"We are willing to talk to anybody....Parliament is a forum for dialogue and discussion. All political parties regardless of our differences....should respect the great institution of Parliament and it should be allowed to function smoothly", the Prime Minister said after the meeting.Chatterjee also appealed to all parties to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.The Prime Minister's appeal, which followed his telephonic conversation with Advani last night, appeared to have gone unheeded as BJP's Deputy leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who participated in the meeting, accused the Congress-led coalition of aggravating the already serious situation by sacking the four governors.

The hardening of the opposition stance was reflected by Advani who told party workers in Gandhinagar that the issues of "tainted" ministers and the Governors' removal would dominate the proceedings in the Budget session.The BJP-led NDA is meeting Monday to chalk out its strategy amid plans to boycott the presentation of the Railway Budget as Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is the prime target of its attack on 'tainted' ministers. (PTI)

Our Reporter Adds: Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shanker Prasad has said that the removal of Governors of four states by the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre is against the spirit of the ConstitutionTalking to the reporters at BJP office here on Sunday, he said that the Congress and the Left Front were trying to appoint Governors of their choice.Mr Prasad was here to attend the first death anniversary of BJP leader and former Home Minister TH Rangad.

He recalled that when BJP was in power, the party did not try to remove the Governors who were close to the Congress.Terming proposed move to repeal of POTA as unjustified, he called upon the Centre not to sacrifice the security of the country. Earlier, during his address at the first death anniversary commemoration function of TH Rangad, he hoped that the NDA would return to power in the next election.

He, however, added the party's opponents had "tried to take benefit" from violence through "cheapcampaigning".On the issue of continuance of Modi after the polls, he said "there is no question of my getting isolated in the party."Asserting the Narendra Modi issue had been "overplayed", Vajpayee said the Gujarat Chief Minister had met him recently and emphasised that "no laxity was given at any level or any time" to allow violence. (PTI)

Uni adds: Meanwhile, rejecting the Congress' allegation of the presence of tainted ministers in the previous NDA government, Mr Vajpayee charged the UPA coalition with having double standards on the issue.Mr Vajpayee told reporters here that while the NDA was demanding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh drop ministers charged with corruption, the ruling UPA was raking the Ayodhya case to deflect attention from the issue.''Being charged in a corruption case and Ayodhya demolition case are two different things,'' he said.

''We want ministers chargesheeted in corruption cases to go. But they revert back to court proceedings on Ayodhya demolition case against BJP leaders...these two are different matters,'' he added.''When in power, the NDA had never created hurdles in the proceedings of the courts pursuing the Ayodhya case. We were very careful on the issue... it is incorrect to say that we included tainted people in the government,'' he added.The former prime Minister said that it was incorrect to say that the BJP tried to save former Defence Minister George Fernandes in the Tehelka case''We had set up a commission and after its preliminary report gave him a clean chit, we had re-inducted him in the cabinet,'' he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee have congratulated the defence scientists for the successful test-firing of the missile.DRDO officials said ground radars, telemetry stations and naval ships positioned close to the intended impact point monitored the course of the missile. (PTI)

Meanwhile in Islamabad, Pakistan said it was not worried by India's test of short-range nuclear capable Agni-I missile as it was a "sovereign right" for any country to enhance its defence and military capability."Both countries (Pakistan and India) do the tests. It is a sovereign right of a country to take any measure for its defence," chairman of Senate foreign relations committee Mushahid Hussain told AFP."We reserve the sovereign right to improve our defence capability and same right be granted to other countries," Hussain said. "We do not take exception to that, any other country can do it also."Asked if Pakistan was concerned over Sunday's testing of 700 kilometres range surface-to-surface Agni-I missile by India, Hussain said "absolutely not."

