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India’s Superpower Euphoria CCCXXII
26/04/2011 Edit
CBI registers FIR in Prajapati fake encounter case
Agencies Tags : Sohrabuddin Shah encounter, Kausar Bi, Tulsiram Prajapati, CBI Posted: Fri Apr 29 2011, 19:07 hrs Ahmedabad:
The CBI registered an FIR on Friday in connection with the 2006 fake encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati, a key witness to the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausarbi, thus taking over the investigation after the Supreme Court’s directive.
CBI’s Joint Director, Zone-II, Mumbai, P Kandaswamy, said that the FIR had been registered with the special crime branch,CBI Mumbai, against “the police officials of Gujarat and Rajasthan and others for their alleged involvement in the criminal conspiracy of wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction and murder of Tulsi Prajapati and causing disappearance of evidence”.
He added that the FIR was registered in pursuance of the Supreme court’s order on April 8 on a writ petition filed by Narmada Bai, Prajapati’s mother.
Kandaswamy said that Narmada Bai’s petition would be the basis of the FIR, and the investigation would be conducted by the special investigation team (SIT) of CBI officers which had earlier probed the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case.
Narmada Bai had alleged that her son was killed in a fake encounter by the Gujarat police as he was a key eyewitness in the November 2005 killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
Prajapati, a close aide of Sohrabuddin, an alleged gangster, was killed in alleged shoot-out near Chapri village in Banaskantha district on December 28, 2006.
The Supreme Court had also criticised the tardy investigation by Gujarat police, regretting that the police took more than three-and-a-half years to file chargesheet.
The Prajapati encounter was being probed by the state CID earlier.
CID had registered FIR last year in Ambaji police station. Seven policemen including IPS officer Vipul Agarwal were arrested in the case.
Three suspended IPS officers, D G Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandiyan and Dinesh M N, who are accused in the Sohrabuddin encounter case, have been shown as accused in the Prajapati case too.
The apex court had taken into consideration the CBI’s argument that Prajapati’s case was crucial for unearthing the “larger conspiracy” in the Sohrabuddin case.
The court had observed that both oral and documentary evidence raise strong suspicion that Prajapati’s encounter was fake and stage-managed, as predicted by the deceased in several communications.
Observing that there was a connection between the two encounters, apex court had said that there was substantial material on record which makes it probable that the prime motive for eliminating Prajapati was that he was a witness to abduction of Sohrabuddin and Kausar Bi.
Gujarat government, during the arguments, had strongly opposed CBI probe on the ground that Prajapati’s case was in no way connected to the encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
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The ring of fire
The Chief Minister, honorable, oops, dishonorable, Narendra Modi, has left nothing for imagination. He has done it all. Allowing, if not orchestrating, post-Godhra carnage of innocent Muslims. His political as well state machinery, including but not limited to, local as well as the state law enforcement agencies, lower and higher state judicial system, local and state media, including print and electronic media, to deny the investigation, deny the protection to the citizens, deny the constitutionally guaranteed rights to the minority citizens, deny every single charge raised against him and his ministers and police officers. All of his attempts have failed to convince me his innocence. If he could cause horrible encounter killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Kauserbi, he could also do the same to Tulsiram Prajapati. Sanjeev Bhatt, his nemesis and accuser before SIT, may be the next target. Surely as his state police protection shield has been withdrawn by DGP.
…and I am Sid Harth
New Delhi, April 29, 2011
Pre-impeachment probe against Dinakaran stayed
PTI
The Hindu Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran. Photo: K. Murali Kumar
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the pre-impeachment probe by a Rajya Sabha-appointed panel into allegations of judicial misconduct and corruption against Sikkim High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran.
The apex court passed the order on a plea by Justice Dinakaran, expressing apprehension of a biased probe against him by the three-member panel, comprising Justice Aftab Alam of the apex court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J S Khehar and senior advocate P P Rao.
Senior advocate Amrendra Saran, appearing for the 61-year-old judge, pleaded before the apex court bench of justices H S Bedi and C K Prasad that Mr Rao was part of a delegation of lawyers, which had met the erstwhile Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan in 2009 to oppose his (Dinakaran’s) elevation to the Supreme Court.
Inclusion of advocate Mr Rao in the probe panel indicates the possibility of bias in probe against the judge, he said.
The bench after hearing his contentions, stayed the panel’s proceedings and issued notices to it, its chairman Justice Aftab Alam and advocate Rao.
Justice Dinakaran, in his petition to the apex court, said, “If there is reasonable likelihood of bias it is in accordance with natural justice and common sense that the judge likely to be so biased should be incapacitated from sitting. The basic principle underlying the rule is that justice must not only be done but must also appear to be done,” he said.
Challenging the panel’s decision of rejecting his plea, the judge pleaded that it was in violation of natural justice.
“The impugned order passed by the Judges Inquiry Committee allowing a biased member to continue to serve as a member of the committee is hit by the principles of natural justice and, hence, violative of Article 14 of the Constitution,” he said.
He pleaded that the apex court should quash the order passed by the panel on the issue of Rao’s recusal.
The panel had on April 24 rejected Dinakaran’s plea against Rao saying the objection should have been raised at the start of the proceedings. Rao did not participate in the meeting when this application was discussed.
The panel had also rejected his plea of staying the proceedings till he is supplied with all documents in the case.
Charges against Justice Dinakaran, who is due to retire on May 9, 2012, were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. He was subsequently transferred to the Sikkim High Court.
According to the judge, the panel is acting in contravention of Article 124 and 121 by raking up personal issues against him and his family members although the said constitutional provisions expressly barred any such reference of a high court or Supreme Court judge’s personal life.
The panel, appointed by Rajya Sabha chairperson Hamid Ansari after the House initiated impeachment motion against him, had asked Dinakaran to respond to the 16 charges framed against him.
The charges against Dinakaran include possession of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and illegal encroachment on public property and land belonging to Dalits and other weaker sections.
He is also accused of having five Tamil Nadu Housing Board plots in the name of his wife and two daughters, benami transactions, acquiring and possessing agricultural holdings beyond the ceiling fixed by the TN Land Reforms Act 1961, destruction of evidence, undervaluation of sale agreements, evasion of stamp duty and illegal constructions.
He has also been accused of resorting to irregular and dishonest administrative actions by fixing rosters of judges to facilitate dishonest judicial decisions while he was the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.
Keywords: Justice P D Dinakaran, impeachement, probe, bias
New Delhi, April 28, 2011
Bench recuses from hearing Dinakaran petition
Legal Correspondent
The Supreme Court has posted before a new Bench the writ petition filed by Justice P.D. Dinakaran, challenging the April 24 order passed by the inquiry committee which rejected his plea that one of its members, P.P. Rao, a senior advocate, recuse himself.
Justice Dinakaran is facing removal proceedings before the panel, comprising Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Mr. Rao, which is probing charges including corruption, land-grab and abuse of judicial office against him. The charges were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. Later he was transferred to the Sikkim High Court.
On Thursday, a Bench of Justices D.K. Jain and H.L. Dattu, without assigning any reason, directed that Justice Dinakaran’s petition be listed for ‘mentioning’ on Friday before another Bench.
In his petition, Justice Dinakaran said Mr. Rao was biased against him and sought a stay of all further proceedings before the panel.
Justice Dinakaran alleged that Mr. Rao earlier campaigned against him when his elevation to the Supreme Court was under consideration.
Keywords: Justice Dinakaran case, land grabbing, judicial misconduct, disproportionate wealth
New Delhi, April 28, 2011
Dinakaran wants media kept out of hearing
Legal Correspondent
Comment (1)
Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran on Wednesday filed an application before the committee probing charges of corruption, land grab and abuse of judicial office against him, demanding that media be kept out of the hearing on the removal proceedings and that they be held ‘in-camera.’
The application was filed before the panel that comprises Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and senior advocate P.P. Rao.
Justice Dinakaran also filed an application seeking a review of the order on his preliminary objection that Mr. Rao should recuse himself from the probe as he was biased.
The panel, which had issued the charge sheet to Justice Dinakaran, dismissed his application on April 24. (Mr. Rao did not participate in that meeting.)
‘Counsel not heard’
Justice Dinakaran said his counsel was not heard before the committee passed the order.
Rejecting the application, the committee said the hearing would begin on Thursday.
Senior counsel for the panel U.U. Lalit said that based on the written statements filed by Justice Dinakaran to the 16 charges, there was no ground to drop any of the charges.
Accordingly, the committee retained all the charges mentioned in the motion under Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 for removal of Justice Dinakaran, admitted in Parliament on December 17, 2009.
On Tuesday, Justice Dinakaran moved the Supreme Court challenging the order refusing his plea seeking recusal of Mr. Rao and this petition is yet to come up for hearing.
He had sought a stay on the removal proceedings.
Keywords: P.D. Dinakaran case
Is this not a matter of very high public interest ? Some others might also ask Mr Dinakaran the question “What is there to hide?” but I wouldn’t. Let us not deny him his right to be heard, his right of reply and his right to privacy, but the public have an equal if not more weighty reason to be informed.
from: Kumar
Posted on: Apr 28, 2011 at 07:36 IST
New Delhi, April 26, 2011
Dinakaran moves Supreme Court for stay of removal proceedings
Legal Correspondent
P.D. Dinakaran
Justice P.D. Dinakaran has moved the Supreme Court against his removal proceedings before a three-member committee, which is probing the charges of corruption, land-grab and abuse of judicial office, among others, against him.
The charges were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. He has since been shifted to the Sikkim High Court.
In his writ petition filed on Tuesday, Justice Dinakaran challenged the April 24 committee order, rejecting his plea that one of the panel members, senior advocate P.P. Rao, recuse himself. He sought a stay on all further proceedings.
The committee, which includes Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, had issued the charge sheet to Justice Dinakaran in March and sought his response. Even as he moved the Supreme Court, Justice Dinakaran submitted his response to the panel, which posted for Wednesday the matter for an enquiry to decide which charges were to be dropped.
Justice Dinakaran raised preliminary objections to the continuance of Mr. Rao on the committee on the plea of bias. However, the committee dismissed his application, holding that it was filed with a view to delaying the proceedings.
Assailing the proceedings, Justice Dinakaran said the committee had acted beyond the scope and jurisdiction of the Judges (Inquiry) Act and was passing orders without hearing his counsel. The committee was also acting unconstitutionally by not following the due procedure, he said.
Keywords: land grabbing case, P.D. Dinakaran
2002 riots: Gujarat govt withdraws IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s security
Mosiqi Acharya | Ahmedabad, April 29, 2011 | Updated 10:56 IST
Sanjiv Bhatt
Sanjiv Bhatt had earlier expressed concern over his security in an affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Days after his statement against Gujarat Chief Minister in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s security has been withdrawn by the state police despite his concern over threat to his life.
The Gujarat DGP wrote a letter to Bhatt on Thursday evening informing him that his security was being withdrawn. Bhatt however held onto the security personnel deployed at his place.
Contesting the Gujarat Police’s decision, he replied to the DGP’s letter sending copies to the Supreme Court and the Nanavati Commission probing the post-Godhra riots.
Bhatt had earlier expressed concern over his security in an affidavit in the Supreme Court. He had sought direction from the apex court to the state government to provide him adequate security cover.
In fact, fearing that Bhatt would be victimised for his outbursts against Modi, former additional DGP R.B. Sreekumar had recently written to the special investigating team (SIT), probing the 2002 riot cases, seeking effective security to Bhatt.
An affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court, Bhatt had stated that Modi convened a late-night meeting on February 27, 2002 after the Sabarmati Express burning at Godhra station and asked the state police to let Hindus vent their anger.
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Following comment was posted but, as yet, not published.
Sid Harth (USA)
Sanjeev Bhatt is a dead man walking. A much decorated, oops, denigrated goat is pushed, yelling and screaming, oops, bleating and twisting his neck to be sacrificed at the high altar, “yadnya vedi” by these heinous Hindutva high priests such as Narendra Modi. If these illegal and immoral actions from Hindutva poster-boy, a messiah of new-fangled BJP/RSS, oops, Sangh Parivar’s Narendra Modi does not ring a warning bell among the powers that be, India is going to answer to the world. Not only Bhatt is being questioned, ridiculed, damned he is demoted to desk job. If he is a liar, jury is out on that, he deserves an award as a whistle blower. Narendra Modi’s hands are red with blood of at least 1000 innocent Muslim men, women and children. His naughty and feisty arrogant face is also blackened with several so called encounter murders in broad day light. His constant challenging Delhi to arrest him with or without evidence are nothing but sheer mendacity. When is Delhi going to arrest him for Godhra aftermath carnage? When the justice be done to those who lost their lives, properties and fundamental rights granted to them by the constitution. Enough is enough.
…and I am Sid Harth
Sonia’s NAC takes on Anna camp: Lokpal no magic pill against graft
Subodh Ghidiyal & Nitin Sethi, TNN | Apr 29, 2011, 03.22am IST
Comments (83)
Tags:Sonia Gandhi|National Advisory Council|Lokpal Bill|Anna Hazare
Anna Hazare
Taking a potshot at Hazare’s campaign on Lokpal bill, the NAC pointed out that for both the middle class and the rich corruption is only a selective issue.
NEW DELHI: The split in the civil society over the Lokpal bill is out in the open. Amid the clamour for Lokpal as a magic pill against corruption, the National Advisory Council (NAC) on Thursday argued that a bouquet of systemic reforms with a clutch of laws is required to curb graft.
Pushing for the need of several new laws and reforms, the Sonia Gandhi-led panel cautioned that system need not look at one place to stem corruption or look for a silver bullet, in an oblique reference to Anna Hazare’s campaign for Lokpal bill.
NAC members Harsh Mander and Aruna Roy presented the roadmap to control corruption. Presenting an exhaustive homework for UPA-II, it listed out an array of reforms and a long legislative agenda.
In what could be construed as a pot shot at Hazare’s campaign on Lokpal bill, it was pointed out that for both the middle class and the rich corruption is only a selective issue.
It was suggested that the NAC should address corruption from the poor’s viewpoint.
The proposed reforms entail bringing in changes to incorporate social audits, Lokpal bill, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary.
It was pointed out that almost no action had been taken on the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission or the suggestions of the CVC. On police reforms, too, it was noted that only 11 states have passed the new Police Acts till date.
While a host of points were raised, the NAC deliberated on what could be the specific areas it can take up.
In keeping with its pro-poor agenda, it was suggested that the NAC focus on issues of transparency, social audits, public appointments and pre-legislative consultations, besides other issues.
Sources suggested that the NAC would tackle concerns of improving the Right to Information Act and increasing transparency in government operations, including voluntary disclosures and social audits.
Sonia’s NAC takes on Anna camp: Lokpal no magic pill against graft
Comments (85)
Recommended (27)
Jay (Toronto)
1 min ago (07:53 AM)
Honourable Indians, You guys lost this case if you depend on sonia to solve your problem. What she knows about India?. Having wedded to Nehru family has made her an automatic choice to the throne without any responsibility by the corrupt congress politicians who looted the country for the past 60 years. we have good educated people but it seems they have no common sense to keep a foreigner to rule by proxy and encourage corruption.
Disagree (1)
A.Annaji Rao (Vizianagaram)
6 mins ago (07:48 AM)
People have not forgotten emergency. Unless the element of fear is instilled in corrupt mind , the corrupt people will not change. Pass a stringent law by which all past and present politicians, govt officials wealth i must be investigated, if found guilty ,the wealth must be confiscated and the person given harsh punishment. jjustice must swift and severe..Present day ministers will not allow to draft such bill ,hence members from civil society should address this. Pl don’t forget french revolution. History may repeat
enlightenedworldcitizen (India)
7 mins ago (07:47 AM)
The poor is the most affect by corruption. There progress is blocked in every way. There is no proper education, healthcare, jobs for them. There land is taken away. Their wages are so low that industrialists becomes billianaires. They are made to live in slums and their diginity and safety are compromised. What is meant for them is being looted mercilessly from them by the corrupt b**ds in places of authority. Everyone should understand that keeping them poor is a threat to yourself. Your children are not safe from their children.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
mellow (sgp)
10 mins ago (07:44 AM)
The NAC proposal makes sense and is the only one comprehensive enough to tackle the burgeoning corruption issue buffeting the country. The next step is for the NAC to issue a timeline for implementation of each of its proposals. Furthermore, NAC should consider an expanded presence throughout India so that it can better galvanise support for this cause.
Agree (2)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Clint Martin (Canada)
11 mins ago (07:43 AM)
Mrs Gandhi. Even though you are from a corrupt and manipulative bunch of the Nehru clan by marriage I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt about your own cleanliness as far as your own involvement was concerned, I guess I was wrong. Do not take the Indian people for a bunch of fools. If you have nothing to hide then the Lokpal bill should not be a problem to enact as law. You and the congress has lost my vote today and I along with numerous Indians whose lives you and your family have destroyed financially call for you to be publicly lynched for this statement. Get out before the people you loot and cheat run riot in the street of India and overthrow you with Bastille like similarity and make you the Marie Antoinette of India. You are a disgrace to Christianity and the man Christ. As a Christian woman living you are obliged to be nothing short of a mother Theresa or else you are welcome to leave. There was another Christian power that once abused the hospitality of this nation and you know what happened to them. I am a Christian and dammed proud to be one. I have respected the tri colour despite the ridiculous opinion of the Bajaraj Dal and other such misfits in our society. You have a choice to make. Shape up or ship out. There is no other option. Anna Hazare is the Fr Theresa of our time and you will dammed will heal before his honesty.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
SF (Here)
11 mins ago (07:43 AM)
The corrupt members of the public are unlikely to take on the crooked politicians.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
mellow (sgp)
4 mins ago (07:44 AM)
The NAC proposal makes sense and is the only one comprehensive enough to tackle the burgeoning corruption issue buffeting the country. The next step is for the NAC to issue a timeline for implementation of each of its proposals. Furthermore, NAC should consider an expanded presence throughout India so that it can better galvanise support for this cause.
cowboy (Jakarta)
6 mins ago (07:42 AM)
Those who are corrupt can never bring an anticorruptin bill with whole heart. Only people like Anna Hazare can do that.
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
6 mins ago (07:42 AM)
Being facetious is becoming a bad habit of mine. TOI, oh TOI, stop me from making this august discussion forum, populated by, armchair philosophers, seasoned political pundits, bevvy of young and mutinous middle class moralists, not to forget, most opinionated, biased, partisan soldiers of fortunes hanging, oops, banging their naked swords on their decorated shields, clanging their symbols, oops, cymbals, tooting their own horns, bugles, drums and anything that makes enough noise to drown reality. Yes, I said reality. The reality is very clear that something major must be done, if not, started to tackle this enormous problem of corruption. If NAC devices a plan, why not have a sane debate upon it. Annaa’s pill, as promoted heavily by media, was never a solution. let me take you on a flight of imagination, oops, a guided tour. Sleeping medicine/pill does a good job in inducing a sleep. The strict dosage limit must be observed. If one tablet could do the job, why take two? If even two don’t work, one should consult one’s physician before going for stronger dosage. A bottle full of tablets brings one to a door of perpetual sleep. Anna’s demand is somewhat of this nature. He wants to administer a patient with, not a single, ineffective, pill but with an entire bottle of pills. Figure it out yourself, theoretically. stronger is not always better. Smaller and more medicine works miracle. Anna, my dear Marathi brother,please don’t take your own medicine.
…and I am Sid Harth
mittu (BAngalore)
8 mins ago (07:40 AM)
What is NAC? it is a Congress proprietary organisation that speaks ill about all other reforms and praises sonia and MMS. Let us not listen to that.
West Towel Towel (not near gslv launchpad)
10 mins ago (07:38 AM)
This is how congress defends corruption,so they can do corruption in the future.Sonia gandi is the mastermind of of all scams.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)
Niranjan (Vadodara)
11 mins ago (07:37 AM)
Anyone who says that Lokpal Bill is no solution to the present crisis of rampant coprruption, should either come up with a better solution or shut up! The influence of the Govt. on the agencies like CBI etc is very strong and has to be curtailed with a strong Lokpal bill and a strict implementation of the laws. So, SG, put up or shut up!
Agree (1)
INDIAN (Bangalore)
21 mins ago (07:27 AM)
Hi Readers, We need to ask Hazare to ask the govt what happend to money for which the govt tried or brought back the money from SWISS BANK…………What happened to the huge money………..Hope all the money might have been stored into sonia and other congress party leaders account……if this continus there will be no future for our country…………Gandhi fought for freedom…….Now we need to fight for our freedom from this corrupt poloticians…………JAI HIND
Agree (3)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Ashok (Bhubaneswar)
25 mins ago (07:23 AM)
Sonia, don’t teach us what is right or wrong. We have been taking the burden of corrupt politicians for last 50 years. Seems that hanging in public is the only option for all the corrupt politicians/beauocrats. Now we want a change. Annaji has shown us the way.
Agree (3)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
aloena (India)
25 mins ago (07:23 AM)
Many of the constituents in the Lokpal bill are already functioning without results. If a Lokpal bill could resolve corruption, why can’t Hegde, the Lok Ayukta, stop corruption in Karnataka inspite of ‘investigating’ for years? How is the Lokpal going to help Hegde complete his investigation in Karnataka within a year?
Agree (2)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
aloena (India)
26 mins ago (07:22 AM)
There are so many ignorant people here. The Lokpal bill was opposed by NAC, which has good, honest members from civil society, unlike the corrupt Bhushans. And, they just said that the Lokpal will not be able to stop corruption.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)Recommend (1)
vict (ny)
40 mins ago (07:08 AM)
Yes. There is a magic pill. Arrest all the Politicians (even the ones who are not corrupt may be one or two) ask them to prove themselves innocent and hang them and attach all their personal property, benami property, bank accounts etc.. Madam let the bill come into effect and you will it is magic pill.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (4)
mellow (sgp) replies to vict
16 mins ago (07:32 AM)
Yeah. But then new ones would have to be elected to take the places of positions thus vacated. The people of India will then, have the chance to elect a whole bunch of new office bearers as corrupt as the ones disposed by your theory of jusstice.
sunil g (delhi) replies to vict
17 mins ago (07:31 AM)
Tell something which is more practical. You are wasting your brain, interent space and as well others time. Your comment suggests you are frustrated, disappointed with current system and politics and finally lost hope.
Jay (Sing)
40 mins ago (07:08 AM)
People of India are comfortable with Lokpall. We don’t want your non sense views. We are ready to take the pill. It is not going to hurt us. We have been taking your poisonous pill all over these years. Enough. No need to teach us.
Agree (6)
Kishorkant (Nagpur)
46 mins ago (07:02 AM)
Actually we need Administrative Accountability Bill, which ensures upright, firm, honest and effective administration and execution of the government policies. Right from Rajiv Gandhi to Manmohansingh as PM reiterates that only 10 paisa out of sanctioned Rs.1/- reaches to the public. But non of the PM tried to explore the pilferage of 90 paise’s outlet or route so that it can be arrested or addressed properly. AA [Administrative Accountability] Bill will fix responsibility on bureaucrats for this type of leakage of government exchequer.
Agree (4)
bal (navi mumbai)
47 mins ago (07:01 AM)
It is so sad that Indian polity has reached to such a low level. Going by the dirty game PAC,NAC r playing,it is clear that they r to scuttle the anti-corruption movement and continue their dirty business as usaul. Mind well, even BJP or any other party are not at all immune to corruption and scandals when in power & position. I think it is time to declare Emergency and handover reigns of the country to Supreme Court which is so far behaving sensibly and responsibly under adverse situation. No point in depending on present President as she is no more than a rubber stamp of Sonia.Country is slowly but surely pushed towards anarchy and instability. Enormous black money from the POWERS THAT BE which will expose parties who r involved in running the affairs of this country is the main cause behind typical behaviour of ruling party and allies..Third force better be prepared for the whatever situation arises in comming year or so! So sad but true!!
