I know Prashanth Bhushan is very close with Arundhati Roy. She has referred to him as a 'comrade'. Also he has been supportive of the Naxal movement....brihaspati wrote:I have posted some tehelka reportage on the Bhushans. Is more available on their profile? We do need to understand all those involved in the Lokpal campaign, and what their motivations or future tendencies will be, isn't it?
Arjun Ji, this is exactly what i meant. We were just talking about it. Good find.What was initially showcased as an anti-politician front against corruption seemed to blur into an anti-economic liberalisation coalition as activists gathered today to show solidarity with lawyer Prashant Bhushan, a member of the joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.
Bhushan led the charge attacking the government’s economic policies since 1991, describing them as “precisely the reason” why corruption had become so pervasive in the country.
You mean someone like this one. She is quite eminent going by the biodata.brihaspati wrote: It only needs other "civil society" members to decide to "invite" his name.
Her husband is also there. He too resigned from Govt before taking up Social workAruna Roy is a social and political activist. She was born in Chennai in 1946, and worked in the Indian Administrative Service from 1968 to 1975. She resigned in order to devote her time to social work and social reform. She joined the Social Work and Research Center in Tilonia, Rajasthan, which had been set up by her husband Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy where she worked until 1983. She then moved to Devdungri, Rajsamand District, Rajasthan in 1987, and along with Shanker Singh, Nikhil Dey and many others helped to form the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS).* Aruna Roy is a prominenet member of many campaigns. She is one of the founders of the movement for Right to Information in India. The movement has been credited for getting Right to Information laws passed in several States, including the Rajasthan Right to Information Act passed in the year 2000. The RTI movement and campaign also played a crucial role in the passage of strong national legislation for the Right to information in the year 2005. Her contribution to the cause has been widely appreciated.
In 2000, she was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. Aruna Roy requested that the award be given to the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, but was informed that it was only given to individuals. She put the award money into a trust to support the process of democratic struggles. She has also been a member of different public hearings, tribunals and peoples commissions including the “Concerned Citizens Tribunal”, which investigated the organized violence and killings of innocent people in Gujarat in 2002.
She was a member of the Central governments National Advisory Council from 2004-2006, where she played a key role in incorporating strong citizens entitlements in the recently enacted Right to Information and National Rural Employment Guarantee Acts. She is currently a member of the National Employment Guarantee Council.
Aruna Roy, is a member of the MKSS, the National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information, NAPM, PUCL and similar campaigns
He is focusing on the right issues, but drawing the wrong reasons for the same...Bulk of the corruption today is about govt discretion on selling (or allocating) natural resources..the reason for that isnt liberalisation, but reforms not keeping pace with the market...The point on privatisation is also factual - most privatisation cases, some rightly some not so, have had a tinge of corruption...the reason for that, again, isnt the principle of privatisation itself, but the process (of course luminaries who advocate e-auction for strategic stake sale obviously think that issues in India related to selling "not to" the highest bidder - they should maybe educate themselves on the history of privatisation first, it would make their suggestions more meaningful)...Arjun wrote:Privatization to blame for Corruption
Compare this with the powers and procedures for the "aam janta" of "corruption" beginning item 8. So "non-judicial" background supposed "offenders" to be tried by "judicial background" members, as well as "non-judicial background" Lokpals - but the "diwan-e-khas" treatment for judges is to be rserved by being tried by a "majority" of "judicial background"ers. Of course how can you trust the H&D as well as proper "justice" being done - of the special super-human class of "supposed offenders" in the hands of lesser mortals!19B. Receiving and disposing complaints against Judges of High Courts or Supreme Court:
(1) Any complaint against any Judge of a High Court or Supreme Court shall be dealt only by the office of the Chairperson of Lokpal.
(2) Each such complaint shall be subjected to a preliminary screening, which shall determine whether prima facie evidence exists of an offence under Prevention of Corruption Act. The screening shall be done by a member of Lokpal, who shall then present his findings to a full bench of Lokpal. Provided that such full bench shall have at least three legal members.
