Hyderabad, June 10 : Four persons admitted at Chest Hospital here have been tested positive for swine flu.
The report of the four persons confirmed swine flu, hospital superintendent Dr S V Prasad told PTI.
Meanwhile, four more suspect cases of the H1N1 influenza were admitted to the hospital today, Prasad said.
The swabs of these suspects have been sent to National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi and their reports are awaited, he added.
10:14 PM
10:14 PM
Third case of swine flu in Delhi
planetInfo
New Delhi, Jun 10 : Delhi today got its third case of swine flu with a person who has returned from Boston recently testing positive for the virus.
The result for the latest case was positive, NICD Director Shivlal said.
The test results are awaited for five other persons who have reported swine flu symptoms-- two in Mumbai and three in Delhi, a senior health ministry official said.
All of them have been placed in isolation wards at designated health facilities, he added.
The family or social contacts of those found positive for the disease in Delhi and Hyderabad are on Tamiflu drug and they are being monitored. As of now, no family of social contacts has reported symptoms.
Meanwhile, the health screening of passengers from swine-flu affected countries continued at 21 international airports.
The result for the latest case was positive, NICD Director Shivlal said.
The test results are awaited for five other persons who have reported swine flu symptoms-- two in Mumbai and three in Delhi, a senior health ministry official said.
All of them have been placed in isolation wards at designated health facilities, he added.
The family or social contacts of those found positive for the disease in Delhi and Hyderabad are on Tamiflu drug and they are being monitored. As of now, no family of social contacts has reported symptoms.
Meanwhile, the health screening of passengers from swine-flu affected countries continued at 21 international airports.
10:14 PM
Mumbai, Jun 10 : The Bombay High Court has issued bailable warrants against gangster Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar and five others who were acquitted in the Sara-Sahara illegal construction case.
While hearing a petition filed by the state government against the acquittals and a plea filed by journalist Ketan Tirodkar seeking prosecution of (the then) deputy chief minister Chagan Bhujbal for allegedly shielding a suspect, division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C Dhrmadhikari noted none of those who were acquitted were present in the court despite summons.
The court then issued bailable warrants and adjourned the hearing for six weeks.
Meanwhile, in an affidavit, the Home Department has said that investigating officer in the case gave no reasons as to why Rajendra Wale, a municipal officer, was not arrested.
Tirodkar has moved the court seeking prosecution of Bhujbal for allegedly shielding Wale.
Some municipal officers and a few members of Dawood gang were prosecuted for illegal construction of Sara-Sahara shopping mall on government land in south Mumbai.
While hearing a petition filed by the state government against the acquittals and a plea filed by journalist Ketan Tirodkar seeking prosecution of (the then) deputy chief minister Chagan Bhujbal for allegedly shielding a suspect, division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C Dhrmadhikari noted none of those who were acquitted were present in the court despite summons.
The court then issued bailable warrants and adjourned the hearing for six weeks.
Meanwhile, in an affidavit, the Home Department has said that investigating officer in the case gave no reasons as to why Rajendra Wale, a municipal officer, was not arrested.
Tirodkar has moved the court seeking prosecution of Bhujbal for allegedly shielding Wale.
Some municipal officers and a few members of Dawood gang were prosecuted for illegal construction of Sara-Sahara shopping mall on government land in south Mumbai.
10:14 PM
Indore, Jun 10 : Asserting that the Tibetan movement has grown stronger, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today said 99 per cent people living in Tibet were against the Chinese government policies.
"Though the Tibetan movement is five-decade-old, it is growing stronger. Ninety-nine per cent people in Tibet are against the Chinese government policies," the Nobel Laureate told reporters here.
He said that though he stood for the just demands of Tibet, he was not opposed to the developmental works being carried out there by the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama said he welcomed the railway link to Tibet but added that China was using this for its Army's sake and to crush the voice of the Tibetans.
What China is doing with the help of this rail link in Tibet cannot be justified, he said.
The 14th Dalai Lama said the peaceful and massive protests against China for Tibet's Independence would continue.
