|
|
|
Prime Minister will visit Andhra farmers today
Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Hyderabad : The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will visit Andhra Pradesh today. More than 125 farmers have committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh since the Congress came to power in the state this May. The groundnut farmers in the drought-affected district of Anantapur will not get an audience with the Prime Minister as was earlier planned. The Prime Minister will travel instead to Kurnool and Mahbubnagar to get a first-hand account of the crisis that agriculture is facing in Andhra Pradesh. Dr Singh will meet the families of farmers who committed suicide in the last six weeks. Security aboard Air-India flights has been
stepped up
New Delhi : The Airline spokesman, Jitender Bhargava, said security aboard Air-India flights has been stepped up after intelligence reports suggested terrorists might try to hijack an Indian plane flying to or from the Gulf. The state-run carrier was taking all anti-hijacking measures. He declined to give details about who is suspected of planning such an attack. He said : "The alert was sounded a week ago and it continues." Air-India and Indian Airlines operate 150 flights a week to various Gulf destinations, including the Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. Additional security staff had been hired by both airlines to guard their aircraft at Dubai airport. Islamic militants had hijacked an Indian Airlines jetliner from Katmandu, Nepal, in December 1999. The hijackers flew the plane to Kandahar in then Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and the aircraft and its passengers were released only after the Indian government freed three Islamic militants held in Indian jails. Balram Jakhar sworn-in Governor of Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal : The veteran farmer leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker, Balram Jakhar, was sworn-in Governor of Madhya Pradesh. He was administered oath by the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Acting), Chief Justice Rajiv Gupta, at a function in Raj Bhavan. Jakhar took oath in Sanskrit in the presence of a host of dignitaries, including the former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar, the Chief Minister, Uma Bharti, her ministerial colleagues, the Union Minister of state for Agriculture, Kantilal Bhuria, the Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh assembly, Jamuna Devi, and the state Congress President, Subhash Yadav. President presents Padma awards to eminent
personalities
New Delhi : The Indian President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, presented the Padma awards to eminent personalities. Three eminent personalities received the Padma Vibhushan, 19 the Padma Bhushan, and 74 persons the Padma Shri. The President honoured the stalwarts of the Indian entertainment industry with the Padma Awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Poet, lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar won the Padma Bhushan for his contributions in the field of art. Legendary actor from West Bengal and late Satyajit Ray's muse Soumitra Chatterjee finally decided to accept the Padma Vibhushan award this year and not disappoint his fans. Singer and Composer Hariharan won the Padma Shri for his innovations in music. For this Tamilian ghazal singer who has won hearts for nearly 15 years, it was his fusion album Colonial Cousins that shot him to fame in 1996. Actor Anupam Kher was awarded for his contribution to art and cinema and he considers this honour will push him to excel further in his craft. Chawdhary Shujaat Hussain sworn-in as
Pakistan's new Prime Minister
Islamabad : Chawdhary Shujaat Hussain was sworn in as Pakistan's new Prime Minister. He was sworn in, replacing Zafarullah Khan Jamali, a day after lawmakers endorsed his appointment as the new premier. Hussain was sworn in by the Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf, at a ceremony at the presidential palace here along with his Cabinet Ministers. The Pakistani Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, and the Pakistani Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz, along with other senior Ministers retained their portfolios. All Congress ministers in Maharashtra resign
to reduce size of cabinet
Mumbai : All Congress ministers in Maharashtra resigned to enable Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to reduce the size of his cabinet as per a Constitutional amendment. The Chief Minister has received the resignations of all Congress members. The Chief Minister said that he will be going to Delhi in a couple of days and a final decision on the new Congress ministers will be taken by the party high command. On being asked whether he will be asked to resign, the Chief Minister said he will abide by whatever decision the high command takes. Lahore Declaration completely ignored,
says former External Affairs Minister
New Delhi : The former External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, charged the Government with displaying a "petty political mindset" by ignoring the significant Lahore Declaration in the India-Pakistan joint statement issued at the end of the Secretary-level talks between the two countries. He said the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) had noted with satisfaction that the Secretary-level talks had taken place in accordance with the decision taken by the Vajpayee Government in February. The party was "happy" that there was an agreement on a timeframe for discussing other issues and taking the dialogue forward. However, he expressed the party's concern that the Lahore Declaration had been completely ignored. The matter was one of the issues discussed at a meeting called at his residence by the BJP President, Venkaiah Naidu, which was attended, among others, by the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Leader of Opposition, L K Advani, the former Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, and Sinha. Indo-Pak foreign secretaries conclude their
