Official amendments were carried out to The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011, giving the option to states to set up Lokayukta and leaving armed forces and Coast Guard out of its purview.

The Constitution Amendment Bill, an idea of Rahul Gandhi to give Constitutional status to Lokpal and Lokayukta, was also favoured by the Standing Committee which considered the bill.

The Treasury Benches, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, looked glum when the Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj raised the issue that the voting on the clauses of bill did not have the required special majority.

A Constitution Amendment Bill to be passed should have more than 50 per cent of the members of the House present and of them, two-third support is mandatory.

The House witnessed high drama as voting on the three clauses showed that the ruling side had failed to get the required number of 273 in favour, prompting Speaker Meira Kumar to drop the clauses from the bill.

“Since the clauses have not been incorporated, the motion for adoption of the bill becomes infructuous,” the Speaker said.

An angry Mukherjee termed the development as “a sad day for democracy”, blamed the Opposition especially BJP for the fiasco and warned them that “people will teach you a lesson”.

On the Clause two, 247 voted in favour and 178 against, while in Clause three 251 were in favour and 179 against.  Clause one received 250 and 180 against.

The Lokpal Bill about which parties across the spectrum, the opposition—right and the left—and allies and supporters of the government, had some objection or other was passed by a voice vote.

The House also passed the Protection to Persons Making Disclosures Bill, 2011 aimed at protecting whistle-blowers.

Heeding to demands from the Opposition, allies and supporting parties, the government brought in as many as ten amendments, including the one that gives the option to states to form a Lokayukta.

The other amendments in the Lokpal bill included keeping out defence forces and changing the requirement of three-fouth of Lokpal members to approve an enquiry against the Prime Minister to two-third.

All the opposition amendments, including the ones that sought to bring in corporates and media and reservation for minorities were rejected.

One of the amendments moved by CPI(M) leader Basudev Acharia on inclusion of corporates was defeated by 247 to 69 votes while another opposition amendment was lost 247 to 189.

While SP and BSP members walked out before voting, non-NDA opposition, including the Left parties, BJD and AIADMK, made a brief walk out after the passage of the bill before returning to the House for participating on the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The government also moved an amendment increasing the exemption time of former MPs from five to seven years but a number of amendments moved by Opposition, including seeking to bring corporates, media and NGOs receiving donations under Lokpal, were defeated.

The defeat of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill came mainly because the parties supporting the UPA from outside Samajwadi Party (22), BSP (16) and RJD (4) staged a walkout, bringing the numbers down for the government.

During the animated over 10-hour debate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked parties to “rise above partisan politics” to demonstrate to the people of the country that “this House means business” in its effort to combat corruption.

He said a “holistic” approach was needed to deal with the “cancer” of corruption but rejected demands for bringing CBI under the purview of Lokpal as he warned that no entity should be created inconsistent with the Constitutional framework.

Capping the debate during which several parties, including BJP, BJD, JDU, RJD, SP, TDP and Left said the bill was weak and wanted it withdrawn, Mukherjee rejected the contention that the legislation had been brought in “haste” or under pressure.

Allaying fears of several parties, including UPA constituents Trinamool and DMK, that the provision for setting up Lokayuktas was an “attack” on federal structure, he said the government had made amendments stating that notification would not be issue without the consent of state governments.

The amendment, along with some others, was decided during an emergency meeting the Prime Minister held with party chief Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders ahead of the voting in view of opposition by allies.

This is the ninth Lokpal Bill introduced in government in a series that started as early as 1968 and ended in 2001.  Seven of them lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha while one was withdrawn.

“There are some very special moments in the life of a nation. This is one such moment. The nation awaits with bated breath how the collective wisdom of this House will be reflected in the vote at the end of the debate on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011,” Singh said.

Noting that the broad provisions of this Bill have been vigorously debated both in the public domain and by political parties, he underlined that the task of legislation was “very serious business and must eventually be performed by all of us who have been constitutionally assigned this duty.”

