No Probe into Corruption Charges against Walmart in India

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">  <o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">NEW DELHI</st1:place></st1:city>   (NNN-Bernama) -- Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday said there was no probe into corruption allegations against </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" w:st="on">US</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> retail giant Walmart in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, saying agencies could look into violations if any.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The world's largest retailer has disclosed that it is investigating allegations of corrupt practices and alleged violations of <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> anti-bribery law in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>, expanding similar ongoing investigations in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Allegations are allegations. In a rule-based and rule-governed country, if there is any violation there are agencies who are there to look into it,"<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sharma told journalists on board Indian PM's Special Plane en route to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phnom Penh</st1:place></st1:city> along with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I should not comment on the alleged FEMA violations which are yet to be probed and even Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that he is yet to get any report," Sharma said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the same time, he said there would have been no violations since September when the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) decision was notified with only one change about dispensation of landlocked states which do not have cities with population of five million.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Walmart has not specified specific charges of corruption in any of the countries it has mentioned but said it is probing allegations of potential violations of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The FCPA bars bribing officials of foreign governments.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The allegations have come at a time when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is pushing hard its reform agenda, including FDI in retail.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday termed the graft allegations as a "serious issue", and demanded a probe into the matter as well as a reply by the government. -- NNN-BERNAMA<br /> </span> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> </div>

No Probe into Corruption Charges against Walmart in India

  NEW DELHI    (NNN-Bernama) -- Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on  Sunday said there was no probe into corruption allegations ...

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China's Hu Issues Warning About Corruption

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">By William Ide<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqMsrceiSXO8ayzn31NTjvw0T7oasXc7mPhQm5v9c7OfeVM26__ah4aoDC5IeqWzpzAZ-0LNE_Il8tLQDdVOWWevki7sxh6be9ucgPktYZfcbo6Lr7U9fFQw1boz7zzSw_RRE1AaScag/s1600/2012110814431355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqMsrceiSXO8ayzn31NTjvw0T7oasXc7mPhQm5v9c7OfeVM26__ah4aoDC5IeqWzpzAZ-0LNE_Il8tLQDdVOWWevki7sxh6be9ucgPktYZfcbo6Lr7U9fFQw1boz7zzSw_RRE1AaScag/s1600/2012110814431355.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NNN--- Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, delivers a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 18th CPC National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Beijing</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s capital on 7 November 2012. Photo courtesy xinhua---NNN<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">China</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’s once-in-a-decade leadership transition began Thursday, with a warning from the country’s outgoing leader. In a long and wide-ranging speech to mark the beginning of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s 18th party congress, President Hu Jintao warned that the party and even the country are facing fatal challenges if it does not do more to deal with the problem of corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In his final remarks as leader of the political party that single-handedly rules 1.3 billion people and charts the course for the world’s second-largest economy, President Hu had a warning for the Chinese Communist party.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"Opposing corruption and building an honest and clean government is a clear stance the party has been adhering to and is an important political issue the people have been paying attention to. If we fail to handle this issue [corruption] well, it could prove fatal to the party and even cause the collapse of the party and the fall of the state," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Hu made his remarks at <st1:city w:st="on">Beijing</st1:city>’s massive Great Hall of the People, during the opening of the 18th party congress, a major political event in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> which is held once every five years.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">His comments could not have been more timely.  This year’s meeting has been largely overshadowed by a murder and corruption scandal involving one of the party’s once-rising stars Bo Xilai.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The remarks resonated with Yu Jingzi, a delegate from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Shanghai</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“It's fair to say that it's not just this year that has seen an attention-grabbing case involving a senior official like this one,"Yu said. "The Chinese Communist party, being a big ruling party, always pays attention to this issue and is paying more and more attention to it. Of course, we need to do a lot more work on this issue."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The party is clearly aware of the problem and, according to statistics published in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s state media; the country’s disciplinary system has handled more than half a million corruption cases since the last party congress.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">However, legal analysts note that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s anti-corruption efforts focus largely on local or lower-ranking officials and rarely reach all the way to the top echelons of the party’s leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Hu says no one is above the law.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Communist party expelled Bo Xilai earlier this week, just as the country’s roughly 2,300 delegates were arriving to attend the congress. Bo has been accused of using his position to seek profits for others and of taking bribes either personally or through family members.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But corruption is not the only challenge <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> is facing. Not only is <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s economy slowing in the face of a weak global economy and growing domestic debt, but social unrest is on the rise as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The public is increasingly distrustful of the government’s pledges to stamp out corruption and calls for more accountability and clean governance are growing.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In word, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s leaders acknowledge that the party needs to listen more to the public’s wants and concerns, but issues such as basic rights are still largely ignored.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Human Rights Watch Deputy Director Phil Robertson says authorities resist a broader discussion of human rights, because they fear where it could lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“The Chinese government is very concerned about human rights issues in the sense that if it addresses these issues it is opening a can of worms," he said. "It has to discuss he many issues related to land, related to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>, to Xinjiang, related to the day to day rights abuses that Chinese citizens face trying to use the Internet."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">On the eve of the party congress, a young single mother and three young monks set themselves on fire in protest of <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>’s policies in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Security has been ramped up in <st1:city w:st="on">Beijing</st1:city> ahead of the congress but, despite that, one woman in her 30s was able to hold a brief unexplained protest in <st1:place w:st="on">Tiananmen Square</st1:place> before being dragged off by police.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Although his speech did not address the growing range of discontent that Chinese are expressing, Hu urged the party to work to double <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s GDP (gross domestic product) and per capita income in the country’s big cities and countryside.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’s outgoing leader also spoke about the country’s need to take a more assertive role in the region and become a maritime power. When speaking about the military, he said <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> should be prepared for “local war” in the information age.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Skirmishes between <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> and its neighbors along its coast and in the <st1:place w:st="on">South China Sea</st1:place> have been growing in recent years.  Although this has raised concern among some of <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>’s neighbors, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Beijing</st1:place></st1:city> insists its rise and intentions are peaceful.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Following this Congress, Hu will step aside and Vice President Xi Jinping will take over as head of the Chinese Communist party. Early next year, Xi is expected to assume Hu’s role as president, as well. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

