Communalism, terrorism a big challenge to national unity: PM

Describing communalism and terrorism as a big challenge, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the country gets a "bad name" because of some "misguided" people and asked the nation to jointly fight the menace.

"Communalism and terrorism have become a big challenge to our unity and integrity. Some misguided people of our society encourage them. But due to this, our whole society and country get a bad name. To face this challenge we will have to work together. We need to be vigilant at all times," Singh said.

He was speaking at a function held to confer the National Communal Harmony Awards.
"In our country, there has been a strong tradition of mutual tolerance and communal brotherhood. Respecting our unity and integrity is an important part of our culture. We have to keep up this tradition," he said.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister said our desire for unity can be achieved only when we have a feeling of large-heartedness and love towards each other.
"It is our pious duty that we contribute to improving the social relations between different communities. In our country, peace and communal harmony is possible only with the active participation of our citizens," he said.
He insisted that all citizens should spread the message of tolerance and mutual brotherhood in all parts and corners of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Hamid Ansari said the country needed a pervasive preventive approach to communal disharmony and a conscious programme of fostering communal harmony.

"The state has no choice but to intervene in instances of communal disharmony. Such interventions can either be preventive or corrective in nature. The general focus has remained on corrective steps due to the intense focus and interest in the wake of incidents of communal disharmony," Ansari said.

He maintained that while this is necessary, it is not sufficient.

"We need a pervasive preventive approach to communal disharmony and a conscious programme of fostering communal harmony." (ST-29/07)

Hanif Khan Shastri, Lokesh Muni gets Communal harmony awards

Vice President Hamid Ansari on Friday conferred the National Communal Harmony Award on Mohammad Hanif Khan Shastri, Acharya Lokesh Muni and the Centre for Human Rights and Social Harmony for promoting the cause of national integration and amity among communities
Shastri, who works with Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, has endeavoured to promote communal harmony by highlighting similarities between Hindu and Muslim religions through his unique literary contributions in Hindi and Sanskrit. He was conferred the award for the year 2009.
Through his works, Shastri has tried to show similarities between the Quran and Hindu mythology.
Acharya Muni is the Founder President of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, a Delhi based voluntary organisation, which aims at promoting non-violence, peace, communal harmony, working against female foeticide and drug addiction and providing help during natural calamities. He was given the award for 2010.
He had worked to de-escalate Hindu Muslim strife after the Jama Masjid explosion in 2006 and tension between Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikh community in 2007.
The Centre for Human Rights and Social Welfare, which was conferred the award for 2009, is a Jaipur based social organisation which has been working for human rights, communal harmony and national integration apart from working for the homeless persons, welfare of women, footpath dwellers, rehabilitation of the needy and deprived persons.
It is also active in holding blood donation camps, solving drinking water problems, providing shelter for destitute women from different communities and promoting fraternity and social harmony.
Speaking on the occasion, Ansari said, "The state has no choice but to intervene in instances of communal disharmony. Such interventions can either be preventive or corrective in nature. The general focus has remained on corrective steps due to the intense focus and interest in the wake of incidents of communal disharmony."
He maintained that while this is necessary, it is not sufficient.
"We need a pervasive preventive approach to communal disharmony and a conscious programme of fostering communal harmony."
Home Minister Chidambaram said the National Communal Harmony Award was constituted in 1996 to recognise the contribution of those individuals and organisations who have worked to further the cause of communal harmony and national integration.

SC suspends mining activity in Bellary

In the midst of a political upheaval in Karnataka, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered immediate suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district of the state saying "over-exploitation" of the area has caused large-scale environmental degradation.

"We are of the view that the mining of iron ore in Bellary be suspended immediately till further orders," a special bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kadia said.

The court said the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) will, meanwhile, come out with an interim report on the requirement of the iron ore for the country's steel industry.

Secondly, the bench said, the MoEF will also spell out as to how much of iron ore is required for the domestic industry and how much needs to be imported.

The court issued the directions accepting Attorney General G E Vahanvati's submission that the MoEF will come out with the report in consultation with other ministries concerned -- mines, steel and commerce.

The bench passed the order after perusing the latest report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which had said that the illegal mining was going on not only in a rampant manner, but it was also causing irreversible environmental degradation.

The court took environmental degradation into account for suspending the mining activities in Bellary.

