Bajaj unveils small car RE60, promises 35 km per litre

NEW DELHI: Bajaj Auto on Tuesday unveiled a mini four wheeler for intra-city urban transportation targetting three wheeler customers.

The company, which had in 2008 showcased a concept small car but decided not to go ahead with the project, will launch the new product named RE60 later this year.

"Certainly, this is a product, the core customer for which are those who use a three wheeler," Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj told reporters here.

He said the RE60, powered by a 200 cc rear mounted petrol engine could also be sold in overseas markets where BAL's three wheelers are exported.

Bajaj said the company had spent nearly four years in developing the product that has a top speed of 70 kmph with a highest mileage of 35kmpl.

"This vehicle has been designed for intra-city passenger transport keeping in mind intra-city duty cycles and safety requirements," he added.

Commenting on the potential of the vehicle, he said the company expects a big growth opportunity by targeting the three wheeler segment.

Bajaj, however, did not share sales targets for the new product but said opportunities are not only in the domestic market but overseas as well.

"We make about 5,20,000 three-wheelers a year of which only 2,00,000 are sold in India and rest exported. So we see markets like Sri Lanka, which could be the first export market has huge potential for RE60," he said.

Asked about the association with Renault-Nissan alliance, Bajaj said: "They have not seen the product yet and will be seeing it at the Auto-Expo. Once they see it, we will decide the way forward."

As per an agreement with the Renault-Nissan alliance, BAL was supposed to develop and manufacture the vehicle and sold under the badge of the alliance.

In January, 2008 BAL had unveiled its concept passenger car with an expected price of USD 3000. It had partnered Renault-Nissan for the ultra low cost (ULC) car project.

The ULC was first scheduled to hit the roads in India in 2011, but was delayed due to differences between the partners on pricing and design.

While Renault-Nissan wanted to price the car at around $2,500, Bajaj insisted on lowering the overall cost of ownership.

In 2010, Renault-Nissan announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Bajaj Auto to take forward their ULC car project.

Confusion over nationality

HC raps Centre, state for not releasing foreigner
afer jail sentence is over
Chandigarh, January 14
Sayad Rasool is behind bars even after the completion of his jail sentence. The foreign national continues to be in Amritsar Jail because neither the Centre nor the State of Punjab really knows whether he is from Pakistan or Afghanistan.
The failure of the powers to establish his nationality has now invited the Punjab and Haryana High Court's ire. The Punjab Home Secretary is virtually in the dock over the issue.
Rapping both the Centre and the State of Punjab on its knuckles, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: "I am unable to understand how this simple issue is pending resolution by the State. How can the identity of a person be unknown to the jail or the state authorities once he has faced trial and is convicted…."
"In my view, whether the detainee belongs to Pakistan or Afghanistan would hardly make a difference. Once he has undergone the sentence imposed on him, action has to be taken to deport him."
"For that, it may have to be seen whether he has to be deported to Pakistan or Afghanistan. But, this aspect was required to be ascertained by all the authorities concerned, once he was about to complete the sentence imposed on him…."
"Requisite efforts have neither been made by the Union of India, nor the State of Punjab, to see to an end the agony of this person, which is revealing a serious violation of human rights," the court said.
"A simple approach by either the Union of India, or the State of Punjab to contact the embassies of Afghanistan and Pakistan would have led to some solution. It appears that both the governments are palming of their respective responsibilities to each other and have not taken appropriate action in the matter".
Before parting with the order, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: "Let the Home Secretary of the State of Punjab and a representative of the Government of India remain present before this Court on the next date of hearing".
The petition seeking Rasool's release has been filed by the World Human Rights Council through its chairman Ranjan Lakhanpal. Rasool was arrested at Gherinda under Amritsar police district and a FIR under the provisions of the Foreigners' Act and the Indian Passport Act was registered against him on April 26, 2009.

Contesting two seats part of poll strategy,

Jalandhar, January 14
PPP president Manpreet Badal has said contesting elections from two seats is part of poll strategy. Manpreet, who today held a road show in Jalandhar, said, “I will be holding at least 80 rallies in the coming days”.
Replying to a question about his contesting elections from Maur as well as Gidderbaha, Manpreet said, “Considering Maur a safe seat, there were three aspirants for PPP ticket. As there was no unanimity among them, they asked me to contest elections from Maur too”.
He added, “Elections are fought on strategy and contesting from Maur is also part of poll strategy. As I had earlier contested from Gidderbaha only, my opponents would have tried to contain me there. But now I will give only one day each to Gidderbaha and Maur and the rest of the time I will campaign in other constituencies”.
Manpreet flayed both the Congress and the SAD-BJP alliance for not releasing their manifestoes even as the polls are just days away. “This shows that none of these is bothered about the issues of the common man,” he said, adding, “The PPP had released its common minimum agenda about three weeks ago”.
He, however, expressed fear that Rs 10,000 per voter might be spent in Gidderbaha by his opponents. “Whatever they do, they will not be able to defeat me”.

