Tatra Scam: Will Tejinder Singh sing?

Tatra scam: CBI carries out raids, registers case against Tejinder Singh Oct 20, 2012
New Delhi: CBI today carried out raids at five places here after registering a case against Lt Gen (retd) Tejinder Singh on Ex-Army chief VK Singh’s complaint that he was offered bribe to clear a tranche of “substandard” vehicles.
CBI sources said the agency has registered a case against Tejinder Singh and unknown persons after it gathered prima-facie evidence to register a formal case on the complaint of Gen Singh.
Soon after registering the FIR under relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, the agency carried out searches at five locations here including the premises of Tejinder Singh, they said.
After getting a formal complaint from Gen Singh, the agency had initiated a preliminary enquiry in April this year.
The then Army chief had alleged that Tejinder Singh offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore, a matter he had reported to Defence Minister AK Antony, to clear purchase of nearly 600 all-terrain Tatra BEML trucks in September 2010.
Tejinder Singh has refuted the allegations and also slapped a defamation case against Gen Singh.
As part of the Preliminary Enquiry, CBI has looked into the alleged relationship Tejinder Singh enjoyed with the Vectra group which purportedly prompted him to make the offer to the then Army Chief, the sources said.
During the course of the preliminary enquiry, the agency has questioned Tejinder Singh with regards to allegations levelled by Gen Singh and his alleged relations with arms dealers including Vectra Chairman Ravinder Rishi.
Tatra scam: CBI carries out raids, registers case against Tejinder Singh

Army HQ’s telephone cables stolen

Army HQ’s telephone cables stolen, high security phones left dead
by FP Staff Oct 12, 2012
The civilian government experienced a communication gap with the military on Thursday, when over 1,000 phones in the Army headquarters in the national capital went dead, after thieves made off with copper wiring used for telephone lines.
Over 1,000 phones including Remote Access Terminal phones that are used by army officials to communicate with ministers and government officials went dead, initially prompting fears of a security breach. However the incident was later verified to be the result of the theft of several tonnes of copper wires used in a junction box inside the guarded army headquarters, according to an Indian Express report.
“It is not possible to carry away such a massive quantity of heavy copper wire on foot. The thieves seem to have used a vehicle, probably a mini truck. It is suspected that they came in the guise of MTNL staff,”a police official who is investigating the theft was quoted as saying.
Since the rise in prices of copper, theft of telephone wires for extraction or reselling of copper is hardly uncommon. In a recent incident, over 10,000 phones in a Mumbai suburb went dead due to thieves stealing over 100 metres worth of wiring in order to resell it. And in Hyderabad, thieves made off with thousands of kilos of metals from industrial units.
However, in this case the choice of target in this case is more bold than most cases reported earlier.
Army HQ’s telephone cables stolen, high security phones left dead

Remembering Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi

Throughout his life, Mahatma Gandhi inspired countless Indians to lead a simple and principled life free of vices and desires. His message of non-violence that he practiced against the British rule in India has inspired many important world personalities. On Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Guylife presents a few important people who have been inspired by the Mahatma.

Aung San Suu Kyi
Prominent Burmese freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi has been heavily influenced by Gandhi’s life and teachings apart from Buddhist philosophy. Suu Kyi has been credited with ushering in reforms in Burma (now Myanmar) that is helping the country reach out to the world by removing sanctions placed against the country that is ruled by military junta. Suu Kyi has said she read works by Gandhi to keep herself disciplined when she was placed under house arrest by her country's military dictators.
Last week, addressing a packed hall of students at Columbia University where she got a standing ovation, the 67-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said she has been very inspired by Gandhi's writings and strongly urged the students to read his works. "Gandhi is somebody really phenomenal. I think you must all read his works, the more you read Gandhi, the more impressed you are by who he was and what he was. You must remember that change through non-violent means was not ever thought of before Gandhi. He was the one who started it, he was the one who decided that it is possible to bring about revolutionary change without violence," Suu Kyi said.
Leaders Inspired By Mahatma Gandhi by Priyanko Sarkar|Posted on Oct 1st 2012|
Comment: So sad to see our MP's living a lavishous life style at the expense of the tax payer. Their performance can be seen on daily basis through the Parliament session...

