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Cong all set to neutralise Jagan
A Tribune Analysis
Karnataka land scam |
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I’m not anti-Maharashtra: Ramesh
Lalu Prasad cautions against writing off RJD
Maoists trigger blast, 5 dead
Maoists tell MFIs to wind up operations
Boundary talks with China today
Now, deadly AK-47 to fire rubber bullets
CVC questions cost of CWG stadia
UNSC SEAT BID
Missing Adarsh papers: Crime Branch gets case
Repeat of Chandigarh for Mirwaiz in Kolkata
Tata slams govt for inconsistent policies
ED to summon Raja aides
Penalise Roy for calling Naxals ‘patriots’: MP Chief Minister
Kapil Sibal bereaved
Naga rebels on extortion spree
List of players up for auction
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Cong all set to neutralise Jagan
Hyderabad, November 28 For the 38-year-old son of former Chief Minister YSR Reddy, who has been aspiring to become the CM, the increasing isolation may push him into breaking away from Congress and forming a new party, political analysts feel. His uncle and member of the Legislative Council, Y S Vivekananda Reddy, YSR's brother, has rubbed salt into Jaganmohan Reddy's injury by offering to "patch up" the strained relationship between his nephew and the Congress high command by "expressing our regret over the episodes telecast on Sakshi television channel." The channel, owned by Jagan, raised the hackles of the party leadership by targeting Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. Vivekananda's move has only left a defiant Jagan more embarrassed. Jagan’s camp tried to do some damage control by announcing that their leader had done nothing wrong that warranted an explanation to the high command. By distancing itself from Vivekananda's statement, his camp desperately sought to send a message that Jagan would not buckle under pressure. Vivekananda today met Sonia in Delhi and is understood to have discussed the political situation in Andhra Pradesh arising out of the rebellious attitude of Jagan. Jagan would have to wait till Wednesday to make up his mind on whether or not to continue in the Congress party, when the constitution of the state council of ministers is likely to take place. He is anxiously awaiting the formation of the cabinet to assess his standing in the Congress and chalk out his future path, his supporters say. One of his close followers and former minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose claimed he would not join Kiran Kumar Reddy's cabinet after it became clear that he would face the axe for having defied the party high command, along with another former minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, on the Odarpu Yatra issue. — PTI
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A Tribune Analysis
Hyderabad, November 28
Positioning himself as the sole inheritor of his charismatic father late YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s political legacy, Jagan has sharpened attack on the high command through his television channel and newspaper in a deliberate move to invite disciplinary action. This would provide him the necessary ground to quit the party and go to people on the plank of “self-respect”. However, the party leadership is not prepared to make him a political martyr at this stage nor can it afford to hurt the sentiments of YSR’s followers by being harsh on his grieving son. It has adopted a carefully crafted strategy to isolate the rebel leader and claim complete authority over YSR’s legacy. As part of this strategy, it has anointed a YSR loyalist N Kiran Kumar Reddy as Chief Minister. He is believed to be the best bet to take on Jagan since both belong to the powerful Reddy community, the backbone of Congress’ support base, and the Rayalaseema region. Being a close aide of YSR, the new CM is expected to wean several long-time YSR loyalists away from the rebel camp. There are also moves to create a wedge in the family of YSR by offering a cabinet berth to his younger brother YS Vivekananda Reddy. The high command strategy is clear. “They want to isolate Jagan and his supporters. Bringing in a leader from the Reddy community is part of this strategy,” a close confidante of Jagan and suspended APCC Secretary A Rambabu said. Significantly, Kiran’s first announcement after taking oath was about implementing YSR’s welfare schemes in the true spirit. This has triggered an internal battle for stakes over YSR’s political legacy. The political observers point out that the present turmoil in Congress could be compared to the one that led to exit of Sharad Pawar from the party in 1999. While the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin was the flashpoint then, the twin issues of “self-respect” and “YSR’s legacy” could prompt Jagan to part ways with the Congress. His supporters feel that it is the right time to make a decision. Two factors seem to have influenced the move: One, Jagan is aware that he has burnt bridges with Delhi bosses and that he would never be considered for the CM’s post. Two, the MP also knows that the sympathy factor may not last till the next General Election, due in 2014.
Uncle calls on Sonia
New Delhi, November 28 Vivekananda Reddy, the brother of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, met Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence in the morning. The two are understood to have discussed the issue of Sakshi television channel owned by Jagan launching a frontal attack on the Congress president, PM and Rahul Gandhi. The visit also assumes significance in the wake of Vivekananda seeking a cabinet berth for himself in the Kiran Kumar Reddy government. It also comes a day after he said Jaganmohan would meet Gandhi and express regret for airing of the programmes on Sakshi TV channel.
