Majority rejects PAC draft report, Joshi walks out
NEW DELHI: After charges and counter-charges through unprecedented chaotic scenes at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) here on Thursday, 11 of its 21 members recorded their “vote” to “reject” the draft report on 2G scam circulated to the members by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday.
The majority that voted to reject the report said they intended to send recorded rejection slips to the Speaker as well as PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi.
However, Dr. Joshi later said as he “adjourned the meeting” to give himself “time to examine the allegations of some members that the report was outsourced and there were discrepancies,” the so-called recorded “vote” was invalid and illegal.
Sources close to Dr. Joshi said he could still sign the report and submit it to the Speaker, who would then take a call on the issue.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had expected to be on the side of the majority view in the committee and Dr. Joshi perhaps thought he could get the draft report adopted. However, one member each from the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, who had maintained a stoic silence, supported the Congress in rejecting the draft report.
At the very outset, in the morning, seven Congress members, two from the DMK and the members of the SP and the BSP (both supporting the ruling UPA coalition from outside) demanded in writing that the Chair allow a vote to reject the report that had “gross discrepancies” not borne out by recorded facts, and that the report was “outsourced.”
At the post-lunch session that started at 4 p.m., Saifuddin Soz of the Congress moved a resolution seeking the rejection of the draft, and amid chaotic scenes, Dr. Joshi is reported to have walked out, followed by the BJP, AIADMK, Shiv Sena and the Biju Janata Dal members.
The major point of contention then was whether or not Dr. Joshi adjourned the meeting before walking out. The ruling coalition MPs, saying Dr. Joshi did not adjourn the meeting while sitting in the Chair, and to “complete the democratic process that started with the resolution moved by Professor Soz, elected him to take the Chair, only for that session of the meeting.”
The same resolution was then moved by DMK member Tiruchi Siva, and the 11 members, including Professor Soz, individually recorded their “rejection” of the report. They said Dr. Joshi did not give any explanation on why he was not acting on their demand for a vote to be recorded. The ruling coalition MPs said the report was now as good as dead and could no longer be described even as a “draft report” as the majority had rejected it.
The draft report indirectly indicts the Prime Minister and his office for not stopping the sale of licences and spectrum at old prices determined during the NDA regime, when the situation was entirely different.
Reference from The Hindu.
Results out in record time
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Officials of the Pareeksha Bhavan and other wings of the Education Department have something to be proud of. They have succeeded in bringing out the results in a record 32 days after the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations.
As Education Minister M.A. Baby said after announcing the results here on Thursday, the credit goes to the collective efforts of the teachers, officials, and heads of departments who coordinated the entire process in a flawless manner.
The government agencies such as C-DIT (Centre for Development of Imaging Technology), IT@School, and the National Informatics Centre played a role in expediting the process.
The consistent efforts to reduce the time for announcing the results yielded result, a proof of the efficiency of those involved in the process.
The results were announced on May 13 in 2008, May 8 in 2009 and May 3 in 2010.
On March 27 this year, a day after the examinations ended, subject experts met for framing the guidelines for valuation of the answer-sheets.
Fifty-four valuation camps were conducted in the State from April 1 to 20. As many as 1,181 additional chief examiners and 12,225 assistant examiners worked under the leadership of 108 camp officers and deputy camp officers to value the answer-papers.
Yet another remarkable achievement is the increase in pass percentage in schools which have been adopted for enhancing the quality of education since 2006-07. Since the performance was alarmingly low in many schools, the government adopted 107 of them under the scheme called “Quality education, a right of students.”
Since the adoption, the performance of the schools improved.
Reference from The Hindu.
Spraying of Endosulfan State-sponsored crime’
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A rapid assessment of the effects of Endosulfan on cashew plantations, ecology, biodiversity and the people in Kasaragod, conducted by V.S. Vijayan of Salim Ali Foundation, has suspected that the human sufferings and loss of biodiversity caused by the aerial spraying of Endosulfan by the State-owned Plantation Corporation of Kerala in Kasaragod district would qualify as ‘State-sponsored crime'.
