0815 HRS

04th April, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister rejects BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's demand for his personal appearance before the JPC on 2G.
• Supreme Court issues notices to Health Secretaries of States and Union Territories on compliance of rules, banning sale and manufacture of Gutka.
• Punjab police arrests boxer Ram Singh in connection with the multi-crore drug haul case; Olympian Vijender Singh's blood sample taken for dope test.
• In Afghanistan, death toll rises to 42 in the deadly suicide bomb blast and gun battle in Farah province.
• International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup Championship begins in Changwon, Korea.

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The Prime Minister has rejected BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's demand for his personal appearance before the Joint Parliamentary Committee, JPC. Mr Sinha had written a letter to Dr Manmohan Singh to appear before the JPC, probing the 2G spectrum scam. In response to Sinha's letter, Dr. Singh said, the power to call any person before the JPC rests with the Committee and its Chairman. The Prime Minister reiterated that all pertinent records and documents available with the government have already been placed before the JPC.

JPC Chairman PC Chacko also rejected Sinha's demand for the Prime Minister Dr. Singh's appearance before the panel. At the AICC briefing in New Delhi yesterday, Mr. Chacko said, there is a rule that no minister can be called before the JPC.

"Prime Minister or any other Minister to go before the committee, they cannot simply walk into the committee. The committee has to take decision unanimously. Then they have to refer this matter to the Speaker. They have to get consent of the Speaker. Then only as per rule, any Minister or Prime Minister can be called before the committee."

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The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the continuing sale of tobacco-laced gutka and pan masala, despite a central ban. The court asked the principal health secretaries of 23 states and five Union territories, that have framed rules to enforce the ban of gutka and tobacco-based pan masala and plastic bags less than 40 microns thick, to file compliance reports within four weeks.

The Municipal Commissioners of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, the three wings of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Civic Chiefs of Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur and Faridabad shall also file their respective affidavits on the disposal of plastic material. The court, however, did not make any observation on a plea for a total smoking ban.

The court fixed May the 3rd, as the next date for hearing.

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Three million cable TV viewers in 38 cities received a grace period of 15-days to switch to a digital platform by installing a set-top box. The deadline ended on March 31st. Though Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari ruled out any extension of the digitisation deadline, ministry's top bureaucrat, Uday Kumar Varma, said the deadline has not been revised, but a transition time of about a fortnight has been given. The ministry has asked multi-system operators - an intermediary between broadcasters and local cable operators - not to pull the plug just yet.The exercise is the second leg of a compulsory digital upgrade in towns with a population of more than one million.

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In the multi-crore Punjab drug haul case, the Fatehgarh Sahib police have arrested National boxer Ram Singh, partner of Olympian Boxer Vijender Singh, under various acts including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances act. This is the 16^{th arrest in this case. Since registration of the case last month, Ram Singh, was being quizzed by the police on a day-to-day basis.}

Meanwhile, boxer Vijender Singh made himself available for an "out-of-competition" dope test by NADA officials. Our correspondent reports, that the tests will not be specifically for heroin.

"Ravicharan Singh alias Ravi Deol is also a former boxer. 90 kilogram Pseudophedrine and five kilogram party drug ‘Ice’ of worth 115 crore rupees had been recovered from his Sangrur house. Fatehgarh Sahib Police Chief has said that it was found that Ram Singh had deeper connections with the smugglers and was required for custodial interrogation. Meanwhile, Enforcement Directorate has also started investigations in this multi-crore drug haul which has international links. RAJESH BALI, AIR NEWS, JALANDHAR."

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In Jammu and Kashmir, the eyes of an army jawan, posted with a counter-insurgency unit in Kishtwar district, were gouged out by unidentified persons. Police sources said, Rakesh Kumar was found in an unconscious state at Chowki Choran village near Akhnoor. Rakesh, who was found by villagers of Chowki Choran yesterday, has been admitted to the Government Medical College, Hospital, Jammu. DIG, Police, Jammu-Kathua range said, the facts will emerge only after the injured jawan is able to give a statement.

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In Afghanistan, the death toll has risen to 42 in yesterday's deadly suicide bomb blast, which was followed by gun battle at a government compound in western Farah province. A press release issued by Afghan President's office in Kabul last night, quoting the provincial governor's office, said, seven suicide bombers dressed as Afghan soldiers carried out an attack at a government complex that also houses a Court. The attackers wanted to release some prisoners which were likely to be produced before the court. All the attackers were killed during the blast and the subsequent gun battle. Our correspondent has filed this report,

This was one of the deadliest suicide bomb attack in more than a decade long war against terror in Afghanistan. Yesterday's attack took place at a time when Afghan government is trying to bring the armed opposition to the negotiating table. A whole generation of Afghanistan has grown under the shadow of violence and terror for the last 30 years. Afghans want peace in their country. If the violence and terror continues, it will definitely be a disaster for the country as well as for its people. RAJENDRA UPADHYAY, AIR NEWS, KABUL.