two-day talks
New Delhi : The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan concluded their two-day talks during which they discussed peace, security and Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, handed over a message for the Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf, as the two countries concluded their Foreign Secretary-level talks on a "positive" note while deciding to make the ongoing dialogue process "result-oriented". The message was given to the Pakistani Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokhar, when he called on Singh at his official residence here. While the Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Shashank, Riaz Khokhar headed the Pakistani team. In a statement issued after the meeting, MEA spokesperson Navtej Sarna said the talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere with both sides agreeing to work towards stability in the region. Keen contest on for 9 Rajya Sabha seats;
56 candidates elected unopposed
New Delhi : A key contest is on for the biennial elections to nine of 65 vacancies in Rajya Sabha. Already 56 candidates have been elected unopposed in the elections. A controversial transparent voting, that is a bone of contention in a petition before the Supreme Court, has been employed for the polls. Five candidates are left in the fray in Karnataka for four Rajya Sabha seats, where a Congress candidate has to get votes of other parties to secure victory. While BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President, M Venkaiah Naidu, is seeking re-election, Shakuntala Hegde, wife of the former Chief Minister, late Ramakrishna Hegde, is bidding for an entry into the Upper House. The Congress has fielded Union Minister of State for Programme Implementation and Statistics Oscar Fernandes and AICC Secretary B K Hariprasad, who has to garner votes outside his party. Business tycoon M A M Ramaswamy is the Janata Dal(S) nominee. Eight Bihar Ministers tender their resignation
to help Rabri Devi
Patna : According to the report, eight Bihar Ministers have tendered their resignation to help the Bihar Chief Minister, Rabri Devi, downsize her ministry in accordance with the 91st constitutional amendment. The five Cabinet Ministers are -- Excise Minister Shivanand Tiwari, Irrigation, Forest and Enviornment Minister Jagdanand Singh, Sugarcane Minister Raghvendra Pratap Singh, Energy Minister Shakeel Ahmad Khan, and Higher and Secondary Education Minister Ramlakhan Ram Raman. Jamali's resignation has pushed Pak nation
into "worst constitutional crisis"
Islamabad : Pakistan's Opposition parties have said that the Prime Minister, Zafarullah Khan Jamali's resignation has pushed the nation into the "worst constitutional crisis." Jamali quit his post under the pressure. Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA) accused the Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf, of prevailing on a reluctant Prime Minister to resign and said Jamali's resignation was a "conspiracy" against the budding democracy in the country and a "dangerous threat" to national security. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister meets Prime Minister
New Delhi : The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. He sought a special package for his state. He said : "This is my first meeting with the Prime Minister since he took over. It was a courtesy call." Singh said he has demanded a special package from the Centre for his state suffering from lack of development activities and unemployment. Man who tried to gift Kalam with a pistol
brought from Patna for interrogation
New Delhi : Mahesh Sav, the man who had allegedly sent a pistol and a cartridge to the President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, last week in a parcel was brought here from Patna for interrogation. He will be interrogated by Delhi Police about his intentions. However, he has claimed that he had reportedly sent the weapon - developed by him - as a "sample" to Kalam since it was of a "different kind". He will be produced in a court here to enable Delhi Police take his custody. Film producer Yash Johar passes away
Mumbai : The mortal remains of noted film producer Yash Johar were cremated at the Shivaji Park crematorium in central Mumbai here. Reliance Group Vice Chairman Anil Ambani, Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, Censor Board Chief Anupam Kher and prominent members of the film industry, including Tabu, Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Rakesh Roshan and his son Hrithik and Juhi Chawla were among those who paid their last respects at his Eden Rock residence. The 75-year old producer, who brought smile on lips and tears in eyes of cine goers through films like "Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham", passed away at suburban Leelavati Hospital where he had been admitted for the past fortnight for acute chest congestion. Jammu and Kashmir government extends duration
of annual Amarnath yatra to 40 days
Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Government extended the duration of the annual Amarnath yatra to 40 days. According to the official sources, the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas would now begin on July 20 instead of scheduled July 29. The move comes a day after four Congress ministers in the PDP-led Jammu and Kashmir Government sent their resignations to the party high command protesting against the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's "attitude" to the demands for extending the yatra from 30 days to two months. The decision came after marathon meetings by the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, the party General Secretary, Ambika Soni, Political Advisor to Congress Chief Ahmed Patel, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Deputy Chief Minister on the issue. Two Indians win "Green Oscars"
London : Two Indians have won two of the four Ashden Awards 2004 considered as "Green Oscars". The founder of the Prakratik Society in Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Goverdhan Rathore, bagged the Climate Care Award and a cash of 30,000 pounds for providing villages around the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve with a cleaner, greener alternative to firewood for cooking in the form of biogas. Hemant Lamba and his team at the international township of Auroville in South India succeeded in delivering affordable and reliable renewable energy products and services (in the form of solar panels) in 12 States, benefiting 80,000 people. Binu Parthan of IT Power, India, received a runners-up prize of 7,500 pounds for designing a pioneering smoke-free, fuel-efficient stove that cuts the wood requirement by 70 per cent. The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony held at the Royal Geographical Society here by Sir David Attenborough in the presence of a packed house. After winning the award, Rathore told the award would enthuse them to redouble their work in the Ranthambhore Tiger Sanctuary. BJP's allies in NDA are willing to accept
only Vajpayee
New Delhi : The former Prime Minister and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, felt he was being isolated in the party. But the BJP's allies in the NDA have said they are willing to accept only the Vajpayee as the coalition chairperson. The JD-U (Janata Dal-United) leader, Digvijay Singh, said : "Without Vajpayee there is no NDA. Where is the question of looking beyond him? He is the tallest leader. The General Secretary of BJD (Biju Janata Dal), Damodar Rout, said : "Vajpayee is the best suited person to lead the NDA. As of now, there is no question of looking anywhere else." The BJP is still confused about the road ahead. The party is split on whether to continue with its development agenda or go back to its roots' hardline agenda. The RSS feels that there is no option for the BJP but to return to its roots. Pak Prime Minister will visit India in
either October or November
New Delhi : The Pakistan's High Commissioner in New Delhi, Aziz Ahmed Khan, has said that the Pakistani Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, will visit India in November. There are indications that peace talks between the neighbours are proceeding at a brisk pace. Aziz Ahmed Khan said : "The SAARC Chairman traditionally visits all the SAARC nations during his tenure. So, Jamali is hoping to visit India in either October or November this year." He said the Pak Prime Minister had also spoken to his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh extended an invitation for him to visit Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan welcomed the Indian Prime Minister's statement about continuity and active pursuit of the composite Indo-Pak dialogue. The Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, said in Islamabad : "Pakistan too wants to work for a peaceful, secure and prosperous neighbourhood. We are encouraged by Dr Manmohan Singh's statement that India is sincere about discussing and resolving all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir." Supreme Court will take up stay order on
death sentence to convicted rapist and murderer
New Delhi : The Supreme Court will take up the stay order on the death sentence to convicted rapist and murderer Dhananjoy Chatterjee today. Subsequently the Home Ministry has asked the West Bengal government to stay his execution till a decision was taken. In a last minute reprieve, the Supreme Court had stayed his execution for two days. The Indian President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, had also forwarded a mercy petition to the government for consideration. Dhananjoy Chatterjee, convicted of rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl Hetal Parekh in 1990, was sentenced to death by a sessions court in 1991, which was upheld by the Calcutta High Court and later by the Supreme Court. Recent training exercise with India serves
as "wake-up call" to US Air Force
New Delhi : According to a top Americal General, a recent training exercise with India has served as a "wake-up call" to the US Air Force. The head of the US Air Force's Air Combat Command, General Hal Hornburg, said : "We have to learn a lot of things from that." The training exercies "Cope India" conducted by the US and Indian air forces in Gwalior in February. He said : "We have to learn if we want air superiority it doesn't come cheap and it's not automatic." Prime Minister will address nation today
