Singh will be in Kathmandu on Wednesday and will hold talks with Gyanendra. President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Singh is expected to impress upon the monarch the urgent need to initiate dialogue with political parties aimed at reconciliation.

Ahead of his visit, the veteran Congress leader said "We do not want to interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal, but we also cannot see it dissolve into a chaos".

"I will also assess the general situation in Nepal, which as you see, is deteriorating rapidly," Singh, who will be Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, told reporters here. He said a peaceful Nepal was in India's interests as "our vital security interests are involved and we also share an open border with the Himalayan Kingdom.

Singh is also expected to meet leaders of political parties in Nepal, who have been organising widespread protests against the monarchical rule for the last fortnight. The protests have been met with "repressive" measures by the government. Singh will be in Nepal for at least two days which may be extended depending on completion of his assignment.

Noting that New Delhi was following the Nepal situation closely, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said Singh was undertaking the visit in the backdrop of India's concerns over current political and economic situation developing in the Himalayan kingdom.

"Our position has been that there is a need for genuine dialogue between the constitutional forces of Nepal to overcome the crisis that country is facing," he said.

Sarna said it was for the people of Nepal themselves to find a solution to problems facing the country through "peaceful political" measures and India was "ready to support efforts towards that end'.

The announcement to send the Special Envoy comes two days after Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Mukherjee met the King and conveyed India's message underlining the immediate need for dialogue with political parties and restoration of multi-party democracy. Nepal has been witnessing pro-democracy movement over the last fortnight. (PTI)

Tripathi, who succeeded Katiyar as chief of the party in the state, termed the decision as a reflection of the party's resolve to give the Congress president a tough fight in the by-election. (Agencies)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday sought to dispel the impression that India was bowing to the United States' pressure on the Iran issue.

"There is no question of succumbing to external pressure with regard to foreign policy," he told a delegation of Muslim leaders headed by the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari in response to a question by a delegate on India's vote against Iran at the IAEA, an official release said.

"However, it is a fact that Iran had a clandestine nuclear programme for several years and it is not in our interest to have another nuclear weapons state in our neighbourhood. Iran should have all the rights and duties of a signatory state to the NPT," Singh told the delegation of representatives of Muslim organizations.

During the 45-minute meeting, the Prime Minister said the government was committed to addressing "genuine" problems of the Muslim community and provide equitable opportunities for its economic and educational advancement.

Singh said the high-level committee was set up to prepare a comprehensive report on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in the country. (PTI)

Mumbai: Reserve Bank Tuesday kept key interest rates unchanged to boost investment and moderate prices, while aiming to sustain 7.5-8 per cent economic growth in the current fiscal. Pegging inflation at 5-5.5 per cent in 2006-07, the central bank in its Annual Policy, however, raised the interest rates on Non-Resident rupee deposits and export credit in foreign currency to ensure adequate liquidity in the system through absorption of more foreign exchange.

In the face of upward pressure on interest rates, the Reserve Bank kept the benchmark bank rate -- the rate at which it lends to commercial banks -- and Cash Reserve Ratio -- which regulates liquidity in the market -- unchanged at 6 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.

Reddy also ensured that there was no pressure on short term rates by not tweaking Repo (5.5 per cent) and Reverse Repo (6.5 per cent) -- the rates at which RBI buys and sells bonds to commercial banks. At his customary press conference, Reddy said: "We are confident about containing inflation...(But) we are worried about global oil prices...RBI will manage risks as they evolve."

Pointing that only 15 per cent of the world oil price hike has been passed to domestic consumers, he said: "Oil passthrough was yet to take place in our economy."

The credit policy raised the provisioning to 1 per cent for loans to housing (above Rs 20 lakh), commercial real estate and capital market to improve the quality of lending.

Earlier, the provisioning for such loans was only 0.4 per cent. Reserve Bank has raised the risk weight from 125 per cent to 150 per cent on lendings to commercial real estate. The central bank has, however, retained interest rates on savings bank deposits at the current 3.5 per cent per annum so as not to spur interest rate, but favoured deregulation of the rate in the long run.

"GDP growth may be placed in the range of 7.5-8 per cent during 2006-07 assuming accelerated growth in agriculture under normal monsoon conditions and barring domestic or external shocks," RBI said.

Despite some uncertainties, the overall industrial outlook continues to be positive. Services sector growth is expected to sustain the momentum, it said. To boost agriculture credit, RBI simplified and liberalised branch licensing policies for rural banks and set up a working group to address various issues faced by distressed farmers, including review of legal framework for money lending.

Quoting all-India debt and investment survey, the RBI stated that the share of money lenders in total dues of rural households has increased from 17.5 per cent in 1991 to 29.6 per cent in 2002, indicating the high indebtedness of ryots. Regarding the steep rise in stock prices, RBI said it was largely driven by domestic mutual funds and foreign institutional investors, who were responding to optimistic market sentiments as well as ample liquidity.

On full convertibility of rupee, the policy said gradual approach to its liberalisation has paid dividends so far. But continuation of the gradual process may warrant that some hard and basic decisions are taken with regard to macro economic management, particularly monetary, external and finacial sector. Under the revised scheme for liquidity support to Primary Dealers (PDs), Reserve Bank would extend half the total amount to standalone PDs and the remaining half would be given on the basis of their performance. (PTI)

Mumbai: Interest rates on housing loans beyond Rs 20 lakh may go up in the face of RBI's decision to raise provisioning of standard advances on such credit.

