RTI on Batla House encounter:15 mths, 2 appeals, no reply

By Amit Chaudhary

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Even after 15 months of running from pillar to post, two appeals and one hearing, an RTI activist still awaits a ''satisfactory'' reply from Delhi police.

Afroz Aalam Sahil filed an application containing six questions on September 25, 2008, with Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the Delhi police seeking information together with the related documents regarding the Batla House encounter.

The Delhi police, however, is yet to provide the information sought under Right to Information Act, 2005, for which the maximum stipulated period is only 45 days.

Though the CPIO had already forwarded the application to the concerned departments -- CPIO/DCP of Crime Branch and CPIO/DCP Special Cell -- on October 10, 2008, for necessary action, it did not bear any fruit for the appellant.

''On October 31, 2008, the CPIO of Crime Branch responded to only one of the three questions concerned to its department, in which I had asked about the number of people killed in the encounter,'' Mr Sahil told UNI.

On the other queries, he was denied information by both the department, the Crime Branch and Special Cell, citing provisions of Section 8 (1)(h) of the RTI Act and Section 154 of Criminal

Procedure Code.

It was only after the second appeal by the appellant, the Central Information Commission (CIC) held a hearing on February 9, 2010, around 14 months after filing the application.

During the hearing, the Special Cell agreed to provide the information regarding the details about the people arrested and detained in connection with the serial bomb blasts in Delhi and the places from where they were arrested, which they had earlier denied saying that it would affect the investigation in the case.

Regarding details of evidence against the persons arrested or detained, the Information Commissioner (IC) Sushma Singh said, ''The matter is related to the concerned court. Hence, the appellant may approach the concerned court for this information.'' The IC also ordered the Crime Branch to provide a copy of the FIR filed by the police in Batla House encounter case minus the name of the informant.

Ms Singh has called another hearing about post-mortem reports on March 30. ''Surprisingly, for the copy of the post-mortem report I had asked in my application, the IC has called another hearing on March 30 saying the CPIO has not been provided an opportunity of hearing,'' the RTI activist noted.

''Interestingly, the post-mortem report has already been released to the National Human Rights Commission 12 days ago. If it has already been made public then why are they delaying the matter and not providing me a copy of it,'' Mr Sahil asked.

Mr Sahil also questioned the role of the CIC in ensuring the 'fundamental Right to Information' of the people. He pointed out, ''As per the rules, the copy of the orders is issued to all the

parties on the next day of the hearing.''

''But, the orders of the February 9 hearing were issued on March 12, more than a month later, which reached me only on March 27,'' Mr Sahil lamented.

However, CPIO/Crime Branch Sanjay Tyagi denied any such application lying pending with the Delhi Police or about any hearing with the CIC tomorrow.

Women Reservation Bill imminent, nobody can stop it: Javed Akhtar

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Asserting his support for the Women's Reservation Bill, noted lyricist Javed Akhtar today said it is imminent and nobody can stop it.

Addressing the agitators at Jantar Mantar here, Mr Akhtar noted, ''Whatever has to happen, has to happen and nobody can stop it, but it is mournful that this is happening so late.''

People from various social organisations gathered to support the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and to condemn the ''disgraceful statements'' by some religious leaders.

Criticising the statement of Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawwad that women should become mothers of good leaders rather than try to be leaders themselves, the lyricist said this ''Talibani

mentality'' was unacceptable to the Muslims and 99 per cent of the community supported the Bill.

He said until it was not getting clearance in the Rajya Sabha, all such people were friends of women but as soon as the Bill was passed there, their enmity came to the fore.

''The demand of sub-quota for Muslim and backward class women is a conspiracy to stall the Bill and they are playing this game for the last 14 years,'' he opined.

Calling such people ''hypocrite'' and ''opportunist'' Mr Akhtar said if they cannot accept the progress of women, they better leave this country.

''I want to say to these people that whatever they feel about this Bill, the provision for representation of women will happen,'' he said firmly.

