Saturday, December 14, 2013


Amended Lokpal Bill welcome Despite lacunae LSP Leaders to visit ANNA: Lok Satta Party

The Lok Satta Party today welcomed introduction of the amended Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha providing for constitution of a strong, independent and effective institution to combat corruption among politicians and civil servants in the Union Government and Parliament.

In a media statement, Lok Sata Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said the amended Lokpal Bill incorporates most of the recommendations made by the Round Table conducted by the Lok Satta in 2011.

The Lokpal Bill in its present form, however, suffers from certain lacunae. For instance, the Government has dropped provisions relating to appointment of Lokayuktas at the State level following opposition from certain parties.

Dr. JP pointed out that real corruption which affects the common man takes place at the State and local levels and it can be tackled only with the creation of strong Lokayuktas at the State level and Ombudsmen at the district level. The Government of India, having ratified the UN Convention against Corruption, is empowered to enact a law providing for strong anti corruption mechanisms at the State level too. All those committed to fighting corruption should mount struggles for creation of Lokayuktas in States now, said Dr. JP.

Dr. JP that the Lok Pal Bill does not incorporate provisions for service guarantee and imposition of penalty for failure to deliver services to ordinary citizens. The matter can be addressed by the Service Guarantee Bill which the Lok Satta has drafted at the instance of the Parliamentary Committee. The Bill should be enacted into law soon as part of the mission to combat corruption.

Dr. JP said the provisions in the Lokpal Bill relating to confiscation of properties of the corrupt are not strong enough and suggested that a Bill drafted by the Law Commission on the lines of the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act (SAFEMA) be introduced in Parliament.

Dr. JP said that the BJP is right in objecting to transfer of CBI officials investigating Lokpal cases without Lokpal consent. The Government should concede the plea and make Lokpal’s concurrence mandatory for carrying out such transfers. The BJP, however, is wrong in opposing the provision that gives an opportunity to public servants to explain themselves before a full investigation is ordered. Otherwise, honest officials will be subject to unwarranted humiliation. In addition, the Lokpal will be overburdened with cases which might be dropped later for want of evidence.

Dr. JP appealed to all parties to join hands and enact the law. He recalled that the amended Lokpal Bill provides for the appointment of a high-powered panel to appoint the Lokpal as suggested by the Lok Satta Round Table 2011. The panel comprises the Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice of India and an eminent person nominated by the four. The CBI Director is to be appointed by a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice.  There is provision for Directorates of Inquiry and Prosecution.

Dr. JP said that since a number of salutary provisions have been incorporated in the amended Bill, it should be enacted into law without further delay. It is almost one year since the Union Government conceived the law, Dr. JP pointed out.

Dr. JP appealed to Anna Hazare to withdraw the fast provided this law is enacted, or a firm commitment in writing is made by the Government and Opposition. The  Lok Satta is deputing a team of senior leaders led by Mr. Surendra Srivastav, national General Secretary, to call on Anna, express support, and explain Lok Satta’s stand.

Rotarians SOUTH ASIA LITERACY SUMMIT

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New Delhi, 12th December, 2013. A host of concerned bureaucrat, activists, NGOs, Corporate organizations along with Central and State Government Ministers will join Rotarians coming from across the globe at Hotel Ashok on 14th and 15th December 2013 to discuss and create roadmap for South Asia to make it free from illiteracy by 2017. Hosted by Rotary India, the summit will launch the Rotary’s TEACH Mission which will engage the stakeholders across South Asia and execute the campaign  “Freedom from illiteracy” to achieve goal of ‘Total Literacy and Better Education’. Hon’ble Union Minster HRD – Dr. MM Pallam Raju will be the Chief Guest of the summit while Hon’ble Education Minister, Nepal; Hon’ble Sr. Minister Education, Pakistan and Sam Pitroda to PM, Actor Kabir Bedi will be among other prominent dignitaries sharing their views during this summit.

Rotarian Shekhar Mehta, Past RI Director & Convenor, South Asia Literacy Summit asserted on this occasion, “Total Literacy in South Asia is a dream that the Rotarians now have started following & we have together taken a pledge to reach a much coveted mile-stone of 100% literacy by the year 2017. We will have to break the shackles of illiteracy. Total Literacy and Better Education is what we strive for. This is an enormous challenge and is a long term program where not only Rotarians, but non-Rotarians too will participate.”

Buoyed by the success of ‘End Polio’ program, efforts of which resulted in eradication of polio from nearly 99% of the world, Rotary International started deliberation on this issue during Rotary South Asia Conference of Literacy in March 2012 held at Kathmandu. During Kathmandu conference Rotarians to make South Asia not only literate but also better educated. Now in the Delhi Summit, the members will discuss different aspects of the Rotary’s TEACH Mission and rollout Total Literacy Programme to make this pledge real.

The main highlights of the Summit are The School Development Plan, e-learning, Adult Literacy, Tie up with Partnering Organizations, Functional Literacy and Each One Teach One Initiate.

Rahul Mishra  : 9899687557


 

Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, 2013

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Analysis of Financial, Criminal Background and Other Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, 2013

Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch (MPEW) have analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of all 230 newly elected MLAs in the Madhya Pradesh 2013 Assembly Elections. (Detailed report in English is attached with this mail)

Summary and Highlights:

Asset and Criminal background Comparison of Re-elected MLAs:

·         Number of Re-elected MLAsMadhya Pradesh Election Watch had analysed the affidavits of all 65 re-elected MLAs.
·         Re-elected Winners with Criminal Cases: There are 20 re-elected MLAs who have declared criminal cases in 2013. Out of these 20 re-elected MLAs, 10 had declared criminal cases in the last assembly elections too.
·         Average Asset growth of Re-elected MLAs in 2013 ElectionsThe average asset of these 65 re-elected MLAs now in 2013 is Rs 7.51 Crores. The average assets of these 65 MLAs in 2008 was Rs. 1.92 Crores. The average asset growth of these 65 re-elected MLAs is 290% or by Rs. 5.59 Crores.                                                              
·         Party Wise Average Asset Increase55 re-elected MLAs of BJP have shown an average asset increase of279% or Rs 3.26 Crores. Assets of 10 INC MLAs  grew by 302% or  Rs 18.39 Crores.
·    Highest growth In Assets in 5 years (2008-2013): The maximum growth in assets has been for Sanjay Pathak of INC from Vijayraghogarh constituency. He has declared an increase of Rs. 87.15 Crores (255%) i.e from Rs. 34.17 Crores in 2008 to Rs. 121.32 Crores in 2013. Assets of K.P.Singh Kakkajoo of INC from Pichhore Constituency have increased by Rs 49.23 Crores (429%), i.e. from Rs. 11.48 Crores in 2008 to Rs 60.72 Crores in 2013Assets of Surendra Patawa of BJP from Bhojpur Constituency have risen by Rs 31.32 Crores (468%),from Rs 6.69 Crores in 2008 to Rs 38.02 Crores in 2013.
·     Decline in assets3 BJP MLAs have declared decrease in assets compared to their 2008 declarations.Kailash Vijayvarghiya from Dr.Ambedhkar Nagar Mhow constituency has declared a decrease of 28% in his assets i.e from Rs. 2.55 Crores in 2008 to Rs.1.83 Crores in 2013. Deepak Joshi from Hatpipliya constituency has declared 10% decrease in his assets (Rs.40.94 Lakhs in 2008 to Rs. 36.82 Lakhs in 2013). Balakrishna Patidar of BJP from Khargone constituency has declared 9% decrease in assets from Rs. 3.84 Crores in 2008 to Rs. 3.51 Crores in 2013.

