INDIABrussels airport attack exposes chink in India's airport security
Bharti Jain & Saurabh Sinha | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 05.24 AM IST
Representative image
NEW DELHI: Even as the terror attack at the check-in area of Brussels airport triggered a debate over the security drill followed at airports in general, CISF director general Surender Singh on Tuesday ruled out a review of security checks currently in place at airports in India.
The attack at Brussels airport has exposed a major chink in the security at Indian airports. Passenger bags are checked only after they are checked in and handbags are checked much later at the security-frisking area. This means a passenger can take anything inside a terminal right up to the check-in and security check area.
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The only difference between Indian and most western airports is that here only a passenger is allowed into terminals. In Europe and America, on the other hand, anyone can go up to the checkin area. When asked whether checking of luggage prior to entry into the airport building, a procedure currently followed at Srinagar airport in view of heightened threat, would be considered to further secure Indian airports, Singh replied in the negative, saying that the additional measures/checks triggered during special alerts would suffice. He said a rewriting of the security drill at Indian airports was not warranted as this could lead to long queues and avoidable rush, besides affecting flight schedules. "One needs to balance the safety requirements with smooth movement of passenger traffic through airports," Singh said, adding that long queues on account of any "unreasonable" security checks would only end up inconveniencing the passengers. There are three types of security systems at airports globally. The most stringent is "concourse plan" under which passenger and baggage screening happens before entering terminals. This is followed in places like Israel, Srinagar and Jammu.
The second is "security hold area" plan under which passengers are screened after check-in and before being allowed to go to the boarding gate area. This is the most commonly used system both globally and in India.
The third is "boarding gate" plan where passengers are screened just before boarding plane. "A security system is chosen depending on the threat perception of a place. India has a very high threat perception yet why we allow anyone to take anything inside terminal buildings without screening beats me," said a security establishment insider.
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The response to a terror attack anywhere in the world has to be reasonable, said the CISF chief. "In this case, a special alert and standard operating norms associated with it are considered as the right response...a review of the security drill everytime an airport is attacked in any part of the world, would be ridiculous," he stated. While confirming that a special alert had been sounded at airports across the country in the wake of Brussels terror attacks, Singh said that all standard operating procedures associated with such alerts had been put in place.
"Every time a special alert is issued, rigorous checking and additional security measures are automatically initiated," he told TOI. Though he did not elaborate, the heightened security drill at airports covers measures such as random checking of luggage at entrance to airports, deployment of more quick reaction teams, stricter frisking and a second round of checking of hand baggage at boarding gates. Singh said that besides the country's airports, CISF has also intensified the security checks at Delhi Metro stations guarded by it. "This is important as the passenger traffic at metro stations is much higher than at airports," he said.
The attack at Brussels airport has exposed a major chink in the security at Indian airports. Passenger bags are checked only after they are checked in and handbags are checked much later at the security-frisking area. This means a passenger can take anything inside a terminal right up to the check-in and security check area.
READ ALSO:
World leaders condemn Brussels attacks, landmarks lit up in Belgium's colours
The only difference between Indian and most western airports is that here only a passenger is allowed into terminals. In Europe and America, on the other hand, anyone can go up to the checkin area. When asked whether checking of luggage prior to entry into the airport building, a procedure currently followed at Srinagar airport in view of heightened threat, would be considered to further secure Indian airports, Singh replied in the negative, saying that the additional measures/checks triggered during special alerts would suffice. He said a rewriting of the security drill at Indian airports was not warranted as this could lead to long queues and avoidable rush, besides affecting flight schedules. "One needs to balance the safety requirements with smooth movement of passenger traffic through airports," Singh said, adding that long queues on account of any "unreasonable" security checks would only end up inconveniencing the passengers. There are three types of security systems at airports globally. The most stringent is "concourse plan" under which passenger and baggage screening happens before entering terminals. This is followed in places like Israel, Srinagar and Jammu.