Over 400 renowned people of Chinese origin have in writing endorsed their support to the Tibetan cause, he said.
Noting that China was coming out with confusing statements over the Tibet issue, the spiritual leader claimed that the hardliners and liberal Chinese leaders have a difference of opinion over the issue.
"Though the Tibetan movement is five-decade-old, it is growing stronger. Ninety-nine per cent people in Tibet are against the Chinese government policies," the Nobel Laureate told reporters here.
He said that though he stood for the just demands of Tibet, he was not opposed to the developmental works being carried out there by the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama said he welcomed the railway link to Tibet but added that China was using this for its Army's sake and to crush the voice of the Tibetans.
What China is doing with the help of this rail link in Tibet cannot be justified, he said.
The 14th Dalai Lama said the peaceful and massive protests against China for Tibet's Independence would continue.
Over 400 renowned people of Chinese origin have in writing endorsed their support to the Tibetan cause, he said.
Noting that China was coming out with confusing statements over the Tibet issue, the spiritual leader claimed that the hardliners and liberal Chinese leaders have a difference of opinion over the issue.
10:14 PM
New Delhi, Jun 10 : A swine flu-afflicted businessman, who refused to be hospitalised and passed on the disease to his mother, relented tonight and is now undergoing treatment at the RML hospital here.
M Lal, Director of Health Services, Delhi government, told PTI that after much persuasion the hospital staff was able to shift the 34-year-old businessman and his mother to the hospital from their home at Rajkori farmhouse near the Palam international airport.
Lal said the mother-son duo were taken to the hospital at around 8.30 pm after the family was told of the gravity of the situation and at stake was not only public health but their own lives if treatment is further delayed.
The businessman carried the swine flu virus from New York but refused to be hospitalised in Delhi and insisted on being treated at home. In the process due to the lapse of time, he passed on the infection to his mother.
"We have quarantined all the family members of the businessman as well the servants in the home. The blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease for test," Lal added.
While Delhi has had three positive cases of swine flu, the total number of cases in the country has risen to 11.
Delhi got its third case of swine flu with a person who returned from Boston recently testing positive for the virus.
The result for the latest case was positive, NICD Director Shivlal said.
M Lal, Director of Health Services, Delhi government, told PTI that after much persuasion the hospital staff was able to shift the 34-year-old businessman and his mother to the hospital from their home at Rajkori farmhouse near the Palam international airport.
Lal said the mother-son duo were taken to the hospital at around 8.30 pm after the family was told of the gravity of the situation and at stake was not only public health but their own lives if treatment is further delayed.
The businessman carried the swine flu virus from New York but refused to be hospitalised in Delhi and insisted on being treated at home. In the process due to the lapse of time, he passed on the infection to his mother.
"We have quarantined all the family members of the businessman as well the servants in the home. The blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease for test," Lal added.
While Delhi has had three positive cases of swine flu, the total number of cases in the country has risen to 11.
Delhi got its third case of swine flu with a person who returned from Boston recently testing positive for the virus.
The result for the latest case was positive, NICD Director Shivlal said.
10:14 PM
Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jun 10 : US Under Secretary of State William Burns, currently on a visit to New Delhi, is carrying a private presidential letter for the Indian government, with whom the Obama administration is looking forward to work with, a top official said here today.
Terming India as "absolutely critical" in the region, US Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said: "India is a country that we must keep in the closest consultations with." "At midnight last, I spoke to Undersecretary of State Bill Burns immediately after he had landed in New Delhi," Holbrooke said in his maiden press conference after occupying the current position five months ago.
"He is carrying a presidential letter to the Indian government. He is carrying the message that I would have carried if I would had time to go to New Delhi on this trip, but I couldn't do it," said Holbrooke, who early this week returned from a trip to Pakistan.
Holbrooke, however, declined to divulge the content of the message, saying: "It is a private letter".
"But the important thing is that the number three person in the Department of State has gone to India to reaffirm immediately after the election," he said.