(3) A case shall not be registered without the approval of a full bench of Lokpal with majority of members of that bench being from legal background.
(4) Such case shall be investigated by a special team headed by an officer not below the rank of a Superintendent of Police.
(5) A decision whether to initiate prosecution shall be taken by a full bench of Lokpal with majority of members with legal background.
You are confusing policy changes for personal (and some cartel's) benefit with the overall policy changes for the development of the country. What Narasimha Rao did in a visionary policy in 1991 was to take India forward. What MMS did during his term by supporting Raja's policy was for benefit of his coalition and for few chosen favourites. Was Raja's decision to continue policy of 2003 even though the industry had grown by leaps and bounds by 2008 a "lack of vision"? Maybe according to some known congress supporters here. But subsequent investigations have shown that to be deliberate and for personal/party gain. Wasn't there a letter floating around written by Maran/Raja that the PM had agreed not to interfere in the spectrum pricing? So was this too "lack of vision" ? The PM said publicly that due to coalition constraints, some decisions had to be made. So the UPA govt was worth at least Rs 30,000 crores to the country as per the CBI chargesheet. Was this again "lack of vision" by the PM?harbans wrote: ...
But simple policy reform would have saved and earned India so much. Not seeking the correct policy reform that lends to more transparency, openness and competitiveness and focussing elsewhere might not also be the right decision. Would you call that lack of vision 'corrupt'?
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I am not sure if the country is in agreement with you. In fact to most people bad policy == enabling mechanism for cartel looting.harbans wrote: Bad policy costs to country> Cartel looting costs to country so far..
With the spectre of another 2G-like scam haunting the Manmohan Singh government, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Jaipal Reddy met the Prime Minister on Tuesday and is understood to have discussed the implications of the draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the irregularities it has unearthed in the Krishna-Godavari basin gas operations of Reliance Industries Ltd.
The CAG has come down heavily on the working of the Petroleum Ministry as well as the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and their “dubious role'' in giving “undue benefit” to Mukesh Ambani's RIL.
Coming out of the meeting, Mr. Reddy refused to comment but sources said the Petroleum Minister had requested a meeting with the Prime Minister on Monday and was granted the same for Tuesday morning.
Mr. Reddy's meeting with Dr. Singh assumes political significance as the CAG has pointed to a massive but as yet “unquantifiable'' loss to the national exchequer due to the “bending of rules'' to oblige RIL. The company has claimed a capital expenditure (capex) of Rs. 45,000 crore for two phases of the KG-D6 block, a higher figure than it had initially suggested. The CAG noted that the government's financial take will be adversely impacted by increases in capex but, unlike in the case of the 2G scam, it has declined to estimate the losses involved.
On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party cited the draft CAG findings on KG gas as further evidence of the UPA government's “corruption” but stopped short of asking for a criminal investigation or indeed the head of Murli Deora, who was Oil Minister at the time this “undue benefit” was granted to RIL. Mr. Deora was moved out of the Ministry in January and is currently Corporate Affairs Minister.
Apart from the CAG draft report, both Dr. Singh and Mr. Reddy are understood to have also discussed the issue of a hike in prices of diesel, LPG and kerosene to offset the massive losses being faced by the oil marketing companies. Mr. Reddy is understood to have urged an early decision.
Oil Ministry officials say they are looking into various aspects of the CAG report and would need at least 5 to 6 weeks to submit their reply. Interestingly, the CAG has asked for the Ministry's comments in two weeks. “If the time frame being talked about by the Ministry is correct, the report might not be tabled during the monsoon session of Parliament next month,'' a senior official said.
The role of the then Director General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), V.K. Sibal —criticised by the CAG for his functioning in the KG basin management committee — is already being probed by the CBI. On Tuesday, officials said Mr. Sibal was back in the Ministry in an attempt to explain his position on the KG-D6 approvals. The CAG had charged the DGH with favouring RIL by allowing it to double the KG-D6 gas field's capital costs.
