Row over launching four DD channels
New Delhi: At a time when Prasar Bharati is readying plans to launch four Doordarshan channels in Hindi heartland States, the I&B Ministry has asked the Public Broadcaster if it had got approval from its Board for starting the channels. The Ministry has written to Prasar Bharati asking whether a “categorical” approval had been given by Prasar Bharati Board to the starting of the channels in Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the Ministry has put this question after the public broadcaster wrote to it on August 21 regarding inauguration of the four new channels. The public broadcaster is learnt to be keen that the Prime Minister inaugurate the new channels.
‘Won’t re-probe German Bakery blast case’
New Delhi: Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Thursday ruled out reinvestigation in 2010 Pune’s German Bakery blast case, saying there was no need for it. “No, we do not have any such plan. There is no need,” he said when asked whether there is any possibility of ordering a fresh probe into the case by NIA. A controversy has broken out after recently arrested Indian Muj-ahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal reportedly told his inter-rogators that he was not accompanied by Pune blast convict Mirza Himayat Baig in planting the bomb in the bakery but by another terrorist Qateel Siddiqui.
Singh, Nagappan take
charge as SC judges
New Delhi: Justices Shiv Kirti Singh and Chockalingam Nagappan on Thursday took charge as Supreme Court judges, taking the strength to 30 including Chief Justice P Sathasivam. Justices Singh and Nagappan were the Chief Justices of Allahabad High Court and Orissa High Court respectively. The sanctioned strength of judges in the apex court is 31 including the CJI. The two judges were elevated to apex court and were administered the oath of office and secrecy by CJI Sathasivam.