Moving the Finance Bill 2006-07 in the Lok Sabha for consideration, Mr Chidambaram said the effort would be to maintain the growth momentum in gross revenue collection at the current rate of about 20 percent while not tampering with the tax rate.

Stating the government wanted to send a clear message that tax rates would remain moderate and stable, he said there was no need to tamper with it every year.

On the road ahead, Chidambaram said the efforts would be to bring the central value added tax (CENVAT) rate to 14-16 percent, while the service tax rate would be converged and a goods and services tax regime will be established in four years.

"We will be working with the state finance ministers on the matter and come up with a roadmap to have a goods and services tax in place in the next four years," Chidambaram said.

Elaborating on the tax proposals, the finance minister said India was moving towards the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) level of custom duties.

India has moved half a step towards bringing down the rate to 12.5 percent, while the goal was to scale them between 5.0 and 10 percent, he said.

The following debate saw several MPs urging the government to review the tax structures and consider bringing rich farmers under the tax net while sparing the poor and elderly. The Finance Minister is scheduled to reply to the debate Monday, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said.

Mr S P Reddy (Cong) supported the Budget saying it would help achieve the projected 10 per cent growth in the GDP. Agriculture, which was one of the factors on which the GDP depended, had been given the greatest priority treatment in it. The allocation for water which was one of the main components of agriculture had been increased substantially. Much of the funds for the Employment Rural Guarantee Scheme was going towards ground water development. (Agencies)

The budget, which estimates Gross traffic receipts (GTRs) at Rs.59,978 crores and ordinary working expenses at Rs.38,300 crores for the next fiscal, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.

Replying to the debate, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said the government has decided not to scrap ongoing projects though this would require an additional Rs 25,000 crores in the next few years.

The Minister said he had spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard and suggested separate funding or loan arrangement to raise funds for the purpose.

The Minister also assured members that there was no intention to privatise the Railways "either now or in future".

Prasad said iron scrap worth Rs 2500 crore lying with the Railways will be utilised for its four wheel factories. The Rail Wheel factory Chapra in Bihar alone would require 64,000 tonnes of scrap.

The Minister said even the scrap excess would be sold in a transperant manner through bidding process.

The budget, among other things, estimates revenues in freight, passenger, other coaching and earning segments to be Rs.40,320 crores, Rs.16,800 crores, Rs.1400 crores and Rs.1308 crores respectively.

Earlier, initiating the debate, P G Narayanan (AIADMK) charged the Centre with discrimination against southern states with regard to big development projects. (PTI)

Government should convey to US that it knows "what to do or what not to do. (Interfering in) it is not at all the business of US," CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.

Dasgupta said India should be free to negotiate any deal with Russia and this had nothing to do with the Indo-US nuclear agreement.

Observing that Government has reacted to Washington's comments on the Russian uranium supply, the CPI leader said India should make it fully known to US that it should not not cross its limits. Dasgupta suggested that Government focus its attention on development of hydel power since electricity generated from nuclear power plants was more expensive.

Call for taxing rich farmers

Members in the Lok Sabha on Saturday made a strong plea for taxing the rich farmers, raising the corporate tax but sparing the poor and the elderly by reorienting the Government's resource mobilisation philosophy.

Participating in the debate on Finance Bill, 2006, Rup Chand Pal (CPM) objected to government's policy of burdening small industries and senior citizens while sparing the big corporate houses whose incomes runs into crores of rupees and who enjoy lot of exemption.

Attack on Christians

A host of issues ranging from attack on Christian missionaries in Rajasthan, dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra over an irrigation project, to alleged disrespect shown to B R Ambedkar in Karnataka were raised during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on Saturday. Amid strong protests from BJP members, especially those from Rajasthan, CPI-M member K S Manoj raised the issue of attack on Christian missionaries at Kota in Rajasthan and thanked Minority Affairs Minister A R Antulay for intervening in the matter. (PTI)

The UPA Government was following a 'blatant communal agenda' of vote bank politics to garner votes, senior BJP leader leader M Venkaiah Naidu told a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press club here.

After the Assembly elections, there would be a realignment of forces. The Congress would lose in Assam, Pondicherry and Kerala, he said.

The UPA will become 'DPA' (Divided Political Alliance), with many front partners leaving it. The MDMK had aligned with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu for the election and the honeymoon with TRS and SP was over. "Besides, the Left parties tone and tenor of criticism of the government in every issue has increased."

Since the UPA was bent on 'dividing' the country once again, the BJP had decided to launch the twin yatras, which would be led by L K Advani from Rajkot and BJP President Rajnath Singh from Puri, Naidu said.

