Zero tolerance of terrorist activities: Patil

The government had a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and remained vigilant against all forms of challenges posed by the threat, President Pratibha Patil Monday said.“Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our principled policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups,” Patil said, addressing a joint sitting of both houses of parliament on the opening day of the budget session.Detailing some measures taken by the government to strengthen the security apparatus, Patil said the establishment of the four National Security Guard (NSG) hubs, the operationalisation of the National Investigation Agency and strengthening the Multi-Agency Centre that analyses intelligence alerts on a real time basis had helped hinterland security.“The overall internal security, law and order and the communal situation remained largely under control during 2009. Infiltration of terrorists from across the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up,” she said.“Even then, the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the north east, but left wing extremism continues to be a significant cause of concern.”                                            (thanks to way2online)

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Dr. Manmohan Singh arrives at the Parliament House to attend the Budget Session

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh arrives at the Parliament House to attend the Budget Session, in New Delhi on February 22, 2010. The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal and the Minister of State of Planning and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri V. Narayanasamy are also seen.  (Photo by No:CNR-30516)
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Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House,

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House to address the Members of both the Houses of Parliament on Budget Session, in New Delhi on February 22, 2010. The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, the Vice President and Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal and other dignitaries are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30519)
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ROSAIAH ,presents tax-free Rs 1,13,660 crore budget

With Andhra Pradesh economy showing signs of recovery after being impacted by the global economic slowdown, Chief Minister and Finance Minister K Rosaiah today presented a Rs 1,13,660 crore tax-free budget, continuing the Congress Government's focus on development and welfare, the twin-engines for putting the state on right track of growth.Presenting the budget estimates to the State Assembly for the 16th time and for the first time as Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah, in the backdrop of stir for and against division of the state, exhorted one and all to sink differences and join hands to bring back the state on the right track of economic growth to emerge once again as a model for others toemulate.Estimating revenue for 2010-11 at Rs 1,13,675 crore, including state share in revenue of Rs 62,702 crore, Mr Rosaiah proposed an expenditure of Rs 73,347 crore under non-plan and Rs 40,313 crore under plan.Talking to reporters after presenting the budget, Mr Rosaiah, expressing satisfaction over presenting a ''reasonable budget'' in the wake of global economic slowdown, said the Budget had reasonable allocation for various sectors with focus on welfare and development activities to achieve economic growth with equity. With the 13th Finance Commission recommendations on devolution of Central Taxes and Fiscal Deficit limits to be followed by states yet to be announced by the Centre, the state government had decided to curtail Fiscal Deficit to Rs 12,983 crore (2.97 per cent of GSDP) during 2010-11 as against Rs 14,282 crore (3.60 per cent of GSDP) during 2009-10 in the wake of the Centre permitting four per cent fiscal deficit last year.Earmarking Rs 3,000 crore for subsidising the Rs two-a-kg rice scheme and Rs 4,500 crore for providing free power to peasants for seven hours to energise farm pumpsets, Mr Rosaiah provided lion's share of Rs 15,011 crore for the irrigation sector. ======================================================

Congress pulls out of all-party panel on Telangana

The struggle for a separate Telangana state Friday received a setback with Congress leaders from the region deciding to walk out of the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) and chalk out their own course of action.

A meeting of Congress ministers, parliamentarians and state legislators from the Telangana region decided to form the Telangana Congress Action Committee.“We were so far working with the JAC, but from today (Friday) we will have our own action committee to organise programmes at various levels,” Congress legislator and former minister Jana Reddy told reporters here.The party leaders were unhappy with the JAC for directing all elected representatives from the region to resign over the terms of reference of the Srikrishna Committee formed by the central government to look into the Telangana state issue.They also took exception to JAC activists laying siege to their houses to pressurise them to resign.So far, only 15 out of 110 legislators from Telangana have submitted their resignations and assembly Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has accepted resignations of 12 of them, including all 10 of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).Only two of the 50 Congress legislators from Telangana submitted their papers. The Congress central leadership is trying to convince both of them to withdraw their resignations.While the Congress leaders have refused to resign, those from opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sent their papers to JAC convenor M. Kodandaram to build pressure on the ruling party.The meeting of Congress leaders also decided to request the central leadership to reduce the tenure of the Srikrishna panel. It asked for the panel’s report by Sep 30 instead of Dec 31.Meanwhile, Kodandaram reiterated that only the resignations of elected representatives could force the central government to initiate the process of formation of Telangana state as per its Dec 9 statement, which said the process for a separate Telangana state will be initiated soon.He said the Srikrishna Committee would be of no use as its terms of reference were not favourable for the formation of Telangana state.He said the JAC would intensify the movement for separate state and would announce its future course of action in a couple of days,  (thanks to way2online)
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Shri Salman Khurshid to Inaugurate a Conference on the occasion of International Mother Language Day tomorrow

(PIB NEWS) Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister for Minority Affairs, will inaugurate a Conference on the occasion of International Mother Language Day here tomorrow. The Conference has been organized by the Commissioner Linguistic Minorities (CLM) with a view to encourage multilingualism and to facilitate mother languages as medium of instruction. The Conference will discuss and suggest: (i) Action Plan for developing Mother Languages as medium of instruction in all primary schools of the country. (ii) The steps for funding by the Central/State Governments for implementation of safeguards for linguistic minorities. (iii) A Communication and Media Policy to make linguistic minorities aware of their rights/ safeguards. The Census Commissioner & Registrar General of India; Chairpersons/ Directors from UGC, NCERT, SCERTs, CIIL-Mysore, Tribal Research Institutes; Resource Persons and officers from the Central Government, the Education Secretaries/Nodal Officers from the States/UTs and the Delegates of Linguistic Minorities Associations representing different languages from all over India are expected to participate in the Conference. The International Mother Language Day is being observed on 21st February since 2000, to foster unity and harmony while ensuring linguistic and cultural diversity to flower and prosper. It was so proclaimed by UNESCO’s General Conference in November, 1999.
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12th National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions begins

