Narendra Modi inducted into BJP's Parliamentary Board

NEW DELHI, March 31: Bhartiya Janata party president Rajnath Singh has announced his new parliamentary board and a new team of the party today. This time, the team inducted some new faces. After a gap of six years, party has re-inducted Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the parliamentary board.

Modi's close associate Amit Shah, Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi and Rajiv Pratap Rudy have been appointed as general secretaries of the party.

Uma Bharti and Smriti Irani have been elevated as vice-president.

The new BJP parliamentary board members:

Rajnath Singh, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkeya Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, Narendra Modi, Anant Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Ram Lal.

Rajnath's new team also comprises vice-presidents: C P Thakur, Jual Urao, Sadananda Gowda, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,S S Ahluwalia, Balbir Punj, Satpal Malik, Prabhat Jha, Ms Uma Bharti, Ms Bijyo Chakravarti, Ms Lakxmikanta Chawla, Ms Kiran Maheshwari and Smriti Irani.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that due representation has been given to women, youth and backward classes in the the new BJP team.

Reacting on BJP's new team, Congress Spokesperson Rashid Alvi said that it is BJP's internal matter.

Reacting on Narendra Modi induction in BJP Parliamentary Board, Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia said that it appears that Narendra Modi is the only face that BJP party has.

Manmohan says Government is stable; rules out early elections

NEW DELHI, March 28: Prime Minister arrived in New Delhi on Thursday late night after taking part in the BRICS summit in Durban.

Talking to media on board, he said that Government is stable and will complete full five years term. He also said that Lok Sabha elections will take place on schedule.

Replying to a question whether the government has the wherewithal to sustain reforms, the Prime Minister said reforms were not a once-for-all set-up that the government was seeking by way of reforms and added that the Government had to take into account the concerns of the allies.

Prime Minister raised the issue of trans-border river systems with Chinese President and informed that China assured that they are conscious of India's interest and both the countries are agree to have high level visits later in the year.

Hailing the BRICS summit's decision to launch a development bank and a Contingency Reserve Arrangement , Prime Minister Manmohan

Dr. Singh said, India's initiatives in these projects made a significant progress.He also said that visit to South Africa for the fifth BRICS summit was very satisfying.

Congress underplays Mulayam's remark

NEW DELHI, March 28: A day after Mulayam Singh Yadav targeted the Congress by calling it clever and cheat, the Congress party said it was confident that Mulayam’s party will continue to give outside support to the UPA govt.

Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat said Mulayam Singh Yadav may be making such statements but he is still supporting the UPA government from outside and will continue to do so to protect secularism and provide stability.

He expressed confidence that Yadav will be with UPA after the 2014 polls as well.

Rawat said Yadav's praise for senior BJP leader L K Advani may have come due to their old ties when both were associated with the V P Singh government in 1989.

Rawat dismissed the idea of a Third Front, saying several attempts have been made to form such a coalition in the past but these have had "premature abortions".

Meanwhile the main opposition party BJP has said the SP supremo has lost all credibility.

Sanjay Dutt says will surrender in time, not to seek pardon

MUMBAI, March 28: Breaking down repeatedly, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who has been ordered by the Supreme Court to return to jail in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, on Thursday said he is not seeking any pardon and will surrender within the stipulated deadline.

Amid a growing clamour for his clemency, an emotional 53-year-old Dutt broke his silence after the Apex Court upheld his conviction under the Arms Act on March 21 and gave him four weeks time to surrender.

"All I can tell you is I have not applied for pardon," said Dutt with sister and Congress MP Priya Dutt by his side at his brief media interaction during which he did not take any questions.

"There are many other people who deserve pardon. I want to tell with folded hands to the media, the honourable citizens of the country that when I am not going for pardon then there can be no debate about it," said Dutt.

The actor said he had the highest respect for the Supreme Court and will abide by all terms and conditions put forth by it.

"The honourable Supreme Court has given me time to surrender and I will surrender in that time," he said as Priya comforted him.

As Dutt has already served 18 months in jail, he would have to undergo imprisonment for three-and-a-half-years.

"I am shattered and this is the tough time in my life. With folded hands I request the media and citizens let me be at peace," he said.

Dutt was ordered by the apex court to return to prison to complete a five-year sentence after it reduced the original six-year term awarded by a TADA court which convicted him for possessing illegal firearms.

The actor had been jailed in 2005 for six years for the gun charges but only served 18 months before being released in 2007 on bail.

"These are very, very tough times in my life and in our lives. I want to thank everybody who supported us and me. I just want to tell everyone from the media that I have got very few days left and I want to finish all my work. I also have to spend time with my family," Dutt said.

It was for the first time that Dutt has ventured out of his house in suburban Bandra since the Supreme Court verdict. He made the remarks before leaving for a film shoot.

"I love my country and its citizens. I love India," he said.

Katju says he will seek pardon for Sanjay Dutt

NEW DELHI, March 28: Notwithstanding actor Sanjay Dutt's statement that he would not apply for mercy, Press Council of India (PCI) chairman Justice (retd) Markandey Katju on Thursday said that he would still go ahead and seek pardon for Dutt and 1993 Mumbai blasts case convict Zaibunnisa.

Asked about the Bollywood actor's statement that he would not apply for mercy, Katju said, "That makes no difference to me, I am going to apply for pardon to the President and to the Governor (of Maharashtra). I think he (Dutt) and Zaibunnissa both deserve pardon."

On what grounds he was demanding pardon, Katju said that "public good is one of them, there can be many other considerations like humanitarian considerations for grant of pardon."

"If you study the Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution, they do not state that who can appeal. Section 72 provides power to the President to pardon and section 166 to the governor," he said.

"But both sections do not state that who can appeal and it is not written on what grounds pardons can be given. There could be thousands of ground for pardon," he added.

Katju also said that he had issued his appeal for Dutt without having interacted or spoken to the actor.

"I have not talked to Sanjay Dutt, I have not contacted him, he has not approached me. In my first appeal which I issued for pardon, I did it without contacting him," he said.