The study said the State was duty-bound to provide total support to the victims for life or till they recovered completely and could earn a living.
It proposed that a team of doctors along with a committed social worker and ward member concerned should conduct a thorough survey of the victims to ascertain their numbers and the category of health issue and decide on the kind of remedial measures.
The survey should cover the 11 panchayat areas where Endosulfan was sprayed, as well as the adjacent panchayats from where the effects of the pesticide had been reported. The impact of Endosulfan, if any, on the reported alarming decline in the population of Koraga — a primitive tribal community in Badiadka Panchayat — should be verified during the survey and steps taken to treat and protect them.
The team, led by Dr. Vijayan, proposed that a rehabilitation centre with modern facilities for treatment of all the victims of Endosulfan be established. A satellite rehabilitation centre could be opened in each panchayat region so as to make accessibility easy. The victims can prefer to undergo treatment under allopathy, Ayurveda, Sidha, or other branches of medicine. Further, a system should be established to physically support the invalid victims at their homes.
The victims should be offered appropriate occupation depending on their physical and mental condition, not primarily for income generation but for keeping them engaged. Monetary support to the victim's family should be provided on a monthly basis. As most of the families of victims had borrowed money from local moneylenders at extremely high interest rates for their treatment, a one-time waiver of loans should be considered. The study also suggested that each panchayat could be allotted 20 to 25 acres of land from the Corporation for setting up vegetable gardens and the same could be used as demonstration and extension centres of organic farming involving all stakeholders and beneficiaries, preferably families of victims. It recommended that rehabilitation centres and other support mechanisms to the victims and their families should be run by an independent society. Its members should include family members of the victims, local panchayat member and president, block panchayat members from the respective area, and the district panchayat president.
Reference from The Hindu.
Sai Baba did not leave any will, says Trust
PUTTAPARTHI (Anantapur district): Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has clarified that Sai Baba has not left any will on its property and activities.
The Trust asserted that Sai Baba had no bank account, flats or any other possessions in his name as “he was above the worldly possessions” and that the trustees would continue the programmes launched by him and monitor the day-to-day administration.
Refuting reports of differences among the trustees, V. Srinivasan, a trustee, said they were united.
All the Trust members jointly addressed a press conference on Thursday fielding a volley of questions on the understandings about the future of the Trust, medical treatment given to Sai Baba and reports of rift among them. The Trust would soon finalise the chairman, from among the members.
Cheque signing power
On delegating the cheque signing power, S.S. Naganand, an advocate and Member of the Council of Management, said Sai Baba had the power and he was signing the cheques till March 28. The need for signing cheques did not arise after his hospitalisation as they were issued once at the end of every month.
The trustees would together take a decision and nominate at least two of them for joint operation of the accounts, said Sai Baba's nephew and trustee R. J. Ratnakar.
The Trust strongly refuted the reports of gold bricks having been smuggled out of the Prashanthi Nilayam, claiming it to be “totally mala fide” and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Trust by vested interests.
On the value of the property, Mr. Srinivasan said it was inconsequential as they were not meant for commercial development.
The value was entered in the account books and the Trust had not violated any Income Tax law or the Foreign Currency Regulations. Legal proceedings had been initiated against a daily for publishing “irresponsible and derogatory” reports, he said.
Family's demand
Asked about the demand from Sai Baba's family members for broad-basing the Trust, giving them representation in it, he said the question of anyone demanding a place did not arise, as all the Trustees were handpicked by the Baba himself.
None in the Trust had clamoured for any position and “we are all here because the Sai Baba wanted us to be.”
The Trust was made a full-fledged body last year when Mr. Ratnakar was taken on board. Sai Baba would have inducted other members had he wanted to do so at that time itself.
Justice P.N. Bhagwati, also a trustee, said the Andhra Pradesh government offered its cooperation to the trustees to carry forward the mission of Sai Baba assuring them that it would not intervene in the Trust's affairs.