"We consider India an absolutely critical country in the region. They're not part of the problem but they are vitally effective and we want to work closely with them," he said.
Washington, Jun 10 : US Under Secretary of State William Burns, currently on a visit to New Delhi, is carrying a private presidential letter for the Indian government, with whom the Obama administration is looking forward to work with, a top official said here today.
Terming India as "absolutely critical" in the region, US Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said: "India is a country that we must keep in the closest consultations with." "At midnight last, I spoke to Undersecretary of State Bill Burns immediately after he had landed in New Delhi," Holbrooke said in his maiden press conference after occupying the current position five months ago.
"He is carrying a presidential letter to the Indian government. He is carrying the message that I would have carried if I would had time to go to New Delhi on this trip, but I couldn't do it," said Holbrooke, who early this week returned from a trip to Pakistan.
Holbrooke, however, declined to divulge the content of the message, saying: "It is a private letter".
"But the important thing is that the number three person in the Department of State has gone to India to reaffirm immediately after the election," he said.
"We consider India an absolutely critical country in the region. They're not part of the problem but they are vitally effective and we want to work closely with them," he said.
10:14 PM
Washington, Jun 10 : Pakistan has reduced the number of troops on its border with India to levels below what was deployed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, US Special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, has said.
"I will say that the number of troops that have been moved West is clearly larger than the number that were moved East after the Mumbai bombing. And I don't believe there would be any question on that," Holbrooke told State Department reporters at a press briefing today.
In the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan that followed the terror strike on Mumbai, the border between the countries saw significant troop build up.
However, Holbrooke refused to give any further details about the recent movement of troops by Pakistan in the wake of its military action against the Taliban in the Swat valley and adjoining areas.
"It is for the Pakistan government to announce their own force deployments, not for me to make a headline here," Holbrooke said in response to a question.
"I will say that the number of troops that have been moved West is clearly larger than the number that were moved East after the Mumbai bombing. And I don't believe there would be any question on that," Holbrooke told State Department reporters at a press briefing today.
In the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan that followed the terror strike on Mumbai, the border between the countries saw significant troop build up.
However, Holbrooke refused to give any further details about the recent movement of troops by Pakistan in the wake of its military action against the Taliban in the Swat valley and adjoining areas.
"It is for the Pakistan government to announce their own force deployments, not for me to make a headline here," Holbrooke said in response to a question.
12:31 AM
Washington, Jun 10 : A new discovery has raised doubts about the dinosaur-bird links after researchers found how avians breathe and have a lung capacity which allows for flight.
A team at Oregon State University has discovered that it's the fixed position of bird bones and musculature which actually keeps their air-sac lung from collapsing when the bird inhales, the 'The Journal of Morphology' reported.
In fact, according to them, warm-blooded birds need about 20 times more oxygen than cold-blooded reptiles, and have evolved a unique lung structure that allows for a high rate of gas exchange and high activity level. Their unusual complex is what supports the lung and prevent its collapse.
"This is fundamental to bird physiology. It's really strange that no one realised this before. The position of the thigh bone and muscles in birds is critical to their lung function, which in turn is what gives them enough lung capacity for flight," co-researcher Devon Quick said.
According to the team, the conclusions add to other evolving evidence that may finally force many paleontologists to reconsider their long-held belief that modern birds are the direct descendants of ancient, meat-eating dinosaurs.
Lead researcher John Ruben said: "It's really kind of amazing that after centuries of studying birds and flight we still didn't understand a basic aspect of bird biology.
"This discovery probably means that birds evolved on a parallel path alongside dinosaurs, starting that process before most dinosaur species even existed."
A team at Oregon State University has discovered that it's the fixed position of bird bones and musculature which actually keeps their air-sac lung from collapsing when the bird inhales, the 'The Journal of Morphology' reported.
In fact, according to them, warm-blooded birds need about 20 times more oxygen than cold-blooded reptiles, and have evolved a unique lung structure that allows for a high rate of gas exchange and high activity level. Their unusual complex is what supports the lung and prevent its collapse.
