Friday, December 30, 2011
Indian Corruption Choreographed
India will not get its anti-corruption Lokpal Bill tonight. The debate in the Rajya Sabha disintegrated into chaos an hour before the midnight deadline. The BJP alleged that the disruption was choreographed by the government which knew it would lose a vote on the Lokpal Bill.
Lokpal Bill needs Teeth
A strong Lokpal Bill is not likely to see the light of its day in the near future. The Politicians and Bureaucrats aim will be to ensure that there is no citizen safety but subject them to corruption and crimnalisation. On the pretext that Parliament is supreme the spirit of our Constitution will always be thwarted by the corrupt who are embedded at the helm of affairs!
Will Lokpal Bill continue to be a 'jinxed' affair: click here to read why corruption cannot be curbed
The Curent Lokpal Bill
It will become an appendage to the system analogous to the Central Vigilance Commission”
“The failure to make it legally obligatory for every State to have a Lokayukta is much more painful. We saw what an empowered Lokayukta could do in Karnataka. Perhaps it is precisely because of this fear that most of the States do not want a Lokayukta. This is a tragedy if one considers the fact that corruption in high places is endemic in the States much more than at the Centre.”
The former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, R.K. Raghavan voices his candid observation: click here to read about “A toothless wonder”
PAC smells scam in army canteens after audit denial
India Today, Updated: 29/12/2011
The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers.
New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has come down heavily on the army for not allowing audit of the unit-run canteens (URCs) while taking serious note of malpractices in ration supply for the troops.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which had gone into the findings of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) highlighting that the jawans were being fed food items past the expiry date, has given wide-ranging recommendations to streamline the supply chain management of rations in the Indian Army.
But the decision to not allow the URC audit was fiercely defended by army chief General V.K. Singh when he, along with senior defence ministry officials, appeared before the committee. There are 3,600 URCs in the country with a turnover of over Rs.8,500 crore.
The committee said it was "dismayed" to note that the audit was denied access to the URC records by the army headquarters in spite of repeated requests on the ground that the canteens were being run from a non public fund.
The panel stated that the army resisted attempts to get the URCs audited overlooking the defence ministry's directions. "We fail to understand how the URC audit will be so intrusive as to have an adverse impact on troop morale," it added. PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi said these facilities, running on government land and by government employees, should be audited. All the three services had opposed the move.
The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers. The committee backed the CAG findings, saying 74 per cent of fresh vegetables and fruits issued were not in accordance with the prescribed norms. The troops were being supplied food items even after their expiry date.
The panel expressed surprise that these dry rations were consumed by troops even six to 28 months after the expiry date.
PAC smells scam in army canteens after audit denial
PAC finds widespread malpractices in Army rations
Surfers' Comments
Posted by: A K SAXENA
DELHI | December 29, 2011
Corruption in Indian army canteens (URC) is an open secret. Let the Army Chief face the stark reality, not run away from it. Resisting URC scrutiny by the statutary Auditor by the army chief, raises strong suspicion against unethical practices. Transparency will boost the morale of the armed forces.
The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers.
New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has come down heavily on the army for not allowing audit of the unit-run canteens (URCs) while taking serious note of malpractices in ration supply for the troops.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which had gone into the findings of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) highlighting that the jawans were being fed food items past the expiry date, has given wide-ranging recommendations to streamline the supply chain management of rations in the Indian Army.
But the decision to not allow the URC audit was fiercely defended by army chief General V.K. Singh when he, along with senior defence ministry officials, appeared before the committee. There are 3,600 URCs in the country with a turnover of over Rs.8,500 crore.
The committee said it was "dismayed" to note that the audit was denied access to the URC records by the army headquarters in spite of repeated requests on the ground that the canteens were being run from a non public fund.
The panel stated that the army resisted attempts to get the URCs audited overlooking the defence ministry's directions. "We fail to understand how the URC audit will be so intrusive as to have an adverse impact on troop morale," it added. PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi said these facilities, running on government land and by government employees, should be audited. All the three services had opposed the move.
The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers. The committee backed the CAG findings, saying 74 per cent of fresh vegetables and fruits issued were not in accordance with the prescribed norms. The troops were being supplied food items even after their expiry date.
The panel expressed surprise that these dry rations were consumed by troops even six to 28 months after the expiry date.
PAC smells scam in army canteens after audit denial
PAC finds widespread malpractices in Army rations
Surfers' Comments
Posted by: A K SAXENA
DELHI | December 29, 2011
Corruption in Indian army canteens (URC) is an open secret. Let the Army Chief face the stark reality, not run away from it. Resisting URC scrutiny by the statutary Auditor by the army chief, raises strong suspicion against unethical practices. Transparency will boost the morale of the armed forces.
Monday, December 26, 2011
India is ranked 95th behind China (75th), but ahead of Pakistan (134th)
Somalia, N Korea perceived as 'most corrupt', India at 95th : Report By ANI | ANI – Mon, Dec 5, 2011
London, Dec 5 (ANI):Somalia and North Korea are perceived as the most corrupt countries in the world, while India is ranked 95th behind China (75th), but ahead of Pakistan (134th).
The German watchdog organisation Transparency International said New Zealand is seen as the most corrupt -free nation in the world.
Mostly European nations were top performers except Singapore at fifth rank and Australia at eighth, The Daily Mail reports.
Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Ireland occupied top 20 ranks.
