The State Police, on an intelligence tip-off, picked up Wali Ullah, one of the mastermind of the blasts, and five of his accomplices from different parts of the state and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition, Inspector General of UP police's Special Task Force Jagmohan Yadav told reporters.

The other arrested militants are Mehbook Ali, a resident of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, Syed Shuaib Hussain and Farhan, both residents of the state capital and Mohammad Rizwan Siddique and Mohammad Saad Ali, residents of Jyotiba Phule Nagar district in UP, he said.

Wali Ullah had undergone extensive training with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and was extending "all help" to the cadre of HuJI which is banned by India and Pakistan.

Telephone calls made by Wali Ullah led the seluths to get their hands on him. He had made calls to the same number to which militants, who had planted the bombs at Sankatmochan temple and Varanasi cantonment railway station, had made.

Wali Ullah, who was presented before the mediapersons, said HuJI could even be responsible for last year's 29/10 Delhi blasts, explosion in Varanasi last year and blast on board Shramjeevi Express in UP last year. The IG said while Wali Ullah, a resident of Phulpur in Allahabad district, was arrested from Gosainganj, five others were picked up from Sarojni Nagar area of the city. (PTI)

A conciliation meeting, called by Chief Labour Commissioner S K Mukho-padhyay, could not arrive at any solution as a Union Finance Ministry representative did not turn up for the second round of talks after the meeting was adjourned in the morning.

The union representatives dispersed after waiting for over two hours for Alok Bhatnagar, director in the Banking Division of the Finance Ministry.

"The strike will continue on Thursday. We were keen on discussion. But there was no prosposal from the government side," All India SBI Staff Federation General Secretary Prafullo Patnaik told reporters after the meeting.

The unions have submitted their proposal on pension at the meeting, held in the morning, after which it was adjourned for later part of the day to give time to government and management representatives to study the proposal.

The SBI employees are demanding, among other things, 50 per cent of last drawn salary as pension. They refused to suspend their nationwide stir during a hearing of the matter by the Delhi High Court Wednesday. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held that an insurance company is not liable to pay compensation in cases of injury or death of a pillion rider.

A bench, comprising Mr Justice B N Srikrishna and Mr Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta, while allowing an appeal filed by the United India Insurance Company Ltd, Shimla against a judgment of the Himachal Pardesh High Court, said,''...we must uphold the contention of the appellant insurance company that it owed no liability towards the injuries suffered by the deceased Rajinder Singh who was a pillion rider as the insurance policy was a statutory policy, and hence did not cover the risk of death of or bodily injury to a gratuitous passenger.''

Rajinder Singh died in an accident on October 31, 1989. He was a pillion rider on a two wheeler which was sold by one Bal Krishan to Tilak Raj, respondent no.1 but no notice of transfer was given to the insurance company.

The Accident Claim Tribunal fixed the compensation amount at Rs 3,89,000 holding Tilak Raj liable to pay the compensation along with interest. Tilak Raj challenged the tribunal's order in the High Court which vide an impugned order held that the company was liable to pay the compensation to the pillion rider's kin along with the owner of the vehicle. (UNI)

Kolkata: The Election Commission Wednesday filed a police complaint against state Transport minister Subhas Chakraborty under three sections of the IPC for allegedly making "threatening" statements against government officials on poll duty.

An FIR was filed against Chakraborty at the Lake Town police station under section 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharging duty), 189 (threat of injury to public servant) and 506 (holding out threats) of the IPC, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Debasish Sen told reporters here. The sections carry maximum imprisonment of two years or fine or both.

Earlier, the police station confirmed receipt of a written complaint from the CEO against the senior CPI(M) leader and said that a case had been been registered. Contacted for next course of action, Chief Secretary A K Deb said an investigation would be conducted on the basis of the complaint. To a question, he said the compliance report to EC would be sent by the CEO.

The CEO said that a video cassette was also submitted to the police, containing the minister's speech at a recent public meeting. The written complaint, filed on behalf of the CEO, came after an EC directive to him last night. The compliance report has to be sent by April six. Sen returned from Delhi today after attending a meeting with the EC prior to the assembly election in the state.

The EC also issued a notice to CPI(M) to submit an explanation on the statements made by Chakrabarty at an election meeting recently. CPI(M) said that it has replied to the EC notice. "Government officials, who are now working for EC, used to fall at our feet and they will again fall at our feet after May 11 (last date of poll in WB). We were there, we are here and we will be there." a party worker said. (PTI)

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has appointed supercop KPS Gill as its Security Advisor to deal with the naxalite problem in the tribal areas of the state, official sources said Wednesday. 

Mr Gill, who is credited with stamping out terrorism in Punjab, is likely to take charge on April 16. Indications are that the state government might formulate a new strategy to deal with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres, who have stepped up their activities in tribal Bastar region and other areas of the state.

The left-wing extremists have their presence in almost 10 out of 16 districts of the state. Nnaxalites are active in tribal Bastar region, bordering Andhra Pradesh, and in Sarguja region, neighbouring Jharkhand. (UNI)

Rajkot: Barely a year after his controversial visit to Pakistan, where he sought to shed his hardliner image, senior BJP leader LK Advani embarks on yet another yatra from here Thursday in a fresh attempt to revive his fortunes both within and outside the party.