New Delhi : The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will address the nation today. He will make his address over Doordarshan at 7:30 p.m. (IST), both in English and Hindi. The Prime Minister, who has kept a low profile ever since he took over a month ago, has been planning to address the nation ever since the disruption in Parliament by the opposition on the issue of tainted ministers with the result there was no discussion on even the motion of thanks to the President's address. India and China will celebrate 50th anniversary
of Panchsheel
Qingdao : India and China would celebrate the 50th anniversary of Panchsheel or five principles of peaceful co-existence in a befitting manner through jointly agreed activities, including the release of a commemorative stamp. The External Affairs Minister, K Natwar Singh, said : "I will be hosting a major reception in New Delhi on June 28 to mark the occasion. A special stamp will also be released on the occasion." He said the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, will address a special function at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on June 28. Former US President Clinton rejected to
mediate Kashmir during Kargil
New York : According to the report, the former US President, Bill Clinton, had firmly rejected Pakistan's pleas to mediate on the Kashmir issue at the height of the Kargil crisis because India objected to third party intervention and it would appear to reward Islamabad's "wrongful incursion". Clinton recalled the then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called him and asked if he could come to Washington on July 4, the American Independence Day, to discuss the "dangerous standoff" with India that had begun several weeks earlier when "Pakistani forces under the command of General Pervez Musharraf crossed the LoC (Line of Control)." Clinton wrote in his just released memories, "My Life" : "I told Sharif that he was always welcome to Washington but if he wanted me to spend American Independence Day with him, he had to come to the US knowing two things, first he had to agree to withdraw his troops back across the LoC, and second, I would not agree to intervene in the Kashmir dispute, especially under circumstances that appeared to reward Pakistan's wrongful incursion." BJP resolution attacks Congress-led government
for creating two power centres
Mumbai : On the second day of the BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party's) national executive meeting in Mumbai, the party adopt its political resolution today. The BJP's resolution attacks the Congress-led government for creating two power centres -- one around the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the second around what it calls "super Prime Minister" Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President. The BJP will campaign against the Congress-led government for going soft on terrorism and infiltration. The resolution expressed confidence in the leadership of the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the senior party leader, L K Advani. The BJP said the party has grown under the statesmanship of Vajpayee. The party says its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections was unexpected and it will play the role of an effective opposition. On the other hand, Advani said the party should carry along with it the workers of "Sangh Parivar" in its efforts to widen its base among the masses. India and Pakistan agree in principle to
reopen consulates in Karachi and Mumbai
New Delhi : India and Pakistan have agreed in principle to reopen their consulates in Karachi and Mumbai. The Karachi and Mumbai consulates have remained closed since the early 1990s and their re-opening will give a major relief to visa-seekers in both countries since all visas are now issued from Islamabad and New Delhi. The External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, told from Qingdao, China, today after a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri, that India and Pakistan had also agreed to restore to 110 each the staff strength of their respective High Commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi. All 41 ministers in Meghalaya resign to enable
Chief Minister to trim his ministry
Shillong : All the 41 ministers in Meghalaya resigned today to enable the Chief Minister to trim his ministry as per a new law. The new law limits the size of the ministry to just 15 per cent of the strength of the legislature. The Meghalaya Chief Minister, D D Lapang, is scheduled to leave for New Delhi with the list of twelve names to be submitted to the Congress high command. India's Foreign Minister holds talks with
his Pakistani counterpart
Qingdao : The Indian Foreign Minister, Natwar Singh, held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, in the East Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. Kasuri said before going for the talks that he hoped that the good progress made during the last government's tenure in India would be continued. He said : "I am encouraged by the statements of the new Indian leadership, Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and the Foreign Minister, Natwar Singh's own statements (on Indo-Pak ties)." Both leaders are here to participate in the 22-member Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). The meeting came a day after the two countries took a slew of measures to avoid misunderstanding and reduce risk of nuclear confrontation. Kasuri said : "He (Singh) personally told me that under the new government, it looks forward to carrying the process of peace with Pakistan even further and at a faster pace. So I am looking forward with great expectation." He also said : "I have always been one of those people in Pakistan who strongly believe that normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India are in the interests of all the people of South Asia. I have worked for it even before I became Foreign Minister and since becoming Foreign Minister I took upon myself the big challenge." Government will hold talks with NSCN (I-M)
