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Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Sunrise of BSP in Delhi civic polls
BJP retain power Delhi Municipality and sun rise of BSP
BJP has retained its ground in Delhi civic polls and BSP has eaten the voters of Congress in the city polls and is likely to inch in 20% of seats of local self government of total of 272 wards.Congress and BSP coming close to their number of seats in Delhi city exhibits the signs of sunrise of BSP at national and city levels with chunk of congress votes follow suits the Mayas political outfit BSP.Delhi dalits and lower caste has come together to fight unitedly and cast their aspiration to rule Delhi and this gives signals for Congress popularity slowly fade away.A Clash of Caste and Charismatic leadership show up the results.
Of the 17 results declared by the State Election Commission so far, BJP has bagged 16 wards in all the three corporations while Congress has won one seat.
As per the trends available, BJP is leading in 131 wards out of the total 272 wards while Congress is ahead in 66 seats. Others, including BSP, is ahead 54 seats.
In South Delhi Corporation, BJP has won or is leading in as many as 41 out of the 104 wards while Congress was ahead in 29 seats.Delhi City there are 104 each wards in South and North Corporations and 64 in the East, of which 138 seats are reserved for women. With counting in progress and reports trickling of municipal polls results of Delhi city the capital of India, BJP is moving ahead with substantial majority to retain the power in Delhi civic body.The Trifurcated municipality spread in three corporations – East, South and North Congress appear to retain substantial seats in East but in two others wards South and North party seems to be in back foot.BJP with its power base in Delhi deep rooted in its frontal organization has made again to the civic polls and thus proves that their frontal organisation have the potential and the power to motivate people to vote in their support.Stakes are high for both the national parties in the municipal polls, for which voting took place on Sunday , as it is considered as a semifinal ahead of Assembly elections next year. The municipal polls is seen as crucial for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Congress as well as opposition BJP with leaders believing that it could be an indicator for what is in store for them in the Assembly polls which are 18 months away. The counting of votes for 272 Councillor began at 33 centres across the capital at 8 AM this morning amid high security. Results are expected to come in by 3 pm, a senior State Election Commission official said. BJP candidate Master Balbir Singh,Subhas Arya wins from East and Rajouri Garden respectively.Southern BJP is ahead in 47 seats while Congress is ahead in 22 wards while in East, BJP is surging in 28 seats and Congress 16.BJP Kavita Malhotra and Meenakshi Independent candidate wins.Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta’s wife Shobha is leading in Rohini Central ward by a margin of over 2,000 votes against her Congress rival Dr Monica Puri. Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi (BJP) too leading in Mukherjee Nagar.BJP is ahead in 132 seats, Congress in 107, BSP in 8 seats, while independents were leading in 17 seats.Leads are now out in 247 seats, with the BJP leading in 131. Congress trends showing leads in 68 seats, with other parties leading in 48 seats. BJP’s gainful lead in North Delhi where they are leading in 60 seats to the Congress tally of 26. South zone the BJP is leading in 46 seats to the Congress’ 32 close shave . Saffron party has turn table from the Congress in the East zone where they are leading in 31 seats as opposed to the Congress’ 11.
Inflation slips to 6.89% in March
 |
Inflation,
as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), was 6.95 percent in
February. In March last year, it was 9.68 percent.
As
per the official data released on Monday, inflation in food items was
9.94 percent in March, as against 6.07 per cent in February.
Onion prices declined by (-)24.23 percent in March. The rate of decline was (-)48.50 percent in February.
Besides, eggs, meat and fish prices rose 17.71 percent during the month, lower from 20 percent in February.
Pulses
turned expensive by 10.05 percent and vegetables by 30.57 percent
during March. In February, the rate of price rise in vegetables was 1.52
percent.
Milk became expensive by 15.29 percent, while rice and cereals turned costlier by 4.73 percent and 4.41 percent respectively.
Prices of potato too rose by 11.60 percent. Food articles have 14.3 percent share in the WPI basket.
The
manufactured goods showed moderation in inflation to 4.87 percent, from
5.75 percent. This may have a bearing on the annual monetary policy to
be announced by the Reserve bank on Tuesday.
The
inflation number for March remained marginally above the projections
made by Finance Ministry, which had expected it to be around 6.5
percent.
The headline inflation number for January was revised upwards to 6.89 percent, up from the provisional estimate of 6.55 percent.
Inflation in overall primary articles rose sharply to 9.62 percent in March, from 6.28 percent in February.
In manufactured items, it has been high since February 2011, when it crossed the 6 percent mark.
Year-on-year,
among manufactured items, iron grew dearer by 17.18 percent and edible
oil prices rose by 9.78 percent. Inflation in tobacco products and basic
metals was 8.22 percent and 9.51 percent respectively.
Non-food
primary articles, which include fibres and oilseeds, was however lower
at (-)1.20 percent in March. In February, it was (-)2.56 percent.
Inflation
in the fuel and power segment was 10.41 percent on an annual basis. The
rate of price rise was 12.83 percent in the previous month.
Experts
said the inflationary pressure, driven by prices of food articles, will
keep the pressure on the government to remove supply side bottlenecks.
Headline inflation was near double digit for most of 2010 and 2011.
The apex bank hiked key policy rates 13 times, totalling 350 basis points between March 2010 and October 2011 to tame inflation.
Since
January, RBI has resorted to injecting liquidity into the financial
system, by reducing Cash Reserve Ratio for banks. Besides, it has called
for fiscal steps by the government to combat inflation.
Non Cong CMs oppose Centre over NCTC
on April 17, 2012
United by their opposition to the proposed National Counter
Terrorism Centre, Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Odisha met their Tamil
Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa in New Delhi to mount pressure against
the Centre’s move.
While, Tripura Chief Minister accused Centre of taking a number
steps which have implications on the Federal structure of the country,
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister called for joint Centre-State efforts in
improving internal security.
Congress Chief Ministers supported the setting up of the National
Counter Terrorism Centre as an integrating organization for effective
offensive against terrorists.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy sought permission
from the Centre to carry out a Rs 2,400 crore special road corridor
development project to effectively deal with Naxalism.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said illegal coal trading in
border areas of a number of northeastern states is fast becoming a major
source of funding for terror outfits.