100 acres for Punjabi varsity in Pakistan

Arif Choudhary, president of the Pak-India Friendship Society, informed that his NRI friend from New York Abdul Rehman had donated 100 acres of land in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to establish Punjabi University there. He said they had already started working out the details. "It will be a private university that will provide a common platform to all Punjabis for learning Punjabi language and culture. The reason for choosing this particular place is because this land belonged to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and what could be better than this place to establish Punjabi University," he added.

NRI wants to record statement against Tytler

Amritsar, January 14
Resham Singh, an NRI based in the US, has approached a Delhi court requesting that his testimony about senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's role in 1984 anti-Sikh riots should be recorded before the court gives its final verdict on the closure report filed by the CBI.
As per a release issued here by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Resham Singh, in his affidavit to Delhi court, described the details of efforts made by him from 2008 till December 2011 to have the CBI record his testimony regarding Tytler's involvement in attack on Gurdwara Pul Bangash.
Resham Singh, who used to drive taxi in Delhi, claims that on November 1, 1984 he saw Tytler leading a mob outside the Gurdwara Pul Bangash in which three Sikhs were burnt alive.

Congress to bank on Capt to draw crowds

Chandigarh, January 15
The Punjab Congress will be banking heavily on the star appeal of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh with the party refusing to enlist the services of Bollywood biggies as star campaigners for the elections.
The party will, however, have actors Nagma and Raj Babbar campaigning for it. Nagma, top heroine of Bhojpuri movies, has been roped in to campaign for the party in Ludhiana.
The industrial town has a large number of voters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has had ‘dream girl’ Hema Malini campaigning for the party in Ludhiana.
The Congress, which submitted its list of 40 star campaigners today, a day prior to the deadline, has listed all its serving MPs as star campaigners. Among the heavyweights are party president Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, Rahul Gandhi, Capt Amarinder Singh, general secretary incharge Gulchain Singh Charak and Congress Legislature Party Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
The Congress has roped in young leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jatin Prasad and Sachin Pilot.The latter is expected to campaign in Gujjar-dominated constituencies. Other youth leaders Ashok Tanwar and Mukul Wasnik will target the Dalit vote.
Ghulam Nabi Azad and Salman Khurshid will try to work on the Muslim vote and Oscar Fernandes will campaign in Christian areas. Mohsina Kidwai will be incharge of Mahila Congress campaigning.
Chief Ministers from neighbouring states would also pitch in with Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda also listed as star campaigners.
 
 

Cong’s Sadiq locked in tough contest with former principal secy Guru for Bhadaur seat

Tapa Mandi, January 15
From dealing with politicians to themselves contesting poll, life has come full circle for Darbara Singh Guru, SAD candidate for Bhadaur (Reserved) seat, and his Congress opponent Mohammad Sadiq.
While the native Khuddi Khurd village of Guru, who resigned recently from the post of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister to jump into the poll fray, is part of the constituency, Sadiq, who remained associated with the Congress as a bard for its rallies, started his singing career from Bhadaur.
Both remained on the fringes of the political arena before they finally decided to throw their hats in the ring and seek the people's mandate to reach the assembly.
Guru held the most important administrative post while Sadiq pulled crowds for the Congress during rallies, thus, ensuring the party leaders had a receptive audience.
Though both the political greenhorns have achieved success in their own fields, they know the going may not be as easy in politics.
No wonder, they begin their day as early as possible by holding meetings with their campaign managers: friends from Chandigarh in case of Guru and son-in-law Suraj for Sadiq. This is followed by calling on party supporters and then hitting the road to meet voters and to hold public meetings. And that's not the end of the day. The evening engagements with party workers and voters at their respective residences keep them busy till as late as midnight.
While the former babu prefers to dress in a jacket and trousers, the bard dons white 'kurta pyjama' with a white turban. The difference between the two is not limited to dress code, their campaign style too varies.
Guru nods while meeting voters, albeit remaining slightly aloof, Sadiq, on the other hand, goes about greeting people with a hug or touching the feet of the elderly. Often elders stop him and ask him to sing a line from his popular song "Mukk gayi afeem dabbi ton yaaron, ajj koi amli da dang maaro…" And he readily obliges.
"I began my singing career from Bhadaur. I first got to sing in a Ram Lila function and play the 'tumbi' on stage. This place is very lucky for me and I am sure I will achieve success in politics too," he says. "Though it is traditionally an Akali seat, the SAD failed to bring about any development here. If I win, I will ensure better civic, education and health amenities."
Targeting Sadiq, Guru retorts: "Being an MLA is different from entertaining people. It's about deliverance. I am a son of the soil and will ensure development in the area."
If dissidence in the party is cause of concern for Sadiq, Guru is "hurt" at the Election Commission keeping the seat under scanner and declaring it as sensitive because of him being a candidate.
Post-delimitation, the profile of the constituency has changed manifold. It is a major reason why both the candidates are leaving no stone unturned. Before the delimitation process, Bhadaur had remained an Akali bastion and had always returned an Akali candidate to the assembly. But now with Tapa Mandi -- a Congress stronghold -- being included in the constituency, the going may not be that easy for the SAD. 