Truth is Bitter: India is enveloped with Corruption

Former Army chief General V K Singh today rued that corruption was prevalent everywhere in the country and was eating into its vitals.
"Corruption has spread like cancer to eat into the vitals of the country ... It is everywhere," he told a national conference on 'Eradication of Corruption : Social Responsibility and Challenge' here.
"The scourge has become so pervasive that it has become quite legitimate for a person to say give me money, I will give you work," Singh said adding that it pained him when he compared the present situation to the time when legendary freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose exhorted countrymen to fight for freedom with his call - 'Give me blood, I will give you freedom'.
Black money was another issue dogging the country and corrupt persons have stashed their huge ill got wealth in foreign shores, the former Army chief said.
The black money stashed abroad was so big in size that the country could fast-track development of infrastructure and provide civil amenities to its citizens if it could be brought back.
"The onus is on all of us to fulfil three dreams of the freedom fighters - freedom from colonial rule, equality to all citizens and founding of a socio-political and economic system based on equity and justice," he said and appealed for unity in society and consensus in decision-making process.
"It is imperative for all of us to strive for unity as we must not forget that foreigners had invaded our country and ruled us for centuries taking advantage of prevailing disunity time and again," he said.
Singh, who retired three months ago, slammed attempts to cast aspersion on the institution of armed forces saying the critics should remember that the army was the last resort of security of the country.
Vested interests, including the arms suppliers lobby had attacked the army for prevalence of corruption among other issues, the former army chief said.
He rued the absence of consensus among mainstream political parties on governance issues and said most of them were gripped by internal dissension that created further complications in arriving at consensual decision-making process.
"It will not be an understatement to say that our democratic polity and foundations of our republic are in serious crisis," he observed and said the problems must be understood and rectified to take the nation-building process forward.
Former Army Chief V K Singh sees corruption 'everywhere'

Fake certificate scam has hit the Armed Forces

After the Adarsh, Sukna and and NDA scam, the fake certificate scam has hit the Armed Forces. TIMES NOW has details of eight non-commissioned officers caught buying fake certificates for promotion. TIMES NOW also has details of how fake certificates are being sold by officials in Services Sports Control Board for Rs 2000 each. Meanwhile, for the first time, Army Chief Bikram Singh confirmed the fake certificate scam and infact promised stern action against those involved.

Fighting Corruption in India Gets Tougher

Updated Jul 28, 2012 at 04:10pm IST
I will neither contest elections nor form party: Anna Hazare
New Delhi: Putting rumours and speculation to rest, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday said that he would not contest elections or form a political party.
"I will neither contest elections, nor form a political party. In fact, if I survive this fast, I will roam the country and look for genuine people. If I find some, they will be trained and their names put on the Internet. After scrutiny, we will ask them to contest elections and I will campaign for them," said Anna who reached his venue of protest, the Jantar Mantar, early on Saturday morning.
"The government deceives us each time. Under the Congress or the BJP, this country has no future. Things will not change under them," he continued.
"I will fight for the Lokpal Bill till I am alive. I am not happy to fast all the time. But I am forced because of the betrayals by the government," he said. In an exclusive interview with IBN 18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on Friday, the activist had said that he would consider joining politics if the people wanted him to. "If people say that Anna should enter politics, then I could think about it," he said. He, however, was quick to add that he would not fight elections but support a political party that would be launched by someone willing to fight against corruption.
"I will not go into politics but I will give a political alternative to the people. I will not fight in elections. But if anyone fighting against corruption launches a political party, I will support it. I think the people are ready for an honest candidate," he said.
In Delhi for his agitation for a Special Investigation Team to probe 15 ministers of the UPA government whom he alleges to be corrupt, Anna's recent protests have seen minimal crowd attendance.
The activist admitted in the interview that he too had begun to feel that the enthusiasm amongst the people for fight against corruption was beginning to wane. "People are coming to me and saying that only fasting or protest will not help and that I should give an alternative. But I do not think so right now," he said.
"The government too has been laggard in bringing in the Lokpal Bill. It has been two years since our protest for a strong Lokpal Bill began. May be the time has come to look at an alternative. But I still hope that the government will introduce it." He further said that the Lokpal Bill was, is and will always be the primary demand of India Against Corruption. "First Lokpal and then inquiry against the 15 corrupt ministers... The main issue is the Lokpal Bill."
He further accused "the 15 ministers" of stalling the progress on the Lokpal Bill. He said, however, that the mere removal of the 15 ministers would not put an end to corruption and that a concerted effort was needed to root it out. "For the benefit of the people and the country, everyone should come together and fight against corruption," he said. "I do not think that any political party, be it the Congress, the BJP or the Left, is serious about fighting against corruption. I feel it is now time to give them a political alternative," he added.
I will neither contest elections nor form party: Anna Hazare