Dutt, 53, was ordered by the Supreme Court on March 21 to return to jail to complete a five-year sentence while woman convict 70-year-old Zaibunnisa Anwar Kazi's five-year imprisonment was confirmed by the apex court in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

Katju said, "I came to know about punishment awarded to him (Dutt) through TV. After that I went through the judgement and I felt that he has been socially boycotted for five years, it took five to six years for him to restore his career".

"No producer offered him film. (There were) no bank loans for him and every time he needed to seek court's permission before going on foreign trips," he said.

The PCI chief said that Dutt was married and had two kids.

"In those twenty years he has not done anything wrong. There could be some humanitarian perspective," Katju said.

He also said that normally the order of the President and a governor is not subject to judiciary review.

Rahul prepares for fresh assault on Samajwadi bastion

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi may hit the political trail in Uttar Pradesh after the budget session, a move that may resume hostilities with Samajwadi Party even as chief minister Akhilesh Yadav threatened to pull the plug on UPA next month.

Congress sources said the state unit has been asked to plan an event for the heir-imminent to lead. Sources said the plan may come through in May after organizational reshuffle in the state unit.

Rahul's renewed foray in UP will revive his clash with Samajwadi GenNext that was the highlight of the assembly polls last March. It came to a halt after the Samajwadi sweep, with both parties needing each other.

His visit this month to the family of murdered police officer Zia-ul-Haq indicated he may not hold back for long. The Congress state unit on Saturday signalled aggressive intent with protests in Lucknow over deteriorating law and order.

"We have asked our district units to hold dharnas against serious incidents," UPCC chief Nirmal Khatri said.

The return of 'Akhilesh vs Rahul' battle may test their partnership in Delhi in the wake of UPA's increased dependence on the SP after DMK's pullout.

Akhilesh stirred political circles by saying in an interview that SP could topple the Centre in the post-recess budget session in April. It is the clearest hint of Samawjadis pro-actively seeking early polls.

The Samajwadi push for polls revolves around suitability of timing, now that its honeymoon with voters is on the wane after an year's unimpressive governance.

Ruling parties prefer onset of winter for voting, a time when anger against power shortage and floods subside. Also, populist schemes recently launched by SP would take time to reach beneficiaries.

Alongside the Yadav household's recent high praise for Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani, the blunt topple threat hints at a Samajwadi strategy to position itself against Congress after a year-long lull.

Observers view the kind words for saffron brass and vitriol against Congress as a ploy to gain acceptability among communities that have been sympathetic to BJP but are looking for alternatives.

However, a senior Congress manager betrayed no concern, saying SP realizes it may not be able to dislodge the government on its own and if it succeeds, a likely July-August election may not suit it.

Congress on Monday questioned Mulayam Singh's "secular" credentials for praising the saffron brass. AICC spokesman Rashid Alvi said, "We don't share SP's views. For us, BJP is a communal party. During the NDA regime, we had Godhra incident and Ahmedabad riots. SP can praise them but we cannot."

No immediate plan to pull the plug on UPA govt: SP

LUCKNOW: The Congress-led UPA government can breathe a bit easy for now as the Samajwadi Party on Monday said it had no immediate plans to pull the plug, setting at rest speculation of a possible withdrawal of support by SP in the light of certain statements emanating from the party's top leadership including Mulayam Singh Yadav.

After a meeting of the SP's top brass, sources said the party's immediate focus was on administrative reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh as it tries to build its image in the run-up to the polls. The big-wigs of the party including Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and senior minister Shivpal Yadav got into a sudden huddle at the SP chief's Vikramaditya Marg house on Monday evening as speculation ran high that the party would take a call on its support to the Congress-led coalition.

The meeting came in the backdrop of Akhilesh's reported comments that the SP is ready to withdraw support to the Centre "even during the budget session", which was seen as putting the UPA government at immediate risk. "You will see what happens in the budget session. Our party brass will decide when we will withdraw support. We have our political blueprint ready after the pullout. We are ready for elections anytime. If parliamentary elections are held in October, it will be an ideal situation for us. But we are ready for any eventuality," Akhilesh said.

When Ram Gopal flew down from Delhi to go into a closed-door meeting with the SP's first family, the issue of support was expected to be on the top of the agenda.

"But eventually, the party think-tank decided to take up administrative reforms and reshuffle first," said a party source.

A senior leader of the party said, "When all the senior leaders of the Samajwadi Party get together, the conversation automatically veers towards, among other things, the prevailing political conditions in the country. Though the Samajwadi Party is ready for Lok Sabha elections if they are announced, there was no decision taken today to pull the plug on the UPA government. For the moment, they are safe."

Ram Gopal later also clarified that any praise heaped on BJP leaders LK Advani and AB Vajpayee should not be seen as "political." Amid signals of the straining ties between the Congress and SP last week, Yadav had lauded the NDA regime saying they were better administrators than the incumbent UPA alliance. Ram Gopal Yadav had said that the NDA was more cohesive and less corrupt and led by men of special leadership ability, including LK Advani and AB Vajpayee. On Saturday, Mulayam had also hailed Advani as an honest leader, leading to speculation in the political corridors.

On Monday, Ram Gopal clarified the party's stand adding that though what was said of the BJP leaders was true, it must not be misconstrued as implicit support for the BJP in the imminent future. He also ruled out any question of "indirect understanding" with the saffron party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "We are two different parties with different political agenda and beliefs. There can be no convergence of the two," Yadav said.

Building Congress party my priority: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI, March 5: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has once again repeated that building the organization was his priority and not the post of the Prime Minister. "Asking me whether you want to be PM is a wrong question," he told party MPs in an informal discussion.

The Congress vice-president's off-the-cuff remarks came during a discussion with a group of MPs on how he proposes to go about the task of building the party, empowering the youth and creating a middle level leadership.

It assumes significance against the backdrop of a growing clamour in Congress for projecting him as its prime ministerial face before the next Lok Sabha elections.

The party was quick to latch on to his remarks claiming high moral ground saying it contrasted with other parties, where people are "fighting for posts".

