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Dr.B.R.Ambedkar

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Gas prices doubled in the best interest of Reliance, Indian corporate exclusive economy stripped naked.What to do?

Gas prices doubled in the best interest of Reliance, Indian corporate exclusive economy stripped naked.What to do?


It is a very difficult to call where the rupee will stabilise! The finance minister P Chidambaram rushed Washington to lead the rescue campaign as dollar linked Indian economy crashes with FED chief Bernanke`s initiatives resulting the revival of US economy inflicted by recession.


Palash Biswas


Email:palashbiswaskl@gmail.com



Skype:palash.biswas44


"Its certainly is a good time for Reliance. The gas price hike which has been announced is going to be a big positive for Reliance Industries."


It is the general opinion.


Gas prices doubled in the best interest of Reliance, Indian corporate exclusive economy stripped naked.The government last month took the unpopular step of raising prices after a gap of three years, linking domestic gas prices with global liquefied natural gas (LNG) benchmarks.The Rangarajan formula for pricing will apply to all forms of natural gas - conventional, shale gas and coal-bed methane (CBM), and would apply from April 1, 2014.The  oil ministry said as per the Rangarajan formula, the price for natural gas in April-June 2013 comes to $6.83 per mmBtu. It however did not indicate the price of gas in April next year.


Market has been very volatile. so what? Reliance Industries will get USD 8.4 price for the natural gas from its eastern offshore KG-D6 fields from April 1, 2014 and potentially higher rates in following quarters, its minority partner Niko Resources said.


"Niko Resources confirms that the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Government of India has (on June 27) approved a new pricing formula for domestic gas sales in India.



So what?A week after doubling of natural gas prices were approved, the Oil Ministry on Friday rebutted charges of the move resulting in windfall gains to Reliance Industries (RIL), saying new gas production from the company's fields will not start before 2017-18.


You have  to bear with because it is pure corporate raj.


Taxpayers have not to be obliged as they are expected to be in an open market economy in developed nations.


We, the  biometric digital citizens of India are as muted as our brothers and sisters belonging to excluded communities.


Democracy is reduced to farce as policy making is totally subjected to corporate lobbying.


The media hyped hue and cry about coalgate scam is not echoed in reliance case as the corporate funded Indian politics dares not to go beyond corporate interest.Meanwhile, industry body CII in a statement said it was "in favour of dollar based gas pricing and the CCEA's recent decision to increase the gas prices will not only incentivise investment in exploration and production, but will also result in increased revenues to the government which could then be invested in various development programmes.


It is a very difficult to call where the rupee will stabilise!  The finance minister P Chidambaram rushed Washington to lead the rescue campaign as dollar linked Indian economy crashes with FED chief Bernanke`s initiatives resulting the revival of US economy inflicted by recession. It is very difficult to estimate that how long the uncertainty or the volatility in Indian market will remain. It is very difficult to ascertain how much of the carry trade is still there to unwind before we can see some semblance of stabilities.It is the main concern of the Finance minister. He is not concerned with any public interest at all.On the other hand ,he is killing public interest quite single handedly. He is also killing the open market economy as well violating fiscal norms.


It happened again as it happened in earlier cases of recession, the investors opt for safe heaven and India loses much needed confidence of foreign investors to sustain the bottomless economy without any vital statics.


US media is concerned about US interest in India as vote bank politics exposes reformist skin inflicted by food security ordinance.


The growth story is based on free flow of capital and all the schemes are funded by foreign loan, mainly from world bank and IMF on very high interest rates.


Without any distribution system existing, the food security plan is projected as game changer for the ruling alliance while US economists push hard for second generation reforms.


The finance minister killed Coal India monopoly creating coal regulator only to help private electricity companies.


It is greater scam than coal gate and we failed to notice that with abundant coal in India, with expertise on mines development and coal production Coal India had to play vital role in energy sector. The finance minister killed coal India amidst threatened all India strike by coal unions only to allow indiscriminate import with falling rupee.


It means steep hike in prices of coal and electricity.


Further, the FM ensured multiplied profit for reliance only to hike oil and gas prices. It means all round inflation. However,the Finance Ministry has asked the Oil Ministry to examine issues raised by New Delhi's new pricing policy, which could significantly increase prices of local gas from April 2014.



One third is selected for food security without any transeparency with sensitive stakes on fiscal deficit and balance of payment crisis. While the definitions and statics are subjected to policy making opportunities. Redefined again and again.


The two third population, most of which happen to be jobless and equally deprived of purchasing power, driven out of market have to buy food in open market and it is the trickling economy.


Riches get more rich and the rest have to succumb in starvation. Parliament is by passed again and again and the minority government which ethically lost the mandate, pass anti people lawas one after another, one scam is followed by another, the entire political class is involved in a national game like IPL mixing fixing and sexing!


What to do?


"The pricing formula is based on the average of the prices of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) into India and the weighted average of gas prices in North America, Europe and Japan," the Canadian firm said in a press statement.


The pricing formula will be effective on April 1, 2014 for a period of five years, with the price to be revised quarterly using the approved formula.

The price for each quarter will be calculated based on the 12-month trailing average price with a lag of one quarter (i.e. price for April to June 2014 will be calculated based on the averages for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013).


"Using the approved price formula, the price effective for April 1, 2014 is estimated at around USD 8.40 per million British thermal unit, double the price of USD 4.20 for current gas sales from the D6 Block," Niko said.

This price was also indicated in the Annexure that the Oil Ministry attached to the main Cabinet note on pricing of domestic gas as per a formula suggested by the Rangarajan panel.


On page 88 of the Annexure-1, the Ministry stated that the gas price based on the Petronet LNG Ltd's long-term contracts with RasGas of Qatar would come to USD 8.42 per mmBtu.


CCEA has approved inclusion of only price of only long- term LNG imports into India and has left out spot rates.


Petronet has also contracted long-term LNG from Gorgon project in Australia at higher price than RasGas and its inclusion in the formula from 2015-16 would further push up domestic rates.


"The pricing terms of the Petronet contracts are expected to result in further increases in the gas prices in future quarters, assuming current pricing levels of Japanese Crude Cocktail, US Henry Hub, UK National Balancing Point and Japan LNG imports," Niko said.


RIL is the operator of the KG-D6 block with 60 per cent stake while Niko holds 10 per cent interest. UK's BP plc has the remaining 30 per cent.

However, in a letter to the Oil Ministry, which has been seen by Reuters, the finance ministry has listed the concerns flagged by various newspaper editorials for "appropriate" action.


Newspapers have raised several issues including capping the gas price and ensuring Reliance delivers any shortfall it owes to customers at the old price of $4.2 per million British thermal units.


"It cannot be that gas producers will reap unlimited gains in the case of an upswing in global prices; any upside has to be capped," the finance ministry said in the letter, quoting a newspaper editorial.


Gas output from Reliance-operated D6 block has shrunk sharply, never having reached the forecast peak flow of 81 million cubic metres a day. In November Reliance cut its estimate of gas reserves in the block by about two thirds to 3.4 trillion cubic feet.


However the officials at the finance ministry said the letter was not aimed at suggesting a review of last month's cabinet decision on gas pricing.


"It is more like a fact-finding exercise," a senior Finance Ministry official with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.


"It is likely that nothing will come out of this exercise. But we want to ensure that everything has been examined," the official said.


An Oil Ministry official said, "The decision on gas pricing has been taken by the cabinet and there is no proposal for rethinking."



Dalits Media Watch - News Updates 11.07.13




Dalits Media Watch

News Updates 11.07.13

 

One booked under SC/ST atrocities Act- The Times Of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/One-booked-under-SC/ST-atrocities-Act/articleshow/21010602.cms

Dalit youth killed: 'Give counsel copies of experts opinions who saw post-mortem'- The Indin Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dalit-youth-killed-give-counsel-copies-of-experts-opinions-who-saw-postmortem/1139973/

Post-mortem report of Dalit youth not up to expectation: HC- ZeeNews

http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/post-mortem-report-of-dalit-youth-not-up-to-expect_861410.html

Suicide or murder? Madras High Court directs expert doctor to examine Dalit man's body- NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/suicide-or-murder-madras-high-court-directs-expert-doctor-to-examine-dalit-man-s-body-390259

Dalit boy's death: Will decide on second autopsy after expert submits his report, says HC- IBNLive

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalit-boys-death-will-decide-on-2nd-autopsy-after-expert-submits-his-report-says-hc/405515-62-128.html

Atrocities Against Dalits: The Pabnava Incident- EPW

http://www.epw.in/web-exclusives/atrocities-against-dalits-pabnava-incident.html

Dalit park's security may be given to district magistrate soon- The Times Of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Dalit-parks-security-may-be-given-to-district-magistrate-soon/articleshow/21011510.cms

Govt in favour of quota in higher judiciary- The Times Of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-in-favour-of-quota-in-higher-judiciary/articleshow/21012825.cms

Hostelites starve while govt college admin, warden lock horns- The Times Of India

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-10/madurai/40491145_1_hostel-mess-hostel-warden-hostel-food

Dalit memorials to lose 90% staff- The Times Of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Dalit-memorials-to-lose-90-staff/articleshow/21010889.cms

 

NOTE: Please find attachment for HINDI NEWS UPDATES (PDF)

 

The Times Of India

 

One booked under SC/ST atrocities Act

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/One-booked-under-SC/ST-atrocities-Act/articleshow/21010602.cms

 

MARGAO: The MainaCurtorim police on Tuesday booked an offence against Moreno Carlos Rebello, a  resident of Maina, Curtorim, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Act, 1986, based on a complaint lodged by Joana Dias from Sao Jose de Areal.


Dias, in her complaint to the police, alleged that the accused trespassed into her property, damaged her paddy fields with the help of an earthmoving machine, verbally abused her and her children, while also 'insulting the modesty of her daughter'.


Deputy SP Mohan Naik is conducting further investigations.

 

The Indin Express

 

Dalit youth killed: 'Give counsel copies of experts opinions who saw post-mortem'

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dalit-youth-killed-give-counsel-copies-of-experts-opinions-who-saw-postmortem/1139973/

 

The Madras High Court today directed that authorities to hand over to all counsel concerned copies of opinions of experts who viewed the videography of the postmortem on Dalit youth Ilavarasan whose body was found along a railway track in Dharmapuri five days ago.

 

23-year old Ilavarasan, whose marriage to a upper caste girl triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of the district in November last, was found along the track on July 4, a day after his wife said she would never go back to him. A Division Bench comprising Justices V Dhanapalan and C T Selvam watched the videography for over two hours with experts from various medical institutions.

 

The experts, including Additional Medical Superintendent and in-Charge MLC Autopsy wing of JIPMER, Puducherry Dr M J E Ambroise and Dr K K Shaha, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, JIPMER among others, said there are some defects in the autopsy but that a second post-mortem was not needed as the main injuries had already been covered extensively in the video.