China's Hu Issues Warning About Corruption

By William Ide NNN--- Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese ...

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INDIA: Ramdev Asks PM to Show Political Will to Get Back Black Money

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI) -- As his fast entered the second day, yoga guru Ramdev has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to demonstrate "political honesty and political will" in bringing back black money stashed away in foreign shores which can be spent on empowering the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also claimed that terrorism and Naxalism in the country can be tackled if the government controls the flow of black money and the rising inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"The government has the list of people who have stashed away black money in foreign shores. We don't want the names of those people, but at least disclose the amount at least. What is the harm in it? Why is the government reluctant?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He said India can become the 'super power' in the world and the army can become more powerful than those in China and the US if the black money is brought back and spent on people and national security.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"We need an honest Prime Minister. I want the current Prime Minister to demonstrate his political honesty and political will on the issue of blackmoney," he said addressing the gathering at his three-day fast venue at Ramlila Ground here Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also said that the government has to spell out its agenda on black money, corruption and Lokpal by Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Many people say I have no agenda. The agenda is to save the country. The people of the country will ask the government and all parties to spell out their agenda," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If the black money is brought to India, then the country can boast of world-class hospitals, educational institutions and other facilities, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Terrorism and naxalism are the two challenges. The root cause of this is black money. The menace can be tackled if the issue is solved," he said. -NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

INDIA: Ramdev Asks PM to Show Political Will to Get Back Black Money

  NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI) -- As his fast entered the second day, yoga guru Ramdev has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to demonstrate ...

