Asiad bid scrapped amidst corruption in CWG 2010
Food grains rot in FCI godowns across India
Indian Holocaust My Father`s Life and Time - Four Hundred Forty Four
Palash Biswas
http://indianholocaustmyfatherslifeandtime.blogspot.com/
The Indian government has rejected a possible bid for Asiad Games 2019 following reports of widespread corruption in the Commonwealth Games 2010. The Sports Ministry rejected Indian Olympic Association's application for a Rs 15 crore for the Asiad Games. The money was to start IOA's campaign for hosting the Asiad, postponed for a year from 2018 by the Olympic Council of Asia.
Oust Politicians From the Sports to Save talent and public Money!Indian sports has not got over the IPL Sexy Scam even after Knots between Handsome Shshi Tharur, the IPL Victim Ex Minister and Sweat Share queen Sunanda is just a matter of time. The Destroyer of Indian agriculture and Rural India, NCP DON yet another Maratha Manush Sharad Powar has been Elevated to the Post of ICC. Even a Sachin Tendulkar may not clear the mess. All Sports Assocaition have been Captured by Political Mafias to finish the Genuine Talent and launder the Tax payers hard earned Money. What is left is all about the cheer Girls. Now,Taking a cue from the highly successful Indian Premier League, India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has proposed introducing a similar tournament for football. It is learnt that Bhutia prepared a ''project report'' of the Indian Football League and held a discussion with AIFF boss Praful Patel a month ago.Model-turned-actor John Abraham is said to be lending a helping hand to Bhutia, though the India captain has no intention of buying a team if it materialises. A discussion between the two on an IPL-like tournament in football was said to have had taken place during the opening of a football academy in Kolkata. A Mahua TV Channel imported Fifa World Cup Golden ball winner Diago Forlan, world Cuppers Romario and Branco for Reality show only which would not contribute to Indian Football or sports in General. As the SKELETONS spill on streets from the Cupboards of commonwealth games, the Government of India is quite justified to refuse the offer to Host Aisad!It is Funny that Indian Olympic Assocaition Four Times head suresh kalmadi, another Maratha Manush, like Sharad and Prafulla, branded Aiyer just because he questioned the Laundering of Money in Lalit Modi style!
On the other hand, Sharad Power Batting Skills Exposed naked as Heaps of food grains are rotting in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns across the country due to apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned, reveals a right to information (RTI) query.
The finding shows that as on Jan 1 this year, 10,688 lakh tonnes of food grains were found damaged in FCI depots, enough to feed over six lakh people for over 10 years.
Between 1997 and 2007, 1.83 lakh tonnes of wheat, 6.33 lakh tonnes of rice, 2.20 lakh tonnes of paddy and 111 lakh tonnes of maize were damaged in different FCI godowns.
"The FCI godowns have enough space to store food grains properly. Yet the grains are rotting in open spaces on their premises while millions are starving. It's a national shame," said Dev Ashish Bhattacharya, who filed the RTI application on January 6, 2010.
The storing capacity of covered godowns of FCI is around 256.64 lakh tonnes and the total stored stock is around 218.35 lakh tonnes.
This being the overall status, the region-wise data across the country show startling facts that the stocks in FCI covered depots are less as compared to their storage capacities.
In northern region, the total capacity of FCI's covered godowns is 127.48 lakh tonnes, while only 111.22 lakh tonnes of food grains are stored in the region.
In southern region, the total capacity of the covered godowns is 57.39 lakh tonnes while the total stock comes up to 54.24 lakh tonnes.
In the eastern region, the total covered godowns are 23.99 lakh tonnes and the stocks held is just 17.10 lakh tonnes.
In the eastern region, the total covered godowns are 23.99 lakh tonnes and the stocks held is just 17.10 lakh tonnes. In the northeast, 4.48 lakh tonnes can be stored but the available grains are 3.50 lakh tonnes.
The western region statistics reveal that 43.30 lakh tonnes are the available total covered godowns capacity and the available stocks are just 32.29 lakh tonnes.
"FCI godowns have enough capacity to store large amounts of food grains. Why don't they stock the food grain and why there is a huge quantity of food grain damage? While lakhs of people are starving, the government should be squarely blamed for the mismanagement of foodstock," said Bhattacharya.
According to sources, sports minister MS Gill wants to see Congress politician Suresh Kalmadi out of the IOA, where he has held the chief post since 1996, before next year's Olympic Games bid.
- OC to take over all the venues by end of August: Bhanot
- I have opened a can of worms: Aiyar
- CWG sans stars means India team without Sachin: Ghosal
- CWG corruption scandal: Randhir wants OC Exec Board meeting
- Malhotra lashes out at Delhi govt for CWG corruption
- CGF slams Kalmadi & Co, wants written assurance on preparedness
- CWG organizers hired treadmill for 9.75 lakh!
- Delhi Games corruption furore seems political: Crosswhite
- http://www.zeenews.com/news645234.html
According to a source in the AIFF, they were not sure of the IFL which has been proposed in a six-week period after the end of I-League. "We are not sure whether there has been a presentation on this .
But we hear Bhutia had a talk with Patel on this. A lot of modalities need to be worked out," the source said.
Bhutia was said to have proposed an iconic player that would cost the team approximately Rs 1.5 crore. AIFF Vice-President, Subrata Dutta, said, "There has been a proposal.
But we need to see whether it can be fit into the football season. It''s still early to say.
" Bhutia was not available for comment.
Meanwhile,the Indian High Commission here refused to join issue with Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi over the controversy involving a London-based firm hired for the baton relay ceremony. At a press conference in New Delhi, Kalmadi provided emails to substantiate his claim that the controversial A K Films was hired on the basis of recommendation made by Raju Sebastian, a junior ranking official in the High Commision.
For most of the day, the High Commission remained tight-lipped over the affair while the Press secretary, Ms Subhashini, was said to be on leave. In her absence, Rabish Kumar, an official acting as the spokesman said, the High Commission was examining all aspects of the matter, but refused to say anything further.
Kalmadi had refuted the High Commission''s earlier claim that it had not made any recommendations, and asserted that the recommendation came from Raju Sebastian. Kalmadi had said: "The Organising Committee would like to clarify that we had written to Mr Vikrant Ratan, the first secretary (Protocol) of the Indian High Commission, to provide us the list of agencies for transportation, accommodation and other services and their approved rates.