 

Yesterday Ilavarasan's friend Ramesh had filed a petition seeking a second postmortem. The experts said collection of blood for chemical analysis was unsatisfactory and none of the organs had been weighed as per the standard protocol.

 

Dr Dekal, Associate Professor, Savitha Medical College, differed in his opinion, saying it was not a reasonably good autopsy in a highly suspicious case and an autopsy surgeon may not be able to tell whether it could be a suicide or homicide from the way documentations were done.

 

Dr Rajamani Bheem Rao, Associate Professor, Forensic Medicines, Madras Medical College, Dr K Thunder, Chief, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Dharmapuri Medical College,Dr R Satish Kumar,Tutor in Forensic Medicine, Government Dharmapuri Medical College and Dr G Ravi Kumar all said there was no need for a second post-mortem.

 

ZeeNews

 

Post-mortem report of Dalit youth not up to expectation: HC

http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/post-mortem-report-of-dalit-youth-not-up-to-expect_861410.html

 

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday said the post-mortem report of the Dalit youth, whose body  was found along a rail track last week, is not up to its expectation and directed a two-member expert team, independent of government or that sought by petitioners to re-examine it. It directed the experts to examine the body of Ilavarasan and take X-ray if needed and frame an opinion on the likelihood or otherwise of any internal injuries.


The Bench said it would be open for them to do further clinical or surgical examination as considered necessary and inform it through a report tomorrow, and which should be submitted to the court by 10.30 AM on Friday.


The experts are Dr Thangaraj, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, SRM College and Research Centre, Potheri in Kancheepuram district and Dr P Sampathkumar, Professor of Forensic Medicine and vice-principal, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur in Chennain.


Yesterday, a seven-member expert team had submitted individual reports on the autopsy and copies were handed over to counsels concerned.

 

The bench found fault with the report of Associate Professor Rajamani Bheema Rao, saying such a very briefm report was not expected, especially when they had called for expert opinion.


The Bench said it had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing in conduct of the Post-mortem, but it felt it is necessary to consider that the cry for justice by the downtrodden and oppressed not go unheard and the Court should appropriately respond.


It then posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.


23-year old Ilavarasan, whose marriage to a upper caste girl triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of Dharmapuri district in November last,was found dead along a railway track on July 4, a day after his wife said she would never go back to him.


While the post-mortem concluded that he had died of serious head injuries, his family members and Dalit outfits have maintained that he had been done to death.  – PTI

 

NDTV

 

Suicide or murder? Madras High Court directs expert doctor to examine Dalit man's body

http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/suicide-or-murder-madras-high-court-directs-expert-doctor-to-examine-dalit-man-s-body-390259

 

ChennaiThe Madras High Court today directed that an expert doctor from the Christian Medical College in  Vellore should examine the body of Ilavarasan. The Dalit man, who married a girl from the Vanniyar community, was found dead last week in Tamil Nadu.


The court said it will pass orders on whether or not a second autopsy should be performed on Ilavarasan's body after the expert's report.


The High Court wants a doctor with more than 30 years of experience to examine the body.

 

Yesterday, two judges of the High Court had watched the video recording of the first post-mortem performed last Thursday along with seven experts, including a forensic analyst chosen by Ilavarasan's family.


Six of the seven experts said in their respective reports that a second autopsy is not required. Dr Dekal, the expert chosen by Ilavarasan's family, is the only one who wants the court to order a second autopsy. "It will help correct deficiencies. Better correlation of autopsy finding will help the investigation team and the court to arrive at the near truth," he said.


However, two other experts, Dr M J E Ambroise and Dr K K Shaha from Jawaharlal Nehru institute of Post graduate Medical Education (JIPMER), claim that there were defects in the performance of the first autopsy."


The first autopsy report had revealed that Ilavarasan died of a head injury. His parents, however, suspect foul play and point fingers at the dominant Vanniyar community and the PMK that backs it. A second autopsy performed in the presence of their doctor, they hope, would find evidence that would strengthen their case. However, sources close to the PMK leadership have denied any role in this.


Police sources, meanwhile, claim it is a case of suicide.

 

Ilavarasan had married Divya, a Vanniyar girl, last August. Weeks after they eloped, Divya's father committedsuicide which triggered riots against Dalits in and around their village. Around 250 Dalit homes were allegedly torched by Vanniyars.


Divya appeared before the court last Wednesday and said she doesn't want to return to her husband citing continuing animosity between the two communities and haunting memories of her late father. The following day, her husband was found dead near a railway track.

 

IBNLive

 

Dalit boy's death: Will decide on second autopsy after expert submits his report, says HC

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalit-boys-death-will-decide-on-2nd-autopsy-after-expert-submits-his-report-says-hc/405515-62-128.html

 

New Delhi: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide an expert and experienced doctor from Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, who will examine Dalit youth Ilavarasan's body. The court will decide on a second autopsy only after the expert submits his report.

 

Earlier, six of the seven experts didn't want a second autopsy. The Madras High Court move comes after the police said last Thursday that they had recovered a suicide note allegedly written by the Dalit youth. Ilavarasan's body was found dead on the railway tracks.

 

A four page letter purportedly written by Ilavarasan in which he states that none should be held responsible for his death, has been recovered by the Special Investigation Team probing the case. The letter also gives details on the boy's failed inter-caste marriage.

 

The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a commission to probe the death of Ilavarasan.

 

On Saturday, the boy's family had claimed that the he was murdered and demanded another postmortem be conducted. The autopsy performed on Sunday on Ilavarasan, who was found dead on a railway track on July 4, stated that the youth had died of a "serious head injury" even as the probe was transferred from government

railway police to local police.