Among others who were present at the press conference were secretary K. Chakravarthi and members Indulal Shah and S.V. Giri.
Reference From The Hindu.
Disciplined Daredevils restricts KKR
NEW DELHI: Manoj Tiwary's unbeaten 61 stood out in an unusually circumspect Kolkata Knight Riders' 148 for seven against an inspired Delhi Daredevils here on Thursday.
It was a surprisingly disciplined Daredevils' bowling that added to KKR's worries. With Irfan Pathan coming up with a standout performance, getting an early breakthrough and picking up two catches, KKR failed to get any momentum going.
With the exception of Tiwary, and Ryan ten Doeschate, who came up with some late blows, none of the KKR batsmen looked in their element.
Tiwary, who smashed three sixes and two boundaries, held the innings together. He kept one end going and also rotated the strike in phases. However, the late-charge that was expected from a well-set Tiwary never came.
Disciplined line
For once, most Daredevils bowlers stuck to a disciplined line and frustrated the opposition. The absence of big partnerships was another reason for KKR's below par total on a batting strip.
From the start, there was hardly any sense of urgency in the KKR innings. Srivats Goswami and later Manoj Tiwary looked impressive by turns but the frequency of big hits remained low.
With Irfan bowling his best spell so far in the competition, Morne Morkel's off-day did not hurt Daredevils much.
Prized wicket
Irfan was duly rewarded with the prized wicket of Jacques Kallis. The South African, who struggled to get strike, hit two boundaries off compatriot Morkel before missing an intended glance off Irfan.
Goswami, too, targeted Morkel but fell to the first delivery from Ajit Agarkar, flicking into the hands of wicketkeeper Naman Ojha.
Skipper Gautam Gambhir struggled to get going and so did Yusuf Pathan. The duo watched, in turn, as Tiwary batted with scant respect to the bowlers.
Both Gambhir and Yusuf departed in attempting to send the ball over the ropes. Yusuf and Eoin Morgan fell to Umesh Yadav off successive deliveries but there was no stopping Tiwary.
Kolkata Knight Riders: J. Kallis b Irfan 11 (11b, 2x4), S. Goswami c Ojha b Agarkar 22 (20b, 4x4), G. Gambhir c Rao b Hopes 18 (19b, 2x4), M. Tiwary (not out) 61 (47b, 2x4, 3x6), Yusuf Pathan c Irfan b Yadav 5 (8b), E. Morgan c Ojha b Yadav 0 (1b), R. ten Doeschate c Irfan b M. Morkel 19 (12b, 2x4, 1x6), B. Lee (run out) 1 (1b), L. Balaji (not out) 3 (1b), Extras (lb-2, w-6) 8, Total (for seven wkts. in 20 overs) 148.
Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-42, 3-82, 4-105, 5-105, 6-140, 7-145.
Delhi Daredevils bowling: Irfan 4-0-16-1, M. Morkel 4-0-42-1, Yadav 4-0-29-2, Agarkar 4-0-34-1, Hopes 4-0-25-1 .
Reference from The Hindu.
PAC critical of PMO’s functioning
NEW DELHI: In a damaging report which indicts the functioning of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) looking into the 2G spectrum scam came down heavily on the PMO and the Cabinet Secretariat for failing to respond to the situation and taking corrective action.
However, the draft report was “rejected” by the majority in the meeting of the PAC held in Parliament on Thursday. It was held in the absence of PAC chairman M. M. Joshi.
Not sparing even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the report said the Prime Minister, wanting to keep the PMO at “arm's length” from the 2G spectrum issue, seemed to have given an “indirect green signal” to the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, to go ahead and “execute his unfair, arbitrary and dubious designs.”
“So far as the role of the PMO is concerned, the Committee finds that despite having noted that the Communications Minister's decision is not in conformity with the Transaction of Business Rules, which provide that ‘cases in which a difference of opinion arises between two or more Ministers and a Cabinet decision is desired shall be brought before the Cabinet,' the PMO did not enforce the above [mentioned] Transaction of Business Rules to sort out the differences between the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology,” the report states, adding that the PMO either failed to see the “forebodings or was rendered a mute spectator.”
