Amar Singh (left) and SS Ahluwalia after the scuffle in the Rajya Sabha. (Rajesh Kumar)The Rajya Sabha today witnessed fisticuffs between the Samajwadi Party’s Amar Singh and the BJP’s S.S. Ahluwalia, and a rare moment when some Opposition party leaders shouted slogans for former Congress Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.Soon after home minister P. Chidambaram tabled the Liberhan commission report on the

Mamata whips Surjya hecklers

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:05:32 GMT

The Trinamul Congress has removed the party’s two Darjeeling secretaries from their posts a day after its supporters roughed up health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.Vedabrata Dutta and Deepak Sil are among nine Trinamul leaders or supporters booked by police for the incident. All of them were arrested and let out on bail.“Dutta and Sil have been removed

Cong promises supplementary chargesheets in Babri case

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:00 GMT

Centre’s action taken report on the recommendations of the LiberhanAyodhya Commission of Inquiry has revealed Congress’ dilemma in dealingwith the event even 17 years later.Congress response appears to havebeen shaped by a weariness about the political fallout of raking up the RamJanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue once again — it was the single-most potentissue to have brought about the downfall of the

Coimbatore today

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:28 GMT

Vocal recital by Ms. Shobana Ramesh, Singapore, Sri Kamakshi Ambal Temple, R.S. Puram, 6.30 p.m.Programme on “Understanding Waste Elimination and Cost Saving”, CMA

Lone black spot in 'clean' Cong

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:23:00 GMT

GANDHINAGAR: The past is catching upwith Shankersinh Vaghela. First, the former Union textiles minister lost therecent Lok Sabha polls. Now, his name features in the Liberhan list of 68 peoplewho allegedly played a part in the demolition of Babri Masjid.Unlikeother named persons, Vaghela was then in BJP but is now in Congress. So, theembarrassment is evident for a leader who was plotting to stay relevant

CPI (M) demands release of Dalits

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:51 GMT

CPI (M) State secretary N. Varadarajan has urged Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to take steps to stop the arrest of Dalits at Uthapuram in Madurai district.In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Varadarajan also demanded immediate release of those arrested.Following his letter, the Madurai Collector called Mr. Varadarajan to convey the message that peace had returned to the area.

Congress trying to shield Koda: BJP

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

BJP on Tuesday alleged that the Congress was trying to shield the former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, accused in a multi-crore money laundering case, and demanded a high-level probe into the scandal.The Congress supported the Madhu Koda government and was the main “beneficiary” of the scam, BJP leaders alleged. They also demanded tabling of all the details regarding the scam in Parliament

“U.P. administration abetted in demolition”

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

bureaucracy in Uttar Pradesh during the Babri Masjid demolition has come in for severe criticism in the report of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry. It found that all institutions of governance in the State “abetted in the demolition” and the aftermath to help the Bharatiya Janata Party execute its political agenda.That the U.P. police and administration remained mute spectators is an oft-repeated

Congress regaining vote base: DCC

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:59:42 GMT

Chitradurga: By comparing the performance of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre to that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in the State, traditional Congress voters such as Dalits and minorities were returning to the party, Chitradurga District Congress Committee president B.G. Govindappa has said.After inducting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) district

Kalyan Singh may be leader Dr Bhagwat is looking for

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh, who appears to be sensing anopportunity for political rehabilitation, on Tuesday aggressively defended theRam temple movement and said that he did not regret the demolition of the BabriMasjid. “I had told the Liberhan panel that I have no regret. A grandtemple for Ram should be built at Ayodhya,” Mr Singh said.MrSingh, who flaunted his loyalty to the Sangh Parivar,

Centre to expedite mosque demolition cases

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:46:42 GMT

Action Taken Report says special courts to try communal riot cases under considerationNEW DELHI: The 13-page Action Taken Report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, along with the report of the Liberhan Commission that probed the Babri Masjid demolition, said the government accepted the recommendation for a law to prevent misuse of religion.The government “accepted” recommendations 1.7 and 1.9 for “a

SP, BJP members come to blows in Rajya Sabha

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:46:42 GMT

members raise the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” as soon as Liberhan report is tabledSamajwadi Party leader Amar Singh having a word with BJP leader S. S. Ahluwalia after the fracas involving both of them at Parliament House on Tuesday.NEW DELHI: Unruly scenes marked the tabling of the Report of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry and the Action Taken Report (ATR) in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.The Commission,

