September 15, 2003 Chechnyan Rebels Kill 2, ijures 40 in New Attack on Russian Military
Suspected Chechen rebels today carried out a suicide attack ramming an explosive-laden truck into the regional headquarters of Russia's Federal Security Services (FSB) in Ingushetia, killing two persons and injuring 40. At least 100 people were inside the building which was severely damaged in the impact of the explosion at 11.55 local time (13.25 IST), ITAR-TASS agency said.
Confirmed two deaths, Russian interior minister Abukar Kosetoyev said 40 injured have been admitted to various hospitals. Investigating groups were continuing work at the site of the blasts, he added. Chechen rebels are believed to be behind the attack, though no group has claimed responsibility for today's blasts. A series of suicide bombings in and around Chechnya and in Moscow have killed more than 150 people in the past five months. On August 1, a truck packed with explosives rammed through the gates of a military in Ossetia killing 54.VHP Ultimatum on Ram Temple
New Delhi,Monday, September 15, 2003: The Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today gave an ultimatum to the government to convene a special session of Parliament by October 15 to bring a legislation for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, failing which it would launch a movement with a rally here on that day and a march to Ayodhya from Lucknow on October 17.
"The high-powered Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Movement Committee today asked the Government to convene a special session of Parliament before October 15 to pass a legislation for handing over the Ram Janmabhoomi to the Trust failing which Rambhaktas will intensify their movement," senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal and Trust Chairman Mahant Avaidyanath told reporters.
Sabotaged Iraqi pipelines burning so hard they can be seen from space
A burning oil pipeline in northern Iraq produced an immense cloud of black smoke stretching across thousands of square kilometres, as seen in this image acquired by Envisat’s Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, says a report by the European Space Agency. "The smoke cloud is visible in the centre of this image of the alluvial plain occupied by the valley of the river Tigris (flowing from the top centre of the image) and the Euphrates (flowing from the top left corner). The pipeline transports crude oil from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk – seen here in grey, on the Tigris River - to Baija, where the country’s largest oil refinery is located.," it said. Read the Full Report
IIT to set shop abroad
The Government proposes to set up Campuses of IITs abroad. This follows growing demand from developing nations including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius and countries of West Asia and South East Asia. This is considered one of the main initiatives to promote Indian education abroad. Many expert committees which favoured this approach feel that only our leading Institutions like the IITs, IISc, IIMs with good brand equity can help promote this venture. Once they establish brand for Indian Education abroad others could follow.
The issue was considered at length at the recent meeting of the Council of IITs in New Delhi. The Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi who chaired the meeting called for early submission of the Review Committee report which is looking into this aspect. Dr. Joshi said that most of these countries have low-level of science and technology activities and feel that IITs would serve as stepping stones to give a fillip to their scientific advancement.
The Minister pointed out that Singapore, a considerably well developed country, recently sent a proposal to facilitate the presence of an IIT for postgraduate education and research with industry linkages in Singapore. Such collaboration would be mutually beneficial, Dr. Joshi said. IITs can be able to leverage Singapore into a world-class industrial and R&D hub. Besides, such collaboration will allow the IITs more involvement in post-graduate education of its own graduates, who might otherwise take up post-graduate studies in the US or other countries, he said.
Singapore has the presence of several prestigious technical institutions and IITs could benefit by working with them. The meeting felt that IIT's presence would also help in developing linkages with the entire South East Asia and China, as well as support in promoting India's economic and commercial interest in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Bihar gets funds for rural drinking water
Ministry of Rural Development has released an amount of Rs.3159.50 lakh to the State Government of Bihar towards first installment of funds against the provisional allocation of Rs.6319.00 lakh under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) during 2003-04.
The release is being made for execution/completion of schemes to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools under the Centrally Sponsored ARWSP. The priority shall be accorded to cover Water Quality affected habitations of the State as provided in the Guidelines for implementation of Rural Water Supply Programme.
We did not yield and proactively engaged in negotiations: Jaitley
Concerns of developing countries brought centrestage at Cancun
India did not yield on any issue at Cancun and engaged pro-actively in the negotiations, Mr. Arun Jaitley, Minister of Commerce & Industry and Law & Justice told newspapers at the conclusion of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Cancun (Mexico) on 14 September, 2003. ¨The fact that we brought the concerns of developing countries to the centrestage reflects the success of Cancun¨, Mr. Jaitley said, adding that the most important factor which helped the delegation in Cancun was the unanimity of national opinion behind the broad stand that the government took after extensive consultations with political parties, trade unions, industry associations and others, prior to the Cancun Ministerial. He said India was able to carry the debate into the camp of those with whom it was negotiating and the coalitions forged on Agriculture and the Singapore Issues remained intact till the end.
The G-22 coalition on Agriculture has left its impact on the WTO agenda, he said.