The credit policy, announced Tuesday, raised provision of standard advances for residential housing beyond Rs 20 lakh to one per cent from the current 0.40 per cent. Defending the measure, RBI Governor Y V Reddy said the central bank wanted the housing sector to grow but not to an extent that there are certain risks. The measure meant that banks will have to keep aside Re one against every Rs 100 of good loans above Rs 20 lakh sanctioned to the housing sector, instead of the current 40 paise. The credit policy also increased risk weight on exposures to commercial real estate to 150 per cent from the current 125 per cent. It would squeeze credit to such loans.Intervention at this juncture will put pressure of additional capital requirements and might put pressure on the interest rates," said Kapil Wadhwan, MD of DHFL, one of the largest private housing finance companies. (PTI)

New Delhi: With apparently the controversy on the Narmada dam fresh in his mind, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday made a strong plea for striking a balance between development and rehabilitation and to evolve credible mechanisms so that such issues do "not degenerate into confrontations" between sections of society.

He also spoke on the issue of reservation in private sector asking the business and industry to make the employee-profile broadbased and representative through "affirmative" action.

"I think the time has come to squarely address the issue of development, displacement and environment...We need to quickly evolve credible mechanisms, whereby these issues do not degenerate into confrontations between sections of our society", the Prime Minister said addressing the CII National Conference. He wanted development to be done in the most cost-effective, environment-friendly and least disruptive manner so that it was not perceived as a threat to people's lives and habitats.

On the environmental consequences of industrial development, he wanted the industry to pay more attention to the rehabilitation of people displaced by the spred of industrial activity and by urbanisation.

"I think the time has come to squarely address the issue of development, displacement and environment. Expanding the pie through rapid economic development is essential if we have to meet the challenge of eliminating chronic poverty, ignorance and disease," he said.

Singh said the country was frequently faced with situations where developmental activities displaced people from their traditional habitat, vocations and lifestyles. With the industry and business not very comfortable on the issue of reservation in private sector, Singh told them to give more attention to social and economic discrimination and deprivation, saying "these are important social responsibilites of both-- government and business".

"I urge you to assess at a firm level, the diversity in your employee profile and commit yourself voluntarily to making it more broad based and representative of our nation, at large. Such affirmative action on your part can be a crucial component of the inclusive society...we all hope to build", he said.

"A stable, equitable and just growth process can only be in the best interests of business enterprise", the Prime Minister said amid reports that government could consider the quota issue after the Assembly polls in five states.

Prime Minister emphasised that both agriculture and industry needed to grow in tandem for all round development to sustain higher growth.

"Our strategy for higher growth in agricultural production and productivity, and our strategy for industrial growth and development have to be inter-linked", he said adding that only the manufacturing sector could provide jobs for those people who need to move out of agriculture.

The manufacturing sector, he said, could not develop in isolation. " Its growth cannot be sustained in islands and enclaves cut off from the rest of the economy. We need a credible macroeconomic environment, better infrastructure and a supporting political and social environment, to sustain higher rates of industrial growth", he said.

He said his government's endeavour would be to create a policy framework that can and must deliver an annual rate of growth of manufacturing output of at least 12 per cent. (PTI)

Jagdalpur/Raipur: Armed naxalites Tuesday besieged Usur village in Dantewada district of the tribal Bastar region posing a big challenge to former Director General of Punjab Police K P S Gill, who took over as the security advisor to the Chhattisgarh government early in the day.

More than 2500 armed rebels besieged the village, having a population of about 3000, since morning in retaliation for the tribals' support to the ongoing anti-naxalite campaign 'Salwa Judum'. The Maoists, who had given a call for bandh, also beat up few 'Salwa Judum' supporters in the region.

The naxalites had also called a 'Chhattisgarh bandh' for Tuesday which evoked a partial response in South Bastar area, police said. CPI (Maoist) gave a bandh call to protest the government's alleged failure to solve people's problems and ''fake encounter killings'' of naxalite zonal commander Sagar alias Gupa Korwas and his wife Kiran in Sarguja district. Few shops in Bijapur were closed in response to the bandh call, police said.

Mr Gill, who arrived here Tuesday morning to take up the new assignment as security advisor, went into an emergency meeting with state Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior officials in the light of the Maoist action in Usur village, located close to the Andhra Pradesh border. As the naxalites outnumbered security forces in the region, a spokesman of the state police headquarters said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Special Armed Force (CGSAF) were being sent to the village from Amapalli area. However, security personnel have been asked to avoid travelling by road and cover the area on foot as it is feared the extremists may have planted landmines. (UNI)

Aligarh (UP): Curfew was lifted here Tuesday following restoration of normalcy in all parts of the old city that were rocked by communal violence 12 days ago, officials said. They said the curfew clamped in five police station areas after violence erupted in the town on April 6 had been lifted due to the improvement in the situation.

More than 300 teachers of the Aligarh Muslim University have meanwhile called for a "time-bound judicial inquiry" into the riots that claimed six lives and left more than 20 seriously injured. They said in a statement that "unprovoked firing" by police had led to the killing of four persons belonging to the minority community "instead of following the procedure of firing in the air and using rubber bullets". 

They alleged that he was targetting the senior police official because "he belongs to the minority community and to spread communal venom in the state". (PTI)

New Delhi: Supporters of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam clashed with mediapersons outside the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday afternoon while emerging from a meeting with Dr Manmohan Singh on the reservation issue.

Imam Bukhari snapped at a reporter of a news channel after he hurled a poser at him on the reservation issue. Following this, about half a dozen of his supporters allegedly assaulted the reporter leading to loud protests. Even as others tried to calm both sides, the Imam challenged the the media's authority to question him.

