Aug. 19: The government on Thursday introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to award death penalty to those involved in the hijacking of civilian planes. The bill proposes to amend the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, which at present provides for life imprisonment and fine for such offenders.
The Anti-hijacking (Amendment) Bill 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by civil aviation minister Praful Patel. “Whosoever commits the offence of hijacking shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine,” the bill says.
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Amendments to AFSPA after discussions: PC
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi
Aug. 19: With demands pouring in from cross-section of the House for abrogation of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, home minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday said his ministry has proposed amendments to it but these could be brought in only after consultations with all concerned.
The minister also made it “loud and clear” that irrespective of demands the territorial integrity of Manipur would never be disturbed.
He said the pluralistic character of states cannot be “wished away” despite demands made by Naga groups, but efforts are being made to ensure “honour, dignity and equal rights” of the agitating tribal groups within the Constitution.
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Walkout if Chacko in Chair: BJP
Age correspondent
New Delhi
Aug. 19: The main Opposition BJP on Thursday informed Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar that the party would stage a walkout whenever Congress MP P.C. Chacko will chair any session. The party said it is protesting against the Congress MP because he did not “protect” its Bellary MP, Ms J. Shantha when Congress MP from Udhampur Chowdhry Lal Singh was using derogatory language against her while Mr Chacko was presiding over the House. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Ms Sushma Swaraj, met the Speaker and complained to her that Mr Chowdhry had used intemperate language, which bordered around unparliamentary words, against the Bellary MP.
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US trying to armtwist India: Raja
Age correspondent
New Delhi
Aug. 19: Opposition members, including Left and BJP, on Thursday alleged that the United States was trying to armtwist India to let Dow Chemicals go scotfree with regard to its liability in the Bhopal gas tragedy.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, CPI member D. Raja quoting media reports said there was an exchange of emails between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and United States deputy national security advisor Michael Froman, which suggests that United States was pressurising India on the Dow Chemicals issue.