 

Ilavarasan, whose marriage to Divya triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of Dharmapuri district in November 2012, was found dead along a railway track here on July 4, a day after the girl said she would never go back to him and instead stay with her mother.

 

The Times Of India

 

Dalit park's security may be given to district magistrate soon

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Dalit-parks-security-may-be-given-to-district-magistrate-soon/articleshow/21011510.cms

 

NOIDA: Even as the fate of the Rs 685 crore Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden in Noida continues to remain wrapped in uncertainty, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling over handing its security to the Gautam Budh Nagar district collector. Sources said the move comes after a Lucknow committee decided to rationalize manpower at the dalit memorials last month.


The district magistrate and Noida Authority officials, however, claim that they are yet to receive any formal communication from the government for taking over from the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, which is the agency maintaining and securing the memorial presently. "A meeting was held in Lucknow on Thursday, but we have not received any formal letter," said PK Agarwal, ACEO, Noida Authority. District magistrate Kumar Ravikant Singh also confirmed it.


Sources say that the number of personnel in-charge of securing the memorial is being trimmed and charge is being handed over to the district administration because posts created by the previous regime were irrational.

 

The security of the park had also been reduced substantially after SP came to power in March last year. Currently, the Dalit Prerna Sthal is guarded by 26 private security personnel in two shifts.



In October 2011, when the park was inaugurated, the state administration had left no stone unturned in providing security to the memorial. Over 200 personnel of a Special Range Security battalion had been deployed, besides two other battalions comprising 36 personnel each to guard the statues inside. The battalion, a specialized unit of the police, was raised by the BSP government specifically for protecting monuments, parks and memorials in Lucknow and Gautam Budh Nagar. The memorial protection force was sanctioned by a government order in May 2010.


The ruling SP and the BSP appear to be on a collision course over Mayawati's dream park which was unveiled on October 14, 2011. Soon after coming to power, Akhilesh had announced that the vast vacant spaces lying unused in the memorials built during Mayawati's tenure would be used for public purposes. He had reasoned that hundreds of crores of rupees in government funds had been spent on these parks and memorials dedicated to Dalit leaders. Initially, he said hospitals and schools could be opened in these memorials. In May, his government announced that it would use the memorials for marriages and cultural programmes.


Even as the tug of war over the park continues, the chairman and CEO of Noida Authority, Rama Raman told TOI that there is a little work that remains to be finished after which the park will be opened. "Some work like developing public utilities needs to be completed. Even though entry would be free, people will have to pay a nominal fee for accessing the area where statues have been constructed," Raman said.

 

The Times Of India

 

Govt in favour of quota in higher judiciary

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-in-favour-of-quota-in-higher-judiciary/articleshow/21012825.cms

 

NEW DELHI: The government seems to be in agreement with Chief Justice of India-designate P Sathasivam

on having reservation in the higher judiciary.


In a reflection of the UPA government's stand on the issue, a top law ministry source said, "The judiciary must reflect upon the need for wider representation, as all segments should be represented." However, he said SC/ST reservations were something the judiciary decided.


In his interviews to the media a few days ago, Justice Sathasivam had said that OBCs, SCs/STs and other minorities should have more representation in the higher judiciary.


"We have to give representation to OBCs, SCs/STs and other minorities in the appointment of judges to high courts and the Supreme Court. Though there is no reservation rule, the selection or appointing authority must keep this in mind. In a country like ours, where different communities, cultures are there, we have to give some latitude to them and fill up those pores," Justice Sathasivam had said.


The CJI-designate was of the opinion that no new law was required for this. "All appointments should be made on merit. But at the same time, because of the nature of our country, many people at the bottom level, they have to come up. We have to give them some representation. If they satisfy minimum requirements, you can consider those candidates," he had said.


The government, however, is not keen on giving a fixed tenure to the CJI, which again Justice Sathasivam had advocated. The top law ministry source said that unlike bureaucracy, there was no requirement for a fixed tenure to CJI on the grounds of continuity of policy. Any new CJI would be as effective, and by giving a fixed tenure, it would be denial of opportunity to other deserving judges.


"The government has not given a thought to that," the law ministry source said, and added that it would require amending the Constitution. The government is also in favour of more transparency in the functioning of the judiciary. The law ministry is already working towards recording of all court proceedings.


The Times Of India

 

Hostelites starve while govt college admin, warden lock horns

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-10/madurai/40491145_1_hostel-mess-hostel-warden-hostel-food

 

TRICHY: An alleged war of ego between the administration of the Musiri Government Arts College and its  hostel wardens has led to a near starvation of about 50 students as the hostel mess has not functioned since the college opened for this academic year.

 

The students who stay away from their homes depend on the hostel food and when it was not reopened on Monday despite assurances given by the hostel warden, the angry students blocked the road at M Puthupatti Kizhakku village, some 4.5km from Musiri.

 

Local tahsildar Jayanthi, after holding negotiations between the students and the hostel wardens reprimanded the college administration for letting a petty problem spiral in to a public protest.

 

"I have warned to the college administration to sort out their problems, and start the hostel mess from Wednesday, if not complied, I will report the mmatter to the collector," Jayanthi said.

 

The problem was that the most of the students belonged to the SC/ST community who are eligible for a scholarship of Rs7000, wanted the hostel warden to adjust the hostel bills against this amount.

 

For this arrangement, the principal has to release the scholarship fund towards the hostel fee but he was delaying the process.

 

The existing acting principal S Marutham finally made a cheque for Rs40,000 on Tuesday night.