“Concerns disregarded”
The Committee was troubled that the considered, imperative advice and genuine concerns expressed by Dr. Singh on the developments in the telecom sector in his November 2007 letter to Mr. Raja were just disregarded.
“The Prime Minister was, in fact, misled when he was informed by Mr. Raja that the issue of the auction of spectrum was considered but not recommended by either the Telecom Commission and also [or] not recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The Minister was telling half-truth, concealing the other half, and concealing his ulterior design,” said the report.
In further criticism of the PMO, it said the Committee was not convinced of the Office's reply that it had not received any suggestion to set up an Empowered Group of Ministers from the Union Law and Justice Minister.
“The PMO was very much aware of Law Minister's suggestions, but the counter-view of the Communication Minister got an overriding preference to the Law Minister's view for some unknown reasons, and thus no effort was made by the PMO to initiate the process of constitution of the EGoM. The PMO certainly either failed to see the forebodings or was rendered a mute spectator.”
“The Committee would further like to point out that the Prime Minister's statement that revenue generation has never been a primary consideration is self-contradictory in view of his own statement in the India Telecom 2007 conference that the revenue potential to the government must not be lost sight of as governments across the globe have harnessed substantial revenue while allocating spectrum.” The PMO is required to settle the “two divergent views” of the Prime Minister.
Reference From The Hindu.
PAC draft report puts 2G loss at Rs.1.90 lakh crore
NEW DELHI: The draft report of the Public Accounts Committee on the 2G scam has come out with yet another figure for the loss to the exchequer, putting it at Rs.1.90-lakh crore in the grant of 122 licences in 2008, dual technology licences and extra spectrum.
Interestingly, the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India put the “presumptive loss” in the range of Rs.57,000 crore to Rs.1.76 lakh crore, based on four different assumptions. On the other hand, the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took up the case after the Central Vigilance Commission pointed to gross irregularities in licence allocation, estimated the loss at around Rs.22,000 crore. However, the CBI revised the figure to more than Rs.30,000 crore in its charge sheet.
The PAC said the loss due to the grant of 122 licences to new entrants in 2008 was Rs.1.24-lakh crore. Further, the government lost Rs. 36,000 crore in the grant of dual-technology licences (to CDMA operators for offering GSM services) and Rs. 30,000 crore by giving the GSM operators excess spectrum (beyond 6.2 MHz of start-up frequency). The total loss, therefore, was Rs.1.90-lakh crore.
“The Committee notes with profound concern the nationwide public shock [at] and indignation over the gross irregularities in the allotment of 2G spectrum and the colossal fiduciary loss caused to the public exchequer,” the draft report said.
It noted that well before the CAG report was tabled in Parliament, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, in his petition filed in the Supreme Court, calculated the net loss at Rs.97,410.74 crore, while B.K. Syngal, a well-known telecom expert and former BSNL head, quantified it at between Rs.70,000 crore and Rs.80,000 crore, based on a multiple of indicators.
The draft report criticised Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal for questioning the CAG's figure and the calculation methodology it had adopted as being “without basis” and describing it as “a serious error on the part of the constitutional authority.” “The committee disapproves of the public criticism of the institution of CAG and Parliament itself. More so, the frontal attack was made by the Minister [Mr. Sibal] whose Ministry and his predecessor were under the scanner, and at a time when the matter was under examination by the PAC, obviously with an intent to confuse and create fissures.”
The report pointed out that while 2G spectrum was arbitrarily given at a throwaway price, the auction of 3G spectrum yielded revenue five times more than the base price. The two, the committee said, were certainly comparable, and the maximum loss occurred on account of the method of 2G spectrum allocation. Therefore, it was imperative that the government get the exact loss to the exchequer calculated instead of washing its hands of it on the simplistic plea that it was difficult to estimate the loss.
“The Committee further recommends that the government evolve a standard, fair and transparent procedure to avoid pecuniary loss … and recover the unlawful gains made by all those responsible for the staggering national loss.”
Reference from The Hindu.
Duncan Fletcher appointed coach
CHENNAI: The former England coach, Duncan Fletcher, has been appointed coach of the Indian cricket team for a period of two years. He takes over from the highly successful Gary Kirsten.
The 62-year-old Fletcher was a path-breaking coach for England from 1999 to 2007. During his tenure, England registered its first Ashes triumph in 18 years and recorded significant away Test series victories in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the West Indies and South Africa.
As a player, he stood out as an all-rounder — he was an aggressive left-handed batsman and bowled tight right-arm medium pace for Zimbabwe. The highlight of his career was when he skippered Zimbabwe to a stunning win over Australia in a group match of the 1983 World Cup in England. He led from the front too, scoring 69 not out and claiming four wickets for 42.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided on Fletcher for the top job at its working committee meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday. Eric Simons' role as the bowling coach was extended.
BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said Fletcher might not join the side during India's tour of the West Indies beginning early June. The new coach would, however, be part of the side for the full tour of England from mid-July.
The untalkative Fletcher, much like Kirsten, shuns the limelight. He has earned respect for strategic brilliance and out-of-the-box thinking.
As England coach, he shaped impressive partnerships with captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan. Fletcher has also played a key role in the development of Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. He has the reputation for backing ability, and not numbers.
Reference from The Hindu.
Stop making Endosulfan: Sudheeran
KOCHI: Senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran has said that public sector Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. (HIL) at Eloor should immediately stop the production of Endosulfan.
In his inaugural address at an anti-Endosulfan campaign attended by several persons representing social, environmental and political parties in front of the company here on Wednesday morning, Mr. Sudheeran said that HIL could diversify its product range while deciding to stop Endosulfan production.
He said the employees need not fear that they would lose jobs, if the production of the pesticide was stopped. The government should initiate steps to protect the interests of workers by evolving plans to produce bio-friendly pesticides at HIL.
Pointing out that Union and State governments should take the lead in announcing a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the victims of Endosulfan, Mr. Sudheeran said the company manufacturing the pesticide should also provide compensation to the victims. It should also be collected from the Plantation Corporation of Kerala which was responsible for the aerial spraying of Endosulfan in Kasaragod, he said.
Explaining that there was no relevance for any further study on the adverse impact of the pesticide on human lives, Mr. Sudheeran said the Union government should first ban Endosulfan before initiating any new study. He said the stance taken by the Indian delegation at the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva dented the image of the nation known for its continuing support for human rights.
Reference from The Hindu.
Incredible Ishant destroys Tuskers
KOCHI: A fiery spell by Ishant Sharma gave the Deccan Chargers a much-required lifeline in the IPL, almost single-handedly taking the Hyderabad side from a seemingly losing position to a highly delightful win over Kochi Tuskers Kerala at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Wednesday.
Taking a cue from the way the rival bowlers had spelt gloom on his side earlier in the day, the lanky fast bowlers was simply irresistible as he ran through the Tuskers top-order from wherein the local side found no way to recover itself.
Sharma finished with figures of five for 12 while Steyn returned with a three wicket haul costing him only 16 runs.
The target of 130 was something like Mount Everest to climb for KTK all of a sudden — or exactly within the first two overs. And, undoubtedly, what pushed the local side up against the wall was the spell from the hitherto struggling Sharma who found his wonted form at the nick of time by claiming three wickets off his first over — he had Parthiv Patel caught by Sangakkara, clean bowled Raiphy Vicent Gomez the next ball and then breached Brad Hodge's defence in the fifth ball of the brilliant over.
Brendon McCullum had been dismissed by Dale Steyn in the first over — the Kiwi was caught behind after fishing out to an outgoing delivery.
Then, Sharma neatly removed Kedar Jadha, trapping the batsman plumb in front with a delivery which straightened, and then completed his five-wicket haul capturing the prized wicket of Mahela Jayawardene off the last ball of his second over — the Sri Lankan picking up an edge off a climbing delivery and guiding the ball to the gloves of Sangakkara behind.
