Sunday, June 24, 2012

Political parties not serious to combat corruption: Arvind Kejriwal

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), June 23 (ANI): Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged that none of the political parties were serious to combat corruption. Kejriwal, who arrived with Manish Sisodia here to attend an anti-corruption rally, said the country's main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not serious in its fight against corruption.

"The BJP is indulging in politics. If they are so serious then why do they not create an effective law for the creation of the office of Lokayukta in Himachal to combat corruption? Why are they not creating an effective anti-graft law wherever they are in power? They are only playing politics. All the parties are playing politics," he said. Kejriwal added that the demonstrations undertaken by the BJP were "drama."

"Whom should the people of Himachal Pradesh go to? A third alternative has to emerge from among the people because the politics that is being played by both the BJP and Congress is having an adverse impact on the country. Neither BJP nor the Congress wants to fight against corruption. All these rallies and demonstrations are only drama," he said.

The Right to Information (RTI) activist urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to participate in their campaign against corruption. "We will once again fast from July 25 at Jantar Mantar. When there will be fast at Jantar Mantar, then all the people from the villages of Himachal Pradesh will have to come out and support us," Kejriwal said. (ANI)

This is what I have been saying all along.

The BJP was exposed by the way they handled the the Lok Pal bill in Parliament.

None of the parties are interested in ending corruption.

If Swami Ramdeo and Anna are really interested,they should start selecting

candidates who can stand for elections and further their aim.

However, the way Swami Ramdeo has been hobnobbing with politicians like Sharad Powar, it seems he has already thrown in his towel. So Anna is our only hope.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Obama goes Ice fishing

The Presidential election 2012 was too close to call. Neither Mitt Romney nor Obama had enough votes to win. There was much talk about ballot recounting, court challenges, etc., but a week-long ice fishing competition seemed the sportsmanlike way to settle things.

The candidate that caught the most fish at the end of the week would win the election.

After much of back and forth discussion, it was decided that the contest would take place on a remote frozen lake in northern Wisconsin .

There were to be no observers present, and both men were to be sent out separately on this isolated lake and return at 5 P.M. with their catch for counting and verification by a team of neutral parties.

At the end of the first day, Mitt Romney returned to the starting line and he had 10 fish.

Soon, Obama returned and had no fish. Well, everyone assumed he was just having a bad day or something and hopefully, he would catch up the next day.

At the end of the 2nd day Mitt came in with 20 fish and Obama came in again with none.

That evening, the democrats got together secretly and said, "I think that Mitt Romney is a low-life, cheatin' son-of-a-gun. Tomorrow don't bother fishing. Just spy on him and see just how he is cheating.'

The next night (after Mitt returns with 50 fish), the democrats got together for the report of how the republicans were cheating.

Obama said, "You are not going to believe this, he's cutting holes in the ice!"

-- W. Roger Marker

Sent by Prakash Bhartia

Patriotism

This is getting nationwide attention. Where is Tawas City , MI ? Actually, it is on Lake Huron and has a population of Just over 2,000!! Go figure A Small MICHIGAN NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL.....Short and to the point... Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. Sent by Prakash Bhartia

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Why? - How?

Q: Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right!? And that's where women's buttons have remained since.> Q: Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help?>A: This comes from the French word m'aidez -meaning 'help me' -- and is pronounced, approximately, 'mayday.'>

Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

A: In France , where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'the egg.'? When tennis was introduced in the US , Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'

Q. Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

Q: Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

Q: Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

A: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.

Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?

A: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theatres by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer 'in the limelight' was the centre of attention.

Q: Why is someone who is feeling great 'on cloud nine'? A: Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.

Q: In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

A. When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' He had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into caddie.

Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'.? When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.'? When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a container that resembled a pig.? And it caught on.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Parrikar still hooked to 'Nayak'-like solutions

By Mayabhushan Nagvenkar

Panaji, June 16 (IANS) A fan of Bollywood film "Nayak", Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Friday almost played out a scene from the 2001 hit movie.

Parrikar, during an interaction with reporters at his residence a few days ahead of completing 100 days in power, was asked why the landline telephone of the Panaji police station was not working.

The chief minister took out his cellphone and asked the journalist to punch out the police station's phone number. As the call went through, Parrikar waited till someone picked up the phone.

"This is Parrikar speaking. Just hold the line," Parrikar said, passing the mobile to the embarrassed journalist.

Parrikar's 'quick fix' solutions may hark back to a scene in "Nayak", where actor Anil Kapoor, playing a state's chief minister for a day, uses his telephone to monitor and suspend corrupt officials.

But after nearly 100 days in power, technocrat Parrikar appears to be the only thing standing between himself and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government.

"It is like the case of the blind man and the elephant, but with a difference. You touch this government's tail, there's Parrikar. You touch the head, there's Parrikar. You touch the stomach and you find Parrikar there too. Barring him, the government and other ministers are virtually non-existent," a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who did not want to be named, commented to IANS.

Eleven other ministers of Parrikar's 12-member cabinet, including two from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and one Independent, are virtually absent from the media's radar, making Parrikar the only visible target for bouquets and brickbats over the achievements and failures of the new Goa government.

Asked if he regretted setting deadlines for achieving governance objectives, Parrikar said: "I set targets because it helps me to work towards goals."

During the run-up to the March assembly elections, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumni promised a string of time-bound goals -- some populist, some necessary -- like a bridge in six years, a Lokayukta in 100 days, clearance of garbage from roads in 100 days and reduction of petrol prices by Rs.11 within days of coming to power.

"Several goals have been achieved, like the petrol price reduction. The establishment of the Lokayukta is already in the process and it'll happen soon. We have fulfilled the commitment. But I must tell you that the Lokayukta alone cannot solve the problem of corruption," Parrikar said.

The code of conduct enforced by the state election commission and the chief election commissioner ahead of the panchayat and an assembly by-poll and after the assembly polls had robbed the government of actual delivery time, Parrikar said.

When asked as to why his quest for zero tolerance to corruption had succeeded in netting only small fry like contractors, clerks and engineers, several of whom have been booked on graft charges, Parrikar responded with a trademark analogy.

"If you have angled using a line and hook, you will realise that the bait only catches small fish. Only once you get the small fish, that you can lure the big ones," he said.

I am always so critical and pessimistic of our politicians that whenever I find an article which shows a politician in good light, I jump for joy and cannot help but posting it.

The Goa Chief Minister, Parrikar has caught my eye right from the time he became Chief Minister. He has shown what an educated politician can do.

It is one of the reasons why I have always wanted that to become an MP or MLA, one should have a minimum qualification of graduation.

I wish we had more people like him.

Unfortunately, one party can look no further than one family to lead it and the son-in-law has been given so much power that he can move in and out of India for his business dealings without any check at the airports.

All the other parties have formed Private limited Companies so that only their children can lead the party.

Mulayam Yadav and Farook Abdullah have anointed their sons.

Sharad Pawar has anointed hi daughter.

Karunanidhi, since he has an extended family by his three wives, has formed a large Limited Company.

Just compare these stalwarts with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on whom our Congress leaders swear. His son could never take advantage of his position.

Same with Lal Bahadur Shastri

Kalam as President choice of youth, says Subramanian Swamy

By ANI

New Delhi, June 16 (ANI): A day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi announced Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the ruling alliance's choice for the coveted post, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy said youth of the country want A.P.J Abdul Kalam to be the President of India.

"There was a demand from the side of youths to make him president. I also wanted him to contest elections. The method Congress party is using to make people comply with its choice. I came to seek advice that how we can strengthen democracy," Swamy said after meeting Kalam.

"He never told me that he is a candidate. When I was arguing that he should be a candidate, the only commitment, I got from him, earlier was that he will not announce himself as candidate," he added.

"He (Kalam) has a clean image. The youngsters and in particular the school going children like him. He did a lot for schools and colleges as President of the country. He is knowledgeable," he added.

On West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's rejection of Mukherjee as the presidential candidate, Swamy said: "We respect Mamata Banerjee, she has shown guts...I personally would like to see Pranab challenged."

Swamy had earlier said there is a leadership crisis in the country. "We have a leadership crisis today. We need a leadership which takes risk and that will happen only when you elect people properly...I expect the next president will be Abdul Kalam," he said.

Sonia Gandhi had over the past few days held consultations with senior leaders and allies to zero in on a consensus for the presidential candidate.

The latest development comes a day after Banerjee warned the Centre, and indirectly hinted at toppling the government.

