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

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February 12, 2014

An 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

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

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’

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

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’

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

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

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

The 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

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

Karnataka’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

By

Mahendra Singh

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February 12, 2014

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.

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?
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?
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.

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?
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.

Chaiwallahs like Modi

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Afternoon Voice

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February 12, 2014

The remarks made by Congress leader Mani Shankar Iyer about Narendra Modi that a chai wallah cannot become the Prime Minister of India has turned into a blessing in disguise for Modi. Modi has turned the tide into his favour by inviting tea vendors during election campaigns. By organising these kinds of programmes the saffron party has been able to connect with tea vendors. They also mentioned about the days when Modi used to work as a tea seller at stations and his journey from a tea vendor to the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. Tea vendors are already impressed by the campaigning programmes held by BJP and look up to Modi as the future prime minister of India. Many of them have already decided to vote for Narendra Modi in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

Raju Singh a tea vendor from Kandivali said, “Most of the political parties have sidelined us but Narendra Modi had invited us at the rally as a special guest. It will be my privilege to vote for him.”
Chandresh Patel will vote for Modi and he said, “Tea vendors have come into limelight only due to Narendra Modi. I and many other chai wallahs will definitely vote for him.”

Tea vendors have been easily able to relate with Modi who too had been working as a tea seller during his childhood days. Manoj Upadhyay a tea seller from Malad said, “Narendra Modi is a capable leader and he deserves to become the prime minister of India.”

Ajay Kumar Mandal said a tea vendor from Kandivali said, “I want Narendra Modi to become the prime minister of India. He is a visionary and has worked at the grassroots level.”

Prakash Patel wants a change of governance. He said, “People of India are already fed up with the Congress which is responsible for misgovernance and want change. So Narendra Modi fits the bill.”
Dinesh Patyar is confident that Modi will develop the nation. He said, “The UPA reign has witnessed several scams. We want change and will vote for Narendra Modi who will transform the country.”

Narayan Parki a tea vendor from Kandivali said, “I am proud of Narendra Modi as he too belonged to the same profession like me during childhood. If a tea vendor can become the Chief Minister of Gujarat then will definitely become prime minister of the country.”

Akshay Sukhar lauded Modi’s efforts to transform Gujarat into a developed state. He said, “Narendra Modi has been responsible for the development of Gujarat and in the same way he can take India forward. I am confident that he will perform a good job.”

Brijgopal Sharma a tea vendor from Malad said, “Narendra Modi has changed the perception of people towards tea vendors and bring some dignity towards their profession. I will definitely vote for him as he can make India a developed nation.”

MNS to block all national highways on Wednesday

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Afternoon Voice

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February 11, 2014

The commuters in Maharashtra might have a hard time on Wednesday as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has announced that it will block all national highways in the state from 9 am.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has assured that normal life will not be disrupted due to their protest. “We will not disrupt life in any of the cities in Maharashtra but all the highways will be blocked from 9 am tomorrow (Wednesday). I have told MNS workers not to indulge in vandalism.”

However, even as the MNS chief promised an end to vandalism of toll booths, party workers attacked a toll in Panvel on Tuesday. They had earlier attacked a toll in Uran also.

The party will march from Girgaum chowpatty to Mantralaya on February 21 over the issue. “Government says its open to talks. That is not enough. I want a time bound programme,” he said.

Government to give class 1, 2 jobs to children of 26/11 martyrs

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Afternoon Voice

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February 11, 2014

The Maharashtra government has decided to give class 1 and 2 jobs to the children of the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

The decision to this effect was taken recently after Poonam Durgude, daughter of slain sub-inspector Bapurao Durgude, who was killed by the terrorists during the 2008 attacks, requested state Home Minister RR Patil to give her a class 1 or 2 job.
According to a senior official in the Home department, government jobs in class 3 and 4 categories were earlier offered under the compensation scheme to the children of martyrs.

However, when Poonam went with her request, it prompted necessary changes in the earlier government resolution (GR) to pave way for martyrs’ children to get class 1 or class 2 jobs, the official said.

“Poonam, who was given class 3 job, met Home minister R R Patil and requested him to give her class 1 or class 2 job. Considering the backdrop and gravity of the case, Patil took up the matter with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and asked him to sensitively think over the issue,” he said.

Recently, the government also offered class 1 job to Bharti Omble, daughter of slain assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Omble, who played a pivotal role in nabbing Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani militant who was one of the attackers.

The official said the appointment files of Bharti, who has been given job as deputy collector, and Poonam, as sales tax officer, are in the final stage.

“It is the prerogative of the respective departments to clear the file at the earliest. The process is expected to be completed soon,” he said.

“The decision has been taken only for the children of the martyrs in 26/11 terror attacks case. Those who are eligible will definitely get class 1 or class 2 jobs,” he said.

Expressing happiness over the government’s move, Poonam’s sister Neelam said, “It is great news for all of us in the family. We all are very happy. We are expecting the letter in next few days.”