AK Doval, who headed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 2004-05, also termed a "national intelligence failure" the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft to Kandahar in December 1999 and said swapping dreaded terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar for the passengers was a "mistake".

Doval’s remarks came during an interview with weekly newsmagazine Tehelka. He brushed aside suggestions that an intelligence failure had led to the Kargil operations in which over 500 Indian soldiers died and faulted the Army for not acting on information it had been provided.

"There was definite intelligence about it (Kargil). There was a definite communication sent to the people concerned. The only defence given by certain agencies was that it was marked to a person and perhaps it didn’t reach the person sitting on the other side of the table," Doval asserted.

Holding that Pakistan’s intentions had become known June 2 1998, Doval said: "The Government agencies were alerted a good nine months (earlier). After the information was passed on, the physical intelligence had to be collected by the people who patrol that area. They (the Army) patrolled that area on paper.

"The patrols were going for years, but not actually to the places they were showing in the logbooks. The movement was being shown but the actual patrolling was not being conducted.

"Presuming that they had gone on patrolling, they would have found something, some cigarette butts, blade or anything," Doval maintained.

The communication on Kargil, he said, was signed personally by then IB director Shyamal Dutta. This in itself was unusual as IB directors normally don’t sign such documents "unless it is something extremely important", Doval said. "It was sent personally by him to the defence minister, to Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) and various officers," he added.

The communication was very "specific", Doval maintained. "It talks about Kargil, it talks about Tiger Hill and other features. Every word is well chosen," he added, noting that even a government that probed the Kargil episode hadn’t "dismissed" it.

"All it said was, it was not marked to the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations), it was marked to the DGMI," Doval pointed out.

Lamenting that there was "no response" to Dutta’s note, Doval said that "if the agency provides the information, the user agency must invariably provide the feedback. "The point is that after this information had gone into the system, it should have been verified. Somebody should have gone to the heights and said we have seen this movement," Doval said.(IANS)

Ranchi: Jharkhand Government has come out with a surrender policy to wean away Maoist rebels - a life insurance cover of up to Rs.10 lakh as well as the promise of free land and house for every rebel who gives up arms. Announcing the new policy late on Thursday, Jharkhand Home Minister Sudesh Mahto said it was the best of the kind in the country and expressed the hope that Maoist violence would be curbed.

The new policy not only gives a Rs.10 lakh insurance cover, but also Rs.25,000 in two instalments and a stipend of Rs.2,000 each month for two years to every surrendered rebel. If he or she surrenders with a weapon, the cost of the weapon would also be paid.

Besides, it offers one acre of land, a house, free education for children as well as free health care facilities. The state government has also assured a job to family members if a surrendered Maoist is killed in retaliation. There’s more — under the new policy, a surrendered guerrilla can hire the lawyer of his choice to fight the legal battle. "The policy has been framed after making consultations and deliberation with several people. It took several months to prepare the draft," said Mahto. Till now, 174 Maoists have surrendered in the state. (IANS)

New Delhi: Senior Indian diplomat Harish Kumar Dogra, embroiled in a controversy that has led to withdrawal of his diplomatic accreditation as India's High Commissioner to New Zealand, has finally decided to return to India where he is likely to face action for defying the Government.

"He (Dogra) is a senior Government official. He will return," his lawyer Sanchit Sahajpal told PTI here on Friday.

Sahajpal, who has filed an application before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging Dogra's recall, ruled out the diplomat seeking asylum in New Zealand. (PTI)

Judges TS Thakur and B N Chaturvedi dismissed all the grounds on which RAD had challenged the decision to award the contracts to the Hyderabad-based GMR and GVK consortia. The bench also ruled that the Government was well within its power to make last minute changes in the tender conditions - that RAD had objected to.

RAD had in February filed a suit seeking to withdraw, cancel or set aside the evaluation process that preceded the award of the contracts. RAD, which had tied up with ASA Mexico to bid for the contract to modernise the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, had lost out to the GMR-Fraport (Frankfurt airport) consortium. The contract for the Mumbai airport went to GVK-ACSA (South African airports). It had then indicated that it would move the court to challenge the last minute changes in the tender conditions. (IANS)

"In all likelihood, it will come up in the forthcoming Parliament session," a senior Finance Ministry official told PTI.

