INTERNATIONAL

Goa Govt averts crisis, House prorogued

Panaji: Reduced to a minority, the Congress-led coalition government in Goa on Thursday appeared to have averted an immediate threat to its survival postponing a crucial Assembly vote while Central leaders of Congress and NCP were locked in parleys to defuse the political crisis.

Apparently jittery over the fate of the Appropriation bill if it is put to vote in the Assembly, the Digamber Kamat government recommended that the House be prorogued which was executed by Governor SC Jamir.

There was a likelihood of the Bill being defeated on the floor of the House after three NCP MLAs and an Independent member Vishvajit Rane decided to withdraw the support and this would have led to the fall of the seven-month-old government.

Parallelly, armed with a mandate from NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, top leaders of the party including Union Minister Praful Patel met the three MLAs including two ministers to convey the leadership's warning of "severe action" if they did not pull back.

The three NCP legislators, however, appeared to be defiant and hectic efforts were on to bring them back to the coalition fold.

Congress-led coalition had a strength of 23 MLAs in a House of 40 but it was reduced to 19 following the revolt.

Rane appeared to have toned down his rhetoric when he said he does not want to create a political crisis but insisted there were grievances which must be settled.

Sources indicated that an Ordinance may be promulgated after a Cabinet meeting to give effect to the crucial Appropriation bill which could not be taken up. (PTI)

The Opposition BJP, which has 14 members, adopted a wait and watch approach but demanded convening of a special session of the Assembly for a trial of strength to "call the bluff" of the ruling alliance.

The government should be dismissed if it does not survive the floor test, it said while voicing its anger over the Assembly being suddenly prorogued.

Opposition members protested at the abrupt decision to keep the Assembly on hold move and sat on the well of the House.

Signalling that he would crack the whip, Pawar said in Delhi his senior colleagues are carrying a letter to the Goa Speaker informing him that the action by the MLAs amounts to inviting anti-defection provisions. Pawar has already assured Kamat that the NCP will continue to support his government. (PTI)

‘Live-in relationships as good as marriage’

NEW DELHI: When a man and woman live together for a long spell there would be a presumption in favour of their having been married, unless it is rebutted by convincing evidence, the Supreme Court has held. The apex court passed the ruling while upholding the property rights of the children born to a couple whose marriage was challenged by the rival claimants. "Where a man and woman are proved to have lived together as man and wife, the law will presume, unless the contrary be clearly proved, that they were living together in consequence of a valid marriage, and not in a state of concubinage," the apex court said while recalling a privy council observation. (PTI)

Outbreak more serious, warns WHO
Bird flu spreads in West Bengal

Kolkata/New Delhi: Bird flu on Thursday spread in West Bengal as three more districts of the State reported poultry deaths as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned the outbreak in the State was far more serious than the previous pandemics in Manipur and Maharashtra.

The Centre admitted the outbreak of the deadly disease was on a wider scale than two earlier outbreaks in Maharashtra and Manipur.

Culling operations to target nearly four lakh poultry continued at a slow pace for the second day amid confusion about the figures of the birds killed.

West Bengal Animal Resources Development minister Anisur Rahaman told reporters in Kolkata that birdflu had spread to Kirnahar in Birbhum district and Barwan in Murshidabad district since Wednesday.

He said there were also reports of poultry deaths in neighbouring Burdwan, South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts but bird flu symptoms had not been not found.

"There are reports of unusual mortality in Terhatta block of Nadia district, Kalna block of Bardhaman district and Baruipur village of South 24 Pargana district," Union Animal Husbandry Secretary Pradeep Kumar told reporters in Delhi, citing a communication from the state.

Samples are being collected from the new areas to be sent to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal.

"Fresh cases of mortality have been reported from Khargram and Burwan blocks of Murshidabad district which are adjoining to the affected area of Birbhum," Kumar said.

Kumar said fresh mortality of 247 poultry birds have also been reported from Gangarampur block in South Dinajpur district, where the deaths were restricted to the state farm till yesterday.

