Deccan Herald- OF PROMISES MADE AND BROKEN Bonanzas go bust By Gayathri Nivas Saturday 25 June 2011
The power of the executive to bestow largesse on its favourites is legion. But more often than not these ‘gifts’ never materialise.
There’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip, goes the old English proverb and it aptly applies to our World Cup winning Indian cricketers and their coach Gary Kirsten, who missed the chance of making Bangalore their future home just like a missed catch in a game of cricket. Or should we compare the missed opportunity to the 100th international century that eluded Sachin Tendulkar in the same World Cup final match last Saturday? Either way, Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s quixotic decision to confer residential sites in Bangalore on not just Team India but also their South African coach, denied the haloed 16 this most elusive gift. Quixotic because Yeddyurappa declared the players would be housed in an exclusive layout, the location of which would be made known within a fortnight, but then changed his mind just as quickly as he had announced it soon after the Cup win. A third announcement, replacing the offer of sites with cash gifts of Rs 25 lakh each, followed as swiftly as the previous two decisions.
Perhaps the chief minister was well advised to change the land offer because getting government approved and allotted sites in Bangalore has proved as much, or more, elusive than winning the World Cup for India since 1983 — a reality that lakhs of site applicants-in-waiting would swear by in this burgeoning city whose galloping population (set to hit the one-crore mark) and worsening infrastructure have done nothing to blot its escutcheon of epithets such as the silicon valley of India, pensioners’ paradise, garden city and so on and so forth.
Bungalows for the asking
A few of Yeddyurappa’s predecessors too, like Ramakrishna Hegde, and even former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda have demonstrated the power of the executive to bestow largesse on their favourites. Hegde invited former president of India, the late Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, to settle down in Bangalore once he demitted office. Reddy subsequently retired to his home turf Illur in Andhra Pradesh.
Deve Gowda apparently believed in winning friends by distributing state favours. First, he allotted a palatial bungalow on Safdarjung Road in Delhi to former president, the late Ramaswamy Venkataraman, who decided to live in the capital after the DMK’s return to power in Tamil Nadu.
Venkataraman lived in a state-owned bungalow in Chennai while two of his houses in Delhi were rented out, much to the DMK’s chagrin.
Deve Gowda then allotted a type-V bungalow to Sanjeeva Reddy’s widow, who had expressed a desire to stay in Bangalore. The Karnataka government was instructed to allot the bungalow to Nagaratnamma Reddy. The Centre was to exchange with the Karnataka government two smaller houses in lieu of the large bungalow for Nagaratnamma Reddy.
The Deve Gowda government also decided to allot type-V bungalows to the surviving spouses of former presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers. The widows of former presidents Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Giani Zail Singh, and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Rajiv Gandhi became beneficiaries of government bungalows in the capital.
On the contrary, not just in Bangalore, across Karnataka, award winners, victims of natural calamities awaiting rehabilitation after losing home and hearth, and poor beneficiaries of government-sponsored housing schemes have had to wait alike to receive the “gift of kindness”.
Quite often than not the ‘gift’ never materialises. The state government’s constant refrain is that there is no land left to distribute. Scores of genuine causes and investment proposals, such as research facilities and premier educational institutions, have been shelved for want of land. An eyecare institution seeking to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory to facilitate pathbreaking research for the benefit of the visually impaired is still waiting with no land in sight.
Stars vs Heroes (Ironically reduced to a Zero!)
While hailing the World Cup win, an Army colonel, in an open letter, has urged some introspection as to how the country views its war heroes and what the government/ state offers them for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. Here are some excerpts: “The team partied at the same Taj Hotel, which was the battle ground on 26/11 and witness to many a soldier giving up his life. Major Unnikrishnan who died while fighting the terrorists is yet to receive his complete NOK entitlements. He gave his today for the tomorrow of others so that they can party all night without any threat. The world Cup finals at Mumbai was held under safe environment with the army, navy, coast guard, NSG and what not to ensure the conduct of the match without a hitch. Remove the men in uniform and see if the events pass smoothly, be it CWG games or cricket match. The Kargil War has still its shadows on the number of officers/ jawans who laid down their lives to protect the nation and its territorial integrity. What the recipients of Param Vir Chakras/Mahavir and Vir Chakras got in comparison to the cricket boys is known to all (peanuts). What the families of the dead go through can only be experienced by them.
The railways is not prepared to honour the percentage concession given to the war heroes in stark comparison to a lifetime First AC free pass throughout the country along with an aide to the cricket stars. Let us not forget the Kabul blast in which a Brigadier was also blown up with a bureaucrat. The babu got all the cake and the icing, the Brig was treated as a casualty. The PM went and paid homage to the babu and his family, the Brig got the traditional ‘Shok Shashtra’.”
Deccan Herald: OF PROMISES MADE AND BROKEN- Bonanzas go bust By Gayathri Nivas
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Ex-Servicemen turn Conmen
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 11:33:41 AM (IST) Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Jun 22: A fake recruitment racket run by ex-servicemen got busted here by the police.
The ex-servicemen who used to be Majors in the Army Medical Corps fooled young men who aspired to join the Indian Army.
The two conmen, one posed as a doctor for medical check-ups assured the candidates of a suitable placement in the Indian Army.
The candidates were asked to fill up personal details on answer sheets that were later filled by specialists and submitted to the Head Office. They were informed that they would recieve their joining letter through post.
Only when they did not recieve anything related to the Indian Army in their mailboxes did they realize they had been cheated.
The racket is said to be worth a lot of money as each of the candidates had to pay around Rs 3 lac.
Based on a complaint given by one of the candidates, the Crime Branch of Delhi police arrested four who were the masterminds behind the racket in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
New Delhi: Ex-Servicemen turn Conmen
New Delhi, Jun 22: A fake recruitment racket run by ex-servicemen got busted here by the police.
The ex-servicemen who used to be Majors in the Army Medical Corps fooled young men who aspired to join the Indian Army.