In his talk with MPs, 42-year-old Gandhi also gave signals that he was against the 'high command culture', saying that he wants to empower more and more people than a handful, who call the shots.

"Today I see how MPs feel without power and it is the same story in all the parties, be it Congress or BJP. I want to empower the 720-odd MPs in Parliament," Rahul Gandhi said.

"I want to give voice to the middle tier...empower the middle-level leaders. There are some parties in India which are run by one leader (BSP), two leaders (SP), five to six leaders (BJP) and 15 to 20 leaders (Congress). My priority is that I want to empower the MPs as also the 5,000-odd legislators in various states," he said.

The issue of Rahul's marriage also came up in his chat with MPs. "If I get married and have children, I will be status quoist and will like my children to take my place," he told a former woman MP who shot the question. Rahul said the 'high command' culture started in the 70s when "my grandmother was under severe assault...I knew her and if I would have been in her place, I would have also done likewise".

Gandhi, who has often spoken of the ills facing the organization, said that top leaders in several parties who are in decision-making authority come from the Rajya Sabha. He gave ample signals that he wanted to change the organisation drastically from top to bottom and his ideal was Mahatma Gandhi and he believed in the "Nishkam Karma" of the Gita.

Calling the Mahatma "my guru", he said Gandhiji could inspire people as also the rank and file of Congress as they knew that he was not one who is hankering after power.

Bajwa is new Punjab PCC chief

NEW DELHI, March 5: The Congress has appointed Pratap Singh Bajwa as the new chief of its Punjab unit, replacing Amarinder Singh.

Bajwa, Congress MP from Gurdaspur, has replaced Amarinder Singh, Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said in statement here on Tuesday evening.

The exit of Amarinder Singh, a former chief minister and scion of the erstwhile royal family of Patiala, was imminent with the latest loss of the Congress in February's by-election on the Moga assembly seat.

The Congress lost two successive assembly elections - in 2007 and 2012 - when Amarinder was in the forefront.

While in 2007, he was the incumbent chief minister, in the January 2012 assembly elections, when everyone thought that the Congress would return to power, the party lost to the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance.

In the Moga bypoll, held after its sitting legislator resigned and joined the Akali Dal, the Congress had to taste defeat on a seat traditionally held by it.

In a related development, Congress MP Harish Choudhary has been appointed a national secretary of the All India Congress Committee and given charge of party affairs in Punjab. Choudhary is MP from Rajasthan's Barmer.

Rahul Gandhi calls Congress General Secys' meeting

NEW DELHI, March 2: Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi has convened a meeting of all general secretaries and central leaders in charge of states on March 6, leading to wide anticipation in the party quarters that some of them may get new assignments.

While Gandhi's office has not provided any detail agenda of the meeting to the invitees, fixing accountability of general secretaries and states in-charge in case of electoral debacles may also be high on agenda.

In one of his earlier interactions with party leaders Gandhi had emphasised on bringing more accountability of leaders. This time, the Congress second-in-command may define their roles he expects in cases like recommending election tickets for others or electoral tests.

The meeting is also likely to devote time on planning campaigns on the general budget and other measures like the Direct Benefits Transfer.

Congress will oust Left from country: Rahul

AGARTALA, Feb 12: The Congress has no tacit alliance with any Left parties and our main task is to end the rule of Communists in any state in the country, party vice president Rahul Gandhi said here Tuesday. "The Congress's mission is not only to oust the Left Front government in Tripura, but to diminish their activities in the entire country," Gandhi said, addressing an election campaign meet.

"We have succeeded to vote out Left parties in Kerala and West Bengal. We would certainly be successful in the Feb 14 Tripura polls," he added.

The Congress leader came here Monday and addressed four election rallies in different parts of Tripura. Responding to the state leaders' request, the Congress vice president in his unscheduled programme has addressed two more public meetings in Tripura.

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, All India Women Congress chief Anita Verma also joined the campaign Tuesday and addressed separate election meetings.

Gandhi said: "After the installation of the Congress-led government in the Feb 14 polls, a government job will be provided to each family (in the state) which has no employee. Unemployed allowance would also be given."

"The central government's Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations would be implemented for the Tripura state employees and salaries would be provided to the Tripura State Rifles personnel at par with central forces' salaries," Gandhi said.

He alleged that all the funds allocated for various schemes and welfare of the people are being siphoned off by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) cadres.

"Whatever funds are coming from the central government, be it MGNREGAS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) or it PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) or any welfare scheme, these are going to CPI-M cadres and the middlemen, not to the people," the Congress leader said.

"Future of your children, future of Tripura at the hands of the Communist rule is completely gloomy," he told the masses and urged them to start removing Communists from India through the Tripura polls.

"The Congress government would be governed by the people, not by the party or organisation," he said in Hindi amidst huge applause by the crowd.

Gandhi said the communists always served their own interests and they did not care much for the common man. Their party cadres have built huge assets and concrete houses with the government funds, he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi earlier cancelled their trips to the Left-ruled state for the election campaign.

The prime minister postponed his election campaign tour to Tripura and Nagaland due to some work related to parliament attack plotter Afzal Guru's execution in Delhi while Sonia Gandhi cancelled her trip due to illness.

Tripura will vote for a new 60-member assembly on February 14. The results will be out on February 28.

Sonia launches national child health screening programme

PALGHAR, Feb 5: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday launched the Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services programme, aimed at providing comprehensive care to children in the country.

Gandhi launched the ambitious programme, expected to cover around 27 crore children below 18 years in a phased manner, at this tribal Palghar tehsil in Thane district.

"I am happy that this project is being launched from here and I congratulate all of you," Gandhi said speaking at the launch function.

"Children are the future of the country. Their well-being is our concern. That is why the Congress-led government has started such programmes," she said.

"It has been an endeavour of our government that there should be no shortage of funds for public health schemes," she said adding the eradication of polio is a big achievement.

The programme is an initiative of the National Rural Health Mission of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The objective is to improve the overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays, including disability.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad and Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan were present at the launch ceremony, which saw hundreds of school children in attendance.

