Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Entire SBI ATM stolen in Bangalore suburb with cash
Bangalore, June 18 (IANS) In a daring heist, a gang of six unidentified men stole an entire ATM, containing Rs.10-15 lakh, from a branch of the state-owned State Bank of India (SBI) in the city's northeast suburbs early Tuesday, police said.
"The incident came to light when our patrolling team detected the ATM missing from the bank outlet during its late night beat and no security guard around," Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) T.R. Suresh told IANS here.
Police registered a case after the bank branch manager R. Gururaj filed a complaint that its ATM was stolen with an estimated cash of over Rs.10-15 lakh.
According to preliminary investigation, the ATM, weighing about 500kg, was not properly fixed to the ground in the outlet and the gang had cut off wires of the closed circuit television camera and its server before decamping from the spot in a vehicle.
"As the bank branch with the ATM outlet is located on a deserted road in Bagalur area, we suspect the gang escaped with the heavy machine in the absence of a security guard and without being noticed by anyone as there was not much vehicular traffic or people's movement at that time," Suresh said.
The branch was opened April 25 and the ATM was installed a month later (in May) in the kiosk with just two nuts and bolts fixed to the ground.
"It is a serious security lapse of the bank and its security agency which is entrusted with the operation and maintenance of the ATM. They have not taken precautions to ensure the machine's safety," Police Commissioner Jyotiprakash Mirji told reporters after inspecting the bank outlet.
In the complaint, the bank manager mentioned that Rs.20 lakh cash in denominations of Rs.1,000, Rs.500 and Rs.100 was deposited in the ATM Saturday (June 15) by the outsourced security agency.
"We have set up a special team to investigate the case and nab the gang, as the CCTV footage recorded before its camera wires were cut off showed six persons trying to lift and move the machine out of the outlet," Suresh said.
This is the second such incident in the city a week after about Rs.19.86 lakh cash was stolen from an ATM of the state-run Canara Bank in northwest suburb of the city June 8 in the absence of a security guard and defunct CCTV cameras in the outlet.
City police, however, cracked the case within four days by nabbing the three culprits and recovered Rs.18 lakh in cash from them.
The accused, including an assistant field officer of the security agency, had used a gas cutter to cut the upper part of the machine after opening it with a duplicate key and stole the cash from its safe.
I wonder if this is the first of its kind of robbery.
We Indians are very ingenuous for all the wrong reasons.
CSR = Corporate Sins Redeemed OR Corporate Social Responsibility
Over the past few months, various arms of the Indian media have carried stories about the wonderful work being done by India's industrialists either through foundations bearing their family names or under the umbrella of their conglomerates and corporations.
The good Samaritans are doing everything from feeding hungry children, educating eager children, training women on new job skills, and providing water to thirsty villages. Many of these initiatives find their way into the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pages of the glossy Annual Reports.
The government, obvious by its absence and total failure over 66 years to do what it was supposed to, is keen to convert these sporadic emotions of giving into a law. The proposed Companies Act will have a provision that forces certain companies to dish out 2% of their annual profits in CSR initiatives. Estimates suggest that there could be a potential Rs 10,000 crore (about 0.15% of GDP) of annual spend from this "compulsory" provision.
While the corporate badhshahs and their begums light all the lamps for the photo-ops that such CSR opportunities present - and while there is, indeed, some good that must be coming out of all this - one needs to step back and ask the question: what is the source of all this charitable money?
Buying my peace...and some media space for my wife?
The critic in me says that much of this money earned by the givers may not have been legitimate wealth. The source of wealth needs to be questioned. As is being done by PILs, CAG reports, and Supreme Court directed CBI inquiries. This goes back to the question asked by me on two business TV channels for which I am still awaiting a response: Name me 10 business people in this country who have a net worth of Rs 500 crore and have made this through legitimate means.
The cynic in me says that the 2% is a cheap way for the sinners to buy forgiveness. CSR is nothing but a smart way for many corporates - and the families the control them - to buy peace. And win press coverage for their charming spouses for doing some great work.
