Letters to the Editor: Dec 18, 2018

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December 18, 2018

Gimmicks must not be allowed as part of poll-manifestoes

Former Governor of RBI, Raghuram Rajan has very rightly raised concerns about vote-catching gimmicks like loan-waivers for farmers which very adversely affect the economy and mute middle-class tax-payers, with farmers ultimately at loss by the one time advantage of availing the gimmick loan-waiver. There must be a complete ban on such promises like subsidies, loan-waivers etc. to be part of poll-manifestoes of political parties.

Ultimate sufferers of such loan-waivers is the mute category of middle-class tax-payers who has to bear brunt of additional taxes or cost-inflation due to the deficit economy caused due to loan-waivers, subsidies or other schemes directly affecting public exchequers. Even the subsidy system should be fast abolished in a gradual manner. Agricultural income over a certain limit should be taxed because ordinary category of farmers have no benefit from such tax-free income while ultra-rich personalities including famous celebrity-icons and politicians misuse the provision by declaring their unaccounted income as agricultural income by purchasing agricultural land specially for the purpose.

Loan-waivers to farmers is big gimmick and pushing them again in Mahajan-system because after a loan-waiver, banks cannot finance them in future. Also such loan-waivers are limited only for previous years where many of farmers have already repaid loans. This kind of political gimmickry stops many others loans who are capable from repaying loans.

Madhu Agrawal

Simplify Income Tax procedure

Presently Income Tax Department provides two types of numbers, namely — Permanent Account Number – PAN, and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number – TAN. While PAN is to be obtained for every tax-payer, TAN is a special number required only by those responsible for Tax Deducted at Source -TDS. Those required to obtain TAN number have to go through a cumbersome procedure of filing TDS returns every quarter even though tax is deducted at source only say once in a complete year. Moreover there can be cases where TDS provision may be required to be used only once in several years. It troubles a lot such TAN holders who are unnecessarily compelled to file TDS returns as nil every quarter. Even Income Tax Department has to spend much on staff and other overheads for managing those registered under TAN, and to process TDS returns filed as nil.

Income Tax Department should abolish the requirement for having TAN number by assesses required to deduct tax at source. PAN-holders may file TDS returns on basis of their PAN-numbers only in the quarter where tax is deducted at source. Rather, filing of TDS returns on monthly basis can be implemented but only when tax is deducted at source in a particular month. Since TDS accounts for a big proportion of total revenue collected through Income Tax, Income Tax Department will be beneficial to get TDS on monthly basis rather than leaving it with assesses for a complete quarter.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Rafale verdict favourable for Modi

The Supreme Court’s judgement on Rafale is favourable for Modi and the NDA Government and will certainly improve their image in the days to come, which may have otherwise dented due to the opposition’s allegations. However, it seems that the Congress is not willing to let the issue die down and will continue to fight till the coming elections.

Jubel D’Cruz

Pappu has passed

Pappu has passed in three states. Bringing an end to its prolonged electoral losses since 2014, the Congress ousted the BJP to win Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh, the nail-biting contest reached its finale December 11, morning at 12pm, after the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 114 seats. The Congress has come back to power in the name of development. These winnings will definitely boost the Congress to fight the 2019 poll. Before that, its responsibility is to make good the promises which have led it to assembly. BJP will have to be careful of Pappu in 2019 election and change its policies.

Mohd Umar

Congratulations to Congress

Billions of congratulations for the Congress party that has formed governments in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after BJP’s disappointing performance in the three State Assembly polls. The 2018 assembly elections proved to be a landmark moment for the Congress President Rahul Gandhi, as for the first time in his political career that he has led his party to a conclusive victory, a clear majority in one state and a borderline majority in another. I hope that he will show them what Modi has done with the farmers.

