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Slowdown keeping NRIs away from elections

Jalandhar, December 29
Economic slowdown all around the world is keeping NRIs away from swarming Punjab in large numbers on the poll eve to extend their support and monetary contributions to their choicest political parties and candidates.
Though the Central government had accepted the NRIs’ demand of giving them voting rights, they have hardly displayed any interest to take part in the electoral process as only 165 NRIs have got themselves registered as voters in Punjab so far.
Punjab elections have always remained a centre of attraction for politically aware and sensitive Punjabi NRIs who have been flocking to their home state in hordes in the past to vote and support their favourite candidates and parties.
It is for the first time that NRIs have decided to stay away from the poll process, thanks to near-recession in the West, particularly in Canada, the US, the UK, euro zone countries, besides Australia and New Zealand.
Just one delegation of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), led by its chairman Dalwinder Dhoot and president Satnam Chahal, has landed in Punjab so far.
“Many NRIs have decided to contribute to political funds in the range of $2000 to $3000 by staying back in North America instead of spending double the amount on air-tickets for visiting the state along with their families,” said Dhoot and Chahal.
Meanwhile, the annual NRI convention to be held in Jalandhar in January may be postponed due to elections.
Money wise
n Only 165 NRIs get themselves registered as voters so far
n Most NRIs have preferred to cling to their jobs/businesses in the wake of economic slowdown world over
n Instead of flying to Punjab, NRIs are preferring to donate money to political parties/candidates

Shaheedi Jor Mela concludes with religious ceremonies

Devotees take part in the Palki procession at the Shaheedi Jor Mela
 in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Fatehgarh Sahib, Dec. 28

The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela, which is organised in memory of younger Sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive by Mughals for not embracing Islam, concluded here today with religious ceremonies.

A scene from ‘Mein Tera Banda’ at the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib. Tribune photo

To mark the concluding ceremony, a Nagar Kirtan was taken out from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib after performing the "ardas" by Tarlochan Singh, head priest, Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib.

Lakhs of devotees accompanied the Nagar Kirtan led by Panj Piaras. School bands, Gatka teams, Nihangs, Kirtani Jathas, Sukhmani Sahib Sewa Societies and various other social, religious and political leaders accompanied the Nagar Kirtan. The main attraction during the Nagar Kirtan was martial arts displaced by Nihangs and Gatka teams.

The palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib was placed on a well decorated four-wheeler. Akal Takhat Jathedar Gurbachan Singh performed the duty of "Chor Sahib", whereas Tarlochan Singh, Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, Jaswinder Singh, head priest, Darbar Sahib and Harnam Singh Dhuma, head, Damdami Taksal accompanied the Guru Granth Sahib.

The palanquin was escorted by Avtar Singh Makkar, president, SGPC, Prem Singh Chandumajra general secretary, SAD, Dr Harbans Lal, former minister, MLA Didar Singh Bhatti and other political leaders.

'Mein Tera Banda' staged

The main attraction during the mela was the "Mein Tera Banda", a light and sound programme, organised by the district administration and the SGPC. The programme, which was based on the life Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, was directed by Harpal Tiwana. 

Police grappled with spate of murders, snatchings and thefts

Chandigarh, December 28
Sensational murders, increased cases of assault, ruckus at discotheques, snatchings, robberies and thefts - the Chandigarh police remained on its toes throughout 2011, with the city witnessing a spurt in crime.
The year that began with the murder of a five-year-old boy, Khushpreet, after being kidnapped ended with the gruesome murder of two siblings in Sector 41.
Incidents of daylight snatchings, fatal accidents and kidnappings were the highlight of the year and the UT police invited wrath from the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for its failure to provide justice to complainants.
The year also saw the joining of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) from Punjab and Haryana on deputation with the UT police.
While on the one hand, their joining resulted in factionalism within the force, on the other, the demand of the police to fill vacancies was finally catered to. In addition, 1,200 constables joined the UT police force this year.
The year also saw the revival of “Mashaal Parade” after a gap of several decades during the Chandigarh police week. Moreover, a mobile police van was launched to provide on-the-spot services to the residents.

The UT police also upgraded its weaponry and purchased an armoured troops carrier. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) costing several lakhs of rupees was inducted into the force and put to use during a rally by BSP leader Mayawati.

HIGHS

Tanishq robbery

The UT police solved the biggest-ever heist case in Chandigarh - the Tanishq robbery at Mani Majra - with the arrest of all gang members within a week of the robbery of Rs 10 crore was reported in January this year. The police arrested Paras Soni as the mastermind who had 15 cases registered against him with the police of different states. The entire jewellery was recovered.
Top police officers inpect the Tanishq showroom at Mani Majra where Chandigarh’s biggest robbery took place. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Bapu Dham kidnapping

Learning a lesson from the Khushpreet murder case, the UT police solved a case of kidnapping for ransom within hours after the first ransom call. The police was swift to act and launched an intensive operation at Siswan village to arrest the kidnappers, as they came to collect the ransom. The child, Prince, was kidnapped by his uncle, who was his neighbour in Bapu Dham Colony, on February 8.

