Tatra drives holes in Army's Budget: Politicians and Bureaucrats Coffers and Pockets Padded

May 18, 2012 at 06:48am IST
BEML fleecing Army, providing poor service
New Delhi: In fresh trouble for defence PSU BEML, the Defence Ministry has received a complain accusing it of charging exhorbitant rates for spare parts of vehicles.
A copy of the complaint has been accessed by CNN-IBN. According to the complaint, BEML was over charging for spare parts of armoured recovery vehicles.
The complaint has cited cost escalation of up to 800 per cent in spare parts bought from BEML. The Defence Ministry has received a complaint accusing BEML of charging exorbitant rates for spare parts of vehicles.
New Delhi: In fresh trouble for defence PSU BEML, the Defence Ministry has received a complain accusing it of charging exhorbitant rates for spare parts of vehicles.
A copy of the complaint has been accessed by CNN-IBN. According to the complaint, BEML was over charging for spare parts of armoured recovery vehicles.
The complaint has cited cost escalation of up to 800 per cent in spare parts bought from BEML. The Defence Ministry has received a complaint accusing BEML of charging exorbitant rates for spare parts of vehicles.
Non-return valve, which costs an estimated Rs 1,600 was supplied by BEML at Rs 39,550 in 2008-09, whereas, bolts that cost Rs 424 were sold by BEML at Rs 15,480 in the same year.
The complaint further says that in 2010-11, truck axle available for Rs 5,242, were sold by BEML for Rs 1.25 lakh, which is an escalation of over 2000 per cent.
BEML fleecing Army, providing poor service
Related reading
CBI intensifies probe on Tatra deal; questions more people
Complex Tatra purchase deal making holes in Army's budget
Comment:Liechtenstein trusts legal claims Ravi Rishi. The scamster's flourishing business is all about a perfect money laundering cycling route in tax havens which will be buried like Bofors by CBI.

Madam President Pratiba Patilji- Blows her own Trumphet

Full transcript: President Pratibha Patil's interview to NDTV NDTV.com | Updated: May 07, 2012 01:21 IST
Amid controversy over her foreign trips, President Pratibha Patil, in an exclusive interview to NDTV's Rahul Shrivastava, says the visits go a long way in boosting India's image internationally. She has also made it clear that the President's travel plans are drawn up by the government.
Here's the full transcript of the interview:
NDTV: Hello and welcome. India has begun the process of choosing its next President. Some have chosen to call the post ceremonial, but in the 21st century managing the aspirations of over a billion people and the diktats of a Constitution is a tough job. How tough is the job? Who better to answer the question than Madam President Pratibha Patilji. Prathibhaji really nice of you to speak to us.
click here for the full transcript
Comment: Shakespeare sums up Pratiba's Pretence in a sonnet
Tired with all these, for restful death I cry, As to behold desert a beggar born,
And needy nothing trimm'd in jollity,
And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
And gilded honour shamefully misplaced,
And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
And right perfection wrongfully disgraced,,
And strength by limping sway disabled
And art made tongue-tied by authority,
And folly, doctor-like, controlling skill,
And simple truth miscalled simplicity,
And captive good attending captain ill:
Tired with all these, from these would I be gone,
Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.
The poet laments the corruption and dishonesty of the world, from which he desires to be released. This is a sonnet which strikes a chord in almost any age, for it tells the same old story, that graft and influence reign supreme, and that no inherent merit is ever a guarantee of success. For that depends on social structures and conditions already set in place long ago. As often as not they aid and promote the unworthy, the malicious, the wealthy, the incompetent and those who are just good at manipulation of the system.

Criminals as rulers!

The Tribune Chandigarh March 12, 2012
It is a matter of grave concern that all leading parties give preference to criminals during allotment of tickets. In the UP Assembly elections, over 337 candidates having criminal charges pending against them were given tickets by the SP, BSP, BJP and Congress. All party leaders announced time and again that people having clean records would be given tickets. Justice Rajinder Sachar (retd) in his article “Whither Indian polity?” (February 24) clearly mentioned that no party is talking of the real problems. Minorities are being treated as the football of politics.