The Government has already set up interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority under the chairmanship of D Swarup and it has been carrying out preparatory work.

Even in case of Market Regulator SEBI and Insurance Regulator IRDA, first an interim body was set up and after the passage of necessary legislations, the regulators were given statutory status.

UPA Government's ally, Left parties have been opposiing both PFRDA bill and amendment to IRDA act to raising FDI limit to private insurance players from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. (PTI)

Ranjana Narayan, who claimed she was married to Narayan in 1984 when he was little known, created a flutter when she defied hotel security guards and tried to force her entry into room number 401 occupied by him, hotel sources said. The singer left the hotel soon after the incident,they added.

Ranjana, who had obviously leaked the information about her proposed visit to the hotel to TV news channels, repeatedly knocked at the door of the room which was not opened.

"I have come here to seek justice. He kept me in the dark about his second marriage with Deepa, also a playback singer, for years and now I have come to seek my rightful place," she told reporters here. (PTI)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Orissa Government to provide police protection to a Muslim couple who were forced to separate after local clerics issued a Fatwa that they were divorced even as they wanted to live together. The husband of petitioner Nazma Biwi had pronounced triple talaq in an inebriated condition in 2004 but later realizsing his mistake, he decided to live with his wife and three children.

However, local clerics at Bhadrak issued a Fatwa that they were divorced and hence could not live together. Thereafter the couple was forced to live separately by the community. The couple, Najma and Sher Mohammad have been living separately for the last nine months and are keen to get back together.

"No one can force them to live separately. This is a secular country. All communities---Hindus or Muslims should behave in civilised manner", a Bench of Justice Ruma Pal, Justice C K Thakker and Justice Markandey Katju observed.

The observation came after the petioner's counsel complained that the couple continue to be ostracised by the Muslim community at Bhadrak in Orissa. Orissa Government counsel Shibo Shanker Mishra sought two weeks to file reply to Nazma's petition and the court obliged.

Earlier, Nazma had approached the High Court against the Fatwa and had sought police protection from her community men who were allegedly harassing the couple. The incident had created a nation-wide controversy with various women organisations and civil society groups taking up cudgels on behalf of the harassed couple.

The clerics had said that if Nazma wanted to live with her husband, she must perform 'halala' (she must marry another man and the marriage must be consummated, after which she can get a divorce and then re-marry her first husband). However, Nazma refused to do so, and instead knocked at the doors of the court. (PTI)

"The issue of border fencing and all disputes connected with it should be settled once and for all either this way or that way. It is true that there are problems related to the issue of adverse possession of territory between India and Bangladesh which need to be sorted out peacefully", Mr Jacob said.

While stating that relations between the two neighbours depended on the spirit of accommodation, the Governor said that recent visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to India had helped in easing tension between the two countries and that agreement for dealing with terrorism was commendable.

"There are still irritants in India-Bangladesh relations which require mature understanding and diplomatic skill to smoothen certain areas such as fencing along the border to check illegal migration, infiltration and other cross border activities", the Governor said adding that both countries should work to remove the strains on account of grievances from both sides.

Mr Jacob also termed as a good initiative, the proposal made by Bangladesh for several new bus routes between Dhaka and Siliguri, Guwahati and Shillong to ease communication links with India's Northeast. He also stated that more border trade centres should be opened up, given the 430-kilometer border that Meghalaya shared with Bangladesh. He also mentioned that the problem of balance of trade should be solved so that export of coal, limestone and other items was not hampered.

The three-day seminar jointly held by NEHU, Society of Peace and Development Studies, Allahabad and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, New Delhi saw the participation of several economist, sociologist and security experts from both India and Bangladesh as also Germany.

It was also attended among others by former SAARC Secretary General Abul Ahsan, former Union Secretary of External Affairs Lakhan L Mehrotra, SPDS Project Director D D Khanna and Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation Georg Wolff.

According to sources, the State government also clarified to the Governor that only one post of Director for the Shillong MBOSE office had been proposed under the Bill, while four Directors and Principal Director would be posted in the Board's headquarter at Tura.