"In response, Mr Raju Sebastian of the Protocol Division of the Indian High Commission, giving reference to our mail to the First Secretary Vikrant Ratan, informed that the approved vendors for transport are AM Car and Van and the Chauffeur Company," Kalmadi stated. Kalmadi, also the Indian Olympic Association President, said the rates were also approved by the High Commission.
"He (Sebastian) also indicated the approved rates of the High Commission for accommodation and transportation. "In view of the clarification which clearly indicates that the Indian High Commission had recommended AM Car and Vans to the Organising Committee for QBR Launch Function at London, it is requested that the factual position in projected," Kalmadi said.
CWG corruption gets murkier, treadmill hired for Rs 10 lakh
2 Aug 2010, 0735 hrs IST,Rohini Singh,ET Bureau
If you discovered that they are paying Rs 9,75,000 in taxpayer money just to hire a treadmill for a month and a half, would you not be exercised by it?
If you are, you may want to rest a little and recover your poise. How about on a chair being hired by Mr Kalmadi and his cohorts at Rs 8,378 apiece? Or how about cooling yourself off with a drink from a 100-litre refrigerator which the Congress politician and his colleagues are hiring for Rs 42,202 each?
The deals for the chairs, treadmills and refrigerators are just a sampling of the common-sense-defying contracts that have been awarded for Delhi 2010, which is less than two months away and enveloped in a thick cloak of scandal. Mr Kalmadi has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he has nothing to do with the projects that have attracted the attention of the Central Vigilance Commission.
But the deals for the overlays — the treadmills, chairs, refrigerators and suchlike that form part of the temporary infrastructure meant only for the duration of the Games — have Mr Kalmadi's fingerprints on them. They have been cleared by the Organising Committee, of which he is the chairman.
The overlays deals total about Rs 650 crore and have been awarded to four contractors, three of them having an Indian and foreign partner each. The most lucrative deals, worth Rs 230 crore, have gone to the PICO-Deepali consortium, documents in possession of ET show.
Deepali Design and Exhibits, the Indian partner, is founded by Vinay Mittal, the nephew of BJP's 'tentwallah' Sudhanshu Mittal. Other companies which have won contracts include GL Meroform, Nussli, a Swiss firm, and the ESG Arena D Art Indo consortium.
Organising panel defends rates
While Nussli told ET in an emailed response that it has been asked by its client not to speak on rates, Meroform said they were high because of the premium nature of the products. "Our rates are standard rates on major international sporting events. They include delivery, installation, testing, maintenance, dismantling, removal, and shipping where applicable," says Rupna Bino of Meroform. D Art India did not comment on its role in supplying the major overlays apart from saying it was providing "local support". The company did not elaborate on what it meant by this.
The organising panel sees nothing incongruous about the deals. Lalit Bhanot, the spokesman for the games and secretary of the panel, reasoned that "one of the companies that is supplying to us has assured us that their rates for the Commonwealth Games in India are lower than what they are charging for the London Olympics in 2012". Moreover, Mr Bhanot and his aides argued, a lot of new equipment has been purchased for the main stadium and is being rented to Delhi 2010.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Officials' morale hit by CVC report on CWG corruption: Mehta
The CVC's report on widescale corruption and alleged irregularities in several Games' projects has affected the "morale" of the city Government officials who have been involved in the works, a top official said.Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, rejecting the CVC findings, said "unnecessarily panic has been created" which has affected the enthusiasm of the officials who are associated with the implementation of the projects.
He said all the officials involved in Games projects were asked by the Government to carry on with their duties without any fear or apprehension.
"It (the CVC report) has affected them. I told them to carry on with their work so that all the projects could be completed on time and we could host the event successfully," he said.
The CVC report says almost all organisations executing infrastructure works for Commonwealth Games have flouted rules in tenders and increased their prices, suggesting that contractors have been paid more than what is the right price.
Delhi Government's Public Works Department has been implementing a host of key infrastructure projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore.
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Six of them are being implemented by Public Works Department (PWD), three by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), two each by Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and one by RITES, a Government of India Enterprise, the report said.
The CVC has sent its report to all central government and Delhi government departments responsible for handling the works.
Last week, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had said action, if any, would be taken after conclusion of the mega event.
According to the CVC report, "Almost all the organisations executing works for Commonwealth Games have considered inadmissible factors to jack-up the reasonable price to justify award of work at quoted rates citing urgent or emergent circumstances."
45% Indians will live in cities by 2050: NCAER
About 45 percent of the country's population will be residing in urban cities and towns by 2050, up from 30 percent now, nullifying the 'India lives in villages' concept, says a study by thinktank NCAER."On a conservative estimate, 45 percent of Indians would be living in towns and cities by 2050. This means that 379 million people may be added to the urban space over the next 40 years," the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) said in its report 'How India Earns Spends and Saves'.
"It is often said that India lives in villages. With nearly 70 percent of the country's population residing in over 6.20 lakh villages, rural India continues to wield a huge influence over the country's policy makers," it added.
The study estimates reveal that the size of rural India is shrinking and 379 million people will be added over the next 40 years, indicating a rapid shift from rural to urban living.
Urban areas include all places with a municipality or a corporation, besides having a minimum population of 5,000 and about 75 percent of the male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits.
"India simply cannot afford urban development to languish... India needs to place urban development -- particularly infrastructure -- squarely alongside rural priorities, recognising in part that both are interdependent," the NCAER report said.
India's top 20 cities account for just 10 percent of the country's population, but earn 31 percent of its income, spend 21 percent and are responsible for 60 percent of the surplus income, it said.
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While nearly 25 percent of urban population lived in cities with a population of one lakh in 1901, the number increased to 45 percent in 1951 and 69 percent in 2001.
The NCAER noted that the country's savings would grow only with further urbanisation.
While the urban population accounts for 67 percent of the country's surplus income, rural India accounts for only a third.
"India's savings can grow only as the country's urbanisation progresses... the promise of creating more urban centres would be a more effective way to progress rural India," it said.
PTI
Will like to know the truth: Cong on issue of CWG corruption
Amid allegations of corruption in Commonwealth Games projects, Congress today said it would certainly like to know "the truth" and asserted that anyone found guilty should be punished. "The country as a whole as well as my party would certainly like to know what is truth of the matter.complete truth should come out by investigation and if any wrong-doing has been done, the perpetrators and the guilty should be punished. At this point it is only allegation," party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said at the AICC briefing.
The party spokesperson at the same time maintained that it is extremely important to make the Commonwealth Games a great success as it "showcases India". Natarajan said that the party is sure that the government would look into the matter.
