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Confident of our victory: Buddhadeb

Washington Bangla Radio - ‎9 hours ago‎
Kolkata, May 4 (IBNS) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Wednesday said Left Front will retain its power in West Bengal. "West Bengal has already undergone four out of six phases of Assembly elections. So far, the way people have ...
Voting for Trinamool Congress means voting for Maoists: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Daily News & Analysis
Back at you Indian Express
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Nandigram dreams died young: Buddha

Hindustan Times - ‎May 1, 2011‎

Speaking at a rally at Heria, Khejuri, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "Ha ldia was transformed from a village to a flourishing port and an industrial town. We then turned our attention to Nandigram but the Trinamool Congress sabotaged our effort with ...

Chem hub decision was correct: Buddha Times of India

Want to make Nandigram another Haldia: Buddhadeb IBNLive.com

No mistake in Nandi: Buddha Calcutta Telegraph

Deccan Chronicle - Outlook

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Mamata takes dig at Buddhadeb for sharing dais with Basu

MSN India - ‎Apr 30, 2011‎

Howrah (WB), Apr 30 (PTI) Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today took a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for sharing the dais with CPI(M) leader Anil Basu who had come under fire for making derogatory remarks against ...

Battle royal for Hooghly Hindustan Times

Anil Basu on Buddha dais at Pursurah rally Times of India

CM ignores, then talks Calcutta Telegraph

Daily News & Analysis - Express Buzz

Two leaders voting, only one V sign

Indian Express - ‎Apr 27, 2011‎

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee both voted on Wednesday. He did not flash the victory sign. She did. The Chief Minister, his wife Mira Bhattacharjee and daughter Suchetana voted at Pathabhavan, a school in Kolkata. ...

Mamata rigging slur on CPM Calcutta Telegraph

High-voltage contest in Jadavpur Times of India

Anil Basu barred from the rest of election campaign Hindustan Times

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NDTV.com

78% turnout in third phase a message for change in Bengal?

Times of India - ‎Apr 27, 2011‎

... quietened into the silence of a bandh day in Kolkata and its suburbs on Wednesday as voters lined up in thousands to decide the fate of heavyweights like CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Trinamool's Manish Gupta, a former chief secretary, ...

Buddhadeb in fray in crucial phase III The Hindu

Kolkata votes today in 3rd phase NDTV.com

Bengal phase 3 polls: 78.3 pct turnout Washington Bangla Radio

India Infoline.com - GulfNews

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I expected Buddhadeb to quit: Chidambaram

The Hindu - ‎Apr 25, 2011‎
In a vitriolic attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his government's handling of the Maoist problem, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday said he would have "expected" Mr. Bhattacharjee to resign "and make way ...
PM didn't address Maoist issue: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Daily News & Analysis
Buddha hits back: Chidambaram has failed Indian Express
Crucial 3rd phase WB polls tomorrow Hindustan Times
Mangalorean.com - IBNLive.com
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Sify

Armsdrop reloaded

Times of India - ‎Apr 28, 2011‎

DANKUNI: As expected, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee seized the opportunity to make electoral gain from Wednesday evening's Times Now exposure on the 1995 Purulia arms drop on Thursday itself. Addressing a CPM election meeting at Dankuni on ...

For Buddha, it is back to industry in Nano hub Hindustan Times

Foreign powers tried to dislodge LF govt in Bengal: Buddha IBNLive.com

Foreign Powers Tried to Dislodge LF Govt: Buddha Outlook

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Calcutta Telegraph - Indian Express

CPI(M) leader's remark against Mamata unpardonable: Buddhadeb

The Hindu - ‎Apr 23, 2011‎

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Saturday took strong exception to senior party colleague Anil Basu using abusive language against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at an election meeting on Friday. ...

Left Front seeking 8th term in office, says Buddhadeb All India Radio

Buddhadeb censures CPM leader for abusing Mamata IBNLive.com

Bengal revels in garibi dikhao politics Express Buzz

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Rediff

Man posing as Buddha threatens voters

Times of India - ‎Apr 18, 2011‎

KOLKATA: The Election Commission on Monday directed police to investigate a complaint byBuddhadeb Bhattacharjee's election agent Bikash Bhattacharya that referred to a caller impersonating the chief minister and threatening people in Jadavpur. ...

Tatas leaving Singur hurt Left Front: Buddhadeb IBNLive.com

Fake Buddha calls up people for votes Indian Express

Descent of Buddhadeb Calcutta Telegraph

Livemint - Hindustan Times

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The government plans to hike diesel prices by up to Rs. 3 a litre soon after the Assembly elections in five states are over next week, while an equivalent steep increase in petrol rates is also on card.

"An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to meet on May 11 to mull on a hike in diesel prices," a top government official, refusing to be named, told reporters here.

A Rs. 3-4 a litre hike in the price of petrol, which had been freed from government control last June, is also on the cards immediately after polling in the last phase of Assembly elections is completed on May 10.

"Petroleum Ministry officials yesterday discussed with the Election Commission the issue of raising prices before Assembly election results are announced on May 13. The Election Commission is believed to have cleared the move," he said.

Meanwhile,An anonymous call threatening to kill Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee have prompted security agencies to conduct searches in the National Capital Region to identify the caller, sources said on Wednesday. The call made from a mobile phone was received at the Delhi

Police Control Room on Tuesday evening, they said, adding that the caller threatened to kill Singh and Vajpayee.
During investigations, sources said, the number was traced to be active in Ghaziabad.
However, they said, searches did not yield much result as the address used to procure the SIM card was found to be fake. The phone number, according to records, belonged to one Ram Avatar residing in Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar.
Raghubir Lal, Superintendent of Police (Ghaziabad), said a search was conducted in the area but could not find the address as it was fake.

Govt mulling Rs 5/litre petrol price hike

NDTV.com - Raj Kumar Sahu - ‎1 hour ago‎

The government is planning to hike petrol prices by up to Rs 5 a litre soon after the Assembly elections in five states are over next week.

India to hike diesel by Rs 18/litre to get par with global priceCommodity Online
EGoM may meet on May 11 to discuss fuel price hike Moneycontrol.com
India Infoline.com - IBNLive.com - Indian Express
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Banks turn the heat on loans

Hindustan Times - ‎55 minutes ago‎

At least four banks have raised their benchmark lending rates after Reserve Bank of India governor Duvvuri Subbarao, battling inflation, turned hawkish in his monetary policy by jacking up policy rates by 0.5 percentage points.

Loans to get costlier from tomorrow; 5 banks to hike rates Daily News & Analysis
BoM ups base rate, BPLR by 0.5 per cent each IBNLive.com
Business Standard - Equity Bulls - Economic Times
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हिंदी में
BOM:532648 - NSE:YESBANK

Globe and Mail

Don't keep cash idle in banks

Business Standard - Neha Pandey - ‎1 hour ago‎

Though the savings rate has been increased, it's better to keep money invested in higher paying instruments. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released discussion papers on savings rate deregulation last week.

Video: One giant stride Mint

POLL: Inflation worries to prompt aggressive rate hikes Economic Times
Moneycontrol.com - Hindu Business Line - Times of India - The Hindu
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Sensex ends below 18500; auto, IT, metals down

Economic Times - ‎4 hours ago‎

MUMBAI: Indian markets extended losses for eighth straight session as jittery investors continued to book profits on concerns that the central bank may continue to hike interest rates to curb inflation.

Sensex down 65 points; continues decline for the eighth day The Hindu
Sensex down for 8th day; Auto, IT under pressure NDTV.com
India Infoline.com - Business Standard - Times of India

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Ramdev said that names of all foreign bank account holders should be made public and high denomination currency notes like of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 be banned.

"Despite knowledge about it, the central government has not taken any concrete decision on the issue of black money plaguing the country," Ramdev said.

He is likely to be joined by social activist Anna Hazare, former police officer Kiran Bedi and Karnataka 'Lokayukta' (ombudsman) Santosh Hegde.

Ramdev said his supporters in India and from abroad will join him in the hunger fast at New Delhi's Ramlila Ground.

Vowing to continue the fight against corruption, Ramdev said a strong Lokpal Bill should be enacted by August this year, as assured by the central government after a hunger strike by Hazare in New Delhi last month.

Ramdev said he plans to write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, highlighting issues related to corruption in the country.

Ramdev reiterated this is not a platform for him to join politics. "I have no ambitions to be a politician and will never take part in active politics."

Ramdev is at present touring Mumbai and surrounding areas as part of his 300-day nationwide tour to teach yoga to the masses.

Officially on the EGoM's agenda is ways of mitigating the over Rs. 180,000 crore revenue loss state-owned oil firms have projected in 2011-12 on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene at current rates.

An increase in domestic LPG prices may also be discussed at the EGoM meeting that will decide on how the oil firms will be compensated for their losses, he said.

State-owned Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum currently lose Rs. 16.17 a litre on diesel and after adding local sales tax or VAT, the desired increase to make rates at par with international prices is Rs. 18.19 a litre.

The companies have not even raised price of petrol, a commodity which was freed from government control in June last year, in view of Assembly elections in five states like West Bengal and Kerala.

The hike need to take petrol prices to international parity is about Rs. 8.50 per litre, but the entire burden will not be passed on to consumers in one go. "Oil companies will be asked to stagger the hike over a couple of months," the official said.

Besides petrol and diesel, the three state oil firms lose Rs. 29.69 a litre on kerosene and Rs. 329.73 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder.

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum will "at current international crude oil prices lose Rs. 180,208 crore in revenues on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene below their imported cost in the 2011-12 fiscal", the official said.

The revenue loss, termed as under-recovery by oil firms, will be the highest ever, even more than what they lost in 2008-09 when crude touched a record high of $ 147 a barrel.

In addition, they lose about Rs. 8.50 per litre on petrol, whose rates have not moved in tandem with the imported cost despite its pricing being freed from government control in June last year.

"Losses on petrol are not included in the under-recovery figures for 2011-12 as it is a decontrolled commodity," the official said.

The basket of crude oil India buys had averaged $ 83.57 per barrel in 2008-09 and calculations for the current fiscal have been done at the prevailing rates of around $ 110 a barrel.

"The average price of the Indian basket of crude oil last fiscal was $ 85.09 per barrel, higher than the 2008-09 average when the government had cut customs and excise duty on crude oil and products to check the impact of rising international rates on domestic markets," the official said.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has refused to cut customs and excise duty on crude this time to protect his projected fiscal deficit.

"The situation in the current fiscal will be worse, the three PSU oil marketing companies are losing Rs. 540 crore per day on diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene sales," he said.

The killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces by itself does not mean an end to terrorism, which has many dimensions, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Polit Bureau said his death was a setback to al-Qaeda but would not result in an end to extremist violence spawned by fundamentalism.

At the same time, the methods used by the U.S. to fight the so-called global "war on terror" only worsened the situation. In the name of fighting al-Qaeda, the U.S. devastated Afghanistan and Iraq. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in these wars of aggression. "The fact that Osama could live in Pakistan for so many years points to the linkage between the security establishment and some extremist groups operating there."

The CPI(M) said the U.S. had enlisted Pakistan to fight the Afghanistan government backed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The Pentagon and the CIA had equipped and financed through the ISI people like bin Laden, thus fuelling the latter-day Taliban and jehadi fundamentalists.

The military intervention in Libya and the continuing war in Afghanistan showed that the U.S. had learnt no lessons. "State terrorism and fundamentalist terrorism feed each other. Unless the U.S. changes its approach of resorting to military force and state terrorism, the problem of terrorism cannot be tackled successfully."

Tight security arrangement has been made for fifth and sixth phases of election in West Bengal when Maoist-affected Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and parts of Burdwan would go to the hustings.

Apart from state forces, around 550 to 600 companies of central paramilitary forces would be deployed in the 38 constituencies where polling would be held in the fifth phase on May 7, Election office sources here said today.
In the sixth and last phase of polling on May 10 the number of central forces deployed would be increased to 660, the sources said adding aerial surveillance would be carried out by three helicopters during the phase.
A meeting of senior district police officers was held with senior district police, including SPs, DIGs, IGs and Divisional Commissioners of the concerned districts were held during the day to review the poll preparedness, Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said.
Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Debashish Chakraborty has been appointed special observer for the two phases.
Chakraborty would arrive in the state on May 5 and stay till the end of elections, Gupta added.

১৮ই শপথ নিতে চান ব্রিগেডে

মন্ত্রিসভাও গড়ে রাখছেন প্রত্যয়ী মমতা

জয়ন্ত ঘোষাল • কলকাতা

দু'দফা ভোট এখনও বাকি। ফল বেরোতে বাকি দশ দিন। কিন্তু জয় সুনিশ্চিত ধরে নিয়ে এখন থেকেই মন্ত্রিসভা গঠন নিয়ে ভাবনাচিন্তা শুরু করে দিয়েছেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়।
মমতা নিজে এ বার ভোটে লড়েননি। তিনি মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হবেন কি না, তা নিয়েও সংশয় প্রকাশ করছে কোনও কোনও মহল। কিন্তু তৃণমূল সূত্রে জানা যাচ্ছে, ক্ষমতায় এলে মমতাই মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হবেন। কারণ রাজ্যের ২৯৪টি আসনের ভোটপ্রচারে তিনিই ছিলেন প্রধান কাণ্ডারী। মমতা মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হবেন, এই প্রত্যাশাতেই পশ্চিমবঙ্গের মানুষের মধ্যে পরিবর্তনের ঝড় উঠেছে বলে মনে করছেন তৃণমূল নেতৃত্ব। সেখানে অন্য কোনও ব্যক্তিকে মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হিসেবে মেনে নিতে আমজনতা প্রস্তুত নয় বলেই বুঝতে পারছেন মমতা।
'স্টার আনন্দ'কে দেওয়া সাক্ষাৎকারে মমতা ইতিমধ্যেই জানিয়েছেন যে, তিনি মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হলে চারটি দফতর নিজের হাতে রাখবেন। এই দফতরগুলি হল স্বরাষ্ট্র, শিল্প, শিক্ষা এবং স্বাস্থ্য। অর্থমন্ত্রী পদে মমতা সম্ভবত নিয়ে আসতে চান ফিকি-র সেক্রেটারি জেনারেল অমিত মিত্রকে। ভোটে জিতলে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ মন্ত্রী হবেন পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায়, সুব্রত মুখোপাধ্যায়, ব্রাত্য বসু, সুব্রত বক্সী, শোভনদেব চট্টোপাধ্যায় প্রমুখ। সংখ্যালঘু সম্প্রদায়ের প্রতিনিধি হিসেবে মন্ত্রী হতে পারেন ফিরহাদ হাকিম। তবে মেয়র পদে শোভন চট্টোপাধ্যায়কেই বহাল রাখবেন মমতা।
মমতা মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হলে রেলমন্ত্রীর পদে অভিষিক্ত হওয়ার সম্ভাবনা থাকবে মুকুল রায়ের। প্রধানমন্ত্রী মনমোহন সিংহ সংসদের বাদল অধিবেশনের আগে কেন্দ্রীয় মন্ত্রিসভার রদবদল করবেন। তখন মমতা আরও একটি পূর্ণমন্ত্রীর পদ নেবেন। সেই পদে আসতে পারেন স্বাস্থ্য প্রতিমন্ত্রী দীনেশ ত্রিবেদী। কোনও কোনও মহল থেকে বলা হচ্ছে, এ বার কাকলি ঘোষদস্তিদারকেও কেন্দ্রে মন্ত্রী করা হতে পারে। মন্ত্রী হিসেবে লোকসভায় তৃণমূলের মুখ্যসচেতক সুদীপ বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নামও দীর্ঘদিন ধরেই আলোচনার মধ্যে রয়েছে।
রাজ্যে ক্ষমতায় এলে স্বাভাবিক ভাবেই রাজ্যসভাতেও বাড়তি প্রতিনিধি পাঠানোর সুযোগ পাবেন মমতা। এখন রাজ্যসভায় তৃণমূলের সাংসদ দু'জন— মুকুল রায় ও স্বপনসাধন বসু। অগস্টে রাজ্যসভার নির্বাচনে সাংসদ হতে পারেন ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন। তৃণমূল-ঘনিষ্ঠ বিশিষ্ট জনদের মধ্যে দু'এক জনেরও রাজ্যসভায় আসার সম্ভাবনা উজ্জ্বল।
ক্ষমতায় এলে ছোট মন্ত্রিসভা গড়বেন, এমন কথা ইতিমধ্যেই জানিয়েছেন মমতা। বস্তুত, ৮-১০ জনের বেশি পূর্ণমন্ত্রী করতে চাইছেন না তিনি। একটি উচ্চ ক্ষমতাসম্পন্ন মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর সচিবালয় (সিএমও) গড়ে তুলবেন মমতা। সিএমও-র অধীনে অন্তত দু'জন প্রতিমন্ত্রী থাকবেন। বেশ কয়েক জন আমলাকেও সচিবালয়ে রাখা হবে, যাঁরা গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দফতরগুলির সঙ্গে সমন্বয় রক্ষা করবেন। এ ছাড়া, মমতার অধীনে থাকা দফতরগুলির কাজ দেখাশোনার জন্যও প্রতিমন্ত্রী নিয়োগ করা হবে। যেমন, স্বাস্থ্য প্রতিমন্ত্রী হিসেবে চিকিৎসক সুদর্শন ঘোষদস্তিদার এবং শিক্ষা প্রতিমন্ত্রী হিসেবে জাতীয় শিক্ষক ব্রজমোহন মজুমদারের নাম মমতার বিবেচনায় রয়েছে।
তবে দু'একটি ব্যতিক্রম ছাড়া সাধারণ ভাবে কাউকে তাঁর পেশার সঙ্গে সংশ্লিষ্ট দফতর না দেওয়ার ভাবনাই তৃণমূল নেত্রীর রয়েছে। সেই কারণেই নাট্যপরিচালক ব্রাত্য বসুকে তথ্য ও সংস্কৃতি দফতর দিতে চান না তিনি। ওই দফতরের মন্ত্রী হিসেবে পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের নাম ভাবা হচ্ছে। তবে তৃণমূল সূত্রে এ-ও বলা হচ্ছে যে, গোড়ায় চারটি দফতর হাতে রাখলেও ছ'মাসের মধ্যে নতুন শিক্ষা, শিল্প ও স্বাস্থ্যনীতি ঘোষণা করে এই দফতরগুলি অন্য কারও হাতে তুলে দিতে পারেন মমতা। স্বরাষ্ট্র দফতর অবশ্য তিনি নিজের হাতেই রাখবেন। নোবেলজয়ী অর্থনীতিবিদ অমর্ত্য সেন বারবার প্রাথমিক শিক্ষা ও স্বাস্থ্যে অগ্রাধিকার দেওয়ার কথা বলছেন। প্রথম তিন মাসের মধ্যেই এই নীতিগুলি তৈরি করে ফেলা হবে। তার পর অমিতবাবুর হাতে অর্থের সঙ্গে শিল্প দফতর তুলে দেওয়ার প্রস্তাব রয়েছে। কারণ, রাজ্য যে আর্থিক সঙ্কটের মুখে দাঁড়িয়ে, তা কাটাতে রাজস্ব আদায় বাড়াতে হবে। সে জন্য শিল্পায়ন জরুরি। অমিতবাবুর পক্ষে সেই কাজ সহজ হবে বলেই মনে করা হচ্ছে। তবে এর পাশাপাশি পার্থবাবুকে অর্থমন্ত্রী করার প্রস্তাবও রয়েছে।

