no new indira rajiv schemes pm new fiat

8 Oct 2010

EXCLUSIVE

NO NEW INDIRA, RAJIV SCHEMES: PM'S FIAT



By R Rajagopalan




NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has issued a fiat to the ministers not to name any new programme or scheme indiscriminately in the name of late former prime ministers Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, more so because many flounder in implementation.

Exclusion of the two leaders' names in particular may not be liked by 10 Janpath, but a confidential letter shot out to all ministers justifies the virtual ban to prevent devaluation of the national figures because of failure of programmes associated with their name.

The letter dated October 6 written by Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar on behalf of the PM says better to use names of leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sparingly. It conveys the PM's worry that many programmes named after these leaders do not click.

TEXT OF LETTER

"Dear Minister:

"As you are aware that number of programes under execution in the country are named after leaders, particularly Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Ministers.

"The practice has become widespread and indiscriminate. This reduces the value of identifying programmes with national figures, particularly as implementation and impact of many of these programmes is not  always as ought to be. As such many of them do not merit of such association.

"I have, therefore, been directed to convey that in the light of what is stated above, there is need to be sparing and selective in associating names of the national leaders with such programmes to prevent proliferation of such nomenclature."

###

CONFIDENTIAL

October 6, 2010

DO number 1/48/10/2010

Dear Minister

As you are aware that number of programes

under execution in the country are named after 

leaders particularly Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi

former Prime Ministers

The practice has become widespread and indiscriminate

This reduces the value of identifying programmes with 

national figures particularly as implementation and impact

of many of these programmes is not  always as ought to be

As such many of them many of them do not merit

such association

I have therefore been directed to convey that in the light of

what is stated above there is need to be sparing and selective

in associating names national leaders with such programmes

to prevent proliferation of such nomenclature.

WIth regards

KM Chandrasekhar 

Cabinet Secretary

EC YEILDS ON EVM PANEL TO STUDY PAPER TRAIL

8 Dec 2010

EC YIELDS ON EVM: PANEL TO STUDY PAPER TRAIL

From Our Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has yielded to the political pressure to consider  the "voter verifiable paper trail" of  voting by the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to enhance voters' confidence and satisfaction.

 It announced on Friday its decision to refer the issue to a technical expert committee to examine it "in all aspects through a process of wide consultation."

The decision is based on several political parties stressing, during a consultation the commission had with all recognised political parties here on Monday, that such a trail will remove all doubts about manipulation of votes in the EVMs.

A commission press note said the political parties' consensus was to continue use of the EVMs used effectively in elections in India for more than a decade, but they wanted the commission to explore feasibility of the paper trail to further enhance voters' satisfaction. The expert committee shall submit its report to the commission for its consideration.

It said the parties also endorsed the Election Commission's drive to tackle menace of money power and "paid news" and appreciated the Commission's orders for strict enforcement of expenditure monitoring measures during the elections.

Political parties also suggested that the commission better relax the restrictions on the conventional methods of election campaign as these restrictions have led to alternative and pernicious practices like "paid news."

###

govt funds pensioners portal

8 Oct 2010

GOVT FUNDS PENSIONERS' PORTALS

By  Our correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Government has decided to fund the pensioners' associations and NGOs to set up and run the "pensioners' portals" on the Internet as part of the national e-Governance plan (NeGP) being implemented as a mission mode project to cater to the central pensioners.

These portals will provide information about pension and other retirement-related matters and help the pensioners in redressal of their grievances, officials said, describing the new venture as unique, aimed at welfare of the pensioners across the country.

The government has already identified 16 pensioners' associations in various states and sanctioned them Rs 8.67 lakhs to start the portals to help out the pensioners through them, ending the plight they suffered in making trips to Delhi for trivial clarification.

These include Accountant's General Offices Pensioners Association, Hyderabad which has been released the grant of Rs 36,499, All India Retired Railwaymen's Federation, Secunderabad (Rs 57,348), All India Central Govt Pensioners Association, Jalandhar (Rs 46,250), Central Government Pensioner's Welfare Association, Jammu (Rs 57,960), and Indian Ex-Services League, New Delhi (Rs 51,800).

A circular sent out by the Ministry of Personnel on Oct 4 detailing the scheme list out five activities for which the associations will get the recurring grant. The rates at which the grant will be calculated are: Internet connection (Rs 700 per month), Telephone (Rs 600 pm), Stationery (Rs 1500 per month), Water and Electricity (Rs 2000 pm) and annual maintenance Rs 2400.

The rules detailed in the circular also mandate reservation of scheduled castes and tribes in the recruitment to the associations that employ more than 20 persons on a regular basis and are registered societies or cooperative with annual grant of Rs 2 lakhs or more. There is, however, no mention of the OBCs.