While all this was still on, some of the Imam's supporters attacked other mediapersons who protested the violent behaviour. This led to further heated exchanges after which the matter was brought under control by others present there. (UNI)

Maharajganj (UP): For-mer Janata Dal (United) chief George Fernandes would initiate steps to form a new party after receiving a reply from the Election Commission on his complaint regarding "malpractices" in the election to post of party president held recently, a JD-U leader said Tuesday.

"A complaint has been made to the Election Commission about the malpractices in the April 11 election of the new president and the process of forming a new political party would start only after receiving the EC's reply," T P Misra, JD-U Working Committee Member, told.He said the election officer of the party, Anil Hegde had recommended postponement of the election process after failing to get the membership lists from several states but "Sharad Yadav group first got Ram Sanjivan Singh elected president fraudulently and then removed the election officer. This prompted Fernandes and his supporters to boycott the election process," he said.

On Bihar, Misra said the former Union minister had achieved his mission of ousting (RJD supremo) Laloo Prasad from power. Claiming that Fernandes would now be concentrating on Uttar Pradesh, Misra said he has resolved to free the state of "rampant casteism".

Fernandes has become more active in Uttar Pradesh which he visited three times during the past month, he said adding that the state would witness a "new polarisation" of political parties before the next assembly elections. (PTI)

New Delhi: Entertainment Network (India) Limited, India's first radio broadcasting company to go public and be listed on the BSE and NSE, today announced its launch of new FM radio stations in Jaipur and Bangalore under the popular brand name 'Radio Mirchi'. Radio Mirchi 105 FM (Jaipur) and Radio Mirchi 93.3 FM (Bangalore) have thus become the first private FM radio stations under the Phase II of radio privatisation.

In the Phase II, 250 frequencies across 90 cities were successfully auctioned during January-February. ENIL had won 25 licences in addition to the 7 stations it already operates. ENIL MD and CEO A P Parigi said ENIL had established a landmark by lauching radio stations barely two months after the completion of the bidding process.

''This was due to the meticulous planning and speedy implementation by the team at Radio Mirchi,'' he said, adding that it would not have been possible without a pro-active Information and Broadcasting Ministry and other agencies like the Wireless Planning Cell that put various regulations on a fast track and made the launch of radio stations a glitch-free exercise.

Under Phase II of FM Radio, radio stations are allowed to commence broadcasting by way of interim transmission facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur.

ENIL operates nine radio stations in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Indore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Jaipur. Radio Mirchi is acknowledged to be the leader among the private FM Radio broadcasters in terms of revenue and listenership. (UNI)

Talking to The Shillong Times, the former NEC Secretary said, "The government should point out under what provision of law the reappointment has been made. Is it according to the Electricity Supply Act of 1948 or Electricity Act 2003?" 

Mr Syiem is certain that the State government is "violating both the Electricity laws" in the reappointment of Mr Bazeley. "It is not a question of personality, but a question of whether it is in accordance with either laws passed by the Parliament or the State", Mr Syiem said.

The Electricity Supply Act of 1948 clearly states that only a senior serving IAS officer can function as the Chairman of the Electricity Board, Mr. Syiem, who is also a former Chief Secretary, said. To function, the Electricity Act of 2003, which supercedes all other Electricity Acts, prescribes separation of the Board in three segments - generation, transmission and distribution - and that has not yet been done in the State, Mr Syiem said.

According to Mr Syiem, the 2003 Act "leaves no room" for tampering with the appointment of a Chairman of the Board as it clearly mentions the criteria for appointing one. Meanwhile, there were allegations that funds were siphoned off from the State plan to show that the MeSEB was performing well under Mr Bazeley for the last one year. 

An official source on Tuesday informed at least Rs 70 crore was surreptitiously paid to MeSEB from the State plan last year to project that the MeSEB was making profit. As MeSEB is a commercial venture, the Board should have taken loan instead of diverting the State plan money, an MeSEB official pointed out.

Meanwhile, the theory of Chief Minister DD Lapang that other officers cannot be spared to head MeSEB has no basis, according to some officials. "Besides the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, there are a dozen of Commissioners and Secretaries and four Principal Secretaries, who can take up the job", an official said.

SHILLONG : Three-day office picketing, called by KSU against the government's decision to reappoint former Chief Secretary P J Bazeley as MeSEB Chairman on Tuesday paralysed normal functioning of both State and Central government offices and banks.

The Secretariat and Deputy Commissioner's Office recorded 20 per cent attendance even as attendance in other offices was far below normal. Official sources, however, put the attendance at 40 per cent. The Central government offices, public sector undertakings and banks remained closed for the day. However, educational institutions remained open.

Meanwhile, the MeSEB employees undertook a "strike" by not attending their duties during the day in protest against the decision to reappoint Mr Bazeley. The Board's headquarter at Lum Jingshai in Polo Hills wore a deserted look during the day. There was no report of any violent incident but police patrolling was on .

Meanwhile, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said that the response to Tuesday's stir was "encouraging".

"Attendance in all the government offices was almost nil and that itself shows the people's support to the fight against the government's decision on Mr Bazeley," he claimed.

Board examiners, tabulators exempted: Meanwhile, the KSU on Tuesday exempted the MBOSE office in Shillong from the purview of the on going picketing so that the evaluation of answer scripts and mark sheet tabulation continued uninterrupted. "We don't want the examinees to suffer due to office picketing", said KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling.

TURA: Money meant for the development of rural areas in Garo Hills, amounting to crores of rupees, have been misappropriated by Block Development Officers in Garo Hills causing stagnation of proposed projects. Central schemes like SGSY, IAY and the National Food For Work Programme (NFFWP) have been most affected by this diversion.