On being nominated in the Rajya Sabha, he expressed his gratitude towards the people who commissioned his name for the post.

Besides, he felt that it was a very responsible job. ''I will not sit idle and will try to contribute for the society I belong to,'' he promised.

Women Reservation Bill imminent, nobody can stop it: Javed Akhtar

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Asserting his support for the Women's

Reservation Bill, noted lyricist Javed Akhtar today said it is

imminent and nobody can stop it.

Addressing the agitators at Jantar Mantar here, Mr Akhtar noted,

''Whatever has to happen, has to happen and nobody can stop it, but

it is mournful that this is happening so late.''

People from various social organisations gathered to support the

33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and to condemn the

''disgraceful statements'' by some religious leaders.

Criticising the statement of Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe

Jawwad that women should become mothers of good leaders rather than

try to be leaders themselves, the lyricist said this ''Talibani

mentality'' was unacceptable to the Muslims and 99 per cent of the

community supported the Bill.

He said until it was not getting clearance in the Rajya Sabha,

all such people were friends of women but as soon as the Bill was

passed there, their enmity came to the fore.

''The demand of sub-quota for Muslim and backward class women is

a conspiracy to stall the Bill and they are playing this game for

the last 14 years,'' he opined.

Calling such people ''hypocrite'' and ''opportunist'' Mr Akhtar

said if they cannot accept the progress of women, they better leave

this country.

''I want to say to these people that whatever they feel about

this Bill, the provision for representation of women will happen,''

he said firmly.

On being nominated in the Rajya Sabha, he expressed his gratitude

towards the people who commissioned his name for the post.

Besides, he felt that it was a very responsible job. ''I will not

sit idle and will try to contribute for the society I belong to,''

he promised.

Americans also divided over women reservation

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Only Indians are not divided in their opinion about

the Women Reservation Bill, a bunch of students from University of Texas

made it felt that such issues also stir the bases in America while some

finds it “demeaning” and “disservice” to woman, others contradict.

A delegation of 30 MBA students from University of Texas in Austin is in

India on a study tour during a interaction with mediapersons expressed their

varied views on the women reservation.

When the students were asked how they look at the Women Reservation Bill,

the question brought out a ‘warfare of ideas’ among the students itself..

“For me it would be a tremendous success to actually have more

representation of women in the government. The reason behind this is that

the woman brings lot of different perspective which man may not be able to

bring on the table,” a Texas University student from Columbia Monica said.

Ms Monica was immediately confronted by a second year student at Texas

University, Catherine, asserted that women of her generation in always

believe that they do not deserve any special treatment just because they are

women.

“For me to stipulate a certain number of parliament members have to be women

is actually, in some ways, a disservice to women,” she said.

“I find it demeaning because I don need help. I can do it on my own

regardless of what my genetic make up is,” she added.

“Hilary Clinton, who ran for the presidency, is a realy interesting

demonstration of that because she belongs to that part of generation which

realy did not have a fare share,” Ms Catherine explained.

However, another student, Danialle, contradicted her and said, “I have to

respectfully regret what you have just said because you are a woman but you

are a western women and the history behind the role the Indian women played

over the year is very different.’’

“Though I feel it will help India in next 20-25 years but certainly I think

it’s a step in right direction,” she added.

Danialle also joined the corus which demanding more than one-third

reservation and said, ‘’It will not be enough.”

“There are so many young girls in this country who needs representation and

role model at a very high political level and this is where it get to start

and it is a great idea,’’ she said.

Like India, US also differs over women reservation

Kashmir Times
New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) It is not only Indians who are divided in their opinion on the issue of giving 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures, Americans also share similar views over the matter.

A visiting students group from University of Texas, at a media interaction, felt that such issues also stir debate in the US as some find it ''demeaning'' and a ''disservice'' to woman whiles others hail it as a ''step in the right direction.'' The delegation of 30 MBA students from University of Texas, Austin, is in India on a study tour.

Asked how they looked at the Women Reservation Bill, they came out with various shades of opinion.