"We have a strong deterrent and defence capability," Hussain said.He said Pakistan stood for a reduction of the arms race and had been "proposing various initiatives based on reciprocity."Early last month, Pakistan test-fired a Hatf V ballistic missile, which has a range of 1,500 kilometers.The Agni test comes just days after media reports in Pakistan quoted President Pervez Musharraf as saying that Islamabad would conduct an "important" missile test in two months' time. (AFP)

"Also we will not accept it if former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's efforts at the SAARC summit last year go unnoticed during the talks", the former DPM said.Lamenting the figuring of UN charter "again" during recent secretary-level talks between Indo-Pak, Advani said BJP expected friendly relations between the two countries but "not at the cost of national interest".Recalling how the BJP Government had put its foot down during Agra summit, asking Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism, Advani said the Government then had categorically ruled out any talks unless the neighbouring country stopped supporting the scourge."They (Pakistan) had refused to even accept that there was terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. But we were firm and had made it clear that there could be no talks if terrorism continues", he said, adding "the number of incidents in Kashmir are rising daily". (PTI)

As both parties grappled with issues they should include in the CMP that would guide the State's first coalition Government, they also decided to incorporate the demand to the Centre to implement Article 371 of the Constitution for backward North Karnataka to confer special benefits to the region and implementing fully the D M Nanjundappa report on regional imbalance."We will hold further discussions on July 10 after the Union Budget is presented," Chief Minister Dharam Singh said. (PTI)

Working further upon the original, he traces the hidden Holy Grail, engulfing the whole ceiling of the dining hall where the Last Supper was laid. By drawing the 'virtual man,' the characteristic notion of Da Vinci, he establishes the presence of the Holy Bread.Developing upon 'the pointing finger,' another basic theory followed by the Italian painter in all his works, Francis finally shows the intersecting point of both the Holy Bread and the Holy Grail, thus highlighting Da Vinci's sublime jodden thoughts.The interpretation work also seeks to put to rest the controversy about the person on the right hand side of Jesus, with the help of Indian book 'Vishnudarmotharapurana.' (UNI)

Besides enforcing a ban on smoking, it was also decided to telecast Zero Hour proceedings as also increasing the numbers from the existing 16 to 24 of the Parliament's standing Committees, Chaterjee said.The Lok Sabha Speaker said the meeting was convened to discuss issues to be taken up during the budget Session beginning from Monday. (PTI)

Mohammed told police he had "only raped her a few times" but never considered killing her."I don’t want to be hanged. So, I decided to surrender. I didn’t intend to kill her or sell her to anyone,"Mohammed, who was arrested immediately, told police.Mohammed said he was upset after reading about the impending hanging of Chatterjee, who was to be hanged June 25.The execution was stayed because the President wanted to consider a second clemency plea from Chatterjee’s family. The Ppresident, however, is expected to turn it down again because the Central Home Ministry has recommended Chatterjee’s hanging. The President usually goes by the ministry’s advice. (IANS)

Basing its strategy on the past experience where underutilisation of funds was found to be a major constraint in the path to progress, the new government wants to ensure that every rupee put in social development programmes yields the desired results.As is customary, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has been meeting his Cabinet colleagues to discuss their Ministries' demands. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too has got involved in the exercise and has held meeting with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Rural Development, Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh among others to discuss the farmers condition. (UNI)

"Man will never reach there. He will be destroyed before that. He should not even attempt to build such enmity with nature and, least of all, with such powerful planets."He was referring to the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft - a collaboration between NASA and other space agencies - firing its engine into Saturn's atmosphere.He said many recent disasters around the world, for instance a devastating earthquake in Iran, were linked to such efforts by man.However, other soothsayers are not so sure. "There won't be any serious impact," Pandit Laxmi Narayan Shastri, the head priest at the Birla Temple here, told IANS.

"The rocket is like a small pebble falling into a mighty ocean. Nothing will happen to the ocean or the people who depend on the ocean. But the pebble will definitely be drowned," he said.He said there would not be any impact of the space probe on people who worship Shani or Saturn."But those monitoring the spacecraft will definitely be affected," he said. "The effect could be positive or negative, depending on their own planetary positions," he continued.Saturn is believed to have strong repercussions on the lives of people. Every Saturday, many Indians donate generously in the hope of propitiating the divine force.

"Man himself will never reach there, at least not so soon. He will be burnt to bits before reaching Saturn," said Shastri.The planet, with its fascinating colourful rings made up of ice and rock particles, has for long fascinated mankind.The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft launched Oct 15, 1997, is to post itself at the planet for four years, clicking pictures and collecting detailed data on the gas giant, its rings and the 30 known moons.(IANS)

Chennai: Unsung and unknown, many ordinary Chennai residents - among them slum dwellers - are showering love on children affected by HIV/AIDS, making each of them one of their own.In a bustling bazaar in the Thiruvalluvar Nagar area, one can find a young woman named Surya who has adopted a 16-month-old AIDS orphan, fully aware of the social stigma attached to the disease.Dressed in clean frilly clothes and carried by her foster mother, Shubha is like a normal child.Similarly for 17-month-old Nitya. Like Shubha, Nitya too has foster parents.The adoptions were facilitated by an organisation called Community Health Education Society (CHES) working in the AIDS/HIV prevention and care sector for more than a decade.