কারা কুশীলব

মুখ্যমন্ত্রী

মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়

স্বরাষ্ট্র, শিল্প, স্বাস্থ্য এবং শিক্ষা

স্পিকার

বিধানসভা

বিমান বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়

বিধান পরিষদ (গঠিত হলে)

কাশীনাথ মিশ্র

কেন্দ্রের মুখ

রেল

মুকুল রায়

পূর্ণমন্ত্রী

কাকলি ঘোষদস্তিদার

পূর্ণমন্ত্রী

দীনেশ ত্রিবেদী

অর্থ

অমিত মিত্র

তথ্য ও সংস্কৃতি

পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায়

আরও যাঁরা
*	*	*	*
সুব্রত মুখোপাধ্যায়	ব্রাত্য বসু	সুদর্শন ঘোষদস্তিদার	সুব্রত বক্সী

*	*	*
ব্রজমোহন মজুমদার	শোভনদেব চট্টোপাধ্যায়	ববি হাকিম

তৃণমূলের যে সব নেতারা মন্ত্রী হতে পারেন, তাঁদের মধ্যে অতীতে মন্ত্রী ছিলেন সুব্রত মুখোপাধ্যায়। কিন্তু তাঁকে ঠিক কী দফতর দেওয়া হবে সেটা এখনও স্পষ্ট নয়। তৃণমূল সূত্রে বলা হচ্ছে, সুব্রতবাবু বিধানসভার স্পিকার হতে চেয়েছিলেন। কিন্তু ওই পদে বারুইপুর পূর্ব কেন্দ্রের তৃণমূল প্রার্থী বিমান বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নাম মমতার বিবেচনায় রয়েছে। ক্ষমতায় এলে বিধান পরিষদ পুনরুজ্জীবিত করার পরিকল্পনার কথাও ইতিমধ্যেই ঘোষণা করেছেন মমতা। বিধান পরিষদ গঠিত হলে তার স্পিকার হতে পারেন বাঁকুড়ার কাশীনাথ মিশ্র।
মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হলে বর্তমান সরকারের বিভিন্ন প্রকল্প পর্যালোচনা করার পরিকল্পনা যেমন রয়েছে মমতার, তেমনই কয়েকটি নতুন দফতরও গঠন করতে পারেন তিনি। যেমন, বিমান চলাচল দফতর। কারণ মমতা মনে করেন, দমদম, বাগডোগরা, কোচবিহার, অণ্ডাল, বেহালা ফ্লাইং ক্লাবের উন্নয়নে কেন্দ্র ও বেসরকারি সংস্থার সঙ্গে সমন্বয় রক্ষার প্রয়োজন হবে। পরিবহণ দফতরের অধীনে এই কাজকে আলাদা করে গুরুত্ব দেওয়া সম্ভব নয়।
মমতার মন্ত্রিসভায় কংগ্রেস যোগ দেবে কি?
কংগ্রেস নেতা আহমেদ পটেল বলেন, "নির্বাচনের পর প্রদেশ কংগ্রেস নেতৃত্বের সঙ্গে আলোচনা করে দল চূড়ান্ত সিদ্ধান্ত নেবে।" তবে মমতা কংগ্রেসকে মন্ত্রিসভায় সামিল করতে আগ্রহী। তৃণমূল একক শক্তিতে সরকার গড়তে সমর্থ হলেও। কংগ্রেস মন্ত্রিসভায় যোগ দিতে রাজি হলে কত জন মন্ত্রী হবেন, তা অবশ্য নির্ভর করবে তাদের নির্বাচনী সাফল্যের উপরে। যদিও কংগ্রেস সূত্রে বলা হচ্ছে, তৃণমূলের ফল ভাল হলে কংগ্রেসের ফলও স্বাভাবিক ভাবেই ভাল হবে। এবং কোন কোন দফতর দেওয়া হবে তার উপরেই নির্ভর করছে কংগ্রেস মন্ত্রিসভায় যোগ দেবে কি না। গ্রাম বাংলায় প্রভাব বাড়াতে বিদ্যুৎ, কৃষি, সেচ-এর মতো দফতর প্রত্যাশা করে কংগ্রেস। এ নিয়ে তৃণমূলের সঙ্গে তাদের ফের এক প্রস্ত সংঘাতের সম্ভাবনাও উড়িয়ে দেওয়া যাচ্ছে না। সেই সব জটিলতা কাটিয়ে কংগ্রেস মন্ত্রিসভায় এলে তাদের মন্ত্রীদের নাম ঠিক করবে দলীয় হাইকম্যাণ্ড। তবে দেবপ্রসাদ রায়, প্রণব মুখোপাধ্যায়ের পুত্র অভিজিৎ মুখোপাধ্যায় প্রমুখ মন্ত্রী হলে মমতা খুশি হবেন বলে তৃণমূল সূত্রের খবর।
তৃণমূল নেতৃত্ব আশা করছেন, ১৩ তারিখ ভোটের ফল বেরোলে সে দিনই রাজ্যপালের কাছে গিয়ে ইস্তফা দেবেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী বুদ্ধদেব ভট্টাচার্য। তার পর ১৮ তারিখ নতুন মন্ত্রিসভার শপথগ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠান হতে পারে।
মজার ব্যাপার হল, ২০০১ এবং ২০০৬ সালেও ভোটের ফল ঘোষণা হয়েছিল ১৩ মে। আর শপথগ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠান হয়েছিল ১৮ মে। সেই দু'বার ষষ্ঠ ও সপ্তম বামফ্রন্ট সরকার শপথ নিয়েছিল রাজভবনে। এ বার 'পরিবর্তনের' আশায় বুক বাঁধা মমতা কিন্তু ব্রিগেড প্যারেড গ্রাউণ্ডে শপথ নিতে চান।
উল্লেখ্য, ২০০১ সালে, যখন ক্ষমতায় আসার বিষয়ে খুবই আশাবাদী ছিলেন, তখনও ব্রিগেডেই শপথ নেওয়ার পরিকল্পনা করেছিলেন মমতা। এ ব্যাপারে রাজ্যপাল আপত্তি করবেন না বলেই মনে করছে তৃণমূল। কারণ, দেশের অন্যত্র, যেমন বিহার বা অসমে রাজভবনের বাইরে প্রকাশ্য শপথগ্রহণের নজির রয়েছে। তবে, তৃণমূলেরই একাংশের আবার অভিমত, মূল শপথগ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠানটি রাজভবনেই করে ব্রিগেডে বিজয় সমাবেশ করা হোক। শপথগ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠানে দেশের শিল্পমহল এবং নাগরিক সমাজের বিশিষ্টদের আমন্ত্রণ জানানো হবে।
সব মিলিয়ে এক সময় প্রার্থী বাছাইয়ের কাজটা যেমন নিঃশব্দে সেরে ফেলেছিলেন, নতুন মন্ত্রিসভার চলার পথটাও ঠিক সে ভাবেই ছকে ফেলছেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়।

04/05/2011

Air India Pilots' strike enters eighth day

Mumbai: Air India services remain crippled for the eighth day today due to the pilots' strike with the ailing airline operating just 10% of its overall flights including 10 each from Mumbai and Delhi.

The operations of the national carrier remained disrupted as the striking pilots refused to budge from their positions. About 40 flights were in operation today as the airline cancelled almost 90% of its 320 daily services.

As many as 221 Air India flights on the domestic operations were cancelled, with operations restricted to the trunk routes between metros.

But the Air India management said some 100-odd flights of sister budget carrier Alliance Air had been deployed to ferry passengers as no reconciliation was in sight between the management and the striking pilots, co-opted from the erstwhile Indian Airlines .

"The decision to operate only four fights, that too on the metro routes, was taken after a new operations plan which came into effect today (Wednesday)," a senior official from the airline told IANS over phone from the carrier's headquarters in Mumbai.

"But these four flights, along with those of Alliance Air, are sufficient today, since bookings had been closed five days ago. So there is no backlog. We will take a decision on when to re-open bookings later in the day," the official said.

Air India is suffering a loss of Rs26 crore per day on account of the stir. So far, seven pilots have been sacked and six suspended.

The Delhi high court yesterday slapped contempt notices on nine office bearers of de-recognised Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) for disobeying its order to call off the strike, while deciding to take up the matter on May 25.

The pilots, who struck work from midnight last Tuesday, have been demanding pay parity with their colleagues of erstwhile Air India, better working conditions and CBI inquiry into alleged withdrawal of flights from profitable routes, aircraft purchase and other issues.

Of the total 1,200 pilots, over 800 belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines have gone on strike. The remaining 400, mostly operating international flights, owe allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild.

Source: PTI

Civil society representatives have slammed the current growth-led model of planning. They argued that mere GDP growth does not reflect equitable development, and is fundamentally flawed. NGOs and voluntary groups have suggested that the planning process should be made more participatory and inclusive.

About 600 social activists under an umbrella organization — Wada Na Todo Abhiyan — have given recommendations to the approach paper on the 12th five year plan. The recommendations from non-government groups come at a time when the Planning Commission is finalizing its outlook that will influence funding and policy for the next five years.

Wada Na Todo Abhiyan national convenor Amitabh Behar said, "There is disagreement with the growth-led model of planning that has restricted inclusiveness to a mere footnote. There is unanimity about huge inequities, and this gap is growing as is evident from the poverty figures."

Hazards Centres Dunu Roy said, "Planning has failed. We have 8% growth, but the urban poor has been passed by."

Roy added that India has world class cities and infrastructure, but the underbelly of this progress is a large population, who has been encouraged to migrate and then marginalized from development process and human rights. He also blamed the `trickle down theory as faulty.

In its report, "Approaching equity: civil society inputs for the approach paper" voluntary groups have sought public opinion on 12 challenges that will be addressed in the 12th Plan. These include enhancing capacity for growth, decentralization of government processes, improved access to quality education and enhancing skill and employment generation.

Concerns were also raised over was the lack of attention to youth segment in the country. Swaasthya director Geeta Sodhi said despite the fact that adolescents and youth form a significant part of the population they are increasingly marginalized. She added, "The youth are crying for their own allocations and a dedicated department to look at policy issues."

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Civil society members invoke UN Convention for independent body that covers PM ...

The Hindu - Gargi Parsai - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Photo: H.Vibhu In the second round of discussions in the joint drafting committee on the Lokpal Bill here on Monday, members of civil society invoked the United Nations Convention on Corruption to stress that the underlying principle of the ...

Govt, civil society members meet amicably over draft Lokpal bill

domain-B - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The second meeting of the joint drafting committee for the proposed Lokpal Bill met amicably in New Delhi on Monday, with civil society members presenting two documents to the government, outlining the principles and objects of the legislation. ...

Lokpal Bill drafting put on fast track

Times of India - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The joint drafting committee met for the first time after a slew of corruption charges had rocked civil societymembers and father-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan. However, sources said that these controversies were not discussed. ...

INDIA'S NATIONAL MAGAZINE

Frontline - ‎May 3, 2011‎

PTI Social activists and civil society members of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee, (from left) Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh, Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan, Justice Santosh Hegde and Arvind Kejriwal, after a meeting in New Delhi on ...

Lokpal panel forges ahead

Daily News & Analysis - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Sources said the civil society was pleased as they felt the government is serious and means business. "The civil society members on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the objects of the bill as well as a document which ...

Lokpal panel to meet today after acrimonious break

Times of India - ‎May 1, 2011‎

NEW DELHI: After a fortnight-long break saw civil society members battle accusations of favouritism and lobbying, the joint drafting committee of government and Anna Hazare nominees will resume work on Monday to draw up the Lokpal Bill amid strong ...

Panel proposes 'principles and objects' for Lokpal Bill

Hindu Business Line - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Ramesh Sharma Civil society members on the Lokpal Bill joint drafting committee have submitted two documents outlining "principles and objects" for the proposed law. "The civil society members submitted a document with respect to the objects of the ...

Panel will fast-track Lokpal bill process

Deccan Chronicle - ‎May 2, 2011‎

With civil society representatives submitting two documents to the government outlining "principles and objects" for the proposed law at the second meeting of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee on Monday, the members decided to fast-track the ...

HC dismisses plea for Hazare's ouster from Lokpal Bill panel

Deccan Herald - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Anna Hazare-led representatives of the civil society on Monday told the government that the objects and intents of the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted and proposed by them reflected the United Nations Convention on Corruption, which New Delhi signed in 2005, ...

Govt, activists strategise before key lokpal meet

Hindustan Times - ‎May 1, 2011‎

With barely two months left for the deadline agreed upon the government and the civil society activists to finalise the draft of the anti-corruption bill by June 30, the joint drafting committee will meet on Monday to open negotiations on the much ...

Lokpal panel to finalize draft by June

indiablooms - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Civil society members of the committee- Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan- submitted two documents to the government on the proposed legislation. "The civil society members on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the ...

Jan Lokpal panel's second meeting today

IBNLive.com - ‎May 1, 2011‎

New Delhi: Civil society groups upped the ante with nationwide rallies on Sunday. The joint panel formed to look into changes in the draft of the Anti-Corruption Bill will be meeting for the second time on Monday. On the agenda, discussions on ...

Down with corruption!

Macleans.ca - Julia Belluz - ‎May 2, 2011‎

"In our exuberance for advancing relations with India, we sometimes neglect the reality that India still has a way to go on civil society issues." Corruption, of course, looms large among those issues. And part of this has to do with the fact that ...

2nd meeting of Lokpal bill drafting committee tomorrow

Deccan Herald - ‎May 1, 2011‎

The Central government will on Monday convey to the Anna Hazare-led civil society representatives its views on the Jan Lokpal Bill, which has been drafted by corruption crusader father-son duo Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, along with other ...

Jan Lokpal Bill: Second meeting of Joint Drafting Committee today

NDTV.com - ‎May 1, 2011‎

Civil society members held rallies in several cities yesterday in support of a strong anti-corruption law as the Union ministers went through minute details of various versions of the draft Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Hazare's team. ...

Delhi high court dismisses plea against Anna Hazare

Daily News & Analysis - ‎May 2, 2011‎

A bench of justices Deepak Misra and Sanjiv Khanna rejected plea made by by a civil society organisation Jan Shakti alleging corruption in the trust administered by Hazare. Judges said the suitability of the persons who form a panel could not be a ...

Lokpal panel meets, to chalk out principles

Indian Express - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Two more meetings will follow on May 23 and 30, civil society member Arvind Kejriwal said after the meeting.Civil society members led by Anna Hazare also submitted two documents to the government outlining their perceptions on "principles and objects" ...

City comes together in war against corruption

Times of India - Ashley D'Mello - ‎May 1, 2011‎

MUMBAI: Anti-corruption crusader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Sunday gave out a clarion call to civil society to launch a war against corruption. "Corruption has two sides: demands from politicians and government officials and the supply ...

Drafting committee on Lokpal Bill holds second meeting

NetIndian - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The ten-member committee includes five Union Ministers and five members of civil society. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is its chairman and former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, representing civil society, the co-chairman. ...