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INDIA: Anna Hazare Disbands His Team; Says Its Work is over

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI   (NNN-UNI) -- In an apparent move to float a political party, social activist Anna Hazare today dissolved his team, popularly referred to as Team Anna, saying ''its work is over'' and decided not to have any more talks with the government on Lokpal issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">''The government is not ready to pass Jan Lokpal Bill. How long and how many times we will go on fast? Now, it is time to leave fasts and provide an alternative to the people. I also thought that the government is not going to curb corruption. It has no intention to do so,'' Hazare said in his latest blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He said Team Anna was set up to get Jan Lokpal Bill passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">''We have decided not to engage with the government on the issue. The work initiated by Team Anna has come to an end. The core committee of Team Anna also ceases to exist,'' the 75-year-old Gandhian added.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His decision has come two days after Team Anna ended its indefinite fast on Lokpal issue at Jantar Mantar on August 3 and announced to enter politics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hazare alleged that the Congress-led UPA government was not ready to bring a strong Jan Lokpal Bill even after the people have been staging protest for past 18 months.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lokpal Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha (Lower House) in December. It has not made it through the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The activist said he thinks it will be a good way to provide a political alternative to the people by searching ''good and honest'' people to contest elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, he raised questions on the new party saying that more than Rs 10-15 crore is spent on each election and from where such a huge amount will come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(One Crore: ten million)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hazare made it clear that he will neither form a political party or group nor will fight elections. --NNN-UNI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

INDIA: Anna Hazare Disbands His Team; Says Its Work is over

NEW DELHI   (NNN-UNI) -- In an apparent move to float a political party, social activist Anna Hazare today dissolved his team, popularly ...

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INDIA: Anna Hazare's Fast Enters Fourth Day

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-UNI) -- Veteran social activist Anna Hazare today entered the fourth day of his indefinite fast for a strong Jan Lokpal at Jantar Mantar here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai have been fasting since July 25. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The team has demanded a probe against 14 Cabinet ministers including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against whom it has made corruption charges. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr Hazare and his team members have also been demanding setting up of fast track courts to try criminal cases against MPs within six months and a SIT to look into allegations against some of the chiefs of political parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, Hazare tendered an apology to media for the scuffle at Jantar Mantar and threatened his supporters to stop his anti-corruption agitation if people continued to misbehave with the scribes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A scuffle broke out between Team Anna supporters and Media-persons on Monday night when the protestors alleged that the media was not projecting their movement in the right light. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Broadcast Editors' Association (BEA) had condemned the incident and demanded an apology from Team Anna. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"I am pained by what happened yesterday night. Our protest is purely non-violent. There is lot of power in non-violence and if you get involved in violence, it will give the government a chance to divide us," the 75-year-old Hazare told the gathering at the fast venue yesterday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hazare said if such incidents occur again in future, he will call off this agitation.--NNN-UNI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

INDIA: Anna Hazare's Fast Enters Fourth Day

  NEW DELHI (NNN-UNI) -- Veteran social activist Anna Hazare today entered the fourth day of his indefinite fast for a strong Jan Lokpal a...

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India: Central Vigilance Commission Develops System for Anti-Graft Fight

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HYDERABAD, India (NNN-Bernama) -- India's Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is leading a task force to develop a system to enable anti-corruption agencies across the world to exchange information and experience in fighting graft, Press Trust of India reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Knowledge Management System being developed by the task force, a member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, would help anti-corruption agencies in this regard, said Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span dir="LTR"></span>"Fighting corruption is no longer a purely domestic affair as corruption has taken international dimensions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span dir="LTR"></span>"Proceeds of corruption are laundered in other countries through various forms of illicit financial transactions and it is proving difficult to take action against foreign companies involved in bribery in India," Kumar said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pradeep said international co-operation in corruption investigations and a concerted approach for recovery of stolen assets has to be accorded priority. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kumar said a host of governance reforms that have been long overdue are now being introduced in India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span dir="LTR"></span>"I am very optimistic that these reforms would result in a paradigm shift in the approach towards fighting corruption and also improve governance," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saying corruption has been in the mainstream of public debate in the last two years, Kumar said corruption has fuelled public anger along with other factors like economic downturn and rising inflation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An Act to regulate public services delivery is currently being legislated which would go a long way in curbing petty corruption, the former bureaucrat said. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Central Vigilance Commission Develops System for Anti-Graft Fight

HYDERABAD, India (NNN-Bernama) -- India's Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is leading a task force to develop a system to enable ant...

