Anna supporters protests at 86 MPs houses in 9 states

Nksagar Nksagar
Anna talk safe to the point to keep engagement going Anna talk safe to the point to keep my.nowpublic.com/world/anna-tal…
TusharG Tushar A. Gandhi
The call for dharna outside MP's homes is fraught with danger, situation could turn ugly especially in rural constituencies.
#Anna supporters protests at 86 MPs houses in 9 states,Cong, BJP, BSP and SP MPsThis is One pm- update from Union Home Ministry Control room:#Janlokpal Janlokpal
Raipur, Chhatisgarh: #Janlokpal supporters to give memorandum to Ramesh Bais, MP, at 2 pm near Ghadi Chowk in Raipur:#MaheshNBhatt Mahesh Bhatt
RT @TusharG: The call for dharna outside MP's homes is fraught with danger, situation could turn ugly especially in rural constituencies.
#jain_pooja Pooja Jain-by janlokpal-@janlokpal Rally for Sainik Farms, Saket & South Delhi residents starting from Khanpur (Sainik Farms) Gate at 6:45 pm today.
#anuppandey Anup Pandey-by janlokpal-RT “@swapan55: Delhi Gymkhana Club members bewildered: staff has gone to join Anna's protest. Elite of Delhi rattled.” @janlokpal #Anna
#IAmAnushka Anushka Manchanda-Each one of us needs to read up on the bill though, and educate ourselves. The iron is hot, & this is the perfect time to strike. Go India!

#BDUTT barkha dutt
Wonder why some Anna supporters go on comparing Ramlila Maidan with Egypt? Their cause is great, but last heard, India is still a democracy:
#IACBilaspur Dinesh Kumar Dubey-by janlokpal
PROTEST in front of MP Revti Raman Singh at Allahabad.. Supporters are singing Bhajan @janlokpal
#JanlokpalHyd IAC Hyderabad-by janlokpal-Daily Gathering @Dharna Chowk,Indira park from 9am to 5 pm Daily candle light Vigil @People's Plaza,Necklace rd from 6pm to 8pm @janlokpal
#IACAllahabad1 IACAllahabad-by janlokpal
#@poojabeditweets Will be at Ramlila grounds in Delhi 5pm today with her dad @iKabirBedi for support this crucial movement. @janlokpal
#IACMumbai IAC-Mumbai-by janlokpal-Rajinikanth extends his support for #AnnaHazare.Why r other bollywood stars quiet?

Dr-Singh- for strong, effective Lokpal Bill

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presides over the full Planning Commission meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. He said that the Government needs a strong and effective Lokpal Bill. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presides over the full Planning Commission meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. He said that the Government needs a strong and effective:Affirming his commitment for a strong and effective Lokpal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said there is a “dynamic” in the legislative process which takes time.Affirming his commitment for a strong and effective Lokpal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there is a "dynamic" in the legislative process which takes time. He said all the parties should work together to push for a "strong and effective" Lokpal and remove the "obstacles" in the way.

Mr. Anna Hazare demand for passing the Jan Lokpal by this month-end, Singh said he does not want to controvert anything that was being said on it.He said all the parties should work together to push for a “strong and effective” Lokpal and remove the “obstacles” in the way. Every option and every view point is open in future on the Lokpal Bill: Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Singhvi.Congress today said it is willing to talk to Team Anna if the latter formally approaches the government over the Lokpal issue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier chaired an hour-long meeting with senior ministers to take stock of the situation arising out of Anna Hazare's fast at the Ramlila Ground.

Rajasthan Govt to Recruit 65,000 teachers

Rajasthan Govt to Recruit 65,000 teachers-The Rajasthan Govt will Recruit 65,000 teachers soon. C.M. Ashok Gehlot made this announcement today at Jaipur in foundation stone laying ceremony for new building of Rajasthan State Open School.

About Rs. 4.6 crore would be spent over construction of the building. Gehlot said that there will not be shortage of teachers in schools after the completion of the process.

Rahul Gandhi visits Mawal

Rahul Gandhi visits Mawal-Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited the kin of farmers killed in the police firing at Mawal in Pune district recently and also met the injured at a hospital.