India inks defence cooperation pact with Mongolia

Giving a fillip to its ties with Mongolia, India on Thursday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the northeast Asian country and announced that it would extend a USD 20 million Line of Credit for a joint IT, education and outsourcing centre to be set up in Ulaanbaatar. 

India and Mongolia also inked two pacts on media exchanges and cooperation between their planning commissions in the presence of President Pratibha Patil, who is in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on a three-day visit.

Patil is the first Indian President to visit Mongolia in 23 years.

After her half-an-hour restricted talks with this country's leadership, Patil said her parleys with President Tsakhia Elbegdorj were held in a warm, friendly and cordial atmosphere.

"My visit seeks to strengthen our relationship, building upon the momentum generated by the visit of President Elbegdorj to India in September 2009, when our ties were expanded to a comprehensive partnership," she said.

"We have signed an agreement of cooperation between the Planning Commission of India and its Mongolian counterpart. There is considerable expertise on plan formulation and implementation in India. We look forward to sharing our experience in this area with Mongolia," Patil said.

A bilateral defence cooperation agreement was also signed, she said.

"...India is willing and ready to expand collaboration in this sphere."

Besides, she said that New Delhi will extend a Line of Credit of USD 20 million for the 'IndiaMongolia Joint Information Technology, Education and Outsourcing Centre' to be established in Ulaanbaatar.

The two countries also discussed ways to further cooperation in the peaceful use of radioactive minerals and nuclear energy.

"We also agreed to explore the possibilities of improving air connectivity between our two countries so as to enhance contacts between our peoples, including through tourism," Patil said.

With an MoU on media exchanges signed between the two governments, "we can now hope to see more media persons from Mongolia in India. We will also send more Indian journalists here," she said.

The agreements were signed in a grand hall at the National Assembly.

Patil, who arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday following her three-day visit to South Korea, visited the historic Sukhbaatar square on Thursday and offered floral tributes to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Ulaanbaatar.

Members of the Indian community sang a song in praise of the Father of the Nation.

The President was given a ceremonial welcome by the Mongolian security services personnel at the Sukhbaatar square, which has a grand statue of Genghis Khan.

She took salute from the force during the grand ceremony and said 'thank you' in Mongolian language, which was applauded by a number of people present at the event, including politicians and officials.

Mongolia is celebrating the "Year of Anniversaries", including the 805th anniversary of the establishment of the Great Mongolian State under the leadership of the legendary Genghis Khan and 90th anniversary of the Mongolian Independence and Sovereignty.

Patil stressed on reviving Mongolia's contacts with Nalanda University, which is being rejuvenated as a regional seat of learning and excellence, in particular of Buddhist studies.

"It is encouraging that we also share other values such as democracy, rule of law and upholding the rights of the individual. This forms the bedrock of our bilateral cooperation," Patil said.

"My discussions with President Elbegdorj today were wide-ranging and covered the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well regional and global issues of mutual interest," she said.

India will also upgrade and modernise the Rajiv Gandhi Art and Production School as well as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology in Ulaanbaatar.

"We will complete this work soon. Further, we have agreed to work together on a joint IndiaMongolia School," Patil said.

Mongolia is spread in an area of 1.565 million square km and has a population of about 2.7 million.

About 92 per cent of its population follows Buddhism and the country shares its border with China and Russia.

India and Mongolia are good trading partners.

India exports pharma products, veterinary medicines, automobiles and their parts to this country and the bilateral trade has touched USD 16.9 million.

India has also decided to increase the number of slots available to Mongolia under the Indian Technical Education Cooperation (ITEC) Programme to 150.

"The number of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships available to Mongolia will be increased to 50. India will assist in human resource development and capacity building efforts of Mongolia," Patil said.

Extending her support to Mongolia "in any way," she thanked the country for backing India's bid for the permanent membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council.

Cabinet approves Draft Lokpal Bill, PM not within perview

hree months after the civil society initiated a movement, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the Lokpal Bill keeping the office of Prime Minister outside its purview during his term in office and also excluded higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament.

The bill, which has included some of the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna Hazare, gives permission to Lokpal to probe any Union Minister or officials of Group A and above without any sanction.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh insisted that his office be included in the legislation, but the Cabinet decided otherwise, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the meeting.

She said the Prime Minister was heard with "great respect" but the ministers discussed the "pitfalls" of such a proposal including its possible adverse effect on the stability of a government and creation of uncertainty.

The bill will be introduced in Parliament in the first two days of the Monsoon session beginning August one.