The Central Vigilance Commission has found serious discrepancies like award of works at higher rates to bidders, poor quality of construction and grant of work to ineligible agencies in different Games-related construction works being carried out by various departments in the capital. As per the assessment report prepared by CVC''s Chief Technical Examination Wing, large-scale procedural violations, including corruption, have been noticed in 14 projects.
Get safety certificate before moving into stadiums, CGOC told
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive officer Mike Hooper Monday sought clarification from the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) on the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report on the safety of the venues and also asked it to get a safety certificate from the venue owners before taking over the stadiums.Talking to IANS, Hooper said: 'The CGF is concerned with the CVC report and the organising committee has been asked to clarify on the CVC report. Basically, we need assurances as does the organising committee. We need assurances from the venue owners which are basically government agencies that all venues fully comply with the government of India laws, and all sanctions and sign offs on it are appropriately obtained.'
'It is an alarming situation and we will take all necessary steps to ensure a safe Games. But the onus is on the organising committee to make sure that all venues are safe for athletes and the spectators.'
Last week the CVC had put 16 Games projects under the scanner including the Games Village swimming pool, training hall, and athletic track, among others, which are the responsibility of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the renovation of Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and SPM swimming pool - Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the upgrade of Talkatora Stadium under New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and a few other projects undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Hooper said that the CVC report was extremely disappointing for the CGF with just two months left for the Oct 3-14 Games.
'We have read reports of forged certificates, leaking roofs, broken tiles and seepages in the venues and CGF is upset with all such reports. With two months left, the Commonwealth Games can all but afford such negative publicity,' he said.
Hooper said the CGF board will meet here Aug 18 to sort out the issues.
'We have to look forward. The organising committee led by Suresh Kalmadi also shares our concerns and at the board meeting we will be discussing all these issues. We have to make sure that all the protocols are strictly followed,' he said.
Randhir wants OC meet on CWG 'scam'
Concerned by reports of large-scale corruption in the Commonwealth Games preparations, IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh on Monday called for an emergency meeting of the Organising Committee's executive board.
In a letter to OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Randhir, who is also the OC vice-President, said that the meeting should be called immediately considering the gravity of the allegations.
"In pursuance to media reports published in a leading daily about financial irregularities alleged in the Queen's Baton Relay at the Buckingham Palace. Since the situation is grave, the discussion should be held immediately," Randhir said in his letter.
A major scam hit the CWG OC on Friday when it was revealed that a little-known UK firm was paid lakhs of pounds for its "services" during the London leg of the Queen's Baton relay.
Kalmadi had admitted that there was no contract under which payments were made to the company which was roped in "at the last minute".
Kalmadi, who convened a press conference to clear the air, said the Indian High Commission had recommended the name of A M Films, and "if there is something wrong there, I am not responsible for it".
"There is no contract between the OC and A M Films which was roped in at the last minute only on the recommendation of the Indian High Commission in London", he said.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly 2.5 lakh pounds for video equipment purchase while A M Films has claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
IOA vice-President V K Malhotra, a BJP leader, has also called for a meeting to discuss the allegations of corruption in the Games' preparations.
Press Information BureauGovernment of India
* * * * * *
SPECIAL COVER ON QUEEN'S BATTON RELAY RELEASED
Kolkata, August 2, 2010.
A special cover was released yesterday in Kolkata to commemorate the Queen's Batton Relay for the Commonwealth Games 2010. This was a sequel to a set of two commemorative postage stamps issued by the Postal Department when the Queen's Batton arrived in India crossing the Wagah Border. The Postal Department had taken a decision to release Special Cover on which these two commemorative stamps would be affixed, in all those 34 places through which the Queen's Batton would be passing through. At the end of the run of the Queen's Batton, an album will be prepared with all the 34 Special Covers with the commemorative stamps affixed on it, which would be displayed at the Commonwealth Games venue, from 3rd October to 14th October, 2010. This Album will also be made available in World Philately Exhibition which will be held in New Delhi between 12th February to 18th February, 2011.
sc/dk/kol/17:11 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Prime Minister's Office
PM Releases Commemorative Stamp on Janab Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal
New Delhi: August 2, 2010.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has released a commemorative stamp on Janab Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal on his first death anniversary in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister's speech on the occasion :
"I am very happy to release this stamp in commemoration of the life and work of Janab Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal on his first death anniversary.
Janab Thangal was a great son of Kerala. He was an influential spiritual leader and a widely respected politician, leading the Kerala State Muslim League for more than three decades. As a political leader he contributed to the first successful experiment of coalition politics in India in the form of the Congress – IUML combine.
Janab Thangal's genius was versatile. Apart from having a deep knowledge of Arabic Linguistics, he was known for his scholarship of the Sufi traditions, which represent the best of our composite culture. Thangal Saheb personified India's pluralism and commitment to multi-culturalism.
Though a great religious leader, Thangal Saheb will long be remembered as the voice of democratic secular principles and a practitioner of secular solidarity. During the difficult period of country-wide communal unrest in 1992, his appeal for peace worked wonders in Kerala. All his life, Thangal Saheb furthered the call of communal amity through his speeches and writings.
Thangal Saheb's life and work touched lakhs and lakhs of people. As an educationist, he helped establish and nurtured institutions, often bringing quality education to the most backward parts of Kerala. As a great philanthropist, he contributed immensely to the socio-economic uplift of the poor and the under-privileged.
The postage stamp that I have just released is a small token of our love and respect for a towering personality of our times. As we celebrate Janab Thangal Saheb's life and work, as we express our gratitude to a great spiritual and political leader, we would do well to remember that the best way to pay tribute to him would be to uphold the values and principles he lived by. The life and teachings of Thangal Saheb will always serve as a beacon, guiding us in our path and helping us strengthen our glorious traditions of tolerance, pluralism and secularism. With these words, I once again express my heartfelt thanks to the organisers of today's function for giving me this opportunity to pay homage to a great son of Kerala, a great spiritual and political leader of our time."
sh/vk/sks/dk/kol/13:05 hrs.
Opp. to demand JPC probe on CWG
The Opposition plans to demand a joint parliamentary committee inve-stigation into allegations of corruption in ongoing work for the Commonwealth Games, with Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi, Games organising committee chief, on top of its "hitlist".A senior Opposition leader said Sunday: "We have already given notices for a discussion on the Commonwealth Games scam. Now we will press for a JPC probe." The Congress will find it difficult to defend Mr Kalmadi as many party members are less than convinced about transparency in the utilisation of funds on Comm-onwealth Games projects.