''For me it would be a tremendous success to actually have more representation of women in the government. The reason behind this is that women bring different perspectives on an issue, which men may not be able to bring on the table,'' Monica, a student from Columbia said.

She was immediately confronted by Catherine, a second year student who asserted that women of her generation always believe that they do not deserve any special treatment just because they are female.

''To stipulate a certain number of Parliament members have to be women is actually, in some ways, a disservice to women. ''I find it demeaning because I do not need help. I can do it on my own regardless of what my genetic make up is,'' she said.

She pointed out that Ms Hilary Clinton, who ran for the presidency, provided an interesting demonstration of this view as she belonged to that generation which really did not have a fair share like the present day. But she still managed to reach at that level.

Another student, Danielle, however, said her colleague was viewing it from a western women's perspective. The history and role the Indian women played over the years is very different, she added.

''Though I feel it will only help India in the next 20-25 years, but certainly, it is a step in the right direction,'' she said adding that she felt one third reservation will not be enough.

Underlining the need for empowerment of women, she said, ''There are so many young girls in this country who need representation and role model at a very high political level and this is where it gets to start and it is a great idea,'' she said.

Only 1% disabled children are in mainstream schools

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) Suraj, a 12-year-old physically disabled child from

Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, was among the hundreds of children with

disabilities, who marched to Parliament today demanding their Right

to Education.

His mother carrying him on a wheelchair hoped that her child will get proper education and health treatment to be able to lead a normal life.

They were part of a movement, initiated by All India Parents Association (AIPA) and supported by many NGOs working for children to ensure more than two crore
disabled children their Right to Education.

AIPA president Ashok Aggarwal said, ''Even after 62 years of Independence, only one per cent out of two crore disabled children are in the mainstream schools.''
Saying that the children with disabilities are grossly deprived of all fundamental rights, Mr Aggarwal told UNI

''There is a need to enact a national law specifically for the children with special needs and enforce all the authorities to implement it.''

He also mentioned that there was a dearth of staff in schools to take care of their educational needs, which shows the government's apathy towards the educational needs of such children.

The AIPA on behalf of all other human rights organisations wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to look into the matter.

In the letter, it was demanded that all the government schools in the country should be upgraded to the minimum level of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
(KVS) schools.

Articulating that there was a widespread exploitation of parents of disabled children by private schools, General Secretary of Summer Fields Public School Parents Association Bipin Arora noted, ''Commercialisation of education should be immediately curbed.''

Reiterating Mr Aggarwal's demand of national law, he stated that a lot of things were missing in the existing laws so enactment of new law was necessary.

Director of Chetnalya, an NGO, Father Susai Sebastian pointed out few necessary things for all the schools in India to educate special children.

He said, ''Basic facilities like resource centre and special ramp are must for every school to support children with special needs.''

He also urged the parents and the whole community to support and work for these children.

During the ninth national meeting of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities here two days ago, Union Minister for Social Justice and
Empowerment Mukul Wasnik accepted that lakhs of disabled children were yet to identified.

There is a need to identify such children across the country especially in the rural areas as more than 75 per cent of the disabled lived there, he observed.

Published in KASHMIR TIMES

Sanjay Suri's heart bleeds for Kashmir

New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Emphasising that ''GenNext'' needs to connect with the cause of Kashmiri Hindus, Bollywood actor Sanjay Suri today said his generation might be the last whose ''heart bleeds'' for Kashmir.

Speaking at the Panun Kashmir Foundation Convention here, Suri, who himself is a Kashmiri Hindu, said, ''If next generations do not learn about our culture, our history, our belongings and connect with the cause, there will not be anyone to raise voice for us and I am afraid that the cause will die.''

He appealed to all the Kashmiri Hindus to educate their children and make them aware of their culture and that they belong to Kashmir.

''Once we are broken, we will never be able to go back to where we belong to,'' Mr Suri warned.

Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarthy was also present among the distinguished guests at the Convention.