He said the UPA Government has asked district Collectors to give a list of Muslim voters in the Parliamentary and assembly constituencies. The Prime Minister had sent a circular to all states in this regard, he said. (PTI)

The agitation which started as a tiff between residents of Ghansoli village and 'Mathadi' workers (porters) on the alleged molestation of a village girl on the Holi festival has now spread to adjoining villages, police said.

Protest against Mathadis was reported at Koparkhairane, Turbhe, Juhu and Nerul villages in Navi Mumbai on Friday and Saturday, with the stir now taking shape of a conflict between native villagers and outsiders over deprivation of employment opportunities to the natives, they added.

On Friday night, natives of Nerul in Navi Mumbai stormed the local police station and thrashed three constables, leading to a lathi charge by cops late in the night.

On Saturday afternoon, a mob of over 2000 persons damaged private and media vehicles near Koparkhairane police chowky of Rabale police station leading to one more cane charge on agitators, police sources further said.

Navi Mumbai police control room authorities told PTI that sporadic incidents of violence were continuing, but there was no major violent incident. The RAF and the state reserve police have been positioned in trouble-hit spots, they added. (PTI)

The court also imposed fine of 20,000 UK Pounds each on them, to be paid in Indian rupees at Saturday's exchange rate. The third accused, Indian national William D`Souza, was sentenced to three years RI for abetting the crime.

While delivering the judgement, Additional Sessions Judge P S Paranjape said the objective was to "wipe out India's name from the map of sex-tourism", and to send a clear message to paedophiles that "India was no more a destination for them in future".

The court also ruled that out of the fine realised from the accsued, Rs five lakh each shoud be paid to two victims who had testified against the accused and rest should be used for rehabilitation of the other children who were living in the three shelter houses that Grant had set up.

The judge set up a commttee comprising advocate Maharukh Eddenwala (who was appointed an amicus curae in the case) to devise a scheme for the rehabilitation.

Though all the three accused in the case were convicted, the investigating agency (Mumbai police) came in for sharp criticism from the judge. "I am sorry to say that investigation was rudderless," he said. (PTI)

Congress pursuing ‘divisive’ agenda, alleges Naidu

The UPA Government was following a 'blatant communal agenda' of vote bank politics to garner votes, senior BJP leader leader M Venkaiah Naidu told a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press club here.

After the Assembly elections, there would be a realignment of forces. The Congress would lose in Assam, Pondicherry and Kerala, he said.

The UPA will become 'DPA' (Divided Political Alliance), with many front partners leaving it. The MDMK had aligned with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu for the election and the honeymoon with TRS and SP was over. "Besides, the Left parties tone and tenor of criticism of the government in every issue has increased."

Since the UPA was bent on 'dividing' the country once again, the BJP had decided to launch the twin yatras, which would be led by L K Advani from Rajkot and BJP President Rajnath Singh from Puri, Naidu said.

He said the UPA Government has asked district Collectors to give a list of Muslim voters in the Parliamentary and assembly constituencies. The Prime Minister had sent a circular to all states in this regard, he said. (PTI)

However, Ashok Kumar Sharma was sent to judicial custody till April one by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau as he was yet to submit a local surety bond of Rs 10,000 before the court.

Sharma was arrested by police late last night and booked under the Explosive Substances Act after recovery of a detonator in his possession.

The 33-year old man from Rohtas district in Bihar during interrogation claimed that the detonator had been planted at his residence by certain influential people who wanted to kill him. (PTI)

"Esabio Ferrao, a priest was suffocated to death with pillow and we suspect two youths from Uttar Pradesh staying with him as the culprits," Deputy Inspector General of Police Ujwal Mishra told PTI.

A few parishioners, who had gone for the mass at St Francis Xavier church found that the priest was yet to arrive. They went to his house at 6.30 am, and found the priest lying dead in his bedroom.

Suniel Rodrigues, a cook working with the priest, was latched inside the house by accused.

Police stated that both the accused had dinner with the priest on Friday night and went to sleep. "They were knowing priest (father) and arrived here by last bus at 9.30 pm," Rodrigues told PTI. (PTI)

A joint team of the Bihar police and Special Task Force arrested nine criminals from their hideouts at Gobarsahi and Ramdayalu Nagar locality of this district headquarter town in north Bihar late last night, Superintendent of Police Ratan Sanjay told reporters.

The SP said that two 9mm pistols, six revolvers and over 50 rounds of ammunition were seized from them.

Those arrested include Munna Singh of Raghopur in Vaishal district wanted in over 40 cases, including eight of murder and 25 attempt to murder, and Vivekanand Pandey, charged in over two dozen cases.

