Month: January 2010

Compulsory voting not feasible in national elections: Chawla

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New Delhi, January 27: Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla today said it was ”not feasible” to have compulsory voting in an election held on a national scale but left it to Parliament to decide.

“If you ask me is it feasible (to have compulsory voting) in a election on a national scale. It is not,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of the Election Commission’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

However, he said it was for Parliament to discuss and debate in this regard and enact a law.

Air India, Indian Airlines merger to stay

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New Delhi, January 27: The government Wednesday rubbished reports of de-merger of Air India and said its merger with Indian Airlines was well-planned and decided collectively by various agencies.

“The merger was a carefully thought-out process and a collective decision of all agencies of the government. We have no move afoot for the Air India-Indian Airlines demerger,” the ministry of civil aviation said in a statement.

Jyoti Basu was a national leader, says Pranab

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New Delhi, January 27: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday said the late Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Jyoti Basu was a “rarest of the rare leader” who attained national stature by controlling a state government.

Speaking at a condolence meeting organised here by the CPI-M, Mukherjee said: “He was never a leader of Bengal. He was a national leader. Pragmatism has given him unique place in the contemporary politics.”

Basu, who was the chief minister of West Bengal for 23 years, died in Kolkata Jan 17.

I’ll be delighted to meet Pakistani counterpart: Krishna

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London, January 27: Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday said that he would be “delighted” to meet his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the sidelines of an international conference on Afghanistan here Thursday.

Krishna said he had not planned any such meeting, but added, “I would be delighted to meet my Pakistani counterpart”.

India offered $647-mn deal for 145 US-built Howitzers

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Washington, January 27: The Pentagon has notified the US Congress of a possible sale of 145 state-of-the-art M777 155mm light-weight towed Howitzers to India worth $647 million.

Describing India as an important force for “political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia”, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency told the Congress: “India intends to use the Howitzers to modernize its armed forces and enhance its ability to operate in hazardous conditions.”

Emulate Krishnadevaraya to leave enduring legacy: Chidambaram

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Hampi (Karnataka), January 27: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday called upon the present-day rulers to emulate Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya to leave behind a rich legacy for posterity.

“We must remember that like former rulers and kings, governments and ministers must leave behind a legacy of enduring values, a tradition of peace, harmony and unity,” Chidambaram said in his address at the 500th anniversary of the coronation of the emperor at this renowned world heritage site, about 350 km from Bangalore.

Jyoti Basu’s brain removed for preservation

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Kolkata, January 27: Doctors from the state-run S.S.K.M. Hospital Wednesday successfully removed the brain of deceased Marxist leader Jyoti Basu and preserved it in their laboratory.

“We have successfully taken out Basu’s brain. It was more or less in a good condition,” hospital’s anatomy department head Ashis Dutta told.

The doctors carried out the dissection Wednesday afternoon. The process continued for almost one-and-half hours.

The mortal remains of Basu were handed over to the hospital authorities Jan 19 for purpose of medical research, in keeping with his wish.

Apex court softens stand on Lucknow’s Ambedkar park

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New Delhi, January 27: The Supreme Court Wednesday softened its stand on the Uttar Pradesh government building a memorial to Dalit leaders in Lucknow’s sprawling Ambedkar park.

A bench of Justice H.S. Bedi and Justice A.K. Patnaik indicated that it will consider sending the lawsuit challenging the erection of Dalit leaders’ statues in Ambedkar park back to the Allahabad High Court as per the state government’s plea.

Taliban officials removed from UN blacklist

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United Nations, January 27: United Nations removed five former Taliban officials from its blacklist Wednesday, pushing forward President Hamid Karzai’s efforts at reconciliation with the armed group in Afghanistan.

The de-listing was approved by a special Security Council committee. The five Afghan nationals would no longer be subject to a freeze on their assets and a travel ban, the UN said in a statement.

The move comes after Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for the lifting of the 2001 UN sanctions against some Taliban leaders, Press TV reported.

Mumbai terror suspect Headley pleads not guilty

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Washington, January 27: Pakistani-American terror suspect David Headley Wednesday pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to bomb public places in India and abetting the murder of American citizens in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people.

Son of a Pakistani father and American mother, Headley, who changed his given name of Daood Sayed Gilani in 2006 to hide his Pakistani origin, also denied providing material support to the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), blamed for the Nov 26, 2008, terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Russia for rebuilding civil installations in Afghan

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Moscow, January 27: Russia will seek exclusive rights to rebuild scores of civil installations in war-ravaged Afghanistan constructed by the former-USSR, if the West funds them, saying development could fight insurgency effectively.

Russia has expressed its willingness to rebuild 142 of Soviet-built installations in Afghanistan at the West’s cost and the issue is likely to be settled at this week’s London conference, according to reports.

Maoists kill CPI-M leader

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Bankura (WB), January 27: Suspected Maoists today killed a CPI-M leader at Sarenga in Bankura district.

The police said Ranjit Hembram, CPI-M’s Khepadanga Zonal Committee secretary, was abducted by Maoist guerrillas this evening and his bullet riddled body was found at about 9.30 pm from a nearby jungle.

Hembram was shot from close range in the jungle where he was taken to “try” for allegedly spying for the police, sources said.

–Agencies

PVR’s acquisition of DT Cinema deferred till Feb 15

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Mumbai, January 27: Theatre chain PVR Ltd today said the completion of its acquisition of DT Cinemas, a subsidiary of DLF, has been deferred till February 15, 2010, due to pending compliance issues.

