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Rahul Gandhi visits Amethi

March 27, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), Mar 27 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi visited his parliamentary constituency Amethi to take stock of ongoing development programmes.

Gandhi reportedly discussed various issues with the district officials and also interacted with the local party workers.

“Opinions were exchanged (at the meeting). Discussion about the all round development of Sultanpur (adjoining district) took place. Developmental programmes such as MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Prime Minister”s Rural Roads Programme), Central Road Fund, Indira Awas Yojana (housing programme) and others were discussed,” said Sanjay Singh, a senior Congress leader in Amethi.

Gandhi visits his constituency at regular intervals. (ANI)

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Former Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash gets temporary relief

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) In a temporary relief for former Lieutenant-General Avadesh Prakash, the Supreme Court Tuesday decided to hear his plea against the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT)order of February that facilitated a fresh Court of Inquiry (COI) against him in the Sukna land scam.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Deepak Verma and Justice B.S. Chauhan decided to hear Prakash’s plea against being made an accused in the case midway through a CoI but refused to grant any specific relief to him.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Prakash, pleaded before the court to halt the CoI proceedings but the court did not oblige. However, Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaisingh assured him that ‘nothing may happen’ till the hearing in the apex court on March 29.

The former military secretary, the senior-most officer of the Indian Army ever accused of a scam, has come to the apex court claiming that COI order was a violation of the principal of natural justice. The tribunal headed by Justice A.K. Mathur had endorsed the army’s move to make him an accused in the scam.

His counsel contended that the former military secretary had appeared as a 19th witness before the CoI, probing the Sukna land scam, but after his deposition he was made an accused in the case.

As CoI ordered his court martial, the former lieutenant general moved the Armed Forces Tribunal, which gave him the permission to examine all other witnesses, examined before him.

Not satisfied with the tribunal’s ruling, Prakash moved the apex court seeking the ruling be scrapped.

The Court of Inquiry report of Sep 29, 2009, had indicted Prakash for ‘using his position of authority to pressurise the staff of Headquarters 33 Corps and influencing Lt-Gen P.K. Rath, GOC’ to issue a no-objection certificate to transfer a 71-acre tea estate adjacent to the Sukna military station to family friend and businessman Dilip Agarwal.

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Joshi underlines rural development cooperation between India, Lesotho

March 11, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister C.P. Joshi on Wednesday underlined the need to promote cooperation between India and Lesotho in areas of rural development and local self governance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa called on Joshi at his Krishi Bhawan office here.

Tsekoa evinced keen interest in various programs run by the Ministry and sought India’s co-operation in strengthening the rural development machinery in his country.

He lauded India’s progress in local self governance and called for India’s support in training the professionals from Lesotho.

In his remarks Joshi highlighted measures undertaken by the Centre to ameliorate the conditions of rural masses especially the rural poor.

Joshi also shared the experiences of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act towards rural employment, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) towards rural road connectivity, Indira Awas Yojana directed towards rural housing and National Land Records Management Program towards digitizing the land records with the visiting dignitary.

He suggested that the two countries could look forward to promote co-operation in training of professionals in these areas geared towards the uplift of villagers.

Tsekoa appreciated the role played by India in promoting co-operation in various fields . He was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Lesotho in India.

Senior officials from the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ministry were present on this occasion. (ANI)

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Army, IGNOU sign MoU to give soldiers’ second career option

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep. 4 (ANI): A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Indian Army and Indira Gandhi National Open University to meet the twin objectives of empowering soldiers educationally and providing an opportunity for a second career option.

The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Mukesh Sabharwal Adjutant General and IGNOU Vice Chancellor Professor VN Rajasekharan Pillai in the presence of Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor at South Block today.

The MoU seeks to confer educational certification to soldiers of the Indian Army, within the parameters laid down by IGNOU for Community Colleges, recognizing the ‘in-service’ training done by them; within the broad frame work set out by IGNOU.

IGNOU will register Regimental Training Centres/Human Resource Development Centres of the Indian Army and Army Schools of Instructions as ‘Community Colleges’.

The Army-IGNOU Community Colleges will function as autonomous bodies conducting examinations and their courses as before.

Credits from such approved courses will be transferred to the programme and will count towards the desired credits to be earned for an associate degree.

Certain credits are to be earned for a Graduation Degree which would be from approved elective courses offered by IGNOU or the Army to be undertaken after grant of an Associate Degree.