Consider these instances - all hypothetical with totally arbitrary numbers, but probably close to reality:
Cheap coal for power plants may have made a corporate rich by Rs 1,000 crore. They use the free money to build a temple, build a school, and feed children in schools: Total cost of this could be Rs 50 lakhs, 0.05% of their rigged coal deal;
Oil and gas bonanzas may have made a corporate rich by Rs 20,000 crore. They use the money to build a temple, lay roads in villages, build wells, build schools: Total cost of this could be Rs 2 crore, 0.01% of the benefit handed out by friendly governments;
Cheap land given away as agricultural land and then rezoned into residential development land may have made a corporate rich by Rs 1,000 crore. They use the free money to feed children in schools: Total cost of this could be Rs. 20 lakhs or 0.02% of their landed benefit;
A honcho - as they are lovingly called by the gloating, "please can you advertise with us" media - makes much of his money by selling (or mis-selling) financial products to gullible clients which could result in extra profits to the tune of Rs 100 crore; some of that money finds its way to the "giving" world: maybe Rs 50 lakhs or 0.5% of money earned from a bad business practice.
You can substitute the above for iron ore, CWG contracts, housing scandals like Adarsh, land deals like the ones in Powai, spectrum, dud IPO's, dull mutual funds, or scandalous life insurance products. And change the amounts to whatever you wish.
The point is that many of these companies - and their founders - have been gifted tens of thousands of crore because of their friendship with governments and bureaucrats.
They are not "giving back" anything. They are net stealers from the system because, despite their "giving", they are still "taking" from society.
If they truly wish to give back - they should return all the money they have gamed from the system and put that into CSR programmes. And they don't even need the government to tell them how much they have stolen: they are pretty good at numbers and know the value of their enhanced wealth. The billions of dollars that has been shifted over the decades to a select few would have gone a long way in helping the less fortunate move up the health and dignity ladder.
But, given that we are in a land of milk and honey on a well-laid table of sleaze this "true giving" is not likely to happen.
So the cynic in me says that CSR is likely to be a dribble, an afterthought to win some PR points. Some crumbs to be thrown to the less fortunate - who became "less fortunate" because we stole their minerals, their land, or their savings!
And it is not likely that the NGOs who will be the recipient of their largesse will shun this money. A priest in Mexico (see the documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story" by Michael Moore) refuses to take money from those who he believes to be involved in the drug trade. The priest reasons that those in the drug trade have sinned and destroyed families - they cannot buy peace via a donation to his church. They need to do a lot more to be forgiven.
To buy peace, the sinners have already visited all the shrines. Now they have a new modern "forgive me Oh, Lord" prayer: CSR.
So, the next time you see the CSR report of any honcho-run business ask the question: is this good money doing good work or bad money doing good work for the photo-op? Tell me what you think: please fill complete Table 1 below and email it to me.
The above is from the mails I receive from Equitymaster
Couples who have premarital sex to be considered 'married': Madras High Court
Chennai, June 18 (ANI): In what can be seen as a new twist to the concept of premarital sex, the Madras High Court has in a judgement said if any unmarried couple of the right legal age "indulge in sexual gratification," this will be considered a valid marriage and they could be termed "husband and wife.
The court said that if a bachelor has completed 21 years of age and an unmarried woman 18 years, they have acquired the freedom of choice guaranteed by the Constitution. "Consequently, if any couple choose to consummate their sexual cravings, then that act becomes a total commitment with adherence to all consequences that may follow, except on certain exceptional considerations."
The court said marriage formalities as per various religious customs such as the tying of a mangalsutra, the exchange of garlands and rings or the registering of a marriage were only to comply with religious customs for the satisfaction of society.
The court further said if necessary either party to a relationship could approach a Family Court for a declaration of marital status by supplying documentary proof for a sexual relationship. Once such a declaration was obtained, a woman could establish herself as the man's wife in government records.
The court also said if after having a sexual relationship, the couple decided to separate due to difference of opinion, the 'husband' could not marry without getting a decree of divorce from the 'wife'.