Volunteers from CHES have helped a 30-year-old HIV patient woman Malli (name changed) and her three little children begin a new life.Malli first came to the slum when she was expecting her third child.A local hospital found her to be HIV positive and refused to take her in for the delivery.She gave birth in the hut, assisted only by slum neighbours.As she was HIV positive, she was taken to the government general hospital, which put her in touch with CHES.The baby Malli gave birth to is also HIV positive.Her husband is not an AIDS victim and her two elder children are free of the disease.Being HIV affected, Malli today has nowhere to go.But her neighbours contribute to taking care of her children, letting her stay in the hut, allowing her to earn a small living by carrying water to nearby houses.

The common question the women of the slum are asked is, "Are you not scared to let Malli live amid you?"But, as one of the women said, "if we do not take care of her, where will she go?"They had their fears initially. "Our only fear at first was if mosquitoes bite her, and then bite us, will we get AIDS?" one woman said."But people from CHES explained that AIDS cannot be carried by mosquitoes. So we are not afraid to live next to an HIV victim."The city has become known for its large-heartedness and the care it accords to AIDS/HIV affected people, especially children.HIV-positive children have schools to go to and homes to shelter them, where they play, watch television, learn, laugh and cry like normal children.

CHES houses 33 children in its care home where volunteers and permanent caretakers look after the kids."Children with HIV often have the same illnesses as children without HIV, only these are more serious, frequent and difficult to treat. But no care can be like home care," said Manorama.Her adopted child Krishnaveni was taken ill last year and died after living for a decade under the good doctor’s care.The parting was emotional for Manorama but "foster parents know that ultimately one day the end will come."CHES deputy director Muthupandian, who has himself adopted Mary, another AIDS orphan, said philosophically: "It is a new path." (IANS)

The model of fencing, whenever it is approved, would be on the lines of the projects that NBCCL has taken up along the borders in Meghalaya and Tripura.Mizoram will be the fourth state in the North-East where Delhi has decided to introduce measures along the border to stop the free flow of arms and narcotics. The decision to fence the border of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura was taken long ago and work is currently in progress, though at a slow pace.But Mizoram’s location is more strategic as it also has a 510-km long border with Myanmar.The Centre is concerned to seal the International Border in the North East after a huge consignment of arms was seized from the Chittagong port in Bangladesh, believed to be for the militant outfits of the North-East.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has submitted a list of 42 militant camps to the Prime Minister last week, which are located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet in Bangladesh.Sources said out of the several active routes in the region used for gunrunning, those through Mizoram, touching Tlabung and Demagiri, are "hyper-active".The Centre seems to be paying more importance to the country’s border with Bangladesh though trafficking is also rampant along the Indo-Myanmar border. In 2001, at least 26 grenade launchers were seized in Shillong which were smuggled into Mizoram from Myanmar through Champai.The Mizoram government has welcomed the move but said the move should have been taken long ago. "The Mizoram government has raised the issue with Delhi repeatedly and a fence would check the criminal activities in this part of the country to a certain extent," state government sources said, but added that gunrunning was common to many states in the region. (UNI)

Though the AHCL had agreed for an out-of-court settlement with a suggestion of Rs 43.28 crore as compensation from the State Government, the Cabinet was of the view that the government would not pay any compensation to the company and it(AHCL) should also drop the pending cases regarding the deal.However, the government decided to entrust the construction work of the Meghalaya House to AHCL and projected the cost of the construction in the 1,29,000 square feet area estimated by the PWD department as Rs 2212.30 lakh.The AHCL should own the responsibility for mobilization of construction materials and undertaking construction subject to regular quality and specification control by the Chief Engineer (Building,) State PWD, official sources said.

