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India reimposes curfew in parts of Kashmir

July 11, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

India, July 10 (Reuters) – Indian authorities on Saturday re-imposed a curfew several hours ahead of schedule in some areas of Kashmir, including parts of the main city Srinagar, in response to protesters attacking security forces with stones, police said.

Authorities late on Friday had lifted a four-day long curfew that was introduced after some of the largest protests in two years against India rule. [ID:nSGE6682CY]

The curfew was to have come back into force later on Saturday evening, but was brought forward after police and protesters clashed in several places in the volatile region. In Srinagar, thousands of protesters led by separatist leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq marched the streets demanding freedom.

The violence in Kashmir could affect efforts by India and Pakistan to revive a peace process that India suspended after the attacks in Mumbai in 2008, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

India has blamed Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), of being behind the growing protests in Kashmir against Indian rule, but many locals believe the protests are mostly spontaneous.

The nuclear armed neighbours have fought two wars over the Himalayan region which they claim in full but rule in part. (Reporting by Sheikh Mushtaq; writing by C.J. Kuncheria)

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Hurriyat calls for shutdown in Srinagar on death anniversary of Mirwaiz and Lone

May 21, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), May 21 (ANI): The Hurriyat Conference has called for a shutdown on Friday on the occasion of the death anniversaries of prominent leaders, Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Ghani Lone.

Shops, colleges and business establishments have been closed in view of the shutdown. The traffic is also off the roads.

Most people are staying indoors, and government offices have registered a very low attendance of employees.

“The Kashmir shutdown marks the death anniversary of Moulvi Farooq, and has been called for by the Hurriyat Conference,” said Asif Ahmad, a local resident of Srinagar.

The shutdown was initiated at the behest of Hurriyat supremo, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, son of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, along with several other Hurriyat leaders, would be addressing a public meeting at the Eidgah ground.
No incidents of violence have, however, been reported so far.

“The extremism and violence that is going on in the valley since the past many years must be stopped. This is the message that the Hurriyat Conference is sending to the people of Kashmir through the shutdown,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, a local resident of Srinagar.

Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone was assassinated on May 21, 2002, while commemorating the twelfth anniversary of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq. (ANI)

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Amnesty International to assess human rights scenario in Kashmir

May 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Srinagar, May 19 (ANI): A two-member team of Amnesty International met Separatist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here and discussed various aspects to assess the state of human rights in the valley.

The team, comprising Bikram J. Batra and Ramesh Gopal Krishen arrived on Monday on a six-day visit to assess the human rights situation and note instances of human rights violations in the state.

“They should responsibly assess the situation and condemn the violations and take up the issue with Central government. And if the Government does not respond then they should make it public that despite their repeated approach to the government, the latter has remained silent,” said Farooq.

“We want that this organisation should bring out the real situation, make it clear and take a stand on the issue then,” he added.

The Amnesty members said they would be meeting all sections of the people to obtain first hand information of any violation of human rights.

“The purpose of the visit is to get a better understanding of the human right situation here. We are meeting with all the key activists, political actors, government officials, lawyers and people who have suffered from human right violations,” said Batra. (ANI)

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Darwin could be new spiritual capital

March 25, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

A business lecturer from Charles Darwin University says the Top End could become the spiritual tourism capital of south-east Asia.

Farooq Haq says Darwin’s central location, multicultural society and impressive natural landscape make it the perfect place for inter-faith meetings, religious camps and spiritual holidays.

He says local businesses could cash in on a Territory wide spiritual tourism campaign.

“The new term we need is spiritual tourism, which will tell people that it is not only an excitement or an experience of travelling but it’s also something spiritual that people gain something that they can’t really express,” he said.

Mr Farooq says people are bored with Northern Territory Indigenous and wildlife tourism campaigns.

He says many people want to use their holidays to reconnect with the natural environment.

“What can be done from a marketing perspective is to market those places as spiritual tourism destinations and add up the value of that place.

“Have a conference, have a meeting or have like a gathering of religious leaders from five, six religions.”

The CEO of Tourism NT, Maree Tetlow, says current campaigns focus on spirited travellers not spirituality.

She says the Territory’s tourism industry is outperforming most other Australian jurisdictions and the campaigns do not need to be changed.

