‘Am I a Fool to Match Yashwant’s Sinha’s Record’: Chidambaram

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May 8, 2014

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday hit back at senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha, who had questioned the track record of the current finance minister.

“Chidambaram will have to be reborn again to match my record in the Finance Ministry,” Mr. Sinha had said on Monday.

In a sharp retort, Mr. Chidambaram today shot back saying, “Am I fool to match his record? His record is 4.2- 4.3 (% of GDP)”.

Mr. Sinha was the Finance Minister of India between 1998 and 2002 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s BJP-led government.

This is not the first time the two senior politicians have engaged in a war of words. Last week Mr Chidambaram had called Mr. Sinha, the “worst” finance minister ever. Mr. Sinha in response slammed the current finance minister for leaving the economy in a “worse crisis than even the earlier crisis in 1991 and 1998”.

“It will be a major challenge for the new government to deal with it when it assumes office,” Mr. Sinha had said.

The country’s economy grew at a decade-low 5 per cent in 2012-13 and is expected to have fared at an even lower rate in the fiscal gone by.

“The two worst years since the turn of the century were 2000-01 (4.3 per cent) and 2002-03 (4 per cent),” Mr. Chidambaram had earlier said while commenting on the growth rate during the six years of BJP’s national alliance rule

“The average for the six year period (under the BJP-led government from 1998-99 to 2003-04) was 6.0 per cent and the average for the last five years (1999-2000 to 2003-04) was 5.9 per cent,” Mr. Chidambaram had said.

In contrast, the average growth rate during Congress-led UPA’s first term was 8.4 per cent and 7.3 per cent during the first four years of UPA-II, he had added.

Cases against Priyanka Gandhi to be heard on May 19 in Bihar

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Afternoon Voice

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May 8, 2014

The two cases filed against Priyanka Gandhi for her ‘neech rajniti’ barb at Narendra Modi were taken up today and posted for hearing on May 19.

In the case filed by Bihar BJP General Secretary Surajnandan Mehta, his lawyer Shambhu Prasad told the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (Patna) Rama Kant Yadav that his client was outside Patna because of a pre-scheduled election programme and prayed for a future date.

The CJM accepted the petition and fixed May 19 for hearing it. Mehta had alleged that the remarks would promote enmity between groups and lead to breach of peace.

The case was filed under IPC sections 153(A) (promoting enmity between different groups), 153(B) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 171 (G) (false statement in connection with an election), 500 (defamation) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of IPC.

In the case filed at a court in Darbhanga, CJM Shailendra Mohan Pandey posted the matter for hearing on May 19.

The head of state BJP Fishermen community cell Arjun Sahni had filed the case against Priyanka levelling similar charges.

Gateway to Thar Desert turning into a water-logged city!

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Afternoon Voice

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May 8, 2014

When there are debates round the country to recycle water from all possible zones and help in the increase of ground water level. Jodhpur the gateway to Thar Desert comes as an exception. Compared to the neighbouring cities of Rajasthan, Jodhpur’s ground water is very high.

The increase in ground water level here is a major cause of worry among the builders and there is a undeclared ban on the construction of basement at certain parts of the city as it may give rise to the seepage from the shallow water table.

While it is difficult to draw water from the ground in most parts of Rajasthan, government machinery as well as many locals here are forced to pump out large amount of water from wells and the basements of houses. Groundwater level has been rising for more than a decade in at least 40 per cent of the land area in the city, and in some areas it is barely a few meters below the surface.

The government has now started pumping out water from wells and other resources in order to maintain the water table. “Groundwater level in several parts is rising since 1998 after the city started getting drinking water from the Indira Gandhi Canal. Currently there are many areas in the city with water availability at less than five meters,” assistant engineer of Central Ground Water Department (CGWD) SK Meena said.

“Primary studies suggest that the water table was disturbed due to double or triple times increase in water inflow from the canal in the Kayalana lake and Fateh Sagar here from where the water is supplied to the entire city,” OP Poonia, Scientist CGWD said. According to the latest report by CGWD out of 1118 ground water monitoring wells all have shown decline in water level especially in summers, but Jodhpur marks an exception to them.