Haryana Sikh outfit to campaign against SAD

Amritsar, January 14
While the INLD from Haryana will be campaigning for the ruling SAD in the Assembly elections, the SAD's arch-rival in the neighbouring state's Panthic arena, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (ad hoc), has decided to campaign against it in the elections.
Talking to The Tribune, HSGPC (ad hoc) chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda said they would be campaigning against the SAD in Punjab areas bordering Haryana, right from Patiala to Bathinda district.
"Our supporters will fan out in these areas and expose the true face of the SAD. We will sensitise the electorate as to how the SAD led by Badals has been exploiting religion for vested political interests, thereby hurting the Sikh sentiments," he said.
He further said that they would try to exploit all their contacts in Punjab and try to cover areas as much areas as possible in their anti-SAD campaign. He, however, clarified that they would not be supporting any particular political party during their campaign against the SAD. "We will throw our weight behind any candidate capable of defeating SAD nominee from a seat, irrespective of the party he or she belongs to," he said, adding that their poll drive would begin next week.
The rival faction of the HSGPC (ad hoc) headed by Didar Singh Nalwi has already decided to campaign against SAD candidates in Punjab from January 15. According to Nalwi, the SAD always interferes in Haryana elections, be it Lok Sabha or Assembly polls, and hence this time they have decided to pay it back in the same way. "I have already reached Patiala where I am holding meetings with my supporters. In the first phase, we will campaign against the SAD in Patiala, Rajpura, Phillaur, Ghanaur and Samana," he added.
Like Jhinda, he too stated that they would support the candidate having the best winning poll prospects against the SAD. The move, however, is likely to benefit the Congress the most.
Earlier, the INLD led by Chautala clan, which shares a good rapport with the ruling Badal family in Punjab, had announced to campaign for the SAD in Punjab. The INLD had also extended its support to the SAD candidates during the SGPC polls held in September last year.

Punjab people will dethrone SAD-BJP Govt.

Ladda Kothi (Dhuri), January 14
Banking upon the legacy of the Barnala family, former Dhuri MLA Gaganjeet Singh Barnala, son of former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala, has started a new inning in the Punjab politics by throwing his hat in election arena on the People's Party of Punjab ticket.
During his electioneering in villages of Dhuri today, the PPP candidate asserted that it would be a decisive poll battle in Dhuri this time. He added that both the Congress and the SAD were playing "dirty politics" just to grab power.
Striking an emotional chord with villagers of Lada Kothi, Gaganjit referred his father's name several times in his speech. "Badals have sold off the 'Sikh Panth' by indulging in all illegitimate activities. People of Punjab are now ready to dethrone the corrupt SAD-BJP out of power. I am confident of making a comeback by winning this seat as the PPP candidate," he said, while speaking to TNS, on way to Kanjhla village.
Taking a dig at the Badals, Gaganjit accused Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal of indulging in unethical politics. "I am sure that the day ballot boxes are opened, people of Punjab will see a new era of politics, with PPP emerging as one of the most strong political outfits in this agrarian state," he said.

Khaira lodges FIR against Jagir Kaur

LIQUOR seizure MATTER
Bholath, January 14
An FIR has been registered against SAD candidate from Bholath Bibi Jagir Kaur following a complaint by her Congress candidate Sukhpal Khaira. The FIR relates to the seizure of 183 cases of liquor from a tempo at Talwandi village here last evening.
Kapurthala SSP SS Mann said the FIR had been registered at Begowal police station under Sections 171, 506 and 188 of the IPC and Section 123 of the Representation of People's Act.
Opposing the registration of the FIR, Jagir Kaur, a former SGPC chief, too, lodged her complaint with Bholath election observer Arvind Janu. Terming the FIR as false, she demanded its immediate cancellation. The election observer has forwarded her complaint to the SSP with a note that read: "The petition may be inquired into and due legal action may be taken immediately".
Mann said the matter was being investigated by Begowal SHO. While Khaira alleged that the liquor was meant for distribution among the voters at Jagir Kaur's behest, the latter claimed the police had registered a false FIR against her and her kin "under pressure" from the sitting MLA.
Jagir Kaur contended that liquor contractor Yadvinder Singh was running 10 vends in the area and was shifting the consignment from his Kuka vend to Talwandi vend after taking oral permission from the ETO. Yadvinder Singh claimed that he had all the valid documents and proof, which were shown to the ETO and other officers present there, but they “still registered the case under political pressure”.