Kerala Chief Minister Oman Chandy urged the Centre to take steps to
get the international Maritime Community to declare that the Ocean
along the coast line of India is free from piracy unlike the coast of
Africa.
Meanwhile, Congress stressed on need for a coordinated efforts by
the Centre as well as States to tackle the menace of terrorism.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav urged the Union
Government to provide at least Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years for
the purpose of commitment of safeguarding and protecting India.
Speaking at the annual conference of Chief Ministers on internal
security in New Delhi, Home Minister said international border in the
west and LoC continues to be vulnerable to infiltration.Meanwhile, Chief
Ministers of different states have their own take on the conference.Tamil
Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa has warned against an emerging pattern wherein
the state’s powers are abrogated by the Centre through passage of bills
and accused it of showing scant respect for state govts.
In an all-round attack on the Congress-led UPA, Jayalalithaa accused the central government of encroaching on state powers through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre which was in contravention to constitutional provisions that accord priority status to police in the State list.
Addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi on Monday, she claimed that the Centre unilaterally decided on the Indo-US joint naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal without taking the state government into confidence.
“Lack of consultation with the states and failure to take the states into confidence is a cogent commentary on the system of governance in the Centre. “..
This is not all. Adding insult to injury, the central government did not permit the Consul-General of the US Consulate, Chennai, and senior Indian Navy Officials based in Chennai to meet me as the constitutional Head of the Government,” she said.
Jayalalithaa, who is opposed to the NCTC, said this implies that the central government has scant respect for constitutionally-elected state governments.
She also expressed the hope that the Centre follow the principle of prior consultation with the state governments, whenever such important decisions are taken by the central government.
“No doubt, it is a pre-arranged exercise according to the prescribed tenets under covenant between two countries. Even so, is it too much to expect to be kept informed?” she asked.
In her speech, the Tamil Nadu chief minister also said she was afraid there is an emerging pattern wherein the powers vested with the states are sought to be “abrogated without the attendant responsibility, either by the passage of bills or issuance of notifications.”
Alleging that the leverage and operational magnitude of the state is sought to be kept under control by tightening finances, she said states are getting accustomed to this formula being repeated in almost every aspect of revenue accrual from the Centre.
“The constant attempts to reduce states to the level of glorified municipal corporations heavily dependent on the Centre for funds is a travesty of the federal nature of our existence. This attitude is disturbing and the implication of such exercises is not conducive to either state or national growth,” Jayalalithaa said.
She also said she comes with great hope of receiving assistance from the Centre every time she visits Delhi, but it has eluded her.
“Hope, however, springs eternal,” she said.
She said the Tamil Nadu Police have successfully handled various protests, either at Koodankulam or at the site of the Mullai Periyar Dam have been tactfully and successfully handled, protecting all segments of society.
“The Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant was successfully re-opened without any bloodshed or disturbance to law and order. The disturbances provoked by some unruly elements along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border were successfully quelled.
“Land grabbing and exploitation of the common people by the land mafia which was a scourge prevailing particularly in major cities such as Chennai, Madurai and Trichy has now become a thing of the past,” she said.
Jayalalithaa said the state government received 34,703 complaints of land grabbing in various districts and lands worth Rs.758.04 crores have been retrieved so far.
Separation of crime investigation from the law and order police wing as provided for in the Supreme Court judgement on police reforms is indeed the right way forward, she said.
In an all-round attack on the Congress-led UPA, Jayalalithaa accused the central government of encroaching on state powers through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre which was in contravention to constitutional provisions that accord priority status to police in the State list.
Addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi on Monday, she claimed that the Centre unilaterally decided on the Indo-US joint naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal without taking the state government into confidence.
“Lack of consultation with the states and failure to take the states into confidence is a cogent commentary on the system of governance in the Centre. “..
This is not all. Adding insult to injury, the central government did not permit the Consul-General of the US Consulate, Chennai, and senior Indian Navy Officials based in Chennai to meet me as the constitutional Head of the Government,” she said.
Jayalalithaa, who is opposed to the NCTC, said this implies that the central government has scant respect for constitutionally-elected state governments.
She also expressed the hope that the Centre follow the principle of prior consultation with the state governments, whenever such important decisions are taken by the central government.
“No doubt, it is a pre-arranged exercise according to the prescribed tenets under covenant between two countries. Even so, is it too much to expect to be kept informed?” she asked.
In her speech, the Tamil Nadu chief minister also said she was afraid there is an emerging pattern wherein the powers vested with the states are sought to be “abrogated without the attendant responsibility, either by the passage of bills or issuance of notifications.”
Alleging that the leverage and operational magnitude of the state is sought to be kept under control by tightening finances, she said states are getting accustomed to this formula being repeated in almost every aspect of revenue accrual from the Centre.
“The constant attempts to reduce states to the level of glorified municipal corporations heavily dependent on the Centre for funds is a travesty of the federal nature of our existence. This attitude is disturbing and the implication of such exercises is not conducive to either state or national growth,” Jayalalithaa said.
She also said she comes with great hope of receiving assistance from the Centre every time she visits Delhi, but it has eluded her.
“Hope, however, springs eternal,” she said.
She said the Tamil Nadu Police have successfully handled various protests, either at Koodankulam or at the site of the Mullai Periyar Dam have been tactfully and successfully handled, protecting all segments of society.
“The Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant was successfully re-opened without any bloodshed or disturbance to law and order. The disturbances provoked by some unruly elements along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border were successfully quelled.
“Land grabbing and exploitation of the common people by the land mafia which was a scourge prevailing particularly in major cities such as Chennai, Madurai and Trichy has now become a thing of the past,” she said.
Jayalalithaa said the state government received 34,703 complaints of land grabbing in various districts and lands worth Rs.758.04 crores have been retrieved so far.
Separation of crime investigation from the law and order police wing as provided for in the Supreme Court judgement on police reforms is indeed the right way forward, she said.