Justice C.S. Karnan passed the order yesterday while modifying an April 2006 judgment of a Coimbatore family court in a maintenance case involving a couple, The Hindu reports.
The lower court had ordered the man to pay monthly maintenance of Rs. 500 to the couple's two children and Rs. 1000 as litigation expenses. The lower court observed that the woman's wedding with the man had not been proved by documentary evidence. Hence, she was not entitled to maintenance.
In her appeal to the High Court, the woman's counsel contended that she was legally married and had two children in wedlock. (ANI)
I think the above is a land-mark judgement in favour of women.
Now those couples who have a live in relationship will have to think twice before going into it for the wife can always claim all the privileges of a wife.
Election Expenses in Karnataka - An ADR Report
Dear Friends,
While there were reports of the use of money power in the recently held elections in Karnataka, the newly elected MLAs have declared to the Election Commission of India (ECI) that on an average they have spent very little money while contesting these elections.
Several MLAs in the state have declared that they spent Rs zero (0) or less than Rs 5000 on expenses like public meetings, election rallies etc.. While ECI and Press Council of India (PCI) received a lot of complaints about Paid news in these states, most MLAs have declared that they have not spent any money or very little money on "campaigning through electronic/print media".
Either contesting elections have become very cheap in India or most of these MLAs have lied in their declarations. It is absolutely necessary to have a strong mechanism to verify these declarations to control the misuse of money power and incorrect reporting of election expenses.
We also urge the citizens to come forward and submit any proof to the ECI that they may have on expenses over and above these expense declarations done by elected MLAs. It may be noted that the election of a candidate can only be challenged within 45 days of the election which means that any election petition challenging an election has to be filed by 22nd June.
Press Release
Both English and Kannada Press Release are attached for your convenience and will also be available on our website http://adrindia.org/content/recent-upcoming-elections
Following are the highlights of our Election Expense reports that analyze the election expense declarations of all the newly elected MLAs in recently held assembly elections in Karnataka:
1. Average Election Expenses: Based on the election expense declarations of 213 out of the 224 newly elected MLAs of
Karnataka to the ECI, the average amount of money spent by them in the elections is only about Rs 7.43 Lakhs, which is
46% of the expense limit (16 Lakhs).
2. Party wise Average Election Expenses: The Party wise average election expenses shows that the average spending for 117MLAs of INC is Rs 7.53 lakhs (47% of the expense limit), for BJP’s 37 MLAs is Rs 7.20 lakhs (45% of the expense limit), for 37JD (S) MLAs is Rs 7.47 lakh (47% of the expense limit), for 6 MLAs of KJP is Rs 7.20 lakhs (45% of the expense limit) and for 4 MLAs of BSRC is Rs. 6.09 lakhs (38% of the expense limit).
Expense more than Expense limit: Only 1 MLA has declared election expenses more than the expense limit (16 Lakhs). Mallikarjun Sidramappa Khuba of JD(S) from BASAVAKALYAN has declared election expenses of about Rs 16.03 lakhs.
4. Lowest Election Expenses: A total of 15 MLAs (out of 213 MLAs analyzed) have declared election expenses less than Rs 4 lakhs (that is about 25% of Expense Limit set by ECI).
5. Top 3 MLAs with highest Election Expenses: The maximum expense of about Rs 16.03 lakhs (or more than 100% of the expense limit) has been declared by Mallikarjun Sidramappa Khuba of JD (S) from BASAVAKALYAN constituency, followed bySanteesh Sail Krishna an IND from Karwar constituency with an expense of about Rs. 13.22 lakhs (or 83% of the expense limit) and Basavaraj Neelappa Shivannanavar of INC from Byadgi constituency with an expense of Rs 13.10 lakhs (or 82% of the expense limit).
6. MLAs with lowest Election Expenses: The minimum expense of about Rs 1.13 Lakhs (or 7% of the expense limit) has been declared by S. N Subbareddy of IND from BAGEPALLI constituency. He is followed by K.R. RAMESH KUMAR of INCSRINIVASAPUR constituency with election expenses of about Rs. 2.54 lakhs (or 16% of the expense limit) and Kyatasandra N. Rajanna of INC from MADHUGIRI constituency with expenses of Rs. 3.07 lakhs (or 19% of the expense limit).