BJP treads Atal line of defence

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:52:01 GMT

BJP on Tuesday came down heavily against the findings of the LiberhanCommission, describing them as ``perverse, ill-founded and against the evidenceplaced before it.’’In its first reaction after thetabling of the Liberhan Commission report in the two Houses of Parliament onTuesday, the party gave clear indications of the line of its attack in thecoming days, using former prime minister Atal Bihari

Librahan Commission seeks centralised riot control constabulary

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:10:43 GMT

Liberhan Commission which probed the 1992 Ayodhya Babri Masjid demolition issue, has recommended the establishment of a centralised riot control constabulary. In its report which was presented in Parliament today, the Commission suggested that such a constabulary should be equipped with modern weapons and be under direct control of the centre. The deployment of this force should be made by the central

Hounded by media, Liberhan seeks 'privacy'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:28:05 GMT

Justice M.S. Liberhan, whose report on the 1992 Babri mosque demolition was tabled in parliament today, sought "privacy" as he was hounded by the media even when he went to an optician's shop here. He maintained that he had clearly said everything in his report."Please respect my privacy. I can assure you, I will not speak to anyone (media)," Liberhan told mediapersons here.Nearly a dozen media vehicles

Liberhan report leak source still a mystery

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:10:00 GMT

spectre of who‘leaked’ the Liberhan Commission report continued to hang over thegovernment with the BJP raising the issue in Lok Sabha on Tuesday and demandinga CBI probe into the leak.As doubts continued to swirl about theidentity of the ‘source’, home minister P Chidambaram, at the outsetof the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, is reported to have asserted that hedid not leak the report.It was

Indicting Vajpayee 'outrightly illegal': Liberhan ex-counsel

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:41:01 GMT

A former counsel to the Liberhan Commission today alleged that the indictment of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the Babri mosque demolition was "outrightly illegal".Hours after the Liberhan panel report was placed in parliament, Anupam Gupta said this had been done "deliberately" to shift the focus away from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, who he said, had played a

BJP to go after PC, defend Vajpayee

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:52:19 GMT

it became clear that the government would not initiate fresh action against those indicted by the Liberhan Committee report, the BJP, robbed of an emotive issue on which to peg its revival, went into attack mode.Senior party leaders, who met twice in Parliament House to thrash out a strategy, decided to focus its attack on two flanks:It would target Home Minister P. Chidambaram for allegedly leaking

Some farmers suicides due to personal reasons: Pawar

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:38:43 GMT

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Tuesday said some cases of suicides by farmers due to personal reasons were also attributed to crop failure and other farming related reasons."As reported by the state governments and revealed in some studies conducted earlier, the causes for suicides by farmers are manifold - including personal and other reasons," Pawar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha to

‘Demolition was not planned’

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:44:54 GMT

Satynarayan Reddy, governor of UP during the Babri Masjid demolition, said on Tuesday that the Liberhan Commission report is full of falsehood.“There was no provocation or plan to destroy the Babri Masjid. It happened all of a sudden, it was a spontaneous act.”Virtually exonerating the BJP, he said the structure (of the Masjid) was very weak as such and as soon as few people got into it, it collapsed.

Jharkhand polls open today

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:01:56 GMT

More than 6.5 million voters in Jharkhand, one of the India’s poorest states, will on Wednesday exercise their franchise to elect 26 MLAs in the first phase of a five-phase election. About 470 candidates are in the fray.But, in a warning to voters, Maoist rebels blew up four schools that were to serve as polling stations or as camps for security forces. The CPI(Maoists) have called for a boycott of

Commissions meant to shame, not punish

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Delhi, Nov. 24: Commissions of inquiries by their very nature are intended to shame and not punish, even in England where a similar provision for inquiries existed long before it was incorporated in Indian law.Lord Chancellor Viscount Kilmuir had explained the objectives of such panels while defending such inquiries in the House of Lords in the Waters case.“After the true facts have been found and

The story so far:

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

collects the prints of the photographs and tells inspector Saha that the case is solved |While animal rights groups may not quite hail him, 11-year-old Juan Mauricio Copa is already making |Differences: 1. cup is different; 2. WheelBarrow is moved; 3. Pinky is moved; 4. Lunchbox is smaller;5. Flower is different; 6. Piece of wood is missing.Iam a film actor. I have won numerous awards and hold the

Cure-all pill: communal violence bill

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan’s 17-year mission hasn’t burdened the Congress much with administrative dilemmas like punitive action against Sangh parivar rivals, but has given it enough fodder to torment its main adversary for a long time to come.A hint of what the ruling party intends to do with the report came from spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.“This is the past of the BJP, this is the present

Babri panel high on purple prose, low on specifics

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

commission has termed the Babri Masjid demolition pre-meditated but has provided few “actionable” details to substantiate links of the then senior BJP leaders other than Kalyan Singh to the “conspiracy”.Nearly a decade after India described the US as a “natural ally”, President Barack Obama acknowledged this description and announced his decision to visit New Delhi |Amid an unprecedented security

Muslim brass get stick

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Commission has held the Muslim leadership, too, partly responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid.“While the RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and the BJP brought the temple construction movement to the front burner and caused it to boil over, the fanatic Muslim leadership making the counter claims was either completely complacent and had no substantial or effective leadership or was simply

NATION BRIEFS

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

Civil Aviation regulator DGCA has found around 964 deficiencies, many pertaining to safety, in the operations of domestic and international airlines this year, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.Of these, 289 were reported from Air India, 660 from private carriers and 15 from foreign airlines, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said.(PTI): The Madhya Pradesh government has signed a pact with the

Left tirade against BJD & Congress

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

general secretary Prakash Karat and Bengal agriculture minister Naren De in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. (Sanjib Mukherjee)The Left today launched a campaign against price rise, farmer suicides and food insecurity, while criticising the Naveen Patnaik government for its anti-farmer and pro-MNC policies.Six months ago, the Left had forged an electoral alliance with Naveen-led BJD after the regional party

Panel seeks quota for minorities

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

commission has recommended a sub-quota for minorities in OBC reservations, mooting the quota on the basis of caste irrespective of religion.The weaker sections among Muslims and Christians — the two religions do not formally endorse the caste system, though some latent segmentation exists — are at present not eligible for reservation in all states. Some states have declared quotas for the minorities.If

ASI alarm on missing sites

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

vanishing act has woken up the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the need for better protection of historical monuments.The ASI, in charge of protecting monuments and heritage sites, has discovered that 36 structures are missing across the country, prompting it to initiate plans for recruitment of 10,000 guards.The ASI believes the monuments could have been demolished to make way for homes in

India’s position on climate change will be watched keenly

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:45 GMT

the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, was getting his final briefings in New Delhi last week on the progress in negotiations with the Americans on an agreement for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, India received support from an unexpected quarter. Y |Sir — Mike Atherton’s column, “Sachin: the other view” (Nov 19), gives the impression that Sachin T |Sir — I agree with S.L. Rao that linguistic chauvinism

Coastal security process time consuming

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

“After 26/11, the country suddenly realised that it has sea on two sides.”This wry comment from a member of the Navy underscored the shock that the security planners were in for after the terrorists travelled by boat to reach Mumbai.A year after the audacious attack, there is greater awareness of the non-traditional threat from sea. The revamped coastal security system was announced early this year.

‘Shikayat Adalat’ on Nov. 30

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:02:37 GMT

Employees State Insurance Corporation is organising a ‘Shikayat Adalat’ on Monday (November 30) at the office of the Regional Director, 5-9-31/1/B, opposite old Gandhi Medical College, Basheerbagh to hear the grievances of employers and employees.The Adalat will be held between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to a press release.©

Pawar says there is no shortage of food grains

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

government on Tuesday said that there was no shortage of food grains for the Public Distribution System (PDS) due to deficient rainfall in some parts of the country. The stock position of wheat and rice was much more than the buffer norm.The availability of wheat stood at 300 lakh tonnes against the buffer norm of 162 lakh tonnes, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told the Lok Sabha during question-hour.

Special pay for police in Maoist-infested areas

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

West Bengal government will pay a special allowance to police personnel who operate in Maoist-infested areas, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Tuesday.“The police are operating in difficult times. In north Bengal, there is the threat of certain separatist forces; in south Bengal, there are 21 thanas spread across the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia where they have

“Occupants of private cars, pillion riders entitled to compensation”

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has made it clear that not only owners but also occupants of private cars and pillion riders on two-wheelers are covered under Standard Motor Package Policies issued before the implementation of the revised India Motor Tariff on July 1, 2002.In a circular dated November 16, 2009, the IRDA asked chief executive officers of 13 private and four public

Students urged to address social challenges

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

Education is a tool for social and national development and not just for individual growth, E. Balagurusamy, Member of the Union Public Service Commission, said here on Tuesday.Delivering the convocation address at Bharathiar University, he told the students, “By the virtue of your higher education, now you have an added responsibility to the society, in addition to your own advancement.” India faced

High-level business team from Finland coming today

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

high-level business delegation from Finland led by its Minister for Economic Affairs, Mauri Pekkarinen, is coming here on Wednesday for a two-day intensive deliberation with the Indian industry to explore possibilities for greater collaboration in technology improvement and innovation.Noting that it would be the largest Finnish delegation to visit India, with more than 100 participants from about 80

Five operations later, he is yet to be up on his feet

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

father’s.Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya has compiled the booklet about the struggle of the 26/11 victims and their relatives last year. Mr. Somaiya is at Raj’s house at Bhayandar on the outskirts of Mumbai. Raj’s father has just released the booklet from his bed.In the photograph, Jagan Bokade, 35, looks stiff, his legs spread out on the bed as he sits upright. A supervisor of Monopoly

Role of Arun Nehru, Rajiv in opening masjid ignored

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:47:41 GMT

Delhi: Missing from the otherwise detailed sequence of events recounted by the Liberhan report into the Babri Masjid’s demolition is an account of the role played by the Congress leadership in getting the mosque, which had remained locked for decades, opened for Hindu worshippers in 1986.When the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi dispute first flared up in 1949, the authorities decided to lock the disputed

Help sought

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:51 GMT

Flower growers have sought the help of the government to deal with losses incurred by them on account of the recent rain and landslides

Award given

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:51 GMT

Dharangadhara Chemical Works won the excellent energy efficient unit award at a function organised by Confederation of Indian Industry, Chennai, on November 19 and 20.R. Jayakumar, vice-president, DCW, received the award from Ajay Mathur, Director-General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.©

Divided on Babri, Oppn united on aam issues

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:54:01 GMT

Congress expectation about Opposition unity crumbling in the face of theLiberhan panel’s indictment of BJP may not come true. For, all oppositionforces on Tuesday vowed to keep up the co-ordination among themselves byfocusing on neutral issues.Tuesday’s meeting of the BusinessAdvisory Council of the Lok Sabha saw Opposition parties co-ordinating theirefforts to deny the government an opportunity to

India, US to focus on counter-terror measures

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:54:50 GMT

Tuesday signed six memoranda of understanding, including one on advancing global security and US-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative.The two leaders committed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries' common ideals and shared values, and committed themselves to strengthening global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism.They acknowledged

Studying abroad is more affordable today

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:57:04 GMT

each year, the number of students choosing to study abroad is swelling. The overseas education provides the students with an international exposure through super competency programmes.Pursuing a degree in medicine, engineering or in any one of the new generation courses like business administration, hospitality or hospital administration has turned out to be the in-thing in education sector today.

Get extra marks for reading books you enjoy

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:41:34 GMT

familiarity with the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or who killed Roger Ackroyd will soon help students gain credit points at school.As part of its effort to take academics beyond rote learning, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a new reading project that will award points for reading popular fiction. This is expected to encourage students to read books for

Beatles hangover at Carter Road

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:42:28 GMT

Over the past week and some days, the Celebrate Bandra Festival, held in partnership with the Hindustan Times, achieved to a great extent its musical ambitions.It delivered the big players (Pentagram, Raghu Dixit, Swarathma) and even made room for fresh graduates from schools of rock. And while there was never any intended competition, our verdict leans in favour of the three-month old The Mavyns.At

Tuesday flight operations dip by 20 per cent

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:45:44 GMT

Harrowed by a series of chaotic Tuesdays in the past weeks, hundreds of fliers avoided travel during the six-hour partial runway shutdown at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday.“Passenger load during the afternoon on Tuesdays has dropped by around 20 per cent,” said Rajesh Rateria, managing director of Cirrus Travels. Drop in passenger load prompted airlines to cancel, club or reschedule flights to later

Unfinished dreams of 18 martyrs

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:47:09 GMT

Murlidhar Choudheri, the RPF constable, who lost his life in the terror attack, had planned a pilgrimage after his retirement.Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Ombale, who died while capturing gunman Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, loved children and was the favourite uncle in his building.These are facets of the lives of the 18 men in uniform, who lost their lives in the terror attack, that the book, 26/11,

Patil stalls 26/11 film that pulls up media

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:48:34 GMT

Having lost his job as home minister after the 26/11 terror attacks, Patil doesn’t want to push the media any harder than he has to.On Monday, Patil asked government officers to stop the screening of a state-sponsored documentary on the terror attacks.The film was to be shown to the media at a conference at the YB Chavan Centre, attended by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal.Sources