 

"For lunch the agitating students were given biscuits by the revenue department," said revenue inspector Palanivel.

 

The Times Of India

 

Dalit memorials to lose 90% staff

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Dalit-memorials-to-lose-90-staff/articleshow/21010889.cms

 

LUCKNOW: After state government announcement of 'rational' use of accommodation and office space inside dalit memorials, here's another blow to the Bahujan Samaj Party and its followers. The state government plans to prune workforce engaged in maintaining the memorials built under the Mayawati regime. In a recent meeting of the memorial committee, bylaws for appointment of employees in memorials has been amended.


'Rationalising' the manpower at the dalit memorials will result in 90% of them being sacked, including 1,317 general cleaners, two janitors, 19 maintenance, operating and cleaning staffers for golf carts, 903 special workers for cleaning spittoons and toilets, 95 for cleaning fountains, 24 lawn mower operators, laundry assistants, sculptors, bronze polishers and 100 appointed especially to ring bells, among others.


In the new list of 565 staffers sanctioned for the Lucknow memorials by a high powered trimming committee in the government, there's a clear attempt to retrench the staff. The little greenery there is in the memorials, for example, will now be tended to by a team of under 150 gardeners, instead of 525 earlier. Similarly, most of the 42 cooks will also need to look for employment elsewhere. That's besides the decision to open the memorials for "public use" as in weddings and celebrations.


Ostensibly, the numbers have been trimmed because the posts were created without rationale and adequate provisions in the existing law, permitting these appointments. For example, as many as 5,788 persons were divided into 90 categories, ranging from cooks to workers specialising in marble and sandstone polishing, respectively, deputed for duty at the 14 dalit memorials in the state. A supervisor, posted at one dalit memorial in Lucknow said, "Most persons appointed for maintaining the memorials do not discharge duties as they were appointed for. Hospitality staff, for instance, doubles up as cleaners at the memorials. Some staff has also been hired by serving ministers at their official residence."


A senior official said the committee to examine the proposal for rationalising the use of memorials and the people working in them said agencies like Lucknow Development Authority and UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam prepared a seven-volume document on the manpower needed to maintain memorials but failed to explain the logic for creating the posts. The report suggests 42 posts were created by the "initiative" of the LDA vice chairman during the BSP regime.


The retrenched staff, however, will not be rendered jobless. Officials confirmed arrangements have been made to appoint all categories of workers at government guest houses maintained by the Estate and Tourism departments. In addition, services like maintenance of office equipment will also be outsourced.


Meanwhile, the Estate department may soon get the responsibility of allotting the residential and office space in dalit memorials while the ownership of all administrative, residential blocks and open spaces inside the memorials will remain with the smarak samiti. Official sources confided that a proposal to this effect, prepared by the smarak samiti which is headed by principal secretary of housing department Sadakant, was being considered by the state government. The logic is that State Property department has the expertise and resources to handle the responsibility. Sadakant could not be contacted despite repeated efforts, estate properties officer, Raj Kishore Yadav said he was not aware of any such order. Officials at Lucknow Development Authority who are a part of the smarak samiti refrained from commenting.

 

 

 

News monitor by Girish Pant

 

 


ARUN KHOTE
PMARC





TMC, Cong workers clash as voting in Bengal panchayat polls begins

TMC, Cong workers clash as voting in Bengal panchayat polls begins

Midnapore, July 12 (PTI): Eleven persons were injured in a clash between Trinamul Congress and Congress workers at Sabong in West Midnapore district as the first phase of panchayat polls began on Thursday in West Bengal.

The injured included a TMC gram panchayat candidate. Five of the injured were taken to Midnapore Sadar Hospital, police said.

In another incident, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Surya Kanto Mishra was involved in an altercation with local TMC supporters outside a polling booth at Khadurdah Gram Panchayat area in West Midnapore district.

Police sources said Mishra had an altercation with a group after coming out of the booth where he went to cast votes but he was not manhandled. He was later escorted to his car, they said.

According to eyewitnesses, after coming out of the booth Mishra complained to reporters that the Left was forced to field outsiders in the local rural body polls as its cadre in the area were facing intimidation and threat from TMC.

This infuriated some of the TMC men present and they entered into an altercation with Mishra but the situation was soon brought under control and he was escorted to the waiting vehicle, the eyewitnesses said.        

TMC claimed Mishra was making baseless allegations in the polling area while the CPI(M) alleged the opposition leader in Assembly was heckled.

Votes in 67 Zilla Parishads besides pancayat samities and gram panchayats are being held in the district along with Bankura and Purulia in the first phase.

2017 तक रक्षा खर्च के मामले में ब्रिटेन को पीछे छोड़ देगा भारत: रिपोर्ट

2017 तक रक्षा खर्च के मामले में ब्रिटेन को पीछे छोड़ देगा भारत: रिपोर्ट

Thursday, 11 July 2013 10:50

लंदन। भारत आगामी चार वर्षों के भीतर रक्षा खर्च के मामले में ब्रिटेन को पीछे छोड़ देगा। एक रिपोर्ट में यह दावा किया गया है। 
अंतरराष्ट्रीय रक्षा विश्लेषण इकाई 'आईएचएस जेन्स' ने अपनी एक नयी रिपोर्ट में कहा है कि 2017 तक ब्रिटेन का रक्षा बजट भारत से पीछे छूट जाएगा।
इस साल के आंकड़े के अनुसार रक्षा बजट के मामले में ब्रिटेन रूस से पीछे हो गया है। 

रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि भारत ने इस साल रक्षा पर 44.2 अरब डॉलर खर्च किए और जो 2020 तक बढ़कर 66.3 अरब डॉलर हो जाएगा।
ब्रिटेन ने इस साल रक्षा पर 58.5 अरब डॉलर खर्च किए और 2020 तक यह 59.6 अरब डॉलर तक पहुंच सकता है।

बंदूक की नाल से सत्ता की ढाल तक

बंदूक की नाल से सत्ता की ढाल तक

Thursday, 11 July 2013 09:18

प्रभाकर मणि तिवारी, कोलकाता। पश्चिम बंगाल में होने वाले त्रिस्तरीय पंचायत चुनाव के पहले दौर में राजनीतिक दल चुनावी बिसात पर माओवादी मोहरों के जरिए एक-दूसरे को मात देने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं।

पहले दौर में गुरुवार को माओवादी असर वाले जंगलमहल के तीन जिलों-पश्चिम मेदिनीपुर, बांकुड़ा और पुरुलिया में वोट डाले जाएंगे। इन इलाकों में मैदान में उतरे ज्यादातर उम्मीदवार ऐसे हैं जो पहले माओवादी संगठन में रहे हैं। इनमें से कई के खिलाफ तो हत्या और अपहरण के मामले चल रहे हैं।
जंगलमहल इलाके के लगभग दस हजार मतदान केंद्रों में लगभग सभी को उच्च-संवेदनशील या संवेदनशील की श्रेणी में रखा गया है। माओवादी हिंसा की आशंका से पहले दौर के मतदान के लिए सुरक्षा का जबरदस्त इंतजाम किया गया है। लेकिन कभी इलाके का आतंक रहे माओवादी ही जब चुनावी शतरंज पर मोहरे बने हों, तो शह और मात से भला कौन डरेगा। 
हत्या के कई मामलों में गिरफ्तार माओवादी हेमलेट मरांडी दिसंबर, 2011 में गिरफ्तारी के बाद आठ महीने जेल में बिता चुका है। अब वह पश्चिम मेदिनीपुर जिले के बीनपुर-2 ब्लाक में तृणमूल का पंचायत समिति उम्मीदवार है। वह कहता है- पहले मैंने जो रास्ता चुना था वह गलत था, लेकिन अब मैं कानूनी तरीके से इलाके के विकास के लिए काम करूंगा। 2008 में लालगढ़ में तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री बुद्धदेव भट्टचार्य के काफिले पर हमले के सिलसिले में हिरासत में लिया गया क्षमानंद महतो अब तृणमूल के टिकट पर जिला परिषद का चुनाव लड़ रहा है। एक अन्य माओवादी असित सरकार की पत्नी सुमित्रा सरकार भी मैदान में हैं। 
पार्टी ने जंगलमहल के माओवादी दस्ते के प्रमुख सदस्य दिलीप महतो की पत्नी टुलूरानी महतो को बीनपुर-1 पंचायत समिति में अपना उम्मीदवार बनाया है। इसी तरह हत्या, अपहरण और जबरन उगाही के कई मामलों का अभियुक्त ज्योति प्रसाद महतो सालबनी पंचायत समिति का चुनाव लड़ रहा है। शीर्ष माओवादी नेता किशनजी की सहयोगी सुचित्रा महतो का पति प्रबीर गराई भी बांकुड़ा जिले में जिला परिषद चुनाव में किस्मत आजमा रहा है। 
पूर्व माओवादियों को टिकट देने में अगर तृणमूल कांग्रेस सबसे आगे है, तो दूसरे दल भी पीछे नहीं हैं। बेलपहाड़ी पंचायत समिति का कांग्रेस उम्मीदवार निखिल महतो दो साल जेल में रह चुका है। उसके खिलाफ 35 मामले हैं। महतो कहता है-यह इलाका कांग्रेस का गढ़ है। इलाके के लोग चाहते थे कि मैं चुनाव लड़ूं। लोगों की भावनाओं का सम्मान करते हुए मैं चुनाव मैदान में हूं। 
जामबनी इलाके में माकपा के ग्राम पंचायत उम्मीदवार लक्ष्मण पर स्थानीय पंचायत प्रधान व उनके सहयोगियों की हत्या का मामला चल रहा है, लेकिन लक्ष्मण कहता है कि विपक्ष के आरोपों की कोई परवाह नहीं है। उस पर झूठे आरोप लगाए गए हैं। लेकिन इलाके के लोग मेरे साथ हैं। 

