‘One nation, One language’ approach does not ensure harmony
Union Home Minister Amit Shah could’ve easily avoided the controversy of what he said. Now, after a backlash from the Southern States of India where Hindi is not compulsory, he says, he had no intention of making Hindi a compulsory language throughout India. Without thinking twice, his hasty decision and later regretting it, looks very ludicrous. While it is important to preserve our national language, a dogmatic imposition of it on non-Hindi speaking States is not likely to unite the masses. The ‘One nation, One language’ approach does not ensure harmony at all. Also, Hindi is not the national language of India; it is just an official language.
JubelD’Cruz
Air India does not honour suggestion-portal on website of Prime Minister
Suggestions titled –Delayed but step in right direction that Air India stops meals in short-duration flights to cut expenses– were posted on website of Prime Minister with registration-number PMOPG-E-2018-0374249 in the category SUGGESTIONS-FEEDBACK. But CPIO (Deputy General Manager – Finance) Manoj Kumar at Air India in response dated July 17, 2019 seeking information on taken on these suggestions turned down the request by saying that suggestions are in the negative list of filing of Public Grievances.
Still more shocking was the attitude of First Appellate Authority FAA (Executive Director – Finance) Anil Mittal who dismissed First Appeal without even going through grounds of First Appeal and checking website of Prime Minister that Suggestions-Feedback was an exclusive feature of website of Prime Minister.
Senior ones at Air India should take cognizance of the matter, and direct both FAA and CPIO to be careful in future while passing appeal-orders and responding to RTI applications. They should also be directed to provide working-sheets on suggestions posted under registration-number PMOPG-E-2018-0374249 on website of Prime Minister.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Pune floods
Pune suffered one of the worst rain in a decade and within a matter of four hours the city was submerged with flash floods causing a havoc and the loss of human life which followed in the aftermath of heavy showers. A practical approach to the problems and the past experience in dealing with such ticklish situation will be utilised to make sure that human life is not lost due to the negligence of PMC. Time runs fast but it is not too late to do a world of good to the welfare of the people with timely measures taken even at the eleventh hour to save human lives. Human life is precious and PMC should act thick and fast to find a remedy. Disaster management fell short in the IT city and it was a most horrible situation in a matter of time.
Nikhil Mani
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
On the beginning of the festive season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed people to share surplus sweets and goods with the deprived sections of the society so that more and more Indians could truly celebrate and feel the essence of the festivals. He said that e cigarettes were banned to prevent the youth from falling into the new way of intoxication.
“On one hand, when we experience the ‘Delivery In’ of sweets, and gifts, let us think for a moment on the process of ‘Delivery Out’. At least in our homes, items that are in excess and thus, not required anymore, could be allocated for ‘Delivery Out’,” Modi said in his 57th episode of monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat‘.
Urging people to extend helping hands towards the deprived sections of the society this festival season, he said, “My dear countrymen, with the advent of Navaratri today, the air is bound to be full of new hopes, new energy, newer zest and newer resolves, once again. After all, it’s the festival season. During festivals, families come together. Homes will be filled with joy! But… you must have felt this… there are many people around us who remain deprived of these celebrations.”
The Prime Minister added that the joy which people would get out of sharing things will benefit them and help them in truly enjoying the festivals in its truest sense.
“The smiles thus accrued on the faces of numerous underprivileged families will more than double your joy during festivals… your faces will be lit up with a glow that will brighten your Diwali immensely,” Modi said.
He also said there are several misconceptions being spread about use of e cigarettes, including the one which says that it is not harmful for health. PM Modi said several harmful chemicals are added to e cigarettes which have a bad effect on health. Urging people to shun tobacco, the prime minister warned that e cigarettes, which are used as a “fashion statement”, are a new way of getting addicted to nicotine. This was Modi’s first radio address after his return from the US. Modi returned to New Delhi on Saturday evening.
As many other opposition leaders came under the scrutiny of ED, ahead of assembly elections Sharad Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar and others in connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case came under ED scanner. The news went viral, but this time it was Pawar of Maharashtra, he said that he would “voluntarily” visit the ED office on September 27 to co-operate with them. And therefore, he decided to go there on his own. That has surprised many, because no one expected that he would take such step. Finally, Maharashtra police commissioner had to go to his house to convince him to do so.