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mani Shankar Aiyar was perhaps the first to fire a salvo against Games managers, including Mr Kalmadi. The Opposition plans to build its attack on the basis of the charges levelled in Parliament by Mr Aiyar, who is known as a "loyalist" in Congress circles.
Mr Kalmadi, who held a press conference Saturday to rebut the charges, was forced to issue clarifications again on Sunday.
'Mamata most incompetent'
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday came in for strong critcism from CPI(M) for the Uttar Banga Express-Vananchal Express collision at Sainthia station in Birbhum district. Senior CPI(M) leader Shyamal Chakraborty went so far as to brand her as the "most incompetent" railway minister in the history of the
department. "Mamata Banerjee is solely responsible for these railway accidents," he said. Mr Chakraborty blamed what he described as her "politics of gimmicks" for the spate of railway mishaps.
Criticising her penchant for introducing frequent new trains, the CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose said: "When you will flag off a new train every day without paying attention to the fact that you do not have adequate infrastructure to accommodate them, then such accidents are bound to take place," he added.
Taking a dig at Ms Banerjee's claim of foul play, Mr Bose said that if the railways did not have the resources for a thorough inquiry, it could seek a CBI probe. In other words, he wanted to say that the CPI(M) was not afraid of a CBI probe.
Mr Bose also pointed out that over 90,000 posts of maintenance staff of the railways were lying vacant. "Since she has become the railway minister, passengers' safety has been totally neglected," he added.
Scoffing at her aspiration for the chief minister's chair, Mr Chakraborty said that when she could not run a department how did she expect to run a state. The CPI(M) leader also criticised her for blaming others for the train mishaps. "After the stampede at Delhi station, she had blamed the passengers and after the Gyaneshwari Express accident, she had blamed the CPI(M). This time too she has raised the conspiracy bogey. Instead of admitting her own failure, she is passing the buck," he added.
The BJP also joined in the CPI(M) in attacking the railway minister for the increase in train accidents. BJP MP from Bhagalpur Shahnawaz Hussain said that God alone could save the railways.
CWG mess grows: Heading for fiasco?
With just 62 days left to go for the start of New Delhi's much-hyped Commonwealth Games in October, skeletons continue to tumble out almost every single day. Given that a five-year lead time was available, the manner in which preparations are being completed at this extremely late stage make for a sorry tale of procrastination, indecision and adhocism. Inevitably, those who hover looking for opportunities to make a quick buck under precisely such conditions are reportedly having a field day. The latest shockers range from unspecified payouts for the Queen's Baton Relay rollout in London — strenuously denied by organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi — to the far more serious matter of shoddy construction work deliberately concealed by means of false/forged quality assurance certificates for the many infrastructure projects taken up all around the nation's capital. If even a tenth of these reports are true — and there is no reason at present to suppose they are not — it simply highlights how corruption and opportunism of the worst kind are at play here. At stake is India's image as host to an international sporting event that might draw close to 10,000 athletes and officials from around the world. Given the scale and success of what South Africa pulled off with the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the focus will be sharper than it might otherwise have been. Adding to the mess are reports that four years ago the Delhi government had sought an exemption into any sort of investigation or examination of the work on the ground, which suggests that even then it suspected that all would not be above board as the inevitable rush began to complete projects. This is what is happening now, and going by past experience, the Games deadline will be used as a driver to set aside all other issues, leaving the question of punishment for the corrupt or merely inept for a later date that might never come. India is now striving to shed its image as a regional power and join the world's top table. It is therefore very much possible that simply ensuring that the Games go through with as little disruption as possible will be the priority, and related matters and problems that are mushrooming by the day will be looked on for now as distractions from the larger purpose. In doing so however, those guilty of flouting the law or even of inefficiency and sloth will escape yet again, as they have so successfully done for many years now.
Sharpen the focus to the Games themselves, and the picture is no better. Mr Kalmadi has repeatedly refused to take responsibility for delayed or poorly refurbished stadia and other Games-related infrastructure. But someone must carry the can for shoddy preparation and work. At an event to test the preparedness of the swimming venue, one young participant was injured by a loose tile — just days after the pool and playing area was handed over to the organising committee. This is just one example of how Games venues are throwing up problems, which ideally should have been spotted and sorted out months earlier, and not at this late stage. But when you have people at the top who are adept at passing the buck instead of standing up and taking responsibility, it sets a template for others to follow. So we have — and will continue to have — the spectacle of last-minute work and consequent problems, emergency purchases and last-minute finalising of contracts, adhocism on issue after issue. All this in the name of just making sure that the Games are held, regardless of the long-term costs involved. Greece is still paying the price of a similar approach to the 2004 Athens Olympics. Delhi 2010 threatens to be no different.
http://www.asianage.com/editorial/cwg-mess-grows-heading-fiasco-575
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Samachar Today (blog) - 21 hours agoGovernment today said that any agency found indulging in irregularities in the Commonwealth Games will be dealt with severely after the games. ...
Centre in damage control over CWG scam
The Hindu - Aug 1, 2010Hit by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the government on Sunday promised to take action against those found guilty even as another ...BJP demands CM's ouster, CBI probe, but after Games
Expressindia.com - Jul 30, 2010New Delhi With the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) finding irregularities in execution of Commonwealth Games-related projects, the BJP demanded CBI probe ...CWG: BJP to launch stir seeking probe into corruption charges
Hindustan Times - Jul 31, 2010PTI Seeking a thorough probe into allegations of financial bunglings in Commonwealth Games projects, Delhi BJP on Saturday said it will launch a vigorous ...CVC aks CBI to probe CWG contracts
samaylive - Jul 31, 2010In a move sure to embarrass Delhi government and Central government ahead of October Commonwealth Games (CWG), the Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) has ...
All deals related to CWG should be made public: Gill
NDTV.com - Jul 31, 2010"I think for all of us the prime focus has to be that in a little over 2 months we will be hosting the Commonwealth Games, which were taken in 2003 by the ...CWG scam: Sheila promises action
samaylive - Jul 30, 2010The Delhi Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday promised action against the guilty officials involved in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) projects. ...