Financial, Criminal and Other details of newly elected MLAs in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, 2013
Given below is the party wise summary of criminal and financial details of newly elected MLAs :

Party Name
Total number of MLAs analyzed
Crorepati MLAs
% Crorepatis
Average Assets (Rs.)
MLAs with declared Criminal Cases
% of MLAs with declared criminal cases
BJP
165
118
72%

Rs 4,61,04,275 
~ 4 Crore+
48
29%

INC
58
40

69%

Rs 7,11,91,344 
~ 7 Crore+
22
38%

BSP
4
1

25%

Rs 3,22,18,834 
~ 3 Crore+
1
25%

IND
3
2
67%

Rs 6,72,36,228 
~ 6 Crore+
2
67%
All Parties
230

161


70%

Rs 5,24,64,728 
5 Crore+

73

32%


















Table: Party wise summary details

Financial:
·         Crorepati MLAs: 161 (70%) out of 230 MLAs are crorepatis. In 2008, out of 219 MLAs analysed, 87 (40%) MLAs were crorepatis.
·         Party Wise Crorepati MLAs: 118 (72%) out of 165 BJP MLAs are crorepatis while 40 (69%) out of 58 MLAs of INC are crorepatis.
·         Average Assets: The average asset per MLA in the Madhya Pradesh 2013 Assembly Elections is Rs. 5.24 Crores. In 2008, it was Rs. 1.49 Crores
Comparison of Crorepati MLAs (2008-2013):

Party Name
Madhya Pradesh 2013 Assembly Elections
Madhya Pradesh 2008 Assembly Elections
 
Total number of MLAs analyzed
Crorepatis
Percentage of Crorepati MLAs
Total number of MLAs analyzed
Crorepatis
Percentage of Crorepati MLAs
 
BJP
165
118
72%
138
50
36%
 
INC
58
40
69%
66
35
53%
 
BSP
4
1
25%
7
0
0%
 
IND
3
2
67%
3
0
0%
 
Others
0
0
0%
5
2
40%
 
Total
230
161
70%
219
87
40%
 
 
Table: Comparison of crorepati MLAs

·         Party-wise Average AssetsThe average asset per MLA for BJP is Rs.4.61 Crores and for INC it is Rs 7.11 Crores. BSP MLAs have an average assets of Rs.3.22 Crores.
·         Highest Asset MLAsTop 3 MLAs with highest declared assets are Sanjay Pathak of INC from Vijayraghavgarh constituency with declared assets of Rs.121.32 Crores followed by Chetan Kashyap of BJP from Ratlam City constituency with assets worth Rs. 120.29 Crores and Sanjay Sharma of BJP from Tendukheda constituency with declared assets worthRs.65.42 Crores.          .
·         Relationship between Asset Rank of Winners and their Chances of Winning: 217 MLAs(94%) occupy top three highest asset positions in their respective constituency. 107(47%) MLAs have the highest declared assets in their constituency. 87(38%) MLAs have the second highest declared assets in their constituency
·         Low Asset MLAs: Usha Thakur Didi of BJP from Indore-3 constituency has declared lowest assets worth 1.38 Lakhs followed by Shantilal Bhilwal of BJP from Jhabua constituency with assets worth 4.88 Lakhs and Dinesh Ahirwar of INC from Jatara has declared assets worth Rs. 6.02 Lakhs.
·         High Liability MLAsA total of 25 MLAs have declared liabilities of Rs. 1 Crore and above. The top three MLAs with highest declared liabilities are Sanjay Pathak of INC from Vijayraghavgarh Constituency with declared liabilities worth Rs. 48.70 Crores, followed by Surendra Patawa of BJP from Bhojpur Constituency with liabilities of Rs. 34.49 Crores and Dr. Mohan Yadav of BJP from Ujjain South Constituency with declared liabilities of Rs. 5.11 Crores.
·         Undeclared PAN : 18 MLAs have not declared their PAN details.
·         MLAs who have not declared their ITR53 (23%) MLAs declared that they have not filed their Income Tax Returns.
·         Highest Income declared in their last ITR: Sanjay Pathak of INC from Vijayraghavgarh constituency has declared the highest income in his ITR of Rs.8.94 Crores followed by Sanjay Sharma of BJP from Tendukheda constituency with an income of Rs. 3.44 Crores and Jayant Malaiya of BJP from Damoh constituency has declared an income of Rs. 88.93 Lakhs.

Criminal:

·         MLAs with Criminal Cases: 32% or 73 of the 230 MLAs have declared criminal cases against them.In 2008, 26% or 58 MLAs had declared criminal cases out of 219 MLAs analysed.
Note: Case details of Kailash Vijayvargiya of BJP is not provided as the annexure pages of his 2013 affidavit is not available on CEO website. In 2008 he had declared six cases against him.
·        Party-Wise MLAs with Declared Criminal Cases: BJP has 48 out of 165 (29%), INC has 22 out of 58 (38%) MLAs who have declared criminal cases. 1 (25%) MLA from BSP out of 4 and 2 independent MLAs have declared criminal cases against them.
·        MLAs with Serious Criminal Cases:  Out of the 73 MLAs with criminal cases, 45 MLAs have declared serious criminal cases like kidnapping, dacoity, extortion and assault against women etc.
Candidates with serious criminal cases who lost the election: Out of 120 candidates (Only from 3 major parties – INC, BJP and BSP) who contested with serious criminal cases in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, 77 lost the elections.

Comparison of MLAs with criminal cases (2008-2013):

Party Name
Madhya Pradesh 2013 Assembly Elections
Madhya Pradesh 2008 Assembly Election
Total number of MLAs analyzed
MLAs with declared Criminal Cases
% of MLAs with declared criminal cases
MLAs with serious declared criminal cases
% of MLAs with serious declared criminal cases
Total number of MLAs analyzed
MLAs with declared Criminal Cases
% of MLAs with declared criminal cases
MLAs with serious declared criminal cases
% of MLAs with serious declared criminal cases
BJP
165
48
29%
29
18%
138
29
21%
12
9%
INC
58
22
38%
13
22%
66
23
35%
10
15%
BSP
4
1
25%
1
25%
7
3
43%
3
43%
IND
3
2
67%
2
67%
3
0
0%
0
0%
Others
0
0
0
0
0
5
3
60%
2
40%
Total
230
73
32%
45
20%
219
58
26%
27
12%
Table: Comparison of MLAs with criminal cases (2008-2013)

·        MLAs who have declared Crimes against Women:  2 MLAs have declared crimes against women.Bahadur Singh of BJP from Mahidpur Constituency has a charge related to word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman (IPC Section-509). Rushtam Singh of BJP from Morena constituency declared a case of Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty (IPC section 498A).
·        Prevention of Corruption Act: 3 BJP MLAs Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, Ramesh Mendola, Om Prakash Dhurve and one INC MLA Rajendra Kumar Singh Dadabhai have declared cases under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Other Background details (Edu

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Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, 2013

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Analysis of Financial, Criminal Background and Other Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, 2013

Chhattisgarh Election Watch (CEW) and Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of all 90 newly elected MLAs in the Chhattisgarh 2013 Assembly Elections. (Detailed reports in English and Hindi are attached with this mail)
Summary and Highlights:

Asset and Criminal background Comparison of Re-elected MLAs:

·         Number of Re-elected MLAsChhattisgarh Election Watch has analysed the affidavits of all 22 re-elected MLAs.
·         Re-elected Winners with Criminal Cases: There are 3 re-elected MLAs who have declared criminal cases in 2013. All of these 3 re-elected MLAs had declared criminal cases in the last assembly elections too.
·         Average Asset growth of Re-elected MLAs in 2013 ElectionsThe average asset of these 22 re-elected MLAs now in 2013 is Rs 3.16 Crores. The average assets of these 22 MLAs in 2008 was Rs. 1.27 Crores. The average asset growth of these 22 re-elected MLAs is 147% or by Rs. 1.88 Crores.                                                               
·         Party Wise Average Asset Increase15 re-elected MLAs of BJP have shown an average asset increase of216% or Rs 1.74 Crores. Similarly for re-elected MLAs of INC the average asset increase is 96% or Rs 2.18 Crores.
·         Highest growth In Assets in 5 years (2008-2013): The maximum growth in assets has been forGurumukh Singh Hora of INC from Dhamtari Constituency. He has declared an increase of Rs. 5.66 Crores (94%) i.e from Rs. 6.02 Crores in 2008 to Rs. 11.68 Crores in 2013 (LIC policy of value Rs. 18 Lakhs declared in his 2008 affidavit  has not been considered). Assets of Raman Singh of BJP from Rajnandgaon Constituency have increased by Rs 4.56 crores (436%), i.e. from Rs. 1.04 crores in 2008 to Rs 5.61 Crores in 2013. Assets of Devji Bhai Patel of BJP from Dharsiwa Constituency have risen by Rs 4.15 Crores (709%), from Rs 58.60 Lakhs in 2008 to Rs 4.73 Crores in 2013(Devji Bhai Patel has not declared value of one vehicle and LIC policy of Rs. 23 Lakhs has not been considered in his 2008 affidavit).

