PMO violates norms to appoint its choice as CBI Additional Director

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February 10, 2014

A case which can be very embarrassing for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has come out in the public. The PMO has allegedly violated the procedures to appoint an additional director of its choice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). As per rules the additional director’s name must be cleared by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

But, the PMO has not bothered to go by the CVC rules and cleared the appointment of a Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram to the post of additional director.

According to sources the CVC never recommended her name for the post. Instead it had proposed the name of an IPS officer from West Bengal cadre RK Pachnanda to the post. It has even refused to go back to the CVC.

Ignoring the recommendations of the CVC, the PMO went directly to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to clear the name of the officer of its choice.

The CBI is answerable to the CVC. It reports to the DoPT only on administrative matters.
Reacting to this the CVC sources said, “Our select committee never recommended the name of Archana Ramasundram. We gave recommendation of RK Pachnanda. The Appoints Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) got full right to reject, but reasons are to be given in writing with a request to choose another candidate. In this case the DOPT without coming to us again appointed Archana Ramasundram on its own. This is a clear violation of the CVC Act. We will raise our objections with the competent authority on this.”

The CBI sources said, “We have nothing to do with this appointment. The CBI Director is only Member Invitee. It’s the government’s decision to appoint Archana Ramasundram.”

Not taking the blame, Minister in the PMO V Narayanasamy said, “It’s not my personal decision. Name decided by the ACC.” Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth and his secretariat did not respond to the queries on this.

Listen to saner voices

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Mahendra Singh

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February 10, 2014

I saw an interview on television with Harish Salve who is a composed and balanced man. It was always advocated that television anchors must act responsibly. They have social responsibility to discharge especially because we have lot of illiterate and semi-literate population who are looking for good guidance. Salve should be lauded because he laid emphasis on this issue not once but thrice in a very sober tone. The next aspect that I liked was when he said, don’t go to a troubled spot to show that things are not working, instead take corrective steps to get the work done. Once again, a hue and cry is being raised about Jan Lokpal and Anna Hazare is again trying to find a platform to keep appearing on television incessantly.

Hazare must be snubbed. Go and plead for action against persons already well known to be corrupt and not create disorder.

Arvind Kejriwal has threatened to quit if Lok Pal is not passed in the state assembly where as Yogendra Yadav wants to challenge Narendra Modi. He tends to give importance to the contest between Modi and Kejriwal. Why doesn’t Kejriwal or Yadav contest election against Narendra Modi and see what happens? Lieutenant Governor of Delhi must not wait for numbers. He must forward a report to the President as per his own judgment and dismiss this showy government and improve the system. Plenty of mischief is happening in Delhi. Another aspect, I appreciate about Harish is his honest declaration that the India story is over. He is indeed issued a courageous statement.

Who will invest in India when instability is prevailing and the decision making has slowed down as file needs to proceed from one department to the other. Despite so much delay, there is no guarantee that you will not be made to suffer losses at a later date. When I had gone to UPSC in 1981, Captain Kataria had asked me to take into consideration the economics of sea transport while discharging my duty? Alas! No one seems to be asking such a question now.

With the Lok Sabha election merely few months away messages must be aired on television channels appealing people to give mandate for a single party. Fractured mandate must be avoided at all cost as it would prove disastrous for the nation. At sea, we give too much importance to obedience and discipline. Leaders like Kejriwal will be thrown out in no time. The song, “Hum layen hain toofan se kashti nikal ke…”, should be on our lips to keep cautioning us.

Nirupam to adopt MNS style

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 10, 2014

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam who had recently gone on a fast for reducing electricity tariffs in Mumbai is trying to connect voters before the Lok Sabha election. This time Nirupam is planning to get aggressive and will break the glasses of those vehicles which have been illegally parked in a no parking zone at Lokhandwala in Kandivali (E). Since last five years, the residents of Lokhandwala have been fighting a lone battle against the unauthorised vehicles which have been parked in the space opposite their building. The illegally parked vehicles has been causing a huge inconvenience to the residents. Residents had taken this matter with the concerned officials and filed a complaint with the police but they had turned a blind eye towards this issue.