Agree (2)
Rakesh (Delhi)
50 mins ago (06:58 AM)
What about democratic reforms!! There is perceived agency problems in our present democratic system. The people have little control on the functioning of the government. The parliamentarians decide their wages themselves. All committees like PAC have become a tool to further party vested interests. There is no effective oversight, similar to what the company law provides to shareholders over management. Following remedy should be initiated – First, constitutional amendment should happen and procedures should be laid down so that public referendum becomes an integral part of our democratic system. Second, all parliamentary committees should have a certain percentage of supreme court or high court judges on the lines of provision of independent directors in company board and various committees (e.g., audit committee). Third, law on party whip is acting against the democracy. It seems the members have just become representatives of party. Elected representatives should ideally exercise their judgement on case to case basis and all their actions should further the interest of people. There is an urgent need to review the law of penal action against parliamentarians who disregard the party whip for public interest. I think many more such improvements can be suggested so that the world’s largest democracy can boast of becoming a progressive democracy as well.
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
Sanjay (Hyderabad) replies to Rakesh
12 mins ago (07:36 AM)
Great ideas Rakesh. Must commend you for their freshness and depth. Unfortunately these ideas if at all put forth during consultations are certain to be resisted with all the might and power by our politicians and elected representatives with their greedy agendas, self-promoting interests and addiction for corruption. These are good proposals – with powerful teeth that can cut off their evil tentacles and end their looting rampage of the country’s wealth. Even mere suggestion of proposals will send jitters up their spines if at all they have any and give them sleepless nights. Sorry to be cynical and pessimistic – but the sad reality is that our politicians and elected reps are evil to the core and have no shame or self-respect. Just see what is happening all around you. Even if people are spitting on their faces they are shamelessly wiping them off moving on continuing with their looting spree. No hope for India unless a powerful revolution sweeps the nation.
Bikash (Indian)
52 mins ago (06:56 AM)
What better can we expect from a party that has cultured the art to rob and corrupt this country for last 60 years ? These bunch is now questioning the PAC report on 2G scam and would not allow it to be adopted. So in our form of democracy, the theives can be allowed to write their own report on the incident ?
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
sanjeev (Sydney)
52 mins ago (06:56 AM)
We want lokpal bill. No matter what happens. SO many days politicians have decided on what to do and ruined the country. Now it is our turn. NO matter if it is an incorrect decision. If it is incorrect, we can always correct it. Slimy politicians go to hell.
Agree (4)Recommend (2)
Ronnie (Sydney)
53 mins ago (06:55 AM)
I am a strong supporter of Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption and I am also aware that the Lok Pal Bill alone is not the answer to the corruptions. However, first and foremost we do require a very strong Lok Pal Bill. Secondly other laws and procedures required curbing the corruptions at all the Government Departments; however, still Lok Pal remains the monitoring body. Lok Pal (Ombudsman) is very effective in Australia and it also has got many laws, Policies and Procedures at the Department level which ensures fair go to its citizen. Please check Ombudsman bodies online. Most importantly Citizen’s movement and support is very important to keep check and balances. Same applies to Australia and also in other Western Countries. So Strong Lok Pal Bill is half the battle won and other half lies with the People and not with the Bureaucrats as majority of them never know the meaning of service to people, honesty, fairness and commitment to the Country. People always mix up religions, caste and personal values with that Public values. Still a long way to go but you have my support.
Agree (3)Recommend (2)
Gokul R Nair (Kerala)
54 mins ago (06:54 AM)
Sonia fears that when this bill is introduced her UPA members number will be reduced and that to affect the support of the UPA Government under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
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READER (kolkata)
55 mins ago (06:53 AM)
honest fascism or dishonest democracy?–which is better?———THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT HONEST FASCISM WILL NOT BECOME DISHONEST
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Gokul R NAIR (KERALA)
1 hrs ago (06:48 AM)
Lokpal bill is something that the country wants now because to curb out corruption in India to certain extent that will be a blessing but i don’t think this bill find a success this time. I feel sorry to the old Gandhian Kishan Baburao Hazzare alias Anna Hazzare who lead a strike for two weeks to bring the draft of Lokpal bill. The UPA government members are not at all interested to put up this bill and that is why they are taking a stand against this bill by saying certain unnecessary excuses. The Citizens of India who are against corruption should take a stand to bring a success to this Lokpal bill which many feared to be introduced.
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manoj (hyderabad)
1 hr ago (06:34 AM)
This is another example of our dirty politicians and rotten system, which doesn’t allow something good to happen in this country. This is very unfortunate that people like Anna Hazare is been targeted every now and then. The politicians and their followers are trying everything to scuttle the Lokpal bill. I think even media is not playing very positive role. The Indian media is also part of our corrupt system.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
kanchi (us)
1 hr ago (06:33 AM)
Was this the lady who wrote to Mr. Harare that she was not against Lokpal?
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sunil g (delhi) replies to kanchi
58 mins ago (06:50 AM)
idiot, you are emotionally REACTING to the TOI sensational headline. Read the article and then comment. Lokpal bill is one of agenda in addition to social audits, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary. If they honestly implemented, it will be far more than people expected and india will be better place to live. We should also thanks Anna for waking up government.
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Sahzada Alim Khan (Delhi) replies to sunil g
28 mins ago (07:20 AM)
Her Sepoy Anna Hazare has done well and now NAC can get its version of all Bills imposed on Public with help of Ever Compliant corrupt Parties like SP,BSP,DMK,AIADMK and many other small time operators.Empower common man my foot.
Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy (Hyderabad, AP)
1 hr ago (06:32 AM)
Anna Hazare wants only publicity and there by awards/rewards that keeps him high. He is least purturbed on whether Lok Pal bill is going to route out the corruption or not. At present has luxurious office, cars, air travel, etc. Most of these come from trusts that were created by vested groups and funds were provided by corrupt. Supporters of Anna Hazare disagree on it just because to keep Anna Hazare in fighting mode. What ever form the Lok Pal bill will look like but there are people to keep tab on loop holes to do their corrupt practices. We must look at root cause of corruption in different spheres of activity and create solution to stop the corruption at that level. For example, World Bank IFC says the money spent helped development but not poverty — according to them only development. Why? Around 30% of it enters directly in to hawala market to convert black money to white. That is when Smt. Indira Gandhi was PM she bluntly told World Bank you give only the money and no consultants. World Bank lends money to eradicate pollution but the law says polluter has to pay. That means this money of World Bank goes as black money with out serving its purpose. Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
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V (M) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
20 mins ago (07:28 AM)
I have read your comment and replies. NOTHING WRONG IN MISDIRECTING PEOPLE. SEe how people are benefited by misdirecting people and lying all the time. See the greats. Take cue from RAJDEEP,BARKHA, VINOD SHARMA etc How Rajiv Shukla became MP and Chaiman of trillion Dollar BCCI. Being SECULAR it is your duty to DISTRACT indians.
somesh (malayesia) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
42 mins ago (07:06 AM)
you another poisonous snake. Leaders must have all those facilities. As long as they dont misuse the funds it is perfectly fine to have good office, good transport and communication system. Do you know the salaries of the politicians in low corruption countries? They are paid very well to not to indulge in dirty corruptions. (check out Singapore minister salaries)
Agree (1)
Ash (Singapore) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
50 mins ago (06:58 AM)
Don’t misdirect people with false information, even if you don’t Like Anna Hazare. The man is simplicity himself. He lives in a one room house at his village and travels by mass public transport. Providing mis-information creates doubts about your intentions
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
P.H.Bhanage (Sydney)
1 hr ago (06:32 AM)
What is NAC? NAC is facade for Sonia Gandhi to hide her wicked face.Anna Hazare and activists have brains and, at the right place, (Unlike Aruna Roy and Harsh Mander) and not at the wrong place like Sonia’s.They are fully aware that Lokpal Bill is only a small step in the direction of eradication of deep rooted corruption.Doing Nautanki of supporting Anna and and trying to sabotage the efforts of activists is the game she is playing ;which she thinks countrymen are not able to understand. Madam, citizens of India are not duds like buffoon Rahul Gandhi.We deplore your tactics.
Agree (8)Disagree (2)Recommend (5)
Rohan Dodal (Mumbai)
1 hr ago (06:23 AM)
Dirty Politics from Sonia / congress camp begins……Congress will never like to let power in its hands to be off to a third party surveyor…. Indians be brave n continue support to Anna….even if it’s not the last step, atleast it is a step in correct direction….
Agree (15)Disagree (3)Recommend (8)
Chaitanya (Melbourne)
1 hr ago (06:15 AM)
Anyone who thinks a piece of paper saying that public servants/officials can be punished for taking bribes (the crux of the Lokpal Bill) will solve all of India’s graft issues is deluded. There does need to be a much broader approach. There needs to be greater emphasis on enforcement. What’s the point of creating laws if there’s no enforcement? Its useless. Its a pity how emotional and non rational most commentors from India here seem to be. I just hope the wider society over there is a cut above.
Agree (2)Disagree (6)
P.Tauro (Mangalore)
1 hr ago (06:13 AM)
Lokpal bill is not the solution for everything and none expects it to solve all problems of corruption. It may only put a little fear into the ploticians provided it sends the corrupt behind bars within a reasonable period..That is all.
Agree (9)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
ss (CHINA)
1 hr ago (06:11 AM)
LEARN FROM CHINA , IF YOU CAN NOT STOP CORRUPTION SYSTEM, ACTUAALY DO NOT WANT, THEN SIMPLE PUNISHMENT LAW INTRODUCE EVEN WITHOUT PASSING IN PARLAMENT, AMONG INDIAN CITIZENS THAT WHO ASK FOR BRIBE KILL HIM INSTANTLY BUT 1ST COLLECT EVIDENCE SUCH AS VIDEO SHOOTING ,RECORDING INVOLVE MORE CITIZENS IN TALK AND BARGAINING AS WITNESS. HAVE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BE TROUBLE SHOOTER. DO NOT TALK ABOUT HUMANRIGHTS,AS 1T ASK THEM THEY PROVIDE ALL CITIZEN OF INDIA THE BEST STANDARD OF LIVING. SEE THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM,EMPLOYMENT PLACE,PRIVATE EMPOLYER EXPLOITING POOR PEOPLE THAT TIME WHERE GO HUMAN RIGHTS.IF CORRUPTION NOT STOP THEN CHINA ALREADY TAKE ALL OUR SECURITY,ECONOMIC INFORMATION FROM MILITRY STAFF BY PAYING LITTLE BRIBE AND ATTACK AND RULE ON INDIA LIKE MOGUL,FRENCH,BRITISH,PORTUGESES DID IN PAST 500YEARS. THIS WILL BE THE RESULT OF CORRUPTION.
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R= (INDIA) replies to ss
48 mins ago (07:00 AM)
SINCE NOTHING COMES OUT OF CHINA WE THINK THERE IS NO CORRUPTION THERE –THIS IS ONE ADVANTAGE THEY HAVE–AND THOSE IN CHINA WILL DEFINITELY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT –
Agree (1)
sunil (delhi) replies to ss
1 hr ago (06:28 AM)
sorry to tell corruption in china is also high. look at the corruption rank-Taiwan is 33, South Korea 39, Macau 46, Malaysia 56, China and Thailand tied at 78, India 87, Indonesia 110, Mongolia and Vietnam 116, Philippines 134, and Cambodia, Russia, and Laos at 154. Country can mature as much as people. Unless people in this country give up bribing in order to work done, taking bribe, country can’t eliminate corruption or develop.
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Somesh (hongkong) replies to sunil
46 mins ago (07:02 AM)
my dear, this was last years. Wait for few more months. Considering 2G, 3G, CWG, and INDIA will be TOP #1 in corruption. Dont go with those numbers. All country has corruption but they keep setting the things right. INDIA IS getting worst day by day. Now it is the public who should set it right for INDIA.
Agree (3)
sunil g (delhi) replies to Somesh
34 mins ago (07:14 AM)
I didn’t made up those ranks. I cross checked 2-3 sites before posting on TOI. If you don’t believe check yourself at en.wikipediaDOTorg/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index
VK (Delhi)
1 hr ago (06:11 AM)
Dear NAC, you are more than welcome to contribute in corruption removal, but for that you dont have to belittle the Lokpal process. If you guys can help to reduce corruption, people will also praise you the same way they are praising Annaji. To contribute from your side you dont have to show the initiatives taken by Annaji in negative. Do something and then tell. Just dont bark like a doggy. Plus point is that NAC has support of Sonia madam too. So DO something please.
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Raj (MSP) replies to VK
31 mins ago (07:17 AM)
Well Said VK. So True.
Anup (Auckland)
1 hr ago (06:09 AM)
Sonia is trying to divert public attention by trying to introduce several so called reforms. This corrupt congressmen have misled the gullible public for more than six decades. What Anna Hazare wants is that there should be an institution that is capable of catching and bringing to book all the big rotten fishes. And there should be such stringent actions taken against these looters of the national wealth that it may put great fear in the hearts of all these corrupt persons. Hope Sonia group is not able to sabotage the planned Lokpal bill.
Agree (9)Disagree (2)Recommend (4)
VK (Delhi) replies to Anup
1 hr ago (06:19 AM)
She wants to introduce every other bill (except Lokpal) that does not touch politicians… LoL.
Agree (8)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
sunil (delhi) replies to VK
1 hr ago (06:35 AM)
i think you have problem of reading news.. The proposed reforms entail bringing in changes to incorporate social audits, Lokpal bill, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary.
Agree (1)Disagree (4)
Reddy (USA)
1 hr ago (06:08 AM)
India should outsource punishment to these political leaders to Taliban. That is the only way to control corruption
Agree (5)Disagree (2)Recommend (3)
sameer (mumbai) replies to Reddy
39 mins ago (07:09 AM)
ha ha ha then these politicians will buy these Taliban guys and make arrange for girls party and fun there… AND make Taliban their heaven
QuickGMurugan (Chennai)
1 hr ago (06:06 AM)
Sonia and her family should be punished for l2G and CWG scams and she must be investigated for awarding contracts to italy and france. Giving telecome license to unknow companies.
Agree (9)Disagree (1)Recommend (5)
Niki (Lucknow) replies to QuickGMurugan
23 mins ago (07:25 AM)
Why Sonia? Please correct your information, 2G was done by Raja and he is already in Jail. CWG done by Kalmadi and he is also in Jail now. Ye sab BJP ke followers kahe halla iye hain bhai?
Naresh (Lucknow) replies to QuickGMurugan
34 mins ago (07:14 AM)
Maloom bhi hai kuch 2 g raja ne kiya aur cwg lakamandi ne. dono ab jail ki chakki peace rahe hain. Mein poochhta hun bhai jab sahi chal raha hai to kyon lokpal chahiye. Mrs Sonia Gandhi ke baare me log ulta seedha kyon bolte hai. Nehru Gandhi ki family ne desh ke liye itna tyag kiya.
tony (USA) replies to QuickGMurugan
37 mins ago (07:11 AM)
and keep few line blank below the list. Some more scams will be in the list. HOW ABOUT GANGA cleaning scam??
shila verma (kolkata)
1 hr ago (06:04 AM)
Madam Sonia, we know it that Lok Pal is not magician with a wand to make deeply ingrained corruption in all areas of our public dealings but it is a step in the right direction, at least an effort worth supporting. Unless, Madam, you have an alternative to clean up the system of corruption, this is the best we have.Please tell us how the UPA plans to confront corruption.
Agree (5)Recommend (1)
Ab (US)
1 hr ago (06:02 AM)
sab bakwaas hai… suggest so many changes…wait for so many years and by tht corruption will die or not but definitely flag bearers will die… not at all proud indian
Agree (8)Disagree (1)Recommend (4)
Arjun (Mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:47 AM)
Where was NAC before Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar protest? While these mentioned reforms are indispensable, yet what is most important is that we have honest, sincere, truthful and selfless people motivated by the larger interests of society to run the affairs of the country. A system with all these reforms without honest people operating them will again and again miss the mark and hit the buffers.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)
Dipankar Chaudhuri (Kolkata)
2 hrs ago (05:45 AM)
The NAC is a fail proof relief valve for the corrupt powerful ruling party luminaries. A few chosen person, on the basis of Bhagwan Jane what criteria, are there to provide timely blow through the pent up force that could blow up the coveted families of congress stalwarts. How could the so virtuous Ma’am of UPA II take the help of SP & BSP to scuttle the PAC report, let it come out in the open please, NAC should focus on how these unethical procedure are continuing.
Agree (6)Recommend (1)
Somanath (Austria)
2 hrs ago (05:43 AM)
If these arguments keep going like this or if congress has failed to pass fair bill (Lok pall bill) in next 6 months.Youth power will be on street and there is going to be unimaginable revolution against this corruptive system.Its even worse and worse than any other revolutions that world has seen… Let congress apply all there tactics to save them selves..Just wait and see Jai Hind..ready to welcome New India!!!
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
bhupinder (auckland)
2 hrs ago (05:42 AM)
why there is not corrupt in newzealand and australia,,majority of people pay by credit,atm and electronically money transfer, they trust people, they have better camera survallaince,telephone recording, and centralised system ofbanking,transferency and discipline, 24 hours criminal information,public help police to nab and police fine heavely, police have camera to record the whole scene not any scope for criminal for refusing,whole bureacrate, police are selected and educated well , there is public redressal system for people complaints,in india only god is whole,,onwer of country,no law,not system,not merits,only unionism,napotism,favouritism,,politicalism,,poor are dying like rats,horrible, how dnot people rise and beg better living from swissbank holder
Agree (7)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
MRG (Jalandhar)
2 hrs ago (05:36 AM)
Sonia and Company should tell what is the magic pill against graft. In fact these politicians do not want to get rid of corruption minance.
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
Vivek Mundkur Mundkur (Pune)
2 hrs ago (05:33 AM)
The so called intellectuals have been at it for 42 years ,discussing how corruption must be stopped. But many of them are the most corrupt and will never allow the Lokpal bill to pass. Anna Hazare has taken the initiative and forced the pace. Now watch what happens when he begins his fast , if the bill is not passed. I predict that there will be violence and this government will fall as in Egypt and the corrupt leaders will be hanged by angry mobs.
Agree (14)Disagree (2)Recommend (9)
Mad (USA)
2 hrs ago (05:30 AM)
I feel sad and shameful with the attitude of NAC. Why we need NAC? If Govt functions as required, do we need this body at all. I think we should fight for abolition NAC and it’s super powers. They do not do any thing to improve the lively hood opportunities for poor, they want to give rice at subsidized rice for poor and middle class. NAC wants poor to be poor always, not to stand on their legs. NAC wants give fish to be half hungry and depend on them, NAC does not want to teach them how to fish. There are lot of opportunities that can be created for honorable living in-spite of depending on the mercy of NAC. Why NAC wants to do is vote bank politics.
Agree (3)
kka (mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:29 AM)
Hazare is going to be a big failure not because of him but member of his team. All of the Hazares member particularly Bushans want to go down in the history. These guys will create a monster which next generation will pay dearly. Middle class has selective memory and choice about corruption, same guy who is protesting with Hazare will not mind paying rs100 to cop for breaking red light.
Agree (4)Disagree (11)Recommend (1)
dhaulklaan (Toronto) replies to kka
1 hr ago (06:36 AM)
Agree with kka totally. There were thousands of demonstrators who supported Hazare. Of those thousands, perhaps more than half of them had, in their life time, corrupted policemen or other government officials with bribes to achieve their tasks over the others. The possibility of gathering thousands of honest citizens at one go to demonstrate together is a very remote possibility. If there is a possibility, India would not have been as corrupt as today.
Agree (1)
abhixit (Kolkata) replies to dhaulklaan
49 mins ago (06:59 AM)
I think you have got the issues mixed up. Yes, why 50%, may be 100% of them would have paid bribe, because of the prevailing system. If you are forced to pay the bribe, what will you do? But they want to change the system so that no one is required or forced to pay a bribe. If there is no corruption, there is no need for an agitation against corruption. It is of course a different matter that Hazare may finally give in because of the powerful corrupt political system and the vested interests.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
VK (Delhi) replies to kka
1 hr ago (06:16 AM)
Are you a relative of neta?? You mean since people bribe police it is therefore OK for netas to loot the country… Two wrongs dont make one right.
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Nilesh (US.)
2 hrs ago (05:26 AM)
I really dont understand whats TOI wants to convey here. The article gives a tone that Anna Hazare camp is doing something wrong or whatever they are doing is not the correct way. But my dear, NAC says lokpal bill is one of the way to fight corruption. You can not expect everything to be done by Anna Hazare. Whats govt is for then? What NAC was doing so far? Hibernating somewhere.. spending money studying and suggesting ways to improve which govt itself ignores totally !! Shame on TOI , instead of praising and supporting Anna Hazare’s movement, its trying to create a picture that people are divided over this anti corruption movement. Jai Anna Hazare !!
Agree (2)Recommend (1)
Navin (Delhi)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
yes it alone will not fix the issue so what is congress going to do about it? are they coming up with solutions or just giving problems so that they can bleed us dry till we are up in arms like in gulf..
Agree (2)
ajit (pune)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
Congress has carefully cultivated and nurtured the cancer of corruption in India for several decades. You think they will let go so easily?
Agree (15)Disagree (1)Recommend (12)
nik cool (dehradun)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
Shame on our polticians…first they dont approve of such bills and secondly they say even if we approve this you cannot change them. They will still remain corrupt. God knows how much she took from all this…haha i guess pretty scared of all this
Agree (13)Disagree (1)Recommend (9)
VK (Delhi) replies to nik cool
1 hr ago (06:14 AM)
Rightly said. They now want to reform everything, but still do not want to enact a tough Lokpal. :-)… I am sure that if a tough Lokpal bill is brought in, more than 50% of netas will disappear as they join politics for “LOOT” rather than public service. These days even businessman have started joining politics as they know it can help their businesses a lot.
Agree (4)
Ronnie (Sydney) replies to nik cool
1 hr ago (06:08 AM)
Hi Cool, Not sure she took anything from anyone. Not that I am her fan. However, we should be sure when we raise finger at others. If you are pretty sure with evidence and not rumour and gossip on the media, please let us know how much and what she took. Keep Bofors and other allegations with yourselves; mind nothing personal with you.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)
Sharad C. Misra (Mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:22 AM)
So the cat is out of the bag ! It is now clear as to who has been encouraging the Congress Ministers and the spokespersons of the party to put a spoke in the wheel of Anna’s anti -graft agitation. Predictably, once again It has exposed that there are strong vested interests of the politicians at the helm of the existing power structure who are out to taken on Hazare with full force at their discretion and defeat him. These NAC panelists could have presented their viewpoint and institutional set- up for stemming the rot of corruption to the Committee of ten persons currently engaged in drafting the Bill rather than going public blowing their own trumpet.
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
pankajbangal (sydney)
2 hrs ago (05:19 AM)
good try by sonia to divert the issue to save almost all corrupt politicians
Agree (15)Recommend (11)
panduranga (BengaLuru) replies to pankajbangal
2 hrs ago (05:33 AM)
You are right. After Anna Hazare, it is now the turn of Amma Dus hazare to save India. Mama Mia !!:)
Agree (1)
K.B Chowdary (Hyderabad)
2 hrs ago (05:17 AM)
Chipping away at the Hazare initiative like the NAC does is the best,time honoured means of sabotaging the entire idea.We in India are past masters at this kind of thing.
Agree (9)Recommend (4)
RAJ (JODHPUR)
2 hrs ago (05:17 AM)
it’s show true face of Sonia & Sonia’s team
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
29 Apr, 2011, 05.31AM IST,ET Bureau
2G scam: PAC does not endorse Joshi’s draft
Comments (1)
Read more on »United Progressive Alliance|public accounts committee|Congress|CAG|Buta Singh|Bahujan Samaj Party|2G scam
NEW DELHI: The United Progressive Alliance on Thursday prevented the adoption of the draft report on 2G spectrum allocation scandal by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee by managing the support of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in the committee.
The PAC meeting which witnessed unprecedented scenes, heated arguments, adjournments and even ‘expulsion’ of Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi by members belonging to the UPA and supporting parties, pointed to the worsening of relations between the ruling side and the Opposition.
