Month: December 2011

New Delhi, December 29: Two days after it was passed in the Lok Sabha, the Lokpal Bill moved to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday with the government trying hard to win the numbers game in a house where it is a minority and the opposition trashing the legislation as “constitutionally vulnerable”.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition, represented by Arun Jaitley who initiated the debate, said the bill was weak but the house should not leave without “delivering a strong law”.

New Delhi, December 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the central government has launched several schemes based on recommendations of the Sachar Committee and these were bringing a change in the situation of the minorities.

Speaking at the International Dalit and Minorities Conference here, the prime minister said that it was often said that the government had not implemented the recommendations of the committee, but that was not true.

Chandigarh December 29: The Election Commission (EC) Thursday deferred the disbursement of relief funds in Punjab till the election process is over in the state, a senior election officer said here.

The relief funds were mainly for flood relief in certain districts.

The poll panel also shifted 11 returning officers.

New Delhi, December 29: The fate of the long-discussed Lokpal bill, passed in the Lok Sabha two days ago, appeared uncertain Thursday evening with the government trying desperately to win the numbers game in the Rajya Sabha where it is in a minority and the opposition and even some of its allies giving notices for as many as 173 amendments.

The battlelines were clearly drawn with the government pushing hard for its bill, providing for the anti-graft institution of an ombudsman at the centre and states, and the opposition trashing it as ‘constitutionally vulnerable’.

New Delhi, December 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the central government has launched several schemes based on recommendations of the Sachar Committee and these were bringing a change in the situation of the minorities.

Speaking at the International Dalit and Minorities Conference here, the prime minister said that it was often said that the government had not implemented the recommendations of the committee, but that was not true.

New Delhi, December 29: After The Great Khali entertained the audiences last year in the “Bigg Boss” house, this year Japanese Sumo wrestling champion Yamamotoyama a.k.a. Yama will make a guest appearance in the reality show.

The 601-pound or 272-kg wrestler will add zing to the finale week. However, certain changes will be made in the house to accommodate the six feet four inches tall Yama.

Hyderabad, December 29: The total number of reported crime cases in Hyderabad Commissionerate limits has dropped by around 13 per cent during 2011 when compared to last year, a top police official said on Thursday.

“The overall crime cases decreased from 16,703 last yearto 14,718 this year. However, cyber crimes went up to 68 casesagainst 53 last year,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan told reporters at a press conference here.

Riyadh, December 29: Women in Saudi Arabia will not need a male guardian’s approval to run or vote in municipal elections in 2015, when women will also run for office for the first time, a Saudi official has said.

The change signifies a step forward in easing the kingdom’s restrictions against women, but it falls far short of what some Saudi reformers are calling for.

Chandigarh, December 29: Authorities in Punjab have recovered over Rs.5 crore (Rs.50 million) of unaccounted money in cash from various places in election-bound Punjab this week, a senior election official said here Thursday.

The money has been recovered during stepped up checking in the run up to the Jan 30 elections to the 117-member Punjab assembly.

Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO) Kusumjit Sidhu said that after the model code of conduct came into force Dec 24, unaccounted money worth Rs.5 crore has been seized so far.

Hyderabad, December 29: With an increasing number of daily religious and political processions in Hyderabad taking a toll on policing, the law and order agency Thursday decided to reroute the annual parades and deny permission for starting new ones.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan appealed to religious groups and political parties to help reduce such events.

“We have decided not to give permission for any new procession and allow the existing annual processions to take new routes,” he said.

Mumbai, December 29: Salman Khan was busy celebrating his 46th birthday at his Panvel farmhouse on Tuesday night with family and a few (actually about a hundred) close friends. While few A-listers were a part of the guest list, the Khan concentrated on those who have helped him in his early years. Sooraj Barjatya, Subhash Ghai and even Anand Balraj, the actor with whom Salman used to go for auditions as a struggler were at the party. A source present at the party informed us about all that shocked, and things that entertained people at the big bash.

Washington, December 29: U.S. officials say the Obama administration is poised to announce the sale of nearly $30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

Officials say the deal will send 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more, for a total of $29.4 billion.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the sale has not been made public.

Mumbai, December 29: Naseeruddin Shah, who worked with Vidya Balan in two films – ‘Ishqiya’ and ‘The Dirty Picture’, believes that his co-star now holds an enviable position in the Hindi film industry.