While the previous yatra became controversial after his laudatory remarks on Mohammed Ali Jinnah at his mazar in Karachi, his sixth yatra has courted controversy from the moment it was announced last month in the wake of the Varanasi blasts.

Ironically, the 78-year-old leader, who had to step down for his remarks on the Pakistani founder, would begin his journey after paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at his birthplace in Porbandar near here.

It was alleged that the Leader of Opposition unilaterally announced the yatra without taking the party or its new President Rajnath Singh into confidence, though the party later denied it and claimed it was a well thought-out unanimous decision.

The timing of the yatra, threats from terrorist organisations, the change in its nomenclature from the 'National Integration Yatra' to 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra', and the alleged importance being given to his yatra vis-a-vis Rajnath Singh's simultaneous programme from Bhubaneswar, were the other issues which kept the twin tours in the limelight for the wrong reasons, even before they started.

The gruelling 6,000-kilometre run would see Advani, who had brought 'yatra' into the country's political lexicon, along with terms like 'pseudo-secularism', traversing through ten states, before concluding in Delhi on May 10.

Bhubaneswar: Seeking to spruce up the party's image, BJP President Rajnath Singh is all set to embark on a 35-day journey by launching the 'Bharat Suraksha' Yatra' from here Thursday.

Singh, who arrived here today, will drive to Puri where he will have 'darshan' of Lord Jagannath and return here tomorrow morning for commencement of the 5,500 km journey.

The BJP President would cover a total distance of 633 kms in Orissa over a three-day period with night halts at the coal town of Talcher and steel city of Rourkela. (PTI)

CBI Anti-Corruption Bureau DIG N R K Reddy told PTI that city-based doctors Duraimurugan and Christopher were those arrested Wednesday.

Only two days ago, two brothers, Dr Grey Bernard and Stanley Bernard were arrested in the case. The arrests were made after gathering evidences during raids conducted at 41 places on March 29. Investigations revealed that a group of doctors were also involved in the case. (PTI)

New Delhi: The health of fasting Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar evoked concern as her strike entered the eighth day Wednesday with her supporters meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi seeking her immediate intervention to stop the construction of the Narmada dam.

Former Prime Ministers VP Singh and I K Gujral also made a joint appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "freeze" the construction work on the Sardar Sarovar Project till a group of Union Ministers tour the area and submit a report on rehabilitation of the project-affected families.

Left weak by fasting, Patkar has difficulty in speaking and NBA activists, accompanying her at the Jantar Mantar Camp, expressed concern over her deteriorating condition. She has been consuming only plain water. Government doctors visit the place everyday but Patkar has refused to undergo any tests. A doctor who visited her today said the next two days were critical for the NBA leader's health.

Patkar has been demanding complete rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project and an immediate halt to the construction work on the dam. NBA has claimed that 35,000 families would be rendered homeless by the government decision to increase the dam height. (PTI)

New Delhi: The government has asked Rakesh Kumar, special secretary (economic relations) in the external affairs ministry, to proceed on leave pending a thorough inquiry into charges of human trafficking against him.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will pursue the charges against Kumar, but will wait for him to return from Germany where he is now admitted in a hospital. The agency is not planning to send a team to Germany to interrogate Kumar.

"The CBI will swing into action as soon as he comes here," a highly placed CBI source told IANS Wednesday.

Kumar is being investigated for his suspected link to the disappearance in Berlin of a dance troupe from Punjab last September during his tenure as director general of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).German authorities are also said to be investigating the case and are in touch with Indian agencies.

All that the external affairs ministry would say is that Kumar had proceeded on leave and it would wait for "investigations to take their course".

Nine members of the ICCR-empanelled troupe called Mehak Punjab Di, including the group leader, "disappeared" within hours of arriving in Berlin. The German authorities lodged a demarche with the Indian mission regarding the suspected human trafficking.

CBI has already filed formal charges in a court, in which it accused Kumar of allegedly entering a "conspiracy" with three others to indulge in human trafficking under the garb of sending the troupe to Germany. Each person paid over Rs.500,000 to go to Germany, informed sources said.

"The investigations have started in the case and we will question him as and when required," CBI director Vijay Shanker had said after the raids.

Besides Kumar, offices and residential premises of Kehkeshan Tyagi, programme officer at ICCR, and two others - Har Gulab Singh and Shiv Kumar Sharma - were raided last week. Senior officials said Kumar and his associates were charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, dishonest misappropriation, forgery and cheating. CBI has already arrested Shiv Kumar Sharma and got his remand till April 7. His interrogation may reveal if there was a larger racket of human trafficking, CBI officials said. (IANS)

Briefing newspersons here Defence Minister Pranab Mukerjee said the Apex Court in its judgement dated July 19th, 2004 and October 26th, 2004 has directed to disburse pro-rata additional compensation to the Bhopal gas victims on in the ratio of 1:1 basis.

