Food and Civil Supply, Customer Protection, Skill Development and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Minister of Maharashtra Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar was “Guest Editor” to Afternoon Voice on Tuesday 20th August. While speaking to editorial staff in his interaction session, he expressed his urge to see his next generation of Latur and its surrounding area not to migrate in search of livelihood. He believes that education is at its best in his region and the youth deserves better opportunities in his constituency. He also stated that the youths of this region are brilliant; eight students out of ten are passing with distinction. Right now he will focus on bringing jobs for them by introducing various projects in Latur.
When asked how many marks he will give to Devendra Fadnavis government for its performance during last five years, he told, “ I will give eight out of ten on the performance of Devendra Government but those two points I hold for scope of development, as it’s an ongoing process.”
He also penned down a beautiful edit on “why he loves PM Modi and his working style.” Nearly two hours he spent on edit desk interacting with the editorial team. Also expressed his views on various issues and shared his experiences with them. He said, “I am working for the BJP because I love the basic ideology of the party and my grandfather was working for Congress. There is huge difference in our beliefs. But one thing that he has learned from his grandfather is to connect with people, give them quality time and listen to their grievances.”
Sambhaji is also the General Secretary of BJP Maharashtra. In June 2019, CM Devendra Fadnavis allotted him Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection, Skill Development and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Department’s Ministry.
Sambhaji is a rising star of BJP in the state. He joined politics after his father’s death. He is a rebellion and fought his first election against his grandfather and defeated him. Sambhaji then formed his own political party the Nilanga Vikas Aghadi, and later on joined BJP and is following the path of PM to make India a skilled force.
For few hours today I was guest Editor of Afternoon Voice, an English daily of Mumbai. As we all know the main task of editor is to pen down his thoughts, today I got an opportunity to do so. Well! I will obviously write about my favourite political leader because he has not only changed lives of people but brought new breeze in the country.
Not as BJP leader but as a citizen of this country I have many reasons to love my PM Modi, more than that I feel honored to be part of his political party BJP and privileged to work under his kind guidance and fulfill his dreams of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Loving some one is not a compulsion it comes from the core of the heart and heart is such a vital inner part of our body in which one can’t put any impurities. By heart I can say I love my leader for his honesty, simplicity, idealism and credibility. Some peoples say “ Modi is like this, that etc “. So, no one can help them, because their hearts are full of hatreds and doubts. Modiji is loved not in his country only but allover world for his idealism. He speaks and uses his own brain to think (Not like some other Indian PMs). He didn’t request for Visa when America rejected it few years ago. America requested him to have a visit. He said “I will make such a wonderful India that all Americans will stand in queue to get a Visa of India.” The Prime Minister of Japan follows only 4 people on Twitter; Narendra Modi is one of them. He has given a free hand to the Indian army in case of attacks by Pak Army and to attack their check posts on the LoC. This basically conveys Pak that India is not at all weaker!
He respects Indian traditions and cultures.(He was on a fast on the account of Navratri festival and still he reverberated Madison Square with his speech.)
He bowed down in respect at the steps of parliament. He respects his work and work place. Modi, came from a humble family and went up the ladder step by step to reach this top post. His journey to this position is one of inspiration to many. Modi talks the language of the masses. Never strays from the subject. There is clarity in his address and very careful in selection of topics for discussion. He takes issues dear to youths such as, science, technology and economy. He places himself as the only leader to take India to the ultimate goal of Super power. He smashes the entire opposition unfit to do so, without naming any. He projected himself as a darling of Non Resident Indians and his address to the audience in foreign countries evoked great interests in our country. His importance to science, and technology, the encouragement given to ISRO, DRDO, and Bhabha Atomic energy has created a positive impression on the people.
He takes issues very dear to common man, swatch, potable water, sanitation, health, farmer’s woes, etc., and takes every care to solve them. Constructed more than two crore toiĺets, issued health insurance to all the poor at a very nominal premium, made the existing crop insurance even more farmer friendly, providing potable water at a very nominal rates at railway station for commuters, etc are some of the works appreciated by the people. He is mesmerizing while addressing the audience. There is no leader who can compete with him in public speech, in the opposition rank.
All these and more have made people love Modi ji dearly. I will conclude saying, when you are working under the able leadership half of your journey screams with success.. I will and I can make difference under his guidance.
-Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar
(Editor of The Day)
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar is a member of 13th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Nilanga. Recently, Nilangekar a champion of BJP came to limelight with his Mahayagya. He got married some 1,000 of couples that day. Looking at the drought in Latur, Maharashtra he did prayers for rains. Also, he came into controversy through his own people but he ignored them and walked his path. Nilangekar is a strong mascot of BJP who is on the path of fulfilling Modiji’s dream of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. At the same time, he contributes every bit to the betterment of the state and his constituency. He is a member of BJP and RSS and also the General Secretary of the Maharashtra State Unit of the BJP. On July 8, 2016, he was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Devendra Fadnavis government.
Forty Two-year old Sambhaji Patil once created history by winning against his own grandfather, eight-time MLA and former Chief Minister, late Shivajirao Pati Nilangekar. They were having some property dispute and family tussle.
Sambhaji, who has a commercial pilot’s license, joined politics after his father’s demise; politics was not new to him but then he refused to contest the last Lok Sabha election saying that he wanted to start his political career as an MLA. After that the ticket was given to his mother. For the justice of factory workers he stood against his own grandfather. People were troubled with unemployment and non-payment of crop insurance those days. Somewhere the displeasure in public against senior Nilangekar was visible; perhaps this is what motivated Sambhaji Nilangekar to blow a bugle against his grandfather. Sambhaji then formed his own political party — the Nilanga Vikas Aghadi to stand against his grandfather.
His grandfather and his family had to part ways for various reasons, but meanwhile his father died in 1999. Economic prosperity and development was missing in his constituency. Water was a major issue, especially in summer. Drought was severe. The Ambulga cooperative sugar factory, run by Patil Nilangekar, was closed and about Rs. 4.5 crores is outstanding to farmers and shareholders were due. About 8,000 farmers were not paid for their sugarcane. People were very angry not so much with the Congress but his grandfather. Nilanga epitomizes the problems in Latur and to a larger extent in Marathwada. Despite the numerous educational institutions, the taluka has few bright students. While the Latur model of developing secondary education has worked to some extent, it has not spread to other parts of the region.
Sambhaji’s mother, Roopatai Patil, who is Nilangekar’s daughter-in-law, had won from Latur on a BJP-Sena ticket in the Lok Sabha elections, defeating the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, by over 30,000 votes in 2004. Later on, she advised her son to contest election not only to defeat his rival but also to make sure he even loses his deposit. Roopatai Patil was very strong lady and was strong-minded to aim Congress mukt Nilanga. After this humiliating defeat, Shivaji Rao Patil who neglected villagers started visiting them to earn good will, but by then Sambhaji was already their hero. So, Shivaji Rao had to accept people’s mandate. The out dated domination of politicians gave way to a more meaningful representation by choosing Sambhaji. Thereafter, he never stopped doing hard work, he became one of the strongest BJP cadre and people leaders.
Since 2014, and especially after Munde and Deshmukh’s demise, the state politics especially Latur and Nilanga changed drastically in the hands of next generation. The appointment of Pankaja Palve, daughter of Munde, to head the youth wing of the party was being debated in hushed tones. Munde supporters, however, justified the appointment. Pankaja, an MLA from Beed district, is being seen as a counter to Supriya Sule of the NCP and MLA Praniti Shinde and minister for women and child welfare Varsha Gaikwad of Congress who have been pulling women to their parties. Pankaja later on became rebellious and started attacking Devendra Fadnavis on various occasions. At the same time, Fadnvis started ignoring her, after several controversies rumored about her. The public spat between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and rural development minister Pankaja Munde over reallocation of portfolios of ministers has become the highlight of the long-awaited expansion of the state cabinet. As he effected a reshuffle of portfolios headed by ministers in his team, Fadnavis sprung a surprise by taking away some departments held by influential ministers such as Munde, education minister Vinod Tawde and housing minister Prakash Mehta. Fadnavis took water conservation and employment guarantee scheme departments away from Munde and reallocated them to two new ministers, Ram Shinde and Sambhaji Nilangekar.