Sharad Pawar is the tallest leader of Maharashtra, you will find him at politics where he is sufficiently successful and was the youngest CM in India at the age of 37 without any formal Godfather but Yashwantrao Chavan has always influenced him. Apart from that you will find him at Cricket. He was ICC Chairman. You will find him in Music. You will find all Cines stars having good relations with him. You will see him as a writer. As a businessman, you will find him at Science and research. You will find him in Agriculture. You will find him as a Social Activist.
He is well known for doing the things he speaks.
Sharad Pawar is always been criticised for having a lot of legal and illegal businesses. Till today despite all the people knowing about his legal and illegal businesses, his name is nowhere on paper. Whenever his name has to come into any scam/scandal/corruption case, the key point/ key person/ key evidence not produced or found.
Now the ED filed the money laundering case against Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar and 70 others in the bank scam on the directions of the Bombay High Court. Pawar said he believes in the “Constitution of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar” and hence, will extend full co-operation to the ED and enjoy the probe agency’s “hospitality”. He questioned the timing of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) move, which comes days before the October 21 Assembly polls. Pawar is the second prominent politician from the state to be faced with the ED probe. On August 22, MNS chief Raj Thackeray was grilled by the agency in a money laundering case.
From P Chidambaram to Robert Vadra to Sharad Pawar, key figures linked to those in the Opposition are on the investigating agency’s radar. On the contrary, cases against members of the ruling party or BJP’s alliance partners are pushed on the backburner. This is why when the opposition leaders allege that BJP draws sadistic pleasure in opening cases against opposition leaders it is hard to shake off these allegations. Enforcement Directorate broadened its net in a money laundering case linked to businessman Robert Vadra. The investigating agency sought Vadra’s custody from Delhi High Court, stating that Vadra was uncooperative. However, Vadra’s counsel said that the businessman had cooperated by appearing for summons. The lawyer said his client had answered questions posed to him and added that “not confessing” to the charges did not mean he was being unco-operative in the investigation. A different case, a different counsel, but the story was similar in Chidambaram’s case where the latter’s primary contention was that he has answered all summons and appeared before the agency for questioning.
From P Chidambaram, DK Shivakumar to Sharad Pawar: Why opposition’s allegations of selective action bear substance Ex-finance minister P Chidambaram outside the Delhi court on 5 September. Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who played a key role in keeping BJP out of power for one year in Bengaluru, is also currently lodged in Tihar jail and is being probed for money laundering.
ED’s case against Shivakumar is based on findings of the Income Tax department in 2017-18. The IT probe suggested that Shivakumar was benefitting from a well-crafted network, which was helping him evade tax. The ED issued a notice asking Shivakumar to appear before it on 30 August for questioning. After four days of questioning, the ED arrested Shivakumar on 3 September, saying he had failed to co-operate. Madhya Pradesh’s Congress chief minister Kamal Nath’s nephew Ratul Puri was also arrested by the ED in connection to a Rs 354 crore bank fraud case recently. The IT department just ahead of the state elections raided his residence. Sharad Pawar was booked by the Enforcement Directorate in a criminal case in connection with the Rs 25,000-crore scam pertaining to the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB). While these charges, as standalone cases of corruption, may or may not hold enough water to stand the scrutiny of a court in due time, the crackdown only on opposition leaders, and the timing of such actions has often been doubted.
Though Pawar was not surprised that the government has taken this decision. This is a clear-cut indication that he is getting a very good response.
Within hours, NCP workers started rallying on social media, changing their display pictures to those of Sharad Pawar. On the contrary, cases against members of the ruling party or BJP’s alliance partners are pushed on to the back burner. BJP leaders under ED radar include Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, the Reddy brothers of Bellary, current Human Resource Development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Narayan Rane. All these leaders are facing charges of alleged corruption but ED seems to have made little progress against them. Other names include that of Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is allegedly a key suspect in the water supply scam, and Mukul Roy, who is facing a probe in the Narada ‘sting’ issue, but the trail seems to have gone cold since these leaders moved to the BJP, or so the opposition alleges. Likewise, two TDP leaders CM Ramesh and YS Chowdary, who were earlier being probed for tax regularities, have barely made headlines since they joined BJP in June this year.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
As the elections are approaching, ED took many opposition leaders on task; some believe that this is BJP’s vendetta politics. Well Sharad Pawar, named in a money-laundering case by the ED in connection with a scam at Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, has said he will visit the ED office, even though it has not summoned him yet. On ED’s action against Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena and Congress have backed the NCP chief, saying the government was targeting him.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told Afternoon Voice,“This is the pattern of attack by BJP ahead of every election, so far only opposition leaders are attacked.