To:
nksagar_1@yahoo.com
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IAN invests Rs 2 crore in Real-time traffic tracker Birds Eye Systems
Mumbai April 16, 2012
Indian Angel Network, India’s leading group of angel investors has
made a Rs. 2 crore angel investment in Birds Eye Systems, a Mumbai-based
intelligent traffic monitoring solutions venture. The company, promoted
by Brijraj Vaghani and Ravi Khemani, with valuable work experience in
the US wireless and internet industry, had earlier received small
funding from the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship
(CIIE).
The IAN investment will go towards expanding the Company’s
footprint around the country, enhancing scope of services and further
development of the product and augmenting key management. Currently
Birds Eye Systems’ services are offered in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.
Traffline, the company’s flagship product, is a
low-cost, real-time traffic monitoring system that broadcasts live
traffic conditions to road commuters using its patented technology. It
also provides software and mobile applications, for transport related
applications. Users can download this information from www.traffline.com,
the company’s online platform and can be used by road commuters,
traffic police, emergency service providers and infrastructure and city
planning agencies. The user can also avail real time traffic information
on his mobile phone from http://m.traffline.com/.
Birds Eye Systems launched its product early this year and is
already visited by nearly 1,000 visitors a day. The company’s taxi
booking service launched in September 2011 has built 15,000 user base
and is now geared to add more cities and taxi service providers.
The company plans to integrate additional external sources with its
Traffline platform to offer wider coverage Birds Eye Systems will
shortly start offering customized solutions to map providers that they
can use to value add their products. The logistics companies will
benefit from historical data on traffic patterns to plan their routing
better.
IAN investor Members, Rajiv Dadlani and Nitin Agarwal have joined the Birds Eye Systems Board.
Brijraj Vaghani co-founder of Birds Eye Systems said, “We
approached IAN for investment as it brings a refreshing approach to
early-stage investing with a quick response time. IAN members’ vast
experience, strategic value-adds and their extensive network has begun
to benefit Birds Eye Systems. This strategic and professional investment
into Birds Eye, will increase the brand, credibility and value of our
Company.”
IAN Member Rajiv Dadlani says, “Birds Eye System’s
real-time traffic tracking and monitoring solution solves one of the
biggest pains that commuters face in the country–traffic. We were
impressed by the Birds Eye Systems team’s technology competency, their
continuous focus on execution, and a flexible mindset with a clear
objective disposition—all essential ingredients for success.”
Co-founder Ravi Khemani says, “Birds Eye Systems’ highly
scalable product is built on a platform that continuously analyses live
vehicle movement and displays results on Traffline.com. The results are
made available in a easy to read text format on m.traffline.com This
allows us to provide live traffic updates to consumers helping save time
and fuel. Our differentiated taxi booking application runs on all
mobile phones.”
“Indian Angel Network saw in Brijraj and Ravi a passionate
team with strong commitment and high-energy. Birds Eye Systems’ is
working on a well-thought-through business strategy which has been
commercialized and is now being scaled up via internet, mobile, mVAS
etc.” says IAN member Nitin Agarwal.
Interestingly, as per PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research
Association) studies, metros like Delhi alone looses nearly Rs. 1,000
crore annually, due to vehicle idling. Studies suggest that better
traffic management helps reduce fuel consumption, in major metros by
15%. Here is an excellent example of technology being leveraged for
improving the environment!
By using www.traffline.com, commuters can select the best route to reach the destination and reduce road travel time by 15% to 20%.
About Birds Eye Systems
BES provides real-time traffic information, in major cities to help
road commuters estimate their travel time, and select the best route
for travelling. The company also provides software and mobile
applications, for transport related companies.
About Indian Angel Network
Indian Angel Network is India’s most nimble and national network of
nearly 200 business angels investing in start-ups, early stage
ventures
As a part of this Network built “By Entrepreneurs, For
Entrepreneurs”, investees can gain access to the vast business network
of IAN’s influential members, strategic direction, and operational
guidance apart from financial investment which is critical for creating
large, valuable companies.
In 2011, IAN invested in a deal each month totalling a little over
US$ 8 million. IAN’s portfolio companies leveraged IAN’s investment with
another US$ 27 million or so from next round funding, bringing in a
total of over US$ 30 million to start up companies.
2011 saw three of IAN portfolio companies – Kwench Library
Solutions, Druva and TaxSpanner — being chosen among the hottest start
ups of 2011 by BusinessWorld and Business Today magazines.
Punjab
& Haryana Must Stop Collection of Citizens’ Biometric Data
Govt
overwhelmed by marketing blitzkrieg of surveillance, biometric, communication
technology companies & international financial institutions
April 16, 2012
Chandigarh- The Unique Identification (UID)/Aadhaar project is a
project that has no support in law.
The collection of biometrics
under the project to create a National Population Register (NPR) is
illegal. This has been underlined by the report of India’s Parliamentary
Standing on Finance. There are good reasons why countries like the UK,
Australia, Philippines and China have rejected UID/Aadhaar and NPR-like
projects, but these seem to have escaped the attention of the governments of
Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh which are implementing them in pursuance of the MoUs they
have signed with the Unique Identification Authority of India(UIDAI).
These projects are based on the
biometric profiling of citizens which, as the Standing Committee on Finance has
observed, is without any legal mandate. These instead represent a
threat to citizens’ rights and States ’autonomy.
The Central Government appears to
have lost its way and has embarked on projects that show a deep disrespect
for citizens of this country The profiling, and the intrusion of privacy,
that is a central aspect of these projects are, among other things, contrary to
the Supreme Court’s judgment dated July 4, 2011 where it reiterated
that the Right to Privacy is a part of the constitutional Right
to Life. The central government appears to have been in disrespectful disdain
of this judgment too when it launched these projects on the basis of
biometrics which is untested and untried, and which have surveillance,
tracking, profiling, tagging and convergence at its core.
The
5 page MoU was initially signed by Punjab Govt on 15
April, 2010 and later revised on June 23, 2010. Haryana Government
signed a 7
page MoU with UIDAI on June 10, 2010. The 5 page MoU between Union
Territory of Chandigarh and UIDAI was signed on June 10, 2012. The MoUs
are attached.