Healthyway fraud

By forming a special team to crack the whip on fraudulent immigration firms, the UT police arrested Amit Kakkar, owner of Healthyway Immigration, and slapped 11 cases of cheating on him. Hundreds of complainants had approached the police complaining of fraud.

Largest recovery of vehicles

The UT police recovered as many as 42 vehicles from an inter-state gang of vehicle lifters, comprising scrap dealers, insurance company surveyors and second-hand car dealers, who adopted a peculiar modus operandi of selling off stolen vehicles with the original documents of vehicles damaged in accidents. The police recovered 42 vehicles, including high-end cars and SUVs worth over Rs 2 crore following the arrest of five of an unknown number of gang members.

Facebook page

The UT traffic police launched a special page on Facebook, inviting residents to post pictures of traffic violations. The page has been a success, with over 800 challans having been issued by the police in response to the pictures.

LOWS

Khushpreet murder

On January 5, the strangulated body of five-year-old Khushpreet, who was kidnapped for ransom on December 21 last year, was recovered from a pit in Mohali. Residents of Burial village erupted and staged a protest, hurling stones at the police. The victim’s family blamed the police for the killing, as they had failed to arrest the kidnappers who fled right under the nose of the police. Even though the case was solved in March, the case will go into the history as one of the biggest failures of the police in saving the child.

Rising crime graph

The city witnessed 841 vehicle thefts, 201 snatchings, 65 robberies and 261 burglaries this year. The recovery rate remained low and residents had sleepless nights, with the police failing to control the rising crime.

PCA orders

The Police Complaint Authority (PCA) passed 20 orders against police officers of various ranks, including a DSP, for their negligence in handling a case. The UT police failed to implement the orders in most cases, rendering the PCA a toothless tiger.

Tao, Voodoo ruckus

The police failed to keep a check on discotheques as they operated at late night hours beyond the permissible time. A ruckus was created at Tao in September when over 15 armed assailants barged into the disco and attacked the guests and staff. The police arrested some of the assailants. A similar ruckus and a shootout incident that took place at Voodoo is still unsolved.

Inspector suspended

An inspector and former SHO of the Sector 17 police station, Jaswinder Singh, was suspended after he was found creating a ruckus at Score discotheque. A departmental inquiry was marked and the inspector was soon reinstated even as the probe is pending.

High Court’s wrath

The police invited the wrath of the Punjab and Haryana High Court twice this year, as it passed strictures against the police for failing to file their replies in court. In one case, the police was fined Rs 10,000, holding a sub-inspector responsible, while in another case, the police was fined Rs 5,000 last month, holding a woman inspector responsible.

Neha murder case

The police conducted narco tests of suspects this year but failed to solve the sensational case of the murder of an MBA student, Neha, in Sector 38 West last year.

LOOKING AHEAD Functioning of the mobile police van, improved beat system, better servant verification system, increased police force and improved armory are on the agenda of the UT police. Crime graph shows upward trend  Police officials show stolen vehicles recovered in Mohali. file photo Mohali, December 28 Increase in the incidents of snatching and stealing of vehicles kept the Mohali police on its toes during the year. Due to the increase in the incidents of dacoit, burglary, rape and cheating, there was a marginal increase in the total number of cases registered during the year as compared to the previous year. Recent recoveries of stolen vehicles and snatched valuables did help the police in increasing its tally of traced cases. But the police was found groping in the dark to solve two cases of murder and at least six cases of vehicle snatching in the town. The year might be ending on a positive note, as the police has been able to bust several gangs of interstate car thieves. But it remained unsuccessful in cracking a mysterious murder of a property dealer at Nayagoan and that of an unidentified person at Kambali village. The percentage of detection in theft cases is still less than the number of vehicles stolen in the last one year. Of the roughly 125 burglary cases reported in the district, investigating officials managed to trace down the stolen property in 61 of the cases. Otherwise also, the changing economic profile of the district, especially Mohali town, is witnessing a sharp rise in the cases of cheating and forgery as compared to the previous year. Against 128 cases of snatching registered in 2010, 270 cases were registered this year. Hard pressed with VIP duties, the investigating officials do find it hard to exclusively work on the theft cases. As a result, the acquittal rate remains much higher than the conviction rate. Compared to the conviction rate of 48 per cent in 2010, the conviction rate this year is 36 per cent. Traffic Violations 16 motorists challaned a day  Zirakpur, December 28 At least 16 motorists, on an average, were challaned every day for violating the traffic rules during 2011 at Zirakpur. Of the total 5,750 offenders, at least 2,539 were challaned for riding without helmet. Traffic violations in the town were on the rise despite special drives conducted by the traffic police. The traffic police issued 5,750 challans to vehicles till December 27 this year and recovered Rs 14.93 lakh in penalty. In 2010, 4,886 vehicles were issued challans for various traffic offences. These included helmet-less riding, triple riding, vehicles in “no parking” zones, drunk driving and violations under the Motor Vehicles Act. Sources in the traffic police said the local traffic police challaned 2,539 helmet-less riders and 555 auto-rickshaws drivers for overloading. At least 203 challans were issued for using mobile phone while driving and 366 for triple riding. Other violations included tinted glasses, using pressure horn, flag rod, red and blue beacon and driving without documents. Besides, vehicles parked in “no parking” zones were impounded under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the sources added. The traffic in-charge, Naveen Pal Singh Lehal, claimed that the traffic police had been consistently punishing the violators. “We will conduct special drives in the coming days to curb violations in the township and raise awareness among school students, Tempo unions and auto-rickshaw drivers about traffic violations through camps.”