Approval of these courses with credit ratings would be accorded and reviewed by the ‘Army-IGNOU Academic Committee’ at regular intervals.

With the signing of the MOU with IGNOU leading towards award of academic diploma/associate degree and Graduation Degree to soldiers, a major step forward has been taken to empower the soldier to live a life of dignity and confidence after he leaves the service for a second career.

The project has been named as ‘Gyan Deep’ signifying knowledge. (ANI)

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Army to tie up with IGNOU for giving soldiers a better life after retirement

September 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 3 (ANI): To empower soldiers educationally and to provide them with an opportunity of a second career option after retirement, the Indian Army has come out with a plan according to which soldiers who join service after school can study for a degree in market driven courses.

The Indian Army will tie up with the Indira Gandhi National Open University to set up community colleges on the pattern of the US system of community colleges in its cantonments and other defence establishments to impart education in market-driven courses and soft skill programmes.

The Army will sign an MoU with IGNOU on September 4 to give academic diploma or associate degree and graduation degree to soldiers, which is seen as a step towards empowering the soldier to live a life with dignity and confidence after retirement.

The project named ‘Gyan Deep’ will benefit many of the 1.2 million soldiers of the Army. Nearly 50,000 trained soldiers retire every year from the army after an average of 15 years of service.

“The jawans will be given BA, BBA, BSc and BCom degrees depending on their area of work,” a senior officer said.

For soldiers who join after Class 10, the army will be organising bridge courses to bring them at par with those who have completed Class 12.

The Army-IGNOU Community colleges will function as autonomous bodies conducting examinations and their courses are hitherto fore. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)

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Govt. orders enquiry into Terminal 1-D damage in Delhi

August 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Taking serious note of the incident, in which a section of the newly constructed Terminal 1-D at the Indira Gandhi International airport was damaged due to heavy rains and wind, the Civil Aviation Ministry on Saturday ordered an enquiry into the incident.

The enquiry will be conducted by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

On Friday (Aug 21), heavy rains and wind damaged a section of the newly constructed terminal building in the national capital, resulting in disruption of flight operations and facilities at the terminal-1D.

The Ministry has asked the DGCA to fix accountability and suggest appropriate action under its licensing and regulatory powers.

The enquiry would ascertain the cause and contributory factors resulting into the incident and would make recommendations for prevention of occurrence of such incident in future

It would also suggest various measures to strengthen oversight mechanism on development, operation and maintenance of new aerodromes, including expansion of the existing ones.

The DGCA is authorised to take necessary assistance from technical experts wherever required. It will complete the enquiry in two months and submit the report to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. (ANI)

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Defence Minister Antony to visit Maldives

August 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Defence Minister AK Antony will begin a three-day official visit to Maldives from tomorrow.

He will be leading a high-level delegation comprising Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, DG Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen NK Parmar, DG Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and Deputy Chief of Navy Staff Vice Admiral DK Joshi.

Shortly after his arrival at the Maldivian capital, Male’, Antony will call on President Mohammed Nasheed.

He will hold talks with the top leadership of the government and the Maldives National Defence Force.

The Minister will also have bilateral discussions with his counterpart Ameen Faisal on ways of expanding defence cooperation between the two countries.

He is also scheduled to attend the closing session of the India- Maldives Friendship function besides paying a visit to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, the most visible symbol of Indo-Maldives cooperation and friendship.

The 200-bed general and speciality hospital has over the years provided Maldives greater self-reliance in the field of medical care.

Antony returns home on August 22.

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multi-dimensional relations.

India was among the first to recognize Maldives after Independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.

India’s prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt, which diffused the crisis, represents a watershed in India-Maldives relations.

India’s quick response and prompt assistance in their hour of need and immediate withdrawal of the troops when they were no longer required assuaged fears of any Indian dominance.

More recently, when the tsunami waves hit Maldives on December 26, 2004, India was the first country to rush relief and aid to Maldives. In April 2006, India gifted a fast attack craft, INS Tillanchang, to Maldives. (ANI)

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Social empowerment of women more important than Reservation Bill for them: Agatha Sangama

August 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 8(ANI): Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangama on Saturday said that social and economic empowerment of women is more essential than the Women’s Reservation Bill.

However, Agatha did not disapprove the Bill and said that it would be a medium, which would enable women to have equality in the society.