Earlier, Mr Jacob had returned the Bill to the State government as the location of the Directors other than the one specified for the Shillong office was not mentioned in the Bill that was passed by the State Assembly on March 24 as per the recommendation of the House Select Committee.

SHILLONG: Two persons Ram Kumar Pande of Sixth Furlong and Nikhil Dey of Mawpun, Golflink were arrested by the police on Friday at 6.30 pm from Police Bazar for their involvement in circulation of pornographic pictures through mobile phones.

Speaking to The Shillong Times, Shillong Sordar Police Station officer in-charge, Mr P Syiem, said while Nikhil Dey was the owner of the Variety Corner Shop at the Urban Shopping Complex in Police Bazar, Ram Kumar Pande was his employee.

Mr Syiem said the accused used to download pornographic pictures from the computer to mobile handsets for each such job he used to charge Rs 350.

"We were following them for months before we could finally catch them red-handed", he said. Mr Syiem had sent his personnel to act as customers and they returned with the accused.

Police are now contemplating other options to have an upper hand over this menace and they may even go to the extent of arresting those having pornographic pictures in their mobile handsets, the police officer said.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Tiwari said the government is yet to receive any comment from the concerned departments. The State Vigilance Commission would be constituted to investigate the same after receiving the comments from the concerned departments, he said.

SHILLONG: The ruling coalition seems to be keen on taking the monkey off its back. The mood now is to jettison Mr PJ Bazeley and avert a major political crisis. The only snag is how honourably can it be done. After all it was a decision of the Cabinet.

State Home Minister Mr HDR Lyngdoh was categorical in his interaction with the media. He latched on to Mr HWT Syiem's contention that the decision was "illegal", said in so many words that "if the appointment is illegal, the government is willing to examine and review the decision of the Cabinet". He further said "if the law says that the appointment of Mr Bazeley is against the existing Electricity Supply Act 1948 or Electricity Act of 2003, the government is ready to reconsider its decision".

Mr Lyngdoh came up with a sort of confession with regard to Mr Bazeley's reappointment as the MeSEB Chairman saying that the proposal was made by the Home department itself and only endorsed by the Cabinet later. Just a couple of days back, Mr Lyngdoh gave a clean chit to Chief Minister DD Lapang and Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, saying that the decision was taken by the entire Cabinet.

Mr Lyngdoh skillfully drew a line between the KSU and other NGOs saying that the decision of the FKJGP, HNYF and SSSS to seek legal opinion on the issue and move court against the government, if the appointment of Mr Bazeley was found illegal, "is praise worthy".

"It is a good move as it will not affect normal life of the people", he said asserting that such decisions should be encouraged by everybody "as it will not create any hassles for the people, even though it might embarrass the government if it is on the wrong track".

Govt yet to notify Bazeley's appointment: The State government has not yet issued any notification to Mr PJ Bazeley's reappointing as the Chairman of Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB) despite the decision of the Cabinet to retain the official in the corporatised electricity board. Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Friday, Chief Secretary SK Tiwari said that the appointment had not yet taken place and that the Cabinet's proposal depended on the personal decision of Mr Bazeley.

"It is only an offer by the Cabinet and it all depends on Mr Bazeley whether he accepts it or not. Till now the government has not issued any notification on the matter", Mr Tiwari said adding the State government wanted an experienced person to head the Board.

On the legal validity of Mr Bazeley's reappointment, Mr Tiwari claimed to have studied both the Indian Electricity Supply Act of 1948 and 2003 that indicated that the State government can appoint any "experienced person" to head the electricity board.

However, sources informed that the State government wanted to delay issuing of notification in view of the current public resentment over the decision. The government adopted a "wait and watch" policy before giving the official seal on its decision.

NEW DELHI: Meghalaya Speaker Mr Martin M Danggo has said he is no more interested for a berth in the Cabinet. Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Friday, he said that he would rather like his other colleagues from the West Khasi Hills district to represent in the MDA ministry.

SHILLONG: Realising the political import of the on-going anti-Bazeley stir, the State government has decided to kid glove the long-drawn KSU agitational programme and will not use force to thwart their road blockade programme beginning on Monday.

