Tag: National

Dimapur, July 23 NNN: The Naga National Council (NNC) has refuted to certain reports that the outfit in 1975 had signed the Shillong Accord unconditionally accepting the Constitution of India and also decommissioned dozens of weapons to the Indian authorities.
“This is a great lie and an evil campaign to lead the Nagas to hell,” the NNC said in a press communique issued by one K James. The NNC member said this allegation was hurled by “the NSCN insider” which appeared in a section of Nagaland based media on July 21.
The press communique said the Naga National Council (NNC) which was founded by the Naga people in 1946 to safeguard the sovereign independence and freedom of the Naga people as a nation never signed the Shillong Accord in 1975. K James claimed that the NNC bearing the mandate of the Naga people never accepted the Constitution of India and NNC “the parent body of the Naga nation” never decommissioned even a single weapon of the Naga nation as NNC had not been given authority by the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland in dealing with the weapons of the Naga nation. “Neither A.Z. Phizo, the then President, NNC nor Imkong Meren, the then the Vice President, NNC nor Th. Muivah, the then General Secretary, NNC or nor any NNC leader signed the Shillong Accord in 1975.
If any NNC leader did sign the Shillong Accord in 1975, point out and particularize the name of NNC leader who signed the Shillong Accord of 1975. Otherwise the wrath of God will befall upon the person who lies,” the NNC press note added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nnc-on-shillong-accord/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 21: The MACT Court at Saket,New Delhi has convicted nine accused including a Politician in a case relating to cheating, forcible grabbing of a helicopter and its wrongful use for electioneering during 1996 at Phoolpur(Uttar Pradesh).
The nine convicted accused are . Romesh Sharma U/Sec 420, 386, 412, 365, 506, 323 & 120 B r/w 420, 395,506 of IPC;Avtar Singh Ahluwalia, M. D. Bhojwani, Naveen Budhiraja, Manoj, Avdesh & Indermani U/Sec 395 & 120 B r/w 395 of IPC;Harish Mishra U/Sec 420 & 120B r/w 420 IPC and Laxman Singh U/Sec 365, 506 IPC & Sec. 120 B r/w 365, 506 of IPC.
The Court has fixed the case for arguments on sentence on 23.7.2012.
CBI had registered the case on 6.11.1998 and took up the investigation of the FIR earlier registered at Police Station Hauz Khas,New Delhi on the directions of Govt of India.
It was alleged that . Romesh Sharma hired the helicopter VT-EAP from H. Suresh Rao of Pushpak Aviation Private Ltd in March 1996 for electioneering purpose. He, however, represented to Rao that he cannot show the hiring of the helicopter due to the restrictions imposed by the Election Commission and, therefore, the documents showing sale of the helicopter may be prepared, which would be destroyed after the elections.
Believing the representation of Romesh Sharma to be bonafide & genuine, Rao allegedly executed MOU which was predated as if executed on 24/2/96. On the request of Romesh Sharma, the helicopter was dispatched to Phoolpur(UP) on 26/3/96, where it was used for electioneering work of Romesh Sharma. On 11/5/96, when the helicopter was to be dispatched to Mumbai, it was forcibly grabbed by the alleged goons of Romesh Sharma, who took it to Delhi by force.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet on 18.01.1999 in the Designated Court at Delhi. The Trial Court found nine accused persons guilty and convicted them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nine-accused-convicted-for-forcible-grabbing-of-a-helicopter/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 20: The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for introduction of the Criminal Law (Amendment ) Bill, 2012 in the Parliament.
The Law Commission of India in its 172nd Report on ‘Review of Rape Laws‘ as well the National Commission for Women have recommended for stringent punishment for the offence of rape.
The High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted under the Chairmanship of Union Home Secretary examined the recommendations of Law Commission, NCW and suggestions various quarters on the subject submitted its Report along with the draft Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2011 and recommended to the Government for its enactment. The draft was further examined in consultation with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Law & Justice and the draft Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was prepared.
