Adarsh Scam: Truth is Money Laundering but CBI is bent on investigating lies of Politicians

The Hindu July 10, 2012
Even if the Adarsh society case does not end in convictions, enough ignominy has been heaped on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who was charge sheeted in the scam along with 12 others. Mr. Chavan has been accused of criminal conspiracy and abusing his official position when he was Revenue Minister over a decade ago to include civilians in the society and grant other favours. In turn, his mother-in law and other relatives got flats. There is a feeling in some sections that Mr. Chavan has been unfairly targeted and two other former Chief Ministers, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde, were also responsible. The CBI investigation is still open in the case of these two. While Mumbai is full of such frauds involving valuable land, what sets Adarsh apart is the nexus that was unravelled between politicians, bureaucrats and promoters — most of whom managed to cadge flats for their family members in a building which was blatantly illegal. The CBI is yet to officially reveal the details of the benami flats but there is evidence that this could involve more politicians or people close to them.
In comparison with Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, whose career graph shoots up every time the courts pass strictures against him, Mr. Chavan seems to lack a guardian angel. His cup of woes is full as he is also at the centre of a paid news controversy and his election has been contested on those grounds. If the CBI can prove the charges it has framed in the Adarsh case, it will definitely set a precedent. It is essential that the politicians and officers responsible for violating the laws of the land, abusing their office, and flouting the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) notification are given exemplary punishment. Real estate and housing equals power in Mumbai and few get caught for the numerous illegal transactions that take place. There is no need to be dismissive about the relatively small size of the scam in rupee terms when compared to other, more massive frauds. What is untenable too is the constant carping that Mr. Chavan is less culpable than the others and that he only grabbed “a few flats.” Instead of blaming the media for targeting bureaucrats and politicians, the State government should launch a comprehensive investigation into fraudulent housing societies, not to speak of the sharp practices that go on throughout Mumbai in the name of slum redevelopment.
Not so Adarsh
Defence Ministry's weak response
Now, Defence Ministry intervenes in Adarsh case
Readers Comments: Are we a Banana Republic?

from: Akshit Singh Posted on: Jul 10, 2012 at 11:27 IST
What you have pointed out in this editorial is the unholy nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen in the adarsh controversy. But what you have not pointed out is the role of the senior military officials including former army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor who got a flat for himself in abetting the scam & the need to apprehend them.

from: N.Mohan Posted on: Jul 10, 2012 at 13:05 IST
These politicians own multiple expensive flats in Mumbai. For e.g. Sushil Kumar Shinde owns a flat on (Vaastu Bldg) Pali Hill Bandra Mumbai worth about 30-40 Crore purchased within last 3-4 years. Somebody please investigate. Another minister Kripashankar (Santacruz Mumbai) was recently accused of owning multiple benami flats. Where do they get this kind of money come from?

from: D Mahapatra Posted on: Jul 10, 2012 at 16:12 IST
Will any of this outrage in "public" translate into any action by the voting public? Or is this "moral outrage" just an intellectual pastime of the new Indian, educated, affluent, middle-class? India claims to be a democracy (the biggest lie peddled in India?). So, "the buck stops with the voters" - not with anyone else!!! Will anyone hold up a mirror to themselves, think afresh in their daily lives, do anything differently, educate fellow citizens who may not know what's really going on in the country "in their name, but without informed-consent"???

Are our borders safe with corrupt Officers leading the Military?

IS OUR ARMY TOTALLY HONEST AND NON CORRUPT
Mar 28 2012
Today India is largest buyer of armaments. It buys 10% of the global arms import beating both Pakistan and China. It is the most attractive defence market leading to capital expenditure of Rs.79,579 crores. Still we say Bharat Shanti Priya desh hai.
The fault for this lies firstly with Government and the Defence Ministry. Most of the Defence Minister and their deputies do not know anything about arms or ammunition. The maximum they have seen in their life is Danda. Though there are experts to help them, but how can one judge the honesty of these experts who are linked to arms lobbies since the days of Bofors. Any Senior Retd Army, Air force or Naval officer becomes an expert after retirement and joins one of the lobby as an expert or consultant. The Defence Babus are mere pawns in the hands of the higher ups including politicians. Our leaders need to be leaders in the real sense. They ought to be models of honesty, integrity, fair play and transparency. When our leaders and Ministers are facing charges of corruption, can its followers, the Army, Air Force. Navy or any one else be far behind.
The Civil India is corrupt and dishonest. In the past the Army used to live in their cantonements, far from the madding crowds. Today the army lives right in the middle of the town and major part of the officers are eating from the hands of the rich persons who have vested interests. They buy products from the Civil traders who give fake parts so that there is more volume. The CSD stores are the hotbed of blackmarket. One can see people standing outside CSD stores holding 10 VIP bags, 24 colgate tooth pastes, 25 cakes of soaps and what not. They are not meant for home use but to be sold outside. Some recent restrictions have been made but much needs to be done. The Army needs to be segregated from the civil world as one finds in USA and UK. The Army feels jealous of civilians richness and tries to copy their practices and life style in their careers.
There is too much of pampering of not only Army but all bureacrats including Police and Revenue Officers. This shows that our Govt. is weak and timid and cannot take any long term action. Reason it itself is corrupt. At the most they hand over the cases to CBI which has a poor record of solving the defence deals cases.
The recruitment pattern has to be changed. Though the Army is almost sixth in the order of priority in the mind of an unemployed youth, the practice of giving advantage to sons and daughters of the Army Officers in the recruitment as Officers is wrong as wrong stuff gets in and deserving candidates are neglected.
With this picture it is difficult to say whether our borders would be safe. Ab Watan kiss kay Hawale hoga, Saathiyo.
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