MoD lays claim on Skinner Estate

MoD lays claim on Skinner Estate
Raman Mohan/TNS
Friday, August 31, 2012, Chandigarh, India
Hisar, August 30
The Ministry of Defence has laid its claim on the famed Skinner Estate in Hansi, a sub divisional town of the district about 25 km from here. The estate under litigation is located on the Delhi Road. Its commercial value is estimated at Rs 200 crore.
The Defence Estate Officer of the Bathinda circle of the ministry has filed an application in a court at Hansi saying that the land belonged to the Indian Army and its sale by a builder was illegal. It said that the estate was established by Col James Skinner who raised the Skinner’s Horse regiment, a cavalry unit which was now a part of the Indian Army.
Skinner established the regiment’s headquarters on this land measuring 214 kanals of land. The Officers’ Mess and a graveyard to bury the martyrs was also established on this land. Through a lawyer the Defence Estate Officer pleaded that the respondents had accepted these facts in a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He reiterated that the land had historical monuments which are of great importance to the army and these should not be allowed to be demolished.
The estate has been a subject of controversy for three decades now when it was first sold in the late eighties. However, the deal fell through. About two years ago, a group of residents of Hansi led by a politician purchased this land from some of the descendants of Skinner. The legal complications however prevented the group of builders from selling plots carved out from this land.
After reaching a settlement with the company which had purchased the land in the eighties, hundreds of trees inside the estate were cut and plots were carved out for sale.
Some of the other descendants of Skinner filed a suit in a local court against the builder. The Defence Ministry has pleaded in its application that it be made a party to this case.
The land was granted to James Skinner as a ‘jagir’ by the British for the services he rendered to the British in the battle for Bharatpur in 1818. The ‘jagir’ rendered Skinner a revenue of Rs 20,000 a year in those days.
Skinner was born in 1778 in Calcutta to Lt Col Hercules Skinner, a Scottish officer in the British Army. James Skinner’s mother was a daughter of a blue-blooded Rajput zamindar. She was taken prisoner in her teens during a battle. James’s father took her under his care and married her. They had six children. His mother committed suicide when he was 12 years old.
Because of his Indian lineage, Skinner was ineligible to serve as an officer in the British army like his father. So at the age of 16, he joined the Maratha army as an ensign under a French commander of the army of the then Gwalior state. He served the Gwalior army for several years and impressed his superiors to rise in the ranks. However, he was dismissed from the Maratha army after the outbreak of the second Anglo-Maratha War. He was sacked along with all other Anglo-Indians.
He kept trying to join the British Indian Army then commanded by Lord Lake. On February 23, 1803, Skinner raised a regiment of irregular cavalry and named it as Skinner's Horse. The officers and men of the regiment were called the Yellow Boys after the colour of their uniform. The regiment showed its prowess in many battles and ultimately it became the most decorated regiment of light cavalry in the British Indian Army. It is still a part of the Indian Army.
In 1828, James was promoted to the rank of a Lt Col in the British Army, while his brother, Robert was promoted as a Major. Later, James became a Colonel after having been appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath on December 26, 1826.
MoD lays claim on Skinner Estate

Armchair Home Secretary encounters Mao's Ghost in North Block

Tuesday 03 April, 2012.
No ready solution to Maoist problem: Home Secy
There was no ready solution to the country's Maoist problem, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said and stressed on developing intelligence to effectively counter the threat posed by it and jehadi terrorists.
"We have a fight with the enemy (Maoists) who have faith in violence and we do not have a ready solution .... There are some people who talk about finding a solution through talks. But I think no there is nothing for holding talks," he said inaugurating Indo-Tibet Border Police Force sector headquarter in Patna on Monday.
"The Maoists want to end the country's present democratic arrangement by force. At the same time they carry out propaganda that they are fighting for the poor and the tribals, which is nothing but a pretension.... Most of those killed by the Maoists were poor people and tribals and their fight is a war of attrition," he said.
The country, he said, was also facing 'jihadi terrorism' and terrorists are sneaking into the country from Nepal.
They then try to inspire others to take to terrorism and travel from one place to another to execute the terror activities.
Exuding confidence that the people and the government would effectively thwart the twin challenges and keep the country secure, he said, "We have strengthened para-military forces and different institutions for internal security during the past few years."
The setting up of the ITBP sector headquarter in Patna was a step to creating the infrastructure for the security of the country, he said. (DD-2.4)
No ready solution to Maoist problem: Home Secy

