Ministry expansion in Maharashtra

Dilip Deshmukh sworn in as Minister
The Governor of Maharashtra S. C. Jamir today administered the oath of office to Shri Dilip Dagdojirao Deshmukh as Minister in the Maharashtra Cabinet at a simple ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai ( Sunday 1 March 2009 ). Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, MPCC Chief Manikrao Thakre, Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee President Kripa Shankar Singh and officials of the Government were present on the occasion
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News In Brief.............

by Vaidehi Sachin

MALEGAON ACCUSED COL PUROHIT GETS BAIL
In a major setback to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Lt Col Prasad Purohit, the prime suspect of Malegaon blasts case, was granted bail in a fake arm license case by a magistrate court in Pune. The court granted bail to him after the ATS failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated 90 days period. Judicial magistrate first class G.G. Itkalkar ordered Purohit's release on Rs 15,000 security bonds. Purohit was booked for allegedly procuring a rifle and a fake gun licence for Milind Date, a resident of Erandwane. Purohit allegedly accepted Rs 35,000 from Date. The ATS had seized the fake licence and rifle from Date on November 4, after which Date had lodged a complaint against Purohit, accusing the officer of cheating and forgery. The magistrate also issued a notice to the ATS seeking an explanation from the investigation officer why the chargesheet was not submitted in time. Purohit, who has been booked under MCOCA in the Malegaon blast case, continues to be in judicial custody in Mumbai because he is facing trial in three blast cases, at Malegaon, Jalna and Nanded, besides two other fake arms licence cases at Nasik and Mumbai.

MILITANTS HURLS A GRENADE NEAR CHILDREN'S PARK, NONE INJURED
Some suspected militants hurled a hand grenade near Childrens' Park near Bakshi Stadium in the city but no loss of life, however, was reported, a police spokesman said today. "Some unknown militants lobbed a grenade near Children Park which exploded on road side last night," the spokesman said, adding however, no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident. Police has registered a case in this regard and investigations are going, he said.

MAOISTS OBSERVE JHARKHAND, ORISSA AND BENGAL BANDH
The security forces are maintaining tight vigil at railway stations and on railway tracks as the 24-hour bandh called by CPI (Maoist) in Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal began early today. The bandh has been called in protest against the arrest of Maoist cadre, according to posters spotted in their strongholds. A report from Hazaribagh said, a group of Maoists obstructed laying of new rail tracks at Katkamsahi and allegedly took away machinery from the site last night. Long distance bus operators have pulled out their vehicles in Gumla, Latehar, Chatra, Hazaribag, Palamau and Singhbhum districts to avoid any untoward incident as several Maoist-hit pockets touch the highways. According to police sources, enough security forces have been deployed at railway stations and railway tracks. Eighteen out of 24 districts in Jharkhand are Maoist-affected.

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR DECLARES DROUGHT EMERGENCY
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state emergency due to drought, requested broad conservation measures and said farm losses in the coming season could top $2 billion. Total economic losses in 2009 could be nearly $3 billion, the governor said. The move encourages urban water agencies to reduce water use by 20 percent and says mandatory conservation is an option if those and other measures prove insufficient. Schwarzenegger called the state's drought a crisis as severe as an earthquake or wildfire.

B'DESH TO CONSTITUTE SPL TRIBUNALS FOR QUICK TRIAL OF CULPRITS
Bangladesh government will constitute special tribunals for quick and "exemplary punishment of the culprits" involved in the "barbaric and gruesome" killings of army officers during the rebellion by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troops despite an earlier announced general amnesty. "The Prime Minister announced general amnesty does not mean that those (rebel BDR soldiers) who were involved in killings, rebellion, arson and other heinous activities will be forgiven," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen Mohammad Abdul Mubin said in a nationwide televised statement shortly after midnight. Mubin said the government has decided to constitute special tribunals for quick and "exemplary punishment of the culprits" for such "barbaric and gruesome activities". He promised fast track trial of "culprits" involved in the killings of army officers during the rebellion. "They (culprits) cannot be pardoned and will not be forgiven either," Mubin vowed, saying he was clarifying some issues as the PSO to the prime minister and minister in-charge of armed forces division "at her directive". His comments came as army chief General Moeen U Ahmed and senior generals held nearly two hours of meeting with Hasina as anguish visibly fumed among the army rank and file as the toll in the 33-hour mutiny rose over 67 that included BDR chief Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed who is among the dead.

BSP NAMES DEVENDRA SINGH AS ETAH CANDIDATE
BSP has named sitting Etah MP Kunwar Devendra Singh as its candidate from Etah parliamentary constituency. Singh quit the Samajwadi Party yesterday and joined the BSP. Significantly, he is the sixth sitting MP who has shifted his loyality from SP to BSP ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. MPs, who have already joined BSP, include Shahid Siddiqui, who was elected to Rajya Sabha as SP candidate, Afzal Ansari from Ghazipur, Dhaniram Verma, Gauri Shanker, Kriti Vardhan Singh and Saif-ur-Rehman Barq. Afzal, who is brother of sitting MLA, Mukhtar Ansari, went into BSP fold after being denied ticket by the SP from Ghazipur. Mukhtar too had been named as candidate from Varanasi by BSP and will contest against BJP heavyweight Murli Manohar Joshi. Saif-ur-Rehman parted ways with the SP after Mulayam Singh's renewed bonhomie with the former BJP leader Kalyan Singh. SP sources claimed that majority of the MP, who left the party in recent times, are those who had been denied ticket for the Lok Sabha elections. Sitting MP from Gonda Kirti Vardhan Singh was the lone exception. The MP left the party despite the fact that he had already been named as a candidate by the SP.



TEN NEW MINISTERS IN RAJASTHAN CABINET EXPANSION
The two-and-a-half month old Rajasthan cabinet was expanded today with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inducting ten more ministers -- two of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state. Governor S K Singh administered the oath of secrecy to the new ministers at a simple swearing-in function at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Gehlot and his other cabinet colleagues, government officials and supporters of the newly anointed ministers. Dr Jitendra Singh and Rajendra Pareek were sworn-in as cabinet rank ministers while Ram Lal Jat, Bharosilal Jatav, Ashok Bairwa, Mangilal Gharasia, Pramod Jain Bhaya, Babulal Nagar, Ameen Khan and Gurmeet Kunnar were inducted as ministers of state. With this expansion, the strength of the Gehlot ministry has gone up to 23. The Chief Minister was sworn-in on December 13 last year and on December 19, he inducted 13 ministers with two of them as ministers of state. As per the norms in the house of 200, Rajasthan can have 30 ministers. Gehlot, is at present holding charge of 38 departments including some important ones such as home, finance and taxation, energy, urban development and housing, excise, mining and public works department.



NDA TO GIVE PENSION TO AGED FARMERS: ADVANI
Getting into an election mode, BJP's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani has said the NDA would launch a farm income guarantee scheme for small farmers and give pension to aged farmers if it is voted to power. "A farm income guarantee scheme would be provided to small farmers," he said addressing 'Vijay Sankalp' rally here late last evening. "If government employees can get pension, I do not see why aged farmers also should not get pension." He said the BJP would contest the Lok Sabha elections on the planks of "good governance, security for common man and development on all fronts." Accusing the UPA government of abandoning highway and rural road development and interlinking of rivers projects, he said NDA would restart all those initiatives and promote infrastructure projects so that spending of amount on these schemes will help tide over recession. Advani said during his interaction with captains of Indian industry, he was told that "worst is yet to come". "Its estimated that in the next three-four months, one-and-half crore jobs will be lost. Can the government cope with it? it cannot," he maintained.