In an apparent message to Hazare who has been pressing his demands with regard to Lokpal, Singh said, “others can persuade and have their voices heard. But the decision must rest with us.”

He warned that “no entity should be created inconsistent with our constitutional framework and charged with onerous executive responsibilities without any accountability… Let us not create something that will destroy all that we cherish – all in the name of combating corruption. Let us remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

He said, “today we are given to believe that a Government that is directly elected by the people and accountable to it cannot be trusted but a body that will not derive its legitimacy from the people directly or be accountable to it could be trusted to wield its immense powers with honour and trust.”

Source from www.indiatvnews.com

TRS Candidate Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy wins in Banswada Assembly by-election. Pocharam defeated Congress candidate Srinivasa Goud by a margin of 49,889 votes. TRS candidate failed to get expected majority in this by-poll in spite of strong Telangana sentiment wave across the constituency.

TDP failed to field its candidate in its bastion while Congress candidate succeeded in getting more than 30% votes. By-election was held due to resignation of TDP MLA Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy. In 2009 Assembly election, TDP candidate Pocharam got 69,857 votes while Congress candidate Bajireddy Govardhan got 43,754 votes.

77.62% of voters casted their votes in the by-election held on October 13. Andhra settlers and TDP cadre casted their votes for Congress candidate.

Banswada by-election results:

1. Total votes: 1,59,673.

2. Total votes polled: 1,22,872

3. P. Srinivasa Reddy (TRS): 83, 245.

4. Srinivas Goud (Congress). 33,356.

This election result is a set back for Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

GRP has on Saturday arrested 14 persons, including KCR’s daughter and Telangana Jagruti President K Kavita for squatting on the railway tracks at Moula Ali. Both KCR and Kodandaram were also mentioned as accused in the case. But they were declared as absconding.

In the case pertaining to obstructing a loco pilot from Secunderabad, the TRS chief and TJAC convener were declared as accused 15 and 16 respectively. Kavita was named accused 1. Though the two were declared absconders, they were seen on TV channels, participating in different programmes. However, KCR has stayed put in the rail roko agitation. Was he afraid of arrest or did he want to conserve his energies for future activities is a mystery.

However GRP has slapped cases on both KCR and Kodandaram under section 147 (trespass and refusal to desist from trespass) and 174 (Obstructing running of trains) of the Railways Act, 1989. Cases were also registered against the two, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.

Lord Ganapathi, also described as Ganesha, is a very popular and revered Hindu deity and perphaps the most worshipped God in India. People mostly worship him seeking success in endeavors(siddhi) and intelligence. (buddhi). He also symbolizes wealth, wisdom, and happiness. He is worshipped before any venture or journey is embarked upon. Lord Ganapathi, having a curled trunk, one tusk partly broken, large ears, a massive body, four arms, and the radiance of hundreds of suns, elimintates all obstacles that impede success.

Lord Ganapathi is the elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the universe’s divine couple. He is the chief (Isa) of Lord Shiva’s army and attendants, hence the name Ganesha. In the name Ganapathi, Ga denotes “knowledge,” na means “salvation,” and pati means “lord.” He is known for removing all of the obstacles(vignas) in the path of progress and wellbeing of his devotees, therefore he is known as Vigneshwara. Due to this special power of Lord Vigneshwara, devotees lovingly shower him with prayers, sweets, and poojas at the commencement of every task and enterprise, thus becoming capable of completing the task without hardship or complexity.

While adoring thee idol of Ganesha, a devotee observes that his head is that of an elephant, and the body of a human being. In his upper right hand he carries an axe(Ankusa); in his upper left hand he grasps a noose(Pasha). He is always smiling (Prasanna Vadhana). He may also be shown conveying blessings, dancing, or holding a lotus and mace. Seated below him, there dwells a mouse(Mooshika), which is his vahana, or vehicle. He ties a serpent around his stomach. His round figure signifies prosperity.