The Lokpal consisting of Chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions.

While the Chairperson would be a sitting or retired Chief Justice of India, the members would include former or sitting judges of Supreme Court or Chief Justices of the High Court, Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who was also present with Soni and Minister of State in PMO V Narayanaswamy, said.

Persons with "impeccable integrity", with 25 years of experience in administration who has dealt with corruption and vigilance, would also form part of the Lokpal, he said.

The institution would inquire into allegations of corruption in respect of the Prime Minister "only after he demits office".

Besides, it would also take up corruption matters allegedly involving Ministers, MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, Board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.

The Lokpal would not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed.

The Lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means.
Claiming credit for bringing in the much-debated legislation, Soni said the issue was part of the manifestos of the Congress party and the UPA-I government as was the Right to Information and the rural employment guarantee scheme.

"With this, another major commitment is being fulfilled."

The time limitation of a corruption case would be seven years from the date it is registered, Khurshid said, adding that there was no time-bar so far as Prevention of Corruption Act was concerned.

"This is a special and important provision that has been made. It would ensure accountability and transparency and will not adversely affect governance and administration".

"We don't want to give people unlimited protection, neither do we want to throw them to the wolves," he said.

To questions on the selection of the Lokpal, the Law Minister said a nine-member selection panel, headed by the Prime Minister, would be created.

It would include, among others, the Speaker, the Leaders of Opposition of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, one Minister and eminent jurists.

Lokpal, which would have a five-year tenure, would not have the power to prosecute.

It would recommend prosecution to the Supreme Court, he said.

Regarding accountability in judiciary, Khurshid said the judicial standards and accountability bill was already before the Standing Committee and the government expected to table it in the House in this session itself.

The issue of accountability in judiciary has to be dealt with separately keeping in mind the autonomy of judiciary, the Minister said.

Legislations on protection of whistleblowers and Chief Vigilance Commission would also be tabled in the Monsoon Session, he said.

Asked how would a Lokpal be removed or impeach, Narayanswamy said it would be done by the President on a reference to the Supreme Court.

Kandahar mayor killed in a suicide bomb blast

The mayor of Kandahar was assassinated on Wednesday by a suicide bomber who hid explosives in his turban, the third top-ranking official to be slain this month, Afghan officials said. 

Mayor Ghulam Haider Hamidi, who was 65 years old, had been mentioned as a person to replace President Hamid Karzai's powerful half brother, gunned down July 12 in his heavily fortified home in Kandahar by a close associate.

The assassination of Ahmed Wali Karzai set off a power struggle in Kandahar and raised doubts about the strength of the president's support in the south as well as the stability of the critical area for the US-led war effort.

Five days later, Karzai's inner circle suffered another blow when gunmen strapped with explosives killed Jan Mohammad Khan, an adviser to the president on tribal issues and a former governor of Uruzgan province in the south.

A member of parliament also was killed in the July 17 attack at Khan's home in Kabul.

Today's blast took place at a government building in the heart of Kandahar city.

Zalmai Ayubi, spokesman for Kandahar provincial governor, said one civilian also was killed and another civilian and a security guard were wounded in the explosion.

"The suicide bomber put explosives inside his turban," said Sher Shah Yousafzai, deputy police chief in Kandahar province.

"As soon as the mayor came to work, the attacker detonated his explosives."

Bismullah Afghan Mal, a member of the upper house of parliament from Kandahar, confirmed the mayor's death.

Kandahar police officials said Hamidi traveled yesterday to a district in the city where there was a dispute about the construction of houses.

They said the attacker infiltrated the group that came today to talk to the mayor about that issue.

New Delhi and Islamabad agree to cooperate to eliminate terrorism

India and Pakistan on Wednesday announced additional Confidence Building Measures related to Kashmir, including increasing cross-LoC trading days and expanding travel to include tourism and religious aspects. 

After the "satisfactory" talks between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, the two sides also decided to relax permit conditions for travel by people of Jammu and Kashmir to the other side of LoC by having a system of six-month multiple entry.

The two ministers discussed Jammu and Kashmir, counter-terrorism measures, including progress in the Mumbai attacks trial in Pakistan, humanitarian issues, commercial and economic cooperation, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek, Siachen, peace and security including CBMs and promotion of friendly exchanges.

They also agreed to convene separate meetings of the expert groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs, in Islamabad in September 2011.

