PARLIAMENT
12 killed as suicide squad attacks parliament
IN a daring attack, 12 people, including five militants, were killed and 17 injured when a suicide squad of terrorists in an Ambassador car struck at the high-security Parliament House on December 13, setting off blasts followed by an exchange of fire with police and security forces.

Six personnel belonging to Central Reserve Police Force, Delhi Police and Parliament security were killed in the gunfire. A CPWD gardener in Parliament house, identified as Deshraj, was also killed in the gun battle that continued for nearly 50 minutes.

The attack began around 11.25 am after both the Houses were adjourned for the day following uproar over the coffin controversy. Police sources said four suicide attackers were shot dead while one of the militants, with bombs strapped around his waist, blew himself up near the main gate.

The entire Parliament House was searched as some eyewitnesses claimed that six militants were present in the car. Bomb disposal squads equipped with modern gadgets and sniffer dogs carried out search at the Parliament premises as the terrorists scattered dozens of grenades all over the place.

DRINKING WATER
Rural areas to be provided water by 2004
UNION minister of state for rural development M K Patil has said that the government proposes to provide all the rural habitations with drinking water supply facilities by 2004. Replying to queries in the Rajya Sabha, the mnister, however, clarified that no scheme named “water for all” was being implemented by the government. The minister said government has launched reforms in the rural water supply sector for institutionalising community participation through demand-responsive approaches in 63 identified districts in 26 states.
In reply to another question, the minister said the scheme of computerisation of land reforms is being implemented in 569 districts in the country. Minister of state for coal and mines Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the House that a total of Rs 5,919.09-crore dues, both disputed and undisputed, are to be recovered from various state electricity boards.

BOLLYWOOD
Ashok Kumar passes away at 90
THE doyen of Indian cinema Ashok Kumar who dominated the silver screen with his indomitable acting for over seven decades died on December 10. The 90-year-old actor died after a prolonged illness at his Chembur residence in Mumbai.
The eldest of the Ganguly brothers, he entered the film industry during the silent era. He began his career as an assistant cameraman in Hinamshu Rai’s Bombay Talkies at a salary of Rs 150 per month in 1934. He made his debut as an actor in Jeevan Naiya opposite Devika Rani in 1936. Apart from being the lead actor in many of the box office hits, he also excelled as a producer. He was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 1989. He is survived by his son and two daughter, including actress Preeti Ganguly.

DEFENCE
Extended version of Prithvi test fired successfully
THE 250-km extended range version of the Prithvi missile, developed for the Air Force, has been successfully test fired from the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea on December 12.
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile, one of the five missiles being developed under the integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP), is 8.56 mt high and 1 mt thick. The sleek missile witnessed a perfect lift off from a mobile 8 X 8 Tatra transporter erector launcher, leaving behind a thick column of smoke in the ITR launch complex. The mission objectives of the test were being analysed after monitoring the data received from telemetry centres and tracking equipment.

Powered by liquid propellant, its flight is controlled by an on-board computer as well as an advance inertia and navigation system. The missile has a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, which included one tonne pay load.

LABOUR PLAN
Proposal to bar outsiders from becoming trade union leaders
A working group on labour laws has recommended a seven pronged action plan, including prohibition of outsiders from assuming trade union (TU) leadership for special economic zones (SEZs), export processing zones (EPZs) and export oriented units (EOUs).
In its report, the working group on labour laws and other labour regulations for the tenth plan has suggested exemption of EOU/EPZs from the provisions of the Contract Labour Act and setting up of exclusive special industrial tribunals for SEZs to settle disputes.
The Trade Union Act could be amended to prohibit outsiders from assuming leadership of trade unions in these units and flexibility should be given to units to dismiss employees who go on illegal strikes, it said.

Other suggestions include delegating powers of the labour commissioner to the development commissioner of EPZs, declaration of EOUs and EPZ units as ‘public utility services’ under the Industrial Disputes Act and setting up of exclusive special industrial tribunals for SEZs and EPZs to give top priority to settle the disputes.
In order to reduce harassment on account of frequent inspections, it has suggested introduction of the system of self-certification for industrial units in small scale and information technology sector, where reports submitted are self-certified and treated as prima-facie compliance.

ECONOMY
Industrial growth dips to 1.9 per cent
THE industrial growth continued to be low at 1.9 per cent during October this year compared to an impressive growth of 6.8 per cent in the same month last year, mainly due to dismal performance of the manufacturing sector.

According to quick estimates of index of industrial production (IIP) released by Central Statistical Organisation, the growth of manufacturing sector plummeted to 2.2 per cent in October against 6.2 per cent in the same period last year. The cumulative growth (April-October 2001) remained subdued at 2.2 per cent as against 5.9 per cent during the first seven months last fiscal. Industry has recorded a growth of 1.6 per cent in September this year.

According to the figures, mining sector recorded a growth of 2.4 per cent in October this year, compared to 6.6 per cent in same month last year. Cumulative growth in this sector stood at 0.5 per cent, much lower than 4.2 per cent growth during April-October last year.
The power sector, after registering an impressive 4.1 per cent growth in September this year, dipped to 0.6 per cent in October as against 11.5 per cent growth in the same month last year. However, performance of the electricity sector recorded a growth of 2.6 per cent compared to 4.6 per cent last year, CSO release said.