18May 2011

Maoists kill 5 CRPF men in Chhattisgarh

At least five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in an ambush by the Maoists in the rebel-dominated Dantewada area of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday night.

Initial reports said the CRPF men were in a vehicle which was blown up by a landmine planted by the Maoists.

Details of the incident that occurred near Sukma are awaited.

Last year there were some major attacks on men in uniform in the region by the Maoists.

On May 17 of 2010, a landmine blast had killed more than 40 people, including civilians and Special Police Officials (SPOs).

The attack had occurred just a month after Dantewada witnessed the killing of 76 CRPF men in April that year.

Recall Bhardwaj, demands BJP

New Delhi: The battle between Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and the BJP government, led by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, has reached the flashpoint, with BJP president Nitin Gadkari parading the BJP MLAs before President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday. They requested her not to impose President's rule in the State.

The leaders wanted the “immediate recall” of Mr. Bhardwaj claiming that he was functioning against the spirit of the Constitution.

The delegation, which included the Chief Minsiter and 114 MLAs of the BJP (some were absent with prior permission), also consisted of party seniors Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, MPs and MLCs.

Later, Mr. Gadkari told journalists that Ms. Patil was informed by the delegation that Mr. Bhardwaj's decision recommending President's rule was "undemocratic and unconstitutional and President's rule should not be imposed on the State. We sought protection from the President [against invoking Article 356 of the Constitution] and asked her not to take any action on the recommendation of the Governor."

He said the BJP government had the support of 122 MLAs, including Mr. Yeddyurappa and the Speaker. Since the President is the guardian of the Constitution, the BJP wanted to take the issue to her.

Mr. Gadkari said he apprised the President of the Governor's actions and how he had recommended President's rule despite Mr. Yeddyurappa enjoying the majority. "Since he has time and again acted against the Constitution he should be called back. We told the President that she should exercise her powers to recall the Governor."

A memorandum presented by the BJP to the President claimed that the "dignity and prestige of the office of Governor in Karnataka has suffered a great deal."

Earlier in the day, addressing the MLAs, Mr. Gadkari praised Mr. Yeddyurappa and said the party would emerge “101 per cent” victorious in the battle with Mr. Bhardwaj. "We are a majority government, a popular government ...We will definitely win as we are going through the democratic process," he said.

 

Free rice distribution scheme from June 1

CHENNAI: The scheme of free distribution of 20 kg rice to beneficiaries under the public distribution system (PDS) will come into force on June 1.

At present, rice is given at Re. 1 a kg to those who are entitled to receive the commodity. As per the existing norms, rice of four kg per adult and two kg per child is supplied subject to a minimum of 12 kg and a maximum of 20 kg per month per card except in the Nilgiris where the minimum will be 16 kg and the maximum 24 kg.

According to a government order issued on Tuesday, the existing norms will continue.

In the case of Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, rice of 35 kg will be given free.

The government order follows the announcement of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday on her first visit to the Secretariat. Her party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, had made an electoral promise regarding the provision of rice free.

Sources say that the latest decision of the government will cover 18.62 lakh AAY beneficiaries and 1.83 crore card holders who are entitled to rice. This will result in an increase of the food subsidy by Rs.500 crore.

As for the Chief Minister's another announcement on the marriage assistance schemes, an official explains that under the scheme for educated poor women, prospective beneficiaries belonging to tribal communities should have passed fifth standard, and 10th standard in respect of other communities. Apart from Rs. 25,000, four gram gold for making sacred thread would be given. In respect of the scheme for graduate women or diploma holders, the assistance of Rs. 50,000 and four gram gold would be given. The limit on parental annual income for the two schemes is Rs. 24,000.

Approximately, 1.7 lakh women are expected to be covered under the two schemes. This would cost about Rs.290 crore additionally to the exchequer.

The government has issued another order, increasing the duration of maternity leave to married women government servants from 90 days to 180 days, which may be spread over from the pre-confinement rest to post-confinement recuperation at the option of the servant.