Month: September 2010

‘Centre has no uniformity of policy on Maoists’

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Kolkata, September 03: BJP today accused the Congress-led UPA government of having no uniformity of policy on the Maoists and said its leaders keep making contradictory statements on the issue.

“The government is only making bold statements,” senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told newsmen at a training camp here for party leaders of West Bengal.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement on Maoists was contradicted by senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer and this, in turn, was being contradicted by another senior party leader Digvijay Singh, Naidu said.

Mullen arrives in Pak to hold consultations with Kayani

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Islamabad, September 03: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today to hold consultations with in Pakistan army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Kayani and Mullen visited flood-hit areas of the country during the day.

Mullen emphasised US commitment to supporting Pakistan during the flood crisis and “into the future as a partner and friend”, said a statement issued by the US embassy.

Mullen’s visit to Pakistan “continues a tradition of regular bilateral consultations between the US and Pakistan”.

He last visited Pakistan in July.

CBI arrests two IT officials in separate cases

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Mumbai, September 03: CBI has arrested two senior officials of Income Tax department for allegedly amassing wealth more than their known sources of income in two separate cases.

The accused officials are Vivek Batra, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax and Dhananjay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai.

Focus should now be in celebrations of CWG: Reddy

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New Delhi, September 03: Dubbing questions over expenditure on Commonwealth Games as “ridiculous”, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today said focus should be shifted to celebrations and highlighting of aspects like the “wonderful” stadia that have been built for the mega event.

“It is true that there are some delays in the preparation for CWG. We welcome all constructive criticism from the media and other common carriers. It is welcome and we learn from such criticisms,” said Reddy, who heads the Group of Ministers set up on the Games.

Three aides of Ravi Pujari gang arrested

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Mumbai, September 03: A builder’s office in an under construction building was robbed today at gunpoint but police arrested three suspected aides of gangster Ravi Pujari within hours and recovered cash and valuables stolen by them.

Acting on a tip-off that the members of Pujari gang would pass from Western Express Highway in a vehicle, police laid a trap at Meghwadi area in suburban Jogeshwari and intercepted a Maruti car, police said.

Journalists allege DMRC staffer misbehaved with them

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New Delhi, September 03: A DMRC staffer today allegedly misbehaved with two journalists at the Qutub Minar metro station while they were taking pictures of the inaugural run of the Central Secretariat-Qutub Minar corridor.

The two journalists — a photographer and a reporter working with a leading English daily — alleged that the Metro staffer “misbehaved with them”.

An argument began after the staffer asked the scribes not to take pictures inside the Metro station as photography is banned there.

ACP’s son kills self, wife in Mumbai

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Mumbai, September 03: The son of an Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP), attached with the protection department, killed self after shooting dead his wife at their residence in suburban Malad, police said today.

“The young couple — Abhijit Kurne (27) and wife Ashwini (21) — were found dead at their residence this morning.

Abhijit, son of ACP Madhusudan, used his father’s service revolver to kill himself after shooting his wife,” said Additional Police Commissioner Ramrao Pawar.

Fight also for Malkangiri tribals: BJD to Rahul

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Lanjigarh (Orissa), September 03: The ruling BJD in Orissa today asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to become a ‘sepoy’ for tribals of Malkangiri district who face inundation due to Polavaram project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

“Rahul Gandhi recently claimed that he works as a ‘sepoy’ for the tribals of Kalahandi and saved Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi. If he is really committed to fight for tribal rights, he must stop Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh,” BJD speakers said while addressing “Save Orissa” convention here.

Clash over fallen tree claims two lives

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Gonda (UP), September 03: A clash between two groups over a fallen tree claimed the lives of two persons, including a woman, at a village in the district today.

Six others were injured in the clash in Bharampur village under Tarabjganj police station area, during which members of one of the groups opened fire, police said.

27-member cycling squad for CWG announced

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New Delhi, September 03: Manipuri duo of Bikram Singh and Rameshwari Devi were today included into India’s 27-member cycling squad for the Commonwealth Games to be held here from October 3-14.

The Cycle Federation of India announced the squad even as the fastest Indian in Sunday’s Delhi Cyclothon international race, Maniton Singh could not find a place.

The 27 cyclists have been shortlisted from 38 probables after four stages of trials conducted in Patiala and the national capital over a period of two years.

ICC should take action against the guilty: Tendulkar

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New Delhi, September 03: Disappointed at the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that has plunged the game into a crisis, senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said the International Cricket Council should thoroughly investigate the matter and take action against accused players if they are found guilty.

Tendulkar said if the scam, which has come to light after an “expose” by British tabloid ‘News of the World’, turn out to be true it will bring “disrepute to the game”.

ICC should take action against the guilty: Tendulkar

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New Delhi, September 03: Disappointed at the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that has plunged the game into a crisis, senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said the International Cricket Council should thoroughly investigate the matter and take action against accused players if they are found guilty.

Tendulkar said if the scam, which has come to light after an “expose” by British tabloid ‘News of the World’, turn out to be true it will bring “disrepute to the game”.

Hospitalised Shah could not appear in court

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Ahmedabad, September 03: Former Gujarat minister Amit Shah, arrested in the fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, could not appear before the court as he was in the hospital.

Sabarmati jail officials informed the special CBI court judge A Y Dave that as Shah was admitted to the city civil hospital, he cannot be presented before the court through video conferencing.