— PTI
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Karnataka land scam
Bangalore, November 28 The government earlier this month ordered a judicial probe into land scams after a spirited opposition attack on Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa regarding the alleged illegal allotments and denotification of land.
The state's Advocate General had yesterday expressed the view that government was within its jurisdiction in ordering a judicial inquiry as the step was taken before JD(S) leaders lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta, levelling allegations against the Chief Minister. He contended that while the government took a decision on November 18 to order a judicial inquiry, JD(S) lodged a complaint with Lokayukta on the same day. But Lokayukta approved the investigation only on November 23 and sent notices to the Chief Minister the next day. The government, by then, had issued the orders constituting the judicial commission. Justice Hegde today said the government notified the judicial probe only on November 23, and added that its "personal discussions" and "expressing view to the media" earlier (that it would order a judicial probe) did not become a Government Order. He said the complaint was registered on November 18, ans it was numbered and allotted to a judicial officer. "From the time it's registered, the investigation starts," he said. "It's different steps in the process of investigation. The investigation started on November 18," Justice Hegde said, adding preliminary inquiry began on November 20 and he approved the inquiry on November 23. He said the government has not taken his prior approval before ordering the judicial probe. "They have not consulted me. Therefore, this (judicial probe) cannot be done." Asked if he would grant permission to the government to order a judicial probe if his nod was sought, he said if the government deleted certain "references" (for investigation in the probe) which were already being probed by the Lokayukta, he was ready to do so. “Follow the rule. Don't demean the (Lokayukta) institution…. I am protecting my institution's integrity. I am not trying to drag something which is not mine,” Justice Hegde said. — PTI
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I’m not anti-Maharashtra: Ramesh
Mumbai, November 28 Talking to reporters here after giving a green signal to the Jaitapur Nuclear power plant, Ramesh said he was for sustainable development. The minister said he had given the environmental clearance to the Jaitapur plant in 80 days from the day the NPCIL submitted the final environment assessment report to his ministry. "The Navi Mumbai airport clearance took 115 days from the time the CIDCO submitted its assessment report. We had to do some hard negotiations with CIDCO authorities. As per laws, my ministry has to clear any environmental clearance proposal in 105 days," he said. According to the minister, 95 per cent of the projects which come to his ministry get environmental clearance while 85 per cent get forest clearance. "Forest clearance takes time because we Ramesh said Jaitapur plant falls in Konkan region where the districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg situated in the western ghats are ecologically sensitive. "The only forest cover in Maharashtra is in this region and then in the eastern Vidarbha belt. We have to strike a balance when power projects have to be sanctioned here," he added. Ramesh described the green signal to Jaitapur as a historic day. "Forty years ago, the first nuclear power plant on commercial scale was started in Tarapore in Maharashtra. This will be a significant step forward in the giant leap in nuclear power programme," he added. — PTI
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Lalu Prasad cautions against writing off RJD
Patna, November 28 “It will be wrong and distorting facts to say that the RJD-LJP alliance got swept away following the landslide victory the NDA pulled off," Prasad told reporters at his residence after the RJD Legislature Party meeting, where Abdul Bari Siddiqui was unanimously elected as its leader. Siddiqui is also the party chief in Bihar. Lalu argued that the RJD-LJP combine suffered an electoral drubbing due to its failure to project the real issues faced by the people and reminded the combine together polled 27 per cent votes, reflecting the mass support the alliance continues to enjoy. The former Bihar chief minister said the RJD would play the role of "an active and constructive" opposition in the assembly, but will also try to corner the ruling JD(U) on government's failures. “We respect the people's mandate with humility. We also think that the people have voted for development... We have decided that the RJD will play the role of an active and constructive opposition both inside the two houses and outside,” Lalu said. A meeting of senior party leaders, MLAs, MPs and MLCs, besides those who contested on the party tickets has been called to ascertain the reasons for defeat within ten days. “We will review and analyse the election results and take corrective measures to further strengthen the organisation,” he said, claiming that a large number of Independents and presence of many other parties in the fray dented the vote bank of the RJD-LJP alliance “in a massive way.” `He said the elected MLAs from RJD should devote their energy and show commitment in ensuring development of Bihar. — PTI
Digvijay blames Lalu for Congress defeat
Indore: Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh on Sunday held RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav responsible for his party's debacle in Bihar Assembly elections. "We had to pay a price in the Bihar polls because of Lalu. Congress in Bihar had twice supported Lalu to form government in that state in past to keep BJP out of power. Due to this we suffered the loss," Singh told reporters here. Asked whether Rahul Gandhi's charisma failed to work in Bihar, Singh said Rahul's influence remains intact but the strength to make voters collectively go to the polling station counts.
