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FIXING BOMB Back With a Bang in IPL

There must be a balance between growth and environment: Jaiswal

Mayawati will be punished, if found guilty: Rajendra Chowdhary

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Content

08 52
Film star endorsing social causes

Crony Governance of Manmohan Singh

32 36 38 50

SIT report uncovers the murky world of anti-Modi nexus Is Kalki the only hope?

Medha Patkar & Naxalism inter-linkages? Autism Epidemic What does it teach us?

18

Stench of the AircelMaxis sleaze

22

Walking on a Risky Road

40

Financial Godman Supported by India

34

Economy drifting towards a crisis?

30

Modi Era begins in BJP


June, 2012 5

DIALOGUEINDIA

Impact

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

Vol- 1

Issue- 3

Editor Anuj Kumar Agrawal Managing Editor Dr. Sarika Agrawal Executive Editor Jagdish Prasad Sharma Deputy Editor Ravinder Singh, Ravishankar, Mahendra Pratap Singh Special Correspondent Hanu Tripathi, Shitij Gupta, Dr. Siddharth Gupta, Chetan Gupta, Abhishek Gupta, Dr. Shailendra Goyal Manager (Distribution & Circulation) Puneet Goswami Manager (Sales & Marketing) Brijesh Srivastava Public Relation Officer Pankaj Babu Kushwaha Design & Graphics Pradeep, Himanshu, Sanjay, Vikas Head office: 301/A, 37, 38, 39, Ansal Building Commercial Complex, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi- 110009. Phone: 011-27652829, Fax: 011-27654588 Mobile: 09999506054, Bureau Office (U.P) Mukesh Srivastava, Bureau Chief 55/53, Sugga Devi Marg, near Vikas Deep Building, station road, Lucknow Fax: 0522-4001680, Mob: 09450772827 Email: dialogueindia@yahoo.in, dialogueindia.in@gmail.com E-magazine: www.dialogueindia.in Publisher: Anuj Kumar Agrawal Printed at Parashar Printers, 1/11849, Panchseel Garden, Naveen Shahdara, Delhi-110032, and published from 301/A, 37, 38, 39, Ansal Building Commercial Complex, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009, by Anuj Kumar Agrawal on behalf of the Endurance Consultancy Service Private Limited.
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Dialogue India exposed the loot of land in Noida in the name of development in its April, 2012 issue. And now the new government of Uttar Pradesh has ordered investigations in all matters raised by your magazine. Akhilesh Yadav government has stopped the work of much hyped Noida City Centre. Even as liquor baron Ponty Chadha's realty arm Wave Mega City Center Pvt Ltd stopped digging at its mega commercial hub construction site, the Noida authority said it would form a committee to probe how the

copyright reserved, reproduction in any form is prohibited Published for the Month of May, 2012

Any opinions or views on any topics, issues or developments expressed by writers, whether in abstract or in interviews, are not necessarily shared by editor/publisher. All Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/ New Delhi only.

City Center project was allowed to take off without its layout and building map being approved. The authority issued a show-cause notice and asked the firm to immediately stop digging at the project site spread in 162 hectares in sectors 32 and 25A of the city as dust was having an adverse impact on people's health. The additional chief executive officer (ACEO) at the Noida authority, Pramanshu, said, "The project should not have taken off without approval. We will conduct a probe and fix responsibility. Action will be taken against officials concerned." Ponty was supposedly close to former chief minister Mayawati. But after the SP formed government in UP, he has received back-to-back setbacks. The government in April asked the firm to forgo Rs. 50 crore after a township plan was scrapped in Greater Noida. In the same month, the Greater Noida police lodged an FIR against him following a hooch tragedy. Only a couple of days ago, three months after Income

Tax raids at his business premises and residence, Ponty reported an 'undisclosed income' and paid Rs. 54 crore as tax to the IT department. And now the City Center project is in trouble. The authority said the firm had not got the project's layout and building map approved and asked it to stop digging. The authority also asked the firm to furnish details of the quantum of soil dug up, the area and depth taken up for digging, besides other relevant details. The Noida authority in March last year, when BSP's Mayawati was chief minister, sold the City Center plot to the firm for a whopping Rs. 6,570 crore for development of a mega commercial hub. The Noida Authority had slapped a notice on the project, asking it to stop work on the site immediately for not getting its layout and building plan approved. The firm had dug out earth from a large section of the site on Plot No. 1, Block CC, and dumped it on the ground. The dust blowing off from the soil was causing health complications to the residents as well as causing damage to the environment, the authority had said in its notice. The authority had given the firm three weeks to reply, asking it to take corrective steps immediately. Chadha is reportedly close to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and was allotted the 61,0140 sq m plot spanning Sectors 25A and 32 in March 2011 for Rs 6,500 crore. Dialogue India has exposed the scam in the name of developing Noida City Centre in its April, 2012 issue. This is not the single case. The government has ordered probe in a number of scams exposed by your magazine in inaugural issue. New government has decided to investigate the scams going on in the name of developing group housing and farmhouse.

6 DIALOGUEINDIA

May, 2012

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First Dialogue

Dear Friends,

Corporate Cartel is dangerous for Manmohan Government

During UPA-1 regime, the game of Joint Venture, Public Private Partnership and Consortium were very popular. Government divested public sector companies to promote private sector. The move was intended for improving the health of loss making public sector companies. Government was of the view that privitisation is going to change the fate of these loss making government companies. This scheme of government become a profit making venture for the relatives of politicians and bureaucrats and by the passing of time a cocktail of politicians, bureaucrats and corporate players emerged. These elements formed a cartel to extract more and more profit from share market, future trade, real estate and other sectors. This cartel of crony capitalist demeaned everything including legal provisions and moral parameters. This cartel was shrewd enough to understand the equation of demand and supply. They used it in their favour and made large sum. It's a fact that the cartel emerged during first stint of Manmohan Singh as the prime minister was responsible for creating artificial supply gap and used it to increase prices and earn thousands of millions. It's shocking to know that in the month of March all those goods get costlier which are procured by government and thereafter government by these goods on increased price. Government places its 60-80 percent of orders in the month of March. Government is not interested in investigation of the fact that why the consumption of milk is three times more than its production. It means two third of total consumed milk is not original and this is posing severe challenges for health of millions Indians. It is pertinent to mention that government is aware of the players of this ugly game but government departments are reluctant to take any action against them. It's a fact that most of things related to our basic needs are corruption ridden and establishment is taking its big pie from the whole game. The country has witnessed a number of scams and these scams are result of increasing greed in each and every sector. Every section of our establishment is indulged in playing blame game. Despite that political establishment is busy in managing things in favour of corporate players. It's a matter of fact that policymakers are dancing on the tune of corporate players. But, in past few weeks, things are appearing to be changed. Now, political class is trying to act against to corporate players to regain the faith of common citizens of country. Sometimes, it seems that politicians and corporate players are against each other. A number of schemes are under the scanner of investigation. Policy paralysis has hit the government badly. All major policy decisions are yet to be taken. This has resulted in diminishing investment flow and economy is suffering. It's true that the government is lame duck but there is no certainity over its survival. No one can say with great confidence that this government is going to complete its term. Keeping these things in mind, corporate players are trying to get well with NDA and other regional political players. It's a fact that the incumbent government is trying its level best to survive but survival is very difficult. Many political experts believe that UPA government cannot be saved by any major changes. However, any possibility of making new cartel with those power who are in favour of change should be closely watched.

Anuj Agrawal

Editor

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There is growing perception in the armed forces that the Sikhs officers have usurped meritocracy within armed forces and with the access to the highest political level, indulged in nepotism and clan-kin favouritism, which has created faultlines within armed forces.

CRONY GOVERNANCE OF
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June, 2012

MANMOHAN SINGH

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Haridas/Anuj Agrawal

he Indian Express published an intended scoop on 4th April claiming that the two troops of Army based in Hissar and Agra marched towards Delhi on 16th January night, a day when General V.K.Singh filed writ in the Supreme court on age issue. The target was General V.K.Singh. There was obvious attempt to discredit honest Army chief by suggesting that he intended coup, and thus to pave way for his sacking. Only a week ago, a secret letter that the Army chief had written to the PM on the preparedness of armed forces was leaked and hue and cry was made by a particular lobby in media to sack the Army chief for the leakage. The government ordered an IB enquiry into the alleged leakage and it is being reported that the Army Chief has been given clean chit. But, questions have been raised against the IB Chief, Nehchal Sandhu by The Sunday Guardian. The newspaper claims that Sandhu is very close to former army chief, JJ Singh, the incoming army chief Bikram Singh and the retired Lt.General Tejinder Singh against whom General V.K.Singh has forwarded complaint to the CBI for attempt to offer him bribe in the year 2010. The obvious reason is the regional and communal lobbying. It is merely the kinship, since all of them are turbaned gentlemen including the source of the story to the Indian Express. The role of Sandhu is under scanner in escalating the controversy to discredit General V.K. Singh. There is growing perception in the armed forces that the Sikhs officers have usurped meritocracy within armed forces and with the access to the highest political level, indulged in nepotism and clan-kin favouritism, which has created faultlines within armed forces. All this started with the UPA-I coming into power when Sardar Manmohan Singh Kohli was anointed the Prime Minister. There was push to appoint a Sikh General. In the preceding months, as Gen. NC Vij's term was coming to an end, there was speculation that JJ Singh might be superseded by Lt.-Gen. Shammi Mehta, an Armoured Corps officer. Name of lt. General Hari Prasad and Shantanu Chaudhary too were making rounds. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabanthak Committee issued a strongly worded statement favouring JJ Singh. Finally, Gen. JJ Singh of Maratha Light Infantry took over as Chief of the Army Staff on 1 February, 2005. He was the first ever Sikh to become the Chief of the Army. The communalization of Indian Army began from this very incidence. General JJ Singh cried before the camera in his very first press conference on 23rd November, 2004 upon receiving news of his elevation as Army Chief in Chandigarh. That was such a sensational image. General Singh's tenure saw the rise of corrupt Generals

Sometime in 2005, General JJ Singh initiated the 'look down policy' to determine the 'line of succession' to the top position in the Army. He was not looking for immediate succession as he was to be succeeded by kinsman, general Deepak Kapoor. But, he was looking to the year 2012 and found one Sikh kinsman, Brigadier Bikram Singh. JJ Singh realized that events and dates relating to the then Major General VK Singh, who was sure shot to become Army Chief in 2010, needed to be manipulated if Bikram Singh was to succeed him in 2012! An operation was started to work out a plan to retire V.K.Singh only in May, 2012 so that Bikram Singh could take over. It had to operate at two levels. All the competitors of the brigadier were to be sidelined and General V K Singh's term was to be reduced. Those to be neutralised included Brigadiers Padam Budhwar and MM Chaudhary, MajorGenerals Shujan Chatterjee, AK Singh and Ravi Arora, a gold medalist from the same batch as Bikram Singh. General V.K.Singh was born in the army's own hospital in Poona on 10 May, 1951, and this fact was duly recorded in the service record of his father who was then a Major of the Indian Army. The same date was recorded in his matriculation certificate which is considered the critical document to ascertain the age issue by various pronouncements of the Court. Even a confidential communication dated 1 July, 2011, from Lt-Gen. GM Nair, Military Secretary, to the Defence Secretary, and seen by Defence Minister A.K.Antony, categorically states that 10 May, 1951, was taken as the DOB by various Selection Boards for promotion of VK Singh to Brigadier in September 1996, to Major-General in October 2001 and Lt.General in 2005. All the honours that General V.K.Singh has been conferred has the citation bearing 1951 as the birth year. But, once the Operation to install another Sikh as future General started, someone in the MS Branch 'discovered' VK Singh's UPSC application form mentioning 1950 as his year of birth, which was filled not in General Singh's handwriting, but by his teacher at school. On 3 May, 2006, the Military Secretary branch was asked to rake up VK Singh's date of birth issue based on this error .General JJ Singh and his succeeding kinsman, Deepak Kapoor forced VK Singh to accept this anomaly as his date of birth, before elevated as Corp. Commander without which he could not have become the Chief of the Army. By ensuring the reduction of VK Singh's tenure by 10 months and eliminating other competent Generals, the two kinsman paved way for elevation of Bikram Singh as Army Chief in May, 2012. A memorandum signed by thousands of ex-servicemen, including high ranking officers of the three services, was submitted to the President in her capacity as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, to do justice with VK
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Singh, but the same has not disposed off. The MoD issued an order on 30 December, 2011, and changed the DOB of the Army Chief arbitrarily, this was the handiwork of another Punjabi kinsman, a Joint Secretary in the Ministry. The General rightly moved the supreme Court and had to withdraw application once the government submitted to the Court that the order dated 30 December, 2011 has been withdrawn. But, then an uproar was made seeking General Singh to quit his post. Once it was not done, various lobby that included corrupt retired generals, arms dealers and kinsman of the succeeding General planted news that the Army was tapping the phones of Defence minister in South Block using mobile interceptors in Raisina Hills. Army HQ issued a press release on March 5 and charged Lt. General Tejinder Singh with planting such rumours to create rift between political and military authority. It is against this press release that Tejinder Sigh moved the Delhi Court to initiate defamation proceedings against the Army HQ. The institution of army is facing the ripples in whole controversy which is meant only to see that Bikram Singh succeeds as the Army chief. MG Devasahayam, former IAS officer and chairman of an NGO Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living in Chennai and activist working for transparency in governance, has claimed in various writings that TKA Nair, is reported to have told his confidants that VK Singh had to go in May, 2012 because the 'Prime Minister had assured his wife that General Bikram Singh would be the next COAS'. So, here is the clue to the controversy. Crony governance and the nepotism is happening at the very top. PM Manmohan Singh met General JJ SINgh and Lt. General Bikram Singh at his sister's house in Kolkata. While on official trip to West Bengal on 21-22 August, 2011, Manmohan Singh had dinner at his sister Govind Kaur's house in South Kolkata along with his nephew Ravinder Pal Singh and his wife Kuki Sahni. The surprise attendee were General JJ Singh, Governor of Arunacahal Pradesh and architect of age prolongation of General V.K. Singh and Lt. Gen Bikram Singh, who is incumbent Chief of Army now. Things were finally settled in this very meeting to destroy fabric of Armed forces just to make a kinsman as the next Chief. The sutradhar of kinship-based governance is none else that MMS Kohli. Now, the government has announced that after General V.K. Singh, another Sikh Bikram Singh will succeed. He will be succeeded by another Sikh gentleman, Dilbagh Singh Suhag. It is not that Marathas and Bengalis and Telugus, Biharis, Tamils are less capable general. The fact is that it was a Bihari Major General J.N. Chaudhary who got the obstinate Nizam of Hyderabad to accede to India. It is Thimmaiya, a Manek Shaw, a General Jacobs who led India

to momentous victories. While Bangladesh war was won by the brilliant acts of General Jacobs, the then Corp Commander of Eastern Command, the whole credit was taken by General Jagjit Sigh Arora, a Sikh gentleman. But, what message is being given that out of five successive Generals of Armed Forces, four has to be Sikhs and many of them purely corrupt who got the virus of corruption into the most puerile institution of Armed Forces. This itself is going to cause major dissent whenever the next gentleman succeeds. The signs are already visible. General V.K.Singh has forwarded complaint from a Trinamool M.P. Ambika Banerjee against Lt. general Dilbagh Singh Suhag to the CBI. But, inspite of this fact, the MoD chose to appoint him as the next Corp commander of the eastern Command in place of Bikram Singh. A group of retired officers and bureaucrats moved the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the next Army chief on the ground that he was allegedly involved in a fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001. Challenging the appointment, the petitioners, including former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas, veteran journalist Sam Rajapa of the Statesman and former IAS, MG Devasahayam, and former Chief election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy, alleged in their PIL that Lt General Singh was involved in the fake encounter and the case is pending in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The petitioners also alleged that Lt Gen Singh failed to take action against officers who were involved in sexual harassment and rape when they were posted to Congo in 2008 as part of the UN peace-keeping mission. Bikram Singh's daughter-in-law is a Pakistani. Her father is a Pakistani and mother is a Central Asian. When various MPs complained to the government, an IB clean chit was provided. It is interesting to learn that if a government servant communicates with a foreigner particularly from enemy nations, he is liable for prosecution. One has seen the case of a junior diplomat, Madhuri Gupta who is lying in jail for having a relationship with a Pakistani gentleman while posted in Islamabad. But, here a senior Army Officer who will be the hub of nation's security would have a Pak Bikram Singh's national within his own courtyard. When the matters daughter-in-law i l came to the light, to scuttle any is a Pakistani. controversy, the government When various had on March 3 announced the MPs complained appointment of Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the next Army chief. to the The communalization and politicization of Indian Armed government, an Forces started from the very IB clean chit top. Manmohan Singh may was provided. feign ignorance about all the

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dirt, corruption, crony governance, but the patrimony in both civil services and armed services started in a brazen form from the very top. Many analysts are aghast at the way 'Turban" became the most important agenda for governance after Singh became the PM. No one has raised the issue of the worst communal Prime minister any country in world ever can have. He is not a shadow PM to Sonia Gandhi as many believe. The way he gets Padama Vibhushana to Montek Singh Ahluwalia in a year when his own Cabinet Minister, Kamal Nath charges Ahluwalia and he has been caught off the guard lobbying for murderer of innocent lives in Bhopal Gas tragedy, Warren Anderson. Singh gets PadamShree to Sant Singh Chatwal inspite of two charge sheets against him on account of forgery and cheating pending against him. And when the CBI was asked for information by the CIC on an application by journalist Krishnananda Triphathi , the CBI itself was exempted from RTI Act in a single night so that the truth may not prevail and the role of the PMO does not come under the public view. One can see the way one sycophant, corrupt babu B.S.

Lalli, the CEO of Prasar Bharati was not acted against in spite of Court order because he was a sikh. Only when political leaders across party lines attacked the government, Lalli was suspended on December 21, 2010. One can also read how T.S. Darbari and M.S. Gill were being saved in CWG scam. In the gruesome Nithari case, the way Moninder Singh Pandher was given clean chit by the CBI in all chargesheets had raised eyebrows across the nation. The finger of suspicion was raised against the PMO as Pandher was a co-religionist. In Nalanda University the way Prime Minister got one Gopa Sabharwal as VC against the whole Ministry's noting is not surprising, since she happens to be co-religionist and the friend of his daughter, Upinder Singh who too has seen meteoric rise after Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister. He got dozens of corrupt babus and leaders elevated as the Governors only due to the fact that they are his kinsman. One can count the name like S.S. Sidhu, Iqbal Singh, Buta Singh. The way he gets Even when Buta Singh was removed from the post of Padama governor after Supreme court verdict in President Rule in Vibhushana to Bihar in 2005, he was given MS Ahluwalia in another constitutional post as the chairman of the Scheduled a year when his caste Commission. While his own Cabinet son was arrested by the CBI taking bribe and UPA Minister, Kamal Chairperson was not happy Nath charges with Buta Singh due to his act Ahluwalia of defiance against official congress candidate, Manmohan Singh continued to protect him till end. And don't forget how he has made the "issue of turbans of Sikhs" as the only foreign policy challenge for India. One can see the differential treatment meted by the government of India on two religious-cultural issues in the same month. When Jay Leno was joking about American Republican Party Presidential election contender, Mitt Romney's wealth by pointing to a picture of the Golden temple and describing the Golden Temple as Mitt Romney's summer home, the whole Indian establishment went into a tizzy. Indian government lodged a formal protest with the US government mentioning that it has offended Sikhs sentiments. MEA, Overseas Indian Affair Ministry, Indian Ambassador in the US all went into a huddle as if it was a national emergency. But, in the case of erasure of HinduBuddhist past in the National Museum of Maldives on 11th February this year by Islamic radicals, what to say about the condemnation, the whole establishment is busy burying the incident under the Indian Ocean itself. One can also contrast the way the Rajya Sabha condemned the humiliation of
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Sikhs who were being forced to remove their turbans in the name of security at international airports, especially in Italy on 8th December, 2011. Italian Ambassador Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte was summoned in Delhi and protests lodged twice with the Italian government. Indian Foreign Minister called dishonour to Sikhs as "national insult". One can also see the urgency on this very issue when Indian Prime Minister takes up the matter of Sikh turbans at important meeting of G-20 with the French President. It appears as if the whole establishment is so much engrossed in the issue of Sikh turbans that it is apt to call the administrative machinery as undergoing "turbanization". But, when all Hindu and Buddhist statues were destroyed in Maldives museum after the recent power change, not a word of condemnation came from the government. There is an increasing perception that the Prime Minister may project himself as 'honest", but the secular and rational fabric of the country's institutions have been dismantled with the overt practice of kinship-politics and patrimony. This has roots in his own past Popularly known as "Mohana", he was a simple boy born in Gah in present Pakistan on 26th September, 1932 to Sardar Gurumukh Singh, a salesman of dry fruits. It is another matter that he has been appointed to Rajya Sabha from the state of Assam four times in September, 1991, June, 1995, June, 2001 and June, 2007. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person has to be an elector in a parliamentary constituency in the state from where he seeks election to Rajya Sabha. This requirement has been done away by the Representation of the People(Amendment) Act, 2003, which amended section 3. But, before this amendment, it was necessary to be a resident of the state from which one contest elections of the Rajya Sabha. Manmohan Singh fudged his permanent address/home state as state of Assam. The fudged address is as follows: House No. 3989, Nandan Nagar, ward No. 51, Sarumataria, Dispur, Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam-781006. And his name registered at Serial No.720 in Voter's list of polling station No.155 in Dispur Assembly Constituency. Thus, he is not as "honest" and simple as the lobbyists advertise about him. Somnath Chatterjee, charged the present PM when he

was the Finance Minister during debate on the collapse of notorious mafia bank, BCCI on 14.9.1991 as "Chor ka dadhi mein Tinaka". Some myths have to be busted to unravel the man who has led India to the erosion of democracy and institutional consensus. Singh is known as a Congress man from the start. This is another myth. He has been wearing all caps. What he always craved for is some power and post, not to serve the nation but always to indulge in The country's nepotism, favouritism and institutions have non-action against the wrong-doers. He was been dismantled appointed as an Economic with the overt Adviser from 1971-72. The practice of kinship- elections were held and with Indira's victory and PN politics. This has Haskar's rising influence, he roots in his own stepped up as Chief Economic Adviser in past. Ministry of Finance. Haskar left Indira after showdown with Sanjay Gandhi in 1974, but Singh gained one more opportunity to rivet new authorities. He became full-fledged Secretary in the Ministry of Finance in November, 1976 during the peak days of emergency. When the new Janta Party government came to power, but magically in spite of all purges, he remained seated in his position as Secretary, M/o Finance till April, 1980. So, he was with the Congress Party, then became close to Janta Party and back to Congress Party. The shift is always with those who held political power. He was also the adviser to firebrand socialist leader, George Fernandes in the Industries Ministry, but in later year became a mouthpiece of Washington consensus. Similarly, he became the Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on Economic Affairs in December 1990. Chandrashekhar, a staunch socialist was the PM. When Chandrashekhar was resigning from the post after the Congress Party withdrew support, Singh sought some other post from the outgoing PM in a bizarre behavior and later appointed as the UGC Chairman, a post which he was holding before getting appointed as the Finance Minister in June, 1991. He became finance Minister courtesy P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister only after I.G. Patel is believed to have

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SINGH IS NOT KING


Team Anna has clubbed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with 14 other Cabinet Ministers, as corrupt and has threatened to launch an indefinite fast from July 25, if an SIT is not constituted to investigate these corrupt ministers. Anna Hazare has referred to draft CAG report on Allocation of Coal Blocks and Augmentation of Coal Production by CIL(2011-12) to make charges against Singh when Coal Ministry was with him. The government deferred the tabling of the CAG Report on Coal scam in the Budget Session even though the same was submitted by the CAG on 11th May, fearing the political implications of Manmohan Singh getting embroiled in the charges of corruption. CAG had earlier estimated in draft Report that Rs 10.6 lakh crore loss has been incurred to the exchequer on account of allotment of coal blocks

during 2004 to 2009 without auction. Of the 155 coal blocks given to the private sector, no work has begun in 124 of them. In the final Report , a loss of over Rs 1,80,000 crore to the exchequer in the allotment of coal blocks to private companies has been pointed. Manmohan Singh always pits the blame over others in every loot and national crime. In 2G scam, the CAG estimated the presumptive loss to the exchequer is of the order of ` 1.76 lakh crore. Though, the PM has been privy to every decision in 2G spectrum allocation, the blame has been shifted to a junior Minister. It is the hallmark of Dr. Singh . The recent controversy on the Army Chief's letter leak is sought to be put under the carpet when the inquiry points to his own office, though a huge media storming was done to sack the General on the allegation. In Nalanda University scam, the direct hand of the PM in appointing his daughter's friend as Vice

Chancellor at a fat salary has been reported in media. When the BCCI bank collapse issue was embroiling him personally in 1991, he sought to deflect attention by claiming systemic failure. Similarly, in 1992, when Harshad Mehta scam came to limelight, Manmohan Singh, then a Finance Minister said he would not lose sleep over what happened in the markets After the Joint Parliamentary Committee concluded that it was the handiwork of dubious activities of certain share brokers, Manmohan Singh's claimed it as mere "a systemic failure". The size of the Harshad Mehta scam estimated by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was Rs4,024 crore that would be Rs 23,000 crore today. Along with growth in economy, the size of scams have overgrown under his tutelage. Will a future SIT investigation bring out the truth about the man who has dressed himself under the cloak of "honesty" for too long?

refused the post. Rao supported him throughout his tenure and safeguarding him from the allegations in BCCI collapse, Harshad Mehta stock market scam. But, Singh dumped Rao and changed his loyalty to Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in 1996. There have been allegations that he indulged in backbiting to get Sitaram Kesari dumped out from the seat of Congress President. As a prime Minister for last 7 years, he didn't even bother to say a single word in praise of the statesmanship of Rao nor named symbolically even a single street in his name. One should not forget how he dumped Amar Singh after 2008 Cash for Vote scam that shamed India's parliamentary system to let his way on Indo-US Nuclear deal. The same pattern can be seen in 2G case where the responsibility was fixed over a junior colleague and the way he feigned ignorance though being complicit in the sordid saga. With the coal mining scam now hanging over his own head, he is trying to obfuscate the issue by attacking the institution of the CAG. But, the charges of wrong doings are not new. The worst attack came against him for association with the BCCI in the

Parliament in the year 1991. In the month of September, 1982, he was appointed as the RBI Governor, though his specialization was in international trade and not in currency. It was during his tenure that the BCCI (Bank of Credit and Commerce International), the infamous Pakistani Bank which was being used by the ISI-CIA to funnel arms and money for Afghan mujahideens and in Iran's contra Affairs, was allowed to open a branch in Bombay against the incriminating evidence and advise of India's intelligence agencies. In this year, the branches of Bank was being closed in Latin America but being the RBI Governor, he overruled the objections. When the BCCI collapsed in the year 1991 with $16 billion, the Parliamentarians attacked the Government. With lot of pressure, the Government agreed for a debate on a motion moved by Jaswant Singh, but before that the Congress Paryty forced a commitment from Jaswant Singh to withdraw the motion after the discussion and this caused shock among the opposition leaders. MMS, as Finance Minister blamed that the permission to open the representative office (not a functional Branch) was given by
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the then Finance Ministry of the Janta Party government in 1979 earlier, but hid the fact that he himself was the Finance Secretary. He promised the Parliament that the RBI would conduct an enquiry into the collapse of BCCI, which was never done, even though the US Senate Subcommittee on BCCI Affairs led by Senator, John Kerry concluded that BCCI activities were dubious and its relationship with the Hinduja family remain to be explored further. While replying to motion on Collapse of BCCI on 14.9.1991, a notorious ISI-CIA orchestrated Bank of Pakistan, this is what pleaded and admitted at the Floor of the parliament: "An explicit refrence has been made to me that I have been attempting to cover up the BCCI because my daughter got a scholarship from a particular agency which in turn given some monetary help by the BCCI. I want to come clean on this count, because I do not want to hid anything from this House and I think I would not be worthy of being the Finance Minister of this country if there is a No one imputed slightest suspicion about my conduct in this matter which MMS as a CIA's allegedly involves the security of tool in the our country." Then, he narrated about his connections with Parliament. Why BCCI and the circumstances in should one which his eldest daughter, overreach to Upinder Singh got a scholarship for a degree abrod in Canada, "I score a selfhave a daughter who has a very goal? brilliant career. She has throughout been a first-class student. She graduated with First Class Hons. From Delhi University. I had left the Government of India to take up my position as a Secretary General of a South Commission. In the meanwhile she graduated from the Delhi University. In this country we have an Oxford and Cambridge Society, which is a society of the alumni of those two universities. Those people made contribution to a firm and for several years the Oxford and Cambridge Society has been giving scholarship of about Rs.50,000 to intending students who want to peruse their studies in Oxford or Cambridge. It is also true that in 1988, the BCCI made donations to the Oxford and Cambridge society in accordance with the approved Reserve Bank rules for donating money by the bank to various institutions. And it is certainly true that when my daughter applied, she was selected for the award of scholarship of Rs.50,000. I was not in this country at that time. I did not know also whether she had applied. I am absolutely faithfully stating to this House that I can never impress anybody for the scholarship and I am quite willing to be judged by the honourable Leaders of the Opposition with regard to my conduct, insinuation and the charge that

has been made in the Indian Express today that because my daughter got a scholarship of Rs.50,000 from the Oxford and Cambridge society and because it partly came from donation which was made by the BCCI, therefore I am trying to cover up the BCCI ." Does this explanation prove his innocence. Look, he claimed that because he was not in India, he was not even aware about the application by his daughter. He claimed that he couldn't impress anyone. This is the hallmark of the MMS. Indulge in all kinds of wrongdoing and pretend ignorance. Let us reflect upon what he added about his further association with the BCCI: "I can also mention the Third world foundation which was financed by the BCCI. When I became the Secretary General of the South Commission, the theirs World Foundation had promised to give to the South Commission 4 lakh dollars. because South Commission was supported by the THIRD WORLD foundation and therefore the Chairman of the SOUTH Commission thereby became a toll of the CIA or of drug laundering and all these things." Now, read at the slip of tongue. No one imputed MMS as a CIA's tool in the Parliament. Why should one overreach to score a self-goal? The fact is that he admitted that BCCI was a tool of the CIA and indulged in drug laundering and other bad things. The BCCI opened a representative office in 1977. Who was the Finance Secretary? It was MMS. In 1979, the Finance Ministry at the level of minister of State decided that the RBI should be asked to give BCCI branch in India, as per admission of MMS, which is half-baked fact, as he was the then Finance Secretary and with his "intellectual prowess" must be overwhelming the then finance Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, a humble peasant leader or his MoS. In 1983, as the RBI Governor, he gave permission to the BCCI to open branch in Bombay. Not only that, it was seen that the nationalized Banks like SBI parked their surplus in the BCCI bank, which the FM, MMS defended on the floor of the House. If he facilitated the entry of the ISI-CIA operated BCCI bank into India, what was wrong if the BCCI gave donation to an organization at that very moment when the organization was extending scholarship to his daughter! One must remember that his daughter did not go to OxfordCambridge in Britain as per the custom of the scholarship extended by the Oxford-Cambridge Society but to McGill University (1988-1991) in Canada . Is it mere coincidence that he became Secretary General of an organization heavily funded by the same BCCI network? The pretentious mask of the man was off when by sheer goondaism, the Motion was forced to be withdrawn on the last day of the First Session in 1991 new Lok Sabha just as has been done with the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha at midnight. MMS promised to get an enquiry conducted by the RBI and the

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security agencies, but everything was put under the a carpet. The demand for JPC was refused. The Opposition was silenced and the murky affairs of the BCCI remain hidden from Indian public even after 20 years, though the inquiries in the US revealed that BCCI frequently bribed leaders and officials in India and were involved in the drug trade, terror funding, arms trade and even nuclear black marketing that helped Pakistan to build N-bomb. By committing a fraud against the Parliament to get the motion withdrawn amidst walkout by the opposition and scuttling the

Similar pattern can be seen in the recent episode of leakage of letter of General V.K. Singh written to the PM. When MMS became the PM, he got appointed an IAS officer of Assam cadre as Director in the PMO on 16th August 2004. In 1999, the Chief Secretary of Assam, V.S. Jafa reported to the then CVC, N. Vitthal about serious illegal association of this particular official with ULFA. The CVC alerted the Home Ministry about the ULFA man in the Assam government being protected by the Home Ministry officers. This particular officer, as per CVC report, was facilitating An official was ULFA with the government vehicles for extortion. When an FIR posted in the PMO was registered, the driver of the said of the MMS and the vehicle was found dead. Again, the case took curious turn with the other officer who death of this witness's death. The protected ULFA's Chief Secretary of Assam sought Z+ protection for himself to survive IAS man was against threat from a DC in Assam. elevated as Home Finally, he met with serious accident Secretary. while traveling in Haryana in February, 1999. A truck rammed into his car, he survived. The CVC and the Assam government alerted the Centre Government against this officer, but nothing was done. The Home Ministry sat on file. Later, this official was posted in the PMO of the MMS and the other officer who protected ULFA's IAS man was elevated as Home Secretary by the MMS. Mid-day reported about this mole of ULFA in the Central Government on 4th January, 2008 in a big scoop. But, the same officer got elevated as Joint Secretary and posted to the Finance Ministry while the intelligence agencies were certain about his role in the terror funding network through the stock market. Why was this particular officer given so much of liberty? Because he managed the fake certificates for permanent residence of MMS from the state of Assam in the district of Kamrup. investigation, MMS put the activities of BCCI in India off He has also allowed a myth created that he is a brilliant the public radar for ever. economist who helped India to stem the crisis in 1991. The When Jaswant Singh in his book "A Call to Honor" myth is created to build a personality of honest Statesman of claimed, that there was a mole in Narasimha Rao cabinet the country, who understands India better than the who gave prior information about nuclear test to be parliamentarians who are less qualified and mere the conducted in 1995, the PMO went on overdrive to counter representatives of the rural or half-educated masses. But, no attack and suggesting different names like V.S. Arunachalam, one knows what contribution Singh made in the field of who was not a Cabinet Minister, but Scientific Adviser. The economics or governance or philosophy or literature. He did nation has seen how the votes were bought at the floor of his D.Phil from Nuffield College, University of Oxford. The the House during the No-Confidence Motion in 2008 to topic was, "India's Export Trends and Prospects for selfsave the government only to shield the Indo-US Civil Sustained Growth" (1951-60). This work was later published Nuclear Deal which borders on surrendering India's by a publisher in Oxford in 1964. The book runs into 369 sovereignty over a strategic element of national interest. pages and argues for the role of State Trading Corporations
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(STC). He was gung-ho for the socialist model of economy. This was a nave and short study of mere 10 years of trade balance sheet of a new nation when neither trade was varied nor there were many international players with trade linkages as the trade relationship during colonial times gets skewed and over-dependent on the core-nation viz. Britain. Apart from this work which is mere reproduction of Doctorate thesis without any fresh idea or any insight, there is no original or any other work done by Singh in the field of knowledge. He started his career after a brief stint as lecturer in Punjab, in the UNCTAD as Economics Affairs officer from 1966-69. In 1971, he became a Professor at JNU courtesy, P.N.Haskar, a close aide to the then Prime Minister. One of his colleagues at Nuffield and a senior Congress leader in South India, V. Isvarmurti, who is the Chairman of the Vadamalai media group that publishes Agriculture and Industry Survey mentions about his insight into economics: "He joined the Indira Gandhi establishment under P.N. His understanding Haskar and he, sorry to say, imbibed the authoritarian of economics has culture and from that time also come under onwards he was in every political establishment. So, we firing have to be a bit more honest line.Exchange rate and also objective enough to see value of rupee that Dr. Singh had never articulated his basic economic has plummeted beliefs in any of the major areas. below 56 rupee He just sticks to the standard jargon of percentage of per dollar. economic growth, budget deficit and inflation." His understanding of economics has also come under firing line.Exchange rate value of rupee has plummeted below 56 rupee per dollar. Dr. Singh appears to be the brain behind weakening of rupee which in turns make imports dearer and to compensate the same, oil prices are being hiked. The calculations suggest that weakening of rupee by amount of 1 rupee entails increase in oil import cost of Rs. 4000 crores. When a policy of devaluation of rupee was launched under the New Economic Policy in 1991, the pretext was to improve India's trade balance. The government browbeated the critics and shouted from all available platforms that it will make exports cheaper and import costlier, thereby making Indian products competitive and import would be discouraged. But, the value of Rupee has declined from 18 rupee a dollar in July 1991 to now 56 rupees a dollar, still the balance of trade has deteriorated massively from mere 2.7 billion dollar to now projected 200 billion dollar. Thus, nation owes an apology from Singh for misguiding and in the process

compromising with India's wealth accumulation by intentionally launching a deleterious devaluation policy of Rupee. When during the 2008 economic crisis in the US, there was a fear of a run against dollar; the RBI pursued a policy of actively intervening in Forex market to checkmate the natural rise of rupee against dollar and help support a strong dollar policy which American policy makers were drum beating. Dr. Singh addressed press on 23rd November, 2009 en route to New York and defended strong dollar policy. This was surprising since he was coming from BRIC summit where it was decided to reduce dollar role in world economy after the American economy was on verge of bankruptcy. Devaluation of weak currencies make exchange highly unfavorable for the exporting countries. The US realizes the advantage of strong currency. This is the reason for postponement of 'dollar devaluation.' Instead, US is pressurizing China to revalue Yuan. The rich nations have created currency areas with their own strong currency at the centre to reap the benefits of distorted exchange rate system. CFA Franc Zone in Africa, an expanding Euro Zone towards Southern Mediterranean area and emergent process of dollarization reflects the urge by strong nations to earn undue advantages at the cost of poor nations. But, here is a PM who has guided rupee destiny from Rs.18 to now Rs. 56 per dollar and still claiming that the market should determine its value while not raising heckles against dollar whose strength is created artificially to maintain America's global hegemony. His rise to the seat of the Prime minister itself is neither based on merit nor on popular support. He can go to any extent to practice patrimony since his own rise is rooted through this way. Niether did he face any competitive examination to reach to the top in the bureaucracy nor did he even win even a municipal election to reach to the top of the political leadership. Thus, it is not a surprise that he has allowed crony governance based on nepotism, corruption, fraud to penetrate each sector of India. It will not be a surprise that some day the PM will appear with a Sikh Army chief, a Sikh deputy Chairman of planning Commission, a Sikh IB Chief, a Sikh Foreign Secretary and a Sikh Cabinet Secretary(either of two Khullars or Dhingra), dozen of Sikh governors, Sikh VCs of India's two International university, South Asian University & Nalanda. Meritocracy will soon succumb to patrimony practiced by India's worst communal political CEO. But to infect the armed forces with the virus of crony selection is to dismantle the spine of national unity. General V.K. Singh is retired but the armed forces will continue to suffer due to the misdeeds of those who practice corruption and kinship-based progression.

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Opinion

Why Chidambaram want direct recruitment in Indian Police Service?


The home minister of country is not happy with the supply of officers of Indian Police Service (IPS). P. Chidambaram wants more IPS officers to fulfill the demand of states and to counter the challenge of Naxalism and terrorism. Chidambaram is advocating for Short Service Commission instead of lengthy selection process of Union Public Service Commission. The latest attempt of Chidambaram has caused murmurs in IPS cadre. IPS officers are scared. They think that this attempt of Chidambaram is likely to have adverse impact on the character of Indian Police Service and it will have a negative impact on the confidence of IPS officers. It's pertinent to mention that the selection rules of IPS officers are very clear and it was declared in 1954 that the IPS officers will be selected through UPSC. However, retired IPS officer Kamal Kumar in his report of IPS Selection Scheme (2009-2020) recommended three options- 1. Increase the seats of IPS in civil services for next few years, 2. Give the status of IPS to those DSP who have minimum five year experience and age below 45 through an examination process, 3. The officers of information technology, communication, finance and human resource management should be appointed to police service of deputation. In 2010, RK Parikh also recommended that there is no option except increase the seats in the examination conducted by UPSC. He clearly said that the recommendation of direct recruitment by DoPT is not possible. It's important to mention that in 2010, the then home secretary wrote a letter to states and asked for their opinion on the proposal of direct recruitment in Indian Police Service. The then chairman of UPSC replied, "The character of all India services depends on their complex selection process and training system. I don't

Vineet Narain

Chidambaram wrote a letter to DoPT on May 11, 2010 and asked to present the proposal of direct recruitment to Prime Minister.
see any reason to think of other option to fill the seats for at least next six-seven years rather than increasing seats in current civil service exams. Currently, the number of seats is 70." UPSC said that the process of direct recruitment of IPS officers will have a negative impact on confidence of current IPS officers. New system could lead to legal battles and there will be a number of issues related to seniority. UPSC clearly recommended to increase the number of seats to 200. A number of states also opposed the move. Similarly, Director Generals of different police organization of country also opposed the proposal. It's pertinent to mention that in seventies, the government selected IPS

officers from retired army personnel and that move of government was termed illegal by Supreme Court in 1975. The chief of Indo Tibet Border Police also opposed that move by saying that the need of army and district administration is quite different. So, it's not good to select retired army officers in Indian Police Service through a certain competitive examination process. Law Ministry also opposed the move by stating that the constitution of India clearly says that the approval of UPSC in each and every appointment of civil services is compulsory. Law Ministry has also suggested to increase the number of seats in current selection process. Despite these oppositions from all section, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram wrote a letter to DoPT on May 11, 2010 and asked to present the proposal of direct recruitment to Prime Minister. It's shocking to know that on August 19, 2011, home ministry amended the rules framed in 1954 for selection of IPS officers and got it notified in gazette on September 3, 2011. Now, it's interesting to see that the home minister will persist with his proposal or any IPS officer will file any Public Interest Litigation in this matter. In my opinion, it's a serious issue and both parties should not be adamant. They should to reach at an amicable solution keeping the legality and practicality in mind. Each and every attempt should be aimed to improve the law and order situation of country. Mr. Narain is a senior journalist. Please see: www.vineetnarain.net
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 17

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Subramanian Swamy

ircel is a telecom company providing mobile phone wireless services using 2G and 3G spectrum. Before 2006 it was wholly owned by a Tamil Nadu based capitalist called Sivasankaran, but by January 2006 it came to be owned by a Malaysia born citizen called T Anantha Krishnan, popularly called TAK. He is the son of a Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant, who arrived as indentured plantation worker. T Anantha Krishnan's second wife is Latchoumie (Lakshmi?) Marie Helene (LMH) born to a white French father who belongs the Le Chateau Briand family, and Tamil mother. She is popularly known as Mme 'TAK'. TAK made his fortune first in gambling casinos and laundering LTTE drug and extortion loot garnered by the terrorist organisation treasurer K Padmanabhan (now Sri Lanka custody), and then branched into construction etc., to become a powerfully influential person in Malaysia, and had helped Quatrrocchi grease the system in that country and escape the law because of the CBI's deliberately chosen counsel. Mme TAK, according to my usually reliable sources in Paris, is the owner of a very big art gallery, La Fantaisie, which can be described as the Christie's in France! Carla Bruni, the Italian wife of former French President Sarkozy, is a partner in this venture since two years! Smt TAK is also owner of a sophisticated Music Recording House in Paris. Carla, who is also a pop singer, uses Smt TAK's studios for registering and issue of her albums! Sonia, her son Rahul, and her sisters are frequent visitors. Whenever Rahul goes to France, he stays with Smt TAK. He had been there a month and half back. Smt TAK is also owner of vine yards in northern Colombia with joint

Stench of the Aircel-Maxis sleaze

ownership with the Colombian rich families Bettancourt and Katalli. Rahul Gandhi's former live in friend Veronique is connected to the Kattalli cartel. Smt Tak is also one of the major shareholders in the French aeronautical company Dassault whose worldwide rejected fighter aircraft Rafaele was bought by India's Defence Ministry for a hefty 20 per cent bribe. But the TAKs are smart. This time in the French election they backed Hollande, who won the Presidency. It is in this context we have to see the Aircel-Maxis deal since it impinges

on India's national security as did Swan-Etisalat and Unitech-Telenor deals. Telecom towers and equipment can do cyber warfare, snoop on closed door conversations and read email. The Indian owner of Aircel, Sivasankaran is a financial buccaneer, working always on the edge. In 2005 after getting a spectrum licence, and short of funds, he put it out that he was looking for foreign direct investment. Maxis approached him incognito through the Standard Chartered Bank. It is now alleged in an FIR of the CBI, that at that stage the then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran entered the scene. According to

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Justice Shivraj Patil Report (available on the DoT website), Maran misused his office to arm twist Sivasankaran to sell all his shares in Aircel to Maxis in January 2006. Whether that was a drama by Maran and Sivasankaran or real, only the Supreme Court inquiry will reveal. Sivasankaran however became ready to sell. But there was a problem. FDI

salivating furiously. Enter P Chidambaran, the Dawood Ibrahim of Indian Finance, and Jesus Christ in Lok Sabha. He was then as Finance Minister which meant the exofficio Chairman of the FIPB. As with Raja in the January 2008 Chidambaram advising him on "share dilution" which landed Raja in Tihar, Chidambaram advised Maran to

6 Questions for FM
Subramanian Swamy demanded Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to answer six of his questions on the controversial FIPB clearance to the Aircel-Maxis deal in Parliament. In a statement issued, Swamy sought to know: 1. How the Ministry of Finance issued a press release to say that the Aircel-Maxis equity purchase clearance in the Foreign Investment Board meeting presided over by then Finance Minister Chidambaram was given on March 7, 2006 when the PIB website even today does not disclose this clearance amongst the clearances of other deals made on that day? 2. The meaning of the 'clearance' given by the FIPB at the October 3, 2006 meeting to the Aircel- Maxis deal, as announced in PIB website of October 17, 2006. 3. Pranab should disclose how is it that when the Malayasia Stock Exchange was informed by Maxis that its controlling interest in Aircel was 99.3%, far above the FBI rule that it could not exceed 74%. 4. Whether a fraud was committed by including a dummy JV called Deccan Digital Network to beat the FDI rule? 5. Pranab should make clear to Parliament the conclusions of the FIPB probes since he became Finance Minister, and also agree to lay the said report in Parliament. He should also disclose whether the DoT conducted an enquiry into this share purchase fraud through a dummy JV and whether the said enquiry by the DoT has been completed. 6. Whether the CBI has gone into this question since it is a criminal offence under Section 13(1)(d)(iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act?

Rules require an Indian partner to hold at least 26 per cent of the equity for the deal to be okayed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Three months earlier till January 2006, it was at least 51 per cent, i.e., Indian to be majority partner. Maran got that changed to just 26 per cent and the Indian partner to be in minority. But Maxis owner TAK would have none of that. He wanted Aircel to be a wholly owned company of his. That was against the FDI rules. So Maran was in a fix. His brother and owner of Sun TV Kalanidhi was promised Rs 800 crores bounty for his media venture by TAK, and he was

devise a trick: Form a Joint Venture with a young ambitious entrepreneur, all expenses paid. Thus they found Sunita Reddy, part owner of Apollo Hospital. Thus Deccan Ventures came into being, but it was joint only in name. By using a financial derivative, Maxis owned all of it. With the money thus put it, Deccan purchased 26 per cent of Aircel. TAK declared proudly to Malaysian Stock Exchange and to his company shareholders' meeting that he had bought 99.3 per cent of Aircel equity (0.7 per cent still left with sivasankaran) and thus dejure Aircel became a wholly owned company of

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SC grants Swamy permission to file petition in Aircel-Maxis case


Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to file a petition in the Aircel-Maxis fraud case. "The Supreme Court gave me permission to file a petition on the ongoing matter of the Aircel-Maxis fraud. So far, the CBI has been investigating only two things whether Maran (Dayanidhi Maran) used pressure to force Sivasankaran (Former Aircel Chief C. Sivasankaran) to sell Aircel to Maxis. Maxis is a Malaysian company, who is headed by a man called Ananda Krishnan, who is a Sri Lankan Tamil and very close association with LTTE. And also his second wife is half French and has many other business connections," said Swamy in a statement. "But the fact of the matter is the CBI was not investigating whether the foreign investment board had at any stage considered the fact that they gave clearance to the deal when the Maxis had told the Malaysian stock exchange that they had purchased 99.3 percent of the shares of Aircel. And they pointed out that included 74 percent directly purchased and the remaining 26 percent roughly was purchased through a joint venture in which the other partner was a lady called Suneeta Reddy, and there they had the controlling interest of that company. So, in fact 99 percent is correct," he added. Swamy further alleged that Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram failed to stop the deal despite knowing all the facts. "And Mr. Chidambaram despite this fact being known he failed to stop this deal, as chairman of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board he signed on it and then for seven months did not write a letter till some arrangements was made with his son. So, this whole fraud has to be investigated," said Swamy. "The court said you may file the petition and also give a copy to the CBI and (on) 17th July the matter will be heard on what progress the CBI has made," he added. However, Chidambaram categorically rejected allegations levelled by Swamy and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that he and his son Karti were beneficiaries in an Aircel-Maxis telephony deal in 2006.

Maxis. But TAK filed for permission with FIPB as a 74 per cent owner and got it cleared in March 2006. But there was a catch. Chidambaram did not like it that Maran had de-camped with the bribe loot. So the March 2006 FIPB clearance was not made in the name of Global Communications, a wholly owned company of Maxis, but in the name of some US company. Then Chidambaram sat on the file while TAK sweated with the thought of being so near yet so far. Enter son Karti, fixer, ambulance chaser, money launderer, small arms dealer etc., and through a maze of cross holdings acquires at least 5 per cent of the Aircel shares before father PC re-convenes the FIPB in October 2006, and delete the name of the US company and put TAK company as the 74 per cent owner of Aircel equity. Karti's wife Dr Srinidhi starts working as a consulting doctor with Apollo Hospital. All are happy now. So what is criminal offence? The biggest is the bogus FIPB clearance. P Chidambaram has committed offence of criminal misconduct under Section 13(1)(d)(iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act which entails a seven year jail term for Maran, Karti, and may be Sivasankaran too under subSection (ii) read with IPC 120A&B. The Supreme Court has been apprised by me on May 10 last, and the matter will be heard after the vacations on July 17. If Manmohan Singh does not want to testify in court, he must get rid of Chidambaram from the Cabinet. This is what all Congress leaders except one want. In the meantime the Indonesian Police has issued an arrest warrant against Maxis CEO Roy Marshall for fraud, cheating and money laundering in another connected company Astro. Its money trail leads to a favourite English news TV channel. Marshall is also a Sri Lankan Tamil, and has played host to Chidambaram's wife

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Nalini when the deal was being brokered. The corruption pimple under UPA rule has defiled Bharat Mata but now it seems about to burst. Cure lies in operating vishkanya poison from our body politic.

Different business interests of Karti Chidambaram

The allegation was first raised by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who accused P Chidambaram, then Finance Minister, of delaying clearance to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006, to benefit his son. Swamy contends that Karti received a 5 per cent stake in Aircel, a charge the latter denies. Companies owned by Karti or his known associates (this includes companies that are or were at some point owned by Karti or family members): * Ausbridge Holdings and Investments Pvt Ltd * Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd * Chess Management Services Pvt Ltd * Chess Health Care Pvt Ltd * Halidon Marketing Pvt Ltd * Kriya FMCG Distributors Pvt Ltd * Kaiser Luxury Hotels Pvt Ltd * Kaiser Surya Samudra Resorts Pvt Ltd Known associates and directors of companies owned by Karti: CBN Reddy, S Sundar, Mohanan Rajesh.

company, does not list individual transactions on its balance-sheet schedules. Records of Siva Ventures prior to 2006 are unavailable. In a legal notice served to Subramanian Swamy, lawyers for Advantage Strategic have said that the Rs 26 lakh payment was from Aircel for consultancy services rendered by Advantage. It is unclear whether entries against Chess Management and Halidon are also similarly amounts paid by them to Advantage for consultancy services. Govt claimed no delay on part of Chidambaram in approving the Aircel-Maxis deal. It said the March 7, 2006 meeting of FIPB cleared the Maxis investment of around Rs. 4,000 crore in Aircel. But an October 17, 2006 Press release of FIPB shows Chidambaram cleared the deal only in the October 3, 2006 meeting of FIPB. The vital information that the Govt concealed is that at the March 7, 2006 meeting of the FIPB, clearances were given to another company with similar name - BT Global Communication (Mauritius) Ltd. The FIPB also did not show the amount of foreign investment and kept the concerned column blank. Normally all FIPB clearances would specify the value of foreign investment.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 21

Litany of untruths

Swamy's allegation

Advantage Strategic Consulting (ASC), a company owned by Karti, paid Rs 26 lakh to Aircel Televentures. He received a 5 per cent stake in return. ASC's 2006-07 balancesheet, under the head 'loans and advances', a payment of Rs 26 lakh is shown as having been made to Aircel Televenture Ltd. At this point,

however, Karti had no equity stake in Advantage Strategic. It was solely owned by Ravi Viswanathan and Padma Viswanathan. The company had business relations with other companies owned by Karti. Alongside the payment to Aircel Televentures, payments made to Kartiowned companies such as Chess Management Services, Chess Health Care Solutions and Halidon Marketing Pvt Ltd have also been listed under the same head. There is no entry to show that ASC held any stake in Aircel Televentures (the company later became Siva Ventures, named after billionaire owner C Sivasankaran) in either company's balance sheet. Siva Ventures, being a large

Uttar Pradesh

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Walking on a
Surendra Agnihotri

RISKY ROAD
he chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has given 15 days deadline to improving the law and order situation of state. By doing so, Akhilesh has tried his level best to clear his first major hurdle. It's an irony in UP that there is a nexus of criminals and politician and it's very difficult to get rid of this thing. The people of India's most populous state are facing the power crunch. A number of other problems are also making the life of common citizen very difficult. The people of state has given mandate to Akhilesh with great hope and now it's on new chief minister to do such a marvelous work that a common citizen can forget the dark days of Mayawati government. Akhilesh did a number of works in a short span of time to build the confidence of common people of state. He has ordered investigation in a number of tainted schemes of Mayawati regime. But, let's begin with law and order situation. When Akhilesh got huge majority to rule the India's most populous state, a number of violent incident took place and a section of political parties started terming it return of gundaraaj. But, Akhilesh has learnt the nuts and bolts of politics from his father and a stalwart of Indian politics Mulayam Singh Yadav. A couple of days back,

Akhilesh has tried his level best to clear his first major hurdle. It's an irony in UP that there is a nexus of criminals and politician and it's very difficult to get rid of this thing.

Akhilesh has set a deadline before state officials to improve the law and order situation in the state within 15 days. After taking oath as Chief Minister of the state, Akhilesh Yadav had promised to the people of the state to give a peaceful ambience and improved law and order. Yadav convened a meeting of state officials which was attended by 500 senior IPS and IAS officers. The

meeting was attended by district magistrates and police chiefs of 75 districts. Charting out the priorities of his government in an all important meeting with senior officials, Akhilesh said that law and order along with the development of the state will remain his government's top priorities. "The development of the state is directly related to the sound law and order

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Uttar Pradesh

situation and the state government would not compromise on it failing which the officials will be taken to task," the CM said in his first interaction with senior state officials. Asking the officials not to wilt under political pressure while discharging their duties, the young CM invited suggestions from officials with regards to improvement in overall governance. Akhilesh also pulled up officials for not attending to the grievances of people at the district level, which is resulting in huge turnouts of people at the weekly Janata Darshan at the CM's official residence. "The district magistrate, district police chief and officers of other department should sit in the office in morning hours to meet people on a regular basis. If I can meet the the common people at my official residence in the state capital, why can't you meet the general public in the districts?" he said. Yadav made his comments in the wake of reports alleging that despite his clear directions, district officials don't meet the public in their offices. The youngest CM of UP said that he expected unbiased and non partisan

Power Crunch is a major problem of UP and Akhilesh Yadav has said to try hard to improve the availability of power in Uttar Pradesh.
conduct of the officials in the matter of governance and any officer found working under any political or other influence would be dealt with a heavy hand. He said he would review the implementation of his directives in a fortnight and those who found wanting would be subjected to punishment. Later talking to reporters, Akhilesh said, "It's the responsibility

of the field officers to ensure the implementation of the development schemes and also maintain law and order, which is crucial for development." An official spokesman also said that the CM will review the policy implementation every three months, while the chief secretary Jawed Usmani has been asked to monitor it on a monthly basis. Power Crunch is a major problem of UP and Akhilesh has said to try his level best improve the availability of power. Power officials admit the crisis has deepened and that "something needed to be done fast" if the summer season was to pass off peacefully. The state officials cited financial mess and debt inherited from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) regime for the shortfall in power supply to the tune of over 2,000 MW. Uttar Pradesh Power Corp Ltd (UPPCL) chairman and managing director Avanish Awasthi said that the corporation was working towards clearing the outstanding payments and had so far been able to liquidate about 15 per cent. The state power corporation is also trying to find ways to realise a whopping Rs 17,000 crore from defaulters. In the last few days, recovery challans worth Rs 395 crore have been issued to district magistrates for the recovery of dues. The defaulters are mainly in urban areas, officials say, adding that 1,10,000 consumers were issued notices for defaulting on their electricity bills. The UPPCL has set a target of Rs 1,250 crore to be realised from defaulters in 2012-13. UPPCL admits that there is a huge gap between demand and supply of power in Uttar Pradesh. Some news reports said that attempts were on to streamline power shortage by

Mayawati attacks new government


Former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati attacked Akhilesh Yadav government and termed it antiDalit. Mayawati said that the new government is ordering probes into the works done during her tenure in Uttar Pradesh due to "political vendetta". The former UP chief minister also made it clear she herself takes the policy decisions in her party and not her close advisors or officers as being publicised outside. Mayawati claimed that people are now repenting bringing this government in power and blamed the "wrong" political stand of Congress and BJP for ensuring Samajwadi Party's win in Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati said that P L Punia, the former chief secretary to her when she was chief minister, after leaving BSP and joining Congress had spread rumours that it was he who used to discharge all responsibilities when she was chief minister thrice from 1995 to 2002. She noted that her opponents had created a similar opinion about her cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh during her fourth stint as chief minister.

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Uttar Pradesh

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acquiring extra power from grids and power exchanges. The state has been facing an unprecedented power crisis for the last one week, with unscheduled power cuts in villages ranging between 10 and 12 hours and around two-four hours in major cities. If Akhilesh wish to win the heart of common citizen of state then he should work hard to improve the power situation. In an attempt to undo the misdeeds of Mayawati government, Akhilesh's government has decided to change the colour of the traffic police's uniform. It is the 25th decision of the Mayawati government that Akhilesh has scrapped after he took over as CM on March 15 this year. Mayawati had changed the colour of the uniforms from white trousers and shirts to blue trousers and white shirts in April 2008. She was criticised for her decision because blue is the colour of her party, the BSP. "Henceforth they will wear khaki trousers and white shirts. The department gives Rs.1,800 annually to

a traffic policeman for his two sets of uniforms. So the state doesn't need to bear any additional burden," B.P. Singh, IG, law and order, was quoted saying. Some of the schemes launched by Mayawati and scrapped or renamed by Akhilesh include 27 percent reservation for scheduled castes and two per cent for scheduled tribes in government contracts worth less than Rs.25 lakh, the Samagra Gram Vikas Yojana and financial assistance to the students of Gautam Buddha University to study abroad. It is not that the government found all these schemes worthless. Thus, the CM has only changed the

In an attempt to undo the misdeeds of Mayawati government, Akhilesh has decided to change the colour of the traffic police's uniform.

name of Dr Ambedkar Gram Sabha Vikas Yojana to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Gram Vikas Yojana. Akhilesh said scrapping of these "useless schemes" will help save the government Rs.4,861 crore annually. But his tightening the purse strings could hit thousands of girl students. More than 6.86 lakh poor girl students of Class X had received Rs.15,000 and a bicycle under the nowscrapped Savitribai Phule Balika Shiksha Madad Yojana between 2009 and 2011. They were supposed to get Rs.10,000 after being admitted to Class XII, but won't get the amount now. A couple of days back, in his first field inspection, Akhilesh Yadav checked wheat procurement operations, the state of affairs at a police station, the condition of an effluent treatment plant and availability of liquor at prescribed rates. The Chief Minister had kept his inspection programme to himself. Three days ago to his visit, he sent SP youth leader Sunil Yadav to Unnao to

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Mayawati will be punished, if found guilty: Rajendra Chowdhary


Rajendra Chowdhary is known for his strong samajwadi approach and a clear cut view on complex issues. He is a very close aide of Mulayam Singh Yadav. As a spokesperson of Samajwadi Party, he is the official voice of his party. He is closely associated with the steps of Akhilesh Yadav government. He spoke to the editor of Dialogue India Anuj Agrawal and Bureau Chief Mukesh Srivastava on a number of issues. Excerpts: Samajwadi Party government has ordered probe in those scams which were exposed by Dialogue India over past few months. We would like to say thanks for that. But, are you committed to take these investigations on any logical conclusion? I am a regular reader of your magazine and you are doing good job. If you or any other media organization exposes any thing, then it's our duty to get the matter investigated. There were a number of scams in Mayawati regime and our party raised all those scams. When we formed our government, we decided to know the truth and now the incident of corrupt practices are coming from each and every ministry and department. Mayawati has alleged that SP government is working to take revenge. Is it true? It's completely false. We are law abiding people. But, how can we ignore the scams of past? It's a fact that Mayawati often do such politics. The state has witnessed how her government tried her level best to create problems for SP workers. Akhilesh Yadav has said that Mayawati is also involved in 5-6 scams. Is your government ready to

investigate these matters? If she is found guilty, will your government dare to punish her? We want fair legal investigation. If somebody is found guilty, he or she will be punished according to law. Former chief minister is not an exception. SP and BSP both are supporting union government in Delhi. What will be the impact on UPA government of the rivalry between SP and BSP? We are not answerable to all allies of UPA government. We are answerable to the people of state and they want action against corrupt politicians and officials. Is it not a contradiction that in centre SP and BSP are together but in state both are opponent? We are supporting UPA government to keep communal elements out of power. UPA-2 has completed three years recently and these years are considered as a great failure of the incumbent government. But, on the other hand you have got massive

support in Uttar Pradesh. Why not you are trying for a mid-term poll by withdrawing support from UPA government? Your party is likely to get stronger in Loksabha. This is the time of change. In 1977, Janta Party won each and every seat in state. Similarly, SP will win each and every seat in next general elections. But, we will not try to put UPA government down. Is it not like missing an opportunity? If you win more Loksabha seats then you could play big role in centre. We are ready for any big role but we are not going to do anything for that at our level. If UPA government collapse because of its own contradictions then what can we do? If a mid-term poll happens, in that case SP will support UPA or NDA or go for formation of any other front? It depends on detail discussion of party parliamentary board. The moment we will take any decision in this regards, everyone will come to know.
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Uttar Pradesh

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quietly visit several wheat purchase centres and submit a report. On the day of inspection the CM left his residence at 8.20 am and after reaching Awadh Hospital at Alambagh, he asked his fleet to move towards Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao. Only four vehicles accompanied him, including two for security. The first halt was at Neotani village in Unnao. Only two employees were present at the wheat procurement centre. Villagers were taken by surprise when the CM asked them if they were getting the support price of Rs 1,285 per quintal. He spoke to farmers who were waiting with wheat-laden vehicles. They said they were paid Rs 1,000 a quintal and those who did not accept it were turned back. Some said they had been waiting for three days to unload the yield. In the meantime, the CM dispatched Sunil Yadav to buy two bottles of liquor from the nearest shop to check if he was overcharged. Yadav reported the shopkeeper took

the correct price. Akhilesh then moved towards Bangarmau, which is a big mandi in Unnao. Here, too, the farmers complained they were not getting the official support price. Next, he visited Assewan village where hundreds of villagers had assembled. Apparently, the word had spread that the CM was out inspecting mandis. The CM also visited Aseewan police station and Bangarmau Kotwali. On finding that no complaint at the police station at Bangarmau, he enquired from the SHO, who replied no one had come to lodge a complaint. However, people who had gathered outside said a complainant was chased away as the CM was expected. Yadav also visited a private factory in the industrial area and inspected the effluent treatment plant. No senior official was present at the factory. Thereafter, the CM ended his inspection and went to the Nawabganj bird sanctuary guest house. "It was my

first inspection. There are lots of problems. Farmers are not getting adequate price, the sacks are not available. Every problem will be addressed soon," Akhilesh told the media. He said action would be taken against senior officials for not monitoring wheat purchase. Back in Lucknow, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, at a meeting at the SP office, asked ministers to inspect the wheat purchase centres in their areas. The party office said 36 ministers were out on inspections. Despite these attempts, it's a fact that Akhilesh Yadav is walking on a risky road. It's going to be very tough for Akhilesh to improve the confidence level of a common citizen of state. The people of India's most populous state have witnessed the dark days of Mayawati regime and they are expecting a number of things from new government. Now, it's on the youngest chief minister of India's most populous state to deliver the results in an impressive manner.

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Opinion

Laws must be complied in letter and spirit


I and my wife Nutan Thakur, a social activist file a Writ Petition No 3489/2012 in Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench. We are extremely grateful to the High Court that they passed a very effective and useful order on the very first date of hearing. The The bench of Justice Devi Prasad Singh and Justice Saeed Uz-zaman Siddiqui said that this is the age of Internet. Hence all the Rules related with Internet shall be strongly enforced. The order passed on 9 May 2012 said that according to the petitioners the Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules, 2011 framed by the Government contains mandatory provision to disclose the name of grievance officer and they are aggrieved persons on account of noncompliance of Rule 11 of the aforesaid Rule by the service providers. It was incumbent on the Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India to look into the matter keeping in view the public importance of the issued involved. In case the allegations are correct, then by not disclosing the name of grievance officer on the website, different companies had deprived the people to ventilate their grievance in pursuance to the aforesaid statutory provisions or Rules referred here-inabove. The High Court order said- "In this country, still we are striving to regulate our system to meet out the requirement of people. Government of India is not only regulatory authority which is bound to follow the Rules but also implement the same throughout the country." Keeping in view the public interest involved, the Court directed the Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India to decide the petitioners' representation within a period of three months. The matter concerned is that there is an Information Technology Act 2000, amended from time to time, to control and regulate the Internet activities in India. The Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules, 2011 has been framed by the Government. In the Writ Petition I and Nutan had prayed to direct the Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology to enforce the provisions of these Rules. Section 79 of the Information Technology Act 2000 says that Intermediaries, like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, My Space etc are not liable for third party information if they observe due diligence while discharging their duties. IT (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules 2011 requires that the intermediary shall publish the rules, terms and conditions not to host or display grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous defamatory, pornographic, paedophilic information. It also requires that if any an affected person makes a complaint, the Intermediary shall act within thirty six hours to disable such information. Rule 11 says that the intermediary shall publish on its website the name of the Grievance Officer and his contact details. These things are not being followed by the Intermediaries like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, My Space etc. We

Amitabh Thakur

had filed this Writ exactly to ask the Ministry of Information Technology to comply with these Rules, which justifiably the High Court agreed with. We have sent our representation along with a copy of the High Court order for compliance to the Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology. We are quite hopeful that he would decide our representation within the stipulated period of three months. This might end the anomalous situation existing in this case. It is as regards the conflict between the concept of autonomy and government regularization. Autonomy is understood to mean "one who gives oneself their own law". It is based on the basic premise of the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision. It is also often used as the basis for determining moral responsibility for one's actions. Thus in short, it refers to the self-government of the people. Opposed to this is government control. There are many of us who seem to prefer the autonomous position of different bodies. Thus we want various bodies to be out of the Government control. The debate between the two diametrically opposite ideas has been going on for ages and we have equally vehement proponents of both. Yes, prima-facie there seems a lot of logic in both the ideas. Autonomy has its shares of advantages and disadvantages while government control has its own. Amitabh Thakur, IPS officer associated with National RTI Forum, a Civil society working for transparent governance.
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Interview

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

There must be a balance between growth and environment: Jaiswal


Sriprakash Jaiswal is working as the Union Coal Minister (MoS, Independent Charge) in Manmohan Singh government. He is fourth time member of parliament from Kanpur of Uttar Pradesh. He often speaks less and works more. This has earned a different image for him in Manmohan Singh cabinet. Union coal ministry is working on a number of schemes to improve the sector and contribute immensely in the development of country under the leadership of Sriprakash Jaiswal. He spoke to the editor of Dialogue India Anuj Agrawal and our special correspondent Abhishek Gupta on a number of issues. The demand of coal is increasing by the passing of each day. What's your plan to check this problem? The increase in demand of coal is a sign of India's growth. It should be taken positively. We had allotted a number of coal blocks to private players but 80 percent of them did not start work. Only 20 percent started mining work. We are trying our level best to improve the mining scenario. Did your ministry take any step against those companies who chose not to start the mining work? We have cancelled the license of 40 percent companies who deliberately did not work to start mining. Our ministry is keeping close eye on others too. We are warning them to start mining work in stipulated time. But, there are few companies who raised the genuine issues of difficulties in environment clearance and land acquisition. We are giving such companies some more time. There is an allegation that a section has created artificial situation of shortage in coal supply to thermal power units. However, on the other hand coal ministry has enough funds (Rs. 55,000 crore) and there is no issue in the availability of coal. It's true that we have enough fund and coal but mining process takes time. It can not happen in one day. It takes almost six years to start mining in any area. Getting clearance from environment ministry is a big thing and land acquisition is also a more difficult job. In these circumstances, delay is normal. Your ministry has not accepted the proposal sent by secretary of PM Pulak Chatterjee to streamline the supply agreement with power units. Is it not a sign of contradiction in same government? Early forestry clearance does not give license to do away with rules. It's a fact that there will be no approval on the land of forest department. There will be no approval in the case of any threat to wild life and environment. Same is the case with issues related to land acquisition. But, we are clear that there will be no unnecessary delay. Do you think that this kind of delay is making an adverse impact on development? Industrial growth is coming down, our economy is going through serious crisis, price rise and unemployment is making life

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difficult of a common citizen. These things are true. Coal production is important but environmental balance is equally important. We can not accept development in the name of damaging environment and land acquisition on an unfair price. If we are interested in saving environment, forest and wild life then we should be ready low economic growth but this is what going to sustain in long term. On the one hand we need development but on the other we need those policies which could help in creating a balance with development and nature. We can not compromise on that. If development is not taking place on expected line for a short period, we should see it more patiently. It means, your ministry is not going to do anything to increase coal production. No, no, it's not true. We are making a number of plans. We are increasing the production of Coal India. We are cancelling licenses of those companies who are not serious. But, we can not tolerate illegal mining. We are not only responsible of production but we are equally responsible for environmental balance. Are you bridging the gaps in coal supply by import? The government of India has given open license to coal sector. It means every one can import coal according to their need. NTPC and a number of private power companies are importing coal. However, currently we are not importing coal but if need arises then Coal India could import. A section of media, on the basis of draft report prepared by CAG, alleged a scam of Rs. 10 lakh crore in allotment of coal blocks. What's your take on this? We can not confirm any such allegation. Where is that CAG report? Till date, CAG has not place such report in

We are increasing the production of Coal India. We are cancelling licenses of those companies who are not serious.
parliament. In these circumstances, these allegations are baseless. There is another allegation that "first come, first serve" policy was misused and coal blocks were allotted on very low price. You are wrong. We have not allotted any coal mine in last three years. We took action against them who does not comply with our conditions. Mining process is a capital intensive work and it needs huge investment. We should keep this fact in mind. Alleging any one has become a fashion. This should be changed. It's a fact that the states holding coal mines are also naxal infested. What steps your ministry is taking to solve this issue? Union Government is continuously working to solve this problem. But, it's a fact that state governments have a larger role in solving this problem. Welfare schemes should be implemented on right time. We are giving more stress to make land acquisition process more transparent

and to make mining environment friendly. These steps are intended for early and time bound rehabilitation of villagers and tribals. What steps you have taken to ensure safety of workers in mines? We upgrade security parameters on a regular basis. This is the reason why the number of accidents in mines has come down to one fourth. Mines security directorate also keeps an eye on these things. Coal theft and corruption are very common problems with mining sector. What's your plan to counter these problems? We deploy own security guard in those areas where mining is taking place by Coal India. But, normally mining areas are vast. It's a fact that law and order is a state subject and they should be more active on this front. Do you think that some chief minister and political parties are giving patronage to corruption for their vested interest? No, I am not interested in making any allegation. But, I would like to reiterate that all state government should work to improve the law and order situation and thereafter most of the problems will be solved. What should be the role of state and union government in coal sector? Both should work with more coordination. Both should understand their role and responsibilities and work accordingly. When will be coal regulatory authority constituted? The proposal to form a coal regulatory has got approval from cabinet and now it's in front of group of ministers. I hope, it will be formed soon. Is not it true that coal import will result in high power tariff ? It's true. Just because of coal import, power tariff has gone up by 60 percent.
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Politics

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MODI ERA BEGINS IN BJP


Anuj Agrawal

he recently concluded national executive of BJP was considered very important for party and its strategy for next general elections. The meeting went on expected lines except the resignation of Sanjay Joshi. Nitin Gadkari got second term as party president and party accepted the leadership of Narendra Modi. Now, it has become almost clear that Modi will be the candidate of BJP for prime minister in next general election, which is slated for 2014. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), seem to have picked Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to be the man of the show. This is the moment of reckoning for the principal opposition party that has

Nitin Gadkari got second term and it has become almost clear that Modi will be the candidate of BJP for prime minister in next general election.
shown itself to be as clueless as the ruling coalition in the face of grave economic and political uncertainty. What transpired at the Mumbai meeting of the BJP this week was far more important than a Sanjay Joshi getting the sack or Sushma Swaraj and Lal Krishna Advani missing a crucial

meeting. It was a moment of transition- from a dithering, squabbling bunch of amateurs to disciplined soldiers forging columns behind the Leader. By letting Modi dictate terms to BJP president Nitin Gadkari in the matter of terminating Sanjay Joshi's services, the RSS has underlined the Gujarat CM's position in the party hierarchy. The Sangh rolled down the red carpet and Modi walked in like the conquering hero; overshadowing all other events and personalities. Even Nitin Gadkari managing a second term for himself was reduced to a non- event as the BJP's biggest trump card was finally revealed. It was clear in the rally that marked the conclusion of the party's crucial strategic session that the workers, at least, are

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overjoyed. Modi is the undisputed king, or "Gujarat Ka Sher (The Lion of Gujarat)", as the workers hailed him at the rally. Modi may continue to spearhead the BJP's campaign in the run- up to the general elections in 2014, unless the unthinkable happens and the Congress manages to defeat him in Gujarat assembly elections. The Sangh Parivar, meanwhile, has started the Great Game. Given their own experience with Modi in Gujarat and the latest Sanjay Joshi episode, the RSS naturally has first- hand experience in just how vindictive Modi can get. They are also aware of the fact that Modi is the biggest polarising factor in India. There is a near hundred per cent chance that the minority vote will consolidate behind the Congress if he is the PM candidate. But the Sangh also realises that none of the central leaders- Swaraj, Arun Jaitley or Rajnath Singh- have Modi's capacity to galvanise the party cadre. So, while he may polarise the minority vote, Modi also has the capacity to trigger reverse polarisation of the party faithful. For a large section of the urban middle class that moved away from the BJP in the last two general elections in favour of the more urbane/ educated Manmohan Singh, Modi has now come to symbolise delivery of services and corruption- free government. As the anti- corruption movements led by Ramdev and Anna Hazare have shown, this is a section that is currently clamouring for a change. They are willing to overlook, indeed in some instances even celebrate, the perception that Modi has "taught a lesson" to the Muslims. And he has topped this by remodelling himself as the "development man" i. e. Vikas Purush, an epithet once used for the tallest leader the BJP ever produced- Atal Behari Vajpayee. The RSS has been testing waters for Modi's anointment by first invading Hazare and Ramdev's movements. This was a process of

assessing the disenchantment against the corruption- hit UPA in general and Manmohan Singh in particular for what is projected as his "weak" leadership. The conclusion clearly is that the time is ripe for providing the country with a truly strong alternative in the form of the strongman from Gujarat. Another question being asked in the context is- whether Modi will be acceptable to the allies, both present and potential. This is relevant presently only to the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The rest, be it Mayawati, Jayalalithaa or even Mamata Banerjee, there has never been any public aversion towards Modi. In fact, Jayalalithaa has actively sought Modi out on various occasions; offering him a famous 45- course meal at some

The one leader who has been quick to adapt is party chief Nitin Gadkari, who used to be upset at Modi's slights in the past.
point in her palatial residence at Poes Garden. Even before Narendra Modi had won his first election in Gujarat, BJP workers would greet him with: "Dekho, dekho, kaun aaya; Gujarat ka sher aaya (look, who's come; Gujarat's tiger has come)." At Mumbai's Kamgar Stadium, during rally after executive meeting, the cadres tweaked it to: "Dekho, dekho kaun aaya, Hindustan ka sher aaya." None of the other speakers, who included chief ministers, evoked this kind of enthusiasm. If the sulkers and sceptics in the BJP needed any proof that the party's foot soldiers see the Gujarat chief minister as their supreme leader, this should have sufficed. Party sources said Modi's rise at the national

level - a first for a BJP chief minister had changed the internal equations. It marks the end of the VajpayeeAdvani era. L.K. Advani's absence from the rally, attributed to a recent illness, had a political subtext. So, too, did Sushma Swaraj's decision to stay away. Lok Sabha Opposition leader, who fancied herself as a leader in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee mould primarily because of her gift of the gab, had skipped the meeting to make a larger point. She is not going to be able to reconcile herself to Modi's presence as a national leader on a par with her. Sushma's Rajya Sabha counterpart, Arun Jaitley, is the only member of Advani's original team who is close to Modi (although insiders say their relations have not always been smooth) and is expected to find a position of significance in the evolving matrix. Those like Murli Manohar Joshi, Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha - who were one rung below Advani and Vajpayee in the hierarchy -are lying low. Sinha did not show up at the national executive. Joshi appeared once before the media to speak on the rupee's slide against the dollar but a younger leader said the veteran's economics "made no sense" to him in a globally integrated world order. The one leader who has been quick to adapt is party chief Nitin Gadkari, who used to be upset at Modi's slights in the past. Sources said that once his RSS mentors decided that Modi was the best bet to galvanise the cadres, Gadkari quickly swallowed his pride and accepted his leadership.
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The report has quoted some email communications of Sanjiv Bhatt that clearly make a point that Bhatt had attempted to influence Amicas Curiae through NGOs and other pressure groups.

SIT report uncovers the murky world of anti-Modi nexus


Dialogue India

n its closure report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has clearly expressed an opinion that "certain vested interests including Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, different NGOs, and some political leaders were trying to use honorable Supreme Court/SIT as a forum for settling their scores". The SIT has in its report noted that "Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had been colluding with the persons with vested interests to see that some kind of charge-sheet is filed against Shri Narendra Modi and others." The report has quoted some email communications of Sanjiv Bhatt that clearly make a point that Bhatt had attempted to influence Amicas Curiae through NGOs, media campaign and pressure groups. The SIT in it report says: Government of Gujarat vide its letter dated 22-6-2011 forwarded a set of

emails exchanged between Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, DIG, Gujarat Police and certain individuals during April and May 2011. It was mentioned in the above letter that during the course of an inquiry instituted against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, IPS by DG (Civil Defense), Gujarat regarding misuse of official resources, some revelations have been made having direct bearing on the cases being monitored by SIT. The material forwarded by Govt. of Gujarat has been scrutinized and the salient features of the same are summarized as below: (1) That top Congress leaders of Gujarat namely Shri Shaktisinh Gohil, Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Legislative Assembly and Shri Arjun Modhwadia, President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee are in constant touch with Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, DIG. They are providing him 'packages', certain materials and also legal assistance. Further, on 28-04-2011

Shri Sanjiv Bhatt exchanged mails with Shri Shaktisinh Gohil and the former gave point for arguments in honorable Supreme Court matter, allegations to be made against the members of SIT and to establish that the burning of a coach of a Sabarmati Express at Godhra railway station was not a conspiracy. From the emails, it appears that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt was holding personal meetings with senior mentions that he was 'under exploited' by the lawyer representing Congress before Nanavati Commission of inquiry. 2. That Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had been persuading various NGOs and other interested groups to influence the Ld. Amicus Curiae and the honorable Supreme Court of India by using 'media card' and 'pressure groups'. 3. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had been exchanging emails with one Nasir Chippa and in the email dated 11-52011 Shri Bhatt has stated that he

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Gujrat

(Nasir Chipa) should try to mobilize support/pressure-groups in Delhi to influence Ld. Amicus Curiae Shri Raju Ramchandran in a very subtle manner. In another email dated 18-5-2011, Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had requested Shri Nasir Chippa to influence Home Minister Shri P.Chidambaram through pressure groups in U.S. It is believed that Shri Nasir Chippa has strong U.S. connections and his family stays there. 4. That Shri Sanjiv Bhatt arranged an appeal from Shri M.Hassan Jowher, who runs a so called NGO titled SPRAT(Society for Promoting Rationality) to Amicus Curiae on 13-52011, to call Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, IPS, Shri Rajnish Rai, IPS, Shri Satish Verma, IPS, Shri Kuldeep Sharma, IPS and Shri Rahul Sharma, IPS (all police officers of Gujarat) to tender their version of the Gujarat story. It may be mentioned here that the draft for the said appeal was sent by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt himself to Shri

another complaint may be filed with the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad city against Shri Narendra Modi and others for his alleged involvement in 2002 riots which would be taken to appropriate judicial forums in due course. 6.That Ms. Teesta Setalwad, her lawyer Shri Mihir Desai and Journalist Shri Manoj Mitta of Times of India were in constant touch with Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, IPS and were instrumental in arranging / drafting of the affidavit for filing the same in honorable Supreme court. Vide email dated 10-4-2011, Shri Bhatt solicited "Co-ordinates" from Ms. Teesta Setalwad, who had also arranged for a meeting with her lawyer Shri Mihir Desai at Ellis bridge Gymkhana, Ahmedabad. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt sent the first draft of his proposed affidavit to Shri Manoj Mitta on 13-4-2011, after

He has further stated in the mail that he was hopeful that things would start turning around from the next hearing.
Jowher, Further, a copy of this mail was circulated by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt to Ms. Shabnam Hashmi, Ms. Teesta Setalwad, Shri Himanshu Thakker, journalist, Shri Leo Saldana, journalist and Shri Nasir Chippa to encourage the prominent persons/organizations to write to Amicus Curiae on the similar lines so as to pressurize him. 5. In emails exchanged on June 1, 2011 between Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and Shri M.H.Jowher, it was proposed that a PIL may be field through a lawyer named Shri K.Vakharia( a senior advocate and chairman of legal cell of Congress party in Gujarat) in the Gujarat High Court for providing security to Shri Sanjiv Bhatt. It was also proposed that meeting Shri Mihir Desai, Advocate and invited his suggestions. Shri Manoj Mitta advised Shri Sanjiv Bhatt to incorporate a few more paragraphs drafted by him which were incorporated by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt in his final affidavit sent to honorable Supreme Court of India as suggested by Shri Mitta. 7. That Shri Sanjiv Bhatt was instrumental in arranging an affidavit of one Shri Shubhranshu Chaudhary, a journalist, to corroborate his claim that he had gone to attend a meeting called by the Chief Minister at his residence in the night of 27-2-2002. Significantly, Shri Bhatt had sent his mobile phone details of 27-2-2002 to Shri

Shubhranshu Chaudhary and had also suggested that probable timings of his meeting to Shri Shubhranshu Chaudhary on 15-5-2011. Simultaneously, these details were sent to Ms. Teesta Setalwad on 16-5-2011, for drafting the document, presumably the affidavit to be filed by Shri Shubhranshu Chaudhary. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt sent an email to Shri Shubhranshu Chaudhary that the said affidavit could be leaked out to the print media which would force the Amicus Curiae and honorable Supreme Court to take notice of the same. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt also sent another email to Shri Shubhranshu Chaudhary, in which he has stated that they should play the 'media trick' so that affidavit is taken seriously by Amicus Curiae and the honorable Supreme Court. 8. That Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had been exchanging emails with one Leo Saldana, a Narmada Bachao Andolan activist, with a view to mobilize public opinion in their favor. On 1-5-2011, Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had sent an email to the latter to the effect that what they needed to do at this stage was to create a situation, where it would be difficult for three judges Supreme Court bench to disregard the 'shortcomings of SIT under stewardship of Mr. Raghavan' and that the pressure groups and opinion makers in Delhi could be of great help in forwarding the cause. He has further stated in the mail that he was hopeful that things would start turning around from the next hearing, if proper pressure was maintained at national level. From the study of emails, it appears that certain vested interests including Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, different NGOs, and some political leaders were trying to use honorable Supreme Court/SIT as a forum for settling their scores. This would also go to show that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt had been colluding with the persons with vested interests to see that some kind of charge-sheet is filed against Shri Narendra Modi and others.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 33

Economy

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

Is the ECONOMY drifting towards a CRISIS?


Sarika Agrawal

the income and expenditure of the government and the country's receipts and payments of foreign exchange. Fiscal deficit in 2011-12 climbed to 5.9 percent, about a half of the increase in deficit having been caused by inflating petroleum subsidies. International oil prices had shot up but administered domestic petroleum prices were static. The government could not pass on the additional cost

tandard & Poor's India outlook downgrade was expected. What is disturbing - the government managed to do that in less than two years. It was in March 2010 that India was upgraded to 'stable' - and now it's down to 'negative'. It was not because the government took a wrong step but because it did not take any step at all. And if this continues, the economy will be confronted with a crisis. Ratings agencies are not taken seriously, more so by governments. Surely, ratings are not a precise science; it is more a matter of judgment. But no one likes being downgraded even when it is deserved. Last year when the U.S. was downgraded from AAA to AA-plus, U.S. officials called the assessment 'hasty'. In 2010, the Indian economy was growing at 8.4 percent. That growth also helped the exchequer to mop up more tax revenue and bring the fiscal deficit down to 4.7 percent, with public debt at 62.4 percent of GDP. The balance of payments was sound with current ratio at 2.9 percent which was fully covered by foreign investment and external commercial borrowings, leaving a surplus for the RBI to pile up foreign exchange reserves. That excitement ended abruptly. By the last quarter of 2011, growth slumped to 6.1 percent. That was accompanied by a serious imbalance in

Ratings agencies are not taken seriously, more so by governments. Surely, ratings are not a precise science; it is more a matter of judgment. But no one likes being downgraded even when it is deserved. Last year U.S. was downgraded from AAA to AA-plus.

through higher prices to the consumer because it was resisted by political partners in the coalition government. Possibly, the government would have increased prices had the UPA come out stronger in the Uttar Pradesh elections. But the results made the Congress lose political ground and the TMC could oppose with greater vehemence the suggested deregulation of diesel prices. The government consequently has to borrow 685 billion rupees to help people buy petrol and diesel cheap. The greater threat, however, comes from balance of payments. Trade is hopelessly imbalanced with a $185 billion deficit in 2010-11, the highest so far which pushed the current

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Economy

account deficit to 4 percent, one percent above the danger mark. The rupee has depreciated, FII investment is on hold and short-term debt is high. Chances are that as in 2012, the RBI will have to draw down reserves signaling erosion in creditworthiness and outflow of investment. S&P cannot be blamed if it reminds us that the economy is precariously poised. The government and the RBI know that well. But managing the economy is now more about managing the coalition. That is difficult because the different partners are not on the same wavelength. But keeping the partners amused, as has been done so far, will only invite a crisis. Fitch Ratings-London-29 February 2012: Slowing economic growth in India, reflected by today's Q411 GDP

The drop to a year-ono year GDP growth rate of 6.1%, from 6.9% in the third quarter, is not a dramatic surprise.
figures, is in line with our expectation of a cyclical downturn, partly driven by the authorities' moves to cool the economy, Fitch Ratings says. Although India's monetary authorities have scope to ease policy to counter the downturn, fiscal policy is likely to remain restrained due to the government's fiscal consolidation goals. The drop to a year-on-year GDP growth rate of 6.1%, from 6.9% in the third quarter, is not a dramatic surprise. Coupled with the recent downturn in inflation, it suggests that the Indian economy has moved past the overheating stage. Domestic demand appears to have stabilised, with private consumption expenditure rising 6.2% year on year in Q411, up from 2.9% in Q311. This could be a signal that the economy is hitting a trough. Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao has said that rising fiscal deficit and short-term debt levels are "quite disturbing" but the nation is not facing a repeat of a 1991 balance of payment crisis. While the 1991 crisis was triggered by high oil prices almost drying foreign reserves and currency crash, large fiscal deficit and current account deficit are lead indicators of stress building up in the system again, he said at a panel discussion on India's economic reforms and development here last evening. With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh listening, Subbarao said fiscal deficit in 1991 was 7 per cent and it is ruling at 5.9 per cent in 2012. The current account deficit at 3.6 per cent is higher than 1991 figure and shortterm debt at 23.3 per cent of GDP in 2012 is much more than 10.2 per cent in 1991. Is the Indian growth story over? It is a question repeatedly being asked both in the print and electronic media.What has gone wrong ?After all only less then a year ago India was considered to be a success story and its rate of growth was heralded as very good . It was almost touching 9%. Today it is revised down to 6.9% and everyone is sounding pessimistic. India is considered to be a solid member of the emerging nations block known as BRICS consisting of Brazil,Russia, India,China and South Africa.In fact BRICS nations represented by their topmost leaders held a meeting in New Delhi in March, 2012.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 35

Corruption

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

S Gurumurthy

ith each passing year of the United Progressive Alliance rule, scams are rising in numbers and in the sums looted. According to one compilation, there were seven scams in 2008, nine in 2009, 14 in 2010, 23 in 2011 and 22 so far in 2012. The Indian political landscape had seen scams earlier, but now the scams seem unending, their rapidity unbelievable and monies plundered unprecedented. No one disputes that the coalition headed by Sonia Gandhi, once hailed as a saint, and the government led by Manmohan Singh, once regarded as honest, are the most corrupt ever. The

Vilasrao Deshmukh, he is facing a CBI probe in the Adarsh housing fraud. Two former Congress chief ministers are under police lens in the Goa mining case. B S Yeddyurappa, former BJP chief minister in Karnataka, lost his office and is facing criminal charges. Bangaru Laxman, a former BJP president, has been convicted for accepting `1 lakh in a sting operation. The Marans and many more are in the queue. The hope of the corrupt now seems to rest on clever lawyers and crucial retirements in judiciary! A huge fall indeed. A principal reason for this precipitous fall is the paradigm shift in the political, and even intellectual, class from being shy to becoming

witness box where they would be questioned. Take a telling case of this type. Schweizer Illustrierte, a popular Swiss magazine, unrelated to politics in India, had reported in 1991 that Rajiv Gandhi had $2.5 billion in secret Swiss bank accounts. It would have now grown to over $10 billion at US treasury rates. Later, Russian journalist Yevgenia Albats, in her research book on the Russian spy agency KGB, uncovered documents that showed that the Gandhi family was receiving, with 'gratitude', payoffs from the KGB. These reports have been cited in news items and in columns repeatedly in 1988, 1992, 2002, 2006, 2009 (twice) 2010, and 2011 in The Hindu, Times

Is Kalki the only hope?


An active and insistent judiciary uncovered some major scams. It has, at least temporarily, disabled the political power that was harbouring, at times even honouring, the corrupt.
saint-honest duo has produced some 80 big and small scams, involving over `19 lakh-crore! Adding the amount of black money of India said to be stashed abroad, the scams equal half of nation's GDP in 2011-'12. An active and insistent judiciary uncovered some major scams. It has, at least temporarily, disabled the political power that was harbouring, at times even honouring, the corrupt. It forced the telecom minister to quit, and he was sent to jail. A Congress MP, caught in the CWG scam, had to spend a full summer and winter in jail. A Congress chief minister in Maharashtra, Ashok Chavan, had to resign and with his predecessor, shameless. Even a decade earlier, a higher rule of public morality operated on the political class. A political leader accused of bribery or immorality would defend his honour invariably by resigning or suing or volunteering to face the probe. That political class was shy of its integrity being questioned. Today's political class has become shameless. Now when their integrity is questioned, politicians remain silent or brazenly ask for the case to be proved against them in a court of law. However, the government, which has to probe and prove the case in court, is under their control. They refuse to sue the accuser as suing would land them in the of India, Statesman, India Today, and repeatedly in The New Indian Express. Yet, the Sonia Gandhi family and the ruling party have been maintaining an intriguing silence on these serious exposes. They did not dare sue the newspapers or the writers. A few weeks back, 'Business Insider', a fairly well regarded e-magazine based in US, had listed 23 world's richest politicians. Sonia Gandhi, with her wealth estimated at between $4-19 billion, stood fourth in the honour list. Only the Saudi king, Sultan of Brunei, and Michael Bloomberg (New York mayor) were above her in the list. Again the Gandhi family and the ruling party are deafeningly silent on this report. Should they not sue them if the reports were false? Intriguing, isn't it? The government is helpless, understandably. Why is the opposition too silent? More intriguing, isn't it? A minister in Rajasthan got a young woman he was close to murdered and disposed off the body. A Congress

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Corruption

party spokesman, a senior lawyer, was caught on video in a compromising position with a woman lawyer seeking his influence to become a judge. She might well have become one had his driver, angry with him on other counts, not circulated the video. This brings us to judges. The law of contempt once prevented exposing judicial corruption but not any more. K G Balakrishnan, former chief justice of India now heading the human rights commission, stands accused of bribery. His three relatives, including son-in-law, are found to have huge amounts of black money. Justice P D Dinakaran, a chief justice of high court - accused of bribery and land grabbing - had to resign in disgrace. But, the judiciary still looks only outwards. The media, glorified as the fourth estate, stands charged with selling its news space - cash for news. Yet, it still only pontificates. The ruling party has been charged with buying votes in Parliament - cash for votes.

bad. Thieves will lead the country. Rulers, greedy and cruel, will degenerate into brigands and plunderers. Business will be tantamount to practising fraud. Cheats will take to trade and business and introduce dishonest practices. Poverty will be regarded as sufficient proof of guilt in courts. Ostentatious show will be the hallmark of character. A Srimad Bhagawatham, compiled some master of 1,200 years ago, tellingly describes the (abusive) vocabulary will ongoing Kali Yuga, the Age of Darkness. be considered a scholar. Moral for hope towards an Anna Hazare. But values will be observed solely for with Anna too failing, where would popularity, not by conviction." It goes they look for hope? on and on. Is it not a running Srimad Bhagawatham, a great epic, commentary of the nation today? The compiled some 1,200 years ago, text predicts more decline. It says that tellingly describes the ongoing Kali when the decline is total, the Lord will Yuga, the Age of Darkness. It says: be born as Kalki to destroy the evil "In Kali Yuga, wealth, not virtuous and revive values. So Kalki seems to conduct, will determine a man's worth. offer the ultimate hope to the Might will decide what is good and hapless people.

Still it rules and loots. Rich men are increasingly and shamelessly ostentatious. A Mukesh Ambani has built a house at over a billion dollars. Still the media celebrates him. There is shamelessness all around. The ordinary people, however, still feel shy to do things wrong. So they looked beyond politics, Parliament, and court

Controversy

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

Medha Patkar & Naxalism INTER-LINKAGES?


Vinoba Bhave and Jayprakash Narain raised the issue of rural disparity and even politicians like Charan Singh and Babu Jagjivan Ram brought to fore the issue of rural development. But, they did not pull the trigger of a gun nor kidnap a Government official.
38 DIALOGUEINDIA
June, 2012 VK Saxena

veryone who argued that the naxal movement in India is an agrarian movement, born out of the rural disparities and denied development have to get his head flushed with fresh blood. There have been many agrarian movements in India that have achieved and led to rural development. Vinoba Bhave and Jayprakash Narain raised the issue of rural disparity and even politicians like Charan Singh and Babu Jagjivan Ram brought to fore the issue of rural development. They all had their contributions - big and small to the development of rural India and to the status of down-trodden. They did not

pull the trigger of a gun nor kidnap a Government official responsible in a line department for development, to demonstrate their ideology or achieve their goals. But the naxal movement has had strange attributes. It made us all believe that the movement is a reflection of rural and agrarian frustration about lack of development. If it was so, shouldn't they be receptive to the past 20 years of programmes and progress in their heartland by the moderate rulers of elected Governments? Why would they kidnap a collector of 'dalit' background who was known for his orientation to development and good deeds? Why would they kidnap an

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Controversy

MLA who himself was a tribal and won the election with a thumping margin of 92000 votes from the tribal heartland? Why would they ambush police parties and the officials entering remote areas on duty to implement developmental schemes? Why would they stop people from reaching electoral booths and vote for a change? Why would they destroy schools and occupy school buildings and terrorize those who want a decent and modest education? Why would they kidnap tour operators and businessmen whose activities could lead to the development of the region? Why would they kill, plant bombs, rampage and destroy lives, infrastructure and property and spread fear and chaos? In a recent television debate on NDTV Mr. Jay Panda, Rajya Sabha member from Orrisa informed that government has constructed roads,school buildings,primary health centers and the electric connections in the remote areas of naxal heartland, as a part of development in those areas, which were earlier cut off from the main heartland. A naxal sympathiser/ideologue also participating in the debate, admitted these fact but could not answer why naxals were destroying these infrastructure, which the government has created for their own benefit. What do naxals/maoists really want? Is their agrarian and development ideologies are just facades behind which the ugly and violent face of terrorism exists? Are they just another type of underworld terrorists? There is yet another social brigade which some 8-10 years back operated in a similar fashion in Narmada Vally. Spearheaded by popular personalities like Medha Patkar, ..... etc., this brigade did not lie covered and underground. It operated right royally in the middle of our society and lived in the glory of media and visibility. It propagated a myth that the dalits and Project

What do naxals /maoists really want? Is their agrarian and development ideologies are just facades behind which the ugly and violent face of terrorism exists?
affected people (PAP) were to be emancipated with development. But when the development came to their door-steps, this brigade of over-world terrorists took to the streets, scuttled the projects, lobbied on international platforms against the country, painted a wrong picture of suffering and stood its ground to oppose everything that could be related to progress.They too had in a similar fashion, like naxals, destroyed schools,seed godowns,health center buildings etc constructed by the government for PAPs and even indulged in large scale violence to prevent the government officials from doing necessary surveys in the affected villages for their proper

rehabilitation. When rural people affected by developmental programmes were given compensation, this brigade stood in between and terrorized the beneficiaries from accepting any relief. It separated rural masses from the progress and existed gloriously in the world press. What do these pseudo-socialists really want? Is their ideology of social justice just a facade behind which their wily intentions and acts of sedition hide? Are they just over-world terrorists? One group operates from the jungles in the cover of nights and destroys development in the name of naxalism. The other group operates from villages, towns and cities in the light of the day and decimates development. One lies underground while the other exists over-ground. Similarity of approach and actions between these two groups in opposing much desired development requires a thorough investigation to find out their inter-linkages, if any. It is time that the society recognized these evil faces for their true worth.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 39

Controversy

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

Krishnaraj Rao

ndia's watchdogs SEBI, RBI, IRDA and Ministry of Corporate Affairs more-or-less proclaimed Subrata Roy Sahara an economic offender last year, but our cricketers continue to wear the tri-coloured Sahara India brand on their chest. Scary, isn't it? Players worldwide have their country's name emblazoned on their uniform, but our boys in blue bear the name of a conglomerate of barely-legal companies, partnership firms and HUFs - one which has milked about 5 crore financially illiterate investors of Rs 73,000 crore. Between April 2008 and 2011 alone, Sahara India collected about Rs 30,000 crore by a dubious process - single-handedly mopping up more than all of India's corporate sector! The only reason that Subrata Roy Sahara and his henchmen are not yet in CBI custody is that nobody has actually registered a criminal complaint against them, despite abundant prima facie evidence! On 8 April 2012, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and

India's Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar inaugurated Maharashtra Cricket Association's international cricket stadium in Pune, named Subrata Roy Sahara stadium. At the grand opening ceremony, Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta and other actresses performed live dances, and Amitabh Bachchan added his highly respected voice. Reassured by the sheer visibility of the Sahara India brand, thousands of people in UP and Bihar may even today handing over their money to the company's touts who give them verbal assurances and pieces of paper with no legal backing. "Saharasri" Subrata Roy Sahara, the self proclaimed guardian of the "world's biggest family", preaches a new-age religion called Collective Materialism. Sahara India's powerpoint presentation is a proclamation of this superstitious philosophy that throws accounting norms and corporate governance to the winds. It boasts, "In the last 33 years, not even a single dividend has been declared by the group and not even a single rupee has been shared from the profit by

The Financial Godman Supported by India


Sahara's powerpoint presentation is a proclamation of this superstitious philosophy that throws accounting norms and corporate governance to the winds.
40 DIALOGUEINDIA
June, 2012

anybody." The same slide claims that 40% (of what? Gross profit? Profit after tax? And of which year exactly?) goestowards "Welfare of Kartavya Yogis" (presumably meaning employees salaries and agents' commissions) and 25% towards "Social Development Activities". "Social Development Activities" presumably includes Sahara India's Rs 100-crore-per- year sponsorship of the Indian cricket team -- or should we say, BCCI's private cricket team? Because

the government and people of India have no control over BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), which is essentially a private body. BCCI uses government-owned stadiums across the country at a nominal annual rent, but it is a "private club consortium" that is not answerable under Right to Information. Bound by BCCI's secret contracts with Sahara India, our cricketing heroes are willy-nilly forced to be this godman's hoardings. It is worth noting that the name

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Controversy

'Sahara India Pariwar' is engineered to sound like a government scheme for providing shelter for India - a bit like, say, Indira Awas Yojana. Sahara India Pariwar is projected as a supersized Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), which is non-commercial in nature, plays cricket and wins glory and money together in a fantasy world where "all Indians are my brothers and sisters, including Sachin Tendulkar". At a time when armed insurgency and terrorism threatens this country from all directions, it is especially urgent to penetrate the patriotic smoke-screen and track down the massive cash-flows. Because very little of these cash-flows seem to be going into any genuine manufacturing and services sector. One rarely meets anybody who uses a single product or service produced by this massive super-brand -- with the exception of people who watch Sahara

Samay News, or flew Sahara Airlines many years back. Between April 25, 2008 and April 13, 2011, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) collected Rs. 19400,86,64, 200 (nineteen thousand four hundred crores, eighty six lacs, sixty four thousand and two hundred) by floating various kinds of bonds or debentures in an open-ended scheme without proper approvals, institutional safeguards for investors or market listing. As on August 31, 2011, the company had a total collection of Rs. 17656,53,22, 500 (seventeen thousand six hundred and fifty six crores, fifty three lacs, twenty two thousand and five hundred) after meeting the demand for premature redemption. This amount was collected from 2,21,07,271 (two crores twenty one lacs seven thousand two hundred and seventy one) investors.

And what is the financial strength of this company that mopped up over Rs 17,656 crore? It's issued, subscribed and PAID-UP CAPITAL IS RS 10 LAKHS i.e. one lakh equity shares of Rs 10 each. It is an UNLISTED COMPANY i.e. its shares are not listed on any stock exchange. Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (1, Kapoorthala Complex, Aliganj, Lucknow) was originally incorporated as Sahara India "C" Junxion Corporation Limited on October 28, 2005 as a public limited company under the Companies Act and it changed its name to the present one on March 7, 2008. As per the Balance Sheet of the company as on December 31, 2007, its cash and BANK BALANCES WERE RS. 6,71,882 AND ITS NET CURRENT ASSETS WERE WORTH RS. 6,54,660 ONLY. IT HAD NO FIXED ASSETS NOR ANY INVESTMENTS AS ON THAT DATE. IT'S OPERATIONAL AND OTHER EXPENSES FOR THE THREE QUARTERS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007 WERE RS. 9,292 AND THE LOSS CARRIED FORWARD TO BALANCE SHEET AS ON THAT DATE WAS RS. 3,28,345. This company has three directors, namely, Vandana Bharrgava, Ravi Shankar Dubey and Ashok Roy Choudhary, all appointed in JanuaryFebruary 2008. THESE DIRECTORS DO NOT DRAW ANY REMUNERATION FROM THE COMPANY NOR DO THEY HOLD ANY SHARE CAPITAL. The three directors who were on the board of directors at the time of incorporation resigned from directorship when the present directors were appointed. Subrata Roy Sahara, the chief promoter of the company and beneficiary of the scam, stayed at arms length from the entire venture. Needless to say, SIRECL was nowhere near fulfilling the eligibility norms of a company making a public issue. To become eligible for making a
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 41

Controversy

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

public issue, an unlisted issuer should have net tangible assets of at least Rs. 3 crore in each of the preceding three full years, distributable profits in at least three of the immediately preceding five years, net worth of at least Rs. 1 crore in each of the preceding three full years. Further, issue size should not exceed 5 times the pre-issue net worth as per the audited balance sheet of the last financial year etc. If the issuer is unable to comply with any of these conditions, it can make a public issue, provided if at least 50% of the issue is allotted to the Qualified Institutional Buyers or if project is appraised and participated to the extent of 15% by Financial Institutions or Scheduled Commercial Banks. Additionally, the promoters should contribute not less than 20% of the post issue capital, which should be locked in for a period of 3 years. If you google for "Watch Out Investors", you find a website sponsored by Ministry of Corporate Affairs' Investor Education and Protection Fund. This website is a treasure of data about companies and individuals indicted by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and other regulators. SUBRATA ROY SAHARA AND 16 SAHARA INDIA COMPANIES ARE AMONG THE INDICTED ENTITIES on this page: http://www.watchout investors. com/compindex. asp?findword= S The data is contained in 4-5 documents: 1. RESERVE BANK ORDER DATED 17 JUNE 2008 against Sahara India Financial Corporation Ltd (SIFCL): http://tinyurl. com/RBIJune- 2008-Order- SIFCL Highlights: As early as 2008, Reserve Bank of India had noted wrongdoings in Sahara India entities. On 17 June 2008, RBI ordered SIFCL not to accept any new deposits that mature beyond 30 June 2011. It directed SIFCL to reduce its liability in a phased way, so that its liability did not exceed Rs 15,000 cr on 30 June 2009, Rs 12,600 cr on 30

June 2010 and Rs 9,000 cr on 30 June 2011. Also, SIFCL was directed not to treat any non-payment of installments as a default, and to continue to pay the agreed rate of interest on the actual amount held by it as if there was no default. SIFCL moved Lucknow High Court and later, Supreme Court, for a stay on RBI's order, RBI's order aimed at protecting the interest of investors was upheld. 1. SEBI ORDER DATED DATED 24 NOVEMBER 2010 against Sahara Prime City Limited: http://tinyurl. com/SEBINov-2010SaharaPrimeCity Highlights: SEBI received various

for OFCDs, number of applications and subscription amount received for OFCDs, date of opening and closing of the subscription list for the OFCDs, number and list of allotees for the OFCDs and the number of OFCDs allotted and value of such allotment against each allotees name, date of allotment of OFCDs, copies of the minutes of Board/committee meeting in which the resolution has been passed for allotment, copies of the Annual Reports filed with Registrar of Companies for the immediately preceding two financial years, and date of dispatch of debenture certificate etc. In the words of Dr K M Abraham, Whole Time Member of SEBI As early as 2008, Reserve Bank of who signed the order, "it is rather India had noted wrongdoings in perplexing that the Sahara India entities. RBI ordered companies having SIFCL not to accept any new deposits. mobilized money through the OFCDs, could not provide complaints in respect of the disclosures even the basic details pertaining to its made in the Draft Red Herring issue or investors. It is the contention Prospectus (DRHP) of Sahara Prime that the OFCDs were issued by way of City Limited. It was alleged that a private placement to friends, associates, housing companies in Sahara Group, group companies, workers/employees Sahara India Real Estate Corporation and other individuals who are Limited (SIRECL) was issuing associated/ affiliated or connected in convertible bonds to the public any manner with Sahara India Group of throughout the country for many Companies." months and this was not disclosed in The SEBI order restrained SIRECL the aforesaid DRHP. It was noticed that and SHICL from mobilizing funds the Optionally Fully Convertible under the Red Herring Prospectus Debentures (OFCDs) or bonds had dated March 13, 2008 and October 6, varying face values from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2009, respectively, filed with the 24,000, and maturity periods varying concerned Registrar of Companies, and from 48 to 180 Months, redemption directed them not to offer their equity values and conversion options. Despite shares/OFCDs or any other securities repeated notices from SEBI, Sahara to the public and invite subscription, in India steadfastly avoided disclosing any manner whatsoever, either directly essential information such as copies of or indirectly till further directions. The the application forms, Red-Herring same prohibitions also apply to the Prospectus, pamphlets, advertisements promoters and directors of these and other promotional materials companies, namely, Subrata Roy Sahara, circulated for issuance of OFCDs, Vandana Bharrgava, Ravi Shankar details regarding number of application Dubey and Ashok Roy Choudhary. forms circulated inviting subscription 1. (a) SEBI ORDER DATED 23

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Controversy

JUNE 2011 against Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd or SIRECL (now called Sahara Commodity Services Corporation) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL): http://tinyurl. com/SEBI- June-2011SIRECL-SHICL Highlights: SIRECL issued three types of bonds, viz Abode Bond, Real Estate Bond and Nirmaan with different values, different terms and redemption periods, and with the option of conversion into equity shares of Rs 10 at varying premium on completion of a certain term period. The bond holder can also transfer the bonds to any other person, subject to the terms and conditions and approval of the company. SHICL also issued three types of bonds, namely Multiple Bond, Income Bond and Housing Bond with various options for premature redemption. SHICL opened the issue in 2008 and had not closed the issue till the date of the order. SIRECL opened the issue in 2009 and it too had admittedly not closed the issue. Sahara India Commercial Corporation Limited, a company related to SHICL and SIRECL too had kept an issue for an overall size of Rs 17250 cr. open for ten years. "Can an issuer file an Information Memorandum, open the issue and keep the same open for indefinitely? In fact, does it mean that an issuer need not even close the issue and can keep it open perpetually?" asked Dr K M Abraham, SEBI's Whole Time Member. The Directions were: (i) The two Companies, Sahara Commodity Services Corporation Limited (earlier known as SIRECL) and SHICL and its promoter, Subrata Roy Sahara, and the directors of the said companies, namely, Vandana Bhargava, Ravi Shankar Dubey and Ashok Roy Choudhary, jointly and severally, shall forthwith refund the money collected by the aforesaid companies through the Red HerringProspectus dated March 13, 2008 and October 6, 2009, to the

subscribers of OFCDs with interest of 15% per annum from the date of receipt till the date of repayment. (ii) Such repayment shall be only in cash through Demand Draft or Pay Order. (iii) Sahara Commodity Services Corporation Ltd and SHICL shall issue public notice, in all editions of two National Dailies -- one English and one Hindi -- with wide circulation, detailing the modalities for refund, including details on contact persons including names, addresses and contact details, within fifteen days of this Order coming into effect. (iv) Sahara Commodity Services Corporation Ltd and SHICL are restrained from

accessing the securities market for raising funds. (v) SUBRATA ROY SAHARA, VANDANA BHARGAVA, RAVI SHANKAR DUBEY AND ASHOK ROY CHOUDHARY ARE RESTRAINED FROM ASSOCIATING THEMSELVES, WITH ANY LISTED PUBLIC COMPANY AND ANY PUBLIC COMPANY WHICH INTENDS TO RAISE MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC, till such time the above payments are made to the satisfaction of SEBI. (b) These directions are summarized in SEBI'S PRESS RELEASE dated 23 June 2011: http://tinyurl. com/SEBIJune-2011- Press-Release 1. SECURITIES APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (SAT) ORDER DATED

18 OCTOBER 2011 is lucidly reasoned, and clearly sets out the merits of the earlier SEBI orders, as well as the laudable initiative taken by SEBI's Whole-Time Member Dr K M Abraham to cross-check the addresslists of investors provided, as well as debunk the dubious arguments of Sahara Group: http://tinyurl. com/SAT-Oct- 2011-SIRECL- SHICL 1. IRDA ORDER DATED 27 FEBRUARY 2012 against Sahara Life Insurance Co Ltd indicates much that is wrong with all Sahara Group companies, such as freely using the stationery, officials and money of group companies and throwing fiscal discipline to the winds: http://tinyurl. com/IRDAFeb-2012SaharaInsurance These reports by various regulatory authorities point out that Sahara India is a nest of economic offences being committed in an ongoing way, channeling massive money flows between various entities and individuals without checks and balances. Sample verifications of individual investors in Mumbai carried out by SEBI personnel suggest that roughly 50% of the crores of people shows as the company's investors exist only in books, but not in reality. This gives clear prima facie evidence of massive fund flows from (and to) unnamed investors, tax-haven countries, overseas crime rings, drug mafias, arms traffickers and, last but not least, corrupt politicians. This is not just another scam that will run its course, this is more likely to be a hand that is nurturing Maoist insurgents and jihadi terror groups, camouflaged in the patriotic colours of the Indian flag. Sahara India is not just a harmless oddity to be tolerated with a smile; it is a wolf in sheep's clothing. By remaining complacent despite the mounting body of evidence, each and every government of this country is committing an act of grave criminal negligence.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 43

Project Vijay

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Tortoise walk in filling up the Backlogs


Mahendra Pratap Singh

roject Vijay is a youth centered social organisation registered under the Society Act. Project Vijay officials deeply studied about the present status of the teaching staff (Professor, Associate Professor, Reader, Lecturer & others) in the Central Universities of India. They even talked with the teaching staff of the different central universities, thereafter got the factual data under RTI Act 2005 regarding the same from different universities and UGC. The position /condition of SCs, STs or OBCs Professors, Associate Professors, Readers and Assistant Professors that was received in replies to these queries are quite surprising and deplorable. As per the data received there from is that even 1.26% (Approx) post of Professor under SC/ST category is not filled in these Central Universities so far. Information provided by UGC under RTI Act 2005, Reference No. F.25-23/2009(CU) dated 01.07.2010 total existing teaching strength of 24 Universities as on 31.03.2009 indicating the no. of positions filled up against SC,ST, OBC and PH quota. (see chart1) Next the information Provided by
Name of The Post TEACHING Professor Reader SL/SG Lecturer Other Total Sanctioned Post 1864 3533 6688 649 12734

UGC under RTI Act 2005, Reference No. F. No. 8-27/2011 (SCT) dated 01.12.2011 Category-wise positions of total no. of Teaching Posts of 24 Universities: 2010-2011. (see chart-2) It appears as if the central universities are reluctant to fill up these vacant posts as is very much evident from the above data of 24 Universities that in the year 2009 there were 14 Professors (Vide letter no. F.2523/2009 (CU) dated 01.07.2010) which increased to only 24 Professors in 2011 (Vide letter no. F.No. 8-27/2011 (SCT) dated 01.12.2011) as provided by UGC. Sir, Indian Constitution was adopted in Jan 1950. From that very time participation of SC/ST was ensured according to the various Constitutional provisions as is evident in the Constitution of India page 50 Article 16(4)(b), according to which there are provisions of reservation in promotion also. The UPA Govt. formed in 2004 also promised in its Common Minimum Programme that special recruitment drive shall be done to fill up the vacant posts of SCs/STs/OBCs, in the compliance of which Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pension, Govt. of India has issued these no. of notifications:
No. of Positions ST OBC PWD 11 6 4 23 12 5 24 4 0 223 81 32 8 1 0 289 104 41

Existing Strength 1977 2568 647 2642 567 8401

F .

SC 14 38 34 372 12 470

Chart-1
44 DIALOGUEINDIA
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No.

36038/1/2008-Estt (Res) Date: 19.11.2008 Subject: Special Recruitment Drive for filling up the backlog reserved vacancies of SCs, STs and OBCs. OM No. 36011/6/2010-Estt (Res) Dated 25.06.2010 Subject: Issue of instructions on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in services under the Government of India OM No. 36038/1/2008-Estt-Estt (Res) Dated 30.12.2010 Subject: Special Recruitment Drive for filling up backlog reserved vacancies for SCs, STs and OBCs DO No. 36038/1/2008-Estt (Res) Dated 10.06.2011 OM No. 36038/1/2008 Estt (Res) Dated 26.07.2011 Subject: Re-launch of Special Recruitment Drive for filling up backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. OM No. 36027/1/2012 Estt. (Res) Dated 03.02.2012 Annual Report regarding Representation of SCs, STs, OBCs and Person with Disability in the central Government Services as on 1.1.2012 OM No. 36038/1/2008-Estt (Res) Dated 09.04.2012 Special Recruitment Drive for filling up backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes - reg. Inspite of all these OMs the participation of SC/ST Professors is about 1.26% (Approx) i.e. equal to nil. Neither by fresh recruitment nor by promotion, these vacant posts are being

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Project Vijay

Name of The Post TEACHING Professor Reader Lecturer

Number Sanctioned 1688 3298 4921

Number Filled 928 2050 3382 Gen 759 1601 2605

Out of total filled SC 24 90 399 ST 5 26 172 OBC 2 23 170 PWD 6 8 43

Number Required as per central Reservation Policy 15% SC, 7.5%ST of Posts Sanct.

Backlog SC 229 404 341 ST 125 222 197

Vacant Post

SC 253 494 740

ST 130 248 369

760 1248 1539

Chart-2
filled despite various orders of GOI. Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pension, Govt. of India orders are mere a showoff in these universities as these orders are never implemented. Project Vijay tried to seek the information of daily progress report of one of the above mentioned OM dated 30.12.2010 & special recruitment drive for filling up the backlog reserved vacancies from Asia's no. 1 University Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi under RTI Act 2005 on 29.11.2011, it was replied from BHU vide letter no. AA/VI-RAC/219 dated 29.12.2011 that "no such office memorandum no. 36038/1/2008-EsttEstt dated December, 2010 has been received by this office, further no Special Recruitment Drive for filling up the backlog reserved vacancies for SCs/STs and OBCs teaching post has been advertised", and that "no Special Recruitment Drive has been advertised to fill up SC/ST or OBC teaching positions" was also verified by the Deputy Registrar, Recruitment & Assessment Cell, Office of the Registrar (Administration), BHU vide letter ref. no. AA/VI-RAC/265 dated 11/22.02.2012. And if anytime the posts are advertised then also these are not filled, for which various pleas are adopted to keep away the deprived class from occupying the deserving posts and promotional posts as under: No eligible candidate possessing minimum essential qualification, as advertised, was available. The Selection Committee found no candidate suitable for selection No applications were received.

which is evident vide letter of Deputy Registrar, Recruitment & Assessment Cell, Office of the Registrar (Administration), BHU addressed to Research Officer National Commission for Scheduled Castes, vide letter ref. no. AA/VI-RAC/819 dated 17.012012. The most pitiable condition in the same University is in the post of Professor (SC/ST)where they figure nil in the open category. Such discriminating attitude crosses limit where actual sanctioned posts of Professor reserved for SC vide letter Ref. No. AA/VI-RAC/304 dated 17.09.2010 was 52, which was reduced to 51 vide letter no. no. AA/VIRAC/819 dated 17.01.2012, where this one post has been accumulated/omitted/lost/dereserved ? better be asked from the university authorities. Whereas as per the data provided by UGC under RTI Act 2005, Reference No. F. No. 8-27/2011 (SCT) dated 01.12.2011 the total sanctioned post of Professor is 345 and the no. of total filled is 171 and that too all goes to the General category only, moreover the present status of General Professor is 594 (including CAS) provided by BHU vide ref no. AB/Teaching/RTIMPS/3650 dated 25/26.02.2011. BHU is seeking permission from the Chief Election Commission, New Delhi for advertisement of the vacant post whereas many Central govt. institutions and others have already advertised the backlog positions. It makes clear their intention and unwillingness to fill the backlog. Above all, a committee has been constituted in BHU, Varanasi to review the reservation criteria applicable in

recruitments for various posts of the University, in the light of Supreme Court order SC 1095(1997) and GOI/UGC norms. If such is the condition of Asia's no. 1 university i.e. Banaras Hindu University, then the condition of the other universities is easily understood. In the light of the above facts it is very clear that the various reserved posts of Assistant Professors, Reader, Associate Professors and Professors are lying vacant & unfilled so far whereas the General category posts are filled in excess to that of posts sanctioned which is totally unjustified & illegal too. The matter be thoroughly investigated and the Backlog posts be filled up. To curv such anomalities following are suggestive: To give a fillip to the matter, the reservation policy be given a shape of Law whose enforcement would be binding by all Govt. departments and non-compliance of which would be punishable. The organisations or the social units engaged to work for the cause of appointment and promotion in central and state level must be given recognition and the recommendations and suggestions of these welfare units should be well considered. The participation of SC/ST/OBC in Executive Council in various universities should also be made at par with General Category by following reservation policy. The authorities concerned are requested to take necessary and prompt action in this matter so that participation of deprived section be ensured to a satisfactory level in all the Central Universities of India.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 45

Child Rights

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Can the Police Danda Curb Teenage Sexuality?


This has been ostensibly done to protect children from sexual abuse, trafficking and forced sex. Even though the proposed law has several significant improvements in the existing legislation for dealing with sexual crimes against children.
Madhu Purnima Kishwar

age of consent law to get the young couple hounded by the police on the trumped up charge that their daughter is below 18 and that the young man had "raped" or abducted their minor daughter. The young men land up in jail while the women end up in nari niketans (protection homes run by the government) which are worse than jails. Judge Lau in fact made these comments, while dealing with a typical case, whereby the young woman's parents had falsely implicated a young man of "raping" and eloping with their minor daughter even though she was actually above 18 and had married the man of her own volition. The tendency of our government to pretend that passing a draconian law will frighten away offenders from committing what it designates as a crime, has resulted in numerous impractical and draconian laws, which are more often abused and misused by the law enforcement agencies to extort bribes from hapless citizens. This law is likely to suffer a similar fate because the machinery required for implementing such laws with integrity and sensitivity is altogether absent in India.

udge Kamini Lau has done us all a great service by raising pertinent questions about the problems inherent in passing a legislation, to raise the age of consent for engaging in sexual relations from 16 to 18yrs for girls and 21 yrs of age for boys. This issue suddenly gained prominence with the Union Cabinet's approval of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill 2011 It stipulates that having sex with a girl below 18 years of age will be deemed as "rape" irrespective of "consent or "lack of

consent". This has been ostensibly done to protect children from sexual abuse, trafficking and forced sex. Even though the proposed law has several significant improvements in the existing legislation for dealing with sexual crimes against children, it has stirred a hornet's nest by upping the age of consent. In the original Bill the age of consent was 16. It is well known how even the existing law stipulating age of consent for marriage for girls being at 18 has often been misused by parents of rebellious daughters. They invoke the

Upping the age of consent from 16 to 18 is being welcomed not only by the anti trafficking lobby but also by the self appointed moral guardians of our society who feel perturbed by sexually active teenagers. Recently, in a debate on this issue on NDTV during "The Big Fight" program, an audience participant who had heard us passionately argue on this issue pointed out the blatant contradiction in the way age of maturity has been defined by law in India. For the purpose of sex the age

Contradictions in the Laws Defining Adulthood

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Child Rights

of consent is 16, for the purpose of voting and getting a driving license, it is 18. If you commit a crime between the age of 16 and 18, you are treated as a juvenile and punished accordingly. By 18 you are considered legally fit for being sent to jail. However, for the purpose of a legal marriage, the age of consent is 21 for boys and 18 for girls. For buying a bottle of beer or wine, one has to be over 25. However, when it comes to buying a rail or airplane ticket, one is treated as an adult and made to pay full fare after age 12!

Legal Age for Consensual Sex


It is well known that no matter how many restrictions society and family impose on pre-marital sex, many unmarried teenagers everywhere in the world and in all eras have had a tendency to become sexually active either openly or surreptitiously. This is how the Power that created the human body set the hormonal clock. That is why, the world over, many marriages tend to take place soon after puberty. Societies that adopt repressive norms in dealing with pre-marital sex invariably become misogynist. Such woman hating societies put all manners of restrictions on women's mobility and access to the outside world including imposing burqa and purda. However, when we talk of open teenage or pre-marital sex, for most educated Indians, the reference points are Europe and America. This colonial mindset is due to the fact that most of us educated Indians have been disconnected from our own history, culture and society. Among many tribals of Central India for instance, pre-marital teenage sex is socially sanctioned through the institution of ghotul whereby all young boys and girls of the village are sent off for collective living in a large house and taught important life skills.

Even among tribal communities, there is no comparable stigma on premarital pregnancy.