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In Argentina, dozens of people have died in the province of Buenos Aires, after heavy rains caused flash floods. One of the heaviest storms recorded moved through the province hitting both the capital, Buenos Aires and the city of La Plata. National Planning Minister said that about 280,000 people remain without power in the province of Buenos Aires.

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In Odisha, the passengers of Puri-Durg Express had a miraculous escape, as the train collided with a goods train near Kalijhari, a few kilometers from Bhubaneswar last evening. The incident took place between Patia and Barang Railway station. At least five persons have been injured in the accident, while five wagons of the goods train have been derailed. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

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No child with a disability should be asked to produce certificates either for admission, examination, getting support for facilities or scholarships. This was suggested by the National Council of Educational research and Training, NCERT in its report. The premier education body conducted a study in 27 states to evaluate implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme of Inclusive Education of the Disabled at the Secondary Stage. The report also said that there should be exemption from the fee component in schools for children with disabilities whether studying in government or government-aided schools.

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The Maharashtra Public Service Commission, MPSC examination will be held as per schedule on Sunday, but if formalities are not completed within the given time due to server failure then there is the possibility of postponement of the exam. The aspirants have been allowed to complete the relevant formalities till 5 pm today. Those candidates who are unable to do so will be allowed to appear for the exam if they carry the fee receipt and a photograph along with them.A virus reportedly attacked the MPSC's main server and wiped out all data of candidates, barely four days before the examination.

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"The 2013 International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup championship kicked off in Changwon, Korea this morning. A 30-member Indian contingent is participating in the 9-day competition. Today's events include, Men's 10 metres AIR Rifle, Men's 50 metres Pistol and the precision stage of the Women's 25 metres Pistol. Olympian Abhinav Bindra and top Indian shooters like Sanjeev Rajput, Rahi Sarnobat and Annuraj Singh have begun their campaign in their respective events.

In IPL Twenty-20 Cricket, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Daredevils by 6 wickets in the opening fixture at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last night.

In today's fixture, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Mumbai Indians in Bangalore at 8 in the evening.

In Women's cricket, the second Twenty-20 international match between India and Bangladesh will be played in Vadodara today. India is currently leading the 3-match series, 1- Nil.

And in Badminton, Indian shuttlers RMV Gurusaidutt and Anand Pawar have stormed into the Men's Singles pre-quarterfinals of the Australian Open in Sydney. Both players will play for a quarterfinal berth today. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, AIR NEWS."

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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

The Prime Minister's promise to revive Economic Growth during his address to the Confederation of Indian Industry - is a top story in several News Papers. "PM hints at more reforms, asks India Inc to have Faith", headlines Hindustan Times.

The Tribune and the Pioneer report that President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Anti Rape Bill that provides for life term and even death sentence to be awarded to the offenders.

The Tribune and the Pioneer mention that the Centre has issued an advisory to all States to review the facility of Street Lighting in Public Place, to ensure the safety of women.

"Plastic waste - a Time Bomb Ticking for India, says Supreme Court", headlines Times of India, with India generating 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually - and Delhi accounting for a staggering 690 tonnes a day!

Hindustan Times informs us that three Indian brothers from New Delhi were felicitated by US Vice President Joe Biden - in recognition of their work to end violence against women through their NGO Shakti Vahini.

The Asian Age has a delightfull photograph of 6 year old Pooja of Bikaner - who was handed over to Indian authorities by Pakistan after she had mistakenly crossed the International Border while grazing cattle.

The Economic Times writes - "The Alphonso comes to Aam Aadmi!". The premium Alphonso mango, usually savoured or gifted by corporate bigwigs, is suddenly affordable for regular folks - as demand in the troubled Western economies, once its biggest market, has crashed.

And finally, Hindustan Times likes that Chinese scientists have developed the worlds's lightest substance - Carbon Aerogel - an environmentally friendly Super Sponge - that can absorb huge quantities of material such as oil spills in water and even air pollutants.

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AND IN SOME MORE NEWS;

The Government has released five Documentary Films reflecting good governance initiatives taken in various parts of the country. The CDs on films were released at a function in New Delhi jointly by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Mr V.Narayansamy and Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari.