NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday criticised solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam's attempts to get officials of CBI and ED to attend a strategy session with the counsel for A Raja even as they were investigating the former telecom minister's role in the 2G spectrum scam.
Reacting to TOI reports, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters, "If such a meeting has indeed been held, it establishes that an effort was made for a cover-up. Department of telecommunication (DoT) was the department being investigated, Raja, the minister being investigated and CBI was the investigating agency. How can the investigative agency and the accused have a common strategy session?"
The 2G spectrum case is pending before the Supreme Court, where the court is hearing a PIL petition accusing government agencies like the CBI and ED of inaction in probing the corruption charges against Raja.
On Saturday, TOI reported that the solicitor general did not see anything wrong in trying to get CBI and ED officials to have a joint strategy meeting with Raja's counsel.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Kasab raises legal point before HC on NIA investigation
Mumbai, Nov 15 : Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab today raised a legal point before the Bombay High Court, asking whether National Investigating Agency (NIA) can register an independent case against him in respect of 26/11 terror attack in view of section 300 of CrPc which says a person convicted of an offence cannot be tried again.
In a petition based on media reports, Kasab, who has been given death sentence for his role in the 26/11 attacks, asked whether the NIA had registered an independent case against him and that it would soon interrogate him.
Defence advocate Amin Solkar, appearing on behalf of Kasab, said the report indicates that the 26/11 probe, on the basis of which Kasab was convicted, was either incomplete or a de novo (fresh) investigation is on the cards.
''This will amount to double jeopardy and also directly interfere in the case of confirmation of Kasab's death sentence pending before the High Court, he said'' The Division bench comprising of Justices Ranjana Desai and R V More, who at the initial stages of hearing, contended that court will not go by media report but later after hearing the petition at length, asked public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to file a reply on November 18 to the issues raised by Kasab.
Kasab's petition asked whether NIA, which was set up after the 26/11 attacks, was authorised to conduct investigation and file a charge sheet and why till date it had not done so.
The petition also questioned whether investigation in all the 12 cases registered pertaining to the 26/11 terror attacks was assigned to Mumbai Crime Branch or NIA. It also asked whether the probe by Mumbai Crime Branch was legal.
Defence advocate Amin Solkar, appearing on behalf of Kasab, said the report indicates that the 26/11 probe, on the basis of which Kasab was convicted, was either incomplete or a de novo (fresh) investigation is on the cards.
''This will amount to double jeopardy and also directly interfere in the case of confirmation of Kasab's death sentence pending before the High Court, he said'' The Division bench comprising of Justices Ranjana Desai and R V More, who at the initial stages of hearing, contended that court will not go by media report but later after hearing the petition at length, asked public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to file a reply on November 18 to the issues raised by Kasab.
Kasab's petition asked whether NIA, which was set up after the 26/11 attacks, was authorised to conduct investigation and file a charge sheet and why till date it had not done so.
The petition also questioned whether investigation in all the 12 cases registered pertaining to the 26/11 terror attacks was assigned to Mumbai Crime Branch or NIA. It also asked whether the probe by Mumbai Crime Branch was legal.
India to emerge as torchbearer for world peace: Kalam
Bhopal, Nov 15 : Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today said India will emerge as torchbearer for the world peace in the coming decades and the country will march forward in the field of science and technology.
Inaugurating the state-Level Inspire Award Science Exhibition - 2010 at Model School T T Nagar here, Dr Kalam elaborately narrated the future of India which will be based on science and technology, in presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other dignitaries.
Pointing out to Mr Chouhan, Dr Kalam said ''You all will be in Mars and Moon in the year 2030 and I will meet you over there at the age of 100.'' Talking about the importance of studying of science, Dr Kalam said that culture of excellence develops through science and stressed the need for continuous innovation in the field of knowledge. ''Innovation comes from a fertile brain and several scientists possess such brain. There are no dearth of such persons in our country,'' he pointed out.
The 'Missile Man of India' said, ''Science enhances our grasping power and brain develops through resolving science puzzles. It also expands the thinking power endlessly.'' ''The key to success of life lies in the efforts of moving forward continuously and for this, one should take resolution on his or her own. It should come from within,'' the former President said and suggested, and inspire a the audience to work hard and contribute to serve the society and the country.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Chouhan lauded Dr Kalam and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to identify the potential of hidden power and creating an atmosphere of confidence. He said Pokhran II nuclear explosion proved India's potential before the world and even US President Barack Obama admitted India's achievement in various field including science and technology.