MAOISTS BLOW UP RAILWAY STATION, TWO FEARED ABDUCTED
Maoists blew up a railway station, stormed another and are feared to have abducted two railway officials in Orissa's Sundergarh district early today just hours before the 24-hour bandh by the ultra left began in five states. About 60 Maoists, including women, struck Bhalulata railway station, 25 km from here on Howrah-Mumbai section, and triggered explosions using landmines and powerful explosives, inspector in-charge of Bisra police station C S Mohanty said. The station building was virtually razed to the ground as its roof collapsed under the impact of the explosions, Railway police said, adding nobody was injured in the attack. The station master, a gateman and a porter fled the scene and reappeared about four hours after the incident to resume duty, they said. Another railway station at Chandiposh, about 30 km from here on Rourkela-Barasuan section, was also attacked by about 50 Maoists around the same time, police said adding the ultras left after firing but the station master S K Singh and his assistant Samir Mukherjee are missing since then. The two are feared to have been abducted by the ultras and efforts are on to trace them, police said.
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'Slumdog' Child Actor Beaten By Father

FROM SLUMDOG TO SLAPDOG: CHILD ACTOR BEATEN BY FATHER FOR REFUSING TO LEAVE SHACK

He's become an object of adulation for millions, but ten-year-old Azharuddin Ismail ’s stardom doesn’t appear to cut much ice back at home with his father.The youngster, who played the hero of Slumdog Millionaire as a child, received a beating from Ismail Usnay, 45, apparently for disobedience. On Thursday, Azharuddin had returned to Mumbai after Slumdog’s triumph at the Oscar ceremony. Crying out: Eyes full of tears, Azharuddin Ismail clutches his ears and sobs after being hit by his father.Exhausted by a chaotic welcome and a long flight from Los Angeles, he was given the day off school yesterday. But when he refused to step outside his home in the Dharavi slum in Bandra to speak to journalists, his father lashed out. ‘His father went mad,’ said a witness. ‘He wanted to show his son off to journalists and local people, but Azharuddin said he wanted to be left alone because he was tired.’ Neighbours attempt to restrain Ismail, below, as his son continues to cry .Moments after his father had stopped hitting him, the ten-year-old boy's face is still wet with tears. Crying and holding his ear, Azharuddin ran inside the makeshift home and tried to hide in the corner. The ugly scene lasted no more than 30 seconds after Usnay, who is infected with TB, was restrained by neighbors. The child's mother, who is blind in one eye, had also begged the 45-year-old to stop the physical punishment. Last night, he apologised for striking his son. ‘I was so confused and stressed by my son’s homecoming,’ he added. ‘I love my boy and I am very happy to have him home.’ The aggression was in stark contrast to the previous day's triumphant return to the slums, when Azharuddin's father lifted him up and paraded him like a trophy for the expectant crowds. With the massed media long gone and the euphoria of returning home ebbing away, the reality of life in the slums seemed to be hitting the child hard. Having paraded down the red carpets of Hollywood only six days ago and enjoyed the luxury of five-star hotels, returning to the slums must have come as something of a shock. However, the families of Azharuddin and his co-star Rubina Ali, eight, have each been promised a flat each from the city in recognition of the honour they have brought to Mumbai. Details on their location and size are not yet known. Shortly before the attack, Azharuddin sits outside the shack playing with his Sony camera while his father sits behind him , Only moments before his father's attack, Azharuddin had spoken of his tiredness due to the long flight and desire for the attention to stop.'I do not want to speak today to any reporters,' he said. His father, possibly hoping that his son could be his ticket out of the slums, has insisted his son poses for pictures and gives interviews to the foreign media. He has also claimed that Slumdog director Danny Boyle and the producers of the eight Oscar-winning film have not done enough for him and his family. Another world: Azharuddin with co-star Rubina Ali at the Governors Ball during the Oscars last week Azharuddin plays main character Salim as a child in the film, which won eight Oscars.
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Vaidehi Sachin received TACCI 2009 award for best Investigative Journalist

Vaideh Sachin received The Pillar of Hindustani Society for Investigative Journalism from Shri.Bheeshm Baam,IPS former IGP and Corporate Motivator. Ku.Nitu Chandra,a Model and an Actress shaking hands with Shri.Sanjay Bhide, Convenor & Secretary of Trans Asian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Venerable H.H.Shri.Dhu Ghe Rimpoche,Llama from Tibet received The Pillar of Hindustani Society Award from Shri.Dileep Daandekar,Hon.Consul of Mongolia. Shri.Jagmohan Mundhra received The Pillar of Hindustani Society Award from Shri.Dong Yern Kim,Consul General of South Korea. Shri.Kumar Ketkar,Editor of Lokasattaa received The Pillar of Hindustani Society Award from Ambassador. H.E.Shri.Kwako Sarpong,Acting High Commissioner of Ghana as the Chief Guest.

HEAVENLY EYE WATCHING US FROM OUTER SPACE

Helix Nebula, which has taken the shape of an eye. Believe it or Not! ASTRONOMERS have taken a stunning photo of this heavenly EYE watching us from outer space. It has a blue pupil on a white area, fringed by flesh-coloured eyelids — and it has been dubbed The Eye of God. But this eye is so big that light takes 2½ years to cross and it contains whole galaxies. The object — looking like the Big Brother eye — is actually a shell of gas and dust blown off by a star 700 light years away in the constellation of Aquarius. Called the Helix Nebula, it can be seen vaguely by amateurs using small telescopes. It was snapped with a giant telescope at the European Southern Observatory on a mountain at La Silla in Chile. Experts say our own solar system will meet a similar fate five billion years from now.

26/11 TERRORISTS’ CALLS TRACED TO PAK SERVING COL R. SADATULLAH

The threat posed by al-Qaeda and the Taliban would grow if sustained action is not taken against them in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, a top US intelligence official said today. "They get stronger," Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence during an open hearing in response to a question from a lawmaker. When asked "does the threat that it poses to us grow?", Blair said: "Yes". "Right now, FATA is the headquarters of al-Qaeda," the top US intelligence official, who overseas as many 17 US intelligence agencies, said in response to a question from Congressman Mac Thornberry. "They've operated from other places in the past. In Africa, there are al-Qaeda affiliates, in the Maghreb, in Northern Africa, in Yemen, in Iraq. So, the most convenient and hospitable place for them right now is the place (FATA) that you described. But we are concerned about their ability to move around. It's kind of like toothpaste in a tube," Blair said. He said the primary objective of al-Qaeda in the US is another spectacular, large, people-killing attack. "That's what they seem to be thinking about," he said in response to another question.
WHO IS PAK COL SADATULLAH?
The VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) calls made by the 26/11 terrorists to their handlers have been traced to a serving colonel of the Pakistani army, investigations have revealed. Although the 11,509-page chargesheet in the 26/11 case filed by the Mumbai police on Wednesday does not spell this out explicitly, it does name the officer as Colonel R Sadatullah from the SCO, reports The Times of India.
The SCO, army sources say, stands for Special Communications Organization, a telecommunications agency of the Pakistani government which is run by officers from the army's signals corps and operates only in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the conflict-wracked Northern Areas. During the 58-hour siege of Mumbai, a total of 284 calls, running into 995 minutes, were made by the terrorists using mobile phones from the Taj Mahal hotel, Oberoi-Trident and Nariman House to their handlers in Pakistan. They took the minutest of instructions from their handlers sitting in Pakistan. The Pak-based co-conspirators also gave their agents in Mumbai pep talks to keep them going. The chargesheet says that the calls which were made over VoIP — a cheap way of making international calls using the net — were traced back to an IP address created with Callphonex, a VoIP service provider based in New Jersey, USA. The payments for this were made by opening an account in the name of Kharak Singh from India. However, the payments to this account were made on two occasions by wire transfer through MoneyGram and Western Union Money Transfer by two Pakistani nationals, Javed Iqbal and Mohammed Ishtiaq. These two, while communicating with Callphonex, used the e-mail id kharak_telco@yahoo.com. This e-mail id was accessed from at least 10 IP addresses, says the chargesheet. One of them, 118.107.140.138, belongs to Col R Sadatullah whose official address is SCO, Qasim Rd, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Sadatullah's official e-mail id is pmit@sco.gov.pk, which police say is the official e-mail service for all SCO officers. One of the wanted accused is `Major General sahab' whose name crops up repeatedly in the taped conversation between the terrorists and their handlers. Incidentally, the general manager of SCO happens to be Major General Muhammad Khalid Rao, who joined the Signals Corps in 1979
Asked about the involvement of the Pakistani army, joint commissioner (crime) Rakesh Maria said, ``We are looking into the involvement of two army personnel, who could be supposedly serving or retired.'' The chargesheet is against 38 persons, 35 of them yet to be apprehended. The three who are in police custody include the lone Pakistani terror operative caught alive, Ajmal Amir Kasab, and two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ansari. The 35 wanted accused include high-profile Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. Kasab was not brought to court because of security concerns. Described as an LeT operative responsible for the conspiracy and the attack on Mumbai, he was charged under nine different laws, including waging war on the government of India under the Indian Penal Code. The other charges are under the Foreigners' Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Railways Protection Act, the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, the Bombay Police Act and the Customs Act.

Pak Taliban Commanders Bury Rift

TOP PAK TALIBAN COMMANDERS JOIN HANDS TO FIGHT ‘ENEMY’

By Vaidehi Sachin
In a dramatic development, three prominent Pakistani militant commanders — Baitullah Mehsud, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Maulvi Nazeer ñ on Friday set aside their differences and promised to jointly fight their enemy in future.A senior militant commander of Maulvi Nazeer group told The News on condition of anonymity that all the three militant commanders, in a meeting held somewhere in the South Waziristan Agency, resolved all their differences and promised to live peacefully with each other in future.
“I am extremely excited today. It’s an Eid for us. I even danced and fired shots in the air as we succeeded in removing misunderstandings created by the Pakistan government,” remarked the Taliban commander while talking to The News from Wana by telephone.
He said senior Pakistani and Afghan Taliban commanders had played a role in resolving differences among the three militant commanders. He said a 14-member Shura was formed after their final meeting that would comprise banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud, Hafiz Gul Bahadur, Taliban commander in North Waziristan and Maulvi Nazeer, militant commander in South Waziristan.
Ten other people had been drawn from Baitullah Mehsud’s tribe, Gul Bahadur’s Utmanzai Wazir tribe and Maulvi Nazeer’s Ahmadzai Wazir tribe. The Taliban commander said in an earlier meeting it was suggested to nominate Maulvi Nazeer as the new head of the organisation. However, Maulvi Nazeer expressed his unwillingness to head the organisation and left the matter to the next meeting of the Shura.
The commander said all the three militant groups pardoned each other for the previous killings of their people and material losses.When asked whether Gul Bahadur and Maulvi Nazeer would become a part of the TTP, the commander said it would be decided in the next meeting. Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who is the Taliban chief in North Waziristan, had signed a peace accord with the government on Feb 17, 2008 and was considered a pro-government militant commander as he ceased attacks on security forces and government installations. However, the frequent drone attacks by the US forces in his tribal region have annoyed him.On one occasion, when Baitullah Mehsud’s TTP became a serious threat to the government, the government tried to unite other militant groups against Baitullah Mehsud, thus, bringing together Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Maulvi Nazeer.
Maulvi Nazeer, who is the chief of Ahmadzai Wazir Taliban militants in South Waziristan, was until now considered a pro-government militant commander as he had led an armed campaign against the Uzbek nationals, evicting them from his soil after bloody clashes.He later lost some of his senior commanders in attacks by unknown people, but he blamed his rival Uzbeks for it.Nazeer also accused Baitullah Mehsud and his men of sheltering the Uzbeks on their soil but Baitullah always denied the charges.
If the three men, who now rule South and North Waziristan tribal region in true sense, got united, they could give a tough time to the government in future.The militants from Wana said now they had understood Pakistan’s divide and rule policy, and decided to get united and fight together against it in future. “Pakistan caused more losses to the Mujahideen than the US. It handed over 700 Arab Mujahideen to the US and jailed our people,” the commander alleged.Responding to a question, he said the issue of Uzbeks had been resolved but didn’t mention whether the Ahmadzai Wazirs would like to welcome them back to Wana and Azam Warsak. He, however, added: “We respect the Mujahideen.”

British Muslims Sending Electronic Devices To Taliban

BRITISH ARMY TELLS MINISTER, BRITISH MUSLIMS SENDING
ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR ROADSIDE BOMBS
By Vaidehi Sachin

The Daily Telegraph, London, in an exclusive report says that British Muslims are providing the Taliban with electronic devices to make roadside bombs for use in attacks against British forces serving in southern Afghanistan.
Con Coughlin, Telegraph correspondent, who visited Helmand province in Afghanistan reports that the devices, which enable Taliban fighters to detonate roadside bombs by remote control, are either sent to sympathizers in the region, or carried by volunteers who fly to Pakistan and then make their way across the border.
Details of how British electronic components have been found in roadside bombs were given to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, when he visited British troops at their military compound at Lashkagar, in Helmand province, earlier this week.
In a briefing on British operations in southern Afghanistan by Brigadier Gordon Messenger, the Royal Marine commander of the British battlegroup, Mr Miliband was shown examples of the crude, home-made devices that are being used in attacks against British patrols. They included mobile phones filled with explosives, which could kill or seriously injure British soldiers patrolling on foot, and more sophisticated devices that can be used against military vehicles.Explosives experts who have examined the devices say they have found British-made electronic components that enable Taliban insurgents to detonate their home-made, road-side bombs by remote control.The electronic devices smuggled into Afghanistan from Britain range from basic remote control units that are normally used to fly model airplanes to more advanced components that enable insurgents to conduct attacks from up to a mile away from British patrols.

"We have found electronic components in devices used to target British troops that originally come from Britain," a British explosives officer told Mr Miliband during a detailed briefing on the type of improvised explosive device (IED) used against British forces. When asked how the components had reached Afghanistan, the officer explained that they had either been sent from Britain, or physically brought to Afghanistan by British Muslims who had flown over.The disclosure is the latest in a string of suggestions from British commanders about the connections between British Muslims and violence in Afghanistan. In August, Brigadier Ed Butler, the former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, told the Telegraph that there are "British passport holders" in the Taliban ranks. Other officers believe their soldiers have killed British Muslims fighting alongside the Taliban.And last year, it was revealed that RAF Nimrod surveillance planes monitoring Taliban radio signals in Afghanistan had heard militants speaking with Yorkshire and Midlands accents British commanders have recorded a significant rise in the use of IEDs during the past two years, partly the result of the success British forces have recorded in defeating the Taliban in conventional attacks."We've really hit the Taliban hard, and the only way they can respond is to rely more heavily on IEDs and similar weapons," said a British officer.
The number of IED attacks against British forces has risen from an average of 27 percent of attacks in 2007 to an estimated 55 percent so far this year. A significant proportion of the 145 British service personnel killed on active duty in Afghanistan have been killed by improvised roadside bombs.British military officers say the devices used in Afghanistan are not as sophisticated as those used against British forces in Iraq, and that Taliban insurgents need to be able to physically monitor British patrols when carrying out attack.
Details of the British link to IEDs were provided to Mr Miliband during his 48-hour fact-finding mission to Afghanistan earlier this week where he met military and government officials to assess the level of progress being made by British and coalition forces as the current military deployment enters its fourth year. British officials are expected to come under pressure from U.S. President Barack Obama to add to the 8,300 British service personnel currently serving in Afghanistan as Washington prepares to undertake a military surge similar to the one that was so successful in Iraq. Obama has already pledged to send an extra 17,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year, and he is now expected to pressure other Nato countries – including Britain – to follow suit. The original 2001 Western invasion of Afghanistan was triggered by al-Qaeda's September 11 attacks on the US. The Taliban regime in Kabul had sheltered the al-Qaeda leadership, which is now based in the lawless Afghan-Pakistan border region.
Some Western intelligence agencies believe Osama bin Laden's group is now able to operate largely freely in the area. However, bin Laden is facing an ideological revolt by one of al-Qaeda's founding leaders who blames, blaming him for "every drop" of blood spilt in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, who goes by the nom de guerre Dr Fadl, helped bin Laden create al-Qaeda and then led an Islamist insurgency in Egypt in the 1990s. But after a change of heart, he has launched a public denunciation of the group. His latest book, which has been serialised in newspapers across the Arab world, amounts to a frontal attack on al-Qaeda's ideology and on the personal failings of bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

26/11 PROBE: MONEY FROM PAK USED TO BUY VoIP CARD

The FBI investigations into the November terror attack have established a Pakistan link to the payments made for the VoIP card from Callphonex of the US. VoIP allows one to make cheap phone calls over Internet and payment for it can be made by wire transfer from anywhere in the world. ‘‘We have traced the financial transactions to Pakistan,’’ a senior official said. At the same time, the official said that they have not been able to gather evidence admissible in court to pinpoint that the calls originated from Pakistan.
‘‘We are in the process of gathering further evidence and solve the jigsaw puzzle in the next few days. However, we have been able to obtain enough material linking Pakistan to the terror attack, but at this stage some of it is not admissible as evidence in the court,’’ the officer said. One of the virtual numbers from which the call to the terrorists was made was set up with a US company Callphonex by one Kharak Singh who claimed to be from India. The money for the same came through Western Union money transfer from one Javed Iqbal in Pakistan.