— PTI
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Maoists trigger blast, 5 dead
Phulbani (Orissa), November 28 “We have received information about a landmine explosion that blew up an ambulance in Brahmanigaon area of Kandhamal late last night,” Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj said. The ambulance was on its way from Gadapur to Brahmanigaon, about two km from the blast site, when it was targetted in the Maoist infested area close to Gajapati and Ganjam, the police said. The explosion that took place near a culvert at Pangdugaon, about 300 km from here, killed among others, a woman health worker, a pregnant woman and the ambulance driver, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Southern Range) RK Sharma said. The victims were identified as Simon Mallick the driver, Imoty Digal the pregnant lady, her three-year-old daughter Subhasri Digal, their relative Bunu Digal and Sukanti Pradhan the health worker, the police said.
— PTI
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Maoists tell MFIs to wind up operations
Hyderabad, November 28 Holding MFIs responsible for a spate of suicides by the debt-ridden women across the state, the CPI (Maoist) asked them to put an end to the loan-collection drive or face dire consequences including attacks on their offices and staff. “The agents and representatives of MFIs are playing havoc with the lives of rural women and humiliating their family members, resulting in large-scale suicides,” said Sudhakar, secretary of the outlawed outfits Karimnagar-Khammam-Warangal unit. The Maoist leader alleged that because of the political clout they enjoyed the MFIs were adopting coercive and exploitative methods in a blatant violation of the law. The recent ordinance issued by the government to regulate the activities of MFIs was only a sham, the Maoist leader said adding that the Micro Finance agents continued to collect loan instalments from women forcibly.
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Boundary talks with China today
National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon will lead the Indian delegation at the Sino-Indian talks while the Chinese side will be headed by State Councillor Dai Bingguo. The talks between India and China are crucial since they are being held against the backdrop of some unsavoury developments in ties between the two Asian giants. India is expected to raise with Beijing the issue of China issuing stapled visas to Indian residents of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby questioning the status of the sensitive border state. India has also been worried over the presence of more than 10,000 Chinese troops in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). The two SRs are also expected to do the groundwork for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India in the middle of the next month. The last round of India-China talks was held in New Delhi in 2009 between the then NSA, M K Narayanan and Dai which ended without much progress. The two sides, however, announced a significant decision to set up a hotline between the two Prime Ministers. But that decision also is yet to be implemented. India and China share about 4,000-km long borders. China has staked claims to Aksai Chin in the Ladakh region and Arunachal Pradesh. Though India and China began discussions to resolve the border difference in 1980, the process got momentum after the two countries agreed to hold talks by designated SRs in 2003. In 2005, the two countries signed a political guiding principle on demarcation of the boundary. Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister, who is arriving tomorrow afternoon, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Indian foreign minister. India-Russia relations have blossomed in recent years, with India becoming one of the biggest importers of Russian military hardware. The two countries are likely to sign a fifth-generation fighter design contract in December, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said during his visit earlier here this month after a meeting of the Indo-Russian Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC). Russia's Sukhoi Holding and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) agreed in early 2010 to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter jet. India confirmed that it had finalised a draft contract at a meeting with Russia in early October. The bilateral trade turnover in 2010 is expected to be to the tune of about $ 10 billion. Russia is also set to participate in a big way in India’s civil nuclear energy programme.