Pointing out to Mr Chouhan, Dr Kalam said ''You all will be in Mars and Moon in the year 2030 and I will meet you over there at the age of 100.'' Talking about the importance of studying of science, Dr Kalam said that culture of excellence develops through science and stressed the need for continuous innovation in the field of knowledge. ''Innovation comes from a fertile brain and several scientists possess such brain. There are no dearth of such persons in our country,'' he pointed out.
The 'Missile Man of India' said, ''Science enhances our grasping power and brain develops through resolving science puzzles. It also expands the thinking power endlessly.'' ''The key to success of life lies in the efforts of moving forward continuously and for this, one should take resolution on his or her own. It should come from within,'' the former President said and suggested, and inspire a the audience to work hard and contribute to serve the society and the country.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Chouhan lauded Dr Kalam and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to identify the potential of hidden power and creating an atmosphere of confidence. He said Pokhran II nuclear explosion proved India's potential before the world and even US President Barack Obama admitted India's achievement in various field including science and technology.
Piped gas to reach over 200 cities by 2015: Deora
Mumbai, Nov 15 : Terming Natural Gas as a fuel of the 21st century, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora has said that the piped natural gas would reach more than 200 cities by 2015.
Delivering the inaugural speech at the All India LPG Distributors Federation Silver Jubilee conference and exhibition here today, Mr Deora said expansion of natural gas distribution network in cities would make possible to give more LPG to rural areas.
''Both public and private sector companies are expanding its existing infrastructure. GAIL alone is expanding its existing pipeline of 7,000 km to 12,000 km in next 5 years. With expansion of natural gas distribution in urban and semi-urban areas, more LPG will be available for distribution in rural areas so as to achieve the target under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitran Yojana,''the minister said.
Mr Deora said that the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had introduced a number of measures to improve customer services.
He, however, asked the LPG distributors to take necessary steps to control the menace of diversion and black marketing of LPG across the country.
''It is a matter of pride for our Oil Industry that India exported 51 million tones of refined petroleum products during 2009-10 valued at USD 30 billion, making petroleum products the largest foreign exchange earner in the merchandized category,'' he said.
''The supply of petroleum products would further get a boost with commissioning of three grass root refineries coming up at Bina, Bhatinda and Paradip in the next two years, increasing the refining capacity from 185 million tones today to around 240 million tones by 2012,'' Mr Deora said.
Earlier, in his speech, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary, S. Sunderashan said that the government was hoping for a rationalization of LPG prices in the future so that there could be a reasonable profit for OMCs.
''Both public and private sector companies are expanding its existing infrastructure. GAIL alone is expanding its existing pipeline of 7,000 km to 12,000 km in next 5 years. With expansion of natural gas distribution in urban and semi-urban areas, more LPG will be available for distribution in rural areas so as to achieve the target under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitran Yojana,''the minister said.
Mr Deora said that the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had introduced a number of measures to improve customer services.
He, however, asked the LPG distributors to take necessary steps to control the menace of diversion and black marketing of LPG across the country.
''It is a matter of pride for our Oil Industry that India exported 51 million tones of refined petroleum products during 2009-10 valued at USD 30 billion, making petroleum products the largest foreign exchange earner in the merchandized category,'' he said.
''The supply of petroleum products would further get a boost with commissioning of three grass root refineries coming up at Bina, Bhatinda and Paradip in the next two years, increasing the refining capacity from 185 million tones today to around 240 million tones by 2012,'' Mr Deora said.
Earlier, in his speech, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary, S. Sunderashan said that the government was hoping for a rationalization of LPG prices in the future so that there could be a reasonable profit for OMCs.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Kids to Kalam: Scientists yes, politicians no
Kalam addressed students at the Model Senior Secondary School here, and asked them about their career choices.
Most of the students, of classes X to XII, said they wanted to be scientists and engineers.
"How many of you want to go to moon and space?" he asked. Everyone in the hall raised his hands, to his delight.
"At 2030, when I would be hundred years old, I would meet you again," he joked.
The students were equally emphatic in their rejections.
"How many of you want to become politicians?" the former president asked.
Not one hand was raised.
There was a virtual riot after Kalam finished speaking, with students rushing up to shake hands with him. Some of them also asked Kalam for his number. He asked them to visit his website, and send him emails if they wished.
Kalam, who arrived here Sunday, is scheduled to attend many public meetings throughout Monday.