While signing these MoUs it appears that
the governments did not notice that the collection of biometrics is not only an
assault on the dignity and rights of its citizens, but that it is, in fact,
illegal - a fact that the Standing Committee on Finance has expressly set out
in its report. It may also be noticed that even the Identification of Prisoners
Act, 1920, of colonial vintage, reads: “The object of this bill is to provide
legal authority for taking measurements, finger impressions, footprints and
photographs of persons convicted of, or arrested in connection with, certain
offences.” According to the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, at the
time of the acquittal of the prisoner, his biometric data is required to be
destroyed. The UID/Aadhaar project and the NPR, however, aspire
to store the biometric data forever. There is a DNA Bank
Bill that has been prepared and which when enacted could require
the citizen to give one's DNA to the state. What ambitions does this
reveal?
Parliamentarians, legislative
bodies, jurists, legal academia, former judges, lawyers and groups working on
human rights and civil liberties have underlined that central Initiatives such
as the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) of India, National
Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), National Population Register, Unique
Identification (UID)/Aadhaar project and other related projects under execution
are not governed by any legal framework, parliamentary oversight and do not
conform to the Constitutional Mandate.
The
Standing Committee on Finance found that the UID project
is "riddled with serious lacunae and concern areas". It "has
been conceptualised with no clarity of purpose and leaving many things
to be sorted out during the course of its implementation; and is being
implemented in a directionless way with a lot of confusion". It said that the project cannot be allowed to
proceed without the authority of law. "Crucial matters impinging on
security and confidentiality of
information" demands that a law be enacted before the project can be allowed to go ahead. The Standing Committee found that the UID project is being implemented in an "overbearing manner without regard to legalities and other social consequences". Especially, the Standing Committee adverted to the "serious security concern" raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs "over the efficacy of the introducer system, involvement of private agencies in a large scale in the scheme which may become a threat to national security ..."; and the National Informatics Centre pointing out "that the issues relating to privacy and security of UID data could be better handled by storing in a government data centre".
information" demands that a law be enacted before the project can be allowed to go ahead. The Standing Committee found that the UID project is being implemented in an "overbearing manner without regard to legalities and other social consequences". Especially, the Standing Committee adverted to the "serious security concern" raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs "over the efficacy of the introducer system, involvement of private agencies in a large scale in the scheme which may become a threat to national security ..."; and the National Informatics Centre pointing out "that the issues relating to privacy and security of UID data could be better handled by storing in a government data centre".
In a significant assessment of the project, it said:"Even
if the aadhaar number links entitlements to targeted beneficiaries, it may not
ensure that beneficiaries have been correctly identified. Thus, the present
problem of proper identification would persist."
It
found that lessons from experiences in other countries
around projects of a like nature have been ignored, including in the
matter of
costs; complexity; untested, unreliable and unsafe technology;
possibility of
risk to the safety and security of citizens; and the requirement of high
standard security measures which would further escalate costs.
Without a national data protection law issues "like
access and misuse of personal information, surveillance, profiling, linking and
matching of databases and securing confidentiality of information etc." cannot
be handled.
The Ministry of Planning had admitted that there was no
feasibility study "which ought to have been done before approving such an
expensive scheme, has been done involving all aspects of the UID scheme
including cost-benefit analysis, comparative costs of aadhaar number and
various forms of existing identity, financial implications and prevention of
identity theft, for example, using hologram enabled ration card to eliminate
fake and duplicate beneficiaries."
The Standing Committee expressed concern about the
dependency of the project on private vendors, "as a result' the
beneficiaries may be forced to pay over and above the charges to be prescribed
by the UIDAI for availing of benefits and services, which are now available free
of cost."
The Standing Committee found the project to be
"full of uncertainty in technology as the complex scheme is built up on
untested, unreliable technology and several assumptions." Further,
"despite adverse observations by the UIDAI"s Biometrics Standards
Committee on error rates of biometrics, the UIDAI is collecting the biometric
information."
The "concerns and apprehensions" besetting
the Standing Committee, and "particularly considering the contradictions
and ambiguities within the Government on its implementation as well as
implications, the Committee categorically convey their unacceptability of the
National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010 in its present form
...The Committee would, thus, urge the Government to reconsider and review the
UID scheme as also the proposals contained in the Bill in all its ramifications
and bring forth a fresh legislation before Parliament."
The Central Government has chosen to ignore this report, and not to address any of these concerns before proceeding with the project. In January this year, after raising legitimate concerns about the security implications of the way the UIDAI was collecting data, the Central Home Minister and the Chairperson of the UIDAI and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission arrived at an understanding, and agreed to share the population between them for enrolment! How could a security risk be treated with such casualness?
The PSC report also reveals that the UIDAI’s activities like signing of MoU with State Governments is without any legal and constitutional mandate. The recommendations are relevant for Home Ministry’s NPR for Multipurpose National Identity Card.
The Parliamentary Committee is
categorical that the Central Govt’s Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM)
constituted for the purpose of collating the two schemes namely, the UID and
National Population Register (NPR), has failed. Together with UID, Central
Government is creating NPR by collecting information on specific
characteristics of all usual residents in the country. The NPR would also have
photographs, 10 finger prints and 2 IRIS prints of all usual residents who are
of age 5 years and above. Yet, the Citizenship Act does not mention
biometrics, nor do the 2003 Rules -- making the collection of biometrics as
part of the NPR exercise illegal.
In a November
2011 interview to the print media, the Director General and Mission
Director of the UIDAI had admitted that fingerprints are likely not to work for
authentication. Despite this, the UIDAI is going ahead with the
exercise. The Parliamentary Report notes the absence of a feasibility
study, no cost-benefit assessment, uncertain and untested technology, an
enrollment process that has national security implications, the lack of data
protection and privacy legislation and the disrespect for Parliament by going
ahead with a project that was pending parliamentary approval.
The Parliamentary Committee
considering the National Identification Authority of India (NIDAI) Bill has
presented its report to the Parliament. The report rejects biometric data based
identification of Indians. The report is a severe indictment of the hasty and
`directionless' project which has been "conceptualised with no clarity of
purpose". The Parliamentary Committee has found the biometric technology
being used by UIDAI and NPR is ‘uncertain' and 'untested'. In short:
•
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the State Governments with the UIDAI
had no prior consultation with the citizens and was done in the most non-transparent
manner. This must be immediately cancelled.