The highlights of the Bill include substituting sections 375, 376, 376A and 376B by replacing the existing sections 375, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D of the Indian Penal Code,1860, replacing the word ‘rape’ wherever it occurs by the words ‘sexual assault‘, to make the offence of sexual assault gender neutral, and also widening the scope of the offence sexual assault.
The punishment for sexual assault will be for a minimum of seven years which may extend to imprisonment for life and also fine for aggravated sexual assault, i.e., by a police officer within his jurisdiction or a public servant / manager or person talking advantage of his position of authority etc.
The punishment will be rigorous imprisonment which shall not be less than ten years which may extend to life imprisonment and also fine.
The age of consent has been raised from 16 years to 18 years in sexual assault. However, it is proposed that the sexual intercourse by a man with own wife being under sixteen years of age is not sexual assault. Provision for enhancement of punishment under sections 354 and 509 of IPC and insertion of sections 326A and 326B in the IPC for making acid attack a specific offence have been made.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/new-rape-law-approved-by-cabinet/

Shillong, July 20 NNN: Garo Hills based militant group, the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on Thursday night shot dead a thirty three year old school teacher accusing him to be a police informer in East Garo Hills district, police said.
According to the police, the incident happened at around 10 pm when four heavily armed GNLA cadres barged into the resident of Danny G Momin ( the teacher) of MP High School at Resubulpara, East Garo Hills district.
“Momin was dragged out of his house and after a heated argument with Momin, the GNLA cadres fired three rounds from a close range and killed him,” police said.
Police on the other hand denied his involvement in sharing any inputs with the force.
After the incident police personnel have intensified their search in the adjoininmg areas.
According to sources, Chinang alias (Laden), area commander of GNLA, Resubulpara area was involved in the killing.
The body of the deceased has been taken for postmortem in Williamnagar and police are investigating into the matter.
Formed in 2009, GNLA has been now considered as a terrorist outfit by the Home Ministry.
The outfit, led by a former police officer, Champion Sangma, had also carried out a number of kidnappings over the years and slapped extortion demands on traders and government officials besides killing security personnel and laborers, in the three districts of Garo Hills and including West Khasi Hills district.
Meghalaya government has acquisitioned CRPF’s CoBRA team and Meghalaya Police SWAT commandos to deal with the GNLA, who has become a menace for the society.
Mreanwhile, the teaching fraternity, comprising of all schools and colleges of Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, on Friday came out in large number and met in the office chamber of District School Education Officer, Williamnagar, to ‘condemn’ the cowardly murder of the government school teacher by armed GNLA cadres.
Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect for the departed soul and condoled the bereaved family members.
Further, a protest rally was proposed to be organized on July 26 simultaneously in all the districts of Garo Hills against the shameful murder of a noble teacher.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gnlf-cadres-gun-down-teacher/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 19: The firing on Tongam Rina, Associate Editor, Arunachal Times and President of the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists was condemned by Impulse NGO Network’s . It condemned the cowardly and brutal attack on Tongam Rina whom we all have known and loved for her courage and passion in bringing out truth to the public through her journalism.
The police are still clueless on the identity of the gunman who shot her and there has been no arrest till now. We would request all our media partners to stand together and ask for proper government investigation as soon as possible and bring justice to her.
Further there is also a need to push for the issue of media personnel’s security. The government should ensure the safety of the media personnel who takes up so much risk and courage to bring information and truth to the public. We all need to protest and stand together and ensure that the government takes stern action and takes positive step to ensure safety of press personnel.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/attack-on-rina-condemned/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 19: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an Owner of an Educational Consultancy Institute in Delhi; a Private Medical Practitioner; his son and a private person after busting a major racket involved in fraudulent admission in a BDS Course.
It is alleged that a private medical practitioner of Ashok Vihar area of New Delhi approached a conduit operating such kind of rackets, for admission of his son to a BDS course in a Delhi based university. The conduit, in conspiracy with the duo and other private persons illegally arranged for admission of the son of the medical practitioner to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery(BDS) course by the means of making a dummy candidate appear in the written examination held on 09.06.12. CBI caught the son of the doctor and the Conduit on the spot in Ashok Vihar area while the amount of Rs.20 lakh was being delivered as payment for this irregular admission.
