समाचार News (2) 06.04.2011

मुख्य समाचार :-

• राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र और उत्तर भारत के कुछ हिस्सों में कुट्टु का मिलावटी आटा खाने से चार सौ से ज्यादा लोग बीमार। दिल्ली सरकार ने मामले की जांच के आदेश दिए।
• भारत और थाईलैंड का सुरक्षा सहयोग और रक्षा क्षेत्र में संवाद का दर्जा बढ़ाने का संकल्प।
• सीबीआई ने पूर्व दूर संचार मंत्री ए. राजा के निकट सहयोगी सादिक बाचा की मौत का मामला दर्ज कर जांच शुरू की।
• लीबिया में सरकारी सैनिकों के हमले के बाद विद्रोही प्रमुख तेल उत्पादक शहर बे्रगा से हटे।

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दिल्ली सहित उत्तर भारत के कई राज्यों में नवरात्र के दौरान कुट्टु का मिलावटी आटा खाने से चार सौ से अधिक लोग बीमार हो गए हैं। राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र में कम से कम १८७ लोग बीमार हुए। एक वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधिकारी ने बताया कि बीमार विभिन्न अस्पतालों में भर्ती हैंं। इनमें से १०७ पूर्वी दिल्ली के और ८० उत्तर पूर्वी दिल्ली के रहने वाले हैं।  लोगो को सलाह दी गई हैं कि वह कुट््‌टु का खुला आटा नहीं खरीदें।
 दिल्ली पुलिस के प्रवक्ता राजन भगत ने बताया कि कुट्टु का आटा राजस्थान में मंडोली स्थित नंदू मसाला मिल में तैयार किया गया था। उन्होंने बताया कि मिल मालिक नंद किशोर को गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया हैं और उसके खिलाफ मामला दर्ज किया गया हैं।
 उत्तर प्रदेश में मेरठ, गाजियाबाद और बुलंदशहर सहित पश्चिमी जिलों में कम से कम दो सौ लोग बीमार हुए हैं और उन्हें अस्पतालों में भर्ती कराया गया है।

खाद्य और औषधि प्राधिकरण के अधिकारियों ने राज्यभर में छापे मारे हैं और एक फैक्टरी सील करके उसके मालिक के विरूद्ध एफआईआर दर्ज की है।
 हरियाणा में रोहतक और सोनीपत जिलों में १८, पानीपत में दस और यमुनानगर जिले में छह लोग बीमार हुए हैं।  

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सीबीआई ने पूर्व दूर संचार मंत्री ए. राजा के निकट सहयोगी सादिक बाशा की संदिग्ध परिस्थितियों में मृत्यु का मामला दर्ज किया और इसकी जांच शुरू की। बाचा पिछले महीने की १६ तारीख को चेन्नई में अपने घर में मृत पाए गए थे। सूत्रों के अनुसार मामले की जांच सीबीआई को सौंपने की अधिसूचना तीन दिन के अंदर जारी करने के उच्चतम न्याायलय के निर्देश के बाद ऐसा किया गया है। सीबीआई ने ३८ वर्षीय बाशा से टू जी स्पैक्ट्रम मामले में पूछताछ की थी। उनकी पत्नी ने कहा था कि वे जांच का दबाव सहन नहीं कर पाए इसलिए उन्होंने आत्महत्या की।

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 रिलायंस कम्युनिकेशन्स के चेयरमैन अनिल अंबानी और कुछ अन्य दूरसंचार कंपनियों के प्रतिनिधि कल संसद की लोक लेखा समिति के सामने पेश हुए। उनसे, टू जी स्पेक्टम आवटन में कथित अनियमितताओं के सिलसिले मे पूछताछ की गई। श्री अंबानी से स्वान टेलीकॉम के साथ उनके औद्योगिक ग्रुप के संबंधों और दोहरी टेक्नोलॉजी के लाइसेंस प्राप्त करने में तरफदारी किए जाने जैसे मुददों पर लगभग दो घंटे पूछताछ की गई। लोक लेखा समिति के अध्यक्ष मुरली मनोहर जोशी ने संवाददाताओं को बताया कि श्री अंबानी ने कुछ सवालों को छोडकर बाकी के स्पष्ट जवाब दिये। श्री जोशी ने बताया कि एटिसलाट के प्रतिनिधि अतुल झाम्ब, डी बी टेलीकॉम के विनोद गोयंका, एस टैल के श्रीनिवासन, यूनीटेक के संजय चन्द्रा और टेलेनौर के चार्ल्स वुडवर्थ से भी  पूछताछ की गई।