“The nature and the interwoven elements of nature and culture are really what the Territory has to offer and if anything we’re really only seeing increased interest in that,” she said.

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Hurriyat chief wants China, Saudi Arabia”s mediation in J-K

March 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 24 (ANI): Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has suggested that China and Saudi Arabia could mediate to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function hosted by the Pakistan High Commission to mark the Pakistan National Day at New Delhi on Tuesday, Farooq suggested that China and Saudi Arabia could mediate to resolve the issue.

“China has very good relation with both the countries, India and Pakistan. It has a role in Kashmir. We feel that they should come forward the way America is trying to restart the dialogue between the two countries,” Farooq said, adding that it is good to know that China is also engaged in such process.

Referring to the statement of Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Farooq noted that he also had sought Saudi Arabia as an interlocutor in resolving the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.

“Saudi Arabia has very good relations with both the countries India and Pakistan. It is obvious that such a suggestion has come from Shashi Tharoor. Saudi Arabia can play a role in Kashmir. We welcome it,” added Farooq.

Shashi Tharoor had reportedly earlier said that Saudi Arabia should play the role of an interlocutor between India and Pakistan. The remark caused a stir and appeared to fly in the face of India”s long-stated position on resolving all issues with Pakistan bilaterally and without third party intervention.

Recently, Farooq met Chinese Director of Foreign Affairs, Ying Gang, in Geneva during the 13th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.

The Hurriyat leader is due to travel to China at the invitation of the NGO named Han Foundation. (ANI)

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Three candidates in fray for two Assam Rajya Sabha seats

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Guwahati, March 16 (IANS) The Congress Tuesday fielded two candidates for as many seats for next week’s Rajya Sabha elections, while the opposition pledged its support to a media baron as its common candidate for one seat.

On the last day of filing of nominations, the Congress fielded Nazneen Farooq and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Silvious Condopan, while the opposition backed proprietor of the Asomiya Pratidin group of newspapers, Jayanta Barua, as its common candidate.

Election for the two Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled March 26. Both the seats are now held by the ruling Congress.

While the Congress took a gamble by fielding the second candidate, the lone opposition candidate is facing a challenge with several MLAs belonging to the main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) openly revolting against the decision to support him as its candidate.

‘The party didn’t take our opinion and never discussed the name of Jayanta Barua while endorsing his candidature. I am unhappy and don’t support his candidature,’ said a visibly perturbed Abdul Aziz, an AGP legislator.

The AGP apart, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Asom United Democratic Front and the Left parties supported Barua’s candidature.

‘Since there are some problems within the opposition, we thought of fielding the second candidate,’ Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

The opposition is confident there would be no cross voting and all the legislators would vote for their common candidate.

‘We are confident our candidate would win,’ AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary said.

But already there are hints of the Congress trying to woo disgruntled opposition legislators to vote for their candidate.

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Pak rights body worried over police involvement in minorities’ violence

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 17 (ANI): Increasing incidents of violence against religious minorities in Pakistan in recent months, especially Christians, and the apparent involvement of the police with extremists in perpetrating these crimes is a cause of grave concern for human right activists.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) for People’s Rights has expressed its grave concerns over the increasing incidents of violence in Pakistan.

Senior human rights activists like Asma Jahangir, IA Rehman, Muhammad Tehseen, Nadeem Anthony, Shahtaj Qazilbash, Joseph Francis and Farooq Tariq stated this at a press conference here.

They said the recent ‘suicide’ of the 20-year old Robert Fanish in Silakot District Jail, who was charged with defiling of the holy Quran, raises strong suspicion of the involvement of the jail officials in his suspected murder, the Daily Times reported.

According to the JAC, similar incidents have taken place where the persons facing blasphemy charges died in jails and the authorities declared their deaths as suicides, but had the government carried out fair, transparent and thorough investigations into earlier cases of these deaths in judicial custody, it would have been a deterrent for the future.

They said the JAC had repeatedly expressed concerns at the attacks on non-Muslims over allegations of blasphemy and desecration of religious scriptures.

The JAC demanded that the government hold a transparent inquiry to determine the reasons for the alleged suicide of Fanish in Sialkot Jail and if it is found to be a murder, the criminals must be brought to justice. (ANI)

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Fabric bags are growing popular in Kashmir

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Aug 31 (ANI): People are lapping up environment-friendly fabric bags in Srinagar, which they say is reusable and has many benefits.