The two conmen, one posed as a doctor for medical check-ups assured the candidates of a suitable placement in the Indian Army.
The candidates were asked to fill up personal details on answer sheets that were later filled by specialists and submitted to the Head Office. They were informed that they would recieve their joining letter through post.
Only when they did not recieve anything related to the Indian Army in their mailboxes did they realize they had been cheated.
The racket is said to be worth a lot of money as each of the candidates had to pay around Rs 3 lac.
Based on a complaint given by one of the candidates, the Crime Branch of Delhi police arrested four who were the masterminds behind the racket in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
New Delhi: Ex-Servicemen turn Conmen
Can the Military get Justice from grafted IAS Officers?
IAS design conducive to graft
India Today Amitabha Pande | June 17, 2011 | Updated 07:48 IST
Neera Yadav after her conviction.
Two months ago, Neera Yadav, former Chief Secretary of U.P, was convicted and sent to jail. Soon thereafter, BS Lalli, CEO of Prasar Bharati, was suspended on allegations of corruption. Both were my batchmates in the IAS and my memories of them as probationers are so completely at variance with the reputations they acquired later in their careers that it becomes both sad and difficult to reconcile the two.
Do social origins and the cultural milieu in which one has grown up have a role to play in the kind of IAS officer one eventually becomes? At one level, all bureaucrats have been corrupt in some way or another - favouring friends or kinsmen or persons of a particular region, using the perks and freebies offered by PSUs and so on. Worse, many have readily condoned or did not resist the corrupt behaviour of those wielding political power. A few, however, become known for the voraciousness of their appetite for material acquisitions. What makes for this change in behaviour? Were the symptoms, or the ' lakshanas' of such behaviour always there?
Categories
When we joined the IAS in 1971, the entrants could be broadly grouped into three distinct, occasionally overlapping, categories. There were those of us whose parents had been/were in the higher echelons of civil service or senior management positions in the boxwalla companies. Most of us had been to public schools and our undergraduate years had been spent in the elite colleges and universities of India.
The second social group in the IAS was also from an urban middle class background but with a strong non metro, medium sized city bias. Belonging to cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Nagpur, Sagar, Baroda or Mysore, their parents were mostly from professional, technical backgrounds working in the middle rungs of their organisations. They were deeply rooted in the emerging Indian middle class and the IAS was a very significant part of their aspirational growth.
The third group had closer links with the rural and provincial than the second. They were deeply and integrally connected to land and land relations. The IAS of their imagination was still rooted in a semi- feudal, patriarchal order. Their most distinguishing feature was their unease with the English language.
This threefold varna is probably sharper in retrospect than it was at that time and many of us fell in between these groups.
The distinctions were primarily cultural and the English language the main dividing line. Many of us in the first group were half ashamed of our elitist origins. To our social guilt tainted eyes a person like Neera appeared a shining example of someone who had fought her way out of a chauvinistic, patriarchal social order.
To understand what changed, tracing the career trajectories of the three groups can offer interesting sociological insights.
India Today Amitabha Pande | June 17, 2011 | Updated 07:48 IST
Two months ago, Neera Yadav, former Chief Secretary of U.P, was convicted and sent to jail. Soon thereafter, BS Lalli, CEO of Prasar Bharati, was suspended on allegations of corruption. Both were my batchmates in the IAS and my memories of them as probationers are so completely at variance with the reputations they acquired later in their careers that it becomes both sad and difficult to reconcile the two.
Do social origins and the cultural milieu in which one has grown up have a role to play in the kind of IAS officer one eventually becomes? At one level, all bureaucrats have been corrupt in some way or another - favouring friends or kinsmen or persons of a particular region, using the perks and freebies offered by PSUs and so on. Worse, many have readily condoned or did not resist the corrupt behaviour of those wielding political power. A few, however, become known for the voraciousness of their appetite for material acquisitions. What makes for this change in behaviour? Were the symptoms, or the ' lakshanas' of such behaviour always there?
Categories
When we joined the IAS in 1971, the entrants could be broadly grouped into three distinct, occasionally overlapping, categories. There were those of us whose parents had been/were in the higher echelons of civil service or senior management positions in the boxwalla companies. Most of us had been to public schools and our undergraduate years had been spent in the elite colleges and universities of India.
The second social group in the IAS was also from an urban middle class background but with a strong non metro, medium sized city bias. Belonging to cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Nagpur, Sagar, Baroda or Mysore, their parents were mostly from professional, technical backgrounds working in the middle rungs of their organisations. They were deeply rooted in the emerging Indian middle class and the IAS was a very significant part of their aspirational growth.
The third group had closer links with the rural and provincial than the second. They were deeply and integrally connected to land and land relations. The IAS of their imagination was still rooted in a semi- feudal, patriarchal order. Their most distinguishing feature was their unease with the English language.
This threefold varna is probably sharper in retrospect than it was at that time and many of us fell in between these groups.
The distinctions were primarily cultural and the English language the main dividing line. Many of us in the first group were half ashamed of our elitist origins. To our social guilt tainted eyes a person like Neera appeared a shining example of someone who had fought her way out of a chauvinistic, patriarchal social order.
To understand what changed, tracing the career trajectories of the three groups can offer interesting sociological insights.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
एक रैंक एक पेंशन
1. हिमाचल प्रदेश सरकार द्वारा संकल्प दृढ़ता से OROP की सिफारिश की प्रति 06 पर पारित हिमाचल प्रदेश विधानसभा में 2011 अप्रैल आपकी जानकारी के लिए कृपया संलग्न है.
2. समय करीब OROP की मंजूरी के लिए आ रहा है. आइए, हम अपने सर्वश्रेष्ठ में डाल दिया.
3. हम मई को लेख लिखने, चर्चा और सह ord हमारे मकसद के लिए मीडिया प्रचार पकड़ दिग्गजों का अनुरोध करें. भगवान का आशीर्वाद भगवान स्पीड
सादर के साथ,
जय हिन्द
तुम्हारी निष्ठा से,
मेजर जनरल (सेवानिवृत्त) सतबीर सिंह, एस.एम.