"This is fundamental to bird physiology. It's really strange that no one realised this before. The position of the thigh bone and muscles in birds is critical to their lung function, which in turn is what gives them enough lung capacity for flight," co-researcher Devon Quick said.
According to the team, the conclusions add to other evolving evidence that may finally force many paleontologists to reconsider their long-held belief that modern birds are the direct descendants of ancient, meat-eating dinosaurs.
Lead researcher John Ruben said: "It's really kind of amazing that after centuries of studying birds and flight we still didn't understand a basic aspect of bird biology.
"This discovery probably means that birds evolved on a parallel path alongside dinosaurs, starting that process before most dinosaur species even existed."
12:31 AM
New Delhi, June 10 : The State Bank of India (SBI) today said it is waiting for government signals for the merger of its six associate banks.
"Once we get signals, process will not take more than three to six months," SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters before the bankers' meeting with the Finance Minister here.
SBI currently has six associate banks, the largest being State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur.
Bhatt also said if possible the bank would like to have softer interest rates.
Prime lending rate is a function of several factors, he said adding the bank is looking at credit growth rate of 25 per cent in the current fiscal year.
"Once we get signals, process will not take more than three to six months," SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters before the bankers' meeting with the Finance Minister here.
SBI currently has six associate banks, the largest being State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur.
Bhatt also said if possible the bank would like to have softer interest rates.
Prime lending rate is a function of several factors, he said adding the bank is looking at credit growth rate of 25 per cent in the current fiscal year.
12:31 AM
New Delhi, Jun 10 : The Delhi Development Authority is readying over 5,000 flats in South Delhi for accommodating tourists during the Commonwealth Games 2010.
The flats are being readied in Vasant Kunj and Jasola to partly offset the shortage of accommodation for over 50,000 guests during the sporting extravaganza.
"We are readying these flats to deal with the shortfall of accommodation during the Commonwealth Games," a senior DDA official said.
The official said refurbishment of these flats has already started and it will be completed soon.
He said after DDA finishes the construction activities, the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will furnish the flats as per standard of three-star hotels.
"The flats will be done up by the ITDC as per standard of a three-star hotel," the official said.
Although Commonwealth Games (CWC) Organizing Committee officially maintains that there would be no shortage of rooms, but still accommodation remains a major area of concern.
The tourism ministry had estimated a shortfall of about 40,000 hotel rooms required for the tourists during the event.
At present the city has about 11,000 hotel rooms.
The flats are being readied in Vasant Kunj and Jasola to partly offset the shortage of accommodation for over 50,000 guests during the sporting extravaganza.
"We are readying these flats to deal with the shortfall of accommodation during the Commonwealth Games," a senior DDA official said.
The official said refurbishment of these flats has already started and it will be completed soon.
He said after DDA finishes the construction activities, the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will furnish the flats as per standard of three-star hotels.
"The flats will be done up by the ITDC as per standard of a three-star hotel," the official said.
Although Commonwealth Games (CWC) Organizing Committee officially maintains that there would be no shortage of rooms, but still accommodation remains a major area of concern.
The tourism ministry had estimated a shortfall of about 40,000 hotel rooms required for the tourists during the event.
At present the city has about 11,000 hotel rooms.
12:31 AM
New York, Jun 10 : Astronomers have discovered what they claim is a new clutch of ultra-dense galaxies called "cosmic cannonballs" which formed soon after the Big Bang -- interestingly, there's no sign of today's compact galaxies.
According to a report in the 'New Scientist', a team at University of Hawaii has found the galaxies, which thrived in the early universe, at distances of 11 billion light years away, using the Keck II Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
"They're packing essentially as much mass as the normal galaxies that we see around us today in a volume about a thousand times smaller," team leader Alan Stockton said.
In fact, the galaxies are so massive and some have such fragile disc shapes that they seem to have formed directly from the collapse of massive clouds of matter instead of being built up gradually by a series of mergers of smaller objects, according to the astronomers.