Even Sambhaji Nilangekar too came in controversy, he was found to be closely associated with a company listed as a willful defaulter by the Bank of Maharashtra. He was guarantor for a loan that was a non-performing asset (NPA) and declared as a “fraud account” with an outstanding balance of Rs 49.29 crores owed to two state-owned banks — Bank of Maharashtra and Union Bank of India. Further, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last year filed a chargesheet in a case of cheating lodged by the banks after finding that the mortgage deed papers for the loan had been tampered with. The CBI as an accused also names Nilangekar. The accused have been charged under sections 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code for siphoning off funds and cheating. Also, accused in the case are other guarantors and an official of the sub-registrar’s office in Nilanga. However, Nilangekar’s lawyer Chandrashekhar Sabnis claimed that it was the bank that manipulated the original deed submitted with the sub- registrar. He said land was not a part of the mortgage agreement.
He said the unit’s problems started when the banks failed to release funds that were agreed upon when the loan was approved. Sambhaji was merely a guarantor, and that the dispute over property, which the bank says was offered as collateral, was politically motivated. The CBI investigations showed that the property offered as collateral at the time of sanctioning the loan was not the property eventually mortgaged. Nilangekar said the dispute over the property arose because his grandfather, a former Congress chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar, had challenged its ownership and staked claim on the property.
Anyway, leaving all the controversies and disappointments aside, Fadnavis team has only few months in hand to show the performance to the people.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
India is a democratic country with an judicial system that should be respected by all. MNS call for ‘Bandh’ over ED notice to it’s chief sans logic & needs a rethink. Even past Prime Minister’s as well as top leaders have been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate & the law of the land should be followed by all. Questioning by ED doesn’t mean guilt & one should face them if one has nothing to hide. Clarence from ED infact would enhance one’s stature more so if you are an politician facing citizens for votes in elections.
MNS has been vociferous on many issues & political vendetta cannot be ruled out in their case. But the judicial system is impartial & it provides an opportunity for citizens who are under the cloud of corruption to clear their name once for & all. ‘Bandhs’ & destruction serves no purpose and needs to be avoided under any cost!
S.N.Kabra
Subsidised post-cards are misused by people
It is indeed shocking that postal-department delivers highly subsidised rubber-stamped (printed) post-cards of just 50 paise each to Akashwani (All India Radio) where senders write Any-Song for programme of listeners-choice of film-songs just to get their names broadcast on Akashwani. According to rules, these rubber-stamped post-cards should be considered as printed post-cards carrying a postal-tariff of rupees six, and must not be delivered to Akashwani.
Bitter fact is that subsidised post-cards are not being used by common people. These are also misused for commercial purposes like by chit-fund companies to send reminders for payments. Ideally such unpopular postal-items like post-cards and Inland-Letter-Cards must now be discontinued to prevent unnecessary subsidy-loss on public-exchequer. Even if some of these are required to be continued, only sponsored Meghdoot Post-cards should be there with a postal-tariff of rupee one. It is ridiculous to price post-card at 50 or 25 paise when coins of these denominations are totally out of sight. Rubber-stamped post-cards should be dumped without delivery or return-back. Inland-Letter-Cards should be totally discontinued.
Likewise it is ridiculous to allow registered news-papers having nominal postal-tariff of just 25 paise in name of helping small newspapers. With cost of inputs for production of newspapers including small ones having risen manifolds, postal-charges should be raised to minimum one rupee. There will be huge postal-subsidy even if minimum postal-tariff is fixed at rupee one.
Madhu Agrawal
Congress traditionally favours law-breaking former law-makers
It refers to a Congress spokesperson opposing the right approach of a parliamentary-panel to cut electricity and water supply of about 200 former Parliamentarians within next three days who have failed to vacate government-accommodations even after so many days of losing entitlement. Such strict steps can only make government-accommodations evicted timely which in earlier regimes were at times could not be vacated for years after losing entitlement. In case former Parliamentarians and others do not themselves vacate government-accommodations within 90 days of losing entitlement, not only these should be forcefully vacated but also all such persons should lose right to contest any election in future.
Market-rents for unlawfully retaining government-accommodations should be reviewed to match actual market-rents. Overstaying persons not paying such revised market-rents and any other pending dues like for telephone, electricity and water should also not be allowed to contest any election till they clear all their pending dues. Also there should be a system of auto-deduction of such government-dues from salaries and pensions of law-makers.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Veteran Bollywood music composer and Padma Bhushan Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi passing away is a great loss to film industry. Khayyam’s songs touched the hearts of generations.