Ex Servicemen burgled of his life savings

Gang decamps with 40 sovereigns of gold from ex-serviceman's house
Jan 2, 2012, 12.50AM IST TNN
COIMBATORE: Unidentified gang gained entry into an ex-serviceman's house at Theethiapalayam near Perur on and decamped with 40 sovereigns of gold jewels and 6 kg of silver articles. Forensic experts have lifted fingerprints from the crime scene and a special team has been formed to nab the culprits.
According to the police, Sivakumar (40), an ex-serviceman, is working as an office assistant at the ex-servicemens' welfare association office in the city. He went with his family to Vellore to offer prayers in a temple on December 28.
Meanwhile, an unidentified gang entered into Sivakumar's house by breaking open the front door. They had fled from the house after stealing 40 sovereigns of gold jewels and 6 kg's of silver from an almirah in the house. When Sivakumar and his family came back from Vellore on Saturday evening, they found front door of the house broken and the house burgled.
Immediately, Sivakumar alerted the Perur police and a team rushed to the spot with sniffer dog, but was unable to get any clue. Later, forensic experts lifted inger prints from the house.
A special team has been formed to nab the culprits. Police have decided to intensify the night patrol in the area.
Gang decamps with 40 sovereigns of gold from ex-serviceman's house

Comment: Tamilnadu has become a haven for dacoits from Bihar, UP, Andhra, Orissa and MP to freely operate- burgle and escape. It has been revealed they fly in- get information from locals on Mobile phone- burgle or snatch gold ornaments and make a clean and speedy exit leaving the police clueless!
The local informers mostly on two wheelers track customers addresses when they withdraw cash from ATMs, banks and and purchase Gold ornaments and pass them on to professional burglars from other states. Ex Servicemen need to be more extra security concious and be as vigilant as in service.

Derailing Democracy: Will Lokpal Restore Credibility

Derailing Lokpal in an Exploitative Democracy By Justice Kamleshwar Nath
“Devil quotes Scriptures”. Look who says: Civil Society undermines Democracy – Government of India’s Chairman of Lokpal Drafting Committee, Mr Pranab Mukherji!
Democracy established by Constitution of India is one of the best in the World; but the People of India, who gave the Constitution to themselves, are reeling under Exploitative Democracy where –

An elected Lok Sabha of 543 MPs has 154 facing criminal cases of which about 50 are for committing heinous offences; and this number has increased with every succeeding election.

Sitting convicted MPs enjoy immunity from Disqualification under Section 8(4) of Representation of People Act 1951, despite peoples’ demand to repeal the Sub-section.

Immunity for conduct in matters related with debates in Houses under Article 105(3) of the Constitution extends to criminal acts, like the infamous Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case of bribe given by the Prime Minister Mr P.V.Narasimha Rao.

The emoluments of an MP are 100-times more than the per capita income of a Citizen, and the emoluments go on increasing by leaps and bounds through self-serving enactments passed in no time.

Launching of prosecution for Corruption (and related crimes) by elected representatives and bureaucrats needs sanction of some executive authority, and the sanction rarely comes.

Anti-corruption measures visualised through an effective Lokpal have been studiously diluted by 9 Bills drafted since 1968 but never passed, the last one being the present Government’s Lokpal Bill 2010 which is the last straw on the back of the Nation in various ways, including ban on the Lokpal to take cognizance of any complaint and certainly not suo motu.

International perception of corruption (2010) of 126 countries through surveys made by 10 independent Internationally reputed institutions like World Bank & IBRD, Bertelsman Foundation, World Economic Forum, Global Insight and Transparency International Berlin, ranks India at 87 with countries like Albania, Jamaica and Liberia at index of 3.3 (out of 10) – continuously falling from 3.5 in 2007 and 3.4 in 2008 & 2009 – while countries having effective Ombudsman Institution like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, USA are ranked between 9.7 and 7.

Series of Scams have topped with CWG Scam and 2G Spectrum Scam of 2010 which involved some Ministers of Govt. of India, confirming the national level of corruption. Black money stashed away in Foreign Banks has risen to 1,546 billion Dollars which far exceeds the aggregate (1056 bn. $) of ‘next four’ countries namely Russia, UK, Ukraine and China (vide Times of India Ahmedabad dt. 8th June 2011).

Violence unleashed by Delhi Police over thousands of peaceful Satyagrahis in the dead of night between 4th and 5th of June last, causing serious injuries to many whose only fault was to be on fast in support of Baba Ram Dev’s call on the Government to get black money indicted at (8) while the Police had given permission to Baba Ram Dev only to hold Yoga camp! Another pretext was that Baba Ram Dev had gone back on his promise to give up fast! Well, this is Pranab Mukherji’s Democracy! A shocked Baba ran for his life and in thoughtless reaction to official brutality announced formation of imaginary volunteer force on some unforeseen period of time to take on the police force when necessary. On the one hand Baba lost his balance due to shock, on the other hand Government lost its balance in sheer anger, born of fear of Peoples’ unification on the Issue of corruption, and on finding Baba’s support from RSS and BJP! And as things unravel from the statements of Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, and certain spokespersons of Congress, the Govt. is bent upon using violence not only on Baba but also on Anna Hazare.

Numerous other examples may be catalogued. If this is not Exploitative Democracy, what is it?
On the moral plane, Govt of India (indeed almost all Governments) run their own model of secularism which excels in Communalism, Casteism, hate for the opponent coupled with ‘divide and rule’. To Indian National Congress, RSS and BJP are the biggest perpetual enemy, shamelessly linking them with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi despite the fact that they had been cleared by the Court. Religious education in Government educational institutions is prohibited; it is not even substituted by Moral Education of common principles of discipline and good behaviour culled out from all religions in India. The result is growth of generations bereft of morals and ethics – the ever increasing crimes are unfailing signals of that development.

People have suffered immensely over the last 30 years. It is high time that injustice meted out to the people is remedied of which the first natural step is to eliminate Corruption. The Civil Society is well within its ambitions when it presses upon the Government to enact an effective Lokpal. It has the support of the entire Nation and India-Against-Corruption deserves full-throated praise; Gandhian Seva & Satyagraha Brigade (which floated the concept of Fast), Transparency International India (I believe) and a number of NGOs across the Country have announced their support. Baba Ram Dev too is on the same subject of Corruption; as Anna Hazare said, he is immature added to which is his shocked state due to official violence. He should frankly admit his mistake in being thoughtlessly bold; that will raise his stature in the eyes of people, for acknowledgment of fault is surest atonement of wrong. Even Mahatma Gandhi admitted his “Himalayan Blunder” on Chauri-Chaura episode whereupon he called off his Movement. Government, being what it is, is now linking Hazare and Baba with BJP and RSS, thinking it will justify Government action; but people know better. It is hoped that the crusade against Corruption will go on with added fervour and determination in a non violent, firm and peaceful way. May God be with all crusaders.
Kamleshwar Nath is a Retd Judge, Allahabad High Court and Chairman, Gandhian Seva & Satyagraha Brigade.
Derailing Lokpal in an Exploitative Democracy

Dear Chander
The article "Corruption in Politics and Politics in Corruption" (click here)is linked. Will be grateful if this can be put out on RMS and Sanjhamorcha blogs.
Chhikara
(Brig RS Chhikara, Secy Gen INA Trust)

Pennies from heaven by Karan Thapar

Pennies from heaven by Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times
April 09, 2011 First Published: 22:47 IST(9/4/2011)
I've done a little test to see how right or wrong my views can be, and I'm delighted to tell you that, at least in this one instance, I'm almost spot on. I sent some 50 different people — journalists, politicians, authors, ambassadors, civil servants, doctors, elderly aunts, etc — an sms outlining my response to the way state governments have competed with each other to shower gifts on our World Cup winning cricketers. To my pleasant surprise, almost everyone responded readily, if not also immediately. So, now, I'm pretty confident I know how most people think!
The sms I sent read: "What do you make of this competition to give money or land or houses to the team? I find it questionable if not distasteful. What's your view?"
Three things stand out about the responses I received. First, practically everyone replied. This has rarely happened before. So, clearly, this is a subject that struck a universal chord. Second, not one person defended this gratuitous money-giving. Third, several responded with passion, even anger. I don't recall any replies that suggested mild or lukewarm concurrence.
Let me, therefore, draw a few conclusions. No doubt we all want to acknowledge, applaud and, even, reward our World Cup winning cricketers but doling out cash, land or houses is both morally wrong and demeaning. One of my respondents, not inaptly, compared the outpouring of crores to the way maharajas used to throw gold coins at courtesans. By that token cricketers are today's nautch girls! Others pointed out, again quite justifiably, that this suggests the team was only playing for money.
The second conclusion is possibly more damning. This behaviour betrays our own twisted set of values. Is money the only way of saying thank you? Is it the most meaningful way of doing so? Our chief ministers should think carefully about this. Their gifts reflect their thinking.
The third conclusion is actually a question: whose money did they gift away? Not their own but the tax payers. Yet in a country where hundreds of millions live in miserable poverty — even if you don't want to accept Arjun Sengupta's figure of 77% living on Rs 20 a day or less, you can't dispute this — should we be giving crores to those who already have several, in some cases hundreds? Is that responsible government? And is this how the aam aadmi is best served?
I wish just one of our cricketers had politely declined the cash or, better still, announced he would donate it to charity. Even if the new players could not be expected to do so, what about Sachin or Dhoni or Yuvraj? They don't need this largesse but the respect they would have earned from a polite refusal to accept would have catapulted them to moral stardom. Instead, we've ensured they remain only cricket heroes.
Let me, however, end with a thought that was not part of my sms. If the team deserves Rs 1 crore each from the BCCI why should their coach, Gary Kirsten, without whom they all acknowledge they would not have won, get less?
I can think of sound arguments for giving him more. But that did not happen. The only case for giving him half what his team got is either he wasn't very good — but the team dispute that — or the BCCI doesn't believe in generosity to people who aren't Indian.
Once again, that raises a whole set of disturbing questions. But where do we get the answers?
The views expressed by the author are personal.
Pennies from heaven by Karan Thapar
Comment: Cricket has become a money spinner for Politicians- Cricketeers are their tools- BCCI, ICC and ICL are all suckers who steal the sweat of the tax payers!

Movement for undiluted Lok Pal Bill

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
We all are most loyal citizens of India first and Military Veterans later. We spent best time of our life protecting the territory and prestige of our motherland, for which the successive Governments have not given us our dues. However, as always - our own welfare and comfort comes last – and safety of the motherland first of all.
The corruption level in the country has reached a level where the very survival of our motherland is in danger.
Top intellectuals of India, sincere social activists, with massive support in manpower and funds of two top honest organisations in the country “Art of Living” headed by Shree Shree Ravi Shanker and the organisation headed by Swami Ram Dev have started the All India movement against corruption.
To top it up all – countries beloved Anna Hazare has decided to go on fast unto death – to ensure that Lok Pal Bill is correctly worded and implemented by the Government.
It is time for all Indian Military Veterans, that we provide whole hearted support to Anna Hazare and the All India movement against corruption.
Please appreciate that major cause of all problems of the Military Veterans is also corrupt and incompetent political leaders and Babus.
Every day I am receiving large number of emails from Indian Military Veterans suggesting that "Report My Signal" should motivate all ESM organisations to participate in supporting Anna Hazare and the All India Movement against corruption.
Please read the emails appended below and help the motherland in passing correct Lok Pal Bill and removing corruption.
KINDLY DO HELP AND MOTIVATE ALL YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS AND SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE AT JANTAR MANTAR STARTING ON 4TH APRIL 11.
Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

Dear Friends,
Please watch the video on Anna Hazare, his life and decision to announcement to start Fast unto death from 5th April... also what he expects from us... the citizen of this country... Please forward this to all your contacts... please... AND please JOIN his noble movement.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi

Dear Brig,
L K Anand has spoken of the Anna Hazare Fast, being undertaken as a part of the India Against Corruption Movement. I fully endorse his views that we in IESM support this movement. Since IESM supports India Against Corruption movement; it would be only right that we show our presence in large numbers at Jantar Mantar to express our solidarity for the cause. It will help forge an understanding with the office bearers.
Regards,
Vijay Raheja

We must join in the movement
Dear Brig Kamboj Sir,
Jai Bharat,
The proposal made by Brig Kuthiala should be given full considerations and approval by the IESM management committee. We should join with our shining placards to Anna Hazare’s fast w.e.f. 4th April 2011. This event is going to get a national attention in spite of the facts, that, some dark political forces and morally sold out Medias not unknown to us are trying to destroy this honourable efforts by Mr. Hazare & Co. We must seize the opportunities.
Though going on fast as military personnel is no way of protest, however, we must understand this movement of Mr. Hazare is in the best interests to save the nation from the total prospective chaos and disintegration, therefore, the role of the Ex and Serving Armed forces come first and foremost.
Please give some serious thought to it.
With best wishes and warm regards,
Vande Mataram,
Sincerely yours,
Amit
Amit Bhadhuri
Former CISF Officer and IESM Support Member (Settled in UK)

India is most over-regulated country in the world: Survey

Singapore, Jan 26 (PTI) India has topped a list of the most "over-regulated countries in the world" in a survey on Asian business and politics by Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd (PERC).
The survey used responses from American executives about regulatory conditions in the United States to provide a benchmark against which to assess the Asian scores.
India was rated worst in terms of over-regulation, scoring 9.16 points out of 10, followed by China with 9.04 points, Japan in third position with 3.28 points and the US at fourth with 1.51 points.
Hong Kong received the best score in the survey of 0.98 point, while Singapore was second with 1.08 points, according to the survey done in the last quarter of 2010, based on responses from 1,370 executives.
In general, regulations were complex and non-transparent, while standards and certifications procedures were onerous in India, according to the PERC survey findings.
Foreign exchange, capital transactions and some credit operations were subject to approvals, restrictions and additional requirements that went far beyond what most other countries require, concluded the survey.
Even procedures for something as simple as getting a tourist visa were more cumbersome in India than was typical elsewhere, it pointed out.
It also cited specific examples from the World Bank''s Doing Business Survey of why India''s regulatory system deserves to be graded as poorly as it was. It can take a month-and-a-half to register property, almost 200 days to obtain a construction permit, over 1,400 days to enforce a contract and seven years to close a business.
"Documentation requirements for both exports and imports are onerous," the PERC survey pointed out.
"Labor requirements are strict and companies lack flexibility on hiring and firing workers," it concluded.
Regulations in the country were frequently not enforced, which raised the question of why they were on the books at all, noted the survey.
"In a recent scandal involving the telecommunications ministry''s mishandling of a landmark allocation of mobile telephone spectrum, as many as 85 of 122 new licences which were bundled with the bandwidth allocation were issued to companies that did not have the required capital to seek bandwidth," the survey pointed out.
These companies "suppressed facts, disclosed incomplete information and submitted fictitious documents", according to the survey.
"Of course they could not have done so without the complicity of bureaucrats at the ministry, who overlooked qualification shortcomings and arbitrarily moved forward the cut-off date for applying by one week to favor some companies that had applied earlier, while leaving others out," it said.
MORE PTI CORR ARV
India is most over-regulated country in the world: Survey

ESM 'helping' Maoists: Lt-Gen writes to Chidambaram

Bhopal, June 24 : Reacting sharply to Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai's recent statement that naxal groups might be receiving help from ex-servicemen (ESM) for training and planning of operations, an Indian Army veteran has written to Home Minister P Chidambaram about the governance lacunae leading to such a state of affairs.

"The country is facing a serious challenge from these destructive elements (Maoists) and the fact that a segment (ESM) whose loyalty to the nation is seldom questioned, is helping a rebellious force needs to be viewed with concern," Lieutenant-General (Retd) S K Bahri, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, wrote in the letter a copy of which was provided to UNI.

"The precision and the manner in which naxals carry out their operations and the way they carry out a post-mortem of their operations gives the impression that they might be getting support from ex-servicemen," Mr Pillai had said in the national capital while adding, "the references to words like targets and positions in their literature are typical of the language used in military vocabulary." Lt-Gen Bahri recalled that in the 60s a retired junior commissioned officer Naib Subedar Pan Singh played havoc in the Chambal ravines as he had created his own gang of bandits. The reason for his going that way was that he was deprived of a piece of his land by some powerful landlord and despite his pleas to the persons responsible for governance, nobody helped. --UNI
ESM 'helping' Maoists: Lt-Gen writes to Chidambaram
ESM 'helping' Maoists: Lt-Gen writes to Chidambaram

Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond permissible levels

Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond the permissible levels Sporadic noise monitoring in urban areas, mainly during festivals such as Deepawali by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) reveals this fact. A few SPCBs and PCCs have initiated regular noise monitoring since 2008-09. As per available data, the laid down noise norms for respective zones (Industrial, Commercial, Residential or Silence) are exceeded at many locations. However, a definite trend can not be ascertained since data is available only for a limited period.

The Supreme Court, in one of its judgment directed to put complete ban on bursting of sound emitting fire crackers during night time (between 10 pm and 6 am). Besides this, ban on use of sound emitting instrument or any sound amplifier at night time except in public emergency and use of horn at night time except in exceptional circumstance have been ordered. The Supreme Court also suggested to organise public awareness campaigns during festival seasons.

State Government have been advised to make provision for seizure and confiscation of loud-speakers, amplifier and other equipments which are found to create noise level beyond permissible limits. The Central Government has undertaken the task to create a national ambient noise monitoring network for urban areas and reporting the data therein, in accordance with the National Environment Policy-2006.

The various steps undertaken by the Government to control noise pollution include the following:-

(i) Implementation of the provisions of The Factory Act, 1948, the Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000;

(ii) Implementation of noise standards at the manufacturing stage for generator sets, motor vehicles, select domestic appliances and firecrackers; and

(iii) Restriction on the blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitted fire crackers, operation of sound emitting construction equipments, and playing of bands, etc during night time (10.00 pm to 6.00 am).
Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond permissible levels

Who are the Noise Polluters?
It is primarily the Political Parties (who celebrate birthdays of their founders), the trade unions, illegal churches (located in residential areas) and so forth. The Police do not take action in spite of complaints from concerned citizens. The children and the elderly are the ones who suffer most from this malaise. There is not a single case of report of seizure and confiscation of loud-speakers, amplifier and other equipments which are found to create noise level beyond permissible limits by the state authorities. The PCB's are the most corrupt organisations and citizens cannot expect any relief!

Gymkhana Club Chembur honours Mafia Dons and associate Police Officers

The Chembur Gymkhana is a Leading Sports institution in the North east suburb of Mumbai - Chembur. Now under the able leadership of Shri Surinder Sharma who succeeded the eminent Shri Shadilal Chopra, it has blossomed into a multi-faceted sporting and social facility to serve the residents of Chembur. Spread over an area of 4 acres this club boasts of a semi olympic swimming pool, three billiards tables, a card room, squash court, two flood lit tennis courts, indoor badminton courts, two restaurants and bars, and 16 rooms for outstation guests to stay.

Five Mumbai cops caught on tape at mafia party at Gymkhana Club Chembur
Mumbai, Jan 2 : A day after eight Indian Police Service (IPS) officers were served with notices, Mumbai police faced another embarrassment Saturday after five officers, including one from the IPS, were caught on tape attending a Christmas-eve party thrown by the underworld.

A police enquiry into the incident has recommended suspension of Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishwas Salve, Assistant Commissioner of Police Prakash Wani, head of Chembur police station, Senior Police Inspector R.S. Khakale, Crime Branch Inspector Praful Phadke and Crime Branch Assistant Sub-Inspector T. Salunkhe for attending the bash.

The party was thrown in a private club in Chembur, a northeast Mumbai suburb, in which the cops were seen eating, drinking and dancing with the underworld men.

The party was ostensibly to celebrate the release of D.K. Rao, a mafia don belonging to the Chhota Rajan gang, from 31 serious cases earlier last year.

Video-clips of the party, telecast by a Mumbai TV channel Friday evening, showed the policmen celebrating in gay abandon with the criminals even as a huge contingent of cops maintained law and order all over the city on the night of Dec 24-25 Dec 2009.

"Police have gathered sufficient evidence in the matter to recommend suspension of these policemen," a crime branch officer said on condition of anonymity.

Taking serious umbrage at the unprecedented incident, Home Minister R.R. Patil had last week ordered Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Shivanandhan to enquire into the matter. --IANS
Five Mumbai cops caught on tape at mafia party
5 cops caught partying with mafia dons suspended

Caution to all Gymkhana Club Members
There is recent trend of Rich Criminals becoming members of prestigious Gymkhana Clubs which are chiefly controlled by Civilian Bureaucrats and Industrialists who cleverly undermine the governing body based on paying heavy bribes and colossal membership fees. Gentlemen Members are cautioned against nefarious activities in the club premises like the above mentioned incident. It is pertinent to note that ex- DGP SPS Rathore of Haryana was a Gymkhana club member whose membership has been cancelled recently in view of his molestation case of a teenage girl leading to her suicide.

Good Governance: Can IAS Officers meet the National aspirations?

Friends,
The write up below is good one. The need of the hour is Administrative Reforms, if India is to make better progress in all area and realize its full potential.

We need IAS and they have good material. However, their thinking and way of working has to change for the future of the Nation.

Will the politicians bite this or the citizens would have to rise?
Best wishes.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen (Retd)
IAS Officers need to Introspect

Chennai City will come to a grinding halt by 2020

Transportation crisis in Chennai by K. P. SUBRAMANIAN- The Hindu
Traffic congestion in Chennai is frustrating. The volume capacity ratio on many roads during peak hours is more than one. Increase in road space accounts only 3 to 4 per cent of the total area, while about 425 vehicles are added every day.

The city’s vehicle population has zoomed to 32 lakhs from a mere 8 lakhs barely 12 years ago. Car and two-wheeler ownership in Chennai per 1000 population is 45 and 181 respectively. In Mumbai, the corresponding values are 24 and 30 respectively. Two-wheelers and cars occupy more than 90 and 60 times the road space than buses for the same travel demand.

The per capita trip rate per day in Chennai is 1.30 while that in Delhi and Mumbai are 1.05 and 1.15. The average trip length in Chennai was 11.25 km while that for Delhi and Mumbai has been 10.2 km and 11.4 km , notwithstanding the fact that the population of Chennai is only around half of that for Delhi and Mumbai.

The share of trips in public transport has diminished from 52 per cent during 1970 to 25 per cent in 2008. In Delhi and Mumbai, the corresponding values are 48 per cent and 52 per cent. The patronage for the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in Chennai is abysmally low. The effect of increased bus strength from 2700 to 3200 during 2008 was nullified by launching 36 new routes to places located outside the Chennai Metropolitan Area, instead of augmenting the existing routes. The Urban Mass Transport Authority (UMTA) exists only on paper in the absence of a statutory footing. Parking demand in the city was 13,000 PCE (Passenger Car Equivalency) against a supply of 5100 PCE. On-street parking has led to a loss in the road capacity that ranged between 15 to 60 per cent. Traffic stream crawls at an average speed of 20 km/h.

Demand management
A car and a two-wheeler consume 5 and 2.6 times more energy than a bus. The carbon monoxide load in the city ranged between 1908 to 4198 mg/m3 against the permissible level of 200mg/m3. The emission load of the pollutant SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) ranged between 264 to 451mg/m3 while the permissible level is 200mg/m3. The average noise pollution level in residential areas across the city is to 70 decibels (db) against the permissible level of 55db. On an average, about 620 persons die on the City roads annually in accidents. The fatality rate is around 35/10,000 vehicles. About 40 per cent of road accidents involve pedestrians and 10 per cent cyclists.

Most transport plans and projects overwhelmingly focus on supply side management, ignoring Demand Management (DM). The demand can be curtailed by raising price, through levying taxes on the use of public roads and parking places. In other words, those who are responsible for traffic congestion should be made to pay extra. In countries like Singapore, owning a car is extremely difficult. Trainers’ fee is hefty and the licence test includes two theory examinations.

Hunt for alternatives
Before you buy a car you need to prove that you can maintain it and show documentary evidence for car parking space. Commuters without the using capacity are levied a fine. Road pricing is a technique that requires a special licence to enter certain designated areas during peak hours.

The levy of high parking fees that totally represents the value of land should be used as a means to make the use of public transport more attractive. Bus priority techniques like ‘priority at signals’ may be introduced. Inter-modal connectivity among the MRTS, suburban trains and the MTC to provide seamless travel across modes is indispensable.

Patronage of the MRTS must be augmented. Any encroachment on footpaths and main carriageways should be strictly dealt with, akin to that on water bodies. A cynical school of above thoughts is that out of box solutions and unconventional thinking are all too much and will never work in the Chennai context. However, the moot point is, “Is there an alternative?” “What is the consequence of not making a beginning now?” Even a journey of thousand kilometres begins with the first step.
Transportation crisis in Chennai by K. P. SUBRAMANIAN

Future Predictions
The city will come to a grinding halt by 2020 going by present statistics. The motor vehicle population has increased by 400% in the last decade and corresponding increase in road space was a mere 3%. By 2020 vehicle population is predicted to be 64 lakhs and increase in road space by mere 2%. The compounding problems of the city are:
1. Poor quality of existing infrastructure which are poorly maintained. Subways for Public occupied night and day by vendors.
2. All footpaths hijacked by vendors, hoardings, touts, goons and roadside makeshift worship idols.
3. Absence of parking space. Road space hijacked for illegal parking by commercial vehicles and taxis limiting flow of traffic. The traffic police do not have tow vehicles to impound defaulters.
4. Total absence of road crossings for public. No safety for children and elderly. Public jump the medians to cross roads, leading to accidents.
5. Poor traffic and erratic lane discipline. Untrained traffic Police unable to manage traffic jams.
6. Incubation period for poor quality and badly planned infrastructure projects is anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
7. Traffic signalling and road signs of poor standards leading to accidents.
8. Poor traffic discipline where there is no enforcement of rules nor punishment of violators.
9. Poor sewage works and open storm drains used for flow of sewage from residential colonies. Digging up newly surfaced roads by agencies like electricity, communication, water works, sewage, and councillors who illegally permit cutting of newly laid roads.
10. Dumping of construction material on all roads thereby reducing road space and smooth flow of traffic and causing congestion.
11. Last but not the least "Criminalisation of Citizens" by the state, leading to and creating chaos where the rule of law is blown to the winds. Once the State has more criminals than citizens then the state is doomed forever. The process will become impossible to reverse. Decriminalisation of Politics and education are the only remedies which can reverse the trend and also coupling it with total "Election and Electoral Reforms".

Superpower India: Don’t just talk, act like one

The series of events after 26/11 (including the January 1 Guwahati bomb blasts) have left no one in any doubt about a few facts. Any naval specialist will agree that the manner in which the 10 terrorists attacked Mumbai, including the transit in the Indian fishing boat Kuber, could only be possible with the involvement of the ISI, the Pakistani Army and Navy.

Media reports indicate that about 70 per cent of my proposals made in various articles in this paper since May 2008 have been accepted by the government. I hope that they are implemented urgently, especially since the recent roller coaster — initial “vehement denial” followed by “yes, Kasav is Pakistani”), ISI leaflets given to Pakistan Army about dismembering India by 2020 — indicate that Pakistan does not have peace on its mind. Poonch firefighting indicates the shape of things to come from the “epicentre of terrorism”.

