Raj at it again, says shops need Marathi boards

Mumbai, 9 agast-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader, Raj Thackeray has been keeping a low profile for some time now, but no longer। He is back shoving Marathi down the throats of hapless shopkeepers.

He has written to Mumbai shopowners asking them to put up Marathi signboards by August 28 or else deal with his party.
"Shops that do not carry Marathi signboards have been given time till August 28 to change the signboards. After that, shops that do not have Marathi boards will face attacks from MNS," he said.
Raj is also demanding that officials stop issuing domicile certificates and driving licences to "outsiders" -- that is, North Indians.
In February this year, MNS supporters had attacked north Indian taxi-drivers in Mumbai. About 40 taxis were damaged and taxi-drivers were assaulted and the office of the taxi-men's union and a garment shop were attacked.

Patil asks J&K admin to adopt balanced approach

Jammu, Aug 09, 2008 Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived here on Saturday with an all-party delegation and asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to adopt a balanced approach while dealing with the current situation in the wake of violent protests over the Amarnath land trasfer issue.
"We must see how to reduce the difficulties in Jammu and Kashmir and as such we handle the situation with persuasion and goodwill," Patil said at a law and order review meeting with the State authorities and other Central Agencies here this afternoon.
Patil and the 18-member all-party delegation arrived here in the morning to review the situation in the border State.
Patil, who was briefed about the present situation of the State by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey, Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) K Rajindra and Lt Gen Viney Sharma asked the State authorities to adopt "a balanced approach while handling the current situation."
The Home Minister also directed the administration to take steps to ensure that there is no shortage of medicine and other essential commodities in the area.
Patil has said that the Centre will provide all possible help to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Govt. mulls change in content code of TV programmes

New Delhi (PTI): The Centre is planning to have a fresh look at the Content Code in television programmes as it feels that the current one has become outdated। "We are contemplating a review of the existing Content Code as it needs to be at par with changing times," Secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Sushma Singh, said here on Saturday while addressing the News Television Summit 2008.

Admitting delays on part of the ministry to finalise the code, Singh said, "The matter is being viewed seriously।"

She said there is a high demand for an effective content regulation code on TV programmes as a number of channels are coming up on a regular basis।

Referring to the opposition of the Content Code by some private news broadcasters, Singh said, "Instead of opposing it, they should discuss the matter with Government।" She expressed concern over the coverage of violent incidents and riots, and said it leads to "violation of public order".

Singh also called for a consensus on content regulation between government and private broadcasters on the issue।

The Secretary said the Delhi High Court has also asked the ministry to bring out a legislation on the subject।

"Delhi High Court has asked for our views on Content Code and what we have done about it। The ministry will send its reply by September," she said.

Singh also pointed out that though the broadcasters are against the government's intervention in the field of content regulation, "We have given licenses to 33 new TV channels this year। This shows our liberal attitude towards television channels."

On the much delayed Broadcast Bill, Singh said a decision is yet to be taken on the matter. She said the Bill is posted on the ministry's website and views of various stakeholders have been taken on it. "It is awaiting Parliament's nod."

Why can't I become PM: Mayawati

Lucknow, Aug 9 (PTI) Unfazed by the failure of efforts to pull down the UPA government that may have pitchforked her into national centre stage, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister made clear her ambitions of becoming the prime minister after the next Lok Sabha elections।

Addressing a national convention of her party workers, she also announced that she was grooming her political heir, who would take over from her in case of any eventuality।

Former External Affairs Minister and suspended Congress leader K Natwar Singh and Samajwadi Party leaders Shahid Siddiqui and S P Singh Baghel joined the BSP at the convention।

"When I can become the chief minister of the most populous state four times why can I not not become the prime minister of the country even if I am born in a dalit family", said Mayawati to a huge gathering of her cheering party workers who had come from various parts of the country।

"I am doubly proud of being a dalit and Indian as also the fact that I am managing the state better than the previous governments ", she said asking as to why a "dalit ki beti" (daughter of dalit) not not become the prime minister with the support and backing of the sarv samaj (all communities)।

Mayawati also made a surprise announcement of her political heir saying she apprehended that she could be targetted by terrorists or naxalites।

'This person is about 18 to 20 years younger than me and belongs to "chamar" (her caste)। He is being groomed but his name would be divulged only at an opportune time", she said adding, she has herself put the name in sealed envelopes and given to two of her trusted collegues for safe keeping.

'The name would not not be declared till I am in good health as the BSP detractors would lose no no opportunity to create problems for him", she said adding that it has been ensured that this heir would be acceptable to all.