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Now, deadly AK-47 to fire rubber bullets
New Delhi, November 28 A decision to this effect was taken here during a meeting of senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs which has constituted a special group for analysing various methods needed for controlling violent crowds with least force in the backdrop of large-scale violence in the Kashmir Valley this summer, official sources said here today. The sources said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the field trials for using the weapons, first of which were introduced in 1947. They would be seen in action soon particularly in the Valley, they said. The use of rubber bullets will lessen the risk of fatalities while controlling crowds, the sources said. The AK-47, a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62x39mm assault rifle, was first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. AK-47 stands for Kalashnikov automatic rifle, 1947 model. The rubber bullets from the AK-47 rifles may not prove fatal if not fired from a close range and if they don't hit a vital organ, the sources said. Another riot controlling device that has been cleared is the 'dazzler' which uses laser beams to disperse mobs by causing temporary blindness. These may be handed over to security forces operating in Kashmir-like situations soon, the sources said. The ‘dazzler’ may help in restricting stone pelters as it can be used towards individuals, rendering them temporarily blind. These devices can be useful in restricting mobs between a range of 50 metres to 250 metres. Jammu and Kashmir Police, which has been facing allegations of using excessive force for mob control, have got two new weapons in its armoury - pump action and riot control guns - which are non-lethal but can injure a person indulging in violence. While the pump-action gun, popularly known as "shot gun", has been put to use, the anti-riot gun, which fires plastic bullets, has also been handed over to field units in August this year. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had requested the Centre to take immediate steps for producing a non-lethal weapon as a number of people had died when police and security forces opened fire to disperse violent demonstrators in the Kashmir Valley. — PTI
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CVC questions cost of CWG stadia
New Delhi, November 28 The Commission has noted wrong justification of rates, while procuring items, poor quality of construction, grant of work to ineligible firms, rigged tender process, payment of crores of rupees for non-existent items and use of inferior products. Alleged financial irregularity in about 16 Games projects worth Rs 2,477.22 crore has been detected by the Commission. Construction work related to stadia as well as other aspects, which are under the scanner of the anti-corruption watchdog, were carried out by agencies like Central Public Works Department, Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority and RITES, a government of India enterprise and are worth over Rs 760 crore. The construction of indoor stadium for badminton and squash for Commonwealth Games at Sirifort sports complex was given to S B E Billimoria and Company Ltd at 30.75 per cent above the estimated cost of about Rs 118.08 crore. “Most items (approximate 95 per cent) were non-scheduled items and their rates in estimate were based on current market rates provided by consultant having experience in such type of work. But the analysis of items prepared for justification was not shown during inspection," the examiner said in the report. "When the consultant prepared the estimate on market rates,
justification of 21.91 per cent above the estimated cost within a span of approximate three months does not appear reasonable," the report said.
— PTI
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UNSC
SEAT BID
New Delhi, November 28 Close on the heels of Obama's announcement, France's Head of UN Division in the Foreign Ministry Sylvie Berman visited Delhi recently and met Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and some other senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry to discuss the issue of reforms, sources told PTI. This was followed by a visit by Japanese Deputy Vice Foreign Minister. The Head of Russian Foreign Ministry's UN Division and German officials are expected here soon. "An impetus to the efforts to secure permanent seat has been lent by Obama's announcement. It has given a boost," a source noted in the context of hectic parleys. The focus of the discussions is overall reform of the UN, including that of the Security Council, in permanent and non-permanent categories, the sources said. India is set to assume the non-permanent membership of the Security Council in January for two years and this aspect also came up for discussion in terms of the issues that the powerful world body is going to be faced with. The immediate global issues, on which India will have to take position as non-permanent member of the UNSC, relate to referendum in Sudan expected in January and the UN report on the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. — PTI
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Missing Adarsh papers: Crime Branch gets case
Mumbai, November 28 The Crime Branch of the city police usually probes sensitive cases. “The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch. This special wing is working on the case and have asked for the FIR details, which was registered in the local police station,” a crime branch official said on condition of anonymity. A case of theft was registered yesterday, after crucial documents from 10 files on Adarsh Society went missing from the the Urban Development Department here. The Secretary of the department Gurudas Bajpe gave a written complaint to the Marine Drive police on Friday night about the missing papers. — PTI
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Repeat of Chandigarh for Mirwaiz in Kolkata
Kolkata, November 28 The Mirwaiz was coming out of an auditorium after attending a seminar on “Kashmir- A Way Out” when the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who were holding banners and shoes tied to a stick, threw eggs at his car, besides shouting slogans. The banners read “Bharat Ek Hai” and “Mirwaiz Murdabad”. The 37-year-old Hurriyat leader was whisked away by security personnel as he moved out from the building where the seminar was organised by the Centre for Peace and Progress. The police later arrested 25 ABVP members. On November 25, the Mirwaiz and another separatist leader, Bilal Lone, were heckled allegedly by the activists of Hindu right-wing organisations and Kashmiri Pandits during a seminar in Chandigarh after which 21 persons were arrested for rioting. Earlier, replying to a question at the seminar from former Army chief Shankar Roychowdhury on whether he considered Kashmir part of India, the Mirwaiz said, “No, it is not. It is a dispute and the problem needs to be addressed.… The core issue of Kashmir is neither development, nor employment rather it is the sentiment of freedom and that problem needs to be addressed if the government wants a permanent peaceful situation in the Valley." On dialogue with the Centre, the Hurriyat leader said, "We are also in favour of dialogue but there should be conducive atmosphere for it. We cannot have dialogues in the midst of turmoil and so we had given four proposals to the government, of which none has been accepted." He said the Hurriyat wanted repeal of "black laws", withdrawal of forces, release of all political prisoners and accountability on the issue of human rights violations "but so far not a single proposal has been accepted or implemented”. Countering the Mirwaiz, Roychowdhury said, "Hurriyat asks for 'azadi', Omar Abdullah asks for autonomy and Mehbooba Mufti asks for self-rule and everything can be done but under the framework of Indian Constitution.” He asserted that "there is no place for secession and the people of India will never allow this. Kashmir is part of India and it will continue to be so. The fate of Kashmir cannot be decided by the whims and fancies of some people like the Hurriyat”. "Pakistan is trying to take the revenge of Bangladesh and we will never allow it to happen," Roychowdhury said. The Mirwaiz also felt that no case should be registered against writer-activist Arundhati Roy for her remarks on Kashmir and said she had not stated anything new.