They have been called "kingdoms of the young" or "children's republics." Life in a ghotul includes initiation into sexual activity and opportunity to select a sexually compatible marriage partner. Married adults are not allowed to live in the ghotul. But village elders are within calling distance to curb sexually abusive or irresponsible behavior, if any. It is noteworthy that the concept of rape was altogether absent among such tribal communities till such time as they remained isolated or had minimal contact with more "civilized" outsiders. Even among those tribal communities which lack the ghotul form of socialization of the young, there is no comparable stigma on premarital pregnancy. Traditionally, whoever the woman names as her impregnator has to accept responsibility and the community then makes sure the two are married. In Hindu shashtras this would be termed as Gandharva Vivah - one of the 8 accepted forms of male-female union Kalidasa's Shakuntala may have

suffered the pain of rejection when Dushyant failed to recognize or remember her on account of the curse of sage Durvasa. But she was not stigmatized in the ashram of her adoptive father, Kanva Rishi. On the contrary, she remained there as a much loved and cherished daughter. Her son became a much respected monarch. Shakuntala herself was born out of wedlock - a product of the sexual union between sage Vishwamitra and Maneka. Among the diverse matrilineal communities of South and Eastern India, paternity was never a big issue because the children inherited the name and property in the mother's line. Therefore, pre-marital pregnancy was treated no different from a post marital one. Our Victorian minded colonial rulers and missionaries found this so morally repugnant that they spent a great deal of energy in attacking these female centric family structures which gave women a great deal of sexual freedom to make or break sexual partnerships. They dubbed such forms of feminine autonomy as no better than prostitution. This cultural onslaught coupled with aggressive legal interventions pushed these matrilineal communities to move towards patrilineal and patrilocal family structures as proof of their readiness for 'modernization"-often a euphemism for westernization. Today, Hindu as well as Christian missionaries are carrying out systematic campaigns to convince tribals that their sexual mores are immoral. Tribal communities are also succumbing to this worldview because their traditional forms of social organization and accountability are possible only in very stable and homogeneous communities that accept the moral authority of elders. They do not work in a situation when tribal men and women are migrating to distant urban centers in search of
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 47

Child Rights

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

employment and living amidst people with very contrary, often misogynist, moral values. Nor does it work in our fast changing towns and cities where the population is in constant flux and people are beginning to move away from caste and community controls. Unfortunately, "modernizing" Indians are still trapped in the British Victorian mindset even while Europeans have moved away from earlier forms of repressive sexual norms. Therefore, we think of sexual freedom only in terms of emulating the the West. Age of Consent for Marriage It is noteworthy that the very same people who yell from the rooftops that the age of consent for sexual engagement should remain at 16, have never considered it necessary to say that the age of consent for marriage in India is unrealistically pegged at 18 for women and 21 for men. A section of feminist reformers have lobbied hard to get the age for women also upped to 21. This is a case of being more loyal than the king. Today in North America and many European countries the permissible age of marriage is 16 with parental or judicial consent. In several countries it has been lowered to even 14 for both boys and girls. This is in recognition of the fact that unwed teenage mothers are far more vulnerable

than those who are married. We deliberately overlook the fact that in most cases of real child marriages in India- say at the age of 8 or 10 - the gauna or actual marriage and consummation takes place only around the age of 14. This does not mean I advocate early marriages. Quite the contrary. But the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006 seems dutifully designed to carry forward with greater zeal the "civilizing mission" started by our colonial rulers from mid 19th century onwards. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of colonial vintage passed in 1929 was a far less aggressive piece of legislation than the law brought in through feminist advocacy playing to international galleries and their patrons in western donor agencies. The 1929 Act prohibited marriages below 15 for girls and below 18 for boys and did not try to annul existing marriages, except if the woman opted to do so after gaining majority.

While most Indian liberals and feminists are willing to look benignly on teenage sex, they come down heavily on teenage

Changing Social Profile of Groups Practicing Early Marriage

marriages despite the fact that today teenage marriage is prevalent only among poor rural communities or their urban counterparts. Their poverty has denied them access to quality education and the new world of economic opportunities available to elite groups of our society. For such families the burden of dealing with teenage pregnancies of unwed daughters is too onerous. But the law enacted for dealing with such families is not only draconian but utterly nonsensical. Consider the implications of the following clauses: "Whoever being a male adult above 18 years of age contracts a child marriage shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both." Males are treated as legal adults at age 18 for all other purposes including for going to jail--but for getting married they must be 21. Or else they are accused of 'child marriage.' The law also mandates similar punishment to a person who performs, conducts or abets any child marriage. The sultani farmaan further declares that: "where a child contracts a child marriage, any person whether as parent or guardian or any other person in any other capacity, lawful or unlawful, including any member of an organization or association of persons who does any act to promote the marriage or permits it to be solemnized or negligently fails to prevent it from being solemnized, including attending or participating in a child marriage, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees." (Italics mine) However, in a typical fit of partisan generosity the law states that "no woman shall be punishable with

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Child Rights

imprisonment." Consider its implications: A woman of 17 has an affair with a 19 year old and gets pregnant. He then offers to or is persuaded to marry her in order to provide legitimacy to the relationship. For this "illegal" act, as per this law the man deserves two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of rupees one lakh! What great favour is it to the woman that she is spared imprisonment and left to fend for herself or that 2 years of jail will leave the man unfit for any respectable job? Take also the predicament of a father who sees his 16 year old daughter sexually involved with or seeking relationships with young men. Instead of letting her risk becoming an unwed mother, he decides to let her get married to either the man of her choice or one that her parents select for her. He too invites two years rigorous punishment and a fine of Rs 100,000. Never mind, if the family has never seen, leave alone possess, one lakh rupees! We cannot afford to forget that unlike in late 19th and early part of 20th century when child or teenage marriages were common among upper castes and classes, today it is mostly the poorer social groups that marry their daughters young. To begin with they will have to incur debt or sell off their land or other meager assets to pay for lawyers, bribes to the police and witnesses while fighting the legal case. On top of it they have to pay a punitive fine. No wonder they are not impressed by such concern for the well being of their daughters. It is time we try in all humility to understand the economic and social compulsions that lead to early marriages among the poor. People are not held guilty if they fail to stop a murder or rape. But if a neighbor or distant relative or a local traders association fails to call the police and get the family involved in teenage marriage arrested, they are

assumed to be guilty. If this is not inflicting police raj on poor communities, what is? I hope those who want to raise the age of consent for sexual activity and are in favour of sending people to jail for teenage sex will put their own sons and daughters under close surveillance and hand them over to the police if their sons have sexual affairs before 21 and daughters before 18. Their moral discipline will work only if they practice strict segregation between boys and girls. They should stop sending their children to co-ed schools or mixed social gatherings. They will need to confine daughters to the zenana and keep boys in the mardana section of the house. They will need to make sure that even brothers, sisters and close cousins do not ever get to spend time together except under the watchful eye of family elders because incestuous relations are more likely in situations where young persons are

escape such marriages and discourage them from gravitating towards irresponsible loveless sex.

Factors that Help in Raising the Age of Marriage

But then they should not be shocked if a good number of teenagers take to same sex relationships!
barred from interacting with outsiders of the opposite sex. I am unqualified to provide the endless list of do's and don'ts for curbing adolescent sex. However, they can get valuable tips from Saudi Arabia and the Taliban. But then they should not be shocked if a good number of teenagers take to same sex relationships! For me a marriage involving coercion is as unacceptable, as irresponsible, as uncaring sex - no matter what the age of the groom or bride, man or woman. Even in our shastras such a relationship is called "Paishacha Vivah" and treated as the lowest form of union. We need to provide culturally sensitive mechanisms, not the police danda, to help young people

As far as the desirability of raising the age of marriage is concerned, our own history as well as that of various other societies tells us that the following factors achieve this end far better than punitive measures. A safe social environment with low crime rate so that people are not worried about the physical safety of their daughters. Easy and universal access to quality education for both boys and girls. Universal access to quality health care services, including safe contraception. Easy access to economic opportunities such as new jobs, professions and entrepreneurial activities, especially for women. Communities which have access to all of the above do not need any coercive law to marry their daughters late. Those who have been deprived of these facilities do not deserve to be locked up in jail. As for bringing about a change in cultural values and the social mindset, TV serials like Balika Vadhu are doing the job far better than feminist sermons or sultani farmaans. Finally, let me make it clear that personally I would encourage young people to postpone sexual engagement till they are old enough to face its consequences including unwanted pregnancy, and likelihood of contracting sexual diseases. Even at the risk of sounding old fashioned, I would urge young people to engage in sexual relations in the spirit of a sacred trust with their partners. Casual sex with unknown or little known persons is a very high risk pleasure, especially for women.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 49

Health

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AUTISM EPIDEMIC What does it teach us?


Is it contagious? Is it genetic? Do vaccines cause it? Do toxins in the atmosphere cause it? Do industrial chemicals and paints all around us cause it?
Jagannath Chatterjee

here is an epidemic and yet no one seems to know. It affects young children. It comes on suddenly, at around 18 months to three years of age. The doctors are unsure about how to diagnose it. Very few of them have any idea about it. No one really knows what causes it. Is it a mystery ailment? Is it contagious? Is it genetic? Do vaccines cause it? Do toxins in the atmosphere cause it? Do industrial chemicals and paints all around us cause it? Does the poisoning of the groundwater, pesticides or simply lack of parental care cause it? Who is really interested to find out? One in 37 children are affected in India as per a private survey, the official figure now is 1 in 88. That is one huge figure translating into approximately 1.35 crore affected children in India alone. Dr Mercola of the USA says it could be 1 in 10 worldwide even as Dr Andrew Wakefield projects a figure of 1 in 25. Mind-boggling. The parents are furious. The doctors seem more busy

refuting charges than try to find the cause and provide a solution. There seems to be no cure. It is free for all as far as treatment goes. What makes things more complex is that no two autistic children provide the same set of symptoms. Is there a vaccine in the offing? Well, you had better not utter the words "vaccine" and "autism" together. It causes a lot of hearts to flutter. Why? You need to be an autistic yourself or the parent of an autistic child to find the real answer to that question. What is autism? The Autism Society website says, "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism

typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities." Quite a mouthful, isn't it? It's far worse really with findings of immune system breakdown and severe gut abnormalities. The autism epidemic has spawned a worldwide debate. This debate has taught us a lot many things. The first and foremost lesson we have learnt is that health, or for that matter everything else, is too precious a thing to be left to the experts. With the advent of modern medicine came a very special medical jargon, like Sanskrit of yester years that Brahmins used to retain their hold over religion. Technical language unwittingly perhaps helped keep the nitty-gritty's of the subject away from the common man. The scientists decided our fate and we had to submit tamely without question, without being informed

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Health

about the consequences. As vaccine industry spokesperson Paul Offit famously declared in the now immortal statement, "It was a disaster to let the public know about Thiomersal (in vaccines)". Great. The parents should not know that their children are being injected mercury ostensibly to "keep them healthy". Autism has taught us to question why. It has forced us to study the concept of vaccines. To our utter dismay we found out that vaccines are more for profit than for protection. Deeper studies reveal vaccines do not protect against any disease. They never did! It has always been a craftily designed apparition to make the public imagine that medical intervention can prevent disease. It has been done to ensure that money that ought to have gone to common sense measures like hygiene, sanitation, clean water and nutrition goes to the medical research institutions. Vaccines instead create diseases, a host of them; scientific studies on the greenmedinfo website links vaccines to 90 different ailments including death. They are today suspected of having converted acute curable illnesses into chronic "manageable" ones. Managed by the constant administration of costly medications and numerous "timely" visits to the doctors. We loose both our health and money and feed an infrastructure that works overtime to keep us sick. It is not only the public they fool. The doctors and caregivers too are pawns in their hands, militarily trained to follow instructions, kept in the dark about the contents of medications and vaccines, uninformed about medical controversies, hypnotised into believing that diseases can not be cured, brain washed to lash out against anything or anyone that dares challenge this faulty paradigm. Autism has exposed the dangers of reductionism. Doctors have been trained to concentrate on diseases of

individual parts. Autism is a nightmare for them. Hey, how can these people suffer in the whole? The brain, the nervous system, the lungs, the intestines, the neuro-muscular system, the emotions, thought patterns, everything seems to be affected and all at once! There is also a considerable breakdown of the immune system.. The poor doctor, he does not know where to start. He prefers to keep quiet and imagine that this condition does not exist. He prefers to accept the theory that this term is used to describe unmanageable children whose parents have been far too tolerant of their antics. Autism has encouraged parents to look for alternatives. The main system is a total failure as far as autism is concerned, they have figured out. Psychiatric drugs and sedatives make things worse. The underlying holistic nature of the alternative medical approaches now seems to make sense. Autism has brought to the fore the role of toxins in inducing disease. Not only the vaccinated children, who show

Autism has broken the barriers between people. Autism has shown us the way back to a simple life.
full fledged symptoms that fall under the spectrum of Autism, the children exposed to pesticides, industrial chemicals, household chemicals, toxic toys too develop peculiar problems. Infantile jaundice, infantile diabetes, infantile cancers, cardiac disorders, glandular disorders, you see them all in children today. The mothers' milk and the placental fluid, designed by nature to be inherently pure and nutritious, are today polluted beyond measure. Autism has broken the barriers between people. No longer able to tackle this difficult disease alone, the parents are coming together, forming

associations, studying hard, sharing experiences, discussing treatment modalities and discovering strengths and capabilities within themselves they never knew existed. This epidemic has forced them out of their shells and opened their eyes to the difficulties faced by children all over the world. Women who never imagined coming of the influence of their husbands are today forcing US Presidential aspirants to take a stand on the vaccines-causeautism issue. Autism has helped honest and ethical doctors. Rendered frustrated and helpless by the suppressive force that corrupt medicine is today, they have broken free, and despite persecution have taken it upon themselves to expose the extreme and needless toxicity that is today's "health care". Hat's off to these wonderful people who give us the hope that all is not over with the world, yet. Autism has given us a whole new world of brave children, who have overcome insurmountable difficulties. Children whose struggle has made us realise the silly nature of our adult anxieties. Trivial things that keep us occupied without caring for the well being of the world that nurtures us. They have taught us to be patient, to be well behaved, to care for others, to consider the entire world as one family. They have given us the power to come together and fight. Autism has shown us the way back to a simple, caring and sharing life. It has infused life into an otherwise sadistic system that threatened to take us for granted. Today's autistics are the Gandhiji's, Rajaji's and Netaji's of tomorrow who will lead us into a future of peace and well being, a future without hatred and war, a future without politics and selfishness, a future where cooperation and not competition will be the norm, peace not profiteering will be the new slogan. Our pranams be at their feet. JAI HIND!
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 51

Society

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Devinder Sharma

angladeshi author Taslima Nasreen is angry. This time her anger is about film stars who put their 'pretty faces' to social causes. Even before Aamir Khan launched his weekly show Satyamev Jayate (on Star Plus and DD National channels simultaneously), film stars had ventured into areas about which they knew little or cared little. But since it became fashionable, and TV channels wanted them to endorse a particular cause (more for the sake of their viewership) film stars were willing to oblige. After all, film stars look for an

ignorant. All is well, until Priyanka Chopra or Katrina Kaif or the likes tells us. A few promos I saw of a forthcoming show on environment on a popular TV channel I noticed the anchors beaming when film stars ShahRukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra appear on the stage. I wonder where were those social activists who had slogged and struggled, putting their own lives and families at stake, and go unsung in the fight to protect environment. Bringing one or two of them on to the stage amidst a loud applause does not do justice to the cause. In a way it is a

Film star endorsing social causes: Is it a dangerous trend?


excuse to be in public glare. Taslima Nasreen is disappointed, says a Page3 report in HT City. "Feminists have been talking about female foeticide and its dangerous effects for decades. Ppl have learned about it today from Star Plus (sic)," she tweeted. I agree. It is not only disappointing, but disgusting. It reflects a lot on today's educated and learned society. If you need the pretty face (or pretty legs) of a celebrity to educate you about the social ills plaguing your own family (after all, female foeticide is predominantly prevalent in every other well-to-do family), does it not mean that we are in the midst of an era where helplessness and despair reigns supreme. Where the only way to wake us up from deep slumber is when a celebrity tells us to. Otherwise, we remain indifferent and

It reflects a lot on today's educated and learned society. If you need the pretty face (or pretty legs) of a celebrity to educate you about the social ills plaguing your own family (after all, female foeticide is predominantly prevalent in every other well-to-do family), does it not mean that we are in the midst of an era where helplessness and despair reigns supreme. Where the only way to wake us up from deep slumber is when a celebrity tells us to.

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Society

dangerous trend. The film stars (cricketers still have lot of money to make from IPL matches, and so have no time to spare) are taking the space that richly and genuinely belongs to social activists. Social activism is being marginalised in the process. This has serious repercussions. It all began when some TV channels came up with a fanciful idea of taking film stars (and ex-cricketers) to the border areas to do a bit of dancing for the jawans. After a few shows, and a few film stars, the viewers interest weaned, and so did that of TV channels. In fact, I have always wondered why film stars have not jostled with jawans for several years now? Because no TV channel offered them the free ride. In other words, film stars had no interest in soldiers manning the frontline, it was simply because the TV channels wanted them to do so. I haven't yet seen a film star who has expressed concern about the spate of farmer suicides and has dared to walk the talk by actually visiting and spending some time with the farm families in distress. I wouldn't be however surprised to see a number of pretty faces jumping onto the stage and even shedding a tear or two for the farmers who were left with no option but to drink pesticide or hang themselves from the nearest tree. The TV audience will applause, the newspapers will discuss the issue for a coupe of days, and life will be back to normal after a few days. Asking the film stars to shake a leg before the cameras may be a good visual, but will do little if nothing to stop farmer suicides. By doing so we will only be trivialising an issue of utmost importance. Unless of course the film Star is like Aamir Khan, who not only does a meticulous job in presenting an issue but goes all the way to take it to its logical end. I admire him for taking out time to go to meet the Rajasthan chief minister on the criminal issue of female

My suggestion to TV channels would be to bring these (and other little known but hardworking) faces into public domain.
foeticide. But then he is an honourable exception. I must admit that some years back I too was fascinated and bitten by the idea of bringing in film stars to espouse the cause of farmer suicides. With numerous committees, reports, studies and quite a significant amount of money being pumped in, suicides haven't stopped. My idea therefore was to rake up the real issues through the voice of the celebrities. To make the nation (and policy makers) sit back and realise where the fault lies, and what corrective measures were needed. I am glad I couldn't raise the money needed to bring the celebrities together for the show. Let me assure you, film stars don't come for free. I would have been therefore equally guilty of sounding a hollow trumpet, and wasting public money which could have perhaps been put to better use. The same money could have provided, for instance, financially support for

education and marriage of thousands of girls whose father had committed suicide. There is a growing feeling that in a Star-obsessed India, people do listen to celebrities. This is the general impression that the media conveys. I don't buy this. I have seen many recognised and well-known faces among social activists in this country who didn't have to piggy bag on celebrities. They have made their name and place purely on the basis of their work, their commitment and honesty to the purpose. My suggestion to TV channels would be to bring these (and other little known but hardworking) faces into public domain. Let us showcase their work, their life and sacrifice, and turn them into heroes. The nation needs a new crop of real heroes, beyond celluloid. And let me assure you your TRP rating (viewership) will not fall, but will actually increase provided you know how to present the show. Aamir Khan has shown that. Content should reign supreme, and not the noise decibel. People want to know the real truth, want to lend support for the social causes, and media can surely help galvanize the country towards a better future.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 53

Opinion

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Who is the real Contemnor?


The story began when as the Convener of National RTI Forum, Lucknow I filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench in regards to two controversial news article related to supposed Army coup and a senior Union Minister planting this news published recently in two newspapers(Indian Express and The Sunday Guardian). I had prayed that both the matter shall be immediately enquired into by a high level Judicial Enquiry commission. I has made the Prime Minister's Office the respondent in this PIL and had said that since the news of supposed Army coup is associated with National security, hence the High Court might order the enquiry report to be kept secret. But in case it is found that the news was false then mere denial of news would not be enough. It would also need taking strict legal actions against the newspaper for publishing false news on such sensitive matters. I had also prayed that the news about senior Union Minister planting false news to get the Army Chief removed is really very serious and is related with high level corruption. Hence the enquiry report in this matter shall be made public and action taken against this Union Minister if the news is found to be true. Similarly, if the news is found incorrect then serious legal action shall be taken against this newspaper. In this PIL No 2685/2012, the Bench of Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice V K Dixit in the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench ordered on April 10, 2012 that we think it appropriate to direct that there is no reporting/release of any news item by the Print as well as Electronic Media relating to the subject matter, namely, the movement of troops. The Court gave this direction to the Secretary, Home Affairs, and the Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, Government of India and the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of U.P. The Court also said that it was giving this order without interfering with the independence of media and keeping in view the fact that the news items relating to movements of troops have already engaged the attention at the highest level in the defence as well as in the Government. The Court said that the issue of movement of Army troops is not a matter of the kind which should require public discussion at the cost of defence official secrecy and the security of country. The Court ordered that the media reporting, if permitted to continue, may seriously interfere with the handling of security matters by Army, particularly the movements of troops from the strategic point of view in the field as well as peace areas. The Court said that a copy of this order shall be issued immediately to the officials concerned as well as to learned Additional Solicitor General of India/Assistant Solicitor General of India and learned Chief Standing Counsel for immediate compliance. Later I came to know through Media reports that Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju said that the Press Council would challenge the order of the Allahabad High Court about ban of Army movement in the

Nutan Thakur

Supreme Court very shortly through a Special Leave Petition. I filed a caveat in the Supreme Court so as to be heard before any judgement in delivered. I got a copy of this SLP No 9411/ 2012 from which I came to know that a letter was sent by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India to Vibha Bhargava, Secretary, Press Council which said- "Please refer to our telephonic discussions regarding directions issued by the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on 10th April 2012, in respect of reporting by the print and electronic media about the movement of troops in the country. A copy of the order is enclosed. In order to implement the directions of the Hon'ble High Court, the Ministry requests PCI to consider initiating appropriate action. We will also appreciate if the action taken in this regard is kindly intimated to us." Thus in pursuance of this letter, the Press Council of India was supposed to comply with the order of the High Court immediately. Instead of complying with the order, Markandey Katju, Chairman of the Press Council of India passed his own order dated 12/04/2012. In this order, among many other things he wrote-"With great respect to the High Court, I am of the opinion that the order of the High Court is not correct." It also said-"The Press Council of India will be challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court in the Supreme Court of India very shortly." Dr Nutan Thakur, social activist and freelance journalist, Convener of IRDS.