Taj extends helping hand to CST victims

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:52:30 GMT

Rita Kumari (name changed) was hit by a bullet at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) on 26/11, she is still visiting KEM Hospital’s psychiatry department for counselling.While the physical injuries have healed, Kumari still gets panic attacks, cannot sleep at night and has low self-esteem. “I wish she had come to us earlier,” said Dr Shubhangi Parkar, who heads the psychiatry department at KEM

26/11 mugs on sale: Sena targets Leopold

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:52:32 GMT

it was attacked by two armed terrorists who randomly sprayed bullets on its unsuspecting customers, Café Leopold was under attack again on Tuesday.A group of Sena workers staged a violent agitation outside the popular south Mumbai hangout, protesting against mugs that the café has created to commemorate the first anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks.These mugs, which had bullet marks painted on

Law to make attacks on media non-bailable

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:57:28 GMT

state government is planning to introduce a legislation that provides for stringent punishment for attacking journalists or media offices and makes the offence non-bailable.The Shiv Sena’s attacks on offices and staff of Marathi news channel IBN Lokmat last week prompted the move.Home Minister R R Patil on Tuesday directed his department to work out a draft for the proposed legislation—either by way

Taser arrest man's legal move

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:06:00 GMT

man who claims he was repeatedly shot with a Taser during his arrest in Nottingham intends to sue the police, the BBC understands.Warren Armstrong was arrested in June but a case against him for assaulting a police officer has since been dropped due to a lack of evidence.The police said they could not comment as an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation was ongoing.Mr Armstrong was

Clubs to challenge order

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:32:32 GMT

Clubs located on the city’s public spaces are holding the civic body responsible for not framing guidelines — despite violating the terms on which they were allowed to build these clubs in the first place.Last week, a city civil court upheld an eviction order served by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Matoshree Arts and Sports Trust at Jogeshwari, and Kamla Vihar Sports Club at Kandivli.“The

Water crisis to worsen in western suburbs

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:34:45 GMT

water level in the Bhandup Master Balance Reservoir (MBR), which supplies water to the western suburbs, is dipping gradually and in the months to come the situation can get worse.“The maximum water level in the MBR is 4 metres but these days the level dips below 1.8 metres hence reducing the pressure drastically,” said a civic official from the hydraulic department requesting anonymity.Earlier, when

Recommendations and Action Taken

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:36:08 GMT

separate law providing exemplary punishment for misuse of religion, caste, etc for political gains or illicit acquisition of political or other power ought to be enacted. Regional tribunals for ensuing swift prosecution and effective implementation of the law ought to be set up in the four corners of the countryGovernment: Accepted. One of the measures contemplated is the Communal Violence (Prevention,

State plans textile parks in suicide belt

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:38:40 GMT

cotton belt of Vidarbha—notorious for farmers’ suicides--might soon go the western Maharashtra way, where the cooperative sugar industry experiment changed the face of the region.Textile parks will be set up near the farms so that farmers are included in all the processes right from purchasing raw cotton, ginning and marketing the final product.Farmers will be made members of the cotton cooperatives,

Monorail to connect Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:40:35 GMT

distant suburbs of the city will now soon get access to a complete new mass transit system.The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has given clearance for building a 30-km Monorail line between Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan at a cost of Rs 3,750 crore.The 30-km route will have a station at every kilometre and will be implemented on public-private partnership basis.“In our attempt to improve public

Governments Action Taken Report names no individual in Babri demolition case

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

as the details of the Liberhan Commission's findings are yet to be revealed to the public due to the availability of limited copies of the English version, the 13-page Action Taken Report (ATR) of the government have been put in the public domain.Justice M S Liberhan had submitted his findings to the government on June 30 this year after an inquiry spanning nearly 17 years.TIMES NOW channel, on Tuesday,

Bill for womens quota in urban bodies in Lok Sabha

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

bill seeking 50 percent reservation for women in urban local bodies was introduced Tuesday in Parliament.Introducing the constitutional (112th Amendment) bill in the Lok Sabha, Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said: "Enhancement of reservation for women in urban local bodies will not only ensure their increased representation and participation but also mainstream gender concerns in governance

Ford looks to small cars for Indian growth

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:08:00 GMT

auto maker Ford Motor will launch a new car model in India every 12-15 months over the next five years, with its new Figo small car to drive a tripling of sales in 2010.

Vajpayee among 68 indicted for Babri demolition

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

of Inquiry that probed the 1992 razing of the Babri mosque found 68 people culpable for leading the country to the brink of communal discord. This includes Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who later became the prime minister.