Further he also wrote on Twitter, “Sharad Pawar Ji is the latest opposition leader to be aimed by a malicious Government. The timing of this action, a month before elections in Maharashtra, stenches of political opportunism.”
Sharad Pawar Ji is the latest Opposition leader to be targeted by a vindictive Government. The timing of this action, a month before elections in Maharashtra, reeks of political opportunism. https://t.co/XCW0GsdXjj
On being asked about ED’s e-mail forbidding NCP chief from visiting ED office, NCP leader Vidya Chavan said, “Sharad Pawar Saheb has foiled ‘the Brahmastra’ (ED) of the BJP. First time it has happened. Today, people of Maharashtra are familiar with the fact that Sharad Pawar Saheb has nothing to do with State Co-operative Bank scam. He was neither any office bearer in the bank nor associated with it. In spite of this, they dragged his name. There are corruption charges on 22 ministers of Fadnavis government. Why are they not investigating against them?
First time in the saga of ED threat, Pawar himself reached them for questioning. The embarrassed Enforcement Directorate (ED) office was seen as a dare after being named in a money laundering case, was told by the agency -don’t come, we’ll call you if needed. Sharad Pawar urged his party workers to maintain peace and said: “I decided not to go in the interest of law and order after the police requested me.” he had earler said he would go to the probe agency himself to clarify his position as a “responsible citizen” before getting busy with next month’s elections in the state.
NCP Mumbai President Nawab Malik said, “Sharad Pawar Saheb has exposed the ED. His name was unnecessarily dragged in this scam.”
Anna Hazare the social activist has expressed surprise over Sharad Pawar’s naming in the multi-crore Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank scam. Anna a Pawar critic, expressed hope that the truth will come out after the ED carries out a detailed investigation in the scam. Meanwhile, Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil and party general secretary Jitendra Awhad were seen with Pawar while addressing media.
The NCP patriarch is ready to “voluntarily” visit the ED office and co-operate with the probe agency given his faith in the Constitution.
NCP MP Majeed Memon said, “Just ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections, this issue was raised that NCP chief Sharad Pawar is associated with a scam at Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank. Sharad Pawar Saheb himself said that he is ready to appear before the ED for questioning as he would not be in Mumbai and engaged in assembly election campaign. But considering the law and order situation, ED officials said that when required, they will intimate him.
India’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur, her deputy Smriti Mandhana and emerging star Jemimah Rodrigues are unlikely to feature in Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia as it is clashing with the national team’s tour of West Indies.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, the first standalone WBBL, which starts later this year from October 18 and ends on December 8, is likely to clash with India’s month-long tour of the Caribbean, leaving the players with a very limited window towards the end of the fifth season of the league.
India will depart for the Caribbean on October 23 after finishing the ODI engagements against the Proteas women on October 14.
“The BCCI doesn’t discourage any of our women’s players from taking part in overseas leagues as long as their participation [in those tournaments] doesn’t clash with their national duties,” BCCI’s general manager (cricket operations) Saba Karim was quoted as saying by the website.
“In this case, there’s an international series to be played, so that will automatically be on top of their list of priorities,” he said.
Also it is understood that the BCCI factored in the fatigue issue keeping next year’s T20 tri-series in Australia (third team England).
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet played for Sydney Thunders last season and has reportedly been approached by the Melbourne Stars. Mandhana has played for Brisbane Heats, followed by Hobart Hurricanes.
Rodrigues could have landed a maiden WBBL contract after a good Kia Super League (KSL) season in England with Yorkshire Diamonds.
The sluggishness of the economy cannot be overcome only by a reduction in the policy rate, as the domestic financial savings rate in India declined sharply after 2010, which continued even after 2012. Household debt in the US was US $ 12.5 trillion in the first quarter of FY 2008, which increased to US $ 13.9 trillion in the second quarter of FY 2019. India’s total domestic financial liabilities stood at Rs.7.4 lakh crore in FY 2018, up 58 percent from FY 2017. In fact, household liabilities have increased 2-fold in the last 5 years, while expendable income has increased only 1.5-fold, putting increased pressure on savings.