Khayyam made Rekha’s Umrao Jaan magically adorn the silver screen with his subtle tunes like ‘Dil Cheez kya hai’. Khayyam ji began his musical career at a mere age of 17 years. However, he got his big break with Umrao Jaan post which he was able to carve a niche for himself in the film industry. He made angry young man Amitabh Bachchan unravel his transfixing emotional side while singing ‘Kabhi Kabhi mere Dil Mein’. His first break was as a singer in the Chisti Baba-composed “Dono Jahaan Teri Mohabbat,” a duet with Zohrabai Ambalewali in “Romeo And Juliet.”He carved a niche for himself by composing some of the most popular songs. He was also invited to compose a Ghalib album on the poet’s centenary and scored the famous “Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat” in two distinct ways for Mohammed Rafi and Begum Akhtar respectively. Besides Umrao Jaan, for which he won a National Award, Khayyam composed tunes for Shola aur Shabnam, Noorie , Bazaar , Dil-e-Nadaan and Thodi si Bewafai etc. He was also a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His compositions were soulful, melodious and emotional, the songs were rich in poetry and purpose and the style was noticeably different from the popular brand of music in those days, which used to be either semi-classical, ghazal or light and peppy. With a career spanning through the ‘golden era’ of Hindi film industry, Khayyam has given music which will be remembered through the annals of time as the most soothing and haunting music ever. Khayyam is known in the Hindi film industry to have been very ‘choosy’ and a ‘perfectionist.’ While making music for the film, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam,’ he brought to life the poetry of Kaifi Azmi by providing music that complimented the lyrics and did not overpower it. He has worked with both the contemporary and the legends in the field of poetry.
PM Modi has rightly twitted that “India will remain grateful to Khayyam Sahab for giving us some of the most memorable compositions, which will be remembered forever. He will also be remembered for his humanitarian gestures to support upcoming artists. His demise is extremely saddening.” The immaculate knowledge of ragas and a wondrous understanding of lyrics resulted in songs like Kabhi kabhi. Khayyam was a familiar name amongst the list of music composers and he had to his credit non-film songs in multiple genres like ghazal, bhajan, geet, Gurbani and naat (Muslim devotional). The composer has always believed in one God as a nucleus of power from where all the different religions and deities evolved, and to which every kind of worship leads. It is said that the song ‘Akele mein wo ghabrate to Honge’ sung by Mohammed Rafi in the film ‘Biwi’ was considered to be a rage of its time and Khayyam went to the movie theatre to see the reaction of the audience and was surprised when the women watching the movie began crying during the song.
Khayyam’s track-record of less than 50 films, nine television serials, and about 200 non-film songs in over six decades is clear evidence that he has always been choosy about work. Composers like him come once in a lifetime. His purely melodious songs will remain etched in us forever.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
In a major milestone for India’s Moon mission, the Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft successfully entered the lunar orbit on Tuesday morning. Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver was completed successfully at 9.02 am as planned, using the onboard propulsion system, the Bengaluru headquartered space agency said in a statement.
“The duration of maneuver was 1,738 seconds. With this, Chandrayaan 2 was successfully inserted into a Lunar orbit,” ISRO said.
Following this, a series of orbit maneuvers will be performed on Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft to enable it to enter its final orbit passing over the lunar poles at a distance of about 100 km from the Moons surface, it said. Subsequently, the lander will separate from the Orbiter and enter into a 100 km X 30 km orbit around the Moon.
Then, it will perform a series of complex braking maneuvers to soft land in the South polar region of the Moon on September seven, ISRO stated.
The health of the spacecraft is being continuously monitored from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru with support from Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) antennas at Bylalu, near Bengaluru.
The next Lunar bound orbit maneuver is scheduled on Wednesday between 12.30 PM and 1.30 PM, ISRO said. Chandrayaan 2, launched on July 22 by GSLV MkIII-M1 vehicle, had entered the Lunar Transfer Trajectory on August 14.
According to ISRO, Chandrayaan 2 – India’s second lunar expedition – will shed light on a completely unexplored section of the Moon its South Polar region.
“This mission will help us gain a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon by conducting detailed topographical studies, comprehensive mineralogical analyses, and a host of other experiments on the lunar surface”, the space agency had said.
