SC seeks reply from Centre, states on PIL on kidney problems

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Centre and the state governments on a plea for opening a dialysis unit in each district saying two lakh people are losing their lives every year in the country due to kidney problems.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam agreed to hear the PIL and issued notice to the Centre and all the states and asked them to file the response on the plea.

The PIL said number of kidney patients are rising in the country and sought a direction to the states to initiate steps to prevent incidents of kidney failure and related renal diseases by having at least one dialysis centre in each district throughout the country.

It said due to kidney failure, there are two deaths every five minutes, 547 deaths everyday and two lakh deaths annually in the country.

"According to National Kidney Foundation, there are about 7.85 million people are suffering from renal diseases ... out of whom about 31.2 to 41 per cent are having chronic kidney diseases (CKD).

"Only 22.5 per cent of the people suffering from kidney- related diseases get treatment through dialysis. We have about 950 nephrologists across the country available for treatment of renal diseases," the PIL was filed by Sanjeeb Panigrahi said.

The plea also said that according to the estimates of Union health ministry, the country needs at least 50,000 dialysis machines but it has 20 per cent of the requirement.

It also sought direction to take measures to minimise the deaths due to kidney problems.

The PIL said regulations or quality control mechanisms should be ensured for the units run by the private hospitals with respect to the supportive care to provide efficacious medical support to people suffering from chronic kidney/renal diseases and in need of dialysis at regular intervals in their life.

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Arvind Kejriwal seeks two more days from EC to reply to its notice

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday sought two more days time from Election Commission to reply to its notice for Model Code violation by appealing to Muslims in Delhi for votes on religious grounds.

In a letter to the EC, Kejriwal urged it to grant him two more days to reply to the notice. He was served a notice by EC on November 20 after he distributed pamphlets asking Muslims to vote for AAP and was asked to reply by Monday morning.

"The commission has prima facie observed that by distributing the pamphlet (seeking Muslim votes), you have violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct. "You are hereby called upon to explain by 11am on November 25 as to why action should not be initiated against you for the said violation," the EC notice said.

The notice to him follows a complaint filed by Harish Khurana, son of former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana, who objected to pamphlets being distributed by Kejriwal containing appeals to Muslim voters for their backing.

The pamphlet, whose objectionable parts EC has reproduced in its notice, purportedly has AAP saying that, "Delhi's Muslims should support AAP in the forthcoming polls. "We (AAP) are not seeking votes for power or money but for rooting out corruption from the system and building a corruption-free India where people belonging to all religions can live in peace," the pamphlet said.

Kejriwal has appealed in the pamphlet that, "BJP is a communal party. Till now Muslims did not have any alternative, but now they have an honest alternative in the form of AAP. "We appeal to Muslim voters of Delhi to back our endeavours for clean politics and not fall into the trap in which they have been falling for the past 65 years."

The model code prohibits any such appeal before an election which invokes religion or caste for securing votes and says mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.

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Nitish releases eight report card of Bihar govt's performance

PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday showcased his government's performance on completion of eight years in office, his first sans BJP.

Flanked by his cabinet colleagues, Kumar presented the state government's annual report card at a public function here listing achievements in infrastructure like reducing road journey from far off districts to Patna to a maximum of six hours, boosting monthly footfall in government hospitals to 8,000 and doubling power supply as the high points.

After assuming power on November 25, 2005, Kumar had promised to come up with annual performance report of his government like an examinee to seek score from the masses.

In reply to a question as to how much credit he would give for these achievements to erstwhile NDA partner with whom he parted company on June 16, Kumar avoided a direct reply and said "governance was a continuous process".

He, however, said in fulfilment of his commitment to the voters in 2010 assembly polls, he did not allow any "slowness" in the pace of growth in the state which began eight years ago despite mounting challenges of running 18 ministries himself.

In an apparent dig at the BJP, Kumar said despite their picking holes in the performance of his government, "it is satisfaction of the people about crime-free environment and efficient delivery of services that matters."

With Congress also coming out with its report card to highlight that the state government failed to ensure efficient utilization of central funds, Kumar said the fact was that there had been a delay in release of funds in all flagship schemes of the Union government be it Aganwadi, Indira Awas Yojna or Integrated Child Development Scheme.

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Coastal Odisha alerted as cyclone Leher approaches landfall

BHUBANESWAR: Hardly had the dust settled on the devastating Cyclone Phailin ravaging Odisha and Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts, the two states were bracing for another storm "Cyclone Lehar" to strike.

The state government on Monday put district authorities on alert, especially those of 10 southern and coastal districts, as the severe cyclonic storm is expected to make a landfall between Kalingapatnam and Machhlipatnam of Andhra Pradesh at around noon of November 28.

It is now stationed at about 1000-km south-east of Gopalpur, the weather office said.

"We have alerted the Collectors of 10 districts of south and coastal region. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea," Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra told reporters.

He, however, said that the storm, which is expected to pack a wind speed 200kmph during landfall, will have less impact in Odisha than Andhra Pradesh.