The second is "security hold area" plan under which passengers are screened after check-in and before being allowed to go to the boarding gate area. This is the most commonly used system both globally and in India.
The third is "boarding gate" plan where passengers are screened just before boarding plane. "A security system is chosen depending on the threat perception of a place. India has a very high threat perception yet why we allow anyone to take anything inside terminal buildings without screening beats me," said a security establishment insider.
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KEY TAKE AWAYS for the INDIAN SECURITY >>Those muslims who Bombed Brussels were "Calm" "Determined" n "Csual"
Explosives used were "riacetone tripe... Read More
The response to a terror attack anywhere in the world has to be reasonable, said the CISF chief. "In this case, a special alert and standard operating norms associated with it are considered as the right response...a review of the security drill everytime an airport is attacked in any part of the world, would be ridiculous," he stated. While confirming that a special alert had been sounded at airports across the country in the wake of Brussels terror attacks, Singh said that all standard operating procedures associated with such alerts had been put in place.
"Every time a special alert is issued, rigorous checking and additional security measures are automatically initiated," he told TOI. Though he did not elaborate, the heightened security drill at airports covers measures such as random checking of luggage at entrance to airports, deployment of more quick reaction teams, stricter frisking and a second round of checking of hand baggage at boarding gates. Singh said that besides the country's airports, CISF has also intensified the security checks at Delhi Metro stations guarded by it. "This is important as the passenger traffic at metro stations is much higher than at airports," he said.
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Hi-tech scanning machines needed to secure airports
TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 05.13 AM IST
By Ajai Sahni
I don't see any dramatic consequence of the Brussels attacks on India. Except that it serves as a serious warning to the vulnerability of our own infrastructures. Globally all airports are geared only to prevent hijacks. The security apparatus kicks in only when you reach the security barrier and baggages undergo a preliminary check.
A primitive solution is available in the Srinagar model where suitcases and bags are first scanned much before the main airport. A more sophisticated system where hi-tech machines check baggage before they enter the terminal, is required.
For decades Europe, and particularly Belgium, has been encouraging radicals through asylum policies. The presumption was that their actions happened far away. There was the so-called human right angle - that these are unfortunate people suffering under harsh regimes. Belgium gave asylum to several Khalistanis. Their radical activities continue, although only in the form of protests.
Jihad is a different species. He has a global agenda. He's driven by the ideology of world conquest. Both Europe and Belgium must review their policies now. Whatever they do will impact the future. Remember, there's already a significant radicalised population in Belgium.
The Brussels attacks only indicate the intensification of a trend. We must connect the dots in this attack. Were the terrorists involved in this strike remnants of the group that attacked Paris last November? Was this a desperate, last-ditch attack since their leader Salah Abdeslam was arrested last week? Terrorist groups try to provoke the state to an overreaction and create circumstances where security measures become more and more intrusive causing a backlash.
The state's response will be on the same pattern as we saw since the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks. Which is a further tightening of processes and procedures. Increasingly, right-wing responses are coming to the centre of politics there. If counter-terrorism operations are targeted towards a community or an ethnicity there will be a problem. One needs a nuanced counter-terrorism response based on solid intelligence inputs.
(As told to Avijit Ghosh)
(Ajai Sahni is executive director, Institute for Conflict Management)
I don't see any dramatic consequence of the Brussels attacks on India. Except that it serves as a serious warning to the vulnerability of our own infrastructures. Globally all airports are geared only to prevent hijacks. The security apparatus kicks in only when you reach the security barrier and baggages undergo a preliminary check.
A primitive solution is available in the Srinagar model where suitcases and bags are first scanned much before the main airport. A more sophisticated system where hi-tech machines check baggage before they enter the terminal, is required.
For decades Europe, and particularly Belgium, has been encouraging radicals through asylum policies. The presumption was that their actions happened far away. There was the so-called human right angle - that these are unfortunate people suffering under harsh regimes. Belgium gave asylum to several Khalistanis. Their radical activities continue, although only in the form of protests.