As per latest information, at least 61,075 poultry deaths have been reported from Birbhum, South Dinajpur and Murshidabad.

Commenting on the WHO warning, Kumar said it was true that "the outbreak was much wider than in the earlier cases".

He said the "scale is wider but the government is alive to the problem".

He said there was no cause for panic as reports from other areas is not large scale. "We cannot overreact to a situation".

Meanwhile, confusion prevailed over the culling operations with authorities in West Bengal unable to give the figure for today but said 26 teams were on the job and the target was 26,000 birds.

Other states across the country including the North Eastern states, have been put on alert. (PTI)

Attacks on Christians pre-planned: NCM

New Delhi: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Thursday accused the Orissa Government of being "negligent" while dealing with the recent violence against Christians in the State and said the attacks were "pre-planned".

The NCM also said the compensation given to the victims was very low.

Taking suo-moto congnizance of reports of violence against the minority community, the Commission had sent a two-member team to the State which visited the four affected districts -- Phulbani, Daringbadi, Bamunigaon and Baliguda.

"The Government and the local officials had been warned of trouble as early as on December 22. But they did not take any action and the result was the large-scale violence," NCM member Dilip Padgaonkar, who was part of the delegation told reporters here.

He said while the Vishva Hindu Parishad might have been in the background of "creating and vitiating" the political atmosphere, it was very difficult to say who had physically carried out the attacks.

"It was an organised and pre-planned attack on the Christian community," he said.

Padgaonkar said it was the two strikes called by two different organisations on December 26 which fuelled the violence.

The delegation found that one of the main reasons for the outbreak of violence was the long simmering conflict between Kui tribes and Pana Christians, NCM member Zoya Hasan, the other member of the delegation, said. (PTI)

Bajrang Dal activists attack Christian gathering

Raipur: Suspected Bajrang Dal activists attacked a group of Christians accusing them of being involved in conversions in Durg district, police said on Thursday.

''A case of riot has been registered by the Gurur police against unnamed persons on the complaint by one Suresh Gokaran Sahu of Bhotali village of Durg district, about 120 kms from the state capital,'' Additional SP, Durg, Prashant Thakur told PTI.

However, no arrest has been made so far, he added.

According to the complaint, about 60 unidentified people, believed to be Bajrang Dal activists, came in vehicles shouting pro-Hindu slogans and assaulted the Christians during a function organsied by them in their village last night, Thakur said. The activists alleged conversions were going on in the function. (PTI)

SC bars surgery without patient’s consent

New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the crass commercialisation of the private medicare in the country, the Supreme Court has ruled that doctors cannot perform surgeries without the patient's consent, unless it is for saving a life.

A three-judge bench expressed anguish over the increasing commercialisation of private medicare as patients are subjected to innumerable and avoidable tests and medication involving prohibitive costs.

"Unless the unauthorised additional or further procedure is necessary in order to save the life or preserve the health of the patient and it would be unreasonable to delay the further procedure until the patient regains consciousness and takes a decision, a doctor cannot perform such procedure without the consent of the patient," the Apex court said. The bench comprising Justices BN Agarwal, PP Naolekar and RV Raveendran, passed the ruling while awarding a compensation of Rs 25,000 and waiver of surgery fees to a woman Samira Kohli, whose uterus was removed by a lady obstetrician Dr Prabha Manchanda without her consent. (PTI)

Rs 1,800 crore for jobs to disabled

New Delhi: With shrinking employment opportunities in the State sector, the Government on Thursday approved a Rs 1,800 crore scheme for incentivising private sector to employ 1,00,000 disabled people a year.

The approval to the scheme, envisaging payment by the Government towards employers' contribution to the Employees' Provident Fund and the Employees' State Insurance, was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

The "historic decision" would involve Government outlay of Rs 1,800 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the CCEA meeting.