With the two-month old ban on plastic bags, jute, fabric or recycled paper carrier bags have now become a common sight in the valley.

People can be seen carrying their shopping in jute or other fabric carrier bags.

With the increased demand, sellers are happy to earn a few extra bucks on these eco-friendly bags.

Residents are happy with the government initiative, which is helping to make their picturesque town cleaner and healthier.

“People like fabric bags. Earlier, people used to throw polythene bags anywhere. It used to clog drains forcing and dirty water would flow over. It used to help in spreading diseases.

The government has done a good job by banning it. The demand for plastic bags has decreased a lot,” said Inayatullah Dar, a resident.

The drive has also helped to generate employment for people who are now making these fabric bags from cloth and recycled paper, including newspapers.

“In the process, the cottage industry has started looking up. Now people are stitching cloth bags, which are getting popular. People are now instead of binning their old newspapers reselling them for a little less than their purchase price. This has also helped in the circulation of newspapers,” said Khawaja Farooq Renzu, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Srinagar.

The ban has been imposed in the entire state, but tourist places are seeing its stricter implementation to discourage both residents and tourists from using plastic bags. By Afzal Bhat (ANI)

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Foreign tourists throng Kashmir valley

August 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sonamarg, Aug 27 (ANI): Hordes of foreign tourists especially from Taiwan have arrived at the famous tourist destination Sonamarg in Kashmir valley to spend their holidays.

Sonamarg is a favourite destination among the tourists especially foreigners as from Sonamarg, they can go to different trekking places including Ladakh.

Presently, groups of tourists from Taiwan have installed their tents in Sonamarg because of its high mountains and waterfalls, which come from different glaciers including the Thajwas glacier.

“As this time in Taiwan, it is hot and humid. So, it is a very good change to have a vacation here because it’s a cool, dry and different climate,” said Chain, a tourist from Taiwan.

Tourists do trekking and ride ponies.

“People from foreign countries love this natural beauty. Here one can see more than 10-15 groups of foreign tourists in a day,” said Shaahnaaz, a tour operator.

The tourism director of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Shah said that unlike other countries, Kashmir is being developed keeping in mind the environment and ecology while preserving its natural beauty.

“Kashmir is a paradise for the foreigners. We have golfing, adventure tourism, water sports and angling,” said Farooq Shah.

Kashmir has been among the top Asian tourism destinations.

According to official figures, 430,000 tourists including 23,000 foreigners visited Kashmir in 2008. By Afzal Bhatt(ANI)

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Two militant hideouts busted in Kashmir

August 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Poonch, Aug 20 (ANI): Security forces on Wednesday busted two militant hideouts in Poonch district and recovered fake Indian currency along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

Acting on a tip off, security forces launched an operation in the forest area of Balakote sector near the ceasefire line in the district and located the two hideouts.

During search of the twin hideouts, Army recovered two AK56 Rifels, one AK7.Bolt Action Bullet Gun, one telescope gun, five Pakistan made pistols, seven Bolt Action magazines, 1075 AK rounds, five pistol Magzines, , 15 Chinese Grenades, one Pak Ordinance Factory made grenade, one Anti Tank mine, and Rs. 5000 fake Indian currency.

“In a joint operation, we recovered huge arms and ammunition from the Balakote sector. But the biggest achievement for us is the fake Indian currency, which we have also recovered from the hideout,” said Mendhar Farooq Ahmad Shah, station house officer, Poonch.

Earlier, the security forces had made similar recoveries in Poonch area on August 17, July 27, July 9 but failed to nab any militants. (ANI)

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Insurance mooted to cover losses incurred by tourism sector in Kashmir

August 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Aug 18 (ANI): The tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir has welcomed the initiative of the state government to device an insurance scheme to those involved in tourism trade. This sector will be compensated for the losses borne by them, if any.

The tourism industry in the region was affected due to militancy and the frequent shutdown calls given by separatist factions.

The new insurance proposal seeks to underwrite the losses incurred by the hospitality industry as well as travel agents and tour operators.

“This policy will benefit everyone right from taxi drivers, pony owners and the helping hands in horse riding and all associated with this sector who deal directly with the state. This will enable the people in the tourism industry to avail this opportunity,” said Farooq Shah, Director of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir.