“While there, we will also explore discoveries made by Chandrayaan 1, such as the presence of water molecules on the Moon and new rock types with unique chemical composition”, it was stated.
Chandryaan 2 comprises an Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyaan). The mission life of Orbiter will be one year whereas the mission life of lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan) will be one Lunar day which is equal to fourteen earth days.
Good to see that our PM Modi honours Mahatma Gandhi through cleaning the villages. Hope all the BJP leaders follow PM’s instructions seriously and eschew communalism, hatred towards Congress leaders, and violence in favour of many things beyond humanity. If this happens India will be a healthier and happier place on the entire earth. Padayatra means journey by walking, voyage undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning them, and galvanize his or her supporters. PadaYatras or ‘Foot pilgrimages’ are also Hindu religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites. Modi has asked his leaders to reach out to people for feedback on government performance.
As per the instructions of PM, all BJP leaders would be undertaking padayatras of their constituencies between October 2 and 31, the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel respectively. They would be following the legacy of Gandhi by connecting people close to them. The leaders are supposed to reach out to every citizen, listen to their grievances, complaints or queries and give feed back to Modi so that people’s voices can be addressed and problems resolved.
From Mahatma Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, Padayatras have never gone out of fashion, and the new-age netas are no aimless wanderers. Powerwalking in the dusty bylanes and villages, they are following the course of Bapu’s Padayatra mantra in their quest for political glory. In the past, we have seen Rahul Gandhi marching in villages, eating along with villagers, listening to them and sometime exchanging a hug and solacing people. What he has benefited out of it is debatable subject but definitely he won many hearts. He followed his party veterans footsteps for sure.
PM Modi also understood the importance of walking and connecting to commoners. However, Padayatras have more often than not seemed to help the politicians at different times. On March 31, 2011, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee marched a distance of seven kilometers from Rajabazar to Ballygunge in the south Kolkata. After being voted to power, she marched from Rajbhavan to the Writers’ Building about a kilometre away, but it was enough to trample the left in West Bengal.
In February 2011, former Congress MP and late YSR’s son Jaganmohan Reddy launched a Padayatra in East Godavari district. The walkathon was in support of the Polavaram irrigation project that would benefit coastal districts of Telangana and Rayalseema. Within three months, it benefited Jagan, when he trounced his nearest rival, winning the Kadapa assembly by-election with a margin of 543,053 votes, a record for Andhra Pradesh. Jagan had been merely following in the footsteps of his father, Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy, whose Padayatra in the scorching summer of 2003 just before the 2004 elections changed both his and the Congress’s fortunes in the state.
In 1983, Janata party president Chandrashekhar undertook a marathon walk from Kanyakumari to Bapu’s samadhi at Rajghat to renew rapport with the masses. He went on to become the prime minister of the country. In 1987, actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt, accompanied by his daughter Priya, went on a Mahashanti Padayatra from Mumbai to Amritsar. Dutt was re-elected to the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989. So, whatever be their calling, whatsoever their demands, Padayatra continues to charm India’s politicians. Taking inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and vision and walking on the path shown by him is a real tribute to him. On the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, PM called upon people also to make the Clean India Mission a success as the issue of cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s heart.
Mahatma Gandhi originated the Padayatra with his famous Salt March to Dandi in 1930. In the winter of 1933-34, Gandhi went on a countrywide Padayatra against untouchability. Later, Gandhian Vinoba Bhave also started a Padayatra, which was part of his Bhoodan movement in 1951. Starting from Telangana region, Bhave concluded his Padayatra at Bodh Gaya. Rajagopal, PV, in Janadesh 2007 led 25,000 landless peasants on a 28-day march from Gwalior to Delhi. In 1986, Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh started Padayatras through villages of Rajasthan, promoting construction and revival of johads and check dams.
The varkaris from the Maharashtra state of western India practice a regular walk to religious places like Dehu, Alandi and Pandharpur. Ashadhi Ekadashi , Kartiki Ekadashi, Maghi Ekadashi and Chaitra Ekadashi are some of the popular days when pilgrims reach Pandharpur to worship Vithoba. Mantralaya Padayatra to worship saint shri Raghavendra Swamy and Shri Datta Padayatra to worship lord Dattatreya & Murgod Padayatra to Shri Shiva Chidambar Swamy are famous from Dharwad city of Karnataka.