2nd meeting of Lokpal bill drafting committee on Monday

Indian Express - ‎May 1, 2011‎

The Joint Drafting Committee comprising five Union ministers and as representatives of civil society to frame an effective anti-graft law will hold its second meeting on Monday to discuss the latest version of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Gandhian ...

Barak Valley marches against corruption, demands Lokpal Bill

TwoCircles.net - Wali A Laskar - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Some of the placards read 'we condemn smear campaign against the Bhushans', 'down with vilification campaign against the civil society', 'repeal sedition laws and enact the Jan Lokpal' repeal repressive laws/AFSPA and enact the Janlokpal', 'destroy the ...

Lokpal Bill drafting put on fast track

Economic Times - ‎May 2, 2011‎

NEW DELHI: The Joint Drafting Committee on Lokpal Bill today decided to fast track the process of preparing the anti-corruption legislation as civil society representatives submitted two documents to the government outlining "principles and objects" ...

Welcome change at Lokpal Bill panel meet

Express Buzz - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The tone and tenor of Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan, who represent the civil society on the committee, was equally upbeat. After the initial reservations that appeared to dog the two sides at the first meeting, this is a welcome change. ...

Of means and ends

Financial Express - Shloka Nath - ‎Apr 30, 2011‎

Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign has brought together civil society and mobilised public opinion against corruption in a way that no one has, in the last two decades. But the nuances have gone missing in the story; civil society campaigners are ...

Arvind Kejriwal appeals for complete transparency in drafting of Lokpal Bill

DailyIndia.com - ‎May 1, 2011‎

He said the five-member representatives of the civil society are trying their best to bring transparency in the drafting process. "We do not want in this joint committee that we 10 members would sit inside the room and come up with a law. ...

Govt holds strategy session ahead of Lokpal panel meet

Indian Express - ‎May 1, 2011‎

... of other non-governmental organisations to provide their inputs on the draft legislation. The drafting committee, which has five representatives of the civil society, including social activist Anna Hazare, held its first meeting on April 16.

India run on chicanery, claptrap and sophistry

Express Buzz - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Look no further than the timing of scandals against civil society members in the Lokpal Bill drafting panel. The aim is to besmirch their reputation so that the civil society falls under its own weight. One is not quibbling over the merit of issues ...

Government Works on Draft of Lokpal Bill

News Tonight - Rajinder Gill - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The first meeting of the drafting committee, which is made up of five civil society representatives including Anna Hazare, had its very first meeting on April 16. The second meeting will carry a lot of significance in that it will be aired publicly and ...

2nd meeting of Lokpal bill drafting committee tomorrow

Times of India - ‎May 1, 2011‎

PTI | May 1, 2011, 11.14pm IST NEW DELHI: The Joint Drafting Committee comprising five Union ministers and as representatives of civil society to frame an effective anti-graft law will hold its second meeting tomorrow to discuss the latest version of ...

Lokpal panel meets in New Delhi

indiablooms - ‎May 2, 2011‎

The 10-member committee, first-of-its-kind in India, and formed after a hunger-strike by Hazare, seeking equal participation of the government and civil society that aims to draft the anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill. The meeting, chaired by Union Finance ...

Civil society encouraging Maiosm: West Bengal
Says support of well-minded citizens is needed for fighting the scourge
PTI | KOLKATA | JANUARY 21 2011

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Maoists were getting encouragement from civil society and support of well-minded citizens was required to stem the menace, West Bengal governor M K Narayanan said today.
"The Maoists are getting the upperhand in people's mind because they are getting encouragement from a section of civil society," Narayanan told a seminar here.
Citing the example of human rights activists Binayak Sen who has been found guilty of sedition and sentenced to life imprisonment, he said there were protests from a section of the society over his conviction.
"We need the support of well-minded citizens so that matters don't go out of control," he said.
Expressing concern over the spreading influence of Maoists, Narayanan said, "Maoism has become a fashionable trend in different states including West Bengal and students in different universities are getting attracted."

Holding that Maoists were a serious problem to internal security, the former IB chief said, "A decade ago Maoists were present in five or six states, but it has spread to over 15 or 16 states with West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattishgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra being the worst affected."

Stating that 2009 and 2010 were worst years because of a number of deaths due to Maoist insurgency, the former national security advisor said, "The Maoists are targetting mass casualty with new operational techniques, so only strengthening of security will not solve the problem.

"We need to take a comprehensive, encompassing, political, economical and security approach to reach a satisfactory solution to the Maoist problem."
http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/civil-society-encouraging-maiosm-west-bengal

Moneycontrol » News » Special Videos

West Bengal Elections: What does the civil society want?

Published on Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 16:56 | Source : CNBC-TV18

Updated at Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 10:45

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Excerpts from India Tonight on CNBC-TV18 Watch the full show »

Voting starts in West Bengal on Monday. The mood of the state is yet to to be gauged. The question is whether we can identify the election sentiments in the separate sections of Bengal society and how free and fair will the voting be?

CNBC-TV18's Karan Thapar discusses the upcoming West Bengal elections with Trinamool Congress' Minister of State for Urban Affairs, Saugata Roy; Central Committee Member, CPM, Nillotpal Basu; the Resident Editor of the Telegraph, Manini Chatterjee and Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute, Dipankar Dasgupta.

For the complete show, please watch the accompanying videos...

Tags: Karan Thapar, West Bengal, election, Saugata Roy, Manini Chatterjee, Dipankar Dasgupta

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/special-videos/west-bengal-elections-what-doescivil-society-want_536417.html

Mamata promises factory at Singur, but only after 400 acres is returned
Special Correspondent
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that a factory would be opened at the site in Singur from where Tata Motors relocated its small car project after her agitation, but only after 400 acres (out of the 997.11 acres acquired) she has been alleging was forcibly bought was returned to the owners.
Her remarks at a rally at Dhanekhali in Hooghly once again highlight how the land acquisition is still a potent political issue, especially in the district.
Ms. Banerjee was apparently countering West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's recent announcement that if voted to power, the Left Front would set up one of the State's "biggest" industrial units on the site.
"We will not permit forcible acquisition of land" whether "of Adivasis or farmers," she said, even as she claimed the days of the Left Front government were numbered.
"It is after 35 years that you will be creating history [by voting the Left Front out of power]."
Ms. Banerjee, whose party is facing allegations of using black money for its campaign, described the Communist Party of India (Marxist) "as Bengal's shame", responsible for having "stolen the money that belonged to the people" and whose corrupt practices over the past "35 years of misrule" would be investigated "A to Z" once the Trinamool Congress came to power. Nor did she spare the Bharatiya Janata Party which "the CPI (M) had bought with money" and which "is working as agents of the CPI(M) in the State."
The Left Front had reduced the government to bankruptcy with a debt burden of more than Rs. 2 lakh crore, Ms. Banerjee said. Salaries over the past months were being paid to State government employees with overdrafts from the Reserve Bank of India.

News Update

http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/30/stories/2011043059810100.htm

Under Singur shadow

- Mamata's Nano foot soldier takes on Nirupam Sen at home in a close contest

Nirupam Sen leaves the CPM office in Burdwan town to campaign. (Below) The abandoned Nano factory site in Singur, overgrown with weeds. Pictures by Amit Datta.

A tough test awaits him on Tuesday but Nirupam Sen still cannot forget a defeat that turned his dream into a nightmare two-and-a-half years ago. The industries minister will always be haunted by October 3, 2008, the day Ratan Tata announced the Nano pullout from Bengal.

"That was the saddest moment of my life," he says, sitting in a small room in the sprawling CPM district headquarters in Burdwan. A well-oiled machinery is working round-the-clock from this building, off Parkus Road at the heart of the district town, to ensure his victory from the Burdwan South Assembly constituency.

Sen talks less about the battle at hand and prefers discussing how a combination of factors had slammed the brakes on his plan to revive industry in Bengal.

"The Tata Motors plant could have changed the face of the manufacturing industry in Bengal. We could have created a modern manufacturing sector," the CPM politburo member rues.

According to the grapevine, he was not interested in contesting this election. Personal preferences, however, count for little in a regimented political party. So, the minister, bruised after Singur, is now contesting again from the constituency that elected him in 1987, 2001 and 2006.

"Those were the golden days of our party," a CPM supporter recalls while reeling off the margins of Sen's past Assembly poll victories: 11,958 votes in 1987; 24,327 in 2001 and 35,242 in 2006.

"The battle is difficult this time but we have the organisational strength. Nirupamda will win," says Amal Haldar, the party's secretary in a district reputed to be a Left citadel.

However, a 70-year-old retired Burdwan University professor is putting in at least 12 hours a day to prove that Burdwan has changed from red to green. Rabiranjan Chatterjee is the surprise Trinamul nominee whom Mamata Banerjee nudged into the fray to stage an upset.

An avowed anti-communist, Chatterjee was against the Singur factory from Day One and his regular presence at the dharna mancha along Durgapur Expressway brought him close to Mamata.

"I took part in Mamata's hunger-strike at Esplanade as well," boasts Chatterjee, who couldn't say "no" when Mamata's aide Mukul Roy called him one night and requested him to contest from Burdwan South.

Within two days, Chatterjee shifted his base from Lake Town to Burdwan and pulled out all his resources — from past students and colleagues to family members settled across India — to fight another battle with Sen.

Trinamul nominee Rabiranjan Chatterjee, a 70-year-old retired Burdwan University professor and a first-time poll candidate, campaigns in Burdwan South. Picture by Amit Datta.

The transition from a foot soldier in Mamata's Singur war to the challenger of Sen has not been difficult, claims the ever-smiling Chatterjee.

"The people of this state want a change and that's my strength," says the candidate who was fielded after the initial nominee, Swarup Dutta, was replaced without any reason being cited.

Poll trends suggest that the change chant resonating across swathes of Bengal since the 2008 panchayat polls has been heard in Burdwan. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Saidul Haq, the CPM candidate from Burdwan-Durgapur, trailed by 99 votes from the Burdwan South segment.

While Chatterjee and his supporters highlight these numbers, Sen and his poll managers dismiss the data as dated.

"Things have turned around since then. People may have voted for them in the past, but they are now firmly behind us," claims Haldar, the man behind the united face of the party in Burdwan.

He cites as evidence the crowd of 30,000-plus at star CPM campaigner Gautam Deb's rally at the Housing Ground on Thursday, and the "comparatively lower turnout" at Mamata's meeting at the same venue the next day.

Sen, however, prefers talking about a different turnaround, describing it as his biggest achievement since the Singur disappointment.

"Although the Opposition prevented the Singur plant coming up, Bengal's industrialisation has become the biggest poll plank in the manifestos of all the political parties. I consider this my biggest achievement," Sen smiles, happy at clinching the farm-versus-factory debate.

He is quick to add that the Singur debacle has taught him several lessons. One, drawing too much attention to a project can boomerang (the government had gone on a publicity overdrive while announcing the Tata Motors project in Singur).

Two, he is now more aware of the need to address popular perceptions — many had thought he was anti-peasant during the Singur land-acquisition controversy.

"In less than two-and-a-half years (since Singur), we have succeeded in acquiring more than 8,000 acres across the state silently," he says, citing the industrial park project in Panagarh, the Matrix fertiliser plant in Burdwan and the airport project in Andal.

Sen says the state has attracted investments worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in 1,300 medium and big industries in the past five years.

But even as the Bengal Left's most high-profile industries minister ever reels off his achievements, many people here cite his failure to deliver on his promises to the constituency.

"What happened to the promised health city in Burdwan? Why did he fail to turn Burdwan into a planned city?" asks a trader of capital goods in his showroom near Curzon Gate.

People also complain of the minister's lack of visibility in the constituency that has kept voting for him.

Such discontent has prompted Sen — for the first time, claim local people — to campaign intensively across the 35 wards of Burdwan town, which has 213,727 voters.

At Thursday's rally, Deb tried to explain why Sen cannot devote too much time to Burdwan: "Nirupamda remains busy with the running of the state and the party."

Sen says: "I have spent much more time campaigning this time.... I have tried to meet all the poor people."

To counter the charge of Sen not being "available" in his constituency, his campaigners are reminding voters that Chatterjee is an outsider and will not be "available" to the voters.

Chatterjee claims such propaganda will not succeed. At his street-corner meetings, he mentions his student days in Burdwan and the years he spent teaching in Burdwan University. "I am made-in-Burdwan," he says, drawing huge applause.

Loud cheers can also be heard at Sen's meetings, and his padayatras have scored huge turnouts.

So, which way will Burdwan turn? At an adda among a band of first-time voters, many seem undecided. Sunil Kumar Ram, a student, speaks for change while his friend Pradeep Raut, a professional, asks him what's the point in bringing about change.

Perhaps aware that many voters have not made up their mind yet, both the CPM and Trinamul have raised their campaign pitch ahead of polling day. While the CPM's organisational strength is obvious, Chatterjee is trying to fight back through his team of local Trinamul leaders, former students and colleagues, and civil society members.

"We don't have such a structured set-up but we have the people with us and that's my strength," he says as a colourful tableau rolls out, canvassing for him.

A rainbow coalition that included the Opposition parties and civil society members had spoilt Sen's Singur dream. Chatterjee wants to repeat the victory in Burdwan South.

A set of political compulsions combined with a weak administration had handed the industries minister an unceremonious defeat in Singur, but the situation is different now. He has Haldar and his cadres to fall back on.

Besides, Burdwan South has a solid BJP base of 4,000-5,000 voters who will cut into Chatterjee's tally. That seems to leave the battle rather open, with the outcome probably hinging on the might of Haldar & Co.

DEVADEEP PUROHIT IN BURDWAN

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110501/jsp/nation/story_13926089.jsp

The undeclared Pak mission

- Behind feverish disclaimers lie clues to Islamabad's co-operation with US in killing Osama

K.P. NAYAR

San Francisco, May 3: There has been a coup d'etat in Pakistan. A quiet one. But it is a coup that may change the course of history not only in South Asia but in the entire Islamic ummah or community.

By giving up Osama bin Laden, the Pakistan Army's wildest trump card in the cat-and-mouse game between Islamabad and Washington that reached a critical point when CIA contractor Raymond Davis was arrested, factions in the Pakistani establishment which seek a continued alliance with the US have displaced those who want Pakistan to be part of a global Islamic resurgence.

It was a cat-and-mouse game between Langley, the CIA headquarters, and Rawalpindi, seat of the Pakistan Army General Headquarters, which began with the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 when the Americans, foolishly trusting Gen. Pervez Musharraf then, enabled the Inter-Services Intelligence to facilitate the safe passage of Osama from the Tora Bora mountains through deceit.

The Americans were to regret their foolishness for a whole decade.

The arrest of Davis in January for killing two men who were widely believed to have been ISI agents, the arrest of at least one other CIA contractor, the denial of visas to American "diplomats" by Pakistan, the near breaking point in ties between the ISI and the CIA — all made it necessary for Pakistan to choose between being dumped by the US for needling them in Afghanistan using its proxies or extending their full and unstinted co-operation to Washington in return for continued military and other assistance.

The army faction that supports a deep alliance with the US has won out and proved its loyalty to Washington.

Contrary to the carefully cultivated perception in Washington and Islamabad about the fallout of killing Osama, a new phase in the US-Pakistan security alliance has been sealed in Abbottabad with the blood of the Saudi billionaire-turned-terrorist.

The best accounts of the operation which killed bin Laden are not to be found in the US media, which is behaving as if it is embedded with the CIA like American journalists were with the US forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and swallowed army propaganda for which newspapers like The Washington Post later apologised.

Revealing details about Sunday's Abbottabad operation are to be found in the Chinese media, especially China's official news agency, Xinhua, which has no pretensions to media freedom unlike its American counterparts.

The Chinese have the best sources in Pakistan, given the all-weather friendship between Islamabad and Beijing.

Xinhua says electricity was cut off to Abbottabad as the operation to kill Osama began. That shows complicity with the Americans not only within the Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi but down the line to the local administration that controls the electricity switching stations.

Xinhua says security forces cordoned off the entire area near Osama's safe house before the Americans attacked it and no one was allowed to enter or leave the operational surroundings during the attack.

That only means the Pakistanis knew what was going to take place, although it is only logical that reasons for sealing off the area would not have been communicated down the line to the local police or paramilitary units.

Xinhua also says residents of Abbottabad took videos and cellphone pictures from their rooftops as the spectacular helicopter landing and firefight was under way.

But Pakistani security forces went round from house to house collecting memory cards from cameras and seizing videos from residents soon enough so that the pictures were not transmitted freelance by what modern TV would call citizen journalists.

All this could not have been organised by the Pakistanis after the event, which means, circumstantially, that the killing of Osama was a well co-ordinated US-Pakistani operation down to local ward-level in Abbottabad.

Besides, Abbottabad is the seat of a brigade of the second division of Pakistan's Northern Army Corps and several other sensitive army establishments, including a key military training academy.

Metaphorically, even a fly cannot circle the skies of that city without escaping the attention of the defence network that guards Abbottabad.

It is for this reason and to keep up the fiction that the US and Pakistan did not co-operate in killing Osama that an official statement was issued in Islamabad today that "US helicopters entered Pakistani airspace making use of blind spots in the radar coverage due to hilly terrain".

The statement added that "US helicopters' undetected flight into Pakistan was also facilitated by the... efficacious use of latest technology and 'nap of the earth' flying techniques".