The Government has granted Rs 50 crores to meet this shortfall in meet the necessary shortfall in the resettlement. He said all those gas victims who have been awarded compensation in their original claim cases will get a 1:1 pro-rata compensation, he added. (UNI)

The ANVC pointed out to the government delegation that it was almost two years since the outfit declared truce but no talks had taken place so far and added that an early lifting of the ban would be a first step in that direction.

The rebel outfit also sought a reply to their fresh charter of demands, including creation of separate 'Garoland', placed before the Central government in the first week of February this year. To this, the representatives from the Centre informed that the demands were under the Centre's consideration.

The two sides also resolved to conduct a joint survey for setting up of a designated camp for the ANVC cadres in South Garo Hills by the end of this month. The existing camp at Jetra in Chokpot is expected to be dismantled following complaints from paramilitary forces.

Terming the meeting as ‘fruitful’, the ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sengsrang Sangma, said "we had a satisfactory discussion on our demands and for the first time the Meghalaya police did not throw any allegations of ground rules violation against us".

According to reports, at least 70 villages were ravaged in the cyclone and more than 1000 were displaced in Baghmara. In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Mr Lapang expressed his grief at the extent of damage and loss of lives caused due to cyclone.

While conveying his condolences to the bereaved families affected by the natural calamity, the Chief Minister instructed the respective District administrations to provide relief materials to the affected families and extend all possible assistance. Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh already visited Nongstoin on April 4, while Community and Rural Development Minister Mr Beckstar K Sangma has been deputed to visit Baghmara and assess the extent of damage.

Our Tura Correspondent adds: Meanwhile, Sunday night's thunder squall which lashed West Khasi Hills district, also caused large scale devastation of four border villages in South Garo Hills causing injury to seven villagers. Returning from a survey of the affected areas district officials from Baghmara reported extensive damage to plantations and homes in the areas of Gasuapara, Jatrakona, Dimapara, and Megua Songgital. Among the three seriously injured victims, two hail from Megua Songgital and the other is from Jatrakona.

He said that the police had arrested quite a number of criminals belonging to this group and asserted that "the outfit does not have much strength". He reiterated that activities of UANF would not create any impact despite their efforts to have a tie up with NDFB and other outlawed organisation of the region.

According to police, three miscreants hired a local taxi driven by one Heldingson Kharjana of Umlyngka from Rilbong Point (Umsyrpi Bridge) at 7 am and took the car towards Mylliem. After reaching Mylliem, one of the car lifters asked the driver to drop him at Mawjrong.On reaching Mawjrong, the car lifters took the driver to a nearby jungle and tied him with the seat belt of the car, before making an escape.

However, a local boy who saw the driver crying for help released the latter and the car owner, Ms Barida Lyngdoh Tron, was informed about the incident.Police were prompt in tracing the vehicle in Mawpat.

SHILLONG: Senior legislator from Garo Hills Mr BG Momin on Wednesday favoured a consensus on the issue of disbanding Garo Hills Legislators' Forum (GHLF) As the forum was formed by the 24 Garo Hills legislators, it would be ideal to have a meeting of all the legislators from Garo Hills to discuss the matter to arrive at a consensus, Mr Momin, the GHLF spokesperson said.

"So far, I have not been communicated that the forum has been officially dissolved", he said.

According to Mr Momin, Mrs Deborah Marak must have given the statement regarding the dissolution of the forum foreseeing some problem or misunderstanding, as there was already a move to form another forum of Khasi Hills legislators.

Meanwhile, the GSU took strong exception to Mrs Marak's remark on the Garo Hills MLAs not being invited to attend the GSU meeting on April 22, the Union's Khasi Hills Zone made it clear that there was no special invitation to anyone.

"Everyone is welcome, we are not forcing any one to attend and at the same time there is no special treatment to any one", GSU Khasi Hills Zone president Aldo Sangma said.

The GSU along with other NGOs from Garo Hills convened this rally to discuss the issues related to MBOSE and sought the legislators to give their opinions during the rally.

‘No flexibility on MBOSE’ Meanwhile, terming Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkuper Roy's statement on MBOSE as highly 'misleading, the GSU has reiterated that there can be no flexibility in its stand as far as the issue is concerned, our Tura correspondent adds.  Dr Roy stated on Monday that the student body was not rigid on the MBOSE issue.

The GSU chief Andreas T Sangma, in a statement, said that the student body would go by the peoples' mandate on MBOSE. "This is a misnomer by the Deputy Chief Minister because GSU will never dare betray the hopes and aspirations of the Garo people on this issue," he said.

Accusing the government of making attempts to divert the MBOSE issue through announcement of a developmental package for the Garo Hills, the student leader termed both issues as two different subjects. "Development of Garo Hills is always high on our agenda but it does not mean that MBOSE can be sacrificed," added the GSU chief. Hitting out at Mrs Debora Marak, for her statement on April 22 rally, the GSU stated that none would be accorded any special treatment.

SHILLONG: At a point of time when the Congress is dependent on BJP's support in the Parliament to push through an Amendment Bill to legitimise larger Ministries in Northeastern states, the State BJP unit has come on its way asking the party leadership in Delhi to oppose the move.