The leaders are talking of giving laptops to students of weaker sections whereas a large numbers of schools have no blackboards or toilets for girls. Our leaders should promise what they can provide in reality and what is required and not show false dreams which cannot be fulfilled.
SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak
Criminals as rulers!

ESM endorses Jan Lokpal Bill

Ex-servicemen to invite Anna for holding anti corruption rally in Himachal Ravinder Makhaik | November 11, 2011 |
Dharamshala: Ex-servicemen league of Himachal has drawn up plans to invite Anna Hazare for holding an anti-corruption rally in the state.
A former minister and president HP ex-servicemen league Vijay Singh Mankotia let Hill Post know that after holding a two day annual general meeting of the organization, three resolutions were adopted, which included sending out a team to Maharashtra for extending an invite to Anna for holding a rally at Dharamshala.
Endorsing the stand on Jan Lokpal Bill, Mankotia said the state body of ex-servicemen also intended to honour Anna, also an ex-serviceman, with Shan-e-Hind title for the fight against corruption he has been waging.
Our league supports the fight against corruption to expose corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists and work for good governance by ensuring accountability, he said.
The second resolution adopted by the league has condemned the statement of defense minister AK Antony saying that the UPA government could not concede the ‘one rank, one pay’ demand of the ex-servicemen.
For 25 years the union government has been giving a firm commitment about implementing the demand, said Mankotia.
The matter will be discussed at a national conference of ex-servicemen to be held at Delhi on 25th and 26th November.
The third resolution has asked the state government to install the statues of Major Somnath Sharma, the first Parm Vir Chakra, Major Durga Mal and Captain Dal Bhadur at the Vidhan Sabha complex at Tapovan, Dharmshala.
Major Durga Mal and Captain Dal Bhadur were Gurkha members who were part of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj and were hanged by the British rulers in 1945 and 1946.
All the three of these brave sons of India belong to an area that is within a five Kms from Tapovan, says Mankotia. There statues deserve to be part of Vidhan Sabha complex and we will be raising this demand with chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, he said.
Ex-servicemen to invite Anna for holding anti corruption rally in Himachal

ESM need to focus on combating corruption

Dear ESM,
PENSION ENOUGH FOR OUR NEED NOT ENOUGH FOR OUR GREED
Why are we taking up a dead issue once again. It will serve no purpose. Let us change the focus from OROP to corruption in public life. Let us give back to society what it has given us= respect, security and good life. Returning medals is unsoldier like. Lest us not do it. Let us be an example to other services. Present pension is enough for our need. It will never be enough for our greed.
Regards,
Brig Darshan Singh

Food for Thought: ESM need to focus more on social issues like Health, Hygiene, Education, Sanitation and Corruption. This will contribute to Progress of the Nation.

Anna Hazare arouses the Nation's Conscience

Dear Colleagues,
It is a historic day for India. The peoples’ power has been recognized. Our heartiest congratulations go to Anna Hazare for bringing about this momentous change. He has been an epitome of steely resolve, stoic determination and civilized behavior. The government failed to see what had become abundantly clear to the whole world. Had they shown more perspicacity and grace the physical suffering of this true crusader could have been greatly ameliorated.
A battle has been won. The war will be truly won only when the bill is finally enacted, a Lokpal is in place and people start feeling relief from the cancer of corruption. But a beginning has been made, and a very good one. Knowing Anna as the country knows him now, he will carry the baton till the finishing line. We wish him good health and long life. The IESM was happy to be fully visible in the event and its support and contribution was duly recognized.
If events of past two weeks are any indicator, it should lead to another positive; Delhi police may become more people friendly. Hopefully.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Reforms accelerates black money transfer to Offshore financial Centers

Can the Supreme Court Ferret out the Money Laundering Route
Corruption Cost India $462 Billion As An Illegal Capital Flow
From BOB Goswami

INDIA NEWS - Asia’s one of the most fast developing nations India has coughed up more than $460bn since Independence on illegal capital flow, funneling corrupt riches money to overseas banks widened the gap between rich and poor. According to a new report, illegal money through various sleaze exercises like tax evasion, crime and others have founded strong base of inequalities irrespective of rapid growth of its economy.

US-based group Global Financial Integrity has published its reports, showing the illegitimate outflows of wealth to overseas robustly increased after economic reforms began in 1991. The group based in Washington has also revealed the detail analysis of cross-border flow of illegal money around the world.

The shadowy projection of mounting economy actually masquerades the poor state of governance in India since Independence in 1947. The ironical economical growth of nation in reality disguises the start term of financial cost of tax evasion, corruption, and other illicit financial practices in India.

Findings of Global Financial Integrity:

India’s $462bn wealth has gone astray in illicit outflows of money between 1948, a year after Independence, and 2008.

The capital outflow is more than twice of India’s external debt of $230bn.

The total illegal capital flight out to overseas is equal to 16.6% of its GDP.

After the economic reforms in 1991, 68% of India's capital loss occurred.

The main guilty are private organizations and high net-worth individuals.

Indian companies moved money from developed country banks to "offshore financial centers" (OFCs) increased from 36.4% in 1995 to 54.2% in 2009.

Dev Kar, a former International Monetary Fund economist said that the illegal money that consists of India’s underground economy drains out in foreign lands. According to him, India’s underground economy has been believed to sum up 50% of the country’s GDP - $640bn at the end of 2008.

The report is based on a World Bank model to estimate India’s missing wealth. Mr. Kar warned that the figure could be more alarming as it didn’t include other illegal transit such as smuggling and cash transfer outside the financial system.
Corruption Cost India $462 Billion As An Illegal Capital Flow
Related post in the blog
Greek crisis is a warning signal for India?

Summary of all Scams

01 July 2011 22:46
Subject: SUMMARY OF ALL SCAMS IN INDIA This is hilarious! What else can one do but to laugh at our fate! Look at what the politicians that we elect do to the nation!
Vijay Raheja
Brig Vijay Raheja (Retd)

The Republic of Scams

Dipankar Paul, India Syndicate, 26/04/2011
The Republic of Scams
2010 was The Year of Scams: The 2G spectrum scam, the CWG scandal, the Adarsh Housing Society debacle, all contributed to shatter India's image on the global stage. Yet, scams are not new to this part of the world. In fact, since Independence, India has seen so many cases of high-profile fraud, it's a wonder why we haven't already been renamed the Republic of Scams.
click here to read major scams from 1946 till date
Comment: Banana republic is a pejorative term that refers to a politically unstable country dependent upon limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, corrupt politico-economic plutocracy or oligarchy. Ours seems to be truly a fake Democracy!

Radia drops Pawar- 2G Spectrum Bomb

Radia links Pawar to DB Realty, minister rubbishes reports
14 Apr 2011, 1507 hrs IST, AGENCIES
A fresh controversy brewed today (April 14) after corporate lobbyist Niira Radia reportedly linked Union minister Sharad Pawar to 2G scam-tainted DB Realty firm but the senior leader trashed her claim. Pawar was reacting to media reports which had quoted Radia as telling the CBI that he may be controlling DB Realty and may have pursued the issue of spectrum and license for Swan Telecom with former Telecom Minister A Raja.

Her statement was part of the CBI charge sheet but she herself made it clear that it was the perception in Mumbai that she was talking about and she had no documentary proof to back it. Pawar said, "This is absolutely a lie and foolish statement. I have no financial interest in this company. DB Realty and that telecom company I have no relations at all. I have no financial, not one 'naya paisa' interest in that company".

He said he knew DB Realty's Vinod Goenka's father for the last 35 years and he had set up a milk processing unit in Baramati about 20 years back. "We, all farmers, are helping him in getting good quality milk. We have a relationship. There are no two opinions about that but we have no involvement or association with the telecom company," he said.

Pointing out that Radia had herself stated that she had no proof to back the charge, Pawar said he had no talk with the corporate lobbyist or anyone else with regard to grant of licence for spectrum use. "I am looking after agriculture of the country, not telecom," he said.
Radia links Pawar to DB Realty, minister rubbishes reports
Comment: Pawar has fingers dipped in POWER- agriculture his hobby but his focus is on ICC- where his heart is!

Will Kapil Sibal let down Anna and the Citizens at large?

... his background does not say so!
Jan Lokpal Bill is the only way to regress and deflate ballooning corruption
Kapil Sibal was born in Jalandhar, Punjab to Hira Lal Sibal and Kailash Rani Sibal. His father was a renowned advocate, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2006. He studied at St. John's High School, Chandigarh till the 10th. He moved to Delhi in 1964 and obtained his M.A. in History from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Delhi, LLB from Faculty of Law,University of Delhi and LL.M (Master's in Law) from Harvard Law School in 1977.

Kapil Sibal joined the Bar association in 1972. A year later in 1973, he qualified for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and was offered an appointment, but declined the offer. Instead he decided to set up his own law practice.[2][3] He was designated as a Senior Lawyer in 1983. He has been the Additional Solicitor General of India between 1989 and 1990.[2][4]

In August, 2008 an Anthology of Kapil Sibal's poems titled "i witness" was published by Roli Books, New Delhi. He has also contributed several articles on various prominent issues such as security, nuclear proliferation, terrorism etc., in national dailies and periodicals. He won a landslide victory in the constituency of Chandni Chowk for the Indian National Congress against popular TV star Smriti Irani of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Over the years, he has held several important positions in the Government of India and the Society, such as : Additional Solicitor General of India (December 1989–1990) ; Member, Board of Management, Indira Gandhi National Open University (1993) ; President, Supreme Court Bar Association (1995–96, 1997–98 and 2001–2002) ; Member, Rajya Sabha (July 1998) ; Member, Executive Council, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (July, 2001) ; Member, Business Advisory Committee (August, 2001) ; Member, Committee on Home Affairs (January, 2002) ; Co-chairman, Indo-US Parliamentary Forum (2002) ; Member, Board of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (2002) ; Member, Programme Board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Indian AIDS initiative (2003) ; Member, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention set up by the Human Rights Commission, Geneva.

Kapil Sibal has visited several countries such as the USA, Canada, Switzerland, China, Bhutan, Vietnam, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal and several South East Asian Countries, throughout Europe and North Africa.

He represented India in the Annual Meetings of the World Economic Forum in 2005 and 2009 held at Davos, Switzerland. He led the Indian delegation to the Annapolis Conference, USA, held to gather International support for establishment of a Palestinian State and the realization of Israeli–Palestinian Peace during November 2007. He led the Indian delegation to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Bali in December 2007.

In the 2004 general elections, Sibal won the elections by a large margin from Chandni Chowk constituency in the National Capital Territory representing the Congress Party by a and was inducted into the Cabinet under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. In the 2009 elections, he again won by a large margin from Chandni Chowk constituency and in the second Manmohan Singh government took charge of the key Human Resource Development ministry.

Minister Sibal has recently approved the creation of an Indian Institute of Technology Muddenahalli as part of the 11th 5 year plan.[5] He is also the person who introduced the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system in India for class IX and Class X.
Kapil Sibal
Comment: Constitution, Corruption, Context, Cancer, Cure all getting muddled by GOM
Breaking News
Anna calls for 'jail bharo' agitation from April 12, 2011

Victory to Veteran Anna Hazare- Corruption Crusade takes Center stage

Dear Colleagues,
As is known Veteran Anna Hazare is to sit on fast at Jantar Mantar on 5 April 2011. His is a clarion call against corruption in the country. The scourge of corruption is affecting each one of us who have contributed in India’s rise to her present position in the world order. Anna’s cause is dear to us and the IESM is extending full support to his movement. IESM will set up a tent close to the venue of Anna’s fast. All veterans in the NCR are requested to visit Jantar Mantar on 5 April 2011 from 10:00 am onwards and on all following days to express our solidarity with the cause of ‘India against Corruption’. Veterans in other cities are requested to join and support related events being held in other cities.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Dear All
FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION VETERAN ANNA HAZARE HAS STARTED FAST UNTO DEATH ON 05 APRIL 2011. The brave veteran Anna Hazare who had vowed to fight corruption has started his fast unto death at Jantar Mantar till Government agrees to the amendments suggested by citizen to the Draft LokPal bill. With these amendments the LokPal would be given teeth to fight corruption and to punish corrupt politicians, judges and bureaucrats. Veteran Anna Hazare, a true Gandhian, paid tributes to Mahatama Gandhi at Rajghat in the morning along with his team and marched from Rajghat to Jantar Mantar. Veteran Anna Hazare reached the Jantar Mantar at 1200h and started his fast with a Yajya. He was very peaceful and one could feel holy calm on him and on his body.
The podium was full with eminent citizens like swami Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi, Sh Arun Kejriwal, retired bureaucrats and retired judges and many more eminent citizens. The supporters of Baba Ramdev of Bharat vikas manch, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar of art of living and Indian Ex servicemen movement IESM were present in large numbers at Jantar Mantar. There were more than 7000 supporters and all were ecstatic and were shouting slogans for veteran Anna Hazare. Speaker after speaker criticized the Government and asked the Prime Minister to accept the amendments to the draft bill and make the institution of Lok Pal stronger and effective so that biggest evil, CORRUPTION, is routed out of India.
IESM has pitched a tent alongside the tent of Veteran Anna Hazare. Governing body of IESM was present there in full strength including the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Gen Secretary. More than 400 veterans (about 150 officers including 15 Generals and 250 JCOs and ORs) came to Jantar Mantar to show solidarity with the cause and one of their veteran who has displayed extreme courage to take on the Government and sought amendments to the draft of LokPal bill proposed by the Government.IESM confirms full support to the cause of veteran Anna Hazare and has decided that a minimum of five veterans (Officers, JCOs and ORs ) would be present at Jantar Mantar every day and would observe fast for the day in support of the cause of Veteran Anna Hazare. Some pictures of the event of 5 April 2011 are attached for the information of all. IESM requests all veterans in Delhi and NCR to come to Jantar Mantar to support the noble cause and observe minimum one day fast to show solidarity with the veteran Anna Hazare. All volunteers who wish to show solidarity with the cause and wish to volunteer to undertake the fast and be present at IESM tent may give names with date to the staff present in the IESM tent.
All state conveners are requested to support the cause and take similar action in state capitals to support the local citizens undertaking fast in support of the amendments. A report of the state activities supporting the cause may be put up on net.
ALL VETERANS TAKE A VOW THAT WE WOULD NOT GIVE BRIBE FOR ANY WORK AND WE WOULD MAKE INDIA A CORRUPTION FREE SOCIETY. LET US ALL GET-TOGETHER AND CONVERT HEAVE INTO A SHOVE AND REMOVE THIS MOUNTAIN OF CORRUPTION FROM INDIA
Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM

Politicians and their relatives who have Swiss Bank/ Similar Accounts must remit office. Wise move by Pawar. Hope others will follow...
Happy to quit anti-corruption panel: Pawar

Join Anna's Crusade now before it is too late
Political corruption and bureaucratic corruption in India are vexing concerns of every citizen. A 2005 study done by Transparency International found that more than 15% (18 crore) of the people in India had first hand experience of paying bribe or peddling influence to get any type of job done in a public office. Transparency International estimates that truckers pay annually a whopping Rs 200 Crores in bribes (It is not fuel but bribes that are increasing transportation cost and corresponding inflation). For 2010, India was ranked 87th of 178 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. As of 2010, India is amongst the most corrupt governments in the world. Do you want this scourge to be erased or India go a Banana Republic? Join Anna in his crusade to cure the cancer of corruption. Anna's therapy is akin to Radiation Therapy "The Jan Lokpal Bill" to rid Cancerous Corruption.