Although the meeting did not adopt the report, there is room and precedence for Joshi to present the report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The rules of PAC allow the chairman to present the report after conclusion of discussions and circulation of the report among panel members.
What could also strengthen the hands of Joshi is a precedent set by former PAC chief Buta Singh. In 2004, Buta Singh tabled a report on the coffin scam without even perfunctory discussions with panel members. It would be interesting to watch how Speaker Meira Kumar responds if Joshi decides to present the report on Friday.
The committee, which met on Thursday morning, saw members of the ruling side and new supporters SP and BSP MPs questioning the credibility of the report. These members, who alleged that the work of the committee was outsourced, said the 2G spectrum issue should be left to the next PAC to decide. The tenure of this committee ends on March 31 though Joshi would head the next committee too.
While Congress members gave a letter citing bias on the part of chairman Murli Manohar Joshi, SP and BSP MPs chipped in with separate letters detailing similar arguments. Yashwant Sinha, NK Singh and BH Mahtab, who spearheaded the counter attack, said members should back their allegation of bias against the Chairman with evidence.
UPA members also raised a factual error in the English version of the report. They pointed out that the report has claimed that the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary were examined when both the officials never appeared before PAC. NDA members countered this by saying that Rule 71(b) of the Lok Sabha rules allows the committee to rectify “inadvertent” errors.
UPA members insisted that the report cannot be adopted as individuals like A Raja and Arun Shourie have not been asked to give their versions. “The issue should be left to the next PAC,” said Congress’ KS Rao. This stand was backed by Congress colleagues Jitender Singh, Navin Jindal and Arun Kumar.
NK Singh intervened to say that the meeting cannot bind the next PAC by the decision of the present Public Accounts Committee. There is no burden on the next Public Accounts Committee to conduct examination of the CAG report. NDA members also pointed out that since the report has steered clear of any matter that impinges on the criminal investigations in the case, it should be adopted.
After all the 20 members on the panel spoke on the report, Joshi adjourned the meeting till 4 pm. When members reassembled, the ruling side members insisted that Joshi should seek a vote on the report.
Joshi pointed out that he was not given an opportunity to speak on the charges made against him. But when the ruling side refused to give him a chance to speak, he announced the end of proceedings and walked out of the room.
UPA members stayed put and ‘elected’ Saifuddin Soz as the chief of the Public Accounts Committee and voted out the report. But this will have little validity as chairman of the PAC has to be a member of the Lok Sabha. Soz belongs to the Rajya Sabha.
After its MPs rejected the report, Congress threw its weight behind the members. Congress stepped up the offensive against Joshi outside Parliament and blamed him for politicising a parliamentary standing committee. JD(U)’s NK Singh, who countered this said that the committee was functioning normally till the middle of this month and UPA needed to explain the troubles in the panel.
“What is that watershed mark that led to the politicisation of the committee. A section injected politics into the functioning of the panel after the Principal Secretary to the prime minister and Cabinet Secretary were summoned on April 15. This will only cripple the functioning of parliamentary committees,” the JD(U) leader said.
Readers’ opinions (1)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
Nothing surprises me anymore. The behavior of Indian politicians requires a major retooling, not refurbishing, not a band aid solution. Political power has been used with extraordinary planning, coordination, strategy and impeccable maneuvers by Congress before. However, this time they have taken the horse, oops bull, oops, a jackass, by his horns, oops, ears, long ears. Murli Manohar Joshi is not so stupid that he would prevent a demand for vote on the draft. He is a seasoned political leader with his head screwed properly. He has been thru many such verbal battles inside and outside of his long political career. If he was stung by the allegations, such as report being “Outsourced,” he could have simply ignored it. If there is any supporting evidence backing that silly charge, he could have a discussion. At a critical moment, instead of thrashing that and other charges, he chose to adjourn the session. Perhaps, he wanted to cool his anger, frustration. Perhaps, he wanted time to think over his strategy to debunk that charge and wanted to check his political bosses, gurus and almighty God. His statesmanship was withered in a moment. His ego took over. It was simply dangling a juicy bait in front of him. Anyway, he grabbed it. The rest is a history. Hungry politicians, either for attention or power, should not get angry. Be nonchalant. Lord Krishna said, very elegantly:, as in “sthitapradnyasya kaa bhaashaa..” I don’t think he read Bhagavadgita. I did.
…and I am Sid Harth
Chaos at PAC meet; Joshi’s 2G draft report rejectedCBI registers FIR in Prajapati fake encounter case
Agencies Tags : Sohrabuddin Shah encounter, Kausar Bi, Tulsiram Prajapati, CBI Posted: Fri Apr 29 2011, 19:07 hrs Ahmedabad:
The CBI registered an FIR on Friday in connection with the 2006 fake encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati, a key witness to the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausarbi, thus taking over the investigation after the Supreme Court’s directive.
CBI’s Joint Director, Zone-II, Mumbai, P Kandaswamy, said that the FIR had been registered with the special crime branch,CBI Mumbai, against “the police officials of Gujarat and Rajasthan and others for their alleged involvement in the criminal conspiracy of wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction and murder of Tulsi Prajapati and causing disappearance of evidence”.
He added that the FIR was registered in pursuance of the Supreme court’s order on April 8 on a writ petition filed by Narmada Bai, Prajapati’s mother.
Kandaswamy said that Narmada Bai’s petition would be the basis of the FIR, and the investigation would be conducted by the special investigation team (SIT) of CBI officers which had earlier probed the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case.
Narmada Bai had alleged that her son was killed in a fake encounter by the Gujarat police as he was a key eyewitness in the November 2005 killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
Prajapati, a close aide of Sohrabuddin, an alleged gangster, was killed in alleged shoot-out near Chapri village in Banaskantha district on December 28, 2006.
The Supreme Court had also criticised the tardy investigation by Gujarat police, regretting that the police took more than three-and-a-half years to file chargesheet.
The Prajapati encounter was being probed by the state CID earlier.
CID had registered FIR last year in Ambaji police station. Seven policemen including IPS officer Vipul Agarwal were arrested in the case.
Three suspended IPS officers, D G Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandiyan and Dinesh M N, who are accused in the Sohrabuddin encounter case, have been shown as accused in the Prajapati case too.
The apex court had taken into consideration the CBI’s argument that Prajapati’s case was crucial for unearthing the “larger conspiracy” in the Sohrabuddin case.
The court had observed that both oral and documentary evidence raise strong suspicion that Prajapati’s encounter was fake and stage-managed, as predicted by the deceased in several communications.
Observing that there was a connection between the two encounters, apex court had said that there was substantial material on record which makes it probable that the prime motive for eliminating Prajapati was that he was a witness to abduction of Sohrabuddin and Kausar Bi.
Gujarat government, during the arguments, had strongly opposed CBI probe on the ground that Prajapati’s case was in no way connected to the encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
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The ring of fire
The Chief Minister, honorable, oops, dishonorable, Narendra Modi, has left nothing for imagination. He has done it all. Allowing, if not orchestrating, post-Godhra carnage of innocent Muslims. His political as well state machinery, including but not limited to, local as well as the state law enforcement agencies, lower and higher state judicial system, local and state media, including print and electronic media, to deny the investigation, deny the protection to the citizens, deny the constitutionally guaranteed rights to the minority citizens, deny every single charge raised against him and his ministers and police officers. All of his attempts have failed to convince me his innocence. If he could cause horrible encounter killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Kauserbi, he could also do the same to Tulsiram Prajapati. Sanjeev Bhatt, his nemesis and accuser before SIT, may be the next target. Surely as his state police protection shield has been withdrawn by DGP.
…and I am Sid Harth
New Delhi, April 29, 2011
Pre-impeachment probe against Dinakaran stayed
PTI
The Hindu Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran. Photo: K. Murali Kumar
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the pre-impeachment probe by a Rajya Sabha-appointed panel into allegations of judicial misconduct and corruption against Sikkim High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran.
The apex court passed the order on a plea by Justice Dinakaran, expressing apprehension of a biased probe against him by the three-member panel, comprising Justice Aftab Alam of the apex court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J S Khehar and senior advocate P P Rao.
Senior advocate Amrendra Saran, appearing for the 61-year-old judge, pleaded before the apex court bench of justices H S Bedi and C K Prasad that Mr Rao was part of a delegation of lawyers, which had met the erstwhile Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan in 2009 to oppose his (Dinakaran’s) elevation to the Supreme Court.
Inclusion of advocate Mr Rao in the probe panel indicates the possibility of bias in probe against the judge, he said.
The bench after hearing his contentions, stayed the panel’s proceedings and issued notices to it, its chairman Justice Aftab Alam and advocate Rao.
Justice Dinakaran, in his petition to the apex court, said, “If there is reasonable likelihood of bias it is in accordance with natural justice and common sense that the judge likely to be so biased should be incapacitated from sitting. The basic principle underlying the rule is that justice must not only be done but must also appear to be done,” he said.
Challenging the panel’s decision of rejecting his plea, the judge pleaded that it was in violation of natural justice.
“The impugned order passed by the Judges Inquiry Committee allowing a biased member to continue to serve as a member of the committee is hit by the principles of natural justice and, hence, violative of Article 14 of the Constitution,” he said.
He pleaded that the apex court should quash the order passed by the panel on the issue of Rao’s recusal.
The panel had on April 24 rejected Dinakaran’s plea against Rao saying the objection should have been raised at the start of the proceedings. Rao did not participate in the meeting when this application was discussed.
The panel had also rejected his plea of staying the proceedings till he is supplied with all documents in the case.
Charges against Justice Dinakaran, who is due to retire on May 9, 2012, were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. He was subsequently transferred to the Sikkim High Court.
According to the judge, the panel is acting in contravention of Article 124 and 121 by raking up personal issues against him and his family members although the said constitutional provisions expressly barred any such reference of a high court or Supreme Court judge’s personal life.
The panel, appointed by Rajya Sabha chairperson Hamid Ansari after the House initiated impeachment motion against him, had asked Dinakaran to respond to the 16 charges framed against him.
The charges against Dinakaran include possession of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and illegal encroachment on public property and land belonging to Dalits and other weaker sections.
He is also accused of having five Tamil Nadu Housing Board plots in the name of his wife and two daughters, benami transactions, acquiring and possessing agricultural holdings beyond the ceiling fixed by the TN Land Reforms Act 1961, destruction of evidence, undervaluation of sale agreements, evasion of stamp duty and illegal constructions.
He has also been accused of resorting to irregular and dishonest administrative actions by fixing rosters of judges to facilitate dishonest judicial decisions while he was the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.
Keywords: Justice P D Dinakaran, impeachement, probe, bias
New Delhi, April 28, 2011
Bench recuses from hearing Dinakaran petition
Legal Correspondent
The Supreme Court has posted before a new Bench the writ petition filed by Justice P.D. Dinakaran, challenging the April 24 order passed by the inquiry committee which rejected his plea that one of its members, P.P. Rao, a senior advocate, recuse himself.
Justice Dinakaran is facing removal proceedings before the panel, comprising Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Mr. Rao, which is probing charges including corruption, land-grab and abuse of judicial office against him. The charges were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. Later he was transferred to the Sikkim High Court.
On Thursday, a Bench of Justices D.K. Jain and H.L. Dattu, without assigning any reason, directed that Justice Dinakaran’s petition be listed for ‘mentioning’ on Friday before another Bench.
In his petition, Justice Dinakaran said Mr. Rao was biased against him and sought a stay of all further proceedings before the panel.
Justice Dinakaran alleged that Mr. Rao earlier campaigned against him when his elevation to the Supreme Court was under consideration.
Keywords: Justice Dinakaran case, land grabbing, judicial misconduct, disproportionate wealth
New Delhi, April 28, 2011
Dinakaran wants media kept out of hearing
Legal Correspondent
Comment (1)
Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran on Wednesday filed an application before the committee probing charges of corruption, land grab and abuse of judicial office against him, demanding that media be kept out of the hearing on the removal proceedings and that they be held ‘in-camera.’
The application was filed before the panel that comprises Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and senior advocate P.P. Rao.
Justice Dinakaran also filed an application seeking a review of the order on his preliminary objection that Mr. Rao should recuse himself from the probe as he was biased.
The panel, which had issued the charge sheet to Justice Dinakaran, dismissed his application on April 24. (Mr. Rao did not participate in that meeting.)
‘Counsel not heard’
Justice Dinakaran said his counsel was not heard before the committee passed the order.
Rejecting the application, the committee said the hearing would begin on Thursday.
Senior counsel for the panel U.U. Lalit said that based on the written statements filed by Justice Dinakaran to the 16 charges, there was no ground to drop any of the charges.
Accordingly, the committee retained all the charges mentioned in the motion under Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 for removal of Justice Dinakaran, admitted in Parliament on December 17, 2009.
On Tuesday, Justice Dinakaran moved the Supreme Court challenging the order refusing his plea seeking recusal of Mr. Rao and this petition is yet to come up for hearing.
He had sought a stay on the removal proceedings.
Keywords: P.D. Dinakaran case
Is this not a matter of very high public interest ? Some others might also ask Mr Dinakaran the question “What is there to hide?” but I wouldn’t. Let us not deny him his right to be heard, his right of reply and his right to privacy, but the public have an equal if not more weighty reason to be informed.
from: Kumar
Posted on: Apr 28, 2011 at 07:36 IST
New Delhi, April 26, 2011
Dinakaran moves Supreme Court for stay of removal proceedings
Legal Correspondent
P.D. Dinakaran
Justice P.D. Dinakaran has moved the Supreme Court against his removal proceedings before a three-member committee, which is probing the charges of corruption, land-grab and abuse of judicial office, among others, against him.
The charges were levelled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. He has since been shifted to the Sikkim High Court.
In his writ petition filed on Tuesday, Justice Dinakaran challenged the April 24 committee order, rejecting his plea that one of the panel members, senior advocate P.P. Rao, recuse himself. He sought a stay on all further proceedings.
The committee, which includes Justice Aftab Alam of the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, had issued the charge sheet to Justice Dinakaran in March and sought his response. Even as he moved the Supreme Court, Justice Dinakaran submitted his response to the panel, which posted for Wednesday the matter for an enquiry to decide which charges were to be dropped.
Justice Dinakaran raised preliminary objections to the continuance of Mr. Rao on the committee on the plea of bias. However, the committee dismissed his application, holding that it was filed with a view to delaying the proceedings.
Assailing the proceedings, Justice Dinakaran said the committee had acted beyond the scope and jurisdiction of the Judges (Inquiry) Act and was passing orders without hearing his counsel. The committee was also acting unconstitutionally by not following the due procedure, he said.
Keywords: land grabbing case, P.D. Dinakaran
2002 riots: Gujarat govt withdraws IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s security
Mosiqi Acharya | Ahmedabad, April 29, 2011 | Updated 10:56 IST
Sanjiv Bhatt
Sanjiv Bhatt had earlier expressed concern over his security in an affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Days after his statement against Gujarat Chief Minister in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s security has been withdrawn by the state police despite his concern over threat to his life.
The Gujarat DGP wrote a letter to Bhatt on Thursday evening informing him that his security was being withdrawn. Bhatt however held onto the security personnel deployed at his place.
Contesting the Gujarat Police’s decision, he replied to the DGP’s letter sending copies to the Supreme Court and the Nanavati Commission probing the post-Godhra riots.
Bhatt had earlier expressed concern over his security in an affidavit in the Supreme Court. He had sought direction from the apex court to the state government to provide him adequate security cover.
In fact, fearing that Bhatt would be victimised for his outbursts against Modi, former additional DGP R.B. Sreekumar had recently written to the special investigating team (SIT), probing the 2002 riot cases, seeking effective security to Bhatt.
An affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court, Bhatt had stated that Modi convened a late-night meeting on February 27, 2002 after the Sabarmati Express burning at Godhra station and asked the state police to let Hindus vent their anger.
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Following comment was posted but, as yet, not published.
Sid Harth (USA)
Sanjeev Bhatt is a dead man walking. A much decorated, oops, denigrated goat is pushed, yelling and screaming, oops, bleating and twisting his neck to be sacrificed at the high altar, “yadnya vedi” by these heinous Hindutva high priests such as Narendra Modi. If these illegal and immoral actions from Hindutva poster-boy, a messiah of new-fangled BJP/RSS, oops, Sangh Parivar’s Narendra Modi does not ring a warning bell among the powers that be, India is going to answer to the world. Not only Bhatt is being questioned, ridiculed, damned he is demoted to desk job. If he is a liar, jury is out on that, he deserves an award as a whistle blower. Narendra Modi’s hands are red with blood of at least 1000 innocent Muslim men, women and children. His naughty and feisty arrogant face is also blackened with several so called encounter murders in broad day light. His constant challenging Delhi to arrest him with or without evidence are nothing but sheer mendacity. When is Delhi going to arrest him for Godhra aftermath carnage? When the justice be done to those who lost their lives, properties and fundamental rights granted to them by the constitution. Enough is enough.
…and I am Sid Harth
Sonia’s NAC takes on Anna camp: Lokpal no magic pill against graft
Subodh Ghidiyal & Nitin Sethi, TNN | Apr 29, 2011, 03.22am IST
Comments (83)
Tags:Sonia Gandhi|National Advisory Council|Lokpal Bill|Anna Hazare
Anna Hazare
Taking a potshot at Hazare’s campaign on Lokpal bill, the NAC pointed out that for both the middle class and the rich corruption is only a selective issue.
NEW DELHI: The split in the civil society over the Lokpal bill is out in the open. Amid the clamour for Lokpal as a magic pill against corruption, the National Advisory Council (NAC) on Thursday argued that a bouquet of systemic reforms with a clutch of laws is required to curb graft.
Pushing for the need of several new laws and reforms, the Sonia Gandhi-led panel cautioned that system need not look at one place to stem corruption or look for a silver bullet, in an oblique reference to Anna Hazare’s campaign for Lokpal bill.
NAC members Harsh Mander and Aruna Roy presented the roadmap to control corruption. Presenting an exhaustive homework for UPA-II, it listed out an array of reforms and a long legislative agenda.
In what could be construed as a pot shot at Hazare’s campaign on Lokpal bill, it was pointed out that for both the middle class and the rich corruption is only a selective issue.
It was suggested that the NAC should address corruption from the poor’s viewpoint.
The proposed reforms entail bringing in changes to incorporate social audits, Lokpal bill, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary.
It was pointed out that almost no action had been taken on the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission or the suggestions of the CVC. On police reforms, too, it was noted that only 11 states have passed the new Police Acts till date.
While a host of points were raised, the NAC deliberated on what could be the specific areas it can take up.
In keeping with its pro-poor agenda, it was suggested that the NAC focus on issues of transparency, social audits, public appointments and pre-legislative consultations, besides other issues.
Sources suggested that the NAC would tackle concerns of improving the Right to Information Act and increasing transparency in government operations, including voluntary disclosures and social audits.
Sonia’s NAC takes on Anna camp: Lokpal no magic pill against graft
Comments (85)
Recommended (27)
Jay (Toronto)
1 min ago (07:53 AM)
Honourable Indians, You guys lost this case if you depend on sonia to solve your problem. What she knows about India?. Having wedded to Nehru family has made her an automatic choice to the throne without any responsibility by the corrupt congress politicians who looted the country for the past 60 years. we have good educated people but it seems they have no common sense to keep a foreigner to rule by proxy and encourage corruption.
Disagree (1)
A.Annaji Rao (Vizianagaram)
6 mins ago (07:48 AM)
People have not forgotten emergency. Unless the element of fear is instilled in corrupt mind , the corrupt people will not change. Pass a stringent law by which all past and present politicians, govt officials wealth i must be investigated, if found guilty ,the wealth must be confiscated and the person given harsh punishment. jjustice must swift and severe..Present day ministers will not allow to draft such bill ,hence members from civil society should address this. Pl don’t forget french revolution. History may repeat
enlightenedworldcitizen (India)
7 mins ago (07:47 AM)
The poor is the most affect by corruption. There progress is blocked in every way. There is no proper education, healthcare, jobs for them. There land is taken away. Their wages are so low that industrialists becomes billianaires. They are made to live in slums and their diginity and safety are compromised. What is meant for them is being looted mercilessly from them by the corrupt b**ds in places of authority. Everyone should understand that keeping them poor is a threat to yourself. Your children are not safe from their children.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
mellow (sgp)
10 mins ago (07:44 AM)
The NAC proposal makes sense and is the only one comprehensive enough to tackle the burgeoning corruption issue buffeting the country. The next step is for the NAC to issue a timeline for implementation of each of its proposals. Furthermore, NAC should consider an expanded presence throughout India so that it can better galvanise support for this cause.
Agree (2)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Clint Martin (Canada)
11 mins ago (07:43 AM)
Mrs Gandhi. Even though you are from a corrupt and manipulative bunch of the Nehru clan by marriage I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt about your own cleanliness as far as your own involvement was concerned, I guess I was wrong. Do not take the Indian people for a bunch of fools. If you have nothing to hide then the Lokpal bill should not be a problem to enact as law. You and the congress has lost my vote today and I along with numerous Indians whose lives you and your family have destroyed financially call for you to be publicly lynched for this statement. Get out before the people you loot and cheat run riot in the street of India and overthrow you with Bastille like similarity and make you the Marie Antoinette of India. You are a disgrace to Christianity and the man Christ. As a Christian woman living you are obliged to be nothing short of a mother Theresa or else you are welcome to leave. There was another Christian power that once abused the hospitality of this nation and you know what happened to them. I am a Christian and dammed proud to be one. I have respected the tri colour despite the ridiculous opinion of the Bajaraj Dal and other such misfits in our society. You have a choice to make. Shape up or ship out. There is no other option. Anna Hazare is the Fr Theresa of our time and you will dammed will heal before his honesty.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
SF (Here)
11 mins ago (07:43 AM)
The corrupt members of the public are unlikely to take on the crooked politicians.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
mellow (sgp)
4 mins ago (07:44 AM)
The NAC proposal makes sense and is the only one comprehensive enough to tackle the burgeoning corruption issue buffeting the country. The next step is for the NAC to issue a timeline for implementation of each of its proposals. Furthermore, NAC should consider an expanded presence throughout India so that it can better galvanise support for this cause.
cowboy (Jakarta)
6 mins ago (07:42 AM)
Those who are corrupt can never bring an anticorruptin bill with whole heart. Only people like Anna Hazare can do that.
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
6 mins ago (07:42 AM)
Being facetious is becoming a bad habit of mine. TOI, oh TOI, stop me from making this august discussion forum, populated by, armchair philosophers, seasoned political pundits, bevvy of young and mutinous middle class moralists, not to forget, most opinionated, biased, partisan soldiers of fortunes hanging, oops, banging their naked swords on their decorated shields, clanging their symbols, oops, cymbals, tooting their own horns, bugles, drums and anything that makes enough noise to drown reality. Yes, I said reality. The reality is very clear that something major must be done, if not, started to tackle this enormous problem of corruption. If NAC devices a plan, why not have a sane debate upon it. Annaa’s pill, as promoted heavily by media, was never a solution. let me take you on a flight of imagination, oops, a guided tour. Sleeping medicine/pill does a good job in inducing a sleep. The strict dosage limit must be observed. If one tablet could do the job, why take two? If even two don’t work, one should consult one’s physician before going for stronger dosage. A bottle full of tablets brings one to a door of perpetual sleep. Anna’s demand is somewhat of this nature. He wants to administer a patient with, not a single, ineffective, pill but with an entire bottle of pills. Figure it out yourself, theoretically. stronger is not always better. Smaller and more medicine works miracle. Anna, my dear Marathi brother,please don’t take your own medicine.
…and I am Sid Harth
mittu (BAngalore)
8 mins ago (07:40 AM)
What is NAC? it is a Congress proprietary organisation that speaks ill about all other reforms and praises sonia and MMS. Let us not listen to that.
