Salman Khurshid crosses swords with EC on quotas

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Salman Khurshid has said his speech promising 9% quotas for OBC Muslims was not an appeal for votes on religious grounds. The law minister said "sub-quotas", as an instrument of social justice, were administered on the criteria of backwardness and the one for Muslims could not be termed communal.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In his reply to EC, Khurshid argued sub-quotas to OBCs were part of the principle of equality enshrined in Articles 14, 15 and 16, which even found place in the landmark Indira Sawhney judgement in the Mandal Commission case. He asked how the assertion of a constitutional principle be termed as an appeal on caste or communal lines. He clarified his 9% sub-quota call was specifically for OBCs among Muslims, not for the community as a whole. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><strong>EC SHOWCAUSE TO KHURSHID</strong><span> </span><br /> <br /> <span>1. Appeal to religion for votes </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>2. Misuse of official position as minister to announce policy </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>3. Misuse of official position to offer inducement </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span><span><strong>KHURSHID'S REPLY</strong><span> </span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>OBC subquotas in spirit of Articles 14, 15, 16 of Constitution Subquota only for OBC Muslims, not entire community Spoke as Congress leader, not minister Chair of Congress manifesto committee</span></span></span></span></div></div>

Salman Khurshid crosses swords with EC on quotas

Salman Khurshid has said his speech promising 9% quotas for OBC Muslims was not an appeal for votes on religious grounds. The law minister...

+ Read more »

Prez calls for eradication of dowry, child marriage & female foeticide

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The President has called upon the nation to eradicate the evils of dowry, child marriage and female foeticide. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking at the 175th birth anniversary celebration of famous Shayre Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali at Hali Park in Panipat, Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil stressed the need of women empowerment. She said that the education and healthy food are must for overall development of the girl child.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Expressing concern over the decreasing male- female ratio in India, she said the projected ratio of 1000 males to 914 females in the preliminary data of national Census is worrying. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The President also lauded the steps taken by Haryana government for the upliftment of women and to improve the male female ratio in the state. She released a book on Poet Hali titled "Baccho Ki Hali". Later, she visited the "Yudh Samarak" at Kalamb raised in memory of the three historical battles of Panipat and attended the programme organized on completion of 250 years of the third battle of Panipat.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Governor Jagannath Pahadia, Tripura Governor D I Patil, Haryana Chief Minister Bupinder Singh Hooda and two grand daughters of Poet Hali were among the dignitaries who were present on this occasion.</span></li> </ul></div>

Prez calls for eradication of dowry, child marriage & female foeticide

The President has called upon the nation to eradicate the evils of dowry, child marriage and female foeticide. Speaking at the 175th birth...

+ Read more »

GoM on Bhopal gas tragedy recommends release of Rs 134 cr as compensation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5635" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The Group of Ministers, GoM on Bhopal gas tragedy has decided to recommend to the government to release 134 crore rupees as compensation to be distributed among 12,000 people suffering from cancer and kidney ailments. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">This was disclosed by the GoM member and Madhya Pradesh Minister Babulal Gaur after a meeting of the GoM in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Gaur said, the GoM has rejected the proposal to give 10 lakh rupees each as compensation to 10,046 people, who were affected by the gas tragedy. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The GoM, headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram, has several Union Ministers, including Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Law Minister Salman Khursid as its members. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Health Minister Azad said, Bhopal Memorial Hospital, which was given to Atomic Energy Commission to run, will be taken over by the Health Ministry.</span></li> </ul></div></div>

GoM on Bhopal gas tragedy recommends release of Rs 134 cr as compensation

The Group of Ministers, GoM on Bhopal gas tragedy has decided to recommend to the government to r...

+ Read more »

50 killed in suicide attack on Shia pilgrims in Iraq

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5636" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In Iraq, at least 50 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on Shia pilgrims in the southern city of Basra. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Police say around 100 people were injured in the blast near a police checkpoint on the route to a Shiite shrine. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Medical sources in Basra say they have treated 91 people injured in the attack.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Reports say, the attacker targeted Muslim Shia pilgrims at a checkpoint they use on their way to a major Shia mosque in the Zubeir district, some 20 kilometres south-west of Basra.</span></li> </ul></div></div>

50 killed in suicide attack on Shia pilgrims in Iraq

In Iraq, at least 50 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on Shia pilgrims in the sout...