•
State Govts and other agencies ought to note that UIDAI has been trying to push
for the adoption of the UID through multiple committees of several ministries
and for the re-engineering of current systems to fit the requirements of the
UID.
•
Aadhaar and NPR are based on biometric and retinal profile procured from
people. This is the most repulsive aspect of UID/Aadhaar project. Any biometric
profile directly violates the very dignity and privacy of Indian citizens which
is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. What is normally used for terrorists
and criminals is now sought to be used against the common citizens of this
country.
It should be noted that the
Parliamentary Committee has taken on board studies done in the UK on the
identity scheme that was begun and later withdrawn in May 2010, where the
problems were identified to include"(a) huge cost involved and possible
cost overruns; (b) too complex; (c)untested, unreliable and unsafe technology;
(d) possibility of risk to the safety and security of citizens; and (e)
requirement of high standard security measures, which would result in
escalating the estimated operational costs."
While there is a studied silence
about UID/Aadhaar and National Population Register (NPR) but the related
project of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has faced bitter
opposition. Citizen groups demand that States should apply their legal minds
and voice concerns about the both. Besides over a dozen State Governments, left
parties, parties from National Democratic Alliance, even members of United
Progressive Alliance have contended that central projects like NCTC violates
the principle of federalism by its arbitrary and making agencies of States
subservient to it. This leads to unacceptable erosion of autonomy of the States
(including those ruled by regional parties) as envisaged in the
Constitution.
The fact is all freedom loving
Indians are opposed to Central Government’s initiatives of Home Ministry like
NPR, NATGRID, NCTC and RFID due to following reasons:
1. Threat to privacy, civil
liberties, federalism, national security, sovereignty and constitution
2. Without democratic,
parliamentary, legal and constitutional sanction
3. Emergence of a Database,
Surveillance State and Property based Democracy
4. Anti-poor and anti-citizen as it
dismantles Public Distribution System and other existing social service
entitlements
5. Promotes outsourcing of
governance
6. Fraught with dangers of caste and
communal overtones
7. Guided by undemocratic
international financial institutions and defence policies of other nuclear
weapon holding countries
8. Adverse consequences of
participation by foreign companies and biometric technology providers and
collection of biometric details an act violation of human rights that turns
citizens into subjects and treats them worse than prisoners. The personal and
biometric data being outsourced to third parties (including foreign companies)
represents an unacceptable security risk for the people in this country, and
for the nation itself. UIDAI has entered into contracts with companies like
Accenture and Safran Group that are providing similar services to Security
Departments of US, France, China and South Korea. This has dangerous
possibilities.
9. Compromises citizens’ rights of
present and future generations
10. It is a boondoggle, an
unnecessary and wasteful project for citizens as it transfers public money to
private parties
It is clear that UID/Aadhaar, NPR,
NATGRID and NCTC are related because they are a threat to citizens’ rights,
federalism and national sovereignty. In the aftermath of PSC report which has rejected
collection of biometric data and these schemes, the illegality and illegitimacy
of the entire surveillance project has come out in open. There is a compelling
logic for the State Governments to adopt the PSC report discuss it in their
respective State Assemblies, with its citizenry and abandon UID/NPR related
uncalled for central database projects.
Citizens’ opposition to UID and NPR
has a historical context. It is also a historical fact that Mahatma Gandhi was
against identification based on biometric data in his days of struggle in South
Africa in the early part of last century. He had burnt the biometric identity
card. A government which insincerely swears by his name stands exposed because
of launching projects which were opposed by Gandhiji.
For Details: Dr. Usha
Ramanathan, Noted Jurist, New Delhi, Email: urushar@gmail.com
Gopal Krishna, Citizens Forum for
Civil Liberties (CFCL), M: 09818089660, E-mail: krishna1715@gmail.com
Saints to Govt - Declare Ram Setu a National Monument
Saints to Govt - Declare Ram Setu a National Monument
New Delhi. April.16, 2012. Leading saints today unanimously decided in
favour of declaring Ram setu as national monument. After an hour long
meeting in New Delhi our prominent saints decided that government of
Bharat should not waste the precious time of the honourable supreme
court in getting adjournments again and again and it should
immediately declare Ramsetu as national monument, said mahant Naval
Kishor Dass, secretary general Delhi Sant mahamandal after the
meeting.
Briefing about the meeting shri Vinod Bansal, the media chief of VHP
Delhi said that various social, religious and cultural organizations
have also attended the meeting held in Udaseen ashram in Paharganj
area in New Delhi. Seeking repeated extensions by the union Government
from supreme on Ramsetu issue clearly shows that the Govt. has no
reasoning behind deferring it as it is the pious place for Hindus.
Instead of seeking extensions again & again, the Govt should
immediately file a final affidavit with the Hon. Supreme court
declaring it a National monument, the resolution said.
Swami Pragyanand, president Delhi Sant Mahamandal, swami Raghavanand,
president Sanatan Dharm Pretinidhi sabha, Mahant Surendra Nath
Avdhoot, president Akhil Bharteeya Sant Samitee, swami Avdhootanand,
Vivek Shah ji maharaj, shri Anil Kumar of Jhandewala Temple society,
shri Karuna Prakash of Indraprastha Vishwa Hindu Parishad, shri Shiv
Kumar of Bajarang Dal, shri Munna Kumar Sharma of Hindu Maha sabha
were amongst many personalities present in the meeting.
Declaring it a national monument will not only respect Hindu
sentiments but also protect environment, save thorium accumulated at
the coast, ensure coastal security & encourage all round development
of the country, the resolution added. SC has fixed up 19th of this
month for the government to decide on the issue.
Regards
Vinod Bansal
(Media Chief)
New Delhi. April.16, 2012. Leading saints today unanimously decided in
favour of declaring Ram setu as national monument. After an hour long
meeting in New Delhi our prominent saints decided that government of
Bharat should not waste the precious time of the honourable supreme
court in getting adjournments again and again and it should
immediately declare Ramsetu as national monument, said mahant Naval
Kishor Dass, secretary general Delhi Sant mahamandal after the
meeting.