West Towel Towel (not near gslv launchpad)
10 mins ago (07:38 AM)
This is how congress defends corruption,so they can do corruption in the future.Sonia gandi is the mastermind of of all scams.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)
Niranjan (Vadodara)
11 mins ago (07:37 AM)
Anyone who says that Lokpal Bill is no solution to the present crisis of rampant coprruption, should either come up with a better solution or shut up! The influence of the Govt. on the agencies like CBI etc is very strong and has to be curtailed with a strong Lokpal bill and a strict implementation of the laws. So, SG, put up or shut up!
Agree (1)
INDIAN (Bangalore)
21 mins ago (07:27 AM)
Hi Readers, We need to ask Hazare to ask the govt what happend to money for which the govt tried or brought back the money from SWISS BANK…………What happened to the huge money………..Hope all the money might have been stored into sonia and other congress party leaders account……if this continus there will be no future for our country…………Gandhi fought for freedom…….Now we need to fight for our freedom from this corrupt poloticians…………JAI HIND
Agree (3)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Ashok (Bhubaneswar)
25 mins ago (07:23 AM)
Sonia, don’t teach us what is right or wrong. We have been taking the burden of corrupt politicians for last 50 years. Seems that hanging in public is the only option for all the corrupt politicians/beauocrats. Now we want a change. Annaji has shown us the way.
Agree (3)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
aloena (India)
25 mins ago (07:23 AM)
Many of the constituents in the Lokpal bill are already functioning without results. If a Lokpal bill could resolve corruption, why can’t Hegde, the Lok Ayukta, stop corruption in Karnataka inspite of ‘investigating’ for years? How is the Lokpal going to help Hegde complete his investigation in Karnataka within a year?
Agree (2)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
aloena (India)
26 mins ago (07:22 AM)
There are so many ignorant people here. The Lokpal bill was opposed by NAC, which has good, honest members from civil society, unlike the corrupt Bhushans. And, they just said that the Lokpal will not be able to stop corruption.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)Recommend (1)
vict (ny)
40 mins ago (07:08 AM)
Yes. There is a magic pill. Arrest all the Politicians (even the ones who are not corrupt may be one or two) ask them to prove themselves innocent and hang them and attach all their personal property, benami property, bank accounts etc.. Madam let the bill come into effect and you will it is magic pill.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (4)
mellow (sgp) replies to vict
16 mins ago (07:32 AM)
Yeah. But then new ones would have to be elected to take the places of positions thus vacated. The people of India will then, have the chance to elect a whole bunch of new office bearers as corrupt as the ones disposed by your theory of jusstice.
sunil g (delhi) replies to vict
17 mins ago (07:31 AM)
Tell something which is more practical. You are wasting your brain, interent space and as well others time. Your comment suggests you are frustrated, disappointed with current system and politics and finally lost hope.
Jay (Sing)
40 mins ago (07:08 AM)
People of India are comfortable with Lokpall. We don’t want your non sense views. We are ready to take the pill. It is not going to hurt us. We have been taking your poisonous pill all over these years. Enough. No need to teach us.
Agree (6)
Kishorkant (Nagpur)
46 mins ago (07:02 AM)
Actually we need Administrative Accountability Bill, which ensures upright, firm, honest and effective administration and execution of the government policies. Right from Rajiv Gandhi to Manmohansingh as PM reiterates that only 10 paisa out of sanctioned Rs.1/- reaches to the public. But non of the PM tried to explore the pilferage of 90 paise’s outlet or route so that it can be arrested or addressed properly. AA [Administrative Accountability] Bill will fix responsibility on bureaucrats for this type of leakage of government exchequer.
Agree (4)
bal (navi mumbai)
47 mins ago (07:01 AM)
It is so sad that Indian polity has reached to such a low level. Going by the dirty game PAC,NAC r playing,it is clear that they r to scuttle the anti-corruption movement and continue their dirty business as usaul. Mind well, even BJP or any other party are not at all immune to corruption and scandals when in power & position. I think it is time to declare Emergency and handover reigns of the country to Supreme Court which is so far behaving sensibly and responsibly under adverse situation. No point in depending on present President as she is no more than a rubber stamp of Sonia.Country is slowly but surely pushed towards anarchy and instability. Enormous black money from the POWERS THAT BE which will expose parties who r involved in running the affairs of this country is the main cause behind typical behaviour of ruling party and allies..Third force better be prepared for the whatever situation arises in comming year or so! So sad but true!!
Agree (2)
Rakesh (Delhi)
50 mins ago (06:58 AM)
What about democratic reforms!! There is perceived agency problems in our present democratic system. The people have little control on the functioning of the government. The parliamentarians decide their wages themselves. All committees like PAC have become a tool to further party vested interests. There is no effective oversight, similar to what the company law provides to shareholders over management. Following remedy should be initiated – First, constitutional amendment should happen and procedures should be laid down so that public referendum becomes an integral part of our democratic system. Second, all parliamentary committees should have a certain percentage of supreme court or high court judges on the lines of provision of independent directors in company board and various committees (e.g., audit committee). Third, law on party whip is acting against the democracy. It seems the members have just become representatives of party. Elected representatives should ideally exercise their judgement on case to case basis and all their actions should further the interest of people. There is an urgent need to review the law of penal action against parliamentarians who disregard the party whip for public interest. I think many more such improvements can be suggested so that the world’s largest democracy can boast of becoming a progressive democracy as well.
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
Sanjay (Hyderabad) replies to Rakesh
12 mins ago (07:36 AM)
Great ideas Rakesh. Must commend you for their freshness and depth. Unfortunately these ideas if at all put forth during consultations are certain to be resisted with all the might and power by our politicians and elected representatives with their greedy agendas, self-promoting interests and addiction for corruption. These are good proposals – with powerful teeth that can cut off their evil tentacles and end their looting rampage of the country’s wealth. Even mere suggestion of proposals will send jitters up their spines if at all they have any and give them sleepless nights. Sorry to be cynical and pessimistic – but the sad reality is that our politicians and elected reps are evil to the core and have no shame or self-respect. Just see what is happening all around you. Even if people are spitting on their faces they are shamelessly wiping them off moving on continuing with their looting spree. No hope for India unless a powerful revolution sweeps the nation.
Bikash (Indian)
52 mins ago (06:56 AM)
What better can we expect from a party that has cultured the art to rob and corrupt this country for last 60 years ? These bunch is now questioning the PAC report on 2G scam and would not allow it to be adopted. So in our form of democracy, the theives can be allowed to write their own report on the incident ?
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
sanjeev (Sydney)
52 mins ago (06:56 AM)
We want lokpal bill. No matter what happens. SO many days politicians have decided on what to do and ruined the country. Now it is our turn. NO matter if it is an incorrect decision. If it is incorrect, we can always correct it. Slimy politicians go to hell.
Agree (4)Recommend (2)
Ronnie (Sydney)
53 mins ago (06:55 AM)
I am a strong supporter of Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption and I am also aware that the Lok Pal Bill alone is not the answer to the corruptions. However, first and foremost we do require a very strong Lok Pal Bill. Secondly other laws and procedures required curbing the corruptions at all the Government Departments; however, still Lok Pal remains the monitoring body. Lok Pal (Ombudsman) is very effective in Australia and it also has got many laws, Policies and Procedures at the Department level which ensures fair go to its citizen. Please check Ombudsman bodies online. Most importantly Citizen’s movement and support is very important to keep check and balances. Same applies to Australia and also in other Western Countries. So Strong Lok Pal Bill is half the battle won and other half lies with the People and not with the Bureaucrats as majority of them never know the meaning of service to people, honesty, fairness and commitment to the Country. People always mix up religions, caste and personal values with that Public values. Still a long way to go but you have my support.
Agree (3)Recommend (2)
Gokul R Nair (Kerala)
54 mins ago (06:54 AM)
Sonia fears that when this bill is introduced her UPA members number will be reduced and that to affect the support of the UPA Government under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
READER (kolkata)
55 mins ago (06:53 AM)
honest fascism or dishonest democracy?–which is better?———THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT HONEST FASCISM WILL NOT BECOME DISHONEST
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Gokul R NAIR (KERALA)
1 hrs ago (06:48 AM)
Lokpal bill is something that the country wants now because to curb out corruption in India to certain extent that will be a blessing but i don’t think this bill find a success this time. I feel sorry to the old Gandhian Kishan Baburao Hazzare alias Anna Hazzare who lead a strike for two weeks to bring the draft of Lokpal bill. The UPA government members are not at all interested to put up this bill and that is why they are taking a stand against this bill by saying certain unnecessary excuses. The Citizens of India who are against corruption should take a stand to bring a success to this Lokpal bill which many feared to be introduced.
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manoj (hyderabad)
1 hr ago (06:34 AM)
This is another example of our dirty politicians and rotten system, which doesn’t allow something good to happen in this country. This is very unfortunate that people like Anna Hazare is been targeted every now and then. The politicians and their followers are trying everything to scuttle the Lokpal bill. I think even media is not playing very positive role. The Indian media is also part of our corrupt system.
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kanchi (us)
1 hr ago (06:33 AM)
Was this the lady who wrote to Mr. Harare that she was not against Lokpal?
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sunil g (delhi) replies to kanchi
58 mins ago (06:50 AM)
idiot, you are emotionally REACTING to the TOI sensational headline. Read the article and then comment. Lokpal bill is one of agenda in addition to social audits, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary. If they honestly implemented, it will be far more than people expected and india will be better place to live. We should also thanks Anna for waking up government.
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Sahzada Alim Khan (Delhi) replies to sunil g
28 mins ago (07:20 AM)
Her Sepoy Anna Hazare has done well and now NAC can get its version of all Bills imposed on Public with help of Ever Compliant corrupt Parties like SP,BSP,DMK,AIADMK and many other small time operators.Empower common man my foot.
Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy (Hyderabad, AP)
1 hr ago (06:32 AM)
Anna Hazare wants only publicity and there by awards/rewards that keeps him high. He is least purturbed on whether Lok Pal bill is going to route out the corruption or not. At present has luxurious office, cars, air travel, etc. Most of these come from trusts that were created by vested groups and funds were provided by corrupt. Supporters of Anna Hazare disagree on it just because to keep Anna Hazare in fighting mode. What ever form the Lok Pal bill will look like but there are people to keep tab on loop holes to do their corrupt practices. We must look at root cause of corruption in different spheres of activity and create solution to stop the corruption at that level. For example, World Bank IFC says the money spent helped development but not poverty — according to them only development. Why? Around 30% of it enters directly in to hawala market to convert black money to white. That is when Smt. Indira Gandhi was PM she bluntly told World Bank you give only the money and no consultants. World Bank lends money to eradicate pollution but the law says polluter has to pay. That means this money of World Bank goes as black money with out serving its purpose. Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
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V (M) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
20 mins ago (07:28 AM)
I have read your comment and replies. NOTHING WRONG IN MISDIRECTING PEOPLE. SEe how people are benefited by misdirecting people and lying all the time. See the greats. Take cue from RAJDEEP,BARKHA, VINOD SHARMA etc How Rajiv Shukla became MP and Chaiman of trillion Dollar BCCI. Being SECULAR it is your duty to DISTRACT indians.
somesh (malayesia) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
42 mins ago (07:06 AM)
you another poisonous snake. Leaders must have all those facilities. As long as they dont misuse the funds it is perfectly fine to have good office, good transport and communication system. Do you know the salaries of the politicians in low corruption countries? They are paid very well to not to indulge in dirty corruptions. (check out Singapore minister salaries)
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Ash (Singapore) replies to Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy
50 mins ago (06:58 AM)
Don’t misdirect people with false information, even if you don’t Like Anna Hazare. The man is simplicity himself. He lives in a one room house at his village and travels by mass public transport. Providing mis-information creates doubts about your intentions
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P.H.Bhanage (Sydney)
1 hr ago (06:32 AM)
What is NAC? NAC is facade for Sonia Gandhi to hide her wicked face.Anna Hazare and activists have brains and, at the right place, (Unlike Aruna Roy and Harsh Mander) and not at the wrong place like Sonia’s.They are fully aware that Lokpal Bill is only a small step in the direction of eradication of deep rooted corruption.Doing Nautanki of supporting Anna and and trying to sabotage the efforts of activists is the game she is playing ;which she thinks countrymen are not able to understand. Madam, citizens of India are not duds like buffoon Rahul Gandhi.We deplore your tactics.
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Rohan Dodal (Mumbai)
1 hr ago (06:23 AM)
Dirty Politics from Sonia / congress camp begins……Congress will never like to let power in its hands to be off to a third party surveyor…. Indians be brave n continue support to Anna….even if it’s not the last step, atleast it is a step in correct direction….
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Chaitanya (Melbourne)
1 hr ago (06:15 AM)
Anyone who thinks a piece of paper saying that public servants/officials can be punished for taking bribes (the crux of the Lokpal Bill) will solve all of India’s graft issues is deluded. There does need to be a much broader approach. There needs to be greater emphasis on enforcement. What’s the point of creating laws if there’s no enforcement? Its useless. Its a pity how emotional and non rational most commentors from India here seem to be. I just hope the wider society over there is a cut above.
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P.Tauro (Mangalore)
1 hr ago (06:13 AM)
Lokpal bill is not the solution for everything and none expects it to solve all problems of corruption. It may only put a little fear into the ploticians provided it sends the corrupt behind bars within a reasonable period..That is all.
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ss (CHINA)
1 hr ago (06:11 AM)
LEARN FROM CHINA , IF YOU CAN NOT STOP CORRUPTION SYSTEM, ACTUAALY DO NOT WANT, THEN SIMPLE PUNISHMENT LAW INTRODUCE EVEN WITHOUT PASSING IN PARLAMENT, AMONG INDIAN CITIZENS THAT WHO ASK FOR BRIBE KILL HIM INSTANTLY BUT 1ST COLLECT EVIDENCE SUCH AS VIDEO SHOOTING ,RECORDING INVOLVE MORE CITIZENS IN TALK AND BARGAINING AS WITNESS. HAVE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BE TROUBLE SHOOTER. DO NOT TALK ABOUT HUMANRIGHTS,AS 1T ASK THEM THEY PROVIDE ALL CITIZEN OF INDIA THE BEST STANDARD OF LIVING. SEE THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM,EMPLOYMENT PLACE,PRIVATE EMPOLYER EXPLOITING POOR PEOPLE THAT TIME WHERE GO HUMAN RIGHTS.IF CORRUPTION NOT STOP THEN CHINA ALREADY TAKE ALL OUR SECURITY,ECONOMIC INFORMATION FROM MILITRY STAFF BY PAYING LITTLE BRIBE AND ATTACK AND RULE ON INDIA LIKE MOGUL,FRENCH,BRITISH,PORTUGESES DID IN PAST 500YEARS. THIS WILL BE THE RESULT OF CORRUPTION.
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R= (INDIA) replies to ss
48 mins ago (07:00 AM)
SINCE NOTHING COMES OUT OF CHINA WE THINK THERE IS NO CORRUPTION THERE –THIS IS ONE ADVANTAGE THEY HAVE–AND THOSE IN CHINA WILL DEFINITELY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT –
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sunil (delhi) replies to ss
1 hr ago (06:28 AM)
sorry to tell corruption in china is also high. look at the corruption rank-Taiwan is 33, South Korea 39, Macau 46, Malaysia 56, China and Thailand tied at 78, India 87, Indonesia 110, Mongolia and Vietnam 116, Philippines 134, and Cambodia, Russia, and Laos at 154. Country can mature as much as people. Unless people in this country give up bribing in order to work done, taking bribe, country can’t eliminate corruption or develop.
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Somesh (hongkong) replies to sunil
46 mins ago (07:02 AM)
my dear, this was last years. Wait for few more months. Considering 2G, 3G, CWG, and INDIA will be TOP #1 in corruption. Dont go with those numbers. All country has corruption but they keep setting the things right. INDIA IS getting worst day by day. Now it is the public who should set it right for INDIA.
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sunil g (delhi) replies to Somesh
34 mins ago (07:14 AM)
I didn’t made up those ranks. I cross checked 2-3 sites before posting on TOI. If you don’t believe check yourself at en.wikipediaDOTorg/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index
VK (Delhi)
1 hr ago (06:11 AM)
Dear NAC, you are more than welcome to contribute in corruption removal, but for that you dont have to belittle the Lokpal process. If you guys can help to reduce corruption, people will also praise you the same way they are praising Annaji. To contribute from your side you dont have to show the initiatives taken by Annaji in negative. Do something and then tell. Just dont bark like a doggy. Plus point is that NAC has support of Sonia madam too. So DO something please.
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Raj (MSP) replies to VK
31 mins ago (07:17 AM)
Well Said VK. So True.
Anup (Auckland)
1 hr ago (06:09 AM)
Sonia is trying to divert public attention by trying to introduce several so called reforms. This corrupt congressmen have misled the gullible public for more than six decades. What Anna Hazare wants is that there should be an institution that is capable of catching and bringing to book all the big rotten fishes. And there should be such stringent actions taken against these looters of the national wealth that it may put great fear in the hearts of all these corrupt persons. Hope Sonia group is not able to sabotage the planned Lokpal bill.
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VK (Delhi) replies to Anup
1 hr ago (06:19 AM)
She wants to introduce every other bill (except Lokpal) that does not touch politicians… LoL.
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sunil (delhi) replies to VK
1 hr ago (06:35 AM)
i think you have problem of reading news.. The proposed reforms entail bringing in changes to incorporate social audits, Lokpal bill, Judicial Accountability bill, Protection of Whistleblowers bill, grievance redressal, Rights to Services bill and rules for transparency in government appointments. These measures will clean up administration to reduce margin for discretion, boost transparency, expedite delivery of services and reform police and judiciary.
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Reddy (USA)
1 hr ago (06:08 AM)
India should outsource punishment to these political leaders to Taliban. That is the only way to control corruption
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sameer (mumbai) replies to Reddy
39 mins ago (07:09 AM)
ha ha ha then these politicians will buy these Taliban guys and make arrange for girls party and fun there… AND make Taliban their heaven
QuickGMurugan (Chennai)
1 hr ago (06:06 AM)
Sonia and her family should be punished for l2G and CWG scams and she must be investigated for awarding contracts to italy and france. Giving telecome license to unknow companies.
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Niki (Lucknow) replies to QuickGMurugan
23 mins ago (07:25 AM)
Why Sonia? Please correct your information, 2G was done by Raja and he is already in Jail. CWG done by Kalmadi and he is also in Jail now. Ye sab BJP ke followers kahe halla iye hain bhai?
Naresh (Lucknow) replies to QuickGMurugan
34 mins ago (07:14 AM)
Maloom bhi hai kuch 2 g raja ne kiya aur cwg lakamandi ne. dono ab jail ki chakki peace rahe hain. Mein poochhta hun bhai jab sahi chal raha hai to kyon lokpal chahiye. Mrs Sonia Gandhi ke baare me log ulta seedha kyon bolte hai. Nehru Gandhi ki family ne desh ke liye itna tyag kiya.
tony (USA) replies to QuickGMurugan
37 mins ago (07:11 AM)
and keep few line blank below the list. Some more scams will be in the list. HOW ABOUT GANGA cleaning scam??
shila verma (kolkata)
1 hr ago (06:04 AM)
Madam Sonia, we know it that Lok Pal is not magician with a wand to make deeply ingrained corruption in all areas of our public dealings but it is a step in the right direction, at least an effort worth supporting. Unless, Madam, you have an alternative to clean up the system of corruption, this is the best we have.Please tell us how the UPA plans to confront corruption.
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Ab (US)
1 hr ago (06:02 AM)
sab bakwaas hai… suggest so many changes…wait for so many years and by tht corruption will die or not but definitely flag bearers will die… not at all proud indian
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Arjun (Mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:47 AM)
Where was NAC before Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar protest? While these mentioned reforms are indispensable, yet what is most important is that we have honest, sincere, truthful and selfless people motivated by the larger interests of society to run the affairs of the country. A system with all these reforms without honest people operating them will again and again miss the mark and hit the buffers.
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Dipankar Chaudhuri (Kolkata)
2 hrs ago (05:45 AM)
The NAC is a fail proof relief valve for the corrupt powerful ruling party luminaries. A few chosen person, on the basis of Bhagwan Jane what criteria, are there to provide timely blow through the pent up force that could blow up the coveted families of congress stalwarts. How could the so virtuous Ma’am of UPA II take the help of SP & BSP to scuttle the PAC report, let it come out in the open please, NAC should focus on how these unethical procedure are continuing.
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Somanath (Austria)
2 hrs ago (05:43 AM)
If these arguments keep going like this or if congress has failed to pass fair bill (Lok pall bill) in next 6 months.Youth power will be on street and there is going to be unimaginable revolution against this corruptive system.Its even worse and worse than any other revolutions that world has seen… Let congress apply all there tactics to save them selves..Just wait and see Jai Hind..ready to welcome New India!!!
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bhupinder (auckland)
2 hrs ago (05:42 AM)
why there is not corrupt in newzealand and australia,,majority of people pay by credit,atm and electronically money transfer, they trust people, they have better camera survallaince,telephone recording, and centralised system ofbanking,transferency and discipline, 24 hours criminal information,public help police to nab and police fine heavely, police have camera to record the whole scene not any scope for criminal for refusing,whole bureacrate, police are selected and educated well , there is public redressal system for people complaints,in india only god is whole,,onwer of country,no law,not system,not merits,only unionism,napotism,favouritism,,politicalism,,poor are dying like rats,horrible, how dnot people rise and beg better living from swissbank holder
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MRG (Jalandhar)
2 hrs ago (05:36 AM)
Sonia and Company should tell what is the magic pill against graft. In fact these politicians do not want to get rid of corruption minance.
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
Vivek Mundkur Mundkur (Pune)
2 hrs ago (05:33 AM)
The so called intellectuals have been at it for 42 years ,discussing how corruption must be stopped. But many of them are the most corrupt and will never allow the Lokpal bill to pass. Anna Hazare has taken the initiative and forced the pace. Now watch what happens when he begins his fast , if the bill is not passed. I predict that there will be violence and this government will fall as in Egypt and the corrupt leaders will be hanged by angry mobs.
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Mad (USA)
2 hrs ago (05:30 AM)
I feel sad and shameful with the attitude of NAC. Why we need NAC? If Govt functions as required, do we need this body at all. I think we should fight for abolition NAC and it’s super powers. They do not do any thing to improve the lively hood opportunities for poor, they want to give rice at subsidized rice for poor and middle class. NAC wants poor to be poor always, not to stand on their legs. NAC wants give fish to be half hungry and depend on them, NAC does not want to teach them how to fish. There are lot of opportunities that can be created for honorable living in-spite of depending on the mercy of NAC. Why NAC wants to do is vote bank politics.
Agree (3)
kka (mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:29 AM)
Hazare is going to be a big failure not because of him but member of his team. All of the Hazares member particularly Bushans want to go down in the history. These guys will create a monster which next generation will pay dearly. Middle class has selective memory and choice about corruption, same guy who is protesting with Hazare will not mind paying rs100 to cop for breaking red light.
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dhaulklaan (Toronto) replies to kka
1 hr ago (06:36 AM)
Agree with kka totally. There were thousands of demonstrators who supported Hazare. Of those thousands, perhaps more than half of them had, in their life time, corrupted policemen or other government officials with bribes to achieve their tasks over the others. The possibility of gathering thousands of honest citizens at one go to demonstrate together is a very remote possibility. If there is a possibility, India would not have been as corrupt as today.
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abhixit (Kolkata) replies to dhaulklaan
49 mins ago (06:59 AM)
I think you have got the issues mixed up. Yes, why 50%, may be 100% of them would have paid bribe, because of the prevailing system. If you are forced to pay the bribe, what will you do? But they want to change the system so that no one is required or forced to pay a bribe. If there is no corruption, there is no need for an agitation against corruption. It is of course a different matter that Hazare may finally give in because of the powerful corrupt political system and the vested interests.
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VK (Delhi) replies to kka
1 hr ago (06:16 AM)
Are you a relative of neta?? You mean since people bribe police it is therefore OK for netas to loot the country… Two wrongs dont make one right.
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Nilesh (US.)