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India Ranks 55th as Foreign Depositer in Swiss Banks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NEW DELHI, India (NNN-Bernama) -- Indians' money in Swiss banks may have risen for the first time in five years, but they account for a meagre 0.14 per cent of total foreign wealth deposited there -- putting India at 55th place globally for such funds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Press Trust of India reports the total overseas funds in Switzerland's banking system stood at 1.53 trillion Swiss francs (about Rs 90 trillion) at the end of 2011, which included 2.18 billion Swiss francs (Rs 12,700 crore) belonging to Indian individuals and entities.(One Crore: ten million)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">According to the latest data disclosed by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the United Kingdom accounted for the largest share of funds belonging to overseas clients in Swiss banks with a little over 20 per cent and the United States with 18 per cent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is followed by West Indies, Jersey, Germany, Bahamas, Guernsey, Luxembourg, Panama and France, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, Japan, Singapore,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab of Emirates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The total funds held by Indian individuals and entities include 2.03 billion Swiss francs held directly by them and 158 million held through fiduciaries or wealth managers. --NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Ranks 55th as Foreign Depositer in Swiss Banks

NEW DELHI, India (NNN-Bernama) -- Indians' money in Swiss banks may have risen for the first time in five years, but they account for ...

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INDIA: Telcom Airtel under Probe for Money Laundering

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI): The Directorate of Enforcement is investigating India’s largest telecom service provider, Bharti Airtel, for money laundering, Minister of State for Finance SS Palanimanickam said in Rajya Sabha (Upper House). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The directorate of enforcement is investigating cases under the provisions of prevention of money laundering act, 2002 and foreign exchange management act, 1999 involving Bharti Airtel Ltd,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, he declined to give details of investigations as “It may not be in the interest of the ongoing investigations to provide any further details.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Bharti Airtel spokesperson said: “Bharti Airtel maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and regulatory compliance and has always complied will all norms. We have provided all relevant details asked for by the authorities in this matter.” Bharti shares closed 1.3% down at Rs. 303.50 on the BSE. -NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

INDIA: Telcom Airtel under Probe for Money Laundering

NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI): The Directorate of Enforcement is investigating India’s largest telecom service provider, Bharti Airtel, for money l...

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ADIDAS Seeks Probe into Reebok India's Financial Irregularities

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BERLIN (NNN-Bernama) -- German sportswear giant Adidas has appealed to Indian law enforcement authorities to launch a criminal investigation into alleged financial irregularities uncovered in its Indian arm Reebok India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A complaint was filed with Indian law enforcement authorities to bring formal charges for commercial irregularities at Reebok India, an Adidas spokesman told Press Trust of India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An Adidas team is currently in India to assist in the investigations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Further details cannot be made public at this stage as investigations are underway, the spokesman said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adidas claimed earlier this month that it had discovered inconsistencies involving 125 million euros in its Reebok India subsidiary and announced plans to close one-third of around 900 Reebok stores as part of a restructuring strategy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In March, the company announced top-level management changes in Adidas India , saying managing director Subhinder Singh Prem and chief operating officer Vishnu Bhagat have "left the company with immediate effect". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prem was replaced by Claus Heckerott as new managing director of Adidas India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"A reorganisation of Reebok's businesses in India was planned long ago and the slashing of stores has nothing to do with the alleged financial flaws in the company," the spokesman said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The spokesman also dismissed as pure speculation news reports saying Adidas has plans to close some its stores in India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 20%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adidas currently operates more than 1,000 stores in 325 towns and cities across India. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

ADIDAS Seeks Probe into Reebok India's Financial Irregularities

BERLIN (NNN-Bernama) -- German sportswear giant Adidas has appealed to Indian law enforcement authorities to launch a criminal investigati...