‘Sangh led country to chaos’

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:42:06 GMT

Justice M.S. Liberhan Commission report, which probed the Babri Masjid demolition and the events that led to it on December 6, 1992, has held the top leadership of the Sangh outfits “culpable” for leading the country to the brink of “communal discord”.The one-man panel has, however, absolved the late P.V. Narasimha Rao-led Congress government, which was then in power at the Centre. It has instead blamed

Government will act on Liberhan recommendations: Congress

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:03:01 GMT

The Congress Tuesday saidthe government will act on the recommendations of the Liberhan Commission and asupplementary charge sheet will be filed "if any new details emerge after thepolice investigation". It also said that the report showed the "true character"of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Answering questions about theAction Taken Report (ATR) filed by the government in parliament, Congressspokesman

Braving bullets, he saved Ram & Rehman

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:21:32 GMT

is the story of a 26/11 hero, who single-handedly shouldered Ram on one side and Rahim on the other.Gopalkrishna, 35, shrugged off his role as a ‘saviour’ when the HT caught up with him on Thursday, almost a year after the incident. But his brother Ramachandran, 32, who runs a tiny cigarette store in a Colaba lane adjacent to Leopold Café, and Ibrahim Abdul Rehman (45), who worked in the same shop,

Assam ready for talk with rebels

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:38:43 GMT

Assam's Revenue Minister Bhumithar Burman said on Tuesday the government was ready to talk to rebels after Nalbari town was rocked by twin blasts recently.Six persons died and around 40 were injured in the twin blasts, which rocked Nalbari town on Sunday.Burman said the provincial government was ready for talks with the rebel outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), adding that strict action

No written records of Padma awards committee discussions: MHA

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:54:45 GMT

No written records are created or maintained while Padma Awards committee deliberates on the agenda items; the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday."As per time-honoured practice, no written records is either created or maintained of the various deliberations of the Awards committee while considering agenda papers. The committee only makes final recommendations of the names shortlisted for the awards.

Liberhan bark is worse than bite; report will be buried

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:55:00 GMT

After making the nation wait for 17 years for the real story of the December 6 demolition that shook India in 1992, the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry produced a damp squib of a report that shied away from demanding punitive action against those it held culpable for the events of that fateful day.There seemed to be a disconnect between the commission's conclusions and its recommendations. It

Pradhan report will not be made public, says govt

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:29:00 GMT

facing the heat a day after the disclosure of the Liberhan Commission report. The pressure to release the controversial RD Pradhan report on the 26/11 attack is mounting. Chief minister Ashok Chavan may convene a meeting of his cabinet to evolve a strategy to counter the oppositionand NGOs who are questioning the contents of the 100-page report."The essentials were placed before the state legislature

How the Babri Masjid was felled: A first-hand account

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:30:52 GMT

December 6, 1992 was a black Sunday.All hell broke loose in the otherwise sleepy temple town of Ayodhya, with violent Hindu mobs storming the 16th century mosque built by the first Mughal emperor Babur's army commander Mir Baqi. Their contention was uncompromising -- 'the original Ram Mandir stood there and it was Babur's army that pulled down the temple to erect this mosque'Even the police was ready

Organised assault on free press in 1992: Liberhan Report

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:38:43 GMT

Report on Babri Masjid demolition has charged the Uttar Pradesh Government of carrying out an organised attack on media persons reporting the events on December 6, 1992.''To frustrate the attempts of future investigations, including efforts by the commissions like this one, the leadership at the spot had evolved a common strategy to deny the world an accurate record of unfolding events. The first step

Kanpur, November 24, 2009

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:25:05 GMT

brief periods in the afternoon at the Green Park, the otherwise ebullient crowd would become glum. They were experiencing what is known in Test cricket as ‘going through the motions’.It was an irony that while the day’s hero, Gautam Gambhir, was doing his job of consolidating his century efficiently by working the ball around with soft hands, the crowd went wild when he spooned a catch back to Muttiah

'Avinash is a great friend of mine'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:28:57 GMT

Come December and Choti Bahu will complete one year. DNA gets behind the scenes with Rubina Dilaik aka Radhika of Choti Bahutalks about her chemistry with her onscreen co-star, the show's popularity and more., playing the title role. I thank Zee TV and producer Tony and Deeya Singh for selecting me to play the title role ofand having instilled faith in my abilities. The show has given me a new identity,

