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Hit-and-run-case: Court says submit list of documents, witnesses by February 25

salmanA sessions court on Wednesday asked the prosecution in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving actor Salman Khan to submit a final list of documents and witnesses by February 25 so that it could fix a programme of trial.

Salman’s lawyer Srikant Shivade said he would file a say on the admissibility of the documents on February 25. After hearing both the sides on the documents to be admitted, the court would on February 25 frame a programme of the trial, sessions judge D W Deshpande said.

Salman is facing the charge of running over his Toyota Land Cruiser on a group of persons sleeping on a footpath outside a bakery in suburban Bandra in September 2002, killing one and injuring four others. The prosecution had earlier informed the court that it proposed to examine 64 witnesses.
On December 5 last year, the court had ordered a fresh trial on the ground that the witnesses had not been examined in the context of aggravated charge of culpable homicide, which was invoked against the actor midway through the proceedings. The charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder attracts a 10-year sentence.

The actor had earlier been tried by a magistrate for a lesser offence of causing death by negligence, which entailed an imprisonment of two years. The case, dragging on for over a decade, had taken a twist earlier this year when the magistrate, after examining 17 witnesses, held that the charge of culpable homicide was made out against Salman and referred the matter to a sessions court, as cases under this offence are triable by a higher court.

Chai Pe Charcha with Modi

The new CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella said in an interview ‘Our industry does not respect traditions, it only respects innovation’. Its true and same aspect applies everywhere, whether it is Corporates, Production Houses, Service Sectors or even Political Parties too. I hope these new innovative models of reaching to public will be successful for BJP. I hopeful that we shall see an ordinary chaiwala occupying the most powerful position of this democratic country. Is it Déjà Vu, another Abraham Lincoln in the making?

There was one statement by Rahul Gandhi that “every tea-seller, every labourer should be respected, but he who makes a fool of people should not be respected.” This was in reaction to the promotion of Modi as a tea seller. Even senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar went ahead and said, Narendra Modi cannot become the prime minister but can sell tea. We all know Mani Shankar Aiyar is delegate of patrician and dynastic powers who have ruled India for more than sixty years. They never dreamt that calling Modi a tea seller can cost them huge. To get respect from others is to give respect to others.

Mani Shankar Aiyar is a distinguished public personality who enjoyed his childhood life in good comforts unlike Modi a ‘common man’ but not an aristocrat. As an ordinary man, Modi has struggled hard to become a public leader. On the other hand, Aiyar was fortunate enough to get all the coveted care and comforts including political power and position. Aiyar, being a sharp scholar retains the right to criticize Modi but in a decent manner. Modi may not be a good public leader, but certainly better than many others. To become a learned scholar is good, but to become too learned some time backfires.
Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, launched his ‘chai pe charcha’ or ‘discussion over tea’ from tea stalls in Ahmedabad. Modi used “a unique combination of satellite, DTH, internet and mobile,” for his ‘chai pe charcha,’ a mega election drive which is part of his campaign for general elections due by May. The programme relayed at 1,000 tea stalls in 300 cities across the country. Of the 1,000 locations, he will directly interact with people at 300 locations; here people can share their views, ask questions and make suggestions on the BJP’s election campaign through video-conference. The organisers have opened their website indiancag.org/chaipecharcha for questions that people want to ask the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate at tea on Wednesday. The subject for ‘chai pe charcha’ was about good governance. Sixty one locations have been chosen all over Gujarat, 36 in Bihar, 32 in Kerala and 46 in Delhi among other states. Even Mumbai’s pila house and Kamathi pura has “Chai Pe Charcha”. This area is big vote bank and most of them are illegal migrants and confused population, they all possess voter’s cards but not dedicated to one particular party. They vote to those ministers who assures them safety and shelter. Some worth living conditions are their demands. By choosing such areas for discussion, BJP can win its battle for 2014. Selling tea is not a shame. We believe in the dignity of labour. However, NaMo is not just a Chaiwala. NaMo is marketing TEA laced with passion to get BJP in power.

A taunt by Congress “Chai Wala” was gracefully accepted by Modi himself with pride, and the term Chaiwala became big time election gimmick too, that’s brain of a good campaigner. He is one of the best administrative talents and no one can be compared with him. His idea will develop and improve our nation. There is no pride or disgrace about being chaiwala. Moreover, chaiwala is also not about poor or rich back ground. There are big business house like Starbucks, Barista, Cafe Coffee Day and so on which sells coffee and making millions through its business. Is it offensive to call them “coffeewala” in Hindi? Is there any offense in calling Tiffin provider as Tiffinwala when the whole India is proud about the way Tiffinwala do their business? Making Chai, Coffee or distributing Tiffins are just businesses. Those who do it with the business sense and the strength to expand make millions and those who are contended with doing it small are just making in thousands. I don’t see any offense or pride in it. Congress failed to understand this and BJP twisted game in its party favour.

BJP managers say it is an out-of-the-box initiative, which bucks traditional campaigning methods by facilitating discussion simultaneously in multiple locations. The BJP will hold between 12 and 15 such sessions, with other top leaders also engaging with the public over tea. The programme, which highlights that Modi sold tea on trains as a young boy, is positioned as a gigantic snub to political rivals. The power of Indian democracy will be proved when a former tea vendor defeats a dynasty’s envoy. Let see this battle of 2014.

Raj Thackeray’s poll stunt

What exactly is happening with the toll booths located in the state? Since yesterday, I have been hearing about people discussing the vandalisation of tool booths and how MNS activists have been causing huge hardships to the common man. First of all, my maid never bothered to wake me up in the morning as she wanted me to skip my office. On the other hand, my roommate was trying her best to bunk the office on account of the toll protests even though transportation facility is available for her. My pets kept licking my face. What else they could do as I noticed that they were tension free and living happily.

As I woke up, I had no other option but to shout at my maid as I had already become late and had no time for bath. While I began dressing my maid started delivering lecture about taking safety precautions. She asked me to take leave as MNS activists might resort to violence. Maid also said that they might harm me and damage my vehicle. My roommate had left for work with a sad gloomy face. I too couldn’t think of staying back as my salary would have been deducted for one day. I left for office by taking all precautions as I reached safely.

I had no topics for writing diary today as my colleagues suggested me to write about tool booth protest. I could have written an analysis report and statistics about tolls and expiry of toll collection tenure. I could also have mentioned about the objective behind Raj Thackeray’s publicity stunt.

Aren’t all of us aware that MNS are indulging in these stints to gain political mileage before the Lok Sabha election? Raj is interested in grabbing power at any cost as he and his party have lost their credibility. And they think by indulging in violent activities they could regain the confidence of voters.

AAP party’s emergence has given sleepless nights to many parties and MNS is one of them. Both MNS and Shiv Sena don’t fear about losing their foothold in Maharashtra but they more worried about the party’s prestige. Besides their perfect oratory skill and excellent vocabulary they don’t have any agenda for the welfare of the common man. And people like us think that we get fooled by listening to their speeches.

They claim themselves to be brave like Shivaji Maharaj but these idiots hid inside closed restaurants and other places to escape from the police. The MNS activists from Kalyan lacked courage to surrender themselves before the police and bravely say that they belong to MNS and they were involved in protesting and vandalizing vehicles for welfare of people. Several toll plazas exist in various parts of Maharashtra. AS per law clearly there should be a distance of 80 kilometres between two tool booths. On the other hand, a toll plaza exists in Maharashtra every 30 kilometers. Thus the commuters have to suffer by paying exorbitant toll charges as roads too are not maintained properly.

FIR filed after Kejriwal’s allegations; names on Mukesh Ambani, Moily not mentioned

Arvind-KejriwalAn FIR on the gas pricing issue was filed by the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday, a day after Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the complaint will be filed against Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and others over allegations on issues of gas pricing.

Interestingly, no names have been mentioned in the FIR, as per news reports.

The Delhi government on Tuesday had ordered an FIR against RIL chairperson Mukesh Ambani, Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, former minister Murli Deora and ex director-general hydrocarbons VK Sibal under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to manipulate gas prices.

However, the company later issued a statement and refuted the charges, terming them as shocking.

While addressing a press conference, the Delhi CM had said that the directions to register FIR were given after four people complained against them.

The price of natural gas was raised to USD 4/unit and Reliance followed it up by producing less gas due to which India had to import gas, leading to inflation, Kejriwal said.

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader also demanded that the gas fields allocated to Reliance Industries in the Krishna-Godavari basin off the Andhra Pradesh coast be taken back and handed over to the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp.

He said he would also raise the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and call for a further hike in gas prices from April 1 to be kept in abeyance — after the company was allowed to charge a higher rate of around $4 per unit a couple of years ago.

Congress general secretary Ajay Maken later said that the party was not against an inquiry.

“The only two things should be clearly looked at – first whether it is political vendetta and, secondly, is it within constitutional jurisdiction. We hope Delhi government would have taken care of these two parameters,” he said.

Railway Budget 2014: Mallikarjun Kharge proposes 72 new trains, no change in fares

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge presented the Interim Railway Budget 2014 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amidst uproar by Seemandhra MPs protesting against Telangana. There has been no change in passenger fares while 72 new trains have been introduced.

Kharge has proposed passenger rail services to Katra for the pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi.
Reaching out to the Northeast Indian region, Kharge has said that the railways map will also include Meghalaya. “510 KM long rail link will be a big boon for the Northeast. Meghalaya will also be a part of Railways map,” Kharge said.

Kharge has also said that Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar too will be part of the rail map in Financial Year 2014.

Kharge had to cut his Rail Budget speech short due to continuous protests by Seemandhra MPs against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till Thursday.

This is the last budget of the most turbulent phase of the Indian Railways. The two parties that ruled the railways in the past five years, Congress and Trinamool Congress, blamed it on each other.
“Pawan Bansal was accused of bribery, Mallikarjun Kharge is of no use, both spoiled the railways,” said Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy. But Congress MP Oscar Fernandes has said that Railways is on the right track. “Railways is on track as development is taking place,” Fernandes said.

In the past five years, the Rail Bhawan saw six new ministers. For the first time in 17 years, the portfolio went to the Congress. Pawan Bansal did end 10 years of populism by announcing a hike in passenger fare, but soon exited on charges of corruption.

The episode shook the Railways raising questions over the system, which most saw as opaque. Experts say the Railway Board is equally responsible for derailing the Railways.

Rail Budget 2014: Highlights

– 17 premium trains announced
– 38 express trains announced
– 10 passenger trains announced
– 4 MEMU and 3 DEMU trains announced

Lalu Yadav calls Narendra Modi ‘khoon ka saudagar’

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav launched a frontal attack on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by calling him “maut ka saudagar” (trader of death).

A known baiter of Modi and the BJP, Lalu, who is looking to regain lost political ground in Bihar, said, “Narendra Modi khoon ka saudagar hai. Kabhi kuch bolta hai kabhi kuch.” Lalu’s tirade comes at a time when the RJD has sought permission to hold a rally at Muzaffarpur parallel to Narendra Modi’s event on March 3.

The BJP has cried foul and accused the RJD of trying to a create controversy by announcing to hold a parallel rally on the same date and said that if it happened, Lalu Prasad would be “exposed as a dwarf” before its prime ministerial candidate.

“BJP has applied for the three grounds (two in Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology and the one at police line next to it) in advance and Muzaffarpur district administration at that time confirmed there is no other application of any programme at those venues on that day,” senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

“Now Lalu Prasad’s party merely to create controversy is announcing to hold a parallel rally and its district president applying for permission to hold RJD rally at police line ground also on March 3,” the former deputy chief minister said.

“As per rules, permission should be given to who applied first…We are waiting whether Nitish Kumar administration goes by rules or acts in a partisan manner in favour of RJD,” Sushil Modi said on the sidelines of “Janata Darbar” held by him at his official residence.

The senior Bihar BJP leader said even if the district administration violating rules grants permission to RJD for a parallel rally “we are not bothered as it will expose that Prasad is a dwarf in front of Narendra Modi”.

“Lalu Prasad ko apna aukat malum ho jayenga (Lalu Prasad will come to know his value),” he said.

“Rather my suggestion will be even Nitish Kumar shall hold a simultaneous rally of the JD(U) in one of the three grounds on the same day which will prove who among the three is more popular and can draw big crowd,” Sunil Modi said.

On Lalu Prasad’s claim that it was he who had stopped the rath of BJP veteran L K Advani in 1990 to “limit” BJP in Bihar and likewise he would checkmate Narendra Modi this time, Sushil Modi said in a lighter vein “at that time Lalu was young but now he has grown old and has no strength to pose any challenge.”

“Lalu Prasad or Nitish Kumar has no strength to stop the aswamedh horse of Narendra Modi,” the Bihar BJP leader said.

Chaos over Telangana in Lok Sabha; PM says ‘his heart bleeds’

The storm over Telangana on Wednesday derailed the presentation of the Interim Rail Budget 2014-15 with Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge being forced to cut short his speech in Lok Sabha because of turmoil.

With tempers running high on the issue of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, a clash was averted between a supporter and opponent of Telangana due alertness of some leaders.

The Well of the House looked a battle ground on Telangana issue with members from Andhra Pradesh cutting across party lines converging there.

In an unprecedented action, four Union Ministers from Seemandhra trooped into the Well demanding a united Andhra Pradesh.

Ministers KS Rao, D Purandeshwari, Chiranjeevi and K Surya Prakash Reddy were in the Well while Minister M Pallam Raju and Kruparani Killi were seen supporting them by standing in their seats.

Alertness of JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress and Jagadambika Pal of Congress helped avert an ugly situation as M Jagannath (Cong) and N Sivaprasad (TDP) moved aggressively towards each other.

Jagannath, a supporter of Telangana, was angry over Sivaprasad’s action of tearing some papers, apparently concerning the bill on separate state.

They were, however, not allowed to come closer by alert members.

YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy also joined the protesting Seemandhra MPs in the Well.

This could be perhaps the first occasion when the Railway Minister was forced to lay on the table his Budget speech which was taken as read.

The House witnessed further trouble after AIADMK and Trinamool Congress members stormed the Well alleging discrimination against their states – Tamil Nadu and West Bengal – respectively.

After witnessing the turmoil in Lok Sabha, during presentation of the Rail Budget, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told members that his “heart bleeds” to see what is happening in the House.

“It is sad for democracy that such things are happening after all appeals for calm,” he said.

Union Minister Kamal Nath said, “It is unfortunate and will set a bad precedent for Lok Sabha in future.”

Meanwhile, Union Minister Pallam Raju said there was widespread perception that injustice is being done.

From AAP, a big reward for those who defaulted on electricity bills

Arvind-Kejriwal12The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi has announced a mega-reward for defaulters on power bills. Those who did not pay for electricity between October 2012 and April 2013 will owe only half of what they were billed. The government will supply the six crores to cover that massive discount.

The announcement was made by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who said that Delhi residents who supported the party’s campaign against allegedly inflated power prices, would be given 50% subsidy and would be charged no penalty.

Mr. Sisodia, a minister, said that households who did pay their bills during this period will not be refunded.

In October 2012, AAP urged residents of Delhi to state in writing that they would not pay their water and power bills to protest against over-priced utilities. 10 lakh people signed the petition; 24,000 defaulted on their bills.

AAP, headed by Arvind Kejriwal who is now Chief Minister, promised to combat corruption and make power and water cheaper in its campaign for the Delhi election. Mr. Kejriwal, tailed by cameras, visited some homes where the power supply had been disconnected because of overdue payments and restored the connection.

In December, AAP made a dream debut in the Delhi state election, pushing the ruling Congress out of office.

Within days of taking office, Mr. Kejriwal halved the prices of power.

He has targeted two power-distribution companies, both backed by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infra Group, demanding that their licenses be cancelled. The firms have said a cash crunch has left them unable to purchase power from state-run electricity producers; they had warned of long blackouts.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court said both firms must continue to receive electricity from government-owned firms till March 26.

Karnataka’s ex-BJP minister attempts suicide

ex-BJPex-BJPKarnataka’s former BJP minister S.A. Ramdas late Tuesday attempted to commit suicide by hanging in a guesthouse in Mysore, about 150 km from Bangalore.

“Ramdas is out of danger though under observation in a private hospital,” a party source told IANS early on Wednesday.

According to unconfirmed reports, Ramdas, a 54-year-old bachelor, was upset after he learnt that a woman, who claimed that he married her recently, threatened to expose his relationship with audio and video evidence.

“We learnt from the guesthouse staff that Ramdas was rushed to Apollo hospital after he was founding hanging in the room where he checked in earlier in the day,” the source said on the condition of anonymity.

The woman, by name Premkumari, in late 30s, told local news channels that though she had known Ramdas since five years, they had come close in the recent past after he had promised to marry her and look after her, as she was a widow with two children from first marriage.

“He (Ramdas) threatened to commit suicide if I speak to media and revealed our conversations, which I had recorded in my mobile handset,” Premkumari was heard telling news anchors in local language (Kannada).

Even as Premkumari was briefing the media on Tuesday evening outside a government office where she works, Ramdas reported to have called her on mobile and threatened to consume poison if she did not stop talking to the media.

Ramdas, who held the medical education portfolio in the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state, lost to the Congress candidate in the May 2013 state legislative assembly elections from the Krishnaraja constituency in the Old Mysore region.

National Maritime Day

In a couple of weeks from now we will be again celebrating our National Maritime Day on April, 5. There are certain issues which we need to consider.

  1. Our premier Indian Shipping Company, the Shipping Corporation of India, is functioning efficiently and profitably? If not how can we take steps to improve it? Do they have a consultative committee comprising professionals to oversee their functioning to improve technical excellence, reduce wastage and enhance profits?
  2. We have the DG Shipping, which is the respected administrative body. Is there any mechanism to ensure that the officers of both the SCI and DGS are meeting at least once in three months to examine any lack of co-ordination and bottlenecks that hinder progress in the right direction? Is the deliberation of such an exercise, printed anywhere or made available on the DGS/SCI website?
  3. DGS has reportedly authorized certain institutions to conduct courses and carry out examination for NCV Certification. Has this been done with due notification and whether any rules have been formalized for such an outsourcing?

Selection group comprising seniors having adequate sea venturing experience should scrutinise persons who are examiners for NCV.

  1. In GP rating training, the cadets finding entry in various colleges are mostly being drawn from a particular region perhaps because certain brokers in this region are more proficient and active than others. Are youth hailing from north east getting adequate representation?
  2. We have made good progress with regard to shipping activities, Port development and development of ship building and repair facilities. In an exhibition held in October 2013 we saw lot of marine equipment manufacturers ( including the engines) and equipment reconditioners and the shipyards displaying their range of capabilities which should make us proud. Our Main engine and Auxilliary engine manufacturers have made excellent progress and their brochures (books and CDs) are very technically enlightening. We have achieved good progress in off shore technology which is laudable. Yes Sir! Many good things have been achieved. Let us hope we march on the path of progress with very effective co-ordination.

Procedures should be made easy for ship repairers and suppliers to serve the ships more expeditiously, considering short port stays. Customs and Port security personnel should have an interaction with the shipping companies for better mutual understanding of the difficulties involved. All people are good and helpful if they are regularly briefed on issues involved and importantly made to feel that their contribution is equally important in national renaissance.

The health of Indian Seamen should be our priority. So far we have been concentrating on medical testing in a routine way but overlooking its preventive side. We can set up counters at major ports where we may sell good quality Ayurvedic and patent medicines to promote health ( example, Triphala in tablet form). Seaman must have easy access to visit a homeopath, Ayurveda vaidya or Unani practioner. Prevention is better than cure in almost all matters, health, fire safety, navigational safety etc: This will further promote our indigenous traditional medicines and alternative therapies.