Jihad is a different species. He has a global agenda. He's driven by the ideology of world conquest. Both Europe and Belgium must review their policies now. Whatever they do will impact the future. Remember, there's already a significant radicalised population in Belgium.
The Brussels attacks only indicate the intensification of a trend. We must connect the dots in this attack. Were the terrorists involved in this strike remnants of the group that attacked Paris last November? Was this a desperate, last-ditch attack since their leader Salah Abdeslam was arrested last week? Terrorist groups try to provoke the state to an overreaction and create circumstances where security measures become more and more intrusive causing a backlash.
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We cant compromise on security in the air ports, railway stations and Bus terminalsThe state's response will be on the same pattern as we saw since the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks. Which is a further tightening of processes and procedures. Increasingly, right-wing responses are coming to the centre of politics there. If counter-terrorism operations are targeted towards a community or an ethnicity there will be a problem. One needs a nuanced counter-terrorism response based on solid intelligence inputs.
(As told to Avijit Ghosh)
(Ajai Sahni is executive director, Institute for Conflict Management)
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We cant compromise on security in the air ports, railway stations and Bus terminals
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Prime Minister Modi to go ahead with March 30 trip to Belgium
TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 04.57 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Brussels on March 30 for the IndiaEU summit, barely a week after Tuesday's terror strikes in the Belgian capital. Modi hopes to resurrect a relationship that has remained in neglect for some time.
Despite the terror attacks, the PM will go ahead with his visit, official sources said.Modi is travelling to Washington for the nuclear security summit, and stopping in Brussels on his way out. On his return journey , he will pay his first visit to Saudi Arabia.
The only way the visit could get affected would be if Belgium itself indicates that it would have difficulties hosting the visit or if they have bigger security problems in the coming days.
Modi is expected to have a bilateral summit meeting with Belgian PM Charles Michel, who on Tuesday admitted to have been blind-sided by the terror attacks. The MEA spokesperson said Belgium is India's second largest economic partner in the EU and the PM wants to expand that economic relationship.
India offered condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks, the MEA said. "Terrorism is a global scourge and the attack in Belgium underscores once again the need to counter it."
Despite the terror attacks, the PM will go ahead with his visit, official sources said.Modi is travelling to Washington for the nuclear security summit, and stopping in Brussels on his way out. On his return journey , he will pay his first visit to Saudi Arabia.
The only way the visit could get affected would be if Belgium itself indicates that it would have difficulties hosting the visit or if they have bigger security problems in the coming days.
Modi is expected to have a bilateral summit meeting with Belgian PM Charles Michel, who on Tuesday admitted to have been blind-sided by the terror attacks. The MEA spokesperson said Belgium is India's second largest economic partner in the EU and the PM wants to expand that economic relationship.
India offered condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks, the MEA said. "Terrorism is a global scourge and the attack in Belgium underscores once again the need to counter it."
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SC reminds lower court judges of the dos and don’ts
Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 04.21 AM IST
The apex court had said "refrain and restrain" were essential qualities for fair adjudication.
NEW DELHI: Finding judges of constitutional courts increasingly deviating from the impassioned and impartial path of adjudication, the Supreme Court iterated the cardinal principles a judge must adhere to while deciding a case.
An SC bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh said "the necessity has arisen again for reiteration of fundamental principles to be adhered to by a judge". Misra quoted Francis Bacon, who had said, "Judges ought to be more learned than witty, more revered than plausible, and more advised than confident."
What triggered the SC's observations was the decision of a bench of Meghalaya high court to take suo motu cognisance of two issues simultaneously — Meghalaya Lokayukta Act permitting appointment of a non-judicial person as Lokayukta and non-constitution of the state human rights commission.
After Meghalaya counsel Ranjan Mukherjee assured the apex court that the state HRC would be made functional by June, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh faulted the HC's division bench for taking suo motu cognisance of non-appointment of Lokayukta and seeking answers from the state as to why the legislature allowed appointment of a person other than a retired judge as Lokayukta. Writing the judgment for the bench, Misra frowned at the HC's indiscretion in taking suo motu cognisance when there was no challenge to the constitutional validity of the Lokayukta Act's provisions.