वाइस चेयरमैन, IESM
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Matrix of Indians Laundering Black Money
Let black money remain in Swiss banks: Kejriwal
Sunday, February 27, 2011, 12:04
New Delhi: Eminent social activist and Magsaysay award winner Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the black money stashed in Swiss bank by Indians should be left there as it will never be properly used if it comes back to the country.
"Let the Indian money in Swiss bank remain there, at least it is safe. If it comes to India, it won’t be used for development but will go in corrupt hands," Kejriwal said at a press conference here.
"If it comes to India under present laws, in absence of any strong anti-corruption law, it will be lost to corruption," he said.
The activist was in the national capital, along with Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh to press for the formulation of a strong Lokpal Bill, or anti-graft legislation.
"It was money meant for development, but if it comes back it won't be used for development. As soon as the government started inquiry on Hasan (Ali Khan), he shifted a major amount of money. Now the government is looking for it," he said.
The activist stressed that under the present laws, the investigating agencies were working under those accused of corruption.
To start an investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation needs permission from those against whom it is supposed to act, he said.
Let black money remain in Swiss banks: Kejriwal
Black money drives real estate and housing
Our black money is here, not in Switzerland: Swaminathan SA Aiyar
The government is signing agreements with many countries to access more information on foreign bank accounts. The very signing will warn crooks to transfer their funds to chains of corporations in lightly taxed places ranging from Liechtenstein to Cayman Islands and Mauritius to Bermuda. Once laundered through a dozen corporations in a dozen tax havens, money becomes white.
Some businessmen may park large sums temporarily in Swiss banks pending better deployment. Some politicians may not yet be financial savvy and may be content keeping large sums in Swiss banks. These will be exceptional cases. The bulk of black money abroad is in financial assets across the globe.
Where exactly? Nobody knows. But one of the best places in which to invest money is India, not Switzerland or the US or any western destination. Housing prices in the US doubled after 2000 and that was called a bubble, but housing prices in India rose almost ten-fold. Declarations by politicians of their assets show a huge preference for real estate over all other assets.
The Dow Jones index in New York is barely higher today than in 2000, but the Bombay sensex is up six-fold. Interest rates on Indian government bonds are 8% against 3% in the US and Germany. Clearly India is one of the best investment destinations in the world. Income tax rates today are modest and there is no tax on dividends and capital gains.
So, enormous sums of black money that once went abroad have returned in white form over the last two decades. These flows may have helped the Indian economy grow faster. They have certainly helped push up land and stock prices to dizzy heights, and election spending too.
India now gets $60 billion annually of remittances from NRIs, and up to $50 billion from portfolio inflows. A significant part of this must be black money returning as white. Some inflows come as NRI bank deposits in India.
Our black money is here, not in Switzerland: Swaminathan SA Aiyar- click here to read more
Sunday, February 27, 2011, 12:04
New Delhi: Eminent social activist and Magsaysay award winner Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the black money stashed in Swiss bank by Indians should be left there as it will never be properly used if it comes back to the country.
"Let the Indian money in Swiss bank remain there, at least it is safe. If it comes to India, it won’t be used for development but will go in corrupt hands," Kejriwal said at a press conference here.
"If it comes to India under present laws, in absence of any strong anti-corruption law, it will be lost to corruption," he said.
The activist was in the national capital, along with Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh to press for the formulation of a strong Lokpal Bill, or anti-graft legislation.
"It was money meant for development, but if it comes back it won't be used for development. As soon as the government started inquiry on Hasan (Ali Khan), he shifted a major amount of money. Now the government is looking for it," he said.
The activist stressed that under the present laws, the investigating agencies were working under those accused of corruption.
To start an investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation needs permission from those against whom it is supposed to act, he said.
Let black money remain in Swiss banks: Kejriwal
Black money drives real estate and housing
Our black money is here, not in Switzerland: Swaminathan SA Aiyar
The government is signing agreements with many countries to access more information on foreign bank accounts. The very signing will warn crooks to transfer their funds to chains of corporations in lightly taxed places ranging from Liechtenstein to Cayman Islands and Mauritius to Bermuda. Once laundered through a dozen corporations in a dozen tax havens, money becomes white.
Some businessmen may park large sums temporarily in Swiss banks pending better deployment. Some politicians may not yet be financial savvy and may be content keeping large sums in Swiss banks. These will be exceptional cases. The bulk of black money abroad is in financial assets across the globe.
Where exactly? Nobody knows. But one of the best places in which to invest money is India, not Switzerland or the US or any western destination. Housing prices in the US doubled after 2000 and that was called a bubble, but housing prices in India rose almost ten-fold. Declarations by politicians of their assets show a huge preference for real estate over all other assets.
The Dow Jones index in New York is barely higher today than in 2000, but the Bombay sensex is up six-fold. Interest rates on Indian government bonds are 8% against 3% in the US and Germany. Clearly India is one of the best investment destinations in the world. Income tax rates today are modest and there is no tax on dividends and capital gains.
So, enormous sums of black money that once went abroad have returned in white form over the last two decades. These flows may have helped the Indian economy grow faster. They have certainly helped push up land and stock prices to dizzy heights, and election spending too.
India now gets $60 billion annually of remittances from NRIs, and up to $50 billion from portfolio inflows. A significant part of this must be black money returning as white. Some inflows come as NRI bank deposits in India.
Our black money is here, not in Switzerland: Swaminathan SA Aiyar- click here to read more
Collector distributes farm inputs to Retired Defence personnel
Collector distributes farm inputs
The Hindu VELLORE, June 14, 2011
Welfare assistance worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed at public grievances day meet
S. Nagarajan, Vellore Collector, distributing a power sprayer to a farmer at the Collectorate in Vellore on Monday.— Photo: D.Gopalakrishnan
Distribution of agricultural inputs worth Rs.30,000 to 16 farmers and sports incentives worth Rs.69,500 to 13 best sportspersons in schools and colleges were among the welfare aids worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed by S. Nagarajan, Collector of Vellore to 45 beneficiaries at the weekly public grievances day meeting at the Collectorate here on Monday.
Quality agricultural inputs including power sprayers, certified seeds and bio-fertilizers are being distributed to farmers in all the 20 blocks in Vellore district at a subsidised cost from May 30 to June 15 to enable them to take up cultivation during the current kharif season. Agricultural extension staff members are visiting one village in each of the 20 blocks in the district every day, and distributing inputs directly to the farmers. The Agriculture Department aims to cover 300 villages during the kharif campaign lasting 15 days. At the public grievances redressal day meeting held on Monday, the Collector distributed agricultural inputs on behalf of the Agriculture Department to farmers in Vellore, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi, Anaicut and Sholinghur blocks.
On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of India, the Collector distributed cheques of Rs.5000 each to 10 school students and Rs.6500 each to three college students. Other aids distributed by the Collector include marriage assistance of Rs.8000 each to three persons on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare, cheques for Rs.1.35 lakh by way of marriage assistance to six inter-caste couple, sewing machines worth Rs.3000 each to two persons and Rs.50,000 by way of accident relief to one person on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and wheel-chairs worth Rs.3250 each to three persons and a tricycle worth Rs.3500 to one person on behalf of the Department of Differently-Abled.
The Collector received 723 petitions from the public on the occasion. The petitions were forwarded to the departments concerned. After proper scrutiny, aids would be given to the eligible petitioners.
Ettiyappan, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Santha, District Supply Officer, Gomathi, District Social Welfare Officer, K. Madhimaran, District Sports Officer, Manivannan, Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare and K. Thamizhchelvan, Joint Director of Agriculture-in-charge, participated.
Collector distributes farm inputs
The Hindu VELLORE, June 14, 2011
Welfare assistance worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed at public grievances day meet
Distribution of agricultural inputs worth Rs.30,000 to 16 farmers and sports incentives worth Rs.69,500 to 13 best sportspersons in schools and colleges were among the welfare aids worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed by S. Nagarajan, Collector of Vellore to 45 beneficiaries at the weekly public grievances day meeting at the Collectorate here on Monday.
Quality agricultural inputs including power sprayers, certified seeds and bio-fertilizers are being distributed to farmers in all the 20 blocks in Vellore district at a subsidised cost from May 30 to June 15 to enable them to take up cultivation during the current kharif season. Agricultural extension staff members are visiting one village in each of the 20 blocks in the district every day, and distributing inputs directly to the farmers. The Agriculture Department aims to cover 300 villages during the kharif campaign lasting 15 days. At the public grievances redressal day meeting held on Monday, the Collector distributed agricultural inputs on behalf of the Agriculture Department to farmers in Vellore, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi, Anaicut and Sholinghur blocks.
On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of India, the Collector distributed cheques of Rs.5000 each to 10 school students and Rs.6500 each to three college students. Other aids distributed by the Collector include marriage assistance of Rs.8000 each to three persons on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare, cheques for Rs.1.35 lakh by way of marriage assistance to six inter-caste couple, sewing machines worth Rs.3000 each to two persons and Rs.50,000 by way of accident relief to one person on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and wheel-chairs worth Rs.3250 each to three persons and a tricycle worth Rs.3500 to one person on behalf of the Department of Differently-Abled.
The Collector received 723 petitions from the public on the occasion. The petitions were forwarded to the departments concerned. After proper scrutiny, aids would be given to the eligible petitioners.
Ettiyappan, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Santha, District Supply Officer, Gomathi, District Social Welfare Officer, K. Madhimaran, District Sports Officer, Manivannan, Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare and K. Thamizhchelvan, Joint Director of Agriculture-in-charge, participated.
Collector distributes farm inputs
Uttarakhand leads the Nation in welfare measures for Retired Defence Personnel
Gen VK Singh calls on CM Saturday, 11.06.2011, 11:52am (GMT+5.5)
Need special package for border areas: Nishank
Dehradun, 10 Jun: Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh called on the Chief Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, at his official residence on Friday. During his courtesy call, General Singh congratulated Nishank for Uttarakhand extending facilities to ex-servicemen that were not being provided by any other state in the country.
Welcoming General Singh on his visit to Uttarakhand, Nishank said that the state government had launched many welfare schemes for the welfare of ex-servicemen, soldiers’ widows and their family members. He added that the children of the soldiers were being provided reservations in government services. An Eco Task Force had been constituted in the state for environment conservation and the ex-servicemen had been associated with it.
Recalling that Uttarakhand has been a land of warriors, with an average of every family of the state having someone serving in the armed forces, he asserted that Uttarakhand had become the state that the provided the highest grants by increasing the amount paid to the gallantry award winners. Ex-servicemen had also been appointed as Block Representatives. Such ex-servicemen were also getting an honorarium of Rs 4,000 per month, each. The CM added that land for developing residential colonies for the families of the soldiers and ex-servicemen in Dehradun (17 acres), Kotdwar (5 acres), and Haldwani (3 acre), etc., had also been allotted by the state government. The purchase of vehicles in CSD canteens had been kept free from VAT.
Nishank CM reiterated that the state government was committed to ensuring the welfare of the soldiers. As a strategically sensitive state with two international borders, he added, the Ministry of Defence ought to give a special package for the frontier regions. Nishank also presented General Singh with a ‘Navgrah Vatika’ as a souvenir. General VK Singh applauded the state government’s decision to provide the families of the ex-servicemen with free-of-cost land to develop residential colonies for the families of soldiers and ex-servicemen. He exhibited special interest in the ‘Navgrah Vatika’ plantation initiated in Uttarakhand.
Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar and Secretary to CM, Dr Umakant Panwar, were also present on the occasion.
Gen VK Singh calls on CM
Need special package for border areas: Nishank
Dehradun, 10 Jun: Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh called on the Chief Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, at his official residence on Friday. During his courtesy call, General Singh congratulated Nishank for Uttarakhand extending facilities to ex-servicemen that were not being provided by any other state in the country.
Welcoming General Singh on his visit to Uttarakhand, Nishank said that the state government had launched many welfare schemes for the welfare of ex-servicemen, soldiers’ widows and their family members. He added that the children of the soldiers were being provided reservations in government services. An Eco Task Force had been constituted in the state for environment conservation and the ex-servicemen had been associated with it.
Recalling that Uttarakhand has been a land of warriors, with an average of every family of the state having someone serving in the armed forces, he asserted that Uttarakhand had become the state that the provided the highest grants by increasing the amount paid to the gallantry award winners. Ex-servicemen had also been appointed as Block Representatives. Such ex-servicemen were also getting an honorarium of Rs 4,000 per month, each. The CM added that land for developing residential colonies for the families of the soldiers and ex-servicemen in Dehradun (17 acres), Kotdwar (5 acres), and Haldwani (3 acre), etc., had also been allotted by the state government. The purchase of vehicles in CSD canteens had been kept free from VAT.
Nishank CM reiterated that the state government was committed to ensuring the welfare of the soldiers. As a strategically sensitive state with two international borders, he added, the Ministry of Defence ought to give a special package for the frontier regions. Nishank also presented General Singh with a ‘Navgrah Vatika’ as a souvenir. General VK Singh applauded the state government’s decision to provide the families of the ex-servicemen with free-of-cost land to develop residential colonies for the families of soldiers and ex-servicemen. He exhibited special interest in the ‘Navgrah Vatika’ plantation initiated in Uttarakhand.
Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar and Secretary to CM, Dr Umakant Panwar, were also present on the occasion.
Gen VK Singh calls on CM
Canteen Facilities to Retired Assam Rifles Personnel
Friday, 17 June 2011 09:46
Integrated HQ of MOD (Army)
QM Branch
Dy Dte Cen Canteen Services
L1 Block, Room No. 13
New Delhi – 110001
No. 96013/Q/DDGCS 05 April 2011
HQ Directorate Central
Assam Rifles, Shillong, Pin-793010
GRANT OF CANTEEN FACILITIES TO RETIRED ASSAM RIFLES PERSONNEL
1. Reference Your statement of Case click here, forwarded vide DO No. A/ pers/ DO/2010 dated 02 Dec 2010 and MHA ltter No. 27011/18/2006/ R&W dated 15 Nov 2010, for grant of CSD facilities to the retired personnel of Assam Rifles.
2. Sanction is hereby accorded for the grant of canteen facilities to the retired personnel of Assam Rifles, till their own Central Police Canteens are established.
3. This has the approval of the competent authority.
Sd/-
(HS Brar)
Brig
Dy Dir Gen, Canteen Services
click here to read more
Integrated HQ of MOD (Army)
QM Branch
Dy Dte Cen Canteen Services
L1 Block, Room No. 13
New Delhi – 110001
No. 96013/Q/DDGCS 05 April 2011
HQ Directorate Central
Assam Rifles, Shillong, Pin-793010
GRANT OF CANTEEN FACILITIES TO RETIRED ASSAM RIFLES PERSONNEL
1. Reference Your statement of Case click here, forwarded vide DO No. A/ pers/ DO/2010 dated 02 Dec 2010 and MHA ltter No. 27011/18/2006/ R&W dated 15 Nov 2010, for grant of CSD facilities to the retired personnel of Assam Rifles.
2. Sanction is hereby accorded for the grant of canteen facilities to the retired personnel of Assam Rifles, till their own Central Police Canteens are established.
3. This has the approval of the competent authority.
Sd/-
(HS Brar)
Brig
Dy Dir Gen, Canteen Services
click here to read more
Relief given to Ex Servicemen and War Widows
The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 Staff Reporter
Rs. 34,250 disbursed as relief during grievance day meeting
Forty one petitions reviewed by Collector
30 petitions came in requesting change of name
Small relief: Collector V. Arun Roy (second left) distributing welfare assistance during the grievance day meeting for ex-servicemen at the Collectorate on Tuesday. C. Prakasam, District Revenue Officer (left), and M. Muthuram, Assistant Director, Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Krishnagiri (right), are also seen.
KRISHNAGIRI: District Collector V. Arun Roy disbursed a sum of Rs. 34,250 as assistance to ex-servicemen and war widows at a grievances day meeting held here on Tuesday.
Presiding over the meeting, Mr. Roy reviewed 41 petitions received prior to the meeting from ex-servicemen, war widows and others in the presence of district officials.
He also received 30 petitions requesting change of name in documents such as patta, pathway to the lands, allotment of house sites, pre-employment training for aspiring candidates joining in security forces, etc.
Mr. Roy gave directions to the officials concerned to take quick action on the petitions as per the rules and regulations of the government.
Aid break-up
Nine persons were given Rs. 3,000 each for cremation relief, two persons were given Rs. 3,500 as monthly dole, and four people were given Rs. 3750 as military incentive subsidy by the district administration. As many as fifteen persons got the benefit from the district administration.
C. Prakasam, District Revenue Officer, M. Muthuram, assistant director of District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board, and Ms. Anitha, Deputy Collector (training), were among those who participated in the meeting.
Assistance given to 15 ex-servicemen, war widows
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 Staff Reporter
KRISHNAGIRI: District Collector V. Arun Roy disbursed a sum of Rs. 34,250 as assistance to ex-servicemen and war widows at a grievances day meeting held here on Tuesday.
Presiding over the meeting, Mr. Roy reviewed 41 petitions received prior to the meeting from ex-servicemen, war widows and others in the presence of district officials.
He also received 30 petitions requesting change of name in documents such as patta, pathway to the lands, allotment of house sites, pre-employment training for aspiring candidates joining in security forces, etc.
Mr. Roy gave directions to the officials concerned to take quick action on the petitions as per the rules and regulations of the government.
Aid break-up
Nine persons were given Rs. 3,000 each for cremation relief, two persons were given Rs. 3,500 as monthly dole, and four people were given Rs. 3750 as military incentive subsidy by the district administration. As many as fifteen persons got the benefit from the district administration.
C. Prakasam, District Revenue Officer, M. Muthuram, assistant director of District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board, and Ms. Anitha, Deputy Collector (training), were among those who participated in the meeting.
Assistance given to 15 ex-servicemen, war widows
Freedom fighters of a different genre
The Tribune Wednesday, June 22, 2011, Chandigarh, India by Harwant Singh
The freedom movement was fast gaining momentum and all of the military could not remain totally unaffected. During leave, members of the regiment came in contact with Congress workers and some revolutionaries. On return, they disseminated what was picked up during leave. A few nationalist newspapers too were secretly being brought into the regiment. Since all ranks, to the exclusion of British officers were in it, this development remained under warps. There were a few secret meetings where nationalist feelings were expressed openly and vociferously, by the more vocal.
World War II had started and Indian troops were being moved to check the Italian offensive in North Africa. Soon this regiment too, received orders to move to that theatre of war. At one of the secrets meetings in the regiment it was unanimously decided by all personnel that they will decline to board the ship for move to North Africa to fight Britain’s war.
The regiment was moved to Bombay, on way to the war zone. At Bombay it was ‘formed-up,’ by squadrons, on the railway platform to be taken by train to the dockyard for further transportation by sea. There was a light drizzle and the atmosphere was surcharged with expectations of frightful consequences, as squadrons waited to defy orders. Then the adjutant gave orders to the troops to board the train. The Dogra and Jat squadrons mounted the train, forgetting the collective decision not to go abroad to fight Britain’s war, while the Sikh squadron personnel kept standing and did not react to the adjutant’s order. The adjutant repeated the order and still the Sikh squadron did not respond.
This disobedience by the Sikh squadron came as a great shock and surprise to the British officers of the regiment. The Sikh squadron had an enviable service record, spread over nearly a century, including during World War I and its personnel were considered fine soldiers, valiant, imbued with the spirit of sacrifice, loyal and true to their cause and oath.
The squadron was ordered to ‘ground arms,’ which the personnel dutifully did. Thereafter they were marched off to the barracks and placed under arrest. Several court martials were held. The charge was one of mutiny. Many were sentenced to be hanged, more were sentenced to life imprisonment, some others to varying lengths of prison terms. The remaining cashiered from service and the squadron was disbanded.
At the centenary raising day celebrations of the regiment in the late fifties, some from that squadron too came to join in the activities. Most amongst them had served life imprisonment and some others lesser terms, while the remaining had been cashiered from service. They had no regret for their action, nor any bitterness or rancour towards those, who had betrayed the collective decision not to fight Britain’s war, or remorse for the sufferings they had to undergo. They had acted according to their light, suffered much, lost everything and wanted no recompense for their tribulations. They too were freedom fighters, but of an altogether different genre.
Freedom fighters of a different genre
The freedom movement was fast gaining momentum and all of the military could not remain totally unaffected. During leave, members of the regiment came in contact with Congress workers and some revolutionaries. On return, they disseminated what was picked up during leave. A few nationalist newspapers too were secretly being brought into the regiment. Since all ranks, to the exclusion of British officers were in it, this development remained under warps. There were a few secret meetings where nationalist feelings were expressed openly and vociferously, by the more vocal.
World War II had started and Indian troops were being moved to check the Italian offensive in North Africa. Soon this regiment too, received orders to move to that theatre of war. At one of the secrets meetings in the regiment it was unanimously decided by all personnel that they will decline to board the ship for move to North Africa to fight Britain’s war.
The regiment was moved to Bombay, on way to the war zone. At Bombay it was ‘formed-up,’ by squadrons, on the railway platform to be taken by train to the dockyard for further transportation by sea. There was a light drizzle and the atmosphere was surcharged with expectations of frightful consequences, as squadrons waited to defy orders. Then the adjutant gave orders to the troops to board the train. The Dogra and Jat squadrons mounted the train, forgetting the collective decision not to go abroad to fight Britain’s war, while the Sikh squadron personnel kept standing and did not react to the adjutant’s order. The adjutant repeated the order and still the Sikh squadron did not respond.
This disobedience by the Sikh squadron came as a great shock and surprise to the British officers of the regiment. The Sikh squadron had an enviable service record, spread over nearly a century, including during World War I and its personnel were considered fine soldiers, valiant, imbued with the spirit of sacrifice, loyal and true to their cause and oath.
The squadron was ordered to ‘ground arms,’ which the personnel dutifully did. Thereafter they were marched off to the barracks and placed under arrest. Several court martials were held. The charge was one of mutiny. Many were sentenced to be hanged, more were sentenced to life imprisonment, some others to varying lengths of prison terms. The remaining cashiered from service and the squadron was disbanded.
At the centenary raising day celebrations of the regiment in the late fifties, some from that squadron too came to join in the activities. Most amongst them had served life imprisonment and some others lesser terms, while the remaining had been cashiered from service. They had no regret for their action, nor any bitterness or rancour towards those, who had betrayed the collective decision not to fight Britain’s war, or remorse for the sufferings they had to undergo. They had acted according to their light, suffered much, lost everything and wanted no recompense for their tribulations. They too were freedom fighters, but of an altogether different genre.
Freedom fighters of a different genre
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Collector distributes aid to families of ex-servicemen
The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper Friday, Jun 17, 2011
COIMBATORE: District Collector M. Karunakaran on Tuesday presented assistance to the families of ex-servicemen to a tune of Rs. 44,347 at a special camp held at the Collectorate.
At the special camp, ex-servicemen and their families presented petitions seeking employment, bank loan, drinking water connection and free house site pattas.
Later, Mr. Karunkaran handed over a cheque for Rs. 2,400 towards the monthly assistance for the months of April, May and June and orders providing Rs. 800 per month for lifetime to Karunambal, wife of K.N. Nair, who laid his life in the Second World War. He also gave a cheque for Rs. 4,800 to Bhuvaneswari from the family of an ex-serviceman towards educational assistance from the Central Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board.
A cheque for Rs. 400 was given to P. Shanthi towards concession from property tax and a cheque for Rs. 774 to another Shanthi again as concession from property tax. Twelve persons were given Rs. 3,000 each totalling Rs. 36,000 towards the assistance for last rites.
Later a conference on self-employment prospects was conducted for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their family members. Revenue and Ex-servicemen Welfare Board officials took part in the special camp.
Collector distributes aid to families of ex-servicemen
Amalgamated Special Fund (ASF) For Reconstruction And Rehabilitation Of Ex-Servicemen, Madhya Pradesh
Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally Written by Newspoint Bureau
Saturday, 11 June 2011 00:03
Jammu Tawi, June 10, Zila Sainik Welfare officer Samba Col KB Gupta today organised an ex-servicemen and widow's rally in Ramgarh which was attended by 1,000 ex-servicemen and widows. As per press release, the rally was addressed by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Samba, Anil Kumar Gupta and others. Col KB Gupta explained that children of defence personnel were entitled to 3% quota seats in all medical and engineering colleges. All children who scored 60% marks in 8th, 10th and 12th and secured 65% in graduation were allowed to One Time incentive from RSB. State Bank of India for the help of defence pensioners opened help line for sorting out the problems of defence pensioners. They have to SMS word ‘Unhappy’ to phone number 80082202020, SBI executives will get in touch and resolve the issue. Brig RS Langeh Director Sainik Welfare J&K, Anil Kumar Gupta, Additional District Development Comm-issioner Samba and others were also present.
Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally
COIMBATORE: District Collector M. Karunakaran on Tuesday presented assistance to the families of ex-servicemen to a tune of Rs. 44,347 at a special camp held at the Collectorate.
At the special camp, ex-servicemen and their families presented petitions seeking employment, bank loan, drinking water connection and free house site pattas.
Later, Mr. Karunkaran handed over a cheque for Rs. 2,400 towards the monthly assistance for the months of April, May and June and orders providing Rs. 800 per month for lifetime to Karunambal, wife of K.N. Nair, who laid his life in the Second World War. He also gave a cheque for Rs. 4,800 to Bhuvaneswari from the family of an ex-serviceman towards educational assistance from the Central Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board.
A cheque for Rs. 400 was given to P. Shanthi towards concession from property tax and a cheque for Rs. 774 to another Shanthi again as concession from property tax. Twelve persons were given Rs. 3,000 each totalling Rs. 36,000 towards the assistance for last rites.
Later a conference on self-employment prospects was conducted for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their family members. Revenue and Ex-servicemen Welfare Board officials took part in the special camp.
Collector distributes aid to families of ex-servicemen
Amalgamated Special Fund (ASF) For Reconstruction And Rehabilitation Of Ex-Servicemen, Madhya Pradesh
Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally Written by Newspoint Bureau
Saturday, 11 June 2011 00:03
Jammu Tawi, June 10, Zila Sainik Welfare officer Samba Col KB Gupta today organised an ex-servicemen and widow's rally in Ramgarh which was attended by 1,000 ex-servicemen and widows. As per press release, the rally was addressed by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Samba, Anil Kumar Gupta and others. Col KB Gupta explained that children of defence personnel were entitled to 3% quota seats in all medical and engineering colleges. All children who scored 60% marks in 8th, 10th and 12th and secured 65% in graduation were allowed to One Time incentive from RSB. State Bank of India for the help of defence pensioners opened help line for sorting out the problems of defence pensioners. They have to SMS word ‘Unhappy’ to phone number 80082202020, SBI executives will get in touch and resolve the issue. Brig RS Langeh Director Sainik Welfare J&K, Anil Kumar Gupta, Additional District Development Comm-issioner Samba and others were also present.
Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Online Petition for effective Lokpal
May I take this opportunity to request you to support the online petition at Petition Online; Click here
It is addressed to the PM of India to constitute an effective Lokpal to try and punish the corrupt.
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:58:35
Prime Minister,
I was just listening to media reports and discussions on Lokpal Bill and I found Kapil Sibal taking the cake for the most honest comment: Implementing Hazare's demands have lots of practical problems! Sure, I agree. The only thing that your team of ministers (and super ministers too) have no problem implementing seems to be... looting the country!
The tallest claims made by UPA-1 were NREGS and RTI Act. And ask the citizens who know what is the state of those programs/ laws. Almost 25 years back, one of your predecessors had admitted that out of every Re 1 spent by the government only 14 paise reaches the beneficiary. Can you claim today that even 4 paise reaches the beneficiary?
RTI? The CJI himself subverts the law brazenly and instead of being kicked out he is rewarded with another plum appointment after honourable retirement!
Coming to the Lokpal Bill itself, your own draft bill had included you under the purview of the Lokpal but how come that Pranab Mukerjee and his team is opposing it now?
Sorry Mr Singh, you and your minions are fooling no one. It is only that even after seeing the fate of Irom Sharmila and Swami Nigamanda, the civil society seems to be under the illusion that the thugs, scoundrels and traitors will be moved to act justly by such illogical protests as fasting and torturing oneself in the name of satyagraha! Your minister, P Chidambaram is that way right, fasting is no way to make laws. I know that the Indian army also teaches its soldiers the wrong lesson that it is the duty of a soldier to die for his country. I learnt the truth from an American General who had said: the duty of a soldier is not to die for his country but make the other die for his! So let us hope that the educated citizens like the naxalites, maoists and insurgents ruling the roost in various parts of the country and expanding their tentacles by the day can persuade you to make the laws that the citizens want.
