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Govt to take sense of House on Indo-US nuclear deal
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Seeking to assure the Left allies who have been opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Government today said it will seek the sense of the House on the agreement before it is taken up for ratification by the American Congress.
"Before we go for its (Indo-US nuclear deal) ratification in the American Parliament, we will come to Parliament to take the sense of the House even though there is no provision in the Constitution that stands in our way," External Affairs Minister Mukherjee said in an interaction with reporters during an orientation programme on Parliamentary reporting.
He was responding to a question on some parties demanding that international treaties should be ratified by Parliament.
The Left as also several other parties have been expressing apprehensions over various aspects of the deal and have been demanding that the sense of Parliament be taken into consideration and had contended that the Government had no majority on the issue.
Mukherjee said the sense of the House would be taken when after the three-step process of the deal would be completed.
"There are three processes, one is 123, which has been done, the second is IAEA India-specific safeguards agreements, that is yet to be done, and the third is amendment to the NSG guidelines that is again yet to be done," he said. PTI
Pitroda warns against interference in IITS, IIMs
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Amid ambitious expansion plans of IIMs and IITs, National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has warned against any interference in their functioning, saying this could lead to "unfortunate situations".
"The direct involvement of Administrative Ministries (in their functioning) can result in unfortunate situations," NKC Chairman Sam Pitroda said in a recent letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
He said it was imperative to "separate governance mechanisms from the day-to-day operations of Ministries, in order to protect functional autonomy, in its fullest sense." Pitroda said the appointment of Directors and Vice Chancellors of the new IITs , IIMs, IISERs, Central Universities, AIIMS must be made by a Search Committee that has an independent Chair, capable of exercising the highest quality of judgment.
"The direct involvement of administrative ministries can result in unfortunate situations", he said.
The recent measures by the government leading to a major expansion of the higher education sector were probably among the most important steps in making India globally competitive in the long run, he said.
The Government has decided to set up eight new IITs, seven IIMs, 30 Central Universities and World Class Universities during the 11th Five Year Plan period. PTI
Bangladesh not recognising problem of migration, says Pranab
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Expressing concern over the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants coming into India, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today charged the Bangladesh Government with refusing to recognise the problem.
"The problem is genuine. Unfortunately, Bangladesh Government refuses to recognise the problem. If we do not recognise the problem, how will we solve it," he told reporters here.
Mukherjee, who was interacting with journalists at an orientation programme on Parliamentary reporting, said there are many reasons behind Bangladeshis migrating to India.
"There are social, economic and political reasons for people coming here," he said.
Mukherjee said while his responsibility was towards his own people, at international conferences he supported the cause of the neighbouring countries so that people do not come here. PTI
Discus thrower Krishna Poonia qualifies for Olympics
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Discus thrower Krishna Poonia became the fifth athlete to qualify for the Beijing Olympics after finishing fourth in a women's invitational event in the United States.
Poonia crossed the Olympic qualification mark with a throw of 59.04m in the Mt. SAC Relays at Hilmer Lodger Stadium-Walnut in California, held from April 17 to 20.
Vikas Gowda, who has already qualified for the men's discus throw event in Beijing, threw a 55.54m to finish sixth in Tennessee Relays, another invitational event, held at Knoxville in Tennessee (USA) from April 10-12, according to Athletics Federation of India release.
Triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary, long jumper Anju Bobby George and heptathlete Susmita Singha Roy are the other three from the track and field event to have qualified for the Olympics. PTI
AFI revamps calender, introduces grading for athletes
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The Athletics Federation of India has finally woken up to the sport's poor state in the country and will attempt to make amends by revamping the calender and the prize money structure besides introducing a grading system for athletes.
The AFI today listed lack of technological support, incentives for athletes, scattered events and the absence of glamour as the primary "drawbacks" of the current system.
The federation, however, plans to change this with a new initiative aimed at making athletes financially stable.
"Currently a Grand Prix has a maximum prize money of Rs 2.5 lakh, we plan to enhance that and make sure that athletes earn at least Rs 25 lakh every year," AFI secretary Lalit K Bhanot said here.
The AFI said another important step towards enhancing performance would be the grading system that will put athletes in three different pay scales.
The elite category would have a base payment of Rs 5 to 10 lakh and would include those in the top-50 of world rankings and Asian Games gold medallists.
The second category will comprise those ranked between 50 to 100 in the world, Asian Games silver and bronze winners and Asian Championship gold winners.
The last category will be a general one.