"This may be thought of in rare circumstances depending on the nature of legislation and the collective benefit but in that arena also, the HC can't raise the issue relating to any particular provision and seek explanation in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226," Justice Misra said.
The Supreme Court came down on the Meghalaya high court over the latter's taking suo motu notice of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act permitting appointment of a non-judicial person as Lokayukta and non-constitution of the state human rights commission.
"In the case in hand, as is manifest, the division bench of the high court has, with an erroneous understanding of fundamental principles of law, scanned the anatomy of the provision and passed an order in relation to it as if it is obnoxious or falls foul of any constitutional provision. The same is clearly impermissible," the apex court said.
The Supreme Court bench also quoted New York Times's September 2, 1962 editorial titled 'The Frankfurter Legacy'. It talked about Justice Felix Frankfurter's legacy as a judge - "detachment, rigorous integrity in dealing with the facts of a case, refusal to resort to unworthy means no matter how noble the end, and dedication to the court as an institution".
The bench cited an earlier Supreme Court judgment, which said, "No adjudicator or a judge can conceive the idea that the sky is the limit or, for that matter, there is no barrier or fetters in one's individual perception, for judicial vision should not be allowed to be imprisoned and have the potency to cover celestial zones."
The apex court had said "refrain and restrain" were essential qualities for fair adjudication.
An SC bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh said "the necessity has arisen again for reiteration of fundamental principles to be adhered to by a judge". Misra quoted Francis Bacon, who had said, "Judges ought to be more learned than witty, more revered than plausible, and more advised than confident."
What triggered the SC's observations was the decision of a bench of Meghalaya high court to take suo motu cognisance of two issues simultaneously — Meghalaya Lokayukta Act permitting appointment of a non-judicial person as Lokayukta and non-constitution of the state human rights commission.
After Meghalaya counsel Ranjan Mukherjee assured the apex court that the state HRC would be made functional by June, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh faulted the HC's division bench for taking suo motu cognisance of non-appointment of Lokayukta and seeking answers from the state as to why the legislature allowed appointment of a person other than a retired judge as Lokayukta. Writing the judgment for the bench, Misra frowned at the HC's indiscretion in taking suo motu cognisance when there was no challenge to the constitutional validity of the Lokayukta Act's provisions.
"This may be thought of in rare circumstances depending on the nature of legislation and the collective benefit but in that arena also, the HC can't raise the issue relating to any particular provision and seek explanation in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226," Justice Misra said.
The Supreme Court came down on the Meghalaya high court over the latter's taking suo motu notice of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act permitting appointment of a non-judicial person as Lokayukta and non-constitution of the state human rights commission.
"In the case in hand, as is manifest, the division bench of the high court has, with an erroneous understanding of fundamental principles of law, scanned the anatomy of the provision and passed an order in relation to it as if it is obnoxious or falls foul of any constitutional provision. The same is clearly impermissible," the apex court said.
The Supreme Court bench also quoted New York Times's September 2, 1962 editorial titled 'The Frankfurter Legacy'. It talked about Justice Felix Frankfurter's legacy as a judge - "detachment, rigorous integrity in dealing with the facts of a case, refusal to resort to unworthy means no matter how noble the end, and dedication to the court as an institution".
The bench cited an earlier Supreme Court judgment, which said, "No adjudicator or a judge can conceive the idea that the sky is the limit or, for that matter, there is no barrier or fetters in one's individual perception, for judicial vision should not be allowed to be imprisoned and have the potency to cover celestial zones."
The apex court had said "refrain and restrain" were essential qualities for fair adjudication.
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Captain Amarinder Singh kin’s Swiss a/cs came under lens during UPA era
Rohan Dua | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 04.11 AM IST
Captain Amarinder Singh. (File photo)
CHANDIGARH: Did someone in the UPA government try to frame former Congress chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh before the 2012 Punjab assembly elections or was the Income Tax (I-T) evasion probe, started against his wife and son in 2011, a genuine one?