A surprise visit to the blocks and scrutiny of the projects by the Tura Lok Sabha MP Purno A Sangma has revealed the depth of corruption in the block offices. Mr Sangma has recently been appointed Chairman of the Vigilance and Monitoring Committee constituted by the Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development. As per this appointment, the Tura MP is to ensure proper implementation of all Central schemes in his constituency.

During his tour to Chokpot and Gasuapara Development Blocks on Tuesday, what came to light is that Central funds had been withdrawn by the recently transferred Block Officers without actual implementation of the works. In places like Gasuapara the Block Development Officer (BDO), recently transferred, had deliberately withdrawn money to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore without initiating any of the Central project works. Under Chokpot, utilisation of funds has been shown under schemes that are already in existence.

In Gasuapara Block, the BDO diverted Rs 60 lakh meant for 48 schemes under SGSY that amounts to 65 per cent of the project cost. Of this, 42 schemes have just begun work; but shall need to be stalled because of paucity of fund in the block account.

Another amount of Rs 21 lakh, meant for 14 schemes under SGSY - almost 35 per cent of the project cost - has recently been withdrawn; but no payment was made till date. Under the IAY Project, meant for construction of homes for the poor and the disabled, Rs 24.75 lakh was earmarked this year for construction of homes at the cost of Rs 27,500 per house. However, there are approximately 60 selected houses to be constructed but no funds available.

Schemes like the National Food For Work Programme (NFFWP) have witnessed total disregard for implementation of the project laws and no rice has been distributed to the workers. Under Gasuapara alone, a sum of Rs 28.84 lakh was earmarked for the supply of rice, which was never distributed to the hungry villagers.

Similar was the fate of Chokpot Block, where the previous lady BDO failed to abide by the letter and spirit of the Central projects implementation. The Central government had released Rs 30 lakh for construction of an eight-km road between Ganchikalak to Bugigre and released over 2600 quintals of rice for distribution. However, the total money was withdrawn for the project even though only Rs 10 lakh was actually utilised for four-km of the proposed road. The remaining portion of the road was already in existence before the selection of the project.

Such rampant corruption by way of funds diversion is taking place in all the blocks of Garo Hills and the State government continues to turn a blind eye to the happenings. There are instances of BDOs taking photographs of the same building construction and submitting the same in successive years for new project clearance. Money is being brazenly flouted by the BDOs, who are making the most of government funds meant for the rural poor. Take the case of the BDO from Resubelpara, who purchased a brand new Ford Endeavour Sports Utility vehicle costing almost Rs 20 lakh without much thought on the diversion.

SHILLONG: Even as the KSU's three-day office picketing began on Tuesday with almost 80 per cent government employees keeping away from their workplace, the State government made an assertion that there would no change of stand with regard to Mr PJ Bazeley's reappointment as the MeSEB Chairman.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy on Tuesday said that the government would stick to its decision to engage of Mr Bazeley. He was speaking to the reporters after the inauguration of a 21-day training on Social Survey using remote sensing Geographical Information System (GIS) at Byrnihat.

Despite strong opposition of the NGOs and the MeSEB employees, Dr Roy said, "the Cabinet decision to reappointment Mr Bazeley as the chief of the Board will not be revoked".

Reacting to the allegation of MeSEB Graduate Engineers' Association that the extension of services of the retired officers promote favouritism and glorifies sycophancy, Dr Roy argued that recent decision of the government with regard to Mr Bazeley's appointment was against the backdrop of the former Chief Secretary's experience and capability in carrying out the pending projects of the Board.

Dr Roy said the Government would even go ahead with the proposed corporatisation of the Board, albeit, taking care of the liabilities and assets of the Board.

SHILLONG: At least two Ministers in the Lapang-cabinet have raised the voice of dissent over the appointment of Mr PJ Bazeley and urged the government not to appoint him in haste.

According to informed sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister JD Rymbai and Social Welfare Minister Martle N Mukhim expressed their opinion during the Cabinet meeting on April 11 saying that the matter could be taken up in the MDA meeting.

However, the Chief minister reportedly said that it was a small issue and need not be delayed. Mr Rymbai and Mr Mukhim were not available for comments.

TURA: The recent devastated cyclonic areas of South Garo Hills and West Garo Hills district are not being assisted properly, a survey conducted by Garo Hills Sentinel for Human Rights (GHSHR) said even as the District Administration has claimed to have taken up enough relief measures. A statement issued by the GHSHR said the worst affected areas are Rongara, Chokpot, Dalu, Gasuapara and Baghmara.

The team of GHSHR in their visit to the affected areas in West Garo Hills on April 15 last has found out that the District Administration has issued on April 12 only 2 kgs of rice and 250 gms of dal per affected families and no other relief materials has been released so far.

Pointing, on the relief measures in East Khasi Hills through distribution of CG1 sheets, blankets, rice and SK oil, the GHSHR compared that the measured taken in Garo Hills was inadequate. The devastating cyclone has left many families stranded and many wounded, but as of now the District Administration has not taken up any major initiative.

Many injured of the devastating cyclone are presently undergoing treatment and there are cases which need to be referred outside but this is being delayed as the district administration has not submitted any estimation, alleged the GHSHR. The GHSHR has demanded immediate attention into the matter and has urge upon the district administration to speed up the report and take up the matter with the Government immediately for enough sanction.

Among other issues, the GHSHR has found out that in Dalu area alone 1516 numbers of families spread over number of villages had been affected and only meager relief measure has so far reached this villages and no relief camps has so far been set up. The GHSHR has pressed upon the district administration of both the district to immediately take up the issue without further delay.