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Tata slams govt for inconsistent policies
New Delhi, November 28 He added that his Group had been disadvantaged repeatedly because of rules that were vague or implemented funnily. The eligibility of capability criteria was also abused at the time of awarding contracts. On the use of natural resources, including exports, he said: “We are going counter to many years (of former Prime Ministers) Nehru's and Gandhi's national criterion of being self-sufficient, where we have the capability to be self-sufficient, where today we can equal the best manufacturing facility anywhere in the world.” He also debunked reports that the Group had paid a money to former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda for mining concessions. “It is absolutely untrue. As the Chairman of Tata Steel, I can say, we have not done any such thing - directly or indirectly... Actually we have got no leases in his (Koda’s) time which should in itself be an indication of the veracity, or the lack of veracity, of the stories being circulated." Admitting that he had heard about such charges, Tata said that Tata Steel had even been called and asked those questions by the enforcement agencies and gave the same response. On whether he regretted entry into the telecom business, he said: “Yes, because of inconsistencies in the policy... because of the bias that exists... yes, sometimes I do, but it is a great area.” He added telecom was an example, where government policy was not implemented in the manner and spirit it was intended, adding: “It has been modified several times to suit individuals. Initially, it may have been public sector incumbents. Then, it was one segment or the other....” “Usually behind any change, behind any deviation, it is a vested interest.” On the surfacing of his conversations with public relations consultant Nira Radia, Tata said he may move the Supreme Court on Monday to seek action against those behind the leakage. He may may invoke Article 32 of the Constitution, claiming that his Right to Life, which includes right to privacy, has been breached by the leakage. The petition, where the Union of India is sought to be made a respondent, seeks that responsibilities be fixed on who leaked the tapes - recorded by the Income Tax authorities in 2008 and 2009 - that were meant for investigation. A Tata Group spokesperson declined comment.— PTI
PM doesn’t deserve humiliation
“I want to say that it has hurt me to see what he (PM) has gone through in the past weeks... in Parliament... the pressure... the innuendos and the pressure he has been going through to resign and so on,” Tata has said. The comments assume significance in the backdrop of 2G controversy and the litigation in the SC during which the PM was questioned over the delay in taking a decision on a plea to sanction prosecution of then Telecom Minister A Raja. He said: “The PM is a person whom we are lucky to have because it’s his phase that has been the phase of transforming India and it is this person who has commanded the respect of leaders in major countries”.
