Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has been reappointed as chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), notwithstanding controversy surrounding him with regard to the draft report on the 2G spectrum scam. Joshi was nominated by his party following which Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has reappointed him as chairman of PAC which is responsible for conducting the financial audit of various departments and ministries.The term of the previous committee ended on Saturday. Joshi's reappointment will be effected from Sunday and he will be the chairperson for one year.The 77-year-old leader has been recently at the centre of major controversy after he circulated the draft report of PAC on the 2G scam.He was attacked by the PAC members belonging to UPA who alleged that the report was prepared with "malafide intention" to defame and destabilise the Government.
Rejecting the charges of being malafide, Joshi on Saturday sent the report to Lok Sabha Speaker and wanted her to table it in Parliament.Addressing media, he also termed as "unconstitutional" the claim that 11 MPs of the 21-member committee had "rejected" the report, saying said such a possibility does not exist till the report is "read" by members and "discussed" para by para.Replying to a question, Joshi said he would wait for a decision from the Lok Sabha Speaker on whether the report had been "adopted".
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
President Obama outlines the steps taken about rising gas prices
A few weeks ago, I emailed you about rising gas prices, and I want to give you a quick update on three important steps:
* Ending oil and gas subsidies. Oil companies are receiving $4 billion a year in taxpayer subsidies that don't make sense and that we can't afford. That's why President Obama has called on Democrats and Republicans in Congress to stop subsidizing the oil and gas industry so that we can afford to invest in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.
* Stopping oil market fraud. Last week, Attorney General Eric Holder announced a working group focused on rooting out the cases of fraud in the oil markets that might affect gas prices (the President discussed this in his Weekly Address last Saturday).
* Reducing our dependence on oil. Stepping back to look at the bigger picture, President Obama recently unveiled his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future that set a goal of reducing our imports of foreign oil by a third in a little over a decade. To do this we have to increase our domestic energy production, reduce our demand for oil by building cleaner, more efficient vehicles, and fully utilize alternatives to oil in the transportation sector like natural gas and advanced biofuels.
These are difficult issues to tackle, and it's going to take all of us working together to move forward. For years, politicians in Washington have kicked this problem down the road, but we simply cannot afford the price of inaction any longer.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
* Ending oil and gas subsidies. Oil companies are receiving $4 billion a year in taxpayer subsidies that don't make sense and that we can't afford. That's why President Obama has called on Democrats and Republicans in Congress to stop subsidizing the oil and gas industry so that we can afford to invest in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.
* Stopping oil market fraud. Last week, Attorney General Eric Holder announced a working group focused on rooting out the cases of fraud in the oil markets that might affect gas prices (the President discussed this in his Weekly Address last Saturday).
* Reducing our dependence on oil. Stepping back to look at the bigger picture, President Obama recently unveiled his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future that set a goal of reducing our imports of foreign oil by a third in a little over a decade. To do this we have to increase our domestic energy production, reduce our demand for oil by building cleaner, more efficient vehicles, and fully utilize alternatives to oil in the transportation sector like natural gas and advanced biofuels.
These are difficult issues to tackle, and it's going to take all of us working together to move forward. For years, politicians in Washington have kicked this problem down the road, but we simply cannot afford the price of inaction any longer.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Baba Ramadev massive Satyagraha on June 4th.
Baba Ramadev massive Satyagraha on June 4th.
Please spread far and wide and save this country. Every nook and corner of the country, old and young, man and woman, boy and girl, poor and rich, have to feel in their hearts and participate in this great movement. When Gandhi ji did Dandi Satyagraha, 120 million out of India's 350 million population participated in it. Let every citizen of India stand behind Baba Ramadev ji and make this historic one.
Let us not underestimate what the country is up against. There are people who will pose as sympathizers and sabotage the movement, they will try to defame the Baba Ramadev ji, they will gag the freedom of speech, they will invent stories and doctor CDs, they will devise methods to confuse people, they will try every possible way. If there is one enemy, it is not them but our own will lack of unity, our own smallness to gain some name, to gain some fame. They know very well on how to tempt you and then at opportune time throw you down. Do not become a pawn. Never forget Jayachand, never forget Charan Singh, India has many such leaders who fell prey to short lived fame and sacrificed the nation.
There is an American expression, 'Give me freedom or give me death'. We got to conquer fear and summon courage to deal with the selfish people sucking up the national wealth, dividing the country for themselves and their dynasties, worse than British did and making our country into another Africa (while China next door is becoming a super power).
Regards,
Satya
Please spread far and wide and save this country. Every nook and corner of the country, old and young, man and woman, boy and girl, poor and rich, have to feel in their hearts and participate in this great movement. When Gandhi ji did Dandi Satyagraha, 120 million out of India's 350 million population participated in it. Let every citizen of India stand behind Baba Ramadev ji and make this historic one.
Let us not underestimate what the country is up against. There are people who will pose as sympathizers and sabotage the movement, they will try to defame the Baba Ramadev ji, they will gag the freedom of speech, they will invent stories and doctor CDs, they will devise methods to confuse people, they will try every possible way. If there is one enemy, it is not them but our own will lack of unity, our own smallness to gain some name, to gain some fame. They know very well on how to tempt you and then at opportune time throw you down. Do not become a pawn. Never forget Jayachand, never forget Charan Singh, India has many such leaders who fell prey to short lived fame and sacrificed the nation.
There is an American expression, 'Give me freedom or give me death'. We got to conquer fear and summon courage to deal with the selfish people sucking up the national wealth, dividing the country for themselves and their dynasties, worse than British did and making our country into another Africa (while China next door is becoming a super power).
Regards,
Satya
Thursday, April 28, 2011
CVC report on irregularities in CWG projects
Central Vigilance Commission has found serious deficiencies in five major projects carried out by the Common Wealth Games Organising Committee, OC.
In its latest report on irregularities in CWG projects, the Commission said that the Suresh Kalmadi-led OC had wrongfully moulded eligibility criteria in tenders to pave the way for certain private firms to help them make profit out of the projects worth 718 crore 33 lakh rupees.
The work included ticketing, accreditation card work, purchase of fitness equipment and overlays. The Commission has pointed out that an expenditure of over 27 crore rupees on work pertaining to creative designing of various products including signages, communications etc. was highly inflated.
In its latest report on irregularities in CWG projects, the Commission said that the Suresh Kalmadi-led OC had wrongfully moulded eligibility criteria in tenders to pave the way for certain private firms to help them make profit out of the projects worth 718 crore 33 lakh rupees.
The work included ticketing, accreditation card work, purchase of fitness equipment and overlays. The Commission has pointed out that an expenditure of over 27 crore rupees on work pertaining to creative designing of various products including signages, communications etc. was highly inflated.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Suresh Kalmadi produced in special CBI Court
Former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chief Suresh Kalmadi was produced in a special CBI Court in Delhi a shortwhile ago. CBI is likely to ask for his custody. The investigating agency arrested Kalmadi yesterday for allegedly awarding a purchase contract for the games to a Swiss company at an inflated rate of 141 crore rupees for timing equipments. CBI also arrested two other senior officials of CWG Organising Committee yesterday for involvement in the scam. They are Surjeet Lal and A S V Prasad. They have been taken into custody.
Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has said the Indian Olympic Association IOA will be asked to elect its new Chairman. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function he said, if the IOA fails to act, his Ministry will seek the advice of the Attorney General in this regard and will intervene accordingly. The BJP President Nitin Gadkari said that the investigating agency should take action against all those who are involved in the Commonwealth Games scam. He described Kalmadi's arrest a belated action and alleged that it is a tip of the iceberg. CPIM has welcomed the arrest of Kalmadi.
Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has said the Indian Olympic Association IOA will be asked to elect its new Chairman. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function he said, if the IOA fails to act, his Ministry will seek the advice of the Attorney General in this regard and will intervene accordingly. The BJP President Nitin Gadkari said that the investigating agency should take action against all those who are involved in the Commonwealth Games scam. He described Kalmadi's arrest a belated action and alleged that it is a tip of the iceberg. CPIM has welcomed the arrest of Kalmadi.
Committee set up in black money
PTI / Monday, April 25, 2011 19:06 IST: A High power committee set up in black money case, central govt tells Supreme Court.A high power committee comprising the heads of various probe agencies and specialised departments has been constituted to monitor the investigation and steps taken to bring back black money stashed in foreign banks, the government told the Supreme Court today.
The 10-member committee, which will immediately start functioning, consists of the revenue secretary, the deputy director RBI, the directors of CBI, Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Enforcement Directorate, the chairman of CBDT, the director general of Revenue Intelligence, the director general of DGNC (Directorate General of Narcotics Control), the director of Foreign Intelligence Office (FIO) and joint secretary of Foreign Trade.
The government said that the multi-disciplinary committee for the investigations and other steps likely to be taken, can co-opt members not below the rank of joint secretary for effective implementation of the work in consultation with the secretaries in home, foreign and defence ministries.
The secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat can also be co-opted as a member.
The government stand was in response to proposal of a bench comprising Justice B Sudershan Reddy and Justice SS Nijjar which had favoured setting up of an independent special investigating team (SIT) headed by a retired judge to monitor the case.
Solicitor general Gopal Subramanium told the bench that the co-ordinated mechanism has been put in place to deal with all such cases of black money and it would be headed by the revenue secretary.
He further said that various aspects of the black money case can be probed by different agencies and it would not be limited to the present case of Pune stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan who has come under the scanner of ED and income tax department.
"As far as security angle of the case is concerned, it would be probed by the CBI which would also deal with Hasan Ali Khan case. Money laundering to be investigated by the ED while RBI should be asked to look into the black money stashed in UBS and other Swiss bank," Subramanium said.
The government also submitted that it is investigating into 36 cases involving black money and informed the court that it has entered into agreement with 26 countries under which it could attach the black money stashed in their banks by Indian citizens.
The government's submission came after it was pulled up in the last hearing on April 21 for restricting its probe to an individual and being evasive about the idea of an investigation by the Special Investigating Team.
The bench had asked the government to explain why its investigation was focused only on Hasan Ali Khan and no other names have come out who have stashed money in overseas banks.
"Your whole focus is centred on one individual. Does it mean that all the black money parked in foreign banks belong to only one person? Is it that black money issue is surrounding around one person? Do you have information beyond that?" the bench said.
"We put it very simply and bluntly. Do you have any information regarding other persons also? It seems there is only one person (Indian) who has bank account in Switzerland and no other persons' account has come under suspect in Swiss bank," the bench told the government.
The court was hearing a petition filed by noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani and some former bureaucrats seeking the court's direction to the government to bring black money stashed by Indian nationals in foreign banks, which is said to be to the tune of one trillion US dollars.
Besides Jethmalani, five others, including former Punjab DGP KPS Gill and former secretary general of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap who are petitioners, have alleged the government was not taking action to bring back the black money.
NGO People's Political Front and former top cop Julio F Riberio are also among the petitioners.
Earlier, the government had opposed the idea of setting up an SIT comprising members of various agencies to probe the case saying the ED has been conducting the investigation properly, which is reflected in the status report filed before the bench.
The court, however, had said that in view of the gravity of the case, more than one agency is required to conduct the investigation as the ED itself had expressed "helplessness" on numerous occasion while probing the case.
"We are very clear in our mind that more than one agency is required to conduct the investigation and it should be monitored by a person of eminence which could be a retired Chief Justice of high court," the court had said.
The 10-member committee, which will immediately start functioning, consists of the revenue secretary, the deputy director RBI, the directors of CBI, Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Enforcement Directorate, the chairman of CBDT, the director general of Revenue Intelligence, the director general of DGNC (Directorate General of Narcotics Control), the director of Foreign Intelligence Office (FIO) and joint secretary of Foreign Trade.
The government said that the multi-disciplinary committee for the investigations and other steps likely to be taken, can co-opt members not below the rank of joint secretary for effective implementation of the work in consultation with the secretaries in home, foreign and defence ministries.
The secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat can also be co-opted as a member.
The government stand was in response to proposal of a bench comprising Justice B Sudershan Reddy and Justice SS Nijjar which had favoured setting up of an independent special investigating team (SIT) headed by a retired judge to monitor the case.
Solicitor general Gopal Subramanium told the bench that the co-ordinated mechanism has been put in place to deal with all such cases of black money and it would be headed by the revenue secretary.
He further said that various aspects of the black money case can be probed by different agencies and it would not be limited to the present case of Pune stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan who has come under the scanner of ED and income tax department.
"As far as security angle of the case is concerned, it would be probed by the CBI which would also deal with Hasan Ali Khan case. Money laundering to be investigated by the ED while RBI should be asked to look into the black money stashed in UBS and other Swiss bank," Subramanium said.
The government also submitted that it is investigating into 36 cases involving black money and informed the court that it has entered into agreement with 26 countries under which it could attach the black money stashed in their banks by Indian citizens.
The government's submission came after it was pulled up in the last hearing on April 21 for restricting its probe to an individual and being evasive about the idea of an investigation by the Special Investigating Team.
The bench had asked the government to explain why its investigation was focused only on Hasan Ali Khan and no other names have come out who have stashed money in overseas banks.
"Your whole focus is centred on one individual. Does it mean that all the black money parked in foreign banks belong to only one person? Is it that black money issue is surrounding around one person? Do you have information beyond that?" the bench said.
"We put it very simply and bluntly. Do you have any information regarding other persons also? It seems there is only one person (Indian) who has bank account in Switzerland and no other persons' account has come under suspect in Swiss bank," the bench told the government.
The court was hearing a petition filed by noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani and some former bureaucrats seeking the court's direction to the government to bring black money stashed by Indian nationals in foreign banks, which is said to be to the tune of one trillion US dollars.
Besides Jethmalani, five others, including former Punjab DGP KPS Gill and former secretary general of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap who are petitioners, have alleged the government was not taking action to bring back the black money.
NGO People's Political Front and former top cop Julio F Riberio are also among the petitioners.
Earlier, the government had opposed the idea of setting up an SIT comprising members of various agencies to probe the case saying the ED has been conducting the investigation properly, which is reflected in the status report filed before the bench.
The court, however, had said that in view of the gravity of the case, more than one agency is required to conduct the investigation as the ED itself had expressed "helplessness" on numerous occasion while probing the case.
"We are very clear in our mind that more than one agency is required to conduct the investigation and it should be monitored by a person of eminence which could be a retired Chief Justice of high court," the court had said.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Rasna introduce convenience powdered drink Fruitplus
New Delhi; 25 April 2011- Rasna has proved to be one of the mist desired summer drinks for children.However,the fast moving metropolitan life probably demands more.Recognizing the need,Rasna has now come up with a novel stick pack of its existing product 'Fruitplus'.Saina Nehwal,India's number one shuttler unveiled the new packaging in the capital city New Delhi today.
Saina shared her childhood moments of being in love with Rasna,a feeling she commented she still has.Unveiling the novel stick pack,believes that new package is for the benefit of the consumers.
Rasna’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Piruz Khambatta, said Rasna is proud to be constantly presents in the market and we have committed to our consumer with the quality and nutitution value of our products.Benefit of these consumers only has yet again formed the basis of our growth.He further added "Rasna’s two new manufacturing facilities will get operational in Saudi Arabia and Egypt by October this year." Rasna Pvt Ltd are the oldest and pioneer company to introduce the concept of Preparatory drinks.
Fruitplus product is available in a mono-carbon comprising of variedly flavoured stick packs -in four different flavors namely:Fruitplus Orange,Fruitplus Lemon, Fruitplus Mango,Fruitplus Pineapple.
Rasna has 90% of market share since many decades in powder drinks. Rasna gives the real taste as that of farm fresh juice. As compared to any powder drink in the international market, the product has a better natural taste, more nutritional value, available at very competitive prices and available in a variety of flavour assortments and pack sizes.
Saina shared her childhood moments of being in love with Rasna,a feeling she commented she still has.Unveiling the novel stick pack,believes that new package is for the benefit of the consumers.
Rasna’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Piruz Khambatta, said Rasna is proud to be constantly presents in the market and we have committed to our consumer with the quality and nutitution value of our products.Benefit of these consumers only has yet again formed the basis of our growth.He further added "Rasna’s two new manufacturing facilities will get operational in Saudi Arabia and Egypt by October this year." Rasna Pvt Ltd are the oldest and pioneer company to introduce the concept of Preparatory drinks.
Fruitplus product is available in a mono-carbon comprising of variedly flavoured stick packs -in four different flavors namely:Fruitplus Orange,Fruitplus Lemon, Fruitplus Mango,Fruitplus Pineapple.
Rasna has 90% of market share since many decades in powder drinks. Rasna gives the real taste as that of farm fresh juice. As compared to any powder drink in the international market, the product has a better natural taste, more nutritional value, available at very competitive prices and available in a variety of flavour assortments and pack sizes.
Higher judiciary should be kept out of Lokpal’
Higher judiciary should be kept out of Lokpal’
PTI - 24 Apr 2011 09-NEW DELHI: A conference on Lokpal today felt that higher judiciary should be kept out of the proposed law against corruption but was divided on bringing the Prime Minister under its ambit.
The Round Table meeting which was attended by two former chief justices of Supreme Court and four members of the Lokpal drafting committee including retired apex court judge Santosh Hegde among others felt there should be a separate mechanism to deal with any instances of corruption in the higher judiciary.
Speaking to media persons after taking part in the day-long round table conference, under the banner of Citizens for Public Accountability(CPA), retired Supreme Court chief justices M N Venkatachalaiah and J S Verma said " Judicial accountability has to be there but not as part of Lokpal. To curb the corruption in the higher judiciary, a better mechanism is required".
Claiming that the round table had a consensus over the issue of higher judiciary be kept out of Lokpal, the retired judges said the civil society representatives in the joint committee to draft the Lokpal bill felt the same way.
However, on the issue as to whether Lokpal should have jurisdiction over the Prime Minister, they said there were differences of opinion among the participants and that the issue should be left to Parliament for consideration."We believe that he (Prime Minister) should be accountable only politically looking into the instability in the state and its international ramifications. However there was divergent opinions and we could not come to a conclusion and left it to Parliament to take a decision," they said.Besides emphasizing for an anti-corruption law and its enforcement in the country, the issues pertaining to seamless integration of CVC, CBI and Lokpal and also creation of strong and independent Lokayuktas in states were on the agenda of the round table conference.
The conference was organised jointly by Lok Satta, Centre for Media Studies, Foundation for Democratic Reforms and Transparency International India under the banner of CPA.Apart from Justice Venkatachalaiah, Justice Verma, the members of the government's drafting committee-Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan, his son Prashant Bhushan and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and some eninent jurists, retired Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy and former Chief Vigilance commissioner Pratyush Sinha participated in the conference.
PTI - 24 Apr 2011 09-NEW DELHI: A conference on Lokpal today felt that higher judiciary should be kept out of the proposed law against corruption but was divided on bringing the Prime Minister under its ambit.
The Round Table meeting which was attended by two former chief justices of Supreme Court and four members of the Lokpal drafting committee including retired apex court judge Santosh Hegde among others felt there should be a separate mechanism to deal with any instances of corruption in the higher judiciary.
Speaking to media persons after taking part in the day-long round table conference, under the banner of Citizens for Public Accountability(CPA), retired Supreme Court chief justices M N Venkatachalaiah and J S Verma said " Judicial accountability has to be there but not as part of Lokpal. To curb the corruption in the higher judiciary, a better mechanism is required".
Claiming that the round table had a consensus over the issue of higher judiciary be kept out of Lokpal, the retired judges said the civil society representatives in the joint committee to draft the Lokpal bill felt the same way.
However, on the issue as to whether Lokpal should have jurisdiction over the Prime Minister, they said there were differences of opinion among the participants and that the issue should be left to Parliament for consideration."We believe that he (Prime Minister) should be accountable only politically looking into the instability in the state and its international ramifications. However there was divergent opinions and we could not come to a conclusion and left it to Parliament to take a decision," they said.Besides emphasizing for an anti-corruption law and its enforcement in the country, the issues pertaining to seamless integration of CVC, CBI and Lokpal and also creation of strong and independent Lokayuktas in states were on the agenda of the round table conference.
The conference was organised jointly by Lok Satta, Centre for Media Studies, Foundation for Democratic Reforms and Transparency International India under the banner of CPA.Apart from Justice Venkatachalaiah, Justice Verma, the members of the government's drafting committee-Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan, his son Prashant Bhushan and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and some eninent jurists, retired Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy and former Chief Vigilance commissioner Pratyush Sinha participated in the conference.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Duty free garments imports from Bangladesh
India on Saturday said it has increased the quota for duty free import of garments from Bangladesh by two million pieces to 10 million and also removed countervailing duty on jute.This was announced by India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who is leading a strong business delegation of Ficci in Dhaka."We view that our engagement with Bangladesh will bring in rewards for both countries, ushering in job generation and overall prosperity," Sharma said at a function of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Countervailing duties (CVDs), levied to protect domestic industries, are trade import duties imposed under WTO rules to neutralise the negative effects of subsidies.
The Minister also said India is stepping up infrastructure at its border with Bangladesh to boost bilateral trade USD 3.5 billion.Sharma said both sides have agreed that a joint group would regularly review the border infrastructure for enhancing trade."Work is about to commence on Petropol and Agartala. Both will be ready by next year," he added.
Both the sides agreed to strengthen infrastructure at borders including construction of land custom stations and integrated check posts particularly at Petrapole and Agartala.He said Border Haats (informal markets) in Meghalaya would be ready by June.Besides trade, the Indian industry has also been investing in Bangladesh.Major investors include Airtel, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, Marico and the Tatas.Sharma said as much as USD 3.5 billion investment from India is in the pipeline.Although India has banned export of non-basmati rice and wheat because of domestic inflation, it has allowed exports of 3 lakh tonne Par boiled rice and 2 lakh tonne wheat to Bangladesh.However, shipments are yet to commence.The minister said, "We are ready and the shipments (of commodities) can commence if Bangladesh wants...as they decide which port to take it from, as early as next week".
Meanwhile Bangladesh Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan said his country's exports to India have increased by 16 per cent between July-March 2010-11."We are pitching for 61 duty free items from India. Right now, we are getting 54 items duty free in textile," Khan said.
India has also offered assitance for the upgradation of Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution.India has also offered assistance in the construction of the bridge over river Feni, including connecting the road on the Bangladesh side.
