India News

New Delhi: With the reprocessing agreement with United States still in the works and practical implementation of Indo-US nuclear trade looking far fetched, Russia is looking forward to securing an early bird advantage.

Russia today said that working with it in the field of nuclear cooperation will be much more easier for India because its internal laws on reprocessing are not as strict as the United States.

Talking to reporters here, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said:"It will be much easier to work with us. We don''t have domestic restrictions for that, unlike America."

Moscow is looking to set up six to eight new nuclear reactors at a site allocated in West Bengal, besides six reactors it is building in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu under two separate arrangements. It is also looking forward to the allotment of a third site and to India ordering more reactors.

Kadakin said: "We are giving high priority to nuclear coperation with India," and urged New Delhi to place its orders fast.

He said that if time was wasted, "then our companies are full with  orders from other countries."

India and Russia last week concluded a broad based agreement on the peaceful use of civil nuclear energy which covers research and development, building nuclear plants, upfront consent for reprocessing and fuel supply guarantees.

The agreement will be formally signed in March 2010 when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pays a visit to India.

Speaking on the reprocessing arrangement with India, Kadakin said: "Some modus operandi will be worked out to supply the fuel to India."

Referring to the G-8 statement, which calls for a ban on enrichment and reprocessing technology to non-NPT signatories, he said that international obligations cannot prevent full nuclear cooperation with India.

Kadakin  said: "We should act according to all international obligations, but those obligations will not impede and do not prevent us from seeing guranteed supply of fuels to India."

Kadakin further stressed India''s record of nuclear non-proliferation is flawless.

Experts believe that the India-Russia atomic pact is better than the 123 agreement because it ensures uninterrupted fuel supply whereas the 123 agreement inked with the United States mandates India to conclude a separate reprocessing pact under which New Delhi will set up a dedicated facility for reprocessing spent fuel under international safeguards.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Government on Monday revealed that sewage treatment capacity of 1025 mld is available against the requirement of about 3000 mld being generated in towns along the River Ganga.

To address this gap, the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) resolved that by the year 2020, it would be ensured that no untreated municipal sewage or industrial effluent flows into the Ganga.

The Centre constituted the NGRBA in September as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for conservation of the Ganga River with a holistic river basin approach.

Union Environment and Forests Ministry said : “The investment required to create the necessary treatment and sewerage infrastructure will be shared suitably between Centre and States after consultation with the States Governments.”

Water quality monitoring carried out by reputed institutions indicated that, water quality of the river Ganga conforms to the prescribed standards in terms of key indicators, namely, Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at most of the locations, except in the stretch between Kannauj and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the levels of fecal coliforms are reported to be exceeding the maximum permissible limit at a number of monitoring stations along the river Ganga.

The ministry has stated that action has been initiated for preparation of a comprehensive Ganga river basin management plan which will form the basis for formulation of projects.

Respective State Governments have been requested to prepare priority projects for critical pollution hotspots and major towns on Ganga and fast track the implementation of ongoing projects.

According to the fourth assessment report of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change, the Himalayan Glaciers are receding faster than in any part of the world and, if the present rate continues, the likelihood of them disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the earth keeps getting warmer at the current rate.

A National Action Plan on Climate Change was launched in June 2008 which envisages the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system amongst its eight national missions. The mission would seek to understand weather and the extent to which the Himalayan glaciers are in recession and how the problem could be addressed.

A new research centre on Himalayan Glaciology has been established at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. Guidelines and best practices for the governance for sustaining Himalayan Eco-system has been developed and shared with all State Governments in the Himalayan region, the ministry stated.

Cleaning of Ganga started in 1985 with the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase I. GAP is a centrally funded scheme with the objective of improving the water quality of the Ganga.

Various pollution abatement works like interception and diversion of sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation works, crematoria works, etc. were taken up.

GAP Phase – II included the major tributaries of Ganga namely, Yamuna, Gomti, Damodar and Mahananda, besides Ganga. GAP Phase II was merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in December, 1996.

Source ANI

Jammu: Showing displeasure over rising demand for dividing the state of Jammu and Kashmir and creating separate state for Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday that the government would not divide the state, but is the process of giving autonomy to all the regions within the state.

India''s plan to carve a Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh have sparked statehood demands in Jammu, posing a new challenge to the National Conference-led government.

Talking to the media after attending the ‘International Conference on Policy, People and peace’, Omar said: “Ours is already a very small state and it cannot be divided anymore. And, in this state, we have tried to fulfill the aspirations and rights of all the three regions equally by understanding their needs requirements, and the Center has also helped us in this”.

When asked about the progress of providing regional autonomy to all regions, Abdullah informed: “We ourselves understand and realize that in this state all three regions can be given more autonomy within the state. Therefore, we are considering this proposal of regional autonomy and in this regard already few sessions have been held to prepare the report, one with center- state and other within the state that how to address the identity of regions and sub regions.”

The Jammu state Morcha has been alleging discrimination and demanding separate state for Jammu, which has recently gained momentum after the announcement of Separate state for Telangana.

Source ANI

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, on Monday Union Panchayati Raj Minister C P Joshi said: “Under the capacity building component of the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme and the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY), the Government of India releases funds for planning and implementation of training programmes by the State Governments through Institutions such as the State Institutes of Rural Development and NGOs.”

Earlier, many states had opposed the idea of direct funding to local bodies.

At present, state governments allot money to local bodies.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Taliban trained suicide attackers have managed to enter India, with Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Gujarat being their prime targets, intelligence sources were quoted by a private television channel, as saying.

Security has therefore been tightened at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Intelligence inputs suggest that the World Hockey Championships to be held in Delhi next month is also a terror target. The American Consulate in Kolkata is also considered a potential target.

The offices of the Rashtriya Swayamswak Sangh (RSS) in different cities too have been alerted.

