Wednesday, August 17 2005 15:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As many as 115 cases of BSF personnel involoved in smuggling on Indo-Bangla borders have come to the notice of the Government and it was taking strict disciplinary actions against those found guilty after enquiry, Rajya Sabha was informed today (August 17, 2005).

Disclosing this, Minister of state for Home S Reghupathy said in a written reply that several steps including round-the-clock surveillance of the border by patrolling, conduct of special operations, upgradation of intelligence net-work and erection of border fencing have been undertaken.

ULFA: He said government has no specific report to suggest existence of hotels and bank accounts of ULFA in Bangladesh. However, reports indicate existence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs)camps in Bangladesh territory.

To another question, Reghupathy said government has received appeals for peace talks with ULFA, which indicate the willingness of the organisation to hold talks with the government, but there has been no no change in the pre-condition for holding talks, viz, their "core demand" of sovereignity.

In reply to the ULFA appeal, he said it has been reiterated that Government of India is willing to talk to all groups, which were prepared to abjure the path of violence, but without preconditions.

Modernisation of Central Pra Military Forces

Government has approved a five year plan (2002-07) for modernisation of Central Pra Military Forces at an estimated cost of Rs 3,740.71 crore in 2002, Minister of state for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal said.

Government has also approved a modernisation plan (2005-08) for Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at an estimated cost of Rs 444.33 crore, he said adding that the major thrust is to acquire modern weapons and ammunition, special protective equipment/vehicles, advanced communication and surveillance equipent and modern training aids.

NHRC: NHRC has registered 2,16,170 cases on complaints alleging violation of human rights during the last three years and has disposed of 2,17,425 cases, including carry over cases from previous years, after examination of the complaints and reports, Jaiswal said.

During the last three years, NHRC has filed one Writ Petition in NHRC vs State of Gujarat in the Supreme Court relating to the Gujarat riots of 2002 where the accused persons had been acquitted by the High Court, he said.

The Supreme Court has ordered retrial of ththe case outside the state of Gujarat.

Contribution: Government is considering certain changes in the law governing the receipt and utlisation of foreign contribution by voluntary organisation to remove shortcomings noticed in the present law, he said and added that the draft B Bill "Foreign Contribution (Management and Control), Bill, 2005 has been referred to the Group of Ministers by the Cabinet.

Floods: A total of 1,099 peope lost their lives in the recent floods in Maharashtra, which also saw damage to public utlity worth Rs 600 crore, Reghupathi said.

Ayodhya: Jaiswal said the Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that the Directorate General of Police, U.P. did not recommend any curtailment in security arrangements at the Ram Janam Bhoomi-Babri Masjid Complex at Ayodhya prior to the terrorist attack on the Complex.

Pakistanis: He said 6,077 Pakistani nationals had come to India to watch cricket match during Indo-Pak cricket series out of which 6,020 returned back to Pakistan till now while 57 are yet to go back.

Particulars of all such Pak nationals have been circulated to all the state governments and Union Administrations with a request to make concerted effort to locate them and take immediate action for their deportation, he said.