GAD and PWD officials had several rounds of talks with the construction company to settle the matter and to come to a negotiated settlement of the issue.GAD Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that in principle the AHCL had agreed for the conditions put forward by the Cabinet. "Further modalities will be worked out soon," he said adding, "We hope that the matter will be settled soon".

With the MDP working president PT Sawkmie dropped from the list, those who tipped to be inducted in the new Cabinet are RG Lyngdoh, Friday Lyngdoh, JD Rymbai, Dr Mukul Sangma, Cyprian Sangma , Mrs Deborah C Marak, M I Sarkar, Nehlang Lyngdoh , Dr Donkupar Roy, Martle Mukhim and Paul Lyngdoh. HSPDP member and former Chief Minister Dr FA Khonglam is likely to be accommodated as co-chairman of the State Planning Board. West Khasi Hills is unlikely to get any representation in the new ministry as the names of Mrs Irene Lyngdoh, Boldness Nongum and Francis Sangma are not figuring in the proposed list.

UNI adds from New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi Sunday dropped 17 ministerial colleagues in order to downsize her ministry as frantic political activities were reported from Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Assam and Chhattisgarh ahead of a July 7 deadline.AICC in-charge for Assam and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh announced here that the formation of the new Tarun Gogoi team in Assam has almost been completed.Emerging from an hour-long meeting with Mr Gogoi, held at Assam Bhawan here last night, Mr Singh said,''The list was more or less complete. There will be no further meetings on the issue. The Chief Minister will announce his ministerial team soon,'' he said.

Director of College Development Council, NEHU, Dr Biloris Lyndem said that under the proposed UGC programme at the undergraduate level, each college can design a five package programme for each undergraduate stream. "This would allow students to acquire not only a degree but also get a skill-based certificate," Dr Lyndem said adding that local resources should be kept in mind while designing these career oriented packages.

Courses, which will prepare students for the increasingly competitive job market, like creative writing, public relations, fashion designing, poultry rearing, fish breeding, journalism and others will be included in the five package programmes designed for all streams-science, arts and commerce- at the undergraduate level.These different short-term career oriented programmes would be an extension of interest of the selected stream of study, Dr Lyndem said adding that programmes would vary according to the streams.According to Dr Lyndem, to introduce these programmes in the colleges, the UGC would be providing seed money of Rs 5 lakhs for Arts and Commerce stream and Rs 8 lakhs for the Science stream. However, the seed money can only be given to colleges having permanent affiliation to NEHU. Shillong alone has around 23 colleges with permanent affiliation to NEHU.

Those colleges without permanent affiliation to NEHU can always start on their own and charge it on the concerned students, as this is a "need strategy", Dr Lyndem said. The colleges can also tie up with either IGNOU or NEHU for these short-term career oriented certificate and diploma courses, Dr Lyndem said.While Women’s College has introduced fashion designing, K L Bajoria College has tied up with IGNOU for short-term career oriented courses like creative writing, journalism and teachers training.However, to avoid undue stress, a student can only take up one course during the undergraduate level.

Shillong: People from all walks of life in Shillong paid tribute to late State Home Minister and BJP leader Thrang Hok Rangad commemorating his contribution at the first death anniversary.A function in this regard was organised by Meghalaya Unit of BJP in the party office on Sunday.The function was attended by party leaders and workers as well as friends of late MLA from Laban constituency.Speaking on the occasion, Ms Saihunlang Phanbuh, daughter of late leader described her father as a politician out of choice. she recollected how the people under his constituency respected him as he used to listen patiently to all their grievances and work promptly.

Later, National Council Member of BJP Dr W Kharshilng termed him as a leader with lots of "guts, knowledge, humour and honesty and genuine concern" for his people and State.Speaking on the theme "A Politician of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", Dr Kharshiing further said that late Rangad was a bank employee who resigned from his job to serve the poor people as their leader. He praised the late leader for his honesty in the Meghalaya House deal case and recalled an incident when Mr Rangad along with five of his companions and daughter marched from Laban to the Polo ground carrying the Indian national flag, despite threats from HNLC. He also praised the leader’s courage for not moving with body guards when he was the Home Minister.