Financial, Criminal and Other details of newly elected MLAs in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, 2013

Financial:
·         Crorepati MLAs: 67 (74%) out of 90 MLAs are crorepatis. In 2008, 28 (33%) MLAs were crorepatis (only 85 MLAs have been analysed in 2008).
·         Party Wise Crorepati MLAs: 35 (71%) out of 49 BJP MLAs are crorepatis while 30 (77%) out of 39 MLAs ofINC and one BSP MLA are crorepatis. The only Independent MLA is also a crorepati.
·         Average Assets: The average asset per MLA in the Chhattisgarh 2013 Assembly Elections is Rs. 8.88 Crores.In 2008, it was Rs. 1.45 Crores (Only 85 MLAs were considered in 2008).
·         Party-wise Average AssetsThe average asset per MLA for BJP is Rs.2.19 Crores, for INC it is Rs.17.49 Crores and for the only BSP MLA it is Rs 2.04 Crores. Independent MLA has declared assets of Rs.7.47 Crores.
·         Highest Asset MLAsTop 3 MLAs with highest declared assets are Tribhuneswar Sharan Singh Dev of INC from Ambikapur constituency with declared assets of Rs.565.40 Crores followed by Mohan Lal Markam of INC  from Kondagaon constituency with assets worth Rs.12.63 Crores and Gurmukh Singh Hora of INC from Dhamtari constituency with declared assets worth Rs.11.68 Crores.      .
·         Chances of Winning for a Crorepati Candidate: The chances of winning for crorepati candidates is as high as 42% while the same for candidates with low assets is 5%.
·         Relationship between Asset Rank of Winners and their Chances of Winning: 40 MLAs (44%) have declared highest assets in their respective constituencies. 73(81%) MLAs occupied the top three asset positions in their respective constituencies.
·         Low Asset MLAs: Dilip Lahriya of INC from Masturi constituency has declared lowest assets worth Rs. 5.23 Lakhs followed by Parasnath Rajwade of INC from Bhatgaon constituency with assets worth Rs. 9.46 Lakhs andDeepak Kumar Baij of INC from Chitrakot has declared assets worth Rs. 10.53 Lakhs.
·         High Liability MLAsA total of 11 MLAs have declared liabilities of Rs. 50 Lakhs and above. The top three MLAs with highest declared liabilities are Ajay Chandrakar of BJP from Kurud Constituency with declared liabilities worth Rs. 2.50 Crores, followed by Shyam Bihari Jaiswal of BJP from Manendragarh Constituency with liabilities of Rs. 1.16 Crores and Shrichand Sundrani of BJP from Raipur City North Constituency with declared liabilities ofRs. 87.37 Lakhs.
·         Undeclared PAN : 10 MLAs out of 90 have not declared their PAN details

·         Highest Income declared in their last ITR: Ajay Chandrakar of BJP from Kurud constituency has declared the highest income in his ITR of Rs.67.06 Lakhs followed by Gauri Shankar Agrawal of BJP from Kasdol constituency with an income of Rs. 45.64 Lakhs and Raman Singh of BJP from Rajnandgaon constituency has declared an income of Rs. 32.26 Lakhs.
Criminal:
·         MLAs with Criminal Cases: 17% or 15 of the 90 MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. In 2008, 13% MLAs had declared criminal cases.
·         Party-Wise Candidates with Declared Criminal Cases: BJP has 6 out of 49 (12%) and INC has 9 out of 39 (23%) MLAs who have declared criminal cases.
·         MLAs with Serious Criminal Cases:  Out of the 15 MLAs with criminal cases, 8 MLAs have declared serious criminal cases like murder and kidnapping.
·         Candidates with serious criminal cases who lost the election: Out of 66 candidates who contested with serious criminal cases in Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, 58 candidates lost the elections.
·         MLAs who have declared Murder related Cases: Amit Aishwary Jogi of INC from Marwahi constituency and Mahesh Kumar Gagda of BJP from Bijapur Constituency have declared charges related to murder against them.
·         MLAs who have declared cases related to Prevention of Corruption Act: Amit Aishwary Jogi of INC from Marwahi constituency and Vidya Ratan Bhasin of BJP from Vaishali Nagar constituency have declared cases related to Prevention of Corruption Act.
Other Background details (Education, Gender, Age):

·         MLAs’ Education A total of 53 (59%) MLAs have educational qualifications equivalent tograduate or above. A total of 36 (40%) MLAs have educational qualification of 12th pass or below.
·         MLAs’ AgeA total of 17 (19%) MLAs are aged 40 or less while 27(30%) MLAs have declared their age to be between 41 and 50 years. 13(14%) MLAs are 60 above years old.
·         Women MLAs: Out of the 90 MLAs only 10 (11%) are women. In comparison, the previous assembly had 11 women MLAs.

National Election Watch/Association for Democratic Reforms:


Media & Journalist Helpline

+91 80103 94248


Mr. Anurag Mittal
National Coordinator

National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 80103 94248
+91 9811108914


Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore

Founder Member,
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 9448353285,



Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad (Retd.)

Founder Member
National Election Watch, Association for Democratic
Reforms

+91 9999620944




 

Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

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Analysis of Financial, Criminal Background and Other Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

Rajasthan Election Watch (REW) and Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of all 199 newly elected MLAs in the Rajasthan 2013 Assembly Elections. (Detailed reports in English and Hindi are attached with this mail)


Summary and Highlights:
Asset and Criminal background Comparison of Re-elected MLAs:

·         Number of Re-elected MLAsRajasthan Election Watch had analysed the affidavits of all 67 re-elected MLAs.
·         Re-elected MLAs with Criminal Cases: There are 13 re-elected MLAs who have declared criminal cases in 2013. Out of these 13 re-elected MLAs, 3 had declared criminal cases in the last assembly elections too.
·         Average Asset growth of Re-elected MLAs in 2013 ElectionsThe average asset of these 67 re-elected MLAs now in 2013 is Rs 3.89 Crores. The average assets of these 67 MLAs in 2008 was Rs. 1.69 Crores. The average asset growth of these 67 re-elected MLAs is 130% or by Rs. 2.20 Crores.                                                               
·         Party Wise Average Asset Increase58 re-elected MLAs of BJP have shown an average asset increase of130% or Rs 2.36 Crores. Assets of 6 INC MLAs  grew by 144% or  Rs 1.68 Crores.
·         Highest growth In Assets in 5 years (2008-2013): The maximum growth in assets has been for Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh Nagar constituency. He has declared an increase of Rs. 22.95 Crores (627%) i.e from Rs. 3.66 Crores in 2008 to Rs. 26.61 Crores in 2013Assets of Gopal krishan of BJP from Bikaner West Constituency have increased by Rs 12.84 Crores (85%), i.e. from Rs. 15.03 Crores in 2008 to Rs 27.88 Crores in 2013Assets ofNarpat Singh Rajvi of BJP from Vidyadharnagar Constituency have risen by Rs 6.98 Crores (299%), from Rs 2.34 Crores in 2008 to Rs 9.32 Crores in 2013 (Narpat Singh Rajvi  has not declared value of two vehicles and value of  shares iin his 2008 affidavit).
·         Decline in assets2 MLAs have declared decrease in assets compared to their 2008 declarations. Vijay Kumar of BJP from Bharatpur constituency has declared a decrease of 46% in his assets i.e from Rs. 3.88 Crores in 2008 to Rs.2.09 Crores in 2013. Anju Devi Dhanka, an Independent MLA from Bassi constituency has declared 19% decrease in assets (Rs.31.66 Lakhs in 2008 to Rs. 25.50 Lakhs in 2013).