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan today called for new initiatives for a more efficient, accountable, responsive and transparent governance in the country. “If a public servant does not have fire in the belly to make a change, and motivation for public service, he cannot be an agent of change. Dedication and willingness to serve the people is as important as professional competence”, he said. He was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 12th National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions, here. Shri Chavan said that the civil services have to attune themselves to the climate of change and help to translate developmental programmes into viable statutes and effective administrative acts. “They must accept the totality of the Indian heritage and function without any parochial, linguistic, religious, caste or class prejudice. The overall efficiency in the civil services is reflected in the social, economic, and political justice and equality of status and opportunity, which are cherished in the preamble of our Constitution. The Public Service Commissions immensely contribute in these noble values by their recommendations to the Government in molding the civil services”, he said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman, Union Public Service Commission and National Chairman of the Conference, Prof. D. P. Agrawal said that selecting the right person for the right task is the only way to build a strong, prosperous and just nation and it is the job of the Public Service Commissions to make it happen. “In order to enable us to discharge our constitutional obligations in full measure, it is imperative that we review our methods and procedures to meet the new challenges and adapt ourselves to the new environment of technological advancement”, he said. Prof. Agrawal said that the National Conferences of Chairpersons of State PSCs have been instrumental in improving the functioning of State PSCs. “The Conference has provided a platform for brainstorming and discussions on matters relating to methods of recruitment, personnel policies, conduct of examination, etc.”, he informed. He lauded the efforts of the Standing Committee of the National Conference in bringing out a ‘Compendium of Best Practices’ of the State PSCs, Rules of Procedure, Model Code of Conduct and a compilation of Court judgments that have a bearing on the functions of State PSCs, ======================================================

Vice President Inaugurates a Conference on ‘Islam & Oriental Religions’

(PIB NEWS) The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the inter-faith dialogue has emerged as a prominent civil society initiative between nations and groups in the post-Cold War world, amidst the “Clash of Civilisations” debate and the raging ethnic and religious conflicts in various parts of the globe. Delivering inaugural address at a conference titled “An International Dialogue between Islam and Oriental Religions” here today he has said that the “The Alliance of Civilizations” initiative under United Nations auspices connects people and organizations devoted to promoting dialogue among political, religious, media and civil society leaders, particularly between Muslim and Western societies. Other such dialogue frameworks include the Cordoba Initiative on improving Muslim-West relations, the Madrid Dialogue Conference that was a Saudi-Spanish effort, the Assisi interfaith work of the late Pope John Paul II and the Common Word initiative of Muslim scholars. The Vice President emphasised on the need to go beyond tolerance; the imperative for religious concord in a framework of equality is evident and compelling. This would be achieved only through a sustained, candid and uninterrupted dialogue without a syndrome of superiority or inferiority and with the objective of locating common values conducive to the maintenance of ethical standards essential for social harmony and furtherance of common objectives. The process of locating these values would bring forth other commonalities. Experience over time of shared public space and national common resources in everyday interaction, and mechanisms that blur boundaries through management of differences, would assist the process.
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Stop police atrocities,Telangana Congress MPs ask PM,Sonia

Congress MPs from Telangana have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, asking them to intervene to stop police atrocities against the people of the region.The MPs, who met here Thursday, narrated the plight and harassment of Osmania University students at the hands of the police last week.“The police attacked the girls hostel. They molested the girl students after switching off the lights,” said Congress MP Madhu Goud Yaskhi, who represents the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency in parliament. The Andhra Pradesh High Court Tuesday had taken serious note of the incidents, especially the beating up of girl students by the police, switching off the electricity supply, and firing of teargas shells in the dark.“The police and the state administration are trying to brand the students of Osmania University as Maoists. The state government and the police are misleading the nation,” Yaskhi saidHe said that eight Congress MPs from the state had decided to write the letter.“We are under pressure from the people. They are asking us to quit (as MPs). Angry people came to my home in Nizamabad and asked me to resign and join the agitation. Some even attacked my home.“All Congress legislators and MPs from Telangana are facing such a situation. This happened because the police provoked the people. The state government is responsible for such a provocation,” Yaskhi said. He said the MPs wanted the officials responsible for last week’s attack on students and journalists at Osmania University punished.“Deploy senior police officials, who belong to other states, in the region. We won’t get justice from the police officers who oppose the Telangana cause,” Yaskhi said.He said the Congress MPs would raise the issues of the people of Telangana in the forthcoming session of parliament.“We will raise the issues in appropriate parliamentary forums,” Yaskhi said.  (thanks to way2online)
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Police action: Andhra Congress divided over court order

Legislators of the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh stand divided over the state high court order on police action against students of Osmania University protesting for a separate Telangana state.A day after two legislators from the Andhra region took exception to the court reprimanding the government and police and making certain observations about the state governor, a legislator from Telangana Friday criticised the raising of the issue in the assembly.Shankar Rao, who represents one of the assembly constituencies in Hyderabad, told the house during zero hour that the action of the legislators was not proper and this had hurt the sentiments of the Telangana people.Deputy Speaker N. Manohar stopped the member from speaking further and pointed out that Speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy has already reserved his ruling over the issue
Two Congress legislators, Malladi Vishnu and Mahidhar Reddy, had Thursday raised the issue in the house. They said the court’s remarks against the governor, government and police could send a wrong message to people.

Leader of opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu took exception to the members raising the court directive in the house.
While ordering the government to pull out paramilitary forces from the Osmania University campus earlier this week, the court had severely reprimanded police for beating up students, including girl students and mediapersons.Justice Narasimha Reddy pulled up the police saying it was lawless and even the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues were helpless. It lambasted police chief Girish Kumar for not respecting his order. The judge also remarked this was happening despite the fact that a renowned former police officer was the governor of the state. He was referring to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, former director of the intelligence bureau.The division bench of the high court Tuesday dismissed the government’s petition challenging the Justice Narasimha Reddy’s order to remove the paramilitary force from the campus.The single judge bench had again pulled up police Thursday and asked the government why the probe into the incidents not handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Though the government had pulled out paramilitary forces from the campus, it filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the high court. The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, while posting the hearing to Friday, asked the state who permitted the deployment of paramilitary forces on campus. He remarked it was not a good sign,  (thanks to way2online)
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Secretary Urban Development reviews JNNURM Projects

