HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

Mon, Nov 05, 2012 at 21:00

HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

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HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

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HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

HC appoints three-member panel to probe Mankhurd shelter abuse

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Mumbai, Nov 5 (PTI) Expressing shock over Maharashtra government's "insensitivity" towards condition of women in shelter homes across the city, the Bombay High Court today appointed a three-member committee to look into allegations of sexual abuse by inmates at the state-run Navjivan Mahila Vastigrah in suburban Mankhurd. The committee will comprise Asha Bajpai of Tata Institute of Social Science, Dr Harish Shetty and Deputy Commissioner of police (Highway Traffic Division) Rashmi Karandikar. The panel has been directed to visit and inspect the condition of the shelter home at Mankhurd and look into allegations levelled by a woman that several men armed with weapons used to enter the home at night and rape as well as assault the women housed there. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice N M Jamdar was hearing a petition based on a letter sent by activist Purnima Upadhyay raising concerns about safety of women lodged at the Mankhurd shelter home. The court had last week also issued notice to Maharashtra government after taking up the issue suo moto (on its own) following a newspaper article on the woman who escaped from the protective home along with 22 others. Government pleader D A Nalavade today told the court that the crime branch was probing the allegations of sexual assault levelled by the woman. He submitted an affidavit filed by Ambadas Pote, deputy commissioner of police (Crime) stating that no incident of rape or sexual assault has ever happened at the protective home. The affidavit further said that 12 staff members, 58 inmates, 24 police personnel posted at the home and six NGO members frequently visit and interact with the inmates and none of them have seen any man entering the house with weapons and raping the inmates. The bench was, however, not satisfied with the probe and said the crime branch appeared to have merely inquired into the specific allegation of armed men barging into the home and raping women at knife point. "The video-taped interview of the woman states that some men would visit the home, and on their request the woman care-takers would ask inmates to go out with the men and those who refused were tortured," the court said. (MORE) PTI SP DK RCJ SDM

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Nearly 250 militants active in JK, says police chief

Jammu, Nov 5 (PTI) At least 250 militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir and there is a lot of pressure from the other side of the border to infiltrate more terrorists, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said today. However, only 100 militancy related incident were witnessed this year in the state so far, as compared to 190 last year, the DGP said. "230-250 militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir -- and total number of militancy related incidents this year is 100," Prasad told reporters here. 2011 has witnessed 190 terrorist related incidents as compared to 368 incidents in 2010 in the state, he said. "This is reflected in the simple fact-- if 100 militants are active this year, roughly 150 militants have done nothing in one year-- rest 100 militants have done one incident each in the year," he said. DGP reviewed the security measures and visited the police headquarters after resuming the work in Jammu following the capital shift. "In terms of active militants and effectiveness, you can make your own assessment but we believe we have managed to contain situation on this side of the border," the DGP said. As far as security situation is concerned, the DGP said "detailed reviews have been done both in Srinagar and Jammu." In Jammu region, there are 25 to 30 militants active, the officer said. On infiltration, the DGP said, "There is a lot of pressure from the other side of the border to cross and come here, but the effectiveness of security agencies has made the task difficult for them. PTI AB SHS

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HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

Mon, Nov 05, 2012 at 21:02

HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

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HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

Like this story, share it with millions of investors on M3

HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

HC castigates Maha govt over taxi, auto fare hike

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Mumbai, Nov 5 (PTI) Bombay High Court today ticked off Maharashtra Government for not complying with its order to form a multi-member panel to look into recent hike in fares of autorickshaw and taxi saying the state is being held hostage by pressure groups. "We are thoroughly dissatisfied with the government," a division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and R G Ketkar observed while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by NGO 'Mumbai Grahak Panchayat' challenging the recent hike in fares based on the recommendations of one-man committee formed by the government. The court had on the last hearing said that such an important decision affecting lakhs of commuters can not be taken based on recommendations made by one retired civil servant. The court had directed the government to form another committee comprising several members to look into the fare hike. The bench was miffed today with the fact that no steps have been taken by the government to comply with its order. Coming down heavily on government, the bench said the transport secretary was sitting abroad instead of attending to such a serious issue. The bench summoned Transport Secretary Shailesh Sharma, who returned here from abroad yesterday, to remain present in court tomorrow. "We are concerned. This is not how a government should behave," Justice Chandrachud said. The hike, which came into effect last month, is the steepest that the city has seen. PTI SP NSK RCJ SDM

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Army HQ dumps complaint by Lt Gen