Sanjay said that the police conducted the raids on specific information that the criminals were planning to loot Rs 1.2 core from the house of a cloth merchant at Sutapatti who was soon to transport the cash to Patna. (PTI)

The idol, which was installed sometime back in Shitala Devi temple under Chetganj police circle area, was stolen on Friday night, police said.

The theft was detected when the priest opened the temple complex for prayers on Saturday morning, they said, adding an investigation was underway in the case.

Meanwhile, in-charge of the nearby police picket got a new idol of lord Hanuman installed in the temple at his own expense, police said. (PTI)

The mutilated body of a student, Arun, was recovered from a jungle near Talheta village in Modinagar town, they said.

It had been hacked to several pieces allegedly by the husband and other family members of a woman he was having an illicit afair with, they said.

His father Dev Dutt has lodged a complaint and police had launched a search for the murder suspects.

In another incident in Vaishali area in Ghaziabad, a B Tech student of Bhartiya Vidyapeeth who had developed relations with his classmate, was allegedly beaten to death by her former lover. (PTI)

The officials had been suspended on the charge of negligence of duty as they had been ordered to report on special duty during Holi but absented themselves, Senior Superintendent of Police A K Sanger told reporters here today.

The suspended police personnel are Nirmala Gupta, constable Gayatri Sharma, Madhubala, Indra Negi, Ruchi Tyagi, Neelam Yadav, Rakesh Kapil, Har Narain, Satendra Singh and Raghubir Singh. (PTI)

Based on a tip-off, the local police raided the grove at dawn break and recovered the bombs. They took assistance from ballistic experts to conduct the raids and recover the bombs and raw materials. Senior police officers rushed to the area and RAF has been deployed.

At least eight pieces of socket bombs, each weighing seven to 10 kgs, and 18 smaller bombs along with 45 kgs of gunpowder and materials for making bombs were seized in the raid. No arrest has been made.

Locals alleged that it must have been a part of plans of hoodlums to disrupt the polls. (UNI)

Terming the recent report equally vague, Mr Sangma said many clauses were not clear and as such the report was rejected by NCP.

"From the very beginning, we insisted on filling up all the vacant posts lying in the MBOSE. We even agreed to revamping of the Board, but not its restructuring", Mr Sangma said.

He pointed out that as per the Select Committee recommendations, the Board would be restructured and many more senior officers would be appointed. "But we wanted to know from where the government would generate additional amount for maintaining new officers", the NCP leader asked.

"As there is huge investment for restructuring the Board, there is apprehension that the students may be taxed in the form of examination fees to tide over the financial crisis", Mr Sangma feared.

The report does not mention anything about the financial implications of restructuring the Board. According to him, the report was found lacking in defining the powers and functions of the Director heading the Shillong office.

"While one Director is heading Shillong office, other Directors and officers are posted in Tura office. This means Board will be functioning from two places", he observed.

As per the report, the regional office, Shillong will be substituted by Shillong Meghalaya Board of School Education Office and the headquarter of the Board will be located at Tura. The Shillong MBOSE office will be headed by a Director.

Besides this, there is no major change in the Bill pending before the House since October last year.

As per the report, the board will consist of members appointed by the government such as Executive Chairman, Principal Director, Ex-officio members like Principal Secretary, Commissioner and Secretary Education, Principal Secretary, Commissioner and Secretary Finance, Director of Higher & Technical Education, Director Educational Research & Training and one representative of NEHU.

"The constitutional value is to accommodate interests of every social group equally with due emphasis on their comparative stage of development. It is therefore not necessary to go for a militant articulation of one's right, rather it is necessary to argue for a change through negotiation of such rights and interests", the Governor said.

Mr Jacob was of the opinion that "presupposition that nobody listens unless one's ready to fight the State or the government shall change if there is genuine practice of pluralism that is mutually accommodating each other in everybody's interest".

While urging social thinkers to focus on cultural pluralism in the context of Northeast and the country as a whole, the Governor said: "Several development thinkers seemed to often ignore issues of cultural identity while they concentrate more on economic and material development". He said such policies would undermine the determining influence of cultural factors in carving out a successful strategy for human development.

The two-day seminar, which was organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla and SAIIC, Shillong was participated by several social scientists and linguistic experts from all across the country, while Prof Milind S Malshe of Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai delivered the keynote address.

The seminar will conclude on Sunday.

Passing out from Guahati University in English literature, she also passed out from IITTM, Bhubaneshwar and now working as Tour Executive with the Varun Voyages, a travel and tour operating company. Bandana Maibam also an IITTM pass out, hailing from Manipur received gold medal as best student in hospitality and resort management in the same function.