(PIB NEWS) A meeting to review the progress of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) was called by ministry of Urban Development, here today, Presiding over the meeting Dr. M. Ramachandran , Secretary, Urban Development stated that second and final instalment of the ongoing projects under Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) will not be released if the Reforms committed are not completed as per the timelines. So far 520 projects under Urban Infrastructure Governance (UIG) Sub Mission – I of JNNURM have been approved at a total cost of Rs. 58041.79 crores. Under UIDSSMT 753 projects have been approved at a cost of Rs. 12234 crores. Out of which 102 projects have been completed and 84 more projects will be completed by the end of March, 2010. So far, the overall progress made in implementation of the Reforms under JNNURM at State and ULB level, is more than 50% of the Reforms committed till the fourth year. States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have shown good progress. Representatives from the State Governments of Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh participated in the discussion.
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US envoy extends ‘hand of friendship’ to Indian Muslims

Wearing a black business suit and a pearl necklace sparkling in the dimly lit lawns of the India Islamic Cultural Centre here, Farah Pandith, the US Special Representative for Muslims, bowed her head low and listened with rapt attention as a cleric recited a verse from the Quran.The verse was about Allah’s command asking people on the earth to be just with each other and Pandith, a Kashmiri-born American diplomat, seized the opportunity trying to convince Indian Muslims that the US was a friend.The 42-year-old envoy, on her four-day visit to India, Wednesday evening seemed to connect with her audience well as she began her short speech with the traditional Muslim greeting “Salaam Alykum,” or “peace be upon you”, of course in a heavy American accent.Pandith highlighted President Barack Obama’s “vision to build partnerships with Muslim communities across the globe on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect”.“I repeat that it is based on mutual interest and respect and I extend my hand of friendship and partnership with you,” she said, addressing an invited gathering of mostly Muslims.Pandith assumed the coveted post in June last year, days after Obama’s bold overture to the Islamic world in his historic Cairo speech on June 3, 2009. The president in his speech had expressed sympathy for the Palestinians and called for Americans and Muslims to abandon their mutual suspicions and do more to confront violent extremism.Pandith is not the only Muslim in the Obama administration. The president recently appointed Rashad Hussain, a deputy White House counsel, to be the special envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, an intergovernmental group with 57 member states that calls itself the collective voice of Muslims. Hussain is a Quran expert who has memorised the holy book in his early age.Eboo Patel, an Indian-American Muslim from Chicago, is also in the White House on Obama’s advisory council for faith.Pandith said the US was focussing on the Muslims because they formed one-fourth of the world population “Our country wants to build partnership with the Muslims. Secretary (Hillary) Clinton asked me to work with the Muslim community as much as we can.”And the key focus, she asserted, would be young generation. Her endeavour was to reach out to the grass roots of Muslims “in the countries where Muslims are either in majority or minority”, she stated.Pandith was on a her first official visit to India after she was appointed as the Muslim envoy June 23, 2009, by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.“And since then (her swearing in on Sep 15 last year), I have been travelling all around the planet to befriend Muslims for a common good,” Pandith said, adding: “We are doing this in a wide range of initiatives in fields like science, technology, education and health.”She said the relationship with Muslims would have to move from government-to-government level to “people-to-people contact”.“We are engaging young Muslim generation in dialogues and conversations to build trust and remove misunderstandings,” she said.Pandith had to confront some harsh questions from other speakers about the United States’ Afghanistan, Iraq and Middle East policies. She listened to them, smiled and shook her head while they were speaking, but diplomatically avoided answering them directly and repeatedly said that America wanted to develop “an intellectual partnership with Muslim masses”. (thanks to way2online)============================================================

High Court pulls up police for Osmania University incidents

The Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday once again pulled up state police for using force against students and journalists on the Osmania University campus last week and asked them why the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should not be asked to probe the campus violence.

The court took serious note of the police baton charge and firing of teargas shells. Justice Narasimha Reddy sought reply to many questions from Joint Commissioner of Police P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, who appeared before him on his directions.Reprimanding the officer for his handling of the situation, the judge wanted to know why the police had to resort to indiscriminate baton charge on students. He was also asked why girl students and journalists were beaten up brutally and what was he doing when his men were damaging vehicles of mediapersons. The police admitted that they set afire the vehicles of media persons.Advocate General D.V. Sitarama Murthy informed the court that a detailed report on the incidents of Sunday evening and Monday morning on the campus would be submitted on March 1. Following his submission, the court adjourned the hearing of the case.The judge also wanted to know from the joint commissioner of police how many policemen were deployed on the campus and who passed the orders for their deployment.Scores of students and media persons were injured when police baton charged them on the campus during students’ protests over the demand for statehood to Telangana.Dealing with a petition of a Telugu TV channel journalist who was injured in the police action, the judge Tuesday ordered the government to pull out all paramilitary forces, including Rapid Action Force (RAF), from the campus.The government, however, went for an appeal against his order before a division bench, which dismissed it the next day.All paramilitary forces have been removed from Osmania University, the nerve centre of ongoing Telangana agitation.The same judge earlier remarked that the police were lawless and even the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues were helpless in controlling the actions of the state policemen.Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the police is already probing the incidents. The State human rights commission is also conducting an inquiry, (thanks,way2online)
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Talk to opposition first, then to Pakistan: Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asked the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to first talk to the opposition on national security issues and then to Pakistan.

Intervening on the national security resolution presented by Arun Jaitley, Modi said: “The UPA government is saying that since we are a mature democracy, we are ready to initiate talks with Pakistan. But I am saying, the UPA is very keen to talk with Pakistan but has no time to talk with the main opposition (party).“I demand that the central government first talk to us and then move forward for talks with Pakistan.Modi’s comments came a week before foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan meet in New Delhi. India had earlier insisted that it would not talk to Pakistan until the latter stopped supporting anti-India militant groups. The BJP is opposed to any dialogue with Pakistan.
Modi alleged that the Congress-led government was not serious about battling terror. He asked the government not to treat terrorism casually.
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Jyotiraditya Scindia meets Israel President – discusses possibilities of developing further cooperation