At the same time, the Pakistan Army did not want its people to lose faith in Rawalpindi as the guardian of their country's borders and their defence.

Hence, a paragraph in the statement which asserts that "it may not be realistic to draw an analogy between this undefended civilian area and some military (and) security installations which have elaborate local defence arrangements".

But to think that American helicopters carrying heavily armed personnel who attacked Osama's hideout could have violated Abbottabad's air space without help from Pakistan is pure fiction that is meant for the masses who are vulnerable to jihadi sermons in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Inflaming those masses could mean difficulties for the Americans everywhere.

But it is true that "Abbottabad and the surrounding areas have been under sharp focus of intelligence agencies since 2003, resulting in highly technical operation by ISI which led to the arrest of high-value al Qaida target in 2004", as the statement claims.

Of the greatest significance, however, is the revelation in the statement that "as far as the target compound is concerned, ISI has been sharing information with CIA and other friendly intelligence agencies since 2009. The intelligence flow indicating some foreigners in the surroundings of Abbottabad, continued till mid-April 2011".

The Pakistani statement is remarkable for its candour between the lines because it is admitting that in April 2011, the ISI stopped sharing information about Osama with the Americans because of strains between their respective intelligence outfits.

As a result, the Americans had to put off their plans to kill or capture bin Laden in mid-April, plans which began when Pakistan shared that intelligence from 2009, because the operation could not be undertaken without Islamabad's full support.

The internal power struggles in the Pakistani establishment were resolved when it was decided that not only will intelligence co-operation be revived but also that to make up with the Americans, they would sacrifice Osama.

That is tantamount to a coup within Pakistan which paves the way for stronger, better and deeper ties between Pakistan and the US, belying Indian hopes to the contrary.

The Pakistani statement truthfully claims that "reports about US helicopters taking off from Ghazi airbase are absolutely false and incorrect". The US has enough capabilities for an operation of this kind not to want to use Pakistan's military facilities.

All it needed was logistics support and unimpeded passage into Abbottabad.

There is irony in the portion of the statement which says the "CIA and some other friendly intelligence agencies have benefited a great deal from the intelligence provided by ISI. ISI's own achievements against al Qaida and in the war on terror are more than any other intelligence agency in the world".

There is a ring of truth in it with their sacrifice of their biggest trump card in dealings with the US, namely the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama.

And finally, some window dressing: "The Government of Pakistan expresses its deep concerns and reservations on the manner in which the Government of the United States carried out this operation without prior information or authorisation from the Government of Pakistan."

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110504/jsp/frontpage/story_13936650.jsp

Heir today, godman tomorrow

The battle for succession after Sai Baba's demise has focused attention on how godmen choose their heirs. V. Kumara Swamy turns the spotlight on gurus and their succession plans

Asaram Bapu has little time for holy work these days. The joke going around Gujarat is that the spiritual guru is spending his days either fighting legal cases or clearing the path for his son to take over from him.

Cases may have been slapped against him on charges that include land grabbing, threatening witnesses and even murder, but his ardent followers are unperturbed. "He is a true saint. He is one of the greatest people India has ever produced," says devotee Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in Delhi's Chandni Chowk market. "Even Sathya Sai Baba was accused of many wrongdoings. But see what happened when he died? The whole world was at his feet."

With a large picture of the guru hanging on the wall behind him, Kumar credits his rise from a roadside paan-beedi seller to the proud owner of a shop to Asaram Bapu. "I couldn't have done it without his guidance," he says. Will Kumar follow Asaram's son if he takes over from his father? "Why not? If Sant Asaram says that his son will be his successor, I will have his photo hanging next to him," says Kumar.

GURU GALLERY: (From top) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Morari Bapu, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sudhanshu Maharaj, Asaram Bapu and Baba Ramdev

Asaram Bapu should heave a sigh of relief. His followers are happy with the decision he may take, but for many other spiritual heads in India the question of succession is a tricky one.

The issue is particularly thorny because asceticism along with sanyas is often one of the factors that draws devotees. "The guru generally renounces the world. This, combined with personal charisma, is what gets him followers. And unless there is a ritual way of appointing a successor, problems will arise," says sociologist Shiv Visvanathan.

Some of this was visible in Puttaparthi earlier this week. In the absence of a nominated heir, there may be a battle for the legacy of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who died last Sunday leaving behind assets worth an estimated Rs 40,000 crore. After reports of an internal tussle at the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust among his nephew R.J. Ratnakar, his caregiver Satyajit and trustee K.Chakravarty, to gain control of the activities of the trust, it has been announced that a new head will soon be appointed.

A close look at the realms of some other top spiritual gurus in India reveals that they are either closely run family affairs or one-man shows without a succession plan.

S.H. Iyer, an Ahmedabad-based human rights lawyer who is fighting cases against Asaram on behalf of several alleged victims of the religious guru, says Narayan Sai will soon take over from his father. "The son is involved in almost all the activities of the trusts run by Asaram. It is already a family enterprise," says Iyer.

Morari Bapu, another prominent religious guru who hit the headlines when he was reportedly asked by Kokilaben, the mother of Mukesh and Anil Ambani, to mediate between her feuding sons, is also known to be quietly handing over charge of his Shree Sitaram Seva Trust to his son Parth. Besides schools, his trust runs a hospital in Mahuva in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

"Bapu's son mainly takes care of the various activities of the trust. Nobody can predict the future," says Nareshbhai Vavadiya, an associate of Morari Bapu. But devotees have noted that Parth is by his father's side when he reads out from holy texts.

Some of the godman are so busy with their regular schedules of prayers and scripture reading that they would have little time to plan the future of their ashrams. Take, for instance, the Delhi-based Sudhanshu Maharaj, who is estimated to have around 60 lakh followers around the world. "Our calendar is full for the next two years. Maharaj is travelling for at least 20 days in a month. That's how packed his schedule is," says Narendra Madan, head of the publications division of the guru's Vishwa Jagriti Mission (VJM). VJM has several ashrams in the country, besides centres in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, the US and other countries.

A married man with two daughters, Sudhanshu Maharaj hit the headlines in 2009 when the income tax department served notices on his ashram for allegedly defaulting on taxes running into crores of rupees.

His followers stress that everything is run by the trust and its activities are above board. "Not a single piece of land anywhere in the world is in the name of Maharaj-ji," says Madan. But the trust refuses to reveal the turnover of the ashram, although some estimate that it stands at around Rs 400 crore.

Many believe that his elder daughter, Purnima, a doctor married to an army officer, will be his natural heir. "She herself has preached in a few gatherings, but as per Maharaj's instructions, we haven't publicised these gatherings. Moreover, we are not sure if Purnima will indeed take over," says a confidant of the guru.

VITAL STATS

Baba Ramdev
■ Age: 46
■ Following: 100 crore (As claimed by Ramdev)
■ Trusts: Patanjali, Yogapeeth, Divya Yogi Mandir
■ Sources of income: Yoga camps, real estate, sale of ayurvedic medicines, books, CDs, VCDs
■ Annual turnover: Rs 1,500-2,000 crore
■ Possible successor:Acharya Balkrishan

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
■ Age: 55
■ Following: An estimated 300 million people in 151 countries
■ Trusts: Art of Living Foundation, 12 other trusts in India
■ Sources of income: AOL courses and programmes, donations, sale of books, CDs, VCDs
■Annual turnover: Rs 900-1,000 crore

Asaram Bapu
■ Age: 70 n
■ Following: An estimated 20 million followers (as claimed by Asaram)
■ Trusts: Asaram Bapu Trust
■ Sources of income:Satsangs, real estate, magazines, television, CDs, VCDs
■ Annual turnover: Rs 400 crore
■ Possible successor:Narayan Sai (son)

Morari Bapu
■ Age: 65
■ Following: 20 million
■ Trusts: Shree Sitaram Seva Trust
■ Sources of income:Preaching of Ram Katha around the world, donations, schools, hospitals
■ Annual turnover: Rs 150-250 crore
■ Possible successor: Parth (son)

Sudhanshu Maharaj
■ Age: 56
■ Trust: Vishwa Jagran Mission
■ Sources of income:Satsangs, exclusive discourses, donations, real estate, meditation centres
■ Annual turnover: Rs 350 crore
■ Possible successor: Purnima (daughter)

"Amma" Amritanandamayi
■ Age: 57
■ Trust: Mata Amritanandamayi Math
■ Sources of income:Donations, university, worldwide centres, schools, super speciality hospitals
■ Annual turnover: Rs 700-900 crore

Note: Turnover figures are estimates

Madan, however, says the trust is not thinking about the future yet. "Maharaj is quite young. We are celebrating his 56th birthday on May 2. Why should we think about succession, an heir and other such things," he asks.

On the other hand, some gurus, like Baba Shivanand, founder of Shiv Yog, has no qualms about projecting his son as his heir. A popular face on religious channels, he openly promotes son Ishan Shivanand, who has followed in his father's footsteps, as a preacher. "At least Babaji is not ambiguous about his heir like others," says Rudresh Singh, a follower of Shiv Yog.

Visvanathan emphasises the importance of charisma when it comes to selecting an heir. "An heir from the family cannot be successful unless he has charisma," he stresses.

But the question of legacy keeps cropping up because of the huge empires that many godman run. According to some estimates, Asaram Bapu's landed properties are worth millions. "He himself has admitted in an affidavit that he is a multi-millionaire," says Iyer.

His satsangs (religious gatherings) in India lasting for two to three days net Rs 2-2.5 crore, says a satsangorganiser in Delhi. Besides the satsangs, the Asaram-run trusts publish magazines whose circulations run into lakhs. He has a stake in a television channel in Gujarat as well.

The devotees of Morari Bapu, who has preached the Ram Katha on board a cruise ship and an aeroplane, include several Gujarat industrialists, for whom he holds exclusive readings which come at a very high price. But the spiritual guru has often said that he keeps only 10 per cent of all his earnings, with the rest going to charity.

While gurus with progeny may have tied their trusts to their children, problems tend to arise in organisations that are run single-handedly, or without a clear heir in sight.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AOL) spiritual empire is spread across more than 150 countries ("more than even the Red Cross," as the guru would often remind his followers). Its annual turnover is estimated at some Rs 1,000 crore. Ravi Shankar travels so often that it is said his passport looks like a fat dictionary because of countless extensions.

"In the 30 years since its inception, AOL has touched the lives of 300 million people across 151 countries through various humanitarian service projects and programmes," says its wesbite. "Most of our funding comes through AOL courses and programmes; a fraction of this is through donations."

Talk of succession, however, is taboo. "I came to tears three years ago when somebody asked, who after Guruji? That is an unbearable thought. Guruji may have his own views on this, but currently there is no number two," says a close associate.

Baba Ramdev, whose yoga empire is valued at Rs 2,000 crore, doesn't have a family member in his Divya Yog Mandir and Patanjali Yogpeeth trusts, which have landed property in India and abroad. The properties include 1,000 acres in Haridwar, a 2,000-acre island near Scotland and a 40-acre plot in Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Ramdev also runs yoga camps, magazines and ayurvedic medicine shops, and sells books, CDs and VCDs promoting yoga and medicines.

One can become a member of his Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust — but at a cost. A "general" membership costs Rs 11,000, a "respected" membership is for Rs 21,000 and "dignified" memberships Rs 51,000. "Founder" membership comes for Rs 5 lakh; "corporate" membership for Rs 11 lakh. "General" members can take part in one residential yoga science camp free of cost in their lifetime. The privileges keep increasing as one goes up the order.

Ramdev, who is 46, is clearly not worried about an heir as yet, though many of his followers treat his associate Acharya Balkrishna as the effective number two. Balkrishna, who heads some of Ramdev's centres, is often seen standing next to Ramdev in photographs published in the trusts' journals.

"Amma" Amritanandamayi is another guru with a huge following in India and abroad. The Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Kollam district, Kerala, is said to be worth Rs 1,500 crore. It controls ashrams and centres around the world, besides a university, schools and a super-specialty hospital. The Math is also one of the largest recipients of foreign funds. According to the home ministry, it received Rs 116.39 crore in 2008-2009.

The spiritual guru has not zeroed in on a successor either. "Maa just believes in distributing her love. She has hugged close to 30 million people to date. Bringing happiness is her mission," says a spokesperson for the Math.

For the ardent followers of the spiritual heads, it's not their heirs that matter, but their legacy. "Most important are the values that their followers will preserve through generations," says Harish Sharma, a Pune-based software professional and a follower of many of these gurus. You could say Amen to that.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110501/jsp/7days/story_13925056.jsp

HER VOTE, HIS VOTE

Wife's claim to fame? Debut novel The Vague Woman's Handbook. Husband's claim to fame? Debut novel The Upside Down Book of Nuclear Power. Devapriya Roy and Saurav Jha criss-crossed Calcutta together on poll day to pen accounts for Metro that underline why women are from Venus and men from Mars!

6.30am: Jadavpur Kendra

Election day begins at my parents' with my mum urging me to rise and shine immediately, drink the tea in one gulp and go and cast my vote. It is like being back in school.

I am also to give moral support to our 40-year-old housekeeper, who will cast her vote for the very first time. Having lived in Calcutta all her adult life, she has voted neither in her village nor in the city. Finally, my mother has managed a voter's card for her, assigned to our address; it has taken the better part of two years to accomplish. Madhobi H. would use her universal adult franchise today.

11.30am

The spouse and I, in a white car, zipping towards the Kidderpore docks, flaunting the I-have-voted blue streak on the left forefinger smugly.

Noon: Hotel Shahi Mahal

We have coursed through largely deserted streets into the heart of Metiabruz; there is a holiday feel in the air and groups of women in burqas with elaborate zardosi work on the sleeves walk together, their laughs tinkling in the air; they have cast their votes and are perhaps going to visit relatives now, children trailing behind; a few of them have ice-cones in hand.

Most of the bigger stores are shut, though the paan-bidi shops are open and godowns of wood have young boys milling around, and the butchers have their wares lit up with bulbs hanging from long wires.

Sitting in Hotel Shahi Mahal, we are eating phirni. It is empty when we come in but begins to fill up gradually. We chat with the other customers, all of them local traders, all of them pro-change. The sun outside is hot, though there's a hint of grey in the corner of the sky. Two young people enter in a rush of words and nerves and begin to climb to the second floor; they ask the owner, Sageer Ahmed, if he's voted yet. He's about to go, he says. They tell him, "Press the first button, the first button." Now, I wonder which one that is…

1.30pm: Flurys

It is raining softly on Park Street, which is so uncharacteristically empty that one wants to jealously, selfishly, hold on to it forever; there is a rice hotel open at the corner of Russell Street, a Barista with its orange shop-window and, of course, Flurys. Everything else is shut.

I eavesdrop on conversations as I devour a cheese quiche: to my right, there is a bunch of young men who are looking, very specifically, for takeaway pizza; three gorgeous women who have apparently met from three different parts of the world after years — I wonder if they have voted — are talking about airline food; and a clot of Israeli backpackers are standing by the confectionery arrayed in the glass case, to save themselves from the rain.

We interrupt our immediate neighbours — a family of four who order an Italian spread — and begin to chat about the day, the city, the recent history of industrial enterprise (or lack thereof), and whether change is, in their opinion, desirable.

Being an industrialist, the man at the table says he is not one to be over-excited either way. He is going to wait and watch. "At one time, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was the enemy of Marwari businessmen. But then his politics in the last five years had improved industrial relations enormously. So all I can say is, I'll wait and watch."

Then we chat pleasantly some more, small talk, pleasantries about their children — and we take our leave.

3.30pm: Café Coffee Day, Sector V

"It is time we saw a change of guard," says Shiladitya Dasgupta, senior manager at a global IT firm, as he sips his cappuccino. "Certainly," his friend and colleague Raja De agrees.

"Though I must say we in the IT sector are very worried if a tense political situation, post-election, will end up seeing more bandhs. Every time there's a strike, we have to make so many logistical arrangements."

It is a full working day for Shiladitya and Raja as their Finnish clients need their buses to run on time/plumbing support/phonebanking.

It is also a full working day for the staff at CCD. Indeed, though the streets at Sector V — the Gurgaon of Calcutta — are not quite abuzz with the electricity of youth and deadlines as much as on other days, around 40 per cent of its population has had to come in to work. Others are working from home.

4.30pm: Food court, South City Mall

As we enter, it is business as usual for a mid-week late-afternoon, but in a couple of hours, the space transitions into a crowded cheek-by-jowl Saturday evening. We are in conversation with three 16-year-olds, Abhishek, Dona and Shivangi. They have not voted in these elections, but that's no reason why we shouldn't take their opinion on the matter.

Or on other things close to their heart. On elections, they are sort of equivocal; less so on life. They tell us their plans to be exiles, all of them: Berkeley, Bangalore, Pune, in that order. I remark, mildly, because I do understand the impulse to leave, to go a distance and hungrily drink waters of other fountains: Is it, in the final analysis, to escape a claustrophobic middle-class that tells them what to be? Unfortunately, they answer in the affirmative. They have imagined their futures elsewhere — they shall cast votes to determine other choices.

Postscript: 9.30am, Jadavpur Kendra

The sun is shining on the rubble in front of our polling booth. Madhobi H. is overjoyed that she has cast her vote for the first time. She recites how she went in, gave her name, serial number, and thumb impression and proceeded to "press the bell inside". Who did you vote for? My mother asks. "Oh, I didn't quite see. I pressed the first button. What if they scolded me for taking too long? I think it was a kite symbol."