— PTI
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ED to summon Raja aides
New Delhi, November 28 Sources said R K Chandolia and A K Srivastava might be asked to appear before the commission. Chandolia, who was personal secretary to Raja at the time of the controversial spectrum allocation in 2008, was sent back to his parent department - Indian Economic Services - within days of new Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal taking charge. Sources added they are likely to quizzed on the allocation process, the alleged role played by corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and on their income tax returns and investments. The questioning would be based on information collected by various agencies including the CBI, Income Tax Department and the ED itself over the last over one year. Questions would also be asked about the alleged role played by Radia and her dealing with them if any. The Directorate had recently questioned Radia for about seven hours during which she had given an over 20-page statement. The agency had also said it will take two months to complete the investigation as it was examining transcripts relating to 5,000 calls (out of which 3,800 have been analysed), 6,000 files and 80,000 pages of documents.— PTI
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Penalise Roy for calling Naxals ‘patriots’: MP Chief Minister
Bhopal, November 28 “Those talking of bullet instead of ballot cannot be termed as patriots or revolutionaries as their major aim was to capture power in Delhi,” said Chouhan, who will become the first non-Congress Chief Minister of the state to complete five years in power on November 29. Chouhan was reacting to the remark of author Arundhati Roy, who had recently termed Naxals as “patriots”. Roy had not only termed Naxals as “patriots” but had also called terrorists in Kashmir “revolutionaries”, he said, adding that stern action should be taken against her. “If those involved in such acts are termed as patriots or revolutionaries then no country in the world would be able to run its affairs,” he said. Chouhan also demanded that the Centre should declare all seven districts in the state Naxal-affected so that funds could be allocated under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) for ensuring additional security in these districts. He said though Maoist activities had been effectively curbed in Madhya Pradesh, there were still reports of incidents in border districts like Sidhi, Singrauli, Dindori, Mandla and Anuppur. The other Naxal-affected districts in the state are Balaghat and Shahdol. — PTI
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Kapil Sibal bereaved
New Delhi, November 28 Ninetyone-year-old Kailash Rani was cremated at the Sector 25 crematorium in Chandigarh this afternoon. The cremation was attended among others by prominent citizens of the city, including sitting and retired judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and members of the Bar. The deceased leaves behind her husband Hira Lal Sibal, a renowned Chandigarh-based lawyer, four sons -- V.K. Sibal and JK Sibal, both former IAS officers; Kanwal Sibal, India’s former foreign secretary; and Kapil Sibal -- and daughter Asha Nanda. Her bhog and uthala are scheduled for Wednesday at the Sibal residence in Sector 5, Chandigarh, said family sources. |
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Naga rebels on extortion spree Guwahati, November 28 In a specific case, the Naga rebel group which has included the hill district in Assam in its map of greater Nagalim, has served a notice to Dr Prodip Barooah, superintendent of Haflong Civil Hospital to deduct 24 per cent of the total annual income of each of the employees of the hospital and deposit the same (employees tax) to the outfit as early as possible pressing the panic button among the hospital staff. The notice was served in the pad of the underground ‘Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim’ by an NSCN-IM official called Adam Naga (Finance in-charge, Assam) with a mobile phone number :9402056996 with a dateline Camp Hebron, the headquarter of the truce time NSCN-IM which has been engaged in peace talks with the Centre since 1997. The extortion notice has created panic among hospital doctors and other employees who have staged a protest in the hospital compound demanding adequate security against extortionists. A source in the hill district informed that some rebel outfit had abducted Dr Nityananda Naiding of the civil hospital from his official residence last month to be released later on payment of ransom money.
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List of players up for auction New Delhi, November 28 Delhi: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ashish Nehra, Ishant Sharma Gujarat: Parthiv Patel, Siddharth Trivedi Haryana: Joginder Sharma, Amit Mishra Hyderabad: VVS Laxman, T Suman, Pragyan Ojha Jharkhand: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Saurabh Tiwary Karnataka: Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Manish Pandey, Abhimanyu Mithun, R Vinay Kumar, Robin Uthappa Kerala: S Sreesanth Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Wasim Jaffer, Abhishek Raut, Rohit Sharma, Abhishek Nayar, Ramesh Powar Madhya Pradesh: Naman Ojha Punjab: Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Manpreet Gony, VRV Singh Railways: Murali Kartik Rajasthan: Pankaj Singh Saurahstra: Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara Tamil Nadu: Dinesh Karthik, S Badrinath, R Sathish, R Ashwin, M Vijay, L Balaji Uttar Pradesh: Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar, Sudeep Tyagi, Piyush Chawla, Rudra Pratap Singh Vidarbha: Umesh Yadav. — PTI
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Centre Stage