Briefing about the meeting shri Vinod Bansal, the media chief of VHP
Delhi said that various social, religious and cultural organizations
have also attended the meeting held in Udaseen ashram in Paharganj
area in New Delhi. Seeking repeated extensions by the union Government
from supreme on Ramsetu issue clearly shows that the Govt. has no
reasoning behind deferring it as it is the pious place for Hindus.
Instead of seeking extensions again & again, the Govt should
immediately file a final affidavit with the Hon. Supreme court
declaring it a National monument, the resolution said.
Swami Pragyanand, president Delhi Sant Mahamandal, swami Raghavanand,
president Sanatan Dharm Pretinidhi sabha, Mahant Surendra Nath
Avdhoot, president Akhil Bharteeya Sant Samitee, swami Avdhootanand,
Vivek Shah ji maharaj, shri Anil Kumar of Jhandewala Temple society,
shri Karuna Prakash of Indraprastha Vishwa Hindu Parishad, shri Shiv
Kumar of Bajarang Dal, shri Munna Kumar Sharma of Hindu Maha sabha
were amongst many personalities present in the meeting.
Declaring it a national monument will not only respect Hindu
sentiments but also protect environment, save thorium accumulated at
the coast, ensure coastal security & encourage all round development
of the country, the resolution added. SC has fixed up 19th of this
month for the government to decide on the issue.
Regards
Vinod Bansal
(Media Chief)
Monday, 16 April 2012
US called coordinated attacks across Afghanistan ‘cowardly,’
US State Department on Sunday called the wave of coordinated attacks across Afghanistan ‘cowardly,’ and praised the “swift and effective response” of Afghan forces. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the US ambassador to Kabul, Ryan Crocker, to “discuss the cowardly attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan” and to confirm US personnel were safe, the State Department said.Clinton “asked Ambassador Crocker to convey to President Karzai the United States’ appreciation for the swift and effective response of Afghan National Security Forces,” her spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.Clinton “also asked him to convey that her thoughts are with all those affected by the violence.” The assault, one of the most serious on the capital since U.S.-backed Afghan forces removed the Taliban from power in 2001, highlighted the ability of militants to strike the heavily guarded diplomatic zone even after more than 10 years of war.It was also another election-year setback in Afghanistan for U.S. President Barack Obama, who wants to present the long campaign against the Taliban as a success before the departure of most foreign combat troops by the end of 2014. “These attacks are the beginning of the spring offensive and we had planned them for months,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters. He said the onslaught was revenge for a series of incidents involving American troops in Afghanistan – including the burning of Korans at a NATO base and the massacre of 17 civilians by a U.S. soldier – and vowed that there would be more such attacks. Heavy fighting erupted again more than five hours after the Taliban first struck, as dusk was falling over the capital and as mosques were issuing calls to prayer.
Taliban said the main targets were the German and British embassies and the headquarters of the NATO-led force. Several Afghan members of parliament joined security forces repelling attackers from a roof near the parliament. Large explosions shook the diplomatic sector of Kabul. Billows of black smoke rose from embassies while rocket-propelled grenades whizzed overhead. Heavy gunfire could be heard from many directions as Afghan security forces tried to repel Taliban fighters. Explosions and gunfire rocked the Afghan capital Kabul Sunday as suicide bombers struck across Afghanistan in coordinated attacks claimed by Taliban insurgents as the start of a spring offensive. The US, British, German and Japanese embassy compounds came under fire as militants attacked the city’s diplomatic enclave and tried to storm parliament. Security forces moved President Hamid Karzai to a safe area. Taliban fighters, some of them dressed in women’s head-to-toe covering burqas, also launched simultaneous assaults in three other provinces of Afghanistan. In the eastern city of Jalalabad, they attacked a foreign force base near a school and a blast went off near the airport. The Ministry of Interior said 19 insurgents, including suicide bombers, died in the encounters across the country and two were captured. Fourteen police officers and nine civilians were wounded. U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker said it was unlikely the Afghan Taliban had the capacity to launch Sunday’s attacks on its own, and speculated that the Haqqani network – whose fighters are based in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area – were involved. “The Taliban are really good at issuing statements. Less good at actually fighting,” he told CNN. “My guess, based on previous experience here, is this is a set of Haqqani network operations out of north Waziristan and the Pakistani tribal areas. Frankly I don’t think the Taliban is good enough.” Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told Reuters initial findings showed that the Haqqanis were involved in Sunday’s attacks.
United States accused Pakistan of having links to the Haqqanis last year after an attack on the U.S. embassy and other targets in Kabul that it blamed on the group. The Haqqani network is one of the most divisive issues between Washington and Islamabad, whose relations were badly damaged last year by the unilateral American raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani town. The attacks in Kabul come a month before a NATO summit at which the United States and its allies are supposed to put finishing touches on plans for transition to Afghan security control, and days before a meeting of defense and foreign ministers in Brussels to prepare for the Chicago summit. The assaults appeared to repeat the tactics of an attack last September when insurgents entered construction sites to use them as positions for rocket and gun attacks. Witnesses said insurgents entered a multi-storey construction site overlooking the diplomatic triangle and behind a supermarket. There they unleashed rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, protected from the view of security forces by green protective netting wrapped around the skeleton of the building. Sunday’s attack took place hours after dozens of Islamist militants stormed a prison in neighboring Pakistan in the dead of night and freed nearly 400 inmates, including one on death row for trying to assassinate former President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan’s Taliban movement, which is close to al Qaeda, said it was behind the brazen assault by militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 assault rifles. Pakistan’s Taliban are closely linked with their Afghan counterparts. They move back and forth across the unmarked border, exchange intelligence, and provide shelter for each other in a region Obama has described as “the most dangerous place in the world”. Pakistan’s Taliban have said in recent months they would boost cooperation with the Afghan Taliban in their fight against U.S.-led NATO forces. Both the attacks in Afghanistan and the jailbreak in Pakistan underscore Pakistan’s failure to tackle militancy on both sides of the border eleven years after joining the U.S.-led campaign against Islamist militancy. Washington has repeatedly urged the Pakistani military to go after the Haqqani network, which is believed to be based in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region on the Afghan border. Evidence that the Haqqanis were behind the latest attacks in Afghanistan could hamper efforts to patch up U.S.-Pakistan ties between the strategic allies.