इन चारों ही लोगों के साथ मुख्य बात यह थी कि इनके खिलाफ सीएजी में इनजिबिलिटी का कि यह कानूनी तौर पर नियमानुसार इन्हें लाइसेंस नहंी मिलने चाहिए थे। क्योंकि बहुत सी अनिमितताएं इन्होंने बरती थी। उन अनिमितताओं का उन्होंने अपनी तरफ से जवाब दिया। लेकिन जो बहुत से मिनिस्ट्री के और सीएजी के कथन से मेल नहीं खाता। यह बात लगभग इन सभी कंपनियों के साथ थी कि एक सी ही गलतियां की है हरेक ने और कमेटी पूरी तौर से इसकी जांच कर रही है।

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 जाने-माने सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता अन्ना हजारे ने भ्रष्टाचार से असरदार  तरीके से निपटने के लिए व्यापक जन लोकपाल विधेयक लाने की मांग को लेकर कल नई दिल्ली में जन्तर-मन्तर पर आमरण अनशन शुरू किया। उनके इस अभियान में पूर्व आई पी एस अधिकारी किरण बेदी, सूचना अधिकार कार्यकर्ता अरविन्द केजरीवाल और सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता स्वामी अग्निवेश भी शामिल हुए। विभिन्न वर्गो के सैंकड़ो लोगों ने पदयात्रा भी निकाली। श्री हजारे ने संवाददाताओं से बातचीत मे कहा कि वे अपना अनशन तब तक जारी रखेंगे, जब तक सरकार, जन लोकपाल विधेयक का मसौदा तैयार करने के लिए अधिकारियों, बुद्धिजीवियों और नागरिकों की एक समिति बनाने पर सहमत नहीं होती।
 कांगे्रस ने अन्ना हजारे से अपना अनशन समाप्त करने की अपील की है। पार्टी प्रवक्ता मनीष तिवारी ने कहा कि श्री हजारे का विरोध लोकतांत्रिक लेकिन अनावश्यक है, क्योंकि सरकार लोकपाल कानून बनाने की दिशा में काम कर रही है।

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 निर्वाचन आयोग ने विधानसभा चुनाव वाले राज्यों तमिलनाडु, पश्चिम बंगाल और असम से कल तक करीब ४३ करोड़ रूपये नकद और वस्तुए जब्त की हैं। चुनाव में अवैध रूप से धन के इस्तेमाल का पता लगाने के आयोग के अभियान के तहत ये कार्रवाई की गई है।
 आयकर विभाग ने इन राज्यों में नकद रकम के लेनदेन पर निगरानी   रखने के लिए करीब सत्तर दल बनाए हैं।
 इस बीच, इन राज्यों में चुनाव प्रचार तेजी पकड़ रहा है। असम में दूसरे चरण के मतदान के लिए सभी दलों के नेता चुनाव सभाओं को संबोधित कर रहे हैं।
 रोंगाली बीहू त्यौहार को देखते हुए प्रतिबंधित अल्फा ने आज अपना प्रस्तावित बंद वापिस ले लिया है। हमारे संवाददाता ने खबर दी है कि उग्रवादियों की धमकियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए चुनाव आयोग ने व्यापक सुरक्षा प्रबंध करने का फैसला किया है।
 केरल में भी चुनाव प्रचार तेज हो रहा है। वहां १३ अप्रैल को मतदान होना है। कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी आज हरिपद, त्रिशूर और कोझीकोड में जनसभाओं को संबोधित करेंगी।
 मार्क्सवादी कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी के नेतृत्व में वामपंथी लोकतांत्रिक मोर्चा भी सत्ता पर कब्जा रखने की कोशिश में बढ़चढ़कर प्रचार कर रहा है। पार्टी नेता वृंदा करात ने इदुकी जिले में प्रचार किया।