At 11 for six, it was all but over, and all that KTK could get was to get a paltry 74, prolonging the inevitable to lose by a huge 55-run margin and 3.3 overs remaining.
A good day for quicks
It was the seamers who had helped KTK to restrict the Hyderabad side to 129 for seven earlier in the day.
Jayawardene was quite specific that the wicket was going to be a competitive one as he won the toss and elected to field. And his hopes were again proved right as R.P. Singh gave KTK the much sought-after breakthrough reducing the Chargers to 10-2 within the first three overs.
Sreesanth, returning to the side, provided admirable support to Singh by bowling a tight spell at the other end. And when Vinay Kumar, who replaced the Kerala bowler after two overs, sent back Bharat Chipli after the openers Sunny Sohal and Shikhar Dhawan had returned, KTK was really on top with its rival reeling at 20 for three.
Sangakkara was lucky that a Sreesanth delivery that had the timber rattling proved to be a ‘no ball'. And the Sri Lankan made this bit of good luck count as he helped his side to recover from the early damage.
Sangakkara was all grace as he waited before picking up the rival bowlers and then launched the counter-attack with Cameron White lending him superb support. The duo, with Sangakkara turning aggressive, took the fight back to the rival camp as they put on an invaluable 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket before White, who was shaping well, fell to Vinay Kumar, caught by Jayawardene for a fine knock of 31.
Tragedy struck the Chargers again the very next ball when Sangakkara too departed, caught behind by Patel, after having made a brilliant 65 off just 47 deliveries.
The Hyderabad side could only add 19 more runs in its last three overs, losing two more wickets in the process.
There was cheer in the KTK camp but that in the end came too early as the local side was simply blown away by that terrific opening spell from Ishant Sharma.
No prizes for guessing who won the Man of the Match award.
Deccan Chargers: S. Sohal lbw R.P. Singh 1 (4b), S. Dhawan c Gomez b R.P. Singh 4 (9b), B. Chipli c Sreesanth b Vinay Kumar 4 (10b), K. Sangakkara c Parthiv Patel b Vinay Kumar 65 (47 b, 10x4), C. White c Jayawardene b Vinay Kumar 31 (34b, 1x6, 2x4), D. Christian b Perera 9 (11b), Ravi Teja (not out) 8 (5b, 1x4), Amit Mishra (run out) 0 (1b), Manpreet Gony (not out) 0 (1b), Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-3, nb-2) 7, Total (for seven wkts. in 20 overs) 129.
Fall of wickets: 1-3. 2-6, 3-20, 4-110, 5-110, 6-127, 7-127.
Kochi Tuskers Kerala bowling: R.P. Singh 4-0-21-2, Sreesanth 4-1-22-0, Vinay Kumar 4-0-25-3, Perera 4-0-30-1, Gomez 1-0-4-0, Jadea 3-0-25-0.
Kochi Tuskers Kerala: B. McCullum c Sangakkara b Steyn 0 (4b), M. Jayawardene c Sangakkara b Ishant 4 (8b, 1x4); P. Patel c Sangakkara b Ishant 0 (3b); R. Gomez b Ishant 0 (1b); B. Hodge b Ishant 0 (2b), K. Jadhav lbw b Ishant 0 (2b), R. Jadeja c Christian b Mishra 23 (35b, 2x4); T. Perera c White b Gony 22 (23b, 4x4); Vinay b Steyn 18 (19b, 2x4); S. Sreesanth (not out) 0 (1b); R.P. Singh b Steyn 0 (1b); Extras (lb-3, w-4): 7; Total (in 16.3 overs): 74.
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-2, 5-6, 6-11, 7-47, 8-73, 9-74.
Deccan Chargers bowling: Steyn 3.3-1-16-3, Ishant 3-0-12-5, Christian 3-0-12-0, Gony 3-0-19-1, Mishra 4-0-12-1.
Man of the Match: Ishant Sharma .
Reference from The Hindu.