Speaking to newspersons on the outcome of the Cancun Ministerial Conference, Mr. Jaitley said: "The Conference has concluded today without reaching a consensus or a detailed Ministerial Declaration. We had all come here with the hope of getting a good deal on agriculture and on non-agricultural market access. We have effectively put across our views on the Singapore issues which found wide support and pursued our proactive interest in services. I have a sense of satisfaction in as much as, both before and during the Ministerial Conference, India actively engaged in the trade talks. We were continuously pro-active. We played our role to the best of our abilities to push certain issues to the centrestage of the agenda. But I regret that the Draft Declaration which came out yesterday after the first three-and-a-half days of negotiations did not properly reflect the aspirations of a very large number of WTO member countries – especially those on Singapore issues and agriculture. And, after this Draft, consensus kept on eluding the Conference. Efforts were made to build up a consensus in the course of last 24 hours, but consensus could not be reached….. Trade negotiations (however) are an ongoing process. There is never a last day as far as the calendar of trade talks is concerned, and I am sure that, notwithstanding a consensus eluding us here, trade negotiations will continue where we will effectively put across India´s concerns, as we have done in the last few days in Cancun".
Earlier, during the meeting of the G-22 on Agriculture, Mr. Alec Erwin, Trade Minister of South Africa, said the Group had "altered the balance of negotiations in the WTO". Several other Ministers observed that coalitions at Cancun both on agriculture and Singapore issues had deepened the integration of developing countries into the multilateral trading system.
Shri Bhawani Prasad, DG, CPWD gets Eminent Engineers Award
Shri J.N. Bhawani Prasad, Director General (Works), Central Public Works Department, Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation received this year’s "Eminent Engineers Award" instituted by the Institute of Engineers, here today. The Institution of Engineers, which is the largest professional body of Engineers, selects five engineers for their outstanding contribution in the field of engineering and awards them on the occasion of Engineers Day, which is celebrated on 15th September every year.
Shri Bhawani Prasad, a qualified Electrical Engineer from Mysore has been with CPWD since 1965. He became Director General of CPWD in August, 2002.
In addition, Smt. Padmaja Verma, Chief Engineer was also felicitated on this occasion, being the first lady Chief Engineer in CPWD.
Jagmohan announces special tourism package for J & K
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan has announced a special package for Creation of employment through the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Giving the highlights of the package here today, Shri Jagmohan said that the Prime Minister during his visit to Srinagar on 19th April, 2003 had announced that a comprehensive plan would be prepared to create at least one lakh employment and self employment opportunities in the State in the next two years. With this objective in view the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India has notified a special package for revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. This package consists of the following components:
Package for Houseboat Owners
Soft loans will be provided to them by the banks on interest @ 4%. The subsidy (difference between Prime Lending Rate and 4%) will be provided by the Department of Tourism. Maximum loan amount eligible for interest subsidy will range between Rs.1 lakhs and Rs. 3 lakhs depending on the category. Houseboats in the categories of Deluxe, A-Class, B-Class, C-Class and D-Class registered with the Tourism Department of J&K Government prior to 1.1.2003 would be eligible for benefits under this scheme. There are 1089 registered houseboats in the Valley.
Package for Hotels and Guest Houses
Soft loans will be provided to Hotels and Guest House owners by the banks on loans @4% interest. The subsidy (difference between Prime Lending Rates and 4%) will be provided by the Deptt. of Tourism. This benefit would be available at the rate of Rs.50,000/- (loan amount) per room for upto 50% of the capacity of the hotels/guest houses. All registered hotels/guest houses in the categories of A, B, C and D as per State Govt. certification norms except 5 Star Hotels would be eligible. There are 426 hotels with 15,000 beds in the Kashmir Valley.
Package for Shikara Owners
All registered Shikara owners as on 1.1.2003 would be eligible for capital grant of Rs.20,000 for repairs and upgradation of their Shikaras. There are 2,500 such Shikaras in the Valley. The amount of capital grant will be provided by the Deptt. of Tourism, Government of India.
Package for Pony Walas
Capital grant of 25% subject to a sealing of Rs.10,000 would be provided to registered Pony Walas as on 1.1.2003 in the Kashmir Valley. Besides, soft loan upto Rs.30,000 would also be provided by participating banks to such Pony Walas on interest rate of 4%. The subsidy (difference between Prime Lending Rate and 4%) by the Department of Tourism, Government of India. There are 5,276 such Pony Walas in Kashmir Valley.
Shri Jagmohan said that a number of tourism related projects to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir have also been sancitoned. These include restoration/conservation/development of Kheer Bhawani, Baba Reshi Sahib Complex, Amarnath Ji Yatra, Patnitop-Pahalgam-Srinagar-Gulmarg,Aish Muqqam complex, Nishat Bagh; drainage scheme in Katra Town and Mattan.