An ancient tale explains why Lord Ganesha is worshipped before any other deity prior to any other important event. One day Lord Shiva asked his sons Ganesha and Karthikeya to circle the world and return. Karthikeya hurried away on his peacock vahana. Instead, Ganesha walked around Shiva and Parvati three times. Ganesha explained that, to him, his parents constituted the world. Delighted and satisfied, Shiva granted him a blessing, affirming that no matter what the occasion or ceremony may be, Lord Ganesha should be worshipped before all other Gods. Another ancient story tells that Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata according to Veda Vyasa’s dictation. When the sage asked Ganesha to write down the epic poem, the learned God agreed on condition that his pen should not stop moving until the story was completed.

Ganesh Chaturthi, the most sacred festival of Lord Ganesha, occurs in August or September. It is an important event in India and celebrated with fervor, particularly in the state of Maharashtra.

About  Khairatabad Ganesh Committee:

Late Mr. S. Sankarayya freedom fighter, in 1954 founded Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, Hyderabad. Since then every year it developed with the constant effort of Mr. S. Sankarayya’s family and friends and committee members.

The Ganesh idol of this place is the tallest in the world, averaging to 50 feet. Mr.S.Sankarayya’s brother Mr. S. Sudershan continuing the tradition of Ganesh Pooja in Khairatabad, Hyderabad, with the help of Mr. Sandeep Raj and his son S. Rajkumar successfully, since 55 years. Every year lakhs of devotees visit daily this 12 days event of Ganesh Utsav. On 12th day this huge Ganesh idol, with the help of large cranes will be immersed in Hussain Sagar lake, after long procession.

This year 2011, Ganesh Ustav starts on 01-09-2011 and ends on 11-09-2011.

Contact details of Khairatabad Ganesh Committee

S. Sudarshan (Secretary)
Sri Ganesh Utsava Committee
” Sramashakti ” Awardee Govt. of Andhra Pradesh

Contact
S.Sudarshan +91-939-135-8555 (Founder & Organiser)
S.Raj Kumar +91-98666 61588 (Organiser)
Sandeep Raj +91-939-102-0539 (Joint Secretary)

One of the mails is apparently from the terror group Indian Mujahiddeen and originated from Moscow. It claims Ahmedabad will be the next target. The email offers a code that warns of the next attack. “The numbers read as Ahmedabad,” said Home Minister P Chidambaram, who described the contents of the email as “simple amateurish code” but stressed, “We are taking it seriously… the Gujarat government has been alerted.”

All emails are being carefully studied by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) which has been asked to handle the inquiry into the latest terror attack in Delhi. The first was received by NDTV and another TV channel on Wednesday and was purportedly from terrorist group HuJI or Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. That note said that the Supreme Court would be attacked next if the death sentence for Afzal Guru is not commuted. Mr Guru has been convicted for the 2001 attack at the Indian Parliament. The email was traced to a cybercafe in Kishtwar near Jammu; the sender is believed to be in his teens; a sketch of his will be released today.

A second email was sent to a TV channel yesterday; the sender claims to be a member of the Indian Mujahideen, but sources say the email, written in Hindi, does not follow the pattern of earlier emails sent by the IM claiming responsibility for terror attacks. This email has yet to be traced. The NIA has asked Google for assistance.

The third email, discussed today by Mr Chidambaram, is sent from an account named “killindian@yahoo” and reads, “This is to inform you that we Indian Mujahideen claims the terror attack on Delhi High Court. I just want you to pass a message to the Indian government that next blast will be so cruel that you people won’t be able to forget it for decay (decades) and if you are willing to know the next attack it is 1,8,5,13,4,1,2,1,4 till you come to know what it stands for the next blast will be done if you have any question get back soon because we don’t have time for anything. Ali Saed el-Hoori.” The fourth email was sent from an account named “Chhotu mian” also threatens of an attack in Ahmedabad.

