Failure of the system Part- I

By

-

February 4, 2014

I completed my work in a hurry and looked at my watch as I was getting late. After lifting the heavy bag on my shoulder, I walked quickly towards the bus stand lest I miss the express bus. I had to reach my destination before night. On reaching the bus station I noticed that the bus was yet to arrive. I sighed a relief and looked around. The bus stand was crowded with passengers who were waiting for their buses. Luckily, my bus arrived after few minutes and it was parked at the platform. No sooner, I walked towards the door of the bus a queue of five to six persons was formed as commuters were waiting for passengers to alight from the vehicle. I also stood next to them.

Meanwhile, a group of young men arrived and threw their bags on the seats through windows and reserved seats for themselves. Few of them tampered in between the passengers who were alighting from the bus and reserved some more seats for their friends. Passengers standing in the queue shouted at them to form queues and follow the system. They never paid attention and went ahead! By the time we entered inside the bus no seats remained vacant! All of us complained to the conductor about this matter. He turned a deaf ear towards our demand!

I swiftly inquired with the co-passengers and learnt that no bus service was immediately available if I failed to board the bus which was scheduled to depart. Thus the only option left for me was to commute in the same bus. A fury ran through my nerves. I felt as if I was let down by the system. Nobody respected those passengers who were following the rules by standing in queue. On the contrary they mocked at us for our inability to grab the seats! I had to control my anger in silence!

It was not the difficulty to stand for three hours in bus which worried me but I was more bothered about the collapse of the system. Why are we not capable of getting things done as per rules? Why do we allow people to break the rules and enjoy unfair advantages? Why in democracy, might is allowed to be honoured? No answer except the ‘public mindset’ which accepts misrule as the procedure of the day. It has become a very casual aspect for us. In the present situation the personal agenda is to break the rule but be intelligent and get the things done! Because everyone is aware that nothing goes according to the rule!

(The remaining part of this article will continue tomorrow)

Akshara Damle

Stop discrimination against people from North-East

By

Mahendra Singh

-

February 4, 2014

It has been reported that the buffalos belonging to Azam Khan’s farm house were being chased by the police. Good quality “ murra” buffaloes are expensive because of their high milk yielding capacity. In winter, they can go anywhere for grazing but in summer, they will surely enter the pond. Their staple food is green fodder and “khali”. If a person has low intelligence they will joke, “kya bhains ka doodh pita hai”. If a person is physically weak they will say, “Itna kamzor hai, bhains ka doodh piya kar”. In villages they use buffaloes to harness the cart having rubber tyres. You must have heard the expression, “Akal badi hai ya bhains”.

Teasing and passing jokes, at times may prove counterproductive. Taniam, the son of an Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLA Nido Pavitrawas, was reportedly beaten up by a group of 5-6 men in Delhi. Some people were terming it as racism but it is not true. Many of us have racist tendencies and opt for white skin against the darker skin, foreigners against national citizens but that is another matter. We do not possess enough knowledge about the people hailing from North East. Our government has not popularized the life and culture of people belonging to this region. Same is the case with people from belonging to Andaman and Nicobar islands. I have sailed with the crew from Andamans and residents of this region are very hard working and polite.

We should encourage young men from Andaman and North Eastern states to join our marine training colleges which will enable them to find employment on board ships and get integrated into the society. Films are good medium for achieving this objective. We must select some young boys and girls for suitable roles in films and not confine such roles to a few persons only because that promotes elitist culture. Bullying and goondaism should be minimized by alertness of college wardens, principals and teachers. Strict action must be taken against the accused responsible for indulging in such activities.

It is more of a psychological aspect. Few years back, people who smoked cigarettes were considered smart while non-smokers were considered as fools. After creating awareness about the perils of smoking, this activity has reduced considerably. The universities should organize joint cultural programmes to promote friendship and co-operation. A caution for our friends hailing from north east. If they are looking for guidance, approach a bright faced girl with a smile. Approach police personnel and avoid rough and tough looking guys. If they follow these precautions then they will remain safe. Bad people will pick up a fight for no reason, “Meri bhains ko danda kyun mara”.

She will not contest election
Damania AAP’s star campaigner

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 4, 2014

Aam Aadmi Party State Convenor Anjali Damania who was initially supposed to contest the Lok Sabha election against BJP leader Nitin won’t be contesting the election. She would be playing the role of star campaigner for AAP party in the general election. Damania had alleged irregularities in the affairs of Gadkari’s Purti Group last year. Mayank Gandhi, Maharashtra President of Aam Aadmi Party confirmed that Anjali won’t be contesting election and would work for strengthening the party at grass roots level.

Talking to AV, Mayank Gandhi said, “I and Anjali Damania will be working for the development of the party in Maharashtra. If both of us contest election then we won’t be able to provide guidance to party workers. Hence Anjali will campaign aggressively for the party.”