"Employment opportunities in the Government have been shrinking over the years. Therefore, it has become necessary that employment opportunities for the persons with disabilities are created in the private sector by giving incentives to the employers," he said.

The scheme is applicable to the disabled employees drawing salary of up to Rs 25,000 per month, Dasmunsi said.

The Government contribution in the EPF and ESI will be restricted to a period of three years. However, the administrative charges of 1.1 per cent of the wages for EPF will have to be paid by the employer.

Dasmunsi said the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would make available the "lump sum" funds to the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation by way of advance.

Initially, both the organisations would be provided Rs five crore each and considering the requirement, the amount would be subsequently enhanced, the I&B Minister said.

To monitor the scheme, a high-level committee, co-chaired by the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Social Justice and Empowerment would be constituted.

The committee, co-chaired by secretaries in the two ministries and other officials, would consider various issues necessary for the smooth functioning of the scheme.

The committee would meet periodically as per requirement, with a minimum sitting of once in a quarter. (PTI)

Haneef remains under probe: Australian police

Melbourne: The Australian police have said Mohamed Haneef, who was wrongly accused of links to the failed UK terror plot, continued to remain under investigation despite the government ruled out an appeal against a court decision to reinstate his visa. "Haneef remained under investigation", a spokesperson for Australian Federal Police said.

Clearing the decks for Haneef's return, the Australian Government on Wednesday decided not to appeal against the reinstatement of his visa by the Federal Court.

"The investigation into Operation Rain is continuing," the spokesperson said, referring to the name of the police investigation into the case.

"We are unable to make any further comment," she was quoted as saying by a TV channel.

The 27-year-old Bangalore medico was wrongly accused of links to the failed UK terror plot six months ago and forced to leave the country.

The Federal Court had restored Haneef's work visa on December 21 after he was exonerated of the terror charges.

The Federal Labor Government has pledged to hold an inquiry into the handling of Haneef's case.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Robert McClelland said on Wednesday that arrangements for establishing the inquiry were still being considered, including its timing.

Haneef's work visa was cancelled by the then Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews on character grounds because of his relations with UK terror suspects Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed, soon after he was granted bail by a court. (PTI)

Self-defence is best defence: President advises women

New Delhi: "Self-defence is the best defence." This is the advice of President Pratibha Patil, who on Thursday said girls should be taught self-defence techniques like Judo and Karate from an early age in the wake of increased incidence of sexual harassment of women.

She stressed on the need for taking strict action against those who "indulge in reprehensible acts like teasing and molestation" to make women feel secure.

Patil, who was addressing the inaugural of the Sixth South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference, said women should work determinedly for their own empowerment.

"One important step in this direction is imparting physical education -- like Judo and Karate -- for self-defence to girl students from a very early age so as to make them physically strong and to build up self-confidence to face challenges of life," she said.

The President's advice comes in the backdrop of increased incidence of sexual abuse of women hitting the headlines.

"Self-defence is the best defence," she said, also noting that she was pleased that in India a large number of women are joining the security force.

"Those who needed protection earlier are now giving protection to others. This is a big change," Patil said.

She said the agenda for empowerment of women should cover gender needs at every stage of life -- from protection in the womb by prohibiting female foeticide, to preventing female infanticide, giving the girl child equal education opportunities, making women economically independent to making work places safe for women and addressing issues like dowry and domestic violence.

The President said there was a gap between de-jure and de-facto position regarding the rights of women. "The need of the hour is the speedy implementation of legislative and policy measures for empowerment of women," she said.

Pointing out the contrasts with regard to women's empowerment, she said, "Amongst countries in our region, India has had a dynamic woman Prime Minister -- Indira Gandhi. Similarly, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh have also had such leadership in their countries. However, it is also equally true that a significant proportion of women in our region live below the poverty line."

She, however, expressed satisfaction over a million women being politically empowered at the grassroots level, courtesy one-third reservation for them in local bodies.