Students can use Aakash till March 31

Were supposed to return it after feedback

Chandigarh, December 28
The lucky ones who have got the world’s lowest priced touch-screen Aakash will have the chance to use the pocket-sized wonder tablet until March 31.

Students were supposed to return the device after giving feedback. However, project coordinators have decided that the students can use the tablet till the end of the academic session.

As a part of the project, 20 lucky city college students had got Aakash on a trial basis and after using the tablet, they had to submit a feedback of the device.

The students had to rate it on various parameters of hardware and software.

Dr Dalip Kumar, an associate professor at the Postgraduate Government for Girls, Sector 42, and one of the technical experts who handled the implementation of the project, said soon after the feedback on Aakash was sent, the IIT-Jodhpur asked us that the students should surrender the device, which should be sent back to the IIT-Jodhpur.

“We have sought an extension so that the students can use the device till the end of the academic session, as they have been using the devices for their projects,” Dr Kumar said.

After the trials, the students had highlighted some of the negative aspects, which included long charging time, generation of heat after 30 minutes of use and repeated hanging while working.

Based on the feedback, the company manufacturing the device was supposed to revamp the device under same cost.

Dr Kumar said they had not got any further communication, as when would be the device available for all students. “The device after modifications was supposed to be put on sale, however, its’ not yet decided as when will the students be getting their own 7-inch touch screen computing and Internet device,” he added.

Centre’s vegetable clusters scheme for Ludhiana

Chandigarh, December 28
Ludhiana will be the only city in Punjab to be included in the ambitious agriculture development scheme — Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters — announced by the Centre.

The scheme, which envisages the development of vegetable clusters for ensuring supply of good quality vegetables to any city having a population of one million and above, will also help in increasing vegetable production in peripheral areas.

In Punjab, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala to ensure regular supply of vegetables to Ludhiana city and this would also increase production in these districts.

The state government has already received 50 per cent of the grant (Rs 6 crore), and is now in the process of forming farmer groups in the peripheral districts of Ludhiana.

Dr Lajwinder Singh Brar, Director, Horticulture, said that the scheme had been initiated under the aegis of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. "The scheme covers all aspects relating to vegetable production, from production and supply of planting material to marketing up to the retail level, formation of farmer groups, their linkage to aggregators/markets besides training and capacity building of vegetable growers in the identified clusters," Brar said.

"As a part of this scheme, we will be first forming self-help groups of farmers, named the Farmer Interest Groups and each group will grow vegetables on 20 hectares of land. These groups in one geographical location will be clustered as Farmer Producers' Organisation, which will be registered under the Societies Act. These organisations will directly market their produce to retailers with the help of a marketing aggregator, who will ensure that the farmers get a good price for their produce, and the role of middlemen will be minimised," he added.

Brar said that the department was in the final stage of identifying an NGO that would act as the market aggregator for vegetable producers’ organisations.

The total production of vegetables in Punjab is 36.45 lakh tonnes, with average yield of 19,344 kgs per hectare. So far, the total area on which vegetable crops are grown in the stare is estimated at 1.88 lakh hectares.

Brar said that the scheme would not only help in increasing the total vegetable production in the areas surrounding Ludhiana, but also help the farmers to set up state-of-art storage facilities in vegetable producing areas and buy refrigerated vans for transporting their produce.

Students to get ‘Aakash’ soon

atiala, December 28
To make studies convenient and affordable, the Union Ministry of Human Resources has decided to provide Aakash Tablet to college students for a mere Rs 1,138. The Ministry has sought lists of students from colleges in the state who desire to purchase these Tablets.

The market price of Aakash is otherwise Rs 2,276. Aakash is the world's lowest priced touch-screen device, which will help students to use Internet for higher studies.

Satinder Kaur, Principal of Government Bikram College of Commerce, said they had already started preparing a list of students who were willing to buy the tablet. "It is a very sophisticated and yet very affordable device. Students will now no longer have to pool in thousands of rupees for buying desktops or laptops," she added.