The Central Government has issued advisories for Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi and Gujarat.

The channel further quoted intelligence sources as saying that the FBI would provide voice samples of terror suspect David Coleman Headley as help in further investigations.

Source ANI

New Delhi: It''s official now. After India, Russia has also confirmed that problems relating to the price of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov has been sorted out, and it will be delivered to India in a good shape.

Talking to reporters here, new Russian envoy Alexander Kadakin said: "The pricing talks is successful and is sorted out, Gorshkov will be supplied to India in a very good shape as razor edge technology as India wants".

The Russian envoy further said:"We are building a new heart into a middle-aged gentleman Gorshkov, which will be called VikramAditya".

The pricing of the Admiral Gorshkov has been a contentious issue in the India-Russia strategic relationship for almost six years.

A deal for purchasing the ship was signed in Januray 2004. The original price was pegged at 974 million dollars, but in November 2007, Russia asked India to pay 1.2 billion USD, and this year, pushed it up to 2.2 billion USD. The eventual cost was pegged at a whopping 2.9 billion USD, which was almost three times the original cost.

Refusing to divulge the final price at which the deal has been struck, Ambassador Kadakin said unnecessary hype has been created over the deal.

Speculation suggests that the final price will be settled at 2.5 billion USD.

The price Issue is believed to have been resolved during Prime MInister Manmohan Singh''s recent visit to Moscow.

Both countries signed seven agreements, including a historic broad-based umbrella agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

According to Ambassador Kadakin, Russia will also supply a new batch of Sukhois. There was also progress on a probable purchase of medium-range transport planes, he added.

Source ANI

Veela Bajju (Gurdaspur): A group of 20 students from Singapore is giving a facelift to a government-run school in Veela Bajju village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district.
 
The villagers have expressed delight over this initiative that has been undertaken under the community service project “Khwaish” or "A Wish" launched by the Young Sikh Association (YSA). This group, comprising students from various streams of study, arrived from Singapore on December 10. They intend to help underprivileged and needy students in Punjab.
 
Apart from giving a facelift to the school building, the Youth Sikh Association (YSA) has announced plans for setting up a library of 2,500 books and will also donate four computers. It will also distribute toys and clothes to needy children. 
 
The Government of Singapore encourages its students to visit different parts of the world to learn more of other societies.
 
“Singapore is a developed country, you flick the switch you get the light, you turn the tab you get the water and our country have achieve scuess at every level now it is our duty to help the developing country to get them every thing that is required to live better life,” said Satwant Singh, Vice-President of Young Sikh Association. 
 
“It is not like you need it and we are giving , it is a mutual cooperation between the two. Both are benefiting by getting an opportunity to understand and experience culture and customs prevalent in each other’s country, said Satwant Singh.
 
Villagers usually visit the school just to appreciate the work being done or to have a look at these youthful Singaporeans working for the cause of village children.
 
"With the small government aid it was difficult to maintain the dilapidated building of the school but they feel delighted that YSA chosen to support their school," said Gurdarshan Singh, a former village council head. 
 
“Setting up a library is one of the main reasons that I have joined this project for,” said Diyanah, a student belonging to the National University in Singapore.
 
“Studies are really a key to everything because by studying one get s the knowledge and ideas. And, from good ideas one can bring good to the country,” Dinayah added.
 
“One can collect donations, but contributing through one''s own effort and putting our labour gives more satisfaction,” she further added.
 
Navdeep Kaur, a student of standard X, said: “It is really matter of pride for us that the foreign students are in their school to give new look to their school.”
 
Nirpal Singh, an ex-student of the school who came across the Young Sikh Association, while visiting to Singapore, said that with the support of the Singaporean visitors, children of the village would also learn to work by themselves for the welfare of all. 
 
The group will leave for Singapore on December 25 after a 15-day trip to the village.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony said here on Monday that technical and commercial bids for the construction of the Rohtang tunnel are being evaluated.

 

The construction is being taken up by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) with the aim of linking Lahul-Spiti District in Himachal Pradesh to other parts of the state.

 

Replying to a question, Antony informed the House, that the contract for the construction of Rohtang tunnel was awarded to M/s Starbag-Afcon Joint Venture on September 24, 2009 and the construction work is targeted for completion by 2015.

 

The Rohtang Pass is located 51 kilometres from Manali at an altitude of 13044 feet above the sea level.

 

The tunnel project was conceived in 1983 as a strategic project to provide an all weather route to Leh and to the Lahaul and Spiti Valley.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday revealed in the Lok Sabha that his ministry has received nine cardboard boxes of medals returned by ex service men in protest against non-acceptance of their demand of one rank one pension.

 

Replying to a question, Antony informed members that a committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary to look into the issue.

 

“However, keeping in mind the spirit of the demand several other recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers have been made,” he said.

 

Antony informed the House that the Government has accepted the recommendation to bring parity between pension of pre and post October 10, 1997 PBOR pensioners, inclusion of Classification Allowance of PBOR from January 01, 2006 and further improving PBOR pensions based on award of GOM, 2006.

 

He further informed that removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from January 01, 2006 in respect of Commissioned Officers and revision of pension of Lt. General pension after carving out a separate pay scale of Rs. 69000 – 79000 has also been accepted.

 

Antony said his ministry has decided to broad banding of percentage of disability or war injury pension for pre January 01, 1996 disability or war injury pensioners and removal of the cap on war injury element of pension in the case of disabled pensioners belonging to Category E.

 

“As the has been substantially addressed by the committee, the government expects ex servicemen to honour their hard earned medals,” Antony said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony said here on Monday that the Indian Coast Guard is ready to extend aid to distressed Indian fishermen in deep waters.