Further, the visiting side welcomed the offer of use of Chittagong and Mongola ports as it would provide tremendous benefit for trade and development of Bangladesh and the North-East in India.Both sides agreed to intensify discussions at official and technical levels to provide further impetus to trade and economic exchanges.
Meanwhile, an official said that a total of 250 MW power would be provided by Indian power distribution companies to Bangladesh.There is a shortage of 1500 MW in the neighbouring country, the official added.
The Minister also said India is stepping up infrastructure at its border with Bangladesh to boost bilateral trade USD 3.5 billion.Sharma said both sides have agreed that a joint group would regularly review the border infrastructure for enhancing trade."Work is about to commence on Petropol and Agartala. Both will be ready by next year," he added.
Both the sides agreed to strengthen infrastructure at borders including construction of land custom stations and integrated check posts particularly at Petrapole and Agartala.He said Border Haats (informal markets) in Meghalaya would be ready by June.Besides trade, the Indian industry has also been investing in Bangladesh.Major investors include Airtel, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, Marico and the Tatas.Sharma said as much as USD 3.5 billion investment from India is in the pipeline.Although India has banned export of non-basmati rice and wheat because of domestic inflation, it has allowed exports of 3 lakh tonne Par boiled rice and 2 lakh tonne wheat to Bangladesh.However, shipments are yet to commence.The minister said, "We are ready and the shipments (of commodities) can commence if Bangladesh wants...as they decide which port to take it from, as early as next week".
Meanwhile Bangladesh Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan said his country's exports to India have increased by 16 per cent between July-March 2010-11."We are pitching for 61 duty free items from India. Right now, we are getting 54 items duty free in textile," Khan said.
India has also offered assitance for the upgradation of Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution.India has also offered assistance in the construction of the bridge over river Feni, including connecting the road on the Bangladesh side.
Further, the visiting side welcomed the offer of use of Chittagong and Mongola ports as it would provide tremendous benefit for trade and development of Bangladesh and the North-East in India.Both sides agreed to intensify discussions at official and technical levels to provide further impetus to trade and economic exchanges.
Meanwhile, an official said that a total of 250 MW power would be provided by Indian power distribution companies to Bangladesh.There is a shortage of 1500 MW in the neighbouring country, the official added.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Round Table Conference on Lokpal in Delhi
New Delhi: 22nd April, 2011
Distinguished citizens drawn from diverse fields of public life are gathering at India International Center on Sunday (April 24, 2011) to hammer out a consensus on mechanisms to combat corruption in the country.The Lok Satta, Center for Media Studies, Foundation for Democratic Reforms and Transparency International are organizing the Round Table in the wake of the Union Government constituting a joint committee of civil society representatives and of the Government to draft the Lok Pal Bill.It may be recalled that the Government decision followed an indefinite fast by social activist Anna Hazare early this month. The fast triggered a nation-wide upsurge for the creation of an independent and robust Lokpal to eradicate corruption which has become all pervasive, monumental, and chronic.
Citizens with rich and varied experience in judiciary, legal profession, constitutional authorities, anti-corruption agencies, civil society movements, and media are taking part in the Round Table. Significantly, civil society members on the Lok Pal joint committee too will be taking part in the Round Table.
As a galaxy of eminent and experienced thought leaders and institution builders are coming together in the Round Table, it will provide a platform to reconcile many different perceptions and resolve issues and pave way for a robust, independent anti-corruption institution in the country.
In a media statement released here today, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan the coordinator of the Round Table said that although there is unanimity on the need to constitute a strong and effective Lokpal there are genuine differences among its proponents on the contours of the institution.The Round Table, during a daylong session, will grapple with the contentious issues, work out a consensus, and present it to the Prime Minister and his concerned colleagues, and leaders of all parties in Parliament.Dr. JP said in his statement, “We are at a historic turning point in our struggle against corruption. Let us not stray away from the straight, narrow, and arduous path by slinging mud at each other and defeat the very purpose for which the entire nation has risen as one man.”
Regards,Surendra Srivastava
Volunteer - Lok Satta Aandolan
LOK SATTA MOVEMENT - People Power
List of invitees for Round Table on Lokpal on 24th April 2011 in Delhi
1. Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India
2. Justice JS Verma, Former Chief Justice of India
3. Justice Santosh Hegde, Former Supreme Court Judge & Karnataka Lokayukta
4. Justice Rajindar Sachar, Former Chief Justice - High Court of Delhi
5. Justice Mukul Mudgal, Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court
6. Sri Fali S Nariman, Distinguished Indian Constitutional jurist & Senior advocate to the Supreme Court of India
7. Sri Soli Sorabjee, Former Attorney General of India
8. Sri Ram Jethmalani, Former Law Minister of India & a Senior advocate of Supreme Court
9. Shri Shanti Bhusan, Former Union Law Minister & Well Known Supreme Court Advocate
10. Anil B Divan, Sr. Advocate Supreme Court
11. Sri Prashant Bhushan, Advocate Supreme Court
12. Sri Ashok Arora, Advicate & Former Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association
13. Sri Sanjay Parikh, Advocate Supreme Court
14. Admiral RH Tahiliani, Former Chief of the Naval Staff
15. Sri B B Tandon, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
16. Sri N Gopalaswami, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
17. Sri JM Lyngdoh, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
18. Sri TS Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
19. Sri P Shankar, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
20. Sri Pratyush Sinha, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
21. Sri Prakash Singh, Former Director General BSF, DGP UP and Assam,
22. Dr R.K.Raghavan,, Former Director, CBI
23. Dr. Trinath Mishra, Former Director, CBI
24. D.R.Kaarthikeyan, Former Director, CBI
25. Dr Kamal Kumar, Former Director, National Police Academy
26. Sri C Anjaneya Reddy, Former DGP Andhra Pradesh
27. Sri PS Ramamohan Rao, Former Governor Tamil Nadu
28. Sri Julio Ribeiro, Indian Ambassador to Romania & Former DGP Punjab
29. Sri BR Lal, Former DGP Haryana and Jt. Director CBI
30. Smt Kiran Bedi, Social Activist & Former Police Officer
31. Sri K.N. Govindacharya, Thinker and Ideologue
32. Shri Anna Hazare, Social activist
33. Dr. Subramanian Swamy, President of Janata Party & Former Law Minister of India
34. Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, Ex- IAS, MLA – AP, General Secretary, Foundation for Democratic Reforms & Founder of Lok Satta and Lok Satta Party
35. Sri Sudesh Agarwal, President of Smast Bhartiya Party.
36. Sri TSR Subramanian, Former Cabinet secretary
37. Sri Naresh Chandra, Former Cabinet secretary
38. Sri V. Ramachandran, Former Chief Secretary to Govt & Joint Secretary to Prime Ministers (Smt. Indira Gandhi and Shri. Morarji Desai), Chairman, Centre for Management Development
39. Sri P.S. Bawa, Chairman, Transparency International India
40. Ms Maja Daruwala, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
41. Sri Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman , National Commission for Minorities,
42. Ms Aruna Roy , Ex-IAS, Member NAC , Social Activist of MKSS
43. Shri Harsh Mander, ex- IAS, Member NAC & Centre for Equity Studies,
44. Smt. Vineeta Rai, Member Secretary, 2nd ARC
45. Dr Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, Centre for Media Studies
46. Sri Shekar Gupta, Editor In Chief – Indian Express
47. Sri B.G.Verghese, Former Editor, Indian Express and Hindustan Times
48. Sri K C Sivaramakrishnan, Former Secretary to Government of India
49. Sri Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President & Chief Executive - Centre for Policy Research
50. Ms Madhu Kishwar, a leading feminist, and editor of Manushi (a Journal devoted to human rights and women's rights issues)
51. Prof Yogendra Yadav, Social Scientist
52. Sri Subhash C Kashyap, Member of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution and Chairman of its Drafting and Editorial Committee. Former Secretary General Loksabha
53. Sri VA Pai Panandiker, Academy of International Education
54. Sri N Ram, Chairman and Editor in-chief The Hindu
55. Smt Indu Jain, Chairperson, Chairperson, Times Foundation,
56. Smt. Shobhana Bhartia – Chairperson, Hindustan times
57. Sri PARANJOY GUHA THAKURTA, SENIOR JOURNALIST
58. Sri. Priteesh Nandi, President, Centre for Civil Society
59. Sri Shailesh Gandhi, Central Information Commissioner
60. Dr. Mridula Mukherjee, Director Nehru Memorial
61. Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement,
62. Shri Aravind Kejariwal, Social Activist, Parivartan
63. Sri Nikhil Dey. Social Activist, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan,Rajasthan
64. Sri K. K. Jaswal, Social Activist, Common Former Rajya Sabha Member & Columnist
65. Sri Parth J. Shah, Causes
66. Sri Sukumar Muralidharan, International Federation of Journalists
67. Sri Shekhar Singh, Working Committee Member, National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI)
68. Sri Venkatesh Nayak, Programme Coordinator, CHRI
69. Smt Devaki Jain
70. Sri Surendra Srivastava, Board Member, Foundation for Democratic Reforms & Founder of Lok Satta and Lok Satta Party in Maharashtra and In charge of promoting Lok Satta Aandolan / Party across India.
Distinguished citizens drawn from diverse fields of public life are gathering at India International Center on Sunday (April 24, 2011) to hammer out a consensus on mechanisms to combat corruption in the country.The Lok Satta, Center for Media Studies, Foundation for Democratic Reforms and Transparency International are organizing the Round Table in the wake of the Union Government constituting a joint committee of civil society representatives and of the Government to draft the Lok Pal Bill.It may be recalled that the Government decision followed an indefinite fast by social activist Anna Hazare early this month. The fast triggered a nation-wide upsurge for the creation of an independent and robust Lokpal to eradicate corruption which has become all pervasive, monumental, and chronic.
Citizens with rich and varied experience in judiciary, legal profession, constitutional authorities, anti-corruption agencies, civil society movements, and media are taking part in the Round Table. Significantly, civil society members on the Lok Pal joint committee too will be taking part in the Round Table.
As a galaxy of eminent and experienced thought leaders and institution builders are coming together in the Round Table, it will provide a platform to reconcile many different perceptions and resolve issues and pave way for a robust, independent anti-corruption institution in the country.
In a media statement released here today, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan the coordinator of the Round Table said that although there is unanimity on the need to constitute a strong and effective Lokpal there are genuine differences among its proponents on the contours of the institution.The Round Table, during a daylong session, will grapple with the contentious issues, work out a consensus, and present it to the Prime Minister and his concerned colleagues, and leaders of all parties in Parliament.Dr. JP said in his statement, “We are at a historic turning point in our struggle against corruption. Let us not stray away from the straight, narrow, and arduous path by slinging mud at each other and defeat the very purpose for which the entire nation has risen as one man.”
Regards,Surendra Srivastava
Volunteer - Lok Satta Aandolan
LOK SATTA MOVEMENT - People Power
List of invitees for Round Table on Lokpal on 24th April 2011 in Delhi
1. Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India
2. Justice JS Verma, Former Chief Justice of India
3. Justice Santosh Hegde, Former Supreme Court Judge & Karnataka Lokayukta
4. Justice Rajindar Sachar, Former Chief Justice - High Court of Delhi
5. Justice Mukul Mudgal, Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court
6. Sri Fali S Nariman, Distinguished Indian Constitutional jurist & Senior advocate to the Supreme Court of India
7. Sri Soli Sorabjee, Former Attorney General of India
8. Sri Ram Jethmalani, Former Law Minister of India & a Senior advocate of Supreme Court
9. Shri Shanti Bhusan, Former Union Law Minister & Well Known Supreme Court Advocate
10. Anil B Divan, Sr. Advocate Supreme Court
11. Sri Prashant Bhushan, Advocate Supreme Court
12. Sri Ashok Arora, Advicate & Former Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association
13. Sri Sanjay Parikh, Advocate Supreme Court
14. Admiral RH Tahiliani, Former Chief of the Naval Staff
15. Sri B B Tandon, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
16. Sri N Gopalaswami, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
17. Sri JM Lyngdoh, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
18. Sri TS Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
19. Sri P Shankar, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
20. Sri Pratyush Sinha, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
21. Sri Prakash Singh, Former Director General BSF, DGP UP and Assam,
22. Dr R.K.Raghavan,, Former Director, CBI
23. Dr. Trinath Mishra, Former Director, CBI
24. D.R.Kaarthikeyan, Former Director, CBI
25. Dr Kamal Kumar, Former Director, National Police Academy
26. Sri C Anjaneya Reddy, Former DGP Andhra Pradesh
27. Sri PS Ramamohan Rao, Former Governor Tamil Nadu
28. Sri Julio Ribeiro, Indian Ambassador to Romania & Former DGP Punjab
29. Sri BR Lal, Former DGP Haryana and Jt. Director CBI
30. Smt Kiran Bedi, Social Activist & Former Police Officer
31. Sri K.N. Govindacharya, Thinker and Ideologue
32. Shri Anna Hazare, Social activist
33. Dr. Subramanian Swamy, President of Janata Party & Former Law Minister of India
34. Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, Ex- IAS, MLA – AP, General Secretary, Foundation for Democratic Reforms & Founder of Lok Satta and Lok Satta Party
35. Sri Sudesh Agarwal, President of Smast Bhartiya Party.
36. Sri TSR Subramanian, Former Cabinet secretary
37. Sri Naresh Chandra, Former Cabinet secretary
38. Sri V. Ramachandran, Former Chief Secretary to Govt & Joint Secretary to Prime Ministers (Smt. Indira Gandhi and Shri. Morarji Desai), Chairman, Centre for Management Development
39. Sri P.S. Bawa, Chairman, Transparency International India
40. Ms Maja Daruwala, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
41. Sri Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman , National Commission for Minorities,
42. Ms Aruna Roy , Ex-IAS, Member NAC , Social Activist of MKSS
43. Shri Harsh Mander, ex- IAS, Member NAC & Centre for Equity Studies,
44. Smt. Vineeta Rai, Member Secretary, 2nd ARC
45. Dr Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, Centre for Media Studies
46. Sri Shekar Gupta, Editor In Chief – Indian Express
47. Sri B.G.Verghese, Former Editor, Indian Express and Hindustan Times
48. Sri K C Sivaramakrishnan, Former Secretary to Government of India
49. Sri Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President & Chief Executive - Centre for Policy Research
50. Ms Madhu Kishwar, a leading feminist, and editor of Manushi (a Journal devoted to human rights and women's rights issues)
51. Prof Yogendra Yadav, Social Scientist
52. Sri Subhash C Kashyap, Member of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution and Chairman of its Drafting and Editorial Committee. Former Secretary General Loksabha
53. Sri VA Pai Panandiker, Academy of International Education
54. Sri N Ram, Chairman and Editor in-chief The Hindu
55. Smt Indu Jain, Chairperson, Chairperson, Times Foundation,
56. Smt. Shobhana Bhartia – Chairperson, Hindustan times
57. Sri PARANJOY GUHA THAKURTA, SENIOR JOURNALIST
58. Sri. Priteesh Nandi, President, Centre for Civil Society
59. Sri Shailesh Gandhi, Central Information Commissioner
60. Dr. Mridula Mukherjee, Director Nehru Memorial
61. Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement,
62. Shri Aravind Kejariwal, Social Activist, Parivartan
63. Sri Nikhil Dey. Social Activist, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan,Rajasthan
64. Sri K. K. Jaswal, Social Activist, Common Former Rajya Sabha Member & Columnist
65. Sri Parth J. Shah, Causes
66. Sri Sukumar Muralidharan, International Federation of Journalists
67. Sri Shekhar Singh, Working Committee Member, National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI)
68. Sri Venkatesh Nayak, Programme Coordinator, CHRI
69. Smt Devaki Jain
70. Sri Surendra Srivastava, Board Member, Foundation for Democratic Reforms & Founder of Lok Satta and Lok Satta Party in Maharashtra and In charge of promoting Lok Satta Aandolan / Party across India.
Mubarak's detention extended
Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's detention has been extended by another 15-day, amid reports that the authorities are mulling sending the former strongman to jail or to a prison hospital.
Public prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmud Friday ordered extension of Mubarak's detention for further 15-day as a team of investigators went to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to question the toppled president who is undergoing treatment at a hospital there, official news agency MENA reported. The renewal of his detention comes in the backdrop of Mahmud ordering a probe into Mubarak's role a deadly crackdown on protesters and corruption. The former president was first remanded to custody on April 15.
"The state prosecutor has decided to renew the detention of ex-president Hosni Mubarak for questioning... effective when his last detention period expires," the agency said.Mubarak's extension of detention comes as the authorities ordered a medical team to rush to Sharm el-Sheikh to ascertain the former president's health condition to have him transfered to Tora prison or to a prison hospital.Earlier this week, a government judicial panel had fixed "ultimate responsibility" on Mubarak for use of brutal force to suppress the popular uprising against him, which led to his stepping down from power after 30-year of rule.The panel comprising serving judges had said that at least 850 people had been killed in three weeks of country wide protest in Egypt since January 11, almost double the number previously banded by Mubarak and his associates.There have been conflicting reports on the state of health of the former president and the reason for his hospitalisation, but the state news agency yesterday reported that the 82-year-old former strongman's health was unstable.
Arab media reports said Egyptian authorities had ordered preparations to be made at the hospital in Tora prison, south of the capital Cairo to house Mubarak.His two sons, Alaa and Gamal and several of his former ministers and senior aides are already lodged in the prison complex on various charges as part of a sweeping probe into corruption and abuse of office.
Public prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmud Friday ordered extension of Mubarak's detention for further 15-day as a team of investigators went to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to question the toppled president who is undergoing treatment at a hospital there, official news agency MENA reported. The renewal of his detention comes in the backdrop of Mahmud ordering a probe into Mubarak's role a deadly crackdown on protesters and corruption. The former president was first remanded to custody on April 15.
"The state prosecutor has decided to renew the detention of ex-president Hosni Mubarak for questioning... effective when his last detention period expires," the agency said.Mubarak's extension of detention comes as the authorities ordered a medical team to rush to Sharm el-Sheikh to ascertain the former president's health condition to have him transfered to Tora prison or to a prison hospital.Earlier this week, a government judicial panel had fixed "ultimate responsibility" on Mubarak for use of brutal force to suppress the popular uprising against him, which led to his stepping down from power after 30-year of rule.The panel comprising serving judges had said that at least 850 people had been killed in three weeks of country wide protest in Egypt since January 11, almost double the number previously banded by Mubarak and his associates.There have been conflicting reports on the state of health of the former president and the reason for his hospitalisation, but the state news agency yesterday reported that the 82-year-old former strongman's health was unstable.
Arab media reports said Egyptian authorities had ordered preparations to be made at the hospital in Tora prison, south of the capital Cairo to house Mubarak.His two sons, Alaa and Gamal and several of his former ministers and senior aides are already lodged in the prison complex on various charges as part of a sweeping probe into corruption and abuse of office.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Conference on ICT-IPR trends and challenges in globalised world
The main objective was to discuss issues and methodologies so that the Indian ICT community, especially SME's and Researchers get updated and are empowered to meet the challenges of the present innovation-based global economic ecosystem.The conference aimed at building greater awareness and devlopming insights into the complex mechanism of creation ,ownership and protection of IP.
Dr Debashis Dutta stressed the importance of IP which is a topic close to safeguarding India's intellectual property.India he said has a vast treasure-house of knowledge and intellectual resources. Unluckily due to lack of adequate knowledge of patents and Copyright laws, this intellectual property cannot be protected.The Portal designed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in close collaboration with C-DAC GIST is a bold step in this regard.Providing know how and advice regarding IPR, the interactive portal will go a long way in encouraging inventors, scientists, researchers as well as the vast pool of academicians in furthering India's intellectual property and placing our country on the technological map of the world. The conference would go a long way in creating the right atmosphere for synergy between Industry and academia, he added.
Dr Debashis Dutta stressed the importance of IP which is a topic close to safeguarding India's intellectual property.India he said has a vast treasure-house of knowledge and intellectual resources. Unluckily due to lack of adequate knowledge of patents and Copyright laws, this intellectual property cannot be protected.The Portal designed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in close collaboration with C-DAC GIST is a bold step in this regard.Providing know how and advice regarding IPR, the interactive portal will go a long way in encouraging inventors, scientists, researchers as well as the vast pool of academicians in furthering India's intellectual property and placing our country on the technological map of the world. The conference would go a long way in creating the right atmosphere for synergy between Industry and academia, he added.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
PSLV-C16 enters its orbit
Sriharikota (AP)April 20 India's PSLV-C16 rocket today successfully launched crossed escape velocity enters into orbit with the latest remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 that would enable study and support manage the natural resources along with two nano satellites.ISRO's indigenous workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle placed in a 'Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit' Resourcesat-2, Youthsat and X-Sat about 18 minutes after it blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre launch pad here, 90 km from Chennai, at 10.12 am.
"PSLV-C16 Resourcesat-2 mission is successful," a jubilant Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced shortly after all the three satellites were hurled into space one after another 822 km above earth in a text book launch.
"PSLV-C16 Resourcesat-2 mission is successful," a jubilant Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced shortly after all the three satellites were hurled into space one after another 822 km above earth in a text book launch.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Finland Parliamentary elections 2011
Finland has been divided into 15 electoral districts. A number of representatives proportional to the number of Finnish citizens residing in the electoral district six months prior to the elections is elected from each electoral district. However, from the electoral district of Åland is always elected one representative.
Every Finnish citizen, who has reached the age of 18 not later than on the day of the elections, is entitled to vote. Those entitled to vote receive a polling card (a notice of right to vote) by post from the Population Register Centre. The address of the polling station where the voter is entitled to vote on election day is stated in the notice. Enclosed is also a list of the advance polling stations in the voter's own electoral district.True Finns the winner of Finland's general election late on Sunday,igniting speculation whether the party to keep its promise to veto an EU bailout package for Portugal.The anti-immigration nationalistic party won about 19 per cent of the vote and 39 seats in Parliament, over performing poll ratings and becoming the third-largest party in the land."We went for the big one and the big one is what we got," said Timo Soini, a Euro-MP and leader of the True Finns.
The liberal conservative National Coalition party won some 20.4 per cent of the vote and 44 seats, and will probably lead difficult talks to form a government.
The Social Democrats won about 19.1 per cent of the vote and 42 seats in the 200-seat legislature.The election saw the Centre party and the Greens relegated to the opposition.Election in Finland's seen of the dramatic rise of the True Finns but also because the National Coalition party became the top party for the first time in its history this is for the fact that Finns voted out eighty five MPs. Mari Kiviniemi,the Centre party leader and prime minister, was clearly disappointed and said the party's place during the next legislative period was in opposition."The people have spoken and that is the end of the matter," she said.Media agencies
Every Finnish citizen, who has reached the age of 18 not later than on the day of the elections, is entitled to vote. Those entitled to vote receive a polling card (a notice of right to vote) by post from the Population Register Centre. The address of the polling station where the voter is entitled to vote on election day is stated in the notice. Enclosed is also a list of the advance polling stations in the voter's own electoral district.True Finns the winner of Finland's general election late on Sunday,igniting speculation whether the party to keep its promise to veto an EU bailout package for Portugal.The anti-immigration nationalistic party won about 19 per cent of the vote and 39 seats in Parliament, over performing poll ratings and becoming the third-largest party in the land."We went for the big one and the big one is what we got," said Timo Soini, a Euro-MP and leader of the True Finns.
The liberal conservative National Coalition party won some 20.4 per cent of the vote and 44 seats, and will probably lead difficult talks to form a government.
The Social Democrats won about 19.1 per cent of the vote and 42 seats in the 200-seat legislature.The election saw the Centre party and the Greens relegated to the opposition.Election in Finland's seen of the dramatic rise of the True Finns but also because the National Coalition party became the top party for the first time in its history this is for the fact that Finns voted out eighty five MPs. Mari Kiviniemi,the Centre party leader and prime minister, was clearly disappointed and said the party's place during the next legislative period was in opposition."The people have spoken and that is the end of the matter," she said.Media agencies
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Anna Hazare said Parliament supreme
Reports appearing in Press that Anna Hazare today said Parliament was supreme and would accept its decision if it rejects the Lok Pal Bill thus diluting the law-Lok Pal bill is monitoring authority by civil society to which one must understand: Monitoring authority does not become supreme as appears in some news items when authority dflect from their paths It is intervening authority at time of crisis:
Anna Hazare today said Parliament was supreme and would accept its decision if it rejects the Lok Pal Bill. Speaking to a select group of journalists in New Delhi, Mr Hazare said he was open to extending the August 15 deadline he had set for passage of the Lok Pal Bill by Parliament if he found that the government was on the right path.Hazare, who called off his fast on April 9 after government notified a Joint Draft Committee, had set August 15 deadline for passage of the bill failing which he would again go on a fast.The noted social activist said he was open to have wider consultations on the Lok Pal Bill and was also willing to involve the political leadership of the country.He favoured stricter laws for government servants, including one that made declaration of assets compulsory for every one.Media agencies
Anna Hazare today said Parliament was supreme and would accept its decision if it rejects the Lok Pal Bill. Speaking to a select group of journalists in New Delhi, Mr Hazare said he was open to extending the August 15 deadline he had set for passage of the Lok Pal Bill by Parliament if he found that the government was on the right path.Hazare, who called off his fast on April 9 after government notified a Joint Draft Committee, had set August 15 deadline for passage of the bill failing which he would again go on a fast.The noted social activist said he was open to have wider consultations on the Lok Pal Bill and was also willing to involve the political leadership of the country.He favoured stricter laws for government servants, including one that made declaration of assets compulsory for every one.Media agencies
Drafting committee on Lokpal Bill meets
Sibal said both sides presented their perspective on the proposed legislation. The latest draft presented by the civil society representatives had "significant" proposals, he added. The joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill today had its first meeting when civil society representatives presented a new draft of the legislation to the government with both sides expressing hope that the new law will be brought in Monsoon session of Parliament.
The 90-minute meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and co-chaired by eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan was audio-recorded and not videographed as demanded by the civil society activists.
The next meeting of the ten-member committee will be held on May two.
The 90-minute meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and co-chaired by eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan was audio-recorded and not videographed as demanded by the civil society activists.
The next meeting of the ten-member committee will be held on May two.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Dalai Lama concerned Tibetan monastery
(PTI) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has asked the international community to persuade the Chinese leadership to exercise restraint in handling the situation at a blockaded Tibetan monastery in China."The current situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet is extremely grim because of the stand-off between the Chinese military forces and the local Tibetans," the Dalai Lama said in a statement.
The monastery, housing approximately 2,500 monks, is completely surrounded by Chinese armed forces, he said."I am very concerned that this situation, if allowed to go, on may become explosive with catastrophic consequences for the Tibetans in Ngaba. In view of this I urge both the monks and the lay Tibetans of the area not to do anything that might be used as a pretext by the local authorities to massively crackdown on them," the Tibetan spiritual leader said.
The monastery, housing approximately 2,500 monks, is completely surrounded by Chinese armed forces, he said."I am very concerned that this situation, if allowed to go, on may become explosive with catastrophic consequences for the Tibetans in Ngaba. In view of this I urge both the monks and the lay Tibetans of the area not to do anything that might be used as a pretext by the local authorities to massively crackdown on them," the Tibetan spiritual leader said.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Lokpal bill draft first Meet
The first meeting of the newly-constituted joint committee comprising ministers and civil society activists to draft the Lokpal Bill will be held at 10:00 AM 16 April, 2011 at North Block New Delhi:Government today said, it has an open mind on the Lokpal Bill. The 10-member Joint Committee will hold its first meeting tomorrow to draft the Lokpal Bill. Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily hoped that discussions will pave way for a convergence of ideas on the anti-corruption legislation. Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who is also on the panel told reporters in New Delhi that the government, civil society and common people - all have one target that there should be greater transparency and responsibilities should be clearly fixed in the bill.
The minister said that the focus of the committee is to find the best way in which corruption in high places can be effectively tackled.
The minister also disapproved of political parties raking up issues related to the proposed Bill, saying it would be better if comments are made only after an outline on the bill emerges.
The minister said that the focus of the committee is to find the best way in which corruption in high places can be effectively tackled.
The minister also disapproved of political parties raking up issues related to the proposed Bill, saying it would be better if comments are made only after an outline on the bill emerges.
Festivals of Baisakhi and Rongali Bihu are being celebrated today with gusto and traditional enthusiasm across the country.The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people on the occasion of Baishkhi, Vishu and Rongali Bihu.Baisakhi celebrations are on in many Northern states especially in Punjab. Farmers are jubilant as their crop is ready to give them dividend. Religious functions are going on in Gurdwaras to celebrate the founding of Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi in 1699.Farmers are admiring golden coloured wheat crop standing in their farms.Baisakhi is not merely a start of new season but is also a celebration of the Khalsa's birthday as it was on this day in 1699 the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh ji founded the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib.Besides all Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and J&K, religious functions are on at Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib and at Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo where Guru Gobind Singh had compiled Adi Granth.People belonging to all faiths are paying obeisance and partaking ‘langar’ from community kitchens run by devotees and Gurdwaras.
Punjab Govt. has also announced to grant remission of sentence, from one year to two months, to those inmates who have been convicted by the criminal courts in the state but not to those who had been convicted in heinous crimes.