Appreciating the scheme, students say that it would make studies easier for them. "Internet has become a necessity these days. It is easier to search various topics on Internet rather than going through various books. I often have to visit cyber cafes to study various course related topics, as I could not afford to buy a laptop. I am glad that now I will be able to possess Aakash and use it as per my requirements," said Geeta, a BCom student from Khalsa College. 

Bhagwant Mann to take on Bhattal in Lehra

Chandigarh, December 28

Popular comedian-turned-politician and People’s Party of Punjab’s vice- president Bhagwant Mann will contest against senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from the Lehra constituency. Bhattal had defeated senior Akali leader Prem Singh Chandumjara by a margin of 270 votes in Lehra in the 2007 elections. This time Chandumajra is keen to contest from the Fatehgarh Sahib constituency, where he faces strong opposition from senior Akali leaders, including incumbent SAD legislator Didar Singh Bhatti.

The SAD is likely to field Sukhwant Singh Sarao, a former Additional Deputy Commissioner ( ADC), from Lehra this time. Sarao had recently resigned from service to join politics. He is a confidant of senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. The PPP leadership has decided to field its frontline leaders against important Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders as a part of its election strategy. The obvious objective is to keep senior leaders of main political parties confined to their respective constituencies. The PPP chief’s father Gurdas Singh Badal has been fielded against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the Lambi constituency.

Mann said he had been approached by the people of Sunam and Maur “but I have opted for Lehra because my party leadership wants it so.” The PPP leadership had earlier allocated Lehra to the CPI, which is a part of the Sanjha Morcha headed by Manpreet Badal.

The CPI had announced Satwant Singh Khandewad as its candidate from Lehra. The PPP has decided to request the CPI leadership to leave the constituency for Mann in lieu of another constituency, say sources. Mann, known for his biting satire, has emerged as a forceful orator. He uses folk tales and the local idiom to touch the hearts of the people. 

PPP Strategy

n The PPP leadership has decided to field its frontline leaders against important Congress and SAD leaders

n The objective is to keep senior leaders of main political parties confined to their constituencies

n The PPP leadership had earlier allocated Lehra to the CPI that had announced the candidature of Satwant Singh Khandewad

India to soon get Russian nuclear submarines

Moscow, December 28
Indian Navy is set to receive a major boost when the much-awaited Russian 'Nerpa' nuclear attack submarine would join its fleet "in the next few days" on a 10-year lease worth $920 million.

The Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear submarine has finished sea trials and is now ready to be leased to the Indian Navy in the next few days.

"The submarine is now fully ready to carry out its tasks," a senior executive at the Amur Shipyard, where the submarine was built, was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti news agency.

"It will be handed over before the end of the year," the unnamed official said.

The submarine, capable of remaining underwater for months, will be rechristened 'INS Chakra'. It will be for the first time in more than two decades that the Indian Navy will have a nuclear attack submarine.

When Russia makes the delivery, it will make India only the sixth operator of nuclear submarines in the world, the report said.

The 10-year lease is worth $920 million, it said.

The Nerpa, an Akula II-class attack submarine, had originally been scheduled for delivery in 2008 but an accident during sea trials on November 8 that year forced the Russian authorities to put it on hold.

Twenty people, mostly civilians, were killed when a fire-suppressant gas was released on the Nerpa during shakedown trials, in one of Russia's worst naval accidents.

The Akula-II class submarines are equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km. The Indian version is reportedly expected to be armed with the 300-km club nuclear-capable missiles. 

Washington says open to Russian report on human rights in U.S.

Washington considers reports from other countries on the situation with human rights in the United States as useful and is always open for them, a U.S. Department of State spokesman said commenting on a report from Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry published on Wednesday a report on the situation with human rights in foreign countries, including in the United States. The report in particular expresses concern over the Guantanamo prison, the freedom of speech and touches upon some mistakes made by the U.S. justice system.

“These kinds of human rights reports can be a useful mechanism. But we certainly don’t regard it as interference in our internal affairs when foreign governments, individuals, or organizations comment on or criticize U.S. human rights practices,” Mark Toner, the acting spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told a daily press briefing.

The diplomat did not make any specific comments on provisions pointed out by Russia in its report, although he was particularly asked about the Guantanamo prison. He said the document is being assessed and that would take some time.

“I think we can say that we will or we may examine the report to see if there’s any importance to it… We don’t put any restrictions on access to our human rights records, and, indeed, we have an extremely unfettered press and media that hold us to that,” Toner added.

U.S. President Barack Obama suspended new military commissions for Guantanamo detainees in early 2009 and pledged to close the prison within a year. In March this year, however, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates revoked the suspension.

There are still over 170 detainees, including a Russian citizen, at Guantanamo.