The manner in which the Pakistani military, hell-bent on destabilising and dismembering India, took over the decision-making process from President Asif Zardari and his nascent government to win public support for the discredited military and from the terrorists to “defend Pakistan” in case of war, has left no one in doubt that the Pakistan Army Chief, General Ashraf Parvez Kayani, is the decision-maker in that troubled land, with the Pakistani government acting as his spokesperson. Indeed, temperatures went up last month when Gen. Kayani said, “Pakistan will respond in minutes,” and things cooled down only when, on December 29, he said, “There is a need to de-escalate”.

Why did Gen. Kayani raise the war hysteria pitch to such levels, and why did the media report that the Pakistani Army had withdrawn some troops from the Afghan border? The answer may not be too difficult. Unlike India, the Pakistani military machine has been kept well oiled with the $10 billion in aid received in the last seven years. It is, indeed, amazing that Pakistan, despite being totally bankrupt, has managed a $8 billion IMF loan, asked for a $60 billion “grant” to boost its economy, is acquiring three German-type 214 submarines, co-producing 150 Chinese FC-17 light fighter jets, inducting 36 Chinese FC-20 (J-10) heavy fighter jets, three Chinese frigates, Swedish and Chinese AWACS, F-16 fighter jets, artillery and Brazilian SAMs.

There is no doubt in my mind that buoyed by the “success” of the 10-man terrorist strike on 26/11, and emboldened by the “civilised and diplomatic” response of the Indian government and international community (the US is planning to give Pakistan another $15 billion), the Pakistani military, ISI and various terrorist outfits would be planning more devastating attacks in the near future. These attacks could be from the sea, air or land, or a combination which would aim to saturate India’s response mechanism, cause maximum damage and pull us into the “failed state quagmire” of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

So how does India prepare for this “doomsday” scenario. The answers are complex. The government has taken a few punitive steps by introducing the National Investigating Agency (NIA) and making the 1967 Act stiffer.
Vice-Admiral Arun Kumar Singh retired as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
Read more: Superpower India: Don’t just talk, act like one By Arun Kumar Singh

Mumbai Mayhem: A Clear Command Structure

FOR THE RECORD
'A Clear Command Structure'
Fallout of 26/11: 'There must be no ambiguity or confusion about who is in-charge; who will have overall authority over the different forces; who will deploy the forces according to the needs of the situation; and who will be held accountable for the success of the operation'>>>>>
P. Chidambaram

36 days into this office, I am more convinced than ever before that we have to set for ourselves two goals:

First, to raise the level of preparedness to meet the increasingly sophisticated terrorist threats.

Second, to enhance the speed and decisiveness of the response to a terrorist threat or a terrorist attack.

One of the first tasks that I undertook was to re-establish and empower the Multi Agency Centre created in 2001 to deal with all matters concerning intelligence pertaining to terrorism. As you are aware, beginning January 1, 2009, the Multi Agency Centre has begun to function on a 24x7 basis and is now legally obliged to share intelligence with all other agencies, including agencies of the Governments of the States and Union Territories.
'A Clear Command Structure'

Rescue Mother India: Press Note

1. National Security should be the Central Theme. The Development should be woven around it.
2. Politicians and bureaucrats have failed the country.
3. No Nation can become great unless its Armed Forces, Para Military Forces and Police are strong, well motivated and well equipped.
4. It is a matter of pride for any one to belong to the Armed Forces. The country must uphold this pride.
5. Chief Minister of Kerala has no moral right to remain in the chair after having uttered such outrageous and shocking remarks against the Martyr's Family.
6. Chief Minister of Kerala must himself resign or the people should ensure his exit.
7. No one can deny that it is primarily due to the role played by the Armed Forces that integrity of the Nation is intact.
8. Whereas all other institutions have failed the country quite often, the Armed Forces have been the saving grace.
9. Armed Forces for their contributions for the sustenance of the Nation MUST get due respect just and fair deal.
10. Population influence of Defence Forces both serving and retired of approx 15 Crores must be taken note of.
11. Constitute unified command headed by Army for Internal Security.
12. Unified command headed by Army only answer to terrorism.
13. Respect soldiers both serving and retired they are the saviours of the Nation.
14. Defence Forces are the last bastion, keep up their morale and motivation.
15. Any country which cannot look after its security is doomed to fail.
16. Remove Injustice to Defence Personnel of 6th CPC.
17. Attract the best and most suitable youth to Defence Forces; offer the best package.
18. NSG must be commanded by Army and not by Police.
19. Carry out Police Reforms on War footing. Remove Political interference from Police System.
20. Home and Defence Minister must have Defence background.
21. All Central Services personnel must do three years service in Defence Forces before joining their respective services.

Jai Hind
With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement (IESM)