Banerjee also said Dr. A.P.J. Kalam was her first choice for the president's post. "Our formidable candidate is Kalam. They rejected the name of other candidates. So now Kalam is our candidate. We will be very happy if Kalam contest the elections and he will win the elections," said Banerjee.

"Every party should support Kalam. It should have nothing to do with politics. It is good if there is consensus. If there were no consensus, then we would appeal to electorates to vote according to their conscience. I have no information about it," she added, while urging the leaders of various other political outfits to back Kalam's candidature.

The presidential elections will be held on July 19. The vote count will take place on July 22.

If he wins, Mukherjee will become the nation's 13th president on July 25. Mukherjee has served as Finance Minister, Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister twice and also as Defence Minister. He chairs most of the cabinet committees tasked with making recommendations on important issues. (ANI)

If you look at CV of Pranab Mukherjee it would seem that he is the most appropriate person to become the President.

He has been in politics for the last 40 years and there is hardly any post in the Congress which he has not occupied.

Except for brief period during Rajiv Gandhi's reign when he left the Congress to form a new party, he ha always been in the Congress.

And it is just for this, he should not be made the President of India.

He has been party to all the corruption that is existing in the Congress and for which India has landed in such a mess.

On the other hand, Dr. Kalam handle his first term very well. Much better than Pratibha Patel.

The youth of the land just love him.

It is obvious that all the corrupt political parties will support Pranab Mukherjee as it is in their interest to let the status quo remain.

They would not like a true gentleman like Dr. Kalm become President for they fear his honesty.

Let the youth, through Facebook and other social media let these politicans know whom we want as President.

DR. ABDUL KALAM AZAD

Three American Legacies

Sent by Prakash Bhartia

Friday, June 15, 2012

Two Ladies Talking in Heaven!

1st Woman: Hi! Wanda.

2nd Woman: Hi! Sylvia. How'd you die?

1st Woman: I froze to death.

2nd Woman: How horrible!

1st Woman: It wasn't so bad. After I quit shaking from the cold, I began to get warm & sleepy, and finally died a peaceful death. What about you?

2nd Woman: I died of a massive heart attack. I suspected that my husband was cheating, so I came home early to catch him in the act. But instead, I found him all by himself in the den watching TV.

1st Woman: So, what happened?

2nd Woman: I was so sure there was another woman there somewhere that I started running all over the house looking. I ran up into the attic and searched, and down into the basement. Then I went through every closet and checked under all the beds. I kept this up until I had looked everywhere, and finally I became so exhausted that I just keeled over with a heart attack and died.

1st Woman: Too bad you didn't look in the freezer---we'd both still be alive.

Sent by Prakash Bhartia

HC axe on ’07 JPSC recruits

Ranchi, June 14: Jharkhand High Court today stalled the appointment of 147 government officials chosen by Jharkhand Public Services Commission (JPSC) in 2007 and asked the CBI to take over investigations into the controversial selection process.

Expressing anguish and dissatisfaction on the working of JPSC with regard to conduct of the second civil services examinations of 2007, a division bench of Justices R.K. Merathia and D.N. Upadhaya directed all the 147 officials, of deputy collector and DSP rank, not to draw their salaries until the CBI completed its probe.

Today’s order could have a bearing on tomorrow’s counting for the June 12 Hatia bypoll as seven government officials, who were in the team of magistrates involved in the election process, were chosen by the JPSC in 2007.

But, deputy commissioner K.K. Soan discounted that possibility, saying they weren’t directly associated with the counting. “Moreover, the administration has not been officially communicated (about the court order) in this regard,” he added.

The court, which also ordered the vigilance bureau to hand over to the CBI all relevant files on the conduct of the 2007 examinations, has spared the sole handicapped candidate, Ranju Kumari, allowing him to work till further orders.

JPSC chairman Dilip Prasad and two former members Shanti Devi and Gopal Singh are behind bars after former Governor M..H. Farooq, on June 9, 2009, asked vigilance bureau to lodge FIRs against them and a third member, Radha Govind Nagesh, on charges of grave irregularities, forgery, interpolation and fraud related to the second civil services examinations of 2007-08.

Today’s order was based on a PIL filed by one Budh Deo Oraon demanding that the 2007 JPSC selection process be scrapped as several candidates were favoured by virtue of their relationship with politicians and other VIPs.

As many as 46,700 candidates appeared in the preliminary exams of which 12,300 were selected for written exams. Finally, 172 candidates were declared successful. Of them, five chose not to appear, while another 19 were terminated from service for tampering with their answer sheets and using unfair means to pass the exams.

In fact, JPSC secretary, in a letter dated November 30, 2009, had told the chairman that documents and papers related to the examinations weren’t sealed inside a strong room but lay scattered in cartons.

Then Governor Syed Sibtey Razi ordered a vigilance probe after which police officers scrutinised 37 answer scripts of selected candidates at random. They discovered 19 papers belonging to candidates who had adopted questionable means and were all related to the high and mighty.

Their selection was terminated. But, they moved the high court before a single judge bench which ordered their reinstatement on grounds of violation of natural justice.

The order of reinstatement was challenged by the state government in various appeals which were also disposed of today.

In his order running into 23 pages, Justice Merathia observed, “Prima facie JPSC is a constitutional body and it has failed to discharge its duty in conducting the selection process. … fraud and justice never dwell together.”

Citing the example of JPSC member Gopal Prasad Singh, the bench said that his son Kundan Kumar Singh, daughter-in-law Jugnu Singh, brothers Shankar Singh and Tripurari Singh, and one brother-in-law had been appointed lecturers.

Others, also Singh’s brothers-in-law Uday Kumar Singh and Sanjay Kumar, had been gifted prime jobs through the JPSC.

“There is no bar in taking part in a selection process by near and dear ones of influential persons and getting selected on merit, but it is not possible to swallow that only these candidates will be meritorious while others can’t clear the exams,” the court observed.

The court has left it open for the CBI to register individual cases or one composite case. The next hearing has been scheduled for November 5 when the CBI’s report in its investigations would be taken up.

This is how our administrators are selected how can the system be corruption free?

If Mr. Budh Deo Oraon had filed the PIL to end nepotism, he has done great service.

However, I am a very pessimistic man.

I feel Mr. Oraon could not get his personal candidate elected.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

TMC-SP's shocker: Want PM, not Pranab, as Prez candidate

The Presidential race took a dramatic twist today with the Congress declaring Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as their preferred choice.

But two key allies, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, came out with a surprise response by suggesting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's name.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi informed TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that her party's first choice for Rashtrapati Bhavan was the Union finance minister. When Mamata pressed for a second Congress choice, Gandhi mentioned Vice President Hamid Ansari's name.

It was the West Bengal leader, in the capital at the invitation of Gandhi, who disclosed the Congress choices to the media, ending weeks of guessing games.

A bigger surprise came immediately thereafter when Mamata and SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav disclosed the names of Singh, former President A P J Abdul Kalam and former Lok Sabha Speaker ] Somnath Chatterjee as their preferred candidates. Anyone of them would be acceptable to them if there was a consensus.

This dramatic turn of events left the Presidential race wide open and put the Congress in a dilemma. The party needs the support of both TMC and SP to ensure that its candidate wins.

Other allies such as the DMK, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and National Conference, have already indicated their support for Pranab Mukherjee.

By proposing the prime minister's name, Mamata and Mulayam may have caused embarrassment to the Congress, as some political observers interpret this move as indicating a loss of confidence in him.

These sudden twists and turns created a flutter among political parties, which were trying to make out what the implications are for the Presidential poll and beyond on the political alignments.

NCP leader Sharad Pawar reacted to the TMC-SP move, saying all the parties in the UPA would have to sit and consider the situation and evolve a consensus on the current Presidential candidate.

Earlier, Mamata met Gandhi for nearly 30 minutes and discussed the Presidential candidate.

"We had detailed discussions.... Soniaji told me that she had held meetings with two-four allies and her first choice is Pranab Mukherjee and second choice is Hamid Ansari," Banerjee told reporters.

The West Bengal chief minister said she told Gandhi that "at the moment, I cannot say anything. We need to discuss with Mulayam Singh and my own party. Then only we can say something."

Banerjee later met Yadav for the second time since last evening.

After their meeting, Yadav announced the three names and Mamata said since the President was a high Constitutional post a person, who occupies the high post, should be able to work with honesty and should know the Constitution.

At last we are being spoilt by so many choices.

Whom would you select?

As I have said earlier, Dr. Abdul Kalam would be my first choice.

My second choice would be Mr. Somnath Chatterjee.

My third choice would be Dr. Manmohan Singh. Who knows, he may make a better President than he was as Prime Minister.