Addressing the conference, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury said there was a need for cooperation among the different countries in the South Asian region on key issues involving women. (PTI)

SHILLONG: Hemmed in by the model code of conduct recently enforced in poll-bound Meghalaya, the Cabinet is likely to either put on hold or shelve the contentious power deal at the meeting scheduled for Friday.

Shillong: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command (EAC), Air Marshal SK Bhan on Thursday called on Meghalaya Governor Dr SS Sidhu at the Raj Bhavan here. During his courtesy visit, Air Marshal Bhan briefed the Governor on the security scenario in the EAC, sources said. Air Marshal also presented the EAC memento to the Governor. (UNI)

Shillong: The Hynniewtrep People Federation (HPF) would soon launch "a rural visit" programme to make people aware of how to elect capable representatives in this 2008 Assembly elections, informed HPF general secretary Milan Warjri at a press conference here on Thursday.

Shillong: The Central Executive Committee of the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) will be held on Meghalaya Day, January 21 at the Shillong Club, Shillong at 11 am. Joint secretary of the party, BK Khongjirem told that the first list of candidates would probably be released in the meeting. On the other hand, he informed that the Mairang circle of MDP has unanimously nominated Mr Grossper Ryntathiang as party candidate for the Assembly elections at a meeting held on January 15.

Shillong: One Phran Dorphang (31) of Sonidan, Ri-Bhoi district was arrested on Wednesday for assaulting one Rewel Rator on January 15 last. The accused has been remanded to judicial custody.

Shillong: Two persons identified as Shanbor Wanniang and Tyngshaiñ Lyngdoh were arrested on Wednesday from their residence at Sonapahar, West Khasi Hills in connection with a looting case in the village in July and December last year.

Dibrugarh : A self-styled corporal of the ULFA's elite strike force '28 Battalion' was killed in an encounter with the Army in Arunachal Pradesh along the Assam border last night and arms recovered from him. (PTI)

The Bangladesh interim government under President Fakhruddin Ahmed, which is backed by the army, has completed one year. The expected general election has been deferred indefinitely. But unlike in Pakistan , the people of Bangladesh do not show a great sense of urgency in restoring democracy. Emergency has an edge over democratic governance in some respects. The elected governments in Bangladesh since the end of military rule in 1991 had not given a good account of themselves. Neither the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina nor the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Begum Khaleda Zia won people’s confidence. In one year, the interim government has proved to be more efficient. Of course, suspension of democracy has to be faulted on grounds of principle. But certain facts cannot be denied. Under its elected governments, Bangladesh was in the grip of utter lawlessness. Rival political parties paralysed public life by calling strikes and resorting to violence. As a result, the spectre of Islamic terror with global links haunted the country. The total breakdown of the rule of law led to such corruption that Transparency International’s annual reports called Bangladesh the world’s most corrupt country. In this state of pervasive graft, politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats vied with one another to salt away enormous amounts of pelf. Even Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina are still in prison facing corruption charges. Can they salvage their position like Benazir Bhutto? The interim government has cracked down on corruption. And it has waged war against terror. The first step was to hang three terrorist leaders. Besides, Dhaka has initiated steps to pull down bases of terrorists from the Northeastern states of India .

It is nobody’s case that army rule should continue and democracy be given the heave-ho in Bangladesh . The people of Bangladesh may not be steeped in the democratic tradition but they have also had their fill of military rule. The military government of H.M. Ershad was corrupt. The present rulers may fall victim to the money-grubbing syndrome as well if the present situation continues. In any case, they are committed to hold elections before the year is out. Western countries and India want restoration of democracy in Bangladesh . The electoral reforms, which were initiated at the start of the tenure of the interim government, should be completed as soon as possible. Rival parties can then have no objection to entering the electoral fray. And they will inherit relatively clean governance.

NEW DELHI: The Centre would soon approve a scheme worth Rs 1500 crore for river management works in border areas of the country and critical flood management works in the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins.

Kohima: AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva has released the list of 19 members admitted into the Congress by the approval of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party sources on Thursday said.