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Pakistan's nuke programme had US blessing: Study

     New Delhi: Pakistan's clndestine nuclear programme had the blessing of several countries, including the United States. The erstwhile West Germany had also prior knowledge of Pakistan's use of diplomatic missions to trade in nuclear material. "Pakistan's Nuclear Underworld," an investigation by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) reveals that even the present US Vice President Dick Cheney, as Secretary of Defense had blocked an in- house report on Pakistan's proliferation activities to facilitate sale of F-16s. In fact, Washington's priorities changed dramatically following the occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet forces in 1979. The Americans were "far too obsessed with driving out the Soviets to waste time worrying about stopping Pakistan from going nuclear," reveals the study.

     The US seems to have taken a diametrically opposite stand in the case of Iran. While Iran insists it intends to use enriched uranium only in power stations, but Washington argues that Iran is making fuel for atomic warheads. Britain, France and Germany are also putting diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to scrap uranium enrichment. Pakistan's nuclear programme, which began officially after the 1971 war with India, had the tacit support of by several other countries like China. But its genesis goes back to the nuclear ambitions of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who way back in 1965 said, "If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass or leave; even go hungry, but we will get one of our own. We have no alternative."

Bank employees' strike hits financial operations (Go To Top)

     New Delhi/Chennai/Mumbai: Banking operations were hit hard on Tuesday with nine major unions in the public sector banks going on day-long strike. The stir was organised in protest against mergers and acquisition of domestic banks and a government move to allow 74 per cent foreign direct investment in private banks. The strike was called by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body comprising nine major bank unions.The banking unions also organised protest marches and demonstrations before branches and headquarters. Banking operations in Mumbai especially at branches of state- owned banks were the worst hit. Transactions at branches across Mumbai came to a standstill as banking staff stayed away from work.

     The strike evoked mixed response from the private sector banks. Banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Centurion Bank, IndusInd Bank, Bank of Punjab and Lord Krishna Bank continued with normal services.The operations in foreign banks like Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank and Nova Scotia Bank were reportedly not hit.

     The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) have also decided to take up the issue with UPA chief Sonia Gandhi and all major political parties. In August 2004, the employees had gone on a one-day strike demanding 15-20 per cent hike in salary. This had paralysed the financial markets in the country and resulted in an estimated Rs. 50,000 crore loss of business. The unions have demanded nationalization of all private sector banks along with strengthening of public sector banks.

Lok Sabha passes the Patents Bill (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The Patents Bill (Amendment) has been passed by the Lok Sabha after the Left leaders said that most of their demands had been met. It took the intervention of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee to ensure that all United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies spoke in one voice on Patents Bill. Working overtime, he reached out to the Left parties, which were prime opponents of the bill. After a series of meetings, the Left had been successfully won over. "We had raised four-five amendments. They have been incorporated," said Prakash Karat, CPI-M leader. The main argument the Left had against the new bill was that it will lead to an increase in the cost of life saving drugs. But the amended bill provides for compulsory licensing, which will enable Indian companies to manufacture medicines for a fixed tenure in case of any epidemic, thus controlling the price factor. While the Left's support ensured that the bill was through, the BJP opposed it, claiming that the government had gone back on an assurance to have the bill sent to a parliamentary committee. "They didn't send it to an expert panel, nor to a standing committee," said V K Malhotra, BJP Spokesperson.

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