from tomorrow
New Delhi : The Central Government will open its first talks with Naga insurgent group NSCN (I-M) from Wednesday in the Netherlands, to find a solution to the insurgency problem in Nagaland. The Government's special representative, K Padmanabhaiah, and the IB (Intelligence Bureadu) Director, K P Singh, left for Amsterdam to hold parleys with the NSCN (I-M) Chairman, Isak Chisi Swu, and the General Secretary, T Muivah. The Government had declared that it was committed to continuing the Naga peace process, including the dialogue with NSCN (I-M) with which it has had a ceasefire since 1997. BJP high command rules out Gujarat Chief
Minister Modi's removal
New Delhi : According to the report, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, earned a temporary reprieve with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) high command ruling out his removal "at this juncture" in an obvious effort to paper over the deep divisions in the party over the issue. The BJP President, M Venkaiah Naidu's repeated assertions after a meeting of the Parliamentary Board that Modi would not be removed "at this juncture" still left open the possibilities that the party leadership may have arrived at an understanding to get rid of him after a gap when the controversy over the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, linking him and the Gujarat riots to the electoral debacle dies down. He said the party would be organising a brain storming session during the July recess of the Budget Session of Parliament to analyse various shortcomings, come up with corrective measures to remove them and prepare a strategy to move forward. Normal life disrupted in Manipur following
24-hour general strike today
Imphal : A 24-hour general strike in Manipur called by an organisation demanding complete shifting of Assam Rifles from the historic Kangla Fort. Normal life was disrupted in Manipur today following the general strike. All transport services, including Imphal-Guwahati bus services, were also cancelled in view of the general strike. Official reports said business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and "very thin" attendance was reported in government offices in response to the general strike called by "Meeyamgi Apunba Phongjang Thoudang Lup, Kangla", an organisation formed to save the Kangla fort. Best Bakery case adjourned till July 17
Mumbai : The Best Bakery case has now been adjourned till July 17. The trial court asked both states to resolve the impasse by July 5 failing, which the matter would be referred to the Supreme Court for its ruling. Earlier, on June 10, Maharashtra and Gujarat had staked their respective claims on appointment of prosecutor and the court had asked both the states to resolve the issue by today. When the matter came up for hearing, Atul Mehta and T S Nanavati appeared on behalf of Gujarat government and said they had been appointed prosecutors by the state. They also informed that Gujarat would consider appointing Manjula Rao as special public prosecutor, who appeared to be the choice of Citizens for Just and Peace, an NGO, supporting the cause of victims in this case. However, Maharashtra government's counsel informed that the state had come out with a notification on June 18 appointing a team of prosecutors in this case, namely P R Vakil, Manjula Rao, Zaheeruddin Sheikh and S M Vora. Former Prime Mister owns responsibility
for BJP's defeat in Lok Sabha elections
Manali : The former Prime Minister and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said he owned "maximum" responsibility for BJP's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. He said : "I take maximum responsibility for the defeat because the elections were fought in my name. I will do penance for it." He said : "We will work very hard. There will be no lacking in hardwork". Pakistani delegation arrives for talks
on nuclear CBMs
New Delhi : India and Pakistan are slated to hold their first discussion on nuclear CBMs (confidence-building measures). A high-level Pakistani delegation arrived in New Delhi. They will discuss a range of issues aimed at nuclear risk reduction. Additional secretary in the Pakistan foreign office and leader of the delegation, Tariq Usman Haider, said : "We are coming with a positive spirit and suggestions and are here for result-oriented talks." The Indian side will be headed by Sheel Kant Sharma, Additional Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry. Akhtar Hussain arrested by Mumbai police
on charges of forgery
New Delhi : Akhtar Hussain Qutbuddin Ahmed was arrested this morning by the Mumbai police on charges of forgery. Akhtar Hussain Qutbuddin Ahmed will be produced in the court later in the day. He was suspected to have offered Indian nuclear secrets to diplomatic missions in west Asia. The investigating authorities reportedly could not make a breakthrough to establish if Akhtar had access to nuclear secrets. He was deported to Mumbai on Saturday night from Dubai. Security tightened in Puri for Jagannath yatra
Puri : With only a day to go before the start of Lord Jagannath's yatra in Puri, security has been tightened in the coastal city as over 10 lakh devotees are expected to participate in this annual event. The entire route along grand road, between the Jagannath Temple and the Guddicha temple, will be manned by close to 5,000 policemen. Over 200 men from the RAP (Rapid Action Force) have also been called. India and Jordan agree to sign extradition treaty