 

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Antony said: “Indian Coast Guard provides assistance to Indian fishermen at sea while they are in distress.”

 

“The Coast Guard aircrafts and ships carry regular patrols to prevent Indian fishing boats crossing the International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL) and also conduct ‘Community Interaction Programme’ to inform the fishermen on the perils of cross border fishing,” he added.

 

He informed the house that Indian fishermen are generally apprehended by foreign navies when they have been engaged in fishing inside their territorial waters.

 

“As per records in navy, 35 Indian fishing boats with 200 fishermen have been apprehended by Pakistani Navy and 31 fishing boats with 123 fishermen have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy this year,” Antony said.

 

Antony further informed the House that 14 Pakistani and 119 Sri Lankan fishing boats were apprehended while fishing in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since January 2009.

 

“Enhanced aerial and surface surveillance/patrolling off the sea-coast by the security agencies would be continued to deter such incidents,” Antony said.

Source ANI

Guwahati (Assam): Road accidents in Assam today claimed the lives of nine persons that included a family of five.

According to officials, the family was driving in their car from Guwahati to Nagaon; the car hit a divider at Phulogouri in Nagaon district and burst into flames, leaving the family that included two children dead.

The bodies of the dead are yet to be identified.

In another incident, three persons were killed in an auto rickshaw-truck collision at Bonda area in Guwahati.
 
In yet another road accident that took place today, a person recognised as Qutubuddin Ahmed got killed in Nagaon district, while his wife was admitted to the hospital on account of severe injuries.

Source ANI

Lohardaga (Jharkhand): A landmine blast planned by the Maoists in Lohardaga district here has claimed the lives of two policemen.

The blast kicked off an encounter between the Maoists and the security forces in the area, which is reported to be still continuing.

A security personnel died on the spot, while the other submitted to his injuries later, said a police official.
 
The security personnel killed were deployed for the safety of the polling party members, who were returning after conducting the polls in the constituency on December 12.
 
Inspector General of Police V H Desmukh said in Ranchi, the blast took place when the two motorcycle-borne security personnel were crossing the area.

Source ANI

Jammu: The families of the two women who were allegedly raped and murdered in Shopian district of Kashmir, refused to accept the findings of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report and burnt it outside the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

In their final report submitted to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the CBI has given a clean chit to the accused, denying that the two women had been raped before being killed.

The CBI in its report said 22-year-old Neelofar and her sister-in-law Aasiya had drowned.

Earlier this year, the Shopian incident had sparked off an agitation in Kashmir. Protesters were demanding that those responsible for the rape and murder be brought to justice.

On September 12, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had granted bail to the four policemen who were accused of having a role in the case.

The policemen - Former Superintendent of Police of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohit Baskota, Station House Officer Shopian Shafiq Ahmed and Sub-inspector Gazi Abdul Rehman - were released on payment of a bond of Rs.50, 000 each.

The four had been accused of destroying evidence related to the case.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Nepal Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Chhatraman Singh Gurung was presented a guard of honour here today.

General Gurung, who is on a weeklong visit to India, visited the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and paid his respects to martyrs by laying a wreath.

Later in the evening, President Pratibha Patil will confer the title of honorary general of the Indian Army to him.

He is also expected to hold a meeting with high-ranking army officials during his stay in India.

The visit was scheduled after India agreed to resume non-lethal military aid to Nepal after almost four years.

India decided to cut off such supplies to Nepal after former King Gyanendra seized power through a military coup in 2005.

The decision to resume supplies was taken after the Nepalese and Indian Consultative Group held a meeting on security issues in Kathmandu.

General Gurung will also work to strengthen mutual ties between both countries.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday assured the Lok Sabha that procurement of defence items, including missiles is made from various indigenous as well as foreign sources in accordance with the well laid down defence procurement procedure.

 

Replying to a question Antony said: “Procurement is a continuous process undertaken for the modernization of the armed forces to keep them in a state of readiness to meet any eventuality.”

 

He informed the House that: “ The Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has undertaken joint development of missiles, Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) for Indian Navy and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for Indian Air Force (IAF) with M/s Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Israel.”

 

“The cost of project for LRSAM is Rs. 2606.02 crore and cost of project for MRSAM is Rs. 10075 crore,” Antony added.

 

He also informed the member that both the missiles being developed are comparable in performance and cost to missiles available in their class in the world market.

 

Replying to another question Antony said the letter of offer and acceptance for procurement of six C-130J aircraft was signed with the US Government on January 31, 2008.

 

He said the aircraft procurement is likely to cost Rs. 3835.38 crores.

 

“The production of the aircraft has commenced and is running as per schedule. The aircraft are likely to be delivered to the Indian Air Force during 2011-12,”Antony said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had proposed the procurement of six fight refueller aircraft to meet the growing air-to-air refuelling tasks in the armed forces.

 

Replying to a question Antony said: “The procurement proposal had been progressed in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure – 2006 and thereafter referred to the Finance Ministry who has expressed certain reservations relating to the competitiveness of the bids and the reasonableness of the price.”

 

He said the defence procurement procedure envisages a time line of up to two and a half years from the date of issue of request for proposal to signing of the contract in multi-vendor cases.

 

Antony assured the House that every effort is made to adhere to these time lines.

 

Replying to another question Antony said about 10 offset contracts have been signed so far under the defence procurement procedure.

 

He informed the members that the Defence Ministry has signed offset contracts with M/s Rosoboronexport Russia, M/s RAC MiG Russia, M/s Fincantieri Italy, M/s Lockheed Martin USA, M/s Boeing USA, M/s Elta Israel, M/s Israel Aerospace Industries Israel and M/s Rafael Israel.

 

The estimated value of the offsets involved in these contracts is over Rs. 8909 crores, Antony said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is taking up the development Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) against confirmed Qualitative Requirements (QRs) to meet tri-services requirements.