This is for the first time that an insurance scheme exclusively for the tourism segment has been initiated.

This proposal has been welcomed by the tourism sector.

“If the tourism season is for six months or ninety days and our business runs successfully for 45 days, then we can get our returns for the rest 45 days by the insurance company. It is a token gift from the government of Jammu and Kashmir,” Said Abdul Razzak, an owner of a Shikara.The government is trying to meet the demands of the travel and tourism trade. The private sector should come forward and invest in the tourism sector, as tourism is the gift of nature to us. Also, the tourism is the only industry which can grow and progress in this state,” said Muhammad Azim Toman, President, Houseboat Owners Association, Srinagar.

Kashmir has been among the top Asian tourism destinations though it has been suffering major slow down since out break of militancy in the region in 1989.

However, over the past couple of years, visitors have started returning to the pristine and majestic region as violence has declined after India and Pakistan started a slow-moving peace process in 2004. (ANI)

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Pak govt. may file fresh petition against Saeed to ‘showcase its commitment’

July 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 15 (ANI): It seems that the threat of adverse international reaction over the failure of the Pakistani government to detain the Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the prime accused in the November 2008 Mumbai terror strikes may see the federal government file a fresh petition against him, even if the Punjab government decides to withdraw its case.

The provincial government, on Tuesday (July 14) had said that it lacks evidence against Saeed, so it was difficult for it to continue the case.

Punjab Advocate General, Raza Farooq told the Supreme Court that the government had instructed him to withdraw the petition.

Legal experts said the federal government can not challenge the provincial government if the later decides to withdraw the petition.

“If Punjab believes that it does not have sufficient grounds to challenge the high court’s verdict, the federal government will have no legal basis to keep pursuing the appeal as it exists now,” The Dawn quoted a senior lawyer, as saying.

Experts said the federal government may file a fresh petition, or work through some other law to keep Saeed behind bars, as his release could severely damage Islamabad’s image internationally.

“The federal authorities, therefore, may invoke some law that allows it to hold and arrest Saeed without having to involve the provincial government which somehow seems reluctant to take action against him,” said a top official on conditions of anonymity.

“The laws that the federal government may invoke will have a much larger and could cover his activities allegedly injurious to both internal and external order,” he added.

However, former Attorney General, Malik Qayyum said that the federal government does not have powers to detain anyone, which only the provincial government can.

“Detention is meant to prevent someone from doing something. This is exclusively the provincial domain. Still the federal government can arrest people for acts they have already allegedly committed,” said Qayyum. (ANI)

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Pak Punjab Govt has ‘confidential evidence’ against Saeed, withdraws case

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 14 (ANI): The government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has decided to disassociate itself from the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed case and filed a plea for its withdrawal.

On Monday, the provincial government informed the Supreme Court that it has challenged the release of Saeed due to certain “confidential evidence” against him.

According to Punjab Advocate General Raza Farooq, Saeed was put under house arrest on the directive of the federal government, which failed to provide solid evidence to maintain his house arrest.

Therefore, Farooq said the Punjab Government has decided to disassociate itself from the case and a petition for withdrawal has been filed with the Supreme Court.

Farooq on Monday told the three-member bench hearing pleas against a Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to release Saeed and Colonel (retired) Nazir Ahmed that Saeed was detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1961.

However, Section 3 was not mentioned in the detention order. The three-member bench consisting of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, asked the Punjab AG to satisfy the apex court, the Daily Times reports.

The AG said there was sufficient evidence against Saeed, but it could not be made part of the case record because it was confidential.

Farooq also submitted that it was binding on the government to implement resolutions adopted by the UN.

He said the detention of Saeed had become necessary, as the UN had levelled allegations that Saeed was linked to Al Qaeda and was allegedly involved in some terror-related incidents at an international level.

The Pakistan and the Punjab Governments, through their petitions, requested the court to set aside the LHC decision of ending the detention of Saeed and Col (retired) Nazir Ahmed.

The petitions claimed the LHC had not considered the sensitivity of the case, especially in light of the prevailing security situation. (ANI)

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J and K HC orders exhumation of Shopian rape victims bodies

July 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar July 4 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed state police to exhume the bodies of the victims of rape and murder in Shopian for fresh post mortem.