Central vigil on Commonwealth Games
Mid-Day - - Jul 29, 2010As the D-day is nearing, the controversies around the Commonwealth Games are getting bigger and murkier. First it was the media that pointed out loopholes ...CWG construction: CVC asks CBI to probe irregularities
Economic Times - Jul 30, 2010NEW DELHI: Just two months ahead of the Commonwealth Games, bad news is piling up for the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre, Shiela Dikshit regime in ...Corruption Charges hit Commonwealth Games 2010
BreakingNewsOnline. - Jul 30, 2010Fresh corruption charges rocked the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010. The UPA Government at the Centre and Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government are in ...PMO asks for review of Commonwealth Games contracts
Indiantelevision.com - Jul 31, 2010Chandrashekhar has been asked to see why project headlines are not being met with just over 60 days to go for the Commonwealth Games, which start on 3 ...Cabinet secretary cancels visit to OC office
Zopag - Jul 30, 2010New Delhi, July 31: Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar on Saturday cancelled a visit to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office but officials ...
PMO intervenes, asks Cabinet Secy to review CWG deadline
Zee News - Jul 30, 2010Cabinet Secy Chandrashekhar, who was to visit to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office today, cancelled his plans of the same even as officials ...Reddy vows action on CVC report
Economic Times - 15 hours agoBlowing the lid off a massive scam, the CVC report says that almost all organisations executing construction work for the Commonwealth Games have flouted ...CWG mess: PMO intervenes
samaylive - Jul 30, 2010Stepping into the Commonwealth Games (CWG) mess, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) has asked Cabinet secretary to review the preparation of all ongoing ...Kalmadi refutes corruption allegations
samaylive - Jul 31, 2010The Chairman of Commonwealth games organizing Committee, Suresh Kalmadi on Saturday rubbished the allegations of financial irregularities in the ...Kalmadi rebuts allegations of financial irregularities
Times of India - Jul 31, 2010NEW DELHI: Strongly refuting allegations of financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Saturday ...
Cabinet Secretary cancels visit to Games office
The Hindu - Jul 30, 2010PTI Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar on Saturday cancelled a visit to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office but officials maintained it had ...
Day after report, Sheila stonewalls, CVC clarifies
Indian Express - Jul 30, 2010Under attack from several parties and agencies for the alleged irregularities in construction projects for the Commonwealth Games, Chief Minister Sheila ...
Emergency meeting on allegations of CWG corruption
Press Trust of India, Updated: August 02, 2010 18:07 IST
In a letter to OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Randhir, who is also the OC vice-President, said that the meeting should be called immediately considering the gravity of the allegations.
"In pursuance to media reports published in a leading daily about financial irregularities alleged in the Queen's Baton Relay at the Buckingham Palace. Since the situation is grave, the discussion should be held immediately," Randhir said in his letter.
A major scam hit the CWG OC on Friday when it was revealed that a little-known UK firm was paid lakhs of pounds for its "services" during the London leg of the Queen's Baton relay.
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PrintKalmadi had admitted that there was no contract under which payments were made to the company which was roped in "at the last minute".
Kalmadi, who convened a press conference to clear the air, said the Indian High Commission had recommended the name of AM Films, and "if there is something wrong there, I am not responsible for it".
"There is no contract between the OC and A M Films which was roped in at the last minute only on the recommendation of the Indian High Commission in London", he said.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly 2.5 lakh pounds for video equipment purchase while A M Films has claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
IOA vice-President V K Malhotra, a BJP leader, has also called for a meeting to discuss the allegations of corruption in the Games' preparations.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/sports/emergency-meeting-on-allegations-of-cwg-corruption-41541?cp
Delhi road rage: Youngsters ram car, abuse police and media
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: August 01, 2010 12:39 IST
Click to Expand & PlayThree girls and one boy were inside the car. The boy Nipun Rastogi, was behind the wheels at the time of the accident. All four appeared to be in an inebriated state.
One of the girls then started abusing the policemen who came to the accident site.
They reportedly threatened the police officers and also attacked a television camera crew and damaged one camera.
One of the girls picked up a verbal duel with a mediaperson.
She abused the man saying "Tumhari koi aukad nahi hoti ."
The police have arrested Nipun Rastogi as he was driving the car.
Aslo read: June 14: 8 children pay for Delhi's reckless drivers
May 23: 'Drunk' woman crushes 2 under her car in Delhi
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/delhi-road-rage-youngsters-ram-car-abuse-police-and-media-41243?cp
Shashi Tharoor, Sunanda Pushkar offer prayers at Shirdi Sai Baba temple
Press Trust of India, Updated: August 02, 2010 15:52 IST
Tharoor, an ex-minister of state for external affairs who resigned in the wake of IPL Kochi row, said he was making his first visit to the Shirdi temple and also tweeted about his experience.
"Made first visit to Shirdi. Extraordinary temple to Sai baba, who preached Shraddha and Saburi (faith and peace) hundred years back. Sabka malik ek".
Tharoor and Pushkar performed 'abhishek' (offering) at the Shani temple, which also attracts thousands of devouts.
Asked about the visit, Tharoor told mediapersons he had performed the ritual for 'family peace'.
Pushkar was seated to the right of Tharoor while performing the pooja.
Tharoor also tweeted about his visit to the Shani temple.
"Wonderful visit 2 (to) open-air temple to Saturn and Shani Shingnapur. Simple ritual in clean, pure surroundings. 1 (One) can nvr (never) know enuf (enough) of our culture," he said.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/shashi-tharoor-sunanda-pushkar-offer-prayers-at-shirdi-sai-baba-temple-41494?cp
Technical teams have moved into stadiums: Top CWG official
Technical teams have already moved into various stadiums to start work on overlays, though the venues will be formally taken over only after getting the mandatory clearances from their owners, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) secretary general Lalit Bhanot said Monday.Bhanot said the CGOC is responsible for the technical conduct of the Games and they are, in fact, ahead of schedule as their teams have already moved into the venues to work on the overlays and they expect it to complete by Aug 15.
'We have already moved our venue operations teams and they have started working on the overlays. There is no delay on our part. The technical conduct of the Games is our responsibiliy and we are on time,' Bhanot said.
'But we will formally take over the venues only after we get all the necessary clearances like safety certificates and fire and other mandatory clearances from the venue owners. We are taking full precautions.'
Talkatora indoor stadium is complete and it will, perhaps, be the first venue to be taken over in a couple of days. As and when we get completion certificates from other stadiums our teams will move in. As it is 700 of our staff are already functioning from different stadiums informally.'
CGOC chairman Suresh Kalmadi had said that they will not take charge of the stadiums until all the work is completed by the venue owners CPWD, SAI, MCD and NDMC.
Bhanot brushed aside criticism that there have been financial irregularities in the procurement of equipment for overlays.
'There are many committees, which has government nominees, who vet the contracts. And the cost is lower than other major international events like the Beijing Olympics and FIFA World Cup.'