The State president of BJP, Mr AL Hek, said that this initiative of the Congress to make amendment to the Anti-defection Bill for induction of more Ministers in smaller states of the region "is not at all acceptable to the party and the people at large".

However, he said that if Mr DD Lapang and other Congress Chief Ministers of North East agree to do away with the appointment of Chairmen, Co-Chairmen and Parliamentary Secretaries, the BJP would support the Constitution amendment. The Meghalaya BJP unit would write to the Central leadership within a day or two urging it to oppose any move in the Parliament during the session beginning in May, he said.

It may be mentioned that the Congress took an initiative to increase the size of Ministries in smaller states like Meghalaya from the existing strength of 12 Ministers to 20. It was the NDA government led by BJP, which in 2004 brought about the downsizing of Ministries on the basis of the strength of the House.

"The main intention of the BJP was to curtail wasteful expenditure of the governments", Mr Hek said.

Mr Hek alleged that the Congress wanted to amend the exiting Bill for accommodating a section of dissident members of the party who were not included in the Ministry. "Such an effort is totally against the spirit of having smaller Ministries and needs to be opposed by each and every citizen of the region", the BJP president said.

Meanwhile, official sources said since the process for bringing an amendment to the Bill has started, proposal for reshuffle in the MDA Ministry is likely to take place only after the passage of the same so as to accommodate more MLAs. However, sources indicated that before any major reshuffle, two senior Congress Ministers would be dropped.

SHILLONG: The Border Area Development (BAD) Department has shown undue favour to an organisation by releasing the funds worth lakhs before the site selection of the intended industry.

The Comptroller and Auditor General report (CAG) released recently in the Assembly pointed out that the "state department showed undue favour to an organisation by payment of Rs 10 lakhs even before selection of the site for setting up a fruit processing unit".

On scrutinising the records (August to September 2004) of Director of BAD Shillong revealed that though the site for installation of the unit was not available, the Director on October 2003 paid Rs 10 lakhs to the North Eastern Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation Limited Guwahati as first instalment for setting up the unit.

"The amount was paid to the organisation without execution of any agreement stipulating the date of completion. Basis for selection of the organisation as well as for payment of amount in advance was not on record. Although the land for installation of the unit was ready in October 2004, the progress of the work was yet to be reported by the organisation", the report said.

According to the unit’s techno economic feasibility report the commissioning and trial run was to be completed within seven months.

"Meanwhile the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has released the second instalment of the grants of Rs 12.50 lakh in February 2004, which was lying unutilised in a bank account of the Director since May 2004. But the department on June 2004 furnished utilisation certificates to the Ministry, indicating that the amount was fully utilised for the purpose it was sanctioned. Reasons for misinterpretation of facts were not in record", the CAG report said.

To set up a fruit-processing unit, estimated at Rs 22.50 lakh, at Wahkdait in East Khasi Hills District, the Government of India Ministry of Tribal Affairs sanctioned the first instalment of the grant in aid of Rs 10 lakh to the State Government on March 2003. The funds were sanctioned with a condition to utilise the grants for the purposed project.

Shillong: The Dorbar Shnong, Lawsohtun has urged Justice Kuldeep Singh, Chairman Delimitation Commission, Election Commission of India to look into the complaints of Mr Sanbor Shullai, member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (MDC) from the Laban-Mawprem Constituency on the inclusion of Lawsohtun under Laban constituency.

Headman of Lawsohtun Mr K L Lyngdoh said that the MDC had never been authorised or requested by the village dorbar to speak on behalf of the people of Lawsohtun regarding the inclusion of Lawsohtun under the Laban or Mawprem Assembly constituency.

"Lawsohtun is a village around 3300 votes in the Electoral roll and is now part of the Nongrkrem Assembly Constituency. Though it is true that the village is nearer to the Laban and Mawprem constituencies, the demand of Mr Shullai to remove the village from the Nongkrem Assembly constituency and attach it elsewhere is unacceptable as the matter has not been brought before the Dorbar for discussion," Mr Lyngdoh added. Pending such a clear mandate from the people of the village, the Headman urged the Delimitation Commission to keep the matter in abeyance.

SHILLONG: The Durbar Shnong of Nongrim-Nongladaw, Ri-Bhoi district has strongly condemned the attempted molestation of a 12-year-old girl by one Eversitar Myrsing.

In a statement issued here, the village Rangbah Shnong Mr Iaishahlang Marpan informed that the Durbar and its Executive Committee were outraged over the incident while he also said that the victim was working as a maid servant in the house of Myrsing. The Durbar also asked the authorities to punish the culprit as per the law.

SHILLONG: Agriculture department has come under criticism from many in the coalition partners for not utilising Rs 19.53 crore for the development of agriculture as pointed out by the CAG report. MDP MLA and Co-Chairman of State Resource Mobilisation Mr PT Sawkmie said that the Agriculture Minister should take serious note of the matter to find out why 19,53 crore was not used by the department.

"The department should come up with a white paper so that the farmers will know about the actual position on why the funds were not utilised", Mr Sawkmie said.