"The Ministers held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences," said a joint statement issued after the talks.

Krishna later said, "I must say that I am satisfied at the progress achieved in this round of the resumed dialogue. The outcomes have been as per our expectations...While being fully cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead, I can confidently say that our relations are on the right track."

On Jammu and Kashmir, Krishna said they will continue discussions with a view to finding a peaceful solution by "narrowing divergences and building convergences".

Expressing satisfaction at the outcome of talks, he said the two sides decided that the Foreign Ministers will meet again in Islamabad in the first half of 2012 to review progress in the dialogue process.

"We are listening carefully to each other and giving serious consideration to the ideas and proposals from both sides that are on the table. I am also confident about our future course of our relations, which has to be normalised for peace progress and prosperity of our two countries and the region," the External Affairs Minister said.

"This is indeed a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and it is our desire and I believe after having spoken to you (Krishna), that it is the desire and commitment of both the governments to make it an uninterrupted and an uninterpretable process," Khar said.

"We have expressed our satisfaction on holding of subject specific meetings during the last five months. We have agreed that the process should continue and in fact there is no alternative to dialogue and constructive engagement," she said in a brief press stake-out after the meeting.

She said, "a new generation of India and Pakistan will see a relationship which is going to be much different then the one we experienced in the last few decades."

Khar, the youngest and first woman Foreign Minister of Pakistan, said they should make every effort possible to narrowing down divergences and building convergences.

"It is important that a responsible state we take ownership of our own affairs. In the recent months we have seen an intensification of contacts at different levels between both the countries," she said.

Rao-Bashir talks 'positive'; Khar hopes to 'move forward'

Foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan on Tuesday held "positive" talks on key issues setting the stage for Wednesday's meeting between their ministers S M Krishna and Hina Rabbani Khar

Khar(34), the youngest and the first women Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on her arrival in New Delhi said she hoped India and Pakistan can "move forward" as good neighbours.

The two foreign secretaries had "very cordial and positive discussions", an official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said after the parleys between Nirupama Rao and Salman Bashir, who also finalised the agenda for Wednesday's talks.

The spokesman said they reviewed the progress in talks between different Ministries and organizations of the two countries in the preceding months.

The two officials will brief their respective ministers of their discussions ahead of the Krishna-Khar meeting, he said.

Rao and Bashir are understood to have finalised a slew of CBMs designed to expand cross-LoC travel and trade in Jammu and Kashmir apart from holding discussions on terror including progress in Pakistan in the probe into 2008 Mumbai attack and ISI's links with Kashmiri separatists.

India is also understood to have handed over to the Pakistani delegation the revised list of 'most wanted' fugitives which contains 48 names.

"..hope that these two countries have learnt lessons from history, but are not burdened by history and we can move forward as good, friendly neighbours who have stake in each other's future and both the countries understand their responsibilities to the region and within the region."

Besides reviewing the progress made by India and Pakistan on various bilateral issues during the series of meetings, including security, commerce, water and Siachen, Krishna and Khar will also explore areas to expand the cooperation.

The ministers will also explore the possibility to upgrade the engagement in some areas such as commerce and security to the ministerial level, sources said.

Khar told reporters in Lahore before leaving for India that Pakistan is looking forward to a "pro-active, productive and result-oriented" engagement with India on all issues, including Kashmir on which "we should not be held hostage to history".

She however said both countries have committed to an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible" peace process since they began their re-engagement earlier this year.

Ahead of the meeting, Bashir said, "I think we have every reason to be satisfied with our joint endeavours for the cause of peace and stability and for the good relations between our two countries."

"We had a very good meeting in Islamabad last month and this in a sense has set the trend for the discussions today," said Rao.

Bashir said he looked forward to a "productive meeting between the two ministers".

Rao was accompanied Foreign Secretary-designate Ranjan Mathai, Y K Sinha, joint secretary in charge of Pakistan in MEA, Sharat Sabharwal, India's high commissioner to Pakistan and other senior officials.

Led by Bashir, the Pakistani delegation included Zehra Akbari, Director General, South Asia, in Pakistan's Foreign Office and Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.

The cross-LoC CBMs likely to be announced include increasing the frequency of bus links between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, easing of permit regulations and increase in the number of trading days across the LoC.