"This system will motivate those in C category to aim for better money and perks in the A category, besides inspire A category athletes to maintain existing performance to remain in the elite group," Bhanot said. PTI
IHF forms committee to probe into bribe scandal
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Rattled by the bribe scandal involving its secretary K Jothikumaran, the Indian Hockey Federation today set up a three-member committee to inquire into the sting operation by a television news channel.
The Committee, formed two days after the expose, will be headed by retired Judge of Madras High court Justice K M N Natarajan and will also include former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, W I Davaram IPS (retd), and IHF Joint Secretary Rajeev Mehta.
IHF President KPS Gill told PTI that the committee would look into every aspect of the allegations made in the telecast.
"The Committee will meet at the earliest to inquire into every aspect shown in the telecast before submitting its findings to the Federation," Gill said.
Jothikumaran, who has stepped down as the Secretary General of IHF, was purportedly shown accepting bribe in a sting operation by 'Aaj Tak' channel.
The channel claimed that Jothikumaran had assured its reporters of getting a player selected in the senior hockey team after receiving a cash payment of Rs two lakhs and taking a promise of another Rs three lakhs to be given to his man in Delhi. PTI
Olympic torch arrives in Australia
Melbourne, Apr 23 (PTI) The Beijing Olympic flame today touched down the Australian capital of Canberra for the latest leg of a troubled global torch relay which has witnessed anti-China protests at several places.
A Chinese plane carrying flame arrived in Canberra after a six-hour flight from Jakarta and was received by Australian and Chinese officials in the presence of a limited audience.
The 16-kilometre route of the relay here, shortened from 20-kilometres due to riot fears, has been marked by a steel barricade that covers Australian Parliament House and extends up to the War Memorial.
Barricades have also been put in place on many of the city's arterial roads in anticipation of the protests.
Meanwhile, police today arrested few protesters on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney. The details of the arrests were yet to be known, but it was believed they were attempting to unfurl a banner.
Chinese envoy in Australia Zhang Junsai last night fanned the controversy over the "torch attendants", stating Chinese guards would "use their bodies" to protect the flame.
"Their role is to make sure that the flame will not go out," he was quoted in 'The Age' newspaper today. "If the flame is attacked, I believe, they will use their body." There were at least 19 Chinese flame attendants with the torch this morning. The torch was received by an Aboriginal elder Agnes Shea, who presented an Aboriginal message stick to Junsai and gave a welcome to country.
The aircraft arrived with the torch amid the firestorm surrounding the event after beefed up security doubled the cost of hosting the relay to almost two million Australian dollars and angered selected media who have been locked out of the torch route. PTI
FTA with China not a priority: Govt
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Government today said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China was not a "priority" for India due to "deep divisions" within the government and opposition from the industry.
"This is an issue (FTA with China) in which there are deep divisions both within the government as well as within the Indian industry," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha.
As of now, pursuing an FTA with China is not a priority, he said, adding that "no final decision will be taken on a Free Trade Agreement with China without consultation with all stakeholders including industry".
India and China have set up a joint study group to ascertain the feasibility of an FTA.
While negotiations are underway, industry bodies like FICCI and Assocham have asked the government to adopt a cautious approach before signing the agreement, arguing that resultant tariff cuts will see Chinese goods flooding Indian markets.
China has become India's number one trading partner with a massive increase in trade volume in the last few years.
India has already signed trade agreements with Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and is a signatory to the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
To a separate question, he said Pakistan has violated international law by not granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India despite New Delhi extending it to Islamabad.
He said despite Pakistan not granting MFN status to India, trade between the two has increased with exports to that country touching USD 1.6 Billion and imports about USD 400 mn. PTI
Sen panel not to recommend ban of futures trading
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) An expert committee set up over a year ago to study if futures trading influenced commodity prices will neither recommend a ban nor favour continuing trade in essential commodities, said a member of the panel.
"The terms of reference do not include any obligation to make recommendations about the future of futures market and we don't have to say anything about whether it should continue or not," Sharad Joshi, member of the Abhijit Sen Committee, told reporters here.
He said the panel members, who had a three-hour long meeting today, agreed to submit a common minimum report (CMR) to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar listing their views.
"The common minimum report will not have anything either stopping or permitting futures market," Joshi said.
As regards lifting of ban on futures trading in certain commodities including wheat, he said: "We don't have to say whether the ban should be lifted." The panel will be submitting its report to the government within days of Pawar announcing in Parliament that he would take a decision on futures market if the Sen panel report was not received within 10 days.