He may be the dark horse and become the best President India has or would have if he decides to throw away the Yoke which Sonia Gandhi Gandhi had put him.He may decide to revolt and not sign along the dotted line.

A welcome change

Baba Ramdev wants president as per nation's liking

Bhubaneshwar, June 13 (ANI): Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday expressed his warm greetings to all the proposed candidates being considered for the coveted post of President of India, saying the honour of the nation is attached to it.

"We express our gratitude to whoever becomes the President of India as the post of President is considered to be supreme. The feelings of 1.21 million people and the honour of the nation is attached to it," he told media here.

Even as the race for president's post entering in its decisive phase, confusion still prevails over the nominees for the country's highest post.

Amidst reports of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee being the frontrunner, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has emerged as a mystery candidate.

Baba Ramdev, who is presently in Bhubaneshwar, to seek support of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his campaign against black money, further said slew of corruption cases and black money has contributed to the deteriorating economic condition of the country.

"The country is going through grave economic crisis, Standard and Poor's is decreasing our rating frequently, GDP is declining, the value of rupee is depreciating, the fiscal deficit is increasing and the inflation is affecting the country," said Ramdev.

"In this situation, the farmers, children, youth, Hindus, Muslims and the common man will get economic justice when the country will get back 400 trillion of black money," he added.

Citing economic slowdown and political roadblocks to policy-making, rating agency S and P earlier warned India could become the first BRIC nation to lose investment-grade rating. (ANI)

It is good to see Baba Ramdeo cozying with a different politician each day. One day with Sharad Pawar, the next day with Ajit Singh on the third day with Prakash Singh Badal and now with Naveen Patnaik. Of, in between he finds plenty of time to cozy up with the BJP. It seems somebody has given him a copy of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" He is following up the saying, if you cannot beat them, join them. I suppose the various cases piled o him by the government has forced him to make new friends with the opposition parties who as equally as corrupt as the Congress. Prakash Singh Badal and Sharad Power talking of Black money is the biggest joke of them all It

HC notice to Centre and AI on striking pilots' plea for salary

New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the Air India management to respond to a plea of striking pilots that their salaries and other pecuniary benefits have not been paid.

”Issue notice to the respondents (the Centre and the Air India). A reply be filed within a week,” Justice S P Garg said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Capt. Sumeer Saini and other pilots seeking payment of their back wages and other perquisites due to them.

Senior advocate Pinki Anand, appearing for the pilots, said, “Salaries of nearly 450 pilots are due. This petition has got nothing to do with the ongoing agitation. The EMIs (to be paid by pilots) and other things are getting delayed.”

The lawyer was responding to the remarks of Justice Garg that “how can their plea be entertained when they are on strike”.

Anand said that the pilots, who went on a strike from May 7, have not been paid their dues for the period prior to their strike.

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on July 10.

Lalit Bhasin, counsel for the AI management, opposed the plea of the pilots, saying “their plea cannot be entertained till they end their strike”.

Earlier, Justice Reva Khetrapal had issued contempt notices to 67 striking Air India pilots and their representative body, Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), for disobeying its earlier order by which their stir was termed as illegal.

The high court had on May 9 restrained over 200 agitating pilots from continuing their “illegal strike”, reporting sick and staging demonstrations, a day after the airline management sacked 10 pilots and cancelled the recognition of their union.

The court had also said allowing such a strike to continue would cause irreparable loss to the company as well as huge inconvenience to the passengers travelling by the national carrier.

The IPG had challenged the May 9 ex-parte order of the single judge holding the strike as illegal.

A division bench of the court had, subsequently, dismissed their plea, saying the pilots could not “wilfully and flagrantly” disobeying court orders to end their “illegal” strike and could face contempt action.

The pilots, under the IPG banner, are agitating over the rescheduling of Boeing 787 Dreamliner training and matters relating to their career progression.

The IPG is protesting AI's decision to train pilots of Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), a union of pilots of erstwhile domestic carrier Indian Airlines, for Dreamliner Boeing aircraft.

Earlier, the AI management had filed an injunction suit terming the strike as illegal and had said due to the pilots' stir, the company was compelled to cancel some of its international flights which had resulted in extreme hardship and also inconvenience to the passengers.

As a result of the cancellation of flights, Air India was facing financial loss of over Rs 10 crore per day, it had said.

Just imagine.

About 300 pilots are holding the whole nation to ransom.

About a 100 pilots have been sacked and another 200 have been threatened with sacking but the management know and so do the union, that all the sacked pilots will be taken back with no loss of pay and no loss of seniority.

That is the way it has always been. That is why these blue collared people earning a thousand times more than the BPL people can cook a snoot at the government.

Just wait till 2013 and your will see one government department / undertaking flexing their muscles to threaten the government over the wage commission awards.

The Congress government shows no inclination of curbing corruption. It is just interested in scoring points over Team Anna representatives by painting them as corrupt.

Standards & Poor have threatened to downgrade India's Credit.

They should scrap the credit-worthiness of India.

With a corrupt Congress government what more could you expect..

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Is Anna Hazare a Traitor? The Congress says so!

Put me in jail if I am a traitor, Hazare tells government

The Congress-led government at the Centre is trying to divert attention from the Lokpal Bill and its intentions are not genuine, Anna Hazare said on Tuesday.

"The government is dithering on a strong legislation to curb corruption. Its intentions are not genuine," Hazare said, addressing a press conference at his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

"The Prime Minister's Office says the Lokpal Bill draft has been prepared in consultation with us, our colleagues. They are misleading the people," Hazare said.

"Last year, our draft was ready, the government's draft was ready. They could have tabled both the drafts before the Cabinet. Why was time wasted? It is clear that they lack the will to enact a strong anti-graft Bill and are misleading the people," he said.

After 65 years of Independence, we still follow laws enacted by the British, he said. "What is the need of Official Secrets Act," he added.

"The government is saying... the PMO is saying that many steps have been taken to eradicate corruption. In a democracy, when a legislation is made, people should be taken into confidence. Here, the government is making the draft and also enacting the legislation," he said.

The reason why there is no brake on corruption is that there are flaws in the government's legislation, Hazare said.

On criticism that he was anti-national, Hazare said, "It is wrong to call me anti-national. The government says I am a traitor. If I am, then put me in jail," he said.

Hazare denied the charge that his movement had not submitted accounts of expenditure. "We have audited our accounts and posted it on the internet. Your party also collects so many funds, why are you not giving the statement of accounts to the people," he said.

There is no foreign hand in our agitation, Hazare said.

Hazare also rubbished allegations levelled by the minister of state in the PMO, V Narayansamy, and ridiculed the minister's statement that he has no will to fight the battle against corruption.

"Punish me if I am guilty," he said, asking the government to show proof of foreign funding in his movement.

"We were cheated in the standing committee and in Parliament over the draft of Lokpal Bill," he said.

"Two days ago, we were told by the PMO that there is no evidence to substantiate charges against the 14 ministers. We have also sent the files to Sonia Gandhi, so that she can also read it, to see what your ministers are doing," Hazare said.

The government is diverting attention from the Lokpal Bill, he said.

"Another thing, (on) the coal scam of the prime minister, the government says it (the charges by Team Anna) is based on the CAG report and that there is no evidence. We want to say that there cannot be smoke without a fire," Hazare said.

Hitler's Propaganda Minister,Joseph Goebbels was of the view "Propaganda must not investigate the truth objectively and, in so far as it is favourable to the other side, present it according to the theoretical rules of justice; yet it must present only that aspect of the truth which is favourable to its own side.

The receptive powers of the masses are very restricted, and their understanding is feeble.

On the other hand, they quickly forget.

Such being the case, all effective propaganda must be confined to a few bare essentials and those must be expressed as far as possible in stereotyped formulas. These slogans should be persistently repeated until the very last individual has come to grasp the idea that has been put forward.

Every change that is made in the subject of a propagandist message must always emphasize the same conclusion.

The leading slogan must of course be illustrated in many ways and from several angles, but in the end one must always return to the assertion of the same formula."

Our Congress government during the time of Indira Gandhi used to call anyone who disagree with her a CIA agent.

The Congress government under Sonia Gandhi calls anyone who wants to end corruption a "anti-national"

If Anna Hazare can be called anti-national, the whole of India is anti-national.

The Congress believes, if you muddy the water sufficiently people will not be able to discern who are the truly corrupt people.

They are mistaken.

Anna has awakened the whole of India and they know that most (about 90%) of politicians are corrupt and the congress, being in power, is mainly responsible for not bringing in the Lokpal bill.