Dubai : India and Jordan have agreed to sign an extradition treaty as well as consider a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters. The decisions were taken during discussions the visiting Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed had in Amman with the top leadership of Jordan. Jordan welcomed Indian proposal for signing an MoU on IT cooperation and to consider another MoU on Manpower exports to Jordan. Tight security cover thrown over Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad : A tight security cover has been thrown over Ahmedabad, ahead of the inauguration of the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath. The Police Commissioner, K R Kaushik, said about 15,000 police personnel and 64 companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed. He said : "Along with the State police, we have additional troops of SRP (State Reserve Police), home guards and from the Centre we have the CRPF, the BSF and the RAF. We have also got forces from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh." BJP leaders file their nominations papers
for Rajya Sabha elections
New Delhi : The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders today filed their nominations papers for Rajya Sabha elections. The elections are scheduled to be held on June 28. Prominent among them are senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha who filed his nomination papers from Jharkhand. Former union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Arun Shourie and industrialist Lalit Suri have also filed their nominations from Lucknow. In Rajasthan as well the party has fielded four candidates for the Upper House polls. Noted film actress Jaya Bachchan files
nomination papers for Rajya Sabha
Lucknow : Noted film actress Jaya Bachchan, wife of film star Amitabh Bachchan, today filed her nomination papers for Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. She filed her nomination papers as a Samajwadi Party candidate. This would be the second foray into politics for the Bachchan family. Amitabh had fought the Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket from Allahabad in 1984. 20 killed and 100 injured as Matsyagandha
Express derails near Mumbai
Mumbai : Eleven coaches and the engine of the Matsyagandha Express derailed this morning near Raigarh. At least 20 people were killed and 100 others were injured when Mangalore-Mumbai Matsyagandha Express derailed over a bridge between Veer and Karanjadi stations, about 200 km from here. The casualties are likely to go up. Nearly 70 others have also been injured in the mishap. The accident occurred between Roha and Vir stations at about 6 a.m. (I.S.T.). The 2620 Mangalore-Mumbai Express was on its way from Mangalore to Mumbai, when the engine and two coaches fell off a bridge. According to initial reports, boulders, which fell on the tracks because of a landslide, may have been the cause of the accident. The General Manager, Konkan Railways, D Raja Ram, said : "The accident occurred when the locomotive jumped the rails and fell into a riverbed." While the engine fell on the riverbed, two coaches were hanging from the bridge precariously. Seven coaches were on the track. Today's mishap is the second accident since its inception. The first ever accident took place last year, when the Mumbai-Karwar Express rammed into a bridge on the night of June 22 near Ratnagiri. Fifty people were killed in the accident. Prime Minister expresses deep shock over
loss of lives in Matsyagandha train accident
New Delhi : The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has expressed deep shock over loss of lives in the Matsyagandha train accident today. The Prime Minister has issued instructions to the Railway Ministry to provide all necessary assistance to the affected people. He said : "I am deeply shocked to learn of the unfortunate Matsyagandha train accident today in which precious lives have been lost and a large number of people have been injured." The Prime Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Railway Minister announces compensation of
Rs 1 lakh to next of kin of those killed
New Delhi : The Railway Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, has announced a compensation of Rs 100,000 to the families of those killed in the Matsyagandha Express accident in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. A sum of Rs 15,000 will be given to those seriously injured. At least 20 people were killed and 100 injured when the Mangalore-Mumbai Matsyagandha Express derailed over a bridge between Veer and Karanja stations, about 200 km from Mumbai, early in the morning. The Railway Minister is rushing to the mishap site and all his engagements in the city for the day have been cancelled. BJP leaders marche towards Parliament
protesting hike in fuel and LPG prices
New Delhi : Hundreds of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) workers led by the party's national Vice President, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, were arrested today as they marched towards Parliament protesting the hike in fuel and LPG prices. The BJP Deputy Leader in Lok Sabhha, V K Malhotra, the Delhi Unit President, Harsh Vardhan, and the leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Jagdish Mukhi, were also arrested for violation of prohibitory orders enforced in the area.
|
|
Copyright © 2001 - 2005 Indiadaily.com |