“She is a marvellous actress. She has been very brave, not just worked very hard but she is courageous in her choice of work… It is a testimony to her courage that she is in a position that most of our leading ladies would envy her today,” the 61-year-old said at the music launch of his forthcoming film ‘Chaalis Chauraasi’.

Mumbai, December 29: Well we can’t deny that this season’s ‘Bigg Boss’ has been the most controversial one with lots of masala that has entertained many. As ardent followers of the show watch it without giving it a miss, the moral police has time and again raised objection against the morally and sexually deplorable content of the show.

If there is anyone who made the most of the 5th season of the reality show, it’s none but Pooja Misrra, who didn’t get tired requesting people to ‘spare’ her!

New Delhi, December 29: As the Lokpal Bill is set for voting in Rajya Sabha amidst deadlock, the Congress core group met here to deliberate over the measures keep its allies intact, after it became clear that the Opposition Left and the BJP will vote against it.

According to sources, the Congress may agree to drop the contentious Lokayukta clause from the draft as demanded by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in a last ditch effort to avoid the embarrassment in Rajya Sabha.

New Delhi, December 29: The passage of Lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha appears to hang in balance as an United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent and other parties supporting the government are among those who have given amendments to the legislation being debated in the upper house.

Hyderabad, December 29: According to Prof. S A Shukoor, general secretary the Urdu Maher, Urdu Aalim, Urdu Fazil exams conducted by Idara-e-Adabiyat-e-Urdu which began on December 24 ended on December 28. The exams were attended by the students at 7 centres of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and 11 centres of districts.

Prof. S A Shukoor said that the results will be declared shortly. He thanked secretaries of coaching centres, authorities of exam centres, newspapers and police for their cooperation.

Siasat news

Hyderabad, December 29: In the world of selfishness and self-centredness you would be surprised to know that there is a person in police department who has compassion towards poor people. He has rendered remarkable community and educational services for the Muslims.

The person is none other than Mr. U Nisar Ahmed (IPS, IGP (Bangalore, CID) who has served on several top positions.

Gone are the days when the monsoon season signalled the commencement of the wedding march in Bollywood.

Hyderabad, December 29: A converted woman died mysteriously in Kukatpally at the city outskirts. The incident occurred at Allwyn colony where 52 year old Somati charred to death in her house. Her death is believed to be from the water heater.

It is said that Somati was the wife of Shankar resident of Rajiv Gruha Kalpa. Some months ago she left Hindu religion and accepted Christianity following which she was living in Christian society at Allwyn colony away from her relatives and husband.

Riyadh, December 29: Support for science and scientists, both financially and morally, is rooted in Qur’an and Sunnah, said professor Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Hassan in his paper: “The Salafist Vision on Backing Science and Scientists.” Al-Hassan was one of the academics who presented their papers on the second day of the symposium on Salafism, Shariah and national demand at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh.

Hyderabad, December 29: The cultural and economic development of Hyderabad city has surely been indebted to the 7th Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur. One example of this is the ‘Numaish Masnuaat-e-Mulki’ launched by Osmania Graduates association way back in 1938 which is today famous as All India Industrial Exhibition. This exhibition is the perfect blend of economy and culture which Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur had launched with exemplary planning for the convenience of his citizens keeping in view the hard work of artists.

Mumbai, December 29: For those who don’t know, our very own Badhsah of Bollywood has his ancestral base in Peshawar, Pakistan. And for all obvious reasons, the Pathan has a soft corner for the country and its people.

The actor gave an interview to a leading Pakistani English daily and expressed his desire to visit Pakistan as and when work takes him there.

On being asked if he would ever oblige his Pakistani fans by meeting them in person, SRK had said, “One of these days, I will come to Pakistan. I will come to Pakistan when work takes me there.”

Mumbai, December 29: Mumbai: Life hasn’t changed a bit for Abhishek Bachchan ever since he became a proud father. Given his hectic schedule, Jr B has not been able to spend much time with his darling daughter – Beti B.

Talking to a daily, Abhishek said, “I have been very busy promoting my film and so I didn’t get enough time to spend with my daughter. Ash is looking after her 24×7, but whenever I get time I do help her out. I do change her nappies if she wakes up in the night. As a couple we decided to do everything ourselves and not take the help of any maid.”

Hyderabad, December 29: E Chandra Kumar, executive engineer in the GHMC was caught redhanded by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials at his office here on Wednesday.

The ACB caught him when he demanded and accepted Rs 50,000 as bribe from the complainant and handed over to M Balakistaiah, assistant engineer for doing an official favour. The tainted amount was recovered from Balakistaiah.

-PTI