India-Pak Foreign Ministerial talks on Wednesday
Building on the official-level talks, Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan will meet in New Delhi  on July 27 to discuss all aspects of the bilateral relations, particularly focussing on issues like terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, trade and promotion of bilateral exchanges.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and newly-appointed Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Kher will hold day-long talks.

It will be preceded by a meeting of Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on July 26, it was officially announced today by the External Affairs Ministry. A similar statement was issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad.

A host of key issues including Jammu and Kashmir, India's concerns over terror, Siachen, Sir Creek, trade, confidence-building measures and people-to-people contact will be discussed.

At the talks, India is expected to raise concern over the slow pace of 2008 Mumbai attack probe and trial in Pakistan.

The issue of Mumbai attacks came up during the talks between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistan counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad last month.

In the meeting, India had pressed for "satisfactory closure" of the trial in Pakistan of Mumbai terror attack accused, saying it would help in normalisation of ties.

After a break since 26/11 attack, the two countries in February decided to resume talks on all bilateral issues, which were earlier being discussed under Composite Dialogue.

Subsequently, talks were held at levels of Defence, Interior and Commerce Secretaries and other official levels.

Lokayukta to submit report today, debate on BSY's future

Amid intense speculation on the fate of the indicted Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde will submit his report on mining scam to the State government on Wednesday.

All eyes would be on the BJP central leadership's decision on whether it would ask Yeddyurappa, widely credited with building the party in the State in the last three decades culminating in installation of its first government in the south, to quit or not.The report, running into thousands of pages, is slated to be handed over to the Chief Secretary S V Ranganath.

The embattled Yeddyurappa, who rode out the storm earlier -whether it's challenge to his leadership by dissidents or allegations of de-notification of land -in his three-year tenure, has said he would study the report once it's given and will "take appropriate action".
Besides Yeddyurappa, the Lokayukta's final report on illegal mining has indicted four Ministers including Reddy brothers -G Janardhana and G Karunakara -and B Sriramulu, all from mineral-rich Bellary district.
The findings put the loss to state exchequer because of illegal mining between March 2009 and April 2010 at more than Rs 1,800 crore.
Yeddyurappa, who held confabulations with loyalist ministers and senior party leaders today, has maintained he would continue as Chief Minister for another two years, till the end of his term, but has also said he would abide by the decision of the party high-command.
Yeddyurappa has said he would meet the central leaders once the Lokayukta submits his report.
To a question, Hegde told the news agency that the Governor H R Bhardwaj has not sought a copy of the report.
The Governor, perceived as being "hostile" by a section of BJP leaders, said on Sunday he would send a report to the President Pratibha Patil once the illegal mining report "comes on record"

Former PM Indira Gandhi honoured with B'desh's highest award

Bangladesh on Monday conferred its highest state award posthumously on former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her outstanding contribution to the country's 1971 'Liberation War'. 

Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi, the daughter-in-law of the assassinated prime minister, received the "Bangladesh Swadhinata Sanmanona" from President Zillur Rahman at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and nearly 1,000 top dignitaries.

"By her (Indira Gandhi) political wisdom and vision, she influenced the course of history and the fate of generations," Rahman said while handing over the posthumous award.

"I recall with highest gratitude her strong support for the independence of Bangladesh... by honoring Srimati Indira Gandhi for her noble contribution for our freedom, we honor ourselves and revisit the epic of our war of liberation," he said.

The crest weighing three kilograms is designed on 400-year-old terracotta of a 'Kadam tree' made of gold. Sonia, who arrived here yesterday on a 24-hour visit, said the award bestowed on the former Indian premier was an honour for India too.

"The honour is not hers (Indira Gandhi) alone, it's India's," Sonia said receiving the award.

The UPA chairperson said she was humbled to accept the honour on behalf of the former prime minister "with a very full heart".

"I know she would have been overwhelmed by the high honour you have bestowed on her," she said.

In a visibly nostalgic tone, Sonia said "memories and emotions flood (my) mind".

She paid rich tributes to her late mother-in law as well as Bangladeshs founding leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sonia ended her brief statement on the occasion with: "Joy Bangla", the Bangladeshi slogan during the historic 1971 independence struggle.

Indira Gandhi made crucial contribution to the independence of Bangladesh. She traveled across the world to mobilise support for the people of East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh, amid a massive crackdown on civilians by the Pakistan Army.

President Rahman said Indira Gandhi had inspired millions of Bangladeshis and Indians to fight against oppression and injustices.