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India: Uproar over Scam Charges in Grant of Medical College Licences

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NEW DELHI <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NNN-PTI) -- Uproarious scenes were witnessed in Lok Sabha on Monday with BJP member Maneka Gandhi having heated exchanges with Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad alleging massive corruption in granting licences to medical colleges, a charge strongly refuted by the government.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"You can't level wild allegations without any evidence," a visibly angry Azad shouted back when Gandhi alleged that crores of rupees were being demanded as bribes by members of the Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The BJP member made a scathing attack on the government for turning the MCI into a "cash cow" and indulging in "rampant corruption" and violation of its own rules and even Supreme Court orders.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The House was discussing the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2012, seeking to extend the tenure of the MCI Board of Governors till May 2013 as its current tenure was coming to end on May 14.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Bill was later passed with 100 votes in favour and 57 against after BJD member Tathagata Satpathy sought a division. The Left and BJD MPs staged a walkout.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maintaining that the Board was "making a mockery of all rules," Gandhi said the CBI had conducted inspections of ten institutions and found "gross irregularities" like submission of fake or forged certificates by faculty members, fudging of record on clinical materials and deficiency of infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While such findings by CBI should have led to cancellation of their permits, the colleges were allowed to admit fresh batches of students, she claimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When she alleged that crores of rupees were being sought as bribes, Azad asserted that no bribe or even gifts have been taken either by him or the Ministry or the Board. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As BJP members protested, Fransisco Sardinha who was in the Chair, ruled "there should be no allegations without substantiation".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Besides Mukherjee, Congress President Sonia Gandhi was present during the heated exchanges between Maneka Gandhi and Azad. However, Sonia was not present when voting took place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Adhir Chowdhury (Cong), while supporting the bill, countered opposition charges on corruption but his remarks were expunged by the Chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He said "a mountain was sought to be made out of a molehill" as the legislation was only meant to extend the tenure of the MCI Board by a year and added "there is nothing to show that the government was hiding anything."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Replying to the debate, Azad said the decision to set up an overarching body - National Commission for Human Resources for Health - was announced in the Presidential Address and a bill was pending with the Standing Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It necessitated the Government to seek an extension to the tenure of the MCI Board of Governors till May next year, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"I have no other option," the Minister said and assured the House that the moment the Standing Committee report is tabled; the Government would push its policy decision and take steps to constitute a democratically elected body.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He also said that MCI will not be dissolved and autonomous institutions like MCI, Nursing Council of India and Dental Council of India will be subsumed under the umbrella NCHRH.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When the Minister moved the Bill for passage, the opposition sought division.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Apprehending defeat of the bill on the floor of the House, government managers including Home Minister P Chidambaram, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, and Azad were seen talking to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. -- NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Uproar over Scam Charges in Grant of Medical College Licences

NEW DELHI   (NNN-PTI) -- Uproarious scenes were witnessed in Lok Sabha on Monday with BJP member Maneka Gandhi having heated exchanges wi...

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India: Govt. Cracks Down on Ration Mafia

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">RAMPUR (NNN-PTI): Taking a strong view of rampant black marketing and hoarding of essential commodities, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the concerned authorities to take stringent action against the ration mafia in the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"Poor people in Uttar Pradesh are being deprived of their right to avail cheaper ration under public distribution system due to black marketeers," state Urban Development minister Mohd Azam Khan told reporters here Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Complaints have been received from citizens regarding such illegal operations, he said, adding that any official found showing laxity in their work in this regard would be "severely punished." -NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Govt. Cracks Down on Ration Mafia

  RAMPUR (NNN-PTI): Taking a strong view of rampant black marketing and hoarding of essential commodities, the Uttar Pradesh government ha...