Financial, Criminal and Other details of newly elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

Financial:
·         Crorepati MLAs: 145 (73%) out of 199 MLAs are crorepatis. In 2008, out of 197 MLAs analysed, 90 (46%) MLAs were crorepatis.
·         Party Wise Crorepati MLAs: 120 (74%) out of 162 BJP MLAs are crorepatis while 14 (67%) out of 21 MLAs of INC are crorepatis.  All 4 MLAs of NPP, 2 MLAs of BSP, 4 Indepemdents and One MLA from NUZP are croprepatis.
·         Average Assets: The average asset per MLA in the Rajasthan 2013 Assembly Elections is Rs. 5.81 Crores. In 2008, it was Rs. 2.08 Crores for the 197 MLAs analysed.
·         Party-wise Average AssetsThe average asset per MLA for BJP is Rs.4.17 Crores and for INC it isRs 9.41 Crores. BSP MLAs have an average assets of Rs.12.06 Crores, for NPP it is Rs.4.53 Crores, for 2 MLAs of NUZP it is Rs.98.71 Crores and Independendent MLAs have average assets of Rs.4.39 Crores.
·         Highest Asset MLAsTop 3 MLAs with highest declared assets are Kamini Jindal of NUZP from Ganganagar constituency with declared assets of Rs.197.42 Crores followed by Vishwendra Singh of INC from Deeg-Kumher constituency with assets worth Rs. 118.96 Crores and Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka Thana constituency with declared assets worth Rs.87.70 Crores.
·         Relationship between Asset Rank of Winners and their Chances of Winning: 181 MLAs(91%) occupy top three highest asset positions in their respective constituency. 88(44%) MLAs have the highest declared assets in their constituency. 62 (31%) MLAs have the second highest declared assets in their constituency.
·         Low Asset MLAs: Sona Devi of NUZP from Raisinghnagar constituency has declared lowest assets worth Rs.61,357 followed by Dhiraj gurjar of INC from Jahazpur constituency with assets worth Rs.2.88 Lakhs and Shimla Bhawri of BJP from Anupgarh constituency has declared assets worth Rs. 9.17 Lakhs.
·         High Liability MLAsA total of 35 MLAs have declared liabilities of Rs. 50 Lakhs and above. The top three MLAs with highest declared liabilities are Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka thana Constituency with declared liabilities worth Rs. 46.02 Crores, followed by Vishwendra Singh of INC from Deeg Kumher Constituency with liabilities of Rs. 40.12 Crores and Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh nagar Constituency with declared liabilities of Rs. 16.90 Crores.
·         Undeclared PAN : MLAs have not declared their PAN details.
·         MLAs who have not declared their ITR: 27 (14%) MLAs have not declared their Income Tax Returns.
·         Highest Income declared in their last ITR: Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka Thana constituency has declared the highest income in his ITR of Rs.4.56 Crores followed by Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh Nagar constituency with an income of Rs. 2.94 Crores and Ratan jaldhari of BJP from Sikar constituency has declared an income of Rs. 2.74 Crores.

Criminal:
·         MLAs with Criminal Cases: 18% or 36 of the 199 MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. In 2008, 16% or 31 MLAs had declared criminal cases out of 197 MLAs analysed.
·         Party-Wise MLAs with Declared Criminal Cases: BJP has 28 (17%) out of 162, INC has 5(24%) out of 21 MLAs who have declared criminal cases. 2 Independent MLAs and one NPP MLA have declared criminal cases against them.
·         MLAs with Serious Criminal Cases:  Out of the 36 MLAs with criminal cases, 19 MLAs have declared serious criminal cases like murder, kidnapping and extortion.
·         MLAs who have declared murder charges: Gulab chand Kataria of BJP from Udaipur constituency has declared murder charges against him.

Other Background details (Education, Gender, Age):
·         MLAs’ Education A total of 125 (63%) MLAs have educational qualifications equivalent tograduate or above. A total of 69 (35%) MLAs have educational qualification of 12th pass or below.
·         MLAs’ AgeOnly 35 (18%) MLAs are aged 40 or less while 123 (62%) MLAs have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years. 41 (21%) MLAs are aged above 60 years including one MLA over 80 years.
·         Women MLAs: Out of the 199 MLAs 28 (14%) are women.  In 2008 also there were 28 women MLAs.


National Election Watch/Association for Democratic Reforms:


Media & Journalist Helpline

+91 80103 94248


Mr. Anurag Mittal
National Coordinator

National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 80103 94248
+91 9811108914


Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore

Founder Member,
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 9448353285,



Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad (Retd.)

Founder Member
National Election Watch, Association for Democratic
Reforms

+91 9999620944





 

Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

14122013
Analysis of Financial, Criminal Background and Other Details of Newly Elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

Rajasthan Election Watch (REW) and Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of all 199 newly elected MLAs in the Rajasthan 2013 Assembly Elections. (Detailed reports in English and Hindi are attached with this mail)


Summary and Highlights:
Asset and Criminal background Comparison of Re-elected MLAs:

·         Number of Re-elected MLAsRajasthan Election Watch had analysed the affidavits of all 67 re-elected MLAs.
·         Re-elected MLAs with Criminal Cases: There are 13 re-elected MLAs who have declared criminal cases in 2013. Out of these 13 re-elected MLAs, 3 had declared criminal cases in the last assembly elections too.
·         Average Asset growth of Re-elected MLAs in 2013 ElectionsThe average asset of these 67 re-elected MLAs now in 2013 is Rs 3.89 Crores. The average assets of these 67 MLAs in 2008 was Rs. 1.69 Crores. The average asset growth of these 67 re-elected MLAs is 130% or by Rs. 2.20 Crores.                                                               
·         Party Wise Average Asset Increase58 re-elected MLAs of BJP have shown an average asset increase of130% or Rs 2.36 Crores. Assets of 6 INC MLAs  grew by 144% or  Rs 1.68 Crores.
·         Highest growth In Assets in 5 years (2008-2013): The maximum growth in assets has been for Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh Nagar constituency. He has declared an increase of Rs. 22.95 Crores (627%) i.e from Rs. 3.66 Crores in 2008 to Rs. 26.61 Crores in 2013Assets of Gopal krishan of BJP from Bikaner West Constituency have increased by Rs 12.84 Crores (85%), i.e. from Rs. 15.03 Crores in 2008 to Rs 27.88 Crores in 2013Assets ofNarpat Singh Rajvi of BJP from Vidyadharnagar Constituency have risen by Rs 6.98 Crores (299%), from Rs 2.34 Crores in 2008 to Rs 9.32 Crores in 2013 (Narpat Singh Rajvi  has not declared value of two vehicles and value of  shares iin his 2008 affidavit).
·         Decline in assets2 MLAs have declared decrease in assets compared to their 2008 declarations. Vijay Kumar of BJP from Bharatpur constituency has declared a decrease of 46% in his assets i.e from Rs. 3.88 Crores in 2008 to Rs.2.09 Crores in 2013. Anju Devi Dhanka, an Independent MLA from Bassi constituency has declared 19% decrease in assets (Rs.31.66 Lakhs in 2008 to Rs. 25.50 Lakhs in 2013).