I-T department's chargesheet, accessed by TOI, shows that Amarinder's wife Preneet Kaur and son Raninder were asked by I-T officials to fill up a consent form on December 10, 2011, for obtaining information about their alleged HSBC accounts in Switzerland and Dubai. At the time Kaur was a minister of state for external affairs in UPA-2.
The chargesheet, submitted before the Ludhiana judicial magistrate first class, accuses Raninder of submitting false documents about his income. It also reveals that investigations on the family's alleged foreign bank accounts began in August 2011, three years before NDA came to power. The chargesheet was submitted on March 19.
More than year after the probe started, their advocate R S Gill, told I-T officials that his clients had refused to sign the consent forms. "That my clients do not have any account with HSBC Geneva and they have already supplied to the department the notarized certificates from the HSBC Bank, Geneva...they are not in a position to sign these consent forms as for signing these consent forms the condition present is that they should be the account holders," said Gill on behalf Kaur and Raninder in a letter dated February 26, 2013.
Interestingly, the investigation was started after I-T officials in Patiala received a fax without a forwarding letter or directions from the authorities concerned. In a letter dated December 2, 2011, then Patiala I-T joint commissioner (investigations) Rajinder Kaur told her boss, director general of I-T (investigations) in Ludhiana, "The information was received by a fax dated August 8, 2011 from director general of income tax office in Panchkula. The information was received without any forwarding letter and directions from any concerned authority. However, telephonically, the office of undersigned was directed to examine bank accounts. The faxed document contains an information pertaining to Raninder Singh, with legal address Moti Bagh Place, Patiala... There is no mention of transaction thereof. However, the date of creation of document mentioned is 26-07-2005."
Amarinder, however, is calling the entire issue vendetta politics of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. "Pranab Mukherjee was the finance minister then (in 2011). If the probe started under Congress rule, they should be congratulated for being unbiased. The fact is there was nothing found against us. Why did I-T all of a sudden submit the challan after five years? The reason is that it was Narendra Modi who pursued this case during a Barmer rally in 2014 before Lok Sabha polls and then last year again they started troubling my family after I defeated Jaitley in Amritsar," said Amarinder.
The chargesheet also reveals that the original investigation had started after the government had received a letter from the French foreign office in the form a USB drive under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and France.
I-T department's chargesheet, accessed by TOI, shows that Amarinder's wife Preneet Kaur and son Raninder were asked by I-T officials to fill up a consent form on December 10, 2011, for obtaining information about their alleged HSBC accounts in Switzerland and Dubai. At the time Kaur was a minister of state for external affairs in UPA-2.
The chargesheet, submitted before the Ludhiana judicial magistrate first class, accuses Raninder of submitting false documents about his income. It also reveals that investigations on the family's alleged foreign bank accounts began in August 2011, three years before NDA came to power. The chargesheet was submitted on March 19.
More than year after the probe started, their advocate R S Gill, told I-T officials that his clients had refused to sign the consent forms. "That my clients do not have any account with HSBC Geneva and they have already supplied to the department the notarized certificates from the HSBC Bank, Geneva...they are not in a position to sign these consent forms as for signing these consent forms the condition present is that they should be the account holders," said Gill on behalf Kaur and Raninder in a letter dated February 26, 2013.
Interestingly, the investigation was started after I-T officials in Patiala received a fax without a forwarding letter or directions from the authorities concerned. In a letter dated December 2, 2011, then Patiala I-T joint commissioner (investigations) Rajinder Kaur told her boss, director general of I-T (investigations) in Ludhiana, "The information was received by a fax dated August 8, 2011 from director general of income tax office in Panchkula. The information was received without any forwarding letter and directions from any concerned authority. However, telephonically, the office of undersigned was directed to examine bank accounts. The faxed document contains an information pertaining to Raninder Singh, with legal address Moti Bagh Place, Patiala... There is no mention of transaction thereof. However, the date of creation of document mentioned is 26-07-2005."
