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Efforts to ensure women, minorities representation in govt: PM
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that efforts would be made to ensure women and minorities are "properly represented" at all levels in government.
"As a government committed to appropriate affirmative action for all disadvantaged sections, we will ensure that Constitutional commitments are fulfilled and that women and minorities are properly represented at all levels in government," he told top bureaucrats at the second Civil Service Day here.
He said civil servants should be particularly sensitive to the concerns of weaker sections, particularly SC, ST, minorities and women and children.
Singh said as more and more women join the civil services, special attention should be paid to improve work practices and administrative procedures which take into account their special problems involving twin roles as active members of the labour force as well as home makers. PTI
Rahul vows to take UP on development path if Cong forms govt
Ramnagar (UP), Apr 21 (PTI) Accusing non-Congress governments in Uttar Pradesh of "exploiting and dividing" people on caste and religion basis, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today promised to take the state on the path of development if his party is voted to power in the assembly elections.
"I am here to work shoulder to shoulder with youth for ensuring a positive change in the state. I know it will take time but with the youth of the state behind me, I will take UP on the path of development," he said addressing an election meeting here.
Gandhi said people better know the condition of the state and what others (opposition parties) had done for them in the past 15 years, when non-Congress governments ruled UP.
Holding the state government responsible for the "pathetic" state of youth, he said "you should ask them what they have done for the youth in UP.
"In other states, the youth are in the driving seat, but here they are helpless with the state government depriving them of development, employment opportunities and basic amenities." The scion of the Gandhi family said he could not see any development of the state despite the fact that the Centre contributed 43 per cent in UP's budget.
"Where are the roads? There are electric poles but no electricity. Where are the Centre's funds going," he asked and suggested to the people to bring about a solution to this by voting Congress to power in state as well. PTI
Communalism trying to tear apart fine fabric of culture: PM
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Observing that secularism meant separation of religion from politics, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said any political formation inciting people on religious grounds was betraying both religion and the Constitution.
Maintaining that forces of bigotry and communalism were trying to tear apart the "fine fabric of our composite culture", he said "what is worse than religious intolerance is the deployment of such intolerance for narrow political gain".
"Any political formation trying to incite people in the name of religion, whatever religion, is in fact betraying both religion and our Constitution," the Prime Minister said while inaugurating a two-day Inter-Faith Harmony Conclave here.
Asserting that the Constitution was based on equal respect for all faiths, Singh said "when we say our Constitution is secular, we mean that it espouses the separation of religion from politics and governance.
"Equally, it means that the Constitution accords equal status to all religious faiths. The idea of equality is important," the Prime Minister said. PTI
Nitish wants bureaucracy to rule in Bihar : Rabri
Patna, Apr 20 (PTI) Taking serious exception to reports that bureaucrats were ignoring even senior NDA ministers in Bihar in the decision-making process, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Rabri Devi today alleged that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was trying to rule through bureaucracy.
Apparently referring to some NDA ministers going public criticising their heads of departments of 'virtually ignoring' them in decision-making process, Rabri Devi alleged in a press statement that it was 'an extremely serious matter.' She claimed that state Water Resources Minister Ramashray Prasad Singh and Forest Minister Ramrashray Sahani had already gone public slamming the secretaries of their respective departments for not implementing their orders.
''It is a government which is bent upon destroying the institutional structure of governance by vesting more and more powers in the bureaucracy and ignoring the state ministers by making amendments in the rules of the executive,'' she alleged. PTI
Prabodh Tirkey to lead India in Azlan Shah
Chennai, Apr 21 (PTI) Prabodh Tirkey will lead India in the Azlan Shah Hockey tournament being held at Ipoh, Malaysia from May 5 to 15.
According to a press release by the Indian Hockey Federation here today, Vikram Kamath would substitute Ignace Tirkey, if the latter is found wanting on fitness.