We did not think Dr. Manmohan Singh was corrupt. But by allowing himself to be manipulated and acquiescing to all the coorrupt decisons of his colleagues, he has made himself prone to the accusations.

Next President of India

Cong may pick Pranab for President post: reports

New Delhi, June 12: The pace picked up for the presidential polls Monday with the Election Commission saying the dates would be announced soon even as the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress kept their cards close to their chest on supporting a Congress candidate.

The Congress too continued to maintain silence on its candidate though union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's name has been doing the rounds as the front runner.

"A process is going on, but nothing is final," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.

With the poll announcement expected this week and the Trinamool yet to declare its support, all eyes were on the party's Finance Minister Amit Mitra who arrived in the capital to meet Mukherjee over a a financial package for the state.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Monday also alluded to demands for a financial package for Uttar Pradesh and made it clear that his party will decide on the presidential polls after the Congress candidate and other nominees in the fray were known.

The SP and Trinamool are among parties expected to have a decisive say in the presidential election with neither the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nor the main opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) having the numbers to get their candidate elected. There has been speculation that Trinamool boss Mamata Banerjee's support to the possible candidature of Mukherjee would hinge on his agreeing to a package for West Bengal.

Amit Mitra, after meeting Mukherjee, said that discussions for a financial package were incomplete.

"The discussions shall go on…when they conclude, we will come back to you," Mitra told mediapersons.

Mitra said he will apprise Mamata Banerjee about the progress of his talks.

Banerjee, whose party is a constituent of UPA, has asked the central government for a three-year moratorium on the payment of interests by the state on the "huge financial debt taken during the Left regime".

With her demand remaining unfulfilled, Banerjee has stayed aloof to the momentum in support of Mukherjee's candidature.

A senior West Bengal Congress leader, Manas Bhunia, had Sunday appealed to Banerjee to support Mukherjee's candidature.

Yadav, whose SP supports the UPA from outside, said the party will make its stance known on the presidential polls when a candidate is announced.

"I do not know whom Congress has made its candidate. It has not been reported by newspapers that an announcement has been made. When a candidate is declared, we will decide," the SP chief said in the capital.

Signalling that his party's support cannot be taken for granted, Yadav said the Samajwadi Party will decide its stance on the individual merits of the candidate.

He also said no party had contacted him for the presidential polls and the party will call a meeting of its parliamentary board to take a decision.

He also sought to allay the impression that the SP was closely aligned to UPA, and added that his party was supporting the Congress-led UPA coalition only to keep "communal forces at bay".

"Samajwadi Party is a separate party. We are not behind anyone," he said.

The developments come on a day new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) V.S. Sampath said the poll panel would soon be making an announcement on the presidential election schedule.

"All preparatory works are in full swing and an announcement regarding the election schedule is due shortly," Sampath said.

He, however, did not specify the date of notification, saying "let there be some surprise."

The Congress party has become prone to blackmail of its coalition partners,

The DMK blackmail resulted in the 2G scam.

The NCP blackmail resulted in the sugar and onion scam.

Its own party members gave it the CWG and Coalgate scam.

Now TMC and SP are giving it the Presidential scam.

Why doesn't the Congress realize that the coalition partners require the Congress just as much as the Congress requires them.

Why for once doesn't the congress call their bluff?

Why does the Congress want to impose their party man as President on the nation?

We saw what a poor president Pratibha Patel made?

News leakages of financial misdemeanors have dogged her entire stay at Rashtrapati Bhawan right from the time she stood for elections to the end - the latest being the Pune army land scam.

Why can't the Congress select a person like Dr Abdul Kalam who is respected throughout the world and no party can oppose him?

By selecting him, it can stop the arm twisting by Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh Yadav.

I am sick of watching this woman continuously arm twisting the Congress.

She wants money from the centre but she herself will not rise any funds by way of taxes or increase rail fares.

Response

Yes, you have to love an American like her!

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vs the Phoenix Suns owner

The owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team,

Robert Sarver, came out strongly opposing AZ's new immigration laws.

Arizona 's Governor, Jan Brewer, released the following statement in response to Sarver's criticism of the new law:

"What if the owners of the Suns discovered that hordes of people were sneaking into games without paying? What if they had a good idea who the gate-crashers are but the ushers and security personnel were not allowed to ask these folks to produce their ticket stubs, thus non-paying attendees couldn't be ejected. Furthermore, what if Suns' ownership was expected to provide those who sneaked in with complimentary eats and drink? And what if, on those days when a gate-crasher became ill or injured, the Suns had to provide free medical care and shelter?"

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer

Sent by Prakash Bhartia.

We too have the same problems with infiltration from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Some attempt has been made through issue of UIDs to all Indian Citizens but different government departments are trying to derail the project or to dilute its effectiveness just for vote bank politics.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Wisdom From the Child's Pen

1) - This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6)

2) - Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6)

3) - If you are surrounded by ocean, you are an island. If you don't have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. (age 7)

4) - Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend any more.(Kylie, age 6)

5) - A dolphin breaths through an asshole on the top of its head.. (Billy, age 8)

6) - My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and pots and comes back with crabs.(Millie, age 6)

7) - When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. (William, age 7)

8) - Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful and I like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? (Helen, age 6)

9) - I'm not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mom, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think what to write. (Amy, age 6)

10) - Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves in to chargers. (Christopher, age 7)

11) - When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small. (Kevin, age 6)

12) - Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Divers can't go down alone, so they have to go down on each other. (Becky, age 8)

13) - On vacation my Mom went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won't do it again because water fired right up her big fat ass.. (Julie, age 7)

1

4) - The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6)

15) - My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. (James, age 7)

Sent by Prakash Bhatia

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Happy Sunday!!

Dave, at a New Year's party, turns to his friend, Kevin, and asks for a cigarette.

'I thought you made a New Year's resolution to quit smoking,' Kevin responds.

'I'm in the process of quitting,' replies Dave with a grin.

'Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.'

'Phase one?' wonders Kevin.

'Yeah,' laughs Dave, 'I've quit buying.'

Difference Between His & Her Thoughts

HER DIARY ---------

Friday night, I thought he was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a cafe to have some coffee. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment.

Conversation wasn't flowing so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk, he agreed but he kept quiet and absent. I asked him what was wrong - he said, "Nothing." I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said it had nothing to do with me and not to worry. On the way home I told him that I loved him, he simply smiled and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior, I don't know why he didn't say, "I love you, too." When we got home I felt as if I ad lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched TV, he seemed distant and absent.

Finally I decided to go to bed.

About 10 minutes later he came to bed. I decided that I could not take it anymore, so I decided to confront him with the situation but he had fallen asleep. I started crying and cried until I too fell asleep. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else.

My life is a disaster.

HIS DIARY ---------

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Today India again lost the cricket match. DAMN IT.

Wayne was returning home from a business trip... bags in hand ... and slowly making his way to his vehicle in the crowded airport garage.

Suddenly a large dark car screeched to a stop in front of Wayne, and the driver pointed menacingly at him. "Get in," the driver ordered. "I'll take you to your car."

Startled, Wayne took a step backward. "Ah ... no thanks," he answered. "I can get there myself."

"No," the man barked back as he threw open his passenger side door. "Get In!"

Wayne's eyes now darted around the garage, hoping to find a security guard.

Just then, the driver's face softened ..... "Please," he said, "I've been driving up and down for two hours. I can't find a space to park and I want yours."

A Spanish patient goes to an English doctor.

Doctor: "What is it that's brought you here?"

Patient: "An ambulance. Why?"

Louise went into her bank to cash a cheque. She looked so hesitant that the cashier went to help her. 'Please sign the back of the cheque, 'the teller told her, 'as you'd sign a letter.'

Louise looked extremely grateful, scribbled on the cheque and passed it back to the cashier.

Signed on the back was: 'Yours affectionately, Louise.'

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it- don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; tha's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster.

Want to live longer?

Take a nap.

A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley, when he spotted a world-famous heart surgeon in his shop. The heart surgeon was waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike. The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc can I ask you a question?"

The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I also can open hearts, take valves out, fix'em, put in new parts and when I finish this will work just like a new one. So how come I get a pittance and you get the really big money, when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic..... "Try doing it with the engine running!

One Sunday a cowboy went to church. When he entered, he saw that he and the preacher were the only ones present. The preacher asked the cowboy if he wanted him to go ahead and preach.

The cowboy said, "I'm not too smart, but if I went to feed my cattle and only one showed up, I'd feed him."

