The Directorate of Forensic Sciences has 7.37 lakh files of fingerprints to be read and digitalised, but doesn’t have enough manpower
DILIP PATEL AND VIPUL RAJPUT
The Directorate of Forensic Sciences, Gandhinagar, is faced with a huge and increasing backlog of fingerprint files to be cleared. As many as 7.37 lakh files of fingerprints reading are yet to be cleared, delaying arrests, trial and conviction in cases, some of them involving serious offences.
The number of new prints to be read has seen 70 per cent drop between between 2006 and 2008. Figures provided by home department sources show that every year, 30,000 to 35,000 new prints land in the directorate, but only 50 per cent of them are read and digitalised. The reason: Lack of manpower.
The government reduced the staff inducted in 1985 by 20 per cent citing over-staffing and cost cutting, and has also been ignoring the directorate’s six-year-old demand for fresh recruitment. Of the 259 staff required, the directorate has only 173, say home department sources. SM Joshi, the director of AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) at the directorate confirmed the lack of staff.
“Every year, the AFIS section alone gets 2.5 prints to match. Of this, 1 to 1.5 lakh prints are cleared,” he said, adding that though the AFIS was a good system, lack of manpower was affecting work.
“We can’t digitalise all the prints and thus, give them priority according to crime. Those involving serious offences, are obviously taken up first,” Joshi said. According to Joshi, of the 32 posts for fingerprint experts in the AFIS section, 10 are vacant.
The making of a fingerprint expert is not easy, Joshi said. A graduate from any discipline once inducted begins with a one-year probation followed by three years of learning thorough practical and theoritical training. He then is required to take the exam
conducted by the All India Fingerprint Expert Examination Board, New Delhi where the minimum grades to be secured are 75 per cent. The opinion of a qualified expert is considered final in all courts, Joshi said.
Files pending in 2008: 7.37 lakh
Files pending 2009: 7.37 lakh
Of 2 lakh new prints received in 2006, 63,000 were read
Of 38,000 new prints received in 2008,
30,000 were read
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
State to provide fruits, milk to anganwadi kids
Move aimed at reducing cases of malnutrition among kids aged between 3 and 6
DILIP PATEL
To reduce cases of malnutrition among kids aged between 3 and 6, the state women & child development department has decided to serve fruits and milk in childcare centres, commonly known as anganwadis.
The department’s commissioner, Sunaina Tomar, said that more than 75,000 children were suffering from malnutrition in Ahmedabad district.
These kids, Tomar said, would be fed fruits and milk twice a week. “Our objective is to provide such children in anganwadis 800 calories of extra nutrition,” she said. “This programme will begin in 10 days.” Over 2,800 anganwadis, which are run either by the state government or NGOs, will be covered under the scheme.
According to Tomar, 2.08 lakh kids study in anganwadis in Ahmedabad district. Of these, 1.32 lakh children are healthy, while 40,661 are suffering from severe malnutrition.
“Fruits will be served to malnourished children every Monday and Thursday, while milk will be provided on Tuesday and Friday,” the official said.
Under this programme, distribution will take place in the presence of either an MLA, corporator or a panchayat member. There are 35.25 lakh children aged between 3 and 6 across Gujarat. Of these, 15 lakh have been termed fit, while 6.52 lakh are not receiving normal levels of nutrition.
GRIM OUTLOOK
75,000
The number of malnourished kids in A’bad dist
6.52 L
The number of malnourished kids in Gujarat
DILIP PATEL
To reduce cases of malnutrition among kids aged between 3 and 6, the state women & child development department has decided to serve fruits and milk in childcare centres, commonly known as anganwadis.
The department’s commissioner, Sunaina Tomar, said that more than 75,000 children were suffering from malnutrition in Ahmedabad district.
These kids, Tomar said, would be fed fruits and milk twice a week. “Our objective is to provide such children in anganwadis 800 calories of extra nutrition,” she said. “This programme will begin in 10 days.” Over 2,800 anganwadis, which are run either by the state government or NGOs, will be covered under the scheme.
According to Tomar, 2.08 lakh kids study in anganwadis in Ahmedabad district. Of these, 1.32 lakh children are healthy, while 40,661 are suffering from severe malnutrition.
“Fruits will be served to malnourished children every Monday and Thursday, while milk will be provided on Tuesday and Friday,” the official said.