Both received certificates and cash prize of Rs.25, 000 each.

"I feel great," a beaming Lopamudra told The Shillong Times after the award presentation, adding "I never thought that I would receive this prestigious award." She received the award as best student in travel and tourism sector.

She was highly appre-ciated for her excellence in extra-curricular activities.

She is the daughter of Mr Mohan Chandra Gogoi and Mrs Labayana Gogoi of Bishnupur, Shillong.

Presenting the National Tourism Awards for outstanding performance for the year 2004-05 in various sectors of tourism and travel, Soni, said that the North East is on priority list of the Government for promotion of tourism in the country. The Ministry's promotion of Buddhist circuit would also help the region, she said.

The Minister said that the Government had recently taken a number of initiatives to ensure active participation of private sector in tourism promotion, which include scheme for infrastructure creation also. She said Government is committed to provide all possible support to the travel and tourism industry, as tourism is a high priority item on the agenda of the Government.

Soni also release TV commercials prepared by the Ministry on North East, Jammu & Kashmir, Buddhist Circuit and Andaman & Nicobar. The programme ended with a cultural programme from Manipur.

Interestingly, despite the Government taking so much interest in tourism, there was not a single entry from the region in hotel or travel agent/tour operator sector from the region. Heat Travels and Tours Pvt Ltd of Siliguri was given an award for the NE region under "Best Domestic Tour Operator" category.

SHILLONG: The GSU has expressed concern over frequent power cuts in Garo Hills at a time when students are busy with examinations.

GSU information and public relations secretary Mr Joshua Sangma on Saturday said power failure during examinations, especially at night, caused undue sufferings to the students.

"We wanted to know from the government whether any load shedding has been imposed especially in Garo Hills", Mr Sangma said.

The student leader said that the matter was taken up by the officials in Garo Hills, but without any desired results. "It is unfortunate that the step-motherly attitude on the part of the government gave birth to a feeling of alienation among the Garo Hills people," he said.

There are also other areas, which need immediate attention, Mr Sangma said, emphasising that constant disruption of telephone lines, irregular water supply by the PHE and poor road connectivity caused further misery to the people of Garo Hills.

"The former Chief Secretary during his last visit to Garo Hills had assured that road connectivity from Willimnagar to Baghmara would be improved, but nothing has taken place in reality", Mr Sangma rued.

Out of total 371 candidates appeared, 291 cleared the examination taking the pass percentage to 78. Altogether 118 candidates secured first division, while 149 students passed in second division. Six were simple pass. In all, 17 candidates passed in subjects appeared.

In old course, out of four students appeared, three were successfull.

Those who topped the merit list are Ryntihlin Jennifer War (149), Carina Goswami (16), Arwanka Lamare (7), Michelle Debra Khongwir (150), Gujjala VV Prasad Rao (32), Deepa G. (22) Fairysha Passah (139), Phurpa Lhamu (66) Sharon Stephanie Lyngdoh (161) and Begum Mothia Kamal (14). 

It may be mentioned that the museum and the archive was established to preserve the history of the IAF and the Eastern Air Command. Besides, depicting the glorious history of the force, the museum also constituted an aviation pavilion showcasing the models of various aircraft on display and an archive comprising a special section outlining the history of aviation and a video corner projecting movies on the various aviation activities of the IAF.

The complex also includes a cultural section highlighting the socio-economic life and cultural heritage of northeastern states.

On the day of his adhya shardha ceremony, the CPC also paid homage to late Baruah and recollected the valuable contribution he made for the society. He was an active member of the CPC.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Association, Asom Kristi Kendra, Madhab Dev Namghar, Puja Committee and Madhab Dev Yuva Sangha, Stoneyland also condoled the death.

. The MJCTU said the death of Baruah was a great loss for the trade union movement in the State.

Elsewhere, a combined meeting of Asom Kristi Kendra, Madhab Dev Namghar, Puja Committee and Madhab Dev Yuva Sangha, Stoneyland jointly condoled the untimely demise. The oganisations observed two minutes silence to pay respect to the departed soul.

Chief Minister D D Lapang on Saturday inaugurated the Shopping Centre of Umsning Town Committee and the Godown of the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) at a function held in Umsning auditorium. The shopping centre was constructed under the SGRY Scheme 2004-05 of the Umsning C&RD Block at an amount of Rs three lakh while the godown of the MSAMB was constructed at the cost of Rs six lakh under the Technology Mission Scheme.

The annual general meeting of the MeSEB Accounts Association will be held on March 24 at 10 am at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah.