So the minister began his sermon. One hour passed, then two hours, then two-and-a-half hours. The preacher finally finished and came down to ask the cowboy how he liked the sermon.

The cowboy answered slowly, "Well, I'm not very smart, but if I went to feed my cattle and only one showed up, I sure wouldn't feed him all the hay."

A story is told that Richard Wagner was walking on a street in Berlin one day and came across an organ-grinder who was grinding out the overture to Tannh-user. Wagner stopped and said, "As a matter of fact, you are playing it too fast."

The organ-grinder at once recognized Wagner, tipped his hat, and said, "Oh thank you, Herr Wagner! Thank you, Herr Wagner!"

The next day Wagner returned to the same spot and found the organ-grinder grinding out the overture at the correct tempo. Behind him was a big sign: "PUPIL OF RICHARD WAGNER."

The above are all from "Silicon India"

Thoughts & Prayers for Br. Fitzpatrick....

Thoughts & Prayers for dear Brother Fitzpatrick.....a Memorial Service is being hosted by the GMS Alumni in Kolkata, this Monday,11th June at 6:30pm at St. Xaviers Chapel, Park Street ....Message: courtesy of Peter Remedios (81).

What is Happiness?

Got a point here....!!!

Unhappy Muslims Totally Brilliant, how come they don't see this?

What can be done about it?

I have to admit..this is brilliant...and never heard it put this way...so succinct and to the point...plain and simple!!!

Whoever thought this out is nothing less than a genius

The Muslims are not happy!

They're not happy in Gaza .

They're not happy in Egypt .

They're not happy in Libya .

They're not happy in Morocco .

They're not happy in Iran .

They're not happy in Iraq .

They're not happy in Yemen .

They're not happy in Afghanistan .

They're not happy in Pakistan .

They're not happy in Syria .

They're not happy in Lebanon .

So, where are they happy???????????????????????????

They're happy in Australia .

They're happy in England .

They're happy in France .

They're happy in Italy .

They're happy in Germany .

They're happy in Sweden .

They're happy in the USA .

They're happy in Norway .

They're happy in every country that is not Muslim.

And who do they blame????????????????????????????

Not Islam. Not their leadership. Not themselves.

THEY BLAME THE COUNTRIES THEY ARE HAPPY IN! AND THEY WANT TO CHANGE THEM TO BE LIKE THE COUNTRY THEY CAME FROM WHERE

THEY WERE UNHAPPY.

Excuse me, but How dumb can you get?

Sent by Prakash Bhartia

Friday, June 8, 2012

The Fastest thing you know

An Office Manager at Wal-Mart was given the task of hiring an individual to fill a job opening.

After sorting through a stack of resumes he found four people who were equally qualified -- an American, a Russian, an Australian and a Gujarati from India.

He decided to call the four in and ask them only one question. Their answer would determine which of them would get the job.

The day came and as the four sat around the conference room table the interviewer asked, "What is the fastest thing you know?"

Dave, the American, replied, "A THOUGHT. It just pops into your head. There's no warning that it's on the way; it's just there. A thought is the fastest thing I know of."

"That's very good!" replied the interviewer.

"And now you sir?" he asked Vladimir, the Russian.

"Hmm.... let me see. A blink! It comes and goes and you don't know that it ever happened. A BLINK is the fastest thing I know."

"Excellent!" said the interviewer. "The blink of an eye, that's a very popular cliché for speed."

He then turned to George, the Australian who was contemplating his reply.

"Well, out at my dad's ranch, you step out of the house and on the wall there's a light switch. When you flip that switch, way out across the pasture the light in the barn comes on. Yep, Turning on a LIGHT is the fastest thing I can think of."

The interviewer was very impressed with the third answer and thought he had found his man. "It's hard to beat the speed of light" he said.

Turning to Patel, the Guy from India, the fourth and final man, the interviewer posed the same question. Patel replied, "Apter herring da 3 prebius ansers sir, et's obius to me dat the fastest thing is DIARRHEA."

"WHAT!?" said the interviewer, stunned by the response. The others were already giggling in their seats...

"Oh, I can expleyn sir," said Patel.

"You see, sir, da ader day my tummy was pheeling bad and so I run so fast to the baatrum,, but before I could THINK, BLINK, or TURN ON THE LIGHT, I alredi done it !"

Patel is now the new "Greeter" at Wal-Mart in Washington.

Sent by Prakash Bhartia

Thursday, June 7, 2012

A new symbol for our Parliament

The new government symbol is announced with immediate effect.

The government today announced that it is changing its symbol for Parliament to a 'CONDOM', because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance ..

A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of dicks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed !

Damn, it just doesn't get more accurate than that !

The above was posted by Suvrajyoti Sengupta on FB.

I suppose, we could never find a better description of our parliament members

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Why Indian Students are disliked abroad

It was the first day of a school in USA and a new Indian student named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.

The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said 'Give me Liberty , or give me Death'?"

She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up:?'Patrick Henry, 1775'he said.

'Very good! Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?''

Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar. 'Abraham Lincoln, 1863' said Chandrasekhar.

The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed. Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about our history than you do.'

She heard a loud whisper: 'F ___ the Indians,'

'Who said that?' she demanded. Chandrasekhar put his hand up. 'General Custer, 1862.'

At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'

The teacher glares around and asks 'All right! Now, who said that?' Again, Chandrasekhar says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.'

Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!'

Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, 'Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky,1997'

Now with almost mob hysteria someone said 'You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you.' Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, ' Michael Jackson to the child witnesses testifying against him, 2004.'

The teacher fainted. And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, 'Oh shit, we're screwed!' And Chandrasekhar said quietly, 'I think it was Lehmann Brothers, November 4th, 2008'.

Sent by Arun Shroff

SARDAR'S MOM SENT A LETTER‏

Dear Banta,

Vahe Guru!

I am in a well here and hoping you are in the same well there. I'm writing this letter slowly, because I know you cannot read fast.

We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen 20 miles from home, so we moved 20 miles.

I won't be able to send the address as the last Sardar who stayed here took the house numbers with them for their new house so they would not have to change their address. Hopefully by next week we will be able to bring our earlier address plate here, so that our address will remain same too.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine, situated right above the commode. I'm not sure it works. Last week I put in 3 shirts, pulled the chain and haven't seen them since.

The weather here isn't too bad. It rained only twice last week. The first time it rained for 3 days and second time for 4 days.

The coat you wanted me to send you, your Aunt said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with all the metal buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pocket.

Your father has another job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting the grass at the cemetery.

By the way I took Bahu to our club's poolside. The manager is really badmash. He told her that two-piece swimming suit is not allowed in this club. We were confused as to which piece should we remove?

Your sister had a baby this morning. I haven't found out whether it is a girl or a boy, so I don't know whether you are an Aunt or Uncle.

Your uncle, Jetinder fell in a nearby well. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off bravely and drowned. We cremated him and he burned for three days.

Your best friend, Balwinder, is no more. He died trying to fulfill his father's last wishes. His father had wished to be buried at sea after he died. And your friend died while in the process of digging a grave for his father..

There isn't much more news this time. Nothing much has happened.

P.S: Beta, I was going to send you some money but by the time I realized, I had already sealed off this letter.

Sent by Arun Shroff

Monday, June 4, 2012

Thackeray slams Pawar for criticising Congress

Mumbai, June 4 (IANS) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Monday slammed Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for his recent criticism of the Maharashtra government.

Pawar had last week targeted the state Congress Party for what he termed as the collapse of the government's "decision-making process".

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, without naming Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, said that on account of the dilly-dallying in taking major decisions, Maharashtra was losing out on big investments and mega-industrial projects.

In a sharp editorial on Monday in party mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray questioned Pawar's motives behind the state government's criticism as the NCP is an ally of the ruling coalition.

"The point is, for whom is Pawar concerned, for the industrialists or the state's progress," Thackeray asked sarcastically.

The Sena chief also pointed out that if Pawar is so disenchanted with the Congress, then why is the NCP remaining in the coalition and not walking out.

"When he (Pawar) is aware that the decision-making process in the state government has come to a standstill, then why has he still stuck on to power," Thackeray asked.

He pointed out that if somebody sticks on to an unhappy alliance, then it implies that the person has some shortcomings.

Last weekend, at a part conclave in Mumbai, Pawar had cited the instance of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. which signed an agreement with the Gujarat government to set up its new Rs.4,000-crore manufacturing facility in Mehsana district of the neighbouring Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state.

Pawar also pointed out that the Maharashtra headquartered automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra had chosen to build its new manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu instead of setting it up in this state.