 

The medium altitude, long endurance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is being developed indigenously by the DRDO.

 

Relying to a question in the Lok Sabha Antony informed that the UAV has been named as ‘RUSTOM-H.’

 

“Indian Industry would be the development-cum-production partner for this programme. The project is proposed to be completed in 78 months after formal sanction,” he said.

 

Relying to another question Antony said the proposal on the Kaveri-Snecma engine joint venture for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is under government’s consideration.

 

“Request for Proposal (RFP) for procuring 99 engines have been sent to two short-listed engine manufacturers, namely GE F414 from General Electric Aviation, USA and EJ200 from Eurojet Germany,” Antony informed the members.

 

He said the engine houses have responded to the RFP.

 

“Both commercial and technical responses have been received for procurement of 99 engines along with Transfer of Technology,” Antony said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Captivating, exhilarating, thrilling, stimulating, awe-inspiring, heart throbbing- the list of unending superlatives describe the exciting finals of Amity Polo Cup 2009, which was played at Jaipur Polo Grounds on Sunday.

Touted as one of the most spectacular and exciting events by connoisseurs and who''s who of the city, the Amity Polo Cup 2009 is held with the intention of supporting the underprivileged girl child  under "Amitasha", a project of Amity Humanity Foundation, which is the social renaissance engine of Amity.

Project Amitasha endeavors to shape the lives of hundreds of girls and the event is another step forward to help these children realize their dreams.

This year, the illustrious tournament attracted six teams across the city which were divided into two pools namely Pool A comprising of Sahgal Stud-Sona, Rickstone-Cavalry and Cavalry (Black) and Pool B comprising of APRC, Cavalry (White) and PBG-Jindal.

On the final day, the event started with an exhibition match between Le Meridian and Amity Team. The latter won the match by five goals to two. The winners were honored by Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder Presedent Amity Group, Mr. Atul Chauhan, President, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity International Schools and Ms. Pooja Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF).      

The finals were played between Sahgal Stud-Sona and PBG- Jindal. PBG- Jindal won the final match eight-seven.

Atul Chauhan, President, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation thanked the sponsors of the Amity Polo Cup namely Axis Bank, Jay Pee Greens, Le Meridien and rediffmail .com and Videocon whose support made Amity Polo Cup possible.

He said,"Amity Polo Cup has been taken up by Amity for a good cause to help the underprivileged girl children. The Amity Polo Cup will enhance Amitasha, a project under the Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF) which initiates the upliftment of the underprivileged Girl Child by way of providing free education, free books, free meals and healthcare to them. This event is another step forward towards raising funds to help these children realize their dreams and to increase the awareness about how easy it is to help them".

Pooja Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF) remarked, "The Ritnand Balved Education Foundation (RBEF) gives thrust to the activities and programmes of Amity Humanity Foundation. Amitasha, home for the underprivileged girl child, is making a humble attempt, an effort and a dream to shape the lives of hundreds of angels. Girls who are more or less alone in their quest for a better tomorrow. Today it has become imperative that we care for those who need it and try to raise the standards of the underprivileged girls who are deprived of opportunities. This initiative of Amity is committed to work towards the mission 2030 to provide education and health care to these girls and help the country be a superpower".

The "Best Dressed Male Award" went to Mr. Sachin Guarand the "Best Dressed Female Award" went to Ms. Arunima Kukreja.

Ambassadors of several countries including celebrities from the film and art world basked in the sun and enjoyed the finals of Amity Polo Cup.

Levent Bilman, Ambassador of Tukey, Mohammad Ghali Umar, Nigeria High Commission, Mr. Oleg Laptenok, Ambassador of Belarus, Mr. Thang Yang, Ambassador of China, Dr. Tamevlan Karayev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Professor Pioter Khodkowski and Ambassador of Poland were some of the dignitaries present.

Shiv Khera and Sushman Seth added gilter to the event.

Source ANI

Multan (Punjab): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that not talking with India would only benefit terrorists.

Addressing a press conference here, Gilani admitted that the Mumbai terror attacks had created a rift between India and Pakistan, but both countries should realize that all issues should be settled through talks.

“Pakistan wants good relations with all its neighbours, including India. However, the Mumbai attacks created a rift between India and Pakistan,” he said, pointing towards cooperation between the two countries on anti-terrorism.

He added that only terrorists would benefit from the stalled talks between Pakistan and India.

Gilani refused to say anything on the alleged Indian involvement in Balochistan, saying it was a sensitive issue and statements on it should be avoided.

“We cannot disclose our strategy but we have evidence [of Indian involvement] and will present it at an appropriate forum at a suitable time,” he said.

Source ANI

Jammu: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today gave a clean chit to the accused in the Shopian rape and murder case, denying that the two women had been raped before being killed.

In its final report submitted to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the CBI said 22-year-old Neelofar and her sister-in-law Aasiya had drowned.

Earlier this year, the Shopian incident had sparked off an agitation in Kashmir. Protesters are demanding that those responsible for the rape and murder be brought to justice.

On September 12, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had granted bail to the four policemen who were accused of having a role in the case.

The policemen - Former Superintendent of Police of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohit Baskota, Station House Officer Shopian Shafiq Ahmed and Sub-inspector Gazi Abdul Rehman - were released on payment of a bond of Rs.50, 000 each.

The four had been accused of destroying evidence related to the case.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday revealed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought permission to prosecute Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, for their alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Responding to a calling attention motion in the Rajya Sabha, on the progress of relief and steps taken to punish the guilty involved in the anti-Sikh riots, Chidanbaram said: “The CBI has completed investigation or re-investigation of seven cases against Tytler, Kumar and late Dharam Das Shastri.”