The court has now asked the jail authorities to present Shah on September 15.

Gujarat HC rejects Rubabuddin’s plea

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Ahmedabad, September 03: Upholding the lower court order, Gujarat High Court today rejected the plea of Sohrabuddin Sheikh’s brother Rubabuddin to join court proceedings as a party in the bail application of former Gujarat minister Amit Shah.

Justice Akil Kureshi rejected Rubabuddin’s petition but allowed his advocate to file a written submission in the CBI court through public prosecutor during the hearing of the case.

Telangana issue hits recruitment exam of officers

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Hyderabad, September 03: The examination for recruitment of Group-I service officers in Andhra Pradesh scheduled for September 5 has come under a cloud with students and political leaders from Telangana demanding postponement of exam till the share of Telangana in recruitment is decided.

The Students from Telangana region have said injustice has been meted out to the region in the past and demanded at least 42 per cent reservation in recruitment.

Those from non-Telangana region have opposed any such move.

Rosaiah writes to ysr’s wife and others

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Hyderabad, September 03: The Chief Minister, Mr K Rosaiah, on Friday wrote to the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s wife and Pulivendula MLA, Ms Vijayalaxmi, and wives of the remaining four persons were killed in the chopper crash along Dr Reddy, expressing his heart-felt sympathy to their families.

Dhoni will face biggest challenge ahead: Ganguly

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Kolkata, September 03: Former skipper Sourav Ganguly feels that current captain of Team India Mahendra Singh Dhoni would face a ”challenge” after retirement of the senior players.

The young brigade of Indian cricketers falling short of expectation. They recently lost the Triangular series to host Sri Lanka.

Ganguly believes that Dhoni’s biggest challenge will be in the coming one or two years when Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman retire.

Saudi authorities deny reports of any torture to Lankan maid

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Dubai, September 03: Saudi officials have refuted claims that a sponsor in Riyadh hammered nails into the body of his Sri Lankan housemaid as punishment, saying the allegations are baseless.

”These allegations against the Saudi employer are baseless and the whole episode looks like one big drama,” said Saad Al-Baddah, chairman of the Saudi Arabian National Recruitment Committee (SANARCOM), which is responsible for the recruitment and management of foreign workers in the Kingdom.

CM’s ill health postpones new trains’ flagging off ceremony

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Hyderabad, September 03: The flagging off ceremony of four new trains scheduled for September 4 has been postponed due to Chief Minister K Rosaiah being indisposed.

Mr Rosaiah was to be the Chief Guest at the flagging off of the Train No 2720 Hyderabad-Ajmer Bi-weekly Superfast Express, D171 Kacheguda-Mahabubnagar DEMU Passenger, D174 Kacheguda-Miryalaguda DEMU Passenger and Matribhoomi MMTS Ladies Special Service earlier scheduled to be held on the morning of September 4 at Kacheguda Railway Station.

APPSC leaves decision on postponing G-1 exams to govt

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Hyderabad, September 03: The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) on Friday put the ball right in the government’s court by saying that it is powerless to take a decision on the postponement of the Group-1 preliminary examination unless some clarification is made from the government.

The APPSC is caught in a bind with calls for postponing the examinations are mounting from Telangana protagonists who demand that the government gives a clarification on their demands of a 42 per cent quota in recruitments for G-1 qualifiers from the region.

Sonia re-elected Congress President for record 4th time

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New Delhi, September 03: Sonia Gandhi was formally declared re-elected to the post of Congress president today for a record fourth time, having steered the party through turbulent and choppy seas to the numero uno slot in the country’s polity.

Ms Gandhi was the only candidate to file her nomination for the post of President of the 125-year-old party.

Her nomination papers were found valid yesterday. Ms Gandhi is the longest serving Congress President.

ICC should thoroughly investigate ‘spot-fixing’ scandal: Sachin

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (UNI) Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar today said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should ”make a thorough probe” in the spot-fixing scandal and take stern action against players, who are found guilty of being involved in a cricket betting scam.

”ICC should make a thorough probe in the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal related stories and take appropriate action if the players are found guilty,” Tendulkar told reporters here.

”If the allegations are true, they will certainly bring disrepute to the game,” he added.

Dengue toll reaches 1,155

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New Delhi, September 03: Showing no signs of abating, dengue cases continue to soar in the national capital with 74 more people testing positive for the disease.

According to the data released by the MCD, total number of dengue cases reached 1,155 with the addition of 74 new cases in the last 24 hours.

The mosquito-borne disease seems to be tightening its grip in the Capital as more than 50 cases are being reported everyday ever since its outbreak here.Around 67 cases were recorded yesterday also.

HC verdict on tuition fee: govt to approach sc

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Hyderabad, September 03: “The State government will go to Supreme Court, if necessary, challenging the High Court verdict to compulsorily pay tuition fee to the private colleges either by the student or by the government at the time of admission to the courses”, the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Pilli Subashchandra Bose, has said.

Nitish calls all-party meet tomorrow

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Patna, September 03: Under attack from opposition for his alleged failure to handle the crisis arising out of the kidnapping of four policemen by Maoists, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has convened an all-party meeting here tomorrow to discuss the issue.

“The Chief Minister has called an all-party meeting at the state secretariat here tomorrow to discuss the situation and evolve consensus on this issue,” an official spokesman said.