Despite the proposed 44-hour night road blockade by the Union everyday from 7 pm to 6 am from Monday to Friday in all the four districts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills, the State government has been maintaining a balance, urging the agitating members of the Union to come forward for talks and shun the path of agitation cause disruption in normal life.

According to Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, no instruction as such has been given to the district administration or to the police for the arrest of the KSU leaders. "However, if the KSU members create law and order problem during the night road blockade programme, the law will take its own course", the Home Minister said.

However, East Khasi Hills police super AR Mawthoh said that the police department has already adopted a strategy to tackle the KSU during the road blockade. He declined to disclose the strategy adopted by the police department.

Meanwhile, Mr Lyngdoh said in view of the proposed night road blockade, the no-entry point on both the National Highways would be removed from Monday so as to ease the movement of trucks carrying essential commodities and the Night Supper Buses carrying passengers to the neighbouring states.

Mr Lyngdoh said, "For the trucks carrying essential commodities to other states and need to ply by night will be given police escort".

High-level meeting today: A meeting of senior officials of the State Home department, Police and the district administration has been convened on Saturday to discuss on the proposed KSU night road blockade that begins from Monday.

According to official sources, the meeting would be attended by Chief Secretary SK Tiwari, Principal Secretary Home (Police) WMS Pariat, besides the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts.

The meeting is likely to finalise the strategy to deal with any attempt to disturb smooth flow of traffic on both the National Highways no 40 and 44 that connect Guwahati with Shillong, Silchar, Manipur and Mizoram.

SHILLONG : The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities has urged the State government to initiate steps for proper implementation of the schemes meant for the poor and weaker section of the society. Informing this, the Commission's Member Secretary Ms Asha Das, who was on her first visit to the State along with Commission member Dr Anil Wilson, said that her visit to the State was aimed at finding out implementation of programmes and policies for development of minority communities in the State.

The team also met Social Welfare Minister Martle N Mukhim, Chief Secretary S K Tiwari and other senior officials of the State government and District Council besides NGOs to elicit their views on the adequacy of the policies and programmes implemented for development of minority communities as per the terms of reference of the Commission. "The consensus in the State is that the socially and economically backward should be identified on the basis of uniform criterion applicable to all without discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion or language," Ms Das said.

She said that the State government attributed non-implementation of several central schemes available for weaker sections to "norms fixed by the Government of India not being suitable for the State" including "hilly terrain and inadequate communications facilities".

While stating that the mandate of the Commission may not be relevant to Meghalaya, Mrs Das also said that the terms of reference of the Commission included criteria for identification of socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities, measures for welfare of the concerned communities including reservation in education and employment. She also said that the Commission was to give its recommendation on constitutional, legal and administrative modalities and issue relating to Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 in the context of ceiling of 50 percent reservation for Scheduled Caste.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nongrum was delighted to note that the former Primary Health Centre had been upgraded to the standard of a CHC while adding that manpower including doctors, nurses and infrastructures will be provided to strengthen the Centre and that sufficient supply of medicines is made available. He hoped that with the facilities available in the CHC, people, especially the poor and the downtrodded who live in remote areas, will get more benefits pertaining to their health care.

Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker M M Danggo was also present on the occasion.

Shillong: Internationally celebrated rock band 'Air Supply' will be touring India in May next. And as part of the tour, the band will serenade Shillong audience live on May 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo at 6 pm. Two famous event management companies, Planman Life from Mumbai and Speedstakes Shillong Chapter will host the show.

The band is visiting the North East for the first time and this goes to show that the North East has become a significant platform with an audience that attract international music bands of such eminence. What is noteworthy is that the North East features in the global tour map of this international music band.

The Air Supply is an Australian band formed by Graham Russel and Russel Hitchcook in 1975. Their first album called 'Life Support' including smash hit 'Lost in Love' became the fastest selling single in the world and leaped to the top of all the charts.

The albums 'Lost in Love', 'The One That You Love', 'Now and Forever' and 'The Greatest Hits' sold in excess of 20 million copies. The 'Lost in Love' was named Song of the Year in 1980 and with other singles sold over 10 million copies. The show is expected to hold enthusiastic audience captive in Shillong.