"While in four cases, the CBI has sought permission under criminal procedure code (Cr PC) Section 196 from the Competent Authority to prosecute the accused persons, in one case the closure has been filed and accepted by the court," he added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Government has approved a new scheme to establish 30 Mega Food Parks with a view to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for food processing sector in the country during the 11^th plan.

 

Union Food Processing Industry Minister, Subodh Kant Sahay revealed this information in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

 

In written reply, Sahay said infrastructure would be developed on a pre-identified cluster basis with a strong backward and forward linkage and to provide value addition of agricultural commodities including poultry, meat, dairy, fisheries etc in a demand driven manner.

 

“Financial assistance has been enhanced to 50 percent of project cost excluding land component in general areas and 75 percent in difficult areas, subject to a maximum of Rs.50 crore for setting up of mega food parks,” he said.

 

 Sahay informed the house that in principle approval has been accorded in case of setting up of 10 mega food park projects in the Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

 

“Detail Project Report (DPR) in case of Andhra Pradesh (Chittoor), Assam (Nalbari), Jharkhand (Ranchi) and Uttarakhand (Haridwar) has been approved and 1st instalment of grant has been released in these areas,” Sahay said.

Source ANI

Mumbai: The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Monday announced that the second one-day international between India and Sri Lanka would be played in Nagpur instead of Vishakhapatnam due to the Telangana crisis engulfing the State of Andhra Pradesh.

"The second ODI of the five-match series between India and Sri Lanka has been shifted to Nagpur. The match will be a day-night affair, and will be played on the scheduled date of 18 December 2009," said BCCI secretary N Srinivasan in a statement.

The step was taken after Vizag police refused to guarantee security for the match.

Nagpur has been told to make necessary arrangements, sources at the Vidharbha Cricket Association said.

This morning, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Sambhasiva Rao said it would be difficult for them to provide required security for the game.

"The prevailing situation is such that all the city police are deployed in the maintenance of regular law and order. And to conduct the match in ordinary circumstances we need to deploy 80 percent of the city force. We have mentioned it to organising locals here that it not possible for us to commit any amount of force for the conduct of the match at this stage," said Rao.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh assembly was adjourned today following an uproar over the Centre''s nod to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana state.

There was pandemonium outside the assembly with MLAs shouting slogans in the favour of a unified Andhra Pradesh.

The assembly session began around 9 a.m. with Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy announcing Question Hour in the House. The MLAs began shouting slogans as State Civil Supplies Minister J Krishna Rao was replying to questions put up by the Congress Party.

Speaker Reddy urged members not to disrupt proceedings. However, some Telegu Desam Party (TDP) and Congress MLAs began to raise slogans in a favour of a Telangana state, forcing the speaker to adjourn the proceedings.

Ministers belonging to all regional parties assembled in the Committee Hall to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis.
 
After the House was adjourned, the MLAs met Chief Minister K Rosaiah to seek his opinion on the matter.

Earlier, cutting across party lines, 135 MLAs had resigned from the 294-member Assembly, refusing to accept the Centre''s nod for initiating the process of the formation of the Telangana State. Of these, 79 are from the Congress, 42 from the TDP and 16 from Chiranjeevi''s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).

Source ANI

Jammu: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday submitted its final report in the Shopian rape and murder case to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, but the latter said that the report was not gospel truth.

The investigating agency, which had been given two-months time from October 13 to complete its probe into the alleged rape-cum-murder case, submitted statements of witnesses and the forensic examination of the bodies of Neelofar (22) and her sister-in-law Aasiya (17).

The Shopian incident had sparked off an agitation across Kashmir. Protesters are still demanding that those responsible be brought to justice.

On September 12, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had granted bail to four policemen who were accused of having a role in the case.

The policemen - Former Superintendent of Police of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohit Baskota, Station House Officer Shopian Shafiq Ahmed and Sub-inspector Gazi Abdul Rehman - were released on payment of a bond of Rs.50, 000 each.

The four had been accused of destroying evidence related to the case.

Source ANI

Nagpur: Highly inspired by the success received to the Telangana region people, the virus of a separate state of Vidharbha has gained momentum.

The activists supporting the cause have disrupted the rail services in Nagpur after stopping the Mumbai-Nagpur express.

The agitation was led by a Vidharbha based youth organisation, which stopped the train for around thirty minutes when the train was approaching Nagpur.

Around 1000 activists, who assembled in demand for a separate Vidharbha state, blocked the rail traffic causing delays of several other trains plying in the same route.

Senior Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, demanding a separate Vidharbha state.
 
Vilas Muttemwar had earlier said, "A section of leadership is against the (bifurcation) demands but has anyone thought of 7000 farmers suicide in Vidharbha from year 2004 and the backwardness of region has hindered the development of the state."

Blaming the Shiv Sena activists for playing with the emotions of the people over Marathi language issue, Muttemwar said Vidharbha lies in a Hindi belt and was merged with Maharashtra, when the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru asked the people residing in Central Province and Berar to join Maharashtra.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Vice President Hamid Ansari will today meet MPs to receive the impeachment document against Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, whose elevation as a judge to the Supreme court has been delayed due to charges of land grabbing.

Cutting across party lines, more than 50 members of the Rajya Sabha belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Left parties and Samajwadi Party had signed a letter to initiate the process of impeachment against him last week.

"I have signed it, many others also have. We feel institutional integrity of judiciary is very important. Independent judiciary is part of the independent structure. How can we not be bothered about corruption?" said BJP leader, Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Samajwadi leader Amar Singh said, "He does not even deserve to be a Supreme Court judge."

As per the rules of the Rajya Sabha, if 50 members sign on a demand for a motion, it becomes the property of the House and immediate action has to be taken.

Justice Dinakaran was to be elevated to the Supreme Court by the Chief Justice of India, but his name was withheld on the alleged charges of corruption and land encroachment.
 