Thackeray said that besides these two companies, several others have either shut shop in the state or moved to states like Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh.

In fact, he pointed out that Maharashtra now ranks lower than Bihar in terms of new investment proposals or mega-projects.

This has directly hit the state's economy, affected its progress and taken away jobs of the Marathis here, he pointed out.

"However, (Chief Minister) Chavan is not concerned at all. And since Pawar continues to criticise the state government and his party continues to share power with the Congress, nobody takes him seriously," Thackeray said.

I agree with Bal's comment on Pawar that he should resign before criticising the Congress as he is part of Congress. Pawar just wants to eat his cake and also eat it.

However, the main reason why industries are leaving Maharashtra is because of the imbecile twins, Raj and Bal Thackearays. It is their brand of politics which is driving industrialsits out of mumbai and the faster they realize it and change their ways, the better will it be for Maharashtra.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Out of hope, Ruchika Girhotra’s kin rest case against SPS Rathore

Ajay Sura, TNN | Jun 3,

CHANDIGARH: The family of teenaged tennis player Ruchika Girhotra, driven to suicide three years after ex-Haryana police chief SPS Rathore molested her in 1990, has given up on its fight for justice after a court accepted CBI's closure report on two cases against the former cop on Friday.

Ruchika's father, Subash Girhotra, said the family presented a lot of material related to these cases — attempt to murder and forgery — but the CBI "seemed to be adamant on closure". Another case involving abetment to suicide is pending before the Punjab and Haryana high court. Girhotra said the family had mustered courage and filed fresh complaints against Rathore after he was, in December 2009, convicted of molesting the 14-year-old. He said he thought the system had changed. "But now it seems that neither has the system changed nor it can be changed. So we decided not to pursue the case."

He said the family sees "no ray of hope now" and it did not object to the closure reports as they cannot "take this any further" and felt "cheated". He said the circumstances have pushed the family 20 years back. Girhotra said he met home minister P Chidambaram and he assured him of justice for all atrocities Rathore had committed after he was convicted.

But intimidation seemed to have been one of the reasons for the family to give up. The family's security was removed three months back. "We have been feeling unsafe. We move out of our house in fear. This is a reason we accepted the closure report," said Ruchika's sister-in-law, Kavita. The ex-cop allegedly harassed the family and filed false cases against Ruchika's brother. The witch-hunt forced the two to leave Chandigarh. They were shifted to several cities and returned to Panchkula many years later.

But the CBI said Girhotra and Ashu's allegations against Rathore "could not be substantiated as per the documentary evidence and oral testimony of witnesses". The CBI had filed three fresh FIRs against Rathore in 2010 following a groundswell of public support in the backdrop of campaigns for justice. But the agency filed the closure report in the two cases 10 months later that were accepted on Friday.

We thought the system had changed. But now it seems that neither has the system changed nor it can be changed. So, we decided not to pursue the case.

Last time it was the media coverage which had made the government restart the case against Rathore after he had been let off with a light sentence or rather no sentence.

It seems Rathore has succeeded in his effort and now the CBI is withdrawing the case and the poor family has to quietly acquiesce as they don't have the strength to fight against such powerful people supported by the state.

Is it any surprise that more and more people are taking to arms against the government?

P.Chidambaram, are you listening?

Upset Congress terms Baba Ramdev, Anna's joint fast infantile

By ANI

New Delhi, June 3 (ANI): The Congress Party on Sunday hit back at yoga guru Baba Ramdev and veteran social activist Anna Hazare for sitting on a daylong fast against corruption and for their demand for a stronger Lokpal Bill, describing it as an infantile and uncalled for approach.

Senior Congress leader K. Keshav Rao expressed disapproval of the daylong protest called by Team Anna and Baba Ramdev, and emphasized that the entire nation wants corruption to be fought at all levels.

"This is an infantile approach, absolutely uncalled for approach. What Anna wanted about corruption, the entire nation knows corruption has to be fought and it is fighting. He has brought it to the nation's focus because for 40 years we have been thinking of Lokpal," said Keshav Rao.

"According to me, Lokpal is not a silver bullet, which will go and chase and catch a person. There are a plethora of laws, which deal with it. What we require is some kind of a golden link, which will bring them all together and coordinate," he added.

Keshav Rao pointed out that for the first time in the history of Indian Parliament, a private group was invited to assist in the drafting of a bill.

"We have invited a private group to come and sit and draft a bill. The government has taken it seriously, the nation has taken the issue seriously, the spirit of the agitation seriously. And we are doing it, but you must give scope for everybody to speak," he said.

Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare began their daylong fast against corruption at the Parliament Street here earlier this morning.

Both Baba Ramdev and Hazare, who will highlight the demand for the return of black money stashed away by Indians abroad during their fast, visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat earlier this morning. The two spent some time meditating at Rajghat. Baba Ramdev also visited the nearby Shahid Park.

This is for the first time that Baba Ramdev and Hazare are sitting on a joint fast. Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia will be joining Hazare and Ramdev during today's fast. (ANI)

What Baba Ramdeo and Anna are doing is not at all infantile.

It is the need of the hour.

The corruption brigade is raising its head just as they think the Anna-Ramdeo forces have weakened.

Want proof?

A The Lok Pal bill has been put in cold storage by the very parliament which had assured it would be passed when Anna had gone on fast.

B.The case against Haryana Police Chief, SPS Rathore is being withdrawn by the CBI.

Who is this Rathore?

He is the person who sexually harassed Ruchika Girhotra and drove her to suicide and then harassed her family to

withdraw the case. He seems to have succeeded this time as the poor family has lost the will to fight against such powerful forces.

Do you still wonder why there are Maoists?

C. The IMA and other medical organisation are criticizing Aamir Khan for the last "Satyamev Jayate" episode which was very critical of the going-ons of this profession. I think, Aamir has not even aired even 1% of the loot that these doctors are perpetuating.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Apologize, Doctors Tell Aamir Khan

Mumbai :An umbrella body of 21 medical institutions Wednesday asked Bollywood star Aamir Khan to apologize for accusing doctors of malpractices in his TV talk show "Satyamev Jayate".

Medscape India said the representation of malpractices supposedly perpetrated by doctors was "rather sad" and Aamir Khan should offer his apologies.

"It is rather sad that doctors should be made the object of such shameless, unilateral scrutiny," Himanshu Mehta, co-founder and advisor to Medscape India, said.

After highlighting social issues affecting Indian society, Aamir Khan, in the fourth episode of his show, turned the spotlight on healthcare and malpractices in the medical profession.

He highlighted unethical practices, corruption and scandalous revelations in medical treatment.

"Aamir Khan is my favourite actor and he should stick to making films," said another doctor, Sunita Dube, president of Medscape.

"Surprisingly, no doctors' body has spoken against Aamir yet. We need to stand united against such blatant lies. We are going to write a scathing letter demanding an apology from him," Dube said.

Medscape pointed out that doctors were subjected to assault without any fault and many people didn't understand the pressures of the profession.

"Where is Aamir Khan when doctors are assaulted? Where is he when we give free treatment to the needy?" asked Kishore Taori, president of the Maharashtra Medical Council that is associated with Medscape.

The above is from Silicon India

Aamir has raised an issue of corruption in the medical profession only last week in his TV programme “Satyamev Jayate”

I have been raising it on our blog http://goethals1907-2007.blogspot.in/search/label/Corruption%20in%20the%20Medical%20Profession since February 2010.

Dr. Kunal Saha on has site http://pbtindia.com/, People for better treatment has been raising his voice eve since his wife died of negligence by AMRI doctors. The doctors accused of negligence have been made to cough up Rs 1.73 crores to Dr. Kunal Saha as penalty for wrong treatment.

If Aamir is to be criticized, I would say he has been very lenient on the doctors. He couldn’t fully expose them because he had to complete the programme in its allotted time.

If he was to do justice, and take all the comments of the patients who had been looted by these docotrs he could make it into a daily serial of one hour duration and it would probably run for more than five years.

The IMA , Medscape and the other medical organizations are making a laughing stock of themselves by asking an apology from Aamir Khan and asking people to boycott his films.

Nobody will listen to them.

Ranvir Sena chief killed, curfew imposed on Bihar town

Patna, June 1 (IANS) An indefinite curfew was imposed in Ara town and red alert was sounded in Bihar's four districts Friday, after unidentified gunmen shot dead Brahmeshwar Singh 'Mukhiya', chief of the outlawed Ranvir Sena, police said. Singh, in his early 70s, was killed early Friday in Ara, the district headquarters of Bhojpur, triggering violent protests by his supporters and sympathisers who constituted the upper-caste militia, according to police.