Despite years of efforts, depth of this well in Mudhar mountains remains a mystery

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Afternoon Voice

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May 8, 2014

Scientists and archaeological experts have failed to measure the depth of a mysterious well in Jharkhand despite repeated efforts for years.

This well lies in a cave in the auspicious Mudhar Mountains, which is spread across 61 acres of land in Jharkhand.
Thousands of devotees come to these mountains every day to visit the Mudhar Baba temple, which is situated at the highest peak.

The idol of Mudhar baba is also one-of-its-kind. The head of the idol is not attached to the body. Such is the belief of the people that they sacrifice goats here to make their wish come true.
However, more than the temple, it’s this well that has become the center of attraction for tourists and locals owing to its mysterious nature.

It is probably the only well in the world which experts have failed to measure. It is believed that concerted efforts were made a few years ago to measure the depth of this well. Long ropes were used, yet nobody could establish how deep this well was.

Bangalore airport toll hike: Taxi strike to hit passengers hard

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Afternoon Voice

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May 8, 2014

If you are flying to Bangalore on Friday, be ready to face the heat of taxi strike. You may not get any vehicle from the Kempe Gowda International Airport (KGIA) in the outskirts of Bangalore to reach your destination in the city. Even if you have your own vehicle, protestors may block the road near the airport toll gate preventing you from reaching the city.

The passengers who are taking the flights from Bangalore may also have to go through a similar ordeal from Friday.
Private taxi drivers and lorry owners in Karnataka are expected to go on an indefinite strike from Friday demanding a rollback of the four-fold hike on the expressway to the Bangalore international airport. More than 7 lakh commercial vehicles, including cabs, taxis and trucks are likely to join the protests.

Single entry toll for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) has been increased from Rs 20 to Rs 75. Vehicles with return trip will now have to pay Rs 115 instead of Rs 30. This overnight hike last week by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) makes the expressway one of the costliest roads in the country. Taxi and lorry owners are demanding an immediate rollback on the fares.

The association on Thursday met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah putting forth their demands. Siddaramaiah said the state government will be reaching out to the Centre to bring a solution to the crisis.

“I requested Mr Oscar Fernandes (Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways) to take up a meeting and see if there is some consensus,” Siddaramaiah tolf CNN-IBN.

“Until the Chief Minister gives us an assurance, we will not call off the strike. The toll hike puts a strain on taxi drivers. If we pay so much for the toll, what will the drivers eat? We’re ready to pay the toll price. But this looting must be stopped,” said All India Motor Transport Congress Toll Committee Chairman GR Shanmugappa.

The hike had triggered protests by the BJP, JD(S) and various groups with commuters too complaining about the steep hike. Even former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda sat in a dharna near the toll gate protesting steep hike in the toll.

Poor maintenance of tracks responsible for rail accidents

By

Mahendra Singh

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May 8, 2014

Lack of regular inspection and maintenance of tracks and coaches are the main reason behind the rail accident which occurred recently near Roha. The general manager is issuing various statements on different days without co-coordinating with the Commissioner of Railway safety. One day, he says that he will hereafter depute two keymen to inspect the rail tracks. The next day he talks about hydrogen content and later he says that weld fracture took place.

There is lack of supervision of rail tracks. This aspect must be looked into by the experts (even drawn from other countries like Japan, for assistance) to ensure that maintenance of tracks is being carried out according to plan and as per international standards. There were reports that he was unable to ascertain when the last inspection of those tracks was being carried out. Such data must be recorded online.

Even during normal circumstances, when you try to board a long distance train, you won’t find any railway officer in uniform standing on the concerned platform to guide the passengers prior to the train’s departure. The TTE’s enter inside the coach much later in the midst of the journey. Robbery incidents occur inside train coaches and Kanpur is notorious in such matters. During night time when train halts at a station, the attendant is mostly missing from the coaches leaving the entrance doors free.

The Railway Ministry has been allotted to a minister belonging to the coalition partner who uses it for doling out favours to their constituencies. The ministry has been milked by such ministers for their selfish interests and hence it has become inefficient. One of the high ranking officers was found offering money to the relative of the previous railway minister but nobody knows whether action was taken against them or not? When corruption is prevalent at senior levels in railways, safety is bound to be affected and the staff will remain slack.

Indian Railways is a mammoth organisation and performing reasonably good job. However, there is lack of Railways university to cater to all aspects involving such a massive network. The new government must appoint a qualified person as the Minister of Railways. We have seen too much drama between Dinesh Trivedi and Mukul Roy to satisfy the tantrums of Mamata Banerjee. You cannot neglect the biggest organization of the country and leave it in the hands of bargainers. If the BJP comes to power, once again there may be attempt by Ram Vilas Paswan to wrest this ministry which must be resisted.

New government should focus on good governance

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Prakash Jha

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May 8, 2014

Candidates belonging to various political parties are leaving no stone unturned to lure voters. They had done extensive campaigning which will improve their party’s electoral prospects. Discussions are being held everywhere about which party will emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha election. Some people are saying that BJP will form government this time while some others say that AAP will win many seats whereas some still believe that Congress will retain power. It doesn’t matter which party form the government but what matters is the policies which they will implement to pave way for the nation’s development.

Parties had made tall promises that they will work for the welfare of masses but a question which arises is are they really serious about it? After the formation of the government, parties forget about the people, who had voted for them. Before coming to power, UPA had made several promises that it will take the India forward and it will make significant progress and people’s standard of living too will improve. However, nothing has changed so far as promises tend to become mere lip-service. The country’s GDP growth too has fallen due to lack of investments and policy paralysis.

I am not targeting Congress for the nation’s poor growth rate as the BJP too is sailing in the same boat. The saffron party too failed to deliver when it had come to power. BJP too had made several promises but failed to implement after forming the government.

The nation had witnessed several scams as tax payers hard earned money went down the drain. I feel worried after hearing the news pertaining to scams. It’s the duty of the politician to work for the welfare of the nation but after getting elected they are busy filling their own pockets at the cost of tax-payers money. There are many politicians who misuse the area development fund for their personal use.

Citizens of the nation are not bothered about which party will come to power. They are keen to vote for a party which will work for the nation’s development. The new government should fulfill the promises made by them in the manifesto and should focus on good governance.

Where are employees?

By

Afternoon Voice

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May 8, 2014

Staff members have taken leave from offices to campaign for political parties thereby disrupting office work.

Even as the entire nation is gripped under the election fever, political parties are using various strategies to lure voters. Supporters of big political parties like Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party have taken leave from their office to campaign for their party. As a result of this, work load of employees have increased in offices due to shortage of staff members.

Sources from Bharatiya Janata Party revealed that this time the party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the victory of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Party workers from Mumbai had gone to various states to campaign for him. Many of them have taken leave from their offices by giving some excuses to support the party.
Sources from AAP on the condition of anonymity said, “We want Arvind Kejriwal should emerge victorious from Varanasi and Kumar Vishwas should win from Amethi. Party workers have gone to these places to support both these leaders who are immensely popular.”

Not to be left behind even Congress party activists from the city had gone to Amethi for supporting Rahul Gandhi to ensure that he wins the election by a high margin.

A Mumbai based private firm employee who went Varanasi for supporting Narendra Modi spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “I have availed a leave from my office to visit Varansi for supporting Narendra Modi on the pretext of attending a marriage function of my relative. I have received instructions from my party to visit Varanasi to campaigning. Like me there are many others who have taken leave from their office to support their candidates by giving various excuses.”

Amethi and Varansi are the prime constituencies from where heavyweights like BJP’s Narendra Modi and Smriti Irani, AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and Kumar Vishwas and Congress’s Rahul Gandhi are contesting. Party supporters from the city had gone in large numbers to Varanasi and Amethi.

They are adopting various strategies to garner publicity for their candidates contesting election in these constituencies. BJP supporters from the city start discussing about Narendra Modi at coffee shops, restaurants and tea stalls in Varanasi. They also praise about the developmental work undertaken by him in Gujarat and how he can take the nation forward after becoming the next prime minister of India. Thus people become aware about Modi. They are following the same tactics in villages and campaigning for the party.

A manager employed with a private firm spoke to AV without disclosing her identity and said, “The work load of employees have increased as many staff members have gone to Varanasi to campaign for their party. The productivity of staff members has gone down on account of this.”

Shivrajirao Deshmukh files nomination for Maharashhtra Council Chairman

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Afternoon Voice

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May 7, 2014

Senior Congress leader Shivajirao Deshmukh on Wednesday filed his nomination for the post of Legislative Council Chairman.

Since his was the only form received till 12 noon, his re-election tomorrow will be unopposed and will be declared in the Legislative Council.

79-year-old Deshmukh took oath of member of Legislative Council for fourth term last week. He has been the Legislative Council Chairman since 2004.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and State Congress chief Manikrao Thakare, both MLCs proposed Deshmukh’s name while Sharad Ranpise (Congress) and Hemant Takle (NCP) seconded Deshmukh’s candidature.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister R R Patil, Congress MLCs Sanjay Dutt and Haribhau Rathod were also present when Deshmukh filed his papers.

A one-day special session has been convened for the election of the Council Chairman on Thursday.

Deshmukh, a veteran congressman, has been a four time MLA, minister in the state government before his election to the Upper House of the legislature in 1996. He has held the post of Council Chairman since 2004.

Deshmukh has also headed the State Congress unit and now is the CWC member as well.

Medha Patkar dismisses Swamy’s remark calling her ‘Maoist’

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Afternoon Voice

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May 7, 2014

Social activist and Mumbai Lok Sabha candidate Medha Patkar on Wednesday dismissed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s recent remark, terming her a Maoist.

“It is shocking to find Swamy toeing the line of the fundamentalist and distorting my position, making false statements. It is also because he probably needed to become a blue-eyed boy of the BJP, which he has not been, being a late entrant to the party,” Patkar said, reacting to Swamy’s remark on his social networking site May 1.

Swamy wrote: “Meet the Maoist Prime Donna – Medha Patkar. The list of her anti-Indian activities is long… She demanded mercy for (Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab) these terrorists on the grounds of Human Rights.”

Swamy said it did not matter to Patkar that Afzal, the Kashmiri separatist, attacked our parliament – the biggest symbol of our democracy, value system and freedom. He took innocent lives and had no remorse about it.

“It doesn’t matter to Patkar that Kasab, with his other Jihadi fanatics from Pakistan, was responsible for the death of over 200 innocent people in Mumbai,” Swamy added.

Patkar, the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency, hit back saying that all the countrymen were aware how she and her organisations stood for the strongest punishment for all the terrorists always.

“What we are opposed to is only the capital punishment, hanging the culprit,” Patkar said.

“Let him prove that I am a Maoist even when the Maoists themselves would never claim the same. Non-violence for us is a value and not merely a strategy. This is based on our sincere commitment to non-violence. More than 100 countries have given up the barbaric punishment which no human being can approve since killing a human being is an inhuman act!” Patkar said.

Dismissing Swamy’s “fake criticism… just when (Narendra) Modi is going to polls in Varanasi,” Patkar said Swamy had to defend the communal fervour in BJP’s campaign.

Swamy had also sought to know whether any of Patkar’s comrades had died in a terrorist attack.

“No, never, because there is a nexus, an understanding between all anti-India forces. They never cross each other. Their goal is to slowly break India into fragments. Fragments that hate each other and become slaves once again to the Evangelical and Jihadi powers. Because that’s what the weak and divided are,” Swamy said.

“However, his purpose would be better served if he targets some of those politicians who are engaged in fake battles on non-issues instead of issues of the people and their struggle,” said Patkar.