The apex court has decided to consider the appointment only after Justice Dinakaran is cleared of the said charges.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: Vijaywada Congress MP L Rajgopal, who has resigned in protest against the Centre''s nod to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana state, has been taken into police custody.

In a preventive measure, the police took Rajgopal into custody at Hyderabad airport.

The Vijaywada MP was supposed to sit on a hunger strike, even as the Andhra Congress unit was against his decision to sit on a fast unto death

The Vijaywada MP had said on Sunday, "All 225 Congress MLAs will oppose the resolution in the assembly. Andhra will speak in one voice. Telangana means region of Telugu speaking people. We don''t want to weaken the Telugu speaking states."

"Knit India, do not split India," he added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Still investigating how US terror suspect David Headley managed to visit India, investigating agencies have now become more watchful and have decided to keep a tighter surveillance on foreigners visiting the country.

US terror suspect David Headley managed to enter India with fake travel documents and was not detected by the officials.

Headley visited India thrice and moved freely in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

The Indian government has now become vigilant and pushed for tighter security and stricter rules for all foreigners travelling to India.

The government has now decided to track immigration visas and foreigners'' registration. It has directed169 Indian missions, 77 immigration offices and the Foreigner Regional Registration Office to report directly to the Central Foreigners Bureau.

Scanners and biometrics will be in operation at the Airports, along with online registration of foreigners and passenger details to identify suspicious travelers.

The cost of setting up this security system will cost around a crore of rupees, and it will take around four and a half years to bring this system in operation.

Source ANI

Kullu: An intense cold wave gripped Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, amidst rains in the Himalayan region and snowfall in the higher reaches.

Temperature have dipped to below minus three degree Celsius in the valley on Sunday.
"Cold wave has gripped the city. The temperature has gone below zero degree.

Comparatively, the weather is colder than last year. We received snowfall during the first rainfall itself. Now the temperature is expected to drop as the intense winter months are approaching," said Rajeshwar, a resident.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Former Indian Captain Kapil Dev walked the ramp for designer duo Ashima and Leena Singh at a charity fund raiser in New Delhi on Sunday.

The event celebrated the splendour and elegance of golden days of Indian history, an era when the Mughals ruled the Indian subcontinent.

Adhering to the theme of the afternoon, the designer duo showcased their Mughal couture line depicting rich heritage of India.

Unlike the closet of glittering ramps and flashes of paparazzi, the fashion show was organized in the sprawling lawns of a farmhouse.

Wearing a black ''sherwani'', Kapil Dev sashayed down the ramp with his wife Romi Dev, who looked pretty in a golden ensemble.

"There are many charities in India that don''t have access to collect money. And there are many kids and old people who are not fortunate to be happy. If we can bring some happiness to them by walking the ramp, it serves the cause," said Kapil Dev.

Ashima said she was happy that Kapil Dev agreed to grace her show.

"As a fashion designer, our main purpose is to design beautiful clothes. By bringing a celebrity like Kapil Dev to grace the show, I think it will help in the cause of educating destitute children," she said.

The gala event also marked the formal coming together of many likeminded NGOs under the World Action Forum.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: A stormy session is expected today in the Andhra Assembly that meets after the weekend recess, as demands for the introduction of a resolution to carve out a Telangana State has heated up.

Speaker of the Andhra Assembly N Kiran Kumar Reddy is expected to adjourn the House for a week if the disruption continues, said sources.

The Centre''s nod to initiate the process to form a new Telangana State has divided the state.

The state Congress unit faces a crisis as almost half of its MLAs have resigned in protest over the Telangana state issue. All of Sunday was spent in trying to defuse the crisis and restore political stability in the state. 

D Srinivas, the Congress chief in Andhra Pradesh had on Sunday urged the MLAs to withdraw their resignations.

APCC president D Srinivas had said, "MLAs must withdraw resignations to avert a constitutional crisis."

Cutting across party lines, 135 MLAs resigned in a 294-member Assembly refusing to accept the Centre''s nod for initiating the process of the formation of the Telangana State. Of these, 79 are from the Congress, 42 from the TDP and 16 from Chiranjeevi''s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).

With 20 ministers from the Rayalaseema regions threatening to resign on Saturday, other ministers belonging to the Telangana region met on Sunday to decide if they should quit too.

Vijayawada MP L Rajagopal, who had resigned over the Telangana issue, said on Sunday, "All 225 Congress MLAs will oppose the resolution in the assembly. Andhra will speak in one voice. Telangana means region of Telugu speaking people. We don''t want to weaken the Telugu speaking states."

"Knit India, do not split India," he added.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Chief Minister K Rosaiah who says that he was not in favour of moving a resolution on Telangana in the state assembly, but the Centre had paid no attention to his warning.

Earlier on December 9, Rosaiah told the Congress High Command that with the mass resignation of MLAs belonging to the non-Telangana region, it would be difficult to pass a resolution in the Andhra Assembly.
 
Senior Andhra Pradesh Congress leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy has urged the Union Government to send an emissary to clarify doubts raised by legislators representing the Rayalseema and coastal Andhra regions.

Commenting on the resignation of MLAs, Reddy had said: "The ball is in the court of the speaker. He however did not rule out the possibility of MLAs taking back the resignation in the event of the current crisis being resolved amicably."

Meanwhile, PRP chief Chiranjeevi met the Andhra Pradesh chief minister and asked him to ensure peace in the state.

Source ANI

Uluberia (West Bengal): At least twenty people were killed and several others injured in a high-speed collision between a bus and a truck in Uluberia in West Bengal on Sunday.

According to sources, the accident took place when the bus, plying from Howrah to Gadiara, collided head-on with the trailer, which suddenly veered to the wrong side of National Highway Six near Mahisrekha Bridge in the Uluberia area.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Rai rushed to the spot immediately.

" Many injured passengers died due to lack of proper treatment. In this situation, only thing that can be done is setting up of camps outside the hospital. We have informed the authorities to do the needful for injured," said Mukul Rai.

Source ANI

Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has called for a four-day shutdown in Darjeeling this morning.

The members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha are leading an agitation demanding for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The shutdown will be in force in the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, as well as the other regions in the foothills.

The shutdown has been called days after the Centre''s nod to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana state.

No vehicles will be allowed to move during the shutdown, except that of the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, said the members of the Morcha.

The Morcha added that it would not disturb the traffic heading towards the neighbouring state of Sikkim.

Earlier on Friday (December 11), the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party workers called for a 96-hour shutdown demanding a separate State of Gorkhaland.

Highly inspired by the success received to the Telangana cause, 21 members each from Darjeeling, Kursiong, Kalimpong and Siliguri had made up their minds to go on an indefinite fast beginning from Friday.

The GJM wants a separate state carved out of the districts on the northern border of West Bengal. The proposed new state will include the popular hill stations of West Bengal -Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs will observe an ''India Corporate Week'' from today.

The theme for ''India Corporate Week'', 2009, is ''Corporate Sector and Inclusive Growth'', under which the Ministry expects the corporate sector to reaffirm its commitment to the concept of ''Inclusive Growth''.

To this end the Ministry has joined hands with various business chambers and the three professional institutes: CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chambers, Bombay Chambers, ICSI, ICAI, ICWAI, IICA and NFCG for reaching out to the stakeholders including the general public to showcase the contribution of corporate sector and to highlight the need for converting this growth as an aid for social development.

Given the theme of the corporate week, three focal areas have been allotted: Corporate Governance to CII; Corporate Social Responsibility to FICCI; and Corporate Governance in SMEs to ASSOCHAM.

These chambers will focus on these areas specifically. The three Institutes would be focusing on the investors'' issues besides showcasing the contribution of their respective professions towards corporate development.

To mark the culmination of the ''India Corporate Week'', the Ministry has decided to organize a concluding event on December 21.

Source ANI

Jammu: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will submit its final report on the controversial Shopian rape and murder case in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today.

The investigating agency will submit the forensic examination of the two victims - 22-year-old Neelofar and her sister-in-law Aasiya and statements of witnesses.

The Shopian incident had sparked off an agitation in Kashmir. Protesters were demanding those responsible for the rape and murder be brought to justice.

On September 12, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had granted bail to four policemen who were accused of having a role in the case.

The policemen - Former Superintendent of Police of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohit Baskota, Station House Officer Shopian Shafiq Ahmed and Sub-inspector Gazi Abdul Rehman - were released on payment of a bond of Rs.50, 000 each.

The four had been accused of destroying evidence related to the case.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Representatives of a Nepal delegation currently on a visit here has sought Indian Government’s help to maintain peace and stability in that country.

The delegation said that they were keen to seek New Delhi’s assistance in countering a possible Maoists’ resurgence.

The delegation revealed that it had meetings with External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Roy.

The delegation wanted to explore the contribution India could make to ensure a smooth peace process in Nepal.

After meeting the Indian ministers, the Nepalese delegation was convinced that India wouldn’t shy away from playing the role of a friend for people of Nepal.

“We are encouraged with the warmth of External Affairs Minister and Foreign Secretary and at the commitment they have [shown] towards Nepal and peace process. Though the Foreign Minister did not make any explicit statement but that government of India stands in full support and stand by people of Nepal in a manner they want,” Prakash Rimal, the News Editor of The Kathmandu Post stated at Delhi’s Indian Council of World Affairs about the delegation’s meet with Indian ministers today in the national capital.

Asked on the brewing turmoil in Nepal, Rimal expressed his dismay at the expected deadline of May 2010 for writing of the Constitution of Nepal.

"Nepal will not be able to meet the deadline. It’s a project next to impossible. [It’s] tragic that the government doesn''t have guts to give a new deadline," Rimal remarked.

Asked about counterfeit currency rackets and its export to India via porous border, Rimal supported Nepal government''s commitment towards preventing it.

"This also affects the Nepal''s economy and Nepal wouldn''t want to be seen as a source of fake currency deals.”

Rimal confided in Foreign Minister of Nepal assurance on curbing the fake currency rackets in Nepal and said: “Government of Nepal is doing every possible bit to tackle the situation and have nabbed a few people in the last two months in relation with fake currency rackets.”

“Credible information needs to be available for such arrests,” Rimal added.
Maoists seem to be making attempts to thwart establishment of peace in the country by stepping up pressure on the 22-party coalition to declare two new "autonomous" regions and increase the total number to six from four in a bid to set up a parallel government in their country.

Source ANI

Chennai: Activists of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi  (VCK) a regional party, staged a demonstration here on Monday demanding the Sri Lankan Government to speed-up resettlement of the Tamil civilians displaced by civil war in that country.

 

The demonstrators appealed to the international community to announce former Srilankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and former Army Chief  Sarath Fonseka as war criminals.

 

Speaking on the occasion VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said : "Ranil Wickramasinghe and Fonseka are playing political role, political play. They are not pro Tamils so we accuse Fonseka also for war crimes.”

 

In Srilanka’s northern tip Jafna over 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living in camps. Though the Sri Lankan Government settled more than half of them but still 110,000 are remaining in camps.

Source ANI

New Delhi: A high-level meet on internal security was held at the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence in the capital on Monday evening following intelligence inputs that Taliban-trained ''suicide'' squads have sneaked into these places to attack vital installations.

Apart from Prime Minister Dr. Singh, External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna, Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Defence Minister A.K.Antony attended the meet. IB and RAW chiefs were also present in the high level meet.

The meet lasted about half an hour.

Three metropolitan cities Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata and Gujarat state were put on high terror alert earlier on Monday following the intelligence inputs about Fidayeen (suicide) squads having already sneaked into these places with the aim to attack important installations.

It is learnt that the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Bombay Stock Exchange, both in Mumbai as well as US Consulate in Kolkata are high on the radar of the ''fidayeens'', a source stated.

Besides, RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Kolkata Port and some unidentified defence establishments are also the likely targets of the terrorists, the source informed.

Source ANI

New Delhi: A delegation of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) seeking support for their demand for a separate Gorkhaland met senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Monday.

 

The delegation met senior leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and apprised them of the GJM demand.

 

The delegation also reminded the BJP leaders that their party had stood by the demand for the creation of separate Gorkhaland out of West Bengal, prior to the elections to the Lok Sabha.

 

The GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri, maintained his outfit''s view and the demands on creation of Gorkhaland and sought the BJP''s support to their struggle.

 

"Gorkhas had been agitating for a separate state of Gorkhaland 40 years before the Independence. It is right from 1907, our movement started. Under the leadership of Bimal Gurung, we are agitating on a very democratic, peaceful and a non-violent way. The movement for Gorkhaland is going on. We want a separate state within the framework of Indian Constitution. We do not resemble the rest of West Bengal,” Giri said.

 

“Our culture, our language, our traditions, our ethnicity, it is very very different from the rest of West Bengal. We have been subjected to a colonial domination, we want to get liberated and have our state where we can grow, where our identity will be preserved," he added.

 

Earlier in the day, the four-day shutdown call given by the GJM in support of their demand for a separate Gorkhaland state began was revoked after the delegation was requested for the same reportedly by Advani and Swaraj.

 

The demand for Gorkhaland gained momentum after the Centre announced beginning of the procedures to carve out a new state of Telangana out of the Andhra Pradesh.

Source ANI

Mumbai: A recent study of the power sector has opined that the power trading in India is still at nascent stage.

 

According to a study conducted by Ambit research, the power traded, in volume terms, is just 8.1 percent of total power generation in the country (4.9 percent excluding UI).

 

Of this, 52 percent is through bilateral trades, 39.2 percent through the UI mechanism and 8.8 percent is traded through the power exchanges.

 

“We expect bilateral trades would continue to dominate the power trading market mainly on account of the ability to structure volume, pricing and duration separately for both the buyer and the seller,” said the research team.

 

The study felt that the Power Trading Corporation (PTC) one of the leading power traders in India with over 50 percent market share would poised to take full advantage of all the opportunities in the power sector.

 

The PTC has strategic tie-ups for long-term power purchases which is being executed through itself as well as through PTC Financial Services (PFS)  and PTC Energy (PEL), both subsidiaries and via a strategic stake in India Energy Exchange.

 

The study felt that the PTC would leverage its knowledge and information base for power trading and to establish relationships to its own advantage.

 

Recently, the PTC has entered into new long-term agreements to purchase over 5,088Mega Watt of power in 1HFY10 which will partially ensure that the company''s traded volumes grow at 27 percent CAGR over the next three years.

 

Apart from these PPAs, investments in power projects through its own balance sheet and through PTC Financial Services and PTC Energy would ensure volumes continue to increase. Some of the projects in which PTC has invested are already commissioned, while investments through PTC Energy, which is a co-developer, are expected to begin generation FY12 onward.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Congress leader and former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler on Monday clarified that the case in which Central Bureau of Investigation has reportedly sought permission for prosecution or re-investigation in connection with the 1984 riots is not related to him. 

 

In the “Calling Attention Motion” in the Rajya Sabha, the Home Minister P. Chidambaram had stated that the CBI has completed investigation or re-investigation of seven cases related to 1984 riots.

 

Regarding cases against Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler and Dharam Dass Shastri, he (the Home Minister) further stated that the CBI has sought permission to prosecute the accuse and in one case the closure has been accepted. 

 

“I want to bring to your notice that there was one case against me which was being re-investigated and that has been accepted by the CBI for closure. Minister has not named me,” the release undersigned by Jagdish Tytler stated. 

 

“All this has nothing to do with me. My case has already closed. Please, I have already suffered for so many years,” Tytler stated over phone on Monday evening.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Government on Monday clarified that the job cards issued under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) are valid for a period of five years.

 

As per the NREGA guidelines the Gram Panchayats are required to issue job cards to the households who apply for registration after verification of name, age and address of the adult members of a household and affixing their photograph on the job cards.

 

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said : In Andhra Pradesh, all households who applied for job cards have been issued the job card. However, in Uttar Pradesh, as per reports received from the State Government, 218913 registered households have not been issued job cards.”

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Government on Monday clarified that to make the forest areas out of bound for mining and to protect them against illegal mining, the forest areas are being demarcated by erecting permanent boundary pillars.

 

Marking at appropriate points would aid to segregate forest land from other areas, the ministry said.

 

Union Environment and Forest Ministry stated in additional precaution is taken while according approval for mining in forest areas by invariably inserting other conditions.

 

At the cost of the project the project area has to be demarcated on ground at the project cost, using four feet high RCC pillars, with each pillar inscribed with the serial number, forward and backward bearings and distance between two adjacent pillars and fencing, protection and regeneration of the safety zone area which is 7.5 meter strip all along the outer boundary of the mining lease area has to be done, the ministry said.

 

Centre has carried out fresh forest survey to determine how much success has been achieved in plantation of trees over the years.

 

The information is being collected from different sources and will be laid on the table of the House after collection and compilation of the same. As per India State of Forest Report, 2009, the total forest cover is 690.899 sq kilometres, which is 21.02 percent of the total geographical area of the country.

Source ANI