Shaban Ahmad Qasmi

BJP pipped to the post

The ruling BJP in Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were pipped at the post by the resurgent Congress party as the saffron party suffers huge loses in the 3 three states. In Telegana, TRS was the ultimate winner with a clear majority. In Rajasthan, there was tough fight between the Congress and the BJP and the former emerged as the single largest party in the 230 seats assembly. In Mirzoram, Congress lost power to MNF and the presence of Congress from North East region has been totally wiped out. Congress made headway in the 3 states as BJP’s policy backfired and ousted them out of power. It is time for Modi and the ministers to regain their lost ground before the 2019 Parliamentary Elections.

Chitra Rugmini

PV Sindhu’s Gold Medal a gift for Saina Nehwal on her wedding day!

PV Sindhu finally offloads the rabbit off her shoulder of the jinx of losing finals as she wins the World Tour Finals after seven successive losses in title clashes to celebrate an early New Year Party this year. Beating former World Champion Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in straight games in a WTF finals proves her mantle and class which we Indians never doubted. She has it all in her and her next aim should be an Gold Medal at the next Olympics and World Championships.

Her Gold Medal was also a wedding gift to fellow Indian shuttler and compatriot Saina Nehwal who got married on the same week she won the trophy for her country. Sindhu and Saina may have been arch rivals but their on-court struggles and battles does bring the best in them which truly has benefited our nation over the years. Well played PV Sindhu. Every Indian is proud of your performance!

SN Kabra

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Kerala: Hadiya’s father joins BJP

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

KM Ashokan, father of the 26-year-old Kerala woman Hadiya, who converted to Islam and married a Muslim man in 2016, has joined the BJP.

Born in a Hindu family as Akhila Asokan, the lady became a Muslim and adopted the name ‘Hadiya’ after entering into wedlock with Jahan in 2016.

The matter had hit the headlines, when Hadiya’s father, KM Asokan, went to the court, claiming his daughter has fallen victim to ‘love jihad’.

The HC annulled Hadiya’s marriage in May 2017 over a National Investigation Agency (NIA) report, claiming that Hadiya was a victim of indoctrination and psychological kidnapping.

The court also sent the woman to her parents’ custody, following which her husband moved the Supreme Court, which in March 2018 restored their marriage and also allowed NIA to continue its probe into other alleged love jihad instances.

In March, the Supreme Court restored marriage of Hadiya and Shafin Jahan after the Kerala High Court had annulled their marriage on the complaint of Hadiya’s father.

‘Working to bring 99% things in sub-18% GST slab’: PM Modi

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

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Indicating that further simplification of the Goods and Services Tax is on the anvil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government wants to ensure that ‘99 per cent things’ attract sub-18 per cent GST slab.

Before implementation of the GST, registered enterprises only numbered 65 lakh, which has now risen by 55 lakh, Modi said, addressing the Republic Summit in Mumbai.

“Today, the GST system has been established to a large extent and we are working towards a position where 99 per cent things will attract the sub-18 per cent GST slab,” Modi said.

Modi indicated that the 28 per cent slab of GST would only be restricted to a few select items, such as luxury goods.

The Prime Minister said the effort will be to ensure that 99 per cent of all items, including almost all items used by the common man, would be kept at a GST slab of 18 per cent or less.

“We are of the opinion of making GST as smooth as possible for the enterprises,” he said.

“In earlier days, the GST was framed according to the existing VAT or excise tax structures exercised in those respective states. (With) the discussions held from time to time, the tax system is getting improved,” Modi said.

“The country was demanding GST for decades. I am pleased to say that GST implementation has removed contradictions in the trade market and efficiency of system is improving. The economy is also getting transparent,” Modi said.

Even a small tax reform in developed countries is not easy, he said.

Modi also spoke of his government’s commitment to root out corruption.

“Corruption had been taken as a new normal in India.

It was ‘Chalta hai’. Whenever anyone used to speak up, someone would say, ‘This is India. This is how it is’,” Modi said.

“Why should it be like this,” he said.

When companies used to be unable to repay loans, nothing used to happen to them and their owners, he said.

