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Rahul lashes out at admn for alleged canecharge on Congworkers
Deoria (UP), Apr 29 (PTI) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today lashed out at the district administration and the police for alleged lathi charge on a youth Congress rally in the town yesterday in which several Congress workers including NSUI President were injured.
Rahul, who made an unsceduled visit here after hearing the arrest of Tanwar and other Congress workers and the lathi charge, met the party workers in the police station.
The young MP sharply condemned the police action and termed it unprovoked. He said he would lodge a complaint to the Election Commission and with other concerned authorities.
It aimed at preventing the Congress from storming back to power in the state but it will not succeed, he said.
Rahul alleged that the injured workers were not provided medical aid nor was their cross-FIR registered by the police.
Thousands of Congress workers had assembled in and out of the Kotwali premises when Rahul arrived here at the noon to meet the party workers.
The Congress workers raised pro-Rahul and anti-government slogans.
NSUI President Ashok Tanwar claimed that they had the permission from the administration yet the police detained them and made a lathi charge on them when the yatra arrived in the town last evening.
The Kotwali SHO, Chand Mohammad, however, claimed that the yatra was flouting the model code of conduct and when the police intervened the Congress workers roughed up the security personnel.
Police had allegedly made a lathi charge on the yatra last evening as it entered the town in which several Congress workers including Tanwar sustained injuries.
Several Congress workers including Tanwar were later arrested by the police. PTI
Overhaul DRDO to make it accountable: general
New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) Coming down heavily on the DRDO for its "lackadaisical" track record, a retired general has made a forceful plea for a complete overhaul of its structure and functioning and making it accountable to the armed forces.
"There has hardly been any equipment which the Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed in the promised timeframe and conforming to accepted parameters... Though it has been subjected to a lot of criticism, no attempt has been made to identify the underlying reasons for its lackadaisical track record," Maj Gen Mrinal Suman said.
Identifying the reasons for the "sorry state of affairs", Suman, considered an expert on offsets and defence procurement procedures, said the three primary factors for this was DRDO's lack of accountability, lack of focus and failure to develop a scientific disposition.
"There is total lack of accountability as DRDO is not answerable to anyone. Its director general is also Secretary Defence R&D. In addition, he performs the functions of Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister," Suman said in an article in the forthcoming issue of Indian Defence Review.
"Thus, he wears three hats. Therefore, no questions are ever asked. Escalation in costs and deferment of completion dates are taken for granted." He also claimed that DRDO has been "preventing" the import of urgently needed military systems on grounds of indigenisation but "not one promise has ever been fulfilled".
"No one has ever been taken to task for misleading the defence services, at times with grave consequences," he said. PTI
EC should probe poor turn out of voters, says BJP
Lucknow, Apr 29 (PTI) Expressing serious concern at low turn out of voters during successive phases of polling in Uttar Pradesh, BJP today urged the Election Commission to investigate as to how the a large number of names of genuine voters failed to find mention in the voter's list.
"The responsibility of the EC is not only to ensure free and fair polling but also to see that no genuine voter is deprived of his right to vote. The commission should look into the reasons behind the low turn outs," senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters here.
Sinha, while congratulating the EC for ensuring peaceful voting, alleged that the sense of fear and terror did prevail at some places.
He urged the Commission to take notice of a Samajwadi Party candidate, seeking votes in the name of the dreaded dacoit Dadua in Chitrakoot district.
Sinha also referred to an alleged list of state civil service officers sent to the Centre for being promoted to IAS level which contained names of some "tainted" officials and also a "relation" of the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Action should be taken against the chief minister if the names were found to be sent after his permission, he demanded.
Sinha made it clear that the BJP would neither seek nor extend support to any party after the elections.
The BJP leader took strong exception to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's election speeches asking people to strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi. PTI
Law of land will be supreme in Afzal Guru case: Kalam
Sumir Kaul On board special Air India plane, Apr 29 (PTI) With the European Parliament President raising the death sentence awarded to Mohammed Afzal Guru for his role in the Parliament attack, President A P J Abdul Kalam has said judicial and other processes of India would be adhered to in deciding the matter.
Wrapping up a five-day visit during which he addressed European MPs and made a state visit to Greece, a calm-looking 75-year-old Kalam said he had told European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering that clemency for Guru would be decided on only after legal procedures were completed.
Kalam was replying to questions from reporters accompanying him, who asked whether there was any pressure from the European Parliament on granting clemency to Guru.