Amarinder, however, is calling the entire issue vendetta politics of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. "Pranab Mukherjee was the finance minister then (in 2011). If the probe started under Congress rule, they should be congratulated for being unbiased. The fact is there was nothing found against us. Why did I-T all of a sudden submit the challan after five years? The reason is that it was Narendra Modi who pursued this case during a Barmer rally in 2014 before Lok Sabha polls and then last year again they started troubling my family after I defeated Jaitley in Amritsar," said Amarinder.
The chargesheet also reveals that the original investigation had started after the government had received a letter from the French foreign office in the form a USB drive under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and France.
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Haryana CM 'castes' aside surname after Jat agitation
Sukhbir Siwach | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 04.01 AM IST
Haryana chief minister Manoharlal Khattar. (File photo)
CHANDIGARH: An emotional Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday told MLAs in the assembly that he doesn't want people to suffix 'Khattar' with his name any more. He made the statement during a discussion on the recent Jat violence that left 30 people dead and the state deeply divided.
"I was a (RSS) pracharak till 1994 and no one knew my caste at the time," he said. "Even today, I don't like it when people use 'Khattar' after my name. I am just Manohar Lal. That is enough for my identity," he added.
His statement comes at a time when the Jat-non Jat divide has become sharper in Haryana. Some non-Jats have even threatened to socially boycott Jats. The chief minister himself comes from a Punjabi family that migrated from Pakistan during Partition to a village to Rohtak.
It is, however, yet to be seen if this personal decision will help him emerge as a leader of all communities. He has a monumental task ahead of bridging the caste divide — not only among the people, but also within cabinet colleagues who share divergent views on how the violence should have been handled.
It is important to note that Manohar Lal had dropped his surname soon after taking over as CM in 2014. His nameplate at work and his residence does not use Khattar. However, this was an unofficial decision that did not get any attention. His statement in the assembly has given the decision a sort of official approval.
"I was a (RSS) pracharak till 1994 and no one knew my caste at the time," he said. "Even today, I don't like it when people use 'Khattar' after my name. I am just Manohar Lal. That is enough for my identity," he added.
His statement comes at a time when the Jat-non Jat divide has become sharper in Haryana. Some non-Jats have even threatened to socially boycott Jats. The chief minister himself comes from a Punjabi family that migrated from Pakistan during Partition to a village to Rohtak.
It is, however, yet to be seen if this personal decision will help him emerge as a leader of all communities. He has a monumental task ahead of bridging the caste divide — not only among the people, but also within cabinet colleagues who share divergent views on how the violence should have been handled.
It is important to note that Manohar Lal had dropped his surname soon after taking over as CM in 2014. His nameplate at work and his residence does not use Khattar. However, this was an unofficial decision that did not get any attention. His statement in the assembly has given the decision a sort of official approval.
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Arvind Kejriwal may sack 2 mantris in AAP’s first big reshuffle
TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 02.38 AM IST
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal
NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to make major changes in his cabinet once the ongoing budget session comes to a close on March 31. Sources said at least two ministers were likely to be axed while others, except deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, were expected to have their portfolios reshuffled.
The churning will also impact the speaker and deputy speaker. Deputy speaker Bandana Kumari, the only woman in the government, is likely to be replaced while speaker Ram Niwas Goel may get a cabinet berth. "A reshuffle is definite but no final decision has been taken on how the portfolios will be changed. The party has been observing its ministers and those in senior posts for the past one year, and has found that some of them are not making an impact politically, or as ministers. A final decision will be taken by Arvind Kejriwal shortly," said a senior party member.
Among the ministers likely to find themselves in trouble is Sandeep Kumar, who heads the women and child development ministry. Kumar was in the midst of controversy recently when he allegedly humiliated a school principal over his wife's name not being there on an official plaque.