You can read "Afternoon Despatch and Courier" Mumbai's best evening publication

JADE GOODY SECURES WEDDING DEAL FOR £700,000

Former reality TV star Jade Goody, who is battling cervical cancer, has secured a 700,000 pounds deal with a magazine for the rights to capture her wedding to 21-year-old Jack Tweed on Sunday. OK! Magazine has bought the rights to Sunday's ceremony for 700,000 pounds and has also secured the rights to the pictures of the christening of Goody's sons ahead of the wedding ceremony, her publicist Max Clifford said.
Living TV had already paid a reported 100,000 pounds to show it as part of their series, 'Jade'. Goody, who earned notoriety for her racist remarks directed at Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in the UK reality show Celebrity Big Brother, has been reportedly told by the doctors that her disease has become terminal and has decided to use the media to raise funds for her sons. Clifford said that after the wedding there "won't be more episodes of the series they have been filming." A spokeswoman for Clifford's office said Tweed would not receive any money from the deal and has agreed that the entire amount would be passed to Goody's sons -- five-year old Bobby and four-year-old Freddie. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown shared the concern of her well wishers. He said last night the entire country was concerned about Goody's health and that it was "tragic" her treatment had not worked.

Vilasrao Deshmukh turned Writer

By Vaidehi Sachin

The wheel has come full circle for veteran Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh who ruled as Maharashtra chief minister for two times. Vilasrao had to leave his post accepting moral responsibility of 26/11 terror attack. Now day he is busy writing book on his political journey. From a village sarpanch in Latur district to the top post for the two time, 59-year-old Deshmukh has extensive experience in the legislature and administration.
He hails from the economically backward region of Marathwada and is known for his administrative acumen. He had been a minister in various governments in Maharashtra from 1982 to 1995 holding the portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education.
A widely traveled man, he visited several foreign countries to study agricultural and industrial development trends. He became chief minister in 1999 but had to step down in January 2003 and make way for Sushilkumar Shinde, a prominent dalit face of Congress, following factionalism in the state unit of the party.

A known Sharad Pawar-baiter, Deshmukh suffered a major setback in the 1995 assembly polls when Janata Dal candidate Shivajirao Patil Kavhekar defeated him by over 30,000 votes in Latur assembly constituency. He won the seat in 1999 and retained it in that election.
During his entire political carrier he was trapped in so many controvercies, every time he had to quit his post due to some or other set back. This book will be about his political journey and the experiences he shared with various political leaders. Deshmukh is known for his silent and sober taunts he was never vocal and loud on any issue. When ever reporters used to ask him for explanation he used to answer then in very humorous way.There are so many minister so far written their biography, most of the biographies were authored by some well known people but vilasrao is writing his book himself. Let say their something better than nothing. At last Deshmukh got involved in some constructive task.When we asked Narayan Rane his opinion on writer Deshmukh “ smart rane very diplomatically said, that’s good I wish him all the best and wait for its launch.”After a great struggle he could get assure his stay with congress party, looking at the risk he avoided commenting further. Any ways this news made Rane giggle from bottom of his heart. People have seen lawyer vilasrao Deshmukh, politician, and educationnist now they will get to read hidden secreats of his life.When asked about the tiltle he told this paper “ it is yet to be decided, he wants to put his thought process in words and then he will decide about the title. This book will be dedicated to Party high command his mentors and Party.

OBAMA ANNOUNCES 17,000 SURGE IN US TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

AFTER PAKISTAN, TALIBAN NOW PLAN TO TARGET INDIA
After Pakistan, Taliban has now set its sights on India, intelligence sources said on Tuesday. Pakistan has gambled that an offer to introduce Islamic law to parts of the northwest will bring peace to the troubled Swat valley, but analysts fear any lull won't last long and appeasement will embolden the Taliban.
Western officials fear Pakistan is taking a slippery road that will only benefit al Qaeda and the Taliban, but Pakistani authorities believe the alternative of using overwhelming force on people who are, afterall, Pakistani posed a greater danger.

The central government has said the Sharia Nizam-e-Adl, or the judicial system governed by Islamic sharia law, won't be implemented in the Malakand division of North West Frontier Province, which includes Swat, unless the guns fall silent. The Taliban announced a 10-day ceasefire on Sunday, while the NWFP government has said that while the military will remain deployed in Swat, there won't be any offensives, only reactive actions. Amnesty International estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 people have fled their homes since late 2007, when the Taliban revolt began in Swat, an alpine region 130 km (80 miles northwest of Islamabad. Tens of thousands have fled since August last year after an earlier peace deal broke down.
US President Barack Obama has approved the deployment 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, as he said the situation in the Afghan-Pakistan region demands immediate attention.
"This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires," Obama said in a statement as he approved his commander's request to send more troops to the war-torn country. Immediately, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the deployment of more than 12,000 troops to Afghanistan. This includes 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, consisting of 8,000 Marines and 5th Stryker Brigade of 4,000 soldiers. While the Marines would hit the ground late spring 2009, Stryker's are likely to be in Afghanistan in mid-summer. Deployment of another 5,000 additional troops to support these combat forces would be announced at a later date, the Pentagon said.
Such an announcement was being anticipated for the past several days. Making the announcement, Obama said the Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and Al Qaeda supports insurgency and threatens America from its safe-haven along the Pakistani border. The "responsibly draw down" of forces from Iraq, gives him the flexibility to increase US' presence in Afghanistan. "This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan," Obama said. The US President, however, clarified the surge of troops in Afghanistan does not pre-determine the outcome of Afghan strategic review, which is currently being done by his administration. "Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan," Obama said. "As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed," Obama said. Even before taking over presidency, Obama had announced his intention to increase the US troops in Afghanistan as he believes the main threat to the United States comes from the safe haven of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Easy money for City human guinea pigs

By Vaidehi Sachin
Poverty and greed, dragging city youth and housewives for clinical trials.
Mumbai’s huge illiterate population is in danger of being misused by unethical firms to test suspect drugs-this time helping in the search for a cure for various diseases. poor susceptible to pharmaceutical giants Lured by the money being offered by dozens of international pharmaceutical companies carrying out clinical trials, human guinea pig
Sarita, house wife, residing at Borivali lend her body to get tested sixth drug-this time helping in the search for a cure for asthma. While speaking to this paper she said “I am not educated enough to get some good employment, my husband has deserted me long back I have three growing children, I am the only earning member. Twice a month I help these medicine Companies to conduct clinical trial on my body, they pay me minimum 6 to 7 thousand. Per month I earn more than fifteen thousand. Some times these trials lead to side effects, but what to do? This earning is better than flesh trading.”
She further said its not only needy people, even college students come here, and after the age of eighteen any one can lend their body for clinical trial”. When asked she refused to disclose the location and company name.
She said most of us, has no knowledge at all about the drugs we have allowed doctors to introduce into our body over the past two years. For now, she has no regrets.
Every year there are so many volunteers they die or become disable due to overdose of tested samples.

When asked State Health Minister Rajendra Shingne he told this paper “foreign drug companies taking advantage of poverty and recession. This is serious issue; I am not much aware of this problem but will soon definitely look into the same. He has also appealed people to make immediate police complaint if they come across such companies.”
1000's of volunteers who are driving nascent clinical research industry, which has attracted global pharmaceutical firms.
According to a report by consultants McKinsey and Co, the city clinical research industry can earn revenues of some thousand millions by 2010, at which time the country will need 50,000 professionals and about 300,000 'subjects' or patients.

Dr Mohanti a Critic say “ not only Mumbai but India's huge illiterate population is in danger of being misused by unethical firms to test suspect drugs. But industry officials say each trial follows a strict code of ethics. Government has banned clinical trial on human body but it is never implemented”. These kind payments made to their human guinea pigs are so attractive generally no one reports against these research institutes.”

The volunteers undergo health tests such as blood, urine, chest X-rays and heart check-up. If they fail research institute do not enroll them for the test. Under Indian laws, only testing of new and generic drugs which have gone off patent and are manufactured in the country are permitted. All other pre-clinical trials, except those on rodents, are banned.

But as soon as pre-clinical trials on animals are over in a foreign country and the new drug has been tested on healthy volunteers in that nation, the drug can be used in India for so-called second and third phase trials.

Industry officials say it costs upwards of US$1 billion to make a new drug, with clinical trials accounting for almost two-thirds of the cost. Carrying out trials in India can cut costs by more than 55 percent, due to cheap and skilled scientific manpower and the availability of volunteers.

