Internal security improved vastly in last 4 years: Rajnath

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December 16, 2018

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the internal security scenario in the country has vastly improved ever since the NDA government came to power in 2014.

Addressing a ‘Vijay Diwas’ function, Singh said the left-wing extremism- affected districts have shrunk from 90 to just about 12, while there has been an 80 per cent decline in insurgency in the northeast.

“The internal security scenario has vastly improved during the last four years,” he said.

The Home Minister said the Border Security Force (BSF), which guards the Indo-Pak border, has been given complete freedom to retaliate effectively to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Singh said the ex-servicemen can play a key role in inculcating a sense of national pride among the youths.

Recalling the heroics of Brigadier Mohammad Usman, Maha Vir Chakra awardee and Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra, Singh said some youths today have their idols in cricketers and film stars, but if someone asks them to name Param Vir Chakra recipients, they may not be able to name even one.

The Home Minister said martyrs like Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh were all driven by passionate patriotism.

“The society has to stand up with the veterans today and an action plan needs to be framed to preserve individual honour and nation’s integrity among the citizens,” he said.

Singh said our armed forces proved in 1971 that they have the capability to rewrite history and redraw maps. The Indian Army has since emerged as a professional model before the world, he said.

Singh also declared that he would contribute his one month’s salary to the organisation’s corpus for martyrs’ welfare.

‘Vijay Diwas’ is celebrated to mark India’s historic victory over Pakistan in 1971 war which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Bhupesh Baghel announced as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister

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Web Team

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December 16, 2018

Bhupesh Baghel is the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Being the state’s Congress chief, he led the party in Chhattisgarh from the front.

After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on the name of Baghel.

The final announcement was made after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting which took place here on Sunday afternoon.

Little before the announcement, Congress observer for Chhattisgarh Mallikarjun Kharge along with PL Punia and former leader of opposition in Chhattisgarh assembly TS Singh Deo arrived here in a chartered flight.

They immediately drove straight to party’s headquarters where a brief meeting with party legislators followed.

Baghel, who met party president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday in Delhi, arrived here on Sunday morning.

Yesterday, the Gandhi scion held discussions with senior state leaders TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Baghel and Charan Das Mahant at his residence in the national capital.

Congress’s state in-charge for party affairs PL Punia had already informed that the new chief minister would take oath in Raipur on Monday evening.

Death toll in food poisoning incident at Karnataka temple rises to 13

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Web Team

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December 16, 2018

The death toll in the food poisoning incident at a temple in Chamarajnagar district rose to 13 with two more deaths on Sunday, Health Department officials said.

Joint Director Health Department Suresh Shastry said two deaths were reported at Apollo Hospital Sunday.

The deceased were identified as Mageshwari, 36, and Salamma, 35, he said, adding with the two deaths, the toll rose to 13.

One Sharat was critical, he said.

The official said four patients were on ventilator at Suyogh hospital and two of them were critical. He said one more person might need the assisted ventilation.

The tragedy occurred on Friday morning at Sulavadi village where special pooja was conducted at the Maramma Devi temple for groundbreaking ceremony. Later, prasad was distributed and those who consumed it started complaining of stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea-like symptoms. They were rushed to hospitals in Bengaluru, Mysuru as well as neighbouring towns.

At least 100 people are still hospitalised, sources in the Health Department said.

A sample of prasad was sent for lab test the same day.

Police are probing suspected foul play in the incident and the villagers have urged the government to take over the temple management as stories are doing rounds that factional feud within the temple management led to the prasad’s poisoning.

It has also emerged that the CCTV cameras installed in the temple were defunct. Two people have been detained.

PM Modi attacks Congress in Sonia Gandhi’s stronghold Raebareli

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Web Team

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December 16, 2018

Taking on the Congress in Sonia Gandhi’s home turf, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused earlier governments of neglecting the constituency.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of some projects and inaugurated few others worth Rs 1,100 crore during his first visit to Sonia Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency.

He also flagged off the 900th coach and Humsafar rake made by the Modern Coach Factory here.

“The Centre is committed to development of Raebareli. Earlier governments neglected it,” he said in his first public meeting after the BJP’s loss in recent Assembly polls.

He, however, did not name any party.

Modi, who inspected the Modern Coach Factory, said its neglect was “an example of injustice to the country’s means and resources by previous governments”.

The factory was sanctioned in 2007 but failed to take off, he said.