Re-Imposition of Capital Gains Tax: –
In the Union Budget 2018, the government proposes to re-levy the long-term capital gains tax (LTCG), after a gap of 14 years. This tax is proposed to be levied on the transfer of listed equity shares above Rs.1 lakh and at the rate of 10 per cent. This tax is likely to affect the savings of common people in the form of shares and adventures.
Measures to reduce expenditure: –
A) Elimination of capital gains tax: –
The abolition of capital gains tax would boost domestic financial savings and encourage the public to invest more in financial assets than physical assets. Financial assets have grown at a faster pace than last year, a large part of which is equity.
B) Increase in Section 80C and PPF limit: –
Domestic savings were positively affected when the government raised the investment limit in PPF from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,50,000 in August 2014. During FY 2015 as compared to FY 2014, the provident fund and pension fund had increased by only Rs.13,000 crore, but it increased by more than Rs.1 lakh crore in FY 2016 as compared to FY 2015. It is believed that if the PPF investment limit is increased by Rs.50,000, there will be an additional saving of more than Rs.1 lakh crore in domestic savings, but the loss will be only Rs.10,000 crore of revenue. Domestic savings are used to reduce the fiscal deficit, which increases liabilities on domestic savings substantially, but this cannot be considered to be completely true, as the domestic savings over a period of 2 years ending FY 2017, Lending has increased by only Rs.60,000 crore, while during the same period, raising the limit of Section 80C has increased household savings by Rs.1.8 lakh crore.
Increase in consumption through fiscal measures: –
The Reserve Bank is moving forward on the policy rate cut. It may cut policy rates in the coming months as well, but this is not increasing the final consumption expenditure. An important reason for increasing problem is the reduction in consumption expenditure by Rs.1.5 lakh crore. However, the government can increase the final consumption expenditure through PM-Kisan Yojana and MNREGA. The PM-Kisan portal shows that the number of beneficiaries is 14.6 crore, but the number of beneficiaries to be benefited is only 6.89 crore.
To increase rural demand, it is necessary to increase the number of beneficiaries of PM-Kisan. Data shows that till September, 2019, the central government has released Rs.45,903 crore under MGNREGA, but the expenditure has been 73 percent, which is Rs.33,420 crore in the amount. Significantly, any effort to cut spending just to maintain the fiscal balance can be harmful for development. Therefore, as another option, the process of increasing capital expenditure needs to be continued. In the Union Budget, a provision of Rs.3,38,085 crore has been made for capital expenditure, but till July, 2019, only 31.8 percent of this amount has been spent, which was 37.1 percent last year.
Need to increase final consumption expenditure: –
Spending should be done in such a way that demand is increased. The government and the general public should avoid spending for unproductive purposes. The real estate sector also needs to be classified under infrastructure. In this context, it may be beneficial to pay special attention to sectors like steel, cement, capital goods and fertilizer. A comprehensive incentive program can also be beneficial for housing buyers.
Corporate tax relief: –
The government has reduced the corporate tax from 25% to 22% as part of measures to boost growth and investment. This exemption will be given on the condition that they will not take any other exemption. The effective tax rate for these companies will be 25.17% including surcharge and cess. In addition, the minimum alternative tax rate has been reduced to 15% from the current 18.5% to provide relief to companies that have been taking advantage of rebates or incentives. The effective tax rate will be 17.01% including surcharge and cess. India has now come down to the lowest level of corporate tax among developing and emerging economies after the latest exemption. Brazil, South Africa and China now have higher corporate tax rates than India. This reduction in corporate tax could lead to competition with other countries, especially Vietnam in terms of exempting big businessmen. It is worth noting that in Vietnam, big businessmen or companies are given many incentives and discounts, due to which companies are eager to do business there. With the government giving corporate tax rebates and incentives, big businesses or companies can start new businesses or expand their existing businesses.
Impact of Corporate Tax on Selected Areas:–
The average effective tax rate of 3446 listed companies has been 32.40% in FY 2019. With a new effective rate of 25.17%, these companies will save 7.23% tax. The overall impact of the corporate tax rate reduction will save these companies about Rs.44,000 crore in tax. This exemption is a boon for corporates who are currently undergoing financial crisis. Businesses in the steel, finance, textile etc. sectors will benefit from the relief given by the government.
Other measures: –
By solving more and more cases under the Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the capital problem of banks can be overcome. Foreign Institutional Investors (FPIs) should be allowed to directly acquire stressed assets without interference with Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). In addition, investors should be allowed to acquire stressed companies which come under the purview of IBC through qualified foreign commercial loans (ECBs).