The doctor had conspired to secure the admission to BDS course for his son through alleged fraudulent means for which the Conduit had allegedly charged an amount of Rs.30 lakhs. Rs.10 lakhs were allegedly paid in advance by the Doctor after his son was declared successful in the Entrance examination through dubious means. Balance amount of Rs.20 lakhs was to be paid after confirmation of admission after counseling on 18.07.12
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the conduit under the guise of running an educational consultancy institute at Shalimar Bagh & Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, is involved in arranging dummy candidates and using other unlawful means for manipulating admissions in various medical and engineering entrance examinations for huge monetary considerations from the candidates.
All the four arrested accused Dr.Arun Goel, a Private Medical Practitioner; Nayan Goel, son of the Private Medical Practitioner; Irshad Pasha @ Amit Kapoor(a Cconduit), Owner of Educational Consultancy Institute in the name of Asian Academy, Shalimar Bagh & Rajouri Garden, New Delhi and a private person.were produced today before the Special Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.
The Special Judge, CBI cases, Jabalpur has convicted S.K. Baghel, the then Branch Manager, Allahabad Bank, Singodi Branch, Chhindwara (M.P.) and sentenced him to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs.6,500/- in a bribery case. The Court has also sentenced Nirbhay Chandravanshi, Contract Teacher, resident of village Bhajiya, Distt. Chindwara (M.P.) to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment with total fine of Rs.1000/-.
A chargesheet was filed by CBI in the Court of Special Judge, CBI Cases, Jabalpur on 30/09/2010 U/s 120B IPC and 7 & 13(2) r/w (1)(d) P.C. Act 1988, alleging that the Shri S.K. Baghel, the then Branch Manager in criminal conspiracy with S.K. Patil, the then Officer, both of Allahabad Bank, Singodi Branch, Chhindwara (M.P.) and one Nirbhay Chandravnshi, demanded an illegal gratification of Rs. 5,000/- from the complainant as a motive for sanctioning and disbursing, Kisan Credit Gold Card Loan Rs. 50,000/-. S. K. Baghel was arrested while demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs. 4,000/- from the Complainant in his office on 15/12/2009.
The Trial Court found both the accused guilty and convicted them. S. K. Patil, the then Officer, Allahabad Bank, Singodi Branch, Chhindwara was acquitted by the Court.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-busts-a-fraudulent-admission-racket/

New Delhi | July 18, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday endorsed Army Chief General Bikram Singh’s view that lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the Kashmir Valley will affect security operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said one should not confront the army chief’s views on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
“We have to trust the words of the army chief. And, if a general of the world’s third largest army believes that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act should remain in Jammu and Kashmir, we should not confront him,” Rudy said.
Rudy further said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act does ensure peace in the valley.
“There are recent instances, where lot of infiltration has taken place. There have been incidents of terrorist being caught and killed. And it’s a time-tested evidence that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act does give lot of peace in the valley,” said Rudy.
“The paramilitary forces; the state police along with the army, which does have certain exemption under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, has been able to perform well. I think the BJP would fully endorse the statement of the army chief,” he added.
The Indian Army has time and again opposed the revocation of AFSA, stating that it would hamper anti-militancy operations and leave the armed forces handicapped.
General Bikram Singh, who visited the Northern Command last month, is believed to have recommended to the Ministry of Defence that the thinning of troops is not feasible at present, given the delicate security situation in the state and the presence of terror camps and launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC).
The revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act was also one of issues that figured prominently during the Army Chief’s meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Parliament of India passed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on September 11, 1958. It grants special powers to the armed forces in what the act calls ‘disturbed areas’ in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
It was later extended to Jammu and Kashmir as the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 in July 1990.
The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Freedom League (JKPFL) on Wednesday staged a demonstration against alleged human rights violations by the state government.
Demonstrators marched to the United Nations Military Observers Group office at Sonawar here, and submitted a memorandum demanding the release of people wrongly incarcerated and the withdrawal of laws that restrict the civil liberties.
“This protest is to demand an end to all the black laws. We also demand the release of those who have
been wrongfully kept in prison for two decades now. We intend to take this agitation to the United Nations, so that we can submit our memorandum,” said Shabbir Ahmad, a demonstrator.
The protestors were, however, taken away in a police vehicle, before they could submit their memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bjp-says-it-is-in-tune-with-army-chief-on-not-withdrawing-afspa/

Aizawl, July 18 NNN : H Sangbera, chairman of the Hmar People’s Convention – Democrats (HPC-D) was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi by a combined team of Mizoram Police and Delhi Police last   evening at around 6.30, a senior state police officer said today. The official said that Sangbera was arrested at the airport soon after he landed from Imphal by a flight via Guwahati. He was brought to Aizawl today.
Mizoram Home Minister R.Lalzirliana today justifies on the arrest of the HPC (D) leader H.Zosangbera. The Home Minister said that when they (Congress) formed the government, they did not regard the HPC (D) as a militant outfit; but following their split into two factions, one of the factions led by H. Zosangbera started disturbing the peace and tranquillity of Mizoram. And, as they continue disturbing the government and the people, two of their leaders Army Chief Lalropuia and Deputy Army Chief Biaknunga were arrested sometimes, the Home Minister said.  He added that, not an appeal, but a demand without a promise had been sent to the Chief Minister for the release of their leaders, but the state government would take a decision only when the HPC (D) made a promise, R. Lalzirliana said, repeating his saying of the same  on the MHIP Day, at Keifang. The Home Minister said ignoring the numerous appeals of the government for peace, the HPC-D continues with  their activities like bombing Bairabi railway, disturbance at places between Bagha and Vairengte, planting bomb in Aizawl. Besides, the HPC-D also befriended the Bru militants in order to disturb Mizoram, which the state government came to know, state Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/hpc-d-leader-zosangbera-arrested/

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of Thespian Rajesh Khanna. The Prime Minister in his condolence message to daughter Twinkle Khanna recalled the fame of Rajesh Khanna saying that his popularity as a romantic hero in the 1960s and 1970s is a part of our film folklore.
He was called the first Superstar of the Indian cinema and his popularity as a romantic hero in the 1960s and 1970s is a part of our film folklore . His legacy will live on in the form of the numerous entertaining and acclaimed films that he leaves behind. The powerful roles he essayed in classics like Anand, Aradhana, Kati Patnag and Amar Prem stand testimony to his artistic genius.
Rajesh Khanna was also a colleague in the Congress Party and was a member of the Lok Sabha in the early nineties.
In the passing away of Shri Rajesh Khanna the Indian film industry has lost one of its most successful and most charming heroes.
On this sad occasion, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and Shri Khanna‘s countless fans and admirers. I pray for peace of the departed soul.” The funeral will be performed tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-condoles-the-passing-away-of-rajesh-khanna/

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, July 18
 The two-day meeting of the Peace Organisations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries felt that the role of peace and solidarity movement of BRICS countries had to play in mobilizing the people of respective countries so that their governments were forced to take correct positions on all international developments as well as guarantee the peace, the stability and  the progress in all regions.
The two-day meeting was held at Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, Deendayal Upadhyay Marg here on July 17 and 18 under the auspices of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation(AIPSO). Three members of Parliament namely Manish Tiwari, Spokeperson of Indian National Congress, D. Raja and Sitaram Yechury were also on the dais in the meeting. About 50 selected delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa attended the meeting. Former Minister of Manipur Dr M. Nara, the Vice President of the AIPSO also attended the meeting and took part in the deliberations. The present meeting was the continuation of the first ever meeting of the representatives of the peace movements from China, India and Russia which was held in Beijing on July 10-12 in 2009.
The meeting reaffirmed its resolve to support the declaration of the BRICS summits for a more equitable democratic world order that facilitated the inclusive growth for all. It further decided that the peace and solidarity organizations of the concerned countries would intensify their struggles to reach these goals and develop closer co-operation among themselves.
In the context, the meeting decided to coordinate their activities by organizing seminars regularly on topical issues related to the consequences of neo-liberal and imperialist globalization with deeper analysis; maintaining regular interactions among fraternal partners to buttress policy perspectives in order to achieve the goals of BRICS countries; mobilizing the people of BRICS countries for total nuclear disarmaments and sustainable development; and organizing more solidarity activities in support of the people of Palestine and other Arab countries.
The partner organization from BRICS  countries agreed to organize such meetings under the title of “ BRICS People’s Forum” to enlarge the scale of participation of organizations and institutions from each countries.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/solidarity-movements-of-brics-countries-renewed/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Kolkata July 17: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her party will support UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee.
Mamata said she took the decision with a heavy heart and there are times decisions have to be taken for the larger interest of the people, state and democracy. “It would have been nice if we’d been saying this with a smile on our faces, unfortunately it is not so,” she told reporters after a meeting with several MPs and MLAs at Writers Building.
Having extended her support – that would also include four Gorkha Janmukti Morcha MLAs – Mamata made it clear unlike others there wasn’t any provocation, appeal or deal behind their decision.
“Had APJ Abdul Kalam been a candidate, we would have voted for him. It is our misfortune that a person of his stature didn’t have the support of all political parties. After that it was only about two candidates – Pranab Mukherjee and PA Sangma. We have observed all major political blocks were divided on the issue.
Voting for electing the new President of India will be held in Manipur in the Committee Room of the state Legislative Assembly between 10 am to 5 pm on July 19, state Chief Electoral officer PC Lawmkunga said Tuesday.
Y Indira Devi, Secretary and M Ramani Devi, Deputy Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly have been designated as the assistant Returning officers in respect of Manipur state.
Anup Chandra Pandey,Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, has been appointed by the ECI as the Observer .
On the day of poll on July 19, no cellular phones, cordless phones, wireless sets etc will be allowed to carry inside the polling station.
The counting of votes will take place at the office of the RO in Room No. 63, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi on July 22, it added.The total number of value vote for the state of Manipur to be exercised in the presidential poll is 3, 204.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/voting-at-state-assembly-mamata-to-support-pranab/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 17: Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh has said that the Government is in the process of providing air connectivity to remote and interior areas of the country including the North Eastern Region and Tier II and Tier III cities. He was addressing the members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry Civil Aviation Ministry in Bangalore today. Shri Singh said that the new policy instrument in the form of Route Dispersal Guidelines is under consideration. It includes creation of Essential Air Services Fund (EASF) for providing direct subsidy to encourage domestic airlines to fly on these remote and interior routes.
The Minister informed the meeting that the Civil Aviation Ministry is also in the process of enhancing the present operations of helicopters and construction of heliports at various places to improve the connectivity of smaller places, including places of religious and tourist importance with bigger cities. He added that the Ministry would also soon modify guidelines for acquisition of aircrafts so that Indian carriers become bound to acquire smaller aircrafts needed for providing connectivity to these smaller cities.
Singh undelined the need to develop India as an international hub for the passengers and said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated action in this regard, which includes revisiting the policy regarding bilateral air service agreements with different countries and also rationalization of all bilaterals and traffic entitlements on international routes to Indian carriers and rationalization of traffic on domestic routes.
Civil Aviation Minister said that it is a challenge to manage phenomenal growth of air traffic with safety.
He added that for this an effective, autonomous and professionally competent regulatory framework is required. Shri Singh said the Ministry is contemplating to give more functional autonomy to the existing Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by establishing Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under an Act of Parliament which will soon be given a final shape. Besides this, there is a proposal to restructure the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and to constitute a dedicated security force which will soon see the light of the day, Shri Singh added.
Singh said that it is also proposed to set up a National Aviation University, as a measure of skill augmentation and to produce the next generation of aviation professional. He said the National Aviation University is aimed at creation of aviation training hub in the country to meet the requirements of other countries in the region.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/smaller-towns-will-soon-get-air-connectivity-ajit-singh/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 17: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Senior Divisional Manager of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., Divisional Office-I, Rajkot for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000/- from the complainant.
The complainant, a partner in the Rajkot based manufacturing firm alleged that the accused had demanded an illegal gratification of Rs.15,000/- from him for sanctioning an accident insurance claim of a worker in his firm which was pending for around one & half years. The complainant did not want to pay the bribe and lodged a complaint with CBI.