The government reserves the right to nominate a representative to such associations and it can also seek refund of the funds not utilised for the purpose for which they are sanctioned. The associations are also required to maintain records of assets and other items of permanent value costing Rs 10,000 and above.

The associations are also permitted to construct building or immovable property wholly or partly out of the grant, the ownership of which will rest with them so long as they utilise it for the purpose for which the grant is sanctioned. If the organisation ceases to exists or if the building is not utilised for the purpose for which the grant is given, the government will take over the ownership.

###

PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN IS INTERLOCUTOR FOR JK?

5 Oct 2010

CHAVAN OR DIGVIJAY TO HEAD MEDIATOR GROUP

By R Rajagopalan
NEW DELHI: The Centre is mulling appointment of a political personality as the Jammu and Kashmir Governor alongwith appointment of either Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chavan or Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh to head a group of interlocutors to carry forward the proposed peace talks in the valley.

Chavan is also the Congress general secretary incharge of the J&K affairs and hence he knows pulses of the valley to be considered as the main interlocutor while Digvijay Singh, a former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, is believed to have quite a good reputation in Kashmir because of the pro-Muslim stand he has been taking for long.

The interlocutors are expected to be named in a day or two as those who can establish a rapport with the Kashmiri leaders, specially the separatists, have been already contacted. While some declined and some agreed for the job, others are waiting to first know who heads the group, the Home Ministry sources here said.

Names of the likely interlocutors and request of Governor N N Vohra, a former defence and home secretary, to shift him to any other state or relieve him in view of his wife Usha's ailment reportedly figured in discussion between the Prime Minister and Home Minister P Chidambaram in a one-to-one hour-long meeting here on Monday. Usha Vohra, also a retired bureaucrat, is believed to suffering from cancer.

The Home Ministry sources said the government is also getting demand from various quarters for appointment of a political leader as the state's governor as it has been always either a former bureaucrat or a former army officer appointed as the governor since after Dr Karan Singh seized to be the Sadr-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The government thinks the demand is genuine as it may send a political personality as the governor, though there is also a proposal to shift Arunachal Pradesh Governor General J J Singh, a retired Army chief, to Srinagar, the sources said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called on Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday, said neither his government nor his National Conference party have made any suggestions about the governor or interlocutors. "There are no inputs from the state government or national conference," he said while wriggling out from discussing advantage of a political person as the governor.

The Prime Minister assured the chief minister of all Central help in resolving the issues confronting the state as also promised an early action on job initiatives under the Rangarajan Committee that was asked to give its report within three months.

The chief minister reiterated the need for sustained efforts to enter into a dialogue with all shades of opinion in the state, while briefing him about good impact of the initiatives taken to restore peace and normalcy in the state. Giving a report on the law and order scenario, Omar Abdullah also told the PM that he hopes the complete normalcy will return in the valley soon.
 
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nitish kumar

Monday, October 4, 2010

EXCLUSIVE BLOGSPOT OF NITISH KUMAR

NITISH KUMAR CHIEF MINISTER SPEAKS

This is a make or mar election, come out and vote

I am writing to you after a long gap. I have been extremely busy since the dates for Bihar Assembly elections were announced. Various activities related to the polls, from selection of candidates to overall preparedness of the party, have kept me preoccupied for the past one month or so.

As I have always said, the coming election is going to be different from the ones in the past in more ways than one. I think it is going to be a “make-or-mar” election for the state. For the first time in the electoral history of the state, development has emerged as a key factor in the polls this time. Each one of you have to decide whether you want the process of development to continue after the polls or want to go back to the days when progress was sacrificed at the altar of politics of caste, community and religion.

I have always maintained that development will take precedence over all other considerations in this election. It is heartening to see that most of you share my views. In a recent survey of a leading newspaper, I was pleased to note that an overwhelming majority had cited development to be most important factor in the polls.

In a state obsessed in the past with caste and community equations in the run-up to the polls, it is certainly a refreshing change. People from across the world often write to me saying they had given up hope for Bihar’s turnaround but the positive wave of reforms and change that took place during our tenure had changed their perception about the state.

At the outset of our tenure, I had made a promise to the people of Bihar that I would not come back to seek their votes if I would not succeed in bringing about the changes. I have little hesitation in saying changes are visible across the state now. This is why I have come back to the people to seek another term for our government. We have achieved quite a bit and we have miles to go.

The work culture in Bihar has changed. People have begun to repose their faith in law and order. We have taken several initiatives to work for the welfare of the poor, women, minorities, Mahadalits and other weaker sections of society. I have my eyes firm on what further needs to be done to ensure comprehensive empowerment of the impoverished and marginalised.