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India: Government Denies Allegations

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">New Delhi (PIB) --- The Indian government has denied the Allegations that have been made regarding the proposal of M/s Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, Mauritius (a wholly owned subsidiary of M/s Maxis Communications Berhad) to acquire 73.99 per cent equity in M/s Aircel Ltd was delayed by the then Finance Minister in order to benefit certain persons. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Indian government has said that the allegations are totally baseless. In a press statement, the government has made it clear that the records of the FIPB have been perused and they reveal the following: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On 6.1.2006, the applicant, M/s Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd acquired 26 per cent equity in M/s Aircel Ltd through the automatic route. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On 30.1.2006, the applicant applied for enhancing its equity in M/s Aircel Ltd from 26 per cent to 73.99 per cent. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The application was processed in the normal course and the Ministries and Departments concerned took the normal time of 4 to 6 weeks to offer their comments. The proposal was included in the agenda notes circulated on 17.2.2006. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On 7.3.2006, the matter was placed before the meeting of the FIPB. DoT conveyed its support to the proposal at the meeting. FIPB recommended the proposal for approval on 7.3.2006 and file was moved by Deputy Secretary on 10.3.2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The minutes of the FIPB meeting were placed before the then Finance Minister on 13.3.2006 and he approved the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The formal letter of approval was issued by the Ministry of Finance on 20.3.2006. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The press statement says that from the facts stated above, it will be abundantly clear that there was no delay whatsoever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Government Denies Allegations

New Delhi (PIB) --- The Indian government has denied the Allegations that have been made regarding the proposal of M/s Global Communicatio...

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India: Anna Hazare Denies Rift in His Team

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">  </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">NEW DELHI (NNN-UNI) -- Social activist Anna Hazare today denied that there is any rift among his team members on joint campaign with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev or any other matter. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">A major rift emerged in Team Anna yesterday after core committee member Mufti Shameen Kazmi was expelled for allegedly recording audio of the proceedings of the committee's meeting.</span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Team Anna said Kazmi was expelled after he was found recording the proceedings and using a mobile phone to send out the audio recordings. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">However, Kazmi accused Team Anna of targetting him and alleged that the team has become political and key team members Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have been 'hijacking' all the issues. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">"There is no rift among us. A team member leaked information yesterday and there was a problem. People in the team asked why he did so. He said he would not come back," Mr Hazare told reporters. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">He also said there were no differences in the team over the anti-corruption campaign with Baba Ramdev. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Mr Hazare further said his team fully supports Baba Ramdev's campaign against corruption and black money and the Yoga guru has also been supporting the team. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The Gandhian said during his countrywide tour, he will share stage with Baba Ramdev wherever they meet. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">However, he said, there will be no joint tour with the Yoga guru. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Mr Hazare and Baba Ramdev had decided that they will sit on a one day token fast in Delhi on June 3. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /> </span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Mr Hazare will tour Maharashtra state from May 1 on the issue of Lokayukta and also launch countrywide tour to make the people aware of Jan Lokpal Bill. --NNN-UNI </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Anna Hazare Denies Rift in His Team

   NEW DELHI (NNN-UNI) -- Social activist Anna Hazare today denied that there is any rift among his team members on joint campaign with Yo...

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India: Bihar CM Wants Probe into World Bank Report on Corruption

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">KOLKATA, India (NNN-Bernama) -- India's eastern state Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday demanded a high-level probe into a World Bank report highlighting corruption and fraud in national highway projects funded by the bank. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It is a serious issue. There should be a high-level investigation into it," Xinhua news agency quoted the minister as saying. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kumar, who has declared a war on corruption in Bihar, said the central government must 'act fast to expose those who are held responsible, if the charges are true.' <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The World Bank's revelation is something that affects all of us as fraud activities in national highway projects would have hit everyone," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to a report by World Bank, private contractors had offered bribes to officials of the National Highway Authority of India to obtain contracts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The World Bank's Institutional Integrity Unit has sought a thorough probe into the matter, reports said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The investigation is likely to further highlight concerns about corruption in development projects and increase pressure on outgoing President Robert Zoellick to tackle shortcomings in the bank's oversight of projects. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Bihar CM Wants Probe into World Bank Report on Corruption

KOLKATA, India (NNN-Bernama) -- India's eastern state Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday demanded a high-level probe into ...