A meeting was held by Sanjay Nirupam with the residents of the society as local police too were invited. Nirupam had assured the residents that the illegal parked vehicles will be removed within 48 hours and also promised that if this issue is not resolved then he would take stringent action and also hold demonstrations with the assistance of local Congress party supporters.

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam said, “I am confident that Lokhandwala residents will soon get a relief from this nuisance. I have asked the concerned authority to take necessary action for resolve the illegal parking of vehicles issue. I will hold demonstration if the cops fail to take action in this matter. I will also break the glass of heavy vehicles parked illegally in the non parking zone.”

More than 20,000 residents stay in Lokhandwala. Due to lack of parking space often drivers park their vehicles at no parking zones
Pankaj Kulkarni, Chairman of Green Meadows Co-operative Housing Society said, “This place has become a safe haven for criminals and drug addicts. Due to illegal parking of vehicles drug addicts indulge in eve-teasing activities. Residents prohibit their daughters from venturing out of the house during night due to the presence of these anti-social elements. Thus we are worried about the safety of our daughters.”

Amit Sharma, another resident of the same housing society said, “Since last five years we have been approaching politician and cops to resolve the illegal parking of vehicles issue. However, nobody is bothered about addressing this issue. Many politicians came and made tall promises but nothing happened. If authorities won’t resolve this issue then our locality will become a hub for criminals.”

A police official from Kandivali Traffic department on the condition of anonymity said, “If impose penalty against the owners of the vehicles which are parked illegally. We also provided the number of vehicle to residents which would enable them to call us if they find any vehicles violating the rule.”

Senior Police Inspector, Pravin More associated with Samata Nagar Police Station said, “If any crime occurs in the non parking area then strict action will be taken against the accused. We are deploying more cops for patrolling the area. If residents find any illegal activities occuring in the locality then they can file a complaint about the same with us.”

MNS workers, Raj’s wife while heading towards Pune not paid toll

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

Daring the Maharashtra government to take action against them, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers and supporters headed towards Pune, from the city and its suburbs on Sunday, without paying toll, to attend a public meeting addressed by their leader Raj Thackeray.

Among those who did not pay the toll was Raj’s wife Sharmila Thackeray, who urged people to participate in the agitation against toll launched by the MNS chief.

“We have stopped paying toll. We have not paid toll this time too. Until the government does not give us an account, we will not pay toll,” Sharmila, who went past the Khalapur toll booth in Raigad district without paying toll, said.

Urging people to defy the government by “breaking rules”, she said that people should show the courage to seek information. “An agitation intensifies only after people participate in it,” she said.

Several other MNS workers were also seen not paying toll at various toll booths.

A few days ago, Raj had asked his followers not to pay toll, after which his party workers went on a rampage and vandalised several toll booths in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur.

Two cases were also registered against Raj Thackeray for inciting violence, but he was not arrested.

Jitendra Singh assures help to Mumbai redevelopment logjam

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Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

Following an assurance by union Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh, residents in old and crumbling buildings in Mumbai’s north-western suburbs see a ray of hope for their redevelopment proposals stuck due to the absence of a no-objection certificate from the Defence Ministry.

Minister Singh Saturday assured them that a solution would soon be found to their problems paving the way for redevelopment in the thickly populated Malad-Kandivli belt.

Singh, however, declined to make any formal policy announcement in view of the ongoing parliament session.

“I shall convene a meeting of all the stake-holders Monday. I shall inform Defence Minister A.K. Antony about the problems faced by the people here due to the ministry guidelines as a fall-out of the Adarsh Society scam,” Singh assured.

Singh was invited by Mumbai North Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam to address the long-pending grievances of the people of the area after the MoD made its NoC mandatory for all types of construction projects within 500 metres of the Central Ordnance Depot located in Kandivli-Malad areas.

“Following the Adarsh Society issue, many genuine works have either been facing technical issues or been grounded,” Singh admitted to the huge gathering of representatives of around 400 affected buildings Saturday evening.