My mother begins to laugh. Madhobi H. is annoyed at the laughter, then philosophical. "It does not matter," she says, "I voted. They are all humans, aren't they? Next time I'll look out for the symbol."

Pictures by Devapriya Roy

In a brave but ultimately futile attempt to beautify what can only be described as the rust belt of Calcutta, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has painted its outer walls with the words of eminences from the past. One quote by Netaji catches my eye as the car winds slowly towards Metiabruz: "No real change in history has ever been achieved by discussions".

The prevalent mood at Hotel Shahi Mahal, however, seems to suggest that real change can be brought by the vote. "Paribartan" is very much reverberating in the air. There is anger at industrial failure and at the fact that most are weavers forced into tailoring. Only a lucky few managing to secure a job with GRSE. But there is also the expectation that a new government not inimical to the Centre may be able to secure the assistance required to foster growth in the area.

I turn the conversation towards the incongruously magnificent ruins of the Kesoram textile mill with its colonial facade and quarters. "It shut down over 20 years ago," says Mohammad Mustar. "But the premises are huge."

I ask: "So, is there any plan to utilise the space?" He says that he doesn't know for sure but that there is every possibility of "new units" coming to the Metiabruz area. I choose to leave the discussion there, remembering Netaji's axiom.

At Flurys on Park Street, I encounter a wealthy entrepreneur who seems to believe that the much desired "parivartan" may not be one at all. "While many Marwaris have gravitated to the other side, they are also pessimistic about the current Opposition's 'core team'," he says. I point out that even with a supposedly good incumbent core team, no agenda could be pushed through, owing to legacy issues. "That is right, but we are apprehensive that the industry-friendly policies introduced in the recent past may be further undermined."

He goes on to give a few anecdotes of how procedural delays have been reduced in recent times and unions asked to fall in line. "That is brilliant for you certainly, but not for those used to a cadre-based patronage model," I add with a mischievous glint in my eye (as noticed by Devapriya, of course). The returning note is one of reflective silence.

I am the odd one out at the Café Coffee Day in Salt Lake Sector V. While the others order coffee, I spectacularly opt for Darjeeling tea. We are meeting two matter-of-fact techies.

"Change is the only constant." I hear the sacred motto of India's IT industry from Raja De. His colleague, Shiladitya Dasgupta, chimes in: "Yes, we would like it to happen. Thirty-four years is a long time, one should at least see some new faces, if not anything else."

Sector V, as I gather from them, is a little anxious to see a new dispensation since a lot of investments are currently on hold. "These new guys may be the other side of the coin, but at least they are the other side," says De.

Racing down the rather unevenly paved EM Bypass, I think aloud how communist systems seem to invariably falter when they try to reform themselves. The only difference being, that in an unreformed communist system the leaders ultimately lose their heads while in a reformed one, they lose their chairs!

I enter South City Mall looking for catharsis, not for the government though; it has been a longish day. A trio of young adults have agreed to talk to us. The boy, from an elite missionary school, says: "I am glad that some TV channels are actually showing stuff on Sai Baba, who influenced millions of people rather than just blanket election coverage." He pauses and asks, "Why do you think people like him don't run for office?"

"Perhaps they don't need to," I reply. He continues, "So real change can happen outside the system, isn't it?"

Although a firm believer that India is currently characterised by public problems looking for private solutions, I say, "Affirmative. But the core mechanism is also important and GeNext has to step up".

"But, but, all elderly people, like the ones who vote for the Left, they invariably tell us to go to the West, since there is no hope for this place!" He says this impatiently.

I point out that while it may be too late for them (the elders, that is), it certainly isn't too late for GeNext. Lapsing into a brief monologue about the structural changes in the Indian economy and how fundamentally new forces have been unleashed, I seek to convince them of the futility of aimlessly running away to the West.

Seeing nodding but sceptical faces, I change the subject to what they plan to do, like in the future.

Refreshingly none of them are aspiring to be engineers, one even wants to study economics, but, sadly, none will remain in Calcutta either. The radical seems all set to land in Berkeley before his 18th birthday. So despite the talk, GeNext is flying the coop even before they are eligible to vote in the next Assembly elections.

Netaji's words ring aloud in my ears as I feel a rumble in my stomach.

Do you have any anecdotes from Election Day? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110501/jsp/calcutta/story_13919694.jsp

No mistake in Nandi: Buddha

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Bhattacharjee at the rally in Heria on Saturday. Picture by Jahangir Badsa

Khejuri, April 30: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said the state government had not made any mistake by planning to set up industry in Nandigram.

"Amra Nandigram ke arekta Haldia toiri korte cheyechhilam (we had planned to turn Nandigram into another Haldia). Haldia was just a town before we developed it into a city. We wanted to do the same for Nandigram. This was not a mistake," the chief minister told a rally in East Midnapore's Heria, 15km from Nandigram.

He accused the Trinamul Congress of running a "disinformation campaign".

"They told farmers that we were going to snatch their land. They even told the people that we would take away their temples and mosques. All these were lies," Bhattacharjee said.

The chief minister alleged that Trinamul had created "unrest" in Nandigram. "They killed our supporters, torched their homes and left them homeless."

Bhattacharjee said he had "not asked police to open fire" in Nandigram on March 14, 2007. "But when trouble broke out, they had to open fire," he added. "When the police went to restore law and order, they (Trinamul) placed women and children in front."

Fourteen villagers, including women and children, were killed in the firing. It was the trigger for the CPM's slide at the hustings and gave the initial impetus to Mamata Banerjee's rise.

The chief minister said the anti land-acquisition movements in Nandigram and Singur "had not been able to scare away investors".

"A steel plant is coming up in West Midnapore's Salboni. It will be the biggest steel plant in the state. A fertiliser plant is being set up in Durgapur. Industries are being developed in Siliguri and other parts of north Bengal."

Bhattacharjee accused Trinamul of trying to stop development. "We built roads, they kept on digging them. We built bridges, they damaged them."

He said the Trinamul-controlled zilla parishad and gram panchayats in East Midnapore were the "worst-run" in the state. "Just look at the deplorable condition of the gram panchayats in Nandigram. All of them are run by Trinamul. When we used to run the panchayats, people got work. But now, Trinamul is busy minting money," the chief minister added.

Criticising Trinamul's change chant, Bhattacharjee said: "They want change. What do they want to change? They will snatch the land we gave to the villagers."

East Midnapore goes to the polls on May 3.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110501/jsp/bengal/story_13925821.jsp

04/05/2011

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

Washington/New Delhi: Two days after Osama bin Laden's dramatic killing, the US Wednesday described its ties with Islamabad as "complicated" with the CIA chief saying that Pakistan was either "involved or incompetent" in la'affaire Osama.

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

In a stinging attack, CIA director Leon Panetta told US lawmakers that Washington was trying to get to the bottom of Pakistan's "troubling" role in their professed ignorance about the whereabouts of the Al Qaeda chief.

In a closed door briefing for House members Tuesday, Panetta said that "either they were involved or incompetent. Neither place is a good place to be", CNN reported.

Senators were unrelenting in their attack on Pakistan, a country whose leaders have repeatedly claimed that Osama, the world's most wanted terror leader, was either dead or hiding in Afghanistan.

"It had everything except a neon sign sticking out there," Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg told CNN, referring to spacious and high-walled mansion in Pakistan's Abbottabad city where US special forces shot dead Osama after a 40-minute gun battle Sunday night.

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

Republican Allen West echoed the angry mood in the Congress.

"There is no way people in the ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency) and military did not know that Osama has been living there for quite some time," said West, who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his detailed briefing on how Osama was trapped and killed, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney spoke approvingly of Pakistan's cooperation on the war on terror but admitted that US-Pakistani ties were "complicated".

"Pakistan is a partner - a key partner - in the fight against Al Qaeda and terrorism," he said. "It's a complicated relationship. There's no question. And we do have our differences."

In India, US envoy Timothy J. Roemer kept up the pressure.

"We are certainly going to see Capitol Hill take a very hard look at the assistance that we give (to Pakistan)," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

Underlining that Pakistan needed to do more against terrorists, Roemer said it had to be seen whether Islamabad was using the funds given by the US in a "proper way".

"Congress is going to engage in I think two very fundamentally important tasks in the weeks ahead. One will be as we share or sell certain military equipment to Pakistan, is that being used in the proper way to take on counter terrorism efforts."

While conceding that Pakistan had taken on Al Qaeda, he said it wasn't, however, doing enough against terrorists ranged against India.

"Are they doing enough on Lashkar-e-Taiba? Are they doing enough on Mumbai trials? Are they doing enough on Hafiz Saeed and (Zakiur Rehman) Lakhvi? No, they need to do more."

He said Pakistan should also show results on trying the masterminds of the Mumbai massacre of November 2008.

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

"They need to show progress and results on the Mumbai trials. That Mumbai attack on 26/11 killed scores of Indians, six Americans, and the US wants to see progress and results and justice."

Roemer said Osama's discovery in Pakistan would also be taken up.

"The second part of this will be in respect to bin Laden being discovered outside of Islamabad.

"Congress will ask tough questions and go to the bottom. How do we more effectively use that aid, I am sure Pakistan is helping us not only degrade Al Qaeda, but go after groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba," he said.

In Pakistan, there were more voices of disbelief that American's enemy number 1 was holed up near a Pakistani military academy in Abbottabad even as Islamabad claimed to be chasing the Al Qaeda leadership.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain demanded an apology from the Pakistani government and intelligence agencies for their lapse on allowing Osama to hide deep inside Pakistan.

Pakistan 'involved or incompetent', says furious US

Dawn newspaper echoed the national despair: "Right under our military`s nose was found Osama ... living in relative comfort in a compound with stringent security that somehow went unnoticed.

"Add to this the way he was killed, and embarrassment turns into deep shame."

A Canadian newspaper meanwhile reported that the Pakistan-backed Hizbul Mujahideen, which seeks to end Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir, owned the Abbottabad mansion where Osama was killed.

It added the HM, as the group is widely known, had the backing of the Pakistani military.

The report added that Hizbul's links to Al Qaeda would "deepen Pakistan's embarrassment" over Osama's death.

Source: IANS

By Dipankar Paul, India Syndicate, 04/05/2011

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

On September 11, 2011, when two hijacked planes smashed into the icons of American prosperity - the World Trade Centre twin towers - and two others rammed into the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania respectively, a new era dawned in the history of politics.

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

Terrorism, once the global scourge, became the single point agenda for the United States of America. Indeed, the struggle against terrorism became America's War on Terror.

On March 8, 1985, US President Ronald Reagan said: "Throughout the world... its agents, client states and satellites are on the defensive -- on the moral defensive, the intellectual defensive, and the political and economic defensive. Freedom movements arise and assert themselves. They're doing so on almost every continent populated by man -- in the hills of Afghanistan, in Angola, in Kampuchea, in Central America... [They are] freedom fighters."

This glowing praise was for Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and their 'holy war' against the 'evil empire'. The 'evil empire' was the Soviet Union, and other movements fighting US-backed colonialism, dictatorship and apartheid.

Everything changed on a bright day in September, 10 years ago.

In the wake of "the worst terrorist attack on American soil", bin Laden the "freedom fighter" suddenly became bin Laden the "World's Most Wanted Terrorist".

Yet, the US government refuses to acknowledge its pivotal role in creating, funding, nurturing the movement that gave birth to the like of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and Islamic fundamentalism as a whole. And, of course, that great American unifier: 9/11. The media, too, has rarely focused on the origins of bin Laden and his vicious brand of fundamentalism.

The Rise of the Mujahideen

In the April of 1978, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) wrested control over the country after the ruling government issued a crackdown against the party.

The PDPA was committed to land reform that favoured the farmers, equality for women, trade union rights, separation of the church and the state, and the expansion of education and social services. It also supported stronger relations between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.

These policies did not go down well with the country's monied landlords, the Muslim religious establishments and the tribal chiefs. They began organising a resistance against the progressive government, under the guise of defending Islam.

The US, fearing the spread of Soviet influence from Afghanistan to key allies Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf states, immediately backed the Afghan 'Mujahideen', as the resistance force came to be known.

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

NSA to US President Jimmy Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski with a Pakistani soldier in Khyber Pass in 1980.

In 1979, the PDPA government was in tumult after internal power struggles in the party. When thousands of Soviet troops entered the country to prevent the fall of the government, it only spurred the fundamentalist factions; their 'jihad' became legitimate: It became a national liberation struggle.

The Soviet Union eventually left the country in 1989, and the Mujahideen captured the capital Kabul in 1992.

In the years between 1978 and 1992, the US poured $6 billion (some estimates put the figure closer to $20 billion) worth of weapons, training and funds to arm the Mujahideen. Other Western-backed government, like the one in Saudi Arabia, pumped in as much. Wealthy Arab fanatics, like Osama bin Laden, provided millions more.

Washington's Afghanistan policy was shaped by US President Jimmy Carter's national security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski. His plan was not just about getting the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan; rather, it aimed at building an international movement to spread Islamic fanaticism to the Islamic Soviet republics in Central Asia, in an attempt to destabilise the Soviet Union. US-run Radio Liberty and Radio Free Europe broadcast fundamentalist tirades across Central Asia (while paradoxically denouncing the "Islamic revolution" that toppled the pro-US Shah of Iran in 1979).

Washington's favourite Mujahideen faction was the most extreme, led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hekmatyar was notorious in the 1970s for throwing acid in the faces of women who refused to wear the veil. He had a side trade: the cultivation and trafficking of opium. The backing of the Mujahideen by the CIA coincided with a boom in the drug business. Within two years, the Afghanistan-Pakistan border was the world's single largest source of heroin, supplying 60% of US drug users. In 1995, the former director of the CIA's operation in Afghanistan was unrepentant about the explosion in the flow of drugs: "Our main mission was to do as much damage as possible to the Soviets... There was fallout in terms of drugs, yes. But the main objective was accomplished. The Soviets left Afghanistan."

Osama bin Laden was a close associate of Hekmatyar and his faction.

Ahmed Rashid, a correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review, says, in 1986 CIA chief William Casey committed CIA support to an ISI proposal to recruit 'soldiers' from around the world to join the Afghan jihad. At least 1,00,000 Islamic militants flocked to Pakistan between 1982 and 1992. The November 1, 1998, British Independent reported that Ali Mohammad, one of those charged with the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, had trained "bin Laden's operatives" in 1989.

In Pakistan, recruits, money and equipment were distributed to the Mujahideen factions by an organisation known as Maktab al Khidamar (Office of Services -- MAK). MAK was a front for Pakistan's ISI. The ISI was the first recipient of the vast bulk of CIA and Saudi Arabian covert assistance for the Afghan contras.

Bin Laden was one of three people who ran MAK. In 1989, he took overall charge of MAK.

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden, one of 54 sons of billionaire construction magnate Mohammad bin Laden, arrived in Afghanistan to join the jihad in 1980, specialising in recruiting, financing and training the 35,000-odd non-Afghan mercenaries who joined the Mujahideen.

The bin Laden family has been a prominent pillar of the Saudi Arabian ruling class, with close personal, financial and political ties to the pro-US royal family. Mohammad bin Laden was appointed Saudi Arabia's minister of public works as a favour by King Faisal. The new minister awarded his own construction companies lucrative contracts to rebuild Islam's holiest mosques in Mecca and Medina. In the process, the bin Laden family company in 1966 became the world's largest private construction company.

Osama bin Laden's father died in 1967. He had access to the billions left behind by his father, until he was disowned by his family in 1994.

Till 1994, Osama's military work in Afghanistan had the support his well-connected family and the US-backed Saudi Arabian regime. His close relationship with MAK also meant that the CIA was fully aware of his activities.

Milt Bearden, the CIA's station chief in Pakistan from 1986 to 1989, told the January 24, 2000, New Yorker that while he never met bin Laden, "Did I know that he was out there? Yes, I did ... [Guys like] bin Laden were bringing $20-$25 million a month from other Saudis and Gulf Arabs to underwrite the war. And that is a lot of money. It's an extra $200-$300 million a year. And this is what bin Laden did."

In 1986, bin Laden brought heavy construction equipment from Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan. Using his extensive knowledge of construction techniques, backed by his degree in civil engineering, he built "training camps", some dug deep into the sides of mountains, and built roads to reach them. These camps harboured the Afghan ultras, including the tens of thousands of mercenaries recruited and paid for by bin Laden and were armed by the CIA. Pakistan, the US and Britain provided military trainers. Al Qaeda (the Base), bin Laden's organisation, was established in 1987-88 to run these camps.

Post-9/11, these camps were dubbed "terrorist universities" by Washington.

Tom Carew, a former British SAS soldier who secretly fought for the Mujahideen told the August 13, 2000, British Observer, "The Americans were keen to teach the Afghans the techniques of urban terrorism -- car bombing and so on -- so that they could strike at the Russians in major towns... Many of them are now using their knowledge and expertise to wage war on everything they hate."