The churning will also impact the speaker and deputy speaker. Deputy speaker Bandana Kumari, the only woman in the government, is likely to be replaced while speaker Ram Niwas Goel may get a cabinet berth. "A reshuffle is definite but no final decision has been taken on how the portfolios will be changed. The party has been observing its ministers and those in senior posts for the past one year, and has found that some of them are not making an impact politically, or as ministers. A final decision will be taken by Arvind Kejriwal shortly," said a senior party member.
Among the ministers likely to find themselves in trouble is Sandeep Kumar, who heads the women and child development ministry. Kumar was in the midst of controversy recently when he allegedly humiliated a school principal over his wife's name not being there on an official plaque.
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Quota for dalits, SCs, STs in pvt jobs can help control Naxalism: Ram Vilas Paswan
TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 02.19 AM IST
LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan said that a final decision to join hands with the BJP will be taken in next three to four days.
NEW DELHI: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday asked the industry to voluntarily give reservation to the weaker sections, particularly Dalits, SCs and STs, claiming that it will help curb issues like Naxalism.
He said at least jobs falling under Class-III and Class-IV categories could be reserved for these sections by the industries that get benefits from the government. Paswan said he is not asking the industry to reserve jobs falling under Class-I and Class-II categories. "Are not SCs and STs capable of doing the job of even a peon? Do we want to say that children of Dalits have not learnt computers even as some of them are clearing all-India services?" he asked.
Talking to media on the sidelines of an event, Paswan said, "Why are youths drifting towards Naxalism? It is happening because they are not getting opportunities." The minister said reservation in private jobs will help cool down anger among vulnerable youths from SCs and STs, who are are taking to the extremist ideology. He said the industry does not seem to be bothered about the backward sections of society.
Responding to whether the government will take it up with the industry, he said, "Our party maintains that there should be reservation in private jobs. It is a different matter whether this is done through law or companies do it through their affirmative action. I feel the industry should come forward on its own and play an affirmative role."
He said at least jobs falling under Class-III and Class-IV categories could be reserved for these sections by the industries that get benefits from the government. Paswan said he is not asking the industry to reserve jobs falling under Class-I and Class-II categories. "Are not SCs and STs capable of doing the job of even a peon? Do we want to say that children of Dalits have not learnt computers even as some of them are clearing all-India services?" he asked.
Talking to media on the sidelines of an event, Paswan said, "Why are youths drifting towards Naxalism? It is happening because they are not getting opportunities." The minister said reservation in private jobs will help cool down anger among vulnerable youths from SCs and STs, who are are taking to the extremist ideology. He said the industry does not seem to be bothered about the backward sections of society.
Responding to whether the government will take it up with the industry, he said, "Our party maintains that there should be reservation in private jobs. It is a different matter whether this is done through law or companies do it through their affirmative action. I feel the industry should come forward on its own and play an affirmative role."
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Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has reportedly shed close to 70 kgs
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Uttarakhand rebels shifted to Jaipur
Kautilya Singh | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 01.42 AM IST
DEHRADUN: In a bid to ensure that the nine rebel Congress MLAs do not get in touch with their party leadership in Uttarakhand before the crucial floor test on March 28, the BJP on Monday night shifted them from a luxury hotel in Gurgaon to a farmhouse in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Congress MLAs, along with their PDF allies, continued to camp in Ramnagar area of Nainital district. This came even as the BJP legislator from Ghansali, Bheem Lal Arya, who is considered to be close to chief minister Harish Rawat, is said to be "staying" with the Congress legislators.
Umesh Sharma 'Kau', one of the rebel Congress MLAs, told TOI on Tuesday that they have been moved to Jaipur. "Our leader and former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna has stayed back in Delhi for talks. The remaining eight MLAs, who have dared to raise their voice against the Harish Rawat government, were flown to Japiur on Monday night," said Sharma. He, however, did not reveal their exact location.