"The indefinite curfew has been imposed in view of a large-scale arson in the town," a police official in Ara, about 60 km from here, told IANS over phone.

According to officials at police headquarters in Patna, a red alert has been sounded in Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad and Gaya districts. These four districts were the stronghold of Ranvir Sena and its rivals - outlawed Maoist groups and the Communist Party of India (Marxist Lenenist) - till early 2000.

"Singh was shot dead by unidentified gunmen when he was on a morning walk near his residence," a police official said.

Soon after the news of Singh's killing spread, his angry supporters attacked police vehicles, dairy vehicles and government offices in Ara. The circuit house in the town was set on fire, the official said.

Top district officials, including the superintendent of police, who reached the spot to assess and check the situation, were chased away by the protestors, the official added.

The supporters did not allow police to take Singh's body for an autopsy and blocked roads, demanding arrest of the culprits behind his killing, the official said.

The district administration has deployed security forces in the town.

The killing of Ranvir Sena chief, Brahmeshwar Singh, alias Mukhiyaji, came one and a half month after the Patna high court verdict acquitting all those responsible for the Bathani Tola massacre of 21 Dalits and and poor Muslims on July 11, 1996. Not only that his end came 24 days after his May 7 warning to the state government in a Press conference in Patna not to move the Supreme Court. And finally he died at the hands of the killers three days after the memorandum to the Chief Justice of India by 300 noted activists, writers and intellectuals of India and abroad. They included renowned linguist Noam Chomsky, UK-based Leftist writer Tariq Ali, economist Jean Dreze and novelist Arundhati Roy.

All these developments are link in the same chain. While the state government failed to provide justice to those killed 16 years back, it could not protect the man who led the Sena, which has been accused of a series of massacres in Bihar, especially in 1990s.

Though the media underplayed the whole series of developments till the killing of Mukhiyaji himself, the issue was quite serious and thus drew international attention too.Ranvir Sena was founded in September 1994 in Belaur village of Udwantnagar block by Brahmeshwar Singh of Khopira panchayat. Though it is called a private upper caste army, in this part of Bihar it is essentially dominated by Bhumihars. Of all the private armies of Bihar formed in 1980s and 1990s such as Kuer Sena, Sunlight Sena, Lorik Sena, etc this was the most ruthless and organized outfit with connections in bureaucracy and police as well.

That was the reason for its survival. While the earlier Senas were wiped out by the then MCC and now CPI (Maoist) and CPI ML (Liberation) Ranvir Sena not only survived but grew stronger. In tit-for-tat in the then Central Bihar, (then Jhakhand part was called as South Bihar) it chose to target the innocent Dalit women and children instead of Maoists cadres and Red Army of Liberation.

Since they suspect the Dalits of being sympathetic towards the Left extremists they singled out their family members as they were soft targets. For example on Jan 25, 1999 they massacred two dozen Dalit men, women and children in Shankarbigha village of Jehanabad district when the then President K R Narayan, himself a Dalit, was delivering the Republic Day eve speech on television and radio.

The timing was very important. Hours later, they through a Press release, justified the massacre of children and women, some of them pregnant, on the plea that sanp ka bachcha sanp hota hai (serpent will breed serpent). They repeated the massacre at Narayanpur village a fortnight later forcing the then Vajpayee government to dismiss the then Rabri Devi government and impose President’s Rule. It is other thing that it was re-instated on March 8, 1999 after the NDA failed to get majority in the Rajya Sabha.

Ten days later, on March 18, 34 Bhumihars––between the age of 15 and 45––were slaughter in retaliation of series of Dalit-hunting. This was done by MCC in Senari village of Jehanabad district. The last big massacre by Ranvir Sena took place in June 2000 when about 35 Dalits and backwards, including Yadavs, were killed at Miapur in Aurangabad district. Among other infamous massacres was the one committed by Ranvir Sena at Laxmanpur-Bathe village in Jehanabad on Dec 1, 1997 in which 61 Dalits were killed. It could do all this in spite of the fact that it was banned in 1995.

The problem with the present Janata Dal (United)-BJP government in Bihar is that many of the sympathizers of Ranvir Sena are their voters. While in the past the situation was quite contrary. Though the then Lalu-Rabri regime too failed to protect the Dalits it was alleged by Sena men that the Dalits get state support and protection against them. Brahmeshwar Singh himself continued to elude the police till August 29, 2002 when he was arrested in Patna.

In fact his acquittal from the court and release from jail last July proved costly. Perhaps, he was more safe behind bars. The advent of Nitish Kumar and subsequent weakening of CPI ML in the successive Assembly elections––it failed to open its account in 2010 poll––made Ranvir Sena somewhat irrelevant. But with the killing of its leader now it is to be seen what impact the incident will have on the state politics.

The above is from the Bihar Times.

It should act as a warning to the State and the judiciary to do justice and act in a partisan manner.

When the poor get to understand that they can expect no justice from the existing system, they will take the law into their hands and mete out justice as they feel.

It is surprising that the judge who gave the judgement is still alive.

I would advise Nitish Kumar to give him extra security.

Maoism, as we know it now, is the result of such feelings of injustice by the poor.

It is another matter that now the movement may have been hijacked by criminals

Why have AI pilots struck work?

Is simulator training for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner the only issue for the Air India pilots strike? Check this out. The Telegraph, UK. May 17.

Pilots' predeliction for high life could bring down Air India

"The high-life of Indian pilots and crew has plunged its national carrier into a nosedive towards bankruptcy, the country’s aviation minister has revealed, with staff stealing whisky and caviar and being chauffeured in limousines to five star hotels.

Industry observers say there has been a long history of staff theft and pilferage at Air India. In eight years Air India, known affectionately as the 'Maharaja’ for its turbaned cartoon mascot, has plunged from profit to an estimated $10 billion in debt. In frustration, India’s aviation minister has said the country does not need a national carrier.

Air India is currently investigating 161 cases of theft, fraud and abuse of perks, aviation minister Ajit Singh told MPs on Wednesday.

One catering officer was recently caught stealing caviar worth around £300, while a purser was discovered walking away with more than 370 spirit miniatures.

Investigations by Air India’s internal vigilance department found that one pilot had been paid more than £250,000 in allowances for simulator training while he was off work on sick leave.

The disclosures were made as more than 350 Air India pilots escalated an unofficial strike by calling in sick.

The strike was called as part of an internal squabble within the airline over which of its pilots should fly the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Many of the airline's pilots joined after the 2011 merger of Air India with the government-owned domestic carrier Indian Airlines, but the Air India staff have rejected proposals for former Indian Airlines pilots to be trained to fly the new aircraft.

They say the beleaguered airline, which is $10 billion in debt, cannot afford to additional costs of training former Indian Airlines pilots to train on Boeing jets. The strike however has caused major disruption at airports throughout the world and has cost the airline an estimated £20 million in the last week.

Some of the airline’s staggering losses are rooted in exceptionally generous staff benefits. Investigators discovered pilots insisted in staying in five star hotels in New York, Chicago and Mumbai during stop-overs instead of spending the night at cheaper airport hotels.

Significant losses in revenues are due to serving and retired pilots and crew taking business class seats ahead of paying customers. The practice was restricted in 2009 when its chief executive appealed to staff to co-operate and stressed there was no shame in traveling economy.

Despite the restrictions on staff using business class tickets, paying passengers were rejected to make way for Air India staff who were upgraded from economy seats. At one point, Air India’s business class ticket holders were shunted onto rival airlines — at Air India’s cost — because their own staff had occupied the seats.

Investigators also found evidence of expensive spare parts disappearing, duty-free alcohol stolen, and spare seats and cargo space sold privately to rival airlines.

Industry observers say there has been a long history of staff theft and pilferage at Air India, citing a 2006 case where crew on prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s official aircraft were caught stealing six bottles of whisky. Fourteen employees were suspended following the investigation.

“It’s been going on for years,” said Dr Sanat Kaur, former joint secretary of India’s civil aviation ministry, and now International Foundation for Aviation chairman. “There was no need for budgetary support from government in the last 60 years until now. There was leakage but as long as the company was in profit there was no issue,” he said.

But the abuses have steadily come into sharper focus over the last ten years as its problems have mounted. A proposed sale to Tata and Singapore Airlines was abandoned shortly after the September 11 2001 terror attacks on the United States. A series of ill-advised multi-billion dollar airliner purchases and a merger with its domestic partner Indian Airlines has compounded problems.