Sangama said this during a programme organised by the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) to inaugurate a community college project in the national capital.

“I have always thought about empowerment (of women) in different ways. One always thinks about (women’s) reservation Bill, but that one is to get political empowerment. I think there are other forms of empowerment such as social and economic empowerment which are equally or much more crucial,” said Agatha Sangama, Union Minister of State for Rural Development.

The community college programme is being started by the AIWC in coordination with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to provide education and training to people who are unable to utilise the conventional avenues of education.

“It’s as a wonderful idea. Women will get opportunity to learn things, get empowered, and become independent, in order to live a very good life,” said Agatha, adding that it would pave way towards development for those women who actually needed to be economically and socially empowered. (ANI)

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Former WB Chief Minister Jyoti Basu admitted to hospital

July 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kolkata, July 12 (ANI): Senior Marxist leader and former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu was admitted to AMRI Hospital in Salt Lake following a breathing trouble this morning.

Basu turned 96, on July 8, and many followers greeted him at his residence Indira Bhavan on that day.

According to Basu’s son Chandan Basu, the former Chief Minister was admitted following restlessness and his condition has improved.

Basu was being treated in the hospital’s ICCU, sources said. (ANI)

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Canada forges new links with India in research, higher education

July 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): With two new initiatives in research and higher education, Canada continues to forge new links and strengthen existing ties with India.

David Malone, who was Canada’s High Commissioner to India from 2006-2008, and is now the president of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a funder of global development research, has outlined a new capacity building initiative to increase the ability of research institutions to shape economic and social policy.

The IDRC is seeking applications from research institutions focussing on economic and social policy from five South Asian countries, including India.

Under a second initiative, the University of Alberta has announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay, that will see students and faculty from both institutions working closely on health and energy issues.

The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of the top 100 teaching and research universities in the world.

The agreement will enhance existing relationships between individual engineering and science faculties from both institutions. Students and researchers from the University of Alberta will also be able to travel and work in India and their counterparts will come to Edmonton.

Indira Samarasekera, U of A president, said partnering with IIT-Bombay is consistent with the university’s mission to connect with the world.

“We understand the importance of working collaboratively with other leaders in finding solutions that will make a meaningful difference in our global community,” Samarasekera said.

“Our partnership with IIT-Bombay also illustrates our commitment to serve Alberta and the country, as it makes it possible for our researchers to travel and work directly with their counterparts in India through summer school programs, joint research initiatives and our new Distinguished U of A-IIT-B Professorship in Nanotechnology/Energy exchange program,” she said.

Currently, IIT-Bombay is ranked 36th by Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings among engineering and IT universities, and produces about 20 per cent of India’s PhD graduates.

The U of A is in similar company, ranking 74th overall, 45th in lifesciences and biomedicine, and 46th in engineering and information technology. (ANI)

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Budget helps Indian economy to return to path of growth says Chidambaram

July 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi July 6 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has hailed the union budget, saying it has been prepared with great skill and wisdom and with the objective of stimulating the economy and returning to the high growth path.

Chidambarm expressed hope that the economy will be boosted with the stimulus packages and measures announced to save the Indian economy from global melt down.

Chidambaram appreciated the steps taken by Pranab Mukherjee to stimulate infrastructure development by creating India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL). He also expressed happiness over the creation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) that is expected to help farmers.

More allocation of funds to the project like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), would help in promoting inclusive growth and creation of jobs, he said.

Home Minister Chidambaram thanked Pranab Mukherjee for allocating 100,000 houses for Central Para-Military Force personnel, and allowances on par with the army.

Chidambaram also thanked Pranab Mukherjee for his proposal to interest subsidy for educational loans taken by students belonging to economically weaker sections, and introducing the National Food Security Act. (ANI)

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Malay Indian teacher launches poster campaign for lost child

May 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ipoh, Apr 29 (ANI): A Malay Indian kindergarden teacher in Ipoh has launched a poster campaign for her missing daughter.

Thirty-four year old M. Indira Gandhi is on the lookout for her estranged husband K. Patmanathan, 40, and year-old daughter Prasana Diksa.

The Star online quoted Gandhi as saying, “The callers give words of encouragement and tell us not to give up hope in our search for them.”

“I thank the callers for their encouragement, but we really need information on my baby’s whereabouts,” she added.

Her lawyer M. Kulasegaran informed that the poster campaign had attracted a decent response.

“The family is, however, happy that something is being done to help locate the infant,” he said.

Kulasegaran believes that both Patmanathan and Prasana are in Ipoh and that are being “protected” by someone to damage the Ipoh High Court’s order.

On April 24, the Ipoh Court had given Indira interim custody of her three children and had banned Patmanathan from entering their home. (ANI)

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New departure terminal at IGI airport commences operation

April 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Flying out of Delhi may not be chaotic anymore as a swanky new departure terminal at Indira Gandhi International airport here today become operational. However, some confusion prevailed among the passengers of IndiGo, Kingfisher and Kingfisher Red airlines who arrived at either terminal 1B or 1A, from where these airlines were operating till yesterday.

“150 passengers of IndiGo’s flight (6E 201) to Guwahati were the first lot to check-in and board their plane at 5.35 am, after they were accorded a traditional welcome at the newly-built departure terminal,” a spokesperson of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport’s operator and developer, said. Indigo, Kingfisher Red and Kingfisher have shifted their operations to T1D from terminal 1A and 1B after their last flight took off last night.

DIAL officials present at the new building, christened T1D, presented mementos, sweets and gifts to the passengers. Cherry Williams, from Chicago, was the first passenger to enter the terminal building to take her flight to Guwahati.

Passengers were delighted to experience the new facilities of the terminal, the DIAL spokesperson said. Earlier, B S Santharaju, Chief Executive Officer of DIAL handed over a key, symbolising a formal handover of the terminal building to Udayan Banerjee, DIG CISF and Deepak Agarwal Commandant CISF. PTI.
PTI

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Indira Jaisingh: Govt indifferent about health warnings on tobacco products

April 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

After a stern reprimand from the Supreme Court for the seeming indifference regarding warnings on cigarette packs, the Central government said that the statutory pictorial warning on cigarette and tobacco products will be displayed from May 30 onwards.

With the NGO Health for Millions’ senior counsel, Indira Jaisingh, alleging that the Centre was unnecessarily prolonging the issue, the Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium assured the requisite government action, to a bench headed by Justice B N Aggarwal.

In its case filed against the government, the NGO has accused the government of curtailing parts of the original pictorial warnings on tobacco products.

Saying that the government initially talked of displaying a ‘skull-and-crossbone’ image, along with the warning that smoke can even harm a baby in mother’s womb; Jaisingh drew attention to the X-ray images of lungs being currently displayed, and the supposed addition of a scorpion.

In her argument, Jaisingh said that the image of a scorpion does not serve as a “health recall” image for Indian masses; and that the globally-used skull-and-crossbone image is a symbol of health warning, which breaks all linguistic barriers.

Jaisingh further said that the delay in government action and the indifferent attitude was an indication of the government falling prey to the “tobacco lobby,” and accused the ministers and MPs owning tobacco plantations for an alleged hand in delaying the implementation of the warnings.

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Gandhi family scion arrested for hate speech given parole

April 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi – India’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of the grandson of the late prime minister Indira Gandhi on parole for two weeks to enable him to file his candidacy for general elections.

Varun Gandhi was arrested in late March in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly making inflammatory anti-Muslim statements while campaigning for India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The 29-year-old was booked under the National Security Act and was lodged in jail in Etah.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan ordered Gandhi’s release, pending a final decision on his lawsuit challenging his arrest by the state government.

The bench dismissed stiff opposition by the Uttar Pradesh government when ordering Gandhi’s temporary release but imposed strict conditions on the politician during his parole, such as not making speeches “likely to cause communal disturbance and hatred among any caste and community.”

The order would allow Gandhi to register as a candidate from the Pilibhit constituency in the state and launch his campaign.

The Indian National Congress party, which leads India’s federal coalition government and is headed by Sonia Gandhi, accused Varun Gandhi and the BJP of playing communal politics.

Varun Gandhi’s mother, Maneka Gandhi, was married to Indira Gandhi’s second son, Sanjay Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi, who was married to Indira’s elder son, Rajiv, is his aunt. The two branches of the family are members of rival political parties.