This can be done in association with the Reserve Bank. Bankers’ salary agreement is pending since 2017, which should be decided immediately. This will boost the morale of the bank workers, which will have a positive impact on their performance. It is also necessary to identify alternative sources of funds for the development of infrastructure. With the establishment of a development financial institution, the problem of capital can be solved. The creation of unique enterprise IDs can also benefit. ID will have a horoscope of the beneficiaries, which will help in sanctioning loans to MSME sector and its faster disbursement.
Conclusions: –
Implementing corporate tax relief and other measures will increase demand and consumption of various products. Due to lower tax and other measures, companies can reduce the price of various products. Due to lower prices of goods, their demand may increase. To raise capital, companies can pay more dividend to investors, which will increase the purchasing power of the investor. With increasing income, they will also be able to buy various products. If the companies give the benefit of discounts and incentives given by the government to the consumers, then the price of miscellaneous products can decrease by 2% to 5%.
By Suneel Kumar Pandey
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
September 28 (1907) is the birthday of the hero of Independence who considered death as ‘Mehbooba’ and freedom as ‘bride’, who tied the shroud of ‘Kafan’ and told his mother ‘Mera Rang De Bansati Chola’. Bhagat Singh was the true son of Mother India. Bhagat Singh is not only a hero of India, but also gets equal respect and the honour in Pakistan. He was many more than a martyr. His concept of Inquilab was not just limited in political scope, but it was also related to social issues. He wanted to not only liberate India from the slavery of the British, but also to get rid of social evils.
Bhagat Singh was born to Sardar Kishan Singh, a farmer from Punjab. His mother’s name was Vidyavati Kaur. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919 changed the thinking of a Sikh boy.
Let us know some special things about this brave soldier of the country. Some untouched facts related to Bhagat Singh are as follows:-
From the time when Bhagat Singh was a child, he used to talk about farming of guns.
From a young age, he had a fire of rebellion against the British Raj. Bhagat Singh was just 12 years old at the time of the Jallianwala Bagh incident.
On the day of the incident, he escaped from school and reached Jallianwala Bagh.
‘Inquilab Zindabad’
He kept the blood-soaked clay in a bottle. Bhagat Singh used to worship this bottle everyday.
Bhagat Singh gave the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad‘ to the country against the fight with the British Raj. Bhagat Singh was inspired by socialism from a young age.
He had been reading about Lenin and the revolutions led by him to increase his knowledge on the subject, because of which he became an atheist. He even gave up the beliefs associated with Sikhism.
After this, Bhagat Singh joined Pandit Chandrashekhar Azad with his party Hindustan Republican Association.
After which this organisation was named Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
The purpose of this organisation was to create youth who can serve, sacrifice and suffer.
In 1929, Bhagat Singh planned to bomb the assembly with Batukeshwar Dutt and Rajguru. It is said that this bomb was only meant to inform the British about the start of the freedom struggle. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar threw one bomb each. No one was killed in the blast. Bhagat Singh was arrested. While imprisoned, Bhagat Singh also wrote diaries and books. The British hanged Bhagat Singh in Lahore jail on March 23, 1931.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Shahid Bhagat Singh was born in a Sikh Jat family in Khatkar Kalan, Punjab on September 28, 1907. His father Kishan Singh, grandfather Arjan Singh, and uncle Ajit Singh were actively involved in the struggle for India’s Independence. His family members inspired him immensely and the feeling of patriotism was instilled in him from the very beginning. It seemed like the quality ran in his blood.
Bhagat Singh was known to be one of the most influential revolutionary socialists. It was two of his acts of violence against the British government and his consequent execution that made him a household name.
He was just 23 years old when he was put to death by the British government who ruled India during those days. His heroic acts inspire the youth even today.
JubelD’Cruz
Report on implementation of Supreme Court order to remove encroachments
Supreme Court has sought compliance-report on implementation of its order regarding freeing roads and footpaths in Delhi from encroachments by 04.10.2019. But a visit to areas surrounding Chandni Chowk like Bhagirath Palace, Esplanade road and Dr HC Sen Road reveals that no steps have been taken at all to clear roads and footpaths from these areas. Past experience is that in case encroachments from these areas are removed under some emergency-orders, prior intimation is given to encroachers by corrupt authorities to keep footpaths and roads clear for some particular day of inspection, to be encroached on the following day. Supreme Court should appoint a special task-force to ensure vigil on roads and footpaths of areas surrounding Chandni Chowk which is undergoing a total overhaul to be converted as a tourist-attraction.