Compulsory medical treatment for drug addicts unpopular worldwide, expert says

MOSCOW, December 28 - RAPSI. Drug addict compulsory treatment is not applied in the developed countries, Yevgeny Krupitsky, head of narcology department at the St. Petersburg Psychoneurological Research Institute said during a video-conference link between Moscow and St. Petersburg arranged by RIA Novosti.

The Health Ministry proposes to pass a law on compulsory medical treatment for drug addicts, regardless of whether they have previous criminal record or not. Chief narcologist of Russia Yevgeny Bryun, who supports the idea, said the law could save many drug addicts who are unable to control themselves in an addictive state.

Federal Drug Control Service head Viktor Ivanov earlier said the parliament may adopt a law on criminal responsibility for drug taking in public places by spring 2012.

There are no successful examples of addict compulsory treatment up to date, Krupitsky said.

Krupitsky said drug addicts should undergo drug tests every week so that the special monitoring group can monitor their health state and remission progress.

Ivanov shared Krupitsky's idea, saying that only 2 percent out of a million of addicts who asked for medical treatment can truly recover from drug addiction. He also alleged that the existing addict treatment model is ineffective.

Penalties for drug-related crimes in Russia

For more info visit: http://www.rapsinews.com/legislation_mm/20111212/258831678.html

The new Anti-Tobacco Law in Russia

A bill restricting the sale of tobacco products will help Russia combat the deadly habit, which is responsible for causing 400,000 deaths per year - Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennady Onishchenko

For more info visit: http://www.rapsinews.com/legislation_mm/20110826/254941914.html

Court drops extremism charges against "Bhagavad Gita as It is"

16:04 28/12/2011

TOMSK, December 28 - RAPSI, Sergei Levanenkov. A Tomsk district court has held against a local prosecutor's office in its petition to declare the Russian version of "the Bhagavad Gita as It is" Hindu poem with commentary an extremist text, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday.

In June the Tomsk prosecutor's office appealed to the court to place the Bhagavad Gita's Russian-language version on the federal extremist materials list. The prosecutor's office initiated the case following an inspection of the Tomsk Society for Krishna Consciousness. The court was expected to pass its judgment on December 19, but the case was postponed until December 28.

The Tomsk prosecutors offices petition to declare "Bhagavad Gita as It is" an extremist text has sparked an explosion of public indignation in India and has been called a violation of Hindu rights. Several law makers have called on the Russian government to stand up for the rights of followers of Hinduism in Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich commented on the Tomsk prosecutor's office's claim on Thursday. He said the prosecutor's office is challenging not the Bhagavad Gita itself, but the comments made by the book's author Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is a part of the ancient Mahabharata epic.

"Bhagavad Gita as It is" is a translation of the Bhagavad Gita Hindu scripture with commentary, made by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in the 1960s. The book was translated into more than 60 languages.

Russian notaries to become part of e-government in 2012

MOSCOW, December 20 - RAPSI. Notaries will enjoy the single Interdepartmental Electronic Interaction System from 2012. However, people will be able to contact a notary using their computer only after legislation is adopted on notarial practice and on electronic documents, the Justice Ministry and the Federal Notarial Chamber told RIA Novosti at a Tuesday press conference.

The system is a primary component of e-government. Notaries with an electronic signature and the relevant powers will receive access to government databases.

Presently, 94 percent of the 7,560 notaries in Russia use the Single Information System, which contains 18 million entries on standard forms that may be used to verify the authenticity of a notarial document and a notarial act, 12 million searches of will notices, 4.8 million entries on probate cases, 544,000 entries on arrests and restrictions and 151,000 entries on revoked powers of attorney.

The current system enables to retrieve information on the peoples wills kept in the archives since 1980.

Airlines to get compensation for transporting children at discounted rate

ST. PETERSBURG, December 20 - RAPSI. The Constitutional Court validated the legal standards forcing airlines to charge only half price for children's tickets. However, the court also wants the country's legislation to be amended to compensate airlines for these expenses, the court materials read.

The Constitutional Court examined the constitutionality of Air Code standards under which passengers have the right to transport children aged from two to twelve at a discounted rate. Polet Airlines, Siberia Airlines and UTair filed the applications.

The companies claimed that airlines incur multimillion losses by transferring children at half price. The companies filed their lawsuits with commercial courts.
However, the courts dismissed the lawsuits, stating that the right of passengers to buy tickets at discounted rates for children is not their privilege, but a paid service rendered by airlines.

The Constitutional Court maintains that the lawmaker is entitled to obligate companies to transport children at a discount rated, but the "establishment of benefits to transport children is connected with the state's intrusion into ownership rights, proprietary rights and the freedom of entrepreneurship."

"The Constitutional Court ruled that the federal lawmaker should make corresponding amendments to legal regulations, which should aim to comply with the balance of interests in transporting children by air," the court materials read.

Chargesheet running into 1.5 lakh pages filed in Indore court

Indore: A voluminous chargesheet running into 1.50 lakh pages was today submitted in a special court by EOW against 24 persons, allegedly involved in a nine year old tax scam, pegged at Rs 8 crore, reported in a local agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC).