It is also a reality that we can’t rely on our government machinery and security apparatus to keep us safe. Our system suffers from multiplicity of authority and bureaucratic loopholes. Agencies, more often than not, do not share leads and information. Inputs are routinely neglected.

Even otherwise, no system in the world is 100 per cent terror-proof.

In such a situation, safety becomes your personal concern. The ibnlive team compiled some tips on how to stay vigilant, possibly help avert attacks and how to react in case of a terrorist attack.

Reporting suspicious looking objects, people or activities; verifying the identity of tenants; visiting usually crowded places markets, malls etc during off-peak hours; surveillance of parking lots come readily to mind.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States of America lists the following as things to take note of to help pre-empt a terror strike.

Surveillance: Anyone video recording or monitoring activities, taking notes, using cameras, maps, binoculars, etc near key facilities/events?

Suspicious Questioning: Anyone attempting to gain information in person, by phone, mail, email, etc, regarding a key facility or people who work there?

Tests of Security: Any attempts to penetrate or test physical security or procedures at a key facility/event?

Acquiring Supplies: Anyone attempting to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, uniforms, badges, flight manuals, access cards or identification for a key facility/event or to legally obtain items under suspicious circumstances that could be used in a terrorist attack?

Suspicious Persons: Anyone who does not appear to belong in the workplace, neighbourhood, business establishment or near a key facility/event?

Dry Runs: Any behaviour that appears to be preparation for a terrorist act, such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios with other people, monitoring key facilities/events, timing traffic lights or traffic flow, or other suspicious activities?

Deploying Assets: Abandoned vehicles, stockpiling of suspicious materials or persons being deployed near a key facility/event?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may have observed a stage in planning and execution of an attack. In that case, report the matter to the nearest police station or by dialing the control room immediately.

James Daywalt, in his instructional DVD: Terrorism – You May Be The Target, says that there are some basic things terrorists do before launching an attack. He has created a seven-parameter indicator for a possible terrorist strike.

They are

1.  Surveillance
2. Elicitation
3. Test of security
4. Acquiring supplies
5. Suspicious persons
6. Dry runs
7. Deploying assets

All these usually happen in plain and public view. One just needs to be observant enough. “If you feel you’ve observed something suspicious, do not dismiss it,” says Daywalt. “Many criminal and terrorist plots have been averted just because someone was observant enough, and reported what they saw to the authorities,” he adds.

The travel safety hub at www.worldnomads.com says the following:

Travellers involved or close to a terror incident are advised to exercise heightened security awareness and to follow the directives of local authorities. Here are a few safety first tips:

1. Stay within the confines of your residence or accommodation.
2. Do not go out into the public streets.
3. Be alert to local news developments.
4. Adhere to any imposed curfews or security restrictions.
5. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behaviour. Unusual behaviour and strange devices should be reported to the police or security personnel promptly.
6. If you are in a building located close to the site of a terrorist attack, stay away from the windows.
7. If in the vicinity of an attack, do not stay to watch what is happening, as you will only get in the way of the emergency services. There is also a risk that additional attacks may occur.
8. Make a mental note of safe havens, such as police stations and hospitals.

In case of a bomb blast

• Leave the area as soon as possible
• Do not run you may be suspected as the bomber.
• If you are in a crowd stay at the fringes.
• Stay clear of glass shop fronts.
• If you are injured, attend to yourself before others.
• Obey all instructions and orders that are given by local police.
• Make your way to a pre-planned secure area.
• Write down what you saw before and after the blast it may help the authorities in their investigation.

The moral case for the Jan Lokpal can actually be stated in one line: it has to be fully independent of the government, with its own legal and investigative powers, since the party in government has no stake in its own downfall through the discovery of wrongdoing.

Consider where recent corruption cases have gone.