Amid apprehensions about worsening situation in Kashmir, Mr Parthasarthy said, ''India is not a fragile state. We have shown a lot of resilience in face of terrorism.''

He stated, ''Kashmir is not a cause of our problem with Pakistan but a symptom of our problem with the neighbour.''

Saying that Army, as an institution, is very dominant in Pakistan which throws a difficult challenge to India, he opined that India needs to develop its internal structure so strong which can deal with any challenge and the leadership should think on the lines of giving fitting diplomatic reply to the enemy.

Commenting on the presence of strong separatists in the Kashmir Valley, Mr Parthasarthy said, ''I do not believe in buying peace with the appeasement of separatism.''

Supporting the cause of Panun Kashmir, the veteran diplomat advised, ''Never ever give up and keep educating succeeding generation about the heritage of Kashmiri Hindus.''

Internet is a great medium to make your voice heard and you people can keep your movement alive through websites, he added.

Links:

Kashmir times : http://www.dailykashmirimages.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17134:my-news&catid=1:news

http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-19594.html

http://www.daylife.com/topic/Sanjay_Suri

http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20091227/1413493.html

http://connect.in.com/indian-army/profile-1883869.html

Something should be done for farmers' welfare: Digvijay

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) All India Congress Committee (AICC)

general secretary Digvijay Singh today said ''something should be

done for the welfare of farmers.''

He was addressing the farmers from Uttar Pradesh, particularly
from national capital region (NCR), demanding immediate annulment of
Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and enactment of Land Acquisition
Amendment Act, 2007, which is pending for a considerable time.

Mr Singh said the UPA government was mulling over this and has
had several discussion with the ministers concerned, but Railway
Minister Mamata Banerjee had objected to some of the provisions.

''We are in talks with Ms Banerjee and will come to some common
ground with her very soon,'' he said.

Rapping the Mayawati government for ignoring farmers, he asserted
that if Haryana government could secure the land of its farmers, why
cannot UP government.

''India is a democratic state and one should have the right to
sell one's property (land) on the price one wants to,'' Mr Singh
said.

Member of Parliament Vasudev Acharya condemned the government for
acquiring the land from farmers on very low prices and re-selling it
to the businessmen and builders on higher prices. ''There is no
rehabilitation policy for the farmers,'' he added.

Zameen Adhigrahan Pratirodh Andolan coordinator Sardaram Bhatti
said land was being acquired on agriculture rates and were sold to
builders on market rate which was ten times higher than the
agriculture rate.

''We demand that the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 be annulled
and Land Acquisition Amendment Act, 2007 be enacted with immediate
effect,'' Mr Bhatti said.

Twenty five per cent land should also be returned to the farmers
for residential purposes, he added.

The agitators also handed over a memorandum to Mr Singh urging
him to look into the matter.

Anganbadi workers demands govt employee status

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Anganbadi workers from across the country today protested at the Jantar Mantar demanding government employee status and minimum wage be given to them. Anganbadi state president Girish Pandey said minimum wages and government employee status should be given to all the Anganbadi workers. He demanded that until they were not made government employees, they should be given Rs 5,000 as stipend and after getting government employee status, minimum wages should be given. ''They are just getting Rs 1,500 per month which comes around Rs 50 per day, whereas, NAREGA workers get Rs 100 per day for just digging a hole. Our workers are indulged in mental work and their's include only physical work, Mr Pandey told UNI. Around 28 lakh Anganbadi workers in the country are facing this extremely difficult situation and finding it hard to survive with such a low earning, Hind Majdoor Kissan Panchayat Vice-president Vijay Narayan said. Mr Pandey said low wages were also affecting the real aim set out by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as it was quite de-motivating for the workers and they were getting indulged in pilferage. ''Four years ago we met with Ms Sonia Gandhi and had discussed the issues in details. She assured us of appropriate steps in this direction but nothing has been done so far,'' Mr Narayan lamented. The agitators were also demanding retirement benefits and pension facility for the all Anganbadi workers.