Though the residents demanded a spot solution at the meeting, Nirupam assured them that a favourable solution would be worked out before the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

“I am confident that the people will get justice before the elections. Despite being part of the ruling union government, I am prepared to fight against my government to voice the concerns of the innocent citizens who face hardships for no fault of their’s,” Nirupam said.

Sanjay Dutt asks for parole extension again

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

Actor Sanjay Dutt is looking to extend his parole by a month more owing to his wife Manyata Dutt’s illness.

Dutt had secured parole on December 21, 2013 from Pune’s Yerawada Central Jail and was expected to return to the jail after completing his one-month leave from prison Monday. But the parole was extended to 21st of February as Manyata was to undergo a surgery and Dutt wanted to take care of his wife. Now Dutt is asking for another month extension as she is still recovering from surgery.

Manyata has had fluids removed from her lungs a source from the Bandra police confirming the news, “Dutt has applied for an extension to his parole. The application mentions that he wants to take care of his ailing wife.”

Manyata was reported to be suffering from multiple ailments of the heart and liver and was admitted to Global Hospital in Parel, Mumbai, in January.

Dutt faced several protests outside his home and jail for his many parole requests and alleged pressure that the jail officials have got to grant him the favours.

This is Dutt’s second parole on the grounds of wife Manyata’s illness. Sanjay Dutt had previously got parole in October as he had fallen sick. The parole period was for 2 weeks which was extended for 15 days. This second order garnered a lot of controversies as photographs of Manyata in a Bollywood movie screening a few days before did rounds in the media.

The actor surrendered himself before the TADA court on May 16, 2013 and has since then been serving his remaining 42-month jail term at the Yerwada Jail in Pune.

Banking expansion may create up to 20 lakh new jobs: experts

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Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

The banking sector may create up to 20 lakh new jobs in the next 5-10 years, helped by issuance of new licenses and efforts being made by RBI and government to expand financial services to rural areas, experts say.

The hiring trends may get a further boost from the public sector banks, as many of them would need to hire fresh talent in the wake of nearly half of their workforce scheduled to retire in the next few years.

According to HR services major Randstad India, banking sector will generate 7-10 lakh jobs in the coming decade and the sector would be among top job creators in 2014.

Estimates are, however, much higher for Manipal Academy of Banking, which expects expansion in banking sector, including by the existing and new banks, to help create 18-20 lakh new employees over the next five years itself.

Besides direct hiring, expansion in banking sector also helps in huge job creation in various support areas, experts say.

According to Randstad, public sector banks could account for a bulk of hiring and could see 5-7 lakh new jobs being created in the coming years, as close to 50 per cent of their workforce in the lower and middle-level functions will retire in this period.

“With the new banking licences, which are likely to be issued in the first half of 2014, the banking sector is poised to create big career opportunities in the near future,” Randstad India & Sri Lanka CEO Moorthy K Uppaluri said.

Enthused further by the government’s financial inclusion plans to expand banking to rural areas, Mr Uppaluri said: “With only less than 30 per cent of the Indian population having access to bank accounts, top banking firms are looking to expand and venture into the untapped rural markets that have so much potential to boost growth and profitability”.

Reflecting similar views, talent assessment company MeritTrac Services’ CEO Vasu K Saksena said that “hiring in banks is likely to increase in the next couple of years” owing to expansion of banks into new cities and rural locations.

“Along with new banking licenses, the reason can also be attributed to the large numbers of retirements that banks will witness during this year and the next,” Mr Saksena added.

According to Manipal Academy for Banking, about 4 lakh people applied for jobs in public and private sector banks last year.

Of these while public sector banks hired 60,000-70,000 candidates, private sector hired another 40,000 job aspirants.

Looking at the recent trends, experts are of the opinion that hiring in the sector is expected to happen across regions with lower tier cities to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

“With new banks being set up in Tier 2, 3 and 4 cities, there will be growing demand for business correspondents, sales executives and other banking professionals to reach out to the rural population,” Mr Uppaluri said.

