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PM approves Rs 1,74,000 crore for 'Bharat Nirman'

     New Delhi: The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Committee on Rural Infrastructure and approved the proposal for "Bharat Nirman", which will entail an investment of over Rs 1,74,000 crore over a four year period (2005-2009) in six critical areas of rural infrastructure. According to a press release, "Bharat Nirman" will bring an additional one crore hectares under assured irrigation; connect all villages that have a population of 1000 (or 500 in hilly/tribal areas) with a road; construct 60 lakh houses for the poor; provide drinking water to over 74,000 new habitations; reach electricity to 1,25,000 villages that still do not have electricity and offer electricity connection to 2.3 crore households; and give telephone connectivity to the remaining 66,822 villages. The Prime Minister told the meeting that "Bharat Nirman is the most important initiative of the UPA Government this year, offering a 'New Deal to Rural India'. It will emphasise outcomes and not just outlays." He urged the implementing ministries and State Governments to improve the government's "absorptive capacity" so that the "system does not become a constraint on our ability to deliver. "Bharat Nirman should be implemented with a sense of urgency and dedication at all levels of the Government", he added. The meeting was attended by Union ministers for Finance, Rural Development, Power, Panchayat Raj, Surface Transport, Communications and IT, Water Resources, the Deputy Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission, apart from senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office and the relevant Ministries. A detailed presentation was made on the four year agenda for implementation of the projects under "Bharat Nirman".

DD journo cross-examined in Zaheera interview episode (Go To Top)

     Mumbai: The defence lawyer in the Best Bakery case today cross-examined Pankaj Shankar, the assignment editor of Doordarshan News, who had produced a video interview of prime witness Zaheera Sheikh in which she along with her family members are seen narrating the March 1, 2002 incidents at the Best Bakery in which 14 people died. Shankar had taken the interview on April 18, 2002, nearly one and a half months after the gruesome incident. The court has already taken custody of the cassette saying "prima facie it appears that evidence produced may be relevant". The interview was first telecast by DD News on March 30, 2005 with the title, "Zaheera ki Sachahai". Shankar deposed before the trial court recently and produced the court a copy of the interview of Zaheera Shiekh and her family in which they admit that they knew the details of the incident as well as the accused. Mr. Shankar was asked that why didnt he submit the cassette in the court first rather than going ahead with the telecast on a TV channel. He replied that as a journalist he fulfilled his social responsibility by showing it on the television, and subsequently came to the court. The interview, a 19-minute video clip, shows Zahira, and her family naming the assailants and say that even after over one- and-a-half months, no one contacted them. On Monday, the cross examination of the senior scribe continued, but the examination revolved only around the date and time line of the shoot, and about the Television industry. He was also asked that why did he believe that Zahira spoke the truth on his video-tape. Replying to which he said, the interview was taken when the scar was fresh on her mind. The interview was taken on April 18, 2002, which is about one and a half months from the date of the incident, and no one could ever lie after being a witness to such horrific killings. The cross examination of Shankar is to resume again on Tuesday morning.

Australia launches new visa scheme for Indian students (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Australia has launched new visa procedures for Indian students, who are now encouraged to apply electronically and through agents, to help process the large volume of applications of the Indian students joining Australian universities in mid-July. The applications will have to be sent to the agents as per the list available on the website http:/www.immi.gov.au/study/providers/participating_education_agent_ list_v7.pdf. The new procedures will be the same for students from Nepal too, the Australian High Commission said on Monday. The paper applications also will have to be first sent to the agents, who will lodge them with the High Commission's business partner, TT Services (TTS) across the country. TTS will issue the medical forms. The new streamlined procedures are expected to make it easier for students to lodge their applications," said John Fisher, First Secretary and head of public affairs at the Australian High Commission here. Visa applications should be lodged 6-12 weeks before the commencement of courses, the High Commission said. ''We expect these procedures will have practical benefits for applicants,'' said Mr Fisher. TTS collection service locations and contact details can be found on website http://222.ttsaustraliavisas.com/. Contact email addresses for the student section at the High Commission are estudent.new.delhi@dfat.gov.au (for e-lodgement enquiries), india.students@dfat.gov.au (general student enquiries) and www.india.embassy.gov.au (High Commission).

Is Praful Patel contesting against Gill for IHF post (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is KPS Gill or better still, KPS Gill is the Indian Hockey Federation, goes the saying in country's hockey circles for the past twelve years. But will this refrain continue, for if rumours and reports are to be believed, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has put his hat in the ring to contest against K.P.S. Gill for the post of IHF President. It seems that the country's oficial hockey body is gearing up for a tough fight in the coming week. "The Minister has agreed to contest the May 23 elections for President's post after a lot of persuation by us," some IHF sources were quoted, as saying. On the other hand, Patel has denied the possibility of contesting the elections. "I've no clue about the functioning of the IHF or its election. So, how can I give my consent. I am passionate about hockey since I've played the game, but standing for any office in Indian hockey is not on my mind, " Patel was quoted as saying. Patel's candidature, however, cannot be outrightly ruled out, as he is being hailed as the would-be liberator of the controversy- ridden federation from the clutches of Gill and his cohorts. "Praful Patel will put back the national game in a proper footing to realise the past glorious days. Patel will be nominated on the floor of the elections in Kolkata by the Indian Airlines, which is a full member with voting rights in the IHF. We are confident of Patel, a high profile man and a lover of sport, especially hockey, winning the elections," added the sources.

     Gill has been accused of running the body in an autocratic manner, and he and IHF Secretary General K Jothikumaran are into their third terms. "The IHF office bearers who have been controlling the game in the country for the last 12 years now are to be blamed for the financial mess and the present slide in performance of the team," they said. Gill is also facing charges of financial irregularities. "During these years, they have neither shown accountability for their financial bunglings nor submitted detailed accounts for the present liability of over Rs two crores," alleged the sources. But a question mark is being put on the date of the power of battle itself, as the Delhi High Court is hearing a petition filed by the anti-Gill lobby. A day after Gill announced Annual General Meeting for holding the Federation's elections on May 23, IHF Senior Vice President Narender Batra challenged the announcement in the Delhi High Court. Batra has charged Gill with financial irregularities and running the IHF in an autocratic manner and filed an additional affidavit requesting the court not to allow Gill and IHF Secretary K Jothikumaran to participate in the Federation elections. He has urged the court to pass an order that the IHF is "not entitled to hold any election to the post of Senior Vice President which is being occupied by the petitioner having been elected in the year 2002 and whose term is going to expire on January 28, 2006."

Anju George finishes fourth in Doha Grand Prix (Go To Top)

     Dubai: Long jumper Anju Bobby George, who was the defending champion, managed to clear a distance of only 6.42 metres to finish a poor fourth in the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar. Olympic gold medallist and world number 1 Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia clinched the gold with a jump of 6.70 m. Bianca Kappler of Germany bagged the silver with a jump of 6.55 m while the bronze went to former world champion Fiona May of Italy, who managed to clear a distance of 6.47. For World Athletics Championship bronze medallist, Anju, this was the first meet of the season. She will compete in several other meets in Europe and USA before taking part in the World Athletics Championship to be held in Helsinki, Finland in August this year.

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