13 more nations to get visas on arrival

NEW DELHI: The number of nations whose citizens are eligible for visas on arrival (VoA) in India is likely to be expanded to include 13 countries largely from Europe, south-east and central Asia after a review convened by the PMO felt security conditions need not be a hurdle to promote tourism.

Countries that could be offered VoA includeMalaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine,Kazakhstan, Brazil and South Africa. At the meeting - also attended by officials from other ministries like culture and environment - it was made clear that security cannot be invoked to strike down important government initiatives.

In a separate, but related review, government is planning a major boost to skill development by aiming to add a eight-crore-strong workforce over the next five years. A big step in this direction could be introducing vocational study as elective options in classes IX to XII so that credits in these subjects can be counted for university admissions.

Home ministry has been asked to work on details of the proposed visa regime in a manner that factors in security concerns by utilizing information-sharing agreements with Asean and theEuropean Union while ensuring that travel to India becomes less hassle-free.

Ramping up tourist numbers is seen as a significant revenue earner with 600,000 foreign visitors a year being a miniscule proportion of global tourism. With timely intervention, the sector can grow much faster than the 24 million jobs currently targeted in the 12th Plan. So far, the VoA scheme has registered modest success with over 10,000 visas issued last year.

At present, 13 countries whose nationals can avail a visa on arrival include Finland, Japan,Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laosand Myanmar. But the list excludes more populous nations even in the Asean who can be tapped for a much larger tourist footfall.

Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai said, "Government is aware of the urgent need to develop infrastructure to ensure there is adequate connectivity, hotel room availability and facilities for tourists." The government is also drawing lessons from European countries that have leveraged tourism to tide over financial woes.

The government is also considering a spate of measures to kick start its skill-development programme by roughly doubling the targeted addition of skilled persons from existing 40 lakh a year. This is seen as essential, keeping in mind rapidly growing sectors like tourism, information technology and textiles.

The problem of lack of skilled people had caught the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during UPA-I, but despite reports being commissioned and submitted, the issue was never quite addressed. Now, the government has initiated a curriculum evaluation that is intended to introduce vocational study as elective subjects in classes IX to XII.

In a departure from past practice, study of these subjects will count for students keen on attending university as it is felt that if they can earn credits and keep options open, they might be tempted to take up vocational areas in school itself.

On tourism, the PMO has also asked the MHA and the ministry of external affairs to resolve the confusion around restrictions on re-entry of tourists within a 60-day period. The visa rule is likely to be relaxed and a solution reached in the next one month.

Besides increasing VoA facility to four additional airports, including Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi and Bengaluru, the PMO has asked the civil aviation ministry to improve the facilities in the existing airports of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai so that tourists do not have to stand for hours for emigration and other clearances. The ministries of home and civil aviation have also been asked to increase counters and accept immigration fees in both Indian currency and dollars.

Jazzy B’s show draws CGC tech fest to a close

Chandigarh, January 21

The concluding day of the tech fest at Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Gharuan, was marked by a rocking performance by famous Punjabi singer Jazzy B. Hundreds of students from institutes like IITs, NITs, UBS, UIET, CCCET, participated in various competitions in the fest.

The performance, which left students enthralled, was followed by a spectacular show by a rock band from Kolkata named ‘Underground Authority’.

The day started with an event called ‘Battle of Bands’ where the winning band walked away with Rs 10,000. Students from IET Bhaddal won the first prize in the ‘Track-o-Mania (Landrover)’ event while Lovely Professional University students walked away with the top prize in web designing. Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) bagged the top award for ‘Best Recipe’. This was followed by a fashion-show featuring bridal wear, western, fusion and winter wear.

Chief guest Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and SSP Mohali appreciated the event, particularly the rare mix of technological and cultural competitions it offered. CGC Chairman Satnam Singh Sandhu also congratulated students for the fest. 

5 arrested for B’desh coup plot

Accused belong to banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir; hunt on for army officer

Dhaka, January 21
Bangladesh’s elite anti-terror force has arrested five members of the banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir in connection for a failed coup attempt, as it launched a massive manhunt to nab key suspect Major Syed Ziaul Haque.
Rapid Action Battalion has arrested five activists of Hizb ut-Tahrir which was suspected to have links with the plot through Major Haque, an army spokesman said today.
The spokesman said a massive manhunt was underway to arrest the fugitive Major and law enforcing agency raided his in-laws home in southwestern Patuakhali district yesterday as part of the campaign. One security personnel was injured during the arrests yesterday.
The Bangladesh army on Thursday said it has foiled a plot to topple the government and arrested two former officers besides launching a manhunt for a fugitive in-service Major while some 16 others are being kept under vigil. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today accused opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of having involvement in the coup plot.
Speaking at a party meeting, she said the abortive coup had a visible link with BNP chief and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia’s earlier comments pledging to out the government by 2012. “There will be no more usurping power in Bangladesh,” she said.
No comments from BNP was immediately available on Hasina’s remark but a senior party leader and former law minister Moudud Ahmed rejected the allegation saying BNP never wanted to go to power through undemocratic means.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed told PTI that detail coup plan was unfolding gradually and suspects were likely to be tried in court marshal under Army Act.
Brigadier-General Mohammad Masud Razzak told a crowded press conference at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday that 14-16 officers were under vigil as a probe was underway while the detained two former officers “bluntly admitted their role in the plot”.

Hasina blames Oppn

A massive manhunt launched to nab key suspect Major Syed Ziaul Haque (pic)

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of being involved in the plot

Bangladesh has a long history of coups and counter coups. The country was under direct or pseudo military rules for over a decade, since August 15, 1975, when the country’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated

B’desh army foils plot to topple Hasina govt

Dhaka, January 19
The Bangladesh army said on Thursday it foiled a coup attempt by retired and serving officers late last month which intelligence sources said was driven by a campaign to introduce Sharia law throughout the majority Muslim country.

Impoverished Bangladesh has a history of coups, with army generals running the South Asian nation for 15 years until the end of 1990.

"Specific information has been unearthed that some officers in military service have been involved in the conspiracy to topple the system of democratic governance," Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq told reporters. He said around 16 former and active officers were involved. Some had been detained and would appear before a military court.

Sources in the army said the coup attempt was made late last month. "The attempt has been effectively controlled and now the process is on to punish the culprits," one military official said. The Prime Minister's Office and the Home Ministry did not comment, but addressing a rally outside Dhaka earlier this week, Hasina urged Bangladeshis to remain alert.