Assam, celebrate Rongali or Bohaag Bihu across the state. It marks the beginning of New Year at the advent of seeding time. Today is Goru Bihu(cow bihu).People are queuing up to wash and worship their cows in river and pond from morning. New ropes are also tied to cows.Tomorrow is the Manuh Bihu(Human Bihu).The day begins with the young seeking the blessings of the elders.Elder people offer Gamosha (traditional shawl) as Bihuwan (Bihu gift) to the family members along with other gifts. Husori troupes will visit house to house to perform Bihu dance.Over four hundreds of Bihutolis (community Bihu pandals) have been set -up in various places of the state with three to four -day programmes. Bihu dance competitions along with cultural programmes,rural sports will be organized.Performing Bihu dance by young women, wearing Muga attire and decorated with Kapou(coastal flower )and traditional ornaments, is truly a unforgettable moments for many people.Three hundred artists are ready to enthrall the audience in Bihu stage. The selling of clothes, Gamosha ,flatten rice,jaggery, curd and varieties of Assam dishes have already been increased .Governor J.B Patnaik, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta among others extended Bihu greetings to all sections of people.Baisakhi melas are also being organized to exhibit the local agricultural and handloom products.Guwahati city with over a hundred Bihu pandals have been erected. Today is the last day of the Chaitra month of the Assamese calendar. The day is celebrated as the Goru or cattle Bihu. On this day people worship cows and other domesticated animals and take them to ponds and rivers for a bath.
On Friday, the first day of the Assamese New Year Bohaag will be observed as the manuh (Man) Bihu. On this day, the younger generation respects the elders and exchange Bihuwans, gifts and good wishes among themselves. People also visit temples to offer prayers.
Alround merry-making mark this festival. Faat Bihu and Jeng Bihu are other forms of the Rongali Bihu where young men and women participate. Bodo-Kachari tribes of the State celebrate it as ‘Baisago’.
Punjab Govt. has also announced to grant remission of sentence, from one year to two months, to those inmates who have been convicted by the criminal courts in the state but not to those who had been convicted in heinous crimes.
Assam, celebrate Rongali or Bohaag Bihu across the state. It marks the beginning of New Year at the advent of seeding time. Today is Goru Bihu(cow bihu).People are queuing up to wash and worship their cows in river and pond from morning. New ropes are also tied to cows.Tomorrow is the Manuh Bihu(Human Bihu).The day begins with the young seeking the blessings of the elders.Elder people offer Gamosha (traditional shawl) as Bihuwan (Bihu gift) to the family members along with other gifts. Husori troupes will visit house to house to perform Bihu dance.Over four hundreds of Bihutolis (community Bihu pandals) have been set -up in various places of the state with three to four -day programmes. Bihu dance competitions along with cultural programmes,rural sports will be organized.Performing Bihu dance by young women, wearing Muga attire and decorated with Kapou(coastal flower )and traditional ornaments, is truly a unforgettable moments for many people.Three hundred artists are ready to enthrall the audience in Bihu stage. The selling of clothes, Gamosha ,flatten rice,jaggery, curd and varieties of Assam dishes have already been increased .Governor J.B Patnaik, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta among others extended Bihu greetings to all sections of people.Baisakhi melas are also being organized to exhibit the local agricultural and handloom products.Guwahati city with over a hundred Bihu pandals have been erected. Today is the last day of the Chaitra month of the Assamese calendar. The day is celebrated as the Goru or cattle Bihu. On this day people worship cows and other domesticated animals and take them to ponds and rivers for a bath.
On Friday, the first day of the Assamese New Year Bohaag will be observed as the manuh (Man) Bihu. On this day, the younger generation respects the elders and exchange Bihuwans, gifts and good wishes among themselves. People also visit temples to offer prayers.
Alround merry-making mark this festival. Faat Bihu and Jeng Bihu are other forms of the Rongali Bihu where young men and women participate. Bodo-Kachari tribes of the State celebrate it as ‘Baisago’.
PM’s Press Conference at the BRICSSummit
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement at the Joint Press Conference after the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) leaders meeting in Sanya, China today:
“I would like to thank His Excellency President Hu Jintao for hosting the BRICS Summit in this beautiful city of Sanya. I thank the Government and the people of China for their warm hospitality and for the excellent arrangements that have been made.
I would also like to warmly welcome South Africa as a member of BRICS. We have greatly benefited from President Jacob Zuma’s wise counsel in our deliberations.
We have had very fruitful discussions at the Summit. We have reviewed the international situation, discussed international economic, financial and trade issues, the challenges of sustainable development, food security, energy security and climate change.
We have adopted the Sanya Declaration and agreed upon an Action Plan to deepen and broaden cooperation among our countries. This is an extremely rich and ambitious agenda. It covers the areas of security, finance, business links, agriculture, health, culture, sports and the green economy.
Our designated banks have signed a framework agreement on financial cooperation which envisages grant of credit in local currencies and cooperation in capital markets and other financial services.
In a short span of two years since our first Summit in 2009, BRICS has thus travelled a long distance.
The quality and durability of the global economic recovery process depends to a great measure on how the BRICS economies perform. We have reason to be satisfied with the management of our economies, but there is no room for complacency. The developments in West Asia and North Africa and the aftermath of the huge tragedy that befell Japan have introduced fresh uncertainties in the global recovery process. At the same time, the world continues to grapple with threats to security from terrorism and piracy.
As members of the G-20, the BRICS countries closely cooperate with the rest of the world. We will continue to do so as we prepare for the next G-20 Summit in France.
It is a unique coincidence that this year all the BRICS countries are also members of the United Nations Security Council. We have therefore agreed to intensify our consultations to address the major economic and political challenges that face us. An important objective must remain the reform of institutions of global governance to make them truly representative of contemporary realities.
I am deeply encouraged by the consensus among us of the need for an international order that is rule based and respects the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of individual States.
I have invited the BRICS leaders to India for the next BRICS Summit in 2012, and I am happy that they have accepted my invitation.
I once again thank President Hu Jintao for hosting this Summit and for his admirable leadership in guiding it to a successful conclusion.
“I would like to thank His Excellency President Hu Jintao for hosting the BRICS Summit in this beautiful city of Sanya. I thank the Government and the people of China for their warm hospitality and for the excellent arrangements that have been made.
I would also like to warmly welcome South Africa as a member of BRICS. We have greatly benefited from President Jacob Zuma’s wise counsel in our deliberations.
We have had very fruitful discussions at the Summit. We have reviewed the international situation, discussed international economic, financial and trade issues, the challenges of sustainable development, food security, energy security and climate change.
We have adopted the Sanya Declaration and agreed upon an Action Plan to deepen and broaden cooperation among our countries. This is an extremely rich and ambitious agenda. It covers the areas of security, finance, business links, agriculture, health, culture, sports and the green economy.
Our designated banks have signed a framework agreement on financial cooperation which envisages grant of credit in local currencies and cooperation in capital markets and other financial services.
In a short span of two years since our first Summit in 2009, BRICS has thus travelled a long distance.
The quality and durability of the global economic recovery process depends to a great measure on how the BRICS economies perform. We have reason to be satisfied with the management of our economies, but there is no room for complacency. The developments in West Asia and North Africa and the aftermath of the huge tragedy that befell Japan have introduced fresh uncertainties in the global recovery process. At the same time, the world continues to grapple with threats to security from terrorism and piracy.
As members of the G-20, the BRICS countries closely cooperate with the rest of the world. We will continue to do so as we prepare for the next G-20 Summit in France.
It is a unique coincidence that this year all the BRICS countries are also members of the United Nations Security Council. We have therefore agreed to intensify our consultations to address the major economic and political challenges that face us. An important objective must remain the reform of institutions of global governance to make them truly representative of contemporary realities.
I am deeply encouraged by the consensus among us of the need for an international order that is rule based and respects the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of individual States.
I have invited the BRICS leaders to India for the next BRICS Summit in 2012, and I am happy that they have accepted my invitation.
I once again thank President Hu Jintao for hosting this Summit and for his admirable leadership in guiding it to a successful conclusion.
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