+ Read more »

Pakistan, US relationship at its lowest ebb: Musharraf

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5637" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Pakistan's former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf has admitted that the current bilateral relationship between Islamabad and Washington is at its lowest ebb, lower than the post 9/11 attacks on the US. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In a TV interview, he said it is extremely disturbing. He wished that both mend fences and move forward on a course which is in the interest of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the United States and the region. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Answering a query, he said there is no danger to the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, unless Pakistan is ruled by religious extremists. But that situation is unlikely, he said. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Musharraf said, the military is guarding Pakistan's nuclear assets and a strategic force command of 20,000 people is manning and guarding all these installations. </span></li> </ul></div></div>

Pakistan, US relationship at its lowest ebb: Musharraf

Pakistan's former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf has admitted that the current bilateral...

+ Read more »

British Navy nabs 13 Somali pirates in Indian Ocean

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The British Navy has captured 13 Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The British Ministry of Defence says RFA Fort Victoria and a US Navy vessel intercepted the pirates' boat, which had refused to stop despite warning shots from a Royal Navy helicopter.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Royal Marines in speedboats approached the vessel and boarded it, capturing 13 pirates and seizing weapons. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK troops, part of a NATO-led force, could be proud of the success.</span></li> </ul></div>

British Navy nabs 13 Somali pirates in Indian Ocean

The British Navy has captured 13 Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The British Ministry of Defence says RFA Fort Victoria and a US Navy ...

+ Read more »

Finance Ministry looking for good dividends from PSUs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The Finance Ministry said, it expects the public sector units to pay good amount of dividend in the current fiscal. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan told reporters in New Delhi, the Ministry is conscious of the fact that they also need resources for their own financing programmes. They also understand our need. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">So in the spirit of cooperation we are trying to see how our needs can be met consistent with our requirement.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Pressed hard for funds, Finance Ministry officials are meeting the heads of PSUs to persuade them to increase dividend payment to the government.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">While a majority of the PSUs said they would retain the dividend paid last year as paying out of their cash reserve would hinder their expansion plans, oil companies hinted that the final dividend would be decided after assessing the under-recoveries and subsidy provided by the government. </span></li> </ul></div>

Finance Ministry looking for good dividends from PSUs

The Finance Ministry said, it expects the public sector units to pay good amount of dividend in the current fiscal. Economic Affairs Secre...

+ Read more »

MP: SHRC asks govt to pay Rs 5 lakh to kin of farmers who committed suicide

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5640" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In Madhya Pradesh, the State Human Rights Commission has asked the state government to pay five lakh rupees each to the kin of farmers who had committed suicides due to crop failure last year. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">It has also recommended a relief of Rs 1 lakh each to families of those farmers who had attempted suicides. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In its report submitted to the state government after a detailed study of issues of farmers in the state, the Commission has recommended a series of solutions including framing of an agriculture-industry policy. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">It has also recommended that farmers should not be compelled to grow crops in accordance with the obligations of the international treaties </span></li> </ul></div></div>

MP: SHRC asks govt to pay Rs 5 lakh to kin of farmers who committed suicide

In Madhya Pradesh, the State Human Rights Commission has asked the state government to pay five l...

+ Read more »

Saina loses in semi-finals of Malaysian Super Series

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5641" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal today lost to World Number One Yihan Wang of China in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open Super Series Badminton tournament at Kuala Lumpur.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">World Number 4 Saina, who was the lone Indian left in the tournament, lost to the top seeded Chinese 21-15, 21-16 in 41 minutes. This was Yihan Wang's fifth consecutive victory over Saina.</span></li> </ul></div><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.tippani.in/blog/xbusiness.php?submit=showComments&id=5641"> </a></span> </div>

Saina loses in semi-finals of Malaysian Super Series

India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal today lost to World Number One Yihan Wang of China in the semi-...

+ Read more »

Indian shooters fail in 12th Asian Championships

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5642" style="display: block; text-align: justify;"> <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In Shooting, India today failed to find a place in the Women’s 10-metre individual Air Rifle event, at the 12th Asian Championships in Doha.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Indian shooters Anjali Bhagwat, Ayonika Paul and Mampi Das could not obtain sufficient points in the qualifying round, which resulted in their crashing out of the competition.  </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">In the qualifying round, while Anjali and Ayonika scored 396 points, Mampi could post only 395 points, failing to find a berth in the final round of the event. </span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">On Jan 13, India’s Abhinav Bindra bagged a Gold medal in the Men’s 10-metre individual Air Rifle event.</span></li> </ul></div></div>

Indian shooters fail in 12th Asian Championships

In Shooting, India today failed to find a place in the Women’s 10-metre individual Air Rifle even...

+ Read more »