The Taliban said in a statement that “tens of fighters”, armed with heavy and light weapons, and some wearing suicide-bomb vests, carried out the multi-pronged assault. Taliban spokesman Mujahid said it had been easy to bring fighters into the capital, and they had had inside help to move heavy weapons into place. He did not elaborate. Afghan security forces, who are responsible for the safety of the capital, scrambled to reinforce areas around the so-called green diplomatic quarter. Attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade that landed just outside the front gate of a house used by British diplomats, and two rockets hit a British Embassy guard tower near the Reuters office. There was fighting at some facilities of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and near the U.S., Russian and German embassies. Attackers also fired rockets at the parliament building in the west of the city. Most MPs had left the building before it came under attack, said a lawmaker. One of several who fought back from a roof, Naeem Hameedzai, told Reuters: “I’m the representative of my people and I have to defend them.” Afghan media said fighters stormed the Star Hotel complex near the presidential palace and Iranian embassy. The hotel’s windows were blown out and smoke billowed from the building.
:Conference on Harmful Relationship between National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Unique Identification (UID)
Press Invite
Press Conference
on
Harmful Relationship between National
Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Unique Identification (UID)/Aadhaar Number Over a dozen Chief Ministers, including the Punjab Chief Minister, are opposing NCTC. But why are they silent on Unique Identification (UID)/Aadhaar Number? Speakers will share their views on the link between the two. Additionally, the Illegality of MoUs of Central Government’s Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) with Governments of Punjab and Haryana will also be discussed.
Date: April 16, 2012
Time: 12.30 AM
Venue: Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27
Speakers: Dr.
Usha Ramanathan, Noted Jurist, New Delhi,
Gopal Krishna, Member,
Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL), New Delhi
The conference will be followed by
lunch.
Organised by
Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL) & Indian Social Action Forum, New Delhi
For Details Contact: Gopal Krishna, CFCL, Phone: +91-11-2651781, Fax: +91-11-26517814,
M: 09818089660 E-mail: krishna1715@gmail.com
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation vehical on way
Government reaches out to Corporate India to participate in improving livelihood of tribals.
In
a first major initiative of involving corporate India in developmental
work, the Government of India has sought its partnership in setting up
the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF). Rural Development
Minister Jairam Ramesh has written letters to corporates like Tatas,
Reliance, Wipro and Infosys to join the Foundation as contributing
partners, to improve the livelihood of tribals, mostly living in Central
and Eastern India. Public sector NABARD and the National Dairy
Development Board have also been roped in.
“We have called a meeting on April 27 in New Delhi of all the stake holders, including corporates, civil society organizations and grass root level activists to discuss various aspects of the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation” said Mr. Ramesh, during his informal interaction with media in Mumbai today. The Minister said that the BRLF will be set up with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crores. “Government of India will contribute Rs 500 crores, while the rest will come from other partners.” he added.
The latest proposal, evolved jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Planning Commission, envisages a concerted effort by the Centre, the State governments concerned, and civil society to transform the lives of the tribals, living in 170 districts, of which nearly 78 have been affected by Naxal violence and have not seen any development.
The government hopes that such initiatives will promote inclusive growth by taking the fruits of development to the tribal population living in remote areas. Since these tribals have remained mostly excluded from the benefits of growth, they have become vulnerable to Maoist propaganda.
Asked about why the corporate should come forward to contribute, Mr. Jairam Ramesh replied that participation in BRLF will deepen their Corporate Social Responsibility activity, besides earning goodwill.
The Rural Development Minister clarified that BRLF will not be a government body, and instead run on professional lines, with a Chairman and a full time CEO. “In its structure and composition, it will be similar to the Public Health Foundation of India, chaired by N R Narayan Murthy,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Asserting that all the concerned State Governments are already on board, the Minister said the Foundation will focus on strengthening local level institutions, developing adivasi leadership and spreading the Self-Help Group movement.
The foundation will support developmental activities in the areas of watershed management, dairy, fisheries, agriculture, forestry, skill-development, among others.
“We have called a meeting on April 27 in New Delhi of all the stake holders, including corporates, civil society organizations and grass root level activists to discuss various aspects of the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation” said Mr. Ramesh, during his informal interaction with media in Mumbai today. The Minister said that the BRLF will be set up with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crores. “Government of India will contribute Rs 500 crores, while the rest will come from other partners.” he added.
The latest proposal, evolved jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Planning Commission, envisages a concerted effort by the Centre, the State governments concerned, and civil society to transform the lives of the tribals, living in 170 districts, of which nearly 78 have been affected by Naxal violence and have not seen any development.
The government hopes that such initiatives will promote inclusive growth by taking the fruits of development to the tribal population living in remote areas. Since these tribals have remained mostly excluded from the benefits of growth, they have become vulnerable to Maoist propaganda.
Asked about why the corporate should come forward to contribute, Mr. Jairam Ramesh replied that participation in BRLF will deepen their Corporate Social Responsibility activity, besides earning goodwill.
The Rural Development Minister clarified that BRLF will not be a government body, and instead run on professional lines, with a Chairman and a full time CEO. “In its structure and composition, it will be similar to the Public Health Foundation of India, chaired by N R Narayan Murthy,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Asserting that all the concerned State Governments are already on board, the Minister said the Foundation will focus on strengthening local level institutions, developing adivasi leadership and spreading the Self-Help Group movement.
The foundation will support developmental activities in the areas of watershed management, dairy, fisheries, agriculture, forestry, skill-development, among others.
Three villages 'boycott' Delhi civic polls
Voters in three villages of the capital on Sunday "boycotted" the Delhi municipal polls protesting against authorities' alleged apathy in providing civic amenities like proper roads and drainage in their area.
The
polling booths in villages of Khera near Kazipur, Ladpur near Kanjhawla
and Sanoth in Alipur wore a deserted look during the day.
A
number of people were seen outside the polling booths in Kazipur with
banners announcing boycott of the polls though officials waited for
voters.
"For
the last 30 years, nothing was done in the area. Candidates came here
seeking votes but after winning they never returned. See for yourself
the condition of roads or drainage," a local said.