When we spoke to Anjali Damania, she said, “If I will contest the election then I can’t focus on the work of party’s development. Therefore, I won’t contest election and instead would provide guidance to party workers keeping in mind the upcoming election.”

When asked Mayank Gandhi whether Anjali is not contesting election as she wants to avoid a faceoff with Nitin Gadkari he said, “It’s not true. AAP will field strong candidate against Nitin Gadkari who can give him a tough fight in the election.”

Even though Anjali might be campaigning for the party many leaders want her to contest election against Nitin Gadkari and defeat him. Maharashtra is a key state for the Aam Aadmi Party, not only because this is the birthplace of the India Against Corruption movement to which most senior AAP members of Maharashtra belong, but also because IAC and AAP members have built a large support base here.

AAP Maharashtra spokesperson and State Secretary, Preeti Sharma Menon said, “Anjali Damania is one of the strong contenders to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. She instead decided to not contest election and make strategies for the party’s expansion. I am pleased with Anjali’s decision to refrain from contesting election as she is working for the development of the party which needs to be appreciated.”

BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis said, “It is the personal decision of Anjali Damania to not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.”

Mayank Gandhi is likely to contest against Gurudas Kamat, Member of Parliament, Mumbai North West and AICC General Secretary and CWC member. Former CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland Meera Sanyal will be contesting against Milind Deora from South Mumbai.

Pawar should explain why he is not contesting LS election: Munde

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde on Monday sought to know why Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar decided not to contest the Lok Sabha polls this time, when the UPA was facing difficult times.

“Pawar took a decision to contest the Rajya Sabha polls instead of working with Congress when the UPA is in difficult situation,” said Munde.

“When Rahul Gandhi has taken up a bigger role in Congress, Pawar should remain part of UPA and work with party president Sonia Gandhi. However, he has gone to Rajya Sabha. The NCP leader should explain why he has taken this decision,” Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
“We have prepared a charge-sheet called the ‘Dark Decade of UPA’, in which we have listed UPA’s performance in last ten years. Inflation, corruption are the main issue we have mentioned in the charge-sheet,” he said.

Munde also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for declaring load-shedding free Maharashtra earlier. “Why did Pawar make false claims when loadshedding still exists in Beed and some other parts of Maharashtra,” he said.

The BJP leader announced that RPI will be made a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

On February 16, a rally of “mahayuti” (mega alliance of Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI) has been organised in Beed.

Shiv-Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, MP Ramdas Athawale, MLA Raju Shetti, BJP Maharashtra unit chief Devendra Fadanvis will be present.

SC asks residents, civic body to resolve Campa Cola flats row

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

The Supreme Court asked the Campa Cola Residents Association and the civic body in Mumbai to find out within four weeks a solution to the row over certain illegal and unauthorised flats which face demolition in view of its earlier order.

“The Attorney General is asked to sort out the matter. It is better to try to sort out the issue within four weeks,” a bench of justices S J Mukhopadhya and Kurian Joseph said.

The court’s remarks came when senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the residents body, said the proposal, which may include a plea for either regularisation of illegal construction or relocating flat owners, was being finalised and would be submitted to Attorney General G E Vahanvati within two weeks.

It said the AG would consider the proposal and decide within four weeks. Referring to earlier proceedings, the bench said the main matter had already been decided and moreover, “the review petition against the judgement has also been dismissed”.

“So far as the government is concerned, it can do anything. We do not want to say anything.” it said.

Earlier, the apex court had asked the unauthorised flats owners to vacate the premises by May 31 as no specific proposal could be worked out to provide them space in the compound for new construction.

The order was passed after Vahanvati said, “After considering all aspects we are not in a position to work out any specific proposal.”

The bench, which stayed the demolition of the unauthorised flats by taking cognisance of media reports, had said that it took the humanitarian ground into consideration to extend the date of demolition from November 11, 2013 to May 31, 2014 as the Attorney General had sought time to come out with a specific proposal for permanent solution.

It had asked the municipal corporation to take action in accordance with its February 27, 2013 order after the May 31, 2014 deadline ends.

The court on February 27 had ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to demolish the illegally constructed flats and on October 1 refused to re-consider its earlier order and had set November 11 deadline to vacate 102 flats which were declared as illegal.

Another Congress MP from Mumbai writes to CM on power tariff issue

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

After Congress MPs Sanjay Nirupam and Priya Dutt, another party MP from Mumbai, Gurudas Kamat has approached Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, seeking relief for power consumers.

Kamat has written a letter to Chavan and Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) asking them to leave it to the consumers to decide their power providers.

The MP from Mumbai North-West constituency has demanded that consumers be provided “Open Access”, whereby they have the choice of selecting electricity provider.