Bin Laden became a "terrorist" in US eyes during the Gulf War. He opposed the Saudi royal family for allowing 5,40,000 US troops to be stationed on Saudi soil following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. When thousands of US troops stayed behind after the end of the Gulf War, bin Laden declared that Saudi Arabia and other regimes in the Middle East were puppets of the US, just as the PDPA government of Afghanistan had been a puppet of the Soviet Union. He proclaimed it the duty of all Muslims to drive the US out of the Gulf states. In 1994, he was stripped of his Saudi citizenship and forced to leave the country. His assets there were frozen.

Bin Laden returned to Afghanistan in May 1996. He restored the camps he had built during the Afghan war and offered the services of the Al Qaeda to the Taliban, which was ultimately responsible for what happened in 2001 in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

Front row, from left: Major Gen. Hamid Gul, director general of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Webster; Deputy Director for Operations Clair George; an ISI colonel; and senior CIA official, Milt Bearden at a mujahedeen training camp in North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan in 1987

In the years before the devastating September 11 attack, US ruling-class figures remained unrepentant about the consequences of their dirty deals with the likes of bin Laden, Hekmatyar and the Taliban. Since the attack, however, volte faces have been dime a dozen. In an August 28, 1998, report on MSNBC, Senator Orrin Hatch, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee which authorised US dealings with the Mujahideen, was quoted as saying he would make "the same call again", even knowing what bin Laden would become.

"It was worth it," said Hatch, "Those were very important, pivotal matters that played an important role in the downfall of the Soviet Union."

After 9/11, Hatch's was one of the loudest voices demanding military retaliation.

Who to blame after the Soviet Union? Pakistan, of course

Pakistan has remained a faithful ally of the USA, despites strained relations with regard to the ISI and Pakistan's sympathy for the Taliban. Former Pakistan Army Chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg says in the May 4, 2011 issue of the Pakistan Observer: The Americans have tried several options to negotiate peace in Afghanistan on their terms - "A non-Talibanised peaceful Afghanistan". Pakistan too has endorsed the idea. Both are on the wrong track, because in this brutal contest, the Talibans have won and have the right to lay down the terms for peace and not the Americans and the allies who have lost the war."

Gen Beg goes on to say: In fact the Americans have to demonstrate 'diplomatic wisdom' to accept defeat.

That "diplomatic wisdom" was out in full force after Osama bin Laden was found and killed 50 km from the nation's capital Islamabad. That the Americans chose not to even inform the Pakistanis that an operation was underway to "kill or capture" bin Laden is a statement in itself. Even as Pakistan was left licking its wounds and soothing its ego bruised by not knowing what was happening in its own soil, came another salvo from the CIA Chief Leon Panetta.

"It was decided [during the planning] that any effort to work with the Pakistanis could jeopardise the mission. They might alert the targets," said Panetta.

It may have been a tactical decision for one particular mission, but it clearly underscores the distrust that the US has for Pakistan.

Made in USA, destroyed in Pakistan

Pakistan the scapegoat, once again

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari was left clutching at straws, and did what he does best - write an opinion piece in the Washington Post on May 3, 2011.

Zardari says Pakistan did its part: "Although the events of Sunday were not a joint operation, a decade of cooperation and partnership between the United States and Pakistan led up to the elimination of Osama bin Laden as a continuing threat to the civilised world."

He continues: "Some in the US press have suggested that Pakistan lacked vitality in its pursuit of terrorism, or worse yet that we were disingenuous and actually protected the terrorists we claimed to be pursuing. Such baseless speculation may make exciting cable news, but it doesn't reflect fact."

Juxtapose the CIA Chief's words and those of the Pakistan president's and two very different stories emerge. After the US operation that killed bin Laden, President Barack Obama told a global audience: "I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates."

While Obama's words may seem to bolster Zardari's argument about cooperation, it is interesting to know that the US was fully prepared for go to war with Pakistan if any action was taken against the Navy SEALs team that conducted Operation Geronimo.

The US had armed jets on standby in Afghanistan, and "given the importance of extracting bin Laden's body for examination and the obvious desire of the US to protect its special forces," says Toronto's National Post, "America would have shot down any Pakistani jet that attempted to intervene in the operation."

So, it was only natural that Osama bin Laden was killed in the one country where it would be easiest to launch an operation, and then imply that it was that nation which harboured the "world's most wanted".

It was easy. Pakistan, the hotbed of global terrorism, and the perennial CIA stepping stone, was once again made the scapegoat. It was only fitting that Osama bin Laden died on its soil. Now the world can rejoice and Obama's ratings can hit the roof.

Source: India Syndicate

04/05/2011

Congress distances itself from Digvijay's Osama remarks

New Delhi: Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh found himself caught in another controversy Tuesday with the party distancing itself from his remarks about the need for even hardened criminals getting last rites according to their religious beliefs.

Congress distances itself from Digvijay's Osama remarks

Party spokesman Manish Tewari parried questions on whether Singh's remarks concerning terrorist Osama bin Laden's burial at sea was the party's official view.

'On the question of bin Laden and terror, we have repeatedly cleared our position. The position of the Congress has been very clearly articulated and delineated. We have nothing further to say on the neutralisation of bin Laden after what we said yesterday,' Tewari said.

Making an observation in relation to all terrorists and terrorist organisations, Tewari said: 'If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.' A senior leader disapproved of Singh's remarks and said he should have shown more sensitivity.

'He sometimes speaks needlessly...The effect of his words is communal,' the leader said, adding that it amounted to addressing a personal constituency. He said bin Laden was not a saint and there could be reasons for his burial at sea.

Congress distances itself from Digvijay's Osama remarks

Singh also met Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday evening. However, there was no confirmation from party leaders that the meeting was in the context of Singh's remarks.

Singh, on his part, defended his remarks and said he had not mentioned Osama.

Replying to queries about his remarks, Singh said he had answered a question posed to him and had stated that even worst of criminal should be given burial according to his faith.

Singh blamed the media for creating the controversy. 'I stand by my remarks,' he said, adding that if the party had left him alone, he would not be in his chair. Singh had been in controversy earlier over some of his remarks relating to civil society activists on the joint drafting committee on the Lokpal Bill.

Though the party had backed him initially, it did not approve his remarks on the performance of Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, who is a member of the drafting committee. Singh said later he never meant disrespect to Hegde.

Source: IANS

04/05/2011

It's back to Tihar for Kalmadi

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday remanded dismissed CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi and two others, arrested on charges of cheating, conspiracy and corruption in the award of Games related contracts, in 14 days judicial custody.

It's back to Tihar for Kalmadi

Special Judge Dharmesh Sharma sent Mr. Kalmadi, OC Joint Director General (Sport) A.S.V. Prasad and OC Deputy Director General (Procurement) Surjit Lal to judicial custody till May 18 after the CBI said that some important witnesses are yet to be examined.

"The investigation of this case is at crucial stage. Some important witnesses are yet to be examined. The role of accused persons Mr. Kalmadi, Mr. Prasad and Mr. Lal is of serious nature," the CBI said.

The court accepted the plea of the CBI which said that the accused may be remanded to judicial custody in the "interest of effective and proper investigation of the case."

Mr. Kalmadi, Mr. Prasad and Mr. Lal were arrested by the CBI on April 25 for allegedly awarding illegal contract to a Swiss firm for Timing-Scoring-Result (TSR) system for the mega sporting event last year causing a loss of Rs 95 crore to the exchequer.

It's back to Tihar for Kalmadi

Earlier, the court had remanded the trio to eight days of CBI custody after the agency had submitted that various incriminating documents regarding their role in awarding the contract had been collected and they needed to be confronted with them.

The CBI had said that Mr. Kalmadi and his two associates were evasive and not co-operating with the probe agency.

Mr. Kalmadi, suspended Congress MP from Pune, and the two other officials have been booked under sections 120 B (conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the IPC besides other relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Mr. Kalmadi's arrest had come weeks after his close aide and OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot and Director General V.K. Verma were taken into custody in the same case. Mr. Bhanot and Mr. Verma are presently in judicial custody.

Source: PTI

Parties beeline to woo Matua voters

Business Standard - Shine Jacob - ‎Apr 29, 2011‎
As the state is high on poll fever, both the CPM and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are trying to woo the Matuacommunity, which is a deciding factor in more than 74 constituencies. It has more than 12 million followers in West Bengal and around 40 ...

Mamata's winning mantra: Maa's son, Mati and Matua

Hindustan Times - ‎Apr 24, 2011‎
When Mamata Banerjee picked the youngest son of the Matua's supreme leader, Binapani Devi, as candidate from the Matua-dominated Gaighata constituency, it raised many eyebrows. Some called it a masterstroke that would go a long way in swinging votes of ...
Matua chief at Mamata meet Calcutta Telegraph
Mamata shares dais with Matua Mahasabha supreme IBNLive.com
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Political parties woo Matua community

Business Standard - Shine Jacob - ‎Apr 27, 2011‎
As the state is high on poll fever, both the CPM and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are trying to woo the Matuacommunity, which is a deciding factor in more than 74 constituencies. It has more than 1 crore followers in West Bengal and around Rs 4 crore ...

New York Press

Good Enough To Tweet?

New York Press - Linnea Covington - ‎3 hours ago‎

As I ordered a simple glass of the Matua Sauvignon Blanc ($8), my companion pored over the short, intricately detailed cocktail menu. I recommended the monsoon sour ($12), a smooth combo of sweet St. Germaine and Woodford Reserve bourbon that gets a ...

From Child star to Island Icon: Sablan's journey to acclaim brings him home

Pacific Daily News - Meryl Dillman - ‎Apr 30, 2011‎
Mike G. Santos/For Pika Family affair: Johnny Sablan and his son, Matua, perform at the Island Music Award 2011. / Mike G. Santos/For Pika Honored: Johnny Sablan receives an award at the Island Music Award 2011. / Mike G. Santos/For Pika In concert: At ...

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Purna Brahmo Shree Shree Harichand Thakur

Indian Express - ‎Apr 15, 2011‎

The word 'matua' means to be absorbed or remain absorbed in meditation, specifically in the meditation of the divine.His belief that there is no disparity between men and women, his stand against early marriage and his backing the practice of widow ...

Purna Brahmo Shree Shree Harichand (2011)-Bengali Movie Review Calcutta Tube

Going solo, Maya cites UP to gain a foothold

Indian Express - ‎Apr 21, 2011‎
Khokan Biswas, general secretary of Matua Mahasangha, said, "We are BSP supporters. We have our BSP candidate in Madhyamgram. the candidate is a Matua leader. We have come from Madhyamgram to listen to Mayawatiji. We do not support Manjul Thakur, ...

The Bay of Plenty Times

Community Gem: Linda McDougall

The Bay of Plenty Times - Jo-Marie Baker - ‎Apr 25, 2011‎

Linda McDougall does the baking for the Mainly Music's weekly gathering in the Matua Hall. Linda McDougall describes herself as "an old fashioned cook" and the delectable treats she bakes for Tauranga mums each week ...

The Bay of Plenty Times

Crashes, flooding and power cuts hit Bay

The Bay of Plenty Times - ‎May 2, 2011‎

High winds are believed to be the cause of a power cut which affected 4300 customers at Matua in last night. Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh said supply was lost to 4300 customers in and around Matua about 10.50pm, and was restored by ...

The Bay of Plenty Times

Teacher shows plenty of ticker

The Bay of Plenty Times - ‎Apr 17, 2011‎

Ms Shapland, an early childhood teacher from Matua, finished the event's 5km stage in about 50 minutes. "It was tough at times and about half way through the course I had to slow down and have a breather. But I wasn't too bad by the time I got to the ...

Create your own custom section for Matua

Mamata Banerjee

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Company hired helicopter for Mamata: Biman

Hindustan Times - ‎7 hours ago‎

A new allegation from the CPI(M), pertaining to the use of helicopter by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in her campaign, surfaced on Tuesday.

Singur, Nandigram lock their votes, Didi smells victory Indian Express

Mamata dismisses Buddhadeb''s charge of TC''s Maoist link

IBNLive.com - ‎3 hours ago‎

PTI | 07:05 PM,May 04,2011 Bankura, (WB), May 4 (PTI) Rubbishing West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee's charge that Trinamool Congress has links with Maoists, Mamata Banerjee today said CPI-M and ultras were both sides of the same coin.

If it's numbers, Didi scores over CM in West Midnapore Times of India

Chief minister follows Didi like a shadow Hindustan Times

हिंदी में Email this story

Mamata hospital card on Surya

Calcutta Telegraph - Arnab Ganguly - ‎20 hours ago‎

Narayangarh (West Midnapore): If you have to do as the Romans do in Rome, Mamata Banerjee knew what she had to prescribe in the doctor's territory.

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Mamata Banerjee promises development, jobs in Jangalmahal

Daily News & Analysis - ‎May 2, 2011‎

Place: Bishnupur (WB) | Agency: PTI Campaigning for the May 7 fifth phase poll in the Maoist-hit Jangalmahal, Trinamool Congress leaderMamata Banerjee today promised development and jobs for people in the "neglected" region.

Left killed 75000 opposition workers: Mamata IBNLive.com

WB polls: Mamata's IPS to battle against Left's firefighter India Today

Economic Times - Chandigarh Tribune - Times of India - The Hindu

Where change means no change

Hindustan Times - ‎1 hour ago‎
What does Mamata Banerjee stand for? She says that the traditional ideological dichotomy between Left and Right does not apply to her.

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Left Front would be wiped out in this poll: Mamata

Indian Express - ‎May 3, 2011‎

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that the Left Front would be wiped out after today's fourth round of polling in the six-phase West Bengal Assembly elections.

EC says it has video of Ghosh abusing Mamata IBNLive.com

Can Mamata tun around Purulia's fate? Times of India

Sify - Calcutta Telegraph

Poll panel pastes notice at CPI-M leader's door

iNewsOne - ‎May 3, 2011‎
Kolkata, May 3 (IANS) After repeated attempts to hand over copies of a complaint to Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Anil Basu, who had allegedly made obscene remarks against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, the Election ...
Anil under delay glare Calcutta Telegraph
WB polls: EC pastes notice at Anil Basu's door IBNLive.com
Hindustan Times
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Express Healthcare

Mamata Promises to Revamp Healthcare in WB, if Voted to Power

Express Healthcare - ‎May 3, 2011‎

As the West Bengal Assembly Elections draw near, Mamata Banerjee, recently released her party's election manifesto. The vision document has come up with specific plans under heads such as education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, ...

Destructive CPI-M must go: Mamata Washington Bangla Radio

Mamata to canvass on Chhatradhar turf

Hindustan Times - ‎May 1, 2011‎
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee gestures after casting her vote during the 3rd phase of...... Mamata Banerjee will address two rallies in the Maoist-dominated zone of West Midnapore on May 6. One of the rallies will be in support of the ...
Three-way fight in Maoist den Times of India
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All India Radio

Campaigning in full swing in WB for fifth, sixth phases of Assembly elections

All India Radio - ‎5 hours ago‎

Addressing a series of election rallies in Bankura, Purulia and West Medinipur districts, Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee said that the Left rule has done very little for the development of these districts despite being in power for the last 34 years.

Video: West Bengal polls: Voting for 4th phase today NDTV.com

Singur and Nandigram go to the polls today Hindustan Times

Indian Express - isikkim - GulfNews - Times of India

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Vote of revenge for Tapasi's father

Hindustan Times - ‎7 hours ago‎
Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee had fasted for the Tapasi Malik and the CBI arrested Suhrid Dutta, CPI(M)'s zonal committee secretary of Singur, and his associate Debu Malik.

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Battle royal for Hooghly

Hindustan Times - ‎Apr 30, 2011‎

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee traded charges in Hooghly on Friday. Speaking at Dhaniakhali, Banerjee threatened action against CPI(M) leaders, "who siphoned off development funds".

Didi ire at CM for sharing stage with Anil Calcutta Telegraph

Mamata takes dig at Buddhadeb for sharing dais with Basu MSN India

Times of India

We'll initiate real development: Didi

Times of India - ‎Apr 30, 2011‎
HOWRAH : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday promised the people of Howrah's Udaynarayanpur to do something to prevent annual floods, if voted to power.

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Mamata's Singur test

Indian Express - ‎May 1, 2011‎

Singur votes on Tuesday and, if Mamata Banerjee comes to power, this is the seat - apart from Nandigram - that she will look back on as a game changer.

Revisiting revolution Inc Hindustan Times

Tatas let us down: Gautam Calcutta Telegraph

At Nandigram, assurances of adequate compensation and railway jobs to the ...

Indian Express - ‎May 2, 2011‎
On April 28, in her stormy speech at Nandigram, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjeeurged the voters to make her party victorious by a huge margin.

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Didi predicts Trinamool tsunami

Hindustan Times - ‎Apr 28, 2011‎

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee gestures after casting her vote during the 3rd phase of...... As the sun set on the city on Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee said there shouldn't be any reason to doubt that the people of the city have voted for ...

CPM tried to rig polls: Mamata Times of India

Mamata Banerjee's time to cash rain check Daily News & Analysis

Calcutta Telegraph - Indian Express - Express Buzz - NDTV.com

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May 13 will be beginning of a long journey: Mamata Banerjee

Economic Times - ‎Apr 25, 2011‎

Trinamool Congress founder and chairperson Mamata Banerjee is just three weeks away from realising a three-decade-old dream of defeating the Left Front in the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Mamata accuses CPM of looting crores in West Bengal Indian Express

Fury over anti-Mamata remark Daily News & Analysis

Calcutta Telegraph - Hindustan Times - Wall Street Journal (blog) -Express Buzz

Poll wave: It's advantage Trinamool in Hooghly

Times of India - Falguni Banerjee - ‎May 2, 2011‎
Riding on anti-incumbency, Mamata Banerjee made dents among workers in Saptagram, Chinsurah, Chandernagore, Serampore and Bhadreswar.