Service Tax: Air & Water heavily polluted would be taxed in India

Strong Military, Strong Security, Strong Nation
Hon’ble Defence Minister Sh. A. K Antony
1. 64 years ago Winston Churchill while opposing grant of freedom to our country said:- “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber & men of straw. They will have sweet tongues & silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power & India will be lost in political squabbles. A day would come when even air & water would be taxed in India.” 2. We don’t need another Churchill or an eminent astrologer to predict that if the present misgovernance rather no governance at all continues for another couple of years, our country will fall into such an abyss that it will take generations to retrieve us from this.
3. Today we are at a cross road where most of our Institutions of Democracy have either been demolished or under grave stress of demolition. One Institution ie our Patriotic Defence Forces on which the Nation has been surviving for the past 63 years is under severe attack by forces inimical to it. The best way to destroy a country is to demoralize its Defence Forces.
4. The events of the recent past reveal sinister design to undermine the morale and operational preparedness of the Defence Forces.
Why such a poor state of Defence Preparedness?

Who are responsible?

Why no action taken against defaulters?

Why no accountability?

What is required to be done?
5. These questions will have to be answered by the present Govt. Strong and time bound action plans need to be effectively and efficiently initiated. The PM, RM and the three Chiefs must regularly brief the Nation and the Parliament. The following need to be carried out on Operation Immediate Basis:
(a) Establishment of CDS.
(b) CDS & the Chiefs be brought on the decision making loop of the Govt.
(c) The Defence Ministry be restructured to have serving defence officers at the decision making levels.
(d) The defence procurement procedures be streamlined, made transparent and all projects completed within a given time frame. Individuals responsible for any delay be held accountable and action taken against them. Funds allotted for the procurement must be carried forward and not allowed to be lapsed till the budgeted items are procured. (e) DESW must be restructured to have serving officer as its head and serving and ESM on other appointments.
(f) ESM Commission manned by ESM be constituted on priority
(g) Jump Technology concept be followed for all Defence Procurements.
What is Jump Tech Concept? The Nations Defence Requirements for the next 15 – 20 years be worked out and best available eqpt with Tech transfer be procured off the shelf from the world in a most transparent manner and in a given time frame. Own R & D be tasked to develop what other advanced countries are planning and developing in the next to 15 – 20 years. Time bound responsibility, auth and accountability be introduced and implemented for indigenous productions. Sufficient funds for own R & D be earmarked with major business houses encouraged to join in Defence Production.
(h) Defence University be made operational forthwith. All retired officers of the rank of Major General and above be offered to be on the panel of experts. For other ranks of officers, applications be asked and officers selected for fellowship. The pool of experts to function as Indep Think Tanks for National Security formulations. Regular interaction with serving fraternity and other institutions be incorporated to arrive at sound security plans to qualitatively improve defence preparedness. (j) All anti Defence Forces Propaganda be stopped forthwith. Any wrong doings be investigated on priority and exemplary punishment given to those found guilty within a time frame of one year.
(k) The Generals be allowed to function like Generals to win Wars and not made psycophants.
(l) One Rank One Pension (OROP), Non Functional Upgrade (NFU) be sanctioned for Defence personnel at the earliest.
(m) All the anomalies of the previous Pay Commissions be resolved at the earliest.
(n) Court judgements given in favour of Defnece Personnel be implemented.
(o) Widows pension be enhanced at the earliest.
6. The above are a few of many other issues which need to be addressed by the Govt without any further delay.
7. In order to get due justice, it is proposed to start an intense Citizens Movement to plug all loopholes in our defence preparedness and to initiate actions against all found guilty of dereliction of duty and corruption.
8. An Article regarding Civil- Military relations, written by Brigadier V Mahalingam (Retd) is relevant and is enclosed.
9. May we request you to kindly visualize and analyse the seriousness of the above issues and in the interest of the Nation, take actions on warfooting to address all these issues to ensure that our Defence Forces are ready to face all Security Challenges of 21st Century and with glory win Wars for the Nation.
Shahide Azam Bhagat Singh had once said quote “No development can take place unless you question, criticize and analyse the existing order” unquote.
Let us all join in the effort. “The Soldier Protects What?, Guards Whom ? A piece of terrain!, barren, inhospitable, worthless? NO! For the love of his country, and countrymen, his motherland. He protects, Her citizens, He guards, His Karma, He performs- with honour and pride, for your tomorrow He sacrifices His Today”
With Regards,
Jai Hind Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Published in Patriot
Civil Military Relations