To address the anxiety and concern of the citizens of Mumbai over regular hikes in electricity rates by private electricity providers, the Electricity Act of 2003 permits the “open access” thereby giving a choice to the consumer to select any provider offering better services or rates, he said.

“This choice should be made available to all Mumbai citizens,” Kamat said.

He said Tata Electric Company’s rates are nearly Rs. 2 per unit less than the other company in the market, for consumption up to 300 units. Consumers whose electricity consumption is upto 300 units may be allowed to switch to Tata Electric Company.

The Tata company may be directed to provide the services to the people of Mumbai wanting a change, Kamat said.

Around 20 lakh households could benefit by this shift, he said. Benefits of other subsidies and withdrawal of taxes may also be considered by the state government, or MERC, he added.

BMC can decide building redevelopment proposal under heritage

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

The Bombay High Court ruled that proposal for redevelopment of any building falling under a proposed heritage precinct but not individually listed as Grade I and II heritage structure, need not be referred to the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) and can be decided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The ruling was made by a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha while hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the August 14, 2013 circular issued by the civic body directing all its officers to refer proposals for redevelopment of any building that falls in the proposed list of heritage precincts, to the MHCC.

On July 31, 2012 the corporation had come up with a proposed list of 41 sites to be declared as heritage precincts. The sites included Shivaji Park and Matunga in Central Mumbai and suburb of Chembur. The list was issued after a recommendation from the MHCC in 2008.

The petitions filed by Arun Chitale, a resident of Shivaji Park, Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry and residents of Matunga and Chembur challenged the BMC circular stating that under Development Control Regulation (DCR) 67(2)(iii)(b) if the building does not fall under Grade I and II then the redevelopment plea need not be referred to the MHCC.

According to the petitions, the BMC can decide the proposals and special permission was required from the municipal commissioner if the building exceeded 24 meters in height.

Advocate General Darius Khambata agreed with the petitioners and said, “To say all the buildings are heritage Grade I and II is a little over ambitious. The MHCC should review its recommendation,” he said.

“After hearing the petitioners, we are of the view that the petitions are justified in making grievance against the BMC circular dated August 14, 2013. Under DCR 67(2)(iii)(b) there is no need to refer to MHCC proposals of those buildings which have not been listed as Grade I and II heritage structures,” the court said.

Government transfers 17 IAS officers

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

The Maharashtra government has transferred 17 IAS officers, including senior bureaucrat Sanjay Deshmukh who is currently the collector of suburban Mumbai, to various other posts.

Deshmukh has been transfered to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as its Additional Municipal Commissioner.

Other senior IAS officers who have been transferred include Anup Kumar, who was on central deputation as the Divisional Commissioner of Nagpur.

NCP to stop communal forces in Maharashtra: Jitendra Awhad

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

Rubbishing rumours about plans to go with the BJP during the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that it would strive to stop communal forces in Maharashtra.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of Maharashtra’s NCP leaders to chalk out an election strategy, NCP working president Jitendra Awhad said, “We are going to stand against communal forces.”

Calling themselves “die-hard” secularists, he said that the NCP would not do anything that would support those with an extremist and fascist outlook.

“We are die-hard secularists. We believe in secularism and will go with secular parties. We will not support communal forces in any way. We will not do anything that will favour people who believe in a fascist ideology,” he said.

The NCP MLA said that his party chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has clarified that the NCP would stand against communal forces during the elections.

“We will not compromise under any circumstances with the BJP,” he said.

“We are with the Congress and will remain with them. Our alliance is on the basis of similar ideology,” Awhad said.

‘States should set up project monitoring groups as in PMO’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

February 3, 2014

To speed up delayed projects, states should set up project-monitoring-groups, as in the Prime Minister’s Office, a senior government official said today.

Nine states – Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bengal — are currently in the process of setting up project-monitoring-groups (PMG).

“Some states have already done it, while others are in the process of getting necessary training for setting up PMGs. We expect all these PMGs will be operational in the next 15-20 days,” PMO’s PMG head Anil Swarup said.

These groups would mostly take up projects worth less than Rs 1,000 crore. “If more states come forward to set up such PMGs, many projects worth less than Rs 1000-crore, which are stuck due to several issues, can be cleared and investments can flow in the states,” he said. The PMG at the PMO has identified 419 stalled projects, worth almost Rs 20 lakh crore, that had been pending for years. Of these, problems for 137 projects worth Rs 4.5 lakh crore have been resolved in the past seven months since the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) started functioning.

“Out of these 137 projects, issues pertaining to 84, totalling Rs 3.71 trillion investments, have been sorted out completely and work on them is progressing,” Swarup said.
He said projects related to coal mining and power formed the biggest chunk of the stalled projects, followed by those stuck over forest and environmental clearances. “Some 70,000 MW-worth coal related projects have been cleared by the PMG. Besides, some major road projects have also been cleared,” he added.