Our Reporter adds: Representatives of Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress under the leadership of Rita Lyngdoh, president MPMC, visited the families affected in the recent cyclone that lashed Nongstoin and its adjoining areas on Monday and distributed relief materials.

The team distributed 15 quintals of food grains besides other commodities to the families at a function held at the premises of the office of Syiem of Nongstoin. Local MDC, Mr N Nongdkhar, who was also present on the occasion, lauded the District administration for it prompt action in undertaking relief operations.

Shillong: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Donkupar Roy on Tuesday said the State Government is exploring the possibility whether to stick to the existing strategy to control jhum cultivation or adopt alternative system of cultivation with soil and water conservation measures.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 21-day training programme on Application of Remote Sensing on Geographical Information System for officers of Soil and Water Conservation Department held at the Department's Conservation Training Institute at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district.

Roy said that the Government was contemplating to find a method in place of jhum cultivation. He informed that the State Government's attention was recently drawn by the views of ecological scientists on the benefits of jhum cultivation in restoration of environment. He said, according to them the slash and burn agriculture practice allowed primary forests to return after a year or two of crop cultivation.

"Primary forests are necessary for absorption of excess carbon dioxide produced in industries and vehicle-emission", he said. Roy pointed also pointed out that if the practice was allowed with minimum soil erosion, there is no reason why the Government should interfere with the way of life practised by the people from time immemorial.

Meanwhile, Minister in-charge of Soil and Water Conservation Department, Mr Martle N Mukhim said Meghalaya had been facing acute environmental degeneration in the past few decades due to indiscriminate deforestation and unsuitable land use practices, haphazard mining and a host of other factors. It may be mentioned that the training programme is organised by National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Used Planning, ICAR.

Shillong: Amway India, the country's leading direct selling FMCG company saw a generation of Rs 50 crore from the North East in its business even as the company aimed at attaining a turnover of Rs 700 crores in 2005-2006 up from Rs 633 crores in 2004-2005 in the country.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr Rajat Banerji, Manager Corporate Communications, said that Amway has around 50,000 distributors in all States of the north east who account for a "healthy Rs 50 crore of the company's business".

"In North East, the Amway business has shown a high potential of growth, generating employment opportunities" Mr Banerji said adding that the company has offices at Shillong, Agartala, Dhemaji, Guwahati, Imphal, Jorhat and Naharlagun. He also informed that offices would soon be opened at Aizawl and Dimapur.

Outlining the plans for the fiscal year 2005-2006, Mr Banerji said that the company had set a growth target of over ten percent for the fiscal year. "We have drawn up an aggressive strategy to drive growth . While on the one hand, we will launchy seven more new products between now and December 2006, on the otherwe plan to grow our distributor base by at least 20 percent" he added.

Mr Banerji also said that that Amway will strengthen its home delivery network to reach the target of over 2500 cities and towns under its coverage by the end of the fiscal year. The company according to him had increased its turnover from Rs 91 crores in 1998-1999 to Rs 633 crore in 2004-2005.

On corporate social responsibility, Mr Banerji said that Amway had associated itself to help the blind children in the country and had partnered with All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB) and National Association for the Blind (NAB) in printing and distributing Braille textbooks to all school-going visually challenged children in 15 States. He also said that employees of the company used to hold regular blood donation camps in several cities including those in the region.

Shillong: The 2nd Shillong Career Fair will be held on April 24-25 at the State Central Library this year. Students from Meghalaya have been going in ever increasing numbers to different parts of India every year to study. Students and parents have a tough time identifying a college, a city and a course for themselves. If they have to visit every city like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata it becomes a very expensive process. Edufest'06 is a career fair, which helps students and their parents solve this problem where students and parents can directly interact with colleges as well as get educational loan options all under one roof.

This year's event will see over 35 institutions from all across India coming to Shillong and presenting an opportunity for parents and students to interact with top institutions from Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkatta, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar and more. Entry to the fair is free and students can meet colleges of repute like Gandhi Group of Institutions, MVJ College of Engineering, Manipal University, Padmashree Group of institutions, Dayanand Sagar Group of Institutions.

Students can get guidance on over 500 career options in India and abroad including Engineering, Medicine, physiotherapy, BBA, MBA, Dentistry, Fashion Design, Aeronautical Sciences, professional courses and many more. Edufest'06 is being co-sponsored by the Frank Finn Institute of Air Hostess Training, The Pailan Group, Global Reach and NTS 6877.

India's judiciary has, for long, been respected for its independence, erudition and vision. The highest court has given many landmark judgments and has sometimes been a more powerful voice of the people than their elected representatives. Yet, the overall system is so overburdened, its arteries so clogged, that its heart is in danger. Cases that linger for a decade or more - thanks to endless adjournments, transfers and vacations - make courts the place to delay justice rather than to expedite it. Add bribery, threats, false cases and hostile witnesses, and what you get is a mockery of justice. Little wonder, then, that those who can, take the law into their own hands.

The demolitions in Delhi and Mumbai are just the latest manifestation of the power of judicial activism. In the last five years the Indian Supreme Court has, among other things, cleaned up Delhi's air by mandating that all public transport shift to CNG, and shifted most industries out of Delhi.

At the stage it would be useful to distinguish between two distinctly different kinds of judicial activism. One stream of judicial activism, which involves monitoring of criminal investigations by the higher judiciary, has arisen because the police are often in cahoots with the rich and the powerful. In these circumstances, the Supreme Court and various high courts have stepped in to prevent the powerful from manipulating and perverting the course of justice.