(PIB NEWS) Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry presently on a two day (16-18 February) visit to Israel, called on President Shimon Peres and discussed various aspects of India-Israel bilateral cooperation. Shri Scindia stated that the proposed free trade agreement between India and Israel is expected to give a major boost to trade and economic cooperation. Shri Scindia also discussed possibilities of developing further cooperation in high tech areas including IT, Bio-technology, and Nano technology to take advantage of mutual core competencies. The two sides also exchanged views on the global challenge posed by terrorism and ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the area of homeland security. Both the leaders agreed to emphasise on cooperation in the application of science & technology particularly in areas related to agriculture and water management. Later, Shri Scindia met Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade & Labour Mr. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer. The Minister underlined the fact that R&D constitutes a fundamental basis for core competence in multiple industrial areas for both countries. Shri Scindia proposed that a practical step to enhance high tech cooperation would be to set up a Government to Government joint technology incubator initiative in India with representation from both sides including the private sector. He also met leading Israeli industrialists to discuss promotion of trade and commerce between the two countries and delivered a Keynote Address on “Indian Economy in the Next Decade – an Engine for Growth” at a seminar jointly organised by the Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute and the Embassy of India.The bilateral trade figure for the last fiscal (2008-09) was US $ 3.55 billion with exports from India amounting to US $ 1.5 and imports to India amounting to US$ 2.09 billion. Bilateral trade increased at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent over the last five years.
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PAWAR-RELEASING "ICAR PUBLICATIONS" BOOK

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Agriculture, Shri Sharad Pawar releasing the book “ICAR Publications” at the inauguration of the Vice Chancellors’ Conference of Agricultural Universities, in New Delhi on February 17, 2010. The Minister of State of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Professor K.V. Thomas is also seen.  (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30468) ======================================================

Instructions issued for strict adherence to revised procedure for grant of Conference Visa

(PIB NEWS) The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently issued instructions to all Central Ministries / Departments and Chief Secretaries of all State Governments/UTs advising them to strictly adhere to the revised procedure for grant of Conference Visa to foreign participants coming to India for attending international conferences, seminars, workshops etc. The detailed guidelines in this regard were earlier put in place on 15th July, 2009. These instructions have been issued so as to ensure that all organizers of such international events strictly adhere to the time line for submitting their proposals to this Ministry at least six weeks before the commencement of the event. This would ensure that security clearance for the event and for the participants could be suitably assessed. The issuance of these instructions had also become necessary because security vetting is a time-consuming process and most of the organizers of international events were not strictly adhering to the time schedules prescribed. 2. As per the revised procedure, while the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) grants in-principle approval for holding the event, security clearance for grant of Conference Visa is required from this Ministry only in respect of participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Sudan and in respect of foreigners of Pak origin and Stateless persons. The participants from other countries can obtain Conference Visa from the Indian Mission concerned on production of (i) invitation letter from the organizer, (ii) event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, (iii) administrative approval of the nodal Ministry, (iv) political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and (v) clearance from the State Government/UT concerned
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OBAMA calls PM and condemns Pune blast

(PIB NEWS) US President Barack Obama called the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh earlier this morning to condemn the blast that took place in Pune on Saturday and to condole the loss of lives. In a brief conversation, the two leaders took the opportunity to review developments in Indo-US relations.

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YECHURI TO ADDRESS CITU CONVENTION AT AURANGABAD

Aurangabad (Syed Khaja Sohel,Correspondent) The 12th state unit convention of the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will be held in Aurangabad between February 19 and 21.CPI-M politburo member and MP Sitaram Yechuri will be the main speaker at the inaugural programme.The convention will be held at the sant Eknath Rangmandir and will be inaugurated by citu national president Dr. MK Pandhe , on Friday at 10.30 am.State unit CITU president KL Bajaj , general secretary Dr.DL Karad state Government Employees Union leader RG Karnik Hanumant Tate and AITUC leader Sukumar Damale will remain present.District unit CITU general secretary Damodhar Mankape said that over 400 workers from the unorganized sector will attend the inauguration will be followed by a colourful procession ,which will be flagged off from Karanti Chowk at 2.Pm .Reception committee chairman and MLA Pradeep Jaiswal has appealed all to participate in the convention.
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Kodandaram is a Hitler: Komati Reddy

Now that the Congress has more or less come out of the Telangana Joint Action Committee, it has started attacking JAC convenor Prof M Kodandaram branding him as the TRS “postman.”While it was Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar who had attacked Kodandaram on Tuesday, it was the turn of minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy to take him to task. He described Kodandaram as Hitler for dictating terms to the MLAs, MPs and MLCs and asking them to resign. “Who is Kodandaram to tell us to quit? We have our own strategy in the best interest of Telangana and the party. He is making statements at the behest of the TRS,” the minister alleged.Venkat Reddy took exception to Kodandaram giving a call to the Telangana activists to do “social boycott” of the MLAs and lay siege to their residences demanding their resignations. “It is highly unbecoming of a professor like Kodandaram to give such a call. Will he take the responsibility for the consequences if our party workers counter attack the Telangana activists?” he asked ======================================================

Hyderabad Airport Adjudged Amongst Top Five in World

The Hyderabad international airport has been named amongst the world’s top five in the annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger survey along with the ones at Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.The survey, conducted by Airports Council International (ACI), an autonomous body representing world airports, adjudged the airport in the Andhra Pradesh capital as the best in the five to 15 million passenger capacity category and the fifth best amongst all airports, both worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region.“The top awards in the worldwide category go to Seoul Incheon International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, and Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,” said ACI Director General Angela Gittens.The report was released in Geneva Tuesday.As a leading industry benchmarking tool, ASQ is designed to help participating airports to measure their improvement year on year.“2009 was a tough year for airports worldwide. It was a year of balancing tight budgets with high customer expectations for service excellence. The results of the year-long passenger survey help identify the leaders in meeting that challenge,”added Gittens.The Hyderabad International airport is managed by a public-private joint venture consisting of the GMR Group, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and both the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and Airports Authority of India,  (thanks,way2online)
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Paramilitary forces pulled out of Osmania University