Locals
say there are 1,280 voters from the village. "There is no difference
between parties. This is our decision. We took the decision after a
village panchayat. There is no dispensary, no facilities. Why should we
vote?" another villager asked.
Militants storm Pakistan jail, freeing hundreds of prisoners
BANNU: Unknown assailants stormed Central Jail Bannu with heavy
gunfire, emptying the jail of its 400 inmates, Geo News reported. Dozens
of police guards and attackers were injured in the cross firing
.According to police sources, unknown militants attacked Bannu Central
Jail with heavy gunfire. Rocket launchers were also used in the
attack.The injured have been rushed to district hospital.
Jail administration has asked for more police force to tackle the situation. Heavy contingent of FC and army have arrived for police assistance.
Militants stormed a prison on early Sunday in northwest Pakistan, injuring several policemen and prisoners, state and private TV channels reported.TV channels reported that hundreds of inmates also escaped after heavily armed militants lobbed hand grenades at the main gate of the central prison in Bannu, a main district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Bannu is located near the North Waziristan tribal region which borders Afghanistan.
After hurling hand grenades, the gunmen used automatic weapons and fired at the police guards. The attackers blew the main gate with grenades, helping the inmates to flee.
There was no official comment on the attack.The attack triggered exchange of firing between the police and the attackers. Dozens of police guards and prisoners were injured in the firing and were shifted to a local hospital.
>Reports said the gunmen arrived in vehicles and on foot and launched the attack. They escaped after the attack.The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Local TV channels reported that it is the first biggest attack on a prison in Pakistan.
Geo TV reported that nearly 400 prisoners, including those involved in serious crimes, escaped. Express and ARY TV channels reported that around 800 prisoners fled from the jail. There was no report if any militant was among those who fled after the attack
Jail administration has asked for more police force to tackle the situation. Heavy contingent of FC and army have arrived for police assistance.
Militants stormed a prison on early Sunday in northwest Pakistan, injuring several policemen and prisoners, state and private TV channels reported.TV channels reported that hundreds of inmates also escaped after heavily armed militants lobbed hand grenades at the main gate of the central prison in Bannu, a main district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Bannu is located near the North Waziristan tribal region which borders Afghanistan.
After hurling hand grenades, the gunmen used automatic weapons and fired at the police guards. The attackers blew the main gate with grenades, helping the inmates to flee.
There was no official comment on the attack.The attack triggered exchange of firing between the police and the attackers. Dozens of police guards and prisoners were injured in the firing and were shifted to a local hospital.
>Reports said the gunmen arrived in vehicles and on foot and launched the attack. They escaped after the attack.The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Local TV channels reported that it is the first biggest attack on a prison in Pakistan.
Geo TV reported that nearly 400 prisoners, including those involved in serious crimes, escaped. Express and ARY TV channels reported that around 800 prisoners fled from the jail. There was no report if any militant was among those who fled after the attack
Candidates disqualified in Egypt’s presidential race
CAIRO, April 14 — Ten candidates out of Egypt’s 23 presidential candidates were barred from running in the polls, the country’s election commission said on Saturday.Khairat al-Shater of the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafist Hazem Salah Abou Ismail, former Vice President Omar Suleiman, and Ghad Al-Thawra Party leader Ayman Nour are among the barred candidates, according to the Higher Presidential Election Commission.They failed to meet the requirements related to nationality, signatures and other aspects, said Farouk Sultan, head of the commission.
The disqualified candidates can appeal against the decision to the commission within 48 hours.”The decision indicates the honesty and transparency of the commission,” Ramadan Batikh, professor of constitutional law, told state TV. “It relies on legal reasons, not the public pressure or million-man rallies,” he said.
The commission’s decision will make Islamist Mohamed Aboul Fotouh, Freedom and Justice Party chairman Mohamed Morsi, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik the top hopefuls in the race.
Egypt is to hold its presidential vote on May 23-24, and the final list of qualified candidates will be announced on April 26.
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Gujarat Chief Minister sends letter objecting to Centre’s move to ‘Create a State within a State’
on April 14, 2012
Narendra Modi warns Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh against giving wider powers to BSF to arrest and search anybody,
anywhere in India
In a strongly worded letter, Mr. Modi objected to the unwarranted move, especiallywhen the Chief Ministers of different states are meeting in New Delhi on April 16, 2012.
Mr. Modi described it as yet another systematic move to ‘Create a State within State’ or a ‘Second State’. He recalled that he had sent letters to thePrime Minister earlier too, opposing the Centre’s unilateral and arbitrary move to create National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and give wider powers toRailway ProtectionForce (RPF) to interfere into states’affairs and jurisdiction and curtail their powers.
As mentioned in the agenda of NCTC, Mr. Modi pointed out that similar provisions are already available to CAPF like SSB, ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force). Some state governments have expressed their views and favoured the move.
He said that BSF has been created to guard our international borders with powers under Criminal Procedure Code to arrest offenders in border areas and investigate.
As per the existing provisions, he said, services of Armed Forces and Para-Military Forces are requisitioned to assist the civil authorities during natural calamities and other emergencies to maintain law and order. And these forces have stood up to the expectation in performing their duty. He said that Para Military Forces like State Reserve Police (SRP) also perform their duty with respective State Governments, but have not given any power to arrest or investigate.
On the one hand, he said, the Union Government expects better coordination among different intelligence units with the Forces maintaining internal security, and on the other hand attempting to axe the powers from the State Police creating distrust and demoralize the police, which could not be accepted in any circumstances
Sonia Gandhi at “Mati ke rang” function
UPA
Chairperson Sonia Gandhi speaks at the inaugural function of the silver
jubilee celebrations of the seven Zonal Cultural Centres of India.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi
inaugurated celebrations with the ceremonial beating of drums here on
Friday. Sonia Gandhi recalled that the first
Zonal Cultural Centre was conceived and established by late Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Patiala in November 1985. A choreographed
amalgamation of different cultural streams of India titled “Mati ke
rang” was presented. "
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurating the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Seven Zonal Cultural Centres, at Panchkula, Haryana on April 13, 2012. The Chairperson, National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture, Kum. Selja and the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda are also seen.
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