A set of 30 common health conditions in children have been identified for screening and further management. These services are built on the existing school health services and these services will be provided through dedicated mobile health teams placed in every block.

Early identification of select health conditions and their linkage to care, support and treatment, under Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services is expected to achieve equitable child health care, a senior official said.

High dropout rate in schools after elementary level is a matter of concern: Manmohan

NEW DELHI, Feb 6: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed concern on High dropout rate in schools after elementary level.

While congratulating Kendriya Vidyala for its role in nation building he said that the Right to Education needs to be fully untilized so that the country can reap the benefits of its demographic dividend.

"We know that our country is a young country and we can reap the demographic dividend only if we have an educated and skilled workforce that would help our economy to expand and become more productive," the Prime Minister said.

Dr. Singh felt that Kendriya Vidyalayas can help in a major way in setting standards and benchmarks for schools that are situated in the area around them, adding that "this is one of the roles envisaged for them in the 12th plan".

"They should act as role models for neighbourhood schools, mentoring them and sharing best practices with them," the Prime Minister said, urging KVS system to find ways and means of effectively fulfilling these expectations.

He said that the standard of teaching is not up to the mark therefore an educated and skilled workforce is needed to help the economy to expand and become more productive.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghthan is celebrating its golden jubilee on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations in New Delhi and honoured teachers of Kendriya Vidhalaya at a ceremony in Vigyan Bhawan.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghthan has 1,087 schools where 56,445 teachers, educate about 1.12 million students.

Pranab urges for better delivery mechanism of schemes for disabled

NEW DELHI, Feb 6: Stressing on the need to expedite the process for replacing the present Disabilities Act with a more comprehensive legislation, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday asked the government to introduce the bill in Parliament as early as possible.

He also asked the government to reinforce its efforts to ensure a better delivery mechanism of the schemes for disabled people.

"Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act of 1995, is our main legislation dealing with persons with disabilities. The government is in the process of replacing it with a more comprehensive new Legislation in consonance with United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities," he said.

Mukherjee said the "holistic" legislation would entail major responsibilities not merely on the central government, but also on state governments, local bodies, and even private service providers.

"I, therefore, urge the government to complete the remaining stages of consultation expeditiously, and to introduce the Bill in Parliament as early as possible," he said.

Earlier, he conferred the national awards for empowerment of persons with disabilities in a ceremony in New Delhi.

The award ceremony was attended by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumar Selja, Minister of State for SJ&E D Napoleon and officials from the Ministry.

Observing that the nation is committed to full empowerment of people with disabilities, Mukherjee said UNCRPD symbolises country's resolve to provide differently-abled citizens an environment for their full development and equal participation.

He also asked the state governments to create a separate department of disability affairs on the lines of Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.

Mukherjee called upon other central ministries to work in unison to achieve the targets set for empowerment of people with disabilities.

"I also call upon the connected Union ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment, Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development, Health and Family Welfare and Labour & Employment to work in unison to achieve the desired results," he said.

Highlighting the need for education and training teachers to meet the needs of differently-abled children.

"There is also a need to ensure that children with special needs have access to education by providing the right kind of teaching-learning environment, material in accessible format and barrier-free educational institutions".

"There is, therefore, an urgent need to train teachers in adequate numbers to provide education to children with disabilities," he said.

For providing barrier-free access to disabled people, Mukherjee said assist devices are needed to enable persons with disabilities to lead their lives with independence.

"Given the widespread and growing use of the Internet in various aspects of life, it is vital that at least all government and public sector websites are made universally accessible," he said.

Stressing that the economic empowerment of disabled people need focused attention, the President said the government is mandated to provide reservation in employment to such people.

"All central government ministries and organisations under their control must take immediate and comprehensive steps to ensure that reservation for this category is effectively implemented in letter and spirit," he said.

Selja, while addressing the gathering highlighted the efforts made by her Ministry to empower he disabled people.

"During last two years, a sum of Rs 85 crore was released to various state government and other bodies for making their premises and building accessible to persons with disabilities," she said.

MNREGA can bring second green revolution: Sonia

NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday strongly pitched for utilising MNREGA to increase agricultural production, saying the flagship scheme can play a big role to usher in second green revolution in India.

"I am of the belief that MNREGA has tremendous potential to increase agriculture production, which we have not been able to tap fully till date. There are many possibilities not only for creating community assets in villages but also providing irrigation facilities to small and marginalised farmers, developing land and promoting farming."

"Manifold increase in the produce of farmers can be made by connecting this scheme with the use of modern technologies in agriculture. There is no doubt that MNREGA can play a big role in fulfilling our dreams of second green revolution," Gandhi said at the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act conference in New Delhi.

Acknowledging the challenges in proper implementation of the scheme, the UPA chairperson said, "we frequently hear complaints of corruption and misutilisation of funds in this scheme. It is very essential to put a check on this." The government will take steps to reduce its shortcomings through the tools of modern communication and information, she said while maintaining that it was necessary that social audits happened timely and according to norms.

In his inaugural address at the conference, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said 30 new works have already been added to the list of works permitted under MNREGA, whose focus is by and large on providing employment in rural areas mainly through agriculture.

Besides direct financial benefit, the scheme has given many indirect benefits to the people and brought down the migration graph, he said.

"MNREGA has brought momentum in the financial inclusion of our rural population. More than four crore accounts have been opened in banks while more than that have been opened in post offices. These accounts will assist us in reaching the incentives of the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme to the rural population," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said the use of Information Technology in MNREGA at many levels has helped making governance better and increase accountability and transparency in government work.

Noting that the Centre has taken many new initiatives in relation to this scheme in last one year, Singh said more improvement can be brought if the resources available with MNREGA and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) can be used together.

The Prime Minister asked the Rural Development Ministry to ensure, in consultation with states, that the panchayats are provided full technical assistance.

"This will help prepare the labour budget truly as per the local development plan and will facilitate the inclusion of all possible resources. Besides, this will also strengthen the Panchyati Raj institutions and increase people's participation in development works," Singh said.