"Even after forty years, she remains as a beckon of hope and strength to all of us who aspire to make Bangladesh a true Sonar Bangla, dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasina paid glowing tributes to Indian soldiers of Bangladesh-India Friendship Forces as well as to Indira Gandhi for their sacrifices for Bangladesh's liberation movement.

"I personally (am) grateful to the Indian government and Mrs Indira Gandhi for providing shelter to my sister Sheikh Rehana and my family after the brutal assassination of my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 along with our most of the family members," a visibly moved Hasina said.

"That was really an invaluable support of Mrs Gandhi like a guardian extended to us during our time of distress," she added.

Ahead of the grand ceremony, Sonia had a 25-minute meeting with the President Rahman where Prime Minister Hasina joined them.

Later, they walked through the hallway of the presidential palace which was decorated with rare pictures of Indira Gandhi with Sheikh Mujib when she visited Bangladesh in 1972, months after its independence.

The three were then ceremonially escorted to the Darbar Hall of the presidential palace for the award ceremony. The dignitaries witnessed a video documentary with rare footages of Sheikh Mujib and Indira Gandhi at the end of which Sonia was handed over the award. So far the former Indian premier is the lone recipient of the honour.

The cabinet last week also decided to acknowledge the contribution of 47 other "foreign friends" and five international organisations who would be honoured in December. The government also plans to rechristen an important road in the memory of the assassinated Indian prime minister.

A separate monument would also be built to honour Indian defence personnel martyred in the 1971 war. India had to face a huge refugee crisis as an estimated one crore people fled their homes to evade atrocities by the Pakistani troops.

According to official figures, Pakistani troops, aided by local collaborators, killed an estimated 30 lakh people and raped about 2 lakh women during the bloody nine-month guerrilla war.

On March 26, 1971, Bangladesh - then East Pakistan - declared its independence from West Pakistan. The Pakistan Army surrendered to the allied forces of the Indian army and the Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971, which resulted in Bangladesh becoming an independent nation.

Sonia, Hasina vow to root out terrorism

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday lauded Bangladesh's efforts to root out terrorism in the region and vowed to work with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to thwart the scourge.

Sonia Gandhi praised Bangladesh initiatives to combat terrorism and uproot militancy but said the countries in South Asia need to join their hands to thwart its threats" as she held a meeting with Hasina, Bangladesh premier's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told a news agency.

"It's (militancy) not problem of India or Bangladesh alone," Azad quoted the visiting UPA chairperson as saying. During a one-to-one meeting, both the leaders agreed that "due to its gravity and manifestation" it was not possible by a single country to work against terrorism and militancy.

Azad said Hasina called terrorism a major threat to the sustainable development of the regional nations as the two leaders met on the sidelines of an international conference on autism in Dhaka.

Both the leaders, he said, echoed similar sentiment of working together to prevent terrorism and militancy saying that Bangladesh and India were against all sorts of terrorism and militancy that hindered development process of the countries.

Security cooperation, particularly relating to terrorism and insurgency, between India and Bangladesh had figured high on the agenda during the visit of External Affairs Minister S M Krishna earlier this month.

"Both the countries expressed determination to jointly combat the menace of terrorism and insurgency and agreed not to allow their territories to be used by elements inimical to each other," Kishna had said.

Hasina administration had facilitated the arrest and handed over five top leaders of the banned outfit ULFA, including its 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa.

"The two leaders also discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral interests and discussed ways to boost further regional cooperation to face the social menaces and achieve economic progress," Azad said.

Later, receiving an award on behalf of her late mother-in-law Indira Gandhi at the Bangabhaban presidential palace, Gandhi said Bangladesh and India could cooperate with each other in a spirit of mutual respect and equality for greater common good of the two peoples.

"That is what Indira Gandhi would have wanted and this is what I hope we will constantly endeavour to do," she said.

Lokpal Bill to be placed in next Cabinet meeting

Government on Friday said the Lokpal Bill is ready and will be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval in its next meeting where a decision on whether to put the Prime Minister in its purview would be also be taken.