CBI laid a trap and the accused was caught red-handed while demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000/- from the complainant. The accused was produced in the jurisdictional court and was remanded to custody.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-senior-divisional-manager/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 17: Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology rededicated the Centre for e-Governance (CEG) here today.
The Centre has been inaugurated after renovation. Speaking on the occasion Shri Pilot said that CEG will be an effective platform for cross learning, for sharing successes and failures in e-domain. He urged the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) to lead by example by moving forward to e-tendering resulting in minimum paper transactions and human interferences. Sh Pilot said that e-Governance should not only be a buzz word but should percolate down to the masses.
Secretary (DietY), Shri J Satyanarayana said that CEG will motivate the e-champions who will take pride in having their projects displayed here. It will be like a Hall of Fame for virtual personalities i.e various e-projects. He suggested many ways to use the Centre in more effective and purposeful manner.
The Centre has been envisaged as the platform for showcasing advancement in ICT domain especially in e-Governance by demonstrating applications from states, central line ministries, DeitY organizations and other implementing agencies. In addition, it is meant to be a staging platform for cutting edge and emerging technology areas that are part of DeitY mandate and are of relevance to other ICT domain including electronics, Indian Language Solutions, emerging technologies in ICT domains and solutions for differently abled centre.
There are 12 touch screen kiosks at CEG, and at each kiosk a different application is showcased. The applications showcased during the inauguration included-

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/e-governance-should-reach-masses-says-sachin-pilot/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, July 16: The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V. Narayanasamy has exhorted the district administrators to take a lead in ensuring that public service delivery mechanism operates effectively at the grass root level. Inaugurating the 4th Conference of Secretaries of Administrative Reforms in States/UTs in New Delhi today, Shri Narayanasamy said that district is the nucleus, and the country moves forward when the administration at district level is strong and people friendly. Transparency and citizen-centric administration is key to ensuring welfare of public at the grass root level, he said. The Minister added that for the purpose it is imperative that district administrators perform an effective supervisory role in the field to ensure that lower level administration is sensitive to people’s needs and service delivery is quick.
He also stressed on proper monitoring of execution through more field work rather than desk work.
The Minister emphasised that corruption at grass root level has to end so that benefits of Government schemes reach up to the beneficiaries in a smooth manner. District administrators play a crucial role in this regard and can become a catalyst for change in people’s life, the Minister said. Shri Narayanasamy said that the role and functions of a district collector has undergone a tremendous change in the recent times and they have to rise to meet the challenges. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances(DARPG) has developed training programmes for them so that they are updated on related issues and stay abreast of developments.
Secretary(DARPG), R.C. Mishra in his opening remarks said that the Government role in the present times is more of a facilitator in providing citizen-centric administration. The Government is putting in place systems to make public delivery mechanism transparent and to ensure that no section of the society remains out of spurview of Government schemes. He stressed upon the need of use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in delivery of public services.
A panel discussion on ‘Role of District Collectors in Changing Times’ was held during the conference.
Ramesh C. Misra, Secretary, Department of AR & PG, P. K. Misra, Secretary, DOPT, Vikram Chand, Senior Public Sector Management Specialist, World Bank and Dr Nivedita P Haran, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala participated in the panel discussion.
Various issues faced by the District Collectors in the discharge of their duties were raised during the discussion such as use of technology to streamline the work of Collector, empowering the Collector to become a successful leader, capacity building, etc. The panelists have stressed the unassailable role the District Collector plays in the development of a district. Representatives from various States made on by presentations the AR initiatives undertaken by them.