Congress’s Kamal – New CM of Madhya Pradesh

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Vaidehi Taman

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December 14, 2018

Finally, the speculation over the chief ministerial post in Madhya Pradesh got settled with Kamal Nath being chosen as the next Chief Minister of the state. He is known to be a Congress loyalist and assumed to be so close to the Nehru-Gandhi family that Indira Gandhi referred to him as her ‘third son’. Whereas Congress party workers and the other opposition parties call him ‘Dilli darbari’, this third son brings a huge amount of experience to the table for the party, one that has seen many storms come and pass by. He kept himself deep-rooted in Madhya Pradesh that even the 2014 Narendra Modi tsunami failed to displace him. Kamal Nath has been a warrior; he has been patient and has served the party for the longest time. He has been a member of the Lok Sabha for nine terms and represented Chindwara for 37 successive years. The people of Chhindwara respect him the most and this time they stood by Congress as they are doing it for years. Kamal Nath to take charge in Madhya Pradesh as the next CM was a good news. However, since Jyotiraditya Scindia is a young hardworking leader, he has age and time in his hand. He can mature himself in politics to reach the peaks of state politics. However, we should appreciate him for having accepted the Deputy CM post and together both these leaders should work cordially and at no point of time have any sort of disagreements thus spoiling the image of the Congress party.

The narrow victory margin of the Congress, which has to rely upon other MLAs to win the vote of confidence and continue in power, required a Chief Minister who would be accessible to all the groups and be able to build bridges. Kamal Nath, more than anyone else has well-wishers in all communities across the state and beyond. What is more, Congress would be hoping to repeat the performance and actually improve upon it in the Lok Sabha elections, which are barely four months away. Changing the horse at this stage made little sense. Kamal Nath at the helm is clearly seen as a more formidable leader to take on the BJP and the RSS in the general election. The third factor, which would have weighed in his favour is his vast administrative experience at the Centre. He is acknowledged to have been an efficient Union Minister and quite outstandingly, no serious controversy or corruption scam has dogged his ministerial stints.

Indeed people still recall his skilful handling of India’s cause and interests in international fora as the Union Environment Minister.

Madhya Pradesh would look forward to some of that skill as he tackles the formidable task of addressing farmers’ issues as well as employment generation. Many central ministers of BJP and almost all state cabinet ministers campaigned for the BJP candidates. Shivraj Singh Chouhan had left no stone unturned to ensure his party’s win. He was hopeful until the last moment; but this time, the voters of the state were really not in favour of him. The MP Chief Minister didn’t even mind bending before Yashodhara Raje Scindia in his efforts to ensure BJP’s victory. The differences between Yashodhara and Chouhan is no secret. Chouhan had diminished the stature of Yashodhara in the cabinet expansion last year. The Ministry Of Commerce and Industry had been snatched from Yashodhara, who was given the more lightweight responsibility of sports and youth welfare instead.

Kolaras and Mungaoli both fall under the area of influence of the erstwhile Scindia royals, to which both Yashodhara Raje and her nephew Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia belong. Earlier, Yashodhara had maintained a distance from the election campaign. Then Shivraj, who sensed BJP’s likely defeat in the election, went to meet Yashodhara and personally invited her to participate in the campaign. After Yashodhara’s entry into the campaign, the competition went from ‘Scindia-vs-Shivraj’ to ‘Scindia vs Scindia’.

Congress won by 61 votes in the Sehrai polling booth, whereas BJP got 49 votes and Congress a whopping 490 votes from Panwari polling booth. This showed a continuing trend of declining popularity of Shivraj, which had become visible during the Chitrakoot Assembly bypoll also. Even then, Congress got a huge number of votes wherever the Chief Minister had campaigned.

On the other hand, Congress chose the right subjects, they could reach people with the right approach, Rahul Gandhi gave a magnificent performance; he connected to the people on the grassroot level. Beyond his efforts, Jyotiraditya and Kamal Nath were extraordinary in making it happen for Congress.

Kamal Nath, who was born in a business family in Kanpur, one of the richest businessmen in the state, he always had the option of joining the BJP. Businessmen do tend to align with the ruling parties. But remarkably again, Kamal Nath has stuck to the Congress through thick and thin. While people recall how Indira Gandhi would affectionately call him her third son, old slogans like “Indira Gandhi Ke Do haath, Sanjay Gandhi aur Kamal Nath” have resurfaced to highlight his loyalty to the Gandhi family. As an astute politician with loads of experience, Congress would expect him to avoid knee-jerk decisions. And one can almost predict that he would steer away from any kind of vendetta against politicians or bureaucrats. Indeed the practical experience and wisdom that he brings to the office would have been a key factor in his favour. His challenges are undoubtedly daunting. He would be expected to keep the different factions in the party united. With several party stalwarts like Ajay Singh, son of former chief minister Arjun Singh, having bitten the dust in the assembly election, it would be challenging to keep the unity intact. And finally, he would be expected by the Congress to prepare for the general election which is just around the corner and make the party battle-ready in three months. In this backdrop, it is hardly surprising that the choice of the Congress, the elected MLAs and the party high command has fallen on the 72-year-old to steer Madhya Pradesh through turbulence. The Congress has shown that the party is not going to rest on its laurels now.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Ra(Ga)fail: SC verdict a halt on debates

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Moumita Mukherjee

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December 14, 2018

At the moment when the India’s oldest political party is celebrating its emergence as the single largest party in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh defeating the saffron party, the Supreme Court giving a clean chit to the Modi government on Rafale jet deal seems to have come as an ‘untimely’ shock for the Congress party.

Giving relief to the ruling government at Centre, the Supreme Court on Friday stated that the decision-making process of the NDA government while purchasing 36 Rafale fighter jets instead of 126 by the previous UPA government from Dassault under Indo-French intergovernmental agreement had no irregularities in it. Moreover, the apex court has also dismissed all the petitions for a court-appointed probe into the deal saying that the “perception by individuals cannot be the subject of roving inquiry” by the court. The three-judge bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices Sanjay Kaul and K M Joseph further asserted, “We can’t sit in judgement over the wisdom of purchase of aircraft and continued stating that “our country cannot be allowed to be underprepared. We have interacted with the senior IAF officers and there is no doubt about the need and quality of the Rafale jets.”

Besides that, the clean chit from the SC to the government also included the pricing of Rafale jets and the selection of Indian offset partners including Anil Ambani owned Reliance Defence by Dassault.

Losing not a minute on the face of rejection from three major Hindi belt states, the Bharatiya Janata Party at a breakneck speed demanded an apology from the Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Earlier, the government had already rejected the demand of making the pricing details of the planes public by Congress citing a secrecy clause in the deal.

BJP MLA Atul Save stated, “The Supreme Court has given a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Modi-led central government has always been fair and all the allegations that Congress has attacked us with are false and hence, the party failed to prove it. Congress has always been telling lies!”

On the other hand, Congress appraised the Supreme Court “finding no substantial evidence of any commercial favouritism in the Rafale deal” as “not a setback at all”. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the Friday’s verdict “a validation of what the Congress party stated months ago that the SC is not the forum to decide such sensitive defence contracts”. In the meanwhile, the party said that it would keep up its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the deal, adding that it was the only forum to look into the alleged corruption. Surjewala further attacked the government for giving ‘one-sided and half-baked information’ to the apex court and challenged the government to submit details to a JPC probe.

Shiv Sena legislator Anil Parab said, “This Rafale jet deal issue is a public issue and not concerned to the Supreme Court and as the people of this country want to know the details of the Rafael deal, the government should disclose it.”

The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. The Congress unremittingly bombarded the incumbent government for indulging in corruption on the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale deal during the poll campaigns for the recently concluded five-state elections. “Chowkidaar chor hai” was among the most-used phrases by the Congress President as the party accused the government for wittingly getting into an expensive contract as compared to the deal negotiated by the previous UPA government only to help Anil Ambani’s defence company bag an offset partnership with the jet manufacturer Dassault.

Calling the Supreme Court’s decision to give a clean chit to the Modi government ‘shocking’, Senior Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap expressed, “Although we shouldn’t talk against the apex court order, however, when the French government has admitted the existence of fraudulent practices in the jet deal, how can the SC overrule this? We’re really shocked to know this. The BJP must have influenced the Supreme Court.”

“We are not going to budge a bit from our demands and will take this issue to the people, on the roads. We will fight against the SC ruling as we are well aware that this is a clear case of fraudulence and this is something against the interest of the country. We won’t tolerate this,” Jagtap concluded.

Running towards the action-packed Lok Sabha 2019 polls and with the recent development after the SC verdict on the issue, it would be interesting to see how the Congress party remains stick to their guns targetting the saffron party while the truth behind the deal and the allegations too seem to have a long way to get disclosed for the voters!

An innovative internet World – Part I

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C K Subramaniam

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December 14, 2018

Life without the Internet, an innovative technology, seems almost unimaginable for most people in India. Today, the Internet is intrinsic to media and communications, entertainment, politics, defence, business, banking, education and also administrative systems as well as to social interaction. The Internet disentangles this extraordinarily complex information and communication technology from its place in our daily lives, allowing it to be examined anew. Technology has historically been shaped by governmental, military and commercial requirements, but the development of the Internet is increasingly driven by its users. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and many other emerging applications are shifting the way we express ourselves, communicate with our friends, and even engage with global politics. At the same time, three-quarters of the world’s population remain effectively excluded from the Internet. Packed with case studies drawn from around the world, the Internet presents a clear and up-to-date introduction to the social, cultural, technological and political worlds this new media form is creating.

In the high competitive world students are striving hard for success. As the stakes are very high the younger generation vie for top honors and the social media is playing a pivotal role in making their dreams come true. So, blaming the youngsters for their inclination to operate Internet, but at the same time they should not cross the limit and break the online laws. Whatever you mention in social media is passing through people faster than light and one should take proper care before posting messages in respect of sensitive matters. There is no question of doing it knowingly or unknowingly but make sure before you do controversial postings in the social media. Misuse of Password and hacking are part and parcel of the present day working. A number of cases are referred to Economic Offence Wing to get clarity and justice of such financial frauds taking place in the Banking Industry. In this context, young generation should mind it not to enter into such cyber crimes and lose their credentials in the society just to make few thousand rupees. The greed may land them behind bars. As a regular and active member on FaceBook, I take all the precautions to protect my decorum and not to be too controversial on subjects relating to sports, cinema or even politics. As a senior citizen, I take this opportunity to give proper feed back to my pals and train them on how to go about the task of becoming a respected citizen of this country without any adverse record and to keep away from the ill effects of social media as well as cyber crimes and lead a trouble life. It is a matter of convenience and that should not come in the way of cropping up fresh problems in a technology based society.

(This the first of the Diary, the latter part will continue on Sunday)

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

Indian farmers can be given relief by promoting allied activities

By

Afternoon Voice

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December 14, 2018

In the second quarter of the financial year 2019, agricultural and allied activities increased at a rate of 3.8 per cent, whereas in the same period of last year there was an increase of 2.6 per cent.

Analysing data reveals that the main contribution in the growth rate of 3.8 per cent is related to allied activities such as animal husbandry, forestry, and fisheries. These areas have increased at a rate of 6.7 per cent. The crop product, which includes vegetables and fruits, has increased by 0.5 per cent.

At present, the agriculture sector is facing diverse problems. Worry is also related to the low price of farm produce. For example, the price of agricultural produce was only (-1.0 per cent in the second quarter of the financial year 2019. The trend of decline in agricultural deflator also confirms the poor condition of the agriculture sector. Most agricultural products in the market are available at less than the minimum support price (MSP). Such a negative situation is persisting in the country, when the government has tried to help farmers through various measures like soil health card, crop insurance scheme, various irrigation programs, Increase the MSP of various produce 1.5 times etc. in the last 4 years.

Low growth in agriculture advances shows that there is a situation of sluggishness in agricultural activities. Data related to agriculture advance and NPA from some banks show that in the quarters of March 2018 to September 2018, the percentage of NPAs has increased in the aggregate agricultural advance. Here, some states have adopted a policy of agricultural debt waiver for gaining benefits in incoming elections. Such a scenario in some states has worsened the situation of NPA. Due to frequently announcement of debt waiver by some states, honest farmers have started to avoid repaying agricultural loans.

Slow growth in credit distribution in the agriculture sector and mounting NPA in agriculture credit is certainly a matter of concern. The growth of non-food credit has improved considerably in the current financial year, but the increase in food credit still remains low. In the current financial year, there has been an increase of about Rs 3.2 lakh crore in non-food credit, while in the case of food credit this growth is just Rs 29,500 crore during April to October 2018. In the month of October, the incremental credit distribution has significantly decreased in comparison to September. Thus, in October, the gross bank credit is only 15 per cent of incremental credit growth. It seems that the work is not being done in accordance with the holistic approach to the development of the agriculture sector. There is a need to adopt more helpful measures to improve the income of farmers.

Measures to reduce problems

NABARD has recently published the report of NAFIS survey, according to which the situation in the agriculture sector is pathetic and the wages are given to agricultural laborer is also low, while in the case of livestock, the growth rate in the second quarter of the financial year 2019 was good. Further, it is estimated to increase allied sector growth by 8 per cent in the current financial year.

In terms of the population of animals, India is the largest country in the world. About 57 per cent of the total population of buffalo in the world is found in India. Animal population in India is 15 per cent of the total population of animals in the world. If animal husbandry is practiced professionally in India then the income of farmers can increase. The farmers are facing various risks due to drought and flood every year. It happens owing to monsoon uncertainties. Actually, such risks are presently on the higher side due to dependency on agriculture.

To increase the income from livestock, it is necessary to promote the indigenous breeds of cows and buffaloes, because in their milk A-2 is found. The A-2 is beta-casin protein, which makes the milk healthy and nutritious. The A-2 allele genes are found in indigenous cows and buffaloes of India. Demand for A-2 milk worldwide is rapidly increasing day by day. The A-2 gene in milk produces opportunities for the farmers of India to earn more money.

India should do research in this area and export more and more A-2 gene based milk. To promote the demand of A2 milk in India, it should be included in the Mid-Day Meal menu. This gives additional income of Rs.7000 per year to 15.83 million farmers. With such initiatives, small and marginal farmers may also be encouraged to earn money. In view of these advantages, Indian indigenous cows are being brought to Brazil. The indigenous breeds of cow are giving more than 70 liters of milk per day in Brazil. Today, Brazil is the largest exporter of indigenous cows of India.

Extend help to farmers through Farmer Generation Organisation (FPO)

The government has set up an FPO for the farmers’ help. It is helping farmers with available resources. The FPO works as a hybrid between cooperative and private companies. It functions as a sub-agent for government agencies in the purchase of agricultural commodities under various government schemes. Such companies buy products in bulk and make them available to the members. It also works to buy products from the members in an organized manner. At the same time, it is also working to provide loans to the members by making synergy with the bank’s officials.

Scheme to promote agricultural income

In order to maximise the benefits to the farmers, Maharashtra has initiated the agri-business and rural transformation project at a cost of Rs.2115 crore, aimed at developing new farmers and new markets. The Telangana government is running a scheme called “Raithu Bandhu” to increase the income of farmers. Under this, 58.33 lakh farmers are being provided Rs4000/-in every season for production of crops. The Government has allocated Rs 12,000 crore in the financial year 2018-19 for this scheme. This is the first plan of its kind, in which the cash is being paid directly to the farmers. If this scheme is implemented all over India then the total financial burden of Rs 2.7 lakh crore is estimated to fall on the government. This estimate is based on the basis of sowing land in all states. This scheme may be more beneficial If it is expanded in states like Bihar, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand because a large chunk of farmer’s population resides in these states.

It can be said that today the agriculture sector is facing the problem of the low yield of agricultural produce and ineffective marketing of various agricultural products. Therefore, the government should pay attention to the increase A-2 milk production, promote the breeding of more and more indigenous breed of cows and buffaloes, expanding the area of FPO etc., so that the social and economic condition of the farmers may improve.

– Satish Singh

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Letters to the Editor: December 14, 2018

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Afternoon Voice

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December 14, 2018

Regulation of NGOs necessary

Intelligence Bureau’s report indicating about the misuse of Indian NGOs for anti-national agendas by foreign-contributors where it was revealed that India’s GDP has been adversely affected to a big extent of 2-3 per cent through such foreign-fundings to NGOs. Many NGOs are said to have been funded for cultural evasion in India. Foreign-funded NGOs spend in rupees and receive funds in dollars by sending these foreign-contributors exaggerated photos and videos of events dramatised to get huge foreign-funding. Many NGOs are tools to divert foreign-funds of individuals.

Siphoning of government funds for NGOs run by influential ones in political and bureaucratic circles in the name of their family members should be prevented by stopping any kind of direct or indirect funding of NGOs at public expense including from funds at discretion of Parliamentarians and State legislators. These NGOs pay lucrative salaries and perks to its officers who are either in relation to power-filled politicians and bureaucrats, or of persons running these NGOs. Buildings built on land allotted on concessional rates to NGOs should become government property because of the large-scale funding already available to these NGOs by the government. According to a study report, India has an NGO for every 400 citizens, where NGOs are mainly used as some business shops by those ‘owning’ these! Any provision of tax-exemption for ‘donations’ made to NGOs should be abolished. However, in the meanwhile all NGOs should be under purview of ‘Right-To-Information’ (RTI) Act and also of Lokpal.

– Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Coins and candies

Coins are now so much plenty in circulation that many vendors give coins easily, yet most retailers have made it a practice to give candies or chocolates in place of coins even though they have sufficient coins in their cash boxes. It is a novel way to earn extra profit through such forced sale of unwanted items devised in the days when coins were in scarcity.

Central government should make a planned strategy whereby coin bags of Rs 1 and Rs 5 may be always available in all bank branches having facility to hold coin bags. Since coins of ten-rupee denominations have not attained popularity, further minting in this denomination may be stopped for time being. Instead smaller-sized plastic notes as promised quite a few years ago in Lok Sabha may be issued in ten rupee denominations. Stress may be given on minting coins only in denominations of Rs 1 and Rs 5, stopping minting of two-rupee coins also because presently with two-rupee coins in plenty as compared to rupee-one coins, consumers have to leave one-rupee balance with shopkeepers or to accept candy because of poor availability of one rupee coin. One rupee coins can fulfill the purpose of two-rupee coins as well because of less weight and multiplicity of payment-options. However, huge wastage of funds on printing of one rupee notes suddenly re-issued after a gap of two decades just for bureaucratic craze of getting their signature on notes, should be avoided by immediate stopping their printing. Forcing unwanted items in place of coins can then be made offence under law.

– Madhu Agrawal

Well-deserved slap for BJP

When the BJP came to power in May 2014, the people of the country had pinned high hopes on them, but sadly they were let down very badly by Modi and his government. The present election reversal is a well-deserved slap on the face of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, and they paid dearly for their arrogance and complacency. They have not only made a mess of the economy but they have also brought disrepute to the institutions like the RBI and the CBI. Their politics based on religious divide is the bane of the country.

– Jubel D’Cruz

Indian political leaders lack sincerity

Nowadays, encircled in the news clip is Christian Michel, a citizen of the United Kingdom who is allegedly involved in the Rs 3,600 crore Agusta Westland copter deal’s kickback case. However, this case may provide Bhartiya Janata Party with a bit of relief in Rafael deal case, but it would be a headache for Congress Party. It seems quite clear that none of the national parties in India looks trustworthy — neither the BJP nor the Congress. Also, it is easier in India than other countries to swindle for any political party. India has all natural resources to be equipped with all possible powers, but the leaders and authorities are not sincere in this regard. India, therefore, is not being able to emerge as the most powerful country in the world simply because no one seems to be concerned about it.

– FT Mulla

Tracing Chau – a tough time

We are much surprised by the authorities handling the situation. We mean normally authorities react the only way it knows, but, for long the Sentinelese have been given their sovereignty and privacy. Now, it’s time to think. Maybe, we become vulnerable when we give in to citizenship. There are literally thousands of instances the world over, now wouldn’t it be heaven on Earth when governments respect peoples like they do the Sentinelese. Our governments take wages of our ignorance and stupidity. It is true that attempts for recovering the body of John Chau should be left but should we leave the Sentinelese tribe to live their life in the developed world? The recovery should be planned with electronic gadgets with no causalities/health issues on either side — this should be the ulterior motive.

– CKS Maniam

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

Sebi to auction Sai Prasad Group’s 162 properties next month

By

Web Team

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December 14, 2018

Markets regulator Sebi will auction as many as 162 properties of Sai Prasad Group of firms and three of its directors next month in order to recover funds worth thousands of crores raised by the entity through illicit collective investment schemes.

The move comes after Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had already auctioned over 150 properties of the group’s companies and their directors between April and September this year.

Besides, the regulator had put up on sale, jewellery, ornaments and other valuables of Sai Prasad Group.

In a notice issued Friday, Sebi said it has engaged SBI Capital Markets to assist it for sale of the 162 properties and fixed a total reserve price of Rs 55 crore for them. The auction will be conducted on January 17.

Among the companies whose properties will be auctioned are – -Sai Prasad Corporation, Sai Prasad Properties and Sai Prasad Foods, while the directors are — Balasaheb Bhapkar, Shashank Bhapkar and Vandana Bhapkar.

The properties to go under the hammer include agricultural land, land parcels, office space, flats and commercial premises across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The regulator has asked the intending bidders to make their own independent enquiries regarding the measurement, nature, type, classifications, encumbrances, litigations, attachments and liabilities of these properties put on auction.

A number of orders have been passed against Sai Prasad Group companies and some of its directors in the recent years for recovery of thousands of crores of rupees that they collected through illicit collective investment schemes.