Corruption is so much there in these areas that in case of major unauthorised constructions where complete building is erected after total erasing of earlier structure, a cosmetic demolition is done in case of complaint is made by only removing some bricks but not at all touching the basic structure. Thereafter setting is done with the complainant and a new unauthorised commercial building is erected supersonically in a matter of few days with easy stay-orders from courts arranged against demolition.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Auto-filling of PAN-details be incorporated on web-portal for payment of Income Tax
Income Tax Department should incorporate provision of auto-filling of complete details of thee assessee just on putting only PAN-number on the web-portal designed for on-line payment of Income Tax, like system exists on GST-website. Such a provision is of utmost necessity to avoid filling of wrong PAN-number by mistake where the assessee will then be able to check rest of the details being subsequently wrong-filled too. Such a provision will be in line with welcome feature going to be added where auto-filled Income Tax returns are going to be introduced.
Income Tax Department can further simplify the system by merging TAN-number with PAN (Permanent account Number) where PAN holders file quarterly TDS statement for deposit of Tax-Deposited-at-Source through PAN-numbers abolishing altogether concept of TAN-number. Filing of such quarterly TDS statements (if applicable for some quarter) may be a part of Income Tax Return and audit-reports if applicable.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Election authorities seized Rs 10 lakh in cash at a checkpost in Bhiwandi town of Thane district in poll-bound Maharashtra, an official said on Friday.
This was the first cash seizure in Thane district after the assembly poll schedule for Maharashtra was announced on September 21.
Acting on a tip-off, officers stationed at the Chavindra checkpost spotted a car entering the powerloom town. On searching the vehicle, they found Rs 10 lakh in cash, an official release said.
The driver, identified as Suresh Dharmani, could not provide a satisfactory explanation about the source of the money, it said.
The cash was subsequently seized and deposited in the treasury on the orders of Mohan Naladkar, the returning officer for the Bhiwandi (East) assembly constituency, the release said.
Last week, Thane collector Rajesh Narvekar, who is also the district election officer, had asked officials to keep an eye on movement of cash ahead of the October 21 voting.
He has directed banks to provide proper identification papers and letters to those transporting cash for loading in ATMs.
Narvekar has instructed banks to monitor high-value transactions and report them to authorities concerned.
He has said banks also need to monitor transactions made by friends and family members of the contesting candidates.
Social activist Anna Hazare has expressed surprise over NCP president Sharad Pawar’s naming cropping up in the multi-crore Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank scam.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar – a former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra – and others in connection with the scam.
An Enforcement Case Information Report, equivalent to a police FIR, has been registered by the central agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The case is based on a Mumbai Police FIR, which had named former chairmen of the bank, Ajit Pawar, and 70 erstwhile functionaries of the cooperative lender.
“When this case came to me, Sharad Pawar’s name was not there anywhere. How did his name crop up, who mentioned his name, all these things only they know,” said Hazare on Thursday when asked about the ED case and the Maratha strongman’s alleged links to the scam.
The anti-corruption crusader, a Pawar critic, expressed the hope the truth will come out after the ED carries out a detailed investigation in the scam.
“The ED will come to know how his name figured in the case,” said Hazare, a veteran of many anti-corruption agitations.
Pawar has denied any wrongdoing and said he was not associated with the bank in any capacity and questioned the timing of the registration of the case which comes just weeks ahead of the October 21 Assembly polls in Maharashtra.
The former Union minister has asserted he would not bow before the ‘throne’ of Delhi, apparently referring to the BJP-led government at the Centre.
The NCP has termed the ED case as politically motivated.
‘One nation, One language’ approach does not ensure harmony 
On the beginning of the festive season, Prime Minister 
As the elections are approaching, 
September 28 (1907) is the birthday of the hero of Independence who considered death as ‘Mehbooba’ and freedom as ‘bride’, who tied the shroud of ‘Kafan’ and told his mother ‘Mera Rang De Bansati Chola’. Bhagat Singh was the true son of Mother India. Bhagat Singh is not only a hero of India, but also gets equal respect and the honour in Pakistan. He was many more than a martyr. His concept of Inquilab was not just limited in political scope, but it was also related to social issues. He wanted to not only liberate India from the slavery of the British, but also to get rid of social evils.
Election
Social activist