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Memory

A Jungle Wedding
My husband Pradeep Kumar and I worked for many years as doctors in the NGO sector in Garhwal. One of the NGOs we worked with was the rural litigation and entitlement Kendra (RLEK), headed by the charismatic lawyer Mr Avdesh Kaushal. Avdesh worked with the indigenous community of Van Gujjars, whose economy depends on their herds of buffalo. They have a migratory lifestyle in which they spend the winter in the forests near Dehra Dun (in what is now Rajaji National Park), and then they walk with their herds all the way up to the high Himalayan pastures where their buffalo feed on the fresh grass for the summer. In the early 1990s, Avdesh had fought a legal battle to protect the rights of the Van Gujjars to stay within the Rajaji National Park and follow their traditional lifestyle. Avdesh asked Pradeep and me to design a health program that would suit the migratory lifestyle of these people. We decided to conduct an assessment to understand their health needs better. At a workshop with Van Gujjar women, a woman named Beera said to me, "If you really want to understand what our lives are like, you must come and visit our home in the jungle. And there is a wedding feast tonight, and you can be our guest." An invitation like that was irresistible! I hastily went home to pack a few things into a backpack, and then Beera and I set off. Once we reached the forest, we left the car and began our journey on foot. We followed the dry riverbed for about an hour the dera, which was composed of two large buildings constructed from mud and wood, two structures with a roof and no sides to provide shade for the buffalo, and a raised sleeping platform made of mud and covered with a thatched roof. Preparations for the wedding party were in full swing. The Van Gujjars are Sunni Muslims, but many of their customs and practices are quite unique. There is no purdah, and work is shared fairly equally between men and women.

Karen Trollope Kumar

Women occupy an important role in their society and sometimes hold leadership roles. I had never attended a ceremony in this community before and I was fascinated. Van Gujjar women wear salwar kameez rather than saris, consisting of a loose tunic over baggy pants, and a cloth headcovering that matches the rest of their dress. Van Gujjar men wear long shirts known as kurtas over their traditional loongis (a full length wraparound piece of cloth fastened at the waist). Most men have beards, and the older men use henna to dye their beards a bright orange colour. The men wear either a turban or a topi (embroidered cap). These topis are the signature item of apparel for the Van Gujjar people, handmade by the women who decorate the red cloth with intricate embroidery. All the children at the marriage feast were wearing these peaked topis with a tassel on top. The crowds of laughing children resembled small pixies at a forest banquet. The actual wedding ceremony had taken place earlier, and now the community was gathering for a celebratory meal. The mother of the bridegroom was supervising the making of the food, which was a rice pulao with chopped dry fruits. As I shared food with my new friends, I felt a great surge of happiness. A jungle wedding- truly a unique experience!
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 55

Sports

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SACHIN: The Ratna in Rajya Sabha


Sandip Joshi

t is in 'Beyond the Boundary'. It was in 1960's that CLR James wrote in the book, "Cricket had plunged me into politics long before I was aware of it. When I did turn to politics, I did not have too much to learn." Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar may not take himself seriously in joining the polluted, wavering waters of the Indian (Ganges) politics, though, he must be well aware of the muddling that constitutes the Indian politics and its people's psychology. The cricketing world should have been happy enough for Sachin's Rajya Sabha nomination. Even though, the greatest living batsman in the world was rewarded, and not awarded the biggest national recognition. Rajya Sabha was awarded to Sachin Tendulkar, and 'Bharat Ratna' was put aside. It was actually a game that politicians are used to playing. The phrase can be easily framed as, "Sachin was plunged into Indian politics long before he was aware of it. When he would turn to Indian politics, he wouldn't have much to learn." It was all in a rush. Mumbai Indians were in Delhi to play Delhi Daredevils in the Indian

It was actually a game that politicians are used to playing. The phrase can be easily framed as, "Sachin was plunged into Indian politics long before he was aware of it. When he would turn to Indian politics, he wouldn't have much to learn."
Premier League, when breaking news flashed Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to the Indian House of Elders - Rajya Sabha. Sachin rushed from the practice session at Kotla to be in the elite-regale of Congress think-tank. Congress's all-season Friday-man, and IPL's default Commissioner Rajiv Shukla was entrusted to be the mid-talking-man for Sachin's surprise Rajya Sabha nomination. Things were fast enough for Sachin Tendulkar to realize or understand the nasty euphoria regarding the waywardness of falling from godliness to humaneness. Indians do not see their politicians in the same way, as they used to, is understood from the simple fact of recent breaking news syndrome. After losing in England and Australia, cricketers are still not treated in the same mould, and are still regarded as playing sincerely and performing selflessly for the national cause. For politicians, it's the other way round. People have devalued their politicians as national figures. Indian politicians have lost their credibility in the eyes of their makers. Indian politicians and their governance have taken a nosedive, never seen before. Even during the dramatic times of match-fixing

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Sports

allegations, Indian cricket didn't lose the charm and credibility, the way recent Indian politics has degenerated. "Playing straight" is no more the parliamentary phrase. The indifferent comments reflected on Rajya Sabha nomination, certainly created doubts in Sachin's mind. Therefore, he had to comment on his political inhibitions, or hidden ambitions. Sachin would always want to be prayed as a cricketer, rather than an opportunist politician. He desired to be playing cricket for as long as he could, rather than collate with power perspiring politicians. In hindsight, it was easy to understand that Sachin Tendulkar was coaxed hard enough in accepting the Rajya Sabha nomination. There was another nomination to the Rajya Sabha, which almost went unnoticed. Biju Janata Dal in Orissa nominated hockey player Dilip Tirkey through its internal objective voting. This was a proper nomination considering lack of sportsmanship in the parliamentary affairs. A thorough gentleman of a sportsman, Dilip Tirkey was nominated to Rajya Sabha from Orissa to bring forth the issue of creating a sporting environment in the country. Dilip is trying to push for a sports culture in a country where sports is mainly a back-pager or a backbencher. Dilip Tirkey started his hockey career in the back lane of tribal dominated Sundergarh in Orissa. Graduated to the Indian Hockey team and served hockey most eloquently. Played hockey for India with pride, and hardly showed prejudice. Humble beginning and hardship helped Dilip play for India the longest. Dilip Tirkey's parliament innings will be much talked about after he takes over the responsibility of playing politics with sportsmen spirit. The parliament was subjected to sanction and confer the most laudable, and the highest Indian

There was another nomination to the Rajya Sabha, which almost went unnoticed. BJD nominated hockey player Dilip Tirkey.
civilian award of Bharat Ratna to sports persons. This could only make sports richer in the country, being put to extensive global commercialization. The cartoon of the constitution, being prepared in snail's slow pace would also be well constructed, whenever due respect is granted to Sports. Currently, Sports is being played only as a recreation in health category of the Constitution. We all would agree now that Sports is of equal importance to Education and Health of the nation. A constitutional amendment must be construed. The popularity of sportspersons was clearly seen in

denting the promiscuity of politicians. Comparing the two nominations to Rajya Sabha is contrasting. The purpose in Dilip Tirkey's nomination is well understood, but same can't be positive for Sachin Tendulkar's nomination. Sachin's nomination is merely, what democracy is often known for "counting of heads". With Sachin's nomination, the number game may look diverse and colorful, but nothing more. The opportunity for Dilip is progress in building national sports culture, but for Sachin, its raising self in a depilating standard of parliamentarians. Dilip Tirkey is energetic towards the new role; where as Sachin Tendulkar seems circumspect for the enthroned responsibility. Indian politicians and parliamentarians are hardly performing, compared to consistent performance of Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Tirkey. Indian politics and its parliament are under the stress of upholding its supreme sovereignty. The attacks on politicians and parliamentarians have been constant and compulsive. The constitution may uphold the parliamentary supremacy, but it is only its politicians that are responsible and accountable towards parliament conduct. Congress may fight the next general elections showing its concern for youth of the nation in showcasing Sachin's political innings. But for Sachin, the award (read recognition) has turned into reward (read compensation). And Sachin Tendulkar deserved better.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 57

Cricket

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Fixing Bomb Back With a Bang in IPL


The much hyped IPL is known for a number of controversies. There are serious questions over the source of that money which is involved in this great cricket tamasha.
Ratna Srivastava

f you mix the power, black money, immorality and cricket then the end result will be a controversial league like IPL. The much hyped India Premier League is known for a number of irregularities and other controversies. There are serious questions over the source of that money which is involved in this great cricket tamasha. The country has witnessed the spate of controversies during Lalit Modi regime. The agencies like Enforcement Directorate were investigating the whole issue. Amid these investigations, the first IPL commissioner and the architect of this great cricketing tamasha Lalit Modi managed to get out of country. Currently, he is based in London and continuously tweeting on the latest controversies related to IPL. However, IPL 5 in soup over molestation charges, SRK vs MCA war and spot-fixing scandal. A player is arrested for molestation, a team

owner banned for five years, a spotfixing scandal and smoking trouble has the IPL turned into the Indian Problem League? Certainly, feel fans. Among the big controversies during the ongoing fifth season of the cricket tournament is a major match-fixing scandal, the brawl between actor Shah Rukh Khan and the Mumbai Cricket Association that has resulted in SRK being banned from Mumbai's Wankhede stadium for five years and most recently, Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach's arrest for allegedly molesting a US citizen of Indian origin at an IPL party. Apart from this, a Jaipur court summoned Shah Rukh for smoking in public during a match at Sawai Man Singh stadium, and exIPL chief Lalit Modi and the current chairman, Rajeev Shukla, have locked horns on Twitter. And, there have

been a number of ugly on-field spats between players. This year of IPL has had more controversies than any previous editions, be it the cloud of spot fixing, black-money transactions, Shah Rukh's brawl or this Luke controversy. Such incidents hurt the credibility of the tournament. Amid the allegations of spot fixing, five uncapped Indian cricketers have been provisionally suspended following allegations of corruption in the lucrative IPL. The BCCI has also ordered a probe into the accusations, made by a local television channel. "The president BCCI has immediately appointed Ravi Sawani (former head of ICC anti-corruption and security Unit) as the commissioner to make a preliminary enquiry," the BCCI said in a statement. The five cricketers - TP Sudhindra (Deccan), Mohnish Mishra

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Cricket

(Pune), Amit Yadav (Punjab), Shalabh Srivastav (Punjab) and Abhinav Bali will remain suspended from all cricketing activities pending the investigation, the BCCI said. Out of the five cricketers, Bali has not played in any of IPL's five editions. Footage from India TV appeared to show an IPL player negotiating a fee for bowling a no-ball, while another said he received under-the-table payments above his contracted fee. Each of the nine franchises has a salary cap and the player in question has not been capped by the national team, meaning he cannot be paid more than Rs 3 million according to IPL rules. The BCCI had sought complete footage of the 'sting operation' from the channel and later had a

host of celebrity owners including India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, spirits and airline magnate Vijay Mallya and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. Sources of India TV are claiming that the channel was not ready to run the sting operation. However, it's a fact that the players revealed a number of explosive facts. The top management of news channel was of the view that the footage of sting operation should be toned down. It's shocking to know that the channel informed BCCI about its plan to run the sting operation. A section of BCCI officials started making pressure on the management of channel. However, on the other hand, other section of BCCI was eagerly pursuing channel officials to run the footage as soon as possible. This was the result of internal politics of BCCI. The sting created huge The spot-fixing scam, which f uproar. The spot fixing controversy shook the cricketing world, led to a ruckus in came to light after a British Parliament forcing Sports newspaper. Minister Ajay Maken to assure teleconference with the IPL governing strict action against the culprits. council this afternoon where the Maken was reacting to BJP's Lok decisions were taken. Last year, Sabha member Kirti Azad's demand Pakistan players Salman Butt, that government should take stringent Mohammad Asif and Mohammad action over match-fixing or spot-fixing Amir were jailed in Britain for their allegations raised by India TV's sting role in a spot-fixing scandal relating to operation. Maken also asked the BCCI a Test match against England at Lord's to take the matter seriously and resolve in August 2010. it as soon as possible. "It happens in The spot-fixing scam, which shook other sports too and not only in the cricketing world, came to light cricket. It is both a challenge and after a British newspaper recorded opportunity. BCCI must go to its root sports agent Mazhar Majeed boasting and try to sort it out in the interest of of how he could arrange for players to millions of cricket lovers in India," rig elements of matches for money. Maken said. Earlier, Azad, who The International Cricket Council happens to be a former Indian subsequently banned the three players cricketer, had asked the government to for a minimum of five years. A series step up internal auditing of different of scandals has tarnished the image of sports bodies and associations to the cash-rich IPL, which boasts of a check the spot-fixing. "Corruption
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 59

Cricket

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IPL or Indian Prostitution League?


LM Sarma

oral corruption that is so much an integral feature of the decadent Christian culture has never been as brazen and shameless as in the recent years. The invasion of Hindu homes by televised Christian cultural filth and the impressionable nature of the youthful viewers have led to a kind of moral and cultural perversion that is unparalleled in history. Unfortunately, the so called "educated" middle classes have fallen victim, to this corrupt Christian cultural cult. Semi nude female cheer leaders imported from Europe who would put even seasoned sex workers to shame, high profile post match parties with alcohol flowing like a putrid nallah, females of easy virtue from all over the world seeking males and money and the so called "elite", both ladies and gents mark the International Perversion League, aka the Indian Premier Cricket League, supposedly a Cricket tournament but more of an orgy of sex, sleaze, debauchery, drunkenness and decadence. This is the sordid and gutterish manifestation of the so called "superior" Western culture, actually the Christian culture of which the so called "educated" Hindu middle class males and females are victims. With tickets priced at astronomical levels, poor Indian viewers, mostly Hindu youth, are milked out of their money. We are told that sometimes, the youth go to any lengths to get the money for the highly priced tickets, even murder their own parents and grand parents. The sordid attempted rape by a foreign player, the lust for money of the politicians and administrators who rake in the moolah, the American accented mercenaries of the media - males and scantily dressed females - are all destroying the Indian culture. The almost naked cheer leaders, the team owners with more of money than culture, the buying and selling of cricketers resembling the buying and selling of prostitutes in the red light districts of Foras Road in Mumbai and Sonagachi in Kolkata, have all reduced the noble game of cricket into a hellish brothel.

comes from top to bottom. Lot of politicians have come into sports, be it from ruling party or opposition. When maters come up on malpractices they all become together and that is unfortunate part. Fixing has been going on since many years and I have been raising it. We need to have internal audit about it," Azad said. It's a fact that the truth is uglier than what was shown in India TV sting operation. The incidents related to IPL nigh parties are coming out. Those who got an opportunity to attend these parties uncover the mystery of these parties. Each party was invariably the same routine. You would have a set-up with a ramp show that lasted 30 to 45 minutes, then the models would come off and mix with the rest and the party would take off. There were cheerleaders and girls who could be called 'escort service'. Beautiful women to add glamour to the mix, get the party moving. They were not allowed to talk to any player for more than five minutes. If they did, a manager would walk up and slickly move her away. The IPL after-match parties are hot, with the best of designers showcasing their latest collection and the hottest models walking the ramp, in what could be the only way to 'unwind' after a nerve tingling finish on the field. It has the team owners, their fleet of friends and of course, the cricketers who party hard into the wee hours and have their share of booze and women. Every IPL party has its share of gate-crashers too,

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most of them women from influential backgrounds and who are ready to literally bare all to have a good time. Yet, the IPL fan-following has not diminished and people continue to throng every match and do all they can to get an invitation to these afterparties. It's prestigious to be seen with the who's who and the extension of the deadline for the IPL party is an added attraction. All the glamour is good but what goes on inside these parties is a different scene altogether. Cricketers cosying up with women and sometimes even with popular actresses is always a talking point among partygoers. And people who have been there and done it all have interesting insights to share. While Rajiv Shukla has been claiming that there are no 'official' IPL?after-match parties, the truth is different. The parties are on and are held after every match. According to a source, who works for an event management company that handles these parties, this year's parties have been most organised. Entry is only by invitation. More cricketers are attending the parties unlike previous years and no amount of 'bad publicity' has hampered the turnout at the venue. Women, who come, go gaga over the cricketers. These were the reasons why the BCCI and IPL officials opted to remain tight-lipped against the media reports regarding two Pune Warriors cricketers Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma's detention from a rave party in Mumbai. BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said though the national cricket board and the IPL are aware of the reports, they will not make any statements till the results of the investigation are out. 'The BCCI-IPL is aware of media reports regarding two cricketers, Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma, and a party in a Mumbai hotel yesterday evening,' Jagdale said in a statement.

Have people forgotten that cricket is a game played within a boundary line, and that line is meant to safeguard the sanctity of the game?

'There will be no further comment or action by BCCI-IPL until the results of the investigation by the concerned authorities into the above mentioned situation are known,' he was quoted saying. Jagdale also stated that the two players would remain contracted to the Warriors franchise as well as the IPL. 'Whilst the players had completed their commitments for the 2012 IPL season, they remain contracted to Pune Warriors India and the IPL,' he was quoted saying. South African pacer Parnell and leg-spinner Rahul along with 94 others were detained during a raid on a rave party in Mumbai last night, but were let off after collection of their blood and urine samples. Rahul later denied of any wrongdoings and

vowed to quit cricket if he was found guilty of drug and alcohol abuse. All of this raises one pertinent question as to whether the IPL is now a run-away train. Have people forgotten that cricket is a game played within a boundary line, and that the boundary line is meant to safeguard the sanctity of the game? Or, has this been wiped away conveniently? The lure for money, fame and greed will gnaw away not only the event but also sportsmen. It should not reach a stage where people talk about this event more as the shame of India. Given that many IPL related parties are held outside the cricket arena, the BCCI should strongly recommend to the franchises that such parties should not be held in the name of the IPL. The truth however is that these parties are meant to be more of a networking and business expansion opportunity for the owners of the different teams, and these will be hard to stop. So to live in denial that there is nothing wrong with the IPL would be dangerous. A set of rules to streamline all activities related to this event, both on and off the field, is mandatory; unless the BCCI still wants the IPL to keep creating news for the wrong reasons too.
DIALOGUEINDIA June, 2012 61

Whispers

e-magazine www.dialogueindia.in

Plan of another visit


After Rahul Gandhi's May 18 visit to Chhattisgarh where a nominated Lok Sabha MP from the state, Ingrid Mcleod, sought to share the dais with him and was asked to get off the stage, state Congress leaders are planning another visit by him. Apparently being gluttons for punishment, the Pradesh Congress Committee is making plans to invite Gandhi sometime in September. During his last visit, Gandhi had roundly criticised the senior leadership of the party and said it was because of them that the Congress was unable to represent any challenge to the ruling BJP. He had asked senior leaders to stop infighting. In the next round, however, Gandhi is likely to go to the tribal-dominated Janjgir and Bastar areas where he is expected to meet tribals. This time, instead of criticising the Congress, he is expected to train his guns on the BJP.

Couplet in Parliament
Most finance ministers leaven their lengthy and often boring Budget speeches with mild jokes and couplets from their favourite poet or author. Now it appears many other members of Parliament (apart from the irrepressible Lalu Prasad, of course) indulge in literary or humorous diversions in the House. What is more, the Lok Sabha has compiled these into a book and has devoted a section to them on its website. In true government style, these extras are carefully classified and tabulated. For instance, a table titled "Wit and Humour, Poetry And Couplets. Seventh Session of 15th Lok Sabha" provides a serial number, date, subject, the name of the member or minister and the nature of the interjection ("Poetry/ humour/ couplet/ repartee"). Most of the members in this list (covering February and March 2011) have recited Urdu, Hindi or Tamil couplets, though Mamata Banerjee sang a song. But the surprise was Bhudeo Choudhary from Bihar, who criticised the tax proposals in the 2011-12 Budget by quoting a verse from former Beatle George Harrison's famous 1966 song Taxman.

Farewell Speech

The continuing speculation that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is the frontrunner in the race for Rashtrapati Bhavan seeped into the atmosphere of Parliament, as it eagerly awaited his reply to the debate on the Finance Bill, 2012, in both Houses. Not for a long time has a finance minister's reply been so keenly watched. More than one observer says that the senior politician excelled himself in his reply, holding the House enthralled and even his critics charmed with his wit, sense of history and pragmatism; the Finance Bill was passed without a demur. Afterwards, politicians cutting across party lines made a beeline for the treasury benches to congratulate him. As one senior leader put it, "It seemed more like a farewell speech, possibly the last Budget he steered, before he makes the much-talked about move into Rashtrapati Bhavan, and everyone present wanted to shake his hand." All of which added to the embarrassment of the Congress party, which continues to keep its cards close to its chest nobody in the party apparatus had any straight answers when questioned if Mukherjee was indeed the favourite for the president's post.

62 DIALOGUEINDIA

June, 2012

R.N.I. No. - DELENG18181/29/1/2012-TC

DL No. F-2 (D-4)Press/2012

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