According to Mr Sawkmie, the department of agriculture is following anti-farmers and anti-poor policy as was evident from the CAG report. "The present MDA government is blamed for being anti-farmers only because of some officers who do not care much for their interests", Mr Sawkmie pointed out.

The Chief Minister should intervene to look into the serious lapses of Agriculture department so that in future the anomalies will not be repeated," he added.

The IREP aims at undertaking energy planning for meeting the energy needs of a cluster of villages through a combination of conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. From the year 2003-04, the IREP envisages preparation of energy plans for a cluster of villages, district and the state, besides implementation in the selected cluster of villages.

So far, 297 districts in 19 States and one Union Territory have been covered under the modified IREP in the country. In the N.E Region, the IREP has been implemented since the year 2003-04, covering about 35 districts.

SHILLONG: Chairperson of Meghalaya Women’s Commission Dr Biloris Lyndem said that women Nokmas of Garo Hills should assert their position and work for the development of the region particularly in rural areas.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of the seminar on ‘Women’s Reservation in The Local Councils and Traditional Institutions," at Tura Circuit House on Tuesday, Ms Lyndem said that the State Government had issued a notification for having nmore women members in Village Development Councils (VDC).

"Women’s organisations should go to villages and find out how many women members are there in such local committees. Women of substance should come forward and have a place in decision making and move ahead with positive attitude," Ms Lyndem said adding that women Nokmas "should not allow their husbands to officiate them as is being done generally".

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner P Sampath Kumar in his speech said that several women were now participating in the developmental process through formation of Self Help Groups (SHG) in various parts of Garo Hills. He also urged women to join hands in constituting more SHGs in villages as part of empowering women and upgrading their standard of living.

Sponsored by the National Commission for Women, the one day seminar was participated by Mothers’ Union president Ms L Ch Sangma, former minister M D Shira, Tura Government College teacher Ms VSB Sangma, Christian High School headmistress Ms B G Momin besides Ms K R Marak, Ms AM Momin and Mr Awenson Marak among others.

The State Police Department sought the help of Guinness book of World Records holder Rajesh Fernando to give training to police personnel who work in difficult situations. Mr Fernando is the Guinness book of World Records holder for creating a new category for communicating values through illusion by conducting 26 workshops in 24 hours in 28 locations.

During his presentation on the one day workshop on "Work Pressure Management" held at conference hall of the office of the DG and IG of Police on Wednesday, Mr Rajesh Fernando said that challenges are not to be feared but understood. "Fear within us can make us useless, so it is very important to remove the fear in order to be able to move ahead in life," Mr Fernando said.

Mr Fernando said that the best way to deal with mistakes is to remove the mistake and not the person who makes the mistake. "We should be open for corrections on any mischief or wrongdoing committed by us," Mr Fernando added. He stressed on the need not to devote oneself to too much ‘in thinking’ about problems because one may lose many the opportunities in the process.

SHILLONG: Rehearsals for the exhibition "Know Your Army" to be held on April 8 at Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Polo, are in full swing. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Commandant Assam Regimental Centre, Col Subrata Saha informed that the main objective of this exhibition is to promote better understanding of the Army among the local population and to create awareness to the local youth on the career prospects in the Army. Meghalaya Governor Mr M M Jacob will grace the occasion as the chief guest, while Chief Minister Mr DD Lapang will be the guest of honour. 

The exhibition will display all the latest generation of weapons and equipments including Bofors gun, mine protected vehicle, anti-material rifle and battlefield surveillance radar."The versatility and wide range of opportunities available in the service will be evident from vibrant and colourful display like harmony in physical training, flash of the sword: Flash of the Sword: Warriors of the North East and Heliborne Operations by soldiers of the Assam Regimental Centre", Col Saha added. He said that the Army dog unit showing total blend of obedience, agility, endurance and operation ability would also be demonstrated.

Besides this, Army gymnasts of International repute would put up an acrobatic display, Col Saha said adding that paragliding with para motors will be on display for the first time in Shillong. A separate stall just outside the stadium will display the glorious history of the Indian Army which include operations including United Nations operations, training, adventure activities and humanitarian activities. These stalls are being set up by 58 GTC, FCSR and Military Hospital, Shillong.

The ZRO is also setting up a career counseling facility specifically to help the local youth on the career in the Army.There will also be a free eye and dental check up camp organized by the Military Hospital, Shillong.

"Students from different schools and colleges of the city and children from the SOS Village, Umiam have been invited to witness this mega event", Col Saha added.

Shillong: Tribal Affairs and DONER Minister P R Kyndiah on Wednesday appreciated the efforts of the state government in cultivating strawberries in the state. Visiting the NEC supported strawberry farm at Umsning, Mr Kyndiah said the economic benefit to the farming community from this project is enormous.

The project was sanctioned in August at an estimated cost of Rs 308 lakhs. NEC has so far released, in the first phase, Rs 136.80 lakhs. On completion, the cultivation is expected to benefit 453 families making it one of the largest farms of its kind in the North East. The ultimate production is estimated at about 25 million kilograms.