It all started with an innocuous complaint two years ago against a rival in Parliament. Doesn’t every one? And typically our netagan dismissed it as a case of sour grapes, while the political pundits read a deeper meaning into it. Of a Congress who was out to kill two birds with one stone. Settle a personal feud with a buddy-turned-foe and political scores with Samajwadi’s thorn in the flesh, Boss No 2. Voila! They were dead right.

No guesses. We are talking of the Bachchan-Gandhi tu-tu-mein-mein and the Gandhi-Amar Singh nok-jhok culminating in the Election Commission recommending film actress-turned- Samajwadi MP Jaya Bachchan’s disqualification from the Rajya Sabha for violating Article 102 (1a) of the Constitution by holding an office of profit. Namely, Chairperson of the UP Film Development Corporation following her election as MP in 2004. Even as President Kalam, for whom the EC recommendation is binding, has sought legal opinion, Bachchan has moved the Supreme Court seeking a clarification of the term 'office of profit.’ Amidst this raging controversy, the UP Assembly hastily passed a Bill making the Chairpersonship of the UP Film Development Corporation "an office of no profit."

Whatever may be the outcome of this battle royale, Bachchan needs to be lauded for raising a major Constitutional issue before the Supreme Court, even if it is in self-defence. In her interim application in the Shibu Soren's case, she has sought to know under what situation or circumstance is a person deemed to be holding an ‘office of profit’ with the Centre or a State Government. Against the backdrop of the fact that the powers-that-be have turned Article 102 on its head to dole out favours to their chosen buddies and chamchas.

The Article states: "a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder." In other words, even as the Article prescribes many disqualifications ‘for being an MP, Parliament’s (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, can declare any or many offices as Non-profit offices so as not to be disqualified. Thus, many offices like those of chairpersons of various commissions or committees safely stay out.

Be that as it may, the moot point is: has the term ‘office of profit or office of no profit’ become another facet of corruption? Has it provided a legal seal to bribery of our Right Honourables through arbitrary fiats declaring offices of profit as non-profit? Enabling MPs to enjoy juicy lollipops of power? Wherein one may not take any salary but enjoy royal perks, more than making up for it? Who needs a salary!

Instances are a plenty at the Centre and the States wherein MPs who cannot be accommodated in the Cabinet are compensated by being appointed as Chairman’s of various corporations and commissions enjoying the status of Cabinet or Minister of State. Look at the absurdity. A MP as a member of the Air India board takes no salary but enjoys amazing perks ---- unlimited first class travel and entertainment, to mention the mentionables. Or, when MPs as members of Parliamentary Standing Committees get public undertakings to pick up the tab for their five-star hotels, shopping, gifts et al. The situation is worse in the States. The MLA-Chairmen lord over State Boards and Commissions and merrily convert them into their private fiefdoms of mini-ministries with full staff and freedom to poke their noses into all deals --- buying, selling, price fixing et al.

Sadly, instead of debating this issue and rectifying the flaws that have converted the offices of public service into private profit, the Bachchan case has opened the Pandora’s box for our netagan, enabling them to take potshots against rivals and demand their disqualification for holding offices of profit . See how the BJP has raised the ante against Sonia Gandhi’s disqualification as she occupies two posts: chairperson of the National Advisory Council and head of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Not far behind is Trinamool’s stormy petrel Mamta Bannerjee. She has pointed fingers at several CPM MPs who, she felt, should be disqualified for enjoying offices of profit. Namely Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee who chairs the Sriniketan-Shantineketan Development Authority, Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim who heads the West Bengal Minority Development corporation and Hannan Mullah as chief of the State Waqf Board. The DMK accuses bete noire AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha of the same in Tamil Nadu.

Interestingly, the phrase "office of profit" is not defined anywhere. Courts have off and on been passing judgments in cases brought before them, wherein a vague pattern has emerged. The philosophy behind this prohibition is that Members of Parliament should be free to function independently of the Executive. By accepting an office of profit, theoretically they become subject to pressure by the Executive. According to Constitutional expert Durga Das Basu, "The principle underlying this disqualification is that there should be no conflict between the duties of a member of the Legislature as such and his private interests, and that the indebtedness of a member to Government is incompatible with his independence as a representative of the people" According to him, the House Of Commons Select Committee debated this issue in 1941 and 1995.

It explained that the main considerations of disqualifying holders of offices of profit were – incompatibility of certain non-ministerial offices with membership of the House of Commons (which must be taken to cover question of a member’s relations with, and duties to, his constituents); the need to limit the control or influence of the executive government over the House by means of an undue proportion of office-holders being members of the House; and the essential condition of a certain number of ministers being members of the House for the purpose of ensuring control of the executive by Parliament.