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तमिलनाडु में चेन्नई में चुनाव सभा को संबोधित करते हुए कांगे्रस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी ने कहा है कि भारत सरकार श्रीलंका की सरकार को वहां रह रहे तमिलों को पूरी सुरक्षा प्रदान करने को कहेगी। चुनाव सभा में डीएमके अध्यक्ष एम. करूणानिधि ने भी कहा कि श्रीलंका में रह रहे तमिलों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित की जानी चाहिए।

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समाचार पत्रों से

अन्ना हजारे और उनके समर्थकों के आमरण अनशन पर दैनिक भास्कर और देशबंधु की पहली सुर्खी है-हजारे संग उतरे हज+ारों। दैनिक जागरण के अनुसार-भ्रष्टाचार से जंग शुरू, देशभर का समर्थन। हरिभूमि का कहना है-सरकार को डर है कि ये धीमी चाल कहीं भूचाल न बन जाए। बकौल हिन्दुस्तान-जनता को सबसे ज्+यादा प्रभावित और उद्वेलित करने वाला मुद्दा भ्रष्टाचार। नवभारत टाइम्स का मानना है कि लोकपाल विधेयक का ड्राफ्ट तैयार करने में नागरिक समाज की भूमिका ज+रूरी।
 राष्ट्रीय सहारा की बड़ी ख्+ाबर है-फुकुशिमा रिसाव से भारत में भी खतरा, जापान से आने वाले खाद्य पदार्थों में रेडियोधर्मी रिसाव की ज+हरीली मिलावट पाई गई। जापान से आयातित सभी खाद्य पदार्थों पर तीन महीने तक की रोक लगाई गई।
 दैनिक भास्कर में है-किसानों ने सूखी नदी को किया लबालब। छत्तीसगढ़ के महासमुंद जि+ले के किसानों ने बिना किसी सरकारी मदद के अस्थाई बांध बनाकर ये भगीरथ प्रयास कर दिखाया। ये सस्ता फार्मूला अब सरकार को भी पसंद आ रहा है।
 इसी अखबार के मुखपृष्ठ पर है-दिल्ली है देश का सबसे प्रदूषित शहर। पर्यावरण और वन मंत्रालय की वार्षिक रिपोर्ट में खुलासा, दक्षिण और पूर्वी भारत में कम हुआ प्रदूषण का स्तर।
 नई दुनिया के विचार पृष्ठ पर विस्तृत आलेख है-बढ़ती आबादी की चुनौतियां। ज+रूरत है देश की युवा जनसंख्या को मानव संसाधन में बदल कर आर्थिक विकास का घटक बनाने की।
 बिज+नेस भास्कर के मार्केट मंत्र पृष्ठ पर दुनिया के सबसे मज+बूत बैंकों में से एक बी.एन.पी. परिबास के कंट्री हैड जैक्स मिशेल का बयान है-भारत उभरते हुए बाज+ारों में सबसे बेहतर, लेकिन इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर विकास पर फोकस करने की ज+रूरत है।
 इसी अखबार के पहले पन्ने के बॉटम स्प्रैड पर है-मोबाइल वॉलेट : फोन से कीजिए हर तरह की पेमेंट। अब उपलब्ध कराई जा रही है ग्राहकों को मोबाइन फोन के ज+रिए कैश पेमेंट कराने की सुविधा।
 वर्ल्ड कप जीत से उत्साहित ब्रैंड, एडवरटाइजर और प्रसारकों के आई.पी.एल. के दौरान ज्+यादा से ज्+यादा मुनाफा बनाने की तैयारी पर इकनॉमिक टाइम्स की सुर्खी है-मुनाफे की पिच पर धाकड़ बल्लेबाज+ी को तैयार ग्लैमरस क्रिकेट।
 भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम के निवर्तमान कोच गैरी कर्स्टन का बयान राष्ट्रीय सहारा और जनसत्ता में है-भरे मन और ढेर सारी सुखद यादों के साथ भारत छोड़ रहा हूं। नवभारत टाइम्स की पहली सुर्खी में है-अब कौन बनेगा गुरू।
 सचिन तेंदुलकर के लिए ÷÷भारत रत्न'' की मांग लगभग सभी अखबारों में है। जनसत्ता में राहुल द्रविड़ का बयान है-वे पहले से ही करोड़ों क्रिकेटप्रेमियों के लिए ÷÷भारत रत्न'' हैं।
 बसंत नवरात्र के अंतर्गत आज मां दुर्गा के तीसरे शक्ति स्वरूप चंद्रघंटा की पूजा-अर्चना से जुड़ी सामग्री सभी अखबारों में विशेष तौर पर है।