Under this programme, distribution will take place in the presence of either an MLA, corporator or a panchayat member. There are 35.25 lakh children aged between 3 and 6 across Gujarat. Of these, 15 lakh have been termed fit, while 6.52 lakh are not receiving normal levels of nutrition.
GRIM OUTLOOK
75,000
The number of malnourished kids in A’bad dist
6.52 L
The number of malnourished kids in Gujarat
SANDALWOOD TREES FELLED ILLEGALLY IN OLD SACHIVALAYA
Rajasthan gang suspected behind the attempted theft on Sunday night; forest dept inquiring into the matter
DILIP PATEL
Two sandalwood trees in the old Sachivalaya complex were cut down by miscreants late on Sunday night.
The 25-year-old trees near Principal Conservator of Forest Pradip Khanna’s office were at least 20 feet tall. Someone noticed the chopped trees and alerted the forest department.
Range Forest Officer Kishore Trivedi said, “Forester S Khant is inquiring into the incident. The attempted theft of sandalwood might be the handiwork of a Rajasthan-based gang. Four years ago, eight sandalwood trees behind the Circuit House were felled illegally by such a gang.” Sandalwood trees are often under threat because their wood fetches a high price in the market at Rs 1,000 per kilogram. Gandhinagar Ayurvedic Garden has 100 sandalwood trees.
District Forest Officer said, “I inspected the site. Feeling and attempted theft of sandalwood trees from inside the government complex is a serious matter. We are on the lookout for the culprits.”
Forest officials taking possession of the chopped trees. The 25-year-old trees near Principal Conservator of Forest Pradip Khanna’s office were at least 20 feet tall
DILIP PATEL
Two sandalwood trees in the old Sachivalaya complex were cut down by miscreants late on Sunday night.
The 25-year-old trees near Principal Conservator of Forest Pradip Khanna’s office were at least 20 feet tall. Someone noticed the chopped trees and alerted the forest department.
Range Forest Officer Kishore Trivedi said, “Forester S Khant is inquiring into the incident. The attempted theft of sandalwood might be the handiwork of a Rajasthan-based gang. Four years ago, eight sandalwood trees behind the Circuit House were felled illegally by such a gang.” Sandalwood trees are often under threat because their wood fetches a high price in the market at Rs 1,000 per kilogram. Gandhinagar Ayurvedic Garden has 100 sandalwood trees.
District Forest Officer said, “I inspected the site. Feeling and attempted theft of sandalwood trees from inside the government complex is a serious matter. We are on the lookout for the culprits.”
Forest officials taking possession of the chopped trees. The 25-year-old trees near Principal Conservator of Forest Pradip Khanna’s office were at least 20 feet tall
SC order will open Pandora’s box
Political undercurrents gain mileage after SC decision on Sohrabuddin case; Congress hopeful name of ‘prime conspirator’ will be exposed
DILIP PATEL
The SC decision to hand over Sohrabuddin case to the CBI has set the political chessboard, with Congress moving the first pawn against the state government.
The apex court order has come as a blow to the Modi government that had been maintaining all this while that the state police was conducting the inquiry in an impartial manner. “We have been demanding a CBI inquiry for the past three years now. Rajneesh Rai investigation had enough evidence against the state government.
But he was taken off the probe as the government feared it will be exposed. Now with the SC decision it is quite possible that Vanzara will undergo a narco test,” said Arjun Modhvadia, state Congress spokesperson.
The Gujarat Special Investigating Team (SIT) has been till now conducting the probe into the alleged fake encounter in which as many as 14 policemen including IPS officers DG Vanzara, an inspectorgeneral and police superintendents, Rajkumar Pandayan and MN Dinesh of Rajasthan.
The decision of apex court to hand over the inquiry of fake encounter and subsequent alleged killing of Soharabuddin’s wife Kausar Bi has come as a setback to the Gujarat government, which had been maintaining that the state police was conducting the inquiry in an impartial manner.
“The Rai investigation of the case had a CD of call records of political leaders and cops during that period. But these had vanished mysteriously. Now with tables turned, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a police officer handing over a copy of that CD to the CBI. There are officers who have kept silent since they felt that the reins of the investigation lay in the hands of the government,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
The Congress is hopeful the inquiry will now expose the role of several politicians from Gujarat and Rajasthan in the case.
