SC issues notices to Centre, PCI and dailies on content criteria

     New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Centre, the Press Council of India, news agencies and major dailies as to why steps were not being taken to maintain a control on the type of content being published. Responding to a public interest litigation that sought the imposition of regulations to ensure that minor readers are not exposed to obscene material, a bench comprising Chief Justice R C Lahoti, Justice J P Mathur and Justice P K Balasubramanyan, issued the notices. The petition was filed Ajay Goswami, who said that there is a need to classify newspapers on the basis of content, including pictures.

Former PM Vajpayee attempts to defuse Gujarat BJP crisis

     New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today advised dissident party leaders led by former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel to meet BJP President L K Advani in an attempt to internally defuse the rising dissidence against incumbent state Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Several BJP leaders, including Kanshiram Rana and Suresh Mehta met Vajpayee at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence this morning to complain about Modi's autocratic way of functioning. The meeting was reportedly arranged by anti-Advani camp leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana. Some party sources said that the rebels were not ready to meet Advani, whom they see as "Modi's Godfather". Patel has brought along 40 MLAs with him to put pressure on the party's central leadership to effect a change in the state government in Gujarat. Vajpayee's interference in the matter is being seen as the move to balance the anti and pro-Modi camps and prevent the party from split. Gujarat has been a bastion of BJP for a long time. The dissence against Modi never seems to die down, as it keeps surfacing from time to time. Earlier also, Patel had led a rebellion against Modi, but then, Advani had brokered a compromise according to which Modi was directed to improve his style of functioning and accomodate other party leaders. But this time, the dissidence is gaining strength as the BJP-RSS war following the controversy over Advani's remarks on Pakistan's Founding Father Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the Babri Masjid had weakened the BJP President's stature within the party. The Gujarat dissidents delegation led by Patel and another former state Chief Minister Suresh Mehta also called on senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi. On the other hand, Modi supporters -- Amit Shah (Gujarat Education Minister) and Kaushik Patel met party vice-president M.Venkaiah Naidu in an attempt to give their side of the story. The visit of the dissidents to Delhi assumes significance in the wake of their earlier meeting at Gandhinagar which saw 60 state legislators and several members of Parliament gathering at Patel's residence to inquire about his wife's health, besides giving him a rundown on the state of affairs in Gujarat. Patel and his followers maintain that the political situation in Gujarat is far from satisfactory. They are also unhappy about the attempts made by the Modi camp to dissuade legislators from reaching Patel's residence on his return from the United States on August 14 . The BJP leaders, on their part, described the meeting as normal and that the leadership will have to hear the views of all sections. Meanwhile, the BJP Central leadership has ruled out replacement of Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The crisis in the Gujarat BJP re-emerged, even after the expansion of State cabinet by Modi on August 1, when rebel BJP legislators and parliamentarians thronged Patel's house.

CRPF constable kills colleague (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan deployed at 6 Akbar Road, the residence of Union Telecommunications Minister Dayanidhi Maran was today allegedly shot dead by his colleague. Around 0730 hrs this morning, Constable Ganesh opened fire at Suresh killing him on the spot following quarrel over some issue. Ganesh has been arrested. Delhi Police have started investigations to find out the reasons behind the killing.

Employment Guarantee scheme tabled in Parliament (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The UPA Government today tabled the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill in Parliament after making some major changes in the draft cleared by the Cabinet, which includes reservation of one-third jobs for women, and minimum daily wages of Rs 60. The scheme is to be implemented in all districts of the country in five years. The Government has also succeeded in getting the State Governments agree for footing 10 per cent of the cost for running the scheme. The Centre has promised to pay its share - remaining 90 per cent - in advance for the proposed scheme. Rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh agreed that "the states are justified in asking for an advance since a delay in the money reaching the project area, will incur a penalty which the states would have to bear". The scheme would cost the State exchequer to the tune of Rs 1,40,000 crore argued as financially unviable by many experts and Government authorities. But, the Government is making all efforts to send the message that it cares for the "aam aadmi" - common man. Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has said that the scheme would not make an adverse impact on next year's budget. The Government has also agreed to work out a compensation package for all those who do not have jobs. The scheme has been one of the main item in the agenda of the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government and close to National Advisory Council (NAC) Chairman and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's heart. The scope of the Bill has been widened to provide employment to able members in all rural households. The Bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet on Aug. 11, which approved some important amendments to the original bill of year 2004. In his Independence Day speech Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that employment generation was a key commitment of the UPA Government. Dr Singh said, "It is necessary to have an employment guarantee. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill has been prepared with this goal in mind. We hope that this Act will bring about a revolutionary change in the lives of people in rural India." The Left parties have also been putting pressure on the Government to enact the Bill at the earliest. The Bill has been reviewd by the Standing Committee of the Parliament as well as a Group of Ministers. The Left parties had been pressing for expeditious enactment of the proposed law to guarantee a minimum 100 days employment to rural youth.

     The significant features of the bill are: 1. Government cannot withdraw the guarantee of job once applicable; 2. Employment should be guaranteed to anyone who offers himself or herself for work at the prescribed wage rate, instead of being confined to only BPL (Below Poverty Line) job-seekers and 3. Decentralisation of administrative machinery has to be followed and Panchayats would play a central role in the selection of works as well as in their implementation and monitoring.

Ajit Bhavnani appointed new Vice Chief of Air Staff (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi disclosed this here today during the launch of 'Mission Udaan' a joint programme with National Geographic Channel (NGC). "There was some legal problem from the government side in this appointment, that's why it was getting delayed, but now I have signed the orders and he will be appointed as VCAS of IAF from August 22," said Air Chief Marshal Tyagi. Air Marshal Bhavnani was so far working as chief of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a tri-service agency managing and administering the country's nuclear systems. Air Marshal Bhavnani was the first Commander of the Mirage squadron and headed the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment. NGC has declared during the function to start a ten episode TV Programme on IAF, 'Mission Udaan', which will be started by November this year. "The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world. With this association, we hope to introduce our viewer to the Indian Air Force, its history, its heroes, its legends, its aircraft, its impeccable training standards, everything you wanted to know about the air force," said Zubin Gandevia, MD, NGC South Asia. "Mission Udaan is the window into the IAF," said Air Chief Marshal Tyagi. Air Chief Marshal Tyagi also declared that the IAF is planning to start a walk through museum at different places like Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi. "People can come to a particular venue to have a look at the aeroplanes from the 'Spitfires' to the 'Sukhois'," said Tyagi.

Patna High Court quashes arrest warrant against Shahabuddin (Go To Top)

     Patna: Patna High Court today quashed the arrest warrant against controversial RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin issued by Siwan District Magistrate S K Mal in connection with the proceedings under Bihar Control of Crimes Act (CCA). Observing that it was not necessary that Shahabuddin should appear before the District Magistrate in person, a division bench comprising Justice Nagendra Rai and Justice Barin Ghosh set aside the order by Mal, and directed him to conclude the proceedings initiated against the MP within a month and pass appropriate order. The judges accepted the plea of Shahabuddin's counsel Raju Giri that under Article 20 (3) of the Constitution no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. The CCA proceedings were first initiated by Mal's predecessor C K Anil charging Shahabuddin with involvement in criminal cases during the post-assembly election period since February 29. Later, Mal replaced Anil and issued the warrant of arrest against Shahabuddin after he refused to appear before him despite summons, and instead, deputed his counsel to appear before the district magistrate. Non-bailable warrants against Shahabuddin are pending in three more criminal cases, and the state police chief said that these would be executed soon.

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