“In the months to come, we expect to see higher hiring momentum in tier 2 and 3 cities to begin with,” he added.

Jobless man demands Rs. 20 lakh, car in dowry; lands in jail

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

Police have arrested a 29-year-old man who called off his proposed marriage allegedly after his demand for hefty dowry was not met.

Chetan Bubera, an art graduate who was without a regular job, was arrested yesterday after the would-be bride lodged a complaint against him and his family members, Sub-Inspector V D Pawar of Mumbra Police Station said.

Bubera got engaged to the 22-year-old girl, a resident of Diva Agasan who works as a domestic help, some days ago and their marriage was fixed for February 17.

The girl’s family members were busy with marraige preparations when Bubera told them he wants Rs. 20 lakh in cash and an Innova car, police said, quoting from the complaint.

When the would-be bride’s family expressed inability to fulfil the dowry demand, the man cancelled the marriage, they said.

Not deterred by the decision, the girl mustered courage and took the matter to the police, who charged Bubera and family members with cheating and criminal breach of trust, among others.

Besides Bubera, half a dozen members of his family, including mother, have been booked but not yet arrested, the police added.

Autos, buses in major Indian cities must have GPS facility by February 20

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

The government has set a deadline for public transport vehicles running in major cities with a population of over 10 lakh to install GPS devices by February 20.

According to a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways circular, owners of public service vehicles are required to get GPS (Global Positioning System) installed in their vehicles by by February 20, 2014 failing which necessary action as deemed fit shall be taken against the defaulters.

The Road Ministry had earlier asked passenger vehicle owners to install these devices by September 30, 2013.

In January, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved a Rs. 1,405-crore project to track and monitor public transport and provide alarm buttons for alerting authorities.

The project involves setting up of closed circuit television (CCTVs) and using GPS to ensure safety and security of women and girls in distress.

This project is part of the the Nirbhaya Fund for women safety.

It will be implemented within two years after allocation of funds to set up a National Level Vehicle Security and Tracking System and City Command and Control Centre with installation of GPS, CCTV in public road transport.

The policy was formulated in the wake of gang-rape of a 23-year old paramedic in a moving bus, on December 16, 2012.

This victim died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.

What is wrong in meeting chief ministers? asks Sharad Pawar

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 9, 2014

Days after a controversy over reports in the media about his “secret” meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that he keeps meeting chief ministers of various states in the country in the capacity of the Union Agriculture Minister and sees nothing wrong in doing so.

Last week Mr. Pawar, whose party governs Maharashtra with the Congress and is a member of the PM’s coalition government at the Centre, had rejected the reports as false.

“As the Union Agriculture Minister, I have the responsibility of increasing the country’s food production and the implementation of the Food Security Act and for that purpose; I have to visit various states. I visit West Bengal and meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Similarly, I meet Naveen Patnaik in Odisha; Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and Narendra Modi when I go to Ahmedabad,” Mr Pawar said.

“However, suddenly one day newspapers published a news about my meeting with Modi….What is wrong in meeting the chief ministers? Have I met anyone from Pakistan or China? What is wrong in it? He is a public representative and to meet him is part of my work. A hype is being created out of nothing,” he added.

Mr. Pawar made these remarks at the inauguration of the Rs. 25 crore International Indoor Stadium of the Thane Municipal Corporation at Dhokali while he was advising its members to restrict political rivalry to elections. “Once the elections get over, you should think in a wider perspective and work towards the development of the city. You should keep politics away while doing civic work,” he told them.

On January 31, Mr. Pawar had slammed as “completely mischievous” and “baseless” media reports about his meeting with the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate in New Delhi.

“News of my meeting with Narendra Modi in New Delhi on January 17 appeared in a newspaper. (It) is completely mischievous, baseless and false,” the Agriculture Minister had posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

His tweets followed a front page report in a Marathi newspaper that said he was understood to have secretly met Mr. Modi in New Delhi on that day.