The Congress party and the BJP lead the two main alliances fighting the five-phased, month-long general elections in India, which began Thursday. (dpa)

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Health Warnings On Tobacco Packs From May 30

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Come May 30, cigarette and tobacco makers have to flaunt the legislative pictorial warning on the packs of their products as the Centre promised to put into effect the rule making the provision obligatory in a months time.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium gave the word to a bench led by Justice B.N. Aggarwal after senior counsel Indira Jaisingh, appearing for NGO Health for Millions, alleged the Centre was dragging its feet on the subject.

Jaisingh charged the administration of crumpling under the force from the tobacco lobby.

When Jaisingh sounded off the Centre had thinned out the original warning signs on tobacco products, the bench said, This way, the government wants to control the population.

Jaisingh said that the administration at first planned to display images of a skull and bone along with a warning that tobacco products even kill a baby in mothers womb.

But, using X-ray images of lungs on the label of tobacco products has diluted the caution, she claimed.

After hearing the Centre and Jaisingh, the court decided to take up latters request for a final clearance on April 30.

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Explosives found near Manipur police headquarters

April 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Imphal, April 13 (ANI): Two improvised explosive devices were recently found near Indira Park opposite to the Imphal west district police headquarters.

Just a day after bomb squad disposed off the devices yet another IED with a cell phones attached to it as remote control was found at Kangla Park.

A team of the State police bomb disposal squad defused and got rid of the bomb and averted a major tragedy.

KCP (MC) Lanheiba, a militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for planting the IEDs.

Security has been beefed up in the state since then and police have been on a high alert.

“We have been physically searching each and every locality in order to prevent the planting of IEDs and bombs particularly in crowded places,” said L. Kailun, IPS, Sr. S.P., Imphal West.

After the discovery of bombs in the city and frequent outbreak of violence in the State, people, particularly womenfolk came out to protest against such incidents.

“We want to live in peace in our state and so we are sitting for this protest so that such incidents do not happen again in future. We want to live in peace and harmony,” said a resident woman in Imphal.

“Bombs are thrown and grenade attacks frequently take place in the state. Such attacks are not going to bring about any solution. Instead, in such incidents, innocent people are hurt. So it is our appeal that they should stop doing such things as ultimately it’s the people who are its victims,” said L. Shuniti, another Imphal resident.

Militant activities in the state have really disrupted the normal life of the people of Manipur. They now want an end to violence, which they have been facing for a long time now. (ANI)

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Indira Awaas Yojana delights needy families in Punjab

April 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Abohar (Punjab), April 12 (ANI): Several needy families in Punjab’s Abohar city are today a happy lot after getting benefited from the Central Government’s Indira Awaas Yojana, a national housing scheme.

Under the scheme, needy families are provided houses free of cost to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, bonded labourers and BPL (below poverty line) families.

The government offers financial assistance to needy families to construct their houses.

In Abohar, several benefited families expressed their gratitude to the government for enabling them to have their own houses. Today, they just wish that more and more people will benefit from the scheme.
“The houses are really good. They are concrete houses. They are reallyell-constructed. If this house was not available, we would probably be living on the streets. Or we would have to earn and make temporary huts on our own,” said Kuldeep Singh, a beneficiary of the scheme.

The Panchayat or, the village council chooses deserving candidates in an organised manner. The council, during a meeting headed by a Block officer, who is a government appointee, opt the beneficiaries.

Resham Singh, the village council head of Sampwali village in Abohar, believes that the scheme is actually beneficial for the needy. He expresses his heartiest thanks to the government for this scheme.

“The Central government’s Indira Awaas Yojana is benefiting aot of people. It’s giving concrete houses to the people. All these people, who did not have any roof above their head, the government has given them houses. They used to live on the street, now they have houses with two rooms and a kitchen,” said Resham Singh.

Indira Awaas Yojana, which was launched during 1985-86 as a sub scheme of Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Program (RLEGP), is being continued as a sub scheme of Jawahar Rojgar Yojana (JRY) since its launch in April 1989.
This scheme was bifurcated in 1996 and separate allocations are now made for it.
Indira Awaas Yojna is centrally sponsored scheme and the expenditure is shared by the centre and the State in 80:20 proportion. While, 80 percent of the funds are released by Government of India directly to Zila Parishads, the 20 percent State share is released through District Development and Planning Boards in the state. By Avtar Gill (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: abohar punjab, allocations, appointee, bpl, castes, Central Government, concrete houses, deserving candidates, Guarantee Program, Housing Scheme, huts, indira, kuldeep singh, labourers, launch, Living On The Streets, national housing, Needy Families, panchayat, poverty line, yojana

Gang ho: Parties ready for the big fight

April 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

KOLKATA: The slowdown might be hitting home, but there’s no dearth of jobs for these tough blokes. Especially in this poll season. You may not see
them in the posters, banners and smiling cutouts crowding public consciousness. But they’re there for sure, ruthless individuals working silently behind the scenes. They are the ganglords of the city’s underbelly and all parties, once they quote the right price, tap into their resources.