In the first phase, 7.72 hectares covering 123 farmers have been brought under cultivation. Farmers are assisted with essential inputs like training, quality equipment, water tanks and fertilizers. In addition, assistance is offered in the form of technical and supervisory support, centralised collection, cold storage facilities, packaging and marketing support. An additional area of more than 14 hectares is expected to be covered under the second phase.

SHILLONG: As part of the fight against AIDS, founder of the Fanwar Faith Incorporate (FFI), Maryland, USA, Mr Shann Fanwar on Tuesday informed that a bike-a-thon, "Ride For Them" will be kicked off on April 9 from Mookaiaw to Shillong.

Addressing a press conference at Shillong Press Club, Mr Fanwar said that it is important to create an awareness on the dreadful disease which is affecting the exsistence of mankind. Last year a ‘Ride For Them’ bike-a-thon was organised from Nongbah to Shillong.

A series of developments during the past few months are indicative of a credibility crisis within the United Progressive Alliance. Even on such an emotive issue as the resignation of Sonia Gandhi from the Lok Sabha and as chairperson of the National Advisory Council, there has been no prior consultation with the alliance partners, particularly the Left parties, which are unhappy at the handling of this and several other issues including Karnataka, where the Congress lost power, the phone tapping controversy, Iran vote and the Volcker report. The brunt of the criticism, mostly undeserved, has fallen on Sonia Gandhi, whose very presence in Parliament irritates the BJP beyond control, and who has had to bear the cross of mismanagement of political and other affairs by some of her colleagues and advisers.

The manner in which dozens of MPs and MLAs, cutting across party lines, insist they have violated no law by simultaneously holding offices of profit under the Central and state governments is confounding. Mrs Gandhi can be given the benefit of doubt for having been ignorant of the transgression of the existing law. But it is inexcusable on the part of her many legal and political advisers to have failed to point it out to her as soon as she was elected from Rae Bareli and initiate corrective action through an amendment of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act in order to exempt the offices held by her and several others from disqualification. Recourse to such amendments has been taken by successive governments, including that of the NDA, to overcome similar situations.

But her advisers, having initially bungled, tried to compound the guilt by searching to push an ordinance by the backdoor after Parliament was adjourned sine die. Mrs Gandhi, however, seized the moment and, by resigning, took the sting out of the BJP’s campaign against her. Apart from gaining moral high ground, her act is expected to energise the Congress Party, but it remains to be seen whether it will impact its fortunes in the states due to go for elections. The advisers and legal experts, however, deserve the sack for not having given her the correct advice in time, and saving her and her party considerable embarrassment. This is a clear case of bungling, clumsiness and impropriety on their part, though Mrs Gandhi has tried to cover up their guilt with the step she took. She has effectively silenced the high-voltage opposition campaign to project her as one who was not averse to bending the laws to save herself, even though the fact remains that Parliament could have removed the disqualification provided timely action was taken.

The list of exemptions has not kept pace with the creation of offices to which many MPs and MLAs have been appointed routinely without regard to legal provisions. Since a large number of legislators belonging to various parties now face disqualification, the proper course would have been to ask Parliament to enlarge the list of exemptions retrospectively to protect the holders of such offices. The intention behind such disqualifications is that legislators cannot exercise control and vigilance over the political executive independently if they hold offices under the state and are beholden to it in any way. Though the "office of profit" is not defined in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has ruled that it should not be an office under the government which exercises control over its appointment, removal and functioning; that it should result in some gain over and above meeting expenses involved in discharging the duties, and Parliament has the power to exempt any specific office from disqualification. At the same time, exemptions should be based on logic and should not compromise in any way the basic principle of keeping legislatures independent of the executive for democratic functioning.

Though several Congress legislators and MPs have offered to resign as a gesture of solidarity with Mrs Gandhi, she should be well advised to dismiss any suggestions of making it an election issue and seek mid-term election to the Lok Sabha. Disqualification of MPs can not become an election issue, because it is basically transgression of law and will not bestow martyrdom on those affected, belong as they do to many parties. The Communist members, including Speaker Somnath Chatterjee have refused to resign hoping, perhaps, that the law will amended to grant them exemption retrospectively. No doubt the BJP is a house divided, with leaders jockeying for position and Mr L K Advani licking his wounds after his ouster as party president by the omnipotent RSS. But, the Congress is still not in vary great form to take on the NDA and substantially improve its tally in the Lok Sabha. Leaders of the country’s oldest and most illustrious party are expected to behave with maturity and restraint, lest any rash or emotion driven act damage its prospects.

The reason is some of the bold measures announced by the UPA Government have yet to take off the ground and, unless the benefits reach the intended persons, they are unlikely to come out massively in the party’s favour. The Government’s economic agenda has just begun to take off and it will take some time for gains to manifest themselves. The country is in the midst of an economic and technological transformation, the resource position still remains tight and it cannot afford the luxury of a fresh parliamentary election so soon.