"Well, (they) did not pressurise or anything. They raised the issue. In fact the European Parliament President raised the issue during a one-to-one meeting and I said the law of the land will be supreme," he said.
"...Any judgment as per the law of the country will be processed and carried out. Law is the final authority," Kalam firmly told reporters last night while returning from Athens.
Asked about clemency powers vested in the President, he said: "Once it comes to me, I will take care of it." Kalam has referred a mercy petition submitted by Guru to the government.
There was a minor protest by a group seeking clemency for Guru outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg when Kalam addressed the House on April 25. PTI
Ghei wins Pine Valley Beijing Open golf
Beijing, April 30 (PTI) Gaurav Ghei scaled the summit once again by winning the inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open golf tournament by carding a flawless three-under 69 on the final day today.
The Delhi golfer playing smart and tidy golf totalled 14-under 274 to win by two shots over Australian Adam Blyth (71) and became the first Indian to win on any Tour in 2007.
Ghei, who was tied with three others for the overnight lead, had three birdies and no bogeys in his round which fetched him his third Asian Tour title.
The 38-year-old Ghei, who waited 11 years between his first two titles, clinched the third one after a gap of only eight months.
Ghei was never behind in the final round after going into lead with two birdies on front nine. He birdied the fifth for the third day in row and then the eighth for the fourth successive day and then added a third birdie on 13th before parring the rest and sealing his win.
"It is an amazing feeling to be able win again. I have been consistent but was not able to put it together earlier this year," said Ghei, whose previuos best this year had been tied sixth at Johnnie Walker classic.
Ghei's previous wins on Asian Tour came at 1995 Gadgil Western Masters and 2006 Mercuries Masters and this win also ensures his berth in the USD five million HSBC Champions in Shanghai in November. PTI
Mcgrath fifth among all time great bowlers
Dubai, Apr 29 (PTI) Glenn McGrath, who retired from international cricket after Australia's cricket World Cup win against Sri Lanka on Saturday, finished his career in fifth place in the all-time LG-ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers.
McGrath, who was named as Player of the Tournament after taking 26 wickets, is one of only five players to have ever reached 900 rating points, the mark of a true great.
The New South Wales bowler reached his highest rating of 903 points during the seven-match ODI series against South Africa in March 2002.
The only players ahead of him in the all-time list are fast bowlers Joel Garner of the West Indies, New Zealand's Richard Hadlee and South Africa's Shaun Pollock, along with Sri Lanka spin-wizard Muttiah Muralidaran.
McGrath's haul of wickets in the tournament that ended with Australia's record-breaking third successive triumph in the event, is the biggest haul in a single Cricket World Cup.
The 37-year-old paceman, who was a part of victorious teams in 1999, 2003, and the latest one in the Caribbean, as well as the 1996 tournament, where Australia lost in the final to Sri Lanka, finished with 71 wickets from 39 matches spread over the four events.
He was well clear of his nearest rival Wasim Akram of Pakistan, who captured 55 wickets in 38 matches.
In 250 ODIs, McGrath has taken 381 wickets at an average of just over 22 runs each.
The 37 year-old also finishes his career in fifth spot in the all-time LG ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, achieving his highest rating of 914 rating points during the Ashes series against England in 2001. PTI
Australia win the 2007 cricket World Cup
Bridgetown (Barbados), April 29 (PTI) Australia recorded a hat-trick of World Cup titles by subduing a fighting Sri Lanka to a 53-run win in a rain-marred cricket final here on Saturday.
Adam Gilchrist set the tone for an imposing Australian total as he hammered a 104-ball 149, the highest score in a summit clash as well as his maiden century in the quadrennial event.
The Lankans made a spirited chase of the intimidating score of 281 for 4 but rain, that had delayed the start by three hours earlier, made a brief interruption to spoil their momentum.
The end came in a farcical manner when umpires offered light to batsmen with Sri Lanka needing 62 runs from three overs, after the target was revised to 269 from 36 overs.
The champions began to celebrate, only to be told by the umpires - Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar - that the match was not officially over yet and might have to be continued on the reserve day.
Thankfully, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene intervened and the remaining overs were played out in utter darkness.
It was Australia's fourth title overall, following their triumphs in 1987, 1999 and 2003. PTI
Kalam backs competition in all sectors
On board special Air India plane, Apr 29 (PTI) President A P J Abdul Kalam has favoured competition in every field, including the farm sector, saying it would not always be possible to have protection in the era of globalisation.