We are all celebrating the jailing of A Raja for the 2G spectrum scam, but India Today reports that the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI’s) case against Raja and others accused in the scam is falling apart. Two reasons why: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is claiming that there was no revenue loss due to Raja’s spectrum allotment at 2001 prices. This is exactly what Kapil Sibal claimed to save his political bosses. Secondly, the CBI has simply not been able to trace the money that Raja may have made in allotting spectrum in an arbitrary manner.

Question: Did the CBI really try hard or get at the truth or merely went with what was anyway available with the Comptroller and Auditor General report.

The Commonwealth scam investigation has made progress only where it is convenient to the powers that be. Thus a Suresh Kalmadi is in jail, but the people who spent larger sums – the Delhi government under Sheila Dikshit and the Union urban development ministry – are well outside the area of investigation. Even indictments by the VK Shunglu committee and the Comptroller and Auditor General have not led to a change in the direction of the investigation.

Question: Would a Jan Lokpal not have gone after wrongdoing in all places, instead of just people who were convenient scapegoats?

The cash-for-votes scam has seen the arrest of Amar Singh, former Samajwadi Party MP, who was batting for the UPA government during the 2008 trust vote. Two BJP MPs, who allegedly tried to entrap Amar Singh by offering themselves for a cross-over, have also been arrested. Even this happened only because of a public interest litigation, and strong queries from the Supreme Court asking why the Delhi police were going slow on the investigation. For three years, the Delhi police have not even tracked the money source, and not asked themselves why Amar Singh would be trying to bribe MPs if it were not to help the UPA.

Question: Is the Delhi police truly independent of political influence or is it merely incompetent?

The Satyam scandal happened two-and-a-half years ago. The CBI trial against B Ramalinga Raju is proceeding at a snail’s pace, while both the companies concerned – Satyam and Maytas – have been quickly given over to new owners (Mahindras and IL&FS). But no politician has been caught in the scandal. Now, however, the Congress is finding it useful to tie the can around YSR’s son Jagan Mohan, since he has chosen to defy India’s first family.  Can land deals and defalcation happen without political support?

Question: How come the CBI has chased no politician in the Satyam scandal. Or has it been told to steer clear? The Congress government at the centre protected the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy since he was key to their return to power in 2009 – the year of the scandal.

The dethroning of BS Yeddyurappa in the wake of the Lokayukta’s report and the arrest of Janardhana Reddy by the CBI on Monday are proof that a strong institution insulated from political influence would work well. The CBI has worked well only when the interests of the political powers at the centre – in this case, the targeting of the BJP government for its well-deserved comeuppance in various scams – are in alignment with the cause of anti-corruption.

Question:  How is it possible to argue for a strong Lokpal in Karnataka, but not at the Centre, or in Gujarat – where, too, the Congress wants one but not the BJP.

Net-net: They key to a successful Lokpal is independence from political influence – especially at the centre. There is a strong case for bringing both the CBI and the CVC under the Lokpal – even if they are assigned different policing areas. But we need to watch out: despite their differing political interests, both Congress and BJP have a convergence of interests in scuttling the Team Anna vision of the Jan Lokpal.

source from FIRSTPOST

Many of the cables are surprisingly succinct and contain detailed analysis of the Indian film industry that churns out almost 1000 films a year and generates billions of rupees in revenue.

The documents look at different aspects of Bollywood, including its profitability, connections to organized crime, growth opportunities, and the Bollywood-Hollywood partnerships. India’s movie industry generated an estimated Rs 10,700 crore in revenue in 2008, and that is expected to increase by an average of 11.5 per cent a year to 2013, PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a study.

Hollywood-Bollywood partnerships

Two documents that analysed the Hollywood-Bollywood partnership are critical of the Hindi film industry and the scope of US film studios in the second fastest growing economy.

“Hollywood film studios, amongst the world’s highest revenue earners, are increasingly beginning to stake their claim in Bollywood,” a document said. “Though not without challenges, major US studios have started to try to capture a piece of this potentially lucrative market. US studios ranging from Sony, Disney, and Warner Brothers have co-produced Hindi movies attracted by the growth potential and opportunities in Indian cinema,” it said.

The embassy cable said while big budget Hollywood action films – dubbed in vernacular languages – have done relatively well in India, success has eluded Hollywood-Bollywood co-production partnerships so far.

Black money

A leaked diplomatic cable also said that Bollywood welcomed funding from gangsters and politicians, known in India as “black money.”

While there is no direct reference of Dawood Ibrahim which allegedly financed a number of movies, the cable said that in recent decades, Bollywood has been associated with the notorious Mumbai underworld, at the nexus of gangsters, money, and politics.

According to Jehil Thakkar, Head of Media and Entertainment for (KPMG), this association stemmed from the financing needs of the industry; until 2000, by government fiat, the film industry was ineligible for bank credit, private equity, and other means of legitimate commercial financing.

Bollywood and US visa

Following intensive investigation which also included a visit to the shooting site of ‘My Name is Khan’ the US Consulate in Mumbai in 2009 concluded that Bollywood generally does not misuse the US visas issued to its crew. Home to one of the largest entertainment industries in the world, Mumbai sends many stars and production crews to the US on O1 and O2 visas, it said, adding that the investigation was based on reports of fraud in other categories of visas.

“The study found that O2 travelers have a low overstay rate of 1.6 per cent. Site visits to major Indian production houses and no evidence of fraud for O2 applicants further suggests that most entertainment companies in Mumbai do not intend to misuse their US visas,” said the US Consulate in Mumbai its cable dated December 14, 2009, which was released by WikiLeaks on August 30.

Chiranjeevi’s political foray

A fan who committed suicide citing actor Chiranjeevi’s indecision about entering politics, may have helped the “distraught” Telugu film star make up his mind, according to a leaked embassy cable made public by WikiLeaks.

The March 5, 2008 cable that was published August 8, 2011 said Chiranjeevi was toying with the idea of floating his own political party at that time. According to the cable, the actor appeared distraught and explained that one of his fans had committed suicide. The fan left a note saying he killed himself because he could no longer stand waiting for his hero to decide whether to enter politics.

source from IBNLIVE

T

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested mining king of Obulapuram and former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and Managing Director of Obalapuram Mining Company B.V.Srinivas Reddy after conducting raids at their premises.
Gali Janardhan Reddy was the Tourism and Infrastructure Development Minister in the regime of Yeddyurappa, was among those indicted by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining submitted to the Government on July 27. CBI sources said the two were arrested this morning.

There are allegations of irregularities in the mining activities of OMC. About 65 mining companies including OMC are under the CBI scanner. Earlier, a CBI team from Hyderabad searched Janardhan Reddy’s house in Bellary in the wee hours and seized some documents from his residence. Sleuths also raided the premises of Srinivas Reddy here.

Sources said the CBI team led by its IG, Lakshminarayana has taken Janardhana Reddy and Srinivas Reddy to Hyderabad for further questioning. The probe agency’s action comes a day after Reddy’s associate and former Karnataka minister B.Sreeramulu resigned from his Assembly seat, protesting against the BJP’s denial of ministerial berth to him and also keeping the Bellary Reddy brothers out of the ministry. The CBI has found near about 30 kilograms of gold at Gali’s house in searches. “Searches has been continued”, CBI sources told.

It’s raining lucrative jobs at NIT Warangal which has had the best placement season so far. The 51-year-old institute started its recruitment drive on August 15 and already has a 21-year-old fourth year BTech computer science student securing the highest ever pay package of Rs 45 lakh per annum.

The offer, made by Facebook, has created a record of sorts here. The institute confirmed that the student will be joining the technical wing of the social networking giant, as soon as he completes his course in March next year.

Source from Times Of India