Department of Medical ethics has already published in their literature guide that “government should have some provision, to investigate such rackets and save their country men but such provision is not available. Moreover corrupt system can never create deterrence in such clinical laboratories.”
As a rule, studies that involve invasive medical procedures are more lucrative—the more uncomfortable, the better the pay—and in this study subjects had a fibre-optic tube inserted in their mouths and down their esophagus’s so that researchers could examine their gastrointestinal tracts.
Volunteers are paid not to do things but to let things be done to them.

Making a strong pitch

The just-concluded national executive and national council meeting of the BJP have brought some more clarity to the question of who will be the party's prime ministerial candidate. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra, who of late emerged as a strong contender for the post after India Inc's open endorsement of his candidature at the Vibrant Gujarat summit, is in no hurry to upset Advani's applecart. Making a strong pitch for LK Advani as the next Prime Minister, Modi said at the national executive meet that what the country was needing was a "strong" leader like the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate and "not like Manmohan Singh whose presence is not felt" despite he occupying the top post.On his part, Advani heaped praises on Modi for his performance as Gujarat Chief Minister. Advani said the party was "proud of Modi's popularity".
"A journalist once asked me if Narendra Modi was becoming larger than the party. I replied that if a family member is becoming more popular than the head of the family, then it is a proud moment for the entire family," Advani said. "The same was once said about (former prime minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee," Advani added.
BJP meeting has reconciled itself to the possibility of the Congress ultimately fielding Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate. Although Sonia Gandhi has obliquely hinted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is well qualified to continue for another term, BJP hopes that the the choice may finally fall on Rahul. That is why the BJP tried to draw a comparison between Advani and Rahul. The party affiremd that `brand Advani is more credible than brand Rahul' and said there is no substitute for experience both in governance and delivery.
"Advani's tall stature, maturity and holistic approach is before the people to see. Enthusiastic party cadres are on the job to take to the people, the BJP's message and the choice of Advani for the top post", said a party spokesman after the national council meeting.
Rising cross-border terrorism, adverse fallouts of economic slowdown and construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya form the main poll plank of the BJP.
Though the BJP held the `poor economic management' of the UPA government responsible for the slowdown, the national council failed to come out with an action plan to beat slowdown. Instead, its main focus was on terrorism and Ram temple.
Addressing the national council members, Advani said the continuation of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government posed a "threat to the vital interests of the country". He said the government's soft and compromising approach to cross-border terrorism, further weakened by the virus of votebank considerations, has endangered India's internal security like never before. Advani said the five years of UPA's rule witnessed the "highest number of terrorist incidents and casualties since the onset of terrorism in India in the early 1980s". "Secure in the knowledge that the government in New Delhi has neither the political will nor the clarity of policy to fight terrorism, the enemies of India have felt so emboldened that they mounted one barbaric attack after another," he asserted. The "most audacious assault till date" was the Nov 26 strike in Mumbai and the revelations later showed that it was not a case of intelligence failure but more of a government failure.
The Congress-led governments at the centre and in Maharashtra were sleeping in spite of having full information that the terrorists could use the sea route," he said.
The party leaders expressed the hope that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance would come to power because of the Congress' failure on internal security and "all fronts".
Advani said it was wrong to believe that his party had "returned to Ram" because it had never abandoned the god. "Be it Ram Setu or Ram temple (in Ayodhya), we have never abandoned Ram," Advani said. And he said that the true victory of Ram would be when a "magnificent temple" is constructed in Ayodhya. Aam admi', or the common man, will be the focus of Congress party's campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a massive gathering of the party's district chiefs and grassroots workers at Ramlila Grounds in Delhi on Sunday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said: "The aam admi has been the overriding force of our economic policy. We have worked towards the welfare of farmers, the empowerment of women and welfare of weaker sections."

"We want people to reaffirm faith in the Congress. We are ready, we are prepared, we are confident," Gandhi told the gathering.

Detailing the programmes of the UPA, she said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had been very effective and was "historic". "It is improving the lives of the poorest sections". The Right to Information Act has made administration transparent, accountable and enabled participation of people, she said.

She also said the mid day meal scheme was providing nourishment to children and making going to school more attractive. The Sarva Siksha Abhiyan was providing education to children, while the National Rural Health Mission had made healthcare more accessible.

Gandhi said every state, including the opposition National Democratic Alliance-ruled states, had received "unprecedented funding" for developmental activities, which was unlike when the NDA was in power, she added, taking a swipe at the opposition.

She also detailed the government's loan waiver scheme and other welfare schemes for people.

Accusing the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party of not supporting the government in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday said those who want to divide society cannot fight terrorism. Gandhi said that during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime, "we had stood by the government during the terror attacks. But the same thing cannot be said about the BJP. They disturbed parliament, and delayed formation of important laws regarding fighting terrorism."

Making a reference to the BJP's reiteration of commitment to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Gandhi said: "Those who want to divide society, create polarisation on the basis of religion and use the name of Lord Ram are against religion and cannot fight terrorism."

"Terrorism is a big challenge and I want to tell people across the border that they should not mistake our calmness as our weakness, they would be given a befitting answer. We have to fight this (terrorism) unitedly."

Signalling how the party would use the youth cadre, she said: "Today we have to use the experience of senior leaders and the energy of youth. We have many youth in the party, many get the benefit of family background, but many do not. We have to provide opportunity to youth from every section of society."

Detailing the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's programmes during the past five years, she said workers must highlight these during the election campaign.

"Five years ago, we went to the people on the basis of our pledges. Now, we go to them on the strength of our performance. The aam admi (common man) has been the overriding force of our economic policy. We have worked towards the welfare of farmers, the empowerment of women and welfare of weaker sections."
"We want people to reaffirm faith in the Congress. We are ready, we are prepared, we are confident," Gandhi told the gathering at the Ramlila Ground.

SURPRISE SHOCKER FOR SALEM!

Singer Monia Bedi

BY VAIDEHI SACHIN AND PHILIP VARGHESE

Monica Bedi’s debut as a singer seems to have surprised don Abu Salem, who has been in jail for so many years. As usual Monica’s new ventures have given sweet surprises to don. Her entry in big boss, her alleged relations with Rahul Mahajan and now as singer has come as a shocker for Salem. Salem's claim in public about the alleged relationship between the two comes in the backdrop of the actress' earlier attempts to refute the don's stand that the two were married. Earlier, Bedi in her interviews had said that although she knew Salem for several years they had never got married. Salem and Bedi's friendship has also seen some legal drama earlier. He had served a legal notice on Bedi saying that he was ‘deeply hurt’ and ‘distressed’ by her statements denying their marriage.
Monica Bedi, who made a comeback into the entertainment industry with Bigg Boss 2, has turned singer. The Bollywood starlet has rendered her voice for a spiritual album ‘Ek Onkaar’, which is a compilation of one of the revered mantras of the Guru Granth Sahib. The album will be released by Universal Music. In an exclusive tete-a-tete with Samay, Monica said that it was her image that won her this opportunity.
“People look at me as a strong woman who has gone through trials and tribulations in life and has bounced back. But it was my faith and belief in God and the fact that I surrendered myself to Him and started praying, that has seen me through the darkest period of my life. Through this album, I want to spread the message that belief and faith in God will help solve all life's problems,” the actress says humbly.
For someone who has had no professional training in singing, she sailed through the recording. Now she has decided to take classical training in music.
“It was an absolutely new experience for me, and an extremely exciting one, but I did a decent job,” laughs Monica. So would she consider a career in singing in the near future? “For that, I would require proper training, but after doing this, I have got immense confidence in my capabilities. And it's good to learn singing because it helps you develop so many expressions, so it's a plus point for any actor.”
Asked about her 'good friend' Rahul Mahajan, she tells us that she is too caught up with work - her two films and another reality show - to meet him, or any of her other friends from the Bigg Boss 2 show. But for now, Monica is singing another tune, and she's loving every sur and taal of it.
Life behind bars has not dimmed underworld don Abu Salem's attraction towards actress and former lover Monia Bedi as today he once again publicly said that she was his wife, a claim which has been refuted by her on several occasions. In his notice, he had claimed that the duo got married in a mosque at Los Angeles in November 2000. Salem had said that his anguish has been “multiplied manifold” since he was unable to communicate with Bedi. Salem has been lodged at the Arthur road jail in Central Mumbai, ever since his deportation from Portugal in November 2005.

SHOULD RAM TEMPLE BE ALLOWED TO BE BUILT ON DISPUTED SITE IN AYODHYA?