Following the orders of Andhra Pradesh High Court, the state government Wednesday pulled out Rapid Action Force and other paramilitary forces from the Osmania University campus here.Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that the paramilitary forces were moved out of the campus.The court Tuesday reprimanded the state government while dismissing its petition challenging the earlier direction by a single-judge bench to withdraw the forces following the police baton charge on students and journalists on Sunday and Monday.The court has taken a serious note of the incidents, especially the beating up of girl students by the police, switching off electricity supply, and firing of teargas shells in darkness.While dealing with a petition of a television channel reporter who was assaulted by police, a single-judge bench termed the state police “lawless” and remarked that even the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues were helpless in controlling police.“Perhaps it is time for Amnesty International to report on rights violations in the state,” observed Justice Narasimha Reddy while directing Joint Commissioner of Police P.S.R. Anjaneyulu to appear in person before him to answer his questions on handling the situation on the campus.Scores of students and media persons were injured when police constables baton charged them on the campus during students’ protests over the demand for statehood to Telangana.Meanwhile, Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy told the state assembly that investigations into the incidents were on and a report would be available in a week.Making a statement in the house, she claimed that police resorted to baton charge when students, who were trying to take out a procession violating prohibitory orders, pelted stones injuring three policemen.On the demand of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to withdraw all cases against students and other protestors, she said the government would consider it after peace is restored.She said the government and police had apprehensions that anti-social elements in the guise of students had entered the university.She said the state witnessed disturbances over Telangana issue for 68 days during which 1,288 cases were registered and 5,000 people were arrested. “While 1,070 cases were booked in Telangana, 218 cases were registered in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions,” she said.TDP deputy leader N. Janardhan Reddy wanted to know why the government has turned Osmania University into a police camp. He said though union Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced on Dec 9 that all cases would be withdrawn, the state government had not taken any action.Deputy Speaker N. Manohar abruptly adjourned the house till Thursday even as TDP legislators were protesting over the “unsatisfactory” statement by the home minister.
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BHEL presents Dividend Cheque of Rs.364.66 crore

(PIB NEWS) A Dividend Cheque of Rs. 364.66 crores towards the interim divided for the year 2009-10 on the equity (67.72%) was presented to Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises by Shri B.P Rao, CMD, Bhart Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) here today. This represents interim Dividend of 110 per cent on the advanced Equity capital post-bonus for fiscal 2009-10. Shri Arun Yadav, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and Dr. Satyanaranyana Dash, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries were also present on the occasion. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh said that the Government needs to protect the Domestic Power Equipment Industry by putting Custom Duties upto 10 per cent and special duties (SAD) of 4 per cent on import of power machines. CMD, BHEL said that the company has maintained its unmatched track record of earning profits rewarding investors by paying dividends uninterruptedly for over three decades without a break. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the growth momentum achieved by BHEL in 2008-09 is to be accelerated in the current fiscal. At the end of the third quarter, the company expects to achieve robust growth in future. Earlier in a meeting with the officials and workers of the HMT Machine Tools Ltd., the Minister said that the Government is abreast of the problems afflicting the Public Sector Enterprise HMT and studying all options available to see the turnaround of the company. He said that closure of any unit will be the last alternative. HMT will be provided Government support in coming out of the loss and utilize the expertise of HMT in making precession tools for Automobile Defence, Aerospace and General Engineering Industry. ======================================================

AP,Assembly adjourned, but TDP’s Telangana MLAs continue protest

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Tuesday continued to protest in the Andhra Pradesh assembly even two hours after the house was adjourned, asking for a debate on police excesses on students of Osmania University.The legislators from the Telangana region led by the party’s deputy leader in the house N. Janardhan Reddy continued sit-in at the speaker’s podium though speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy had adjourned the house for the day amid pandemonium.Janardhan Reddy told reporters that they would not leave the house unless the government made a statement on the incidents at Osmania University and withdrew all cases against students who have been protesting for a separate Telangana state. He said they would continue their protest in the house till Wednesday morning.Earlier, the speaker adjourned the house without any business on the second day of the budget session.region raised the issue of police firing and baton charge on students and journalists at Osmania University. Amid the uproar, the speaker adjourned the house for 15 minutes but the TDP members did not leave the house.Later, the government assured the house that Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy would make a statement in the afternoon.Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) then raised the issue of four percent reservation for Muslims which was last week struck down by high court. Not satisfied with the assurance by Chief Minister K.Rosaiah that the government would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court, the MIM legislators continued to protest, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house a second time.When the house re-assembled, TDP legislators insisted on a debate on the incidents at Osmania University. Amid pandemonium, the speaker adjourned the house for the day.TDP has 38 MLAs from Telangana in the 294-member assembly. One party MLA from the region has quit over the statehood issue.Over 40 students and journalists were injured in police firing and baton charge in Osmania University on Sunday night and Monday morning.(thanks,way2online)
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TDP legislators send resignations to Telangana JAC

In a tactical move, 35 legislators belonging to the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Telangana region Tuesday sent their resignations to the convenor of the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is heading the movement for statehood to Telangana.However, the JAC itself is on the verge of a split with Congress MPs and legislators refusing to quit to protest the terms of reference of the Srikrishna committee set up by New Delhi to study the statehood demands TDP legislator M. Narasimhulu told reporters that 35 party legislators from the region had sent their resignations to JAC convenor M. Kodandaram. He said three others who were unavailable could not send their resignations.One legislator has already submitted his resignation and it has been accepted by the assembly speaker.Instead of submitting their resignations to the speaker, the TDP MLAs sent their papers to Kodandaram – to put the onus on him to get the resignations of Congress legislators.Congress leaders from Telangana, who met here Monday night, alleged that the JAC was acting at the behest of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao. They have decided to chalk out their own course of action on the issue.Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar advised Kodandaram, a former professor, not to work like a “postman” of the TRS and take into consideration the views of all parties before taking a decision.The JAC had asked all elected representatives of Telangana to quit by Monday evening, failing which a series of protests would be launched against them culminating in their social boycott from Feb 19.Prabhakar reacted sharply to the protests being held outside the homes of Congress party legislators and MPs. “If they continue to lay siege to our houses, it will have serious consequences,” he warned.Only two of 50 Congress legislators from Telangana have submitted their resignations to the assembly speaker, who has not yet accepted them.