Padmashree Patricia Mukhim recalled the leader’s integrity, courage of conviction, decision making and management skills. She said that he was a man of strong sense of history which he used during his political decision making. She lamented the derth of these abilities in modern day politicians.Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad described Mr Rangad as the champion of the BJP’s cause in North East and said that he was a great national leader. The BJP suffered a great loss in the region due to his untimely death at 49, he added. "Being the first Christian leader from the region, he laid a very strong foundation of the party in the North East and helped to nullify the BJP’s anti minority image," he said.Meanwhile, a message from Opposition leader L K Advani was read by BJP MLA and state Party President A L Hek on the occasion. The Opposition leader could not attend the programme as he was busy in Delhi.

In March last year, the High Court directed the State Government to initiate measures for separation of the judiciary from the executive. However, the State Government appealed to the Supreme Court seeking more time. The case is pending in the Supreme Court now.In the just-concluded Assembly session, Law Minister Momin said that the State Government was committed to take steps for the speedy disposal of cases. He also informed that efforts were on to set up a separate High Court in the State.Chief Minister DD Lapang has also written to Union Law Minister HR Bhardwaj to speed up the process of setting up a separate High Court in Shillong.

Talking to reporters, West Khasi Hills SP Mr AR Mawthoh said the Borsora-based coal exporter donated between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh each to the outfit and added that none of them had lodged any complaint regarding the demand notes issued to them. He said that the investigation gave indications that the coal exporters willingly donated money to the HNLC for their personal interest, Mr Mawthoh added.

According to him, the coal exporters-HNLC nexus came to light following the arrest of three hardcore cadres of the outfit last week near Borsora.He said the arrested coal exporters were booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UPA).A few more coal exporters, who had donated money to the outfit, were absconding and warned that stern action would be taken against them if they failed to surrender in the next few days.He said that the nine arrested coal exporters would be produced in the court of the Judicial Magistrate at Nongstoin on Tuesday and police would seek their custody for further interrogation.

It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister D D Lapang on Friday last had said that the state government was thinking of the possibilities of adopting the facilities of Panchayati Raj for district councils. "The government is also examining the system and will try to extract facilities applicable to District Councils," he had said adding that the government also wanted to make use of its financial facilities.Terming Mr Lapang's statement as "encouraging" Mr Kharshiing hoped that Meghalaya would not loose out because of petty politics but would benefit a lot from this.

Charges against Saddam cover invading Kuwait in 1990, suppressing uprisings by Kurds and Shi'ites after the 1991 Gulf war, ethnic cleansing of Kurds in 1987-88 and gassing Kurdish villagers in 1988.Hundreds of thousands died on both sides in the war of attrition between Iran and Iraq, in which Baghdad used poison gas against Iranian soldiers and civilians.Meanwhile, despite safety concerns, a team of lawyers that claims to represent Saddam Hussein is dispatching an envoy to Iraq to try to meet with the deposed Iraqi dictator, group members said Saturday."I am leaving to Iraq on Sunday, despite the risk, which I am ready to bear," Ziad Najdawi, one of 20 Jordanian and foreign lawyers appointed by Saddam's wife, Sajida, said. (Agencies)

''Thus torture and the death penalty must remain taboo for us Europeans - even if the Americans practise both,'' she told the Sunday tabloid.She said Saddam's trial represented an opportunity for the new Iraqi government to demonstrate respect for the basic tenets of democracy. ''Life imprisonment: yes,'' she said. ''The death penalty: no.'' (DPA)

Military officials said new army chief Shantha Kottegoda was keen to re-open dialogue with the LTTE in the eastern province where Tigers have suspended meetings to review the implementation of the Oslo-arranged truce.Kottegoda himself told reporters here Thursday, his first day as army chief, that he feared tension at lower levels could endanger the truce that went into effect under a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

The LTTE's official peace secretariat website Saturday reproduced a Tamil language newspaper editorial slamming government forces for their alleged backing to Karuna to stage attacks in the island's volatile east."Until the MoU is implemented in full there can be no meaningful talks about peace between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE," the pro-rebel Tamil language Uthayan newspaper said. (AFP)

The militants had warned they would carry on attacking Iraqi officials and U.S.-led foreign forces, despite Washington's handover to an interim Iraqi government last Monday, until ''God's law'' prevailed in Iraq.The U.S. military has said Hassoun had been absent from his unit since June 21. His Lebanese father had urged his son's captors to have mercy on him as a Muslim and an Arab.The U.S. military says Ansar al-Sunna could be one of a handful of groups carrying out attacks in Iraq.The group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings last February in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil that killed more than 100 people.A spate of kidnappings of foreigners has hit Iraq and a militant group led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, accused by Washington of links to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for beheading an American and a South Korean. (Reuters)