Galaxies of this sort are no longer around, but it's not clear what happened to them. Some have suggested that the galaxies disappeared because they collided with other galaxies to snowball into the large galaxies we see today.
According to a report in the 'New Scientist', a team at University of Hawaii has found the galaxies, which thrived in the early universe, at distances of 11 billion light years away, using the Keck II Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
"They're packing essentially as much mass as the normal galaxies that we see around us today in a volume about a thousand times smaller," team leader Alan Stockton said.
In fact, the galaxies are so massive and some have such fragile disc shapes that they seem to have formed directly from the collapse of massive clouds of matter instead of being built up gradually by a series of mergers of smaller objects, according to the astronomers.
Galaxies of this sort are no longer around, but it's not clear what happened to them. Some have suggested that the galaxies disappeared because they collided with other galaxies to snowball into the large galaxies we see today.
12:31 AM
Itanagar, June 10 : Security forces today left for Pale Hills in West Singhbhum district even as IAF began aerial reconnaissance to trace the transport aircraft that went missing over the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh last evening and was feared to have crashed.
Additional Superintendent of Police of West Siang district H Lanin said a joint team of army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and police left for Pale Hills, some 60-70 km from Mechuka, in search of the aircraft after inhabitants of the area informed that they saw some smoke after "lightning followed by thunder" yesterday.
As there was no road they have to walk through dense forest for 4-5 hours to reach the spot located between Manigaon and Tato near Sino-India border.
The transport aircraft, AN 32, was on a routine air maintenance sortie and was carrying 13 personnel, including seven IAF personnel and six army jawans, an IAF spokesman confirmed.
Meanwhile, IAF helicopters were scouting the Mechuka- Jorhat route from where the aircraft went missing, but so far they could not locate the aircraft.
The plane had taken off from the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat in Assam at around 2 pm after which it went missing.
Additional Superintendent of Police of West Siang district H Lanin said a joint team of army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and police left for Pale Hills, some 60-70 km from Mechuka, in search of the aircraft after inhabitants of the area informed that they saw some smoke after "lightning followed by thunder" yesterday.
As there was no road they have to walk through dense forest for 4-5 hours to reach the spot located between Manigaon and Tato near Sino-India border.
The transport aircraft, AN 32, was on a routine air maintenance sortie and was carrying 13 personnel, including seven IAF personnel and six army jawans, an IAF spokesman confirmed.
Meanwhile, IAF helicopters were scouting the Mechuka- Jorhat route from where the aircraft went missing, but so far they could not locate the aircraft.
The plane had taken off from the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat in Assam at around 2 pm after which it went missing.
12:31 AM
Ancient elephant unearthed in Indonesia
planetInfo
Washington, Jun 10 : Archaeologists have unearthed an unusually large elephant, which is about 200,000 years old, from East Java in Indonesia.
A team, led by Dr Gert van den Bergh of the University of Wollongong, has excavated the almost complete 200,000-year- old elephant skeleton from a terrace adjacent to Solo River in East Java.
According to them, it was first exposed in the walls of a sand quarry but it took almost four weeks to remove the overlying sand, excavate the bones, and encase them in plaster for transport back to Geology Museum in Bandung, West Java.
"This is a really significant find. It is one of the most complete elephant skeletons ever recovered in Indonesia, is of an extinct species and is of enormous size, much bigger than modern-day Asian elephants with the femur alone being 1.2 metres long.
"Normally, such dead animals would have been ripped apart and eaten by carnivores. Last year, for instance, the same team found the skull of an enormous tiger in the same general area.
"But it appears that the elephant became bogged in the river shallows, perished and was quickly covered by sands -- about 200,000 years ago. Parts of the skeleton were still articulated when found," Dr van den Bergh said.
When properly conserved and assembled, the skeleton will later be displayed in the museum. The find has already triggered widespread interest among the Indonesian media and general public.
A team, led by Dr Gert van den Bergh of the University of Wollongong, has excavated the almost complete 200,000-year- old elephant skeleton from a terrace adjacent to Solo River in East Java.
According to them, it was first exposed in the walls of a sand quarry but it took almost four weeks to remove the overlying sand, excavate the bones, and encase them in plaster for transport back to Geology Museum in Bandung, West Java.
"This is a really significant find. It is one of the most complete elephant skeletons ever recovered in Indonesia, is of an extinct species and is of enormous size, much bigger than modern-day Asian elephants with the femur alone being 1.2 metres long.
"Normally, such dead animals would have been ripped apart and eaten by carnivores. Last year, for instance, the same team found the skull of an enormous tiger in the same general area.
"But it appears that the elephant became bogged in the river shallows, perished and was quickly covered by sands -- about 200,000 years ago. Parts of the skeleton were still articulated when found," Dr van den Bergh said.
When properly conserved and assembled, the skeleton will later be displayed in the museum. The find has already triggered widespread interest among the Indonesian media and general public.
12:31 AM
New Delhi, Jun 10 : A recommendation by former HRD Minister Arjun Singh for the appointment of CBSE chairperson has been sent back to the ministry by DoPT which has asked it to get the name approved by the new Minister Kapil Sibal.
"We have received a letter from Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), saying that the name for the post should get clearance from the present HRD Minister. Now it will be sent to the minister for his consideration," ministry sources said.
The HRD Ministry had earlier recommended Pragya Srivastava's name for the top post.
Srivastava, an IPS officer, is serving as a Joint Commissioner in charge of administration in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan.
The HRD Ministry had earlier set up a search committee for selection of CBSE chairperson. The committee had suggested three names. However, Singh recommended the name of Srivastava, who is said to be his friend, for the job.
The DoPT had later sought certain clarifications about the recommendation of Srivastava's name.
As the DoPT has sought fresh approval from the minister, the appointment of a new chairperson for the country's premier school board is set to be delayed further.
"We have received a letter from Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), saying that the name for the post should get clearance from the present HRD Minister. Now it will be sent to the minister for his consideration," ministry sources said.
The HRD Ministry had earlier recommended Pragya Srivastava's name for the top post.
Srivastava, an IPS officer, is serving as a Joint Commissioner in charge of administration in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan.
The HRD Ministry had earlier set up a search committee for selection of CBSE chairperson. The committee had suggested three names. However, Singh recommended the name of Srivastava, who is said to be his friend, for the job.
The DoPT had later sought certain clarifications about the recommendation of Srivastava's name.
As the DoPT has sought fresh approval from the minister, the appointment of a new chairperson for the country's premier school board is set to be delayed further.
12:31 AM
New Delhi, Jun 10 : The process of setting up of seven IIMs, 374 degree colleges and 10 NITs has been set in motion with the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approving the proposals in this regard.
The proposals approved by the EFC yesterday will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval, sources in HRD Ministry said.
The government has decided to set up seven IIMs in the states of Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattishgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Haryana.
The existing IIMs have already agreed to provide "all types of support" for setting up of new elite B-Schools in the country.
Similarly, the government would set up 374 degree colleges in educationally backward districts in the country. About 90 colleges would be set up in minority concentrated districts. Each college will cost Rs eight crore for establishment.
The UGC has already invited proposals from different states for setting up of the colleges. As per the proposal, the Centre will provide one time grant of Rs 2.7 crore for the establishment of a college. The state government will bear the rest of the cost.
Similarly, the government would set up 10 NITs for the expansion of technical education.
The proposals approved by the EFC yesterday will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval, sources in HRD Ministry said.
The government has decided to set up seven IIMs in the states of Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattishgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Haryana.
The existing IIMs have already agreed to provide "all types of support" for setting up of new elite B-Schools in the country.
Similarly, the government would set up 374 degree colleges in educationally backward districts in the country. About 90 colleges would be set up in minority concentrated districts. Each college will cost Rs eight crore for establishment.
The UGC has already invited proposals from different states for setting up of the colleges. As per the proposal, the Centre will provide one time grant of Rs 2.7 crore for the establishment of a college. The state government will bear the rest of the cost.
Similarly, the government would set up 10 NITs for the expansion of technical education.