Sharing his concern on panchyati raj institutions, the UPA chairperson said, "there is also a need to think how to make implementation better. How to bring momentum in the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions."

Union Cabinet approves death for rapists

NEW DELHI, Feb 1: The Delhi gang rape case had its first major impact on Friday as the cabinet approved the death penalty for rapists who cause grievous physical or mental damage to their victims - such as leaving them in a permanent vegetative state - among a host of changes to laws on crimes against women.

Showing unprecedented urgency by choosing not to wait for Parliament's budget session that is 20 days away, the government approved an ordinance that includes key recommendations of the Justice JS Verma panel, and went beyond it to bring in the death sentence - the demand of millions of protesters in the wake of the brutal crime.

The ordinance will become law as soon as the President signs it and requires Parliament's approval within six months, which the government plans to complete in the budget session.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened the special cabinet meeting soon after he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the morning.

A few hours later, senior Congress leaders had another round of meetings where home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde presented the broad contours of the proposed ordinance.

Though the government had kept a two-day window at the start of the budget session to consider passing bills relating to women, government sources said the Congress leadership opted for the unusual step of issuing the ordinance to placate public sentiment.

It was also decided to leave out the Verma panel recommendation of lowering the age of consent for sex from 18 to 16 years.

Finance minister P Chidambaram, oil minister Veerappa Moily and law minister Ashwini Kumar had reservations on any hurried decision on this count.

The Finance Minister said it would be premature to take a call at this stage since the government is yet to discuss all suggestions received from different sides and also, the parliamentary standing committee report on the Verma panel is awaited.

The panel's recommendation to make marital rape a criminal offence was also not accepted.

The ordinance lays down a comprehensive framework for dealing with crimes against women and replaces the word 'rape' with a wider definition of sexual assault.

The new law provides for varying punishments for rapists, depending on the gravity of the crime.

A rape conviction will lead to imprisonment ranging from seven years to life, while gang rape will invite a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

Rapists who cause death of a victim will automatically invite the murder charge, which carries the death penalty in rarest-of-rare cases.

The government also accepted the panel's recommendation on making stalking, disrobing a woman and voyeurism offences under criminal law.

Rahul Gandhi insists on 'frank and open' talks with AICC leaders

NEW DELHI, Jan 31: In his meeting with the AICC Office bearers here on Thursday, party's Vice President Rahul Gandhi insisted on a "frank and open" discussion. The discussions were on "general issues" and "very good", said Rahul Gandhi after meeting. The meeting will continue tomorrow.

Sources said that the meeting saw a large number of members raising the issue of indiscipline in the party saying this is turning out to be a major problem during elections.

Some leaders expressed annoyance by the "practice of few" to cross the party's official line while commenting on issues.

Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who doubles up AICC general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh said that one- man-one-post should be implemented in the party.

After the meeting was over, Rahul Gandhi told reporters that the discussions were on "general issues and "very good" and that he "just heard out what people had to say".

AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said that a total of 19 persons including Rahul Gandhi spoke in the meeting, which was attended by 52 of 57 persons including AICC general secretaries, AICC secretaries, in-charges of states and chiefs of all the frontal wings of the party, who were invited.

"Rahul Gandhi said that he wanted all leaders to speak out their mind openly and not hide anything. He said that if we want to strengthen the party, it is necessary that we put forth views frankly and truthfully," Dwivedi told reporters after the meeting.

Gandhi told the leaders that the party has to look to future now. "I want to know your opinion on how to traverse the path ahead," he said.

Other leaders, who spoke included Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Mohsina Kidwai, Digvijay Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Madhusudan Mistri, B K Hariprasad, Chaudhary Bireder Singh, Shakeel Ahmed, Mohan Prakash and Jagdish Tytler and Luizinho Faleiro.

Issues like how to tone up organisational strength of the party ahead of Assembly elections in nine states this year and Lok Sabha elections next year came up during discussions.

Members also talked about how to take forward the road map of Chintan Shivir. Various suggestions were also made on how to go for membership from the lowest level up to the AICC level.

The meeting is significant since this is the first formal interaction of Gandhi with party leaders after he was appointed as Congress vice president during its two-day 'chintan shivir' in Jaipur on January 19.

He formally took over his position in the AICC on January 23.

In his brief interaction with the media after joining his new office in the AICC then, Gandhi had made a strong pitch for positive politics promising to make Congress an "instrument of change".

In his first informal interaction with senior party leaders then, he had also sought to raise their comfort level saying there were some leaders whose experience in politics is more than his age and he is looking forward to draw from their experience.

"Congress party is best instrument to change things. It is the best instrument to bring youngsters into politics. I think it is the most powerful instrument.

"What I want to do is to take the Congress family, make it accessible to as many youngsters and experienced people as possible and try and use this instrument to change this country," Gandhi had told the media then.

Gandhi had also held another informal meeting with the national office bearers of the Indian Youth Congress and NSUI on January 25 asking them to work with greater focus to strengthen the party.

I-T officers' body demands apology from Gadkari

NEW DELHI, Jan 27: Demanding apology from former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari for alleged threat to Income Tax officials, their apex body on Sunday claimed the remarks were aimed at hindering a free and fair probe into Purti group investments and sought security for those handling the case.

"The IRS Association (All India Body) has noted with deep concern and shock, the news-item appearing in the national dailies regarding the alleged threat issued by Shri Nitin Gadkari to the officers of the Income Tax Department investigating the case of suspected tax-evasion by certain companies," the body said in its resolution.

The Association condemned the use of "such intemperate language by a politician of national stature with intention to thwart the rule of law and demands an unconditional apology from him."

The IRS (I-T) is a 4,000-strong body and it is deployed in the country under the umbrella of the tax department and on deputation to other enforcement and investigative agencies for tax collection, checking evasion and a variety of other duties in this domain.