The best example of this sort of intervention, which has undoubtedly enhanced the prestige of the higher judiciary, is the SC's decision to order retrial in the Best Bakery case, setting aside the verdict of both the Gujarat High Court and the session's court. It would be much of an exaggeration to say that the apex court's intervention to ensure that justice was done to the victims of the Gujarat riots marks its finest hour. A mark of a truly independent judiciary is the ability to displease governments on issues that truly matter to it, as distinct from, for instance, tax litigation.

The apex court has also supervised the CBI investigation against Mayawati and transferred corruption cases against Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalaitha outside Tamil Nadu. Judicial intervention in the Gujarat riot cases and in corruption cases have attracted enormous public support and have great legitimacy because they seek to ensure that justice is done and that the rule of law prevails.

But the Indian higher judiciary has sometimes been indiscriminate in choosing the kind of public interest litigation - besides criminal cases - it decides to hear. It's not clear, for instance, why the SC chose to entertain (before finally dismissing) a petition which suggested that the word Sindh should be dropped from the national anthem. It's also not clear why the apex court is interested in the inter-linking rivers, an issue of immense political and social complexity, and one which is surely in the exclusive domain of the legislature and the executive.

At any given point in time the SC alone deals with a staggering variety of issues, ranging from the number of the unmanned railway crossings, the environmental impact of mining projects in Orissa, pesticide content in soft drinks and illegal immigration from Bangladesh, to mention just a few. Various high courts have in the recent past have dealt with PILs on - to give a few examples - the general law and order in a state, the route which trains should follow and alleged obscenity in newspapers.

In India this sort of judicial activism is now considered the natural state of affairs. No one seems to be bothered whether the constitution contemplated the state of affairs. The Ulhasnagar ordinance also shows that this can sometimes invite a backlash. Mumbai has two power centres where decisions get taken, Mantralaya, the seat of the state government, and the Bombay High Court. The Bombay HC has in the recent past taken on itself an astonishing range of responsibilities, ranging from protecting mangroves to determining which buildings can be declared as dilapidated.

The danger in this is that courts may intervene in matters in which they do not have expertise. The Supreme Court's order to demolish commercial establishments in residential areas in Delhi is flawed because it is premised on land usage which is frozen in time. Many of the "commercial establishments" such as banquet halls offer services which are demanded by the people.

An undesirable outcome is that 'good' judicial activism, of the Gujarat riots kind, will increasingly be crowded out by a flood of 'bad' activism. At a philosophical level, just because a problem - such as illegal construction - exists, there is no need for courts to rush in. The other two arms of the government need to deal with them as best they can. Public interest litigation - allowing others to approach the courts on behalf of, for instance, riot victims or bonded labour - is an innovation of the Indian judiciary. But the courts need to reintroduce, at least to some extent, the concept of locus standi - only those with a direct interest can file a case - at least in cases involving commercial matters.

The power of the judiciary in a democratic state lies in the certainty that its orders will be enforced by the executive. If it is not done, what will happen to judicial pronouncements.

Meanwhile, those with no "contacts", the poor and disadvantaged, continue to hope for justice. Let us not assume that like Beckett's Estragon and Vladimir, they will indefinitely continue to wait for Godot. INAV

Though living in Kolkata for years, we had hardly moved out. "How will our children grow unless they get good exposure?"moaned Sarla, my wife. When I reminded her of our recent visit to Digha, a popular sea resort, she cut me short by calling that a mere local excursion. She declared that the cooking range, on which she had set her mind, could wait but a visit to Puri was a must.

When I discussed the matter with my friend Hari Shankar, he agreed to accompany us with his wife. The atmosphere at the beach in Puri was far from serene. There was no escape from the shrill cries of vendors, blaring transistors and beggars. The first stop on our itinerary was the Jagannath temple.

Besieged in a jostling multitude of devotees pushing one another, we had a fleeting darshan of the deity. But what inspired Hari Shankar and me most were the murals and statues all over the place in sensual postures of uninhibited love. We decided to visit again, sans company. By sunset, the wives were tired and our two little boys had made enough sandcastles. To us, it was the right time to go to the beach with the bottle.

In the gathering darkness, the holidaymakers were leaving and soon the place became desolate. With twinkling stars and waves beating against the shore, it was the perfect setting for a peg or two. Suddenly it occurred to us that it was also a perfect setting for robbers and antisocial elements. While engrossed in such thoughts, we were alarmed to see two persons coming directly towards us, or so we thought.

We regretted our misadventure and embedded in the sand whatever money we had and the bottle. The men came closer. We had no alternative but to stand up and face them. Our eyes met. Then to our utter disbelief, the dreaded visitors staggered. It was we who had surprised them. They took to their heels. We couldn't see their faces clearly but as they were hastily scurrying away from us, we did mark the moonbeams reflected from the bottle they were carrying. (By arrangement with The Times of India)

The arrival of pre-monsoon showers must be a source of immense relief to those responsible for providing water to the masses. These rain bearing clouds shall in all probability blow away all concern, commitment and committees related to water stress till the next dry spell. Water scarcity in Greater Shillong has become an annual phenomenon, similar to climate variations associated with different season. The period between end of winter and advent of spring coincides with water scarcity reaching a peak. This is also the season for legitimate public outcry and anger over water shortage. There is a perennial stream of claims and blame game between concerned departments, uninterrupted flow of assertion that the problem is on the verge of solution and cascading commitment of perpetual flow to all household taps within "few" months. The political fraternity joins in to express their concern, experts churn out torrential speechifying in seminars on water crisis while officials hold meetings and form committees. In this verbal gush of theory and hypothesis, most taps continue to run dry. The ultimate goal of all exercise apparently is to stretch all deliberations and assurance till the dark clouds start gathering. The skies open up and the first shower draw curtains to another annual episode of water scarcity, to be continued and solved in similar manner the following season. The one promise of deliverance – rain water has never failed till now. But what is the guarantee for tomorrow, as one extended dry spell can spell doom. Are we prepared to overcome such an eventuality?