In a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange, PVR said the two parties have mutually agreed to extend the deadline for completing the deal until February 15, 2010.

As part of an acquisition deal signed in November last year, PVR was supposed to pay Rs 20.20 crore and issue 25.57 lakhs shares on a preferential basis to DT Cinemas

SSC student commits suicide in Trombay

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Mumbai, January 27: A 15-year-old school student committed suicide at her residence in suburban Trombay, police said today.

It was the 25th suicide reported in the city in this month.

The victim identified as Shaili Naik, a SSC student, hanged herself to ceiling fan at her residence in Parijath Buiding at the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) quarters yesterday, police said, adding no suicide note was found.

According to police, Shaili attended the flag hosting ceremony at her Atomic Energy Centre School on the occasion of the Republic Day yesterday morning and returned home.

Amar Singh refuses to resign from Rajya Sabha

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New Delhi, January 27: Estranged Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today refused to resign from the Rajya Sabha even as the party’s newly appointed general secretary and spokesperson Mohan Singh was quick in demanding the same from the dissenting leader.

“I had resigned only from some party posts and not from the party, and that too on health grounds as I need rest. Stepping down from party posts does not amount to indiscipline. I will not resign from Rajya Sabha,” Amar told reporters here.

Tiger found dead in Pench Reserve

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Seoni (MP), January 27: A seven-year-old tiger was found dead in Karmajhiri range of Pench Tiger Reserve today, forest officials said.

The caracass was found during a patrol, they said.

The postmortem of the male tiger was performed and its viscera has been sent to the forensic lab at Sagar, the officials said.

–Agencies

Acid attack on R day: Seven suffer burns

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New Delhi, January 27: An argument over a cricket match on Republic Day turned ugly when a teenager allegedly threw acid in a fit of rage on a group of people injuring seven persons, including a woman and four minors in a Delhi locality.

The incident was reported from Begumpur near Rohini yesterday, police sources said.

Two groups of boys in the age-group between 14-16 years were playing cricket and an argument broke over some issue. As the argument turned into a scuffle, some elders also reached the spot.

US pressure behind Lal Chowk incident: Joshi

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Varanasi, January 27: BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi today alleged the pressure of the separatists and the United States forced security forces not to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the Republic Day.

Talking to mediapersons here, he described the incident as an anti-national act which would encourage separatists and militants and demoralise security forces.

“The US and separatists’ pressure is behind not hoisting of the tricolour at the historic Lal Chowk,” he said.

Swabhimaan alleges misuse of water at Coca-Cola plant

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Mumbai, January 27: Accusing gross misuse of water by soft drinks major Coca-Cola, the Nitesh Rane-led Swabhimaan Sangathana today warned to restrict soft drinks supply in the city if BMC fails to take action against the manufacturer.

“We will wait for sometime and even after that if the BMC did not take any action against the company, we will restrict supply of Coca-Cola in the city. And if required, we will also march a protest against the excessive use of water by the company,” Nitesh told PTI here.

Several broadcasters, operators support hike in FDI

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New Delhi, January 27: In response to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) consultation paper on foreign direct investment (FDI), various stakeholders including broadcasters, DTH operators and FM radio operators have supported a higher limit of foreign investment mainly in DTH and TV channels.

The Ministry for Information and Broadcasting had asked TRAI to take comments from stakeholders regarding FDI limits and necessary modifications in its (ministry’s) up linking and down linking guidelines.

India keen on developing oil projects in Nigeria

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Abuja, January 27: India is keen to develop refinery, natural gas and LNG projects in oil-rich Nigeria, which contributes around 10 per cent to the country’s crude oil requirements.

Visiting Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora yesterday asked Indian oil companies to intensify oil exploration in the African nation.

Earlier, during a meeting with Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Deora said that India had approved investments worth USD 359 million by ONGC (Videsh) in Nigeria.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor ties up with SBI for finance

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New Delhi, January 27: Car maker Toyota Kirloskar Motor today said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the country’s largest lender, State Bank of India, for vehicle finance.

Under the agreement, State Bank of India (SBI) will be one of the preferred financiers for the entire range of vehicles marketed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), the car maker said in a statement.

“The MoU aims at targeting high end customers who will be availing car loans from SBI above Rs 5 lakh onwards,” it said.

Telangana Forum warns to disrupt IPL in Hyderabad

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Hyderabad, January 27: The Telangana Research Scholars’ Forum today threatened to disrupt the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Hyderabad during March and April alleging the competition would divert attention from the movement for a separate state.

“The people of Telangana are agitated about the separate state demand. The IPL tournament would divert attention from the ongoing agitation.

Sanction railway projects, Jaya tells Mamata

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Chennai, January 27: The AIADMK has submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting sanction of certain projects for Tamil Nadu and and their inclusion in the 2010-11 budget.

Party general secretary Jayalalithaa, in the memorandum, said as the state is far away from consuming markets, it required a well knit transport infrastructure.

She alleged that the Centre had completely sidelined the state in the case of major infrastructural projects and not given a freight corridor to Chennai.

Swine flu claims 9 lives in Guj, death toll reaches 225

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Ahmedabad, January 27: With nine more people succumbing to swine flu the death toll in Gujarat has reached to 225, while 33 fresh cases of the infectious disease were detected, health officials said today.

According to state health department officials, three patients, Vikram Zapda (45), Gangaben Parmar (75)and Sweety Patel (25) died of swine Flu at V S hospital here.

One S K Bhatnagar and Suresh Patel both aged 54, succumbed to the H1N1 virus in Vadodara civil hospital yesterday but their death was reported today.