2 hrs ago (05:26 AM)
I really dont understand whats TOI wants to convey here. The article gives a tone that Anna Hazare camp is doing something wrong or whatever they are doing is not the correct way. But my dear, NAC says lokpal bill is one of the way to fight corruption. You can not expect everything to be done by Anna Hazare. Whats govt is for then? What NAC was doing so far? Hibernating somewhere.. spending money studying and suggesting ways to improve which govt itself ignores totally !! Shame on TOI , instead of praising and supporting Anna Hazare’s movement, its trying to create a picture that people are divided over this anti corruption movement. Jai Anna Hazare !!
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Navin (Delhi)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
yes it alone will not fix the issue so what is congress going to do about it? are they coming up with solutions or just giving problems so that they can bleed us dry till we are up in arms like in gulf..
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ajit (pune)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
Congress has carefully cultivated and nurtured the cancer of corruption in India for several decades. You think they will let go so easily?
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nik cool (dehradun)
2 hrs ago (05:23 AM)
Shame on our polticians…first they dont approve of such bills and secondly they say even if we approve this you cannot change them. They will still remain corrupt. God knows how much she took from all this…haha i guess pretty scared of all this
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VK (Delhi) replies to nik cool
1 hr ago (06:14 AM)
Rightly said. They now want to reform everything, but still do not want to enact a tough Lokpal. :-)… I am sure that if a tough Lokpal bill is brought in, more than 50% of netas will disappear as they join politics for “LOOT” rather than public service. These days even businessman have started joining politics as they know it can help their businesses a lot.
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Ronnie (Sydney) replies to nik cool
1 hr ago (06:08 AM)
Hi Cool, Not sure she took anything from anyone. Not that I am her fan. However, we should be sure when we raise finger at others. If you are pretty sure with evidence and not rumour and gossip on the media, please let us know how much and what she took. Keep Bofors and other allegations with yourselves; mind nothing personal with you.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)
Sharad C. Misra (Mumbai)
2 hrs ago (05:22 AM)
So the cat is out of the bag ! It is now clear as to who has been encouraging the Congress Ministers and the spokespersons of the party to put a spoke in the wheel of Anna’s anti -graft agitation. Predictably, once again It has exposed that there are strong vested interests of the politicians at the helm of the existing power structure who are out to taken on Hazare with full force at their discretion and defeat him. These NAC panelists could have presented their viewpoint and institutional set- up for stemming the rot of corruption to the Committee of ten persons currently engaged in drafting the Bill rather than going public blowing their own trumpet.
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
pankajbangal (sydney)
2 hrs ago (05:19 AM)
good try by sonia to divert the issue to save almost all corrupt politicians
Agree (15)Recommend (11)
panduranga (BengaLuru) replies to pankajbangal
2 hrs ago (05:33 AM)
You are right. After Anna Hazare, it is now the turn of Amma Dus hazare to save India. Mama Mia !!:)
Agree (1)
K.B Chowdary (Hyderabad)
2 hrs ago (05:17 AM)
Chipping away at the Hazare initiative like the NAC does is the best,time honoured means of sabotaging the entire idea.We in India are past masters at this kind of thing.
Agree (9)Recommend (4)
RAJ (JODHPUR)
2 hrs ago (05:17 AM)
it’s show true face of Sonia & Sonia’s team
Agree (4)Recommend (1)
29 Apr, 2011, 05.31AM IST,ET Bureau
2G scam: PAC does not endorse Joshi’s draft
Comments (1)
Read more on »United Progressive Alliance|public accounts committee|Congress|CAG|Buta Singh|Bahujan Samaj Party|2G scam
NEW DELHI: The United Progressive Alliance on Thursday prevented the adoption of the draft report on 2G spectrum allocation scandal by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee by managing the support of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in the committee.
The PAC meeting which witnessed unprecedented scenes, heated arguments, adjournments and even ‘expulsion’ of Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi by members belonging to the UPA and supporting parties, pointed to the worsening of relations between the ruling side and the Opposition.
Although the meeting did not adopt the report, there is room and precedence for Joshi to present the report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The rules of PAC allow the chairman to present the report after conclusion of discussions and circulation of the report among panel members.
What could also strengthen the hands of Joshi is a precedent set by former PAC chief Buta Singh. In 2004, Buta Singh tabled a report on the coffin scam without even perfunctory discussions with panel members. It would be interesting to watch how Speaker Meira Kumar responds if Joshi decides to present the report on Friday.
The committee, which met on Thursday morning, saw members of the ruling side and new supporters SP and BSP MPs questioning the credibility of the report. These members, who alleged that the work of the committee was outsourced, said the 2G spectrum issue should be left to the next PAC to decide. The tenure of this committee ends on March 31 though Joshi would head the next committee too.
While Congress members gave a letter citing bias on the part of chairman Murli Manohar Joshi, SP and BSP MPs chipped in with separate letters detailing similar arguments. Yashwant Sinha, NK Singh and BH Mahtab, who spearheaded the counter attack, said members should back their allegation of bias against the Chairman with evidence.
UPA members also raised a factual error in the English version of the report. They pointed out that the report has claimed that the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary were examined when both the officials never appeared before PAC. NDA members countered this by saying that Rule 71(b) of the Lok Sabha rules allows the committee to rectify “inadvertent” errors.
UPA members insisted that the report cannot be adopted as individuals like A Raja and Arun Shourie have not been asked to give their versions. “The issue should be left to the next PAC,” said Congress’ KS Rao. This stand was backed by Congress colleagues Jitender Singh, Navin Jindal and Arun Kumar.
NK Singh intervened to say that the meeting cannot bind the next PAC by the decision of the present Public Accounts Committee. There is no burden on the next Public Accounts Committee to conduct examination of the CAG report. NDA members also pointed out that since the report has steered clear of any matter that impinges on the criminal investigations in the case, it should be adopted.
After all the 20 members on the panel spoke on the report, Joshi adjourned the meeting till 4 pm. When members reassembled, the ruling side members insisted that Joshi should seek a vote on the report.
Joshi pointed out that he was not given an opportunity to speak on the charges made against him. But when the ruling side refused to give him a chance to speak, he announced the end of proceedings and walked out of the room.
UPA members stayed put and ‘elected’ Saifuddin Soz as the chief of the Public Accounts Committee and voted out the report. But this will have little validity as chairman of the PAC has to be a member of the Lok Sabha. Soz belongs to the Rajya Sabha.
After its MPs rejected the report, Congress threw its weight behind the members. Congress stepped up the offensive against Joshi outside Parliament and blamed him for politicising a parliamentary standing committee. JD(U)’s NK Singh, who countered this said that the committee was functioning normally till the middle of this month and UPA needed to explain the troubles in the panel.
“What is that watershed mark that led to the politicisation of the committee. A section injected politics into the functioning of the panel after the Principal Secretary to the prime minister and Cabinet Secretary were summoned on April 15. This will only cripple the functioning of parliamentary committees,” the JD(U) leader said.
Readers’ opinions (1)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
Nothing surprises me anymore. The behavior of Indian politicians requires a major retooling, not refurbishing, not a band aid solution. Political power has been used with extraordinary planning, coordination, strategy and impeccable maneuvers by Congress before. However, this time they have taken the horse, oops bull, oops, a jackass, by his horns, oops, ears, long ears. Murli Manohar Joshi is not so stupid that he would prevent a demand for vote on the draft. He is a seasoned political leader with his head screwed properly. He has been thru many such verbal battles inside and outside of his long political career. If he was stung by the allegations, such as report being “Outsourced,” he could have simply ignored it. If there is any supporting evidence backing that silly charge, he could have a discussion. At a critical moment, instead of thrashing that and other charges, he chose to adjourn the session. Perhaps, he wanted to cool his anger, frustration. Perhaps, he wanted time to think over his strategy to debunk that charge and wanted to check his political bosses, gurus and almighty God. His statesmanship was withered in a moment. His ego took over. It was simply dangling a juicy bait in front of him. Anyway, he grabbed it. The rest is a history. Hungry politicians, either for attention or power, should not get angry. Be nonchalant. Lord Krishna said, very elegantly:, as in “sthitapradnyasya kaa bhaashaa..” I don’t think he read Bhagavadgita. I did.
…and I am Sid Harth
TNN | Apr 29, 2011, 03.15am IST
Comments (1)
Tags:PAC REPORT|P Chidambaram|MM Joshi|Manmohan Singh|2G scam
NEW DELHI: Aided by two MPs of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party switching sides, Congress and DMK members of the Public Accounts Committee prevented the adoption of a draft report that is a scathing indictment of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the then finance minister P Chidambaram and the cabinet secretariat in the 2G telecom scam.
Split on political lines, the committee meeting on Thursday witnessed noisy interruptions and heated exchanges more befitting of zero hour point-scoring than the bipartisan proceedings of an important parliamentary panel. However, after more than three hours of heated drama and virtually a hand-to-hand combat over rules, the draft’s status remains in limbo, with the Opposition preventing a vote that would have junked the indictments.
The exchanges between the rivals were capped by UPA members “electing” Saifuddin Soz as the chairman in place of Murli Manohar Joshi after the latter did not allow a vote on the controversial report.
The fight will now continue outside the committee with the Opposition looking to ensure that the report is seen as that of the PAC and not as “Joshi’s report” that Congress has rubbished it as. There are indications that PAC chairman Joshi may present the report to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar after her return from Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
The BJP members said that such a course of action would be perfectly in sync with rules which say that the chairman can submit a report directly to the Speaker when the House is not in session. They cited the precedent of former PAC head and Congress MP Buta Singh submitting the report on Coffingate in 2003. The Speaker, though, would be the final arbiter.
Congress scored a big success overnight when it managed to win over both SP and BSP with one member each in the 21-member committee: something that would have ensured the rejection of the draft in a vote.
Armed with the support of BSP and SP MPs which took their numbers to a decisive 11 in a 21-member committee, Congress representatives launched a frontal attack on panel chairman Joshi accusing him of “outsourcing” the writing of the draft report.
With the draft report slamming the PM and his office, cabinet secretariat and home minister P Chidambaram – in his previous role as finance minister – the seven Congress and two DMK MPs were determined to prevent Joshi from adopting the findings. They submitted a letter protesting Joshi’s haste and demanded a vote to keep the draft pending till the next committee over on May 1. Party managers tracked the proceedings, while the presence of home minister P Chidambaram in Parliament was also seen through the prism of the party’s concern over the strictures of the government in the draft report.
Aware that numbers did not favour him, Joshi did not accept the demand for a vote and instead allowed a discussion on the letter that the ruling alliance members and their new found allies gave him. The proceedings deteriorated sharply in the afternoon when Congress members realized that Joshi had no intention of calling a vote.
With Congress and its allies barracking him, Joshi said no discussion could be held and adjourned the meeting abruptly. This caused considerable unrest among ruling alliance MPs who tried to prevent him from leaving the committee room and later “elected” Congress MP Saifuddin Soz as “chairman”. Later, they tried to occupy Joshi’s office.
The tale may not end here. Joshi and other Opposition MPs are believed to have decided to present the draft as the “official report” to Speaker Meira Kumar. There will be a covering letter detailing “extraordinary” events that marked Thursday’s meeting and Joshi will state that the report has been adopted.
The ball will then be firmly in the Speaker’s court with Opposition sources saying Kumar will have to go along with what the committee chair submits. UPA members can be expected to petition the Speaker as well, saying that Joshi had thwarted them and not allowed a majority dissent from being registered.
As things stand, the draft report with its damaging references to the government is in the public domain as it is electronically available. References A few changes suggested by Opposition members Yashwant Sinha and N K Singh might be incorporated . References to the depositions by the Cabinet Secretary , Principal Secretary to the PM and the Attorney General which never happened will also be deleted. But the draft report will be presented to the Speaker almost in its entirety, with the stinging indictments intact.
The fate of the report- whether it is seen as some sort of report or just a propaganda piece by government’s detractors- has become crucial for the bigger political battle over corruption. Congress recognizes that letting the indictments stay will compound matters for it in a season when it was pushed on the back foot over the Lok Pal bill and may set back its efforts to recover the ground by capitalizing the arrests for spectrum and Commonwealth Games scams.
The day began with Congress and DMK members producing identical letters in yellow envelopes at the meeting where BSP and SP MPs were also given their copies. In fact, the BSP and SP members signed the letters just as the PAC meeting was beginning. One of the “cross-over” MPs informed that he was not due to be present but had been told to rush to Delhi.
Congress MPs attacked Joshi for not being ready to accommodate their point of view with K Sudhakaran shouting at the BJP leader, asking how dare he indict the PM in the draft report. All of them insisted that the draft be considered by the new committee that will take over after April 30. This was countered by BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab who said the committee had concluded its deliberations.
Sinha responded to the charges leveled by the ruling alliance, asking Congress MPs to produce proof to substantiate the charge that the draft had been outsourced. This was an insult to the committee as well as the Lok Sabha secretariat, he said.
It was also pointed out that Congress and DMK MPs had prevented the examination of important witnesses like cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar and T K Nair, principal secretary to the PM, besides attorney general Goolam Vahanvati. The internal meeting they had demanded had been conceded but once the chairman had ruled, some members insisted on having their way
Comments: Following comment was posted but,as yet, not published, perhaps never, oops, I lost my bet. TOI is alive. Holy Hindu cow, what now? Hindutva vandals burning TOI press and offices? I bet that they would do it. Crazy bunch they are.
Readers’ opinions (1)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
5 mins ago (04:08 AM)
Glory be to India, past, present and future, oops, there ain’t no future, it is present continuous. In Mahabharata, Mahasabha Parva, similar incident ocurred. Pandavas were playing a board game with loaded dice. They were losing, losing some more and at the end, they lost everything valuable with them, including but not limited to, their jewels and clothes. Yudhishtira, the eldest brother was playing with Duryodhana, his first cousin. Incensed by his humiliated defeat and determined to play the game further, he offered his wife, Draupadi as an ultimate bet and lost her too. Dushhasana, ordered Draupadi to be brought to the hall and as a master ordered her to sit on his lap. Draupadi, as a slave of Kauravas, refused the order. The master, then, attempted to disrobe her in front of the august audience and Kuru clan’s blind king. Poor old man couldn’t see what was happening and wouldn’t interfere. Loksabha’s honorable speaker, Meira Kumar, I am sure, would play the blind-man act of Dhritarashtra. Any bet? Sorry for quoting revered Hindu scripture. However, as they say, the history repeats. Gods like Lord Krishna descend on this good old earth, oops, Hindu dominated republic of India, time and time again. Watch him landing his chariot, oops, helicopter, oops, Pushpak Viman on the helipad atop presidential palace with a loaded Baretta, oops, AK-47 and start shooting. Take cover. End of the world, oops, Sanatana Dharma world is coming to an inglorious end.
…and I am Sid Harth
Top priority for Yamuna cleaning: BJP
IANS India Private LimitedBy Indo Asian News Service | IANS – Thu, Apr 28, 2011 12:03 AM IST
Agra, April 28 (IANS)
If the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power at the centre, the cleaning of the Yamuna and Ganga rivers would receive top priority, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said at a rally here Wednesday.
The Congress and the Samajwadi Party are family-ruled political outfits while the Bahujan Samaj Party had broken all records in corruption, he told party supporters at the huge rally held at the GIC ground here.
Gadkari said that in the Commonwealth Games scam not only sacked Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, but many others, including Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit were involved.
‘We will bring back all the black money abroad,’ if the BJP came to power at the centre, the leader claimed.
1 comment
Sid
Sid 5 minutes ago
I applaud Nitin Gadkari on his promises to the people who attended his speech. How many were present and accounted for? Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forty, forty five, fifty? Not thousands, nor lakhs I assume. I think that such promises as and I quote: “the cleaning of the Yamuna and Ganga rivers would receive top priority,” “We will bring back all the black money abroad.” Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware. BJP/NDA had their chance at the Delhi throne for good many years, if my memory serves me. I am not saying that Congress and/or Congress led UPA-I and UPA-II did not have similar chances for the same plans/priorities. NDA did do nothing on Black money. Didn’t do nothing on cleaning up of Ganga and Jamuna. They didn’t do anything on Lokpal Bill, oops, they did. It was so diluted and so useless that it died on the spot. Dead on arrival, “DOA.” Talk is cheap honorable Nitin Gadkari. Tell these village idiots exactly how would you do it, with what laws and allocations of funds. Who would you call? Anybody I know? Not Reddy brothers of Karnataka, I presume. Not honorable Y S Yeddyurappa, I dare. Definite not honorable Narendra Modi, currently deeply worried about his future in Tihar jail. Not Bihar’s chief Minister, Nitish Kumar and/or several local warlords having a good time in BJP/NDA controlled states. Not perpetual PM wannabe honorable L K Advani, is it? Sushma Swaraj? Nah, too gentle and too inexperienced in managing anything more than her kitchen budget and a postal savings account, oops, retirement savings account. I don’t even want to guess, though, I am tempted, Subramaniam Swamy? Holy Hindu cow. He shall be forever unavailable because he would be asking president’s permission to sue anybody, everybody and nobody in the supreme court, I bet. Not the mythological character, Lord Parshurama who slurped the entire ocean in a second. I would support you every inch of the way, if you promise that you would drop your anti minority vitriol, hate mongering, history rewriting and your many trips to foreign countries such as Russia and China as if you were a statesman. That, I believe, honorable Nitin Gadkari, you definitely are not. Not now and not in the near or distant future. You are a small time, no account, nobody, a puppet of RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat et al. I suggest to you one thing, stop blaming others. Start showing your, I mean, BJP’s record, at present and in the past. Nagging, nay-saying, negativity, sloganeering, fence-sitting ain’t gonna get you nowhere, especially to Delhi Takht, oops, Darbar, oops, “mayur sinhasan,” oops, Mughal dynasty’s famous “Peacock Throne,” oops, Vikramaditya’s venerable magical throne buried for centuries and found by a little shepherd kid. “dilli dur ast.”
…and I am Sid Harth
Columns
Posted: Wed, Apr 27 2011. 9:44 PM IST
The godman of Puttaparthi
Sai Baba, who claimed to be an avatar and deftly avoided the sceptics who challenged him, died on Sunday
Here, There Everywhere | Salil Tripathi
Soon after Independence, India chose to build a society that would promote scientific temper. That goal soon became a religious mantra. The idea was to keep nation-building above fractious faiths, and away from subjective spiritual ideals and superstitious rituals.
Also Read |Salil Tripathi’s previous columns
But politicians and bureaucrats diluted the idea, encouraging more space to faith in public life—not just for organized religions, but also for swamis, mahants, fakirs, priests, mothers and babas, who guided many of India’s political, business, judicial and business elite. Religion, a private matter, became a public spectacle. Sai Baba, who died on Sunday, ostensibly stayed away from politics but towered above all: not only did he claim miraculous powers, he even said he was an avatar.
Rationalists, scientists and sceptics questioned him. But Sai Baba’s followers mocked them. Scientists didn’t pick on him: from Galileo’s time, scientists have tested unverified claims. Scientists begin every query with a doubt; his followers exuded certainty: suspend scepticism, and truth would reveal itself. Unclutter your mind, and your doubts will melt away. Submit.
To be fair, Sai Baba calmed many of his followers—but what drew many to his fold were two central claims: that he was divine, and that he performed miracles. Nearly 60 years ago, Sai Baba began producing vibhuti, or holy ash, and assorted trinkets, watches, sweets and fruits, presumably from thin air. Magicians showed these were conjurers’ tricks, but to no avail. His followers dismissed the magicians as publicity-seeking tricksters. To experience his miracles, you had to submit to him first. That meant that in a nation of massive illiteracy, he was encouraging people to shelve logic. Sai Baba deftly avoided challengers: Rationalist Abraham Kovoor could never meet him, nor did other sceptics. In The Times of India, C.P. Surendran recalls the amusing story when his mother challenged Sai Baba to give her a jackfruit, after he said she could ask for anything, and he’d produce it magically. Sai Baba hadn’t expected her to ask for a jackfruit; he couldn’t; his followers panicked and shouted at her, driving her away.
But none of that stuck on his flowing robes. The Prime Minister, leading industrialists, film stars, politicians, bureaucrats and even sports heroes turned up to pay homage. Raising a voice against such overwhelming consensus is not easy. Think of the otherwise feisty anchor Sagarika Ghose. In her programme this week, she reassured viewers she meant no disrespect for Sai Baba, when she raised uncomfortable questions about Sai Baba’s wealth and other controversial topics to her panelists. She coyly referred to “all sorts of allegations” against him in foreign publications and the BBC, without saying what they were.
Indian media has asked tough questions about Sai Baba for some time: the now defunct Illustrated Weekly of India did it years ago; India Today in 2000; Caravan last year. (Disclosure: I worked at India Today 1988-1991; I write for Caravan. I wasn’t involved with either of those stories). To cut through the chase, those “all sorts of allegations” were about crime, sexual abuse and pedophilia.
To be sure, these were only allegations, and some of the complainants subsequently retracted their claims, but they aren’t the first victims to turn hostile and change their testimony. But when such allegations were made, the response followed a pattern. One, that those making allegations needed help, and were misguided; two, that they were liars and were motivated; three, what about the Catholic pedophilia problem (as if that explained anything); four, unlike Mother Teresa, Sai Baba didn’t convert you (but submitting yourself helped); and five, think of all his good works.
Indeed, Sai Baba’s trust runs a vigorous philanthropic programme, with hospitals providing free healthcare, girls’ schools, and water supply in Anantpur. But his critics claim philanthropy is only a small part of the trust’s revenues. As a succession battle appears to have begun, it is legitimate to scrutinize the trust’s management and governance.
I never saw Sai Baba, but it was hard not to run into his followers who felt hurt by my lack of interest. In the 1990s, when I was a reporter in Singapore, I saw Sai Baba’s large image in the office of a wealthy Malaysian tycoon. He was disappointed when he found that I wasn’t interested in discussing spirituality. I had other business: to ask him about allegations that his company had got a large concession in a rainforest abroad, possibly out of turn. He avoided my questions and talked about inner peace. He was puzzled by my apathy (“But you are from India,” he said) and annoyed by my persistence. I got my story through other sources; I’m sure Sai Baba restored his equilibrium after he read my story.
Another time, a taxi driver in Manila was thrilled when I recognized Sai Baba, whose picture he had on his dashboard. He felt pained when he found I wasn’t interested in his guru. So he asked me: “What’s wrong with you?”
Salil Tripathi is a writer based in London. Your comments are welcome at
salil@livemint.com
Books
Posted: Fri, Mar 4 2011. 7:17 PM IST
Why India is in the details
As a new book proves, sweeping narratives on India are skewed. Books that deal with specific experiences are more eloquent
Salil Tripathi
Acharacter in a Jhumpa Lahiri story remembers India as the place where the relatives warm the milk before serving it to their American nephews and nieces. As observations go, it seems banal, an unlikely moment to make a profound observation about a continent-size country. Lahiri is writing fiction, and she lets her readers interpret the cultural comedy of errors: the Indian aunt concerned enough about the delicate tummy of her American niece to offer her boiled milk; the child missing the refreshing taste of cold milk drunk straight from the carton in the fridge on a hot summer day; the child now resenting that her aunt didn’t even ask if the milk should be served hot (or whether she wanted it at all).
Her nostalgia is for cold milk.
Postcard: (Right) A tourist in New Delhi.Photo Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times; (Left) author Patrick French, Photo Priyanka Parashar/Mint
Postcard: (Right) A tourist in New Delhi.Photo Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times; (Left) author Patrick French, Photo Priyanka Parashar/Mint
To the Western reader, or the Indian who has lived abroad, the understated drama is obvious. The West makes you conscious of your space; the East elbows in effusively. As Pico Iyer noted in Video Nights in Kathmandu, India talks in absolutes and abounds with relatives. The pun is deliberate; and foreigners trying to figure out India get fascinated and exasperated by the coexistence of contrasts.