Shillong: The decision of the State Government to derecognise the Meghalaya Medical Service Association (MMSA) has evoked strong response from the FKJGP which termed the action as undemocratic. In a statement issued here, the FKJGP East Khasi Hills District Committee said that the action of the Government "clearly shows its total disregard of the right of expression and all forms of democratic principles".

While urging MMSA leaders not to bow down to such pressure, the FKJGP said that the State Government and Health Minister Sayeedulah Nongrum should take the initiative to redress the grievances of the doctors' body through "fruitful negotiation" instead of causing more controversy.

It may be mentioned that the estimated cost for the construction of the college including hostel, botanical garden, park, playground and other infrastructure is estimated at Rs 6.40 crore whereby Rs 3.36 crore will be provided by the Ministry of DONER, 10 per cent by the State Government and also financial assistance by the KJP Synod Mihngi.

Mr Kyndiah, in his speech, said that education has been given due importance by the Central Government and his Ministry is trying to provide funds for improvement of educational system in Meghalaya and the North East as a whole.

As part of the initiative which is undertaken in phase wise, the Club distributed school materials, which include books, practical copies and in few cases, uniforms to economically deprived students of Lumparing Vidyapith.

The first phase of the programmewill cover eight schools, both primary and secondary located at Laban and Madan Laban, Lumparing.

Shillong: In view of the Revival Centenary Celebration Service at Mairang on April 23, the West Khasi Hills district administration has made traffic arrangements for purpose. All vehicles plying directly from Nongstoin to Shillong and vice versa on the said date have been redirected.

Vehicles plying from Nongstoin have been directed to take the Kynshi-Tiehnongbah-Lyngkhoi-Sohiong route and Nongshillong-Pariong-Jakrem route and vehicles plying from Shillong are directed to take the Sohiong-Lyngkhoi-Tiehnongbah-Kynshi route and Jakrem-Pariong-Nongshillong route.

No vehicles will be allowed to ply through Mairang except for the purpose of attending the celebration at Mairang. This arrangement is applicable only for April 23. The administration has also made arrangements for those vehicles who attend the celebration at Mairang.

While heavy motor vehicles (HMV) from Nongstoin will be diverted from Mawsawa area to Tiehpdang route, light motor vehicles (LMV) from Nongstoin will be diverted from MeSEB junction to Sangshong Playground. Both LMVs and HMVs from Nongkhlaw will park in Block Office and its adjoining parking lots while those from Laitdom area will park in Dewsaw playground and its adjoining parking lots.

And heavy motor vehicles from Shillong will proceed through a main road and park in Mawlum Playground and its adjoining parking lots. LMVs will be diverted through Wahlakhaw and Mawlong junction and park in parking lots allotted to them exclusively. Vehicles with car pass will proceed towards the main road and park in parking lots allotted to them near the KSA Stadium.

The blame game has started in the ministry of external affairs for the blotched policy formulation on Nepal and Indo-US nuclear deal. On both the fronts New Delhi is left with little option to manoeuvre out of the difficult situation as Kathmandu and Washington have started arms twisting game to score brownie points. King Gyanendra has ignored India's advice to restore democracy, whereas, the Bush administration is trying to cap nuclear programme, which doesn't find any mention in the Bush-Manmohan Singh 18 July nuclear deal. The blame has to be shared in equal measure by the political leadership and the mandarins in the South Block. If the leadership has failed to provide political input in foreign policy formulations, the bureaucracy by its inept handling of the issues has compounded the folly.

Thus, we land up with a tarnished image as a "fascist country with hegemonistic ambitions engaged in villainous deeds to suppress its minorities, violating all norms of human rights and, above all, engaged in killing citizens who voice dissent." Americans are treating us with contempt as if we depend on their mercy for our well-being and economic development. Comparatively, Pakistan and China have been able to win friends and influence people and mould public opinion in foreign lands which suits their national interests. Pakistan, in particular, has successfully created an anti-India lobby in the US Congress which has succeeded in nearly getting scuttled the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The USA Congress is veering round to the idea that India is not a responsible nuclear state ignoring Pakistan's complicity in promoting nuclear proliferation and organising terrorism in India. This is so when India has written to all the heads of government, informing them how Pakistan is engaged in systematically destabilising this country. For strange reasons, no one is willing to buy the Indian version of what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir, or, how Pakistan is trying to unite insurgent groups in the Northeast through its mission in Dhaka.