“That is because since the start they had been given protection from probes by certain ‘special people’, he added.

Modi also dwelt on his government’s initiative to provide gas connections to households.

“Till 2014, only 55 per cent houses in the country had a gas connection. Imagine that. Our government is working towards finding permanent solutions and ending those practices that have held progress back for decades,” he said.

The work to build a New India is going on, he said.

Nobody thought Cong leaders will get convicted: Modi on riots

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

Highlighting the delay in justice for victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said nobody would have imagined that Congress leaders will get convicted in the case.
Modi was speaking at the Republic Summit in Mumbai.

“Four years ago, nobody ever thought of Congress leaders getting convicted in the 1984 Sikh massacre and that people (victims) would get justice,” the PM said.

Modi’s remarks came a day after senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life term for “remainder of his natural life” in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case by the Delhi High Court which said the riots were a “crime against humanity” perpetrated by those who enjoyed “political patronage”.

The high court said though it was “undeniable” that it took over three decades to punish the accused in the case, it was important to assure the victims that despite challenges faced by the court, “truth will prevail and justice will be done”.

At the Summit, Modi also took a dig at the Congress over the recent Supreme Court ruling on allegations related to procurement of Rafale jet fighters for the Indian Air Force.

“For the first time it has happened that the country’s top court was approached over some allegations related to corruption. And they got a clear verdict which said whatever work has been done (in the Rafale deal), has been done with transparency and honesty,” Modi said.

Nobody ever thought such thing could take place four years ago (when Congress was in power), Modi said.
“We have a psychology wherein we believe more in corruption allegations against the government. Whether it is malpractice or corruption charges, the psychology has remained same,” Modi said.

“Nobody thought four years ago that one day, Christian Michel, key person in the (AgustaWestland) helicopter scam, would be in India. The dots are being connected,” he said.

No line was crossed in second Test: Kohli

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday said there was no swearing or personal attacks during his verbal duel with Australian skipper Tim Paine and no line was crossed in the second Test.
The second Test, which India lost by 146 runs, turned out to be a heated affair with Kohli and Paine engaging in a never-ending war of words, which even prompted umpire Chris Gaffaney to step in on the fourth morning on Monday.
“Well, it is definitely nothing compared to 2014 to be honest,” said Kohli referring to the 2014 Test series where he was engaged in heated exchanges with some Australian players.
“As long as there is no swearing on the field, and there’s no personal attacks, the line doesn’t get crossed. That’s it!.
“But look, in competitive spirit it stays on the field. I am not going to go into details but to be honest it’s not of importance for me to speak on and it’s something that’s done,” he said after India were dismissed for 140 in the second innings.
Kohli had scored a 123 in the first innings but his dismissal of a controversial catch in the first innings came under scrutiny but the Indian skipper simply shrugged off any suggestions that he had expressed displeasure at the soft signal.
“I don’t think I showed any displeasure at the dismissal at all. Appeal was made on call and that’s it. It was done, Australia played better cricket than us and they deserved to win,” he said.
Kohli credited Australia for outplaying India, saying his batsman failed to come up with the goods, especially in the second innings.
“In the second innings, I thought we couldn’t apply ourselves as much as we should have. In the first innings, we were committed and fully determined in our batting effort and there was no shortage of that,” Kohli told reporters.
“But I will say that Australia played better cricket than us and they played more consistently. That’s why then won the match. Beyond that, I don’t think I need to over-analyse this game, we are still in a very good space. If we show greater composure, we can repeat what we did in Adelaide.
“We are looking forward to Melbourne now. This Test match is done, the series is poised well and both teams have played good cricket. I think everyone should look forward to that … our focus is definitely on MCG Test,” he added.
The poor form of openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul was one of the reasons behind India’s failure in the second Test.
Kohli, however, said that they are fully backing the openers to come good and haven’t thought of a new opening combination with Mayank Agarwal inducted into the Test squad Monday in place of injured Prithvi Shaw.
“We didn’t announce that we are going to have a new opening combination,” Kohli said when asked about induction of Mayank Agarwal for the Boxing Day Test.
“You just have to keep backing them and keep telling them that they belong and they are good enough to perform. It is not even giving someone individual goals. It’s just telling them that this is what we require as a team from the opener,” he said.
“I think as a batting group, we have spoken a lot about those things. Executing it or not is again a thing of variables in a sport. I am sure that these guys have figured out what has gone wrong in this game, specially, and they are very keen to correct it themselves.
“There’s not much that you can say, to be honest. You just have to be confident as a side and individuals to a certain extent have to take responsibility of that. The guys are obviously looking forward to taking that responsibility,” he added.
Kohli said there was never a lack of belief even when they were 112/5 at stumps on day 4 chasing 287 to win.
“… cricket is a game of variables, you can’t win every time. But there was definitely no sense of lack of belief,” he said.
“Even with Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari overnight, they believed that they can get big partnership and win us the game. So, I think the belief is very important to have.