"The Lokpal Bill is now ready and it will be moved to the Cabinet. It will be placed before the Cabinet in the next meeting. As promised by UPA-II, by this government, we shall introduce this Bill as soon as possible in the Monsoon session of Parliament," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

He maintained that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made a promise to the nation on the Lokpal Bill and the government will deliver on that promise.
Asked if the Prime Minister would come within the ambit of the Lokpal as demanded by some political parties and civil society activists led by Anna Hazare, Sibal said, "Some suggestions were given during the all-party meeting. When the matter comes up before the Cabinet, the government will decide."
He, however, clarified that the five ministers, including him, in the Joint Drafting Committee were still of the opinion that the Prime Minister should be kept out of the purview of the Lokpal.
Sibal stated that the Lokpal Bill has provisions whereby any matter not being investigated by any agency like the CBI can go to the Lokpal.
"The Lokpal Bill is coming and we all want that a strong legislation should come in Parliament so that all these issues being raised are handed over to the Lokpal. BJP also wants this and we too want it," he said.
Asked about suggestions made by the civil society members in the Jan Lokpal Bill, Sibal said some points had been accepted and some rejected by the government.

CoS recommends 51 pc FDI in multi-brand retail

A committee of govt secretaries on Friday approved opening up India's multi-brand retail sector to foreign direct investors, a major step towards opening the sector keenly watched by foreign retail giants.

The committee recommended giving foreign firms the chance to take a majority stake of 51% in an investment.

Global retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores, Carrefour, Tesco and Metro AG have long sought greater access to a fast-growing but restrictive Indian retail sector.

The CoS meeting, attended by 10 secretaries, deliberated on the issue for nearly three-hours on Friday.

It is understood to have rejected a proposal that stores with FDI should be asked to sell at least 30 percent of their goods to small retailers.

A few secretaries favoured opening the sector for FDI up to 49 percent only, while the majority favoured 51 percent.

The CoS recommendations came after about a year of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) floating the idea of opening the sector for FDI.

While the CoS has given its recommendations, the Union Cabinet would have to vet it before FDI could be allowed into the sector.

"This was probably the last meeting of CoS on the issue. Now it will go to the Cabinet," sources added.

The DIPP would move the Cabinet note.

Since large stores require huge space and if the same is not available, the CoS opined that the retailer should be allowed to open shop even within 10 km radius of cities with over one million population.

India currently allows 51% FDI in single-brand retail and 100% in wholesale cash-and-carry operations.

An Icrier report had pegged the size of the sector at about $590 billion.

RIL-BP's USD 7.2 bn deal seen as biggest FDI into India

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries' USD 7.2 billion deal with British giant BP Plc, cleared by the government on Friday, is seen as the biggest foreign direct investment into India.

The mega transaction, announced in February, was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

RIL-BP's USD 7.2 billion deal is seen as the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) after Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo's buyout of Ranbaxy Laboratories for USD 4.5 billion in 2008.

Even though there are other bigger-size proposals, most of them are yet to materialise.

For instance, South Korean group Posco's USD 12 billion investment for a steel plant in Orissa is yet to take off.

Similar is the case with ArcelorMittal's around USD 30 billion investment plans across India.

Another mega transaction worth USD 11 billion was between Vodafone and Hutchison-Essar.

However, there was no direct participation of any domestic firm, as the deal was between two foreign firms.

The latest RIL-BP deal, one of the biggest in the Indian energy space, would see Mukesh Ambani firm selling 30 per cent stake in 23 oil and gas blocks to British entity.

"This is the single largest FDI in the history of India," RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani had said earlier.

Interestingly, Reliance Industries' failed attempt in 2010 to take control of petrochemicals major LyondellBasell, was valued at over USD 14 billion.

If the transaction had materialised, it would have been the largest ever by an Indian entity.

Going by estimates, last year alone saw the announcement of over 290 inbound transactions worth over USD 22 billion.

Among them were Vedanta Resources' planned USD 9.6 billion acquisition of a majority stake in Cairn India.

Abbott Laboratories' takeover of health care solutions business of Piramal Healthcare in a USD 3.7 billion deal and Japanese entity JFE Steel Corp's USD 1 billion investment in JSW Steel were among other big transactions.

The NTT DOCOMO-Tata Teleservices joint venture worth USD 2.70 billion also brought in significant FDI inflows into India.

Among the top deals involving Indian entities are USD 10.7-billion Bharti-Zain transaction and Tata's USD 12 billion-buyout of Corus.

Other major transactions involving Indian entities are Hindalco's buyout of Novelis for USD 6 billion and ONGC -Imperial's USD 2.80 billion deal.

Pol parties are being consulted to do away with menace of money power :EC

Amidst opposition allegation of politicisation of bureaucracy in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission on Thursday told senior officers that neutrality was "non-negotiable" in elections.