The AICC General Secretary straightaway drove to Mawal early Thursday morning from the airport in an unscheduled visit to a cluster of villages.

Three farmers were killed and many others injured when Pune Rural Police allegedly opened fire on a protest against a closed pipeline project that facilitates supply of water from Pavna dam to the industrial township of Pimpri Chinchwad in Mawal taluk on 9th August.

Gandhi, after calling on relatives of the deceased, visited a hospital where the injured in the firing incident were undergoing treatment, they said.

India's proposed anti-corruption ombudsman-in-peril

Anna and the government are locked horn in issue about venue, of crowd and time of the fast on number supporters for the social activist at the Tihar Jail,civil society activist Kiran Bedi said.Government has agreed to release Anna Hazare after a day's detainment Tuesday evening, but the social activist refused to leave the Tihar Jail until the government allows him unconditional fast for stronger Lokpal Bill.As more more people taking to the streets across the country in support of Anna Hazare, Delhi Police presently discussing with Anna's team on relaxing restrictions on the number of dates and participants of the fast.

When government's version of the draft bill are now under discussion in parliament's standing committee are considered too weak,thus Anna Hazare declared to start hunger strike again from August 16.

Chief Minister of UP,Mayawati said in statement supporting Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption.

Amendments in Consumer Protection Act Under Consideration

Amendments in Consumer Protection Act Under Consideration
The Government is considering further amendments in Consumer Protection Act to make it more vibrant and effective. This was stated by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution while inaugurating newly constructed building of Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission here today. He said that a dynamic society requires constant updating of existing laws to meet the welfare and development needs of the people.

Stressing on speedy disposal of cases at Consumer Dispute Redressal Fora, Prof. Thomas said Government is implementing e-Governance project called “CONFONET” to built three tier information system at Consumer Fora which will help to dispose cases quickly. All the 35 State Commissions and 593 District Fora have been covered under this IT project.

Highlighting the need of aggressive Consumer Awareness Programme, the Minister said it is very important to built consumer confidence at the time when markets are growing very fast and variety of new services are being introduced. Consumer has to be educated to protect his or her interest. Prof. Thomas said media can play a significant role in this endeavour especially to educate consumers against misleading advertisements. Such advertisements violate the consumer rights to information and inform choice, thereby causing him financial loss and even mental agony. The Minister expressed the hope that recent initiative taken by the Department of Consumer Affairs in this regard would get wholehearted cooperation by the media industry.

Defiance of police order by Anna Hazare

Defiance of police order by Anna Hazare not acceptable: Govt-In a clear indication of change in strategy in tackling Anna Hazare's protest over Lokpal Bill, govt today refrained from making any personal attack on the activist but justified his arrest saying defiance of police order was not acceptable in democracy. "This is not a pleasant task and none of us is happy trying to explain the circumstances under which certain events have taken place. It is a painful duty and we are performing it with the seriousness it deserves," Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.At the same time, he strongly defended Hazare's arrest saying the action was taken by the Delhi Police after it came to a conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a "cognisable offence" by defying prohibitory orders.
Addressing the media along with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and I&B Minister Ambika Soni, Chidambaram said that the government did make an effort to reach out to him yesterday but the meeting did not materialise."Yesterday, there was an attempt to meet Hazare, but that was not possible".
This morning police officer met Hazare and drew his attention to his statements that he and his supporters would defy the orders and asked him what his intentions were."Hazare said he was proceeding to Jaiprakash Narain Park to defy the orders. At that time, police came to the conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a cognisable offence and there could be likely breach of peace and they decided to take action under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC," he said
The Union Ministers, while disagreeing with Hazare's method for bringing the Lokpal Bill, made it clear that they shared the activist's concern on corruption.
"We are on Anna's side and Anna is on our side (as far as fight against corruption is concerned)," Sibal said adding that the disagreement was over Team Anna's insistence on accepting their Bill or no other Bill.Chidambaram also admitted that there was "great deal of angst and anger" among people on corruption and termed the Lokpal as "not a panacea but one of the answers" to deal with the menace.The change in strategy appears after Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday which was followed up with discussions with UPA troubleshooter Pranab Mukherjee and Chidambaram in Parliament today.
In a marked difference from the earlier attack on Hazare by the party, Soni said the activist was a "reputed person" and the government trusted his word on protest being peaceful.She, however, said that no one can guarantee that there cannot be any problem when such large number of people gather at place as people seated on a dias do not have control on each and every person participating in an agitation.While making no personal attack on Hazare, Soni said he may have been ill-advised by his colleagues former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan "who understand law".
Sibal also pointed out towards media reports that Bedi was accompanied by two BJP leaders when she was stopped by the police at Raj Ghat.Replying to a volley of questions, Sibal said "right to protest is a Constitutional right and no government can be against it."
He, however, added that while there were Constitutional rights on one hand, on the other there is Constitutional responsibility.
Echoing similar views, Chidambaram said the UPA government was not against peaceful democratic protests."They are part of the Constitutional rights of the citizen. We acknowledge that right and respect that right. But that right must be exercised under certain reasonable conditions," he said.
Chidambaram also said that the government has no problem if Hazare wants his version of the Lokpal Bill but added that other civil society activists like Aruna Roy, Harsh Mander and Nikhil Dey have also talked to the government on the issue.

He insisted that the only way a law can be made in this country is by making it in Parliament.
"But if laws are not to be made by Parliament but by some social activists in a maidan, however well meaning they are, outside Parliament, then it is beyond my comprehension," he said.
"If laws are to be made by Parliament, government has done everything possible to facilitate the making of that law. We are on record saying, we will make every endeavour to get that bill out of the standing committee as early as possible and pass it in Parliament as early as possible. We have done nothing to impede the progress of the Bill," Chidambaram said.

Sibal said that the Chairman of a Parliamentary standing committee examining the Lokpal bill had invited Team Anna for another round of discussions.

Anna reaches Rajghat engrossed in meditation

Team-Anna-fast was to begin at-JP-Park-New Delhi,Delhi Police-cancelled their permission,after Anna Team fail-to sign-all conditions levied by Delhi Police.
But-their are hundreds of park in Delhi,Anna must​-meditate every morning,say something-like Gandhi.chattrasal-stadium is place of house-​arrest for-Anna fixed-if arrested reports media.

India's,street fight on an appointment of anti corruption ombdusman,continues-home secretary to review.Anna reaches Rajghat engrossed in meditation to address the nation later today at 7pm message on the movement.

The-twitter.com-comments;
TusharG Tushar A. Gandhi
I hope and pray that both sides behave responsibly at Raj Ghat and the comman Indian is not made to suffer as happened at Ramleela Maidan.

chetan_bhagat Chetan Bhagat-by janlokpal-tweets
Anna meditating peacefully in front of Gandhiji's samadhi. Inspiring atmosphere. 15th aug after all

shekharkapur Shekhar Kapur
by janlokpal
Ministry of Disinformation in full force against Anna. "U r corrupt 2" is the new Mantra(lay)

Hunger strikes will not solve corruption problems: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised a strong Lokpal to end corruption in high places and asserted that hunger strikes will not help address the problem.

Addressing the nation for the eighth consecutive year on the occasion of Independence Day on Monday, Singh said no government has a "magic wand" to deal with the problem of corruption which needs to be tackled on many fronts and asked all political parties to stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight.

"I am aware of the differences of opinion on some aspects of the bill. Those who don't agree with this bill can put forward their views to Parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I also believe they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death," Singh said.

Acknowledging that corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation, he said the menace should be discussed in a manner that should not create an atmosphere in which country's progress comes into question.

He also admitted that funds meant for welfare of common man end up in the pockets of government officials.

Speaking from a bullet-proof enclosure amid rains, the Prime Minister touched on a variety of subjects including the sensitive land acquisition issue, naxalism, terrorism, economy and inflation.

Singh, who devoted a major part of the speech on corruption, admitted the scourge was a big obstacle in the way of transformation of the country as a major economic power globally.

"In the last few months many instances of corruption have come to light. In some cases, functionaries of the Central government face allegations of corruption. In other cases, it is the functionaries of various state governments," he said.

"We are taking the strictest possible action in cases of corruption that have surfaced. I will say nothing more on this subject as these cases are sub-judice," Singh said.

"Any debate on these matters should reflect the confidence that we can overcome these challenges," he said.

"Corruption manifests itself in many forms. In some instances, funds meant for schemes for the welfare of the common man end up in the pocket of government officials. In some other instances government discretion is used to favour a selected few. There are also cases where government contracts are wrongfully awarded to the wrong people," he said asserting that the government cannot let such activities continue unchecked.

Noting that the government was keen on a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places, Singh said, "We have recently introduced a Bill in Parliament to achieve this. Now only Parliament can decide what type of Lokpal legislation should be enacted."

The Prime Minister said he believed that there was "no single big step" which we can take to eradicate corruption.

"In fact, we will have to act simultaneously on many fronts," he said.

Sending out a strong message to those indulging in scams, he said, "everyone should know that quick action will be taken against the corrupt and punishment meted out to them."

At the same time, Singh said, "If our system delivers justice in an effective manner, government officials would think twice before committing a wrong act out of greed or under political pressure."

He, however, said there was a need for a "framework in which the judiciary becomes more accountable. It is with this aim that we have introduced the Judicial Accountability Bill in Parliament."

Admitting that government discretion was "misused in allocation of scarce resources and in the grant of clearances", Singh said they will put an end to such discretionary powers wherever possible and he hopes to enact a public procurement legislation by the end of this year.

"Any government awards contracts worth thousands of crores every year. There are frequent complaints of corruption in these decisions. We had constituted a committee to suggest measures to reduce corruption in government purchases.

"The committee has recommended that, like many other countries, we should also have a public procurement legislation which lays down the principles and practice with regard to government purchases. We will introduce a Bill in Parliament by the end of this year to enact such a law," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government was also planning to enact a law which enables the monitoring of the work of regulatory authorities and make them more accountable without compromising their independence.

Highlighting the role of RTI in keeping a "strict watch" on the work of the government, he said, "Today many government decisions, which in the absence of this Act would escape public scrutiny, are coming to light. I believe that this is a big step forward in eradicating corruption."

Singh noted that an alert press and an aware citizenry can be very helpful in the fight against corruption.

The Indian press is known for its independence and activism throughout the world. The RTI legislation that we have enacted has enabled our press and people to keep a strict watch on the work of the government, he said.

Noting that much has been achieved during his last seven years in office, Singh said, however, a lot remains to be done.

"The road ahead is long and arduous. Particularly, the prevailing situation both inside and outside the country is such that if we do not act with understanding and restraint, our security and prosperity can get adversely affected," he said.

"There are some people who want to create disturbances in the country so that our progress gets stalled. All this can have a negative impact on us. But we will not let this happen," he asserted.

The Prime Minister also spoke about problems surrounding the procurement of land and promised the enactment of a "forward looking and balanced" law to prevent tensions over the sensitive issue soon.

Emphasising that he was fully aware of the tensions caused in some parts of the country because of acquisition of land for industry, infrastructure and urbanization, he said that the government will ensure that "no injustice is done to anyone in the process of land acquisition."

He said, "Our farmers have been especially affected by such acquisition. Land acquisition is no doubt necessary for projects of public interest. But it should take place in a transparent and fair manner. The interests of those whose livelihoods are dependent on the land being acquired should be fully protected."

Singh said that the government wants to replace the 117 year old land acquisition law by a new Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation law which is forward looking and balanced.

"We have already prepared a draft legislation and have initiated steps to build consensus on it. We will soon introduce a Bill in Parliament to this end," he said.

Touching upon the issue of terrorism, Singh said the recent serial blasts in Mumbai have come as a warning to the nation that there cannot be any laxity in the vigil against the scourge.

"Last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai warn us that there cannot be any slip-up in our vigilance as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned. This is a long battle to be fought jointly by the central government, state governments and the common man," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has been steadily strengthening intelligence and security agencies and will continue to do so in future.

He also expressed concern over the issue of naxalism which he had earlier described as the biggest threat to internal security.

"We are also taking all possible steps to overcome the challenge of Naxalism. We want to eradicate the very reasons which give rise to this problem," he said.

Singh stated that a new scheme has been started for the accelerated development of 60 backward and tribal-dominated districts and an amount of Rs 3,300 crore will be spent on the scheme in a period of two years.

Noting that vocational education and skill development have acquired new importance, Singh also announced that the government will appoint an Education Commission to make recommendations for improvements at all levels of education in the country.

"In view of these major changes, it is necessary that we consider all aspects of education in a comprehensive manner. Therefore we have decided to appoint an education commission to make recommendations for improvements at all levels of education," he said.

Expressing satisfaction over achievements in education sector, Singh said government was considering universalisation of secondary education as it did in case of elementary education through Right to Education Act.

"Today every citizen has a right to elementary education. We are now considering universalisation of secondary education.

Noting that government put its emphasise on education in the 11 th Five Year Plan, Singh said similar priority will be given to the health sector in the 12 th Five Year Plan.

"I have often referred to the 11th Five Year Plan as an education plan. We will lay the same emphasis on health in the 12th plan as we laid on education in the 11th plan," he said.

Holding that health insurance for workers in the unorganised sector was a priority; he said government will endeavor to cover as many workers as possible under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana which was introduced in 2008.

Singh also referred to the threat posed by climate change to development processes. He said the government has established eight missions on climate change and are working hard to implement these missions.

"In the coming months, we will constitute an environmental assessment and monitoring authority to streamline the process of environmental clearances," Singh said.

Singh spoke about tensions that some times arise in the process of change, saying it was natural.

"In a democracy, such tensions also become issues of political polarization. We should endeavour that even as political parties oppose and engage in debate against each other, the pace of our progress does not get affected," he said.

Countrywide security blanket for I-Day

Countrywide security blanket for I-Day celebrations

A tight security blanket has been thrown across the country on Monday for the Independence Day to thwart any terror strike, even as an elaborate ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the capital.

With the Union Home Ministry issuing a country-wide alert, states tightened security at sensitive locations and installations to pre-empt any terror attack.

Thousands of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in and around the national capital.

"We have deployed personnel in abundance. We are not taking any chance," a senior police official said.

In Mumbai, the country's commercial hub, the police stepped up vigil at local railway stations, shopping malls, theatres, iconic Gateway of India, hotels like Taj Mahal and Oberoi, Mantralaya and Bombay High Court.

Additional deployment of security forces has been made in Jammu and Kashmir in view of terror alert issued by the Home Ministry about possibility of militants carrying out attacks.

A three-tier security blanket has been thrown around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the Independence day function in Srinagar, and other venues in the Valley been been tightened.

Troops along the Line of Control (LoC) have been directed to remain vigilant as army apprehends that militants might try to infiltrate and carry out attacks on security forces and civilians.

Around 40 CCTVs have been installed in and around the Red Fort to ensure incident-free celebrations while sharpshooters of the NSG will be deployed on high-rises near the 17th century Mughal monument.

According to a senior police official, specialised units like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra are being deployed.

An intense vigil will also be maintained on key installations like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

Besides patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defence mechanism will be in place around the venue to thwart any terror attack.

Rohit Nandan new AI Chief,

Rohit Nandan new AI Chief, Jadhav removed-Arvind Jadhav was on Saturday removed as CMD of Air India by the Government which appointed a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official Rohit Nandan as his successor in a bid to speed up the revival of the ailing national air carrier.

The appointment of 54-year-old Nandan, who was the Joint Secretary in the Ministry, was announced even as the Government faced opposition flak in Parliament over the dwindling health of the cash strapped airline. Nandan is a 1982-batch IAS officer.

As per the notification appointing Nandan as the new Chairman-cum-Managing Director for a three-year period, Jadhav was sent back to his parent Karnataka cadre. Jadhav was shunted out nine months before his three-year term is due to end on May 4, 2012.

Nandan, who took over from Jadhav immediately after his appointment this evening, said he would respond to all major issues faced by the airline, attaching top priority to revive it through financial restructuring.

Along with Nandan, government was in the process of inducting "three to four independent Directors" to the Air India Board in place of former FICCI chief and West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra and Vice Chairman and MD of the Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra, who had quit a few months ago.

Three functional Directors for Finance, Personnel and Commercial, would also be appointed to the Board soon, highly placed official sources said.

"This will be the classical governance structure" for Air India, they said, adding that the functional directors, who have so far been from within the organisation, could now be from outside.

The decision came hours after the government faced the Opposition's scathing criticism in the Lok Sabha about the running of the airline and its mounting losses.

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament House, briefed him on the overall situation facing the airline and sought his approval to effect the changes at the top level.

Jadhav has been under attack not only from sections of the employees like the pilots but also political parties who have trained their guns on him. His tenure so far has experienced three major strikes by pilots and other employees.

Anna Hazare fast unjustified

Government on Friday said that Anna Hazare's plan to go on fast from August 16 on Lokpal issue is unjustified at this stage, when it is moving forward on the passage of the bill. Home Minister P Chidambarm on Friday said this in response to a question that how the government views Hazare's proposed agitation at a time when the draft bill for Lokpal is being deliberated before the Standing Committee.
Mr. Chidamabram noted that everybody has a right to protest and the context and circumstances will decide whether the protest was right or not. He said Hazare team's earlier fast, when the Lokpal bill was not in place, was perhaps right but not now when a bill has already been introduced in Parliament and the government has moved forward on it.
Addressing a press briefing of the Group of Ministers on Media, the Union Minister said that the government's draft Lokpal bill will receive many suggestions in the Standing Committee as well as in Parliament from the opposition parties and some of these may also be accommodated.
To queries about the delay in permission to Hazare to hold fast and how the government intends to tackle the stir, the Home Minister said that the matter rests with Delhi Police Commissioner and the government was not tackling or pushing any one.
In reply to another question, the Home Minister categorically denied the lathicharge on BJP youth workers' protest in Delhi on 9 th of this month. He said only water canon were used to stop the protesters.
Mr Chidambaram said formal talks with ULFA leaders will start soon. He expressed the hope that the Centre’s peace talks with Ulfa will be carried forward in a positive manner. He said that ULFA faction headed by Arabinda Rajkhowa met him in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi some days before. >

Metro Rail Project Approved-2011

Phase-III of Delhi Metro Rail Project Approved, Total Length of the Network Approved is 103.05 kms
First Phase of Metro Rail in Bangalore to be Completed by the End of 2013 Mr Kamal Nath, Minister of Urban Development informed the EGoM that commuters in Delhi will be greatly benefited with the approval of the third phase of the Delhi Metro Rail Project. Minister Nath also informed that by 2021, when all four phases of Delhi Metro project are complete, Delhi will have 428 km of Metro network, making it among the largest metro network connection in the world.

The EGoM approved the third phase of the Delhi Metro project of 103.05 km that includes - Mukundpur -Yamuna Vihar corridor of 55.69 Kms, Janakpuri West- Kalindikunj corridor of 33.49 kms, Central Secretariat - Kashmere Gate 9.37kms and Jahangirpuri -Badli 4.489 kms. There will be a total of 67 stations with 15 inter-change points, which will facilitate ridership. The project is expected to be completed by March 2016. With the completion of Phase III, the estimated ridership on Delhi Metro is expected to be 39.50 lakh in 2016, 48.32 lakh in 2021 and 65.62 lakh in 2031. The completion cost of project is estimated to be Rs. 35,242 crore.

Mr. Kamal Nath brought to the attention of the EGoM the long pending demands for Metro connectivity, of the residents of Najafgarh and Shiv Vihar areas of Delhi. On his request, it was decided that three additional lines shall be brought to the EGoM as a supplementary item for approval for inclusion in Delhi Metro Phase III. These are Metro connectivity from Dwarka to Najafgarh, extension of Metro from Yamuna Vihar to Shiv Vihar and extension of Mundka line to Bahadurgarh (in Haryana). These additional lines will meet the long cherished demands of the people of these areas.

At Minister Nath’s instance the DMRC has been directed to conduct surveys for Metro connectivity from Shiv Vihar to Mukundpur and Extension of Metro from Rithala to Bawana.

The extension of Delhi Metro from Badapur in Delhi to YMCA Chowk in Faridabad, Haryana has also been approved. The total length of this corridor is 13.875 km, which is fully elevated with 9 stations at a cost of Rs. 2533 crore. The date of completion for this corridor is September 2014.

The matter of overcrowding of the existing metro coaches in the Delhi Metro network was also discussed. To facilitate procurement of additional 212 coaches by DMRC, Minister Nath proposed that the Ministry of Finance enter into a bridging agreement with DMRC in order to enable DMRC procure the additional coaches. Through this arrangement, the Government of India would allow DMRC to defer payment of three installments for JICA loan totaling Rs 1035 Cr to Government of India for three years i.e 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 by entering into a bridging agreement with DMRC.

The citizens of Bangalore too can look forward to comfortable Metro system with the completion of its first phase in December 2013. The total cost approved by EGoM for the phase I is Rs. 11609 crore and the total length of the network is 42.3 kms. The cost of the project has been revised from Rs. 8158 crore to Rs. 11609 crore .It was decided that the cost escalation amounting to Rs. 709.57 crore will be met entirely by Government of Karnataka. The remaining revised cost of Rs. 10899.43 crore will be shared by Government of India and Government of Karnataka.

India wants fifteen to twenty-five membership expansion of the U N S C

India wants expansion of the membership of the United Nations Security Council from fifteen to twenty-five members India in collaboration with Brazil, Japan and Germany (together known as the G-4) has proposed expansion of the membership of the United Nations Security Council from fifteen to twenty-five members with the addition of six permanent and four non-permanent members.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has in a statement at a meeting of the UN General Assembly plenary on the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council on 2 March 2011, clearly stated India's views regarding expansion of the Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories.

There are a range of proposals suggesting an increase in the numbers of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. During the course of intergovernmental negotiations, the proposals for expansion of the Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories have commanded the most support among UN member states.

The Government has been actively seeking support from all UN member states for India's candidature for permanent membership in an expanded Security Council. As a result of these efforts, there has been a steady accretion of support for India's candidature.

Both India and the US are actively involved in the on-going negotiations on Security Council reform in the UN and seek an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the Council. US President Barack Obama in a speech to the Members of both Houses of the Indian Parliament on 8 November 2010 said that he “looked forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member”.

The Minister of State of External Affairs Smt. Preneet Kaur gave this information in Lok Sabha today.

Anna Hazare,met Parliamentary panel

Civil Society activists led by Anna Hazare,met Parliamentary panel -A Parliamentary panel looking into the Lokpal Bill, has said that the Committee had detailed discussions with a group of Civil Society activists led by Anna Hazare for nearly three hours. Talking to reporters after the discussions, the Chairman of the Committee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that concrete and productive discussions were held with the group.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Anna Hazare criticized the Bill. He said, if the Bill is not changed, he will go ahead with his proposed hunger strike on the 16th of August-2011.

Karishma Kapoor promote skincare Olay Total Effects

New-Delhi:-Bollywood actress Karishma Kapoor here to promote skincare product Olay Total Effects, which she feels is the reason behind her “ageless beauty”.Olay Total Effects, which she feels is the reason behind her “ageless beauty”.“When I started using this product in 2007, it was a life-changing experience. I strongly believe that if you look good, you feel good, and that`s just what happened with me,” said Karisma, who will be seen on the big screen once again soon.
Kapoor family-actress,  has done films like “Dil To Pagal Hai”, “Biwi No.1″ “Raja Hindustani”, and “Zubeidaa”, was last seen in “Mere Jeevan Saathi” which released in 2006.She has now teamed up with model-turned-actor Rajneesh Duggal for Vikram Bhatt`s film titled “Dangerous Ishq”.

CWG scam rocks Parliament;

CWG mess rocked Parliament for the second day on Tuesday as opposition NDA stalled the Question Hour in both the Houses and demanded resignation of Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit in the wake CAG observations against her.

In the Lok Sabha, soon after Speaker Meira Kumar finished references to the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, BJP and Shiv Sena members trooped into the well raising slogans against Dikshit.

Amid din, SP members rushed to the well in the Lok Sabha and raised the issue of fake encounters in Uttar Pradesh.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal was heard saying that if this was the stand of the Opposition the House should be adjourned for the day.

US crisis melts down Indian stocks,

US crisis melts down Indian stocks, Sensex drops 500 -Indian stocks plunged deep into the red on Monday morning as the Sensex lost more than 500 points within minutes of the market opening on concerns over the US losing its top-notch credit rating due to mounting debts.The 30-share benchmark index dropped within minutes of opening to 16,793.07 points, its lowest level since June, 2010, registering a fall of 512 points from its previous close.The NSE's Nifty was also down by 131 points at 5,079.65 points at 0930 hours, after hitting a low of 5,060.05 points earlier in the morning.

Government in a fix over Telangana,

With government being in a fix over Telangana, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday appealed to all sections to allow consultation process on the statehood issue to reach its logical conclusion."The Government would like to make an earnest appeal to all sections of the people in Andhra Pradesh that they should allow the consultation process to reach its logical conclusion," he said in a statement on a Calling Attention motion in the Lok Sabha on creation of a separate Telangana state.He said the Centre had asked all major political parties to consider the report of a five-member committee chaired by Justice (Retd) B N Srikrishna on the Telangana issue and form an opinion in this regard.

"The consultation process with various political parties of Andhra Pradesh is continuing. A suitable decision will be taken in the light of these discussions," Chidambaram said.

He said the Centre was keeping a close watch on the political developments as well as the law and order situation in the state.Chidambaram said the Srikrishna Committee had listed six solutions or possible options, including maintaining status quo, bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana, with Hyderabad as a Union Territory, and the two states developing their own capitals in due course.

The other options are bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana; bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad metropolis as a separate Union Territory.

This Union Territory will have geographical linkage and contiguity via Nalgonda district in the south-east Guntur in coastal Andhra and via Mahboobnagar district in the south to Kurnool district in Rayalaseema, he said quoting the report.

Another option is bifurcating the state into Telangana and Seemandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital.

The final option is keeping the state united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional/ Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region -- creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has requested the Centre to delete paragraph 14 (f) of the Andhra Pradesh Public Employment (Organisation of Local Cadres and Regulation of Direct Recruitment) Order of 1975, Chidambaram said.

The deletion of the paragraph implies that Hyderabad city would be a 'free zone' for recruitment to the police.The Centre decided to delete the clause and had made an appropriate recommendation to the President.

HC rejects Chidambaram's plea

Madras High Court on Thursday rejected an application by Home Min P Chidambaram seeking dismissal of the election petition filed by his immediate AIADMK rival R S Raja Kannappan challenging his election to Lok Sabha from Sivaganga constituency in 2009 General Elections.
In his application, Chidambaram had contended that there were some defects in the petition filed by Kannappan, who lost the election by just 3,354 votes, and sought its dismissal.Chidambaram had claimed that the high court registry had noted the defects when the petition was filed by Kannappan.Dismissing Chidambaram's application, Justice K Venkatraman said, "There cannot be any doubt that an Election petition filed with defects which cannot be curable cannot be considered as an election petition at the end. However, in the case on hand, the defects pointed out by the officer concerned are not defects which are not curable warranting dismissal of the election petition."

The Judge said he was of the considered view that the application preferred by Chidambaram "is liable to be rejected and accordingly rejected."

Kannappan in his petition filed on June 25, 2009 alleged that Chidambaram's election 'deserved' to be declared void due to 'manipulation' of votes and 'corrupt practices' committed by him, his election agents and others, with his consent.

He had also sought recount of the votes polled in the entire constituency, particularly in the Alangudi Assembly segment.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during her visit to New Delhi in June last had sought the resignation of Chidambaram alleging that he got himself elected to the Parliament by 'fraudulent' means.

She had alleged that Chidambaram was announced the successful candidate because of a fraud committed by a data entry operator, but the Union Minister hit back saying her remarks were 'gross contempt of court'.