New Delhi, Nov 5 (PTI) The Army Headquarters has recommended the rejection of a plea filed by a senior Lt Gen to seek elevation as an Army Commander from June 1 which, if accepted, can create a possible succession row in the force. Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen Ravi Dastane had filed a statutory complaint in this regard with the Army Headquarters in August and the file has been forwarded to the Defence Ministry. The Defence Ministry has already decided to send the plea to the Law Ministry for its advice on the matter. The Army Headquarters has already recommended that the plea filed by Lt Gen Dastane should be rejected, Army sources told PTI here. Lt Gen Dastane is also planning to move to the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) with two main pleas to seek elevation to the rank of Army Commander from June 1 this year retrospectively when two vacancies were existing, his counsel Maj S S Pandey had said. The posts of Western and Eastern Army Commander had fallen vacant on May 31 after the retirement of Gen VK Singh, who was succeeded by Lt Gen Bikram Singh, and the Western Army Commander Lt Gen Shankar Ranjan Ghosh. Lt Gen Bikram Singh had headed the Eastern Command. The Government had kept the post of Eastern Army Commander vacant for two to three days before Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag was appointed whereas Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachhra was appointed as the Western Army Commander on June 1. The post was not filled as just before retirement, Gen VK Singh had put Lt Gen Suhag under a discipline and vigilance ban for a failed intelligence operation in Assam but it was lifted within 72 hours of Gen Bikram Singh's assuming office. "On June 1, Lt Gen Dastane was also eligible to be elevated as an Army Commander and we will plead before the AFT to give us that appointment," Pandey said. If the plea is accepted, then Lt Gen Dastane may become senior to Lt Gen Suhag who is expected to succeed Gen Bikram Singh in July 2014. PTI AJD VMN

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RBI asks banks to migrate to latest version of web protocol

The Reserve Bank today asked the banks to migrate to the latest version of Internet Protocol IPv6 from IPv4, preferably by December 2012. "Since migration to IPv6 is an eventuality that has to be accepted and managed proactively, government wants it to be done in a planned way rather than against time," RBI said in a notification.

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the latest Internet Protocol (IP), the primary communications protocol upon which the entire Internet is built. It is intended to replace the older IPv4, which is still employed for the vast majority of Internet traffic as of 2012.

RBI further added that,"they (government) have expressed that the migration of all payment gateways, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, etc. including their websites should be completed preferably by December 2012." It said banks may take necessary action by forming a special team to complete the migration within the stipulated time.

As per the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP-2012), Internet is envisaged as a catalyst for socio-economic development of the country and as an effective medium of various citizen-centric services. "Since the current version of Internet Protocol (IPv4) has almost run out of addresses, the broadband revolution is sure to ride on next generation Internet Protocol (IPv6).

The NTP-2012 recognises the futuristic role of IPv6 and aims to achieve substantial transition to IPv6 in the country, RBI added further.

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Five signs you may get laid off

Anyone who thought the job market was getting back to normal received a nasty shock on Monday when Goldman Sachs laid off approximately 50 people, many of them managing directors. These and other layoffs may have caused some people to wonder if they might be the next ones on the chopping block.

CNBC.com spoke with human resource experts to find out the five tell-tale signs that you may need to update your resume.

1. Mergers: According to career coach Cheryl Palmer, mergers that result in duplicated job functions can spell trouble. "If you have a position that has a counterpart in the acquiring company, your job could be very much in danger," she told CNBC.com in an e-mail. "Generally speaking, the acquiring company will eliminate duplicate positions."

2. Passed Over for Promotion: Fred Cooper of Compass HR Consulting told CNBC.com that if "you are passed over for an internal promotion where your qualifications (not just seniority and longevity) are in fact greater than those of the one selected," then the powers that be may have already decided that you're on the way out.

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3. Sharing Your Files: "A tell-tale sign you are going to be laid off is being asked to share your files, and update another team member on all of your projects," Debby Carreau of Inspired HR told CNBC.com. "If you are asked for passwords, client lists and contact information, this is further evidence the organization is preparing to have someone backfill your position."

4. "Special" Projects: Fred Cooper told CNBC.com that if you're assigned to a short-term project that has little - or nothing - to do with your regular job, then you have good reason to be wary. "When completed, you may not have a job waiting for you," he said. "Even long-term special projects have similar risks associated with being assigned that 'honor'."

5. There's a Computer That Can Do That: Palmer said that any job that can be automated is a dicey proposition for the human being that's currently performing it. "If the type of work that you do can be done by a machine instead of a person, you may need to look for another type of job," she said bluntly. "It's usually just a matter of time before your company decides that a machine can do your job for less money."

Luckily, there are some things you can do that can help you survive a human resources bloodbath. According to Morgan Norman, co-founder and CEO of the WorkSimple social performance application, "requesting real-time feedback, documenting and tracking your goals, sharing your work socially, and building a visual portfolio of your accomplishments are all ways you can prove that you're an asset to the company and not someone who should be handed a pink slip."