The setting up of the committee was announced by Finance Minister P Chidambaram last year in his Budget speech for 2007-08.
Apart from Sen and Joshi, the members of the committee include IIM-Ahmedabad professor Siddharth Sinha, Forward Markets Commission member Kewal Ram and IIM-Bangalore professor Prakash Apte. The government had last year appointed the Sen panel to study the impact of futures trading on prices of agricultural commodities. PTI
Govt snubs Tatas; denies permission to start Blackberry svc
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The government has asked Tata Teleservices not to offer Blackberry services unless the required monitoring system being insisted for by security agencies is put in place.
"Keeping in view of the security implication involved, the licensee (company) is directed not to connect or provide or run the Blackberry e-mail and mobile messenger services unless the required monitoring system to the satisfaction of the security agencies are in place and the master key and algorithm are deposited with the licensor," DoT said in a letter to Tatas.
Tata Teleservices and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) limited had sought permission for launching Blackberry services, saying other leading operators have been offering services without meeting the above mentioned security clauses.
"...Non compliance of instructions by any other operator in breach of terms and conditions of the licence cannot be a valid ground for according permission to offer Blackberry services," DoT said.
DoT and the Ministry of Home Affairs have been battling with the Blackberry licensor Research-in-Motion (RIM) as also mobile service providers like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications to put in place a system to intercept data sent using Blackberry technology. PTI
Bullion wants govt to ban futures trading in bullion on MCX
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Apex body of the bullion and jewellery traders All India Sarafa Association today appealed to the government to ban futures trading in gold and silver on the Multi Commodity Exchange.
The association, at its annual general meeting, unanimously passed a resolution asking the government that in the interest of the traders and consumers gold and silver trading should be banned on the MCX.
The association's President Sheel Chand Jain submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram to take initiatives to stop futures trading in precious metals.
In the last one year fro April 2007-2008 prices of gold surged by about 45 per cent from around Rs 9,000 to the over 13,000 recently, while silver rose by around 35 per cent from about Rs 19,500 to over 26,500 per cent.
In view of a vast fluctuation in the gold and silver prices, which created both confusion and panic in the minds of consumers, the government should take an immediate step, Jain said.
He said the futures trading ruined bullion trade as prices rose mostly on speculative base with hardly any physical buyer in the market.
"There is no reason for such volatile fluctuations in the gold and silver prices where a large number of small traders indulging in the future trading throughout the country," Jain said.
The association also re-elected Prem Nath Khanna as general secretary and Madan Lal Jain as Treasurer. PTI
Clinton bounces back, declares "tide is turning"
Dharam Shourie
Philadelphia, Apr 23 (PTI) Hillary Clinton bounced back to keep her White House bid alive crafting a comfortable win today over Democratic rival Barack Obama in a critical vote in US's Pennsylvania primary and declared the "tide is turning" in her favour.
The stage is now set for a bitter roller-coaster race in voting in the nine remaining primaries to get the Democratic nomination with a clear front runner yet to emerge. The next one is to be held in Indiana on May six.
The pressure was on Clinton to win by a large margin. She won 55 per cent of the vote, to Obama's 45 per cent, with 99 per cent of the precincts reporting so far in Pennsylvania with 158 delegates up for grab. Clinton's comfortable victory margin may silence her critics who have been demanding that she quit the increasingly bitter race for the nomination.
"Some counted me out and said to drop out," the 61-year-old New York Senator told cheering supporters at a rally in Philadelphia.
"But the American people don't quit. And they deserve a president who doesnt quit either," Clinton, flanked by her husband and former president Bill and their daughter Chelsea, told cheering supporters here who chanted "Yes, She Can" and waved placards that read "Smart Choice".
"We were up against a formidable opponent who outspent us 3-1... Trying to knock us out of the race," she said of Obama. "Well the people of Pennsylvania had other ideas today," a beaming Clinton told Pennsylvanians that "you listened and today you chose." Having already ensured e Republican nomination after the March 4 primaries, John McCain easily coasted to victory in Pennsylvania Tuesday, garnering 73 per cent with 98 per cent of precincts reporting. PTI
US may take biometric datas of travellers as they exit
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Apr 23 (PTI) In a move that is likely to impact thousands of travellers, including Indians, the United States has proposed to establish biometric exit procedures at all air and sea ports of departure to fight against terrorism.
The US-VISIT Exit proposal would require non-US citizens, a majority of whom already provide biometric identifiers for admission, to also provide digital fingerprints when departing the country from any air or sea ports of departure.