Any foreigner who has spent some time in India can catalogue such anecdotes. Assemble some, and it becomes a feature article; add more, and it can become a book. To the Indian reader, though, the observations appear commonplace, if not obvious. In some instances, they don’t even ring true—contrary examples abound. How is one to make sense of the country?
Anand Giridharadas is an American writer whose parents had moved to the US, driven away by the lack of opportunities in Nehruvian India. He came to India as a child on family visits, and then as a young consultant with McKinsey and Co., advising large Indian companies how to become globally competitive. But once in India, and finding the outwardly charming life of a young consultant dull, Giridharadas followed his calling: writing, and India was to be his muse. He became a reporter for The New York Times.
In his “Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking”, as the subtitle of his memoir India Calling (Fourth Estate, Rs499) is described, Giridharadas leaves no stone unturned nor any experience untouched to figure out himself or the nation whose story he wants to chronicle. He combines childhood memories with adult scrutiny of the contemporary, and draws conclusions that can be startling or sweeping, sometimes dull, but written in vivid prose.
There is a personal element to Giridharadas’ quest: He wanted the country to help him understand himself better.
Now he is upset that Indians don’t understand him better.
India Calling has spawned interesting reactions. A review in The New York Times praised it for the sound reason that Giridharadas’s prose is lucid, the imagery vivid, and the tone seductive (Disclosure: the reviewer, Gaiutra Bahadur, is my friend). Several Indian reviews have been brutal: Mihir Sharma has been merciless in The Indian Express, and two shorter pieces on the website Mumbai Boss (www.mumbaiboss.com)find it superficial and facile. Astonishingly, Giridharadas used the pulpit of his column in The International Herald Tribune (and it also appears on the website of The New York Times) to complain about the reviews, without naming the critics or the publications.
Coming as it does on top of two other literary spats—Pankaj Mishra and Patrick French, and Hartosh Singh Bal and William Dalrymple—it might seem that Indians resent foreigners writing about India, and foreigners seem to think Indians protest too much. The truth is more complicated. Indians do resent foreigners writing about India in a way that makes their lives unrecognizable, or for stating the obvious (but that is not the foreigners’ fault, since what’s obvious to Indians may not be obvious to a foreign readership, and Indians are often not objective when they look at themselves in the mirror). And foreigners do think that their distance lends them objectivity (yes, and many foreign writers have shown India’s warts— because the warts exist).
The challenge lies in judging the extent to which you can generalize from the particular. Consider this: Giridharadas recalls relatives asking him when he was a young boy, what he’d like to be when he grows up. He astutely notes they don’t ask his sister the same question. The point about gender-sensitivity is valid; he notices the unfairness, and rightly finds fault.
And yet, the danger lies in making an assertion from such individual experiences. Yes, Giridharadas’ middle-class relatives weren’t interested in his sister’s future plans. But other middle-class parents nurtured daughters like Naina Lal Kidwai, Chanda Kochhar, Shikha Sharma, Kalpana Morparia, Manisha Girotra and Meera Sanyal, who have headed various foreign and Indian banks in India entirely on merit, to cite a random example. This is a story foreign correspondents have found as remarkable as dowry deaths.
Giridharadas’ colleague Heather Timmons has covered it in The New York Times. In contrast, in the feminist paradise of Norway, the state has to legislate so that companies will appoint women to boards.
The Indian truth, if it is fathomable in one lifetime, is usually in between such contrasts. Thesis, anti-thesis, and synthesis. Not only do exceptions challenge a rule; as the late Nirad Chaudhuri noted another time, exceptions run into millions. Even a million little mutinies may not make a revolution; they only show that functioning anarchy. Which slices do we put together to create a grand theory explaining everything, and what do we toss aside?
The writer can describe the complexities vividly, letting the reader decide. Or he can build an argument by connecting the dots—which also makes it vulnerable to those who see a different image, because they connect the same dots differently. The dots are real; the art lies in joining those dots.
Like the dots, the book is the same: The different responses show the different experiences readers bring to the book. When Giridharadas observes “the lowly police constable directing traffic, his waist the circumference of a rich man’s thigh, a man of the law projecting no authority and inspiring no fear”, there is a lot in that image, much of it plausible. But it is equally plausible to think of the same constable turning into a sadist extracting a confession from the same rich man in custody. Hierarchies blur in India—Giridharadas celebrates fluidity when he writes about the mass churning, as poor Indians dream of being wealthy. But haven’t they always?
In contrast, when Giridharadas focuses on himself—what made him an American, and what makes him an Indian—his account is often moving, his observations honest and acute. The dots are real. Disagreements begin when he enlarges them, or connects them in a way that another observer might find convoluted. For the reader new to India, the patterns are fascinating: Even if they reinforce some old views, they also challenge some. But the gaze is of the outsider looking in. For the one being observed, the pattern may seem random, and sometimes not terribly profound.
Giridharadas’ pique is unnecessary, when seen alongside the other recent controversies which have dealt with bigger themes. Mishra wrote about French’s new book, India:A Portrait (which I reviewed and liked in The Independent) twice. In The Financial Times, he was polite but mildly positive; in Outlook, he turned scathing, some of his criticism appearing personal. French replied in kind in Outlook, making the dispute juicy and entertaining. At heart, their dispute is about the glass of water: French sees it as half-full, Mishra, as half-empty. Earlier, in Open magazine, Bal questioned the role of the Jaipur Literature Festival in India’s literary life, and Dalrymple’s pre-eminent role within the Indian literary pantheon. Dalrymple too reacted sharply. There too the dispute touches on a deep question: Who is an Indian, and what constitutes Indian literature?
That said, it is true that foreign correspondents find it relatively easy to get publishing contracts from leading Western imprints to craft a narrative about India. Many in India cheer them, and so many want to be liked by most Indians they meet. Indian writers keen to do something similar find it harder, but that’s not the foreign correspondents’ fault.
But it explains some of the reaction: The foreign correspondent effortlessly squeezes the universe into a ball, and rolls it forward like an overwhelming response to India. And many in India turn around and say: That is not what is meant at all, not at all.
The Indian reader, finding her lived reality made to appear exotic, resents being made the Other. She doesn’t like the authoritative tone, the confident certainty, of such books. India is unique, she says.
But not more so than China or the US. Foreign correspondents often get it right: Think of David Shipler’s Broken Idols, Solemn Dreams or David Remnick’s Lenin’s Tomb about the Soviet Union, Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s China Wakes, Joseph Lelyveld’s Move your Shadow about apartheid-era South Africa, and the works of my former colleagues Michael Vatikiotis, Adam Schwarz and Sadanand Dhume about Indonesia. India has become marketable since 1991, when economic reforms made engagement with India lucrative. With In Spite of the Gods, Edward Luce showed how you can pack the outwardly chaotic politics with the uncontrollable upsurge of its economy, and reflected on what it did to the society. Luce’s conclusions never veered too far from his evidence.
How can a writer do justice to so many competing narratives? Perhaps there’s another way: To survey the amorphous mass, bring out a sharp knife, and slice that experience, examining it minutely. And then offer a picture from which the reader can draw her conclusions. Think of Suketu Mehta’s Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found, and more recently, Basharat Peer’s Curfewed Night and Sonia Faleiro’s Beautiful Thing.
That may be the way: not the big book that explains everything, but to see the world in a grain of sand.
Salil Tripathi writes the fortnightly column Here, There, Everywhere for Mint
Write to lounge@livemint.com
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PAC draft report attacks Raja, PMO
Comments (52)
Recommended (32)
venkat (Chennai)
1 min ago (03:07 AM)
The Draft document in its present form should be made available in a web site. The detailed minutes of the meeting should be made available in a web site. The final version with "Track changes " in the document, with reference to reasons for the changes & MoM should be made available. This is atmost importance of the time. Atleast media should do the coverage on this. Yes we shood look out for why the changes happen in the document, who requested the changes and why he is requesting this document.
sadasivan2005 (India)
54 mins ago (02:14 AM)
Am UNELECTED person enjoying POWER without ACCOUNTABILITY!!!
Agree (1)
Raman V.R (Hyderabad)
2 hrs ago (12:49 AM)
It is understandable. that the members of congress and DMK of the PAC have serious objections on this draft report. Instead of finding fault with PAC chair they can give their dissenting note. Was this not the case in the earlier meeting on CVC appointment and JPC on buying MPs for no confidence vote? Congress and DMK must grow up. UPA should not attempt to buy PAC members of Samajwadi party and BSP. People are watching. Any such attempt will backfire on them for sure.
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US)
2 hrs ago (12:22 AM)
PAC chairman, Mr. Murali Manohar Joshi, hit the nail on its head- in a draft report on 2 G Scam strongly attacking A Raja and P Chidamaram (then Tel Communication Minister), PMO and PM ; how about UPA-2 chairman, Soniaji who is enjoying all the perks of a cabinet minister and controlling and guiding all the ministers of Congress Party and DMK party also! She does not have any Direct or Indirect responsibility in 2 G Spectrum SCAM??? FantasticO! All the benefits and No responsibiliy- GOOD/GREAT POSITION. Jamvama Jaglo; Kutwama Bhaglo- AISI DOSTI TO HAM HAMESHA NIBHAYENGE--- No doubt, everybody likes India; Britishers liked INDIA and madam Soniaji also likes (very much?) India ??? MMS says- yum yum.
Agree (5)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Anish N/A (CHENNAI)
3 hrs ago (12:05 AM)
The so called Mr.Clean image of Prime Minister Mr.Manmohan Singh is an image of the past, A person who has allowed corruption to happen time and time again right beneath his nose cannot be any ware near being clean and uncorrupted. He is also unfit to remain a PM anymore, if you don't believe me just ask for an open opinion on your Website if how many people in India believe that Mr.Manmohan Singh is still Mr.Clean, The whole nation will know the result of your Public Opinion, I can tell you this right away, this is the worst PM this country has even seen.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to Anish N/A
47 mins ago (02:21 AM)
In the past also he had only an "image" by PUBLICITY but he is actually a crook from the time he joined L.N.Mishra's Ministry,at least.He has been groomed in the UK by the Rothschilds,IMF and the World Bank etc for the PM's post.The westerner want a"Western-educated" "LEADER",for ALL nations of the World.And Con Artist and senile crook MM Singh is serving ONLY these THREE his Masters.
KRK (USA)
4 hrs ago (11:03 PM)
IT IS TIME FOR ACTION, IT IS A TIME TO RESPECT THE REPORT OF PAC. THIS REPORT DOES NOT REFLECTS THE ANY PARTY'S AGENDA. IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AND EVERY PAC AND JPC SHOULD BE RESPECTED. IT IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT BELONGS TO BILLIONS, REFLECTING THE CERTAIN FACTS. THESE ARE THE STARTING POINT OF THE FACTS AND IS ALWAYS GOING TO TRIGGER DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS. IT IS TIME TO SEE THE MESSAGE, THE LEADER OF DEMOCARY SENDS TO THE GLOBE. IT IS TIME TO DISCUSS AND TAKE THE NCESSARY STEPS SO THAT DEMOCARY CAN BE FURTER STRENTHEND . DEMOCARY DOES NOT BELONG TO ONE MINISTER, ONE MP, OR NUMBER OF MINSTERS WORKING FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS. IT IS TIME TO UNDERSTAND, WHAT IS WRONG IN THE GOVT. WORKINGS. TRANSPARANCY AND PROCEDUES AND HOW TO CONTROL/ WHISTLE SUCH SITUATIONS SO THAT NATIONAL INTEREST ARE OBSERVED FIRST.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Indian American (USA)
5 hrs ago (09:43 PM)
Congress response to report is not final until Digvijay Singh speaks on behalf of Sonia. If the reaction is unfavorable then Sonia can say that it was his personal opinion. History repeats itself every day.
Agree (14)Recommend (5)
sanjeev (philadelphia)
6 hrs ago (08:42 PM)
UPA_II is the worst government we ever had.
Agree (7)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
ras (guj)
6 hrs ago (08:31 PM)
One one solution cancel the all licenses issued by great thug A Raja. This will act as a deterrent for other thug otherwise there is no way to recover the 1,75000 crore from these thugs. Even these thugs are enjoying beautiful life in jail after some time they may be sifted to hospital for lavish life.
Agree (4)Recommend (4)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US) replies to ras
2 hrs ago (12:28 AM)
Every action and mistake has consequences; and in 2 G Scam- all LOOT must be recovered and all responsible ministers must go...Only fair if India has true democracy.
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
Ramesh (USA)
7 hrs ago (08:05 PM)
MMS is a bigger culprit. One who supports or doesn't stop the corruption also a big culprit. MMS can be punished under IPC and he is fit for jail. 2G scam and S-band alone costing 4 lakh crores to the country, it is shame to MMS to talk about integrity and honesty.
Agree (21)Disagree (4)Recommend (9)
IndianAmerican (USA) replies to Ramesh
5 hrs ago (09:41 PM)
Derelection of duty is crime and MMS should indeed be punished. This will also teach a lesson to otehr puppets.
Agree (12)Disagree (2)Recommend (5)
p.iyer (Riyadh KSA)
7 hrs ago (07:56 PM)
In 1957, in the Mundhra scandel involving hardly INR. 1.5 crores only when the single man commission of M C Chakla made adverse indictment about then finance minister TTK, H M Pater, Kamath and Vaithyanathan, all of them resigned immediately. That was the high standard of moral maintained in politics of those days. Today even after PAC making such scratching attack, PMO has response. If MMS has no guts to enforce his authority, then he has no right to remain as PM. He should resign and give way for better and efficient man.
Agree (4)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Kishore Karnad Karnad (Sunnyvale CA USA)
7 hrs ago (07:52 PM)
Submission of PAC report for whatever it is worth, is not the end of 2G spectrum scam story. It is only the beginning of yet another episode of the endless soap opera. Now that the PMO office has been unfavourably mentioned in the Report, Congress will certainly come out with some allagetions of the Report being 'biased' and that it does not reflect unanimous opinion of all the Members, that it is incomplete etc. The report will then be trashed and a demand for a new committee will be made. The new committee will start its working from the beginning and take its own time to come out with yet another report, only to be challenged by some others, ending PAC Report Season 3. And so the show will go on, till yet another scam surfaces giving scope to form yet another PAC. A. Raja and others will soon be forgotten and even will comeout free under cumpulsion of 'coalition politics'. The nation is too familiar with this politics of 'Committees'. In due course ot time, CBI and JPC will come out with their own versions of the Report which will most certainly be designed to confuse and confound the nation. Perhaps by then, a Jan Lokpal will be appointed who wll start the probe from the beginning. So, be ready for Report (season 1), Report (Season 2), Report (Season 3) and so on, on, and on. Jai Ho!
Agree (14)Recommend (4)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to Kishore Karnad Karnad
11 mins ago (02:57 AM)
What the UPA is implying is that if a party or Coalition has majority it can be corrupt.
Dev Verma (NYC)
8 hrs ago (07:04 PM)
Above all comments Mr PM still you have time to correct your mistake.Put all scamist in jail for good,you are not going to get third term sir keep in mind so act and save your LAAAAAAZ I mean Izzaat (respect for yourself.....diginity of your own and die in peace.
Agree (2)
Prayagasreenivasa Rao (Guntur)
8 hrs ago (06:41 PM)
If congress and BJP have anything like patriotism left they should come together for once, just for once and do the following: Pass an amendment to the constitution, prohibiting regional/small parties from voting in parliament(not participating). so that, either congress or bjp whichever gets more number of seats can rule the country for 5 years. ie., a simple majority either for congress or bjp should do. these regional parties are like gangsters/thugs/lootmars/anti-socials. they blackmail/armtwist, whatnot, for looting the public exchequer. take any party DMT/TRINAMOOL/TDP/SAMAJWADY/JD(U)/RJD -all are tricksters/robberers aiming at prime cabinet posts and then looting the public money. I appeal to the wisdom and patriotism of Congress and BJP - please come together once and amend the constitution and bring in simple majority/2 party system.
Agree (27)Disagree (4)Recommend (7)
Ram (Delhi) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
4 hrs ago (10:22 PM)
Better option is make voting compulsory and winning candidate to get more than 50% polled votes. everything including vote bank politics will be automatically fixed then. Also impose fixed term for LS/Assemblies (no dissolution) and term limits to all including party posts which will route out dynastic tendencies. Before all this, bring Swiss bank money, hang all looters and rapists in public.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Sebastian (Bangalore) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
6 hrs ago (08:30 PM)
You are absolutely right. A party representing a region will not have larger national interest.So let them contest the state elections but should not be allowed in Parliament elections.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)Recommend (1)
Sid Harth (USA) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
6 hrs ago (08:28 PM)
My dear Prayagasreenivasa Rao (Guntur)I love you like my brother. Where were you hiding so far? Speak up Bro, time is of the essence. This time, we need to find new ideas. I fully agree with your bnoble suggestion. I may disagree with your suggestion that eternal enemies of Indian political mess, namely, seculars and Right wing fundamentalists like BJP. Each party is steeped in their own utopia. Congress believes in representing all Indians, irrespective of their caste, color, education, social status, religious beliefs and such normally differentiating factors as sex and socio-economic standing. However, BJP strongly believes in India for Hindus, Hindus and only Hindus. Native Hindus and only Hindus of Indian diaspora. This wide and very deep chasm cannot be bridged. You are asking for a Moon. Let us start with a single and simple proposition. Amend the constitution to match that of the United States of America. Two major national as well as state parties. A presidential system with House at the lower end and a senate at the higher. Elections for any position to be based upon the primaries. Each candidate must win requisite number of popular votes and votes of the electoral college. The term ought to be four years for the president and two for others. This way, people would vote whoever they think ought to represent them, locally and at the national level. More chances for the public. Government should pay for the elections. Parliamentary system sucks. ...and I am Sid Harth
Disagree (1)
Ramesh (Mumbai) replies to Sid Harth
51 mins ago (02:17 AM)
Sid Harth, although you make some sensible comments, the comments about BJP are out of line and very biased ones. It is BJP which made Abdul Kalam president, best president in last few decades. Best Defense minister was George Fernandez. They wanted to make PC Alexander as president, which Sonia sabotaged. They only want minorities not to disown their 'culture' and ancestors. Indian muslim should be proud of Indian culture not Arab one. That is not communalism. In fact Indonesian muslims already are doing it. Their airline is Garuda. Indonesia, biggest muslim country is proud of its Hindu past and so is v. tolerant. That is what Hindu nationalists expect of Indian muslims/christians. Congress is in reality most communal, casteist and corrupt party. Like the story of 'blue jackal' they always blame others while they are root cause of all that blame.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Comments (52)
Recommended (32)
venkat (Chennai)
1 min ago (03:07 AM)
The Draft document in its present form should be made available in a web site. The detailed minutes of the meeting should be made available in a web site. The final version with "Track changes " in the document, with reference to reasons for the changes & MoM should be made available. This is atmost importance of the time. Atleast media should do the coverage on this. Yes we shood look out for why the changes happen in the document, who requested the changes and why he is requesting this document.
sadasivan2005 (India)
54 mins ago (02:14 AM)
Am UNELECTED person enjoying POWER without ACCOUNTABILITY!!!
Agree (1)
Raman V.R (Hyderabad)
2 hrs ago (12:49 AM)
It is understandable. that the members of congress and DMK of the PAC have serious objections on this draft report. Instead of finding fault with PAC chair they can give their dissenting note. Was this not the case in the earlier meeting on CVC appointment and JPC on buying MPs for no confidence vote? Congress and DMK must grow up. UPA should not attempt to buy PAC members of Samajwadi party and BSP. People are watching. Any such attempt will backfire on them for sure.
Agree (3)Recommend (1)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US)
2 hrs ago (12:22 AM)
PAC chairman, Mr. Murali Manohar Joshi, hit the nail on its head- in a draft report on 2 G Scam strongly attacking A Raja and P Chidamaram (then Tel Communication Minister), PMO and PM ; how about UPA-2 chairman, Soniaji who is enjoying all the perks of a cabinet minister and controlling and guiding all the ministers of Congress Party and DMK party also! She does not have any Direct or Indirect responsibility in 2 G Spectrum SCAM??? FantasticO! All the benefits and No responsibiliy- GOOD/GREAT POSITION. Jamvama Jaglo; Kutwama Bhaglo- AISI DOSTI TO HAM HAMESHA NIBHAYENGE--- No doubt, everybody likes India; Britishers liked INDIA and madam Soniaji also likes (very much?) India ??? MMS says- yum yum.
Agree (5)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Anish N/A (CHENNAI)
3 hrs ago (12:05 AM)
The so called Mr.Clean image of Prime Minister Mr.Manmohan Singh is an image of the past, A person who has allowed corruption to happen time and time again right beneath his nose cannot be any ware near being clean and uncorrupted. He is also unfit to remain a PM anymore, if you don't believe me just ask for an open opinion on your Website if how many people in India believe that Mr.Manmohan Singh is still Mr.Clean, The whole nation will know the result of your Public Opinion, I can tell you this right away, this is the worst PM this country has even seen.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to Anish N/A
47 mins ago (02:21 AM)
In the past also he had only an "image" by PUBLICITY but he is actually a crook from the time he joined L.N.Mishra's Ministry,at least.He has been groomed in the UK by the Rothschilds,IMF and the World Bank etc for the PM's post.The westerner want a"Western-educated" "LEADER",for ALL nations of the World.And Con Artist and senile crook MM Singh is serving ONLY these THREE his Masters.
KRK (USA)
4 hrs ago (11:03 PM)
IT IS TIME FOR ACTION, IT IS A TIME TO RESPECT THE REPORT OF PAC. THIS REPORT DOES NOT REFLECTS THE ANY PARTY'S AGENDA. IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AND EVERY PAC AND JPC SHOULD BE RESPECTED. IT IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT BELONGS TO BILLIONS, REFLECTING THE CERTAIN FACTS. THESE ARE THE STARTING POINT OF THE FACTS AND IS ALWAYS GOING TO TRIGGER DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS. IT IS TIME TO SEE THE MESSAGE, THE LEADER OF DEMOCARY SENDS TO THE GLOBE. IT IS TIME TO DISCUSS AND TAKE THE NCESSARY STEPS SO THAT DEMOCARY CAN BE FURTER STRENTHEND . DEMOCARY DOES NOT BELONG TO ONE MINISTER, ONE MP, OR NUMBER OF MINSTERS WORKING FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS. IT IS TIME TO UNDERSTAND, WHAT IS WRONG IN THE GOVT. WORKINGS. TRANSPARANCY AND PROCEDUES AND HOW TO CONTROL/ WHISTLE SUCH SITUATIONS SO THAT NATIONAL INTEREST ARE OBSERVED FIRST.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Indian American (USA)
5 hrs ago (09:43 PM)
Congress response to report is not final until Digvijay Singh speaks on behalf of Sonia. If the reaction is unfavorable then Sonia can say that it was his personal opinion. History repeats itself every day.
Agree (14)Recommend (5)
sanjeev (philadelphia)
6 hrs ago (08:42 PM)
UPA_II is the worst government we ever had.
Agree (7)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
ras (guj)
6 hrs ago (08:31 PM)
One one solution cancel the all licenses issued by great thug A Raja. This will act as a deterrent for other thug otherwise there is no way to recover the 1,75000 crore from these thugs. Even these thugs are enjoying beautiful life in jail after some time they may be sifted to hospital for lavish life.
Agree (4)Recommend (4)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US) replies to ras
2 hrs ago (12:28 AM)
Every action and mistake has consequences; and in 2 G Scam- all LOOT must be recovered and all responsible ministers must go...Only fair if India has true democracy.
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
Ramesh (USA)
7 hrs ago (08:05 PM)
MMS is a bigger culprit. One who supports or doesn't stop the corruption also a big culprit. MMS can be punished under IPC and he is fit for jail. 2G scam and S-band alone costing 4 lakh crores to the country, it is shame to MMS to talk about integrity and honesty.
Agree (21)Disagree (4)Recommend (9)
IndianAmerican (USA) replies to Ramesh
5 hrs ago (09:41 PM)
Derelection of duty is crime and MMS should indeed be punished. This will also teach a lesson to otehr puppets.