Virtually launching the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today accused the BJP-led NDA of causing "grave damage" to the country's secular fabric and economy and said the saffron party was "misleading" people in the name of Lord Rama.
Addressing party's district and block-level office-bearers in New Delhi, she charged BJP with trying to make political capital out of terrorism and said "those who mobilise people on religious lines, mislead people in the name of Ram cannot become an effective force against terror."
Gandhi's attack on BJP for using the name of Lord Rama comes a day after the saffron party chief Rajnath Singh again raked up the issue of building Ram temple in Ayodhya, apparently with an eye on the elections.
Accusing BJP of conducting "divisive politics", she said, "Grave damage has been done to our secular polity, society and economy by BJP-led NDA. Theirs is a voice of polarisation, of division, of hatred." The Congress, on the other hand, "is a voice of social justice, communal harmony and inclusiveness," she said. Seeking to blunt BJP's allegation that the Congress is soft on terror, Gandhi said "a party which has lost two of its popular leaders to terrorism does not need a certificate from others".
At the same time, the UPA chairperson issued a veiled warning to Pakistan, saying those abetting terrorism in India from across the borders will be given a "befitting reply" and they should not construe New Delhi's "restraint" as weakness.
Describing terrorism as one of the major challenges, Gandhi said, "The recent barbaric terror attacks of Mumbai and Assam remind us of the pain we are going through. But we have no doubt that we will overcome this difficult situation."
She asserted that the UPA government will tackle the problem of terrorism "without any discrimination," apparently responding to BJP's allegation that Congress was appeasing the minorities. In this fight, she said the UPA government drew inspiration from late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Alleging that BJP-led NDA was trying to make political capital out of the issue of terrorism, she said "the opposition created hurdles in Parliamentary functioning and also caused undue delay in passing of the anti-terror law."
She, however, said the Congress did not take any "political advantage" of the terrorism issue when it was in opposition.
The Congress president also accused the BJP-led NDA of playing communal politics.
Gandhi said Congress was the only party which believes that communal harmony and economic development were two sides of the same coin.
Seeking a fresh mandate for the UPA on the basis of "our solid and substantial accomplishments", the Congress president said BJP-NDA speaks for the "privileged few" while the Congress was the voice of the multitude and the aam aadmi (common man)".
She insisted that the government had fulfilled most of the promises made in the Common Minimum Programme and in this regard listed the programmes undertaken for the benefit of minorities, farmers, women, socially and economically downtrodden and others during the last four years.
She highlighted the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, which led to end of the country's isolation in the field, as one of the major achievements of the Manmohan Singh government and said it would benefit even the rural areas of the country.
Referring to the global financial crisis, Gandhi said while the world was going through the economic recession, India is "demonstrating resilience" because of the policies of previous and present Congress government's policies.
But "There is no room for complacency," she said.

Government Keen to keep farmers happy, after 19000 farmers commiting suicide

Blessing in disguise

The problems of farmers and completion of development projects in state have suddenly become most important issues. In view of the forthcoming elections, the state Government keen on keeping everyone happy.
After the suicide deaths of so many farmers in the state, Home Minister Jayant Patil has finally announced that, “The State government has taken the initiative to implement a scheme and 23.39 lakh farmers who have taken loan up to Rs.20,000 will get the benefit of a 100 per cent waiver. Rs 2,881 crore will be paid to banks through cheque for principal amount and not the interest.”
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had already announced a financial package of Rs.6,208 crore to farmers who were left out by the Central government loan waiver package.
Another scheme is for farmers whose loan amounts are above Rs.20,000 and 16.76 lakh farmers will be covered under this. Rs.3,327 crore will be released for this from April one to June 30 this year. “As many as 78 lakh farmers in Maharashtra will be benefited by Rs.14,189 crore loan waiver package of both Central and State governments,” said Maharashtra Co-operatives Minister, Harshwardhan Patil. “Under the Central government scheme, Rs 3,012 crore will be utilized for the farmer loan waiver,” Patil said. NABARD is implementing the loan waiver scheme through Co-operatives Department. Nearly 4,000 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the year 2008. The figures for the period 1995-2005 stand at an appalling 32,000, with nearly 19,000 farmers committing suicide after 2001. 500 cotton farmers have committed suicide since June 2005. Of the roughly 1.5 lakh farmers who killed themselves across the country, every fifth one was from Maharashtra. Maharashtra is one of the country’s richest states and its capital, Mumbai, is home to 25,000 of India’s 100,000 dollar millionaires.
An embarrassed government has started working on a mega loan waiver package worth over Rs.65,000 crore for the agricultural sector, which would hopefully support 600 million out of the massive 1.1 billion population. The package would be borne by nationalised and cooperative banks, as per the official sources. Whether the funds needed should be raised by levying a “farmers’ rehabilitation cess or surcharge” or through a budgetary provision by diverting resources, will be discussed at the prime ministerial level. The total outgo over four years is expected to be about Rs.70,000 crore and could well increase the burden on the taxpayers. Whether the move is election-motivated or genuinely intended for the welfare of farmers and saving them from committing suicide, there is no doubt that the farmers will benefit from this historic loan waiver proposal.
Kishor Tiwari, a human rights activist said, “The government has made no effort to get to the root of the problem. Whatever campaigns are announced never go to the heart of the matter, they only tackle side issues.”
Lower incomes of farmers, caused by the low productivity, leads them into taking incremental debts from local moneylenders. Because of their illiteracy and many other reasons, they hesitate to take loans from banks and ultimately starvation forces them to commit suicide. Several factors such as disastrous policies, no access to affordable credit, greedy and corrupt middlemen, and indifferent administrations have pushed farmers to their breaking point.

Political will and responsibility?

Will the Mumbai terrorist mayhem persuade the various political parties to unite at least for the security of the country? The Mumbaikars will mourn their dead, their losses, and gradually go back to life. But the lamentable personification of Mumbai as a resilient city should not make one forget the horrific tragedies of terrorism. Some incorrigible politicians still cannot resist a possible opportunity to score points over Mumbai’s dead. Gujarat chief Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the home of the late Hemant Karkare with an offer of compensation to the family. Modi’s act to say the least, was ghoulish. He had unleashed a relentless character assassination campaign against Karkare for his investigation into the Malegaon blast. BJP leader and Prime Minister in waiting, L.K.Advani did not exactly cover himself with a non-partisan position. Mr. Advani, as an elder statesman and politician should have led his party by example to form a political coalition across the board on the issue of terrorism irrespective of any religious position. Unfortunately, elections and votes are not too far away from the minds of politicians. It is a pity that the response of the Indian political actors across the board has been appeasement, finger pointing, political scoring, shifting blame and hand wringing. The vote bank always looms large in the political spectrum.
BJP Foreign Minister Yashwant Singh went to Kabul in 1999 to get Indian hostages released from the hijacked IC-814 Indian Airlines flight in exchange for the release of three hardened terrorists. One of them, Omar Sheik Saeed later went on to abduct journalist Daniel Pearl who was beheaded. Another, Maulana Masood Azar, the religious mentor of erstwhile Harkat-ul-Ansar, went on to form the Jaish-e-Mohammad with the help of the ISI. The third was Mustaq Ahmed Zargar who mowed down a large number of men, women and children in Kashmir.
Earlier, the Congress had released a number of terrorists in exchange for Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed’s abducted daughter. The Indian Parliament was attacked in 2002, and that has been followed by periodic terrorist attacks, uncovering of SIMI’s role, birth of the Indian Mujahideen, revelation of the Hindu militant organization Abhinav Bharat and their acts of terrorism, culminating in the devastation of Mumbai. It is people’s outrage which forced the government and the ruling party to initiate some long delayed steps. Unfortunately, however, politicians are still rearing to get at each other’s throats, looking at the parliamentary elections in early 2009. This disease is unlikely to go away anytime soon. Perhaps at the cost of being repetitive, the role of Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh and Home Minister R.R. Patil in connection with the Mumbai carnage must be highlighted as an example of political callousness. For once, there was enough intelligence available in advance to take some precautionary steps. It appears both were so obtuse as not even to call for a security meeting. Both reflect the general quality of India’s political community today. In connection with the Mumbai horror, statements by two politicians must be recorded for posterity. After being turned away from the home of NSG Commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Kerala Chief Minister Achutanandan remarked that if had not been for Sandeep, “not even a dog would have visited the house”. And commenting on the outrage against politicians in Mumbai, BJP Vice President Muktar Naqvi retorted that a few people “Wearing lipstick and powder” and “tie and coat” holding candles do not represent the people of the country. Can anything be more deplorable? These are quintessential politicians. The political parties must now apply themselves to weed out the rotten ones from their midst.
"In a democracy we need political parties with the right kind of politicians".

Freedom Fighter Savarkar's Grandson Cheated......

Savarkar's Grand Son needs Help.....
It may surprise everyone, but Veer Savarkar’s grandson was cheated by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). A sum of about Rs.1 lakh, collected by the MNS under the pretext of funds for looking after him, was siphoned off along with a laptop belonging to the hapless grandson, who ended up a destitute on the footpath. He had even spent one year in the Bombay Hospital recovering from burn injuries suffered in a forest fire. The shock of seeing a 60 year old person destitute on the footpath opposite Swami Samarth Math in Kothrud, Pune was something Banesh Joshi, a social activist and journalist from Mangaon, could not absorb. That the 60 year old was Prafulla Madhav Chiplunkar, the grandson of India’s legendary freedom fighter Swatantrya Veer Vinayakrao Savarkar, is a shock and a national shame. Chiplunkar had a versatile and remarkable career in India and abroad. A B. Tech from IIT Delhi, he was the Plant Superintendent of Gwalior Rayon in Thailand and married a Thai national. The first tragedy struck, when a road accident claimed the lives of his college going son and wife. The second tragedy struck on his return to India; in the forest areas of Himachal Pradesh (HP), a fire crippled him and he had to spend six years in hospital in HP; six months in a Chandigarh hospital and one year in Bombay Hospital; before getting admitted to a hospital in Pune.
He was then discharged and started living on a footpath in Saras Baug. Some local news in Pune papers got the activists of the newly formed MNS into what then seemed to be a charitable initiative. The Savarkar scion was shifted to Niradhar Rehabilitation Centre in Pune and around one lakh rupees were collected in the name of financial aid by the MNS activists, did not reach Chiplunkar; he even lost his own laptop to the disguised robbers. The late Mrs. Indira Gandhi had deputed Chiplunkar to various countries for assessment and analysis to enhance the data bank of Research & Analysis Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat. This elite agency was the brainchild of the late Mrs.Gandhi and she had nurtured the same for India's international strategies. After her tragic assassination, Rajiv Gandhi too continued the international initiative of his mother and deputed Chiplunkar as a team member to Sri Lanka, the then most strategically important neighbor of India. Chiplunkar’s team tendered a detailed study report to the Cabinet Secretariat on the determination of the LTTE cadres to eliminate Rajiv on the eve of the then coming general polls.
However, like his mother; who refused to succumb to the RAW warning against posting of security guards of a particular community at her residence; Rajiv Gandhi too refused to budge and went all out to the common people on the eve of the general elections of 1991. Chiplunkar lives with those memories; his dedication to the cause of India and his integrity are his only two assets. The Swar Gate police not only refused to help him, but discouraged him from going on a fast, stating that they would feed him forcefully. Chiplunkar took to the footpath.
Banesh Joshi has been taking pride in looking after the Savarkar scion. It is not a great thing for Joshi as this Post Master by occupation, has been nurturing fifty children in the age group of five years and less with food and shelter.
“I appeal to India to take advantage of the vast knowledge possessed by Chiplunkar in the field of electricity generation, via wind mills and heating water via solar energy. Come and meet him personally if you want to help,” states Mr. Joshi.

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Radically Amended Criminal Procedure Code

from Day One....................

By Vaidehi Sachin

If you're a criminal, or a would-be criminal, in India the law is a gas. And it just got gassier. On December 23, 2008, the Lok Sabha gave criminality a Christmas bonanza by passing a radically amended Criminal Procedure Code Bill along with seven other Bills, all of which were passed within a mere 17 minutes without any time-wasting frivolities such as debate and discussion which, in effect, prevents law enforcement authorities from arresting someone who has committed a crime which carries a prison sentence of up to seven years.

Instead of clapping behind bars the accused in such cases which include attempt to commit culpable homicide; voluntarily causing grievous hurt; cheating; outraging a woman's modesty; death caused by negligence; and assaulting the President the police will now have to issue a 'notice of appearance' to the individual concerned who will be expected to 'cooperate' with the investigation (rather in the same manner in which Islamabad has offered by way of a 'joint mechanism' to 'cooperate' with Indian agencies to get to the truth behind the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai). Only if the accused fails to respond to the 'notice of appearance' can the police have recourse to arrest by which time the accused, having been helpfully tipped off by the 'notice of appearance', presumably has had the good sense to get as far as possible out of the reach of the no-longer long arm of the law.

Criminals and potential criminals can now, like other sensible citizens, plan their criminal activities as people plan their investment portfolios, purchase of consumer durables, and their choice of holiday destination in terms of affordability and the cost-benefit ratio involved. For example, prudent wrongdoers will now be able to apply the principle of due diligence to the crimes they might be contemplating. A quick deco at the provisions of the penal code which stipulate the maximum sentences for different criminal acts will, like consulting a ready reckoner, reveal what may, or may not, be undertaken with impunity. For instance, murder, rape, dowry death, waging war on the state, robbery or dacoity with deadly weapons are all no-nos as the jail-time in these cases exceeds the seven-year exemption limit for arrests. As such, the risk-averse criminal would be advised to avoid such acts and seek safer options. So instead of rape, a public servant, for example, might contemplate inducing a person in his (or, possibly, her) custody into having sex, an offence which, under Section 376 B, attracts a sentence of only five years and as such is safely within the no-arrest limit.

It's like taking your own breathalyser test and determining whether you're over or under the safety limit. In such a scenario, a savvy murderer might well be motivated to make the planned act look like a hit-and-run, or other form of terminal mayhem which falls within the seven-year escape clause.

Apart from helping criminals to freely plan their careers in crime, the seven-year solution will also help ease the huge logjam of pending court cases and the stifling congestion in jails and prisons. There are almost 30 million cases pending in the country's law courts. This, in turn, impacts prison congestion as thousands of undertrials (15,784 and 15,777, respectively, in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh alone, according to the National Crime Records Bureau), swell penal populations to bursting point. The 1,140 central, district and sub jails, with a total capacity of 2,33,543, currently house 3,26,519 inmates, of which as many as 66.7 per cent are undertrials. Each prisoner, convict or undertrial, costs the taxpayer an average of Rs 11,901.30 (2003-04 figures) per annum in maintenance.

The seven-year-no-arrest rule should significantly reduce prison populations and costs. As such, it should be welcomed both by the thrifty taxpayer as well as the career criminal, who can now cheerfully mug the former (after ensuring that mugging is within the seven-year safety zone) without fear of repercussion, knowing it's all perfectly legal. What a gas.

Ashok Chwan, Chief Minister Maharashtra

Interview with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chwan

By Vaidehi Sachin
Newly sworn in Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, was elected the new leader of the Democratic Front to succeed Vilasrao Deshmukh, who quit following the Mumbai terror attacks. The fifty years young Chief Minister of Maharashtra is the son of veteran Congress leader and two time Chief Minister, the late Shankarrao Chavan. They happen to be the first father-son duo to hold the top political post in the state. The 50-year-old management graduate has been representing the Mudkhed constituency in Nanded district in the assembly since 1999.Shankarrao Chavan was chief minister for the first time from 1975 to 1977 and his second term was from 1986 to 1988.

What do you have to say about Rane's criticism over your credentials?
I don’t take it to heart because the one who is making all these allegations is a senior leader. He could not take his defeat in a positive spirit. His only ambition to join the Congress was to aim for the CM’s post. I can understand his frustration; whatever he is saying about me is out of anger. The decision to make me Chief Minister was the party High command’s choice. She thought of me because she thought I am capable. My work will speak for me.

Rane was not aware of this selection? Is there any threat to Congress party from Narayan Rane?.
Till the last moment none of us was very much sure of who was going to be the Chief Minister, when the Congress Party’s central observers, Pranab Mukherjee and A.K. Antony finalised their shortlists after interviewing us. However, the final choice was left to party chief Sonia Gandhi. Rane and I sat beside each other and I told him that time, let any one of us become CM, the decision should not affect our relations, none of us should feel offended. There is no threat from Rane to my party.

You said your first preference after becoming the Chief Minister would be gaining the people’s confidence. Do you think people have shown their confidence in you?
In order to win the people's confidence, my priority was to enhance the security and the intelligence gathering machinery in Mumbai. Henceforth implementation of every decision taken by the state government would be time-bound. I will try my level best to secure and protect my people. I will do it, then automatically they will trust me.

Will the demand from opposition leaders for police officers’ resignation be fulfilled?
No. I don’t think this is needed; the solution to terror is not resignations. We need to improve our system and provide training to them. Stern action against lax officials for dereliction of duty and lack of security/intelligence which led to the Mumbai terror strikes has already been taken.

Do you admit the lapses in department?
I have already admitted that there were several lapses which led to the Mumbai attacks. We are examining what went wrong and are trying to implement corrective measures. There is no point in hiding mistakes on the part of the state government. There could be some shortcomings. But hereafter, I will ensure that there is no shortage of funds or red-tapism as far the state's security is concerned.

You are the latest in the list of kin of politicians in the state who have profited from the legacy of their seniors. There are sons and daughters galore who have made it big in politics.
See having political background definitely helps politician, but that does not mean all those famous leaders are kin of politicians. There are famous examples like Sushil Kumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chhagan Bhujbal. You should have an inclination towards politics, not blood relations.

What is the difference and the similarity between Ashok Chavan and Shankarrao Chavan?
My father was a very straight forward person. He could dare to say no and oppose wrong people in the party. That period was different. Now, I have to be more diplomatic, and say “let us see’ when I have to refuse. I don’t dare to say no. The similarity between us is we share same blood and Congress party is in our veins. He was legendary, while I am yet to grow.

You have done MBA, you possess many degrees. But people say your biggest qualification here is that you are a veteran Congress leader and son of two-time Maharashtra Chief Minister S.B. Chavan. Is it true?
(Keeps mum, then laughs helplessly) There is nothing wrong if people say so, because I learned grass root level politics from my father. I have been living with party politics since I opened my eyes. My father was an institution for me. I feel proud to be his son. I am born in Mumbai, educated here. Being the son of a senior Congressman, I could live with two different generations of politicians. I could learn political lessons at home itself.


You have achieved so many qualifications. Is it necessary for a politician?
Whether it is necessary or not, I don’t want to comment, but education definitely helps one to be techno savvy. It also helps in time management, strategy planning and delivering the best. Only an educated minister can understand the value of administrative skills. Seniors’ guidance is also very important.

What is your opinion on the Marathi manoos issue? Do you agree to this?
Tell me one thing, how many of us have accepted it? If Barrack Obama can be president of the United States, why should we live with these petty things? The Constitution has a certain framework, and it is mentioned in our Constitution that one who is domiciled of Maharashtra, irrespective of his caste and creed, he is Maharashtrian. Being a citizen of this state you can avail of all the rights. This issue was taken up for political advantage by misguiding a few youth of this state, but no one is concern about the welfare of these people. The people of Maharashtra are wise enough to understand these gimmicks.



Your wife is Punjabi and you are Maharastrian, has this ever bothered you?
Don’t relate my marriage with this issue. We are a very happy family. I am married to Amita , who runs the home and we have two daughters, twins Srijaya and Sujaya; both are students of Jai Hind College. They are born and brought up here and such issues have never affected us.

Vilasrao Deshmukh failed to handle this issue, but how will you tackle it in future?
How can you say this? Deshmukh has not failed. You can recollect Raj Thackeray’s arrest. There were cases registered against him. He was banned from making public speeches. No need to blame Deshmukh. He has done all that which fits into the legal framework.

People say you don’t give them time, you are never available.
People need to understand one thing, that I have hundred of jobs to do. I need time to function, if I sit in office for twenty four hours and start meeting people, I will never be able to function. I don’t want to blame government officers or visitors. The State should have proper direction of execution. Collectors should settle people’s problems on their level, Tehsildars should be active at the village level. Then only can a Chief Minister concentrate on state welfare issues.

Don’t you think your post has the biggest challenge in the state?
It is shocking to see the pending rebuilding, rehabilitation work as well as the recent display of public anger. It is a challenge which I accept. The system has lots of flaws and I need to correct them. I am here to serve my people and my work will prove my ability. I request people to trust and support me. United we can do much better.

Misuse of Funds- BMC

BMC Funds lapsed due to non usage
By Vaidehi Sachin
It may come as a real disappointment and a frightening shock, but almost 90 per cent of the whopping Rs.69.45 crore BMC funds have lapsed due to non usage by corporators. Incidentally, all this money was supposed to be utilized for the benefit of Mumbaikars, and to improve the quality of our life here in the city. Nothing can be done now because the funds were supposed to be utilized by 31.01.2009. Any move to spend would require approval, which again is a 15 day process. The forthcoming elections have rendered the entire situation time barred.

A resolution was passed in the Improvements Committee which allows Corporators to use their funds for repairs in private layouts. This move would have benefited more than 25 lakh Mumbaikars, but local corporators never utilised this money for repairs to bad roads, leaky sewage lines and even faulty electric poles, though this may not be technically BMC’s responsibility. Each of the BMC's 227 corporators gets a constituency development fund, which is a discretionary fund of Rs 25 lakhs a year for work in their own constituencies, during each of their five years in the Municipal House. This amounts to Rs 1.25 crore over five years per corporator and Rs 283.75 crore collectively for the whole House. While it can be surmised that roughly Rs 99.3 crore was spent on drains, 22% (or roughly Rs 62.4 crore) was spent on community development and only 1% (roughly Rs 2.8 crore) on open spaces. Community development is a category that includes a wide variety of work, like building cement passages, compound walls, fencing and, most importantly, libraries, gyms, welfare centres, balwadis and so on. "This discretionary fund is a category which a corporator willingly spends. He gets funds sanctioned for, say, building a welfare centre or a gymnasium, and before long it gets converted into something like his own personal office,'' admitted a South Mumbai corporator who did not wish to be named. “These are the places that encourage a kind of bond between contractors and the executing machinery. The ‘real’ money comes from these contractors,” an official said. “The nexus is unbreakable. They are virtually two sides of the same coin,” he noted.
“Here it’s an unwritten tripartite agreement. The corporator, BMC officials and the developer all share the riches,” sources explained. It is a lot of money, considering that the BMC has 227 corporators and everyone irrespective of their status, ruling and opposition alike, have access to the fund. The largest chunk of corporators' funds-roughly Rs 99.3 crore-went into drainage projects over the past five years. Though the spending may be indicative of the actual demands of various wards, allegations of funds being misused also indicate that while a lot of money has gone into drains, large amounts have also gone down the drain. Civic sources have said that drainage spending is an area that allows for the maximum fudging of figures. Sameer Desai, Congress corporator from Goregaon, said that contractors play a decisive role in getting corporator funds for various works. "Contractors are most willing to carry out repairs on drains. There is always a great disparity between the actual amount spent and the money allotted, as it is not possible to document the exact amount of work carried out when repairing drains,'' said Desai. While the current crop of corporators, whose five-year terms come to an end next month, have spent the most money, 35 per cent on drains, the second-biggest spending has been in a rather nondescript category called ‘community development.’ The least funds have gone into developing open spaces. The percentage-wise findings are from data collected under the Right to Information Act by the NGO Praja Foundation, which did a citywide survey of the spendings of corporators from various political parties. An RTI Activist and concerned citizen, D'Souza has written to mayor Shubha Raul to hold a workshop for all the corporators. "It is very difficult for a lay person to understand the BMC's budget. Last year, after the budget was cleared, I handed over its copies to a chartered accountant, so that he could explain the budget to me,'' he said.
Funds for a ward are provided under different heads. There is the central budget where funds are allocated for specific works to be done in a ward; the ward budget is to be utilised by the Assistant Municipal Commissioner. Besides, there is the corporator's discretionary fund of Rs 35 lakh and the BMC for the first time last year, introduced a Rs.1.5 crore Development Fund for each councilor's ward, which is to be utilised according to the directions of the corporator.
Civic officials, however, said the development fund has been used only for those works for which the corporator has given a written request and which have been approved by the Ward Committee. "The corporator should ask for details about the money spent, check the measurements and quality of work done. For instance, the thickness of a concrete road can be measured by taking sample pits, the width of the drains, into account. This will help a corporator to know if the work has been done according to the area's requirement,'' said a senior civic official. Vidya Chavan, NCP corporator from Malad, said she had asked for the details of expenses from the local ward office. "My entire budget has already been used up, but I want to know if it has really been utilised the way it should have been. Often, there is a lot of fudging of figures," she added.