The massive chargesheet had to be carried on in three vehicles and was produced in the special court of Gauri Shankar Dubey.

Special Public Prosecutor for Economic Offences Wing Ashlesh Sharma said the accused against whom the chargesheet was filed included a retired government servant and they have been charged with offences like corruption, fraud and forgery.

The EOW SP Manoj Kumar Singh said the tax scam took place in local Krishi Upaj Mandi in 2002 and a case in this connection was filed in 2004.

Three machines were pressed into service for twenty-five days to make photocopies of the humongous document, he added.

Santa ready for trip around the world

His sleigh has been inspected, his bag of toys has been scanned, and his reindeer have successfully completed their takeoff and landing tests.

Santa Claus has been cleared for takeoff from the North Pole, Transport Canada announced Friday, and now eager present-seekers can track the man in red's flight through the skies.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) is once again providing detailed updates on Santa's movements on its website, www.noradsanta.org or by contacting 1-877-Hi-NORAD starting at 6 a.m. ET. Trackers also can send an email to noradtrackssanta(at)gmail.com.

Norad "Santa cams" are positioned around the world and this year, the command centre also is offering a Santa-tracking app for mobile devices. Tracking opportunities also are offered on Facebook, Google+, YouTube, and Twitter.

Like any pilot, Santa had to pass a series of flight and medical tests before Transport Canada cleared him for flight.

"I'm very happy Santa has passed these latest tests," Mrs. Claus wrote in a text message sent to Transport Canada. "I made sure he focused on his tasks, not emptying the cookie jar or surfing the web too much, lol."

Santa's journey is expected to be smooth as usual, said Norad Capt. Jeff Noel in an interview with Global News.

"In all the years and centuries that Santa's been on the go, there's been no responsibility whatsoever for him ever missing a Christmas Eve," Noel said.

Only Santa knows his route, so Norad can't predict when he'll hit any particular home, Noel said. But one important detail is known.

"He usually arrives only when children are asleep. So in most countries, it seems Santa arrives between 9 p.m. and midnight."

While the technology for tracking Santa evolved, the tradition is more than 50 years old.

In 1955 a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co., advertisement misprinted a telephone number for children to call Santa. The number put children through to Norad's predecessor's operations hotline. The director of operations at the time had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa so the children who called were given updates.

It became a well-received tradition.

Year of the Dragon will be the year of oil and copper

OTTAWA — Oil and copper will be the star commodities of 2012 as China enters the Year of the Dragon, slaying inflationary pressures and engineering a soft landing for its economy.

So says Scotiabank commodities specialist Patricia Mohr, who says in her 2012 outlook that China has shifted to a “pro-growth”stance after having previously tightened credit conditions to contain rising costs.

China has already cut reserve requirements at banks and permitted more bank lending, and further easing is expected soon, as prices in the country’s overheated property market have begun to fall along with food and consumer prices.

“While China’s economy could slow further through early 2012, we expect a rebound to get underway around the second quarter — bolstering global growth and commodity prices,” Ms. Mohr said in her December Commodity Price Index report, which tracks 32 of Canada’s key commodity exports.

China’s 12th five-year plan, running from 2011 to 2015, will encourage private investment in railways, utilities, and the financial and energy sectors, she said.

“Priority will be placed on the construction of affordable, social housing, with 10 million units already started in 2011 and another 10 million planned for 2012 (a total of 36 million units from 2011-15).

“Construction of these apartments should more than offset an expected sharp downturn in private-sector starts in 2012, a source of recent concern in financial markets.”

While Ms. Mohr says this will help wood producers, it will not be until late in 2012 that benchmark lumber prices begin to rise, along with a more sustained rally in the depressed U.S. housing market, which began to show signs of recovery late in 2011.

The biggest beneficiaries will be copper and oil, which will outperform the rest of the commodity complex, Ms. Mohr said.

Copper’s many industrial uses will conspire with a supply deficit that began late in 2011 and extend into 2012, despite a six per cent increase in global mine supply.

“World mine output has increased only 1.1 per cent per annum from 2007-11 in the face of rapid demand growth in China and emerging Asia, lifting prices onto a higher plane,” said Ms. Mohr.

That will restore prices for copper from the $3.39 a pound it fell to late in 2011 back to $4 a pound — averaging $3.90 over the year — once China’s fabrication demand strengthens in the spring.

U.S. crude oil, meanwhile, will average $95 to US$100 a barrel in 2012.

Ms. Mohr bases this forecast on oil cartel OPEC recently setting production levels at 30 million barrels a day, which is only slightly higher that projected demand.

However, Ms. Mohr cautions, “any embargo of Iranian crude would drive prices dramatically higher."

Iran is the second-largest OPEC producer, with output of 3.55 million barrels a day and exports of 2.6 mb/d; offsetting this crude would test the excess capability of the major OPEC Gulf producers (2.7 mb/d).