And just as politicians read the poll winds and change tack, these men are notorious for their shifting loyalties. They tie up with different political masters and at times, with more than one political party. Some though are loyal to their old pals.

Sridhar Das, one of the most dreaded dons of south Kolkata, is known for his proximity to the ruling party. Patronized by a former south Kolkata MLA, Sridhar rose to prominence as he spread his tentacles to the southern fringes, including parts of North and South 24-Parganas, especially Falta. He owns a palatial house there.

The criminal-turned-realtor is also in touch with a Trinamool MLA, and in a recent deal, he agreed not to deploy his men in south Kolkata. A CPM zonal committee member who looks after Sridhar’s legal protection, could not prevail upon him to change this decision. However, Sridhar could not refuse to “help” the ruling bloc in North 24-Parganas.

Another associate of the ganglord, Noche, is yet to make up his mind. For now, he might be with Trinamool in the Thakupukur-Behala area. Sensing the winds of change in South 24-Parganas, notorious robber Selim Sardar will take care of Trinamool in Mathurapaur. His wife has reportedly been promised a job. Days back, Sardar was released on bail. He had been arrested by CID from a government guest house at Geonkhali a few months ago.

Others are marking time. Kumar Saha, branded for his political loyalty, is busy in Diamond Harbour for Pragatishil Indira Congress. Kumar wanted to deploy his team in south Kolkata but a senior Trinamool leader allegedly refused as he feared Kumar’s presence would harm the party’s vote bank.

In his absence of Kumar, the people who broke from his gang Rabi Halder, Guthke, Bapi Halder and the gang of Jhalarmath will be ready to take on the ruling party in Tollygunge, Charu Market and Chetla area.

Like Kumar, Swadesh Mondal of Bantala is loyal to his patron in North 24-Parganas. He has been assigned a role in the industrial belt of Barrackpore. According to police, the CPM in this area can’t depend on local criminals. Similarly, in Topsia and Tangra, intra-party feuds are a major headache for the ruling party. Two notorious gangsters in the area, Alam and Raja, are under the protection of two party stalwarts. With their backing, the turf war between the two has escalated, leaving members of both gangs injured. The ruling party is depending on Gour Mondal of Rajarhat for a bailout. Mondal is known for his huge team, which lords over the booming real estate business in New Town.

A Trinamool MLA in South 24-Parganas has himself taken charge of the entire area from Bhangar to Baruipur.

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Ignou to offer engineering courses

April 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

NEW DELHI: With over 10 lakh students registering for the AIEEE in 2009, up from 8.62 lakh in 2008, it may not be possible for all to get a seat in
existing engineering colleges. Keeping the shortage of seats in mind, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has collaborated with Chennai-based Sri Angala Parameshwari Education Trust (SAPET) to offer certificate, diploma and degree programmes in various engineering branches including, civil, mechanical, electrical engineering, electronics and communication technologies and computer science.

The programmes, which will commence from January 2010, will help students who have completed their class XII with physics, chemistry and mathematics (PCM) and are interested to pursue engineering but have not got opportunity to study in the conventional institutes or engineering colleges.

The diploma holders in engineering subjects will also be given lateral entry to the third-year in any engineering disciplines.

“The new programmes will also help bright students who fail to get admission into engineering colleges due to weak socio-economic conditions or lack of awareness or non-availability of higher technical institutions in areas they live,” said Latha Pillai, pro-vice chancellor, Ignou.

According to SAPET officials, the programmes will follow the need-based assessments of the industry, profession and service sectors. Adviser to the SAPET, Premendra Raj Mehta said: “The programmes and their courses will be prepared according to the needs and demands from the industry. Students can enter at different levels and credits will be offered to them from what they already studied. The programmes will offer four levels of entries out of six years. Students can enter after passing out class X, the ITI exams, class XII, acquiring a multiple diplomas and also B Sc degree. The programmes are being restructured offering vertical mobility.”

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