"Though there was no specific complaint, political parties have pointed out towards politicisation of bureaucracy during their meeting with us. We have told top officials that neutrality is non-negotiable and they should be 100 per cent neutral", Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi told reporters.

Claiming to have successfully controlled use of muscle power in elections, Quraishi said the EC would also check use of money power using its experiences in recent Assembly polls in five states.
"Use of muscle power in elections is history as is the case of booth capturing. Now we will be effectively keeping a tab on use of money power," Quraishi said.
On the demand of some parties for early polls in the state, Quraishi said two parties wanted early polls in January-February citing harvesting season, competitive examinations and excessive heat in the later months as reasons.
"We will take a call on it later. We have to make preparations for four other states as well," he said.
About the trend of paid news during elections, the CEC said the EC was legally examining ways to deal with it.
"We also want to include advertisements shown by political parties in their own channels," he said.

Substantive evidence against CM, others: Lokayukta

In a damning indictment of B S Yeddyurappa, K'taka Lokayukta Santosh N Hegde said there was "substantive" evidence against the CM and others in the "huge racket" of illegal mining that caused a loss of over Rs.1,800 crore to the state in 14 months.

Hegde, who is likely to submit his report by Monday, squarely held Yeddyurappa responsible for the happenings in mineral-rich Bellary where there is a "mafia-like situation" with every official being involved.

Quickly upping the ante, Congress demanded Yeddyurappa's resignation while the Left parties said he has has lost all moral and constitutional right to continue in office.

"The immediate resignation of the Chief Minister should be the starting," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said in Delhi.

He said every other minister who has been named should also resign and the state should call for and give consent for a CBI enquiry.

The Lokayukta described the illegal mining scam as huge.

"In the time period of 14 months, it is more than Rs 1800 crore. The time period is between March 2009 to May 2010. It is the loss to the state exchequer. It is loss to the state".

The report has given substantive evidence whether it's the Chief Minister, Ministers and miners in the illegal mining.
"It's a voluminous evidence", he said, adding, the report runs into 4000-5000 pages.

"It's a huge racket. As a matter of fact, the Chief Minister is responsible for what's happening in (mineral rich district of) Bellary because of the fact that the Minister in Charge (of the district G Janardhana Reddy) is owner of a mining company (Obalapuram Mining Company) and a mafia-like situation is created with every official being involved".

They have created a new system altogether by which they could literally bleed other mining companies", Hegde told the news agency.

India, China and US will have to coordinate efforts for more eco cooperation: Clinton

Betting on India's future, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said the country should play a "more assertive" role across Asia-Pacific, noting that this is a "time to lead" by seizing emerging opportunities.

In comments against the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in Asia, Clinton said India's leadership has the potential to positively shape the future of the Asia-Pacific and that the US encourages the country to not just to look east, but continue to engage and "act east" as well.

Clinton, who is the first American top diplomat to visit Chennai during a India trip, also asserted that the bondage outweighed differences in Indo-US ties and that the bilateral relationship would be a defining partnership of the 21st century.

"We have a common commitment to combating terrorism and achieving economic prosperity," she told students and opinion makers at the Anna Centenary Library hall in Chennai.
"It is true we are different countries with different backgrounds. We will from time to time disagree. But we believe our differences are far outweighed by the bondage," Clinton said, addressing students and opinion makers at Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.

Clinton began her address saying "Vanakkam," a vernacular greeting, triggering a round of applause.
Noting that the role she was asking India to play is ambitious, Clinton said, "Yes, it is an ambitious agenda, but we can afford to be ambitious."

"It's time(for India) to lead. It has to do more to integrate economically with neighbors Afghanistan and Pakistan and take a more assertive role across the Asia-Pacific," Clinton said a day after attending the second Indo-US joint strategic dialogue in New Delhi.

"This is not a time when any of us can afford to look inward at the expense of looking outward. This is a time to seize the emerging opportunities of the 21st century. This is a time to lead." she said "We are betting on India's future...that the opening of India's markets to world will produce a more prosperous India and South Asia. We are betting that India's vibrant pluralistic society will inspire others to follow a similar path of tolerance. We are making this bet not out of blind faith but because we have watched your progress with great admiration," she added.

In Clinton's view, the US was not making this bet not out of some blind faith but because it has watched the progress of India with "great admiration.