© 2012 CNBC.com

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Pakistan's army chief warns judges not to undermine military

By Randy Fabi

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's army chief warned on Monday, in a veiled challenge to the Supreme Court, that any efforts to undermine the military and "draw a wedge" between it and its citizens would not be tolerated.

Chief Supreme Court Judge Iftikhar Chaudhry ruled last month that the military must stop interfering in politics, a rare challenge to Pakistan's powerful generals.

The ruling has stoked tensions between the court and the military, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 65-year history through coups or from behind the scenes.

"Any effort which wittingly or unwittingly draws a wedge between the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan undermines the larger national interest," said General Ashfaq Kayani, in a rare public statement that did not specifically mention the court or its judges.

An army official, who wished not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that Kayani was responding in part to the Supreme Court judgment.

The October court ruling came in connection with a case dating back to 1996 in which a retired air marshal filed a petition against the army for sponsoring a political alliance.

The Supreme Court has asked the federal government to take necessary steps under the constitution against retired generals named in the case. However, Pakistan's government has little sway over generals in the military, which is one of the biggest in the world.

"While individual mistakes might have been made by all of us in the country, these should be left to the due process of law," Kayani said.

"Let us not pre-judge anyone, be it civilian or a military person, and extend it, unnecessarily, to undermine respective institutions."

The long-running standoff between the judiciary and the U.S.-backed government has fuelled instability in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country with a fragile economy that has been battered by a Taliban insurgency.

In the late 1980s, Pakistan's military Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) was accused of establishing a political cell that worked with the presidency to distribute money to selected politicians in a bid to get them elected.

(Additional reporting by Mehreen Zahra-Malik; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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Cyclone Nilam aftermath: 24 dead, 68,000 evacuated in AP

Twenty-four people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains continued to batter several regions under the influence of 'Cyclone Nilam'. Coastal Andhra Pradesh continued to bear the brunt of nature's fury as villages and towns were inundated by swollen rivulets.

Sources say that 68,000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas to relief camps. Sources further say that due to heavy rain 5 lakh hectares of crop have been destroyed in the state.

The Andhra Pradesh government will request the Centre to depute a team of officials to the state to assess the massive damage caused by heavy rains over the last few days and provide assistance.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard, Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy told reporters in Hyderabad on Monday. He was speaking after a high-level review meeting held by the Chief Minister with ministers and senior officials.

The Chief Minister, state Congress president and Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana and ministers for agriculture and civil supplies would undertake an aerial survey and field visits on Tuesday in Krishna, Khammam, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts to interact with victims and to get first hand information.

Meanwhile, Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu said an assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh would be given to the kin of the deceased. The Chief Minister would also request the Centre to relax the norms for purchase of cotton affected by rains, he said.

To a query, the Revenue Minister said it was not correct to say that the state government delayed in taking relief measures as the government machinery was put on alert immediately. He, however, regretted that there was no mechanism to predict North-East Monsoon rains. There is a mechanism available with India Meteorological Department to predict South-West monsoon but not North-East Monsoon (winter rains received in parts of south India), he said.

Cyclone 'Nilam' crossed the Tamil Nadu coast last week without causing massive destruction. It gradually weakened into a low pressure area resulting in heavy rains in the coastal Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy will visit the rain-affected areas in the East Godavari district on Tuesday.

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IMG suggests de-allocation of 2 mines allocated to PSUs

The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on coal blocks has recommended de-allocation of two coal mines allocated to PSUs on the ground of companies not developing them, sources said. The IMG today reviewed 10 coal blocks allocated to public sector companies (PSUs), including Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) and Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), an official told PTI after the meeting.

"Of the 10 coal blocks it reviewed, IMG has recommended de-allocation of two blocks, including one Shankarpur/Bhatgaon II & Extn, alloted to CMDC," a source said. In a few cases, the inter-ministerial panel has also recommended deposit of bank guarantee, he added.

The IMG on October 9 and 10 had examined 33 coal blocks allocated to public sector firms including Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation, NALCO and MMTC which were issued notices for delay in production. The panel has already concluded the scrutiny of 31 coal blocks allotted to 51 private firms and last month the government had accepted its recommendations for de-allocation of 13 mines and deduction of bank guarantees of 14 allottees.

A total of 58 mines were issued show-cause notices for their failure to develop blocks within stipulated timeline. The government had formed the IMG in July to review the progress of coal blocks allocated to companies for captive use. The CAG had estimated that undue benefits to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore might accrue to private firms on account of allocation of 57 mines to them without auction.

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Damascus bomb kills at least 11

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A bomb attack in the Damascus district of Mezzeh killed 11 people and wounded dozens more on Monday, including children, Syrian state media and an activist group reported.

The state television report gave no further details. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based watchdog, said at least 11 people had been killed and 30 wounded by a car bomb in the area known as "Mezzeh 86" - a district that is home to many government loyalists.

(Editing by Janet Lawrence)

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