Further, actual making of profit by the incumbent is not necessary to make an "office of profit," it is enough if the holder of the office "may reasonably be expected to make a profit out of it. But the disqualification does not relate to the holding of an office to which no salary is attached nor is there any other profit by way of "fee, allowance, reward, commodities, emoluments, perquisites or other advantages whatsoever". Profit is used in a wide sense, and is not confined to emoluments in the nature of a salary. Thus, fees for attending the meetings of a Committee and travelling allowances and the like would also come within the scope of the doctrine, excepting out-of-pocket expenses and reasonable subsistence allowances, but not’ compensation for loss of remunerative time.

Significantly, the Supreme Court interpreted the _expression "office of profit" as "an office must be held under Government to which any pay, salary, emoluments or allowance is attached. The word profit connotes the idea of pecuniary gain. If there is really a gain, its quantum or amount would not be material; but the amount of money receivable by a person in connection with the office he holds may be material in deciding whether the office really carries any profit. Adding that if the Government had the power to appoint and remove a person, then the office is an office of profit within the meaning of Article 102, even though the person is paid out of the funds of the Corporation. On the other hand, if the Government does not possess this power, whatever control the Government may have over the person` in other matters, would not suffice for the purpose.

A case in point. Former Rajya Sabha MP Ramakrishna Hegde’s disqualification. In 1989 he was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission wherein he was not to get any remuneration except reimbursement of the actual expenses incurred in connection with the travel etc. – all aimed at taking that office out of the "office of profit". But his bete noire Subramaniam Swamy complained to the President that the office of Dy Chairman Planning Commission was one of profit under the Union of India. The President referred the complaint to the EC which recommended disqualification. Hegde moved the Karnataka High Court which initially stayed the EC’s opinion before the President eventually disqualified him. As a result, the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 was amended in 1993 to declare that the office of Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission was no longer an office or profit.

Also, in 1967, one Mrs. Kathuria, Special Government Pleader under the State of Rajasthan was elected to the State Assembly. Her election too was challenged on the ground that she held an office of profit. Before the petition could be heard, the Rajasthan Legislature passed an Act entitled Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Members (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1958 which changed the nomenclature of the post with retrospective effect and she was saved from disqualification.

In England, the test to determine whether an employee holds an office of profit under the Crown is whether he may be said to be a servant of the Crown. Hence, in the case of employees of statutory corporations and other public bodies, the determining criterion is whether the corporation itself may be regarded as an agent or servant of the Crown.

The Bachchan case has proved to be a blessing in disguise. It has spotlighted the recurring abuse by the powers-that-be of its authority to distribute patronage at will by nullifying the basic object of Article 102. Clearly, it is time for the Government to desist from appointing legislators to ‘offices of profit’ and merrily promoting legalized corruption. Parliament needs to debate the issue threadbare. Private profit must not be permitted in the name of public service. ---- INFA

Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a little known PSU under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and least cared for even though it can play a major role in complementing the Government of India’s multi-crore "Incredible India" campaign. Consider the length and breadth of the country and the inaccessible areas crying for attention from national and international tourists. But the Pawan Hans has not even half a dozen helicopters to cater to their needs. Out of a total strength of 32 helicopters in its fleet, almost all are committed to meeting the needs of ONGC and officials of some state governments in the North East.

Tourism is one of the biggest foreign exchange earners for the country. More and more foreign tourists are coming to India every year. Why is the Government not concerned about opening up newer and inaccessible areas to them? One answer is that there is shortage of helicopters in the country. This is a ridiculous situation because the country has no dearth of finances to procure helicopters. It is simply because the Civil Aviation Ministry is too busy finalising high value deals of aircraft purchases for Indian Airlines and Air India as also the multi-crore modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Yet another reason is utter lack of coordination between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Tourism. There was a time when civil aviation and tourism was one ministry. But it is no longer so. This is taking its own toll in terms of lack of proper coordination between the two complementing ministries.

Pawn Hans has a fleet of 21 Dauphin (French) helicopters, 6 Bell helicopters, 3 MI 172 helicopters and 2 Robinson R-44 helicopters. Out of these, it operates as many as 11 helicopters (ten Dauphins and one MI-172) for the ONGC in Bombay High. These helicopters ferry men and material for the ONGC operations in off-shore areas of Bombay High. Pawan Hans provides helicopter support services to several state governments, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Lakshdweep, Andamans and Nicobar Islands. It also provides helicopter services to some PSUs like Oil India, NHPC, Ministry of Home Affairs. Occasionally, it has flown helicopters to some holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, etc.