THE HEADLINES:

• Supreme Court quashes  Madhya Pradesh government's decision to allot land to the trust named after late BJP leader Kushabhau Thakre.
• Social Activist Anna Hazare's fast continues demanding a comprehensive Jan Lokpal Bill; Government  eager to bring the Anti corruption Bill  in the next parliament session.
• India's foodgrain production this year expected to be over 235 million tonnes, the highest ever,  says Agriculture Minister.
• Campaigning in full swing for the Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry  and Assam Assembly Polls.
• In Japan, the leak of radioactive water from the Fukushima power station has been stopped.
• United States says,  Taliban insurgency has gained momentum in Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan in recent months.

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The Supreme Court today quashed the decision of the BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh, to allot at throw-away prices land to a trust named after party leader late Kushabhau Thakre. The court cancelled the state government notification for allotting around 30 acres of land to the Trust whose trustees include senior party leaders L K Advani, M Venkaiah Naidu and Murli Manohar Joshi. A bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly directed the authority concerned to take possession of the land which was allotted on September 25, 2004 by the then Madhya Pradesh government headed by Uma Bharti.  The court passed the order on a petition filed by Akhil Bhartiya Upbhokta Congress, a consumers’ society registered in MP, challenging the government's decision on the ground that the land at Basvadiya village was given at a throw-away price to the Trust in violation of laws. The consumer society had approached the apex court after the MP High Court had refused to quash the land allotment.

Reacting to the order, the Congress accused the BJP of being hypocritical on the issue of alleged corruption. Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari said while the BJP have tom-tommed the issue of alleged corruption, they have failed to act, whether it is in Karnataka, or in Madhya Pradesh where 60 crore rupees of land was given for Rupee one to a Trust which was an RSS affiliate.  He said, so, if the Supreme Court has quashed the allotment of land, the Congress welcomes the order and does hope the BJP will now introspect on its hypocrisy. Defending its decision on the allotment issue, the MP government had contended that there was nothing wrong in allotting the land to a trust named after political leaders as the Centre and many other states have given huge chunks of land to several trusts in the name of prominent political figures in the past.  The state government had argued that if uniform parameters were to be applied for all trusts created in the name of the political leaders, then all such allotments made by the Union government were open to scrutiny of the top court.

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Noted Social Activist Anna Hazare continues his fast unto death for the second day today.  He is demanding a comprehensive Jan Lokpal Bill to effectively deal with corruption. Doctors this morning held a medical check up and found him alright.  AIR correspondent reports that Mr. Hazare is not talking to the media for now.

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Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that he is wiling to step down from all the GoMs including the one on the drafting of anti-corruption bill. Mr. Pawar was responding to media queries in New Delhi regarding social activist Anna Hazare's objection to his being part of the GoM on corruption. AIR Correspondent reports that the government had set up a Group of Ministers in January this year to suggest measures, including legislative and administrative, to tackle corruption. The eight-member group is headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and includes Ministers P Chidambaram, Sharad Pawar, A K Antony, M Veerappa Moily, Kapil Sibal, Mamata Banerjee and M K Azhagiri.

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Law minister M Veerappa Moily today said the government is anxious to bring  in the Anti corruption Bill in the next session of the Parliament. Reacting to Anna Hazare's fast, Mr. Moily said that the Prime Minister has shown the will to fight corruption. He said, the government is  open to suggestions. He, however, elaborated that, for the passage of the Bill, there are several procedures to be followed.

Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said that the proposed  bill should be acceptable to all. She said the government is ready for a discussion with all stake holders.

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Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said India's foodgrains production is estimated at a record 235.88 million tonnes in the 2010-11 crop year, ending June, on the back of the highest-ever output of wheat and pulses.   He said, the government needs to give serious thought on storage and allocation of foodgrains to states and exports, as the country is estimated to have harvested record production this crop year. The Minister quoted a report by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices which said the stock position of wheat is quite impressive and is worth 40,000 crore rupees currently. He told reporters that this year's production is highest ever since 1947 and there should not be any problem. Mr. Pawar said that  Earlier, he inaugurated the National conference on Advance estimates of production of major crops in the country. Policy makers and agriculture experts are participating in the conference.