Washington: It seems that the Clinton family is in for a complete makeover. Bill Clinton now sports a toned up figure while Hillary has adopted a much more elegant style of dressing up. Even Chelsea has metamorphosed from a frizzy haired teenager to a chic lady."The Clintons are so glamorous now. They're polished, elegant, and ready to be received by the public," image consultant Anna Wildermuth, who does not work with the Clintons, was quoted by The Star as saying.A Washington insider told Star, "The Clintons are a life force in Washington, a part of the fabric. They are a favorite topic," an insider told the magazine. (ANI)

Sir,

Why should MLAs be made Chairmen of Boards/Corporations with Cabinet/Minister of State rank after downsizing, is an issue coming out in the press. On the other hand, do not such public figures deserve a fair deal?

Just to have a flashback-- what happens a few months before election day, when each and every frontrunner candidate gets fleeced, right left and centre by the opportunistic public? Suddenly everyone in the locality wants to go picnicking and at whose expense. Mothers with their babies, throng the compound of the candidate begging for help. There is a rush to be the chief guest during football and cricket matches, all at a price. Generosity is displayed by distributing free blankets, kitchen ware, household items, exercise books, etc. The candidate who does not join in such a display of kindness has no chance of winning. And what about the cash handouts on the eve of polling day? After all this, it is the politician who is dubbed as corrupt. Who makes them corrupt? Of course it is the public.

And why this unjustified criticism against the non-Minister MLA being appointed as Chairman? Let them have a decent standard of living, to serve the people better. Is there no way to stop the public from taking full advantage of the candidates who are squeezed so badly by having to spend lakhs and lakhs to get elected? NGOs should address the problem in the right perspective and start thinking of solutions, instead of focusing only on the politician. Cleanse the system please.

Yours etc.,
P. Diengdoh
Shillong-3.

Sir,

I wonder if anyone has noticed the foul odour surfacing from the countless out-of-court settlements in Meghalaya. One cannot help but think if there is a deliberate attempt on the part of certain politicians and bureaucrats to deliberately swindle us of our (public) money. Or else why on earth should our wise politicians and brilliant bureaucrats prepare silly contracts with such blatant loopholes which finally result in huge out-of-court settlements?Consider this. Certain politicians and bureaucrats in connivance with some dubious companies intentionally prepare a contract with many loopholes. The contract is 'quietly' made public for the likes of Kong Patricia Mukhim to rip it apart and anxiously hope that the public will raise hell on the issue. This will ensure that the contract is cancelled, giving the dubious companies the opportunity to sue the Government. When all the dust has been settled, the Government quietly and half-heartedly pursues the matter in the Court allowing the company to triumph in Court.

The end result is, politicians, bureaucrats and the company split the huge out-of-court settlement with the tacit blessing of the duped public who revel on its Government 'wise' enough to have, for a 'paltry' sum, won back our prized assets.Take an example: A Chief Minister of a State proceeding to New Delhi to personally pay the out-of-court settlement. It does not even call for an IAS officer to go and personally pay the amount. Is that not the job of the accountant of an office?

My question here is, why are our eyes closed while our leaders ruthlessly and efficiently steal our money when we are still living in such under-development and poverty? I am not against payment of out-of-court settlements but what I feel strongly is the fact that our hard-earned money is being used to pay these out-of-court settlements. Should not the politicians and bureaucrats, who were responsible for the fake and shoddy contract, be made to pay the out-of-court settlement from their own pockets?

Take for example the Crowborough Hotel court case. Sources inform that the case against the latest company could have been easily won in court but for the blatant technical errors committed by the Law Department resulting in the Government losing out on the case. In this case should not the Law minister and his department be made to pay for the error? I cannot for one moment believe that the government with all the machinery under its wings cannot win a simple court case against some dubious company unless for some reason or the other the government actually wants to lose court cases so as to be able to pay the huge out-of-court settlements. Instead, the government should have constituted an enquiry as to how we lost the case.

Can the media start digging these files?

Yours etc.,
D. Sohtun
London
Via email.