PM Modi told MPs that 150 groups should be formed in each constituency, which will cover 150 kms, and the party MPs will be part of these groups. PM Modi also suggested that planting trees, cleanliness and other issues related to villages could become part of the tours marches. These yatras will focus on revival of villages and making them self-reliant, plantation drive and zero budget farming. PM also suggested that if possible these yatras should last till January 30, the day on which Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. This is one of the most interesting and brilliant suggestions that came from PM to connect people with their leaders. This can be an advanced step towards “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
BJP MP Gopal Shetty’s 150 km ‘Padayatra’ commenced from Mumbai North constituency on August 15, whereas Prime Minister Modi has asked all BJP MPs to follow the footsteps of Gandhiji and go on Padayatra from October 2 Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi Jayanti is a national festival celebrated in India to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi born on October 2, 1869. It is celebrated annually on October 2, and is one of the three national holidays of India.
Gopal Shetty has decided to address people’s issues, and began his Padayatra in the Mumbai North constituency to pay solidarity to the scrapping of Article 370.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all the BJP Members of the Parliament to complete the 150 km march in order to understand the problems of people and create awareness among them at large. Following the directives, Mumbai North Member of Parliament (MP) Gopal Shetty has begun his 150 km march. Talking about the same Gopal Shetty said, “The Padayatra was held at Dahisar and many BJP leaders such as Dahisar MLA Manisha Chaudhari. Vinod Shelar, Shrikant Pandey, Karunashankar Oza participated while commencement of yatra.” Gopal Shetty also informed that in the coming three weeks, he aims to complete the 150 km ‘Padayatra’ in the Mumbai North constituency.
The first phase of the Padayatra has already been completed from Borivali. In the second phase residents of Dahisar had participated in the Padayatra. As per the instructions of PM, all BJP leaders would be undertaking Padayatras of their constituencies between October 2 and 31, the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel respectively. They would be following the legacy of Gandhi by connecting people close to them. The leaders are supposed to reach out every citizen, listen to their grievances, complaints or queries and give feed back to PM Modi so that people’s voices can be addressed and problems resolved. Gopal Shetty has also demanded the construction of a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Korakendra, Borivali (W).
Corrupt and anti-Dharma activities of ANiS, which has been misleading people by using words like rationalism, scientific perspective, eradication of superstitions and ‘Dharma-chikitsa’ etc., are being slowly exposed. On 20th August 2013, after murder of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, the Executive President of ‘Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANiS)’, there has been competition to show how Dr. Dabholkar was a great social worker. Few appeals are made to observe certain ‘Days’ in his name. In fact, various machineries had started inquiry into different scams and corrupt practices followed in the Trust operated by him while he was alive. Members of ANiS, who are otherwise wearing mask of rationalism and demanding answers (Jawab Do) all over the State for pressurizing investigating agencies, are keeping mum on scams in their own Trust. Moreover, ANiS needs to give answers (Jawab Do) about where the money worth millions of rupees donated to the Trust, by keeping ‘faith’ in Dabholkar, is going. Dabholkar used to say that he had no problem if inquiry was conducted against him. Then why are his inheritors afraid to face inquiry into ‘Trust’? There seems to be something fishy since Dabholkar family is not coming in the open with this information. There is therefore, need to scrutinize financial dealings of ANiS which is making noise about need for scrutinizing Dharma; while wearing mask of rationalism and scientific perspective. This article is on the above issues !
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) had lodged complaints with different departments of the Government, demanding inquiry into scam involving billions of rupees in managing ‘ANiS’ Trust. In this context, report was submitted by Inspector and Superintendent at Satara Public Trust registration office on 28.6.2016 and another report was submitted by Assistant Charitable Commissioner, Satara on 3.8.2017. They have recommended to concerned officers for appointment of an Administrator on the Trust and for conducting special audit of the Trust. Some parts of these reports are given below.
* Main points listed in inquiry conducted into scams committed by ANiS Trust !
Applications for transfer of trustees of the Trust for the period 1998-99 to 2011-12 have been submitted on 26.4.2012 in one slot after we lodged complaint and there are corrections/ changes carried out in those applications. Narratives have been written again and again; while Trustees have made changes conveniently even in the narratives.
There has been delay in submitting accounts; therefore, Charity Commissioner has levied fine to the Trust.
Dabholkar has not paid contribution to the Government against donations received; thus depriving Government of their income. ANiS had earlier falsely claimed that ‘it was not imperative for ANiS to pay contribution to Government since they work in education field.’ The Charity Commissioner, however, didn’t grant any concession to ANiS in paying contribution.
Income of this Trust has considerably increased since the year 2004 and large amounts have been invested by this Trust. There seems to be truth in the complaint lodged by the complainant. It has been observed that the Trust has invested billions of Rupees in term deposits, mutual funds, shares etc but it has not maintained proper accounts of details of such investments as required under Schedule 10- A ( Rule 21(2) Part 3) nor has the Trust submitted its applications for prescribed changes to Charity Commissioner’s office. It shows that the Trust has, prima facie, committed breach of clause 35 of Mumbai Public Trust Management Regulation Act, 1950.
ANiS has undertaken a project titled ‘Vaidnyanik Janivaa’ under which it has collected millions of rupees through holding self-study examinations in schools.
It has been observed that the Trust has been registered with Union Government’s Home Department under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act and it has received millions of rupees as donations from foreign countries. On examining its collection receipts, it is seen that there was no FCRA registration Account on such receipts; moreover, there is no registration no. on them required as per 80 (G) of Income Tax Act. The amounts collected are spent on the purposes other than for which they were collected by the Trust such as high amount of honorarium to Trustees and donations to other organizations etc. There are however, no relevant resolutions passed by the Trust in that connection.
Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was paid Rs. 10 lakhs by Maharashtra Foundation India (America) in the year 2006 by way of award. There is reference of giving that amount to the Trust. It was, however, found in actual inquiry that there was no mention of such amount in audit report of 2006 or in ledger books.
The Trust has received large donations from abroad. It is stated that ANiS had given information about the same to Union Home Ministry; but there is difference in the information given and the actual papers of this Trust. The registers of income of moveable and immovable assets are not updated. Moreover, necessary applications for transfer have not been submitted to the office. There is no detailed report on donations received from abroad, submitted by the Accountant.
The Trust seems to have committed breach of clause 35 while keeping the money as deposits. Amounts have been kept with many banks such as ‘Rayat Sevak Sahakati Bank’, Shamrao Vitthal Cooperative Bank etc.
The Trust has created different funds but necessary certificate has not been presented. In all, there seems to be truth in the complaints lodged by complainants. There also seems to be irregularities in the working of this Trust. It will not be proper to deduce that the Trust was working as per the provisions of law and it was transparent.
*Serious observations made by Assistant Charity Commissioner, Satara’s Superintendent
“The Trust has collected donations/ grants on large scale from abroad and it has collected various funds in different forms from the Government and schools. The money has not been used for the purpose for which it was collected. The funds have been misused. There is doubt whether audit was conducted regularly or not because there is delay in submission. Donations have been received in crores and shown as income, are not however, recorded in time and it has led to huge loss to the Government due to non-receipt of contribution.
. Changes made in appointment of Trustees have not been submitted since the foundation of Trust. As per the Constitution of this Trust, trustees appointed in the beginning would stay in office for 5 years and later 2 trustees would retire every year and those seats would be filled; but changes in Trustees have not been submitted and only 1-2 trustees are seen on its records. Other trustees are not alive. Trust has no trustees till the application advising change is approved. Persons who are operating this Trust are ‘Defacto Managers’.
It has been observed from the above that the Trust has no official executive committee/ trustees. It is therefore, necessary to appoint a legal expert as administrator for managing this Trust. It is also seen from the audit reports submitted by the Trust and the nature of complaint of the applicant that special audit needs to be conducted, were the serious observations made.
*Main points mentioned in Assistant Charity Commissioner, Satara’s report !
Professor G. P. Pradhan, a progressive thinker from Pune had merged his ‘Vasudha Manovikas Pratishthan’s property with the Trust of ‘Maharashtra Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti.’ Such statement has been made by Dr. Dabholkar in 2012 under his own signature; but that property has not been shown by ANiS anywhere in its records. Where has the huge property given by such eminent personality gone ?
Only after HJS lodged complaint, did ANiS submit its financial statements, balance sheet and relevant papers with Charity Commissioner’s office.