The ground realities for the congress have not changed much since the last Lok Sabha poll in fact, there have been setbacks in Karnataka and Bihar, where the UPA has lost power and which will impact on a Lok Sabha poll as well. The situation in the largest state of UP remains more or less the same and efforts to either discredit or dislodge Mulayam Singh Yadav’s SP Government have not succeeded, with the Supreme Court coming to his rescue by not disqualifying the rebel BSP legislators. The caste equations remain strong and the Congress has not been able to recover its lost vote bank among the minorities, Dalits and Brahmins.

The party faces another possible setback in Kerala and the Trinamool Congress remains determined to prevent it from improving its showing in West Bengal. Such being the political scenario, the Congress cannot hope to make any spectacular gains in a mid-term poll. Its recent plenary session held in Hyderabad has clearly revealed the deficiencies in its functioning. Mrs Sonia Gandhi made an impassioned plea to her partymen to take to mass contact and leave their air-conditioned offices for the hot and dusty countryside, articulate the people’s grievances, give them redress and share their travails and suffering. She has also given them a code of conduct to follow. But, apart from showing solidarity with the leader, the workers and local-level leaders are doing little by way of bringing about revival of the party.

In the given circumstance, it would be wrong to feel overconfident just because the main rival, BJP faces a leadership crisis and is in a weaker state. The relations among the UPA partners are strained and much of the goodwill and cohesion displayed at the time of its formation two years ago is now missing. The Left blames the government of behaving in a highhanded manner and is opposing disinvestments and other aspect of the reform package. The Congress cannot afford to lose support of the organized working class, whose leadership is being appropriated by the Left by opposing privatization. In Karnataka, the party failed to accommodate the JD (S) claim to government and ignored the repeated warnings of H D Deve Gowda of unrest brewing in his party’s ranks over unfair treatment meted to them. Instead of repeating the Kashmir experiment, the Congress leadership chose to hand the government over to the BJP and JD(s) rebels. This clearly shows that the ground rules of coalition politics have yet to sink in. The indifferent attitude of the Congress towards allies, on whom it depends to retain power at the Centre, will lead to unsavoury consequences.

There is greater need of regular consultations with coalition partners over day-to-day issues to avoid their publicly airing differences and even threatening now and then to reconsider their support. Issues, such as, the Iran nuclear vote, the Volcker report, phone tapping, disinvestments etc ought to have been discussed at length with the UPA partners and pains taken to explain the government’s stand on a regular basis to avoid their voicing opposition in public. The government should investigate the BJP allegation of a middleman in the Scorpene submarine deal and ask the party to supply all relevant details, instead of dismissing these as politically motivated.

Simply asking the coalition partners to set a limit to criticism and maintain discipline will not do, because they have their own parties to nurture and often fight against the Congress at the time of elections. Being the leader of the coalition and running the government, the Congress’ responsibility is much greater. It must ensure that the coalition is not weakened and its public credibility is not eroded in any manner. It certainly involves tightrope walking for the Congress leadership which, while executing strategies to expand its own base, needs to keep its coalition partners in good humour to ensure adherence to collective responsibility.

As the Naxalites have been accusing the state and central governments for the encroachment on the forest and agricultural land for setting up industrial projects, legislation is being drawn up as part of the government's effort to address tribal unrest. The bill will shift the focus of relief from giving jobs to allocating farm land to the displaced. The new legislation, which has been suggested by the National Advisory Council, will be applicable only to central government utilities and companies. However, since the legislation will be based on items that are on the concurrent list, states can use the bill as a model and bring in a uniform policy. The central law will also incorporate a national rehabilitation council that will vet the packages offered to the tribals. If states pass similar acts, they can have local rehabilitation councils.

Tribal rehabilitation has acquired a sense of urgency after 13 people were killed during a protest against land acquisition for a steel plant in Orissa's Kalinganagar. The tribals were protesting the low land price and lack of job offers. Similarly, tribals in Chhattishgarh's Bastar district are demanding compensation as the forest land has been extensively used by the Bailadila iron ore corporation. According to the referendum plan, the rehabilitation policy will have to be cleared by at least 50 per cent members of the gram sabha. Dissenters' opinion will have to be recorded and attempts made to turn them around. If the gram sabha does not clear the terms, a new package will have to be formulated.

The new "land for land" policy will also seek to give alternative farming land. The government believes that mere cash compensation does not solve livelihood problems. Besides, with few unskilled jobs in mechanised sectors, the old policy of jobs for land is difficult to implement. If farmland allocation is not possible, alternative livelihood - which could be through common ownership of lakes formed by dams for hydel projects - will be considered.

The recent revolt by Kalinganagar tribals against poor compensation for the land acquired for establishment of a steel plant is the upshot of a renaissance taking root in the tribal belt of the country. After the Kalinganagar uprising against industrialisation, tribals of Rourkela and Bastar have also started a revolt against the poor package meted out to them by government and industrial houses. The renaissance among tribals of Orissa and Chhattisgarh appears to be spontaneous as political parties and politicians and even leaders of non-governmental organisations surfaced at a later stage - after the killing of 13 tribals and the chopping off of the hands of five tribals.

