Anti-Naxal operations to be intensified, new choppers inducted

New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI): Anti-Naxal operations are set to  be intensified in affected states with the induction of 2,000  newly trained BSF personnel and seven new helicopters. The Border Security Force (BSF) will deploy its two new  battalions in Chhattisgarh and Orissa, official sources said. The force has already ten battalions in operation in these two  states.

        With this, the total strength of central forces involved  in the anti-Maoist drive will go up to about 93,000 personnel.  They include 76 battalions of CRPF and five of Indo-Tibetan  Border Police (ITBP). A battalion has approximately 1,000  personnel. Six new MI-17 choppers and a ‘Dhruv’ Advanced Light  Helicopter will be deployed in these areas. They will be  operated by the BSF air-wing.  “We are adding a considerable number of aircraft to our  air-wing,” BSF Director General U K Bansal said during the  forces’ annual press conference here today. “The two new battalions have already finished their  training and will be deployed in Chhattisgarh and Orissa  including at the borders of these two states,” sources said, adding the move to induct the fresh contingents and the  choppers was taken sometime back.

AI, Jet Airways cancel 7 flights to London

New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI): Air India and Jet Airways have  cancelled a total of seven flights to London tomorrow due to a  nationwide general strike by several British unions, including  those representing immigration and other airport staff.  While Jet cancelled two flights from Mumbai and one from  Delhi , Air India cancelled four flights between London and  Delhi and Amritsar , spokespersons of both the carriers said. Both airlines have also offered free rebook facilities to  passengers travelling on these flights on that day. “Jet Airways has advised guests travelling into UK on November 30 to rebook their flights to avoid any inconvenience  and immigration delays at London Heathrow airport,” a  statement said.

        It said the Civil Aviation Authority of UK has informed  all airlines that the 24-hour strike would impact the incoming  flights and could result in extended delays.

 Jet advised its passengers to rebook their flights to a  later date between December 1-7. Air India also cancelled four flights on the same day.  These are Amritsar-Delhi-London (AI-115), London-Delhi (AI-  116), Delhi-London (AI-111) and London-Delhi (AI-112). Over a million public sector employees of Britain ,  including teachers, have voted for the strike against planned  pension reforms.

 Immigration officers at Heathrow and other UK   airports would also due to join the strike action.

Panel report: Team Anna disappointed over exclusions

New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI): Team Anna today expressed  disappointment over exclusion of lower bureaucracy and CBI’s  investigation wing from under the Lokpal’s purview in the  draft report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, but opposed  bringing private NGOs and media under its ambit. Reacting to the panel’s draft report, activist Arvind  Kejriwal sought to remind the government of the Parliamentary  resolution that led to Anna Hazare ending his fast on August  28, saying he hoped it would be respected.

        “When Anna ended his fast, Parliament agreed to a  resolution that stated clearly on lower bureaucracy and  Citizen’s Charter. We just hope that resolution is respected,”  Kejriwal said.

 He said Group C and D employees was responsible for a lot  of corruption affecting the common man and excluding them from  the anti-corruption agency’s purview will render it  meaningless.

        When asked for her comments on the issue, activist Kiran  Bedi told PTI: “This is going back on the commitment and will  call for mass movement again.” Kejriwal also expressed apprehension over the inclusion  on all NGOs under the Lokpal’s purview, saying this would make matters “more confusing”.  “We fully agree that there is a lot of corruption in NGOs  as well as in the media, but Lokpal as it was envisioned since 1968 is meant to be an agency that will cover corruption as  defined by the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). “To deal with NGOs there is a Registrar of Society and  Trust Act.