On January 24 in Nagpur, a day after he demitted the office of the BJP president, Gadkari had held out a threat to Income Tax authorities, probing dubious fundings in the Purti group with which he was associated, saying nobody would save them when BJP came to power at the Centre.

"As BJP president I had to maintain dignity and work within boundaries... Now I am a free man. Congress' boat is about to sink and when our party comes to power, there would be no Chidambaram or Sonia to save them (IT officials)," Gadkari had said addressing party workers.

The IRS association has also demanded security for officials working on this case.

"The statement issued by Shri Gadkari is derogatory for the Service and his threat is aimed to hinder free and fair investigations into a matter of alleged tax evasion," said the resolution passed in a meeting held in the national capital.

"The association also requests the authorities to provide adequate security to the concerned officers," it said.

Income Tax department offices in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur have been probing investments of alleged shell companies in the Purti group and the authorities have even summoned Gadkari in person on February 1 as part of this probe.

People of India are my life: Rahul Gandhi

By Deepak Arora

JAIPUR, Jan 20: While promising to give political space to the youth, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said "the Congress party is now my life and people of India are my life".

In his first address at the AICC session here after being appointed party Vice President, Mr Rahul Gandhi spoke of the anger of the youth, saying they feel alienated from the political class and demanded a complete transformation of the system to give them a role in the political space.

Giving an emotional speech to a thunderous applause and a standing ovation from over 1,000 delegates, he said "I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have. I invite all of you to stand up and take on this fight."

After the speech, Rahul hugged his mother and later the prime minister, while other senior leaders greeted him with some of them giving him a warm embrace.

Echoing the concerns expressed by his mother to the conclave on Friday in which she underscored the need to respond to the "more aspirational and more impatient" youth and urban middle classes, Rahul posed a question: "Why are the youth angry?"

"They are angry because they are alienated from the political class. They watch from the sidelines as the powerful drive in lal battis (cars with red beacon). We need to meet their urgent demands of jobs," he said.

Rahul said only a handful of people control the political space and power is highly centralised. "We don't empower people at the bottom? People feel they are outside of the system. That happens because we don't respect knowledge. We respect only positions. If you don't have position, you mean nothing.

"Why people are angry? Because they are alienated from the system. Their voices are trampled upon. All our systems — justice, education, political, administration — are designed to keep people with knowledge out. Mediocrity dominates discussions," he said in his 40-minute speech that was repeatedly cheered by party leaders.

Sonia calls for Austerity, Unity, Rejuvenation, Respect for women, Corruption-free society

Two-day Congress Jaipur Chintan Shivir begins

By Deepak Arora

JAIPUR, Jan 18: Austerity, Unity, Rejuvenation, Respect for women, Corruption-free society and terse warning to neighbouring Pakistan were highlights of the Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s address at the opening session of the two-day Chintan Shivir at the Birla Auditorium in the Pink City here on Friday.

Setting a road map for the party for the State elections this year and the General Elections next year, Mrs Sonia Gandhi told party men that unity should be their watchword as the party had floundered many an opportunity for want of discipline.

Over 350 delegates, , including Central Ministers, All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders, State unit chiefs and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leaders, members of Youth Congress and National Students Union of India (NSUI), are attending the Chintan Shivir that is expected to guide the Congress to lead the third successive Government at the Centre.

Among the leaders present on the dais included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and Ambika Soni.

Top Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, will attend the five separate groups to discuss issues like political and economic challenges, foreign affairs, women's empowerment, and organisational strength.

The Jaipur Chintan Shivir has about 120 delegates from organisations like the Youth Congress and the NSUI. This is the biggest representation yet at such a meet and a clear Rahul Gandhi initiative.

Young people are being given emphasis because the party is seriously looking at emerging challenges such as protests by the youth and forms of expression provided by tools such as social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Manish Tewari, the young minister in-charge of Information and Broadcasting, said the party wants to reach out to all age groups who use such tools.

"New media or social media is something that services the information needs of crores of young people. These platforms are technology agnostic...it would be of worth to the government to see how it could be best leverage its own message," added Mr Tewari.

The Congress President asked the party leaders to set aside personal ambitions and egos to work cohesively and ensure that the party puts up a better performance, particularly in states where it is out of power.

"Why do we forget the simple truth that in the party's victory lays the victory of each and every one of us," she asked.

She said there was a need to strike a fine balance when it comes to dealing with alliance partners while ensuring that the party's rejuvenation was not compromised.

Mrs Gandhi said it was time for introspection and that there was a need to look at the party's strengths and weaknesses.

She said the Congress was the only pan-India party with presence in every state, district and block-level.

The Congress President said the last nine years of UPA rule was a period of tremendous economic growth, social change and technological innovation.

She said the people were now better informed and equipped than ever before and their expectation of the people from the government had also grown.

"Our people are fed up with the corruption that they face. We must understand this," she said.

Mrs Gandhi also said "we cannot allow growing educated middle classes to be alienated from the political process."

She urged party leaders and workers to give free and frank views facing the nation during the conclave.

In an apparent reference to the killing of two soldiers on the Line of Control, the Congress President said dialogue with neighbours must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour.

"Better and closer relations with our immediate neighbours will not only make for regional peace -- they will also have a positive impact on some of our own border states," she said.

"However, let us be clear. Our dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders," she said.

The Congress president noted that women's security was on top of the party's agenda, and added the issue must be discussed at length. She said that issues related to crimes against women and children must be promptly dealt with.

"Discrimination against the girl child and atrocities against women are a blot on our collective conscience. Sexual harassment, women trafficking and female foeticide should shake us and awaken us."

"Gender issues are fundamental and the entire party must bring this to the heart of political activity and change mindsets," she said.

The party is also concerned about the poor and backward classes, said Mrs Gandhi and added that inclusive growth was not a party ploy but a conviction.

The Congress President said, "Development and economic growth and social harmony are two sides of the same coin. There are some states where we have dealt (with issues) out of office. Being in power is not the sole purpose of political activity."

She also asked the young party men to be austere in their lifestyle. “Celebrating weddings, festivals and happy events is one thing - but what of lavish and ostentious displays of wealth, pomp and status?”

