Show proof of Maoist link to Telangana stir, says apex court

The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Andhra Pradesh government to substantiate its claim that Maoists have infiltrated the student ranks of Osmania University, which is spearheading the movement for a new Telangana state.“Where is the input of the infiltration inside the campus? What is the proof available? We would like to have it,” a bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly said as senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government, made the claim.As the state government’s lawsuit challenging an Andhra Pradesh High court ruling for removal of paramilitary forces from the Osmania University campus came up, Salve said the troopers are indispensable and could not be shifted.He said the state has intelligence inputs suggesting that the university has been infiltrated by Maoists who are trying to take control of the movement for a new state.The bench then sought intelligence inputs to back the claim and adjourned the matter for further hearing Feb 25, as Salve agreed to furnish the intelligence to the court by Wednesday.The bench also extended till Thursday its earlier order suspending the state high court’s Feb 16 order to the Andhra government to pull out the paramilitary forces from the Osmania campus.The state government challenged the high court order, saying the court cannot order the removal of paramilitary forces from the campus which is a hotbed of the Telangana agitation. (thanks to way2online)======================================================

AP assembly urges pro-Telangana youth not to commit suicide,

The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Tuesday appealed to the youths and students of Telangana not to commit suicide over the issue of statehood to the region even as three more youngsters ended their lives since Monday.Speaker N.Kirankumar Reddy made the appeal on behalf of the entire house after Chief Minister K. Rosaiah made a statement, urging youths not to resort to the extreme step.“Your lives are precious. The state needs your lives. I, on behalf of the entire house, appeal to you not to commit suicide,” the speaker said.Leader of Opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu also made a similar appeal while voicing his concern over the spate of suicides.Earlier, Rosaiah urged the youths and students not to commit suicide and express their opinion in a peaceful and democratic manner. He welcomed the Osmania University students’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) decision not to resort to violence and its appeal to students not to end their lives.The chief minister told the house that the issue was sensitive and everybody has his opinion. “But this opinion should be expressed in a peaceful manner without causing inconvenience to people,” he said.He advised them to convey their views to the Srikrishna Committee formed by the central government to look into the statehood issue. Stating that all regions were equal for him, Rosaiah assured the house that he would abide by the central government’s decision.Naidu said all should exercise restraint. “This is a sensitive issue. The youths are taking their lives in emotion. The government should advise police to act with patience while tackling protests by students and youths,” he said while condemning police baton charge on Telangana advocates in New Delhi Monday.Meanwhile, desperate over the delay in formation of a separate state, three more youngsters committed suicide in Telangana since Monday. One person each committed suicide in Ranga Reddy, Medak and Warangal districts.They included 18-year-old girl student who committed suicide by hanging at Moinabad in Ranga Reddy district. In her suicide note, Sarita, a Class 12 student, blamed Rosaiah.and Chandrababu Naidu for being hurdles in formation of the Telangana state.Last week, a 19-year-old student had immolated himself in full public view during a protest at Osmania University in Hyderabad city.Pro-Telangana parties claim that more than 300 people have committed suicides for Telangana during last three months.  (thanks to way2online)
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UNION MINISTER SHRI DAYANIDHI,INAUGURATING EXPO

The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Dayanidhi Maran inaugurating the 16th India Carpet Expo organised by the Carpet Export Promotion Council, in New Delhi on February 23, 2010. The Minister of State of Textiles, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi and the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Rita Menon are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30533)
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FINISHING TOUCHES TO RAILWAY BUDGET,MAMATA

The Union Minister for Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee will be giving finishing touches to the Railway Budget 2010-11, in New Delhi on February 23, 2010.
Ministers of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed and Shri K. H. Muniyappa, the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri S. S. Khurana and other Board Members are also seen.  (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30537)
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Performance of PSUs in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS)As per registered offices, there were nine Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) functioning in the state of Andhra Pradesh as on 31st March 2009. In addition, there were 93 other CPSEs which had their presence in the state. The expenditure, in terms of real investment (gross block), in these 102 CPSEs amounted to Rs. 66260.94 crore as on 31st March 2009 (i.e. the second year of 11th Five year Plan. This information was given by Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. =======================================================

Steps taken to promote Unani Medicine in the Country

(PIB NEWS) I. National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM)

In order to promote the formal study of Unani system of medicine the Government of India has set up the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) at Bangalore in the year 1984. NIUM has a strength of 74 PG students. In addition to the 5 PG courses currently being offered it plans to commence 8 new PG Degree courses in two phases. NIUM also plans to commence PG Diploma Courses in Unani Medicine in Regimental Therapy, Pharmacy and Skin Disorders. In addition collaborative clinical studies on major diseases with other scientific organisations/industries are being undertaken.
II.Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)
i.The CCRUM is being developed as a Nodal Centre for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Reorientation of Training Programme (ROTP) for teaching faculty in Unani medicine and private practitioners in Unani medicine.
ii.Unani drugs developed by the CCRUM are being introduced in NRHM programme.
iii.New centres in the states/Union territory where Unani infrastructure is presently not available are being set up.
iv. C.C.R.U.M. is also being developed as a Nodal centre for Research Registry in Unani System of Medicine.
v.Organisation of Health Camps on large scale particularly in Western Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh has been done under Public Health Intervention.
vi. Standards of 150 single/compound drugs have been finalized.
vii. Extra Mural Research Projects (EMR) are being taken up.
III. Other central sector scheme
The other central sector schemes of the Department of AYUSH under which it is planned to promote Unani system of medicine are:
(A) Under the Centers of Excellence Scheme the Department of AYUSH has identified and granted financial assistance for following projects:
i. Naimat Science Academy, Chennai for upgrading into Center of Excellence for Unani Regimental Therapy, at a cost of Rs. 250 lakhs.
ii. Sahara Foundation, Hyderabad for upgrading and establishing “Dr. Ahmed Ashraf Memorial Unani Specialty Treatment Center for Paralysis (Falij)” at a cost of Rs. 250.56 lakhs.
iii. Ibn-e-sina Academy, Aligarh at a cost of Rs. 100 lakhs.
(B) Various Unani institutes/NGOs are being supported under different schemes of the department like Public Health Initiatives, Acquisition, Cataloging, Digitization & Publication of text books etc.
(C) Two state level Government Unani Colleges (Government Nizamia Tibbia College, Hyderabad, A.P. and Government Ayurvedic & Unani College, Karol Bagh, Delhi) have been identified for upgrading as National Institutes at a cost of Rs. 50 crore each. This information was given by Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri S. Gandhiselvan in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.
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Pricing of Natural Gas ,

(PIB NEWS) The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the National Oil Companies, viz., ONGC and OIL, have reported a loss on account of APM gas production, which leads to lack of investment for Exploration and Production activities. Views of the concerned Ministries, Departments and Planning Commission have been sought on the proposal to revise the APM price. The issue would be decided after taking all the views into consideration. Shri Deora added that the price of gas under the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) was last revised on ad-hoc basis in 2005. The Minister also said that the actual impact on cost of generation from the existing gas-based plants can be assessed once the decision with regard to increase in APM prices of natural gas is taken. Further, additional inflow to the Government by way of royalty, VAT, corporate tax, dividend and dividend distribution tax would also have to be considered. ======================================================