ANiS has openly committed breach of laws for bringing money from other countries e.g. funds donated by Maharashtra Foundation in America was given to ANiS through ‘Keshav Gore Smarak Trust’. Reason for doing it has not been clarified.
Property (land etc) was purchased at Sawantwadi and it was sold without approval, in suspicious manner.
Monthly periodicals, newsletters and other periodicals are published out of ANiS Trust’s income; but why the income accrued from the same, is not shown in income of the Trust? Where does such income go? (As per the information obtained under RTI, income earned out of advertisements related to Diwali issue as per the rate-card for special Diwali Nov-Dec 2012 issue of ANiS, is Rs.20,56, 500/- while income from subscribers is more than Rs. 14 lakhs. Such huge income has not been shown by ANiS in its financial papers for 2012-13 and it has been going on for many years. Even earlier, ANiS has not submitted financial accounts and not reported changes in activities.”)
Many books are printed and sold by ANiS; but their sale amount is not shown in its accounts. Trustees of ANiS claim that they didn’t sell books but gift such books. The cost of the books is printed on books and is shown even in advertisement. Why are these books then printed?
It has been observed from available papers that ANiS has branches all over the State and country but no accounts related to any of those branches have been submitted. Money belonging to Trust has been invested in wrong place.
Chief Secretary of ANiS Prashant Potdar was given a car which was bought for Rs.4,56,388/- while in accounts, the cost has been shown as Rs.4,92,851/-. Thus, the operations of ANiS are not transparent. Money has been shown as spent on Indica Car but there is no record of the same in its annual report, about possessing such car.
ANiS Trust has spent lot of money on staging of a play titled ‘Ringan’ and ‘Socrates to Dabholkar……”there is nothing on record regarding taking permission of the Trust or office bearers of the Trust for spending money on plays. It is therefore, necessary to check whether all such expenses were made for appropriate purposes.
ANiS has been committing breach of laws and still making noise about ‘Save Constitution’ which is quackery of ANiS. Considering all observations and statements made by office of Charity Commissioner as mentioned above, an Administrator should be immediately appointed on Trust of ANiS set up by Dabholkar, who is known for scam and all the money misused earlier, may be fixed and recovered from the concerned. We have made claim many times earlier that Dabholkar, if alive, would have been in jail. Today, it has been proved that it is true; therefore, it is our demand that had Dabholkar been imprisoned, who would have come into trouble; who are involved in various financial scams; is there any connection between them and his murder are some of the mysteries and all trustees and persons connected with financial dealings of this Trust should be interrogated for finding true killer of Dabholkar and legal action should be taken against them.
– Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, State coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Maharashtra
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.
Just when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned MNS party chief Raj Thackeray in connection with its money laundering probe in the IL&FS alleged payment default case, his party threatens to do a bandh.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena calls for Maharashtra bandh if Raj Thackeray is arrested on 22 August.
They said the MNS chief has been asked to appear before the investigating officer of the case on August 22.
Reacting to it, MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said, “Raj Thackeray created a sensation during the Lok Sabha poll campaign earlier this year. It had a significant impact on people and to avoid a similar challenge ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the ED has issued the notice.”
“It is a case of political vendetta,” he alleged while talking to reporters here.
They added that Unmesh Joshi, son of former state chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, has also been summoned in the same case.
The agency is probing Thackeray’s involvement in the case in connection with the IL&FS group’s loan equity investment in a company called Kohinoor CTNL.
The company was promoted by Joshi.
Thackeray and Joshi had jointly bid for some assets after creating a consortium but later the MNS supremo quit.
The ED, it is understood, wants to look into the entire transaction and hence has summoned the two.
The ED had last week filed a charge sheet in the case too.
Food and Civil Supply, Customer Protection, Skill Development and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Minister of Maharashtra Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar was “Guest Editor” to Afternoon Voice on Tuesday 20th August. While speaking to editorial staff in his interaction session, he expressed his urge to see his next generation of Latur and its surrounding area not to migrate in search of livelihood. He believes that education is at its best in his region and the youth deserves better opportunities in his constituency. He also stated that the youths of this region are brilliant; eight students out of ten are passing with distinction. Right now he will focus on bringing jobs for them by introducing various projects in Latur.
For few hours today I was guest Editor of 
Veteran Bollywood music composer and Padma Bhushan 
Corrupt and anti-Dharma activities of 