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Headlines
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News:
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls in four phases
Petrol pump issue rocks Indian Parliament
Election Commission rejects international observers for Kashmir polls
State declares drought, seeks Rs 1,000 crore
Musharraf pledges to do his "best" to ease Indo-Pak tension
Gutka ban begins without bluster
Azhar planning legal action against Wisden
India capable of tackling fake currency problem: Jaswant
Rupee steady against US dollar early Friday
India to clash Pak in boxing; Qamar in final
Bailable warrants against Arjun Ranatunga and others
India make history, enter women's hockey final
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Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls in four phases
New Delhi,Monday, August 02, 1999: Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in four phases on September 16 and 24 and October one and eight, the Election Commission announced Friday setting aside speculation that the polls may be deferred.
Announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh told a crowded press conference that "it will be a good and credible election" and the Commission has taken it more seriously than any other elections in the past.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be used in all
the constituencies, he said.
The filing of nominations to the elections to the 87-member Assembly will begin on August 22 and 31 and Sept six and 13 with four separate notifications to be issued.
While the last date for filing the nominations would be August 29, September seven, 13 and 20 respectively, the scrutiny of nominations would take place on August 31, September nine, 14 and 21.
Withdrawal of nominations would take place on September two, 10, 16 and 23 and the counting would take place on October 10, he said.
"One does hope that after all efforts that have gone into the exercise, this will be a good and credible election," Lyngdoh said.
"We have taken this election more seriously than any other election in India in the past," the CEC said.
The term of the existing assembly ends on October 17 and the election process for constituting the new state Assembly would be completed by October 12, he said.
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Petrol pump issue rocks Indian Parliament
New Delhi,Monday, August 02, 1999: The reported allotment of petrol pumps to ruling coalition functionaries and their associates Friday rocked Indian Parliament with the vociferous opposition seeking resignation of Petroleum Minister Ram Naik and probes by CBI and a committee of both Houses.
Rajya Sabha(upper house), which re-assembled after a two-hour adjournment on the issue, was adjourned for the day by Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla with angry opposition members sticking to their demands.
As soon as the House was convened for post-lunch session, Suresh Pachauri (Cong) demanded a statement from Naik while his party colleagues shouted "loot liya, loot liya (robbed, robbed)".
When S S Ahluwalia (BJP) rushed to the well of the House demanding that the Chair calm the Opposition members, Raju Parmar (Cong) also moved into the well. Heptulla then called it a day.
In Lok Sabha, agitated Congress, Left Party, RJD and Samajwadi Party members staged a walk-out protesting against Government's response that the discretionary quota had not been used by the NDA Government except in allotting pumps to 500 families of Kargil martyrs.
Minister of State for Petroleum Santosh Gangwar assured members that Government would hold an inquiry into the reported allotment of petrol pumps to those related to functionaries of the ruling party and its allies and that punishment would be meted out to the guilty.
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Election Commission rejects international observers for Kashmir polls
New Delhi,Monday, August 02, 1999: The Election Commission Friday rejected international observers for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said "one or two" persons from the Election Commissions of UK, Australia and Canada could come in their individual capacity and not as observers.
"We are extremely open..." the CEC said when asked whether the Commission would allow international observers to oversee the polls dismissing the idea in an oblique manner.
Comparing the Election Commission in the country with other such institutiuons in Australia, Canada and the UK, he said "one or two might be wanting to come here. But they will not come as observers and we discourage this."
"We believe observing means whiteman coming and observing what the native is doing," the CEC said, adding, "if somebody wants to come, they can come in their individual capacity and they will not represent these Commissions."
"They are not going to teach us a lesson," Lyngdoh said and added that the Commission in the country enjoyed more authority and powers than any other body in the world.
The CEC also sought co-operation from media in ensuring free and fair elections in the state.
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State declares drought, seeks Rs 1,000 crore
The Maharashtra cabinet has declared that the state is under drought conditions and has demanded Rs 1,000 crore in relief from the Union government, revenue minister Ashok Chavan announced in both houses of the state legislature.
The declaration means that drought-affected farmers and the rural poor will automatically be entitled to relief programmes.
The delayed monsoon has played havoc with drinking water supply and hurt crops, the state government observed.
Mr Chavan said the central team that had recently visited the state had confirmed the state government’s assessment that the delayed monsoon and uncertainty about its revival had damaged crops beyond repair. The state government will review the situation if the monsoon revives in the near future.
As per government rules, the revenue authorities will stop recoveries from farmers and will give them soft loans to buy new seeds and fertilisers. Farmers may be compensated for the damage to crops caused by the failure of the monsoon.
The authorities have decided to give strict priority to drinking water, followed by water for agriculture and industry.
Vidarbha is the worst-affected region, according to state government statistics. Most areas of the region have received less than 20 per cent of their normal rainfall. The condition in Marathwada is a little better.
In western Maharashtra, some districts like Solapur and Satara have received more than 40 per cent of their normal rainfall.
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Musharraf pledges to do his "best" to ease Indo-Pak tension
Beijing,Monday, August 02, 1999: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Friday assured his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin that he would do his "best" to ease tensions with India and not to initiate a war in South Asia.
"Pakistan does not want to be involved in a war and will not start a war," Musharraf told Jiang during their one-hour meeting here this morning, Xinhua reported.
Musharraf, who arrived early Friday after visiting Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, told Jiang that Islamabad will "do its best to realise regional peace and stability".
Jiang, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, said Beijing hopes Pakistan and India would settle their dispute peacefully through dialogue.
"China supports all efforts to alleviate the tension between Pakistan and India and to safeguard peace and stability in South Asia," Jiang said during his second meeting with Musharraf within two months. The two presidents had met on the sidelines of a regional security conference in Almati in June.
Musharraf also briefed Jiang on the latest domestic situation in Pakistan and gave views on the issues concerning South Asia and Afghanistan, the report said.
China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has been expressing serious concern over the continuing military stand-off between the two nuclear powers and has been urging New Delhi and Islamabad to resume dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir.
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Gutka ban begins without bluster
THOUSANDS of gutka-addicts went without their favourite pouches on Thursday as the state government began implementation of its blanket ban on chewing and sale of gutka in Maharashtra.
Paanwallahs, small shops and stalls selling tobacco products preferred not to sell gutka mostly fearing the possible consequences: Imprisonment for six months to three years and a fine of Rs 1,000.
Mediapersons and NGOs were both astounded and incredulous that not a single paanwallah was caught selling gutka today. More than a little frustrated, there were many foiled attempts to lure the local paanwallah to dig craftily under the betel leaves and pick out an overpriced shiny packet. But they were not willing to be nabbed. ‘‘We will obey the law. We don’t want to pay a fine,’’ was a common refrain.
A paanwallah near Andheri station said gravely, ‘‘It is true that 50-60 per cent of my income came from gutka and paan masala. But I can diversify into selling other products. Supari and cigarettes and all the types of paan are not banned.’’
The implementation in the city began with a symbolical bonfire of gutka pouches at Hutatma Chowk in South Mumbai. Among those who set fire to the pouches were Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Food and Drugs Minister Anil Deshmukh.
‘‘Officials of the Food and Drug Administration have begun checks all over the state,’’ Deshmukh said. All 40 gutka manufacturing units in the state downed shutters today. ‘‘Our inspectors visited 11 major units and ensured that production was stopped,’’ the minister said.
The ban comes into effect following a decision of the cabinet, exercising its powers under Section 7 (iv) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The decision bans gutka in the state for five years. Manufacture, sale, storage or distribution — even transportation — of gutka is now an offence in the state.
Minister for Public Health Digvijay Khanvilkar said the ban will be enforced at any cost and strict action will be taken against offenders. ‘‘District committees and special squads have been appointed for this purpose and they will monitor the ban,’’ he said.
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Azhar planning legal action against Wisden
Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin is planning legal action against Wisden for breach of contract after being asked not to attend the presentation ceremony for the Cricketer of the Century award.
Azhar, who was one of the 16 nominees for the award, alleged that without assigning any reason, Wisden had told him at the last minute that he was not required at the awards ceremony in London on July 23.
"They called me up to say that they had made a mistake and that they would not be sending me the air tickets. There was no explanation for this decision," the former India captain.
Azhar said the contract he had signed with Wisden stipulated that he would be invited to the presentation ceremony and would have to give some media interviews.
After withdrawing the invitation, Wisden did not as much as apologise, Azhar alleged. "You can't treat a person so shabbily. Why did Wisden start the process in the first place? If they had problems then why go through the motions at all? This is humiliating to say the least. And finally, Wisden did not have the courtesy to inform me or write to me why they did not invite me," he said while hinting that some among the other nominees might have worked against him.
"It was disgusting. That is all I will say. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
Azhar was the only living nominee missing at the function though he was reportedly in London on that day.
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India capable of tackling fake currency problem: Jaswant
New Delhi,Monday, August 02, 1999: Federal government on Friday termed circulation of fake currency by Pakistan's ISI as a "miniscule" problem and said it did not warrant raising the issue in the international fora as it could be tackled by India itself.
Stating that the problem of fake currency was primarily faced by border states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh told Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) during question hour that circulating fake currency was part of Pakistan's efforts to destabilise the Indian economy.
However, the problem was "miniscule" as fake currency worth only Rs 2.34 crore was recovered during the last six months compared to the total currency in circulation.
Declining to divulge details of the security measures taken to check fake currency circulation, he said Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry had already taken several steps in this regard and were constantly keeping a watch on the situation.
Asserting that India was itself capable of handling the situation, he urged the members not to "exaggerate" the issue or "blow it out of proportion as, by doing so, we will only rob our own currency of its legitimacy and reduce people's confidence in it".
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Rupee steady against US dollar early Friday
Mumbai,Monday, August 02, 1999: The rupee ruled steady against the US currency, hovering around the current five-months peaks, as sentiment for the rupee remained positive because of healthy dollar inflows from export proceeds.
In generally quiet and range-bound trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market, the rupee was quoted at Rs 48.65/66 per dollar in late morning deals, little changed from Thursday's finish of Rs 6550/6600.
The rupee, however, opened on a firm footing at Rs 48.6350/6450.
Strong exporter dollar sales and foreign fund inflows continued to give the rupee good underlying support, inspite of steady dollar demand from state-run banks preventing a sharp rupee rise.
Exports in June rose nearly 13 per cent from a year earlier to dlrs 4.07 billion.
In cross currency trades, the Euro was quoted at Rs 48.05/07, Pound Sterling at Rs 76.06.08 and Japanese Yen (100) at Rs 40.91/93.
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India to clash Pak in boxing; Qamar in final
Manchester,Sunday, August 01, 1999: India's Som Bahadur Pun has set up a mouth-watering final clash with arch rival Pakistan's Hyder Ali in the featherweight category of boxing event in the Commonwealth Games here Thursday.
In the semi-finals, Pun defeated Namibia's Veikko Josua when referee stopped fight in the upto 57kg category and will meet his Pakistani opponent, who outpunched Canadian Benoit Gaudet on points, in the final Friday.
There was more success for India in the ring as Mohammad Ali Qamar reached the final in the light fly weight 48 kg class.
The 20-year old Pun is India's reigning national champion and was a quarter-finalist at the World Junior Championships held earlier this year. But Ali also boasts of winning a bronze in the last Asian Games and the experience of having participated in 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Qamar beat Nigeria's Ajabe Taoreed 27-13 in a fight that lasted the full four rounds. In Saturday's final the 22-year- old Indian will be up against England's Darren Langly who staged a superb rally to beat Malaysia's Z Mohamad 19-18.
Qamar was slow to start with but then took a 4-3 lead with ten seconds to go in the first round. At the bell for the first round he was up 5-3.
The second round saw him in full flow against Nigerian teenager unleashing a barrage of punches and exhibiting superb defence. At the end of the second round he was out of Taoreed's reach leading 15-5 and then eased through the next two rounds. He went into the last round up 20-12.
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Bailable warrants against Arjun Ranatunga and others
Indore,Sunday, August 01, 1999: A local court Thursday issued bailable warrants against former Sri Lankan captain Arjun Ranatunga and the then match referee Ibrahim Ahmed of Zimbabwe for abandoning the India-Sri Lanka one-day international cricket match here in December, 1997, due to a bad pitch.
The warrants will be served through ministry of external affairs, as directed by judicial magistrate, Anju Dubey.
According to advocate Shailendra Dwivedi, who had registered a case in this regard under section 420 and 406 of IPC, both Ranatunga and Ibrahim failed to appear in the court inspite of being summoned on a number of occasions, following which the court issued bailable warrant against them. Dwivedi filed a complaint for abandoning the match due to bad pitch against the then Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar, cricket board official Dr M K Bhargava, pitch maker Narendra Menon, Ranatunga and Ibrahim. The court had issued summons to them. Both Bhargava and Menon subsequently appeared in the court and were granted bail, while complaint against Tendulkar was withdrawn following a petition filed by him in the high court that the litigation will affect his performance in the games. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 18, Dwivedi said.
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India make history, enter women's hockey final
MANCHESTER: India pulled up stunning 2-1 victory over New Zealand to assure a hockey medal for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games.
Braving an inclement weather and some controversial umpiring decisions, India upset the Kiwis in a dramatic win.
Fresh from their victory against South Africa on Wednesday, the Indians scored once in each half in the semi-final against the Kiwis after conceding a goal early in the first half.
India's saviour in the last match Jyoti Kullu (34) and Mamata Kharab (62) scored for the team after New Zealand took the lead through a fifth minute goal by Suzie Pierce.
The victory, which assured the Indian women hockey team of a medal for the first time in the history of the Games, was more remarkable because they were robbed off a penalty stroke by the referee who ruled that Kullu was taking too much time to take the strike and asked play to be continued.
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1 U.S. $ = 49 INR
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