The possibility occurs on mounting concern Iran is seeking to obtain nuclear weapon and that Western powers will tighten sanctions against the country.

Postmedia News

Twitter.com/johnmorrissy

TABLE

Industrial commodity price outlook / 2012 forecast in U.S.dollars per pound

Metals

Uranium / $55

Zinc / $0.94

Aluminum / $103

Nickel / $9

Copper / $3.90

Oil & gas

West Texas Intermediate / $95 to $100 US a barrel

Natural gas, Alberta / $3.30 US per thousand cubic feet

Natural gas, Nymex / $3.50 US per thousand cubic feet

Forest products

Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2x4s / $260 US per thousand board feet

Oriented strandboard / $190 USper thousand square feet

Source: Scotiabank Commodity Price Index

SDO told to compensate complainant

Chandigarh, December 23

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed SDO, sub-division office, electricity department, Sector 40-B, to pay Rs 5,000 as litigation charges to a resident of Maloya village near Chandigarh.

The forum comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota also quashed the sundry charges raised in the bills from the month of October, 2010, to June, 2011, as the respondents failed to prove any evidence.

The complainant, Lakhmir Singh, submitted that in the month of September, 2010, the said tubewell did not work due to some defect and he installed a new tubewell about 60m away from the old one, and thereafter, requested the opposite party to transfer the connection on October 1, 2010, so that he could use the new tubewell. However, on October 7, he received a provisional assessment letter with regard to illegal demand of Rs 42,195 on account of theft of energy. The opposite party again sent bill dated November 9, 2010, in which the amount of Rs 42,602 was added as sundry charges. He received another bill dated December 10, 2010, for Rs 47,148.

The counsel for the opposite party averred that the electricity connection of the complainant was checked on September 30, 2010, and the complainant was found using “kundi connection”. Accordingly an amount of Rs 42,195 was charged on account of average for the period April 30, 2009, to September 30, 2010, at the rate of Rs 882 per unit, (per month) at domestic rate as the tubewell connection was being used for cattle shed as well as for service station. The complainant was advised to apply on proper A & A Form, along with proof of ownership, and also to pay the pending electricity bills for shifting the meter. However, he shifted the meter without any approval from the opposite party. It was further averred that the amount of Rs 49,187 was still outstanding, which the complainant had not paid.

The forum further observed that the report given by the checking officer had not been supported by any affidavit. “The report loses its evidential value and is not sufficient to prove that the complainant committed any theft.”

Non-signatory can’t be made accused: HC

Chandigarh, December 23

In a significant judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that a bounced cheque complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is not maintainable against a person, “who has neither issued the cheque nor the same has been issued from his account.”

Taking up a petition filed by Navjot Kaur against INSCOL, Justice Alok Singh of the High Court asserted: “The short question involved in the present case is as to whether a person, who is neither a signatory of the cheque, nor has issued cheque, can be made accused in a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act?.

“No complaint under Section 138 is maintainable against the person who has neither issued the cheque nor the same was issued from her account.”

INSCOL had earlier filed a complaint against Avtar Singh and his daughter Navjot Kaur. The complainant alleged that Navjot Kaur had secured admission to foreign nursing course; and her father issued an account payee cheque dated September 16, 2007, for Rs 1,25,000.

On the presentation, the cheque was dishonoured due to insufficient funds, after which a complaint was filed before a Magistrate on November 27, 2007.

After hearing the arguments and going through the documents, Justice Alok Singh ruled: “From the perusal of Section 138, I have no hesitation to hold that complaint under Section 138 can only be filed against the person, who has drawn the cheque on an account maintained by him with the banker for payment of any amount of money. 

FOUL CONTENT

Court asks networking sites to face trial

New Delhi, December 23
In yet another blow to 21 social networking sites, including Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and YouTube, a Delhi court today issued summons to them for facing trial for allegedly webcasting objectionable contents.
Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Sudesh Kumar took cognisance on a private criminal complaint and has directed the Centre for taking “immediate appropriate steps” and also file a report in the court by January 13.
The court’s order came three days after another court in a civil case had restrained these sites, including Facebook, Google and YouTube from webcasting any “anti-religious” or “anti-social” content promoting hatred or communal disharmony.
The magistrate has summoned the accused companies to face trial for allegedly committing the offence punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Rupee ends lower, skids for third straight week