Bulgaria, which ranked 86th was the lowest-performing European Union country.
Britain was 16th least corrupt on a 'corruption perceptions index' while the U.S. came in at number 24.
Myanmar, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Sudan, Iraq, Haiti and Venezuela were at the bottom of the index.
Transparency International used reports based 'on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions' to compile the 'corruption perception index'
The organisation said it took into account perceptions about corruption and did not measure corruption since it is an arduous task because corruption exists in concealed form.
"Over time perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption," Transparency International said. (ANI)
Somalia, N Korea perceived as 'most corrupt', India at 95th : Report
Food for thought
Can a more corrupt Nation fight a less corrupt Nation?
London, Dec 5 (ANI):Somalia and North Korea are perceived as the most corrupt countries in the world, while India is ranked 95th behind China (75th), but ahead of Pakistan (134th).
The German watchdog organisation Transparency International said New Zealand is seen as the most corrupt -free nation in the world.
Mostly European nations were top performers except Singapore at fifth rank and Australia at eighth, The Daily Mail reports.
Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Ireland occupied top 20 ranks.
Bulgaria, which ranked 86th was the lowest-performing European Union country.
Britain was 16th least corrupt on a 'corruption perceptions index' while the U.S. came in at number 24.
Myanmar, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Sudan, Iraq, Haiti and Venezuela were at the bottom of the index.
Transparency International used reports based 'on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions' to compile the 'corruption perception index'
The organisation said it took into account perceptions about corruption and did not measure corruption since it is an arduous task because corruption exists in concealed form.
"Over time perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption," Transparency International said. (ANI)
Somalia, N Korea perceived as 'most corrupt', India at 95th : Report
Food for thought
Can a more corrupt Nation fight a less corrupt Nation?
Brig Rattan Nath Sharma, MVC- war hero dies in road mishap
War hero dies in road mishap
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 25, 2011
For a soldier who braved enemy bullets and was decorated with the nation’s second highest gallantry award, losing his life while merely standing on the roadside is a strange twist of fate.
Brig Rattan Nath Sharma was killed after being allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle while he was waiting for a bus near Kharar, near here, yesterday. He succumbed to his injuries today while being taken to the PGIMER.
On a complaint by his son-in-law, Gurpreet Singh, the Kharar police has registered a case of negligent driving against Pankaj, driver of the vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered at the City Kharar police station.
According to information, Brigadier Sharma belonged to Palampur and had come to Kharar for some property matter. He was knocked down by the vehicle yesterday and rushed to a local hospital. It was only after the police found a diary on his person containing the telephone number of a CSD in Palampur that his identity could be ascertained.
He is survived by his wife, a son, who looks after the family estate in Palampur, and two daughters, both doctors. His daughter and son-in-law reached here at around midnight after the family was informed about the mishap.
Brigadier Sharma was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in August 1949, and decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He had been tasked to capture a strong and fortified enemy post situated on a dominating feature. The then Lt-Col Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and courage to achieve the given task.
His cremation is scheduled to take place with full military honours at his native place in Palampur on December 26.
War hero dies in road mishap
Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily
Date of Award: 10 Dec 1971
Citation
Lieutenant Colonel Rattan Nath Sharma was commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch area in the Jammu and Kashmir Sector. His battalion was assigned the task of capturing an important enemy locality situated on a dominating feature. This was a well-prepared locality held in strength by the enemy During the assault, the enemy brought down intense artillery and small arms fire inflicting heavy casualties on our troops. Undeterred and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and cool courage inspired them to achieve the objective.
During this action, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma displayed exemplary courage and outstanding leadership.
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 25, 2011
For a soldier who braved enemy bullets and was decorated with the nation’s second highest gallantry award, losing his life while merely standing on the roadside is a strange twist of fate.
Brig Rattan Nath Sharma was killed after being allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle while he was waiting for a bus near Kharar, near here, yesterday. He succumbed to his injuries today while being taken to the PGIMER.
On a complaint by his son-in-law, Gurpreet Singh, the Kharar police has registered a case of negligent driving against Pankaj, driver of the vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered at the City Kharar police station.
According to information, Brigadier Sharma belonged to Palampur and had come to Kharar for some property matter. He was knocked down by the vehicle yesterday and rushed to a local hospital. It was only after the police found a diary on his person containing the telephone number of a CSD in Palampur that his identity could be ascertained.
He is survived by his wife, a son, who looks after the family estate in Palampur, and two daughters, both doctors. His daughter and son-in-law reached here at around midnight after the family was informed about the mishap.
Brigadier Sharma was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in August 1949, and decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He had been tasked to capture a strong and fortified enemy post situated on a dominating feature. The then Lt-Col Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and courage to achieve the given task.
His cremation is scheduled to take place with full military honours at his native place in Palampur on December 26.
War hero dies in road mishap
Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily
Date of Award: 10 Dec 1971
Citation
Lieutenant Colonel Rattan Nath Sharma was commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch area in the Jammu and Kashmir Sector. His battalion was assigned the task of capturing an important enemy locality situated on a dominating feature. This was a well-prepared locality held in strength by the enemy During the assault, the enemy brought down intense artillery and small arms fire inflicting heavy casualties on our troops. Undeterred and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and cool courage inspired them to achieve the objective.
During this action, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma displayed exemplary courage and outstanding leadership.
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