Stylish Hrithik Roshan to turn stylist

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:28:57 GMT

is a strong buzz that Hrithik Roshan, who is said to be starring in Zoya Akhtar's untitled movie that also has Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar, is set to become a stylist for the first time in his career. Zoya's film (to be shot in Europe) is of the 'road movie' genre that narrates the journey of three friends.A source close to the development says: "Although a formal announcement hasn't been made, Hrithik

'The music writes me...'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:28:57 GMT

Jazz maestro who redefined the electric guitar in the 70s has a long-standing affair with India. So John McLaughlin was thrilled to be invited to receive the Hafiz Ali Khan Award. "It is humbling to be put in the illustustrious line-up of people who have received this award," says Mc Laughlin.In town to receive an award, jazz maestro John McLaughlin talks about his special bond with India.At 67, Mc

Amrita Rao has a date with Roberto Cavalli's son

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:28:57 GMT

Amrita Rao surely knows how to stay in the news for all the right reasons. The actor has a date with acclaimed international designer Roberto Cavalli's eldest son Tomasso, who will attend an event in Mumbai soon. She feels this will help her make inroads into the world of international fashion.Amrita Rao will meet Tomasso Cavalli soon and try to make inroads into the international fashion arena."I

Iomart achieves 'major milestone'

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:23:02 GMT

internet web hosting firm Iomart has reported half year pre-tax profits of more then £500,000.The Glasgow-based hosting company, which runs powerful servers used by thousands of clients, lost £700,000 in the previous six months.Iomart provides internet services for some of the country's biggest businesses, such as Stagecoach and BT.The company's chief executive said the return to profit marked a "major

FIIs net buy Rs 170cr, DIIs net sell Rs 147cr

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:23:03 GMT

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of Rs 169.69 crore (provisional) today, according to data released by BSE.

Uma takes moral responsibility of Babri demolition

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:46:05 GMT

Former BJP leader Uma Bharti on Tuesday, Nov 24, said she takes moral responsibility for the Babri Masjid demolition.Speaking to reporters, "Definitely I take the moral responsibility for whatever happened that day (December 6, 1992) because I also gave a call to people to come there and gather therebut legally I will fight against it because I don't hold myself responsible."Uma Bharti statement comes

Ofsted warns 'mediocre' schools

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:12:02 GMT

School improvement in England is being held back by a "stubborn core of inadequate teaching", says the annual report of education watchdog Ofsted.But the chief inspector Christine Gilbert hit back at local authority leaders who had accused Ofsted of "feeding fears" over child safety.Ms Gilbert said criticism of children's services was justified if it "saves just one child from abuse".Chris Keates,

'RSS developed a highly efficient org structure'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:15:20 GMT

RSS chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat listens to a question during a press conference in New Delhi. Photo courtesy: AFPThe Sangh Parivar is a "highly successful and corporatised model of a political party" and as the Ayodhya campaign demonstrated, has developed a highlyIt said the BJP "was and remains an appendage of the RSS, which had the purpose only of providing an acceptable veneer to the less popular decisions

Seven library staff suspended in J&K

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:39:29 GMT

Director Libraries and Researchtoday placed under suspension seven staff members of tehsillibraries at Ramban and Banihal in Jammu division, an officialspokesman said here.During a surprise visit, Director BA Bhat found twolibraries closed in Ramban and Banihal areas of Rambandistrict this morning and ordered immediate suspension ofseven officials and directed Deputy Director, Libraries andResearch

Apollo signs MoU with StemCyte for cord blood bank facility

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:39:56 GMT

New Delhi, Nov 24 Private healthcare chain Apollo Hospitals has signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based life sciences company StemCyte Inc for setting up cord blood bank facility in Ahmedabad.

Jobs created at technology firm

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:49:04 GMT

east Lancashire-based technology company is creating 150 jobs after a huge expansion of its premises.Daisy Group, which already employs 280 people, is opening another building at the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Pendle in January.The firm said it was looking for more customer services and sales staff to boost its workforce.Daisy was floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in June and has

PNB to spend $18-20 mn to acquire Dana bank

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:13:02 GMT

CHANDIGARH:

Car News India - Hyundai, Tata and Maruti plans to hire engineering talent from Detroit

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:22:49 GMT

India’s largest carmaker had sent a team to Detroit to shop for talent. It bagged 10 engineers so far, two of them expats.also plans to hire around 500 people in managerial capacity in the next financial year. Sunil Goel, director of GlobalHunt India, said there is a serious shortage of skilled manpower in India, which has forced these companies to look outside. Arvind Saxena, senior VP (sales and