Since Independence India's foreign policy, was guided more by ideological considerations than pragmatism. The national interest came second in priority while Jawaharlal Nehru was at the helm of affairs in the ministry of external affairs. Nehru projected himself as a world leader. In his enthusiasm to copy the Soviet model, he sided with the then Soviet Union on major international issues which divided the world. Appointments of ambassadors to countries considered important to India's political and economic interest were inordinately delayed. Instead of merit it was seniority that weighed with the ministry of external affairs. Unfortunately, the number of outstanding men and women in the foreign service, as probably in all walks of life, is on the decline.

There was a time when only the highest ranking candidates of the competitive examinations would be selected for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Today, many of them come from far below and even those with high marks do not always seem to be suitable for diplomatic service. Recently, several experienced diplomats retired and a few more are due to leave next year. Whereas there are a few brilliant persons at the next level, there is concern at non-availability of mature and competent men to fill posts falling vacant in important world capitals. Even during Nehru's time, the Indian Civil Service (ICS) officers who had monopolised the Foreign Service as well were opposed to the appointment of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to Moscow. Occasional induction of politicians of questionable calibre has devalued India's image abroad.

The Indian Foreign Service has people of average intelligence, and some are really brilliant, comparable to the best in the world. Job reservation has played havoc, and in the process, we have many diplomats who make fools of themselves. One has partly to blame the training processes to begin with. Indian Foreign Service officers lack long-term perspective. As the normal tenure is for three years, the enthusiasm shown in the beginning declines in many cases because one is concerned only with the outcome of one's work during the posting in a particular country. After that, it is somebody else's responsibility.

It would have been better if Indian diplomats had identified them earlier and given recognition when others would not. The case in point is that till the last moment, the Indian mission in Washington continued to hope that the Democrat Kerry would be elected president, and ignored the Republican George W. Bush. The ministry of external affairs has strange ways of working. Much importance is attached to the incumbent in the office than the would-be incumbent. Indian diplomats think only about their contacts with the VIPs to impress the mandarins in the South Block.

For instance, when Nawaz Sharif was elected Pakistan's prime minister, the Indian Foreign Office didn't know anything about the man, and at the last moment, his bio-data was obtained from the Pakistan High Commission for sending a congratulatory message by the prime minister. In an embassy posting where they are all supposed to be living like a large Indian family, only very few among the diplomats have the maturity to view the staff in a brotherly spirit. At best some may show it condescendingly.

Ambassadors like Appa Pant or Radhakrishnan were exceptions. Among the staff are people who have academically equal qualifications except that they did not take or get through the competitive examinations. Many who passed the examination and became diplomats compare miserably with some of the mature and competent assistants or attaches. The wives of some of the "non-diplomatic staff" are also highly educated and hail from good middle class families but are socially downgraded because of the hierarchical positions of their husbands in the embassy.Most of the Indian diplomats are kind and considerate in dealing with the local recruits of the host country. But there are many who can be shamelessly undiplomatic in their handling of the local staff. Two years back, the local staff in the Indian mission in Kathmandu went on a strike necessitating calling the police which marred the relations.

Relationship between the embassy and the Indian community is an issue which comes up often for discussion in many capitals as it happened in New Zealand recently, and the high commissioner was recalled to New Delhi. Though there are always talks about the importance of the so-called non-resident Indians (NRIs). In reality the main interest seems to be in getting their money to boost the foreign exchange reserves.Unlike the members of the IAS who, especially during their postings in the districts and even state capitals, function under the watchful eyes of the citizens, the IFS officers operate unconcerned about the attitude of the voteless Indians who go to them occasionally for routine consular problems. Though the welfare of the Indian community is top on the agenda of the embassy's responsibilities, it is normally a matter of low priority.