-- Indo-Asian News Service
CBI moves curative petition in SC in Bhopal gas leak case
The CBI today filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court seeking restoration of stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which attracts maximum punishment of a ten-year jail term, against the accused in the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy case. The petition, settled by Attorney General G E Vahanvati, has sought reconsideration of the September 13, 1996 apex court judgement which had diluted the charges against former Union Carbide India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and six others."We have asked the court to reconsider the decision of the apex court which diluted the charges against the accused. We have sought a direction from the court to restore section 304 part-II of the IPC," advocate Devdatt Kamat, who drafted the over 500-page curative petition, said.
Besides Mahindra, Vijay Gokhale, the then Managing Director of UCIL, Kishore Kamdar, the then Vice President, J N Mukund, the then Works Manager, S P Choudhary, the then Production Manager, K V Shetty, the then Plant Superintendent and S I Quereshi, the then Production Assistant were convicted and sentenced to two years jail term by the trial court in Bhopal on June 7. The trial court verdict had sparked an outrage with activists and political parties seeking an appeal against it, maintaining that they had been tried under a less provision of law for the tragedy that left 15,000 people dead and thousands maimed.
All the accused were tried under section 304A of the Indian Penal Code which attracts the maximum punishment of two years'' imprisonment for causing death by rash and negligent act. The charge under section 304 part-II was diluted to section 304A by the bench comprising the then Chief Justice A M Ahmadi and Justice S B Majmudar.
In the curative petition, the CBI said the 1996 verdict diluting charges suffered from serious errors.
Promising shot putter Om Prakash aims CWG gold
Only the third Indian shot-putter to breach the 20m mark, Asian champion Om Prakash Singh is now aiming for a medal in the October Commonwealth Games after putting in a lot of hard work and praying for a little bit of luck.
Crowned Asian champion in November last year in China, the 23-year-old, who stands at an imposing six feet seven inches, wants to win gold in the October 3-14 Games in front of home crowd.
"I am shaping up well. I am confident, I will at least win a medal in Commonwealth Games. But my aim is to win gold, I can do it with a bit of luck," Om Prakash, who won gold with a throw of 19.74m in the just-concluded Asian All-Star Athletics Meet here, said.
Om Prakash, who is only the third Indian to break 20m mark apart from national record holder Shakti Singh (20.60m) and Bahadur Singh Sagoo (20.40m), understands shot put is one discipline which is tougher in the Commonwealth Games than in Asian Games.
"Competition is less in Asia but in Commonwealth Games it is tougher. Canada's Dylan Armstrong has 21.58m whereas my best in 20.02m. But I am hoping that I will improve my performance in Commonwealth Games and hopefully he (Armstrong) will go down a bit," said Om Prakash, who touched a season's best of 19.80m in Bangalore in June.
Besides Armstrong, Dorian Scott (20.55) of Jamaica is the only shot putter from a Commonwealth country to have crossed 20m this season.
Om Prakash said he will have to cross Shakti Singh's national record and throw the iron ball to at least 20.80m to win gold in the Commonwealth Games.
"If I have to win gold in the Commonwealth Games I will have to cross 20.80m and that means I will have to beat Shakti Singh's national record," he said.
"In any case, one day I will be the national record holder. I am just into sixth year of my career and shot putters keep on improving their performance till late 30s and even 40s," he said.
India, Iran inching closer on Afghanistan
Against the backdrop of leaked US military documents showing Pakistan's ISI's support for the Taliban, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi comes to India on a three-day visit starting Wednesday that will focus on coordinated efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.This is the second ministerial visit from Iran to India in less than a month and follows the July 9 joint commission meeting at which Tehran had relented to expedite India-aided Chabahar port that could deepen India's outreach in both Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Fathollahi will hold talks with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on a wide range of bilateral issues, including energy and economic ties. He is to call on External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
The worrying situation in Afghanistan in the wake of Pakistan's accelerated efforts to broker a deal between the Hamid Karzai regime and Islamabad-friendly Taliban leaders will figure in the discussions, well-placed sources said.
Rao is currently in Russia for foreign office consultations and the Afghan situation also figured prominently in the discussions.
India and Iran have been inching closer in their assessment of the Afghan situation and see a strategic advantage in coordinating efforts against the hardline Taliban.
The two countries had backed the Northern Alliance in days leading to the ouster of the Taliban regime in 2001.
During the discussions between Krishna and Iran's minister of economic affairs Syed Shamsheddin Hosseini in New Delhi last month, the two sides had decided to hold 'structured and regular consultations' on closer cooperation in Afghanistan. The Iranian side had assured India of accelerating the pace of work at Chabahhar port that will provide Indian goods an alternative access route to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.
The visit of Fathollahi comes against a fresh US warning to Iran to curb its nuclear programme that is suspected of developing nuclear weapons.
India has always advocated diplomacy to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and stressed that it should be resolved within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Mail TodayTharoor, Pushkar to wed?
SHASHI Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar were very much a picture of love when they showed up together for Anupam Kher's autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai at Epicentre Gurgaon on Friday night.
Is their joint appearance yet another sign that they are going to get married soon? The matter is now the subject of heightened speculation.
Pushkar was not around when the former minister, who's busy bringing the acclaimed Hay Literary Festival to his constituency, made his first public appearance in Delhi after a prolonged hiatus to launch psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar's new book, The Crimson Throne, at French ambassador Jerome Bonnafont's residence on July 23.
They were also seen together a lot more in Thiruvananthapuram, where they appeared at the Srikalahasti temple to perform a puja. Were the lovebirds invoking the blessings of the gods for their impending marriage?
Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2010. MTNPL. All rights reserved.
BCCI reserves decision on Modi plea
The BCCI disciplinary committee finally concluded its hearing of suspended Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi's plea for recusal of Arun Jaitley and IPL interim chairman Chirayu Amin from the panel on Sunday, but reserved its order on the issue. "We reserve our orders on the recusal application. Both parties would be informed of the order as soon as it is pronounced," a board release said.
Meanwhile Modi, who once again skipped the hearing, tweeted that the BCCI panel was asking for a recusal of one of his lawyers instead. "Just heard that the BCCI want my lawyers to recuse themselves! Shocked since the meeting was for committee's recusal," Modi wrote on his Twitter page. "People party to all decisions don't want to recuse themselves. But want my team who are presenting my case to. Is this how an enquiry is done?" he added.
Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi, however, refused to confirm if such a demand was indeed made by the panel. "The committee has clarified on the issue in this meeting, the matter is settled and we should not get into controversy," he said. "I think the committee will take a decision after considering all the arguments, counter arguments and a rejoinder by both parties," he said.