Kashmir is India's 'internal' issue: US envoy
NEW DELHI: With Kashmir reportedly being excluded from the UN list of unresolved disputes, the US today said it was an "internal issue" of India and should be resolved bilaterally through negotiations with Pakistan.
"This is an internal issue for India. It is a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India, to discuss term, scope, character and pace," US Ambassador Timothy Roemer said.
He was asked to comment on UN excluding Kashmir from list of unresolved international issues.
"The (US) President ( Barack Obama), I think was very articulate on this issue of Kashmir. This is an internal issue for India," he said on the sidelines of a function here.
Roemer noted that during his visit, Obama had said that he encouraged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and people of India to engage with the government and people of Pakistan.
He underlined that whenever India and Pakistan talk, it will be at the "pace and character" of the two countries.
On Obama announcing support for India's bid for permanent UNSC membership, he said the US will now work to realise the promise.
"We are very proud about President's announcement that he is unequivocally and fervently in favour of India having a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations. It was one of the many highlights of (his) visit to India..We will be working to see that happen," Roemer said
.
"This is an internal issue for India. It is a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India, to discuss term, scope, character and pace," US Ambassador Timothy Roemer said.
He was asked to comment on UN excluding Kashmir from list of unresolved international issues.
"The (US) President ( Barack Obama), I think was very articulate on this issue of Kashmir. This is an internal issue for India," he said on the sidelines of a function here.
Roemer noted that during his visit, Obama had said that he encouraged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and people of India to engage with the government and people of Pakistan.
He underlined that whenever India and Pakistan talk, it will be at the "pace and character" of the two countries.
On Obama announcing support for India's bid for permanent UNSC membership, he said the US will now work to realise the promise.
"We are very proud about President's announcement that he is unequivocally and fervently in favour of India having a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations. It was one of the many highlights of (his) visit to India..We will be working to see that happen," Roemer said
.
Govt to take strong action against corruption: Rahul Gandhi
FURSATGANJ: Amid storm in Parliament over reports of various scams, including 2G spectrum allocation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government was taking "strong action" on the issue of corruption.
"It is an important issue and we need to be very strict on corruption... the government is in the process of taking strong action," he told reporters here.
He was replying to a question on reports of major scams in the spectrum allocation, Commonwealth Games projects and Adarsh Housing society. Opposition's demand for JPC probe into these cases stalled Parliament for the fourth consecutive day today.
The Amethi MP, who is on a three-day tour of his Lok Sabha constituency, was speaking on the sidelines of a function to inaugurate a building and auditorium of Footware Development and Design Institute here.
The Congress leader said the quantum of development in Uttar Pradesh was low.
"Development in UP is low as compared to what could have been done, but there are certain constraints. You can see the state of roads even outside the auditorium," he said.
The Congress general secretary said, in his view, the government's role should be to support industrial growth.
"If the UP government's focus is in the right direction, the state could be developed... there are no shortcomings in the people here," he said.
Earlier, his cavalcade was stopped by women employees of Sheena Textiles, who were demanding that the closed unit be re-opened.
The workers submitted a memorandum to the leader, who assured to look into the matter.
Earlier on his arrival at Amausi airport in Lucknow Rahul was received by senior leaders including Digvijay Singh, UPPCC president Reeta Bahuguna Joshi and CLP leader Pramod Tiwari.
"It is an important issue and we need to be very strict on corruption... the government is in the process of taking strong action," he told reporters here.
He was replying to a question on reports of major scams in the spectrum allocation, Commonwealth Games projects and Adarsh Housing society. Opposition's demand for JPC probe into these cases stalled Parliament for the fourth consecutive day today.
The Amethi MP, who is on a three-day tour of his Lok Sabha constituency, was speaking on the sidelines of a function to inaugurate a building and auditorium of Footware Development and Design Institute here.
The Congress leader said the quantum of development in Uttar Pradesh was low.
"Development in UP is low as compared to what could have been done, but there are certain constraints. You can see the state of roads even outside the auditorium," he said.
The Congress general secretary said, in his view, the government's role should be to support industrial growth.
"If the UP government's focus is in the right direction, the state could be developed... there are no shortcomings in the people here," he said.
Earlier, his cavalcade was stopped by women employees of Sheena Textiles, who were demanding that the closed unit be re-opened.
The workers submitted a memorandum to the leader, who assured to look into the matter.
Earlier on his arrival at Amausi airport in Lucknow Rahul was received by senior leaders including Digvijay Singh, UPPCC president Reeta Bahuguna Joshi and CLP leader Pramod Tiwari.
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