Mumbai, December 23
The Indian rupee ended weaker on Friday, posting its third straight week of losses, as concerns over slowing growth pushed domestic equities lower and as importers stepped up dollar buys for monthend payments.
Volumes in the dollar-rupee market were thin, with traders preferring to stay on the sidelines ahead of the yearend.
Actions taken by the Reserve Bank of India over the last few days to curb speculation in the currency that hit a record low of 54.30 to the dollar on Dec 15 kept trading appetite subdued, dealers said.
The rupee ended at 52.9600/9675 to the dollar, weaker compared with Thursday's close of 52.7200/7300. It had touched a high of 52.6350 in opening trades. The unit has lost 0.5 percent this week.
"The RBI moves and the yearend factor have caused volumes to drop (in dollar-rupee trade)," said a senior foreign exchange trader at a large private sector bank. "This situation is likely to continue till the new year begins. Until then rupee should move in 52 to 53 band," he said.
Although investors slightly increased their bearish bets against the Indian rupee compared to two weeks ago, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, many analysts think most potential negative factors have been taken into account.
"We believe the depreciation momentum is petering out and the rupee should find a top around current levels of 52.50-53.50," said Abheek Barua, chief economist at HDFC Bank in a research note on Friday. He added the RBI's recent steps to curb speculation have reduced volatility in the dollar-rupee market. 

Sensex snaps two-day rally, slips 75 pts After two days of continuous gains, the stock market on Friday suffered mild losses and its barometer, the Sensex, slipped 75 points, dragged by the market leader Reliance Industries and some banking bluechips. The BSE's 30-share benchmark index settled at 15,738.70 points, down 74.66 points or 0.47% from its previous close. The index had gained more than 600 points in the past two days, but only after a huge fall of over 800 points in the five consecutive trading sessions.

Bhanwari case: Key accused surrenders

Jodhpur, December 23
Key absconding accused in Bhanwari Devi abduction case Sahiram Bishnoi, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh, today surrendered before the special court here and was remanded in the CBI custody till January 2.

Considered close to sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, already behind bars, Sahiram, who had been absconding since Bhanwari Devi went missing on September 1, appeared before the special court here and surrendered.

His counsel Ramavtar Singh Choudhary told the court that Bishnoi was on a "pilgrimage" for the past three months and when he learnt that his property was being attached and his family members were being allegedly harassed by the CBI, he reached the city and surrendered before the court. The court remanded him in CBI custody till January 2.

"After sustained interrogation and widespread search operations by CBI, absconding accused Sahiram surrendered today in the special court at Jodhpur," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said in New Delhi.

She further said investigation is on to unearth the larger conspiracy so as to identify the other conspirators and perpetrators of this crime.

One of the key accused Shahbuddin has told CBI that he had abducted Bhanwari in September on the directions of Bishnoi, CBI sources said.

Bhanwari went missing on September 1 and Maderna is accused of having a role in her disappearance.

Lambi to witness battle of Badals

SAD releases first list of 48 candidates

TURF WAR

n CM Parkash Singh Badal to contest from Lambin CM’s brother Gurdas Badal likely PPP candidaten Sukhbir Badal’s name  not in the first listn Darbara Singh Guru, principal secretary to  CM (he resigned today) and PS Gill, former DGP, figure in the list.n Out of 117 seats, SAD will contest 94 leaving  23 to ally, BJPn Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, 10 Akali ministers among nominees

Chandigarh, December 23
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has released its first list of party nominees for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Putting all speculations to rest, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will recontest the Lambi constituency. He has sent out a clear signal that there was very little possibility of a rapprochement with estranged nephew Manpreet Badal and that Lambi would see a battle within the family.

Badal’s nomination at the beginning of the 48-member list that was released today is in line with the party’s recently adopted strategy of projecting the Chief Minister as the party’s chief ministerial candidate instead of his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is the president of SAD.

Out of the 117 seats, SAD will contest 94. Alliance partner BJP will put up candidates for the remaining 23. Today’s list was on expected lines and contained names of many important leaders of the party.

The first list contains 14 new faces. The candidates on the seats swapped between the SAD and the BJP, namely Amritsar (East), Garshankar, Batala and Ludhiana (West), have also reportedly been finalised, but have been withheld on the request of the BJP that does not want to foment trouble in the party ahead of the BJP’s Jalandhar rally tomorrow.

As a result of the switch, the BJP gets Ludhiana (West) and Amritsar (East) while SAD will contest from Garshankar and Batala.

The list released today includes the names of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon and 10 out of the 12 Akali ministers in the Parkash Singh Badal Cabinet. Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan’s name does not figure in the first list, but party sources confirmed that he was tipped to contest from Batala. Capt Balbir Singh Bath will be the only minister not to get re-nominated on any seat. Sukhbir Badal’s name also doesn’t figure in the first list.

The first list also includes the names of all three SAD parliamentary secretaries. In all, six women figure in the list of 48 which includes Kuldip Kaur Tohra, daughter of late Gurcharn Singh Tohra. Incidentally, she is the only person from the erstwhile Tohra faction that finds a mention in the list.

Ludhiana (West), which had been promised to Maheshinder Singh Grewal, has been given by SAD to BJP former president Rajinder Bhandari.

Twenty-four out of the 48 names released today are those of sitting party MLAs and nine ex-MLAs. In the list, five names are for reserved seats, while 43 are of the general category.