The industrial house proposes to acquire land in 10 villages which would uproot at least 250 families. They have been assured of a house site of 3,000 sqft for each family, water and road connectivity and compensation between Rs. 50, 000 and Rs. 1 lakh per acre as compensation.Jobs have been promised to one person per family by the industrial house which has told the government it would invest two per cent of the profit on the area's development. The public sector National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) had also planned to set up a steel plant at Nagarnar, twenty kilometres from the Jagdalpur divisional headquarters in Chhattisgarh. The foundation stone for the project was laid four years back and the land of the tribals was acquired by the corporation for the project. Tribals have been dispossessed of their cultivable land by the corporation which had promised "peripheral development" of Nagarnar.

In the last four years, there has been no development. Contrary to the NMDC's promise, neither have schools nor hospitals come up in the area. Tribals of Nagarnar are also opposed to the proposed steel plant now. Another private sector company (Essar) had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Chhattisgarh government for setting up a steel plant at Bastar. Tribals of the area have declared they would not give their land for the steel plant. One more private sector company had signed a MoU for another steel plant in Bastar four years back. After resistance from land holders, the group backed out.

Tribals are holding their jan adalats (people's courts) at different places, including Belar, Nagarnar and Lohariguda and passing resolutions such as, "We will not give our valuable land, whatever may be the price."

The tribals feel betrayed by the non-implementation of the commitments made by the government and the industrial houses in the past. Tribals of the area are illiterate and the lowest-grade employees of the Panchayati Raj bodies who maintain office records of the panchayats come under the influence of agents of industrial houses to manipulate documents to suggest the entire "gram sabha" had given its approval for construction of the plant and land acquisition. Tribals had filed affidavits to claim they had been obliged to accept cheques even though they had not consented to land acquisition.The tribals appeared to have taken lessons from past mistakes committed by their elders and seem to have realised that their ignorance should not to be taken for granted in the name of industrialisation by the government or big industrial houses. INAV

Sir,

It was a well timed discussion in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly regarding Supreme Court's recent verdict on the status of a children born between a non-tribal father and a tribal mother. When this verdict is implemented as law, it would have a serious social impact not only in Meghalaya but in the entire country. It seems most of the people in the state have welcomed it. This response is in expected lines as most of the people have analysed the verdict with respect to the situation in Meghalaya or may be few more North Eastern states with tribal majority. The reason being, many feel that a non-tribal man marries a tribal woman to take advantage which is a genuine reason. But can't we analyse the verdict in a broader perspective going beyond Meghalaya since the verdict is meant for the entire country? What happens to the status of the child if he/she is a child of a tribal father and non-tribal mother? Then the child can be a tribal, no problem in this case. If it is so then the verdict is biased one! If a father can pass on his identity as a tribal to his son or daughter why can't the mother? Does not a woman has the right to carry her identity (cultural, caste, religion or community) through her next generation or she is not suppose to see her identity in her son or daughter? A child belongs to the mother as much as the father or may be more. Therefore this verdict cannot be analysed through the eye of a particular region but through the concept of equality of man and woman in the Indian society as a whole. It would be better if we leave this decision to every mother and father to decide the identity of their child rather than compelling everyone with a sweeping law assuming that such mixed marriages are for extracting advantage only.

Yours etc.
D Pathak,
Via e-mail

Sir,

History can prove that no repeat-performance by BJP (formerly Jansangh) leaders to encash public sentiments can prove to be successful for their real agenda to fool public for getting votes to reach to corridors of power at New Delhi! Indian voter has a unique quality to do its duty quietly and this is why over-confident BJP rulers in NDA government were stripped from power like Congress lost in 1977.

It may be an agitation for ban on cow-slaughter or an anti-English campaign, Jansangh (now BJP) leaders forgot their publicised agenda after they gained votes as per their anticipation. Likewise these leaders made a remarkable achievement by gaining power at the Centre only due to Adwani’s Ram Rath-Yatra. But they were voted out because they resorted to an all-time high corruption instead of having the promised solution for Ayodhya matter. It is certain that votes gained by BJP in future elections will be anti-establishment votes and not due to Rath-Yatras or for any positive achievement. Adwani himself seems to be a confused person when he has now linked his present Yatra with Jesus Christ! It is rightly too that VHP has disowned his Yatra because it will be only for personal image-projection of Adwani with all harms to his party BJP.

Yours etc,
SC Agrawal
New Delhi

Guwahati: It’s a very long journey from the coast of Andhra Pradesh in South to the banks of Brahmaputra in Assam. Still a most prominent politician in the southern state thought it worthwhile to undertake the journey for the sake of electioneering for his allies in Assam. The Congress has roped in Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajsekhar Reddy to hit the campaign trail in Assam for the party.

Talking to newsmen at the airport here on Wednesday, Mr Reddy who campaigned for Congress at minority dominated Jania and Barpeta constituencies in Lower Assam, admitted that he had arrived in Assam with the intention of exposing his bete noir Mr Naidu

"Of course, I have come here chasing Mr Naidu as there is need to expose that hollow man who is now campaigning for regionalism here," the AP chief minister said.

He said regional parties like the AGP were not capable of putting the state on the fast track of development.

"Days of lawlessness and lack of development will return if the AGP comes back to power in Assam," he said.