"Does this not beg the question where is this wealth coming from? I hope that you will take this seriously and come up with suggestions and norms that we may all accept and adhere to," she said.

The conclave will be followed by a session of the AICC on Sunday that will be attended by over 1,000 delegates from across the country.

The consensus reached here will be formally adopted by the AICC as the Jaipur Declaration.

Sonia, Manmohan send terse warning to Pakistan

By Deepak Arora

JAIPUR, Jan 18: The Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, have sent a terse and strong message from the AICC Chintan Shivir at Jaipur to Pakistan that if it wanted a dialogue and friendship with India then it must be based on accepted principles of civilized behaviour.

In an apparent reference to the killing of two soldiers on the Line of Control, the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, said dialogue with neighbours must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour.

"Better and closer relations with our immediate neighbours will not only make for regional peace -- they will also have a positive impact on some of our own border states," said the Congress President.

"However, let us be clear. Our dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders," she said.

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, attended a meeting of the group on “India and the world”, headed by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan were among others who participated in this group.

It is learnt that several delegates had made a strong pitch for a strongly-worded statement against Pakistan as part of the Jaipur resolution.

This group had discussions on the country’s foreign policy, relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan.

Congress Party's 'Jaipur Declaration' to set road map for elections

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Jan 16: The Congress will come out with a 'Jaipur Declaration' after the conclusion of its two-day "Chintan Shivir" (brainstorming session) followed by one day AICC meet at Jaipur. The session will set the tone for the Assembly elections in nine States this year and Lok Sabha elections next year.

Speaking to newsmen here on Wednesday, Party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi's opening remarks at the 'Chintan Shivir', which commences on Friday afternoon, will set the tone of the session to be attended by some 350 invitees.

Soon after the Congress President's address, Mr Dwivedi said the brainstorming session will be get divided into five different groups to deliberate on five subjects. Each group will be headed by a Chairman.

These five groups inlcude "Emerging political challenges" headed by Mr A K Antony; "Emerging socio-economic challenges" headed by Mr Digvijay Singh; "Empowerment of women" headed by Dr Girija Vyas; "India and the world" headed by Mr Anand Sharma; and "Organisational strength" headed by Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad.

All the five groups would continue their delibrations till 6.30 pm to meet next day to continue the discussion till 1 pm. Thereafter, there will be group photographs. And at 2 pm, all the chairmen of the five groups would meet the Congress President and submit their respective papers.

Mr Dwivedi made it clear that the discussion papers that would be prepared on the five issues should not be treated as views of the party but merely papers to elicit suggestions.

The gist of these five papers would be prepared by evening and these shall be distributed at the AICC meeting to be held the following day. The consensus on the issues will form part of the draft 'Jaipur Declaration' which will be adopted at the AICC meeting that will be attended by over 1,000 delegates.

The AICC meet will beging on Sunday with the Flag hoisting ceremony led the Congress President. The meeting will begin with the welcome address by the State PCC Chief, who is the chairman of the reception committee. Thereafter, there would be condolence messages in memory of the partymen who passed away.

Thereafter, the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, will deliver her address. This will be followed by the discussion on the documents. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Congress General Secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi, will also address the delegates.

The AICC session would conclude with the address of the Congress President, added Mr Dwivedi.

A large number of youth delegates have been invited for such a meeting for the first time.

NSA briefs Sushma, Jaitley on LoC situation

NEW DELHI, Jan 16: In an effort to build consensus on India’s response to Pakistan on the recent provocation along the LoC, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon on Tuesday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj and briefed them on the situation.

The meeting came after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night spoke to the Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively assuring them that the Opposition would be kept in loop over the situation.

Upping the ante on the incident, Ms Swaraj had yesterday said that “If Pakistan does not return the head of martyred soldier Hemraj, India should get at least ten heads from the other side”.

The NSA briefed Ms Swaraj and Mr Jaitley over the entire gamut of developments along the LoC where tension prevails after two Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani soldiers on January 8.

The government, earlier today, cautioned against “jingoism” with Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari saying “professional Armies respect rules of engagement”.

“Transgression are surmounted through tactical responses and not driven by jingoism”.

In an apparent disapproval of BJP upping the ante on the issue, Mr Tewari also said, “the mapping of those tactical responses are best left to professionals. It is advisable that jingoism needs to be avoided”.

India reserves right to retaliate: Army Chief

NEW DELHI, Jan 14: In a clear warning to Pakistan in the aftermath of the beheading of an Indian soldier at LoC, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh on Monday said India reserves the right to retaliate at the "time and place of its choice".

Terming the beheading as "unacceptable" and "unpardonable", he said India's military has been asked to respond aggressively and offensively.

Talking tough, he said the killing of two Indian soldiers on the LoC in Mendhar area of Jammu and Kashmir on 6th January was a pre-planned and pre-meditated action by Pakistani troops.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on the eve of Army Day, Gen Singh said India's response to Pakistani firing at its posts in LoC in J and K is measured and perfect.

"Beheading (of Lance Naik Hemraj) is unacceptable and unpardonable," the Army Chief said about the incident in which Pakistan soldiers crossed into the Indian territory to attack Indian army patrol party.

"It (the attack) was stage-managed and pre-planned (by Pakistan). They (Pakistan) have planted lies to justify what they have done," he said.

He said the attack was carried out by Pakistan army personnel but did not rule out the possibility of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists being associated with it.

Gen Singh said while the issue is being taken up with Pakistan at government and military levels, directions have been given to Army commanders to respond immediately if provoked.

"India reserves its right to retaliate at the time and place of its choice. We won't remain passive when attacked," he said, adding he expected "commanders to be aggressive and offensive."

He said the ceasefire, in place since November 2003, has been holding except for "some aberrations" for which he squarely blamed Pakistan.

Govt does not want peace process with Pakistan derailed

THIMPU, Jan 15: Notwithstanding Army Chief General Bikram Singh's tough talk on Pakistan on the recent ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said India will try its best to ensure that the Indo-Pak peace process is not derailed.