The BCCI release, however, clarified that Dhond, who is also appearing on behalf of Modi, is party to a deal relating to the WSG deal that is under scanner.
MLS stint has boosted my confidence, says Chhetri
India's ace forward Sunil Chhetri feels that his stint with US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Kansas City Wizard has boosted his confidence ahead of the national team's campaign in the Asian Cup.Chhetri, who arrived in India Saturday, has been allowed by the Kansas team to join the national team's training camp in Portugal for the Asian Cup in January. The striker will be on loan with the national team till January for the Doha event. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be compensating the player by paying him $75,000 for six months.
'The last three months have been very exciting. Playing in MLS was a great experience. It has boosted my confidence and I feel I have matured as a player,' said Chhetri.
Chhetri now wants to focus on the national team's camp and will leave for Portugal Wednesday.
'I just want to do well with the national team. Bob Houghton is a great coach and I am confident that the national team will do well under him. It is great moment for Indian football and the team will surely do well in Doha,' said Chhetri.
For Chhetri, his 21 minutes against Manchester United in an exhibition match last month was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
'I never thought that I would be playing against the Red Devils and also end up on the winning side,' he said.
Chhetri was impressed with the facilities and hoped that even if India had 10 percent of those facilities, it would have done a world of good for the sport in the country.
'The facilities are great and I can assure you if we had even 10 percent of those, it would have been great for Indian football,' said Chhetri.
Chhetri, who was left out at the last minute from the list of Arjuna Award winners, doesn't want to talk about the controversy. 'I don't want to comment on it. It happened when I was not even in India.'
According to a top official in the selection committee of the sports award, Chhetri along with defender Dipak Mondal were proposed for the coveted award. But Mondal was the preferred choice of the selectors on the basis of seniority and he became the first footballer to receive the Arjuna after a gap of eight years.
ADB to lend USD 222 mn for rural road development in 4 states
The Asian Development Bank will provide a USD 222 million loan to construct and upgrade over 4,700 kilometres of rural roads in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Chattisgarh. An agreement to this effect was signed here today between the government of India, the ADB and various state governments involved in the programme."Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a loan of USD 222.22 million under the Rural Roads Sector II Investment Programme," the Finance Ministry said in a statement after the signing of the agreement today. "According to the agreement the loan amount would be utilised for construction and upgrading of roads in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa," it said.
Under the programme, around 2,443 km of road will be taken up for construction and upgrading in Madhya Pradesh, 1,509 km in Orissa, 443 km in West Bengal and 312 km in Chattisgarh. This is the last tranche of the USD 750 million loan promised by the ADB for the Rural Road Sector II investment programme, approved in 2005 as a multi-financing facility for the states of Assam, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal, it said.
Ministry of Finance Joint Secretary Anup K Pujari signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Government of India. ADB Country Director Hun Kim signed on behalf of the regional development bank.
Officials from the four states also signed the agreement on behalf of the respective state governments.
Adani to buy Australian coal miner''s assets for Rs 4,200 cr
Adani Enterprises is likely to buy Australian firm Linc Energy''s coal assets in Queensland for about Rs 4,200 crore and an official announcement is expected tomorrow. "The coal deposits have estimated reserves of 1 billion tonnes and would cost the Indian firm an estimated one billion Australian dollars (Rs 4,200 crore)," a source in-the-know of the development said, adding that an announcement of the same could be made tomorrow."Adani needs imported coal to feed its coast-based power projects," the source said, adding that as part of the deal, the domestic diversified entity will also develop a port in Australia to ship the coal to India. Meanwhile, in a filing to the Australian Stock Exchange, Linc Energy said it "remains in detailed negotiations with a number of parties in relation to the sale of its non-core Queensland coal tenements.
We confirm that Adani Enterprises is one of those parties." The Australian firm added that the talks are at "very well advanced (stage), no concluded contract terms have been agreed with any party.
" Adani Power, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, is working on 4,620-MW power project at Mundra in Gujarat. It has also announced two other projects in the state.
"The group will set up another power project near Mundra with a capacity of 3300 MW and has proposed a 2,640-MW project at Dahej, in Gujarat. The imported coal will help run the facilities," the source added.
Last month, Adani Enterprises said that it is in detailed negotiations with a number of coal firms overseas for a possible acquisition. Shares of the company today closed at Rs 609.70 a piece, up 4.74 per cent from the previous close on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
India, Japan sign MoU on IFRS accounting norms
India and Japan have agreed to exchange human resources and technology, among other things, to facilitate each other in adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Corporate Affairs Ministry and the IFRS Council of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which the two countries will share each others'' experience on legal and regulatory hurdles arising out of convergence with the IFRS. "We also look forward to establishing cooperation between India and Japan in the field of human resources exchanges, IT, education and XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) development and so on," Corporate Affairs Secretary R Bandyopadhay said here today.The MCA, he said, will be signing similar MoUs with countries like Australia, Singapore and Canada. While India is slated to prepare its account books as per the IFRS by 2011, Japan is aiming for large listed companies to converge with the international norms by 2015-16.
The MoU, Bandyopadhay said, can also open doors for Indian chartered accountants to practice their profession in Japan at a later stage. On being asked if IFRS will prevent accounting fraud, he said that although there is no guarantee that business practices will be clean after implementation of the IFRS, it will "bring in more transparency and fairness, as it is the need of the hour".
India was represented by the MCA Secretary and ICAI President Amarjit Chopra, while the Japanese side was led by Noriaki Shimazaki, the Chairman, International Affairs Committee of the IFRS Council.
Mercedes Benz India logs record July sales
Luxury car maker Mercedes Benz India closed last month with a record sales of 521 units - the highest ever monthly sales in its 15-year existence in India.The company's record sales is driven by its popular E class models which found 212 buyers and sports utility vehicles (SUV) numbering 62 units.
Mercedes Benz sold 288 units in July 2009. For the period Jan-July 2010, the company has sold 2,922 units, up from 1,670 units sold during the corresponding period the previous year.
'July has been the best ever month in the history of Mercedes-Benz in India. Jan-July 2010 also has been a period of strong growth for us,' said Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz 
SKS Microfinance IPO sees strong demand
The initial public offering of SKS Microfinance saw a strong response on its last day for bidding as investors bet on its business model of lending to poorer borrowers in Asia's third-largest economy.
Most bids were at the top end of the 850 to 985 rupees ($18.40 to $21.30) price band, data showed, indicating a strong demand among investors.