History repeated itself in 2001 when the Opposition Congress demanded a JPC to investigate the stock market scam involving Ketan Parikh. The ruling BJP-led NDA yielded on April 27, 2001 but not before proceedings of the Parliament had been paralysed for about two weeks. The only JPC ever constituted without any disruption was the one the NDA conceded in 2003 to look into the issue of pesticide residues in soft drinks. The then Health Minister Sushma Swaraj conceded the Opposition's demand the day it was raised. Lok Sabha debates have recorded her as saying, "I won't defend anyone. Let a JPC be formed and let it have only Opposition members." But then this JPC was not difficult to constitute because it involved an apolitical issue where everyone was on board. During the NDA regime the Congress demanded two JPCs (they were never formed) to look into the defence scandal exposed by Telehlka and then to probe irregularities in the purchase of coffins for the Kargil martyrs. The Parliament remained severely compromised. Enquiries made by The Tribune reveal that from March 13, 2001 onwards when the Tehelka expose surfaced, the Parliament was adjourned for eight consecutive days; chaos returned when the Houses reconvened in April amid Opposition demands for a JPC. Later again in December 2001 when the coffin scam hit the headlines, three-day disruption of the Parliament followed in the wake of the Opposition demand for a JPC. Not much seems to have changed. Since the Parliament convened for the winter session on November 9 this year, it has already lost 13 working days and virtually the entire session barring one day on November 10. Into its third week, the Lok Sabha has lost 60 hours of business and the Rajya Sabha has lost 53 hours. More disruptions are likely to follow because the BJP-led Opposition has warned that it would settle for nothing less than a JPC into the 2 G Spectrum scam which has raised issues like the PM's alleged inaction against former telecom minister A Raja and extraneous influence in the formation of the Union Cabinet (revealed by recorded conversations between senior journalists and lobbyist Niira Radia ) besides irregular pricing and allocation of Spectrum, a rare national asset which Raja allegedly gave away at throw-away prices, causing the government a loss of Rs 1.75 lakh crore. "This is a unique situation where even the Supreme Court had made observations about Prime Minister's conduct, where the four pillars of Indian democracy have been threatened. Only a JPC can look into all this because it alone has the power to summon the PM and ministers. The Government is free to stipulate terms of reference which will do justice to the issue at hand. It's not a routine scam involving misappropriation of funds alone," says the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. But the Government has dug its heels in, saying it would not allow the dignity of the PM's office to be compromised or the JPC demand to become an easy political tool in the hands of the Opposition. In doing so, the Government has baffled many parliamentarians who point out that a JPC has a majority of ruling party members and even the chairman is from the ruling party as well. But Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal stoutly defends the government's stand. It is a matter of principle, he says. "The Opposition is only interested in politics, not in stemming corruption as it claims. We are not opposed per se to a JPC but it's also a matter of principle. Parliament can't become a playground to fight for JPCs. Also, we can't give in to threats, Let us not forget the basic duty of the Parliament is not to investigate but legislate. The country has enough investigating agencies, it has the provision of PILs, and it has courts of law. Let institutions do what they are meant to do. We have offered a probe by the Public Accounts Committee agreeing to arm it with an investigative wing. The Opposition must see reason. We can't allow a JPC simply because the Left and the BJP want the PM examined," Bansal told The Tribune. He adds that the JPCs have become irrelevant since standing committees of the Parliament came up in 1993. On the matter of extraneous factors influencing Cabinet formation, the minister says the Ethics or the Privileges Committee of the Parliament can look into the issue as it involves breach of privilege of the House and that a JPC demand is unfounded. Technically, the Government does have a point. The Rule Book makes no mention of investigative JPCs. The JPC as an institution was originally established to deliberate on Bills the members did not agree to. The idea was to constitute a joint committee of members of both the Houses who would deliberate on the contentious draft legislations and help arrive at a consensus. But gradually, the institution of a JPC acquired a political colour especially in 1987 when the Opposition sought this committee to probe the Bofors contract. That was the first ever investigative JPC; the three subsequent ones too were born out of the opportunity to pin down the Government for alleged corruption. Barring the pesticide in cola JPC, all others were politically driven, including the ones that were rejected, most recently a demand for a JPC into the Indian Premier League ( IPL) cricket. But JPC is a bit of a misnomer because all the existing committees of the Parliament including the standing committees and two (PAC & the Committee on Public Undertakings) of the three financial committees are joint parliamentary committees in nature because they have members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Only the Estimates Committee (one of the three financial committees of the Parliament), being a single house committee is not a JPC. Also, though the JPC has come to be identified with an investigative committee, it is actually governed by rules that cover the existing committees of the House. Constitutionally, therefore, a JPC is less representative than a PAC which the Government has offered into the 2G Spectrum scam. A JPC is a comfortable option for governments because it is moved through a motion by the Government, has ruling party MPs in the majority while other party MPs find a place in the JPC by virtue of their party strength in the House. Normally after the Government and the Opposition arrive at a consensus about who is to be nominated to a JPC, the minister of parliamentary affairs (in most cases though in the Bofors case, the then defence minister KC Pant had moved the motion) brings a motion to form a JPC comprising 20 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs. In the current scenario, parties