The court also ordered that no person, including security personnel could leave Shopian without special permission. The order is binding on personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Jammu and Kashmir State Police.

A two-judge division bench of the J and K High Court, comprising Chief Justice Barin Gosh and Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, issued the orders after hearing a PIL filed by the Kashmir Bar Association.

However, the court said the consent of the victims’ family is required before the bodies could be exhumed.

The Kashmir Valley has witnessed protests following discovery of the bodies of 17-year-old Asiya and her pregnant 22-year-old sister-in-law Nelofar in a stream on May 30 after they went missing from their orchard on the previous day. Amid massive demonstrations across the Valley, police registered a case of rape and murder. They have not named any suspects.

The same bench of the J and K high Court on Friday ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Inspector General of Police Farooq Ahmed, to interrogate all suspended officials and if necessary to conduct a narco analyses test of these officials.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government suspended the then district police chief of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rohit Baskotra, Station House Officer (SHO) Shafeeq Ahmad, Sub-Inspector Qazi Abdul Karim and Javed Iqbal Hafiz, scientific officer forensic science laboratory following recommendations made by the Justice Muzaffar Jan Commission. (ANI)

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Now, Musharraf’s aides implicated in 15 billion-rupee scam

June 30, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, June 30 (ANI): The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, has been informed about the involvement of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s coteries in a 15 billion rupee scam.

Punjab Cooperatives Board for Liquidation (PCBL) Chairman Nazar Muhammad Chauhan wrote a letter to Chaudhry detailing “massive corruption” by former military officials posted to NAB and PCBL.

“I want to bring to your notice massive corruption – with the money involved amounting to 15 billion rupees- by Musharraf’s coteries posted to NAB and PCBL. Being duty bound, I reported the matter to … the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment and NAB … [but there was] no result because of the clout millionaires exert in the ruling elite,” the Daily Times quoted the letter, as saying.

Chauhan alleged that Former PCBL chairman Brigadier (r) Farooq Maan was the lynchpin of this mega fraud.

“Interestingly, on references filed by me, the Anti-Corruption Establishment lodged an FIR, arrested menial staff and did not go for the big fish. Brigadier (r) Farooq Maan, who was the lynchpin of this mega fraud of Rs 15 billion, is still at large,” he said.

Concluding the letter, Chauhan wrote: “It’s a pity that you were manhandled on the pretext of accountability and the ones who actually did it are not being brought to book.”(ANI)

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Cabinet ministers from Kashmir take charge

May 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 29 (ANI): National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah assumed charge of the New and Renewable Energy Ministry here on Friday.

Addressing reporters after assuming charge, Abdullah rubbished claims that he was unhappy with the ministry that he had been allotted.

He described the ministry as the biggest challenge that he was facing, as in times to come, there would be a paradigm shift from conventional energy to renewable energy.

“It is not an ordinary ministry, if you come to think of it. There was no question of being sad or sorry. I am very happy that I have got a challenge to face,” he added.

He said he would go to the people, especially to students in universities and spread awareness about the nature of work, his ministry was undertaking, and encourage them to take up research oriented careers in the field of new and renewable energy.

Senior Congress Party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also took charge of the Ministry of Health and Family.

Azad expressed happiness over being given an opportunity to work for people in the health sector.

Outlining his priorities, he remarked that the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission would top his agenda as Health Minister.

“My priority in the ministry would be to implement the National Rural Health Mission in letter and spirit. This cannot be done sitting here in the health ministry. I would in every six months sit with the State Government and review the situation,” said Azad. (ANI)

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English lords over Hindi in Lok Sabha oath-taking ceremony

May 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 28 (ANI): Fifty nine ministers took their oath in English and Hindi at a solemn ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.

President Pratibha Patil administered oath of office to 38 ministers in English and 21 ministers in Hindi.

The 59 ministers will now join Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 19 other Cabinet Ministers.