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Plant gone but Nano on voter mind

Calcutta Telegraph - Sanjay Mandal - ‎20 hours ago‎

An agitation against forcible land acquisition by Mamata Banerjeepunctured Jayita's dream. Though the protests seem to have snatched the prospect of progress away from Singur, Jayita also cannot fully agree with the way the farmers were forced to part ...

Singur land: SC to wait and watch poll outcome Hindustan Times

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The making of Mamata Banerjee

Hindustan Times - ‎Apr 16, 2011‎

But for Mamata Banerjee, whose three-decade tirade against the comrades is finally bearing fruit, made, perhaps, on a rather fateful day —March 14, 2007.

Polls 2011: Cakewalk for Mamata Banerjee's aide in Behala-West Daily News & Analysis

Black money row may move to Court Times of India

Times Now.tv - India Today - The Hindu - Deccan Herald

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Tight security arrangement for 5th and 6th phase polls in West Bengal

Daily News & Analysis - ‎2 hours ago‎
Place: Kolkata | Agency: PTI Tight security arrangement has been made for fifth and sixth phases of election in West Bengal when Maoist-affected Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and parts of Burdwan would go to the hustings. Apart from state forces, ...

Bengal: Voter turnout in 4th phase above 87%

Times of India - ‎18 hours ago‎
KOLKATA: Ballot, and not the bullet, won in the fourth phase of polls in West Bengal despite complaints of terror and intimidation. The average polling percentage in Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore and 13 seats in Burdwan is expected to cross 87%, ...

The long shadow of Singur

Times of India - Ronojoy Sen - ‎May 2, 2011‎
Till five years ago, it was not even worth a speck on the map of West Bengal. But when on May 18, 2006 — ironically the same day Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was sworn in as chief minister — industrialist Ratan Tata announced that Singur, 40 km from Kolkata ...

Bengal: Polling in Singur, Nandigram today

Times of India - ‎May 2, 2011‎
KOLKATA: Elections are usually about politicians and people. In at least eight of the 63 assembly segments that go to the polls in the fourth phase on Tuesday, the key player is the Election Commission (EC). Complaints of terror and intimidation have...

Singur and Nandigram go to the polls today

Hindustan Times - ‎May 3, 2011‎
All eyes will be on Singur and Nandigram, as 63 constituencies in four districts would go to the polls in the fourth phase of Bengal's Assembly elections on Tuesday. Also in the fray from Burdwan South is state commerce and industries minister Nirupam ...

CPM questions EC's arrangements in West Bengal

IBNLive.com - ‎11 hours ago‎
Kolkata: West Bengal's ruling Left Front on Tuesday accused opposition Trinamool Congress of terrorising voters during the fourth phase of assembly polls, and said that the "incidents" have raised a question mark over the security arrangements made by ...

Peaceful voting in fourth round of West Bengal polls

Times of India - ‎May 3, 2011‎
KOLKATA: Singur and Nandigram voted peacefully on Tuesday as 58% polling was recorded till 1 pm in the fourth phase of West Bengal assembly elections for 63 constituencies spread over four districts. Elections are being held in three districts - Howrah ...

Bengal gears up for phase 4

Hindustan Times - ‎May 2, 2011‎
Polling officials check electronic voting machines in Siliguri on the eve of assembly elections in...... All eyes will be on Singur and Nandigram on Tuesday as 63 constituencies of Bengal go to polls. The fourth phase of assembly polls will be crucial ...

EC stepped up security in East Midnapore after CPI(M) complaint

The Hindu - ‎May 2, 2011‎
PTI PTI Joint Force jawans patrolling the Jhargram area for the assembly elections in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. Photo: PTI Ahead of the fourth phase of Assembly election in West Bengal on May 3, the Election Commission today further...

At 85%, phase 4 leads turnout race

Hindustan Times - ‎22 hours ago‎
Women display their voter identity cards as they stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling...... If high voting percentage is an indicator of anti-incumbency, the Left, then, has lost the battle for Bengal. The turnout in the fourth phase of ...
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	Tight security arrangement for 5th and 6th phase polls in West Bengal ‎2 hours ago‎ - Daily News & Analysis
	Singur and Nandigram go to the polls today ‎May 3, 2011‎ - Hindustan Times
	The long shadow of Singur ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Times of India

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West Bengal polls: Voting for 4th phase today

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How the US got Osama

Osama bin Laden's photo to be published says CIA Chief
I think we have to reveal to the rest of the world the fact that we were able to get him and kill him, said CIA chief Panetta.

SC wants former judge to monitor black money probe
Pulling up the Centre over its tardy pace in dealing with the "colossal" problem of black money, the Supreme Court today wanted a former judge to monitor action of government agencies on the issue but this was resisted by the Government.

"We do not visualise the problem going away in months. Look at the dimension of the problem. It is colossal and the biggest problem of the country after independence," a bench of justices B Sudarshan Reddy and S S Nijjar said while reserving its order on constituting Special Investigation Team (SIT) to deal with the issue.

During the hearing, the Centre vehemently opposed the idea of setting up of SIT or appointment of retired apex court judge to monitor the functioning of a 10-member high power committee of top officers from CBI, ED,IB and other departments, to deal with the black money cases.

"It is not in the public interest to appoint the SIT as it would hamper the ongoing investigation in the case. I have objection on the issue. They (government agencies) do not need any interventionist to be fast and speedy in dealing with the problem," Solicitor General Gopal Subramainum said.

The bench, however, pointed out that agencies approach has so far been tardy as nothing substantial has been done so far in such cases.

"Where is the speed in the case. Case was registered against an individual in 2007 but the custodial interrogation was done only in 2011 after the court's intervention. What speed you are talking about. We don't want to make comments on this. Even Letters Rogatory was issued after constant query from the court," the bench observed.

"I find it difficult to understand what is wrong if some eminent retired judge of this court will monitor the work of the committee. It can only enhance efficiency of the team," the bench further said while reserving its order on a plea seeking directions to the government to make public the names of persons who have kept black money in the Liechtenstein Bank.

Subramainum informed the court that the 10-member committee consisting of Revenue Secretary, RBI's Deputy Director, Directors of CBI, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Enforcement Directorate, Chairman of CBDT, Director General of Revenue Intelligence, chief of Narcotics Control, Director of Foreign Intelligence Office (FIO) and Joint Secretary of Foreign Trade has already been appointed.

The court was hearing a petition filed by noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani and some former bureaucrats seeking the its direction to the government to bring back black money stashed by Indian nationals in foreign banks, which is said to be to the tune of 1 trillion US dollars.

04/05/2011

Dorjee Khandu — From grassroots activist to Chief Minister

Itanagar: A military intelligence man who participated in the 1971 Bangladesh war, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu had worked his way up as a local politician helping set up schools and organising drinking water supplies in far-flung areas of the mountainous State.

Dorjee Khandu — From grassroots activist to Chief Minister

Mr. Khandu, who became the Chief Minister twice, was with the Indian Army's intelligence wing for seven years and received a gold medal for rendering meritorious services during the India-Pakistan war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Becoming an Anchal Samiti member in 1980, he turned his focus to social work in far-flung villages. He helped arranging drinking water supplies, electricity and communication and also setting up schools in remote areas of Tawang, his home district. Due to his efforts, cultural and cooperative societies were established in Tawang.

This helped him consolidate his standing among the masses when he replaced Gegong Apang as Chief Minister of the State in 2007.

Dorjee Khandu — From grassroots activist to Chief Minister

He led a cultural troupe to the 1982 ASIAD in Delhi from Tawang which won a silver medal.

Born on March 3, 1955 in Gyangkhar village in Tawang district, Mr. Khandu belonged to Monpa tribe and was a Buddhist with little formal education. He is survived by four wives, four sons and two daughters.

His political innings started in 1983 when he was elected uncontested as the district vice-president of the West Kameng District Zilla Parishad and worked in that capacity till 1987.

In March 1990, he was elected uncontested to the Legislative Assembly from the Mukto constituency.

Mr. Khandu was re-elected to the Assembly in March, 1995 from the same constituency and was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Cooperation.

Dorjee Khandu — From grassroots activist to Chief Minister

On September 21, 1996, he was elevated to Cabinet rank and given Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dairy Development department

In 1999, he was elected to the third Assembly of the State and served as the Power minister from 1998 to 2006.

He also served as Minister for Mines and held the portfolio of Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation and Disaster Management.

Mr. Khandu revolted against Mr. Apang in 2007. When the Congress high command first refused to accept Mr. Khandu as a replacement for Mr. Apang as Chief Minister, he went to New Delhi with most party legislators and stayed put for 10 days till the AICC leaders relented.

After taking over as the Chief Minister on April 9, 2007, he promised to reopen the state-owned APEX Cooperative bank having 32 branches across the State lying defunct for two years after an over Rs. 200 crore loan scam was unearthed.

Dorjee Khandu — From grassroots activist to Chief Minister

Within few weeks, Mr. Khandu secured a loan of Rs. 225 crore from PSU power major NHPC and invested it into the bank, enabling it to reopen, much to the relief of lakhs of depositors who were mostly poor locals.

His popularity grew further when he forced the Centre to open the FIC regional head office in Itanagar and godowns deep inside the State to check pilferage of PDS commodities.

In 2009, he was again elected unopposed to the Assembly and became the Chief Minister for second time on October 25, 2009.

The Rs. 24,000-crore special package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Itanagar on January 31 last year made Mr. Khandu's popularity soar even further.

Source: PTI

ress Trust of India, Updated: 26/04/2011

Press Trust of India

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04/05/2011

Diesel may go costlier by Rs 3/litre

New Delhi: The government plans to hike diesel prices by up to Rs 3 a litre soon after the Assembly elections in five states are over next week, while an equivalent steep increase in petrol rates is also on card.

Diesel may go costlier by Rs 3 per litre

"An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to meet on May 11 to mull on a hike in diesel prices," a top government official, refusing to be named, said.

A Rs 3-4 a litre hike in the price of petrol, which had been freed from government control last June, is also on the cards immediately after polling in the last phase of Assembly elections is completed on May 10.

"Petroleum Ministry officials yesterday discussed with the Election Commission the issue of raising prices before Assembly election results are announced on May 13. The Election Commission is believed to have cleared the move," he said.

Officially on the EGoM's agenda is ways of mitigating the over Rs 180,000 crore revenue loss state-owned oil firms have projected in 2011-12 on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene at current rates.

Diesel may go costlier by Rs 3 per litre

An increase in domestic LPG prices may also be discussed at the EGoM meeting that will decide on how the oil firms will be compensated for their losses, he said.

State-owned Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum currently lose Rs 16.17 a litre on diesel and after adding local sales tax or VAT, the desired increase to make rates at par with international prices is Rs 18.19 a litre.

The companies have not even raised price of petrol, a commodity which was freed from government control in June last year, in view of Assembly elections in five states like West Bengal and Kerala.

The hike need to take petrol prices to international parity is about Rs 8.50 per litre, but the entire burden will not be passed on to consumers in one go. "Oil companies will be asked to stagger the hike over a couple of months," the official said.

Besides petrol and diesel, the three state oil firms lose Rs 29.69 a litre on kerosene and Rs 329.73 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder.

Source: PTI

04/05/2011

Adani arm buys Australian port for Rs 9,000 crore

Ahmedabad: The Adani group's Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ) on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Abbot Point Port in Australia for A$ 1.8 billion (Rs 9,000 crore).

Australia's northeastern state of Queensland is selling the coal export terminal as part of an A$ 15 billion asset-sale programme. It will use the money for reconstruction following the devastation caused by floods and Cyclone Yasi.

MPSEZ expects to close the all-cash deal by June. The port has two mechanised berths. MPSEZ aims to build another two in the next five years. The port has a capacity of 50 million tonnes. It is using 20 million tonnes at present.

"At present, Abbot Port can handle 50 million tonnes coal. We plan to expand it to 80 million tonnes in five years. Besides other cargo, the port will handle coal from Adani's own mines," said B Ravi, chief financial officer (CFO), MPSEZ. In August last year, Adani had bought Linc Energy's coal mines in Queensland for about $2.7 billion (Rs 12,500 crore).

Adani plans to fund the deal through debt and sale of some equity in MPSEZ.

The company expects revenues from port operations to nearly triple to A$ 305 million (Rs 1,470 crore) by 2016 from A$ 110 million (Rs 530 crore) in 2011.

"We aspire to expand globally and are in search of right business opportunities. Abbot Point is our contribution to India's increasing global ambition," said Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.

In the past 10 years, the asset base of MPSEZ has risen from $100 million to $3 billion. The group has a cargo handling capacity of above 200 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as against 2.5 MTPA in 2001.

On why Australia has become a favourite place for buying energy assets, CFO Ravi said, "The Australian government, which was earlier conservative, opened up to privatisation of energy assets a couple of years ago." He said domestic power companies, which had big expansion plans, were looking to buy coal mines abroad to make up for the shortfall in domestic supply.

Imports of coal to produce power rose 33 per cent to 65.7 million tonnes in the year ended March 31.

Source: Business Standard

04/05/2011

Cognizant profit jumps 37.5%, sees strong Q2

Chennai: US-based IT services firm, Cognizant Technology has posted a 37.5 per cent jump in net profit at $208.32 million for the first quarter ended March 31 and has forecast a strong outlook for the second quarter numbers.

The company's net profit stood at $151.50 million for the first quarter of 2010.

Cognizant President and CEO Francisco D'Souza said they are pleased with yet another successful quarter of solid growth which was driven by a strong demand environment. He said during this time of significant secular change impacting our clients, Cognizant continue to enhance competitive differentiation.

The company's revenue increased by 42.88 per cent to $1.37 billion during January-March from $959.72 million in the same period last year.

Cognizant has now indicated that revenue for its June quarter will grow to be at least $1.45 billion, while for the year 2011; it expects revenue to grow at 29 per cent from 2010 to $5.92 billion, said a report in Business Today.

Cognizant Chief Financial and Operating Officer Gordon Coburn said they remain confident in their strategy of maintaining non-GAAP operating margins within a targeted range of 19-20 per cent, while allowing for strong and consistent investment in new service and delivery capabilities as well as in the best global talent.

Cognizant had a net headcount addition of more than 7,200 for the reported quarter. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $1.29 billion at the end of March 31, 2011, the report said.

Source: BPO Watch India

04/05/2011

AI will reinstate pilots if they call off strike: Govt

New Delhi: The government today softened its stand on striking Air India pilots with Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi announcing that the airline management would reinstate the pilots, who were sacked after starting their agitation.

AI will reinstate pilots if they call off strike: Govt

"If the agitating pilots of Air India call off their strike, the airline management will take back the pilot, who were terminated," said Ravi.

However, the pilots say they have always maintained that all they need to come back to work is reinstatement of pilots and a written assurance on their demands being met. "As of now, we have not received any intimation on this from the management and any decision will only come after that," said a pilot, who did not want to be identified.

The Delhi High Court today issued contempt notices to nine of the striking Air India pilots for defying its order to call off the agitation which entered the seventh day. The nine pilots are office bearers of the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), the union that has called the strike.

While issuing the contempt notices, the court also decided to take up the matter again on May 25. The members, who were issued the notices are ICPA President A S Bhinder, Vice President Ramesh Gangadharan, General Secretary Rishabh Kapur, Assistant General Secretary Rajesh Kuyeskar, Treasurer Ritesh Mathankar and four executive committee members Nitin Mahangade, Anup, Shakil and Amitesh.

AI will reinstate pilots if they call off strike: Govt

About 800 pilots of the union and around 200 executive pilots who were working with the now-defunct Indian Airlines are on strike since April 26 midnight demanding parity in wages with their counterparts from the erstwhile Air India. Indian Airlines was merged with Air India in 2007. The state-run carrier has suffered estimated revenue losses of over Rs 100 crore during the strike.

According to official estimates, private carriers were carrying 15,000-16,000 passengers of Air India, which is offering only about 9,000 seats each day currently. Normally, the state-run airline offers 35,000 seats in the domestic sector daily.

The bench had also rapped the airline management and the pilots' association for their rigid stand and appointed a counsel to assist in resolving the standoff.

Replying to this, Air India said the independent committee was set up after the civil aviation minister held talks with all unions/guilds/associations of Air India, including ICPA, and after taking their consent.

"The management explained to the court that the pilots and other employees need to engage with the Justice (retd) Dharmadhikari Committee, as it provided a very vital platform to resolve all human resource-related issues, including pay parity, rank rationalisation and seniority," said a release from the airline.

As the stalemate continued, the management issued directions for not processing of the salaries of those who were not joining duty as the airline was operating with less capacity.

Source: Business Standard

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Kalmadi given single occupancy at Tihar

Hindustan Times - ‎46 minutes ago‎

What's your name? What is your source of income, if any? Do you have any physical identification mark? These were among the 15-odd queries, part of a mandatory jail drill for new inmates, put to former CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi (67) ...