Kalam, talking to reporters last night while returning from a state visit to Greece, was replying to a question on whether the protection of farmers is necessary in view of an influx of foreign companies keen on importing flowers, vegetables and other farm produce into the country.
"You can't get away from competition when nations are competing with each other in every way. It's a competitive world and you can't always have protection," Kalam said, favoured the doubling of agricultural production.
"We should double our products to 400 billion tonnes by 2020. By introducing protection, farmers look for greener pastures. You can't get away from competition and for that we have to struggle hard," he said.
The President also had a message for politicians. "Politics for politicians is necessary but I have always stressed that it should be 30 per cent politican politics and 70 per cent development politics," he said as Minister of State for Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar looked on.
"Politicians should compete with each other on making the country a developed nation more quickly. If one party says we will do it by 2020, let others say that it would be done by 2015, and let the people judge them by their actions in achieving this goal. This is what is called developmental politics," he said. PTI
Lakshmi Mittal richest in Britain
London, April 29 (PTI) NRI Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal today for the third successive year topped the list of the richest person in Britain with a wealth of 19.250 billion pounds even as the Hinduja brothers and Lord Swraj Paul emerged as the second and third richest Asians in the UK.
According to The Sunday Times Rich List 2007, 56-year-old Mittal, President and CEO of Arcelor Mittal - the world's largest steel producer, saw his wealth shoot up from 14.881 billion pounds in 2006 to 19.250 billion pounds this year, an increase of staggering 4.369 billion pounds in one year.
The wealth of Sri Chand and Gopi Chand Hindujas, Chairman and President respectively of the Hinduja Group, registered a steep increase during the last one year - from 3.6 billion pounds to 6.2 billion pounds catapulting them to the position as the second richest Asians and fourth richest in the UK.
Similarly, Lord Swraj Paul, founder-Chairman of the Caparo Group, also witnessed substantial growth during the year with the total wealth increasing from 465 million pounds to 1.5 billion pounds this year. The 76-year-old Lord Paul's wealth is almost five times that of Queen Elizabeth II, whose wealth has been estimated at 320 million pounds.
The Rich List stated that Caparo Group posted profits of about 55 million pounds on 2.7 billion sales in 2006 and is expanding worldwide.
"Meanwhile, one of Paul's sons, Ambar, is growing the family's Contemporary Hotels operation, while another son Angad, the CEO of the Group has undertaken setting up of a series of automobile metal pressing, fasteners and Tools and Dies plants in India. With record prices for steel businesses, Caparo is worth at least 1.4 billion pounds on its 2006 figures. We add 100 million pounds for Indian assets and property, including hotels and restaurants." PTI
FII inflows cross USD 3 bln mark on Dalal Street
Mumbai, Apr 29 (PTI) It's raining dollars in the Indian stock market with the overseas investment on the local bourses crossing three-billion dollars mark since the beginning of this year.
Foreign Institutional Investors have put in a net of 3.05 billion dollars (over Rs 13,500 crore) in the Indian stocks so far in 2007, while taking their total net investment in the country so far to over 52 billion dollars.
However, the net FII inflows in the first four months of 2007 is over a billion dollars, less than the figure invested in the same period of the previous year.
More than half of the net investment by FIIs this year came in the month of April alone after the overseas investors returned to the bourses with positive sentiments as Sensex regained its once-lost 14,000 level.
The bourses had witnessed a herd-like flight of FIIs after a sharp fall in February this year, but with the corporate earnings results meeting or beating expectations, the sentiments have improved considerably, said a broker.
According to the data available with the market regulator SEBI, FIIs purchased stocks worth close to Rs 46,400 crore and sold stocks worth about Rs 39,500 crore in April 2007, taking their net investment to about Rs 6,900 crore (about 1.56 billion dollars).
However, the net FII investment for January-April period is estimated to remain around three-billion dollar level, as against about 3.3 billion dollars in the same period of 2006, said another broker.
FIIs had purchased stocks worth a net of about eight billion dollars in entire 2006, as against a record high of 10.7 billion dollars in 2005. PTI
Made in India PC for just about 100 dollars
New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) While global computing giants like IBM and AMD are yet to give shape to their ambitious plans for a computer that costs 100 dollars or less, an Indian company has already set its eyes on 10 million potential customers with its up-and-running PC priced at Rs 4,500 only.
The machine, launched by Chennai-based Novatium Solutions in 2004, costs a little over 100 dollars as of today in the US currency, thanks to the depreciation in the greenback, but it was priced at less than 100 dollars till a few months back.