Agree (12)Disagree (2)Recommend (5)
p.iyer (Riyadh KSA)
7 hrs ago (07:56 PM)
In 1957, in the Mundhra scandel involving hardly INR. 1.5 crores only when the single man commission of M C Chakla made adverse indictment about then finance minister TTK, H M Pater, Kamath and Vaithyanathan, all of them resigned immediately. That was the high standard of moral maintained in politics of those days. Today even after PAC making such scratching attack, PMO has response. If MMS has no guts to enforce his authority, then he has no right to remain as PM. He should resign and give way for better and efficient man.
Agree (4)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)
Kishore Karnad Karnad (Sunnyvale CA USA)
7 hrs ago (07:52 PM)
Submission of PAC report for whatever it is worth, is not the end of 2G spectrum scam story. It is only the beginning of yet another episode of the endless soap opera. Now that the PMO office has been unfavourably mentioned in the Report, Congress will certainly come out with some allagetions of the Report being 'biased' and that it does not reflect unanimous opinion of all the Members, that it is incomplete etc. The report will then be trashed and a demand for a new committee will be made. The new committee will start its working from the beginning and take its own time to come out with yet another report, only to be challenged by some others, ending PAC Report Season 3. And so the show will go on, till yet another scam surfaces giving scope to form yet another PAC. A. Raja and others will soon be forgotten and even will comeout free under cumpulsion of 'coalition politics'. The nation is too familiar with this politics of 'Committees'. In due course ot time, CBI and JPC will come out with their own versions of the Report which will most certainly be designed to confuse and confound the nation. Perhaps by then, a Jan Lokpal will be appointed who wll start the probe from the beginning. So, be ready for Report (season 1), Report (Season 2), Report (Season 3) and so on, on, and on. Jai Ho!
Agree (14)Recommend (4)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to Kishore Karnad Karnad
11 mins ago (02:57 AM)
What the UPA is implying is that if a party or Coalition has majority it can be corrupt.
Dev Verma (NYC)
8 hrs ago (07:04 PM)
Above all comments Mr PM still you have time to correct your mistake.Put all scamist in jail for good,you are not going to get third term sir keep in mind so act and save your LAAAAAAZ I mean Izzaat (respect for yourself.....diginity of your own and die in peace.
Agree (2)
Prayagasreenivasa Rao (Guntur)
8 hrs ago (06:41 PM)
If congress and BJP have anything like patriotism left they should come together for once, just for once and do the following: Pass an amendment to the constitution, prohibiting regional/small parties from voting in parliament(not participating). so that, either congress or bjp whichever gets more number of seats can rule the country for 5 years. ie., a simple majority either for congress or bjp should do. these regional parties are like gangsters/thugs/lootmars/anti-socials. they blackmail/armtwist, whatnot, for looting the public exchequer. take any party DMT/TRINAMOOL/TDP/SAMAJWADY/JD(U)/RJD -all are tricksters/robberers aiming at prime cabinet posts and then looting the public money. I appeal to the wisdom and patriotism of Congress and BJP - please come together once and amend the constitution and bring in simple majority/2 party system.
Agree (27)Disagree (4)Recommend (7)
Ram (Delhi) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
4 hrs ago (10:22 PM)
Better option is make voting compulsory and winning candidate to get more than 50% polled votes. everything including vote bank politics will be automatically fixed then. Also impose fixed term for LS/Assemblies (no dissolution) and term limits to all including party posts which will route out dynastic tendencies. Before all this, bring Swiss bank money, hang all looters and rapists in public.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
Sebastian (Bangalore) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
6 hrs ago (08:30 PM)
You are absolutely right. A party representing a region will not have larger national interest.So let them contest the state elections but should not be allowed in Parliament elections.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)Recommend (1)
Sid Harth (USA) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
6 hrs ago (08:28 PM)
My dear Prayagasreenivasa Rao (Guntur)I love you like my brother. Where were you hiding so far? Speak up Bro, time is of the essence. This time, we need to find new ideas. I fully agree with your bnoble suggestion. I may disagree with your suggestion that eternal enemies of Indian political mess, namely, seculars and Right wing fundamentalists like BJP. Each party is steeped in their own utopia. Congress believes in representing all Indians, irrespective of their caste, color, education, social status, religious beliefs and such normally differentiating factors as sex and socio-economic standing. However, BJP strongly believes in India for Hindus, Hindus and only Hindus. Native Hindus and only Hindus of Indian diaspora. This wide and very deep chasm cannot be bridged. You are asking for a Moon. Let us start with a single and simple proposition. Amend the constitution to match that of the United States of America. Two major national as well as state parties. A presidential system with House at the lower end and a senate at the higher. Elections for any position to be based upon the primaries. Each candidate must win requisite number of popular votes and votes of the electoral college. The term ought to be four years for the president and two for others. This way, people would vote whoever they think ought to represent them, locally and at the national level. More chances for the public. Government should pay for the elections. Parliamentary system sucks. ...and I am Sid Harth
Disagree (1)
Ramesh (Mumbai) replies to Sid Harth
51 mins ago (02:17 AM)
Sid Harth, although you make some sensible comments, the comments about BJP are out of line and very biased ones. It is BJP which made Abdul Kalam president, best president in last few decades. Best Defense minister was George Fernandez. They wanted to make PC Alexander as president, which Sonia sabotaged. They only want minorities not to disown their 'culture' and ancestors. Indian muslim should be proud of Indian culture not Arab one. That is not communalism. In fact Indonesian muslims already are doing it. Their airline is Garuda. Indonesia, biggest muslim country is proud of its Hindu past and so is v. tolerant. That is what Hindu nationalists expect of Indian muslims/christians. Congress is in reality most communal, casteist and corrupt party. Like the story of 'blue jackal' they always blame others while they are root cause of all that blame.
Agree (1)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)
R.N.Swamy (Chennai) replies to Prayagasreenivasa Rao
7 hrs ago (08:02 PM)
The representation of people Act or other appropriate laws should be amended to prevent regional parties from contesting for Parliament. This is very essential to prevent future Rasputins like Karunanidhi and Raja from meddling with national interests.
Agree (10)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
M SOMASEKHAR PRASAD (KADAPA)
8 hrs ago (06:25 PM)
PAC INDICTS PMO Sir, It is an open secret that from day one the PMO has been rendered a mute spectator to the entire doubtful and nauseating 2G spectrum issue.yet the PM could be said above board as even the PAC report could not attribute any malafide intentions to him now.What needs to be known and probed is to find out the compelling reasons for the PMO to wink at all the goings-on under the baton of the greedy Raja and his coterie. M SOMASEKHAR PRASAD LECTURER S B V R DEGREE COLLEGE BADVEL. A. P.516227
Agree (21)Disagree (2)Recommend (7)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
8 hrs ago (06:12 PM)
I cannot find any reason, logic and/or doubts to highly praise honorable Murali Manohar Joshi for his meticulously prepared report. It is a matter of proverbial wisdom in a famous dictum, here to wit: "The glass is half empty is the same as the glass if half full." Judging from the same crowd expressing their same opinions, mostly very unimaginative, inane, lacking in good faith, highly irrelevant to the topic with the same snide remarks, scratching, clawing, name calling, playing the blame game, pointing fingers, oops, poking fingers at Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress party in general and the current Congress party led UPA-II administration makes me throw up. That is what I am doing. Giving up my sanity, fair play, dispassionate attitude and unbiased critical nature. I wish, just for a fleeting minute that TOI editors invent a new category, "SPAM," and remove all the comments which fall into the categories I mentioned above. Be merciless, not merciful, in your execution. Show these idiots the bottomless pit called garbage pail. I mean it. Their opinions are so clouded, so irrational and so incendiary that including them in any discussions creates an atmosphere of a funny farm, a regular madhouse, an insane asylum. Getting back to the draft report of PAC, I have an honest suggestion. Translate it into all the Indian languages and offer the copies to all those who care. Let them know what is happening in India, oops, glory that was India.
7 hrs ago (08:02 PM)
The representation of people Act or other appropriate laws should be amended to prevent regional parties from contesting for Parliament. This is very essential to prevent future Rasputins like Karunanidhi and Raja from meddling with national interests.
Agree (10)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
M SOMASEKHAR PRASAD (KADAPA)
8 hrs ago (06:25 PM)
PAC INDICTS PMO Sir, It is an open secret that from day one the PMO has been rendered a mute spectator to the entire doubtful and nauseating 2G spectrum issue.yet the PM could be said above board as even the PAC report could not attribute any malafide intentions to him now.What needs to be known and probed is to find out the compelling reasons for the PMO to wink at all the goings-on under the baton of the greedy Raja and his coterie. M SOMASEKHAR PRASAD LECTURER S B V R DEGREE COLLEGE BADVEL. A. P.516227
Agree (21)Disagree (2)Recommend (7)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
8 hrs ago (06:12 PM)
I cannot find any reason, logic and/or doubts to highly praise honorable Murali Manohar Joshi for his meticulously prepared report. It is a matter of proverbial wisdom in a famous dictum, here to wit: "The glass is half empty is the same as the glass if half full." Judging from the same crowd expressing their same opinions, mostly very unimaginative, inane, lacking in good faith, highly irrelevant to the topic with the same snide remarks, scratching, clawing, name calling, playing the blame game, pointing fingers, oops, poking fingers at Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress party in general and the current Congress party led UPA-II administration makes me throw up. That is what I am doing. Giving up my sanity, fair play, dispassionate attitude and unbiased critical nature. I wish, just for a fleeting minute that TOI editors invent a new category, "SPAM," and remove all the comments which fall into the categories I mentioned above. Be merciless, not merciful, in your execution. Show these idiots the bottomless pit called garbage pail. I mean it. Their opinions are so clouded, so irrational and so incendiary that including them in any discussions creates an atmosphere of a funny farm, a regular madhouse, an insane asylum. Getting back to the draft report of PAC, I have an honest suggestion. Translate it into all the Indian languages and offer the copies to all those who care. Let them know what is happening in India, oops, glory that was India.
...and I am Sid Harth
Agree (15)Disagree (2)Recommend (3)
Subodh (Jaipur) replies to Sid Harth Harth
7 hrs ago (07:10 PM)
Dear Mr. Sid Harth, what if I can say that your comment have no scence and it is more like spam.
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US) replies to Subodh
2 hrs ago (12:44 AM)
Exactly.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
Sri (Pune)
9 hrs ago (05:58 PM)
What Manmohan Singh can really do? He didn't have power in his hands to take decisions. His hands are tied in this regard for the sake of Congress to be in power. I still feel that Manmohan Singh had cried more than a common man when he came to know about this loss. People might ask then why he is continuing as PM, he has lot of good plans to impliment for the glory of India. Fight aginst the system not aginst a person.
Agree (14)Disagree (15)Recommend (5)
PP (india) replies to Sri
59 mins ago (02:09 AM)
Tell us who make the system? if person fail to make or follow the system then can't blame system. if you take care of gandus sytem will be taken care of automatically
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
R Sankar (Dubai) replies to Sri
7 hrs ago (07:21 PM)
Glad to know that there some sane and wise men around
Agree (4)Disagree (6)
krishna (uae)
9 hrs ago (05:34 PM)
MMS will go down in the History Of India as the CLEAN (but protecting corruot characters to loot the country)Honest(but always supporting dishonest like Sonia Raja MK and so on and on)Efficient( with no time frame or action plan on any matter)Peace maker( Still talking to PM of Pakistan to sell the country again for another 26/11). MMS has no sensitivity for any issue and will continue till one day people will kick him out
Agree (27)Disagree (4)Recommend (13)
luit (chariali) replies to krishna
7 hrs ago (07:09 PM)
This is the way India goes. What is the role of PAC, is not to look the account? what is the actual lost in 2G. is there any indication on the report. Did the report made by MMJ tabled before the PAC and approved before distributing to MEDIA. Why the MMJ so urgent to distribute it to media before approved by the PAC, is it the way our institution run, what will happen if the PAC rejects the report by majority? who pressurize the MMJ to leak the report? will he be punished? isn't MMJ also corrupt to leak a parliamentary committee report? I am not in favour of Cong or MMS, but all should come clean. There are many question about functioning of present PAC. The SC and the parliament inquiring the 2G mater from 2001 through JPC, why PAC submitting report of current years.Here seems all the comments comes from the BJP supporters, so that they are commenting like that against a PM. Let the all investigation institution do their job, CBI, ED, JPC, PAC etc and submit the report to the parliament or SC, and let them to decide, don't play to us like this.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)
p.iyer (Riyadh KSA)
9 hrs ago (05:27 PM)
"The PMO certainly neither failed to see the forebodings or was rendered a mute spectator," but a victim of Collission compellsion..
Agree (7)Disagree (6)Recommend (3)
B S Thind (Kapurthala)
9 hrs ago (05:26 PM)
All these corrupt politicians have misused a honest professional .They need a P M who must be more corrupt than them to handle them effeciantally.
Agree (6)Recommend (2)
Prashant Poojara (Bangalore)
9 hrs ago (05:25 PM)
Why is the report being leaked in the media even before finalisation? Is it not breach of parliamentary propriety? Who is repsonsible for this? -- Obvioulsy it suits the BJP to conitnue on the attack on congress coming just a day after the CWG arrests, 2G supplementary charge sheet. Ironical BJP wanted the JPC and Congress was okay with PAC and now when Congress reminds BJP of this--- media and BJP cry foul!!!
Agree (4)Disagree (13)
SD (AMD) replies to Prashant Poojara
9 hrs ago (06:07 PM)
Dont Look at Congress or BJP, Look at who is more corrupt ? The one who is less corrupted and does not allow open loot , should be there to rule the nation. Atleast we will have huge savings. Lets us prepare to file PIL against person who has allowed such economic debacles under his economist posture. That person needs to be put behind bar and should be grilled.Since the person in chair has habbit of blamming others he will start giving all involved's name...Cheers ! Focus on PIL ....
Agree (8)Recommend (4)
swamy (bangalore)
9 hrs ago (05:23 PM)
pac report if pm is delinked then it is wrong.primeminister deliberatly not acted to prevent dubious sanction of spectrum to undeserved players,having fully aware of what is happenning.eigther singh is inefficient/shikandi or he got his share of the loot.he cannot getaway as innocent,if it is proved that he got his share he must be put behind the bars for having betrayed the nation or he must resign saying he is not efficient
Agree (11)Recommend (6)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to swamy
57 mins ago (02:11 AM)
Top post.
S.M.NAHAR (RAJASTHAN)
9 hrs ago (05:22 PM)
why manmohan singh is not responsible for loss to government,when the ceo of a company is responsible for wrong doing why not head of PMO.If RAJA is responsible as telecom minister,why not the head of government be charge for this crime.We know nothing would come from PAC or JPC report ,,the money is public money this we have to pay in the form of taxes.PRICERISE is the side-effect of this corruption decease.
Agree (6)Recommend (4)
M.Boothalingam (Trivandrum)
9 hrs ago (05:22 PM)
Draft PAC report has nothing new. Whatever they said in the report are in the public domain. Still the congress and DMK will oppose it. The present UPA govt is mired in corrupt deals and all their leaders are neck deep in corruption. The only solace to people of India is the Supreme Court and we expect that the court will punish the guilty and recover the money looted by them
Agree (5)Recommend (4)
xxx (jorhat)
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
The cat (also mice) is/are coming out of the bag.
Agree (5)Recommend (4)
Vinnu (Hyderabad)
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
Manmohan must be the only leader in the world who has done absolutely nothing for the country and managed to stay in power for two terms as the leader of the world's largest democracy. The country has progressed in spite of the government obstacles, red tape, corruption and bureaucratic roadblocks.
Agree (15)Disagree (1)Recommend (6)
Paramjit Singh (Mumbai) replies to Vinnu
6 hrs ago (08:23 PM)
You forgot to mention that the prime minister of the world's largest democracy never won any election to the Lok Sabha.What possible accountability can you expect from the seat warmer for Amul Baby>
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
sachin (Delhi) replies to Vinnu
9 hrs ago (05:25 PM)
I strongly doubt that PM has not taken his share in all these scams, I am failed to understand why is he holding the PM position as he has nothing more to achieve in life, he should put down his papers with his head high, if he is still holding the position that means he also has some personal interests.
Agree (9)Recommend (6)
IndianAmerican (USA) replies to sachin
5 hrs ago (09:49 PM)
He must be loves the luxurious life with a prime bunglaw and security and perks. Pride he doesn't have.
Agree (3)Recommend (2)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to IndianAmerican
55 mins ago (02:13 AM)
His House Electricity Bill alone for 2009 is more than Rs ONE CRORE.
Akshay (Pune)
10 hrs ago (04:49 PM)
Expected as Chief is BJP member.
Agree (4)Disagree (20)
SK (Mumbai) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:38 PM)
what about the remaining 21 members ? The members are selected by the Parliment. If it making false claims they will have to face it
Agree (7)Recommend (4)
Indian (india) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:15 PM)
yeah because of his party is in opposition he is criticising PM. else he would have stand in support of it like DMK is supporting then CM's daughter. Moron, MMS is a failed prime minister. He will follow only what Sonia mam will say. He has no ears, no eyes and no brain of his own. No doubt he is highly educated economist, but he doesnt have guts to take action againts anyone.
Agree (10)Recommend (6)
G.Chandrasekaran (USA) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:11 PM)
So Mr. Akshay!! We can expect JPC report favouring Raja PM, PC and all because its head is from Congress!!!!? What a funny notion you have!!!?
Agree (8)Disagree (1)Recommend (4)
Kaka (Malabo) replies to Akshay
10 hrs ago (05:01 PM)
and JPC will do the opposite as her majesty's party has majority in it.
Agree (9)Recommend (3)
bharat (shimla) replies to Akshay
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
oh come on. Aapke ghar main bhi ghus jayenge tab bhi nahin jagoge.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
Agree (15)Disagree (2)Recommend (3)
Subodh (Jaipur) replies to Sid Harth Harth
7 hrs ago (07:10 PM)
Dear Mr. Sid Harth, what if I can say that your comment have no scence and it is more like spam.
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
Kanubhai Jadav Jadav (US) replies to Subodh
2 hrs ago (12:44 AM)
Exactly.
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
Sri (Pune)
9 hrs ago (05:58 PM)
What Manmohan Singh can really do? He didn't have power in his hands to take decisions. His hands are tied in this regard for the sake of Congress to be in power. I still feel that Manmohan Singh had cried more than a common man when he came to know about this loss. People might ask then why he is continuing as PM, he has lot of good plans to impliment for the glory of India. Fight aginst the system not aginst a person.
Agree (14)Disagree (15)Recommend (5)
PP (india) replies to Sri
59 mins ago (02:09 AM)
Tell us who make the system? if person fail to make or follow the system then can't blame system. if you take care of gandus sytem will be taken care of automatically
Agree (1)Recommend (1)
R Sankar (Dubai) replies to Sri
7 hrs ago (07:21 PM)
Glad to know that there some sane and wise men around
Agree (4)Disagree (6)
krishna (uae)
9 hrs ago (05:34 PM)
MMS will go down in the History Of India as the CLEAN (but protecting corruot characters to loot the country)Honest(but always supporting dishonest like Sonia Raja MK and so on and on)Efficient( with no time frame or action plan on any matter)Peace maker( Still talking to PM of Pakistan to sell the country again for another 26/11). MMS has no sensitivity for any issue and will continue till one day people will kick him out
Agree (27)Disagree (4)Recommend (13)
luit (chariali) replies to krishna
7 hrs ago (07:09 PM)
This is the way India goes. What is the role of PAC, is not to look the account? what is the actual lost in 2G. is there any indication on the report. Did the report made by MMJ tabled before the PAC and approved before distributing to MEDIA. Why the MMJ so urgent to distribute it to media before approved by the PAC, is it the way our institution run, what will happen if the PAC rejects the report by majority? who pressurize the MMJ to leak the report? will he be punished? isn't MMJ also corrupt to leak a parliamentary committee report? I am not in favour of Cong or MMS, but all should come clean. There are many question about functioning of present PAC. The SC and the parliament inquiring the 2G mater from 2001 through JPC, why PAC submitting report of current years.Here seems all the comments comes from the BJP supporters, so that they are commenting like that against a PM. Let the all investigation institution do their job, CBI, ED, JPC, PAC etc and submit the report to the parliament or SC, and let them to decide, don't play to us like this.
Agree (1)Disagree (2)
p.iyer (Riyadh KSA)
9 hrs ago (05:27 PM)
"The PMO certainly neither failed to see the forebodings or was rendered a mute spectator," but a victim of Collission compellsion..
Agree (7)Disagree (6)Recommend (3)
B S Thind (Kapurthala)
9 hrs ago (05:26 PM)
All these corrupt politicians have misused a honest professional .They need a P M who must be more corrupt than them to handle them effeciantally.
Agree (6)Recommend (2)
Prashant Poojara (Bangalore)
9 hrs ago (05:25 PM)
Why is the report being leaked in the media even before finalisation? Is it not breach of parliamentary propriety? Who is repsonsible for this? -- Obvioulsy it suits the BJP to conitnue on the attack on congress coming just a day after the CWG arrests, 2G supplementary charge sheet. Ironical BJP wanted the JPC and Congress was okay with PAC and now when Congress reminds BJP of this--- media and BJP cry foul!!!
Agree (4)Disagree (13)
SD (AMD) replies to Prashant Poojara
9 hrs ago (06:07 PM)
Dont Look at Congress or BJP, Look at who is more corrupt ? The one who is less corrupted and does not allow open loot , should be there to rule the nation. Atleast we will have huge savings. Lets us prepare to file PIL against person who has allowed such economic debacles under his economist posture. That person needs to be put behind bar and should be grilled.Since the person in chair has habbit of blamming others he will start giving all involved's name...Cheers ! Focus on PIL ....
Agree (8)Recommend (4)
swamy (bangalore)
9 hrs ago (05:23 PM)
pac report if pm is delinked then it is wrong.primeminister deliberatly not acted to prevent dubious sanction of spectrum to undeserved players,having fully aware of what is happenning.eigther singh is inefficient/shikandi or he got his share of the loot.he cannot getaway as innocent,if it is proved that he got his share he must be put behind the bars for having betrayed the nation or he must resign saying he is not efficient
Agree (11)Recommend (6)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to swamy
57 mins ago (02:11 AM)
Top post.
S.M.NAHAR (RAJASTHAN)
9 hrs ago (05:22 PM)
why manmohan singh is not responsible for loss to government,when the ceo of a company is responsible for wrong doing why not head of PMO.If RAJA is responsible as telecom minister,why not the head of government be charge for this crime.We know nothing would come from PAC or JPC report ,,the money is public money this we have to pay in the form of taxes.PRICERISE is the side-effect of this corruption decease.
Agree (6)Recommend (4)
M.Boothalingam (Trivandrum)
9 hrs ago (05:22 PM)
Draft PAC report has nothing new. Whatever they said in the report are in the public domain. Still the congress and DMK will oppose it. The present UPA govt is mired in corrupt deals and all their leaders are neck deep in corruption. The only solace to people of India is the Supreme Court and we expect that the court will punish the guilty and recover the money looted by them
Agree (5)Recommend (4)
xxx (jorhat)
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
The cat (also mice) is/are coming out of the bag.
Agree (5)Recommend (4)
Vinnu (Hyderabad)
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
Manmohan must be the only leader in the world who has done absolutely nothing for the country and managed to stay in power for two terms as the leader of the world's largest democracy. The country has progressed in spite of the government obstacles, red tape, corruption and bureaucratic roadblocks.
Agree (15)Disagree (1)Recommend (6)
Paramjit Singh (Mumbai) replies to Vinnu
6 hrs ago (08:23 PM)
You forgot to mention that the prime minister of the world's largest democracy never won any election to the Lok Sabha.What possible accountability can you expect from the seat warmer for Amul Baby>
Agree (2)Recommend (2)
sachin (Delhi) replies to Vinnu
9 hrs ago (05:25 PM)
I strongly doubt that PM has not taken his share in all these scams, I am failed to understand why is he holding the PM position as he has nothing more to achieve in life, he should put down his papers with his head high, if he is still holding the position that means he also has some personal interests.
Agree (9)Recommend (6)
IndianAmerican (USA) replies to sachin
5 hrs ago (09:49 PM)
He must be loves the luxurious life with a prime bunglaw and security and perks. Pride he doesn't have.
Agree (3)Recommend (2)
sadasivan2005 (India) replies to IndianAmerican
55 mins ago (02:13 AM)
His House Electricity Bill alone for 2009 is more than Rs ONE CRORE.
Akshay (Pune)
10 hrs ago (04:49 PM)
Expected as Chief is BJP member.
Agree (4)Disagree (20)
SK (Mumbai) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:38 PM)
what about the remaining 21 members ? The members are selected by the Parliment. If it making false claims they will have to face it
Agree (7)Recommend (4)
Indian (india) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:15 PM)
yeah because of his party is in opposition he is criticising PM. else he would have stand in support of it like DMK is supporting then CM's daughter. Moron, MMS is a failed prime minister. He will follow only what Sonia mam will say. He has no ears, no eyes and no brain of his own. No doubt he is highly educated economist, but he doesnt have guts to take action againts anyone.
Agree (10)Recommend (6)
G.Chandrasekaran (USA) replies to Akshay
9 hrs ago (05:11 PM)
So Mr. Akshay!! We can expect JPC report favouring Raja PM, PC and all because its head is from Congress!!!!? What a funny notion you have!!!?
Agree (8)Disagree (1)Recommend (4)
Kaka (Malabo) replies to Akshay
10 hrs ago (05:01 PM)
and JPC will do the opposite as her majesty's party has majority in it.
Agree (9)Recommend (3)
bharat (shimla) replies to Akshay
10 hrs ago (05:00 PM)
oh come on. Aapke ghar main bhi ghus jayenge tab bhi nahin jagoge.
Agree (6)Disagree (1)Recommend (3)
Chennai, April 27, 2011
DMK to seek legal recourse on 2G spectrum scam issue
PTI
The Hindu Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president, M. Karunanidhi along with Kanimozhi, MP arriving at the party’s high-level committee meeting at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai on Wednesday. Photo : M. Vedhan
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam did not walk out of the United Progressive Alliance alliance at the Centre on Wednesday over the 2G issue and decided to fight the case legally.
After a meeting of the party’s high-level committee, the DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister expressed ‘anguish’ over inclusion of hs daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi’s name in the second charge sheet in the spectrum allocation case by the Central Bureau of investigation and said they would fight the issue legally to prove the their innocence of his daughter and the party in court.
‘We will take legal steps to prove the truth’, he told reporters.
Ever since the supplementary charge sheeting naming Ms. Kanimozhi as an accused was filed in a Delhi court on Monday, there has been speculation that DMK might adopt a hard line and could even think of quitting the Central ministry.
Asked whether Ms. Kanimozhi would appear before a CBI court at Delhi on May 6, where she had been summoned, he replied in the affirmative.
‘She is not Jayalalithaa to ignore the court summons’, he said in a reference to the AIADMK leader seeking exemption from personal appearance in the disproportionate wealth case against her in a Bangalore court.
Asked whether Ms. Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV CEO Sarath Kumar, who had also been summoned, would seek anticipatory bail, Karunanidhi said the lawyers would decide about it.
To a query, Mr. Karunanidhi said the party did not face any embarrassment on the issue.
The meeting adopted a resolution blaming some parties to create lack of confidence among UPA allies and to break the alliance.
It said the 2G case was being used to defame the DMK which would seek legal recourse.
It also expressed surprise over inclusion of Kanimozhi’s name in the supplementary charge sheet.
Keywords: 2G spectrum scam, CBI chargesheet, Kanimozhi, A. Raja, DMK-Congress alliance
NEW DELHI, April 26, 2011
Top politicians and corporate honchos rub shoulders in Tihar
Vinay Kumar
Comment (1)
The high-profile, mighty and powerful — all are lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail, one of the largest prison complexes in the world.
Politicians, high-ranking bureaucrats and top corporate honchos are all rubbing shoulders, thanks to the crackdown of the Central Bureau of Investigation in at least two cases: the scam in the Commonwealth Games and the 2G spectrum allocation.
In the spectrum scam alone, the jail is home to the former Communications Minister, A. Raja; his close aide R.K. Chandolia; the then Telecom Secretary, Siddharth Behura; DB Realty chief Shahid Balwa and his partner Vinod Goenka; Unitech chief Sanjay Chandra; and the top officials of the Reliance ADAG group G. Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipada.
Two former top officials of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee — Lalit Bhanot and V. K.Verma, both considered close associates of the former Organising Committee chairman, Suresh Kalmadi — are still lodged in one of the prisons in the Tihar complex. Mr. Kalmadi, arrested by the CBI on Monday, is also likely to head to the Tihar jail at the end of his eight-day police custody.
“Probably, it is the first time that so many top members of India Inc. are lodged in the Tihar jail. It also shows how the politician-bureaucrat-corporate nexus is working to engineer scams, and a crackdown by an agency like the CBI at least has been able to make a dent in it,” sources in the CBI said.
The agency arrested National Aluminium Company Ltd. chief A.K. Srivastav, his wife and two others about a month ago in a case of bribery. The four are still cooling their heels in the jail.
Mr. Raja, arrested on February 2 and sent to the jail later, has been the least demanding of prisoners. “Inside the jail, no one is a VIP. High-profile prisoners are not given any extra facilities unless ordered by the court,” the jail’s public relations officer Sunil Gupta said here on Tuesday.
Other prisoners with high connections include Manu Sharma, who was awarded a life term in the Jessica Lall murder case; Santosh Singh, a criminal lawyer and son of a former IPS officer who was handed life sentence in the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case; and the former IPS officer, R.K. Sharma, convicted in the murder of journalist Shivani Bhatnagar.
The Tihar complex, with nine prisons, and the Rohini district jail together have a sanctioned capacity of 6,250 prisoners, but are crowded, with 12,000.
Keywords: Tihar jail, Commonwealth Games, 2G spectrum scam
Comments:
Many top politicians and corporate honchos may be rubbing shoulders in Tihar. But what about those who created conditions conducive for these people to go ahead with the alledged nefarious activities. If the higher-ups in the government and in the concerned businss houses knew nothing about these ctivities over a long period of time, that situation itself is extremely dangerous for the country. If they knew and yet did nothing about it, will it not be tantamount to collusion. Why is the media, patting itself on the back over its crusade against corruption, silent on this aspect?
from: K.Vijayakumar
Posted on: Apr 27, 2011 at 06:20 IST
Your comment has been received and will be moderated.
My dear K Vijayakumar, how nice to see you and read your comment. I point out a couple of glaring mistakes in your accusation. I quote your charge here: “Why is the media, patting itself on the back over its crusade against corruption, silent on this aspect?” My humble suggestion to you is think. You are not. Only one newspaper came up with a story exposing Radia. All other major media people kept silent of the so called “Radia Tape scandal.” Hindustan Times, Vir Sanghvi, Barkha Dutt, fell, oops, tumbled, oops, exploded like bowling ball pins . What kind of media crusade you would like to quote from? I have covered all late scandals, noted them all, commented upon each news and opinion piece, wherever they allowed me to do so. There ain’t no such crusade. At least not on the media’s internet versions. I don’t read news from news print versions as I live in America. Perhaps, you do. Please cite all the evidence you have gathered so far and if I am wrong, I shall eat rat poison, oops, apologize to you. As for your second charge and I quote your words: “If the higher-ups in the government and in the concerned businss houses knew nothing about these ctivities over a long period of time, that situation itself is extremely dangerous for the country. If they knew and yet did nothing about it, will it not be tantamount to collusion.” How silly of you to make such a vane, oops, banal statement. Government, any kind of government can and must run the government which involves most complicated affairs, not just being a super sleuth, oops, a gumshoe, oops, a detective. Neera Radia was exposed due to the due diligence of this same very government you are accusing, namely, UPA-II. If you suggest that government get into this new business instead of running the country, you should vote accordingly. Whom did you vote the last time? Please don’t tell me, BJP. I guessed. Have a nice day.
…and I am Sid Harth
from: Sid Harth
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 04: 45 IST USA
27 Apr, 2011, 02.43AM IST,ET Bureau
Security cover for Sathya Sai Trustees
Comments (1)
Read more on »trustees|Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust|Sri Sathya Sai Baba|security cover|Satyajit|Andhra Pradesh
HYDERABAD/PUTTAPARTHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined lakhs of devotees on Tuesday in visiting Puttaparthi to pay tribute to late spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba , who passed away on Sunday. The two leaders flew into the town, located about three hours east of Bangalore, in the evening on Tuesday and spent some time closeted with the trustees of the Sri Sathya Sai Trust. While the details of the brief meeting with the trustees is unknown, it is believed that the trust members assured the prime minister that everything was in order and that the service activities sponsored by the trust would not be impacted by the death of Sai Baba.
Close to 3,000 police personnel were deployed at various entry and exit points of the ashram to ensure there was no inconvenience caused to the numerous devotees. “Our forces have been posted at strategic points to make sure there is no stampede. We have been here for the last five days and plan to retreat only after the crowd withdraws,” a deputy inspector general said.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh police have provided security cover to the trustees of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and to Satyajit, the aide to the late spiritual leader. The police are worried over growing anger among a section of people, especially local political leaders. “Protection is a preventive measurea¦We do not want to take any chances,” DGP Arvind Rao said.
Each of the six trustees and Satyajit will get four cops as security. Mr Rao, however, ruled out any intelligence reports suggesting threats to their lives. “There is growing anger among a section of people especially local political leaders against them. This may result in some unruly element attacking any of them physically,” he pointed out. The DGP also made it clear that devotees of Sai Baba are not involved in the hate campaign against Satyajit and the board of trustees. Estimates suggest that the central trust owns assets worth over Rs 40,000 crore and it is yet to decide on a successor to Sai Baba.
Shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments remained shut as policemen lined the streets of the town to control devotees who swarmed the Kulwant Hall where Baba’s body was kept for the devotees to pay their homage. He will be buried in the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam on Wednesday morning in line with the practice adopted for spiritual leaders in India, contrary to the Hindu custom of cremating bodies. “We have voluntarily downed the shutters of our shops because we are all mourning the death of Sai Baba. While the last few days of inactivity will affect our business, we are not too affected by the loss to our business,” said a Kashmiri trader who sells garments and gems in Puttaparthi.
Expressing deep and profound sadness over the Baba’s death, Singh had on Sunday said he was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice. “Sri Satya Sai Baba as a preacher of the highest human values was an iconic figure for over five decades,” he added.
Readers’ Opinions (1)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
It is very disturbing news indeed. Whereas, Sathya Sai Baba is yet to be buried, whereas, notable and noble people, celebrities and general population are yet to bid good bye to this man, some miscreants are showing disrespect to his work and memory. However, I also smell a rat. Stinking rat. If I am not mistaken, The Trust and/or society registration act of 1860, not only requires the said society or trust to have following: The main instrument of any society is the memorandum of association and rules and regulations, not necessarily on a government stamp paper, wherein the aims and objects and mode of management (of the society) should be enshrined.” Let us presume that such material is available with the registrar. Memorandum of association is the charter of a society. It is a document depicting and describing the objects of the its existence and its operations. However, article of association includes rules and regulations of the society under which it works. If such requirements are met as per the said law, where is the doubt expressed in many news articles for the past 20 days? There is a simple line of authority. Either the president or the secretary who must reorganize the trust and name new trustees or assign the same trustees with either the same responsibilities or the new ones. It also could have a general meeting of the trustees with a single purpose of naming a new person from among them or from outside to continue the tradition. Peace.
…and I am Sid Harth
Ishrat Jahan case: 14 Gujarat cops now seek CBI probe
IANS | Apr 26, 2011, 11.07pm IST
Comments (3)
Tags:Narendra Modi|Karnail Singh|Justices Jayant Patel|Ishrat Jahan case|CBI|Amjad Ali Rana
GANDHINAGAR: In a turnround, 14 Gujarat police officers on Tuesday urged the Gujarat high court to reconstitute its special probe team in the Ishrat Jahan staged shootout or hand the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The plea comes days after the high court redistributed work among the members of its Special Investigation Team, relieving Karnail Singh as its head and handing over investigation fully to Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Satish Verma while putting the other member, Mohan Jha, in charge of administration.
With Verma aggressively pursuing the case and now empowered by the high court to make arrests, the 14, including IPS officer GL Singhal, Deputy Superintendent of Police Tarun Barot, three other officers of equivalent rank and four inspectors, claimed, in their petition, that they were being victimised.
Mentioning their grievance against Verma, they have expressed fears of prejudicial and coercive steps against them and alleged Verma is acting either at the behest of or in connivance with senior IPS officers who have personal grudges against them.
They claimed that Verma has been using “extra legal” probe methods to implicate them in the case, citing examples of some officers against whom Verma allegedly used coercive tactics to get their statements recorded.
The petitioners sought the court either amend its earlier order or to form a new SIT consisting of IPS officers from any state other than Gujarat, or otherwise the investigation should be given to the CBI.
The court however rejected to entertain their plea Tuesday stating that there was no urgency of the matter. It said that the matter can be heard on May 12 when the hearing of the case is scheduled.
A division bench of Justices Jayant Patel and Abhilasha Kumari formed a SIT comprising Karnail Singh, Jha and Verma, directing it to probe if the shoot-out was genuinene.
In the last hearing, the court allowed Singh to be relieved from his duties as the chairman of SIT upon his request.
Ishrat Jahan, Pranesh Pillai, Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were gunned down in outskirts of Ahmedabad in June 2004 by the crime branch officers, who termed the four as Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives on a mission to kill Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.
Ishrat Jahan case: 14 Gujarat cops now seek CBI probe
Comments (3)
Recommended (1)
My first comment was posted but, as yet, not published.
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
1 min ago (12:50 AM)
Please allow me. Ishrat Jehan encounter killing has become a regular fodder for chief minister, Narendra Modi’s fanatic fans and his detractors. I belong to the second. However, I have researched this case meticulously and have commented on the news related to this, as well as other similar encounters. I shall take more than 1500 words to do it. If the limit is crossed at any given point, I shall make a second, third comment. Her we go again. I am quoting wikipedia: “The Gujarat government has faced strong criticism by human rights groups for anti-Muslim human rights violations, following the communal riots of 2002.[6] There have been several police encounter deaths in the Gujarat, three of which have been attributed to attempts to kill Narendra Modi in retaliation for the alleged involvement of the state machinery in the riots. Human rights activists have alleged that many of these alleged encounters actually happen in police custody.[16] They claim that there is a pattern that many of these encounters follow: they always take place in the wee hours of the morning in a deserted area, with no witnesses; a vigorous exchange of fire results in the deaths of all the terrorists, while the police receive no injuries; and the diary of the accused is often recovered, and contains incriminating evidence.In Ishrat’s case, the Gujarat police claimed to have received information on the assassination plot from the Mumbai police. To be continued…
…and I am Sid Harth
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
1 min ago (12:56 AM)
Continued from the previous post… “The Mumbai police however denied there was any such information.[4] According to PUCL, the Gujarat police did not follow normal procedures in their investigations. No FIR was lodged with the local area police station where the encounter occurred,no charge sheet, no inquest report, and no witness statement. No bullet marks or damage was observed on the road or surrounding area.
Several of the policemen held responsible for the death of Ishrat Raza faced trial in connection with the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife in a staged encounter in 2005.” End of my quote. I am not saying that the above quote is sacrosanct. After all, wikipedia allows anyone to edit and there is always a suspicion that some or other person, organization or special interest groups may have pushed their specific agenda in the final result of that particular page. All these deficiencies of wikipedia taken for granted, any average readers could still go thru all the media coverage of that time forward till today and judge for themselves what exactly has happened, why it happened, who was involved, who broke the law and under whose direct or indirect orders. As a dispassionate critic, I hold Narendra Modi soley responsible for all these encounter killings, not the police officers involved.
…and I am Sid Harth
Ashwini (UK)
1 hr ago (11:55 PM)
It is a urgent need to make police, law enforcement and investigating agency independent of politicians otherwise congress will use Hindus as dog food and BJP will use Muslim.
Agree (7)Disagree (2)Recommend (4)
An officer & a Gujarati
Samar Halarnkar, Hindustan Times
April 26, 2011
First Published: 23:02 IST(26/4/2011)
Last Updated: 23:06 IST(26/4/2011)
1 Comments
‘It isn’t that I have taken a Viagra for courage. If I think of the consequences, I will not be able to act. If nothing happens, it’s fine. I’ve done my best.” This is what Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Rajendra Bhatt told me when I pointed out the inglorious consequences visited on the few of
ficers who have previously tried to implicate Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and his administration in the riots of 2002.
Earlier this month, Bhatt, 47, filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court of India (SC) saying its Special Investigation Team (SIT) was ignoring evidence – including floppy disks, cellphone records and documents – that he had submitted establishing official complicity in one of independent India’s bloodiest riots. A Gujarati and a graduate in geotechnics engineering from the elite Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Bhatt in his affidavit says he told the SIT of a late-night meeting on February 27, 2002 – where Modi allegedly said the police must allow Hindus to vent their anger – and provided “verifiable details” about a larger cover-up aimed at undermining the judicial process. Instead, says Bhatt, he faced “unconcealed hostility” from the SIT.
“I have time and again tried to bring these facts to the notice of the SIT but they seem disinclined to follow up these important leads,” says Bhatt’s affidavit, which he drafted himself earlier this month, unsure of whom to trust. He also accuses the SIT of having “chosen to intimidate certain witnesses” who testified to his presence at the meeting with Modi.
Some background: When it seemed clear that Gujarat would not duly investigate the riots, the SC created the SIT in March 2008 to probe the nine worst massacres of 2002. Trials in these cases are now underway. Bhatt’s affidavit relates to the SIT’s latest task: investigating the death by burning of 69 people at the Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, including former Member of Parliament, Ehsan Jafri. The court ordered the probe after a special petition from his widow, Zakia.
Why did Bhatt wait nine years to speak up? His contention: as an intelligence officer, he was bound by confidentiality. When the SIT first summoned him in November 2009, Bhatt told its officers he would reveal what he knew only if a criminal case was registered. With his career at stake, he wanted his testimony to count, not be part of a vague inquiry.
“Given the conditions that have existed in Gujarat for almost the last decade, it would be very unrealistic to expect any government servant to depose freely and fearlessly before any forum, including the SIT, unless he or she is provided adequate protection and complete immunity from persecution from a highly vindictive administrative setup,” says Bhatt’s affidavit.
The Gujarat government indeed persecuted the few officers who chose to control mobs instead of letting them run riot in 2002 or, later on, tried to follow the judicial process. What has since emerged is a pattern of lost records and official amnesia, of investigations soft-pedalled in a manner to undermine eventual prosecution.
For instance, of the seven officers whose presence was confirmed in the February 27 meeting, two told the SIT that they had a loss of memory. Another did not deny Bhatt’s presence but said he could not remember if he was there. Of the other four, only K Chakravarthi, police chief in 2002, said Bhatt was not there.
In May 2010, the SIT submitted to the apex court a progress report – scooped in February 2011 by the newsmagazine Tehelka – that confirmed the non-cooperation of officials, Modi’s inflammatory speeches, his administration’s partisan behaviour, the appointment of Hindu extremists as public prosecutors, and persecution of neutral officers.
Even so, there are escape hatches in the SIT’s approach. When SIT inquiry officer AK Malhotra last year asked Modi who came to the February 27 meeting, the chief minister, according to the report, named seven officers and then said – without being asked – “Sanjeev Bhatt, then DC (Int.) did not attend, as this was a high-level meeting”.
SIT chairman RK Raghavan, a former Central Bureau of Investigation director who handpicked the investigating team, in his comments said, “Bhatt is considered an unreliable witness, especially because no official, who is known to have definitely attended the meeting has spoken of his presence there.” Yet, his inquiry officer, Malhotra, termed the testimonies of the seven officers unreliable because they were either rewarded by Modi or continue in service.
The SIT has constantly needed pushing from the SC. Here are two instances of what happened after a dissatisfied court last month ordered the SIT to probe Modi’s complicity. One, after years of claiming that police records from 2002 were destroyed, then commissioner PC Pande is now learned to have submitted scanned copies of more than 2,000 pages of those records. Two, investigators again approached Bhatt, who believes they still aren’t doing enough. He clearly hopes the SC will now call him to testify directly.
Bhatt will not reveal his evidence. Instead, he quotes to me this verse from the Hindi poet Dushyant Singh:
Sirf hangama, khada karna, mera maksad nahi
saari koshish, hai ki ye, soorat badalni chahiye
mere seene mein nahi, to tere seene mein sahi
ho kahi bhi aag lekin, aag jalni chahiye
(It is not my intention to only create sensation
All my efforts are to create change
If not in my heart, then in yours
wherever the fire, it must burn)
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Sid Harth
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Sid Harth 0 minutes ago
I am getting a feeling that we are, currently, watching a rerun of “mahabharata.” an epic where two cousins and their families were pitted in a pitched battle. Lord Krishna, only as a chariot driver for his brother-in-law, Arjuna wanted Arjuna to forget the fact that war cannot solve such family problems. Peace cannot be established with war and carnage. I would like to quote his Sanskrit words depicting his true feelings but I would be tempted to do some fancy interpretation as well. One can always refer to “shrimadbagwadgita,” a song celestial in original as well as several Indian as well as western and eastern languages.
“seedanti mama gatraaNi, mukham cha parishushyati…” were his exact words.
I am paraphrasing Lord Krishna’s strict edict to Arjuna, so forgive me for any lapses on my part. Here we go: “I am the killer and killed. I am the lord and master of this universe. You are ignorant of this fact because you only know my human form not of my heavenly existence. Do your duty as a warrior and leave everything else to me.”
With these words Lord Krishna discloses his true identity. The rest is history. I think, Sanjeev Bhatt, for nine long years, reasoned with himself of this eternal conflict. Why kill my brothers, why kill my superior officers? Why kill a notorious Hindutva criminal chief minister Narendra modi? What am I accomplishing with my taking a bow and arrow in my hands and killing all these gentlemen, oops, bad apples of the Hindu society?
Well, dear Sanjeev, do it because lord Krishna wants it that way and better not doubt Lord Krishna’s authority. It is “nishkaam karmayoga,” duty at any cost without the fear of consequences and rewards if there are any. All belongs to Lord Krishna. Go ahead, I shall take your place in prison or the gallows if you fail to prove your crusade. I mean it.
Record Bhatt’s deposition: JSM plea before Nanavati Commission
Press Trust Of India
Ahmedabad, April 27, 2011
First Published: 02:39 IST(27/4/2011)
Last Updated: 02:40 IST(27/4/2011)
Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), representing some of the 2002 riot victims, has filed an application in Nanavati Commission for summoning IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt over the role and conduct of Chief Minister Narendra Modi during the events unfolded after the Godhra incident. Bhatt, in his recent affidavi
t filed in the Supreme Court, alleged that Modi had instructed officers to allow Hindus “to vent out their anger” during the communal clashes and wanted Muslims to be “taught a lesson”.
The petition filed on Monday by its convener Amrish Patel before the Commission, probing the 2002 communal riots, said that deposition of Bhatt “would be very important and (is) a material evidence” on deciding the role and conduct of the chief minister and others.
JSM counsel Mukul Sinha said that it became imperative to examine Bhatt in the wake of the revelations made in his affidavit.
“We have also asked for permission to corss-examine Bhatt before the commission. I believe that the state government should also cross-examine him as it is the credibility of their chief Minister which is at stake,” Sinha told reporters.
Sinha informed that the state government had itself amended the terms of reference of the Commission in June 2002 for enquiring into the role and conduct of chief minister.
He said that a petition summoning Modi before Nanavati Commission was pending with the Gujarat High Court which had reserved the pronouncement of order.
…and I am Sid Harth
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