The Conference aims to create a national platform to share experiences of the states in the field of reforms/initiatives undertaken by the departments of Administrative Reforms in the States/Union
Territories to improve public service delivery, make the administration effective, transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly. It provides a forum for the A R Departments of the States/UTs to highlight the challenges faced by them and their expectations from the Department of AR & PG, Government of India. The Conference also provides an opportunity to take stock of the pace and progress of administrative reforms across the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/v-narayanasamy-exhorts-dcs-to-check-corruption/

Mail News Service
Uttarakhand, July 16: The Uttarakhand High Court has today dismissed the Criminal Appeal filed by four convicted accused persons, namely Amarmani Tripathi, the then minister in the Govt of UP; his wife Madhumani Tripathi; Rohit Chaturvedi & Santosh Kumar Rai and has upheld their life imprisonment awarded by the Trial Court in Dehradun on October 24, 2007. The High Court has also allowed the Criminal Appeal filed by CBI against the acquittal of chargesheeted accused Prakash Chandra Pandey and sentenced him to undergo Life Imprisonment.
CBI had registered the case on 24.06.2003 on the request of Uttar Pradesh Government. Initially, the case was registered at Police Station Maha Nagar, Lucknow(U.P).
Madhumita Shukla, a budding poetess, was allegedly murdered on May 9, 2003 at her house in Nishatganj, Lucknow by two unidentified persons around 3:15 PM and the postmortem revealed that she was seven months pregnant at the time of her murder .
During investigation into this blind murder case, CBI meticulously conducted investigation & examined more than 200 witnesses and collected numerous documents.
The weapon used in the murder was also seized. It was found that Madhumita Shukla was murdered pursuant to a criminal conspiracy hatched by Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani Tripathi & Rohit Chaturvedi who engaged accused Santosh Kumar Rai and Prakash Chander Pandey to murder the poetess. During further investigation, it was revealed that Madhumita Shukla was being pressurised by Amarmani Tripathi to abort the child she had conceived through her relations with Amarmani Tripathi. It was also revealed that after the murder of Madhumita Shukla, Amarmani Tripathi wielded his influence to derail the investigation.
He hatched a conspiracy with then Sub-Inspector of Police, Yagya Narain Dixit, to allege that the foetus found in the womb of Madhumita Shukla was not his but that of one Anuj Mishra, a student of IIT Kanpur.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet against Amarmani Tripathi, Rohit Chaturvedi, Santosh Kumar Rai, Prakash Chander Pandey, Yagya Narain Dixit and Madhumani Tripathi on 19.12.2003 in the Designated Court at Lucknow. Yagya Narain Dixit, the then Sub-Inspector of Police died during trial.
The trial of the case was transferred out of the State of Uttar Pradesh to Uttarakhand under the directions of the Supreme Court of India, which had also directed that the case must be tried on a day-to-day basis. After a trial that spanned more than 8 months, the Court of the District and Sessions Judge at Dehradun on October 24, 2007, convicted four accused persons (Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani Tripathi, Santosh Kumar Rai Prakash & Rohit Chaturvedi) and sentenced them to undero Life Imprisonment. However, the Court acquitted Prakesh Chander Pandey, who visited the house of Madhumita Shukla along with Santosh Kumar Rai on 9th May, 2003 where she was shot dead.
The High Court t upheld the Life Imprisonment to all t and further awarded Life Imprisonment to the 5th accused .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/high-court-upholds-life-imprisonment-of-minister/

Chandigarh, July 14 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Saturday said that the media should sensitively handle the Guwahati molestation case.
Soni said that while media should make people aware about such incidents, care should be taken not to hurt the feelings of the victims.
“As far the Guwahati incident and other such unfortunate incidents in various parts of the country are concerned, I feel that media should handle such issues sensitively, and consider the sensitivities of the victims of such incidents. The role of the media is very important to make people aware and bring their attention towards such issues,” she said.
Soni, who was speaking to the media in Chandigarh, also cleared the air on the reports on India’s Parliament House office shifting to a new building for repair.
She denied the reports and said that renovation work has been an on going process in the building.
“I know that the Parliament House building goes through repairs, renovations and painting on a regular basis. When the Parliament is not in session, such works are undertaken, as the footfalls are less. However, I am not aware of anything on shifting the offices from the building,” she said.
Speaking on recent reports on India considering reversing ban on some of the Pakistan channels, Soni said that such decisions could only be taken after a high-level bilateral talks.
During his recent visit to India, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani pressed upon India to allow transmission of satellite TV channels on Indian television.