On Friday, the last day for bidding for institutional investors, the total offer had been subscribed 10.5 times, with the institutional part itself subscribed 20.3 times.
Last week, the company allocated 3.02 million shares at 985 rupees per share to 36 cornerstone investors including the fund management arms of JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , Goldman Sachs, ICICI Prudential, BNP Paribas, Nomura and Reliance Capital.
The company has also drawn interest from investors such as George Soros, Sequoia, Kismet Capital, Unitus, venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and Infosys Technologies founder N.R. Narayana Murthy.
SKS Microfinance plans to use the share sale proceeds to augment its capital base to meet future capital requirements, which are likely to be fuelled by growth in the business, the company said in its offering prospectus.
The IPO, a first in India and one of only a handful by microfinance institutions around the world, has drawn keen interest from countries with major microfinance industries such as Bangladesh, Mexico and South America, as well as private equity firms that have piled onto the fast growing sector.
But it has also drawn sharp criticism from some microfinance institutions (MFIs) and non-government organisations (NGOs) who do not favour going to the capital markets or the strong flows of private equity that have pushed up valuations.
Citigroup, Kotak Mahindra Capital and Credit Suisse are the arrangers for the SKS offering.
($1=46.2 rupees)
(Additional reporting by Rina Chandran)
Call rate firms up further, bond prices decline
Call rates firmed up further at 5.25 per cent on the overnight call money market here today due to sustained demand from borrowing banks while government bond prices declined owing to lack of selling pressure from banks and corporates. The call money rate ended higher at 5.25 per cent from last Friday''s closing level of 4.90 per cent after moving in a range from 6.10 per cent to 5.25 per cent.The 7.80 per cent government security maturing in 2020 dropped to Rs 99.55 from Rs 99.97 previously, while its yield rose to 7.86 per cent from 7.80 per cent. The 7.17 per cent government security maturing in 2015 fell to Rs 97.90 from Rs 98.15, while its yield moved up to 7.69 per cent from 7.63 per cent.
The 7.40 per cent government security maturing in 2012, the 7.46 per cent government security maturing in 2017, the 7.02 per cent government security maturing in 2016 and the 8.20 per cent government security maturing in 2022 were also quoted lower at Rs 100.50, Rs 97.98, Rs 96.18 and Rs 100.40, respectively. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), sold securities worth Rs 2,520 crore from two bids at the one-day reverse repo auction at a fixed rate of 4.50 per cent while purchased securities worth Rs 18,935 crore from 10 bids at the one-day repo auction at a fixed rate of 5.75 per cent.
India celebrates 150 yrs of income tax department
New Delhi: India Saturday celebrated 150 years of the Income Tax Department in the country -- a period that saw the mop-up grow from a mere Rs.1.33 crore in 1860-61 during the British rule to some Rs.380,000 crore (nearly USD 85 billion) last fiscal.Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee kicked off the celebrations here by releasing a new charter for the Income Tax Department that, he said, seeks to meet the aspirations of the people of India.
Mukherjee also recollected that the relevant bill to set up the Income Tax Department was moved July 24, 1860 by the first member-finance of the Council of India, James Wilson, who also founded The Economist magazine.
"This act was precursor to modern income tax law in the country. On this very special day, the department should rededicate itself to partnering the nation-building process through progressive tax policy, efficient and effective administration."
The finance minister said Wilson was specifically sent to India by the British rulers to set up its tax structure, as also to introduce a new paper currency and establish a new financial system after the revolt of 1857.
He, incidentally, died a few days after the Council gave its nod for the new bill to set up the tax department. "His grave was recently rediscovered in Kolkata by an officer of the Income Tax Department and restored."
During the celebrations a short documentary on the 150-year journey of the tax department, anchored by actor Om Puri, was also screened at the auditorium of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).
This apart, an exhibition of paintings has also been organised to showcase the creative outpouring of officers of the department, and some celebrated artists, at the AIFACS hall here July 25-30.
Several eminent artists like Dhiraj Chowdhury, Ganesh Haloi, Prakash Karmakar, Jogen Choudhury, Wasim Kapoor and Sunil Das joined some talented artists in the department, including Bratati Mukherjee and Prasanna Kumar Dash, to showcase some 40 paintings.
IANS
Major scam hits Commonwealth Games
A major scam hit the Commonwealth Games on Friday with allegations being made that a substantial sum of money was transferred to a little known U.K. company from the Games Organising Committee (OC) about which the British government has raised questions.
Television channels reported that over £ 4.50 lakh were transferred through a British bank to the A M Films company, said to be a one man show and which was also receiving £ 25,000 a month.
'Times Now' quoted documents to show that the entire deal came to light when the OC asked for a VAT refund of £ 14,000 in March this year for the payments made to the British company.
The channel quoted a letter of the British Revenue and Customs Department to the Indian High Commission stating that there was no written contract between the CWG and A M Films and that no tendering procedure had been followed and there was no paper work regarding the contract.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly £2.5 lakh for video equipment purchase while A M Films had claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
Indian High Commission sources said the information provided by the U.K. authorities had been forwarded to the Sports Ministry for follow-up action.
"The U.K. authorities had referred some matter regarding A M Films to us. We passed on the information to the Indian government. The matter is now with the Indian government," the sources told PTI.
In Delhi, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar has conveyed concern over the charges as well as delay in preparations to the OC of the mega sporting event in October this year.
Mr. Chandrashekhar held a review meeting on Friday. It was attended by secretaries of agencies concerned, including officials of the OC, and Ministries of Youth and Sports, Urban Development, and Tourism.
His remarks come close on the heels of the Central Vigilance Commission asking its officers to re-examine all the tenders and procurement process related to the projects.
ED probing the matter
Enforcement Directorate sources in Delhi said the agency was probing the issue.
The company was involved in the arrangements for the Queen's Baton Relay when it started its journey from London with a function outside the Buckingham Palace.
Late in the night, the OC refuted the allegations about financial irregularities with relation to the launch of the QBR in London on October 29 last year.
"We must point out that we have not received any official communication in this regard," it said in a statement.
"We have cleared all the payments in October itself. We asked for the VAT refund and we got it" OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, who dismissed the allegations of financial irregularities, said.
"There is no money laundering and no manipulation. Whatever payment made has been done officially and all transactions are transparent," he told Times Now.
The British authorities have sought to know details of how A M Films which supplied cars for rentals was involved in supply of video equipment and providing consultancy for costume designing.
Keywords: Commonwealth Games, major scam, Enforcement Directorate, organising committee, probe
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