The 38 ministers who took their oath in English were: Farooq Abdullah, Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja, Mallikarjun Kharge, M S Gill, G K Vasan, Pawan Kumar Bansal, M K Alagiri, Praful Patel, Prithviraj Chavan, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Jairam Ramesh, Srikant Jena, E Ahamed, V Narayanasamy, Mullapally Ramachandran, Jyotiraditya Scindia, D Purandeswari, K H Muniyappa, Ajay Maken, Panabaka Lakshmi, M M Pallam Raju, Saugata Ray, S S Palanimackam, A Sai Prathap, Gurudas Kamat, K V Thomas, Dinesh Trivedi, Sisir Adhikari, Sultan Ahmed, Mukul Roy, Chowdhary Mohan Jatua, D Napolean, S Jagathrakshakan, S Gandhiselvan, Praneet Kaur, Prateek Prakashbapu Patil, R P N Singh, Shashi Tharoor and Vincent Pala.

The, 21 ministers who took their oath in Hindi were: Virbhadra Singh, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Selja, Subodhkant Sahay, Mukul Wasnik, Kantilal Bhuria, Salman Khursheed, Dinsha Patel, Krishna Tirath, Namo Narain Meena, Jitin Prasada, Harish Rawat, Bharatsinh Solanki, Mahadev Khandela, Tusharbhai Chaudhary, Sachin Pilot, Arun Yadav, R P N Singh, Pradeep Jain and Agatha Sangma.

The 79-member Union Government reflects a cross section of Indian Society. The ministers come from 21 of India’s 28 states and include representatives from both the Muslim minority and the lower castes. (ANI)

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Cabinet expansion today

May 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 28 (ANI): Fifty-nine ministers will take oath in the second round of cabinet expansion here today.

Dr. Singh has recommended several names to the President for inclusion in his Council of Ministers.

The names doing the rounds are that of Virbhadra Singh, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Farooq Abdullah, Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kumari Selja, Subodh Kant Sahay, M S Gill, G K Vasan, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Mukul Wasnik, Kantilal Bhuria and M K Azhagiri, who have been recommended for cabinet rank.

The names of Praful Patel, Prithviraj Chavan, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Salman Khursheed, Dinsha Patel, Jairam Ramesh, Krishna Tirath have been recommended for Ministers of State with Independent Charge.

The names of E Ahamed, V Narayanasamy, Srikant Jena, Mullappally Ramachandran, D Purandeswari, Panabaka Lakshmi, Ajay Maken, K H ,Muniyappa, Namo Narain Meena, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada, A Sai Prathap, Gurudas Kamat, M M Pallam Raju, Mahadev Khandela, Harish Rawat, K V Thomas, Saugata Ray, Dinesh Trivedi, Shishir Adhikari, Sultan Ahmed, Mukul Roy, Mohan Jatua, S S Palanimanickam, D Napoleon, S Jagathrakshakan, S Gandhiselvan, Preneet Kaur, Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, Bharatsinh Solanki, Tusharbhai Chaudhary, Arun Yadav, Prateek Prakash Patil, R P N Singh, Vincent Pala, Pradeep Jain and Agatha Sangma have been recommended for Ministers of State.

In the first round of swearing-in on Friday, only 19 ministers were inducted along with the Prime Minister. Portfolios have been allocated to only six ministers. (ANI)

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PM, Sonia Gandhi finalise list of ministers ahead of cabinet expansion

May 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi met here today to finalise the list of ministers ahead of the cabinet expansion.

Fifty-nine ministers will take oath in the second round of cabinet expansion on Thursday.r. Singh has recommended several names to the President for inclusion in his Council of Ministers.

The names of Praful Patel, Prithviraj Chavan, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Salman Khursheed, Dinsha Patel, Jairam Ramesh, Krishna Tirath have been recommended for Ministers of State with Independent Charge.

In the first round of swearing-in on Friday, only 19 ministers were inducted along with the Prime Minister. Portfolios have been allocated to only six ministers. (ANI)

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Supporters of Shabir Shah clash with police in Srinagar

May 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, May 23 (ANI): Police in Srinagar baton-charged and fired teargas shells to disperse agitating supporters of separatist leader and President of Democratic Freedom Party, Shabir Ahmad Shah on Friday.

The clash took place when followers of Shabir Ahmad Shah staged a demonstration after his release.

Shah, an executive member of the moderate faction of separatist alliance, Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference headed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Umer Farooq, was under detention for nine months in connection with the mass agitation for the Amarnath land row.

He was arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on August 22 last year during mass agitation triggered by the land row over the Hindu cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas. (ANI)

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