Financial, Criminal and Other details of newly elected MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2013

Financial:
·         Crorepati MLAs: 145 (73%) out of 199 MLAs are crorepatis. In 2008, out of 197 MLAs analysed, 90 (46%) MLAs were crorepatis.
·         Party Wise Crorepati MLAs: 120 (74%) out of 162 BJP MLAs are crorepatis while 14 (67%) out of 21 MLAs of INC are crorepatis.  All 4 MLAs of NPP, 2 MLAs of BSP, 4 Indepemdents and One MLA from NUZP are croprepatis.
·         Average Assets: The average asset per MLA in the Rajasthan 2013 Assembly Elections is Rs. 5.81 Crores. In 2008, it was Rs. 2.08 Crores for the 197 MLAs analysed.
·         Party-wise Average AssetsThe average asset per MLA for BJP is Rs.4.17 Crores and for INC it isRs 9.41 Crores. BSP MLAs have an average assets of Rs.12.06 Crores, for NPP it is Rs.4.53 Crores, for 2 MLAs of NUZP it is Rs.98.71 Crores and Independendent MLAs have average assets of Rs.4.39 Crores.
·         Highest Asset MLAsTop 3 MLAs with highest declared assets are Kamini Jindal of NUZP from Ganganagar constituency with declared assets of Rs.197.42 Crores followed by Vishwendra Singh of INC from Deeg-Kumher constituency with assets worth Rs. 118.96 Crores and Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka Thana constituency with declared assets worth Rs.87.70 Crores.
·         Relationship between Asset Rank of Winners and their Chances of Winning: 181 MLAs(91%) occupy top three highest asset positions in their respective constituency. 88(44%) MLAs have the highest declared assets in their constituency. 62 (31%) MLAs have the second highest declared assets in their constituency.
·         Low Asset MLAs: Sona Devi of NUZP from Raisinghnagar constituency has declared lowest assets worth Rs.61,357 followed by Dhiraj gurjar of INC from Jahazpur constituency with assets worth Rs.2.88 Lakhs and Shimla Bhawri of BJP from Anupgarh constituency has declared assets worth Rs. 9.17 Lakhs.
·         High Liability MLAsA total of 35 MLAs have declared liabilities of Rs. 50 Lakhs and above. The top three MLAs with highest declared liabilities are Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka thana Constituency with declared liabilities worth Rs. 46.02 Crores, followed by Vishwendra Singh of INC from Deeg Kumher Constituency with liabilities of Rs. 40.12 Crores and Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh nagar Constituency with declared liabilities of Rs. 16.90 Crores.
·         Undeclared PAN : MLAs have not declared their PAN details.
·         MLAs who have not declared their ITR: 27 (14%) MLAs have not declared their Income Tax Returns.
·         Highest Income declared in their last ITR: Prem Singh of BJP from Neem Ka Thana constituency has declared the highest income in his ITR of Rs.4.56 Crores followed by Ashok Parnami of BJP from Adarsh Nagar constituency with an income of Rs. 2.94 Crores and Ratan jaldhari of BJP from Sikar constituency has declared an income of Rs. 2.74 Crores.

Criminal:
·         MLAs with Criminal Cases: 18% or 36 of the 199 MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. In 2008, 16% or 31 MLAs had declared criminal cases out of 197 MLAs analysed.
·         Party-Wise MLAs with Declared Criminal Cases: BJP has 28 (17%) out of 162, INC has 5(24%) out of 21 MLAs who have declared criminal cases. 2 Independent MLAs and one NPP MLA have declared criminal cases against them.
·         MLAs with Serious Criminal Cases:  Out of the 36 MLAs with criminal cases, 19 MLAs have declared serious criminal cases like murder, kidnapping and extortion.
·         MLAs who have declared murder charges: Gulab chand Kataria of BJP from Udaipur constituency has declared murder charges against him.

Other Background details (Education, Gender, Age):
·         MLAs’ Education A total of 125 (63%) MLAs have educational qualifications equivalent tograduate or above. A total of 69 (35%) MLAs have educational qualification of 12th pass or below.
·         MLAs’ AgeOnly 35 (18%) MLAs are aged 40 or less while 123 (62%) MLAs have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years. 41 (21%) MLAs are aged above 60 years including one MLA over 80 years.
·         Women MLAs: Out of the 199 MLAs 28 (14%) are women.  In 2008 also there were 28 women MLAs.


National Election Watch/Association for Democratic Reforms:


Media & Journalist Helpline

+91 80103 94248


Mr. Anurag Mittal
National Coordinator

National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 80103 94248
+91 9811108914


Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore

Founder Member,
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms

+91 9448353285,



Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad (Retd.)

Founder Member
National Election Watch, Association for Democratic
Reforms

+91 9999620944





 

India’s forex kitty swells USD 4.4 bn to USD 295.7 bn

14122013
 
India
India’s forex reserves rose for the fifth consecutive week, adding USD 4.41 billion to USD 295.71 billion in the week ended 6th December on account of a rise in foreign currency assets, the Reserve Bank said.
Last week, the reserves recorded the single biggest weekly gain since October 2011 surging by a whopping USD 5.04 billion to USD 291.3 billion. 
Foreign currency assets (FCAs), which form a major part of the overall reserves, jumped by USD 5.019 billion to USD 268.755 billion for the week under review, the RBI said on Friday. 
FCAs, expressed in dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of the non-US currencies such as the euro, pound and yen, held in reserves. 
During the week under review, the gold reserves dropped by USD 624.2 million to USD 20.603 billion, while the special drawing rights rose by USD 8.9 million to USD 4.442 billion. 
India’s reserve position with the IMF rose by USD 3.8 million to USD 1.909 billion during the period, the RBI data showed. 


 

Kejriwal meets Delhi LG

14122013
Kejriwal meets Delhi LG; seeks time to decide on govt formation
 Arvind Kejriwal meets Delhi LG; seeks time to decide on govt formation
Aam Aadmi party Convener Arvind Kejriwal met Lt. Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung on Saturday and sought time to decide on the formation of Government.
Addressing the media after the meeting on Saturday, Kejriwal said the party has written a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and BJP President Rajnath Singh seeking clarification on their offer to unconditional support.
Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, whom AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal met, has said he will send a report to the President, an indication that he would tell the Centre that government formation will not be possible now.
In a surprise move, Congress had on Friday night extended unconditional support of its eight MLAs to AAP for forming the next government. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Kejriwal said, he had not sought any time from the Lt Governor for government formation.
He claimed the LG told him he can come back when he has the majority.
However, a press release issued by the LG said, “Leader of AAP Legislative Party Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Governor. Referring to the letter of support received from Congress, Kejriwal said he would be in a position to form a government only after ascertaining the views of people of Delhi. The honourable LG will be submitting a factual report to the honourable President of India”.
While the single largest party BJP with 31 MLAs had declined to from the government, the second big party AAP with 28 seats has been saying that it would not take from or give support to Congress and BJP in government formation.
Kejriwal asked why the Congress and BJP were ready to extend their support to AAP, when his party had not asked for it.
“Nobody gives unconditional support to anyone without any reason. There must be some reason that both parties are in a hurry to extend their support to us for free, what are their intentions,” he told reporters.
Attacking the BJP, he said their intentions were evident the moment they refused to form the government and stated they were not interested in manipulative politics and horse trading when they had allegedly done so in other states.
The AAP leader said his party’s stand was clear from day one that it would not take or give support to the Congress or the BJP.
AAP was formed by the common people due to alleged corrupt and criminal politics of both the parties, and it was now not possible to join hands with these parties, he said.
“But their moves have surprised us. We had even prepared a letter for the LG (expressing our inability to form the government). To understand their stand, I had written letters to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and BJP Chief Rajnath Singh seeking their parties’ stand on 18 issues,” Kejriwal said.
“I have asked them to provide categorical answers on the issues,” he said.
During the last 15 years of Congress regime, problems of people have increased manifold.
Similarly, BJP-ruled municipal corporation was allegedly involved in loot and mis-governance and common people were fed up with the corruption, he charged.
In his letter, Kejriwal sought the views of Congress and BJP on the issue of ending VIP culture in the national capital.
No minister, MLA or officer would use a red-beacon fitted vehicle, demand no security for themselves and not reside in big bungalows.
Among the other demands are ending the MLA or corporator fund scheme and allotment of the same money through Mohalla Sabha for development of local areas besides giving power to people to decide on expenditure.
AAP also sought their views on the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi and asked would they still support his government if their leaders were found involved in corruption.
Kejriwal asked whether Congress and BJP would support AAP on giving more decision power to Mohalla Sabhas, giving full statehood to Delhi and audit of accounts of electricity companies.
He also asked whether they would be supporting AAP on issue of electricity meters, putting an end to tanker mafia, which he said is being run allegedly in connivance with few leaders of both the parties.
He asked whether the parties would support them on the issue of repealing of a law which allows increase in water tariff every year.
Would these parties support his government on regularisation of unauthorised colonies, rehabilitation of slums, ending of contractual appointments of nurses, doctors, sweepers, and teachers?
Would the Congress and the BJP support AAP government in simplification of VAT and promote trade and business, provide basic amenities in industrial area.
Would they oppose the FDI in retail in Delhi? Would they support AAP’s view of giving subsidy to farmers and not acquiring land without permission of gramsabha, Kejriwal wrote.
He also asked if these parties would support AAP on issue of providing security to women, improving quality of education in 1,800 schools run by municipal corporation and 1,200 by government, on judicial reforms and help from BJP-run MCDs on various issues.
“After getting response from BJP and Congress on these issues, we will hold public meetings and ask the people whether we should form government or not,” he said.