The speaker, however, accepted the resignations of all 10 TRS legislators as well as one each of TDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). One legislator of the Praja Rajyam Party has also submitted his resignation.Both TRS MPs, including Chandrasekhara Rao, have also decided to resign.There are 119 legislators from Telangana in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly while the region accounts for 17 out of 42 MPs from the state.Ignoring the JAC deadline, the Congress leaders said they would not resign and instead decided to write to party president Sonia Gandhi to revise the terms of reference of the Srikrishna committee and reduce its term to six months.“We will inform her that it has become difficult for us to go to our own constituencies and request her to respect the sentiments of the Telangana people,” said Congress legislator Bhikshmaiah Goud.Central leaders of the Congress, Ahmed Patel and M. Veerappa Moily, have summoned the two party legislators who have submitted their resignations to New Delhi, sources said. The central leaders may ask them to withdraw their resignations.The JAC has rejected the terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel as it includes considering the demand for maintaining Andhra Pradesh in its present form. It argues that the guidelines violate the Dec 9 statement of the centre to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.(thanks,way2online)=======================================================

President of Nepal his arrival at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhawan

The President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav being welcomed by the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on his arrival at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 16, 2010.             (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30428)

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MOU signed between HRD and Railway Ministries

(PIB NEWS) An MOU was signed between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Railways here today in the presence of Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Union Minister of Railways and Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development. The MoU for the HRD Ministry was signed by Smt. Anshu Vaish, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy for matters related to school education and by Smt. Vibha Puri Das, Secretary, Department of Higher Education for matters relating to higher education. On behalf of the Ministry of Railways, Shri A.K. Goel, Member (Staff), Railway Board signed the MOU. As per the MoU, on the railway land identified by the Ministry of Railways, the two ministries will strive to develop educational infrastructure in the form of around 50 Kendriya Vidyalayas in civil sector (about 20 during the 11th Plan and the balance during the 12th Plan), 10 Residential Schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidayalayas ( to be set up by Ministry of Railways in collaboration with Ministry of HRD on mutually agreed terms), an appropriate number of Model Degree Colleges and Technical and Management institutions of National Importance to meet the demand for education including wards of Railway employees, either as per the norms specified under the existing schemes/programmes and projects being executed by Ministry of Human Resource Development or through special programmes and projects mutually agreed by the parties or through innovative financing under Public Private Partnership Models or any combinational thereof. The development of educational infrastructure would include new facilities. This will also include upgradation of existing educational and technical institutions being managed by Railways for which Ministry of Human Resource Development would provide necessary assistance and know how in the interest of improving over all quality of education. For the achievement of objectives outlined above, the two ministries will constitute a high powered working group, consisting of Senior Officials and Experts to work out a road map for viability and feasibility of upgradation of existing and development of new educational and technical institutions on Railway land within the framework of existing norms and policies ,
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Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court appointed

(PIB NEWS) In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru, Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

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P.Chidambaram condemns Maoist Attack on West Bengal police personnel

(PIB NEWS)Union Home Minister Shri P.Chidambaram has condemned attack by Maoists on the West Bengal security personnel last evening. Following is the text of his statement: “The attack by the CPI (Maoist) on a camp of the Eastern Frontier Rifles of West Bengal is another outrageous attempt by the banned organisation to overawe the established authority in the State. I condemn the attack. There has been a massive loss of lives. Besides, more than 40 weapons are reported to have been looted. The leader of the CPI (Maoist) has claimed responsibility for the attack and has threatened to repeat such attacks in the future. I spoke to the Chief Minister, West Bengal this morning and conveyed my deep sense of shock. I also conveyed my profound sympathies on the loss of lives. While there are indications of failure in some aspects, only a thorough review will reveal how the police camp with adequate strength was overrun, when there was day light, by the CPI (Maoist). Every attack of this kind exposes the true nature and character of the CPI (Maoist). Their goal is to seize power. Their weapon is violence. No organisation or group in a democratic republic has the right to take to violence to overpower the established legal authority. Unfortunately, this simple truth has escaped a number of well-meaning organisations that find “legitimacy” in the armed liberation struggle carried on by the CPI (Maoist). During the 3-day bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) between February 7 and February 9, 2010, their main targets of attack were railway property. There were a total of 11 incidents in Bihar (3), Jharkhand (6) and Orissa (2). Tracks were blown up; railway stations were attacked; bombs were placed on railway property; and railway officials were assaulted. I know that the overwhelming majority in this country will condemn the mindless violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist) and will support the careful, controlled and calibrated efforts being taken by the Central and State Governments to put an end to the violence. However, I would like to hear the voices of condemnation of those who have, erroneously, extended intellectual and material support to the CPI (Maoist). It is only if the whole country rejects the preposterous theses of the CPI (Maoist) and condemns the so-called “armed liberation struggle” that we can put an end to the menace of naxalism and bring development and progress to the people in the conflict zones.
I conclude by offering my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and injured among the men of the Eastern Frontier Rifles.”

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DON’T POLITICISE PUNE BLAST,SAYS SAMAJWADI PARTY MLA ABU ASIM AZMI

AURANGABAD: SYED KHAJA SOHEL (CORRESPONDENT AURANGABAD REGION)   Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi today appealed to all the political parties to rise and fight against increasing terrorist activities in the country.He was speaking to newsmen at a press conference organized in the city this evening “I would urge all the political parties not to politicize the Pune bomb blast . It has been observed that the police target Muslim youths holding them responsible for the blast. The police should not suspect one particular community. They should be fair in investigation and catch real culprits involved in the Pune bomb blast.Innocent Muslims should not be harassed. Take severe action against accused and award capital punishment to them “Abu Azmi said.The SP leader also informed the newsmen that he was learning Marathi language as it was needed while participating in the Assembly proceeding .”I was attacked in the Assembly by Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS)MLSs.So nobody should think that I am learning Marathi because of them. The government had suspended four MLAs of the MNS ,but failed to take action against mastermind behind the issue .I came to know that steps were being initiated to withdraw the suspension of these four MLAs as MNS had helped Congress in the Assembly election. I will appeal in the Supreme Court for justice if this happens , said Abu Azmi.Referring to film ‘My Name is khan the MLA said that the issue was being politicized.”Sanjay Raut is playing petty politics.The youth are being provoked .This is being done internationally to divert the attention of people from the basic issues. Superstar Amitabh Bachan and home minister were also of the opinion that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL. So why so much noise if Shahrukh Khan aired the same opinion ?”Azmi asked.The state Government has failed in maintaining law and order. It also fell short in protecting and uplifting minorities in Maharashtra ,Said the SP leader.
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''Mohammad(SWS) For All'' compaign from Feb-17