माओवादियों का सबसे मजबूत गढ़ कहे जाने वाले गोविंदबल्लभपुर के खरबंदी इलाके में तृणमूल कांग्रेस के उम्मीदवार दस में से नौ सीटों पर निर्विरोध चुने जा चुके हैं। इनमें से ज्यादातर माओवादी हैं। बालीपाल सीट से निर्विरोध चुने गए दुलाल मांडी पर तीन हत्याओं के अलावा अपहरण के कई मामले हैं। वह कहता है-अपने परिवार की सुरक्षा के लिए मैंने माओवादी संगठन में शामिल होने का फैसला किया था। 
लेकिन अब मुख्यधारा में वापस आने का प्रयास कर रहा हूं। ग्राम पंचायत सीट जीतने वाले प्रबीर ने कहा- ममता बनर्जी के सत्ता में आने के बाद वह तृणमूल कांग्रेस में शामिल हो गया था। उसके खिलाफ हत्या के दो मामले हैं। 
गोपीबल्लभपुर के तृणमूल कांग्रेस विधायक चूड़ामणि हांसदा पूर्व माओवादियों को टिकट देने का बचाव करते हुए कहते हैं कि उन लोगों को जबरन संगठन में शामिल किया गया था। अब ऐसे लोग जीत के बाद सतर्कता बरतें, तो इलाके में माओवादी दोबारा पैर नहीं जमा सकते। इसी तरह बीनपुर के तृणमूल विधायक श्रीकांत महतो कहते हैं- माकपा शासन के दौरान जंगलमहल इलाके के युवा मजबूरन माओवादी दस्ते में शामिल हुए थे। अब वे मुख्यधारा में आना चाहते हैं। उनकी सहायता करना हमारा नैतिक दायित्व है। 
दूसरी ओर, माकपा ने इतनी बड़ी संख्या में माओवादियों को टिकट देने के लिए तृणमूल कांग्रेस की आलोचना की है। पार्टी के पश्चिम मेदिनीपुर जिला सचिव दीपक सरकार कहते हैं कि तृणमूल ने पूर्व माओवादियों को टिकट देकर इलाके में आतंक फैला दिया है। कई जगह दूसरे लोग डर के मारे चुनाव नहीं लड़ रहे हैं। वे कहते हैं कि तृणमूल ने माओवादियों के खिलाफ दायर मामलों को वापस लेने का भरोसा देकर उनको अपने पाले में कर लिया है। 
केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालय ने 20 जून को ही राज्य सरकार को भेजे एक पत्र में चेताया था कि ओड़िशा और महाराष्ट्र की तरह बंगाल में माओवादी वोटरों को डरा-धमका कर कई सीटों पर जीत दर्ज कर सकते हैं। पत्र में सरकार से चुनाव के दौरान खासकर जंगलमहल इलाके में सुरक्षा के मजबूत इंतजाम करने को कहा गया था कि ताकि वोटरों और दूसरे दलों के उम्मीदवारों को डराने-धमकाने के मामलों पर अंकुश लगाया जा सके।

http://www.jansatta.com/index.php/component/content/article/1-2009-08-27-03-35-27/48716-2013-07-11-03-54-21

प्राकृतिक नहीं, मानवजनित तबाही कहें जनाब!

प्राकृतिक नहीं, मानवजनित तबाही कहें जनाब!


पावर प्रोजेक्टों के निर्माण, खडि़या व अन्य सम्पदाओं के खनन के नाम पर भी उत्तराखण्ड के पहाड़ों का जमकर दोहन किया जा रहा है. यही कारण है कि कमजोर होते जा रहे पहाड़ थोड़ी सी बरसात में भी भरभरा कर गिरने लगे हैं...

नरेन्द्र देव सिंह


उत्तराखण्ड जैसे हिमालयी राज्य का गठन एक व्यापक जनांदोलन के फलस्वरूप हुआ था. इसके लिये स्थानीय लोगों ने महत्वपूर्ण भागीदारी निभायी थी. उनका मुख्य उद्देश्य इस हिमालयी क्षेत्र के लिए एक अलग राज्य का गठन करवाना था. 9 नवम्बर 2000 को उत्तराखण्ड एक पृथक राज्य के रूप में अस्तित्व में आया. चूंकि उत्तराखण्ड मूलतः पर्वतीय राज्य है, इसलिए संवेदनशील पर्यावरणीय माहौल को देखते हुये यहां अलग से आपदा प्रबंधन विभाग का गठन किया गया.

desaster-in-kedarnath

इस राज्य के पर्वतीय क्षेत्रों में प्राकृतिक आपदाओं जैसे बादल फटना, भूस्खलन होना वैसे ही आम बात है जैसे उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार राज्यों में बाढ़ आना. यहां आने वाली प्राकृतिक आपदाओं को सरकार दैवीय आपदा कहती है, लेकिन अलग राज्य बनने के बाद से दैवीय से कहीं ज्यादा मानवीय हस्तक्षेप इन भारी आपदाओं का कारण है.

राज्य गठन से पहले भी यहां प्राकृतिक आपदायें आती थीं, लेकिन राज्य गठन के बाद हर साल ही यहां के नागरिकों को इन आपदाओं से जूझना पड़ रहा है. गौरतलब है कि पृथक उत्तराखण्ड निर्माण के बाद गढ़वाल मंडल में नदियों पर बिजली परियोजनाओं के नाम पर जमकर बांधों का निर्माण किया जा रहा है.

टिहरी परियोजना हालांकि राज्य गठन के पहले से ही शुरू हो गयी थी, मगर इसके दुष्परिणाम राज्य गठन के बाद सामने आये हैं. भौगोलिक दृष्टि से हिमालय एक नवीन संरचना है, जिसका निर्माण केवल पांच करोड़ वर्ष पूर्व हुआ था. हिमालय भारतीय प्लेट के तिब्बत से टकराने के बाद बना था. पावर प्रोजेक्टों के लिए पर्वतों को डायनामाइट लगाकर तबाह किया जाता है. पहाड़ों के अन्दर काटकर लम्बी-लम्बी सुरंग बनायी जाती है, जिसका असर पूरे हिमालयी क्षेत्र पर पड़ता है.

इन्होंने पहले से ही कमजोर पहाड़ों को और कमजोर कर दिया गया है. इतना होने के बावजूद अभी भी राज्य में अन्य विद्युत परियोजनाओं को लगाने की बात कही जा रही है, जो इस पर्वत श्रृंखला के लिए पूरी तरह से नुकसानदायक साबित होगा.