As predicted by the MeT department, three coastal districts of Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsingpur may be affected by the storm while southern districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada, may face heavy showers.

"We have asked the district collectors to ensure that the mandis should remain prepared to store paddy and other grains before the disaster strikes," Mohapatra said.

As per the latest MET prediction, Cyclone Lehar over southeast Bay of Bengal has moved westwards with a speed of 15 km/hr.

The system would intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and move west-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machillipatnam and Kalingapatnam near the Kakinada coast at around noon of November 28.

The Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) has been hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports, sources said.

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EC initiates inquiry into Arvind Kejriwal's name in two voters' lists

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday initiated an inquiry into allegation against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal of being enrolled in voters' list at two assembly constituencies in Delhi and directed the poll officers to file a report within two days.

"Even though we have not received any complaint, but taking cognisance of media reports have asked the district election officers of New Delhi and North-East Delhi to go through the voter enrolment form filed by Kejriwal. They have been asked to file a report in 48 hours," Delhi chief electoral officer Vijay Dev said.

Any further action will be taken after the report is submitted, he said.

The Delhi BJP had approached the Election Commission on Friday against Kejriwal alleging that he was enrolled as a voter in three different constituencies, two in Delhi and one in Uttar Pradesh.

"It has come to our notice that Kejriwal's name has been registered at three places - Seemapuri and New Delhi constituencies in Delhi and Sahibabad of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh," claimed the BJP spokesperson.

AAP had said it has already informed the EC about the change of address and it is now up to the commission to decide the matter.

"We have already informed EC about it. We have done our job and filled the requisite form, now it is up to EC to decide in the matter," party had said.

Dev on Monday appealed to political parties to contest the election on level playing field and refrain from maligning each other names.

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Suspended TMC MP Kunal Ghosh's bail plea rejected, sent to 5-day police custody

KOLKATA: A court on Sunday rejected the bail plea of suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh, arrested in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam, and sent him to five days police custody.

Additional chief judicial magistrate, Bidhannagar, Apurba Kumar Ghosh, passed the order after Ghosh was produced before him amid tight security.

While Ghosh's counsel sought his bail, the police sought his custody for seven days for further investigation.

The Rajya Sabha member was arrested on Saturday night in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam.

Ghosh, who was suspended from Trinamool Congress for anti-party activities in September, tried to say something to the judge but he was not allowed.

His arrest was made in connection with a complaint filed by the general manager of a company Broadcast Worldwide.

Ghosh, the CEO of Saradha Group's media arm, was charged under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (conspiracy) of the IPC.

Ghosh told reporters outside the court that he was on a fast since last night to protest the alleged cruel behaviour of the police towards him.

Before his arrest, the MP had filed an FIR against deputy commissioner of detective department (DCDD) of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, Arnab Ghosh, alleging 'criminal blackmailing' by him.

He had alleged that the police officer had asked him to reply to questions which were beyond his comprehension or face arrest.

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Isro to launch German, French, British, Canadian satellites

CHENNAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), that got global recognition for its successful launch of a mission to Mars, will now launch German, French, British and Canadaian satellites, a top official said.

"We will be launching EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) satellite belonging to Germany. The satellite will weigh around 800 kg," Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan told IANS in an interview.

The EnMAP is a hyperspectral satellite that would provide images of the Earth at regular intervals. This apart, ISRO will be launching French satellite SPOT-7 during the first quarter of 2014, Radhakrishnan said.

"There will be four more small foreign satellites that would go along with SPOT-7," he added.

ISRO had launched the SPOT-6 satellite in 2012.

Radhakrishnan said discussions were held with British agencies for launching three satellites each weighing around 300 kg and also to launch a set of Canadian satellites. The idea is to have at least one commercial launch every year using the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Isro chairman said.

According to him, the PSLV rocket's reliability has been underlined once again with the launch of Mars Orbiter in a precise manner despite the challenges.

Queried about the status of Mars Orbiter, he said: "The Orbiter has been raised to around 193,000 km apogee (farthest point from Earth). We are all gearing up for the dawn of Dec 1 when the Orbiter will be injected in trans-Martian orbit."

ISRO has been switching on the various systems and payloads of the Orbiter to check their functionalities and health.

"All the instruments are working normal. The satellite's health is good," Radhakrishnan said.

India launched on November 5 its first inter-planetary mission to Mars with a two-fold objective - technological and scientific. The project outlay was around Rs 450 crore.

The technological objectives include design and realisation of Mars orbiter with a capability to survive and perform Earth-bound manoeuvres, cruise phase of 300 days, Mars orbit insertion/capture, and on-orbit phase around Mars.

It will also enable deep space communication, navigation, mission planning and management and incorporate autonomous features to handle contingency situations.

The scientific mission will be to explore the Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere by indigenous scientific instruments.

Radhakrishnan said the Orbiter will be using around 365 kg on board fuel in the orbit raising activities out of around 850 kg fuel on board.

Comparing the latest Mars mission MAVEN of the US, Radhakrishnan said the American Atlas V rocket has a payload capacity of 13 tonnes to GTO (geo-transfer orbit) while the PSLV-XL capacity is only around 1,300 kg.