like the CPI which have poor floor strength in the two Houses may not even find representation in the JPC, a nominated body. A PAC on the other hand is an elected body of the two Houses, with an Opposition member in the chair. Its present incumbent is BJP's Murali Manohar Joshi. Though the PAC has never in the past summoned ministers, rules don't seem to bar it from doing so. That counters the Opposition argument that a JPC alone can examine the PM and ministers for evidence. Constitutional expert and former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha GC Malhotra explains, "There is no convention of a PAC having ever asked a minister to appear before it. A new convention would have to be established. A JPC, on the other hand, has summoned Manmohan Singh, the then finance minister and Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha in the stock market scam." Past records, however, show that JPCs take very long to deliver and never really unearth anything spectacular though they do make recommendations that the Government takes serious note of. In the past, JPCs have recommended regulations to reform financial institutions and to bar pesticides in colas. But another shortcoming of a JPC is its diverse nature which seldom permits consensus. None of the past JPC reports except the one on pesticides in soft drinks were submitted without dissent notes. "What would a JPC achieve with members pulling in different directions?" asks Bansal. Officials in the Lok Sabha Secretariat agree but add the caveat that JPCs are important parliamentary tools that must be sparingly used. They contend that the PAC with an investigative arm would serve the purpose in the 2G Spectrum case though a pro-JPC argument could also hold good. As Malhotra explains, "In a democracy, the Government has its way and the Opposition has its say. In the present scenario there's no harm in the Government conceding to the Opposition on the issue of the manner of debate on the Spectrum scam. That would break the parliament deadlock. The Government is unnecessarily stretching things so far. Let's not forget, no PAC report has ever been discussed in the House though some JPC reports have been debated including the one on
Bofors." PAST JPCs
1987: Constituted to inq Held 50 sittings under the chairmanship of B Shankaranand; submitted report in April, 1988 , eight months after it was set up. 1991: Formed in the wake of the Harshad Mehta scandal under the chairmanship of Ram Niwas Mirdha to inquire into Securities and Banking transactions. Held 96 sittings, submitted report in 1993, 16 months later. 2001: Set up under the chairmanship of Lt Gen ( Retd) SPM Tripathi to look into the stock market scam and suspension of redemption of US-64 by UTI. Held 105 sittings and submitted report in December, 2002, 20 months later. 2003: Constituted under the chairmanship of Sharad Pawar to look into pesticide residues in and safety standards for soft drinks, druit juice and other beverages. Held 17 sittings and submitted report in 2004, six months after it was set up.
Why Are They So
Helpless?
Bhartruhari Mahtab, (BJD) member,
PAC: Government is just testing the patience of the Opposition. It seems the beneficiaries of 2G are exerting pressure against a JPC. I don't think the PM is afraid to face anything. The Government has no reason to worry about protecting him. I have been in PAC for years and I know its limitations. PAC is no solution to the deadlock. The Government must offer something more credible. Basudeb Acharia
(CPM): We want a JPC and we have made that clear. If the Government has a better alternative it can tell us. But so far, there is no change in our position. |
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Amid speculation that Congress will neutralise the Jagan camp by accomodating some of his loyalists in the new Andhra Pradesh cabinet, the rebel Kadapa MP may find the going tough.
Mumbai, November 28
Patna, November 28
New Delhi, November 28
“As far as Jagan’s exit from the party is concerned, the only question is when and not if,” a source in the rebel camp said. “Who will blink first?” This is the question being raised in political circles as the rebel camp and central leadership are engaged in a shadow-boxing, each waiting for the other to precipitate the matters. 
Justice Hegde held the view that the probe could not be held as the Lokayukta was already probing some scams that came under the judicial commission for inquiry and the government had not taken his permission, which was required under certain provisions of Lokayukta Act before issuing the notification.
New Delhi, November 28
New Delhi, November 28
In 1987, the demand for a JPC into the Bofors deal disrupted the two Houses for more than 40 days. As many as 21 days of chaos preceded the formation of the next JPC in 1992.
Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Lok Sabha: We offered a solution to the Opposition, asked them to accept a PAC probe into the Spectrum scam. We have even agreed to arm the PAC with investigative agencies. They have rejected our offer. We are trying to break the deadlock but we don't quite know how to do it.
Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya
Sabha: The 2G Spectrum issue has raised serious concerns. It has gone beyond Spectrum allocation. It has revealed how corporates and media persons are lobbying to decide which minister will get what portfolio so that policies can be modified with colourable motives. This is serious. A JPC is warranted.
Murali Manohar Joshi (BJP), chairperson,
PAC: The Public Accounts Committee has a constitutional mandate to act as the custodian of public money. Its job is to chase the rupee from the time the Parliament allocates it in the budget to the time it reaches the intended beneficiary. The PAC in pursuance of its objective can examine everything - documents and can call anyone. That being the case, the Government and Opposition have to find a way to break the parliament deadlock.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi
Party: One does not understand why the Government is so adamant against the JPC where it will have its own chairperson and members in the majority. Is it hiding something?