DGH is also known for not certifying new discoveries thus costing $ to public.The role of the then Director General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), V.K. Sibal —criticised by the CAG for his functioning in the KG basin management committee — is already being probed by the CBI. On Tuesday, officials said Mr. Sibal was back in the Ministry in an attempt to explain his position on the KG-D6 approvals. The CAG had charged the DGH with favouring RIL by allowing it to double the KG-D6 gas field's capital costs.
What you are saying is people are not angry enough at the politics and corruption, but are angry because they have not been included in the growth. I agree to that point to only some extent. If prosperity were the yardstick, yes sure Indians and for that matter many billions on this planet enjoy a better lifestyle than what humans enjoyed hundreds of years ago. But as the saying goes "Kuch Paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai" {I hope I got my Hindi in English right}. But let me ask you, month after month we hear scam after scam. Doesn't it make you wonder "WTF?" Granted, the person toiling hard on the fields is more concerned about monsoons, irrigation, selling his produce etc; the elite like us should definitely sit and say "WTF?". Once we exclaim then we can discuss about what could be done. But you are refusing to say "WTF?" Are you against profanitysomnath wrote: Separately, I am astonished at the tenor of "gloom and doom" and despair in the narrative...Sure we have increasing anger against the government on corruption, but this anger isnt a desparate flail to engender a revolution...It is an "aspirational anger", if I may use that term...People are more prosperous than before, and want the politicians to ensure that growth continues unabated..
I am not sure what you imply there. Are you saying because we have to keep our growth high and continue to improve, we should not highlight corruption in INC and the country?Frequent headlines of corruption does not help the growth story...
Corruption at low level exists because people are corrupt because they need to survive. Corruption at the political level and business level is unadulterated greed. Simple. A person bribing somebody at the local government office to get a job done is doing out of necessity. A.Raja or Sonia are involved in scams worth crores - last time I heard they are rich and do not need the extra cash.Corruption isnt going to go away with e-governance, its just one of the tools...The structural issue with corruption is about residuary powers with the govt...And people are looking to whittle that down...Lokpal is what esentially?
Agreed. Once we, the people, have tasted success we will expect more.And govts are being forced to be more responsive..Nitish Kumar, Narendra Modi, Naveen PAtnaik, Tarun Gogoi, Sheila Dixit - all being rewarded on performance...And others who are being ruthlessly kicked out - Laloo, Mulayam, LEft....There is a level of anger right now against UPAII, and if they dont get their bearings, they too will be kicked out...
I am not sure why we should look elsewhere, all I am suggesting is elections before the schedule and changing Sonia, MMS, Digvijay into people of "civil society". And they should be investigated.But there is no "gloom and doom", no "tahrir square" - India continues to be the hottest story around, the struggle is to ensure that it remains likewise...
Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday reacted to Congress's remark that "unelected despots" have been dictating terms in the drafting of the Lokpal bill. The Gandhian stuck to his trademark riposte that elected representatives are servants of people, and not their masters.
"People are the real masters of the country, something that elected representatives would do well not to forget. Election does not mean they are free to do anything they wish. People's views should be respected," Hazare said ahead of Wednesday's meeting of the Lokpal joint drafting committee. The meeting is slated to be held at 4.30 pm.
"We feel that the government has accepted some of our demands, and a lot more needs to be done. There is time till June 30," Hazare said, adding that "if nothing happens, we will see then."
He said the civil society will put forth their views during the meeting. And if their demands were not met, then they will start their stir again. Members have ruled out walking out of the negotiations, saying they will at best register a dissent note on the issue.
Asked about allegations that he was associated with RSS and BJP, Hazare said, "How can I put hand on their mouth (and prevent them from making allegations)? In my lifetime, I have never gone close to any political party. Every party is similar. Some are graduates in corruption, while some others have got doctorates in it."