President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map

President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map Published On: Fri, Jun 22nd, 2012
New Delhi. In a shocking development, outgoing President Mrs. Pratibha Patil’s granddaughter Divya failed to identify the United States of America on the world map. Her failure has shocked her teachers and the Presidential staff alike.
Her Geography teacher Mrs. Sonia Gupta was unable to control her surprise and disappointment, “Divya has been brilliant in Geography. She could otherwise identify even a rice grain-sized country on the world map and give complete description of its beautiful beaches geographical features having accompanied her grandmother President Patil to every known place on the world map. I don’t know what happened this time.”
Faking News spoke to some of her friends to get their reaction. “Divya often shared the taxpayers’ money souvenirs which she used to get from the countries she used to visit while accompanying her grandmother. She even gifted me exotic wines from France on my birthday! Seems like this time she lost her American goodies which could have reminded her of her visit to that country,” said Reeta, her bench-mate.
A pal of gloom descended inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan as soon as the news spread inside. Mr. Sifarishi Lal, Divya’s personal tutor was more candid in his views, “Whenever we accompanied Pratibha madam to her foreign vacations overseas diplomatic missions, I always made sure that I explained every detail of that country to Divya. She, in return was always eager to go on sightseeing expeditions learn more about the country’s geography. As a result she has always been a topper in Geography in her class. So it is beyond reason to my why she should fail to spot a particular country on the map.”
Similar views were echoed by other officials of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“Divya could even point to a country while blindfolded which was yet to feature on the world map. For instance we accompanied madam President to this island which was inhabited by only 100 people. It was a diplomatic mission where she signed the ‘hijack treaty’ to deny a safe haven to airplane hijackers on that island. We even got an airport constructed over there for madam’s jet to land as they did not have one! Ask Divya and she can provide you with every detail of that island’s geography be it the beaches or snow covered mountains,” said one of the officials.
President Patil could not be reached for her views as she was reportedly busy watching MasterChef India on TV, which is said to be her favorite show.
Unconfirmed reports say that Madam Patil is even preparing to file for a re-nomination to the President’s post as she is keen to go on space missions this time and teach Divya the intricacies of the outer space, as Divya wants to become a scientist like APJ Abdul Kalam when she grows up.
President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map

Adarsh: CBI arrests its own counsel, politician for bribery

The Hindu March 7, 2012
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four persons including its own counsel and a former Congress legislator on charges of criminal conspiracy for diluting the charges against the politician in the Adarsh case. The CBI said that the politician paid Rs 1.25 crores to a tax consultant to be given to the CBI officials for favours. A special CBI court on Tuesday remanded all the accused to police custody till March 16.

The agency indicated it may arrest more persons in the case.
Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, the former Congress Member of Legislative Council (MLC) who has already been named in the Adarsh First Information Report (FIR) by the CBI, was arrested along with his son Kailash Gidwani, Retainer Counsel for CBI Mandar Goswamy and tax consultant sum lawyer J K Jagiasi.

The Gidwanis and Mr Goswamy have been booked under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); and 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Mr Jagiasi has been booked under sections 120(B) of the IPC and 8, 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

While Mr Jagiasi was arrested on Monday afternoon, the Gidwanis were arrested late night on Monday. Mr Goswami was arrested early morning on Tuesday.

The CBI said that Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, through his son Kailash transferred Rs 1.25 crores over a period of time to Mr Jagiasi in instalments to be given to the CBI officials, so that they could dilute the charges slapped on the politician in the Adarsh case. The CBI counsel told the additional sessions judge A M Kshatriya that Rs 25 lakh of the total sum was given to Mr Goswamy, Special Counsel in the Ministry of Law & Justice who had recently started working as Retainer Counsel for the CBI here.

“The money was given at a particular place which has been identified by us in six hours. There are documents which show transfer of funds. Prima facie, we have evidence that there is connection (among the accused). Custodial interrogation is necessary to study the transfer of amounts,” special public prosecutor for CBI, ACB, Ejaz Khan told the court.

The CBI stumbled upon the conspiracy after it arrested Mr Jagiasi on February 20 in a trap case, while accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh from an Air India official. His investigation revealed information about the transaction of Rs 1.25 crores between him and the Gidwanis. The agency seized the tax consultant’s 13 lockers and 26 diaries in which they found records for the money transaction.

The CBI said that it wants to interrogate Mr Jagiasi to recover five Petty Cash Books of the relevant period in last year which has details of the cash transactions. “This is a case of deep-rooted criminal conspiracy and several more persons are involved in this case. Custodial interrogation of the accused is very necessary to unearth the whole conspiracy and the chain of transfer of bribe amount from one person to another,” the remand application submitted by the agency in the court stated.

CBI also said it wants to investigate if the money was procured through hawala transactions.

The accused argued that they were aware that Adarsh case was being supervised by the Bombay High Court and that none of the CBI officials in Mumbai were in a position to given an favour to them. They said that Mr Goswamy was one of the most junior counsels in the department and there was no evidence to understand how he was capable of influencing any officer.

Mr Goswamy’s counsel argued that he was handed over the case as recently as on February 28. “The dates given by the CBI and the date when he [Mr Goswamy] was handed the case, do not match. Till now, he has appeared only once in the Adarsh case. Mr Jagiasi worked as our tax consultant hardly for a year. How do we know what he does in his personal life by taking Mandar’s name?” Rajshree Goswami, wife of Mr Goswami, told The Hindu.

The court observed that prima facie, the allegations against the accused were serious and demanded custodial interrogation.
Adarsh: CBI arrests its own counsel, politician for bribery

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?

Indian Justice System moves at snails pace if not standstill

Khurshid admits justice delivery slow- DD News 14 Dec 2011
Admitting that the justice delivery system in the country was slow, Government on Tuesday said efforts were on to ensure matters are decided in courts within three to five years.
"I cannot comment on legal system procedures and rule of law," Law Minister Salman Khurshid said when asked about the delay in Afzal Guru case.
However, he said, "we are not entirely happy with the pace at which the rule of law is implemented in our country and that is a reason why we have a mission for justice delivery".
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, he said, "The Chief Justice has spoken of this and my predecessor has spoken of it and we are moving ahead with the mission and an enormous amount of effort has to be put in to ensure that matters are decided in courts within three to five years and nothing should go beyond five years".
"However," he said, "there are still some cases which go beyond five years. We want quick justice in all matters. This (Parliament attack) is of course a symbolic and significant event that we cannot easily forget but nevertheless even for such an event there is not much one can do except to hope that our entire system learns to respond in a much faster manner," he added.
On the question of inclusion of citizen's grievances Bill in the Lokpal Bill, Khurshid said "Cabinet will consider it."
Asked about the government's views on keeping lower bureaucracy and the Prime Minister under Lokpal, he said "wait for the Bill you will know."
Whether government still wants to go ahead with the food security Bill in the backdrop of falling rupee rate and slide in industrial output, he said government is committed to do it.
"Can government afford to go people hungry. Therefore, whatever else we have to do we have to ensure that people of the country particularly marginalised people get the protection they need and dignity they need, we will do whatever in our capacity to do that," he said. (SP-13/12)
Khurshid admits justice delivery slow