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The Prime Minister's Trade and Economic Relations Committee will review the India-European Union draft treaty on free trade agreement in New Delhi today. Official sources said that, the Chief negotiators of India and European Union had yesterday, concluded their two day discussions on the issue.  The two sides held several rounds of talks to finalise the draft.  Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar is visiting Brussels, later this week to disucss various provisions of  the treaty with his EU counterpart. Official sources says, key issues like opening of markets in auto and auto components, wines and spirits, and intellectual property rights and services were discussed in the two day meeting. The European Union wants India to open its services sector including foreign direct investment in retail, banking and other financial services.

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Two Directorate General of Civil Aviation, DGCA,  officials have been arrested in New Delhi for allegedly helping pilots procure commercial pilot licences. They were arrested by the crime branch of Delhi Police yesterday. Ashok Chand, DCP (crime), said that, with this, a total of three DGCA staffers have been arrested. A total of 13 people including pilots have been arrested in connection with the case.  A pilot and a tout were earlier arrested from Ahmedabad by a team of Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Monday.

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The health condition of Sri Satya Saibaba is improving and in stable condition. In a latest health bulletin issued this morning, Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Director, A N Safaya said signs of improvement has been observed in the functioning of his kidneys. Stating that he continued to be on ventilator for assisted respiration, the Director said the vital parameters including blood pressure are satisfactory.

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The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and RBI on a petition seeking probe into the alleged money laundering by the trustees of Mumbai's Lilawati Hospital. The apex court also sought response from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct taxes and SEBI on a plea seeking investigation by appropriate agencies into the alleged tax evasion and money laundering. The petition filed by a Delhi resident Harsh Raghuvanshi has sought investigation into the alleged siphoning of funds by the trustees.

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The government today said it is closely monitoring developments along borders which have a bearing on India's security. Responding to media queries about reports of presence of foreign troops in PoK, the External Affairs minister S M Krishna said government  takes all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of people as well as the territorial integrity of the nation.

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Congress  President Sonia Gandhi has said that the Left parties are blocking all-round development of the country.  Addressing an election rally at Haripad in Kerala, she said, when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced information technology in India, the same was opposed by the Left parties.  Sonia Gandhi  blamed the LDF Government of Kerala for mismanagement of Tsunami funds and the Kuttanad Development Package.          

Unleashing serious criticism  on the left parties of the country.  Sonia Gandhi said that they stood against even introduction of tractors and  computer in India.   Addressing  the election rallies of KPCC  President    Ramesh Chennihtal at Haripada ,   Sonia Gandhi highlighted the achievements of UPA government. Meanwhile hardly a few days left for campaigning neck to neck fight between ruling LDF and opposition UDF has further intensified.  Interestingly rather then development and price rise issues political and personal allegations are the main weapons . BJP has step up campaigning with full conviction of  opening account in Kerala Assembly.  Apart from 40 company of central forces about 40 thousand state police officials will be deployed for smooth poll in Kerala. 

Meanwhile, both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the BJP have further intensified the last leg of campaigning for the Assembly polls on the 13th of this month.

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In Tamil Nadu, even as campaign by political parties is reaching a crescendo, the Election commission has stepped up its efforts in surveillance and search operations to seize unaccounted money, meant for distribution to voters.  AIR correspondent reports, the election officials have so far seized 22 crore rupees in hard cash and 10 crore rupees worth of goods.

Political parties which have announced freebies to lure voters may be in for a rude shock this time as the promised doles has failed to cut ice with the voters, with a majority of them questioning the motive of the political parties virtually accusing them of attempt to bribe. Voters across the delta districts of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam comprising mostly of farmers say frequent and un announced power cuts have hit agricultural operations Voters are angry with the political class for their failure to redress their grievances. Price rise, corruption, credibility of political parties are issues that are hotly debated among voters. The Election commission’s seizure of cash meant for distribution during the polls and the widespread media coverage has had its impact and voters say that Election commission should not lower its guard in the run up to the polls. Though in most of the constituencies a large number of contestants are in the field, the battle is between arch rivals DMK and AIADMK, pushing their allies in their front to the back ground. The DMK is contesting 119 out of 234 seats, leaving the rest to its alliance partners, the congress, PMK, VCK and other minor parties. The Congress is contesting in 63 constituencies. The BJP is going it alone in the polls.