Yes, absolutely - its tautological, isnt it?VikramS wrote:I just glance through the posts but it seems the latest justification being peddled is that the India's growth story will suffer if there is unrest within India.
Of ourse, I am saying "what the fornication"!SwamyG wrote:But you are refusing to say "WTF?" Are you against profanity
WTF that the best policy-making team in place since 1993 cannot take up the heavy lifting on policy required? WTF that India's "cleanest image" PM after LBS cannot pick up the microphone and communicate clearly with the people on what he is doing or plans to do? He only has to say it, his credibility will carry the message through...And given that neither is happening, I would prefer a mid term election, though I dont think its going to happen..Corruption at all levels is primarily a function of policy incentives and disincentives...Innate personal qualities are a contributor, but at a macro level, that exaplanation is a copout...I would repeat two examples I had quoted before...NAvin Chawla was apointed CEC - and he was a card carrying "mainowadi" at worst, dodgy at best, according to most...What was his conduct as CEC? Anything outside the book? On the other hand, every single incumbent in the telecom ministry since 1993 has been splurged with taint, except maybe Arun Shourie..Why? Simple, the instituional structures are designed for influence peddling, hence there are clear incentives built in for doing so...Unlike the EC...SwamyG wrote:Corruption at low level exists because people are corrupt because they need to survive. Corruption at the political level and business level is unadulterated greed. Simple. A person bribing somebody at the local government office to get a job done is doing out of necessity.
Naveen Chawla wasn't as clean as he is being made out to be. He took quite some decisions to help the congress, many including repolling etc. In fact, the then CEC Gopalakrishnan(? not sure of name, except he was from S India) wrote a letter to the president listing why Chawla shouldn't be made the CEC. When an EC retires, he can take some of the stuff he used while in office after paying a small amount. I remember reading an IE report which said chawla took bunch of stuff includingsomnath wrote: Corruption at all levels is primarily a function of policy incentives and disincentives...Innate personal qualities are a contributor, but at a macro level, that exaplanation is a copout...I would repeat two examples I had quoted before...NAvin Chawla was apointed CEC - and he was a card carrying "mainowadi" at worst, dodgy at best, according to most...What was his conduct as CEC? Anything outside the book? On the other hand, every single incumbent in the telecom ministry since 1993 has been splurged with taint, except maybe Arun Shourie..Why? Simple, the instituional structures are designed for influence peddling, hence there are clear incentives built in for doing so...Unlike the EC...
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Forget where I work, not important..But "foreign bank" sourcing half its capital from India? Well, there are a few such banks operating in India (who source only half their capital from India) - ICICI, HDFC, maybe a couple more - but they are not usually termed as "foreign banks"VikramS wrote:Do you by any chance work for those foreign banks who supposedly source half of their capital from India
I am for both (the latter is in the realm of fantasy, but if possible, yes) - but they need policy changes, which is what I am arguing for...VikramS wrote:I am not sure what is so disruptive about a national ombudsman or strict laws which force repatriation of money kept outside India without taxation, and against existing laws.
Liberals and those who believe in freedom of choice in all spheres, are in fundamental conflict with the illiberals and doctrinalists (a category that includes the evangelists for exclusivist doctrines, Islamists, Marxists and Mainovadis). If you have made your choice on this matter, suit yourself - but at least be explicit like I am as to which side you are batting for. If you need to debate the point further, there is a suitable thread 'Protection of Liberalism' - since we are going OT here.somnath wrote:IMO, most people want changes to be made in policy and governance, they are not looking to hang a bunch of mainowadis, X-tian evangelists, islamic types, Lefties and other assorted stereotypes (all in the govt) on the next pole...Thats the limited point..