 

18000 Godowns Set up so far Under Rural Rodown Scheme

14122013
Agriculture marketing being a State subject, State Governments provide necessary post-harvest and marketing infrastructure in their States. With a view to bring improvement in post-harvest and marketing infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses Central Government implements Scheme for Development/Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardisation (AMIGS) and Rural Godown Scheme (RGS). Under AMIGS, a total of 9134 post-harvest and marketing infrastructure facilities of different types have been assisted in the country since inception till June 2013. 
Under RGS 18041 rural godowns with a capacity of 24.46 million MT have been created for providing scientific storage facilities to the farmers. 
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions. 


 

Rehabilitation Packages to Mitigate Hardship Faced by Farmers

14122013
Government of India has announced several packages to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers including Rehabilitation Package of Rs.19998.85 crore covering 31 suicide prone districts in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Package of Rs.1840.75 crore for development of Kuttanad Wetland Eco-system in Kerala, Package of Rs. 764.45 crore for mitigating agrarian distress in Idukki district of Kerala, Bundelkhand Special Package of Rs.7266 crore for drought mitigation and Vidarbha Intensified Irrigation Development Programme (VIIDP) with total allocation of• Rs.3250 crore from 2012-13 to 2016-17. 
Government has also taken several other steps to revitalize the agriculture sector and improve condition of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension, marketing, etc. Various programmes/schemes for the development of agriculture sector are being implemented in a decentralized manner with flexibility to State Governments to formulate and implement appropriate projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus of Government is primarily on increase of farm income, creation of non- farm income opportunities, improvement in productivity of rainfed agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under protective irrigation and forging appropriate backward and forward linkages. Other measures taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crop loans, revival package for strengthening Short Term Rural Cooperative Credit Structure. 
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions


 

Action Plan To Make Milk Production Profitable

14122013
Rearing of livestock for milk production plays a significant role in supplementing family income in the rural sector, particularly among small and marginal farmers and landless laborers, beside generating gainful employment and providing low cost nutritional feed.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has been providing assistance under following Schemes for control of animal diseases, scientific management & up –gradation of genetic resources, livestock insurance, increasing availability of nutritious feed & fodder, sustainable development of Milk Processing & Marketing facilities, enhancement of milk production and profitability of livestock :-
1. Intensive Dairy Development Programme;
2. Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme;
3. Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production;
4. National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding;
5. Livestock health and Disease Control;
6. Fodder & Feed Development Scheme;
7. Livestock Insurance Scheme;
8. National Dairy Plan Phase – I.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charan Das Mahant in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions.


 

Promoting Organic Farming in the Country

14122013
The Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). 
Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and Rs.60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio pesticides/bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. Besides, under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs.30,000/- per beneficiary, for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares, assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Further, under National Project on Management of Soil Health Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial assistance of Rs.500 per hectare is provided to promote use of organic manure. The financial assistance is provided on basis of project proposals received from States. 
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions. 


 

Food Safety and Standards Act

14122013
  
The Regulation 2.2.1 of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, prescribe conformity with the IS standards for packaging materials including tin for storing of food product products intended for sale in the Country. These IS standards are notified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 
The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules, Regulations made there under rest with State/UTs Governments. Random Samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and sent to the laboratories recognized by FSSAI for analysis. In case where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made there under, penal action is taken against the offender. 
Specific data of violations of regulations relating to packaging material, is not maintained centrally. 
Harmonization of the national standards for packaging material with those of international standards, by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is a continuous process. 
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today. 


 

Two -day National Consultation

14122013
Two -day National Consultation
on Agrarian  Reforms And Land Rights
December 16-17, New Delhi

Land rights and agrarian reform are two fundamental issues that have been at the centre of peoples⊳truggles working for safeguarding peoples⠬ivelihood and self-governance over livelihood resources. The concept of access and ownership of people over natural resources has been fundamentally and constitutionally challenged under the neo-liberal trend by replacing the notion of ᣯmmon goods⠳uch as land and other natural resources fauna, flora, water, air into ᰲivate goods⮠Important to mention that conversion of a virtuous source as ᬡnd⠩nto freely tradable commodity is not only against nature but also against natural justice and natural rights of the toiling people and specially of the landless and poor cultivator peasants and primary producers.Ƶrther, it has also negatively affect the labour rights of the labour force engaged in the agrarian sector. This has not only negated peoples⠮atural and inalienable rights over natural resources but also increased the concerns over critical agrarian issues and precisely on the issue of self reliance on food sovereignty. The process of mass-conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and massive land acquisition for PPPs under speedy national investment board is one such example of states⠲esponses to the issue. There is also a new Act which facilitates the corporate to control the natural resources even after the years of struggles to repeal the Land Acquisition Act 1894. While there has been a clear negation of demands by various peoples⊭ovements struggling at various fronts and even parliamentary standing committee recommendations probing a more vetoed power under the concept of eminent domain.

Furthermore, there has been obvious change in the Სtionale of production⠩n agrarian sector that has also determined the land use policy, alienating ᣯmmons⠦rom the Ჩght to grow⠡nd converting them in a form of producers for࠭arkets as modeled under neo-liberal policies.

Therefore, a concrete and collective addressal of land rights and agrarian reform is important to emphasis the rights of ᣯmmons⠯n natural resources and Სtionale of rights of primary produces.
Under this background, we invite you to a two-day national consultation 16-17th Dec. 2013 on ጡnd Rights and Agrarian reform⠴o share and discuss the thoughts, understandings and strategize for the way ahead on the issue. Details of the two-day consultation are as given below:

Date & venue of the consultation:

16th Dec at Constitution Club; Rafi Marg, New Delhi
Time: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

17th Dec at Indian Social Institute (ISI); Lodi Road, New Delhi
Time: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm


 

Gauri Seals Victory at the USHA WESTERN INDIA LADIES

14122013
 Gauri Seals Victory at the USHA WESTERN INDIA LADIES  & JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2013


Pune, December 13, 2013: Seasoned amateur lady golfer Gauri Monga, in prime form post her fifth place finish at the recently concluded Ladies Indian Open, completed a pillar to post victory at the USHA WESTERN INDIA LADIES & JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2013, which concluded at the Poona Golf Course. Gauri, who started the day two shots clear of the field, returned a sedate two over par 73, which was enough to see her eventually finish five shots ahead of second placed Gurbani Singh. This was Gauri’s third title in as many months on the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Amateur Ladies Golf Tour 2013.

Gurbani, who is at the top of the IGU Ladies Order of Merit, carded a day’s best of one over 72, but her horror show on day two, when she had returned a score of 10 over 81, put paid to her hopes of winning the title in the final analysis. Aditi Ashok, second on the Order of Merit list also finished joint third with a final day score of two over 73, which saw her end with a combined score of 227, seven behind Gauri and just two behind Gurbani. With the season almost at its fag end, this win by Gauri sets it up among the top three on the merit list, as they scramble for the title of the country’s best amateur lady golfer.


 

COMMISSIONING OF FAST PATROL VESSEL (FPV) ICGS AADESH

14122013
Image
 INDIAN COAST GUARD SHIP ‘AADESH’, THE FIRST IN THE SERIES OF TWENTY FAST PATROL VESSELS (FPVs), DESIGNED AND BUILT BY M/S COCHIN SHIPYARD LIMITED, WAS COMMISSIONED ON 13 DEC 13 AT KOCHI BY THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF (SOUTH) VICE ADMIRAL SATISH SONI, PVSM, AVSM, NM, IN THE PRESENCE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SPS BASRA, YSM, PTM, TM, COMMANDER COAST GUARD REGION (WEST) AND OTHER SENIOR DIGNITARIES OF THE CENTRAL AND STATE GOVT.
          THE 50 METER INDIGENOUS FPV DISPLACES 290 TONNES AND CAN ACHIEVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 33 KNOTS WITH AN ENDURANCE OF 
1500 NAUTICAL MILES AT ECONOMICAL SPEED OF 13 KNOTS, EQUIPPED WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART WEAPONRY AND ADVANCED COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT. SHE MAKES AN IDEAL PLATFORM FOR UNDERTAKING MULTIFARIOUS CLOSE-COAST MISSIONS SUCH AS SURVEILLANCE, INTERDICTION, SEARCH AND RESCUE AND MEDICAL EVACUATION.  THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE SHIP INCLUDE AN INTEGRATED BRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IBMS), INTEGRATED MACHINERY CONTROL SYSTEM (IMCS) AND AN INTEGRATED GUN MOUNT WITH INDIGENOUS FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM (FCS).
THE SHIP HAS BEEN NAMED ICGS “AADESH”, LITERALLY MEANING “COMMAND”, WILL BE BASED AT TUTICORIN AND WILL BE UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE COMMANDER, COAST GUARD REGION (EAST).
          IN HIS ADDRESS DURING THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, VICE ADMIRAL SATISH SONI, PVSM, AVSM, NM TERMED THE FAST PATROL VESSELS AS THE WORK HORSES OF COAST GUARD. THE FLAG OFFICER ALSO DWELT UPON THE FAST PACED DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIAN COAST GUARD AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE COAST GUARD’S PLAN TO INCREASE FORCE LEVELS SUBSTANTIALLY TO FACE THE EMERGING SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE MARITIME DOMAIN. HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACCORDS TO COASTAL SECURITY IN VIEW OF THE ASYMMETRIC THREATS FROM THE SEA. INDIAN COAST GUARD WILL BE A 150 SHIPS/BOATS AND 100 AIR CRAFT MARINE FORCE IN NEXT 
FIVE YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THESE OPERATIONAL ASSETS, A COASTAL SURVEILLANCE NETWORK IS BEING ESTABLISHED WITH 46 STATIONS TO ENSURE REAL TIME COASTAL SURVEILLANCE. 
          THE SHIP IS COMMANDED BY COMMANDANT S R NAGENDRAN AND HAS COMPLEMENT OF 05 OFFICERS AND 34 OTHER RANKS.


 

Mary Kom’s autobiography, Unbreakable launched

14122013
Image
Mary Kom’s autobiography, Unbreakable launched by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports -
Shri Jitendra Singh & Sushil Kumar 

New Delhi, December 13, 2013:  MC Mary Kom is a name synonymous with the vitality, strength and determination of Indian women and Indian sportsmanship. She is a role model to many and everyone’s desire to read about her rise to success has finally culminated in her autobiography,Unbreakable. Published by HarperCollins, the much-awaited book was launched by Chief Guest – Shri Jitendra Singh Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, at a glittering event in Delhi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 13th December. The event was organised by IOS Sports & Entertainment, Mary’s long standing marketing agency and one of the country’s fastest growing sports and entertainment companies, with engagements spanning across celebrity management, film marketing, event management, infrastructure development and more..

Born  to  parents  who  were  landless  agricultural  labourers in  the  state  of  Manipur  in  Northeast India, Mary’s story is one of relentless struggle and an unflinching passion for the sport of boxing. A childhood of hard labour prepared her body for the sport just as well as any fitness training might have. Her own will and determination carried her through the minefield of politics that any sport in India is. Nimble of foot and pulling no punches, the boxing ring was Mary’s dominion.

Speaking on the launch of her book, Mary said, “My struggle has been one that many in our country face, especially women. The reason I decided to pen my story down was so others could read it and feel that if I could achieve what I have, so can they. One must have passion, dedication and faith in oneself and all dreams can come true.”  

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Neerav Tomar, MD and CEO, IOS Sports said- “It’s a great feeling to be associated with Mary since past 5 years. We have a long relationship and feel proud to make this autobiography as an inspiration for those, whom Mary is a role model. I personally congratulate her on her success and wish her to reach on the heights of her career.”
M.C. Mary Kom  is  not  yet  ready to  call  it  a  day,  but  here  she tells  her  story  so far,  no  holds barred  –  her  tough  childhood,  her  rebellions,  how  long  she  waited  for  Onler  to  propose marriage, how she was willing to run away with him and, of course, how she held her own in the male bastion of boxing. It’s all packed into this inspiring, exhilarating tale of a woman who faced impossible odds in a man’s world – and won.

 About IOS Sports and Entertainment:

IOS is a Sports & Entertainment Management and Marketing Company dedicated to the promotion and development of sports and talent. They work on a diverse portfolio of properties that provides a 360 degree value add for all stakeholders. With sports as the company’s core competence, their portfolio also encompasses entertainment including music, fashion, motion pictures and performing arts.

For more information please contact: Value360 Communications
Aman Singh Madaan – 9891580373 - aman.singh@value360india.com
Chavi Taneja – 9953282999 – chavi.taneja@value360india.com
Sukriti Vajpayee – 9953913338 – sukriti@vajpayee@value360india.com


 

Take a stand against open defecation with UNICEF’s nationwide campaign

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Concerned citizens engage in Tweet-a-thon to help drive Poo to Loo:

With more than 620million people – half of the population in India- defecating in the open, it is difficult to imagine that people are unaware of this social and health menace.Yet we’ve grown used to turning a blind eye to the practice. Not only economic and systemic reasons like poverty, landlessness but also socio-cultural and governance factors have been responsible for establishing the practice as somehow acceptable.Open defecation is amajor environmental and health issue, and contributes significantly to needless deaths due to diarrhea and stunting in children.  It is also a persistent risk to the safety of women and deprives them of basic dignity on a daily basis. Yet despite its tragic consequences there isn’t yet a public outcry in support of its elimination.
UNICEF Indiahas launched a digitally led, fun, informative and interactive campaign:Take Poo to the Loo(#Poo2Loo/ www.Poo2Loo.com). It is intended to do more than just create awarenesson the issue of open defecation – it aims to make a noise and create a public movement for change.Targeted primarily at urbanyoung people and crafted in their language – quirky, informative and inspiring – the campaign aimsto create an active layer of advocates who can speak out and challenge the norm; an India where so many citizens do not have a toilet.  As key influencers young people also share their views with their communities, families and peers and collectively this voice will help to stimulate the creation of a new social norm; one where everyone uses a toilet.
And one of the best waysto do this: Let Poo break loose on people!

Talking about the campaign, Sue Coates, Chief: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), UNICEF India said Open defecation is a widespread practice impacting all of us. Through the different campaign elements – including videos, posters, games, mobile applications and a soon-to-be-released anthem, we are encouraging young people to confront this fact.  Being the lucky few to have toilets at home, at work and in the social venues where we meet, we are rarely inconvenienced and we don’t notice open defecation; but we are all affected. Poo is all around us; it is a contamination threat to the safety of the food we eat, to the water we drink. UNICEF’s initiative is to show Poo bombarding everyday lives, so thatpeoplesee the prevalence of open-defecation and collectively say ‘no more in India’’.

Over the last month the stink on the streets seems to have increased.  Poo, the protagonist of this sordid tale of open defecationhas been roaming the streets of Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, with a disregard for civic sense that is not only audaciousbut also a great nuisance. And this time, people are getting upset.
In the first phase of the campaign, UNICEF reached 4800-5600 people across colleges, market places and popular youth hangout zones in the four cities. 1029 people actively came forward and supported the cause – by uploading their Poo-bombed photographs on the microsite (www.Poo2loo.com) and on Facebook. They also took the Pledge against open defecation– on the site and through SMS.
The campaign is receiving likes, shares and comments on Facebook, with enquiries on how one can support the cause, how one can get more actively involved and other initiatives that people can participate in. The youth have begun talking against open defecation. Social media is buzzing with debates and discussions as questions are being raised about current activities by civic bodies on the issue and participation by various stakeholders – government and non-government. Suggestions are being offered by the new youth advocates on how one can get rid of the menace as they come forward to actively support the cause. 
UNICEF is taking this moment to shake more people out of their apathy and provide a space for them to voice strong opinion.It is now time to Take Poo to the Loo.
Poo manwill descend again on the streets of Pune (13 December), Hyderabad (14 December), New Delhi (21 December) and Mumbai (22 December). But this time, he will be greeted with strong voices and opinions (in the form of Tweets) that speak out against open defecation. “Armed with the power of Twitter, UNICEF will take digitally driven public engagement to another level – more the numbers of Tweets, more willPoo, the protagonist be compelled to move towards the nearest loo in the city,” explains Caroline den Dulk, Chief Advocacy and Communication, UNICEF India

The campaign will see participation by youth advocates who’ll be roaming the streets and encouraging people to tweet from the locations themselves, thereby giving them power to put Poo in its rightful place – the toilet.