The problem of water crisis gaining momentum, in spite of high rainfall, can primarily be attributed to rapid decline in the fragile resource base. The gradual shrinking of this invaluable natural resource is impinging directly on catchments which are natures indigenous "water reservoirs". These "store houses" have been exposed to over exploitation on account of increase in population, associated with deforestation for commercial felling, diverse land use pattern, pastoral and agronomic activities, shifting cultivation, modern unplanned development and unscientific mining and quarrying. Consequently, major catchments, particularly those of Greater Shillong water supply scheme (Umiew) extending from Nongkrem to Mawphlang, besides Umkhen and Lawjynriew-Lumiablot are virtually wiped out. The Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990 was enacted to provide for the protection of catchment areas with a view to preserve water sources and make related provisions. The act could never be invoked due to its inherent legal deficiencies and intricate land holding system. This moribund act has not been reviewed, in spite of assurances from the government at various levels, including the Assembly. In absence of organized water conservation and management regime, there is haphazard movement of water instead of facilitating proper seepage and percolation, to increase supply to the natural "stores". It is not a question of non-availability of water but a consequence of unplanned use and misuse of natural resources coupled with total ignorance and lack of initiative to conserve water, resulting in bulk of the rain water flowing down the hilly terrain into the plains. There is hardly any effort to conserve this valuable component. It is a common human psychology that whatever is available free, particularly natural resources is neglected and defiled. The involvement of two agencies with overlapping functioning has compounded the situation. GIS developed free by Aus-aid to streamline the distribution system besides other urban civic amenities, has few takers and will probably be given a quite burial- to be resurrected maybe a few years later at exorbitant cost. This grim situation compels us to consider other available options like private sector participation, community based initiatives or private public partnership at least in conservation and distribution of water at a cost, subject to effective and sustained service delivery.

The situation is not beyond salvage in Shillong, mainly due to factors like high rainfall, presence of natural streams and some forest cover to retain and store water. A comprehensive long term strategy and drawing a Water Policy, needs to be evolved to avert such crisis year after year. It is necessary to go to the root of the problem, instead of resorting to piece meal approach and temporary solutions. Good water management, reviewing of existing act and concrete measures in the ground, irrespective of ownership and status of land is crucial to overcome the crisis that threatens the state. Massive afforestation programme will have to form the focal point of treating all degraded and vacant areas of catchments and watershed. It would cost hundreds of crores to construct water storage equivalent to what a few acres of pristine catchment is capable of holding.

Recycling of effluent, sullage and sewage is an effective way of solving water scarcity as more than 85% of water utilized by man is released back to nature. A concrete and viable method is harvesting of rain water which is the first form and principal source of water in the hydrological cycle. Water harvesting is primarily direct collection and storage of rain water together with allied activities aimed at prevention of losses through evaporation and seepage and act as reserve or buffer during prolonged dry spell. The supply to aquifers particularly in the hilly terrain has to be canalized and enhanced including strengthening of such natural storage structures to increase their water holding and carrying capacity. The proliferation of energized wells has to be restricted, since such wells have depleted ground water all over the country ranging from 1 to 3 meters a year depending on their location. Public involvement in privatization of civic utilities and services on the basis of smaller systems, designed ward wise must be encouraged and building codes should make it compulsory for rain water harvesting and water recycling. The action plan is basically to plug as many holes as possible in nature’s bucket.

Sir,

It is office picketing now, then what next in the NGO's itinerary over 'MeSEB Chairman's issue'. Call it Mr Lapang's dependency or favouritism -- this really does not pinch us at all as does many day-to-day issues which really bites real hard on our wallet. It's really been a long while for the Shillong public making no hue and cry on the rising prices of various items -- call it edible or in any form whatsoever. It is a happening phenomenon which the public bear with silence and grumbling within "these NGOs should really do something on these matters". But maybe our NGOs don't take notice of it or they are too busy with their own agenda and the public are forced to bear all these 'haplessly'. Shillong is a very happening place with regard to inflating prices of various items. Whether items concerning students (books, stationeries, uniforms etc) or edible stuff like vegetables, meat, grams etc, the issue needs to be pondered. The vendors/shopkeepers are having the time of their life. Edible items are the ones which really hurt the public badly. The unscrupulous vendors tag prices of vegetables, meat, fish at their own free will. A small example, which I encountered at the Laitumkhrah market -- when enquired about the rate of tomatoes a vendor presented me with Rs 16 for 250 gms. Just opposite(a metre away), another vendor told me that it was Rs 18 and lastly the vendor just six steps away said that it was Rs 20. This is nothing but 'broad day-light extortion'. It is surprising that no one protests it.

Respected NGOs, these are the things that really affect us in a big way than the 'who's taking over' or 'who's profiting from whom', because the general people are not drawing the perks of the chairman or any other top official or minister. Life will roll on as usual with long queues at the MeSEB office for paying our bills (which is mandatory) or else our connections will get snapped. In my opinion, we should take a cue from the concerned Union ministry on consumers affairs-: "Jago Grahak Jago" working in tandem with "Jago NGOs Jago" (Shillong jurisdiction only). It's a wake up time for the consumers too .