Not sure how these adjectives can be so "liberally" (pun entirely intended!) doled out...Who is a "liberal"? Someone prescibing lashing as a punishment for alcoholism? Or homosexuality as a disease? Or abolishing all foreign products?Arjun wrote:Liberals and those who believe in freedom of choice in all spheres, are in fundamental conflict with the illiberals and doctrinalists (a category that includes the evangelists for exclusivist doctrines, Islamists, Marxists and Mainovadis)
A former Revenue Secretary, E.A.S. Sarma, has accused the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) of turning a “blind eye” to his repeated warnings about the “alleged irregularities” committed in auditing capital costs and allowing price and other concessions to the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in the KG basin and Cairn India in Rajasthan.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, Mr. Sarma noted that he had written a series of letters to him on the apparent irregularities now unearthed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General in its draft report on production sharing contracts.
“As usual with the PMO, not a single one of these letters has been acknowledged for reasons best known to it. A copy of my letter dated August 8, 2009, addressed to CAG on Reliance gas from KG Basin in AP, was also sent to PMO without any response. I enclose here [with] copies of all these letters for your ready reference and also for the benefit of the public, as what I had then stated had serious public interest implications,” the letter states.
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Answer is No, no (though the position is more liberal than saying homosexuality is a sin) and no.somnath wrote:Not sure how these adjectives can be so "liberally" (pun entirely intended!) doled out...Who is a "liberal"? Someone prescibing lashing as a punishment for alcoholism? Or homosexuality as a disease? Or abolishing all foreign products?
Well, talking of estimates, the most interesting one is put out by BR - 10 trillion dollars - that is a tad more than all offshore assets of all private banks globallyVikramS wrote:There are some estimates that almost half of Swiss bank deposits are from Indians. I presume they refer to the more secretive private banks and not your UBSs
Anyway, if all the black money is with the "smaller" pvt banks, and not the regular bulge bracket ones like UBS, "half" of their deposits might not be a very big number..If you are talking about "banks", no country allows deposits (despitist or otherwise) to be counted as capital...Capital and Deposits are very different obligations that a bank has, they are not fungible..VikramS wrote:And for those private banks, I would not be surprised if the capital base consists entirely of their despotist* base
It is not a function of population..Most Swiss banks have no business interests onshore in India (some, like UBS do, but it is very small)...There is no way India can arm twist a bunch of banks to divulge data that they dont want to, or their own regs dont allow them to..UN etc is rubbish...And jurisdictions like Switzerland, where banking is such a large part of the economy, is not going to acquiesce to it...We simply dont have the carrots (or sticks) to use....No one does, not even the US to force an en masse, indiscriminate access to and disclosure of client data in banks...Heck, without extensive proof and evidence, and a tortuous approvals process, case-by-case, we ourselves wont allow the US govt access to any data in an Indian bank!VikramS wrote:BTW I disagree on how they will get it back. If India wants it can start arm-twisting foreign governments and banks to get the money back. If a Billion people start demanding it, it would become hard for foreign governments to resist. India after all is one of the largest economy in the world. Start a hue and cry, take it to the UN, threaten, induce, steal
Harshness of penalty is not nearly as big a deterrent to crime as surety of conviction...Here, we dont know who the individuals are, whether the money offshore is at all "illegal", where that money lies (of the many dozens of offshore banking centres), whether enough data will be forthcoming even if all the above are somehow achieved thorugh a miracle (maybe we can invoke a miracle-causing Godman!VikramS wrote:There should be amnesty scheme where the identities of those who repatriate is kept secret (to preserve H&D). The only access to those names could be under high court sanctioned warrants which involve any further financial impropriety. Further the penalty for not declaring should be so severe that it spreads panic and fear. I am talking confiscation of all assets, including assets of children/family which can not be accounted for their individual incomes, jail time with a minimum of 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment, not only to the primary owner but also related parties who were involved
) to achieve a conviction...And announcing a set of penalties is suddenly going to scare people to come out and admit culpability?!The fate of a non-violent satyagrahi.Swami Nigamanand's pathology report says that he he died of insecticide which was administered to him during the duration of his stay at the government hospital.
The pathology report shows high levels of toxins in the blood and indicates organophosphate insecticide posisoning.