D Lit conferred on former PM
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University has bestowed an honorary Doctor of Letters (D Litt) degree upon former Pime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in the national capital. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Steel and Mining Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party President and MP Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan, MPs Anoop Mishra and Alok Sanjar and members of Madhya Pradesh cabinet were also present on the occasion, an official statement said. “Goodwill of 7.50 crore people of Madhya Pradesh is inherent in the D Lit conferred to Mr Vajpayee for his unforgettable contribution. He wishes welfare of all and believes in Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, Chouhan was quoted as saying in the release. (UNI)
Parliament clears bill to repeal 36 redundant acts
New Delhi: A bill which repeals 36 redundant acts was cleared by parliament on Thursday. In the first such exercise since 2001, the bill will remove certain acts from the statute books as they have outlived their utility. The bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha in December last year and the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, but had to travel back to the lower house for certain technical amendments made by the upper house. Two other similar bills are pending in parliament. The acts, which are sought to be repealed through this bill, relate to amendments to the Representation of the People Act, Marriage Act, Election Laws, Divorce Laws and Marriage Act and the Evidence Act. (IANS)
Jammu varsity students demand reevaluation; hold protest
Udhampur: A group of Jammu University students today boycotted classes and held a protest here, demanding re-evaluation of their answer sheets of Bachelors examination. The protesting students also blocked the Dhar road as they demanded the university authorities to re-evaluate their answer sheets of BA Part one examination, results of which were declared two days ago. The students said that the results were not as per their expectation and the university authorities must recheck all the answer sheets. However, the university authorities said they were open to re-evaluate the answer sheets of the students on individual basis. “This year, the result is around 18 per cent, less than last year’s 20 per cent. If anyone feels that the result is not what they expected, they can request for a re-evaluation as per rules,” a Jammu university official said. (PTI)
Two die as ASI fires to celebrate brother-in-law’s marriage
Bhind, MP: Two children were killed as they received an accidental gunshot when an assistant sub-inspector opened fire from his service revolver to celebrate the marriage of his brother-in-law at Ambednagar in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district, police said. ASI Anand Kumar Jatav, who is posted at Inderganj Police Station in Gwalior, had arrived at Bhatpara here to attend his brother-in-law Sanjeev’s marriage. When the barat (wedding procession) reached Ambednagar from Bhatpara last night, Jatav opened fire from his service revolver. Alok (15) and Dhiru (11) received gunshots and died on the spot. Two women were injured and referred to Gwalior in serious condition. City Superintendent of Police Virendra Singh Tomar said that Jatav has been arrested but the service revolver could not be seized so far. (UNI)
Probe death of woman athlete, suicide attempt by 3 others
New Delhi: A strong demand for a probe into the attempted suicide by four women athletes at a SAI hostel in Kerala due to alleged harassment and ragging by their trainers and seniors, was made in the Lok Sabha today. Opposition members expressed concern over reports about the death of 15-year-old athlete, Aparna, and critical condition of three others at an Alappuzha hospital. They reportedly ate a poisonous fruit in an apparent suicide pact following the alleged harassment by seniors. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, M B Rajesh (CPI-M) said the shocking incident should be an eye-opener and government should seriously look into the conditions in sports hostels including those run by Sports Authority of India(SAI). Demanding an inquiry into the incident to bring the culprits to book, he said the girl who died was a national award winner in kayaking. He was supported by several members including K C Venugopal and K Suresh, both Congress. (PTI)
24 including NC block president booked for attacking JK police
Poonch (JK): Jammu and Kashmir Police has booked 24 people including several workers of the state opposition National Conference for damaging public property and attacking a police team in Poonch district. “On May 1, Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Golid village, died under mysterious circumstances, after which some of the residents of his village including several workers of National Conference held a protest there,” a police officer said. When a police team reached the spot, it was attacked by the protesters who started pelting stones at them, he said. The police has so far identified 24 people who were involved in the stone pelting and have booked them under various sections at Mendhar Police station. (PTI)