The helplessness of Pawan Hans can be seen from the fact that it has just one helicopter each to provide to Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura. These machines end up ferrying only the state government officials (indeed, most of the time political VIPs). There is hardly any provision for ferrying across tourists. Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited was incorporated in 1985 during late Rajiv Gandhi’s premiership. His vision was to reach helicopter services to far-flung and inaccessible areas of the country. At the inception, of course, the primary purpose was to provide helicopter support to the oil sector in off-shore explorations, operate in hilly and inaccessible areas as also make available charter flights for promotion of travel and tourism.

ONGC is a major company in the oil sector. It can operate and a manage a fleet of its own. Why depend upon Pawan Hans? Beacause of ONGC dependence upon Pawan Hans, the latter is unable to expand its operations in other and more important areas, namely tourism and travel. It is time the ONGC sets up a separate wing to manage helicopter operations.Pawan Hans should also be taken out of the clutches of Home Ministry, which now and then seeks for helicopters. According to informed sources, North Eastern states are the casualty because they do not get adequate helicopter support. Imagine just one helicopter for each of the Northe Eastern state. If there is a breakdown, these states cannot even attend to emergencies.

Being a small PSU of the Civil Aviation Ministry, Pawan Hans does not raise its voice unlike Indian Airlines or Air India. So it remains a small fiefdom of the ministry. There is no one to espouse its cause. Ministry of Tourism occasionally writes to the government explaining the need for deployment of helicopters for tourism and travel purposes. It is routinely pushed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which has time mostly for Air India or Indian Airlines. (IPA)

BJP president Rajnath Singh is unlikely to embark on his yatra. Because of serious differences with his predecessor LK Advani, Rajnath is said to be planning to cancel his yatra. Rajnath Singh is upset over Advani’s announcement of these yatras without consulting him. Singh has been saying that Advani has no authority to take these decisions; nor was he authorized to announce them. According to the sources in the BJP, Advani is behaving as if he is the de facto president. There is also confusion over the districts to be covered by both the leaders. While Advani has allotted the BJP strongholds for himself, he has left the weak areas for Singh. According to the scheduled programme, both the leaders had to visit the Sankat Mochan Temple where the blasts took place. But they had to cancel it because the feedback from Varanasi was that the situation was not favourable. Singh has complained to the RSS bosses. RSS chief KS Sudarshan and RSS general Secretary Mohan Bhagwat have reportedly expressed their unhappiness over the face-off between Advani and Singh. The RSS leaders have also warned Advani against misusing his authority.

SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING! :Sanjay Joshi may have been blacklisted by the BJP, but the RSS is not convinced. Their leadership feels that the CD was fake. Recently, at their Pratinidhi Sabha held at Nagpur, three CDs were shown to 35 state chiefs. One CD was on Pakistan President Musharraff; the second was one UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh and the third on the RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. In the CD Musharraf is shown as an unbelievable Rambhakt dressed in saffron clothes and performing Pooja in Ayodhya ! Similarly, Mulayam is shown as an alcoholic; so is Lalu. The message was that in this era of technology, anything is possible. And do not believe what is being shown in the CD.

NOWHERE TO GO: Khwaja Qamar Alam has no place to go. Both the Pakistan and Indian governments have refused to recognize him as their citizen. He has been in Tihar Jail since October 1, 2004. An Aligarh Muslim University graduate, he first went to Karachi (on an Indian Visa) to visit his maternal grandfather in 1983. He overstayed in Pakistan even after his passport and visa expired. He then managed a fake Pakistani Passport under the name of Owais Ali. On this Passport, he came to India in 1989 - to get married to one of his cousins; he went back only to return to India in 2003 with his wife and seven children. He then filed a petition in the court asking for Indian citizenship. The court referred it to the Ministry of Home, which refused to recognize him and jailed him. (IPA)

Sir,

It is strange that the authorities of MeSEB, Jowai do not issue any notification prior to shut down of electricity, while in Shillong, those concerned Officers issue the same for the consumers to know. On 10.3.2006 from 1 p.m. up to 7.30 p.m., there was shut down from the main Jowai Transformer. It kept the whole of Jowai torn in complete darkness. In fact, the authority should consider the feelings of the general public and the students of SSLC, HSSLC, and B.A, preparing for their ongoing final exams. Such sudden shut down badly affects their study. In fact their parent have made a hue and cry. We the consumers have suffered much due to the enhancement of energy bill from Rs. 500/- to 1200/- p.m. since the replacement of old meters to new meters. On account of the shut down, there was no water supply on 11.3.06. We therefore request the MeSEB Authorities not to perform any shut down during the final exam of our children and also for the interest of the general public.