"The 9/11 Commission called for biometric entry and exit records, because biometrics confirm that travellers are who they say they are and the purpose of their travel is as they claim it to be," the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff said in a statement.
"Weve built an effective entry system, and combined with the proposed exit system, well have made a quantum leap in Americas border security. Air and sea carriers would actively participate in the proposed exit system, and I look forward to an ongoing dialogue on solutions to meet this key 9/11 Commission recommendation," he said.
According to the Department, the 9/11 Commission along with it have concluded that biometric records of the entry and exit of international visitors are essential for the integrity of the nations immigration and border management system. PTI
India-Chile Presidential bonding thickens
Sumir Kaul
Santiago, Apr 23 (PTI) From 'Your Excellency' to 'Dear Friend' -- the personal chemistry between President Pratibha Patil and her Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet changed within 24 hours.
Bachelet, in her speech at a banquet hosted for Patil on April 21, addressed the visiting dignitary as 'Your Excellency' and within 24 hours she called her a 'Dear Friend' at the return banquet.
She narrated the quote of Rabindranath Tagore -- "Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not. Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own. Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger" -- to express admiration of Chile for India.
In her speech, President Patil said "I am deeply touched by the affection and warmth with which my delegation and I have been received in this beautiful country.
"As two women Presidents, I believe we have established a close personal rapport and an empathy that is based on shared experiences, concerns and values," she said.
Patil made no bones in appreciating the warmth received from Bachelet and said "your lovely and lively personality is impressive. I keenly look forward to receiving you in India next year on mutually convenient dates." PTI
Bachchan takes a swipe at Sinha for his IIFA remarks
Mumbai, Apr 23 (PTI) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has taken a swipe at film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha for his remarks that the nomination list of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards were "fixed".
Bachchan, in his newly created blog said, "A section of the print media carried a comment from my colleague, friend and neighbour Shatrughan Sinha. It reportedly quoted his reactions to the nomination list of IIFA awards wherein he has purportedly said, 'Sab kissika beta hai, ya kissiki bahu, ya kissiki biwi'." Big B, further said, "I am surprised at this observation, especially since, during the time of the National Award selection for Best Actress in one of the past years, when the award went to Raveena Tandon. It was alleged that Mr Shatrughan Sinha's wife, the lovely and graceful Poonam, a great friend of Raveena's mother had recommended the appointment of MacMohan, brother of Raveena's mother, on the board of the jury to favour the actress." He also added, "If this alleged story is true then, I do value Mr Shatrughan Sinha's statement (Sab Kissika..)- you are so right Shatru !!," said Big B in the blog. PTI
Remembering Satyajit Ray
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) "Not to have seen the cinema of Satyajit Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon." These words by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurasawa best describes the man, who is considered to be have changed the face of Indian cinema forever.
Ray made his films in Bengali. Yet, they were of universal interest. His humanistic approach in dealing with the subjects and subtle handling of characters earned him a place among the league of extraordinary filmmakers of the world.
And even today after 16 years of his death in 1992, he still continues to inspire generations with his creative vision. Ray's death anniversary was observed today.
"He is the first filmmaker in Indian to follow the concept of world cinema and is responsible for bringing out the modern aspect of Indian cinema. His films have always been in the realm of realism and the characters always identifiable with the common man," says ten times National Award winning director Jahnu Barua.
"His cinematic discipline is incomparable and speaks volumes about his commitment to his craft," he adds.
From capturing the simplicity of rural life in Apu Trilogy-- 'Pather Panchali', 'Apur Sansar' and 'Aparajito', to the deft handling of the loneliness of Charu, with just one line of dialogue in seven minutes in 'Charulata', he has crafted each of his films with equal elan, brilliance and equanimity. PTI
Kidman campaigns for ending violence against women
New York, Apr 23 (PTI) Academy-Award winning actress and and UN Goodwill Ambassador, Nicole Kidman has called on people around the world to lend greater support to an online petition, seeking an end to violence against women.
"Every voice counts, and every amount counts," Kidman told reporters here, urging people to add their names to the campaign and donors to step up funding for the cause.
"Let survivors of violence around the world know that they can count on us," said Kidman who is ambassador of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
Asked about the motivation behind her joing the movement, she said, as a mother of two who is seven months pregnant, she sought to help both her own children and children around the world to have a "better life." Since its launch late last November, the "Say NO to violence against women" petition has garnered more than 200,000 supporters.
"By signing on, citizens send an unequivocal message to leaders around the world, letting their governments know, that they want to see decisive action," Executive Director of UNIFEM, Joanne Sandler said.