Mumbai, Feb 14: In a unique event, Muslims and Hindus today participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Prophet Mohammed and announced to launch of a campaign to spread the message ''Muhammad For All'' from February 17 to 28.The statewide compaign will be launched by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra, to introduce the last Prophet of Allah and reject the belief that he is for the Muslims only. Jamaat has set up several groups consisting of leading Muslim and non Muslim personalities, activists, Intellectuals and social organizations of Maharashtra, who will travel across the state to reach out to two crore people with the message. Beside this, Jamaat will also create awareness about various social evils including social injustice, female foeticide, dowry, child labour, liquor, corruption, human rights violation, terrorism, violence etc. Nazar Mohammed Madu, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind,Maharashtra, said ''India is a plural society and we like to request our brothers and sisters to please try and understand Islam also.'' He further said it is the first time that not only the Ulemas of different sects like Jamiat-e-Ulema, Jamiat-e-Ahle hadis, Ulema Council, and Shia but our brothers from Bamcef and Maratha Samaj, Satya Shodhak Samaj, and others are the co-organizers of this campaign.Purshottam Khedekar, President of Maratha Sewa Sangh, said ''Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has come with the Message of Universal Brotherhood, Peace and equality, which is infinite in nature and should be implemented. It's wrong to confine his Personality to Muslims only.'' The participating scholars and experts also condemned the Pune blast.The function was presided over by Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.Ram Puniyani, Prof, IIT Mumbai, and Ms Pratima Joshi, a well known Marathi journalist were among the other prominent speakers who lent their support for the campaign, ===========================================

AP- speaker accepts resignations of 12 legislators

Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy Monday accepted the resignations of 12 out of 15 legislators of the Telangana region who had quit Sunday to protest the terms of the Srikrishna committee looking into the demand for a separate state.

The legislators whose resignations were accepted include all 10 of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).However, the speaker has not yet taken a decision on the resignations of two legislators of the ruling Congress party and one of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).
Hours before the budget session of the state legislature began, the speaker announced that he has accepted the resignations of 11 legislators. The decision to accept the resignation of TDP legislator Chennamaneni Ramesh’s resignation was announced Sunday night.The TRS legislators who have resigned include its floor leader E. Rajender, party chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao’s son K. Tarakarama Rao and his nephew Harish Rao.Rejecting the terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel as anti-Telangana, the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) has asked all elected representatives from the region to quit by Monday evening, failing which it will launch a series of protests against them. However, so far only 15 legislators have put in their papers.There are 119 legislators from Telangana in the 294-member state assembly.The opinion among 50 Congress legislators is divided over the issue of resignations. All 39 legislators of the TDP have decided to send their resignations to JAC convenor M. Kodandaram for submitting them to the speaker only after Congress legislators come forward to quit. (thanks way2online)
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Dr. Manmohan Singh presenting the Prime Minister’s Trophy

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh presenting the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best Integrated Steel Plant in India to the Chairman and Managing Director of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Shri P.K. Bishnoi for the year 2005-06, in New Delhi on February 15,2010.

The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh and the Minister of State for Steel, Shri A. Sai Prathap are also seen.  (Photo by No;CNR-30424)
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Andhra Pradesh’s fiscal position grim: Governor

Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan has said the state’s fiscal position is grim, as the revenue growth rate fell to 5 percent in the first nine months of the current fiscal.Addressing both houses of the legislature on the first day of the budget session, Narasimhan said the government was exploring all possibilities to revive the economy by increased capital expenditure “to ensure that the virtuous cycle of economic growth continues to move”.He pointed out that the global economic downturn that started in October 2008 continued eroding development activity and revenues like never before, compelling the government to defer a major portion of planned and capital expenditures budgeted.“The revenues of the state that grew at more than 19 percent per annum for four year period 2004-08 have suddenly fallen to 10 percent in 2008-09. The situation in the current fiscal as per available indications has been grimmer with revenue growth rate further falling to 5 percent for nine months period April-December 2009,” he said“The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The GSDP growth rate of the state which fell to 5.5 percent for 2008-09 from 10 percent for the preceding four year period 2004-08 has recovered to 7.5 percent for 2009-10 as per the advanced estimates,” he said.He pointed out that because of the fall in revenues from second half of last fiscal the growth rate in respect of planned expenditure fell to 13 percent while the capital expenditure recorded a negative growth rate for 2008-09 over the pervious year.“Situation could have been worse had not the central government implemented three fiscal stimulus packages benefiting among others the state governments in the form of increased fiscal deficit to GSDP ratio.”Narasimhan said the state has a positive growth rate of 5 percent in the revenues as against negative growth of 22 percent in indirect tax revenues of central government for first eight month period April-November 2009.“However, unlike in the case of central government the fiscal deficit of the state can’t go beyond 4 percent of our GSDP in view of FRBM (Fiscal responsibility and budget management) compulsions,” he said.The governor assured the legislature that the government would continue development and welfare programmes launched by former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in September last year.The schemes include free electricity to farmers, rice at Rs.2 a kg, health insurance for the poor, land distribution and construction of irrigation projects under the Jalayagnam programme, (thanks to way2online),
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Training Programme for officers of State Wakf Boards

(PIB NEWS) The first training programme in Accounts, Auditing and Budgeting for the officers of the State Wakf Boards began today at RCVP Norohana Academy of Administration & Management in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. 27 participants from 17 State Wakf Boards are particapeting in the 3-day training programme.This is an important milestone towards the computerization of all the State Wakf Boards and creating e-management in Wakf. The Scheme for Computerization of Records of State Wakf Boards was launched by the Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid, in New Delhi on December 22 last year. The computerization would introduce implementation of a web based centralized application module for Wakf Management. The scheme is being implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC) on turnkey basis under the supervision of the Central Wakf Council. Accordingly NIC will start the process of training the staff of the state Wakf Boards in due course.There are 29 Wakf Boards in the country constituted by the respective State Governments and more than 3.5 lakhs Wakf properties are registered with them. To optimize the income from the Wakf properties, various measures have been taken by the Central Government and the Central Wakf Council, including the Scheme for Computerization of Records of State Wakf Boards. However, besides e-management, there are various other areas in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Lease of properties, Legal/Court cases etc. in which the officers of the State Wakf Boards are required to be updated. For these specialized subjects, the Central Wakf Council decided to launch this programme of in-service training of officers in Wakf matters, in collaboration with RCVP Norohana Academy of Administration & Management, Bhopal, which has all the infrastructure to impart training on regular basis. The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. Sundeep Khanna, Director General of the Academy. He hoped that with this training the participants who have gathered from all over the country would be in a better position to maintain the accounts of the Boards leading to better financial management.
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PRESIDENT OF INDIA Smt,P.D.Patil Recieving commemorative brochure,

The Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony presenting the first released copy of the commemorative brochure to the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, on the occasion of inauguration of Corps of Signals Centenary year, in New Delhi on February 15, 2010.The Minister of State of Defence, Shri M.M. Pallam Raju, the Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor and the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik are also seen.         (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30415) ======================================================

15-Telangana legislators submit resignations

Fifteen legislators from the Telangana region Sunday submitted their resignations to the state assembly speaker to protest the terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel set up by the central government to study the demand for a separate state.Stating that the terms of reference were not favourable for the formation of Telangana state, all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) submitted their resignations to Speaker Kiran kumar Reddy. Two legislators from ruling Congress and one each from Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) also gave their resignations.The legislators reached the assembly premises in a rally from the office of the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is spearheading the movement for a separate Telangana.The JAC, at its meeting Saturday night, had decided that all legislators would submit their resignations. There are 119 legislators from Telangana region in the 294-member assembly. Congress has 50 and TDP has 39 legislators. BJP and PRP have two legislators each.Though four Congress legislators had Saturday night announced their decision to quit, only two put in their papers. Party legislators held a meeting at the residence of senior leader Jana Reddy to discuss their strategy. However, they failed to take any decision and agreed to meet again in the evening. TDP legislators from Telangana also held a separate meeting. Party sources said it was decided that they would resign only after Congress legislators come forward to quit.The JAC has rejected the terms of reference of the five-member panel formed by the central government as it has also been asked to look into the demand for maintaining the present status of united Andhra Pradesh.JAC has alleged that the terms of reference were against the spirit of the Dec 9 statement by the central government to initiate the process for forming Telangana state.Meanwhile, assembly speaker told reporters that he would take a decision on the resignations within the framework of the Constitution and as per the rules and procedures of assembly.The speaker had last month rejected the resignations of over 100 legislators from Telangana, Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, saying the resignation letters were invalid.TRS legislators have claimed that this time they have submitted their resignations in the prescribed format.Meanwhile, TRS chief K. Chandra shekhar Rao and actress-turned-politician Vijayshanti, both of them MPs, would be leaving for New Delhi Monday to submit their resignations to Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, (thanks to way2online)
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Nine killed in Pune BLAST: police

Two foreigners – an Italian woman and an Iranian student – were among the nine people killed in the Pune eatery blast, the city police chief said here Sunday.The two foreign nationals were identified as Nadia Materinia, 37, who was associated with the Osho Ashram nearby, and Syed Abdul Khali, 26, a student of Symbiosis College, Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said at a press conference.A third unidentified body among the killed was of Gokul Nepali, a waiter at the German Bakery where the blast took place at 6.52 p.m., the police official said.He added that 60 people were injured in the blast of whom 41 were still in hospital under treatment.The explosive was kept in a blue and red “haversack”, he said.(thanks to way2online)
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Home Ministry’s Statement on Pune blast

(PIB NEWS)The following is the text of the statement made by the Union Home Secretary, Shri G.K. Pillai here yesterday evening after the Pune blast.“According to information available from State Police sources and the Intelligence Bureau a bomb/explosive blast occurred at the German Bakery in Pune District around 7.30 p.m. this evening. It appears that an unattended package was noticed in the German bakery by one of the waiters who apparently went and attempted to open the package when the blast took place. As per latest available reports, 8 people are reported dead and 32 injured in the blast. The State Police, the Maharashtra ATS squad and forensic experts have already reached the scene and are conducting investigations. A team of forensic specialists from the CBI are being airlifted from Delhi to Pune shortly to assist the State Police in their investigations.It may be noted that the Osho Ashram which is around 200 yards from this bakery was one of the sites surveyed by the LeT Operative David Headley. The Maharashtra Police had been issued alerts on this by MAC on 12.10.2009. Following the blast, the Maharashtra Government has issued an alert in Maharashtra State. The MHA have issued advisories to all State Governments to be alert and to warn all citizens not to approach or open any unidentified objects/baggage and to report all such cases to the nearest Police Station/Control Room.The situation is being monitored by the Home Minister who is in Tamil Nadu . The MHA is reviewing the situation continuously.”
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PM reviews situation following Pune blast

(PIB NEWS)The Prime Minister met the Home Minister earlier today to review the situation arising out of the bomb blast that occurred in Pune yesterday. The Home Minister briefed the Prime Minister on his visit to Pune and on the state of investigations. The Prime Minister directed that the union and state governments should take coordinated and effective action to speedily investigate the matter so that the culprits responsible for this heinous act are identified and brought to justice at the earliest. The Prime Minister expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of all those killed and injured in the incident and announced relief from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of those deceased and Rs. 1 lakh to those injured. He said that the government would extend whatever help was required by the families of those killed and injured in the incident. =======================================================

STATE –LEVEL URDU CONVENTION FROM FEB-19 AT AURANGABAD

Aurangabad: Syed Khaja Sohel (Correspondent)

The minority department of state government is going to host state level Urdu convention in the city from February-19.While speaking to newsmen minister of state (Minority Affairs) Fauzia Khan said Urdu is not restricted to one community. Besides, the city had played a vital role in the promotion of the language.The venue of the event has been named as walinagari, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan wold inaugurate the three day convention at Marathwada Sanskrutik Mandal. Noted poet Javed Aktar would preside over the second session in the evening .Guardian minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, industry minister Rajendra Darda, Rural development minister Jayant patil and power minister Ajit pawar would be the chief guests. Wakf Minister and Chairman of the reception committee Aref Naseem Khan and Minister of state for food and civil supplies Abdul Sattar would also grace the event.Fauzia Khan further said a cultural programme Shaam -e- Gazal would be organized before and after the inaugural session. Padmashree Awardee Fatma Rafiq Zakeria would be honored with Faqr-e-Maharashtra award during the inaugural session.On second day, noted author Sagar Sarhadi would inaugurate book exhibition ,followed by various programmes like seminar, qawwali and mushaira.The last day would see a seminar on literature in the morning session , while noted poet Bashar Nawaz would be presented with Iftekhar-e-Adaab award in the evening session ,she added.
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