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In Puducherry, the arrival of National leaders has added spice to the campaigning for the polls scheduled for the 13th of this month.  The Ruling congress which is contesting 17 seats has the DMK, PMK and VCK as partners while the opposition NR congress leads a front which has the AIADMK,   DMDK and the left parties. The Election Commission has registered 94 cases of violations of the model code of conduct so far. The Commission has made it clear that voters only with photo identity cards will be allowed to exercise their votes.    Our correspondent takes a look at Kamraj Nagar constituency, where the Chief Minister Mr. Vaithalingam will lock horns with 4 other candidates.

Kamraj Nagar, a new constituency carved after the delimitation , has shot into prominence as the incumbent Chief Minister Mr..Vaithalingam is testing the electoral waters from this urban segment. He faces challenge from 4 candidates. Vaithalingam, is a traditional congressman, what with his father late Venkatasubbha Reddiar having also served as chief minister of the union territory. A landlord, Vaithalingam represented the Nettapakkam assembly constituency vacated by his father. Post delimitation, the Nettapakaam seat has become a reserved constituency.  The CPI had got this constituency after much wrangling with its poll partners. Mr Kalainathan is banking on the traditional support base in certain pockets of the constituency and the strength of the party’s allies the newly formed NR congress and AIADMK Though the battle for Kamraj Nagar is between Vaithalingam and Kalainathan, it would be no walkover for the Chief minister, as the a majority of 27,245 voters in the new constituency are educated and may weigh options before casting their vote.

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In Assam, poll campaigning is gaining momentum in 64 constituencies where the second and  concluding phase of elections will be held on 11th of this month.  The banned ULFA has withdrawn the bandh call today in view of the upcoming Rongali Bihu celebrations in the State.  AIR correspondent reports, in the second phase of elections in the State, 41 candidates out of 496 are facing criminal cases.

Out of 41 criminal background candidates 13 are facing serious charges like murder, kidnapping and extortion. The All India United Democratic Front has maximum number of 13 candidates with criminal charges  Among he 52 Independent candidates four are having criminal charges. Besides serious criminal charges the candidates are also involved in petty criminal charges like theft and collection of arms.

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In West Bengal, today is the last day for filing of nominations for the second phase of elections in the State.  246 nominations were filed till yesterday for this phase.  The elections will take place in 50 seats covering Murshidabad, Nadia and Birbhum districts on 23rd of this month.  Filing of nominations are also on for the 3rd phase of elections where voting will be taken up in 75 seats covering Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas districts on 27th of this month. 

Meanwhile, campaigning is gradually picking up for first phase of poll. 

The first phase of elections will take place in six north Bengal districts, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Koochbehar, Malda, North and South Dinajpur on 18th of this month.  As campaigning through microphone is banned till 13th of April for ongoing examinations, most of the polical parties stayed away from big meetings.  Instead of it, they are going for road shows, padayatras and door-to-door campaigns and having other modern techniques.  Chief Minister Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee opened his own website where he is directly giving replies to the queries of the voters.  In another effort to reach to the voters, the Trinamul Congress chief,  Ms. Mamta Banerjee organised an exhibition in Kolkata of her own paintings.  The sale proceeds of the exhibition will go to meet  her party's election expenditure.  Seeking of voters' blessings, through SMS on mobile phone are also a notable feature this time.

In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party today stalled the proceedings of the state legislative assembly for the second consecutive day. The Speaker Mr. Pratapsingh Rane had not permitted the adjournment motion sought by the opposition seeking sacking of state Education Minister Mr. Atanasio Monserrate alleging his involvement in transferring unaccounted Indian and foreign currency outside the country.

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National Commission for Women says that all State Governments should implement special rules to check female feticides. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas expressed concern over the alarming decline in Child Sex ratio in the latest Census in all States across the country. Mrs. Vyas urged the Government to fasten the process of amending the existing Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques ACT.