Yours etc.,
Adilbert Dkhar,
Shillong-3,
Via e-mail

Sir,

It refers to reports about Union Government bringing a bill to regulate TV channels. Late-night telecast of serials kills working-efficiency for next mornings. To be in tune with healthy proverb 'Early to bed and early to rise makes people healthy wealthy and wise', a time-limit of say 11 pm should be fixed for finish of first-time telecast of fresh episodes. Over-stretched TV serials with twisted stories have made large number of viewers TV-addicted making them psychological patients who cannot leave viewing such serials even though may be wishing to get rid of their 'compulsory' viewing. As such, single-story serials should have maximum say 100 episodes. Since advocates take cases of media-highlighted rapists and other criminals to get free media-publicity, naming and interviewing advocates of rapists on TV channels should be banned.

Video-clippings of costume-slip of a female-model at Mumbai fashion-show on 29.03.2006 was repeatedly shown a number of times in each of the day's news-bulletin by news-channels apart from presenting special bulletins on the 'incident' (or accident) to increase TRP ratings. What more, Indian news-channels were prompt to telecast similar such accidental (or deliberate) incidents in other international fashion-shows. Video-presentation of obscene incidents should be banned.

Yours etc,
Madhu Agrawal,
New Delhi

Agartala: In an attempt to bring down dropout rate to the zero level, Tripura Government has decided to set up 211 new primary schools, mostly in rural areas, School Education Minister Keshab Majumder said on Tuesday. Official figures said altogether 15.000 students in the age group of 6 to 14 remained out of schools during the 2004-05 academic session while it has declined to 5000 last year with the increase in enrolment at the primary level , Majumder told reporters here.

Majumder said the Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 90 crore for the Sarva Shiksha Abhijan (SSA) against the State Government's demand for Rs. 104 crore for the current fiscal year. About five-lakh students have been brought under the SSA, he informed adding that the State Government has also decided to increase the allocation of mid-day meal scheme. Besides setting up new schools, the Department has also decided to construct pucca buildings for several schools on priority basis.

Meanwhile, the Department has started fresh appointment of teachers to minimise shortage of teaching staff in several schools. Official sources said altogether 1451 teaching staff will be appointed during the current fiscal year as promised in the recently concluded Budget session of the State Assembly. It may be recalled that several schools in the State are facing acute shortage of teaching staff which resulted in poor performance of students in the Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations.

The authorities of the Guwahati Neurological and Research Centre, where he was admitted in the early hours on Monday, described his condition as 'stable' and said that the 80-year-old singer had a good night's sleep and had tea on Tuesday morning as well as a light lunch of rice and dal. Dr Hazarika underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan to know the extent of his stroke, the authorities said. (PTI)

A protest rally was organised in the city on Tuesday in this connection under the banner of Editors Forum of Manipur and All Manipur Working Journalists Union. The journalist community submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh demanding security for the media persons.

Reports said a faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party under the leadership of City Meitei called six editors at a place in Imphal West in the evening of April 16 on the pretext of discussing some issues with the editors. The editors said once they went to the place and met the cadres of the group they were questioned by the cadres why its press release related to the raising day of the group was not published.

The cadres also accused the editors of misquoting a statement made by the leader over the phone to the editors. The cadres informed the editors that they would be released only after the statement issued by the outfit was published in detail. The editors said the cadres used intimidation and threat while in custody. The hostages were released on Monday morning only after another team of journalists took Monday's newspapers that published the statement to the group.

The editors were also informed while in custody that the group has imposed a ban on the publication of the Imphal Free Press for three months on the charge that the editor of the Daily misquoted the group's leader on the issue of reunification of the different factions of the outfit. Taking strong exception to the hostage taking, all the media persons held a joint meeting at the Manipur Press Club on Monday. The meting resolved to suspend publication of Wednesday's editions as a mark of protest. (NNN)

Discounting media reports about the State Government's apathy in appointing 600 malaria surveillance workers leading to malaria outbreak, the Chief Minister clarified the MSWs could not be appointed even after advertising for the posts due to the announcement of the Assembly elections in the State. Malaria expert teams were also coming from Delhi and Kolkata, he added. (PTI)

Guwahati: The people of Asom and the North East went a step ahead to make their favourite singer the 'Voice of India' with millions of SMS'. Now it is the time for the 'million dollar' young music sensation to pay back. And he is ready to pay back with music to the people of his State.

Debojit Saha, the young lad from Silchar town of Barak Valley, who had won the Zee TVs 'Sa re ga ma' contest, will give a musical treat to his fans on April 22 for helping him win the prestigious title.

Sources in the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), who is organisng the mega musical event, said that the preparations are almost completed and added that the organisation would also felicitate Debojit and his mentor and music maestro Ismail Durbar on the day.

"We will felicitate Debojit and his mentor Ismail Durbar for winning the prestigious title braving the conspiracies to throw him out of the competition since very beginning," said an AASU leader while adding that in the same event the singer would perform to express his gratitude to the people of Asom.

"Talks are on with Ismail Durbar and we are hopeful that he would come for the felicitation programme," the sources said.

"The programme also aims at providing an opportunity to thousands of people of his native place to see him performing for no fees and tickets," the sources said.

Entry to the event would be free, the sources informed.

"The programme will start at 5 pm on April 22 and we will make it more attracting with Bihu and some other cultural dance and songs to be performed by local artistes," said the sources while adding that Debojit would sing Assamese, Hindi and Bengali songs in the function.

"Debojit is not charging anything for his performance and he only wants to thank the people for their good wishes, cooperation which led him to victory," the sources said.

The frontrunner students' body of the State is organising everything for the event and maximum effort would be put forwarded to conduct the programme so as to enable the people to enjoy the evening. (NNN)