AITSAR, Feb 17 (UNI): British Foreign Minister, Jack Straw today said that the new developments between India and Pakistan as part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) would further stregthen bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
In an informal chat with media-persons after paying obesiance at the Golden Temple here,he said that the steps taken between the two countries would be benefical for further strengthening the peaceful atmosphere in south Asia.In this context he refered to the opening of the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and between Aitsar and Lahore.
When questioned about the Kashmir problem, Straw said that the issue should be sorted out through talks between the two nations.Regarding the proposed oil pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan,he said that this would be economically benefical for the region.
Straw alongwith senior officals of his ministry arrived here yesterday evening from London on a three day offical visit to India.
Later he left for New Delhi where he would be holding talks with Indian leaders.
Regarding the recent developments in Nepal, Straw described these as unfortunate and said that like India his country too favoured restoration of the democratic process.
He said that the decision to withdraw Ambassadors from Kathmandu were jointly taken by his country,India and the United States (US).
Refering to Indo-British relations,the Foreign Minister said that the bilateral ties between the two nations were "building at an extra-ordinary pace in the last few years".
To press home his point he indicated that this was his sixth visit to India in the last four years.
Pointing to the meeting between Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and his British counterpart Tony Blair in September last year, Straw said since then a lot of steps had been intiated to further strengthen bilateral relations.Besides setting-up of a Joint Economic Trade Committee the two countries had also entered into an Indo-UK Economic and Fiscal dialogue,he said while pointing out that trade between the two countries had touched 10 billion pounds/sterling.
When questioned about his visit to the holy city, Straw said that in his country there was a sizeable Sikh and Punjabi in England and he had always desired to visit the Golden Temple.In fact a large Indian population is present in Britain and they have all contributed immensely to the development of that country, he added.
Replying to another question, he said that efforts were on in his country to moderise the immigration laws.In this context he said that the system of appeal was being strengthened and now anyone who was denied immigration could file an appeal before the competent authorities.
Straw said that the demand for starting direct flights between Aitsar and cities in England was under consideration.
Straw and other officals acompanying him including the British High Commissioner to India were honoured with 'siropas'(saffron robes of honour)by the SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.
Straw envisaged keen interest in the Golden Temple and its history.The British Foreign Minister also paid homage to the martyrs of the April 1919 massacre at the historic Jallianwala Bagh and laid a wreath at the Flame of Liberty.
Orissa Congress to gherao blocks demanding Naveen's dismissal BHUBANESWAR, Feb 17 (UNI) The Congress in Orissa will launch a statewide agitation on February 25 to demand the dismissal of BJD-BJP government, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, for its involvement, in mining controversy and misrule.
Orissa Congress Spokesman Prasad Harichandan told newsperson here that the party activists and supporters would gherao all the 314 blocks beside the 77 Notified Area Councils (NAC) on that day demanding resignation of the Chief Minister.
Harichandan said the party had gheraoed the to secretariat on December 17 on similar demand and the state executive which was held here last month decided to organise massive demonstrations before all the blocks to press for the BJD-BJP government's dismissal.
He said the Block Congress committees would organise the demonstration and prepare memoranda to be submitted to Orissa Governor Rameswar Thakur in the first week of March.
Harichandan said the memorandum would urge the Governor to take suitable action against the Chief Minister in view of the High Court Judgement in the exploration of Tangarpada mine case and the favouitism shown to Vedant Aluminium Limited (VAL) for allowing exploration of Lanjigarh mines.
This apart, the memorandum would also point out the misrule and the inefficient adminstration run by the BJD-BJP government and corruption in granting mining lease to the private houses for setting up of industries in the state at the cost of the state exchequer.
nat17 Rs 822 cr package for tsunami-hit Andaman & Nicobar: Cabinet NEW DELHI, Feb 17 (UNI) The Centre today announced a Rs 821.88 crore package for the tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar islands for relief and rehabilitation work.
The financial package was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, an official spokesperson said.
Of the total package, as much as Rs 239.54 crore would go for revival of agriculture and Rs 313.19 crore for "immediate relief and response assistance." Rs 215.65 crore will be given for the construction of temporary housing and relief employment generation, while there will be a special package of Rs 15.01 crore for the fishery sector.
There will also be special packages for rehabilitation of orphans, widows, disabled and unmarried girls (Rs 8.6 crore) and for immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure of the islands administration (Rs 29.89 crore).
Of the total assistance, Rs 313.19 crore would be as per the Calamity Relief Fund and the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) norms.
Assistance covered under norms with relaxation of scale is worth Rs 215.65 crore.
Fishermen would get full subsidy for replacement of country boats (dongies) and nets up to unit cost of Rs 65,000, including transportation cost from main land.
They would get 50 per cent subsidy and balance as loan for replacement/upgradation of boats and motor and nets upto unit cost of Rs 1.5 lakh.
For repair of boats with motors, there will be a subsidy of 60 per cent (with a ceiling of Rs 65,000), with the balance given as loan.
For repair of country boats (dongies), there will be full subsidy up to Rs 10,000.
Bank loans will carry an interest rate of 7 per cent.
Interest subsidy of two per cent will be paid in case of prompt repayment.
Assistance covered under norms with relaxation of scale includes payment of ex-gratia in respect of missing persons subject to proper verification and due procedure by the Union Territory administration.
The recommendation also includes payment of ex-gratia at the rate of Rs one lakh as has been given by the states in the mainland where the ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 from CRF/NCCF has been supplemented by the states from their own resources by a like amount.
This will be in addition to the Rs one lakh from the PM"s National Relief Fund.
The Cabinet also approved construction of 10,100 intermediate shelters in the islands at a cost of Rs 96.33 crore.
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