In a welcome development, governments have started to sign on to the campaign, including the entire Senegalese Cabinet, led by the West African nation's President, she added.
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said that the UN system was now converging around this key topic, noting that in February, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon kicked off a multi-year global campaign bringing together the world body, governments and civil society and called it an issue that "cannot wait." PTI
Bedi blames law enforcement agencies for piracy
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) A veteran Bollywood filmmaker has said that problems of piracy and counterfeiting were plaguing the Indian entertainment and blamed the law enforcement agencies for the scenario.
Ahead of the World Intellectual Property Day on Saturday, filmmaker Bobby Bedi slammed the government of India for poor enforcement of the "great laws" to curb piracy.
"The law is all there. The real problem is the enforcement of the law. The authority at ground level does not really take serious action. As a result it becomes a joke," Bedi, who brought the issue before the US Congress, told PTI.
"Today in Bombay, for example, you could go to jail for a night for talking on your mobile phone while driving. But if you are caught with cable piracy, it is not so easy to prosecute. There is no sense in having a law that cannot be enforced," Bedi said.
"But that is India's problem in so many areas. We have great laws and not so great enforcement," Bedi said.
The top Indian film producer warned members of Congress about the massive problems of piracy and counterfeiting plaguing the entertainment industries in India and other developing countries.
Bedi's remarks assumes significance in view of a recent study by Ernst & Young showing that the Indian entertainment industry was losing USD four billion a year, representing almost 40 per cent of their potential annual revenue, due to piracy and counterfeiting. PTI
I never wanted to be an actor: Arshad Warsi
Amit Das
New Delhi, April 23 (PTI) He might be one of the finest actors in Bollywood with an impeccable comic timing but actor Arshad Warsi, whose latest film 'Krazzy 4' has just hit the screens, says he did'nt dream of becoming an actor.
"I never wanted to be an actor. I was also terrible in business, so I didn't want to be a businessman either. I was interested in choreography. But now after spending 12 years in the industry I think people have accepted me and I am a decent actor now," says Arshad, who started his career with 'Tere Mere Sapne' in 1996.
Arshad, who immortalised the character of 'Circuit' a henchman of 'Munnabhai' in 'Munnabhai MBBS' and its sequel 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' says, he never tried to do anything different to get into focus.
"I never tried anything out of the way. For me, It has always been being in the right place at the right time. Now I'm getting a variety of roles and things are looking good," he says.
Arshad's 'Krazzy 4,' which is supposed to be a rip off from Howard Zieff's 'The Dream Team', has received some flak from the critics. However, Arshad has no qualms about acting in such flicks.
"I dont care for honesty. Every film is a copy of some other film, so it doesn't bother me. As long as the Indian junta is happy and are enjoying the flicks, I am happy to do such films," he says. PTI
Repetition of 2007 rat menace looms large: Scientist
H C Vanlalruata
Aizawl, Apr 22 (PTI) The prediction by elders in Mizoram's villages that 2008 would be a year of bountiful harvest after a disastrous year of 'Mautam' may prove to be wrong according to James Lalsiamliana, an expert on pest control.
Lalsiamliana's worst fears are based on reports that 'Dendrocalamus Hamiltoni,' a variety of bamboo locally known as 'Phulrua' flowered in the last quarter of last year and the seeds are on the ground now even as 'melocanna baccifera' or 'Mautak' has completed flowering.
'Mautam' is the local term used for gregarious flowering in bamboo, followed invariably by a plague of bandicoot rats, which multiply in response to the temporary windfall of seeds; they subsequently turn to forage on stored grain, which in turn causes famine.
The ecological phenomenon cyclically occurs in this state every 48 years resulting in immense hardship to the agrarian tribals. "As had happened in the late 1950s the rodents that caused so much destruction to the cultivation area during 2007 were expected to die enmasse due to liver disease as they wouldn't find anything to eat from January to April," he said, adding that now they found food in form of 'Phulua' seeds.
He said that even wild boars and jungle fowls devoured the seeds of Phulrua and many villagers reported an increase in the population of wild boar and jungle fowl in their areas after 'Phulrua' flowered. "Phulrua flowered sporadically since 2000 but this year it is flowering gregariously," Lalsiamliana said, adding that the species is found almost everywhere in the river valleys.
"No study has revealed that rats ate Dendrocalamus Hamiltoni and even if it is so, the population of this bamboo species is too small to re-trigger rodent menace," he told PTI. PTI
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