Khurshid, who is in Thimpu on a two-day official visit, said the assessment of what has happened can only be received from the army which is in control on the ground.

PM speaks to Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj over LoC row

NEW DELHI, Jan 14: Amid tension with Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday spoke to BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj and assured them that the Opposition would be kept in loop over the situation.

He told them that National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon would brief them on Tuesday on the developments on the LoC where tension prevails ever since Indian soldier Lance Naik Hemraj was beheaded in an attack by Pakistani soldiers on 8th January.

Sources said Singh told Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, that nothing is being done which could not be communicated to the Opposition leaders.

He said the Opposition would be kept in loop over the situation and appealed to them that the issue should not be politicised.

Haryana Speaker dismisses petitions against five ex-HJC MLAs

CHANDIGARH, Jan 14: Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma has dismissed petitions of Opposition Haryana Janhit Congress and INLD seeking disqualification of five HJC MLAs who defected to Congress after the 2009 Assembly elections.

The five HJC leaders, Satpal Sangwan (Dadri), Vinod Bhayana (Hansi), Narendra Singh (Narnaul), Zile Ram Sharma (Assandh) and Dharam Singh (Samalkha), defected to Congress when the party finished five short of the half mark in the 90-member state Assembly to retain power for the second successive term.

The Speaker's decision on the petitions filed under the Anti-defection Law comes on the last day of the three-month deadline set by the Supreme Court last year to dispose of the pleas against the five MLAs.

In the order, the Speaker held that the merger of five HJC MLAs into the Congress was correct.

Meanwhile, HJC Chief Kuldeep Bishnoi said that he will challenge the Speaker's order in the court.

India warns Pak on LoC killings, says matter should not be allowed to escalate

NEW DELHI, Jan 9: India on Wednesday summoned the Pakistan high commissioner to convey a "strong protest" over the Pakistani Army action in which two Indian soldiers were killed and their bodies subjected to "barbaric and inhuman mutilation" in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan high commissioner Salman Bashir was summoned by foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai, who made it clear that these incidents were "unacceptable" and that Pakistan has to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control, according to official sources.

During the 30-minute meeting, Bashir was told by Mathai that regular Pakistani soldiers had crossed the LoC at Mendhar sector and engaged with Indian troops who were patrolling this sector.

"Two Indian soldiers were killed in the attack and their bodies subjected to barbaric and inhuman mutilation. The government of Pakistan was asked to immediately investigate these actions that are in contravention of international conduct and ensure that these will not recur," Bashir was told.

Later, foreign minister Salman Khurshid struck a note of caution and warned against further moves to inflame tensions. Khurshid said Pakistan's ambassador Salman Bashir had been "spoken to in very strong terms" after he was summoned for an angry rebuke over the killings. But in a subsquent press conference, Khurshid said that "whatever has happened, should not be escalated". "We cannot and must not allow for an escalation of a very unwholesome event that has taken place," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Khurshid had said that New Delhi's response would be "proportionate." He said that senior government and military officials would decide a course of action over the "ghastly" incident.

The Pakistani army's treatment of two Indian soldiers who were killed along the border in Kashmir was "inhuman", defence minister AK Antony said on Wednesday.

"Pakistan army's action is highly provocative. The way they treated the dead body of the soldiers, Indian soldiers, is inhuman," he said after reports and military sources said one of the troops had been beheaded on Tuesday.

"We will convey our protest to the Pakistan government and our DGMO (director general of military operations) will talk to his counterpart in Pakistan. They are closely monitoring the situation," he told reporters.

Indian authorities said the body of one of the soldiers was "badly mutilated," while newspapers and a military source indicated that he had been decapitated.

Army's Additional Director General (Public Information) Major General S L Narasimhan said Northern Army Commander Lt Gen K T Parnaik had visited the scene of action and confirmed that one of the two bodies was mutilated.

The bodies of both men have been brought to an army hospital in Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir where a post-mortem will confirm the extent of their injuries and whether one of them was beheaded, army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said.

One of the sergeants is from Uttar Pradesh, while the other is from the central state of Madhya Pradesh, he added.

President confers Pravasi Bharatiya Awards

KOCHI, Jan 9: Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag is among the 15 persons and organisations selected for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards for this year.

Purryag, who has ancestral roots in India, has been selected for his public service, Union Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said announcing the awards today.

President Pranab Mukherjee confered the awards to his Mauritian counterpart and others at the valedictory session of the 11th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, India's annual event to connect with its diaspora, in Kochi on Wednesday evening.

Purryag was also the Chief Guest at the three-day annual event that began on January 7 and concluded today.

The other awardees are Prof Dr Gurusharan Singh Chhatwal of Germany for science, Dr Rasik Vihari Joshi (Mexico) for Literature, Gilbert Canabady Moutien (Reunion Island) and Mohammed Rabeeh Karuvanthodi (Saudi Arabia) for business, Patricia Maria Rozario(UK) for Music, Dr Narendra Ramakrishna Kumar (USA) for Healthcare, Subash Razdan (USA) and Islmail Ebrahim (South Afrcia) for Public service.

Dr Satendra Kumar Singh (New Zealand), Australia India Society of Victoria (Australia) and Bava Pandalingal (UAE), Ashok Shambhomal Vaswani (Guinea), Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait for community service, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon from Malaysia for Community service, are among others on the list of awardees.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Mukherjee called upon Indian Diaspora to play a decisive role in the county's journey to becoming a strong, just and equitable society and in taking its rightful place in comity of nations.

Delivering the valedictory address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kochi this evening he urged Overseas Indians to help in building a knowledge society, while continuing to engage culturally and emotionally.

Noting that the revival of investment rate in the country is a must for the economy to regain its eight per cent plus growth levels the President urged the assembled Diaspora to help in the process by investing in Indian companies and by establishing new ventures.

He expressed hope that the resilent character of the country's economy will help it to reverse the declining growth rate being experienced now.

Mr. Mukherjee urged the diaspora to lend a helping hand to the needy.