Indeed, some go out of the way to provide facilities and service without any pretence of protocol. Such ambassadors are popular with community associations and can get anything from them in a spirit of cooperation. Kuldip Nayar did a commendable job as High Commissioner in London during his brief stint at the India house. He fostered a close tie with Indians living in the UK. What is needed is the restructuring of the Foreign Service cadre and recruitment procedures. At times, non-deserving candidates get into the IFS who make a mess of it bringing disgrace to the country. INAV

Sir,

A war of words has been going on over the size of ministries in small states like Meghalaya between two MLAs -- Mr A L Hek and Mr P T Sawkmie (ST, April 6 & 7). The main intention and purpose of downsizing the ministries both at the Centre and in the States have been to curtail wasteful expenditure and to utilise more financial resources for development. In fact, the philosophy of downsizing is more than that. It has been expected that people's representatives (MPs & MLAs) should be free to function independently of the Executive.

But in Meghalaya as in many other states, big or small, this constitutional provision Articles 75 & 164) for downsizing has been often abused and nullified whereby MPs and MLAs who cannot be accommodated in the council of ministers are compensated by being appointed to the various offices of profit like Parliamentary Secretaries, Chairman, Co-Chairman, Vice Chairman and what not, in committees, commissions, boards, et. al. What an absurdity! Incidentally the office of Co-Chairman does not figure in the Schedule of the Prevention of Disqualification (Member of Legislative Assembly, Meghalaya) Act, 1972 as amended from time to time. Will any party like the NCP or BJP move the Governor and the Election Commission to disqualify all those MLAs holding the offices of Co-Chairman?

Many States are yet to learn a lesson from the Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi who remains unconcerned about the office of profit. Right from the time he became the CM, Mr Modi steered clear of appointing party MPs & MLAs to committees, commissions, etc. because he believes that political nominations only breed corruption and encourage interference by elected representatives. His stand despite protest from several BJP MLAs and MPs from the State, has paid dividend making Gujarat the best-managed State in the country followed only by Chattisgarh.

We, however, hope that all political parties including the Congress in Parliament will resist the self-motivated proposal for raising the size of ministries in small States. Development does not depend upon the size or strength of a ministry but on the efficiency of the ministers and the skill, intelligence and tactfulness of other representatives how to make the ministry work. We fail to understand Mr Sawkmie's contention that enhanced ministry will benefit the N.E. States. Before downsizing took place on 7th July 2004, Meghalaya had as many as 42 Ministers. After downsizing, the State has now only 12 Ministers. It is simple arithmetic to say that huge savings have been made to the State exchequer. Mr Sawkmie may be right to say that BJP has a pro-NE policy but it cannot be at the cost of the taxpayers' money.

Let us be reminded that smaller States, which now have less than the maximum number of 60 MLAs, will gradually get this maximum number sooner or later. Therefore there is no point grumbling about their having the same number of ministers now as Meghalaya.

Yours etc.,
B S Lyngdoh
Shillong-3

Sir,

Government should take note of trend of continuing abnormal price-rise of pulses which is causing a direct attack on family-budgets of commoners due to unbearable kitchen-expenses. Price-rise is neither due to some abnormal demand nor due to any poor crop. It is only due to speculative deals resulting out of forward-trading of pulses in grain-market. Apart from taking other steps, Government should ban forward-trading at least in essential commodities including pulses so that money-power or speculators may not be able to harm interest of general public by minting money at cost of households.

Yours etc,
Madhu Agrawal,
New Delhi

Aizawl: The Border Security Force (BSF) has urged the BDR to take strict measures against Indian insurgents staying in different hideouts in Bangladesh. The issue was raised at a sector level BSF-BDR meeting held in the border camp, BSF sources here said on Friday. High-level BSF officials requested their Bangladeshi counterpart to look into the activities of the insurgents to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.

However, a BDR delegation, led by Sector Commander (Sylhet) Colonel Abdul Hossain, was non-committal over the request, sources said. BSF DIGs also expressed concern over crime along the border and said erection of barbed wire fencing will help in curbing transborder movement of insurgent groups. BSF also alleged about 90 militant hideouts belonging to the north eastern insurgent groups are operating in the neighbouring country posing a serious threat to the countrys internal security.

The BDR delegation tried to counter the issue by raising the killing of innocent Bangladeshi nationals along the border. The sector commander alleged that innocent Bangladeshi villagers were killed by Indian border guards along the border areas.

However, both the BSF and the BDR claimed the meeting was fruitful and that they will meet at regular intervals to sort out problems related to the Indo-Bangla border, official sources added. (UNI)