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India: Asked Army Chief to Act, But He Did Not - Antony

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI): Facing a storm over Army chief's allegation about bribe offer, defence minister AK Antony has appeared to blame General VK Singh for the inaction, saying he had been asked to act but he did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Antony confirmed that the Army chief had told him about retired Lt-Gen. Tejinder Singh allegedly offering him bribe of Rs 14 crore, which he heard with “shock”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Admitting that he “could have acted” when Gen. Singh told him about the bribe offer, Mr Antony said as a minister “I cannot act just on a complaint...I did not get any written complaint at any stage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He told the House that he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports yesterday and promised that nobody would be spared, howsoever, powerful that person may be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date (Army officials) knows because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment,” the minister said on Gen. Singh's allegation in an interview that he was offered bribe for consideration of “sub-standard” vehicles and he informed the minister about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Recalling the incident, the minister said the Army chief had told him that “retired General Tejender Singh” met him and offered Rs 14 crore bribe. “I was shocked... It took me one to two minutes to regain my composure. Then I told him to take action but he told me I do not want to pursue it. I don't know why he did not want to pursue it at that time,” Antony said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With regard to questions on his own inaction in the sensational matter, Antony said: “I acted on my judgment. If I am wrong, you may punish me. I think I have done my best.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The minister said it has been his policy to take action even on anonymous complaints but in this case there was nothing in writing. He was responding to questions by Opposition members as to why he did not act despite the matter being brought to his notice by none other than the Army chief. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The minister also said he cannot ignore even an anonymous complaint. “I am very clear. That is my approach...it is my priority. If a written complaint, even if anonymous, was received, I used to forward it for inquiry,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said Opposition did not question the minister's integrity but wondered why neither Antony nor the Army chief took any action on the development that took place in September last.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Is this an issue on which both of them should have put blinkers on their eyes and not inquired into the matter at all,” Jaitley said, when the subject matter was even orally brought to the notice of defence minister by the Army chief. Jaitley said Opposition was with him if he wanted to “cleanse” the system but there should be a judicious balance with respect to procurements as the country could “not be left unprepared”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The CBI, meanwhile, is likely to ask for a formal complaint from the Army chief to swing a 'sub-standard' defence deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Agency sources today said action would be initiated after getting a formal complaint from Gen. Singh.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They said besides the complaint, he would also have to provide other details like date of meeting with the lobbyist, a possible witness list and supporting documents among other details in the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The sources said the agency has not registered any formal inquiry in the case so far and any action would be initiated after a formal communique from the Gen. Singh is received.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They said they have received a “reference” from the defence ministry to probe the matter and it has been processed as per the laid down procedure. The agency sources said a preliminary inquiry or an FIR could be registered soon after completion of the procedural requirements. -NNN-PTI</span></div></div>

India: Asked Army Chief to Act, But He Did Not - Antony

NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI): Facing a storm over Army chief's allegation about bribe offer, defence minister AK Antony has appeared to blame Ge...

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New Corruption Allegations Rock Indian Government

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By Anjana Pasricha from New Delhi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In India, authorities will investigate new allegations of corruption after the head of the army said he was offered a bribe by a defense equipment lobbyist. Meanwhile, an activist is trying to revive an anti-graft movement which received a huge outpouring of support last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Allegations probe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Parliament erupted in furor because of the allegations by army Chief V.K. Singh that he was offered a bribe to clear the purchase of 600 substandard vehicles. Defense Minister A.K. Antony quickly ordered a probe. “It’s a serious allegation,” he stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">General Singh told the Hindu newspaper that a man had what he described as the “gumption" to walk up to the general and tell him he would be paid about $2.8 million, if he approved the contract. Singh did not name the lobbyist, but says the man had recently retired from the armed forces. Singh says the lobbyist claimed that people had taken money from him before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The army chief told a television interviewer that he had reported the offer to the defense minister, who was stunned. He said both he and the minister have tried to ensure transparency in defense procurement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But General Singh says it will take more drastic surgery to eliminate what has spread like a cancer through the Indian system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Singh said the army already has 7,000 of the vehicles in question, which he says were purchased over the years at an exorbitant price. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Damage control<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Some observers questioned the timing of the army chief’s revelation. General Singh was recently involved in a spat with the government about his retirement age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The latest allegations will further dent the image of a government which is struggling to quell public anger about a series of bribery scandals. Fury caused by alleged kickbacks involving billions of dollars fueled huge public protests led by anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare seven months ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hazare is demanding the creation of an independent anti-corruption agency that would be known as Lokpal. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But Hazare’s anti-corruption movement appeared to run out of steam in December, when his hunger strike because of the government’s failure to establish a Lokpal drew hardly any crowds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hazare is now attempting to revive the movement. On Sunday, he staged another protest in New Delhi, saying he is ready "to fight again.” He says the government must enact a law to establish the anti-corruption agency by 2014, or face defeat in general elections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hazare says he wants the law for the sake of the nation and the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The government has drafted a Lokpal bill, but it has failed to win support from opposition parties and Hazare calls it toothless. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met leaders of political parties last week and said that he is committed to finding a consensus on the anti-corruption bill. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