Yours truly,
Maj P M Ravindran (Retd)
Blog: http://raviforjustice.blogspot.com
You may also like to visit:
‘Judiciary Watch’ at www.vigilonline.com http://www.judicialreforms.org/
http://www.roguepolice.com
It is addressed to the PM of India to constitute an effective Lokpal to try and punish the corrupt.
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:58:35
Prime Minister,
I was just listening to media reports and discussions on Lokpal Bill and I found Kapil Sibal taking the cake for the most honest comment: Implementing Hazare's demands have lots of practical problems! Sure, I agree. The only thing that your team of ministers (and super ministers too) have no problem implementing seems to be... looting the country!
The tallest claims made by UPA-1 were NREGS and RTI Act. And ask the citizens who know what is the state of those programs/ laws. Almost 25 years back, one of your predecessors had admitted that out of every Re 1 spent by the government only 14 paise reaches the beneficiary. Can you claim today that even 4 paise reaches the beneficiary?
RTI? The CJI himself subverts the law brazenly and instead of being kicked out he is rewarded with another plum appointment after honourable retirement!
Coming to the Lokpal Bill itself, your own draft bill had included you under the purview of the Lokpal but how come that Pranab Mukerjee and his team is opposing it now?
Sorry Mr Singh, you and your minions are fooling no one. It is only that even after seeing the fate of Irom Sharmila and Swami Nigamanda, the civil society seems to be under the illusion that the thugs, scoundrels and traitors will be moved to act justly by such illogical protests as fasting and torturing oneself in the name of satyagraha! Your minister, P Chidambaram is that way right, fasting is no way to make laws. I know that the Indian army also teaches its soldiers the wrong lesson that it is the duty of a soldier to die for his country. I learnt the truth from an American General who had said: the duty of a soldier is not to die for his country but make the other die for his! So let us hope that the educated citizens like the naxalites, maoists and insurgents ruling the roost in various parts of the country and expanding their tentacles by the day can persuade you to make the laws that the citizens want.
Yours truly,
Maj P M Ravindran (Retd)
Blog: http://raviforjustice.blogspot.com
You may also like to visit:
‘Judiciary Watch’ at www.vigilonline.com http://www.judicialreforms.org/
http://www.roguepolice.com
Rehabilitation of Disabled War Veterans
REHABILITATION DISABLED WAR VETERANS AND OTHER DISABLED PERSONNEL
We had a meeting with the Executive Director of Punjab National Bank yesterday to consider the useful employment of Disabled Veterans in Villages and urban areas to enable them to earn whilst doing other jobs as well. They were very receptive to the idea and immediately asked us to initiate persons willing to undertake to help themselves. The scheme is as below.
The areas that the PNB is presently interested in is Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, UP, Madya pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. Please give this wide publicity because through this scheme persons whilst at home in Villages could earn more than Rs 3000/- per month. SEED, PNB tie up to roll out micro MFs By Ritwik Mukherjee Oct 06 2010, Kolkata SEED, one of the largest business correspondents in the country working with a number of public sector and private banks, is now well set to get into micro mutual funds across Punjab, Hariyana, Bihar and Rajasthan in association with Punjab National Bank.
SEED- PNB will target people who have already been benefited from SEED’s financial inclusion programmes and other people who don’t have any bank account or access to any banking services.
“We will guide people with the help of banking correspondents about mutual funds and other banking products. Unlike regular mutual funds, micro mutual fund is available in smaller lots like Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Secondly, the criteria such as possessing a pan number as well the 3 years lock-in period will also have certain relaxations in this case. This is because the target in this case is the unbanked/ underbanked population,” Anirban Roy, founder & managing director of SEED, told FC.
SEED is also one of the leading providers of consultancy and implementation services in areas of resettlement & rehabilitation, CSR implementation, microfinance, financial inclusion, infrastructure development, social impact assessment, environment impact assessment and skill development.
SEED, which has so has so far created 1.5 million no frill accounts for various banks and is working towards a mandate size of more than 15 million accounts, is also introducing some microcredit schemes to offer finance to rural people to establish themselves and earn their basic requirements on their own. With the help of skill development classes and other vocational training modules, SEED is aiming at a pan-India microfinance project with several banks and companies, Roy said.
Col H N Handa
President Diwave
We had a meeting with the Executive Director of Punjab National Bank yesterday to consider the useful employment of Disabled Veterans in Villages and urban areas to enable them to earn whilst doing other jobs as well. They were very receptive to the idea and immediately asked us to initiate persons willing to undertake to help themselves. The scheme is as below.
The areas that the PNB is presently interested in is Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, UP, Madya pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. Please give this wide publicity because through this scheme persons whilst at home in Villages could earn more than Rs 3000/- per month. SEED, PNB tie up to roll out micro MFs By Ritwik Mukherjee Oct 06 2010, Kolkata SEED, one of the largest business correspondents in the country working with a number of public sector and private banks, is now well set to get into micro mutual funds across Punjab, Hariyana, Bihar and Rajasthan in association with Punjab National Bank.
SEED- PNB will target people who have already been benefited from SEED’s financial inclusion programmes and other people who don’t have any bank account or access to any banking services.
“We will guide people with the help of banking correspondents about mutual funds and other banking products. Unlike regular mutual funds, micro mutual fund is available in smaller lots like Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Secondly, the criteria such as possessing a pan number as well the 3 years lock-in period will also have certain relaxations in this case. This is because the target in this case is the unbanked/ underbanked population,” Anirban Roy, founder & managing director of SEED, told FC.
SEED is also one of the leading providers of consultancy and implementation services in areas of resettlement & rehabilitation, CSR implementation, microfinance, financial inclusion, infrastructure development, social impact assessment, environment impact assessment and skill development.
SEED, which has so has so far created 1.5 million no frill accounts for various banks and is working towards a mandate size of more than 15 million accounts, is also introducing some microcredit schemes to offer finance to rural people to establish themselves and earn their basic requirements on their own. With the help of skill development classes and other vocational training modules, SEED is aiming at a pan-India microfinance project with several banks and companies, Roy said.
Col H N Handa
President Diwave
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