According to sources, the eight Congress rebels were staying in Jaipur at a farmhouse owned by a BJP member. On being asked about their plan to return to Dehradun, Sharma said that the entire team will come back either on March 27 or 28.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Congress MLAs, along with their PDF allies, continued to camp in Ramnagar area of Nainital district. This came even as the BJP legislator from Ghansali, Bheem Lal Arya, who is considered to be close to chief minister Harish Rawat, is said to be "staying" with the Congress legislators.
Umesh Sharma 'Kau', one of the rebel Congress MLAs, told TOI on Tuesday that they have been moved to Jaipur. "Our leader and former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna has stayed back in Delhi for talks. The remaining eight MLAs, who have dared to raise their voice against the Harish Rawat government, were flown to Japiur on Monday night," said Sharma. He, however, did not reveal their exact location.
According to sources, the eight Congress rebels were staying in Jaipur at a farmhouse owned by a BJP member. On being asked about their plan to return to Dehradun, Sharma said that the entire team will come back either on March 27 or 28.
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Kohli's bat scores on ads too, earns Rs 2 crore more than MSD's
WT20: After loss to India, Afridi may lose captaincy, say PCB sources
Junior Ambani sheds close to 70 kgs
Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has reportedly shed close to 70 kgs
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SC: Refrain and restrain key to fair adjudication
Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN | Mar 23, 2016, 12.58 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court came down on the Meghalaya high court over the latter's taking suo motu notice of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act permitting appointment of a non-judicial person as Lokayukta and non-constitution of the state human rights commission.
"In the case in hand, as is manifest, the division bench of the high court has, with an erroneous understanding of fundamental principles of law, scanned the anatomy of the provision and passed an order in relation to it as if it is obnoxious or falls foul of any constitutional provision. The same is clearly impermissible," the apex court said.
The Supreme Court bench also quoted New York Times's September 2, 1962 editorial titled 'The Frankfurter Legacy'. It talked about Justice Felix Frankfurter's legacy as a judge - "detachment, rigorous integrity in dealing with the facts of a case, refusal to resort to unworthy means no matter how noble the end, and dedication to the court as an institution".
The bench cited an earlier Supreme Court judgment, which said, "No adjudicator or a judge can conceive the idea that the sky is the limit or, for that matter, there is no barrier or fetters in one's individual perception, for judicial vision should not be allowed to be imprisoned and have the potency to cover celestial zones."
The apex court had said "refrain and restrain" were essential qualities for fair adjudication.
"In the case in hand, as is manifest, the division bench of the high court has, with an erroneous understanding of fundamental principles of law, scanned the anatomy of the provision and passed an order in relation to it as if it is obnoxious or falls foul of any constitutional provision. The same is clearly impermissible," the apex court said.
The Supreme Court bench also quoted New York Times's September 2, 1962 editorial titled 'The Frankfurter Legacy'. It talked about Justice Felix Frankfurter's legacy as a judge - "detachment, rigorous integrity in dealing with the facts of a case, refusal to resort to unworthy means no matter how noble the end, and dedication to the court as an institution".
The bench cited an earlier Supreme Court judgment, which said, "No adjudicator or a judge can conceive the idea that the sky is the limit or, for that matter, there is no barrier or fetters in one's individual perception, for judicial vision should not be allowed to be imprisoned and have the potency to cover celestial zones."
The apex court had said "refrain and restrain" were essential qualities for fair adjudication.
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Kohli's bat scores on ads too, earns Rs 2 crore more than MSD's
WT20: After loss to India, Afridi may lose captaincy, say PCB sources
Junior Ambani sheds close to 70 kgs
Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has reportedly shed close to 70 kgs
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Those muslims who Bombed Brussels were "Calm" "Determined" n "Csual"
Explosives used were "riacetone triperoxide" or TATP
They were wearing Casual T Shirts , Jackets with Gloves so that they could BLEND IN with the surroundings they were in.
They had Trimmed Beard .. (contrary to strict islamic code, ISIS has instructed them to blend in with the locals)
Besides being calm, their apparels ... Read More