Suresh Kalmadi given separate cell in crowded Tihar jail Daily News & Analysis

Kalmadi sent to 14 days judicial custodyDeccan Herald

India Today - AFP - The Hindu -Economic Times

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Daily Bhaskar

Hunt for anonymous caller after threat to Prime Minister

The Hindu - ‎48 minutes ago‎

An anonymous telephone call received on Tuesday afternoon, at the Delhi Police Control Room, threatened to "assassinate" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Anonymous caller threatens to kill PM, Vajpayee Economic Times

Call threatens to kill PM, Vajpayee Hindustan Times

SamayLive - iNewsOne - indiablooms - Mid-Day

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Video: Karunanidhi may accompany Kanimozhi to court

Kanimozhi in Delhi, to appear before CBI court

Hindustan Times - ‎1 hour ago‎

PTI With a CBI court summoning her to appear before it in Delhi on May 6 in the 2G spectrum scam case, DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi on Wednesday reached the national capital.

NewsX

Karunanidhi may accompany Kanimozhi to court on May 6 Times of India

The Hindu - Indian Express - Zee News -News Tonight

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Pilots forced to operate in bad weather: Parliamentary Committee

Daily News & Analysis - ‎1 hour ago‎

VIPs put pressure on chopper pilots: Parliamentary panel The Hindu

Par panel slams Aviation Ministry, DGCA for fake pilot licence IBNLive.com

Hindustan Times - Times of India -Economic Times - Indian Express

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Daily News & Analysis -Press Information Bureau (press release)

'Need plan for water crisis'

Hindustan Times - ‎18 minutes ago‎

With the gulf between available resources and their demand constantly on the rise, the planning commission on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to prepare a detailed plan on ways to solve water crisis.

CWG Infrastructure Was of Good Quality: Plan Panel Outlook

Delhi's Rs.15133 crore annual plan approved Sify

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Video: Baba competes with Anna?

Ramdev plans fast-unto-death, seeking death penalty for graft

Economic Times - ‎3 hours ago‎

MUMBAI: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev Wednesday announced he will go on a fast-unto-death from June 4 in New Delhi to demand capital punishment for corrupt officials and recovery of black money stashed away in Swiss banks by Indian politicians and businessmen.

Times Now

Baba Ramdev to do 'a' Hazare, to launch 'Satyagraha' in Delhi Times of India

Newstrack India - Rediff - domain-B -NetIndian

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Tight security arrangement for 5th and 6th phase polls in West Bengal

Daily News & Analysis - ‎3 hours ago‎

Place: Kolkata | Agency: PTI Tight security arrangement has been made for fifth and sixth phases of election in West Bengal when Maoist-affected Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and parts of Burdwan would go to the hustings.

Bengal: Voter turnout in 4th phase above 87% Times of India

Singur and Nandigram go to the polls today Hindustan Times

IBNLive.com - The Hindu - Deccan Herald - All India Radio

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PAC report has to be accepted by Speaker: Joshi

Hindustan Times - ‎2 hours ago‎

PTI Unfazed by the "rejection" of the draft PAC report by a "majority", BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Wednesday said that the Lok Sabha Speaker has no option but to accept the report on the 2G scam presented by him.

BJP to take 2G, other scams to people in coming months Daily News & Analysis

2G scam: Speaker examining documents on 2G scam probe given by Joshi Economic Times

Tehelka - Calcutta Tube

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Govt rules out talks with pirates

Economic Times - ‎33 minutes ago‎

NEW DELHI: Government today ruled out any possibility of holding talks with Somali pirates who are holding 46 Indians and decided to "wait and watch" as ship owners continue to negotiate the release of the hostages.

Cong asks EC to deploy addln forces for Kadapa bypoll

IBNLive.com - ‎6 hours ago‎

PTI | 05:05 PM,May 04,2011 Hyderabad, May 4 (PTI) The ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh today asked the Election Commission (EC) to deploy additional security forces in Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, where bypoll is scheduled to be held on May 8, ...

Jagan rules out alliance with BJP Express Buzz

YSR Congress plays rough as the going gets tough India Today

Times of India - Deccan Chronicle

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NDTV.com

Murmurs of info leak in Jharkhand ambush

Hindustan Times - ‎28 minutes ago‎

The level of preparedness the Maoists displayed in overwhelming a special task force of security persons in Jharkhand's Lohardagga district on Tuesday has forced the state police to confront the possibility that the rebels had prior knowledge of the ...

Maoists kill 11 Indian police in ambushFinancial Times

11 security personnel killed in Maoist ambush Times of India

BBC News - iNewsOne - The Hindu -Indian Express

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EC reminder to Anil Basu on remarks

Hindustan Times - ‎8 hours ago‎

The Election Commission has pasted a notice on the walls of former CPI(M) MP Anil Basu's house, requesting him to collect a copy of the complaint and the CD from the district election officer's office.

WB polls: EC pastes notice at Anil Basu's door IBNLive.com

Poll panel notice pasted on Times of India

Calcutta Telegraph - iNewsOne

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Daily Bhaskar

JK Panchayat polls: Turnout over 80 per cent in 6th phase

Indian Express - ‎2 hours ago‎

More than 80 per cent voters on Wednesday exercised their franchinse in the sixth phase of Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat elections which passed off peacefully.

80 per cent vote in sixth phase of Panchayat polls Kashmir Dispatch

Kashmir panchayat polls see large turnout again Mangalorean.com

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Mumbai Mirror

EU's Kashmir discourse: No solution within Indian Constitution, says Geelani

Kashmir Dispatch - ‎2 hours ago‎

Srinagar: Reiterating that Kashmir issue was no border issue between India and Pakistan, chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that 'people will never accept any solution within the ambit of Indian constitution'.

Solution not based on self-determination unacceptable:Geelani Indian Express

A martyr, says Geelani The Hindu

Punjab Newsline - Kashmir Observer -Mangalorean.com -GreaterKashmir.com (press release)

all 34 news articles »

BMC shoots down proposal on private helipads

Daily News & Analysis - ‎2 hours ago‎

Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI The civic improvements committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today rejected a proposal seeking permission to construct private helipads on rooftops in the metropolis.

Despite MoEF refusal, BMC to decide on private helipadsHindustan Times

BMC told to pull up socks before eyeing Centre's Rs. 1100 crore pie Mumbai Mirror

Northern Voices Online (blog)

Committee to review Himachal land laws: Dhumal

iNewsOne - ‎3 hours ago‎

Shimla, May 4 (IANS) Following allegations by the opposition Congress party over land allocations in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Wednesday said a committee of legislators has been constituted to look into the issue.

Himachal Pradesh CM, Governor mourn death of Arunachal Chief MinisterOrissadiary.com

Double engine chopper for Himachal CMNorthern Voices Online (blog)

HydroWorld

Daily Bhaskar

Badal hails victory of 8 Punjabi MPs in Canada

Punjab Newsline - ‎11 hours ago‎

CHANDIGARH :Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Wednesday felicitated the victory of eight candidates from Punjabi community in the recently held elections for the Canadian Parliament.

Punjab to set up IT park near Mohali: Sukhbir Singh Badal Daily News & Analysis

Punjab demands spl security packageIBNLive.com

The Hindu - Daily Bhaskar - iNewsOne -Power-Gen Worldwide

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Custody extended for Indian Games chief

AFP - ‎4 hours ago‎

NEW DELHI - An Indian court on Wednesday extended custody for the Delhi Commonwealth Games' chief organiser, who is being held on corrup...

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Bin Laden fired his weapon during fight: Reports

Islamabad/Washington: Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted terrorist, was killed early on Monday by US special forces in a helicopter-borne operation at Abbottabad near the Pakistani capital, climaxing a over 10-year long massive manhunt.

Bin Laden fired his weapon during fight: Reports

The special forces personnel swooped down on the compound where bin Laden was holed up guarded by his ultra loyal Arab bodyguards in a pre-dawn operation killing the dreaded terrorist, US officials said.

The news of the slaying of the world's most prominent terror mastermind was broken to the world by US President Barack Obama, who made the announcement live from White House.

"Bin Laden, 54, is dead and his body is in US custody," President Obama said at half past 11 midnight US time after initial story had been broken by news channels. Though it was dark, crowds massed outside White House chanting 'USA, USA'.

Besides the al-Qaeda chief who carried a bounty of USD 25 million, two couriers one of whom was his son and the other a woman, reportedly used as a human shields, were killed in the operation, unnamed American officials were quoted as saying by ABC News.

First reports said that it was through these couriers that bin Laden had been traced.

Other women and children present in the compound were not harmed, according to Pakistani officials.

An American helicopter was destroyed by US Navy Seals after it was damaged and crashed during the operation that targeted a large compound in Bilal Town area near Abbottabad, 120 km from Islamabad.

There was no word from the Pakistani government or military on the operation.

Two US helicopters swept into the compound at 1:30 am and 2 am and 20 to 25 Navy Seals under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command stormed the compound in cooperation with the CIA and engaged bin Laden and his men in a firefight, US officials told ABC News.

Bin Laden fired his weapon during the fight, the US officials said.

The Americans took bin Laden's body into custody after the firefight and confirmed his identity.

One of the US helicopters was damaged during the operation and the troops decided to destroy it themselves with explosives.

Several Pakistani news channels beamed grainy footage of a burning helicopter on the empty lawn of the compound.

They also beamed footage of the compound surrounded by Pakistani troops this morning.

Pakistani troops also conducted a house-to-house search in the area, reports said.

Source: PTI

02/05/2011

Pakistan not informed about strike on Osama hideout

Washington: Apparently fearing a leak, the US did not inform Pakistan about the closely guarded operation on the outskirts of Islamabad on Monday that resulted in the death of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, a senior administration official said.

Pakistan not informed about strike on Osama hideout

"The information was not shared with any other country including Pakistan," the official said, adding that in such a kind of operation, the information is kept only to a few people and this was done in this case too.

The official told White House correspondents that the successful 40-minute operation was carried out by two US helicopters.

US warns of al-Qaida reprisals over bin Laden

Besides, Osama bin Laden, three men and one woman was killed in this operation.

One helicopter was damaged due to mechanical failure, but no US special forces were injured or hurt in this operation.

Announcing the death of bin Laden, President Barack Obama asked Pakistan to co-operate with the US in the war against terror.

Pakistan not informed about strike on Osama hideout

"Going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates," Obama said in his live televised speech.

"Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding.Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people," Obama said.

"I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterpart.They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations.

"And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates," said the US President.

Source: PTI

US all at sea over Osama bin Laden death, burial, photos

Times of India - Chidanand Rajghatta - ‎40 minutes ago‎

Pakistan, US go public with tension

NDTV.com - ‎1 hour ago‎

New Delhi: After Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on Sunday, the tensions are fast escalating between Pakistan and the rest of the world. The United States today flatly refused to apologise for 'Operation Geronimo' that killed ...

US forces used multiple methods to identify Osama

Hindustan Times - ‎45 minutes ago‎

Osama bin Laden was shot twice in the head, but it appears his face was intact, allowing the US forces to use cutting-edge face-recognition technology to establish the preliminary identity. Even this 95% identity match wasn't enough. ...

In an interview with CBS, Obama said "he won't release post-mortem images of Osama Bin Laden taken to prove his death," the network said in a statement.

more by Barack Obama - 49 minutes ago - AFP(11 occurrences)

Obama won't release bin Laden death photos: US media

AFP - ‎49 minutes ago‎

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama has decided not to release a photograph showing the body of Osama Bin Laden after he was killed by US commandos, US television networks said Wednesday. In an interview with CBS, Obama said "he won't release ...

Obama won't release bin Laden photos: reports

Reuters - Sandra Maler - ‎59 minutes ago‎

President Obama listens during a meeting discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has decided not to release photos of al Qaeda leader Osama bin ...

Analysis: 2012 Republicans to highlight economy after bin Laden

Reuters - Steve Holland, Philip Barbara - ‎52 minutes ago‎

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Potential Republican presidential candidates have little choice but to let President Barack Obama savor his Osama bin Laden victory before ramping up their criticism of his handling of the US economy. ...

Fake bin Laden links spreading malicious software

CNN - Doug Gross - ‎1 hour ago‎

Fake links to photos or videos of Osama bin Laden have hit Facebook and e-mail in a big way -- often with malicious intent. (CNN) -- As the world awaits the possible release of photographs of Osama bin Laden's body, ...

Pakistan said it wasn't sure whether Osama was alive or dead

The Hindu - Suresh Nambath - ‎2 hours ago‎

PTI Unlike former President Pervez Musharraf, who was convinced that bin Laden was in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani did not seem confident that the al-Qaeda leader could be found in Pakistan. File photo. ...

'Daughter saw bin Laden killed'

Hindustan Times - ‎2 hours ago‎

A young daughter of Osama bin Laden, now in custody with a Yemeni wife of the al-Qaeda leader, saw her father shot dead, a Pakistani intelligence official said on Wednesday. The official from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency said up to 12 ...

After Osama's death, India says no change on dialogue with Pakistan

Economic Times - ‎2 hours ago‎

NEW DELHI: India said on Wednesday that talks with Pakistan will continue, even as it expressed concern about the impact on Afghanistan by an early withdrawal of coalition forces following the killing of Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. ...

India Rules Out 'Geronimo' Style Strikes, Will 'Engage' Pakistan

Voice of America - Kurt Achin - ‎54 minutes ago‎

Pak will remain key ally of US: experts

Hindustan Times - ‎30 minutes ago‎

The ups and downs apart, Pakistan will remain a strategic partner of the US, Indian government officials said. Authorities here, however, have their eyes set on the situations unfolding in Afghanistan following Osama bin Laden's killing....

Test for India's foreign policy

mydigitalfc.com - Praful Bidwai - ‎49 minutes ago‎

It wasn'ta stunning surprise that Osama bin Laden was killed in a United States military operation. US special forces and intelligence agencies had long been tracking his outfit and tailing his couriers. ...

"Pakistan at times is playing a double game," said Republican Senator Susan Collins, a Senate Armed Services Committee member who indicated that Congress could put limits on funds for Pakistan.

more by Susan Collins - 21 hours ago - Times of India(36 occurrences)

India capable of US-like operation: Army chief

Hindustan Times - ‎3 hours ago‎

Indian Army chief General VK Singh on Wednesday claimed that the country's defence forces were competent to undertake an US-like operation that killed al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. "We have the capability.....If situation arises, all the three ...

US lawmakers want dole to Pakistan cut off

Times of India - Chidanand Rajghatta - ‎21 hours ago‎

WASHINGTON: In the aftermath of the raid on Abbottabad, all the big questions need to be answered by Pakistan. The old flim-flam ("Who, us? We knew nothing!") just isn't going to wash,'' Rushdie said in a commentary on Monday. ...

Analysis: India eyes looming Afghan end-game post bin Laden

Reuters - Adnan Abidi, Rebecca Conway - ‎10 hours ago‎

A man reads a local newspaper reporting the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the old quarters of Delhi May 3, 2011. By Alistair Scrutton and Henry Foy NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India may nervously wonder if Osama bin Laden's death will hasten a ...

Indian forces competent to carry out Abbottabad-like op: Army

Economic Times - ‎7 hours ago‎

LUCKNOW: Army chief General VK Singh today said that Indian armed forces were "competent" to carry out an operation similar to the one conducted by the US in Pakistan against al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. "I would like to say only this that if such a ...

Time to declare Pakistan a terrorist state: Salman Rushdie

Economic Times - ‎May 3, 2011‎

WASHINGTON: It was time to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and "expel it from the comity of nations", renowned author Salman Rushdie has said following the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a US special operation inside Pakistan early ...

Matt Gurney: Bin Laden's death makes India wonder why US is on Pakistan's side

National Post (blog) - ‎1 hour ago‎

It wasn't as spectacular as the 9/11 attack on Washington and New York, and at 164, the death tolls aren't even within shouting distance of each other. But it would be wrong for the West to underestimate the effect of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in ...

US?s anti-Osama operation should inspire India to re-evaluate its security ...

Economic Times - ‎10 hours ago‎

In the wake of the dramatic US operation at Abbottabad, which ended in Osama bin Laden's death, some fantasists here have begun to wonder whether India has the 'capabilities' to carry out such strikes. The question can and should be quickly answered. ...

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Timeline of articles

Number of sources covering this story

	NBC: Obama won't release bin Laden death photo ‎43 minutes ago‎ - msnbc.com
	Why Wall Street Barely Reacted to Osama bin Laden's Death ‎May 2, 2011‎ - LiveScience.com
	Obama Calls World 'Safer' After Pakistan Raid ‎May 2, 2011‎ - New York Times
	KT McFARLAND: The Curse Is Broken -- Bin Laden Is Dead and America Is Back ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Fox News (blog)
	U.S. Forces Unsure Bin Laden in Compound Until Face to Face ‎May 2, 2011‎ - San Francisco Chronicle
	Illinois Reacts To Osama Bin Laden's Death ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Huffington Post
	Community board: bin Laden death a day of justice ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Wall Street Journal
	Is the world safer because Osama bin Laden is gone? ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Wall Street Journal
	Bin Laden's Death Draws Worldwide Cheers, Relief ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Fox News
	Bin Laden Death Unites Washington ‎May 2, 2011‎ - Fox News

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