The NLFT militants shot dead a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawan at Gunraj in South Tripura after an encounter with the security forces who were combing the area, police said.The NLFT and All Tripura Tiger Force (AITF) militants continued to hold 29 small traders and businessmen who were abducted from two bordering areas in Tripura on June 13 and 14 respectively.The NLFT rebels had abducted 40 businessmen on June 14 from Kanpui area of Tripura-Mizoram border in north Tripura, when they were on their way to the market.The ultras, later, released 16 businessmen and abducted some more. Police suspect that the businessmen had either been taken away to Bangladesh or Mizoram.The ATTF rebels had kidnapped five traders from a border village in West Tripura on June 13 when they were on their way to the bordering Bangladeshi village to sell jackfruits.The state government has also requested the Centre to take up the matter with the Bangladesh government as the militants usually take shelter there after committing crime on the Indian side of the border.The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified patrolling along the Indo-Bangla border to prevent militants from crossing over to Bangladesh, a police official said, on condition of anonymity. (UNI)

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio announced that he would utilize the capabilities of the ministers not inducted in the ministry.Speaking at "Word of Expectation" during the Nagaland Legislators/Ministers Fellowship on Sunday, Mr Rio said he would utilize not only the capabilities of the twelve ministers, but also those who were inducted into DAN ministry after the conglomerate came to the power.Rio also said that there would be delegation of power and not concentration of power.Regretting the fact that he would have to let some ministers go, the chief minister said the decision would not be easy. "It pains me that I have to displease so many colleagues for I know they are all equally capable," Rio said.

Meanwhile, in Imphal, the Movement for Tribal People’s Rights Manipur (MTPRM) has expressed its apprehension over the imminent downsizing of the government in Manipur.In a statement, the organisation feared that a few districts of the state would not be given proper representation in the new downsized ministry.To avoid alienating the tribals, the general secretary of the movement, Mr A S Johnson said that the best policy for the state would be if the ministerial berths were accomodated districtwise.The movemnet also appealed to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, to give equal representation to all the various people especially the tribals of hill districts in the state.

However, to the chagrin of the two leaders, they did not figure in the newly-constituted steering committee of the party.It is speculated that the meeting between the two is an effort to make a comeback to state politics and to offset present AGP leader Mr Goswami and his team.Meanwhile, Mr Goswami is not perturbed at the latest development. "They are leaders of the party and have the right to think out strategy to strengthen the party," Mr Goswami said.

A speeding passenger train had killed the three elephants, including a calf, when the animals suddenly came on the track. Flowers were sprinkled on the prayer site with a priest performing the rituals with all seriousness. "If we don’t perform the rituals, we know for sure herds of wild elephants that roam in and around our village would trouble us," another villager said."All these years, we have never faced any problems from the wild elephants since we offer regular prayers and perform other rituals to appease the animals." Some of the women who gathered at the prayer were shedding tears for the dead elephants. (IANS)

Roddick had struck first breaking in only the third game of the match to lead 2-1 when he set up the winning point with a booming crosscourt forehand which the Swiss could only pat back long.It was only the third time Federer had lost his serve in his seven matches here.The American, who was defying all expectations by serving and volleying rather than just relying on his customary baseline power, then saved four break points to go 3-1 up. Federer held for 3-2 before rain forced the players off Centre Court after just 16 minutes of action.Play resumed 35 minutes later with Roddick dominating the match even hitting a return timed at 103mph off a Federer serve in the seventh game before going on to take the opener with another powerful forehand after 31 minutes of play. AFP

Thus rendering the joint immovable to curb flexion, Murali tried to make his point that it played no part in imparting spin when he bowled his ''doosra''. Later the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 527 scalps under his belt, said,''The doosra is my weapon. I feel angry that they have taken it away. It is like telling a fast bowler he cannot bowl a bouncer. When a batsman does not fear the bouncer he has an advantage.''