UNICEF’s aim is to build on the engagement with informed and active advocateswho’ll speak against the issue on every platform and put enough pressure on key policymakers to bring change. UNICEF’s Pledge, signed by citizens, represents the nation’s Call for Action. Delivered to the President of India, the Pledge aims to capture national discontent and push for an Open Defecation-free India. (http://www.poo2loo.com/)

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.  Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. 
 For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.organdwww.unicef.org/india
For more information, please contact:
Maria Fernandez, Communication Specialist, UNICEF India
Tel: +91-995 817 6291, Email: mfernandez@unicef.org
Geetanjali Master, Communication Specialist, UNICEF India 
Tel: 91-981 810 5861, E-mail: gmaster@unicef.org

Sonia Sarkar, Communication Officer- Media, UNICEF India
Tel: +91-981 017 0289, E-mail: ssarkar@unicef.org
Akanksha Mathur,IPAN Hill and Knowlton Strategies
Tel: +91 9560069397,E- mail: akanksha.mathur@hkstrategies.com


 

ADHM are perfect platform to encourage athletics, says Bailey

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New Delhi, 13th December 2013: ã…¶ents like the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon are a perfect platform to generate interest towards athletics. India is a huge country, itâ³ just about developing the running culture and with appropriate infrastructure and professional training, Indians can definitely produce Olympic winners,ä ³aid Donovan Bailey, 100m Olympic and World Champion and 100m World Record holder and the international event ambassador of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon at the Meet & greet session at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here, on Friday.

After arriving at the stadium in a BMW motorcade in the company of the elite athletes Bailey, who has visited India before said, “I had the opportunity to compete in Pune in a couple events in the 90s and it was a fantastic feeling to see hundreds of people who had come to support and cheer for me. India is an incredible country and the people here are very warm and the food is incredible. “

The Jamaican born Bailey gave the example of his small country of birth that has a running culture, “Jamaica is a very tiny country as compared to India. Here there is huge potential. The associations need to identify the talent pool and give them the right direction and nurture them,ä ³aid Bailey. 
On his own athletic career, Bailey said “the victories at the World Championships and the Olympic gold medal, which I won while setting a world record are closest to my heart. I will always be an Olympic champion and the feeling is exhilarating. But, I think more than the gold medal and the records, what motivates me is, and I think it should to all athletes, is to run a perfect technical race.伯span>

The inevitable question about Usain Bolt was answered very clearly by the champion. ”Bolt is someone i meet often, talk to and give advise to.  He is a good kid, he is fast and the best. But he still has the potential to improve, his stance and his start could be better. With a height of 6.6 ft he is the only man on the planet who can break records and clock the lowest time.”


 

Hindustan FC Practices In Full Swing For Delhi Senior Division League

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For a football club in Delhi where the game is not just a passion but life, it’s of utmost importance to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. And Hindustan Football Club have exactly done that.

Having started their practice two months back for the DSA Senior Division League, the team has just intensified their training couple of weeks back with the announcement of dates for the already delayed tournament.

With immense history attached to it, the club aims to bounce back this season after a-not-so good finish last term. And that reflects in their practice. Boys look fit, confident and there’s no dearth of motivation and the support from the management is what is pushing the boys to go that extra mile.

If the boys slug out in the chilly winter evening at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex under lights, the club officials stand on the sidelines, witnessing their wards play. After that, they run around, trying to plug every needs of the players and staffs to make it perfect unit for the tournament.

But one man on the sideline stays more focused than anyone else – Technical Director, Mr Surinder Kumar. He takes note and the next moment, he screams – Man on, run, attack and so on弯span>

On being asked how the training is progressing, Mr. Kumar minched no words on his satisfaction. “We have already been training for a long time and I am really happy with how the team have shaped up. We are done with the nitty-gritty aspect of the training, formulating tactics. At these stage, we are looking forward to the tournament and trying to avoid major injuries.”

On the team, he said, “Boys have gelled very well, they have good understanding and that reflects in their practice. I am confident, we will do extremely well this year. Let the tournament begin and you will see it yourself,” quips Mr. Surinder Kumar.


 

Shri D Tikku conferred Dr. Kurien Award by IDA

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Shri D Tikku conferred Dr. Kurien Award by IDA
for immense contribution to the development, growth and research
of dairy industry in India
New Delhi / Ahmedabad 13 December 2013: Shri D Tikku, Chairman, NDDB Dairy Services was conferred with the 10th Dr Kurien Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Indian dairy industry. Dr Kurien award instituted by Indian Dairy Association is given every alternate year. The award was presented in the 42nd Dairy Industry conference at Chennai. Shri Tikku has contributed immensely to the development, growth and research of dairy industry in India.
Shri Tikku joined Mother Dairy, Delhi in 1974 and was Chief Executive of Fruit and Vegetable Project from 1980 – 95. He led the team which designed and developed India’s first milk vending machine.
In 1996, he was appointed Executive Director in NDDB and thereafter Managing Director in 2000 – a position he held till 2010. Shri Tikku was with NDDB at the crucial time of completion of Operation Flood project and was instrumental in the organization’s abiding support to cooperatives, thus providing stimulus to the growth of milk production in the country.
Shri Tikku is the Chairman of NDDB Dairy Services, a not-for-profit company set up by NDDB in 2009 to implement its field activities. The company facilitates setting up of milk producer companies across the country two of which have already been incorporated in Rajasthan and Gujarat.



For further information please contact:
Neeraj Shorya, neeraj@impactpr.in, 9310333595
Sujoy Choudhary, sujoy@impactpr.in, 9310333597
Parul Kohli, parul@impactpr.in, 8010133598
Impact Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.


 

Rotary International come up with the T-E-A-C-H programme

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Way back in 1985, Rotary International had promised the future generations a Polio free world. Rotarians across the globe have worked endlesly in this battle against Polio. On 13th January 2014, India will be declared Polio-free. Not resting on our laurels, we have decided upon a gigantic mission – that of eradicating iiliteracy from South Asia.  After discussions with ministers, experts, activists, bureaucrata about how we may tackle this tremendous task, we have come up with the T-E-A-C-H programme which represents a holistic approach to this mission:
T eacher support
E – learning
A dult Literacy
C hild development
H appy Schools
We promise E- learning in 10,000 schools to start with. Our aim is to develop at least 500 Happy Schools across the country. We have resolved to set up more than 50 adult literacy centres across the nation.  We promise teacher training programmes too.
To discuss matters relating to these plans and to launch this mission we are organizing a South Asia Literacy Summit at Hotel Ashoke, in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi on 14th to 15th December 2013. Excited and enthused at our new focus of driving illiteracy out of the country and South Asia as well, we have already received promises from personalities like noted football player and coach Bhaichung Bhutia, Tabla maestro Bickram Ghosh, Anand Kumar of “Super 30” fame and noted South Indian actress Amala Akineni, film stars Kabir Bedi, Ravi Kissen and Mrinal Kulkarni to be brand ambassadors of our TEACH programme and our Literacy Mission.
Past Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee is Chair of the South Asia committed and in his words, “We are in Rotary for one simple reason, to change the world.” Convenor and Past Rotary International Director Shekhar Mehta says, “let us Light up the path towards total literacy and quality education in India and in South Asia.”
As you can well understand, our dreams are lofty and aim is high but we need a lot of support in expertise, finances and management skills from other NGOs, activists and in fact make Total Literacy a movement each one has a role to play. We request you to kindly give regular coverage attention to Rotary’s attempt at driving out Illiteracy through its Total Literacy Mission and write about it in your esteemed publication or talk about it in your electronic medium,  so that our programme gets more and more support from the general population of this nation.

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