'Stay Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive’- focus of countrywide Road Safety Week

Jan 1 Road safety week focusing on the pitfalls of drunken driving began across the country today. The theme of campaign is ‘Stay Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive’. Road and Highways minister, CP Joshi has appealed to all stakeholders to join hands with the government in its efforts to make roads safer and develop a sustainable road transport system in the country. He said, the objective of the week is to give everyone an opportunity to promote road safety in their community, schools, work places and on the roads in general. Our correspondent reports, over 1.42 lakh people have been killed in 2011 whereas, about 4.9 lakh road accidents reported so far. TN to set up fast track courts in all districts for speedy trial of crime against women Jan 1 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalaithaa has announced today that women’s fast track courts will be set up in all districts of Tamil Nadu for the speedy trial of cases including rape and sexual offences against women. She said that women advocates will be appointed as public prosecutors in these courts. In a statement she said that sexual offences against women will be brought under the Goondas Act. Moreover those arrested for committing sexual offences against women will be denied anticipatory bail and the policy custody period will be increased.She said that her government will recommend changes in rule to the central government for chemical castration of rapists and giving death penalty to those who commit rape.

J&K govt to review laws against sexual offences

Jan 1 In Jammu and Kashmir, the state government is contemplating review of laws against sexual offences and to make them more effective and stringent in tune with public sentiments. Minister for Law and Justice, Ali Mohammad Sagar held a meeting of higher officials of the law department to review laws relating to rape The Law Department will also consult some experts on the subject to make it comprehensive and effective. It will include changes in substantive law as well as procedural laws (Criminal procedure Code and Evidence Act). Necessary initiatives will be taken to provide for fast-track investigation as well as fast track trial within the shortest period. It was further decided that a final draft of the Bill would be prepared shortly for placing before the Cabinet. The changes in law will deal with various stages including investigation, prosecution and trial of such cases. Meanwhile, as a part of the campaign against female foeticide and to promote the girl child, the Jammu and Kashmir, State Health Department will dedicate year 2013 to daughters and observe the New Year with the slogan “Save the Girl Child”. This was stated by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma while addressing a function at Kalibari-Kathua in Jammu region. MP to observe 2013 as IT Empowerment Year Jan 1 In Madhya Pradesh, the year 2013 will be observed as Information Technology Empowerment Year. Our correspondent reports that several steps would be taken to boost the IT sector during the year. All MoUs signed in the IT sector will be implemented during the Year. Work will be undertaken for development of new IT parks in Bhopal and Indore. Electronic manufacturing hubs will be established at Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. Rural women will be given IT training while maximum number of government officers and employees will be made IT-savvy. Besides this an IT cadre will be developed for making available skilled human resources from state to block levels. Work will be done on a mission mode in mobile governance sector so that good governance can be ensured at the lowest level. Curfew imposed after firing incident in Pulwama,J&K,relaxed today Jan 1 In Kashmir valley, authorities have today lifted curfew from Pulwama town even though the situation there continues to be tense.Curfew was imposed in the town and adjoining villages on Friday following a firing incident in which nine civilians were injured. There have been some incidents of stone-pelting today and the town is observing a shutdown. Government has already ordered a Magisterial inquiry into the firing incident involving security forces. Term of Commission probing 2002 Guj riots extended Jan 1 Nanavati-Mehta commission probing 2002 Gujarat riots has been granted yet another extension by the State Government. Mr.C.G.Patel- Secretary of the commission confirmed this on Monday evening. He said that the term of commission has been extended for six more months till 30th June. Our Ahmedabad Correspondent reports that this is 19th extension in over a decade. The Commission was set up on 3rd March 2002 as a one-member probe panel with retired HC judge K G Shah with mandate to probe the train burning incident of 27th February 2002. However, in May 2002, retired judge of Supreme Court G T Nanavati was appointed chairman of the commission and the Government asked it to probe post-Godhra riots also. In 2004, the state government widened the scope of its inquiry empowering it to question ministers including the chief minister. After Justice Shah passed away in 2008, retired High Court Judge Akshay Mehta was appointed as member of the commission. Earlier, the Commission had already submitted its interim report on the burning of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station claiming that the attack was preplanned.