12:31 AM
New Delhi, Jun 10 : After the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refused information under RTI in a case pertaining to a mole in Indira Gandhi's cabinet, the Home Ministry and PMO have now denied any inputs on the issue.
The ministries have forwarded their replies in this regard to the MEA which had sent to them the RTI application of Anuj Dhar, author of the book "CIA's Eye on South Asia" which carries details of the case.
The spy case created furore in 1972 after it came to light that a senior Indian minister was allegedly leaking crucial information on Cabinet meetings to CIA.
Dhar sought information about the case from MEA including names and other details about the people who were in touch with the CIA and leaked details of the proceedings of the Congress Working Committee.
MEA accepted that records of discussions of meetings between the then Minister of External Affairs Swaran Singh and US Secretary William Rogers on October 5, 1972 were available but refused to disclose citing confidentiality clause.
It forwarded some portions of the application to MHA and PMO seeking details, if any in their possession, about the issue to which they have replied that no information could be traced about the issue, according to the MEA reply to Dhar.
The ministries have forwarded their replies in this regard to the MEA which had sent to them the RTI application of Anuj Dhar, author of the book "CIA's Eye on South Asia" which carries details of the case.
The spy case created furore in 1972 after it came to light that a senior Indian minister was allegedly leaking crucial information on Cabinet meetings to CIA.
Dhar sought information about the case from MEA including names and other details about the people who were in touch with the CIA and leaked details of the proceedings of the Congress Working Committee.
MEA accepted that records of discussions of meetings between the then Minister of External Affairs Swaran Singh and US Secretary William Rogers on October 5, 1972 were available but refused to disclose citing confidentiality clause.
It forwarded some portions of the application to MHA and PMO seeking details, if any in their possession, about the issue to which they have replied that no information could be traced about the issue, according to the MEA reply to Dhar.
12:30 AM
New York, Jun 10 : Four Tamil-Americans, who have been accused of providing material support - including purchase of arms and ammunition - to the Tigers, have pleaded guilty in a court here.
"Just weeks after the LTTE's leaders in Sri Lanka were defeated in that country, the leader of the LTTE in the United States and other supporters have been brought to justice," said US Attorney Benton J Campbell.
The four accused are -- Karunakaran Kandasamy also known as Karuna; Pratheepan Thavaraja also known as Raja Pratheepan, Thambi Sampras and Steeban; Murugesu Vinayagamoorthy also known as Dr Moorthy and Vinayagamoorthy Murugesu; and Vijayshanthar Patpanathan also known as Chandru.
"The defendants were convicted for their involvement in efforts to raise millions of dollars and acquire arms and technology for use by the LTTE," Campbell said.
The guilty plea proceedings were held before Chief United States District Judge Raymond Dearie. Kandasamy and Pratheepan face a 20-year maximum statutory sentence, while Vinayagamoorthy and Patpanathan face a 15-year maximum statutory sentence.
Justice Department said Kandasamy was the director of the American branch of the LTTE, which operated through charitable front organisations, including the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO).
"Just weeks after the LTTE's leaders in Sri Lanka were defeated in that country, the leader of the LTTE in the United States and other supporters have been brought to justice," said US Attorney Benton J Campbell.
The four accused are -- Karunakaran Kandasamy also known as Karuna; Pratheepan Thavaraja also known as Raja Pratheepan, Thambi Sampras and Steeban; Murugesu Vinayagamoorthy also known as Dr Moorthy and Vinayagamoorthy Murugesu; and Vijayshanthar Patpanathan also known as Chandru.
"The defendants were convicted for their involvement in efforts to raise millions of dollars and acquire arms and technology for use by the LTTE," Campbell said.
The guilty plea proceedings were held before Chief United States District Judge Raymond Dearie. Kandasamy and Pratheepan face a 20-year maximum statutory sentence, while Vinayagamoorthy and Patpanathan face a 15-year maximum statutory sentence.
Justice Department said Kandasamy was the director of the American branch of the LTTE, which operated through charitable front organisations, including the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO).