Jayalalithaa cracks whip on party posters

Aiming at preventing factionalism, AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday warned partymen against printing pictures of anyone on posters and other publicity material other than those of her, late EVR Periyar, CN Annadurai and party founder MG Ramachandran.

According to a party headquarters statement, Ramachandran, fondly known as MGR, had made it clear that only his pictures and those of rationalist leader Periyar and former chief minister Annadurai be used in posters, banners and other publicity material. Since Jayalalithaa took over as General Secretary, her photos are also used.

“When a (AIADMK) minister attends a programme, only his picture is carried in posters by some office-bearers, leaving out the rest. As a result, some others leave out the picture of the minister and print those of others, leading to clashes between party workers,” the release said.

Reports had suggested rival camps even damaged publicity material of each other, it said, adding that this had set a “bad precedent” and damaged the party’s reputation.

“There has been no practice of using pictures of ministers, MLAs and MPs attending government and party functions in posters and banners and there is no approval from the party too,” the release said.

Henceforth, party workers should use only pictures of Periyar, Annadurai, MGR and Ms. Jayalalithaa. “It is enough to print the names of (other) participants,” the release said, warning disciplinary action against violators. 

Source: The Hindu

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10 killed, 38 missing as heavy rains batter Uttarakhand

Ten people were killed and 38 others went missing as incessant rains battered Uttarakhand today triggering landslides, cloud bursts and flash floods which flattened homes and stranded hundreds of pilgrims with the Chardham Yatra coming to a grinding halt.

The Garhwal region bore the brunt of the natural calamity.

The state government has sounded a high alert after the MET department’s warned of very heavy rains and sought the help of the army to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Nineteen labourers of the state—run UJVN Ltd’s Assi Ganga hydel project went missing following a cloud burst in the upper hills of Uttarkashi district.

Similarly, 19 other people also went missing from Gangori, Dunda, Uttarkashi town and Barkot areas in the district.

“We have launched a manhunt to trace the missing people,” said R Rajesh Kumar District Magistrate Uttarkashi.

Elsewhere in the state, 10 people were killed in different incidents following heavy rains during the past 24 hours, said sources in the Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre (DMMC) here.

 In the disaster—prone Uttarkashi district, flash floods hit several low—lying areas creating havoc there.

At least three jawans of the fire brigade department and two others were killed at Gangori area even as Chardham yatra to Gangotri and Yamunotri remained suspended for the second day on Saturday.

In Gangori area of Uttarkashi, Bhagirathi is flowing above the danger level with people being evacuated to safer areas.

Nearly 30 homes were washed away in the floods with the Gangori bridge also collapsing.

“We have now reports that three jawans of the fire brigade and two others were killed in Gangori,” said state disaster management minister Yashpal Arya. 

Source : The Hindu

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40 special squads to crack down on overloading autos

From Friday, the State Transport Department and the Chennai Traffic Police will jointly crack down on autorickshaws carrying school children and maxi-cabs that carry more people than permitted.

A team of 40 squads will inspect all autorickshaws between 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and again in the evening during school closing hours. A meeting between Transport Department officials and the traffic police was held in the city on Thursday.

“An autorickshaw can carry a maximum of five children. If they are found carrying more, we will serve notices to them,” said an official from the transport department. “Their permit and licence will also be cancelled,” a police officer said.

The squad will also target maxi-cabs that carry more school children or passengers than permitted. “The seating ratio in big vans is 1.5 persons per seat. So if the seating capacity is 10, they can carry a maximum of 15 persons. Beyond this, it is overloading,” said a senior police officer.

Also, such vehicles will not be allowed to park haphazardly and board passengers. “During the meeting, we also talked about disposal of seized vehicles,” the officer said. Meanwhile, transport secretary T. Prabakhara Rao submitted the new rules for school buses to prinicipal home secretary R. Rajagopal.

On July 25, class-II student Sruthi was run over by her school bus in Mudichur after slipping through a hole in the vehicle’s floor. Following this, the Madras High Court asked the State Government to come up with rules for fixing the criteria and conditions for operating school vehicles.

The High Court Bench said the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules had no provision with regard to maintenance, fitness and conditions for plying school buses. A draft rule should be produced before the court in two weeks, it said.

The Court also asked the government to form a special cell under the rule, empowering special officers to issue fitness certificates to school buses and impose other stringent conditions, including penal provisions for violations. “The new rules will be submitted in the High Court soon,” a transport department official said.

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Team Anna ends fast this evening, but political plans will be the focus

New Delhi: In a few hours from now, Anna Hazare and his team of activists will end their hunger strike at the protest camp they have inhabited for 10 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Anna has not eaten since Sunday; his aides like Arvind Kejriwal have been fasting for twice as long and their health has been a cause of concern. (Track live updates)

But political parties and the public will really be looking for any announcements that elaborate on the team's political plans. They have asked for feedback - via twitter and the India Against Corruption website - for whether they should set up their own political party. (See forum) The government, which refused to urge them to end their fast, says the activists have always hungered for power while claiming otherwise.

Critics say that a lukewarm reception to this hunger strike -when compared to the epic turnouts for the protests pivoted by Anna last year - have proved that Team Anna can no longer get by as the self-proclaimed safeguard of public interest. Anna has said he will not contest elections, will support a "political alternative." His aides admit that entering politics is a daunting task. Raising the sort of funds required to contest elections seems out of their league, they said. They also said that power corrupts MPs, and they are worried about how their candidates would remain immune to graft if they reach Parliament.

"We want to form a front of honest people," said Mayank Gandhi to NDTV yesterday, after Anna announced on stage that he does not "see anything wrong with forming a party." Mr Kejriwal, visibly weak, appealed to the public to advise the activists on what sort of role they should play. "They are hardcore politicians," said Kapil Sibal, who is among the ministers who have accused Team Anna of trying to dictate terms to a democratically-elected Parliament. (What politicians say)

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid told the Tehelka magazine that Anna Hazare had asked him to keep their June 23 meeting near Pune a secret. Mr Khurshid also hit out
at Team Anna, saying Mr Hazare and his team "talk in different tunes".

Even supporters of Anna have warned that a formal entry into politics is more likely to end as a mis-step rather than a game-changer. "One has to think a 100 times before taking a plunge into electoral politics. If he joins politics, then the momentum gained should not be lost. When people with noble intentions join politics, either they don't last long or they don't achieve much," said activist Medha Patkar.

"I don't think Team Anna should get into politics because we are not ready for elections," said Justice Santosh Hegde, who has been a core member of Anna's group, but has often differed with the others on their tactics.

Team Anna says that the government has proved it has no interest in cleansing the country of graft. The activists believe the antidote lies in the Lokpal Bill, which Anna brought onto the big stage with him through a series of hunger strikes last year. The longest, in August, lasted 16 days, and made Anna the centrifugal force in a middle-class push against corruption. Anna ignored appeals from the Prime Minister and others to end his fast; he relented only after MPs promised to urgently debate the Lokpal Bill, which provides the blueprint for a national ombudsman agency with the powers to investigate and prosecute government servants.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last year, but has tripped in the Rajya Sabha. Anna's activists say without it, there is no chance of reintroducing probity in the governing class.

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My fans' appreciation is enough for me ... says Ajith

Billa 2 had a huge opening at the box-office but since it was replete with just action, a section of the audience didn't take well to the film. Ajith Kumar was quizzed about the performance of the film in a recent media interaction.   

He revealed that he had delivered his best and that his fans have appreciated his sincerity and hard work. He also added that beyond a point he doesn't worry about feedback on his film.

The actor presently has Vishnuvardhan’s untitled project in hand. He has also done a cameo in Sridevi’s English Vinglish.

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PM questions Atomic Energy Department on Kudankulam nuclear plant

New Delhi: There is fresh trouble for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant as the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has questioned the Department of Atomic Energy not to exercise the right to recourse in the event of a mishap in the nuclear power plant.

NDTV has learnt that as the minister in charge, Dr Singh has now sought legal clarifications from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Law Ministry on whether international obligations can override India's nuclear liability bill.

Citing his concerns, Dr Singh has pointed there will be demands for the same treatment by the Americans and the French companies on the grounds of a level playing field.

The Tamil Nadu government has given its no objection from its pollution control board to the Kudankulam nuclear project but there is fresh hurdles for the phase 3 and 4 of the project. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to clear the next phase of the project.

The Department of Atomic Energy, meanwhile, argues that Nuclear Power Corporation does not need to exercise the right to recourse as there is a provision in the international agreement and there is no such provision with the American and the French governments.

The Russians are keen that the right to recourse does not apply for its project and have brought this up during their bilateral meetings with prime minister Manmohan Singh. 

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Pune blasts a planned, coordinated act: Centre

The Centre on Thursday described the near simultaneous explosions in Pune as a planned and coordinated act. 

Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh said forensic experts were examining the two unexploded IEDs and nature of the four blasts. 

“Since the blasts have taken place within an area of 500 metres and within a span of 45 minutes, it appears to be a coordinated act. I am sure there was a plan behind it,” he told reporters in New Delhi. 

Mr. Singh said teams of National Investigation Agency, National Security Guards and Central Forensic Science Laboratory reached Pune early Thursday morning and were examining the explosives. 

“They have examined two IEDs which had not exploded. There are three detonators in each and other peculiarity. Investigation is on. We are making progress,” he said. 

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said there was no update on the blasts so far. 

Mr. Shinde, who assumed charge of the key department on Wednesday, held a high-level meeting with top Home Ministry oficials to review the security scenario in the country, particularly Pune, in view of Wednesday night’s blasts. 

Pune blasts taken very seriously: Shinde

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Thursday said the Centre has taken the near 

simultaneous explosions in Pune “very seriously” and investigators were looking for clues.

“We have taken it very seriously,” Mr. Shinde told reporters in New Delhi after a high-level meeting which reviewed the security situation in the country in the wake of Wednesday evening’s blasts in Pune. 

Mr. Shinde said a team of National Investigation and experts of National Security Guards were already in Pune and they have joined the investigation with Maharashtra Police.

“The report of the investigation has not yet come,” he said, adding, one injured person had been admitted to hospital.

Asked how he would like to describe Wednesday’s four explosions in his home state, the minister said “I cannot say what sort of attack it was“.

Mr. Shinde also said he has no immediate plan to visit Pune.

Wednesday’s blasts took place hours after Mr. Shinde assumed charge of the key Home Ministry.

‘Terror angle being probed’

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil on Thursday said investigating agencies were probing all angles to determine whether any terror outfit was behind the low intensity serial bomb blasts that rocked the city on Wednesday night.

 “Whether it was a terrorist act or not will be determined only after proper investigations are carried out by Maharashtra ATS, city crime branch and central agencies,” Mr. Patil told reporters after visiting the four blast sites on J.M. Road in Pune.

Four coordinated low-intensity explosions struck the busy arterial J.M. Road in the heart of Pune on Wednesday night. The explosions occurred at spots near the Balgandharva Theatre, a Dena Bank branch, a McDonald food outlet and the Garware Bridge on the road.

Asked whether there could be a “saffron terror” angle to the incident, he said, “All angles are being probed and it will not be proper to comment at this stage.”

He said the person injured in one of the blasts — near the Bal Gandharva theatre — was being treated for minor injuries.

The injured person — Dayanand Patil, who hails from a nearby village of Uruli Kanchan, had reportedly visited the spot opposite the Balgandharva Theatre, where a dharna by India Against Corruption (IAC) was in progress.

After he left the place, the explosive, which had apparently been put in his carry bag, exploded on the way, police sources said.

Unconfirmed reports said ammonium nitrate could have been the substance used in the blast triggered by small detonators and pencil cells.

Police have also issued an advisory to IAC activists to wind up the dharna pandal for security reasons.

Life in the city returned to normal late night as the blasts did not cause any large scale damage. 

Police have appealed to people to ignore rumours and carry on daily routine without fear.

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Fasting Team Anna members refuse police request to shift to hospital

New Delhi: Activist Anna Hazare  meets today with his core group in Delhi to take stock of the team's hunger strike against corruption, which has completed a week. Anna, who is 75, joined the fast on Sunday.  His aides like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia  and Gopal Rai, have not eaten for a week.

The Delhi Police has written to the activists reminding them that when the activists were given permission to hold their protest, they had agreed in writing to move to hospital if their  health was in danger.

Doctors from the government-run RML Hospital say they must be moved to hospital immediately.   But the activists  have refused and have warned the government against trying to force-feed them. They say their own doctors have indicated that there's no urgent need for them to end their fast just yet.

Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh said today  "The government cannot be allowed to let people die without being called insensitive." He also said that the government should engage with the activists, but "not at gunpoint." About reports of the deteriorating health about those who're fasting, he said, "Nothing will happen" and pointed to the example of Irom Sharmila, the activist from Manipur who has been fasting for 11 years; she is regularly force-fed by the government via a drip.

Last August, Anna's health dipped precariously when he spent 16 days fasting in Delhi, a pressure tactic to force the government to work on new landmark legislation against corruption. The Prime Minister and others urged Anna formally to call off his strike; he agreed only when parliamentarians promised to urgently debate the Lokpal Bill, named for the new national ombudsman agency that it creates.

This time around, the government has decided not to intervene.  Sources say no appeal will be made for the activists to end their fast. "Those that gave permission for the camp at Jantar Mantar will decide how to deal with issues like deteriorating health," said government sources, who also ruled out any backroom discussions with Anna and his aides.

Earlier this week, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy described the hunger strike to NDTV as "a drama." Senior government sources who did not want to be named said that Anna's own team should take responsibility for the health of its members.  They pointed out that the ruling coalition introduced the Lokpal bill in parliament in December- it was passed by the Lok Sabha but is now stalled in the Rajya Sabha, where opposition parties have asked for more than 200 amendments.

The government's stark attitude towards Anna and his team is at least partly provoked by the activists' blacklisting of the Prime Minister and 14 senior ministers.  Team Anna says it has documented evidence to prove how through corruption or by sheltering other venal parties, they hurt the nation's interests. The activists demanded an independent inquiry against the ministers.

The government said that the unsubstantiated charges did not merit a circumvention of established processes. Many ministers replied individually to Anna, explaining why his team's allegations were factually incorrect.

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