Soni, however, said that India is beefing up transmitters along the border so that the signals are not jammed and Pakistan channels do not overrule Indian television.
“We are strengthening our transmitters in our border areas. We are repairing them and providing additional strength as required so that no one can jam our signals. We will not allow channels from other countries to override our television,” she said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/media-should-handle-guwahati-molestation-case-sensitively-advises-ambika/

Chandigarh, July 14 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Saturday said that the media should sensitively handle the Guwahati molestation case.
Soni said that while media should make people aware about such incidents, care should be taken not to hurt the feelings of the victims.
“As far the Guwahati incident and other such unfortunate incidents in various parts of the country are concerned, I feel that media should handle such issues sensitively, and consider the sensitivities of the victims of such incidents. The role of the media is very important to make people aware and bring their attention towards such issues,” she said.
Soni, who was speaking to the media in Chandigarh, also cleared the air on the reports on India’s Parliament House office shifting to a new building for repair.
She denied the reports and said that renovation work has been an on going process in the building.
“I know that the Parliament House building goes through repairs, renovations and painting on a regular basis. When the Parliament is not in session, such works are undertaken, as the footfalls are less. However, I am not aware of anything on shifting the offices from the building,” she said.
Speaking on recent reports on India considering reversing ban on some of the Pakistan channels, Soni said that such decisions could only be taken after a high-level bilateral talks.
During his recent visit to India, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani pressed upon India to allow transmission of satellite TV channels on Indian television.
Soni, however, said that India is beefing up transmitters along the border so that the signals are not jammed and Pakistan channels do not overrule Indian television.
“We are strengthening our transmitters in our border areas. We are repairing them and providing additional strength as required so that no one can jam our signals. We will not allow channels from other countries to override our television,” she said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/media-should-handle-guwahati-molestation-case-sensitively-advises-ambika/

New Delhi: The UPA on Saturday decided for a second term for Hamid Ansari as the Vice President. UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi declared Ansari’s name for the penultimate post. Ansari thankful for candidature, UPA says decision to field him “unanimous”Interacting with mediapersons shortly after being announced as the UPA’s candidate, Ansari thanked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and coalition partners for considering him for a second term at the high office.
“So rare an honour can only be accepted in all humility,” Ansari said, before thanking the Dr. Singh, Sonia Gandhi and all the parties that supported his candidature.
Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that Ansari’s candidature was a “unanimous” coalition decision, “in view of the dignity and distinction with which he (Ansari) conducted and presided over the Rajya Sabha in the first term.”
On being quizzed about the Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) alleged displeasure over Ansari’s candidature, Bansal reiterated that it was a unanimous decision.
The last date for nomination for the Vice President election, scheduled for August 7, is July 20.Ansari’s term as Vice President ends on August 10. (ANI) Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met UPA’s Vice Presidential candidate Mohammed Hamid Ansari at his residence, here on Saturday.
The Samajwadi party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) extended their support to Ansari’s candidature, with the BSP chief Mayawati reportedly calling up Ansari to express support while SP issuing a statement to that effect.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC), allegedly unhappy with the UPA’s choice, has reserved its opinion on Ansari’s candidature, with Railway Minister Mukul Roy saying that the party would decide over the issue “later.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/upa-wants-hamid-ansari-run-for-vp/

Agartala, July 13 (ANI): The Congress party, on Friday, observed a twelve-hour statewide strike in Tripura over irregularities in the results of the Tripura Joint Entrance Examination Board (TJEEB).
Several answer sheets were reportedly tampered and apparently marks were deducted for correct answers. The answer sheets have been seized by the court.
The Congress has alleged the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) of adopting a vindictive attitude against the students.
Sandip Roy Barman, president of the state Congress unit, said that the strike would peacefully protest over the matter.
“Pradesh youth congress and National Students Union of India (NSUI) have called for 12 hours Tripura bandh, because of the huge irregularities that took place in the Joint Entrance Examination. We have instructed out workers that the bandh will be absolutely peaceful,” Barman said.He added that they are demanding a judicial probe into the matter and would be approaching the court in this regard.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/congress-observes-12-hour-tripura-shutdown/