SOUNDBYTES
This is a very significant decision as many details about the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife, Kausarbi, are yet to emerge (in public).
—Fr Cedric Prakash, a leading human rights activist
I hope the inquiry will find out who the main conspirator was. We all want to know the truth
—Former CM Suresh Mehta
The state government has tried its level best to suppress the matter. But with CBI, there will be an impartial investigation. Political bigwigs will now lose their sleep over the Pandora’s box that will be opened. Tulsi-encounter case will also be investigated
—Former CM Shankersinh Vaghela
The court has not given its final judgement in the encounter case. In today’s order, the court has asked the CBI to investigate the case.We will take appropriate action after studying the order
— Jaynarayan Vyas, Govt spokesperson
The Supreme Court’s decision to hand over the probe into the fake encounter to CBI is a victory for truth.The BJPruled government’s attempt to win people’s sympathy by branding petty criminals as terrorists and killing them has been exposed
— Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition in assembly
SC ORDERS CBI TO PROBE SOHRABUDDIN’S KILLING
The central agency has been asked to complete the probe into the case within six months
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday transferred the probe into the killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife, Kausarbi, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A bench of Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice Aftab Alam ordered the CBI to investigate afresh the couple’s killing, and divested the Gujarat police of the inquiry.
Sohrabuddin was shot dead near Vishala circle in a fake encounter carried out allegedly by officers of Gujarat ATS and Rajasthan police on November 26, 2005. Kausarbi and the couple’s friend, Tulsiram Prajapati, who was a witness to gunning down of Sohrabuddin, were also reportedly killed by cops. Fourteen cops, including D G Vanzara, have been accused of staging the encounter. They are lodged in the Sabarmati Central Jail.
BLOW TO GUJARAT GOVT
ASKING THE Gujarat police to hand over to the CBI all documents and reports pertaining to the killings, the bench directed the central agency to complete its investigations preferably within six months. The apex court handed the probe to the CBI following a lawsuit by Sohrabuddin’s brother, Rubabuddin, who had expressed distrust of the state police and pointed out several lapses in the investigation.
“In the facts and circumstances even at this stage, police authorities of the state are directed to hand over the records of the present case to CBI within a fortnight from this date and thereafter the CBI authorities shall take up the investigation and complete the same within six months...,” the bench ruled. “Authorities (of the CBI) shall investigate all aspects of the case relating to the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausarbi, including the alleged possibility of a larger conspiracy.”
“We expect that police authorities of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan shall cooperate with the CBI in the investigation,” the bench said. The court gave the probe to the CBI despite the fact that the Gujarat police have already completed the probe and filed a charge sheet in the case.
“Considering the nature of crime that has been allegedly committed not by any third party, but by Gujarat police personnel, the investigation concluded in the present case cannot be said to be satisfactorily,” the bench said. “Since senior police officials of Gujarat are involve... we are of the view that to instil confidence in the minds of the victims as well as of the public, it will not be sufficient to allow state police itself to continue with the investigation.”
The 14 cops accused of carrying out the fake encounter had described Sohrabuddin as a Lashkar terrorist on a mission to assassinate Chief Minister Narendra Modi. AGENCIES
HOW THE CASE UNFOLDED
November 22, 2005: Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausarbi and Tulsi Prajapati board a Sangli-bound bus of M L Tours & Travel from Hyderabad.
November 23, 2005: In the wee hours of the day, officers of Gujarat ATS intercept the bus and stop it near Tandola. They allegedly force Sohrabuddin and other two out of the bus and bundle them into their car.
November 24, 2005: Officers of Gujarat ATS bring Sohrabuddin and Kausarbi to Gujarat, and take them to Disha farmhouse near Adalaj.
November 25,2005: Cops reportedly go into a huddle, discuss plan to kill Sohrabuddin.
November 26, 2005: Gujarat ATS officers, including the then DIG D G Vanzara and SP Rajkumar Pandyan, allegedly gun down Sohrabuddin near Vishala circle.They go on record, terming him a terrorist on a mission to kill CM Narendra Modi
November 26-28 2005: Kausrabi and Prajapati are also killed
January 21, 2006: Sohrabuddin’s brother, Rubabuddin, files a writ petition in SC, accusing Vanzara and co of murdering Sohrabuddin in a staged encounter to win praise from the state govt.
2006: SC asks Gujarat DGP to probe the allegation. The state police chief asks CID (crime) to start probe.
March 2007: The state govt admits Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter
April 24, 2007: DIG Rajnish Rai arrests Vanzara, Pandayan and Rajasthan cop Dinesh Kumar M N
April 25, 2007: A metropolitan court sends the three to 14-day police remand. Later, 11 other cops are arrested in the case
May 2007: A metropolitan court refuses to give permission for a narco test on the accused cops
July 7, 2007: CID (crime) files a charge sheet against the tainted police officers
September 28, 2008: The Gujarat HC rejects bail application of the accused
September 30, 2008: SC stays trial
January 11, 2010: SC hands probe to CBI
DILIP PATEL
The SC decision to hand over Sohrabuddin case to the CBI has set the political chessboard, with Congress moving the first pawn against the state government.
The apex court order has come as a blow to the Modi government that had been maintaining all this while that the state police was conducting the inquiry in an impartial manner. “We have been demanding a CBI inquiry for the past three years now. Rajneesh Rai investigation had enough evidence against the state government.
But he was taken off the probe as the government feared it will be exposed. Now with the SC decision it is quite possible that Vanzara will undergo a narco test,” said Arjun Modhvadia, state Congress spokesperson.
The Gujarat Special Investigating Team (SIT) has been till now conducting the probe into the alleged fake encounter in which as many as 14 policemen including IPS officers DG Vanzara, an inspectorgeneral and police superintendents, Rajkumar Pandayan and MN Dinesh of Rajasthan.
The decision of apex court to hand over the inquiry of fake encounter and subsequent alleged killing of Soharabuddin’s wife Kausar Bi has come as a setback to the Gujarat government, which had been maintaining that the state police was conducting the inquiry in an impartial manner.
“The Rai investigation of the case had a CD of call records of political leaders and cops during that period. But these had vanished mysteriously. Now with tables turned, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a police officer handing over a copy of that CD to the CBI. There are officers who have kept silent since they felt that the reins of the investigation lay in the hands of the government,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
The Congress is hopeful the inquiry will now expose the role of several politicians from Gujarat and Rajasthan in the case.
SOUNDBYTES
This is a very significant decision as many details about the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife, Kausarbi, are yet to emerge (in public).
—Fr Cedric Prakash, a leading human rights activist
I hope the inquiry will find out who the main conspirator was. We all want to know the truth
—Former CM Suresh Mehta
The state government has tried its level best to suppress the matter. But with CBI, there will be an impartial investigation. Political bigwigs will now lose their sleep over the Pandora’s box that will be opened. Tulsi-encounter case will also be investigated
—Former CM Shankersinh Vaghela
The court has not given its final judgement in the encounter case. In today’s order, the court has asked the CBI to investigate the case.We will take appropriate action after studying the order
— Jaynarayan Vyas, Govt spokesperson
The Supreme Court’s decision to hand over the probe into the fake encounter to CBI is a victory for truth.The BJPruled government’s attempt to win people’s sympathy by branding petty criminals as terrorists and killing them has been exposed
— Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition in assembly
SC ORDERS CBI TO PROBE SOHRABUDDIN’S KILLING
The central agency has been asked to complete the probe into the case within six months
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday transferred the probe into the killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife, Kausarbi, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A bench of Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice Aftab Alam ordered the CBI to investigate afresh the couple’s killing, and divested the Gujarat police of the inquiry.
Sohrabuddin was shot dead near Vishala circle in a fake encounter carried out allegedly by officers of Gujarat ATS and Rajasthan police on November 26, 2005. Kausarbi and the couple’s friend, Tulsiram Prajapati, who was a witness to gunning down of Sohrabuddin, were also reportedly killed by cops. Fourteen cops, including D G Vanzara, have been accused of staging the encounter. They are lodged in the Sabarmati Central Jail.
BLOW TO GUJARAT GOVT
ASKING THE Gujarat police to hand over to the CBI all documents and reports pertaining to the killings, the bench directed the central agency to complete its investigations preferably within six months. The apex court handed the probe to the CBI following a lawsuit by Sohrabuddin’s brother, Rubabuddin, who had expressed distrust of the state police and pointed out several lapses in the investigation.
“In the facts and circumstances even at this stage, police authorities of the state are directed to hand over the records of the present case to CBI within a fortnight from this date and thereafter the CBI authorities shall take up the investigation and complete the same within six months...,” the bench ruled. “Authorities (of the CBI) shall investigate all aspects of the case relating to the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausarbi, including the alleged possibility of a larger conspiracy.”
“We expect that police authorities of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan shall cooperate with the CBI in the investigation,” the bench said. The court gave the probe to the CBI despite the fact that the Gujarat police have already completed the probe and filed a charge sheet in the case.
“Considering the nature of crime that has been allegedly committed not by any third party, but by Gujarat police personnel, the investigation concluded in the present case cannot be said to be satisfactorily,” the bench said. “Since senior police officials of Gujarat are involve... we are of the view that to instil confidence in the minds of the victims as well as of the public, it will not be sufficient to allow state police itself to continue with the investigation.”
The 14 cops accused of carrying out the fake encounter had described Sohrabuddin as a Lashkar terrorist on a mission to assassinate Chief Minister Narendra Modi. AGENCIES
HOW THE CASE UNFOLDED
November 22, 2005: Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausarbi and Tulsi Prajapati board a Sangli-bound bus of M L Tours & Travel from Hyderabad.
November 23, 2005: In the wee hours of the day, officers of Gujarat ATS intercept the bus and stop it near Tandola. They allegedly force Sohrabuddin and other two out of the bus and bundle them into their car.
November 24, 2005: Officers of Gujarat ATS bring Sohrabuddin and Kausarbi to Gujarat, and take them to Disha farmhouse near Adalaj.
November 25,2005: Cops reportedly go into a huddle, discuss plan to kill Sohrabuddin.
November 26, 2005: Gujarat ATS officers, including the then DIG D G Vanzara and SP Rajkumar Pandyan, allegedly gun down Sohrabuddin near Vishala circle.They go on record, terming him a terrorist on a mission to kill CM Narendra Modi
November 26-28 2005: Kausrabi and Prajapati are also killed
January 21, 2006: Sohrabuddin’s brother, Rubabuddin, files a writ petition in SC, accusing Vanzara and co of murdering Sohrabuddin in a staged encounter to win praise from the state govt.
2006: SC asks Gujarat DGP to probe the allegation. The state police chief asks CID (crime) to start probe.
March 2007: The state govt admits Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter
April 24, 2007: DIG Rajnish Rai arrests Vanzara, Pandayan and Rajasthan cop Dinesh Kumar M N
April 25, 2007: A metropolitan court sends the three to 14-day police remand. Later, 11 other cops are arrested in the case
May 2007: A metropolitan court refuses to give permission for a narco test on the accused cops
July 7, 2007: CID (crime) files a charge sheet against the tainted police officers
September 28, 2008: The Gujarat HC rejects bail application of the accused
September 30, 2008: SC stays trial
January 11, 2010: SC hands probe to CBI
Get this loud and clear: Chinese, plastic threads are banned
The government put an end to the confusion among traders regarding sale of these by reiterating the ban. Since an earlier govt notification did not mention the word ‘ban’, traders were still selling the threads
DILIP PATEL AND VIPUL RAJPUT
Is there a ban on Chinese and plastic thread or not? That was the milliondollar question doing the rounds on Wednesday, more than 20 days after the forest and environment department imposed the ban. Such was the confusion that government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas had to intervene. “Sale of Chinese and plastic threads has been banned. There should be no confusion about this. Strict action will be taken against anyone selling it,” he told Mirror on Wednesday evening.
The manja traders, who were under the impression that there was no ban — the government notification dated December 4 never mentioned the word ‘ban’ — gave an advertisement in the vernacular papers on Wednesday stating there indeed was no prohibition in the sale and purchase of Chinese and plastic thread. To add credibility to their claim, they even mentioned the notification number ENV-10.2009-400-E in their ad.
This notification, issued by the forest and environment department, only recommended “necessary measures and actions” to ensure that plastic and Chinese thread is not used and that kite-flying is avoided between 6 and 8 am and between 5 and 7 pm. There was no mention of the word ‘ban’ or ‘prohibition’, giving traders an impression that the notification recommended only an awareness programme to sensitise kite-flyers. “We were not aware of the ban at all. The sale of Chinese manja is still on,” the trader said. The notification was forwarded to the district collectors and the municipal commissioners in the state.
A group of traders even met Principal Secretary S K Nanda few days ago to talk him into allowing the sale of Chinese and plastic twines.
They said would suffer huge losses as material worth Rs 7 crore had already been purchased by retailers like them across the state.
“They were requesting me to let them do the sale this year, promising me that the ban will be implemented from next year onwards. But there was no way one can backtrack on this. It is a question of safety and there can’t be a compromise,” Nanda said. Nanda reiterated that Chinese threads are good conductors of electricity because of polymer content. “Besides electrocution, they can trigger blasts,” he said. Plastic and Chinese thread are popular among Uttarayan revellers because these can easily snap the traditional manjha. Recently, a child succumbed to burn injuries he sustained while tugging a Chinese thread hanging from a hightension wire.
COLLECTORATE ISSUES BAN
THE DISTRICT collectorate also announced the ban loud and clear. B R Patel, district magistrate and additional collector told Mirror: “We have issued a notification stating the Chinese and plastic thread cannot be manufactured, sold or used by anyone.”
The collector’s office will pursue action against those found violating the notification in non-AMC areas like Daskroi, Sanand, Bavla, Viramgam and City taluka.
Police commissioner S K Saikia too issued a notification on Wednesday stating: “From January 8 to 31, no one should fly kites in a manner that it poses a threat to life and property. Kites should not bear graffiti that would hurt the sentiments of people. Music should not be played too loudly. Kindly refrain from running after and catching hold of cut-off kites.”
DILIP PATEL AND VIPUL RAJPUT
Is there a ban on Chinese and plastic thread or not? That was the milliondollar question doing the rounds on Wednesday, more than 20 days after the forest and environment department imposed the ban. Such was the confusion that government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas had to intervene. “Sale of Chinese and plastic threads has been banned. There should be no confusion about this. Strict action will be taken against anyone selling it,” he told Mirror on Wednesday evening.
The manja traders, who were under the impression that there was no ban — the government notification dated December 4 never mentioned the word ‘ban’ — gave an advertisement in the vernacular papers on Wednesday stating there indeed was no prohibition in the sale and purchase of Chinese and plastic thread. To add credibility to their claim, they even mentioned the notification number ENV-10.2009-400-E in their ad.
This notification, issued by the forest and environment department, only recommended “necessary measures and actions” to ensure that plastic and Chinese thread is not used and that kite-flying is avoided between 6 and 8 am and between 5 and 7 pm. There was no mention of the word ‘ban’ or ‘prohibition’, giving traders an impression that the notification recommended only an awareness programme to sensitise kite-flyers. “We were not aware of the ban at all. The sale of Chinese manja is still on,” the trader said. The notification was forwarded to the district collectors and the municipal commissioners in the state.
A group of traders even met Principal Secretary S K Nanda few days ago to talk him into allowing the sale of Chinese and plastic twines.
They said would suffer huge losses as material worth Rs 7 crore had already been purchased by retailers like them across the state.
“They were requesting me to let them do the sale this year, promising me that the ban will be implemented from next year onwards. But there was no way one can backtrack on this. It is a question of safety and there can’t be a compromise,” Nanda said. Nanda reiterated that Chinese threads are good conductors of electricity because of polymer content. “Besides electrocution, they can trigger blasts,” he said. Plastic and Chinese thread are popular among Uttarayan revellers because these can easily snap the traditional manjha. Recently, a child succumbed to burn injuries he sustained while tugging a Chinese thread hanging from a hightension wire.
COLLECTORATE ISSUES BAN
THE DISTRICT collectorate also announced the ban loud and clear. B R Patel, district magistrate and additional collector told Mirror: “We have issued a notification stating the Chinese and plastic thread cannot be manufactured, sold or used by anyone.”
The collector’s office will pursue action against those found violating the notification in non-AMC areas like Daskroi, Sanand, Bavla, Viramgam and City taluka.
Police commissioner S K Saikia too issued a notification on Wednesday stating: “From January 8 to 31, no one should fly kites in a manner that it poses a threat to life and property. Kites should not bear graffiti that would hurt the sentiments of people. Music should not be played too loudly. Kindly refrain from running after and catching hold of cut-off kites.”
Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas’s office in Sachivalaya serves tea in thermocol
Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas’s office in Sachivalaya serves tea in thermocol cups, which the GPCB wants people to give up for environment and better health
DILIP PATEL
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has started a campaign to urge people to give up, or minimise, the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers, including cups. It has, in fact, distributed several copies of a booklet that warns of harmful effects of drinking tea or coffee from polystyrene cups, commonly referred to as thermocol cups.
Surprisingly, the state government, which reportedly suggested the launch of such a drive, is not practising what it wants the GPCB to preach. On Wednesday, Mirror found the state health minister, Jaynarayan Vyas, sipping tea from a polystyrene cup (see picture) at his office in Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar.
When Mirror drew Vyas’s attention to this, he said: “These cups are used because they are convenient. However, I will ensure that they are not used in my office again. I also urge people to avoid such containers.”
The GPCB launched the drive against use of plastic bags and thermocol cups 15 days ago. The body’s chairman, C L Meena, and its member secretary R G Shah visited vegetable markets in Gandhinagar, and urged sellers to switch to eco-friendly containers and bags for storage and sale of vegetables. Later, 1,500 copies of the booklet were distributed among people.
Though the adverse effects of polystyrene cups — which are non-biodegradable — on environment are widely known, there is little substantive information about their impact on our health. However, according to environmentalist Mahesh Pandya, recent studies have indicated that sipping beverages from such cups can prove to be harmful in the long run.
When Mirror contacted Principal Secretary (environment) S K Nanda, he said: “Some studies suggest thermocol containers should not be used. Soon, we will start our own research into this, and then issue new guidelines on the basis of its findings.”
The commissioner of Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), C K Koshia, said tests would be conducted on such containers sold in the market. “We will test them in our laboratory, and check if they are safe,” he said.
DILIP PATEL
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has started a campaign to urge people to give up, or minimise, the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers, including cups. It has, in fact, distributed several copies of a booklet that warns of harmful effects of drinking tea or coffee from polystyrene cups, commonly referred to as thermocol cups.
Surprisingly, the state government, which reportedly suggested the launch of such a drive, is not practising what it wants the GPCB to preach. On Wednesday, Mirror found the state health minister, Jaynarayan Vyas, sipping tea from a polystyrene cup (see picture) at his office in Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar.
When Mirror drew Vyas’s attention to this, he said: “These cups are used because they are convenient. However, I will ensure that they are not used in my office again. I also urge people to avoid such containers.”
The GPCB launched the drive against use of plastic bags and thermocol cups 15 days ago. The body’s chairman, C L Meena, and its member secretary R G Shah visited vegetable markets in Gandhinagar, and urged sellers to switch to eco-friendly containers and bags for storage and sale of vegetables. Later, 1,500 copies of the booklet were distributed among people.
Though the adverse effects of polystyrene cups — which are non-biodegradable — on environment are widely known, there is little substantive information about their impact on our health. However, according to environmentalist Mahesh Pandya, recent studies have indicated that sipping beverages from such cups can prove to be harmful in the long run.
When Mirror contacted Principal Secretary (environment) S K Nanda, he said: “Some studies suggest thermocol containers should not be used. Soon, we will start our own research into this, and then issue new guidelines on the basis of its findings.”
The commissioner of Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), C K Koshia, said tests would be conducted on such containers sold in the market. “We will test them in our laboratory, and check if they are safe,” he said.
CM afraid of losing in 2010 local elections
Critics of Modi’s recent move to make voting compulsory say it is a political gimmick to ensure voters ‘disenchanted with BJP’ turn up
DILIP PATEL
Who will gain from the compulsory voting system? Critics of Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s recent move to make voting compulsory say — BJP will be the only beneficiary.
The Gujarat Assembly on Saturday passed the Gujarat Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2009, making voting in local elections mandatory. It also cleared way for 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.
However, political pundits and the Congress termed the legislation to make voting compulsory in local bodies as an “act of fear and caution” before the local bodies elections in 2010. According to political pundits, BJP may find it tough to lure disenchanted voters to the polling booth considering the lack of work done in local self-governing bodies. And with around 3.5 crore voters in various local bodies in the state to go to vote in seven municipal corporations, 225 taluka panchayats, 167 municipalities and 27 district panchayats between September and December 2010, the BJP is not willing to take any chances. “Any loss in these elections will erode the popularity of the chief minister,” a leader said.
