Centre to announce new Defence procurement policy Hyderabad, Jul 23 (UNI) Union Defence Minister A K Antony today said the Centre would announce the new 'defence procurement policy - 2008', replacing the 2006 policy in a week or ten days. Addressing a press conference here, he said, ''the new policy's main objective would be to ensure that the armed forces are able to procure world class equipment from foreign countries by way of direct procurement on speed mode. The basic approach is to revise the policy by taking into account the experiences from 2006 procurement policy.'' Stating that India was not showing any favour or prejudice to any country while importing defence material, he said some corrections and modifications would certainly take place in the old procurement policy. Asserting that technology has to be upgraded in defence Public Sector Units (PSUs) to compete in the world market, Mr Antony said, ''we will not weaken PSUs at any cost. The PSUs would work along with private companies by arranging joint ventures in future.'' Asked about the pay revision Commission of Defence employees, the Minister said his ministry was trying to find a satisfactory solution to the issues raised by the services. ''We hope a final decision would come out soon.'' China intrusion continues, India 'concerned' over it : Antony Hyderabad, Jul 23 (UNI) Admitting that China was intruding in certain sectors in the border area, Defence Minister A K Antony today said efforts were being made to find a solution through a dialogue. Speaking to newspersons here on the sidelines of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Integrated Commercial Production centre at Mishra Datu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), Mr Antony said, ''we are concerned about China's intrusion. A dialogue with China was going on since two years to find out an amicable solution.'' Stating that 11 rounds of discussions were already held with China on the issue, he said the dialogue at an appropriate level will continue till the issue is solved. Earlier, speaking at the function, Mr Antony said his ministry was ready to extend 100 per cent support to MIDHANI to upgrade its technology and replace the old plants, catering the needs of defence and strategic sectors. He asked the officials to chalk out modernisation and expansion plans of MIDHANI at the earliest and submit it to the ministry. Defence Procurement Secretary Pradeep Kumar and MIDHANI Chairman and Managing Director M Narayana Rao were also present. UPA's trust vote win is victory of democracy: CLP Hyderabad, Jul 23 (UNI) Hailing the UPA government's victory of the trust vote, Andhra Pradesh Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today termed it as a ''victory of democracy''. Addressing a press conference here along with AICC Secretary and MLC P Sudhakara Reddy, State Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said others Parliamentarians, thwarted the efforts of the Left and other opposition parties to destabilise the UPA Government. Alleging that the Left parties were against the welfare of the country and its people, he said they and other opposition parties, including the TDP, had disrespected the Parliamentary democracy and people would not pardon these parties which ''tried to stop the development'' of the country. He said the MPs of other opposition parties had voted in favour of the trust vote as they wanted the country to develop using the nuclear energy and were in favour of the deal. Stating that the nuclear deal was very essential to meet the future energy needs in view of the depleting natural resources like coal and gas, the Minister said through post-nuclear deal, the relations between India and the US would improve further in future. Rahul to attend APCC meeting Hyderabad, Jul 23 (UNI) Congress Working Committee (CWC) Member and All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will attend the Executive Meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on July 27. He would also have a meeting with the heads of frontal organisations, departments and cells of the APCC on the same day, party sources said here today. The meeting, which would be presided over by PCC President D Srinivas, would be attended by AICC General Secretary and in-charge of Andhra Affairs M Veerappa Moily, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and others. TDP expels Dalit MP, serves notice to another Hyderabad, Jul 23 (UNI) Shocked by the cross voting in yesterday's trust vote in Parliament, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief Chandrababu Naidu today expelled its three-time Dalit Parliamentarian M Jagannatham and served a showcause notice to another MP Aadikesavulu Naidu as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. According to TDP sources, TDP Parliamentary Party leader K Yerran Naidu and newly-elected MP E Dayakar Rao maintained a close watch on r Jagannatham during the confidence vote and established that he had voted in support of the UPA Government. ''This is the biggest betrayal the party has witnessed. The party will take stern action against the duo,'' they added. Meanwhile, Mr Jagannatham, the Lok Sabha Member from Nagarkurnool (SC) constituency, told newspersons that he had voted as per his conscience as he felt that the Indo-US nuclear deal was in the best interest of the country. ''I am ready to face any action from the party,'' he added. Dr Jagannadham, belonged to Madiga sub-caste of the SC, whom the TDP has been cultivating over a period of time by supporting their demand for categorisation of SCs on the matter of reservation in government jobs and education. Chittor MP Adikesavulu Naidu, belonged to Kapu community, was reportedly toying the idea of joining the party to be floated by matinee idol Chiranjeevi next month. A former Pradesh Congress Committee Treasurer had joined the regional party following his differences with former Union Minister AP Govt to appoint officer to prevent land encroachments Hyderabad, July 23 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said an officer of the rank of a Deputy Collector would be appointed to prevent any land encroachment and land grabbing which had reportedly become rampant in Tirupati and surrouding areas in recent years. The Chief Minister while reviewing the issues regarding the land encroachments in and around Tirupati with officials said the Government lands in the area would be handed over to the Tirupati Urban Development Authority(TUDA) for development. He said the government lands would be encroached and grabbed if it was left as it was and it would be difficult for the Government to protect these lands and enter into unnecessary litigation. He said the TUDA would develop these lands after immediately fencing them and prevent all unauthorized encroachments and grabbings. About 11,263 acres of land was involved in litigation in Supreme Court, High Court and other courts. AP Govt offers assistance to 'Nayee Brahmins' Hyderabad, July 23 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said 'Nayee Brahmins' in the state would be provided subsidies and bank loans at three per cent interest rate to start hair dressing saloons. In a release here today, he said the government's intention was to make their profession more remunerative and it had directed the officials to convene a meeting within two weeks to give final shape to the proposal. The Chief Minister offered to consider their demands for domestic power tariff for saloons and appointment of a Chairman for the Nayee Brahmins Cooperative Societies Federation. However, the decision on power tariff could be taken by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, he added. |