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The Supreme Court today asked the Chhattisgarh government to explain the setting up of an armed group of special police officers, Koya Commando, as anti-Naxal vigilance group. A bench of justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar asked the state government to file an affidavit on the raising of Koya commando and also state under what rule they are being supplied arms and ammunition. The court posted the matter for further hearing on April 15. The court passed the order while hearing a petition against the existence of Salwa Judum in Naxal-infested regions of the state to fight Maoists.

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Trouble continues at Japan's crippled nuclear plant, where technicians solved one big problem but are confronting another. Officials said, they have finally stopped a leak of radioactive water from the Fukushima power station that was raising radiation in the nearby ocean to millions of times the legal limit. But now they are worried about a build-up of hydrogen inside the containment vessel at another of the plant's six reactors, creating the risk of an explosion that could release large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. Plant officials said they may pump nitrogen into the reactor in an attempt to halt the chemical reaction.

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The US administration has said that, Taliban insurgency has gained strength in Pakistan’s border regions with Afghanistan in the recent months despite a sustained offensive against it. In its new assessment of the war effort to the US congress, the report says there remains no clear path toward defeating the insurgency in Pakistan. The report evaluates U.S. efforts over the first three months of this year in Afghan war and emphasizes that the challenge remains to make gains durable and sustainable. It notes that in recent weeks, Taliban has carried out more suicide bombing missions in Afghanistan against soft targets, such as army recruiting centers, government buildings and market places, leading to a spike in civilian casualties. The report says the shift in Taliban’s greater use of murder and intimidation tactics reflects an insurgency under the pressure of a more substantive coalition military campaign.

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In the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo has said that he won the election four months ago and is not negotiating his departure. Troops backing the internationally recognised winner Alassane Ouattara, has  encircled the Presidential residence. Gbagbo's comments from a bunker by telephone to France's LCI television came as French officials and a diplomat said he was negotiating his departure terms. Reports say, the Democratically elected leader Alassane Ouattara has urged his supporters to take Gbagbo alive.

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Mobile phone services complete 28 years of commercial use in the world this year. The service first used on experimental basis in 1973 came into commercial use ten years after 1983.  So far, 3G services have been launched and 4G is on the anvil.  The introduction and development of mobile services  has revolutionalised the life of people with people using  it for  internet and audio and video services.

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Surrendering all its initial gains, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange fell more than 135 points in intra-day trade, today, on profit-booking by investors, before recovering some lost ground, to stand 26 points, or 0.1 percent in negative territory, at 19,660, a short while ago. In the morning, however, the Sensex had opened as much as 107 points higher, at 19,793.

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The rupee strengthened by 18 paise to 44.24 rupees against the dollar in early trade, extending its gains for the fifth straight session. The rupee had appreciated by 17 paise to close at nearly a five-month high of 44.42 rupees  against the dollar in the previous session.

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World oil prices fell from two-and-a-half year highs in Asia today as traders reaped gains from the recent rally.  New York's main contract, light sweet crude fell 45 cents to107.89 dollar per barrel.  Brent North Sea crude retreated 55 cents to 121.67 dollar after touching 122.89 dollar in intra-day trade yesterday.

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Government is hopeful of doubling the export trade by 2014. Launching a new Buyers Credit Scheme by Export Import Bank of India in New Delhi today Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that the scheme will facilitate the efforts made by the government to promote exports. He added that the scheme will provide a complete insurance of the export products covering all the floating interest rates.

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External Affairs Minister says that Chinese authorities have assured India that the facilities for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will be improved substantively during the current plan period.  Speaking at  a function to draw the lots for this year's Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Mr. S.M. Krishna said that it is the government's endeavor to improve and upgrade facilities for the yatra on a continuing basis.

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Sarhul, the most popular tribal festival of flowers is being celebrated today in Jharkhand with fanfare. Streets are decorated with Sarhul flags and various tribal groups would take out processions which would converge at the main road of Ranchi. The festival is observed by Mundas, Oraon and Santhal tribal communities, inhabiting in the regions of Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar. Sarhul literally means ‘Worship of Sal’. Sarhul is the worship of nature in which the people worship Dharti Mata. They also worship water, wind, plants and animals. During the festival Sal flowers are brought to the Sarna (sacred grove) and the priest propitiates all the gods of the tribes. Hadia or Diang, a wine made of stale rice is the ’Prasad’ of this festival. Traditional Sarhul Dance is also performed during Sarhul festival that lasts for several days.

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