7. Election Expenses exceeding declared Total Assets: Only 1 MLA has declared election expenses more than their total assets declared in the 2013 Assembly Elections. H.P. Rajesh of INC from Jagalur constituency has spent more money on election expenses than the total assets declared in the affidavit submitted by him to the ECI prior to the elections. (Total Assets declared: Rs 7.50 Lakhs; Election Expenses declared: 11.89 Lakhs).
8. Expense on Public Meetings and Processions: Out of all the 213 MLAs analyzed, 28 have declared that they have spent not spent ANY amount on public meetings, processions etc.
9. Expense on Campaigning through electronic/print media: 73 MLAs have declared that they have not spent ANY amount on campaigning through electronic/print media.
10. Expense on Campaign Workers: 102 MLAs have declared that they have not spent ANY amount on campaign workers.
11. Expense on Vehicles Used: Only 1 MLA has declared that they have spent less than Rs 10,000 on use of vehicles.Basavaraj Bommai of of BJP from Shiggaon constituency has declared that he has spent only Rs. 5,201 on vehicle use.
12. Expense on Campaign Materials and Erection of gates, arches, banners etc.: Only 1 MLA has declared that they have
not incurred any expense on campaign materials and erection of gates, arches, banners etc. S.Madhu Bangarappa of JD (S)
from Sorab constituency has declared that no amount was spent on Campaign Materials, banners, gates, etc.
ADR Recommends:-
· In order to curb the use of money power in elections, the election expense declarations of the elected MLAs should be properly scrutinized in a time bound manner by Election Commission of India and the strong action should be taken against defaulters
· Also, the criminal and financial declarations of the elected MPs and MLAs should be scrutinized by the appropriate authorities under the supervision of Election Commission of India in a time bound banner and the strong action should be taken against defaulters
· All the criminal cases against the MPs and MLAs, including those related to the above two, should be fast-tracked.
Thanks & Regards
Karnataka Election Watch
The above has come from ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms) who are doing very good work in cleaning up our political system.
Mistakes in life can be painful
One of The Best Eye Opener Message - Must Read It was their anniversary, and Aisha was waiting for her husband Rajiv to show up. Things had changed since their marriage, the once cute couple couldn't-live-without-each-other had turned bitter.
Fighting over every little things, both didn't like the way things had changed.
Aisha was waiting to see if Rajiv remembered it was their anniversary!
Just as the door bell rang she ran to find her husband wet and smiling with a bunch of flowers in his hand.
The two started re-living the old days. Making up for fights, then was d plan for champagne, light music And it was raining outside! It was perfect.
But the moment paused when the phone in the bedroom rang.
Aisha went to pick it up and it was a man. "Hello ma'am I'm calling from the police station. Is this Mr Rajiv Mehra's number?"
"Yes it is!"
"I'm sorry ma'am; but there was an accident and a man died.
We got this number from his wallet; we need you to come and identify his body."
Aisha's heart sank.!!! She was shocked!
But my husband is here with me?"
"Sorry ma'am, but the incident took place at 2 PM, when he was boarding the train."
Aisha was about to lose her conscience.
How could this happen?!
She had heard about the soul of the person coming to meet a loved one before it leaves!
She ran into the other room.
He was not there. It was true! He had left her for good!!
Oh God she would have died for another chance to mend every little fight! She rolled on the floor in pain. She lost her chance! Forever!
Suddenly there was a noise from the bathroom, the door opened and Rajiv came out and said "Darling, I forgot to tell you my wallet got stolen today".
LIFE MIGHT NOT GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE. SO NEVER WASTE A MOMENT WHEN YOU CAN STILL MAKE UP FOR YOUR WRONGS!!!
Its the last quarter of the year so let's start making amends.
To parents
To siblings
To friends
And many more.
No one is promised tomorrow. Have a wonderful Life with no regrets!
Sent by Arun Shroff
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Dubai - the City of Sky Scapers
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