VOTING BILL WILL FACE CONSTITUTIONAL HURDLE
A Congress leader claimed that the decision has been taken for two reasons. “The BJP has failed to deliver in the governance of local self bodies and may suffer reverses if the disenchanted voter does not vote. And second, the chief minister is fond of such gimmicks and publicity stunts to stay in the news at the national level.”
Given the majority that the BJP enjoys in the state Legislative Assembly, the legislation has become a law, but it is likely to face Constitutional hurdles. Former chief minister Suresh Mehta, an expert in Parliamentary laws, said, “The Bill cannot stand legal and Constitutional scrutiny because voting, as per the Constitution, is “voluntary”. The Constitution will have to be amended if the Bill is to be legislated. The Bill faces the prospect of being returned by the President for the same reason.” Congress spokesperson Arjun Modhwadia said, “Congress has die-hard voters. They will go and vote, law or no law. Compulsory voting law hardly makes a difference to Congress in the state. It is the BJP voter that is disenchanted with them. Past trends show that whenever the voting percentage is poor in local self bodies, the BJP has lost. That is why the chief minister has created an environment to compel the BJP voter to vote. It is the BJP that will gain out of this law.”
FORCE HAS NO PLACE IN A DEMOCRACY
HEAD OF the political science department in MS university Prof Priyavadan Patel is not in favour of this piece of legislation. “Such a legislation should be preceded by a “none of the above” legislation where a voter can convey that none of the candidates are worthy of his vote. Moreover, there cannot be a compulsion or force in a democracy. Awareness should be created to make a citizen responsible enough to vote.” Prof Patel added that political calculations are always there in every such legislation. “Even the act to lower the age of voting during the Rajiv Gandhi era was to get more votes.”
DILIP PATEL
Who will gain from the compulsory voting system? Critics of Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s recent move to make voting compulsory say — BJP will be the only beneficiary.
The Gujarat Assembly on Saturday passed the Gujarat Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2009, making voting in local elections mandatory. It also cleared way for 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.
However, political pundits and the Congress termed the legislation to make voting compulsory in local bodies as an “act of fear and caution” before the local bodies elections in 2010. According to political pundits, BJP may find it tough to lure disenchanted voters to the polling booth considering the lack of work done in local self-governing bodies. And with around 3.5 crore voters in various local bodies in the state to go to vote in seven municipal corporations, 225 taluka panchayats, 167 municipalities and 27 district panchayats between September and December 2010, the BJP is not willing to take any chances. “Any loss in these elections will erode the popularity of the chief minister,” a leader said.
VOTING BILL WILL FACE CONSTITUTIONAL HURDLE
A Congress leader claimed that the decision has been taken for two reasons. “The BJP has failed to deliver in the governance of local self bodies and may suffer reverses if the disenchanted voter does not vote. And second, the chief minister is fond of such gimmicks and publicity stunts to stay in the news at the national level.”
Given the majority that the BJP enjoys in the state Legislative Assembly, the legislation has become a law, but it is likely to face Constitutional hurdles. Former chief minister Suresh Mehta, an expert in Parliamentary laws, said, “The Bill cannot stand legal and Constitutional scrutiny because voting, as per the Constitution, is “voluntary”. The Constitution will have to be amended if the Bill is to be legislated. The Bill faces the prospect of being returned by the President for the same reason.” Congress spokesperson Arjun Modhwadia said, “Congress has die-hard voters. They will go and vote, law or no law. Compulsory voting law hardly makes a difference to Congress in the state. It is the BJP voter that is disenchanted with them. Past trends show that whenever the voting percentage is poor in local self bodies, the BJP has lost. That is why the chief minister has created an environment to compel the BJP voter to vote. It is the BJP that will gain out of this law.”
FORCE HAS NO PLACE IN A DEMOCRACY
HEAD OF the political science department in MS university Prof Priyavadan Patel is not in favour of this piece of legislation. “Such a legislation should be preceded by a “none of the above” legislation where a voter can convey that none of the candidates are worthy of his vote. Moreover, there cannot be a compulsion or force in a democracy. Awareness should be created to make a citizen responsible enough to vote.” Prof Patel added that political calculations are always there in every such legislation. “Even the act to lower the age of voting during the Rajiv Gandhi era was to get more votes.”
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