The selectors have also named goal keeper, Sreejesh, defender Sunil Yadav and attackers Somanna and Bruno Logun as stand byes.
The 18-member team was picked in Bangalore by Gurbax Singh and Harmik Singh, IHF Selectors, Ajitpal Singh, Government Nominee, M M Somayya, Technical Director, Joaquim Carvalho, Chief Coach and Coaches, M Ramesh Parameswaran and M P Singh, besides R K Shetty, Camp coordinator of IHF.
K Jyothikumaran, Secretary, Indian Hockey Federation said Dilip Tirkey and Gagan Ajit Singh, who were supposed to join the Bangalore camp, could not attend because of their engagements in the Netherlands professional league.
They would be considered for selection for future tournaments, he said.
Meanwhile, Carvalho had earlier this morning told PTI that Logun has pulled his muscle and it would take some time for the dependable and nippy forward to recover fully. PTI
Stage set for the clash of titans in Caribbean
St George (Grenada), Apr 21 (PTI) After five gruelling weeks of action in the Caribbean, the semi-final line up for the cricket World Cup has now been finalised with New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia clashing with South Africa.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka will face-off in the first semifinal at Jamaica on April 24 while the two-time champion Australia will play South Africa the next day in St Lucia. The winners of the two matches will meet in the final at Barbados on April 28.
Australia have emerged the top team with cent percent record in their seven matches played in the Super Eight stage.
They have garnered 14 points with a net run rate of +2.40 to be the clear favourites to win the coveted trophy for the third sucessive time.
Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, and New Zealand have finished with an identical 10 points apiece after winning five of their seven matches.
But the subcontinental team under the leadership of Mahela Jayawardene has a better net run rate of +1.48 against +0.25 of the Kiwis.
South Africa, who sneaked into the last four stage after defeating England, have won four game and lost three to claim eight points. However, their run rate is better than the New Zealanders at +0.31.
England, with just two wins from six matches, and the hosts West Indies, having an equal 4 points, will meet today in an inconsequential match at Bridgetown Barbados. The two teams have already missed the bus to advance further in the tournament. PTI
Woolmer "poisoned", "suspect identified" from CCTV
Kingston/London, Apr 21 (PTI) The Bob Woolmer murder mystery has become more intriguing with claims that traces of poison was found in his body during toxicology tests and a suspect has been identified from the CCTV footage gathered from his hotel.
At least a couple of British dailies said that toxicology tests have found poison in the Pakistan cricket coach's body.
While one paper claimed "Woolmer was poisoned by Harry Potter drug aconite," another said "a suspicious concentration of toxins" was there in his body.
"The toxicology tests show that he had significant traces of aconite.
"We are now entirely convinced he was poisoned. The fact that aconite has also previously been used in Pakistan may also be highly relevant," The Sun quoted a senior police source as saying.
"This murder proves that truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction. It is now an international inquiry and could ultimately involve high-level diplomatic discussions," said another source.
Aconite -- an ancient poison, also known as wolfsbane -- is said to be perfect for concealing murder and has been used in several high-profile assassinations in Pakistan.
Wolfsbane is mentioned in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', when the schoolboy wizard is quizzed on it by Professor Snape.
On the other hand, as per the Telegraph, police sources denied reports that it was the drug aconite -- known as Wolfsbane, the so-called "Harry Potter" drug. PTI
It will take a lot to beat us: Ponting
St George's (Grenada), Apr 20 (PTI) A confident Ricky Ponting today suggested that any side would have to play out of their skins to stop them from claiming a third successive cricket World Cup crown.
"It was a great performance today and the way we are playing, it would take a lot to beat us," Ponting said after a 215-run thrashing of trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand here.
There were lot of positives for the Australians from their last Super Eights encounter but the skipper singled out the impressive return made by all-rounder Shane Watson.
"Shane's innings at the end (65 in 32 balls) was a tremendous effort and he looked very good out there," the master batsman said.
He also mentioned the rich vein of form displayed by opener Matthew Hayden. The left-hander scored his 10th one-day hundred and laid the foundation for the big Aussie score.
"He is in the form of his life. He has worked very hard and he is dragging a couple of us with him," Ponting said.
Losing captain Stephen Fleming described the performance as "one of the worst" by his side.
"We had one eye on the semi-final against Sri Lanka and the dead nature of the match could explain the performance," he said.
"We need to work to be more accurate in bowling and get better starts while batting. Hopefully, we will get another shot at Australia in the competition." Hayden said Australian needed to carry on the good work.
"We are running our own race at the moment and are very dominant but all the wins will mean zero if don't go all the way now," he said. PTI
Allow MF, banks and FIIs in commodity market: FMC
Ludhiana, Apr 21 (PTI) Commodity market regulator Forward Market Commission (FMC) has strongly advocated the participation of banks, mutual funds and FIIs in forward trading in commodities.
"It is very important for the growth of commodity market in India that the government should allow mutual funds, banks and FIIs," FMC Chairman S Sundareshan said while delivering a lecture on 'Commodity Futures in India' here.
As a first step, he said, FIIs should be allowed to participate only in bullion, metal and crude commodities while banks should be permitted in agriculture commodities, he said.
FMC has proposed strict measures against members of commodity market in Forward Market (Regulation) Act Amendment Bill to safeguard the interest of the clients.
"Besides enforcing KYC (Know Your Customer) norms strictly, we have also proposed that in every three years, the account books of all the members should be audited," Sundareshan said adding that this year about 100 auditors would do the audit.
Last year, 50 auditors were deputed for the purpose, he said.
In order to study the impact of future trading on the prices of agriculture commodities, FMC has given a project to IIM Bangalore. "They will be submitting their report in the next couple of months," he said.
On deliveries of commodities, FMC Chairman said globally less than two per cent volume was taking place in deliveries. "The main purpose of forward trading was price discovery of a particular product at a given point of time," he said. PTI
Prices remain flat at Chemicals market
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Steady conditions continued in the wholesale chemical market today as prices moved in a narrow range on small bouts of buying and selling.
The total volume of business was poor.
Traders said paucity of funds mainly influenced the trading sentiments, forcing stockists to keep their commitments negligible.
Following were today's quotations: Ammonia bicarb (25 kg) 290 Ammonium chloride (50 kg) 550-1200, acetic acid (1 kg) 42, boric acid technical (50 kg) 2,800-3,000, borex granular (50 kg) 1350-1450.
Caustic soda flake (50 kg) 1,320 citric acid (50 kg) (China) 2,400-2,600 citric acid deshi (50 kg) 2,500-2,800, camphor slab (1 kg) 170-175, camphor powder (1 kg) 165, glycerine (1 kg) 57-59, hexamine (1 kg) 92, hydrogen peroxide (1 kg) 31-32, mercury (34.5 kg) 33,500, menthol bold crystal (per kg) 760, menthol flake (1 kg) 725 and Mentha oil (1 kg) 597. PTI
CPI irked about PM-CM meet on POSCO
Bhubaneswar, Apr 20 (PTI) The Orissa unit of the CPI today said it was "disappointed" over the direction given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for expediting the progress of POSCO's mega steel project near Paradip and that it was opposed to any such move.
It also opposed the proposal that the company should negotiate with the people for acquiring land for the project saying it could "not be allowed".
"The Prime Minister and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should desist from such moves," it said.
Singh and Patnaik discussed the USD 12 billion POSCO steel project at a meeting in Delhi yesterday during which the prime minister assured all help to expedite work on the project, dogged by protests from locals.
Meanwhile, the POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), which has been spearheading the agitation against the South Korean company, resolved that it would intensify its stir.
PPSS leader Abhay Sahu said in a statement that the villagers may not go for a dialogue as the chief minister had "categorically" said POSCO wanted a port-based plant in the state, indicating that there was "no option left for the villagers but to demand shifting of the project".
"If the government is determined to keep the company in good humour and work for its interest, then there is no scope for holding a dialogue," he said. PTI
No deal with Bhutto: Musharraf
Islamabad, Apr 21 (PTI) Playing down reports of political rapprochement with former Premier Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said there was "no deal at all" and insisted that he would not quit as Army Chief till the general elections, which he promised to hold as scheduled later this year.
"There's no deal at all, no alliance, no deal" with Bhutto, Musharraf told Al-Arabia television in an interview.
He said the general elections would be held by the end of the year in a fair and transparent manner, and any political action could be considered after viewing their outcome.
Musharraf also said he was legally entitled to continue to hold the dual authority of President and Army Chief. "I am not removing the uniform till the elections because I have been allowed Constitutionally to remain the President and the Chief of the Army staff till the end of the year," he said without elaborating his plans thereafter.
He said it was decided by Parliament with a two-thirds majority to keep the two offices at a time.
While he denied a deal with Bhutto which according to reports he was pursuing under pressure from United States, he said any change in Pakistan would be through political process by its people and not by any outside pressure.
Fair, free and impartial elections would be held this year according to the Constitution of the country, Musharraf said. "This is election year and we will follow the Constitution of Pakistan." On US-Pakistan relations, Musharraf dispelled the impression that they came under strain over differences on dealing with Taliban. PTI
West-funded NGOs fuelling clash of civilisations in Pak: Qazi
Islamabad, Apr 21 (PTI) A top Islamist leader in Pakistan has blamed the "West-funded NGOs and handful of Westernised people" for fuelling a clash of civilisations in the country by creating rifts among Muslims.
"After failing to subdue Islamic civilisation and values, the West has now commissioned armies of NGOs to overpower practising Muslims in the country," said Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmad.
He said the foreign-funded NGOs were using "Westernised women" to pave the way for the clash of civilisations in the country by creating rifts among Muslims.
"Activities of NGOs and Westernised class of people should be condemned to every possible extent," Ahmad was quoted as saying by The News daily.
"Under the present circumstances, Muslims should defend their homes and children from the vulgar and obscene Western civilisation by consolidating the ideological defence of their homes," Ahmad said.
He called upon the Muslims to strengthen their family units and purify the environment of their homes to counter the clash of civilisations by the Westernised military rulers.
"The lust for money and plots" among the military rulers was the talk of the whole country, as they were usurping the common people's rights in order to become billionaires overnight, the MMA leader said.
Ahmad flayed the rulers for claiming to be public representatives but leading luxurious lives at the cost of the people. PTI
Bangladesh developments only a passing phase: Taslima Nasrin
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin is unenthusiastic about the recent political developments in her country, viewing it as just a passing phase and seeing no hope of her going back there soon.
"I think this is temporary. I would like to think this is the beginning of a change. But who would come to power? The same old political parties who are pro-fundamentalist, who use Islam for their own interests to get votes from the ignorant masses," Nasrin told Karan Thapar in the CNN-IBN programme 'Devils' Advocate'.
"They would come to power and they would never allow me to go to my home country," she said.
Nasrin said nothing short of a revolution was needed in Bangladesh.
Asked about an editor of a Bangladeshi newspaper recently writing that her rights should be reinstated, the author said, "It's wonderful...But it is only one lonely voice." Nasrin, who has been living in exile for the last 12 years and is currently residing in India, said this country has to be her home in the foreseeable future.
The author, who has invited the ire of the Muslim clergy and fundamentalists over her anti-Islamic views as also her explicit style of writing, said she would love to live in India.
Nasrin, who has requested the Indian government to grant her citizenship, was asked if she felt unsafe in India due to the warnings issued by Muslim organisations, and she said, "It's not safe, but I love to live in India. And I would like to live in India if I got the chance." PTI
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