Novatium is targeting 10 million users in the next five years for this innovative product, company CEO Alok Singh told PTI from Chennai.
The company has already started a successful commercial pilot for its NetPC computer in Chennai, he said.
"Since our trial was commercial in nature, we plan to stick to it. Going forward, we plan to expand into 6-7 big cities in the next year. Some of our immediate plans are going into two new cities in this quarter and two more in the next quarter," Singh said.
Novatium was co-founded by US-based Analog Devices chairman Ray Stata, Netcore Solutions managing director Rajesh Jain and professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras.
The company's NetPC works on a "thin client" concept. This is a small box and does not contain any software or application. It is linked to a central server, which hosts all applications. PTI
Forces mixed up body parts of British soldiers
London, Apr 29 (PTI) Body parts of British soldiers who died on operations in Afghanistan have been mixed up and placed in the wrong coffins, officials confirmed today.
A spokesman of the defence ministry admitted that the remains of at least one serviceman who died in Britain's worst military disaster in the war, ended up inside another victim's coffin.
The issue came to light only when the personal belongings from one of the deceased were given by RAF officials to a family who said they were not his, The Observer reported.
Fourteen British servicemen died last September when a Nomrode MR2 crashed near Kandahar city. Relatives are now questioning how widespread the problems of identifying body parts actually are.
Trish Knight, whose 25-year-son Ben, a sergeant, died in the crash, said she was concerned that more body parts could have been mixed up and allocated to the wrong coffin: "We don't know how many mistakes were made over this, but body parts were found in a wrong coffin and there may well have been more parts mixed up. We just don't know." She said the discovery almost prompted her to cancel Ben's funeral. "We just thought how can we go ahead if we are not sure if it's Ben's body in there or maybe somebody else's"? Families said they were informed of the mix-up by RAF officials at Kinloss air base in Morayshire, where 12 of the 14 victims from Number 120 squadron were based. PTI
Sharif appeals to Pakistan Army generals
Islamabad, April 29 (PTI) Deposed former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif urged the army generals to choose between the country and General Pervez Musharraf, alleging that the "dictator" was bent upon destroying the army as an institution.
Sharif said the army generals must choose between Pakistan and Musharraf, alleging that the "dictator" was out to destroy the army as an institution. He said the country needed leaders, not dealers at this juncture.
Lashing out at Musharraf, Sharif said time was fast approaching when those responsible for banishing his popular government would be looking for sanctuaries in foreign countries.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said he would never cooperate with those who had violated the Constitution and peoples mandate (by overthrowing an elected government).
In a telephonic address from London to party leaders and workers here yesterday, the exiled premier said Musharraf had committed an unpardonable offence because of which a deal with "the dictator" was "unthinkable", the Dawn daily reported.
Sharif appeared unhappy over reports suggesting that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto was willing to have a working relationship with Musharraf.
Referring to an interview by Bhutto in which she indicated that as prime minister she would work with President Musharraf, Sharif recalled that only a few days ago a PPP delegation led by Amim Fahim had called on him to reassure that the PPP was not going to strike any "deal with Musharraf". PTI
Lanka confirms Tiger air attack on oil facilities
Colombo, Apr 29 (PTI) In yet another aeriel strike, Tamil Tiger aircraft bombed oil and gas storage facilities in and around Sri Lankan capital early today creating panic among cricket fans.
Confirming the strike by the Tigers on key installations near Colombo, the Sri Lankan defence ministry said only "minor damage" was caused in the attack.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) dropped two bombs at the Muthurajawela gas storage facility of Shell and dropped two more bombs at the main oil storage depot at Kolonnawa here, the ministry said.
"The suspected LTTE aircraft have (dropped) four improvised bombs," the ministry said in a statement.
The two bombs dropped on the oil facility failed to explode, the ministry said.
A rebel spokesman said two LTTE aircraft carried out the attacks in retaliation for military air raids on their territory.
He said two "squadrons" were dispatched after Sri Lankan air force jets had bombed targets in Kilinochchi in the north where the rebels have their headquarters.
The air force confirmed a rebel claim that the military war planes had bombed the outskirts of the rebel-held Kilinochchi town, 330 kilometres north of here, hours before the Tigers staged their tit-for-tat attack.
Air force spokesman Ajantha Silva said they carried out a second air strike against the Tigers after the rebel air strikes here early this morning. PTI
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