"The American satellite, weighing around 2,500 kg, carries payload weighing around 65 kg and around 1,600 kg fuel. Our Orbiter weighing 1,350 kg carries a payload of just 15 kg and fuel of around 850 kg," he added.

What he did not compare is the cost incurred in the both the missions. While India will be spending around $72 million the US mission is budgeted at $671 million.

Radhakrishnan reiterated that the Mars mission proves India's capability to undertake such complex tasks.

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Saudi Arabia reports 1 more death from new respiratory virus

RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia says one more person has died from a new respiratory virus related to SARS, bringing to 55 the number of deaths in the kingdom at the center of the outbreak.

The Health ministry said Sunday that the 37-year-old man died in Riyadh. He was among 130 people who have been infected with the virus in Saudi Arabia since September last year.

The new virus is related to SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, which killed some 800 people in a global outbreak in 2003. It belongs to a family of viruses that most often causes the common cold.

It emerged in the Middle East and can cause rapid kidney failure but doesn't seem as infectious as SARS. It has been dubbed MERS, or Middle East respiratory syndrome.

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Japan warns of 'unpredictable events' over China's new air zone

TOKYO: Japan warned Sunday of the danger of "unpredictable events" and South Korea voiced regret following China's unilateral declaration of an air defence zone over areas claimed by Tokyo and Seoul.

Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida said his country was considering making stronger protests "at a higher level" after China announced Saturday it was setting up the zone over an area that includes Tokyo-controlled islands claimed by Beijing.

US secretary of state John Kerry and secretary of defence Chuck Hagel said on Saturday they were "deeply concerned" at China's move and were committed to defending Japan.

China said it was setting up the "air defence identification zone" over an area including the islands in the East China Sea to guard against "potential air threats".

It released a set of aircraft identification rules that must be followed by planes entering the area.

Kishida told reporters Japan cannot accept the Chinese measure, calling it "a one-sided action which leads us to assume the danger of unpredictable events on the spot".

In Seoul, South Korea's defence ministry said the Chinese zone partly overlapped its own.

"We find it regretful that China's air defence zone partly overlaps with our military's Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) in the area west of Jeju Island," said a ministry statement, according to Yonhap news agency.

"We will discuss with China the issue so as to prevent its establishment from affecting our national interests."

A military source quoted by Yonhap said the overlapping area is 20 km wide and 115 km long.

The Chinese zone also includes the South Korean-controlled submerged rock that lies within the two countries' overlapping economic zones, according to a defence ministry official quoted by the news agency.

The dispute over the islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China, heated up last year when Japan's government bought some of them from a private owner.

China has since sent coastguard vessels and other state-owned ships as well as aircraft close to the islands, sometimes breaching airspace and territorial waters around them.

This has prompted Japanese coastguard boats and air force fighter jets to try to warn them off.

The Japanese defence ministry said Saturday two Chinese planes entered Japan's own air defence identification zone over the East China Sea, prompting its air defence force to scramble fighter aircraft.

The ministry lodged a strong protest with a minister at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo by telephone.

Defense secretary Hagel reiterated that the islands fall under the US-Japan security treaty, meaning that Washington would defend its ally Tokyo if the area is attacked.

He made it clear that the United States, which stations more than 70,000 troops in Japan and South Korea, would not respect China's declaration of control over the zone.

However Washington has repeatedly said it takes no position on the islands' ultimate sovereignty.

Japan has vowed not to cede sovereignty or even to acknowledge a dispute with China over the islands.

It accuses its neighbour of trying to change the status quo through intimidation.

Former Japanese foreign minister Masahiko Komura, speaking as deputy head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said defence officials of the two countries must keep in close communication "to prevent a touch-and-go situation from arising".

"China used to maintain a certain degree of restraint in the past although it insisted that the Senkaku islands were part of its territory," Komura, who served as foreign minister from 1998-1999 and from 2007-2008, told public broadcaster NHK.

"But it is a serious matter that Chinese ships have recently intruded into the territorial waters and that China declared the air defence identification zone this time."

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Ban says Iran nuclear deal potentially 'historic'

UNITED NATIONS: UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Sunday that a nuclear deal struck by international powers with Iran could be "historic" for the Middle East, his spokesman said.

Ban "warmly welcomes" the preliminary accord under which Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in return for sanctions relief, said the UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Ban said the accord "could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement for the peoples and nations of the Middle East region and beyond."

Iran struck the deal with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, and Ban said all sides must work on "creating mutual confidence and allowing continued negotiations to extend the scope of this initial agreement."

The Elders, a group of former world leaders, also welcomed the accord, but called for swift followup measures to make sure it is carried out.

"We are all aware of the risks involved," said Jimmy Carter, former US president who clashed with Iran during his term of office.

"But I am convinced that, after 35 years of animosity and distrust, there is an historic opportunity to rebuild relations with the government and people of Iran on solid foundations of mutual respect," Carter said in a statement released by his group.

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