गौर करने वाली बात है थ्क हिमालय जोन 5 और जोन 4 में पड़ता है. यह भूकम्प और भूस्खलन की दृष्टि से अत्यंत संवेदनशील क्षेत्र है. एनसीटी का मुख्य केन्द्रीय भ्रंश भी यहां से गुजरती है. सबसे बड़ी दिक्कत यह है कि यहां पर किये जा रहे विकास निर्माण कार्य बिना किसी ठोस जानकारी के शुरू कर दिये जा रजे हैं.

हालात इतने बद्तर हैं कि अल्मोड़ा में 2012 में मौसम वैज्ञानिक का घर भी प्राकृतिक आपदा की चपेट में आ गया. अभी भी हाल ही में केदारनाथ में घटित भीषण प्राकृतिक आपदा के पीछे का सच जानने की कोशिश नहीं की जा रही है. गौर करने वाली बात है कि चारधामों में से प्रमुख केदारनाथ धाम पूरी तरह से व्यवसाय का केन्द्र बन चुका था. लगभग चार महीने के लिए खुलने वाले मन्दिर में लाखों की तादात में श्रृद्धालुओं की आवाजाही है. इतना ही नहीं, पिछले कई वर्षों से केदारनाथ मंदिर क्षेत्र में अंधाधुंध निर्माण हो रहा है.

यहां धर्मशालाओं-होटलों का निर्माण तेज गति से हुआ है. सड़कों पर वाहनों की अंधाधुंध दौड़ है. केदारनाथ धाम में हद से कहीं ज्यादा बढ़ चुके मानवीय हस्तक्षेप पर किसी ने ध्यान नहीं दिया या फिर देना जरूरी भी नहीं समझा. हाल ही यहां पर आयी इतनी बड़ी विपदा के पीछे नेताओं, नौकरशाहों और उन सभी मुनाफाखोंरों का हाथ है, जिन्होंने इस हिमालयी क्षेत्र में केदारनाथ ही नहीं बल्कि अन्य धार्मिक स्थलों पर भी प्रत्यक्ष या अप्रत्यक्ष तौर पर अपने कमाई के अड्डे खोल रखे हैं.

राज्य गठन के बाद वर्ष 2005, 2006 और 2011 को छोड़कर हर बरसात में प्राकृतिक आपदायें यहां अपना कहर बरसाती रही हैं. इसमें पिछले वर्ष उत्तरकाशी में बादल फटने से सैकड़ों लोग अकाल मृत्यु का शिकार हो गये. इसका मतलब स्पष्ट है कि उत्तराखण्ड निर्माण का एक मुख्य उद्देश्य यहां की प्राकृतिक संपदाओं को बचाना था, मगर इसके उलट राज्य गठन के बाद ही यहां की प्राकृतिक संपदाओं को जमकर लूटा जा रहा है.

पिछले दिनों पोंटी चढ्ढा की मृत्यु के बाद मीडिया में यह बात सामने आयी थी कि किस तरह यहां की प्रत्येक सरकार ने खनन व शराब माफिया को राज्य में खुली छूट दे रखी थी. यह तो मात्र एक उदाहरण है, पावर प्रोजेक्टों के निर्माण, खडि़या व अन्य सम्पदाओं के खनन के नाम पर भी राज्य के पहाड़ों का जमकर दोहन किया जा रहा है. यही कारण है कि कमजोर होते जा रहे पहाड़ थोड़ी सी भी बरसात में भरभरा कर गिरने लगे हैं.

अगर नदियों के माध्यम से हो रही तबाही के मंजर पर नजर डालें तो पहले तो हमें इस बात को समझना होगी कि नदियां हमारे घरों या निर्माणस्थल में नहीं घुस रही हैं, बल्कि हम नदियों के दायरे में जाकर अपने घरों तथा अन्य भवनों का निर्माण कर रहे हैं. भारत-नेपाल सीमा पर बहने वाली काली नदी हो या गढ़वाल में बहने वाली अलकनंदा, भागीरथी, सभी नदियों के मुहानों पर भवनों का जमकर निर्माण कर दिया गया है.

इसका मतलब है कि हम प्रकृति को उसका दायरा बता रहे हैं. नदियों के बहाव क्षेत्र निर्धारित कर रहे हैं. जिस प्रकृति पर हम पूरी तरह से निर्भर हैं, उसी पर हावी होने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं. इतिहास उठाकर देखें तो अतिवृष्टि में भी अपने बहाव क्षेत्र से नदियां बाहर नहीं गयी हैं, बल्कि वो तब से ऐसे ही बह रही हैं जब से उनका उद्गम हुआ है.

बरसात में उनका बहाव तेज हो जाता है, जो एक सामान्य प्रक्रिया है. इसीलिए नदियों के मुहाने पर बने भवन भरभरा कर गिर जाते हैं. नदियां आज भी सामान्य तरीके से ही बह रही हैं, असामान्य हरकतें तो हम मानवों ने की है, सरकार मौन होकर नदियों के मुहाने पर बन रहे भवनों के निर्माण से देखती रहती है.

केदारनाथ में आयी इतनी बढ़ी प्राकृतिक आपदा के बाद भी अगर हम नहीं संभले, तो इन पहाड़ों और नदियों को आपदाओं के लिए दोष नहीं देना चाहिए. यह दैवीय आपदा नहीं, बल्कि इनके पीछे सीधा मानवीय हस्तक्षेप है.

narendra-dev-singhनरेन्द्र देव सिंह राजनीतिक संवाददाता हैं.

http://www.janjwar.com/2011-05-27-09-00-20/25-politics/4157-prakrtik-nahi-manvjanit-tabahi-khen-janab-by-narender-dev-singh-for-janjwar