Banking Bubble Bursts

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C K Subramaniam

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December 18, 2018

As an ex-bank officer, I feel that frequent transfer of bank managers is also responsible for the poor realisation of debts. After one manager, who sanctioned the loan is transferred, his successor does not take steps to realise the amount on due date. Instead, they try to play the blame game as BJP and Congress are now playing. If the new manager tries the tricks up his sleeves, the defaulter uses his clout at the head office, to sabotage the effort. In a vast country or sub-continent like ours, there is too much over-centralisation. Why PMO should be concerned with NPA, when there are Finance Ministry or Reserve Bank, SEBI and a host of Non-Performing Agencies of the government of India in case of bad loans and advances.

In the present position, we would like to see that the government bailout few thousand crores worth of small MUDRA loans, rather than wait and ultimately write off the fat loans of industrialists after a long wait. The RBI governor must find ways and means to stop lakhs of black money, which is moving out of circulation instead of talk on farm loan wavier as a cause for reducing the flow of credit. It is time to act swiftly rather than simply wasting time on discussion, allegation and counter-allegation alone. Raghuram Rajan, Former RBI Head confess that the Rupee value degradation was due to the bad loan which was given during the starting phase of 2006 and further. It is all about decision-making and government should take corrective action. But who will correct the wrongdoings of the UPA government?

Corruption, dishonesty and incompetence supersede all the reasons stated by Mr. Rajan, and it is a pity that he has not chosen to be candid. While the BJP said that the UPA’s mismanagement was the reason for the NPAs, the Congress alleged that despite a warning from Rajan, the Centre failed to take any action. The need of the hour is that the banks, former PM, former FM to react and reveal the facts of the NPA muddle. People must know what went wrong, who caused this mess, whether it is curable, whether the credibility of banks can be restored and regain peoples faith in the system. A holistic approach to the fact of the matter is of prime importance. Bad loans and NPAs are nowadays a big challenge for India or can be in future. This is due to lack of credit monitoring while providing a loan.

It is high time that the loan waiver should be discouraged. Any incentive should be given in the form of subsidy or reward or capacity development fund, but not force another commercial organisation like a bank or electricity board. It’s unethical and unfair and hiding revenue deficit. It’s a good time for NGOs like ‘Common Cause’ Election Commission and Supreme Court to take up this ‘populist’ promises and action under electoral laws. State governments are the major culprits in this issue. Every year we see farm loans being waived at the cost of taxpayers’ money. It is time to intervene and put a ban on loan waivers. Discretionary powers of politicians, on public spending should be restricted and regulated. Public funds should be used prudently and subject to regular strict audit. All organisations getting income tax rebates should be under RTI. CAG should have the power to audit public funding. CAG should be strengthened and modernised.

The nation has created on the one end an entitlement mentality through doles for votes including waiver of loans, while on the other end, a license to cheat with loans of thousands of crores which to anyone would appear to have been given only for questionable consideration to bankers and politicians. Small loans are worth the risk and can help many small businessmen and those who want to start a business, unlike NPAs benefit only the likes the richest. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely as far as Banking loans are concerned. These bad loans and NPAs are making the rich richer and the poor remains the poorer.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

We never thought about spin option, says Virat Kohli

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

Virat Kohli, Kohli, Skipper, Indian Cricket Team, Indian Captain — Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

Skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday said the thought of having a spinner for the second Test against Australia never crossed his mind as he believed India’s four-pronged pace attack would do the job.

India lost the match by 146 runs.

The visitors were outdone by a second successive eight-wicket haul by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was adjudged the man-of-the-match, on a pitch that favoured the seamers.

“When we looked at the pitch, we didn’t think about the (Ravindra) Jadeja option. We thought four quicks would be enough,” said Kohli after India were bowled out for a paltry 140 in their second innings on the fifth and final day.

“Nathan Lyon bowled really well. We never thought about the spin option to be honest.”

Asked about his 123-run innings in the first innings, Kohli said: “When you don’t win you don’t really rank your performances so it’s irrelevant because we didn’t get the result we wanted.

“I am focused on the next game and I hope I can contribute on a winning note.”

The India skipper praised Australia for the win, saying the hosts were relentless in their bowling and also outshone the visitors in batting.

“As a team I think we played well in patches which we can hold onto. Australia played much better than us with the bat. 330 on that pitch we felt was a bit too much. They deserved to win,” he said.

“We had the belief we could do it, but they were more relentless and put us in trouble.”

Talking about India’s bowling performance, Kohli said: “(Our bowlers) are outstanding as a pack, to see them dominate was really good to see and something we want to build on. They are relentless even if they aren’t getting wickets which is a great quality.”

Asked about his controversial dismissal in the first innings, Kohli: “It was a decision made on the field, it stays there.”

Australian skipper Tim Paine was a relieved man after his team won their first Test since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa had plunged the game into crisis.

“It’s probably more a relief at the moment, first Test win has taken a while,” Paine said after Australia levelled the four-Test series 1-1.

“Really proud of the players and staff. Good to get a little bit of reward. It was as difficult Test, both have been tough Tests. Two really competitive sides with good fast bowling attack.”

Paine said the opening partnership between Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris in the first innings made a lot of difference.

“Day one was a bit of a funny one, we crossed our fingers. Marcus and Aaron, to get us none for 100 was brilliant and probably the difference in the end,” he said, referring to their 112-run opening stand.

Usman Khawaja scored a valuable 72 in the second innings after flopping in the opening Test and Paine hoped a big hundred is round the corner for the star batsman.

“Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) has been batting well for a long time. He’s in a really good space. If he keeps batting the way he is right now, I am sure some big runs are going to come.”

He also praised Lyon for his exploits.

“It’s great to have Lyon in our team. Every team would want to have him in their team. You can throw him the ball in any condition, at any end, any time against any team and he loves bowling to the best players in the world.”

It was also his Paine’s first win as a captain.

“It’s a huge honour to captain the Australian side. Now to do it at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test is a special feeling. We all can’t wait to get to Melbourne,” he said.

Lyon was ecstatic to play a role in Australia’s win.

“It’s amazing to play a role in a victory, haven’t had one in a while. It’s fair to say we’ve been in a drought, so good to break. Was special to wrap the tail up quickly,” he said.

“My role probably changed a bit, attacking in Adelaide to a defending on here. But luckily they ran down to the wicket to create a few footholes.

“When you come up against the best players, to compete against Virat and take his wicket was pretty special. Big thanks to my brother, I’m not a very good batter so just trying to play my role.

Aircel-Maxis case: Protection from arrest to Chidambaram extended till Jan 11

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Web Team

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December 18, 2018

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A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till January 11 the protection granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis scam.

Special Judge O P Saini extended the relief granted to Chidambaram and his son Karti after the CBI and the ED submitted that new material has been recovered which needs to be collated.

It also granted time till January 11 to the CBI to get sanction to prosecute some of the people accused in the case.

The CBI had on November 26 told the court that Centre had granted sanction to prosecute P Chidambaram.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in grant of FIPB approval in Aircel-Maxis deal.

Sajjan Kumar Convicted: When will other rioters pay for their sins?

By

Moumita Mukherjee

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December 17, 2018

Both before and after the independence, India has suffered multiple riots and the 1984 anti-Sikh Riots which are also known as the 1984 Sikh Massacre is marked in the history as a wide-scale violence that was led by the Congress leaders targeting the Sikhs as an aftermath of the assassination of the then PM Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31 and it killed more than 3,000 Sikhs across India.

The list of such lawlessness and rampage includes dreadful occurrences like the 1969 and 2002 Gujarat Riots, the 1970 Bhiwandi Riots, the 1980 Moradabad Riots, the 1989 Bhagalpur Riots and the Kashmir Riots, the 1992-93 Bombay Riots, the 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots, etc. After the Delhi High Court found Sajjan Kumar guilty in the 1984 anti-Sikh Riots and on Monday sentenced him to jail “for the remainder of his natural life”, the question concerning when other rioters behind the major massacres will be convicted started striking!

Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, 73, was convicted in the killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar and the torching of a Gurdwara in Delhi on November 1, 1984. A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel convicted Kumar for criminal conspiracy to commit murder, abetment, delivering speeches instigating violence against the Sikhs and disrupting communal harmony. The court gave a shout-out to the victims who fought for justice for 34 long years and suffered intimidation and harassment and said, “The Truth will prevail and justice will be done”. The court has also cancelled an earlier court order acquitting him of charges in what the judges called “genocide”. It has directed Sajjan Kumar to not leave the city of Delhi and to surrender by December 31. The riots were a ‘crime against humanity’ perpetrated by those who enjoyed ‘political patronage’ the bench asserted.

Similarly, the HC upheld the convictions and awarded varying sentences to the former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former MLAs Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar, who were also declared guilty of criminal conspiracy to burn down residences of Sikh families and a Gurdwara in the area during the riots.

AAP leader Ravi Srivastava said, “The conviction of Sajjan Kumar is a welcome judgement. Now, the Court should also book those who have been sheltering or providing protection to the accused like Kumar.”

“Sometimes, some SITs (Special Investigation Teams) are formed to investigate cases like riots; when another government comes, it rejects that SIT report leading to these judgements being prolonged for 34 years. The same happened in the 2002 Gujarat Riots too and those who were involved in the same are at the helm of affairs today. The trials should happen in the Fast Track courts so that the punishment can be given as early as possible giving a lesson to the people who do such violence or genocide,” Srivastava further added.

The saga of gruesome violence disregarding human rights severely cramped the secular social fabric of India and continues to remain a huge hitch in the path of national progress. The tales of death and despair distinctly display the prevailing worst scenario. The Bhiwandi Riots of 1970 that killed 250 people is noted as one of the dangerous of its kind incidents that has happened in Mumbai. The main reason for the riots was a procession taken out to commemorate the birthday of Shivaji. The 1980 Moradabad Riots in Uttar Pradesh brutally took around 400 lives. It reportedly started when the Hindus placed a pig before a mosque and Muslims, in turn, alerted the local police about the proceedings. Allegedly, the cops ignored the complaints and the situation went out of the hands when the policemen shot a few rounds at the common people — the religious clashes continued for four months from August to November.

The impetus to the 1992-93 Bombay Riots that killed 900-1,000 people, both Muslims and Hindus, was the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, UP, that led to massive communal clashes. Apart from the island city, many other states were also affected in the riots where hundreds of common man became homeless.

The 2002 killings of Muslims in Gujarat or notable Gujarat Riots continue to be a part of the discourse of political party-sponsored violence. The saga of mass murder started with the burning of the Sabarmati Express carrying Hindu pilgrims who were coming back from Ayodhya. This created massive uproar leading to another three-day mass murder episode that killed thousands of people including children. Reportedly, more than 200 people also went missing.

The 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots is another crying shame on the face of Uttar Pradesh and the reason behind the violence is still unknown. Started with a clash between the Hindus and Muslims on August 21, 2013, lives of more than 50,000 people in the state shattered. Muzaffarnagar Riots led to the death of 62 people while 13 incidents of sexual violence like gang rape were also reported during the riots.

BJP spokesperson Prof. Suhas Pharande stated, “The pending cases should be addressed as fast as possible and the Congress, especially, Rahul Gandhi should answer the nation on this issue. Justice delayed is Justice denied. 34 years are too long and this case should have been concluded way before. Justice should be deployed within 1 or 2 years of such brutal incidents.”

The political blame game is one of the inevitable consequences whenever the country witnesses horrific mass crimes that cause the death of several lakhs of civilians, including Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus. Commenting on the conviction of Sajjan Kumar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “This was the worst kind of genocide. Thousands of innocents were burnt and killed by mobs led by the Congress leaders. Instead of ensuring justice, the Congress government indulged in a cover-up.” Keeping the unwritten tradition of blame game alive, senior Congress leader and the former union minister Kapil Sibal hit back at BJP. He said, “Sajjan Kumar had not been allowed to contest elections and held no office. What about the PM (Narendra Modi), who encouraged (riot accused) Maya Kodnani, who was jailed in the 2002 Gujarat riots (she was acquitted in April).” Meanwhile, Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga on Monday started an indefinite hunger strike against Kamal Nath being nominated for the post of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, alleging that Nath was involved in the anti-Sikh Riots of 1984. He said that the hunger strike will continue till Kamal Nath is replaced by someone else as the CM of Madhya Pradesh. Several BJP leaders are supporting Bagga’s protest.

CPI(M) veteran leader Rabin Deb spoke to AV and expressed, “There are lakhs of cases pending in the Indian Courts and the case of Sajjan Kumar came to a conclusion after 34 long years. This is one of the faces of the governance that runs in our country! As it’s better late than never, if one case has been concluded, other such cases of riots can be given justice soon. If the Judiciary and the government don’t act swiftly on this, I don’t think the state of affairs will change much.”

Sanjay Nirupam exposes the reality of AEML Bill Connection Centres

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Web Team

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December 17, 2018

Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam today exposed the reality of the bill collection centres of AEML (Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited) as he visited one such centre in Andheri. Nirupam had urged Mumbaikars who have been the victims of the power tariff high to join him as he met with the officials of the bill collection centre.

Sanjay Nirupam said, “AEML said that these bill collection centres were set up to hear and resolve the grievances of the consumers. However, today we saw that nothing is being done in these centres and those who are approaching the officials with their complaints, AEML is disconnecting their electricity. Is this how AEML plans to help Mumbaikars?”

“When the bills witnessed a sudden rise in the August and September, we tried to convey this issue and its seriousness to AEML. At first the company stated that there has been an increase in the energy consumption which is a lie. Then they said that the increased amount is an average of three months which was later proven to be a lie too. AEML then blamed MERC for having increased the tariff. While MERC has been calling this hike marginal, Mumbaikars have received bills which have either been doubled or have increased by 4 to 5 times suddenly”, added an agitated Nirupam.

The Mumbai Congress Unit Chief demanded the officials that when Mumbaikars approach these centres with increased electricity bills, the matters must be investigated and electricity supply should not be disconnected in any household of Mumbai. Sanjay Nirupam also accused the regulatory body MERC of working hand in glove with AEML as the cries of the Mumbaikars continue to fall on deaf ears. Sanjay Nirupam also said that if the tariff rates aren’t brought down, a huge protest will be initiated in the benefit of Mumbaikars.