“It’s not just scams, it is union agreements. [They say] we only travel by limousine, and insist on staying in five star hotels. Things are not carried out because the union would be [hostile]. A soft approach is there, which has allowed it to carry on and now it is making huge losses,” he said.

The disclosures were made as more than 350 Air India pilots escalated an unofficial strike by calling in sick.

The strike was called as part of an internal squabble within the airline over which of its pilots should fly the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft."

If you are a tax payer in India think about it, and why should you continue to pat for such frivolity?

The above was posted by Suvrajyoti Sengupta on FB.

I think it should all make us cry at the sacrifices the staff of AI have made, especially its pilots.

As a reward, I would recommend all the pilots be sacked and new recruitment be made.

Our ministers are just great in giving away things but cannot bring about discipline.

Just look, how fast Mukul Roy, our Railway Minister who replaced the efficient Dinesh Trivedi, has been in giving away Rs 5.0 lakhs to each of the dead in the recent Doon Express accident.

But ask him to visit the accident site and he will have no time.

Friday, June 1, 2012

CBI probe into charges against PM laughable: Team Anna

Team Anna on Friday dismissed as "pretence" the Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the irregularities in the coal block allocation and alleged such a probe is meant to give a "clean chit" to Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh.

"The CBI is under the government. Here the prime minister is accused. How will the CBI investigate the prime minister?

It is laughable, it is a pretence. We know the outcome of this probe. It will say that the prime minister has not done anything wrong. It will give clean chit to Singh," Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal told reporters in Ghaziabad.

Demanding an independent probe by a panel of three "honest" retired judges, he said why is the PM afraid of a probe if he is sure that he has not done anything wrong.

"We have said we are ready to be probed. Then why is the prime minister afraid? So there is nothing wrong, if people suspect that there was something wrong in this," he said.

Alleging that CBI is a "complete puppet" in the hands of the government, Kejriwal said disproportionate asset cases were going on against Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Lalu Yadav (RJD), Mayawati (BSP) and many other politicians for several years.

"However no worthwhile investigation has taken place. But Jaganmohan Reddy, who is a political foe of the ruling United Progressive Alliance has been arrested in a very short period. This shows that CBI rather than acting as anti-corruption body is being used to serve the Centre's political agenda.

"Can such CBI ever do an honest and independent probe into Coal gate scam in which PM himself is accused? Can such a CBI do an honest investigation against the other 14 ministers?" Kejriwal said, adding this is why they were demanding probe in the case by a special investigation team.

He said they would not approach Supreme Court if their demands are not met. "This is a political issue," he said. Allegations of corruption were made by Team Anna in the allotment of coal blocks especially during the period 2006-09 when Singh was handling the charge of the coal ministry.

Reacting to the coal ministry rebuttal to the charges, he claimed the arguments were misleading and factually incorrect.

"While up to 2005, a total of 75 coal blocks were allocated, this number went up to 145 from 2006 to 2009. Surprisingly, only one coal block has been allocated.

"Is the PMO saying the demand for coal was limited before 2005 and it increased suddenly between 2006 and 2010 and again came down to negligible after that? What are the factors that can explain such a trend in the economy?" he asked.

I fully agree with team Anna.

I have always maintained that the CBI is the pet poodle of the Central Government and does its bidding.

If the government says stand, it will do so.

If it says sit, it will do so.

We have seen since the time of Indira Gandhi that the CBI is not at all independent and it was one of the main reasons for Team Anna asking for the Lokpal as it wanted an independent agency to investigate crimes against politicians.

YSR and Jagan Reddy were the blue eyed boys as long as they followed the central dictates. But as soon as Jagan challenged the centre, the Central Government has set the CBI dogs on them.

Suddenly, the centre discovers that his wealth was ill-gotten.

On the other hand cases against Mulayam Singh, Mayawati, Lalu Yadav have been going on for years without any outcome.

The Centre uses these cases to blackmail these leaders into submission

Doc & Metro manager beaten

- Cousins assaulted by drunken goons in Durgapur after parking tiff

Durgapur, May 30: A Durgapur dentist and his cousin, who is a marketing manager at Metro Cash & Carry in Calcutta, were severely beaten up by drunken goons with rods and knuckledusters last night when the two requested them to make way so that their car could be garaged.

Doctor Dibyendu Nandi, 33, and his cousin Arindam Ghosh, 36, who have been admitted to the ICU of The Mission Hospital, had protested when the goons refused to move from in front of the garage on the ground floor of Nandi’s rented flat in Durgapur.

Ghosh, who had gone for marketing with Nandi while holidaying in Durgapur, suffered multiple fractures in his nose and underwent a surgery today. Nandi suffered deep cuts below and above his left eye and was given multiple stitches.

“We have kept him under observation and advised him to consult an ophthalmologist as his eye is still red and blood clots are visible,” said Krishnendu Goswami, the surgeon under whom the cousins are admitted.

“When we returned home (in Ambagan) around 8pm, we found four drunken youths standing in front of my garage. I honked repeatedly but they refused to budge. They started abusing me and asked me not to disturb them because they were chatting,” Nandi said.

The dentist, who works in The Mission Hospital, alleged that one of the youths threw a brick and broke the left mirror of his Hyundai i20.

“I got off the car and asked them what my fault was. But they kept on abusing us and threatened to bury us alive. They left when residents and shopkeepers intervened,” Nandi said.

But around 15 minutes later, when the others had left and the cousins were parking the car, the youths returned with some more drunken associates and allegedly assaulted them.

“Ghosh was hit first with an iron rod on his nose. After he fell down clutching his nose, the goons kicked him repeatedly and also hit him with knuckledusters,” said Subrata De, an eyewitness.

Nandi, who was beaten up when he tried to save his cousin, said: “They kicked and punched me and hit me with weapons. Both of us lost consciousness.”

Alerted by De’s cries for help, the residents returned and the attackers fled.

Nandi and Ghosh were taken to the hospital in the i20. The neighbours informed police.

The cousins regained consciousness late last night and gave their statements to the Durgapur police.

Ghosh’s wife Piyali arrived at Durgapur this morning from the couple’s Phoolbagan home. Nandi, who got married this January, said his wife Debaleena would come to Durgapur from Bangalore on Friday. She works in a software company in the southern city.

Nandi’s elder brother Sreemantha, who is a manager at Metro Cash & Carry and lives in Calcutta’s College Street, said: “He lives alone in Durgapur. I am worried after what happened last night. I will ask him to come to Calcutta and practise here.”

Ambagan residents complained that drunken brawls were common because of a country liquor shop in the locality.

“Every evening, youths drink liquor in a field adjacent to the shop. Drunken capers continue till late in the night. Women feel afraid to pass through the area after sundown. We repeatedly requested the administration and the police to shut the liquor shop but nothing has been done,” De, a private contractor working for Durgapur Steel Plant, said.

The police said they had received the cousins’ complaint and had started an investigation. “The culprits are yet to be identified. Even though we are busy making arrangements for the municipal polls (on June 3), we are probing the incident,” said Kazi Samsuddin Ahmed, the assistant commissioner of police (East).

Partha Ghosh, the officer in charge of state excise in Durgapur, said: “I will find out if anybody is consuming alcohol inside the shop or if the outlet remains open beyond the prescribed time limit. The complaints of drunken brawls should be looked into by the police as it is a law-and-order problem.”

The above is from the Telegraph.

How could anyone have the guts to stand and drink in front of a legitimate owners garage and refuse to allow him to park his car.

These hoodlums who were previously with the CPM and are now with the Trinamul can dare to act this as they know that no political party can touch them for these political parties depend upon them during elections.

Mamata Banerjee has already booked them for the next election by giving each club Rs 2.0 lakhs donation. For What?

India requires at least 5 years of military rule if we are to stem the rot for the politicians will never do it themselves.

CBI judge suspended on corruption charges

By Indo Asian News Service

Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur has suspended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special judge on corruption charges, officials here said.

Additional CBI Judge T. Pattabhi Ramarao allegedly received Rs.5 crore for granting bail to former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, the key accused in OMC illegal mining case..

Ramarao had granted bail to Reddy May 12. The mining baron, however, remained in Bangalore jail in another illegal mining case..

The chief justice took action against the judge Thursday after the CBI lodged a complaint with him, according to officials..

The CBI reportedly found that the bribe money was stashed in bank lockers of the judge's kin..

It shows the degradation in the stanadards in India when a CBI judge is suspended on corruption charges.

Anna is right when he is making such a big issue of it.

Corruption has eaten away all our morals. All political parties are responsible for it, withour any exception.