If voted back to power, it would be our priority to streamline the PDS system. We have done some experiments with food coupon and I want to give it a concrete shape at the earliest. I wish to reiterate my commitment that each poor should get his or her share of ration goods in a hassle-free manner. I also wish to focus more aggressively on improving the power scenario in the state as it is a prerequisite of development and we are brutally aware of this. We have relentlessly worked towards this and the results will begin to surface soon.

I am informed there are many national and international investors who are keenly observing the elections in Bihar. I wish to reassure them, the situation will become more congenial and investor-industry-friendly in times ahead.

I am resolute we have to turn Bihar into a Developed State by 2015. The rate of growth has been impressive and we wish to further capitalise on this. This can’t happen unless each one of us stand up and join the crusade.

My humble plea to all of you spread all over is to come out and use your right to vote. You will strengthen democracy and be the impetus towards intensify Bihar’s historic march to progress and prosperity. It does not matter whom you should vote for, but as long as you cast your franchise it would augur well for all of us.

It is festival time – Dussehra, Diwali and Chhatth is round the corner and it shall be peppered with the festival of franchisee. Come and rejoice the spirit of Bihar. Join your families during these festivities in deciding the shape of Bihar of the future. Your one tiny effort shall determine the fate and future of Bihar.

We are often accused by many of being complacent. Time has come to prove them wrong. Time has come to take that giant leap forward towards development.

I have always said we shall create such a vibrant and dynamic state which shall make us all proud. We shall create a Bihar where being called a Bihari will be a matter of pride. Being a Bihari henceforth will be a matter of Maan, and not Apmaan.


With best wishes,

Nitish Kumar


Postscript: I shall be busy campaigning for next few weeks and may not be able to write as often. However, I shall keep in touch with your ideas. Keep writing in. And do drop in your best wishes for us as well.

BJP wages a cyber criminal notice to AICC

40 lakh visitors were disappointed on Ayodhya verdict day?

BJP serves Cyber criminal notice 

to All India Congress Committee

By R Rajagopalan

BJP served a legal notice to AICC concerning an internet

link from bjp.com, when accessed it is redirected to AICC.COM

During the Ayodhya verdict day, the BJP web site had nearly

40 lakh visitors..And most of them disappointed.. Hence this legal notice.

This correspondent before attempting this story too experienced the

divert of BJP.COM to AICC.COM.

BJP alleges that AICC with an ulterior political

intentions, bought the web site of BJP.COM from a foreigner

just to mislead the public and web visitors.

A new cyber war has begun between two major political parties

BJP and Congress.

No senior leader was available with BJP and Congress as most of them

enjoy Commonwealth Games updates, the BJP legal cell confirmed that

the legal notice was sent to AICC general secretary at 24 Akbar Road

New Delhi on Friday. And BJP legal cell had a acknowledgement from AICC>

When contacted, AICC commented that such a cyber war

as a frivolous issue and does not deserve a reply... 

AICC web managers and  technical experts will write a suitable reply to 

the notice as and when we receive. Such a cheap publicity by BJP on

its web site, does not deserve a comment - was the reaction by

Tom Vadakkan the AICCmedia cell in charge.

But BJP maintains that how can a BJP.COM a private web site

owned by "Bharatiya Journals and Publishers.com" was purchased by

AICC recently... And it was with a bad political motivation that such an

act was committed. the legal notice mentions

During 2009 Lok Sabha campaign -such  cyber war was heard of.

Like You Tube- Twitter.face book and i eye...In fact during 2009 elections

the LK Advani and Narendra Modi web pages were too much on demand.

Perday the web managers of these web sites, had difficult times to

upload the speeches and tour programmes of the BJP leaders

brought new wave campaign style. Congress also did such e-war

But after BJP innovcated it. A week's later.

ends.

CHIDAMBARAM'S NEW CHOICE

CHIDAMBARAM BRINGS

VIJAY KUMAR AS NEW DG CRPF

By R Rajagopalan

K   Vijay Kumar is new Director Genreal of Central Protection Police Force

Vijay is considered a personal choice of P Chidambaram Union Home Minister

Presently Vijay Kumar is the Director of National Police Academy in Hyderabad.

Vijay is an old hand of Special Protection Group SPG- who protected Rajiv Gandhi.

and an able operational mindset officer who was successful in handling sandalwood

smuggler Veerappan. It was Vijay Kumar who master minded the killing of Veerappan.

he replaces Vikram Shrivatsava who got into the over ageing controversy.

The Union Home Ministry and E Rajamohan commission found fault in the

inept handling of Dandewada masscre of 80 policemen. 

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet was seized of the ageing case of

Vikram, as his brother Raman Shrivatsava has got little time to retire, while

elder brother Vikram retires one year later.

ends