Yours etc,
Concerned citizens
Jowai.

Sir,

It refers to NDA march to Rashtrapati Bhawan with memorandum signed by 205 Parliamentarians demanding removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla for accepting funds from some MPs from their Local-Area-Development Funds. There were talks of his being Sonia Gandhi’s person in the Election Commission on his appointment. Likewise Congressmen doubt present Chief Election Commissioner to be LK Adwani’s man because his appointment was done in NDA regime. All this is not fair for an autonomous constitutional body requiring impartiality. System should be to appoint Election Commissioners by consensus of Prime Minister and Opposition Leader in a manner Chief Vigilance Commissioner is appointed.

Yours etc,
Subhash C Agarawal
New Delhi

The State Home Department on Friday issued separate orders in this regards. The same retired judge would hold inquiries in both the cases simultaneously. Both the commissions would submit the reports within two weeks from Friday.

The terms of reference of the Churachandpur case are to determine the facts of the allegations causing serious injury to many villagers and molestation and rape of young girls belonging to Lunthulein village and surrounding areas under Parbung police station on Janaury 16 by cadres of the United National Liberation Front and kangleipak Communist Party.

The order said chairman in-charge of Lunthulian village of Parbung sub-division lodged nine complaints with the OC Parbung police station mentioning names of nine girls of Lunthulian village allegedly raped by the militants.

In the complaint the chairman alleged that in the night of January 16 at about 8.45 pm, about 20 UNLF/KCP cadres entered Lunthulian village by exploding bombs and firing several rounds followed by rounding up of the villagers and beating them with firewood resulting in serious injury to many villagers. Thereafter the cadres selected some young girls and started manhandling/molesting them, he said.

The chairman of the commissions is expected to arrive in Imphal and start the inquiries in the next few days. The commission will hold its proceedings in Imphal. (NNN)

A leader of the KLA handed over the Kuki leader to a large number of leaders of Kuki organisations including Kuki Inpi, Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Kuki Mothers Association, Kuki Women Union and Church leaders.

Dr Lunkim went to L. Molnom village of Saikul area of Senapati district.

Giving reasons for the abduction, the KLA alleged that he took Rs nine lakh from the security forces in connection with signing of an agreement between KLA and the security forces for suspension of operations while adding that he was released after several appeals made by the people.

He also said that Dr Lunkim paid the sum to KLA. (NNN)

Presenting the Budget amid the Opposition slogan on Friday, Tripura Finance Minister Badal Choudhury said the Government intended to cover the deficit by adopting various steps including raising internal resources, putting stress on collection of commercial taxes.

He said the Government would fill up about 3000 posts in different Government departments during the coming fiscal year.

The Left Front Government recruited about 3500 unemployed youth in different Government departments in the current financial year against the target of 3000.

In the developmental front, the Government is focusing on infrastructure building like improvement of roads, irrigation, power and drinking water and to accelerate pace of production in Agriculture and allied sector with the target to achieve self-sufficiency in food, fish and animal orientated products, the minister said.

"The Left Front Government had not availed any overdraft in the last five years and measures taken by the State Government were appreciated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)," he said.

The minister said that the Government did not impose new taxes on people as it wanted to eradicated poverty and increase the literacy percentage.

According to delayed reports, the miscreants stopped five travel coaches and looted the valuable articles and cash from the passengers. The buses that were affected included two from Sherowali travels, one from Jagannath Travels - Silchar, one from Capital travels - Hailakandi and one from Swapna Travels Dharmanagar. The worst sufferers were the passengers of Capital Travels - Hailakandi who were beaten up too by unknown miscreants.

The miscreants also created havoc inside the Swapna travels bus. They looted Rs 50,000 cash from the passengers. Also present inside the bus was Sub-Inspector, Samir Das of Damcherra police station in North Tripura. took his mobile phone and cash.

This incident has led to panic among the passengers traveling to and from Dharmanagar and Agartala to Shillong and Guwahati. The passengers have demanded that security all along the highway should be beefed up in the days to come. The lack of security of the passengers is forcing them to opt for the air travel through Air Deccan and other airlines to Guwahati.

A Committee has been set up to appoint a new VC.

The decision came after the Nagaland University Teachers' Association (NUTA) dcided to protest against the former VC Professor G D Sharma, who was charged with mismanagement of University funds that sanctioned by the University Grant Commission (UGC). The Association alleged that the money was being put in the VC’s account. (ANI)