Strong Lokpal bill in the offing: Antony

Tuesday, November 08, 2011, 22:56
Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday said the government will bring out a "strong" Lokpal bill wherein it will become difficult for anyone in position to work without accountability.

All those who work in public life would have to surrender to the rule of law and subjected to the scrutiny of social auditing, he said at a function here.

"Ministers, MLAs, judiciary, officials, businessmen and media persons will have to stand before the scrutiny of people and have to be accountable to people," he said.

"No one can run away from it," Antony said, adding all should prepare themselves to face the change.

Noting that Right to Information Act was only a beginning, he said it was going to be extended to many more areas. Antony said role of media in the present context was very important.

As a matter of caution, he said media also should subject themselves for criticism and self introspection. Media could influence the society and so, the reports they file should not be unilateral.

"While giving breaking news, media should also think about its consequences," he said. PTI
Strong Lokpal bill in the offing: Antony

IESM Combating Corruption alongside 'India Against Corruption' Crusaders

Dated: 23 Aug 2011
IESM STRONGLY SUPPORTS: INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION
Dear Veterans,
1. IESM once against requests all ESM Organizations and ESM across the country to strongly support India Against Corruption Campaign and enactment of strong and effective legislation.
2. Martin Luther King Jr when imprisoned said “Injustice Anywhere is Threat to Justice Everywhere”. Fundamental rights to protest was unjustly thwarted by the Govt. It was a grave Injustice.
3. A strong and effective Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Legislation is not only a universal phenomena but deserves to become a Universal Institution which will help reform democracies of the Free World all over to rediscover their pristine spirit of Liberty under care of universally accepted good ethics, morals and values to deliver Good Governance and Justice to Mankind. This alone can usher in Peace and Tranquility through Non Violence.
4. On 11 Sep 1893, in Parliament of Religions at Chicago Swami Vivekananda had said. “No One cane ask Sun its authenticity to Shine”. No one can question Anna’s intentions to uphold and deliver Justice.
5. Friends, PM’s statement that the Govt wants strong and effective Lokpal Bill; while his intentions may not be in question but we the people of India have the right to ask him as to how will he bring strong Lokpal legislation when the seed of the Tree (in the form of Govt Draft Lokpal Bill) is not only weak but lacks potency. Standing Committee behind which the Govt is taking shelter cannot substantially alter the bill. The Govt has an option to withdraw the Govt Lokpal Bill and introduce a very strong and effective Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Bill incorporating the best of all suggestions.
6. Let us all join the Movement in large numbers across the country and strongly speak in favour of enactment of a strong and effective legislations. Moral courage in every veteran should be demonstrated by speaking out for JUSTICE. PLEASE REACH IN LARGE NUMBERS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS AT RAM LILA GROUND ON 24 AUG 2011 AT 11 AM TO BE PART OF ANNA’S MOVEMENT and EVERYDAY THEREAFTER.
God Bless God Speed
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM
Comment: Vested Politicians (especially the hardcore lawyer turned politicians- they can subvert the law) should not be in the Lokpal Drafting Committee. The Government is making an ass of the citizens! Politicians are making Indian Parliament Democracy a Mockery. Citizens sentiments are taken for granted by bureaucrats to conjure them into a coma...!
Dr Manmohan seems to be honest but his Lokpal drafting team a suspect
Click here: Prime Minister writes to Shri Anna Hazare

Nation erupts over Anna detention drama

The Black Money trail vanishes: Politicians Vs Civil Society

special article 4 July 2011
When Government Is Of The Thieves, By The Thieves And For The Thieves
mg devasahayam
A DEBATE is on over the role of civil society and popular movements in influencing government policies and laws. Politicians of the beleaguered UPA government are increasingly trying to discredit mass movements against corruption by declaring that civil society cannot usurp the right to legislate ~ a right which, according to them, is the exclusive preserve of ‘elected representatives’. Congress veterans seem to be in competition over offering their gems of wisdom.
Home minister P Chidambaram, facing fraud charges over ‘getting himself elected’, set the ball rolling when he said, “Elected members cannot yield to civil society since this might undermine parliamentary democracy.” As a wag promptly retorted, “Yes, Chidambaram is right. Elected members should yield only to Niira Radia and corporate plunderers and not to those who elected them.” Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has charged civil society with weakening the democratic institutions.
The Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari, almost went berserk: “If this country and democracy has any threat, it is from the unelected tyrants. If democracy faces its greatest peril, it is from the tyranny of the unelected and unelectable.” True, for those steeped in corruption, people who raise their voice are indeed ‘tyrants’! But, the fact is that it is not democracy or its institutions that are in danger, but the ‘kleptocracts’ who run the government of the thieves, by the thieves and for the thieves who are facing the heat!
Politicians and their cronies had become so paranoid that one of them even went to the Supreme Court with an absurd plea that ‘it was impermissible under the Constitution to involve civil society in the drafting of a Bill, which was the sole prerogative of the legislative department of the government.’
And Man Friday Kabil Sibal put his imprimatur on that: ‘Civil society won’t be involved in future for drafting the law’. That is it. If only these worthies had an elementary understanding of society and democracy!
It would be useful to quote Wikipedia’s definition of civil society: “It is composed of the totality of voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state and the commercial institutions of the market. Together, state, market and civil society constitute the entirety of a society, and the relations between these three components determine the character of a society and its structure.”
Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. This includes participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law. People’s sovereignty is the founding principle of such a system. A parliamentary system is nothing more than representative democracy in which citizens do have a right to tell their elected representatives what kind of laws they want enacted and what laws they want changed or scrapped. Mass movements for doing so strengthen democracy; they don’t weaken it as apprehended by our ‘intellectually arrogant’ Home minister.
The Special Economic Zones Act is a case in point. This law was drafted without the citizens’ consent and enacted by Parliament without a word of dissent. But when implemented, those most affected by this law ~ farmers ~ did not accept it. This has led to massive resistance all over the country. Indeed, there is virtual civil war in the tribal heartland of Dandakaranya.
A series of laws have been opposed because they were enacted without the involvement of citizens when India was under colonial administration. Notably, the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The first provides that fertile farm land can be acquired for a song to build super-luxury malls and bungalows by invoking the urgency clause of Section 17 of the Act. It deprives the aggrieved persons the right to object. Even the Supreme Court has come down heavily against this Act. The Indian Penal Code still has the sedition clause under which British rulers arrested patriots and freedom fighters. This section is now being used against citizens fighting against corruption and injustice. Our ‘elected representatives’ have not bothered to amend these draconian laws even six decades after Independence.
The BJP enacted the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, without any consultation, consensus or consent. It goes against the concept of freedom. The same party’s government issued ‘The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Ordinance, 2002’, conferring draconian powers to bank managers to take possession and sell the properties mortgaged with them by genuine borrowers. Parliament confirmed the Ordinance without debate, thereby depriving small and medium entrepreneurs their basic right and livelihood in the most arbitrary and autocratic manner.
Because the views and inputs of civil society are not taken into consideration, there are several impractical Central and state laws that are sources of corruption and black money.
In the reckoning of politicians, civil society undermines parliamentary democracy. On the contrary, it is the politicians who are undermining parliamentary democracy through feudal and dynastic political outfits. Indeed, they are indulging in large-scale electoral corruption and thuggery. Certain parties are calling the shots. They are dominating over governments without any constitutional sanction. Our Constitution, which has provision for all institutions/instruments of governance, has nothing for ‘politicians’ or ‘political parties’. The charge that civil society activists are seeking to replace Parliament does not hold water. In the context of the Jan Lokpal Bill, civil society activists are seeking to shape the draft, mobilise opinion on the content, and hold elected representatives accountable to such opinion. The common people are better informed and closely involved than ever before. But the actual task of enacting the law still rests with MPs. The debates within Parliament are likely to be closely scrutinised by citizens. This is a process that is essential for the growth of democracy. Politicians and the government only expose their authoritarian streak by trying to discredit such participatory processes. The writer is a former IAS officer
Politicians Vs Civil Society
Related action to negate court ruling!
Govt moves SC for recall of order for setting up SIT on black money

Take part in movement against corruption, says Kalam

The Hindu Monday, Jun 27, 2011 Shastry V. Mallady Photo S James
Announces a new mass mission : ‘What Can I Give?'

SETTING IDEALS Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam interacting with students at Kalasalingam University in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

KRISHNANKOIL (TAMIL NADU): The fight against corruption gained further momentum on Sunday with former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam launching a mass movement ‘What Can I Give?', appealing to the youth in particular to participate.

While the fight against corruption will be the central theme of Dr. Kalam's mission, it will also cover a wide array of social, environmental and ethical issues of urgent importance to India.

“I want you to participate in this movement and you can write to me with your ideas or visit the website- www.whatcanigive.info- because corruption and moral turpitude are evils that need to be defeated by the goodness of youth,” he appealed.

The former President was addressing a huge gathering of school and college students after declaring open the new buildings at Kalasalingam University in Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday.

“Where do the evils like corruption arise from? It comes from never-ending greed. The fight for a corruption-free society will have to be a fight against this greed, which must be replaced with a ‘What Can I Give' spirit. As students, scientists and professionals, we need to ask ourselves one question - what can I give to this nation,” Dr. Kalam said.

Apart from corruption, the movement focuses on environmental degradation and building a compassionate society.

“I will be happy to read your ideas and commitments about the mission What Can I Give?

Dr. Kalam stressed that an integrated action is needed in five areas where there is core competence. Agriculture and food processing, education/healthcare, information and communication technology, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all over the country besides self-reliance in critical technology, are essential for our food, economic and national security, he observed.

After the inaugural address, Dr. Kalam answered questions from school/college students on various subjects such as safety of nuclear reactors, joint family system, success in competitive examinations and chemical weapons.

K. Sridharan, Chancellor, Kalasalingam University, has said that this was Dr. Kalam's third visit to the campus and all his visits and interactions were really inspiring.
Take part in movement against corruption, says Kalam

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

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

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

Lokpal morphs to Jokepal Bill: Final destiny the Graveyard?

Jan Lok Pal bill: UPA’s great political coup
Comment: UPA manages to send the Jan Lok Pal Bill where it thought it belonged – the graveyard
The UPA government has just managed a political coup that will be envy of governments everywhere in the world.
Despite fasts, virulent protests and a countrywide nausea against corruption, it has managed to pivot the full circle and shepherd the Jan Lok Pal bill to where it thought it belonged - the graveyard.
Or, as Arvind Kejriwal, one of the members of the drafting panel from the civil society said, "government has killed the bill even before its birth".
That's what the 'one bill, two drafts' to be sent to the Union Cabinet proposal of the UPA government essentially amounts to.
The Union Cabinet, in other words, the government itself, will sit in judgment on the two drafts. And it's a no-brainer as to which draft - the civil society's or its own - the government will deign to chose.
Through the use of calumny, innuendoes, and by painting the spectre of threat to democracy by "unelected" players, the government has managed to confuse and obfuscate the issue.
The media and the public have swallowed the government's antics largely without protest or seeing through the attempts to shoot the messengers - the representatives of the civil society.
Jan Lok Pal bill: UPA’s great political coup
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