New Corruption Allegations Rock Indian Government

By Anjana Pasricha from New Delhi In India, authorities will investigate new allegations of corruption after the head of the army said he ...

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Indian PM Meets Party Leaders Over Anti-Graft Bill

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday made it clear to leaders of various political parties that the central government is committed to setting up an effective Lokpal (Ombudsman). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Our government stands committed to an effective Lokpal legislation," said the prime minister who called the meeting in an effort to evolve consensus over the controversial anti-graft Lokapl Bill. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defense Minister A.K. Antony, apart from leaders of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Communist Party of India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lokpal Bill was passed by Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, in the last winter session. It still has to go through the procedures in Rajya Sabha or the Upper House. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Opposition parties have proposed 97 amendments to the bill in Rajya Sabha some of which were contentious. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Indian government is keen on passing the Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha although the opposition and social activists have renewed pressure on the issue.--NNN-XINHUA</span><br /> </div>

Indian PM Meets Party Leaders Over Anti-Graft Bill

NEW DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday made it clear to leaders of various political parties that the cen...

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India: Anna Supporters Show Black Flags to PM Outside Golden Temple

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">AMRITSAR, India (NNN-UNI) -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here this morning, was shown black flags by anti-corruption crusader Anna's supporters when he came out of the Temple complex. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Some supporters of Hazare, who were waiting outside the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Golden</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> complex, waved black flags and shouted slogan in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill as Dr Singh came out of the shrine. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The protesters were later dispersed by the security men. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Dr Singh, who arrived here last evening, reached the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Golden</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> along with his wife Gursharan Kaur around 0615 hours this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">After paying their obeisance, the couple sat in the sanctum sanctorum and heard the Shabd Kirtan (holy hymns) for some time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Prime Minister was presented siropas (robe of honour) by head granthi Jasvinder Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">He spent about an hour in the Golden temple premises. -- NNN-UNI<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div></div>

India: Anna Supporters Show Black Flags to PM Outside Golden Temple

AMRITSAR, India (NNN-UNI) -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here this morning, was shown black fla...

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India: Cong Says Lokpal Bill Not Dead, Will Be Back Soon

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NEW DELHI</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> (NNN-PTI) --Smarting under Opposition attack over the issue of Lokpal Bill, Congress today insisted that the measure is not dead and will be back soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"The Lokpal Bill is certainly not dead. It is not even in ICU or Emergency. It is merely under rest and recovery (R and R) and it will be back soon," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.--NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Related News Item:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">INDIA</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">: TEAM ANNA'S CORE COMMITTEE MEETING POSTPONED <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">MUMBAI, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> Dec 31 (NNN-PTI) -- The core committee meeting of Team Anna, scheduled to be held at Ralegan Siddhi on Jan 2 and 3, has been postponed due to Anna's ill health, his aides said today. --NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div></div>

India: Cong Says Lokpal Bill Not Dead, Will Be Back Soon

NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI) --Smarting under Opposition attack over the issue of Lokpal Bill, Congress today insisted that the measure is not dea...

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