''People say I have an unfair advantage which has brought me success. I was born like this. People are born with all sorts of physical differences which allow them to do things that other people cannot. That is how it is for me, so I am gifted in a way; people cannot copy me or bowl like me. And there are other bowlers around whose physical attributes mean they cannot be imitated. Paul Adams of South Africa is one. And there will be more players with 'abnormal' physical attributes in the future. UNI

Sourav Ganguly has proved equally adept at opening the one-day innings and the job could be shared by any two of the three men most suited to taking advantage of the field placement in the first 15 overs.If the Indians were in England and the white ball was found to be jagging around too much in the early stages, they could always push Dravid into doing the job and keeping the ammunition dry for the later slog. Or, if ever Parthiv Patel is to keep wickets regularly, he could, at a pinch, open the innings, too

Some of the players later told PTI that "it was a session wherein Boycott motivated us to look forward and not to sit on the laurels. "He said we should not be complacent now that we have performed successfully during the last two tours, as every tour is important. He said we are one of the best teams in the world and we should be focussed towards winning each match for positive result."It was learnt that Boycott's tips and advice, following a question and answer session, was very useful and welcomed by the players.Soon after some physical exercises in the evening, Boycott, during his interaction with Tendulkar and Laxman, was believed as having told them to stretch fully and play forward, keeping the body weight on the front foot and the head in position.Boycott spent maximum time with Parthiv Patel, who is working on improving his batting.

The hosts were indebted to a fourth wicket stand of 122 between the 25-year-old Flintoff and Middlesex captain Andrew Strauss, who was dropped on one, before making 61.Both batsmen were floored by the luckless Hamish Marshall.All the completed matches in the series had been won by the side bowling first and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who had won all his tosses in the tournament so far, inserted England in overcast conditions.New Zealand, for whom victory here would guarantee a place in the July 10 final at Lord's, had an early breakthrough.Marcus Trescothick was still on nought when he edged left-arm quick James Franklin. However, wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins dropped a chance that was heading straight to Fleming at first slip. Agencies

Laxman was now looking to carry his good form into the season-opening Asia Cup one-day tournament, beginning in Sri Lanka on July 16, and was eagerly awaiting tips from former England batting great Geoff Boycott."Overall, the preapartions have been quite good and I am hoping to perform the way I did last year this season starting with the Asia Cup."Boycott has been roped in by the Cricket Board to give the Asia Cup probables some tips during a two-day coaching stint at the conditioning camp which started here yesterday.Laxman as yet has not got a chance to interact with Boycott as he has been placed in the other of the two groups into which the 20 probables have been divided. Laxman intends to talk to Boycott on "planning the innings" and "preparations" before a match.

"Unfortunately Boycott was not with the group that I was in today. Boycott was helping out the other group. Generally I would like to ask him more about planning an innings and preparation for matches."...It is great to have someone like Boycott whose expertise will definitely help the players," he said.Asked whether Boycott would advise players on changing the technique, Laxman said, "It is not about changing the technique, at this level it is very difficult to change one's technique. He is here to give some useful advise and tips in helping the batsman perform much better that he has been doing. "It will be more of a discussion as in the process of a discussion, one can talk about lot of things on batting. Once the discussion is on, useful matters will crop up. One should be thankful to him for coming over here to spend some time with us."

Laxman was also forthcoming in his praise of statemate and former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin saying he often looks up to him for advice."Yes, I have been taking lot of advise from him. He is one of my role models. Even when I was in school I used to admire him, he being a solid batsman, captain of both Hyderabad and India."I have discussed with him cricket and fitness. He has been a big influence on my batting and fitness and my career till now."Asked whether the expertise of Azharuddin, fighting a match-fixing battle with the BCCI in court, could be utilised for helping the current crop of players, he said "the call has to be made by the Board. Definitely, he has got so much of experience, he can share his knowledge with the players." PTI

''So we'll hope that he gets a good bowl up in Cairns and he can take eight more wickets.''Warne took three wickets against Sri Lanka in Darwin to move into second on the all-time list. Paceman Glenn McGrath's seven wickets after a 12-month injury layoff took his tally to 437 and moved him into fourth on the list.Reuters

Germany scored through Bjorn Michel (10th), Bjorn Emmerling (26th) Michael Green (37th), Christopher Zeller (51st), Witthaus after Holland dominated the early part of the match with goals from Matthijs Brouwer (3rd) Floris Evers (6th) and Martin Eeikelboom (21st).Brouwer's second strike in the 55th minute added more excitement to the game that saw both the sides dishing out top quality hockey before a packed house.Holland, starting the match as favourites having won the league match between the two 3-1, started with a bang with the twin strikes to put their opponents under enormous pressure. PTI