SC rejects Sahara proposal, Subrata Roy to remain in Tihar Jail

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March 7, 2014

Calling it an insult after making it assemble a special bench, the Supreme Court Friday ticked off the Sahara group for not coming out with a proper proposal for refunding Rs. 20,000 crore of investors money and asked it to come out with an “honourable” plan.

Subrata Roy will remain in Tihar jail till next Tuesday when the court posted the matter for further hearing.

The apex court expressed displeasure that the Sahara group asked for assembling of the special bench to hear the matter but did not provide a proper proposal. “It’s an insult to us,” it observed.

The Sahara group submitted that it was ready to make a cash payment of Rs. 2,500 crore within three days and gave an assurance that it will pay the rest of Rs. 14,900 crore in five installments by the end of July, 2015.

A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar rejected the proposal after SEBI also opposed it on the ground that group is supposed to pay Rs. 34,000 crore and not just Rs. 17,400 crore which it agreed to pay.

“It is not a proper proposal and the proposal should be honourable,” the bench said.

“You make us assemble (sitting of the special bench) and then you are saying that you won’t be able to pay the money. It is a big insult to us. It is not proper in my view. You should not make us assemble if you don’t have a proper proposal to make,” Justice Khehar said.

Senior advocate C A Sundaram, who was accompanied by other senior lawyers, tried to convince the court that it is not possible at this stage to raise more money as the main person, Roy, is behind bars and his people have no access to him in judicial custody.

“The one person who can find money is not in a position to do it. He is the only one who can arrange money. He can work out if he is allowed to get out. We are also not allowed to access him,” he pleaded.

At this, the bench said that it can make arrangements to allow Roy’s financial consultants and lawyers to meet him in custody but made it clear that there is no way of getting away from paying the amount.

“For the last one and half years he (Roy) has been out and he has been behind only for the last few days,” the bench said adding “We can arrange meetings but you must pay the amount”.

The bench then ordered that financial consultants and lawyers of Roy will be allowed to meet him between 10 and 12 AM every day.

Another senior advocate Ravi Shankar Prasad claimed that not a single investor had filed any complaint against the group and the court should also consider that it is also a matter of livelihood for 14 lakh Sahara employees.

The bench then shot back saying “is there any real investor”.

The matter was initially mentioned before a bench of Justices Radhakrishnan and Vikramajit Sen in the morning but it refused to look ito the proposal on the ground that SEBI was not given a copy of the proposal.

RSS to take legal action against Rahul Gandhi

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

Taking strong exception to Rahul Gandhi’s comments, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday said that it would initiate legal action against the Congress vice president for blaming the outfit for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Senior RSS ideologue Ram Madhav said that the outfit will be taking the legal route against Rahul and also complaint against the Election Commission.

Madhav made RSS’ point of view public through his Twitter account. Here’s what the RSS spokesperson wrote:
“Legal action wl b initiated agnst Rahul Gandhi 4 his irspnsbl utterances linking RSS wth Gandhi murder. Complaint wl be filed with EC too”. (sic)

Madhav’s reaction comes a day after the Gandhi scion said, “RSS people killed Gandhiji and today their people (BJP) talk of him…They opposed Sardar Patel and Gandhiji.” The Congress vice president made the comments while addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Thane district.

Another blow to Congress, Jagdambika Pal resigns from party

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

In a setback to the Congress, senior Congress leader Jagdambika Pal resigned from the Lok Sabha and quit the primary membership of the party on Friday.

“I have decided to leave the Congress, I will decide on the future course of action after talking to people in my constituency,” Pal. He represented Domariyaganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Pal’s announcement came days after he went public with his anguish, saying that he was being ‘humiliated’ by the party. He also accused the Congress leadership of not giving him due importance.

Reports have suggested that pal wanted the party to send him to the Rajya Sabha. After he sensed that the party was cold to the idea, Jagadambika Pal decided to chart his own path to save his political future.

There are strong indications that he may also choose to go in the direction the wind is blowing and join the BJP.

Pal was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for 3 days from 21 February 1998 to 23 February 1998.

Rs. 22 crore treasure found in Lokayukta raid at PWD guard’s house

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

In an eye-opening raid, a chowkidaar with the Public Works Department here was found to be in possession of disproportionate assets worth over Rs. 22 crores.

As per reports, Guru Kripal Singh’s house at Tilak Nagar was raided this morning following a tip-off.

Lokayukta officials, who are still carrying out the raid, have found cash, jewellery and several property papers from the house.

Reports said cash worth 12 lakh 44 thousand was recovered, apart from documents of Rs. 35 lakh worth of investments.

Officials also seized three four-wheelers, including Tata Safari and Toyota Innova, as well as two two-wheelers from the PWD guard.

He also has 14 houses and 11 agricultural land totalling nearly 20 acres in his name.

The worth of Singh’s immovable property is estimated to be worth over Rs. 10 crores.

Twenty bottles of imported liquor were also seized from his residence, while officials have also found that he has a locker in a UCO Bank which has yet to be opened.

Ironically, the guard’s monthly salary is mere Rs. 22,000.

Mamata Banerjee says Narendra Modi ‘communal’, won’t support him for PM

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

In a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday categorically stated that she would not support Narendra Modi even if post-poll scenario demands so.

The Trinamool Congress chief said she was prepared to work with AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa or BSP supremo Mayawati, but not with Narendra Modi.

“I have no problem. I don’t bother (about) the chair, I care for the people,” said Banerjee. Mamata was asked whether she would support Jayalalithaa if the latter wanted to become PM post Lok Sabha polls.

Asked whether she, Jayalalithaa and Mayawati, could work together given their strong personalities and temperaments, the West Bengal CM said, “You will appreciate that under Vajpayee’s leadership we worked together. So who says we cannot work together? We may work together. Strong personalities can work strongly for the country.”

When reminded that everybody wanted to be the prime minister, she said “If they want to be the prime minister I will give them support, no problem.”

When told that people think that there would be squabble among the three strong leaders, Banerjee said, “There will be nothing. From my side I can assure there will be no scuffle.”

Asked whether she would be happy remaining chief minister of West Bengal and supporting a government from outside, she said, “I am working here. For 34 years there were so many problems. No development took place. I am happy with my position. I can tell you that I can give support to all if they are willing to form the government for the betterment of the country. I have no problem.”

Asked that in any combination where TMC would be a part, that would require support from either the BJP or Congress to form the government, whose support she would prefer, the fiery TMC leader said, “Please wait and see. After the election results it will be decided.”

Banerjee evaded giving a direct reply to a question on her prime ministerial ambition, saying, “I know my limitations. After the results are out, people will decide.”

Asked whether she would give support to Narendra Modi if in a post-poll scenario that would help him form the government, Banerjee categorically said “I will not. We cannot support communal forces.”

“Don’t you know what happened in Gujarat? We cannot because India is a country with so many languages, caste and creed. We respect all religions,” she said.

Reminded that she had not withdrawn support to NDA after the Gujarat riots, she said “We demanded Narendra Modi’s resignation as chief minister and demanded that the government should go.”

Supreme Court defers hearing in IPL match-fixing case till March 25

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

The Supreme Court of India on Friday deferred hearing on the findings of the Justice Mudgal Committee investigation into corruption in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament and posted the matter for next hearing on March 25.

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filled an affidavit in which it requested the apex court not to reveal the contents of the sealed envelope submitted by the Mudgal committee.

A three-member inquiry committee, led by Justice Mukul Mudgal, submitted its findings in a sealed enveloped on February 10. It is believed that the 170-page-report, with annexures running into more than 4000 pages, includes statements of players and officials associated with IPL.

The committee’s report concluded that Gurunath Meiyappan, BCCI president N Srinivasan’s son-in-law, was the de facto owner of the Chennai Super Kings and that he had not only bet on the IPL, but also passed information on the matches to others.

BCCI Raj Kundra, one of the co-owners of the Rajasthan Royals, was also investigated but the committee did not find conclusive evidence that he bet on IPL matches. It did, however, recommend further investigation into the allegations of Kundra.

The BCCI itself appointed a two-member panel, comprising retired judges T Jayaram Chouta and R Balasubramanian, last July to investigate on the alleged claims of widespread corruption in IPL. But the penal had declared that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, the two who were also probed by the Mudgal committee.

The other two members of the Mudgal committee are additional solicitor general L Nageswara Rao and Assam Cricket Association member Nilay Dutta. It was set up by the Supreme Court in October last year to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Gurunath and Raj Kundra, as well as betting and spot-fixing in IPL.

Woman alleges child swap at hospital, after given girl says gave birth to boy

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

A mother who claims she gave birth a boy filed a petition in Patna High Court alleging that the hospital swapped her new-born and asked her to go home with a baby girl instead.

Petitioner Soni Devi had moved HC last year in December claiming her child was swapped with another child at MGM hospital. She claimed she gave birth to a boy in Polo hospital on October 17, 2013.

After birth her child’s condition deteriorated because of which the baby was sent to Chandraprabha Child Care Centre. From there, the child was sent to MGM hospital where he stayed till November 5, she claimed.
However, on the day the baby was to be discharged the doctors gave Soni a girl. When she protested saying the baby girl was not her child, the doctors harassed her and drove her away, the report said.
Following the incident, she along with her husband filed an FIR on 5 November itself.

On Thursday, she produced a birth certificate that was issued to her by Polo hospital in Patna High court. It read that she had in fact given birth to a boy. She also produced a receipt that was given to her by MGM hospital which simply read “Baby of Soni Devi”.

The matter has been now been listed for hearing on March 12.

We are being exploited by our owner

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Afternoon Voice

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March 7, 2014

Employees of Godrej & Boyce company held peaceful demonstrations outside Palladium Mall at Vikhroli in support of their various demands pertaining to salary hike and other benefits. They protested against the exploitation and injustice meted against them by the organization. Staff members were appealing to passers to support them in this endeavor. They informed them about the terrible working conditions prevalent in the company.

One of the employee of Godrej & Boyce spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “Godrej has been known for providing quality products to the customer at affordable prices. It has won the goodwill of customers through innovation. However the company is not bothered about the employee welfare and is only interested in making profits. The company has made significant progress on account of the efforts of its employees but they are exploiting us.”

They were distributing circular to the pedestrians to support their claim. Employees have mentioned their grievances in the brochure handed over to passersby.

In the leaflet it was printed that Godrej is a 115 year old renowned organization functioning in India. The company is operating in 15 countries and 23 states in India. It is in possession of 3700 acres of land in Vikhroli area in Mumbai. However, the employees working with the organization are denied several benefits by the company.

1. Godrej workers are denied dearness allowance which has been discontinued by the organization.

2. Worker are employed on minimum wages law.

3. The retirement age has been reduced from 60 to 58.

4. The strength of permanent workers of the company is 2900 while 7000 workers are employed on contract basis.

5. Godrej workers do not qualify for even MHADA’s low income group category.

6. The rates at Vikhroli Godrej properties is valued at Rs 13000 sq.ft. However, employees are paid a monthly minimum wages of Rs. 8700 only. They cannot afford to purchase a house in Karjat area

7. The company harasses workers by issuing them legal notices over trivial issues and suspends them.

8. Five workers fighting for their legal rights were dismissed by the company. Twenty eight workers are facing in-house inquiry during 2009 to 2013 period and 205 workers were suspended for 4 days etc.

9. Workers are not paid bonus.

10. Workers are paid minimum wages, but the fees charged by the Godrej school is Rs. 1350.

Employees are afraid to take any legal action against the company as their employment might be terminated by the organization.

Another employee spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “I appeal to people to come forward and assist us so that justice will be delivered to us.”

Protesting employees had worn Black T-shirt and which contained the message, “Help us to get Justice! Save the workers of Godrej & Boyce”.

When AV tried to contact the management of Godrej & Boyce they remained unavailable for comment.

Vandana Shah

RSS people killed Mahatma Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi

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Afternoon Voice

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March 6, 2014

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi took on RSS, blaming the outfit for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He also ridiculed senior BJP leaders for claiming credit for introducing computers in India.

“RSS people killed Gandhiji and today their people (BJP) talk of him…They opposed Sardar Patel and Gandhiji,” Rahul said while addressing a public rally in Bhiwandi.

The Congress leader attributed technological advancement in the country to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and technocrat Sam Pitroda.

“When it comes to computers, it was Rajiv Gandhi, Sam Pitroda and other young leaders, (who brought it in India),” Rahul said.

He said, then the most senior opposition leader in Parliament had questioned saying why was Rajiv Gandhi talking about computers.

“They had said India doesn’t need computers as it would snatch away jobs. Look what happened, computers have changed India. After 10 years, the same leaders said it was they who gave computers and telecom to India.”

“Similarly, after five-ten years, they will say NREGA and RTI were their creation,” Rahul said. The Congress Vice President also wondered how it was possible for the opposition (BJP) to do in three months what Congress has done in 60 years.

“The opposition says what Congress has done in 60 years; they will do in three months. How is this possible,” he asked.

Underlining the need to empower women, Rahul said, “there are 50 per cent women in the country but a proportionate number is not seen in state legislature and Parliament.”

The rally was Rahul’s last public function during his two-day Maharashtra tour which began yesterday. Earlier, he had an informal meeting with editors in Mumbai.

Rahul said it was the labour of poor that has taken the country forward and no single individual can take the credit for development.

“Poor people have taken this country forward. If we have to take the country forward, we will have to listen to them and take them together. All, including Adivasis, should reap the fruits of development.

Whatever we (Congress) have done is after factoring in your views,” Rahul told the public meeting. Reiterating that Congress was the party of poor people, he said that Congress was not just an organisation but it is an ideology.

“Congress was born in this State. Our ideology is over 1,000 years old. Our ideology is inspired from Bhagwad Geeta… Shivaji (the Maratha king) used to talk about it. (Samrat) Ashok and (Mahatma) Gandhi had also spoken about it,” the Congress vice-president said.

“Congress has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Our ideology cannot be erased so easily,” he said.

Rahul accused the opposition of playing “divisive” politics in the name of religion. “Wherever the opposition goes they provoke fight between different religions…Hindus with Muslims and Muslims with Hindus…Between different castes and different regions,” he added.

Rahul said his party had always emphasised on “inclusive development” as its growth agenda.

Rahul supports demand for separate fisheries ministry

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Afternoon Voice

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March 6, 2014

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met representatives of the fishing community who put forth various demands pertaining to their business like need for a separate ministry, farming status for fisheries and more subsidies on diesel.

In a 40-minute interaction held at Versova fishing village which falls in Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency of CWC member Gurudas Kamat, fishing community representatives highlighted their demands and expressed fear that with land costs in Mumbai spiralling, builders were eyeing sprawling fish markets.

“We want to know on whose side are you?” they asked the Congress leader. “I will always be with you,” Rahul replied adding that he had come to meet them and understand their views and not give a speech.

Supporting the demand for a separate fisheries ministry, he said that it was a good suggestion. When Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan intervened to say that there is budgetary provision of about Rs. 1,600 crore for the animal husbandry ministry, under which the fisheries department falls, one of the locals said all agriculture ministers the state has seen are not from the coastal region and do not understand the nitty gritties of fishing business.

“They have no information of the sea. Like farmers, we do not get compensation, if there is drought (poor cache of fish in the sea),” another speaker pointed out.

There was also a demand for expansion of the Sasoon Docks in South Mumbai. Another local highlighted the need for loans from nationalised banks at low interest rate. “Fishing is not a 12-month business. We need alternative jobs for livelihood,” said one speaker.

Another speaker said in coastal areas, various companies are given permissions in the name of tourism and it has created discomfort among the fisherfolk.

“There has to be a proper policy in favour of the fishing community,” he demanded. Rahul told the gathering that like fishermen even the farmers feel a lot needs to be done for them.

“In the last ten years, the central government has worked to lay a solid foundation for sections of the society so that they feel secure,” he said.

He said the fishing community needs representation in the Legislative Assemblies and Parliament to get their voice heard.