Political News – Newsletter for February 22, 2011

Are the troubles over JPC over?

NEW DELHI – The government’s decision to agree to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam may lead to another row – who will form the panel which can even question the Indian prime minister.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday promised in the Lok Sabha that the government will set up a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Are the troubles over JPC over?.

Libyan officers urge troops to oust Gaddafi

Cairo, Feb 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A group of Libyan army officers has urged the military to “join the people” and march on the capital Tripoli to oust long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Al Jazeera said Tuesday.

Libya’s airspace was briefly closed late Monday but opened in the early hours of Saturday, allowing an Austrian army transport …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Canadian shelter for Mujib’s killer angers media

TORONTO – The Canadian media has slammed the government for not deporting Bangladeshi fugitive Nur Chowdhury who shot dead Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his extended family in in the August 1975 coup.

A 24-year-old major at that time, Chowdhury has been living in the Etobicoke area of Toronto since 1996.
The 61-year-old assassin, who …. Original source  : Canadian shelter for Mujib’s killer angers media.

Sri Lanka refuses entry to Indian politicians

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has denied access to three Indian politicians who arrived here to take part in the funeral of the slain Tamil Tigers chief’s mother.

The unnamed politicians landed at Sri Lanka’s international airport at Katunayake, near Colombo, but were denied entry, Xinhua reported.
The funeral of Parvathi Velupillai, who passed away Sunday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka refuses entry to Indian politicians.

Budget session of Bihar assembly begins

PATNA – The month-long budget session of the Bihar assembly began here Tuesday with opposition members raising slogans against the government on issues like corruption and deteriorating law and order.

The session began with the customary address by the Bihar governor to the joint sitting of the state legislature.
Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, Lok Janshakti … Original source on Gaea Times at : Budget session of Bihar assembly begins.

Hasina draws flak for poor law and order, high prices

DHAKA – Just over two years into office, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is facing dissent and criticism from some of the party veterans and alliance partners for poor law and order and high prices of essential commodities.

While main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been unrelenting in its criticism of the Hasina government, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cameron branded a disgrace for taking arms dealers on Egypt visit

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron was last night branded a ‘disgrace’ after it emerged that he has taken eight defence firms with him on a four-day visit to the Middle East.

Cameron is the first world leader to visit Egypt since the historic overthrow of President Mubarak.

Cameron said he wanted to offer Britain’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cameron branded a disgrace for taking arms dealers on Egypt visit.

Kashmir’s economic potential should be tapped, interlocutors told

JAMMU – The three interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday got a taste of a traditional Kashmiri breakfast and also a new suggestion – that “economic self-sufficiency” is the way forward for the state.

At a breakfast meeting with the interlocutors, Agriculture Minister and president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party (Nationalist) Ghulam Hassan Mir … Read more : Kashmir’s economic potential should be tapped, interlocutors told.

Libya bloodshed: Defiant Gaddafi says he is in Tripoli

CAIRO/TRIPOLI – Scotching rumours, a defiant Muammar Gaddafi, one of Arab world’s longest ruling leader, appeared on the state TV and insisted he was “in Tripoli and not in Venezuela” Tuesday, a day after a bloody crackdown saw the military launch an airstrike on protesters.

The 68-year-old Gaddafi, who as a young army officer …. Original article  : Libya bloodshed: Defiant Gaddafi says he is in Tripoli.

BJP welcomes PM’s announcement on JPC

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s announcement on agreeing to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj thanked the Prime Minister for the announcement, describing it as a victory for democracy.

“We should not see this as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : BJP welcomes PM’s announcement on JPC.

Christchurch quake toll rises to 65

CHRISTCHURCH – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday said that so far, 65 people have died as a result of the 6.3 Richter Scale earthquake in Christchurch.

Speaking from Christchurch after flying down this afternoon, the New Zealand Herald quoted Key as telling One News that it was likely the quake would prove to …. Source  : Christchurch quake toll rises to 65.

Shutdown in Kashmir to protest curbs on Geelani in Delhi

SRINAGAR – A shutdown called by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference Tuesday to protest alleged curbs on separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani in Delhi affected normal life in the Kashmir Valley.

The hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference said in a statement that Delhi Police had barred its chairman Syed Ali Geelani … Read more »»».

If Raja wants to join debate, will consider: Meira Kumar

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Tuesday said she will consider if former communications minister A. Raja, now lodged in Delhi’s high-security Tihar Jail, applies to participate in debate on 2G scam in the house.

“Let the request come … then we will consider it,” Kumar told reporters outside Parliament House.
Raja … Read more »»».

PM announces JPC probe in 2G scam

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today announced the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Dr. Singh said: “The Winter Session was lost and the country cannot afford to lose another session. Our Government is committed to root out corruption.”

“The Government is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Under pressure, PM announces JPC into 2G scam (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Giving in to the opposition pressure, the government Tuesday announced the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe alleged irregularities into the allotment of 2G spectrum.

On the second day of the budget session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to start the process to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Under pressure, PM announces JPC into 2G scam (Second Lead).

Telangana impasse continues in Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD – The Andhra Pradesh assembly remained paralysed for the third consecutive day Tuesday as Telangana legislators stalled proceedings, demanding the house pass a resolution for formation of a separate state for their region.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar had to adjourn the house twice amid uproar by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Communist Party of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Telangana impasse continues in Andhra assembly.

PM agrees to JPC probe, says parliament can’t be paralysed

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday agreed to the opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam, saying the country could not afford a paralysed parliament.

“It is in these special circumstances that our government agrees to setting up of JPC,” Manmohan Singh told the Lok Sabha, …. Original source  : PM agrees to JPC probe, says parliament can’t be paralysed.

This is victory of democracy: BJP on JPC

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janta Party Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam as “victory of democracy”.

“This is not the victory of ruling or opposition benches. This is the victory of democracy,” said Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manmohan Singh agrees to JPC on 2G spectrum scam

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday announced that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) would be set up to investigate alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum to telecom firms.

“It is in this special circumstances that our government agrees to setting up of special JPC,” Manmohan Singh told the Lok Sabha, asking … Original article on : Manmohan Singh agrees to JPC on 2G spectrum scam.

Gaddafi appears on TV, scotches rumours of fleeing

TRIPOLI – Muammar Gaddafi said Tuesday during a brief appearance on state television that he was “in Tripoli and not in Venezuela”, scotching swirling rumours that the 68-year-old Libyan leader had fled following a massive unrest.

“I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe the channels belonging to stray dogs,” Gaddafi told …. Source article  : Gaddafi appears on TV, scotches rumours of fleeing.