Factfile of Jharkhand assembly first phase polls

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

following is a factfile on the first phase of elections to be held to the Jharkhand assembly Wednesday:Assembly constituencies with maximum number of candidates: Godda - 25 candidates; Tundi - 25 candidatesAssembly constituency with minimum number of candidates: Jugsalai (Scheduled Castes) -11Assembly constituency with more than one woman candidate: Three women candidates each in Borio, Jharia, Jugsalai,

Justice Liberhan asks media to read the report before asking questions

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

head Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan (retired) asked the media to read the mosque probe report, which was tabled in the parliament on Tuesday, and then put up questions in a bid to resolve the controversy, which spiralled up after the report was leaked to the media."Read the report first and then if you have any questions after that then I'll speak. Anyhow, all the questions have been answered in the

India to develop swine flu vaccine by 2010: Azad

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:26:43 GMT

would be able to indigenously develop swine flu vaccine by June next year, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told parliament Tuesday."Three companies are working towards developing indigenous vaccine for the swine flu and it is expected that clinical trials would start in January 2010. If all goes well, indigenous vaccine would be available by June 2010," Azad said.In India, three pharmaceutical companies

Will seek mandate for lasting peace and development: Rajapaksa

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:39:00 GMT

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday said that he would seek mandate on the issue of lasting peace and development in Sri Lanka as his government succeeded in "liberating" the country from terrorism.Rajapaksa is seeking a fresh mandate two years ahead of his first term in office which is due to end in 2011."We had sought the mandate to unite this country and now seeking peoples mandate to create

RIL to have limited benefits from LyondellBasell takeover: S&P

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:04:03 GMT

NEW DELHI: Standard

470 candidates to try their luck from 26 seats in Phase I

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:33:01 GMT

As many as 470 candidates willtry their luck from 26 Assembly constituencies during the first phase of pollsin Jharkhand on Wednesday. A total of 65.32 lakh voters will exercise theirfranchise at 8,176 booths during the day.Of the 26 seats up forgrabs, the maximum number of seats are from the Santhal Parganas division. Ofthe 18 Assembly constituencies there, 14 will go to the polls on Wednesday.While

France looking to revive glory of former Bengal colony

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:36:03 GMT

French government is looking into various areas to develop the tourism potential and revive the rich heritage of its former colony Chandannagar in West Bengal's Hooghly district."West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi requested us to visit Chandannagar almost two years ago. We visited the place in April this year and identified four areas which can be developed with joint participation," Ambassador

CII advocates safety guidelines for industry

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:37:18 GMT

the man machine environment, there are high risks of injury or fatality due to lack of safety awareness at different levels. With the pressure of increased production and expansion of industrial capacity, the number of fatalities is going up every year.Against this backdrop, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Eastern Region organized a two day Symposium Exposition on Safety -A 360° Approach,

Gujarat cancels licenses of fishing boats in Pakistani custody

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:38:14 GMT

The registration of all the 423 fishing boats registered in Gujarat and now in Pakistani custody has been cancelled for security reasons, according to official sources Tuesday.According to the sources, these 423 fishing boats were registered with various ports in the state but had been seized by Pakistani marine security agencies from mid-sea and were at present in their possession.This decision was

Dal Khalsa demands action against indicted leaders

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:58:44 GMT

Dal Khalsa today appealed tothe Centre to take strict action against those, including thetop brass of the BJP, who have been held responsible by theLiberhan Commission for the demolition of Babri Masjid.In a statement, party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh saidthe government must accept all the recommendations made by theLiberhan Commission and positive action should be takenagainst the culprits.He said

Another life term for Maxi killers

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:32:37 GMT

Gurgaon fast track court on Tuesday awarded the fourth life sentence to members of the notorious Maxi Cab serial killer gang for yet another murder.Tuesday's verdict was in connection with the murder of an unknown person whom the gang had offered a lift at Hero Honda Crossing in Gurgaon Expressway in October 2006.Facing trial in 22 murder cases, nine members of the gang were earlier awarded life sentences

NHAI starts acquiring land to widen Gurgaon-Jaipur highway

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:33:57 GMT

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has started the process of acquiring land along National Highway No. 8 in Haryana and Rajasthan to expand the 225.6-km stretch between Gurgaon and Jaipur from four to six lanes.Around 300 hectares of land in both states will be acquired. Eighty hectares fall in Haryana between Gurgaon and Shahjahan border.This busy stretch of NH8 that passes through Kotputli