On Diesel Decontrol

The Government will have to bite the bullet on decontrolling prices of diesel. They cannot subsidise the Rich who have fuel guzzling SUVs and diesel-powered generators. The direct payment system planned in place of subsidies would change the face of India forever.

Mayawati gifts Lucknow a Rs.834cr Park

From the entrance gate to the artificial animals, everything is made up of bronze at the 112-acre Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Green (Eco) Garden constructed on the VIP Road worth Rs 834 crore. Constructed on the north side of Manyawar Kanshiram Ji Smarak Sthal, the park was open to public after Mayawati inaugurated it on Thursday. The park has two main entrances. One on the VIP Road and the other, right opposite facing towards Gitapalli colony. It has been designed taking in view the ‘vaastu’ concepts. The total area of the park is 112 acres, which has been well parted out to place the bronze fountain with water bodies and greenery surrounding it. This has been designed keeping in mind the environmental aspect. Around 13,000 metres pathway has also been built up. There are more than 10 such fountains. Different varieties of saplings would be planted and this area will be surrounded by a rock garden. To amuse the kids, there are elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, dinosaurs and others. It is reported that more than 25 varieties of animals carved out of bronze metal are present. The park has nearly 500 such statues, which gives a majestic look to the garden. According to officials, an ovalshaped mound constructed right in the middle is the centre of attraction. This mound reflects the architectural features of the garden. A striking feature of the garden is the solar energy system worth Rs 180 lakh that will soon be installed, so that energy could be conserved, and power cuts be avoided. Inside the garden, an area of 10.5 acres has been given to develop facilities for public utility. This will house administrative building, eating joint, washrooms, and also small parking place. Near the entrance gate (from Gitapalli side), a huge area exclusively for parking is constructed. “The parking space of around 20 acres will be developed,” said assistant engineer, UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, SP Singh. Earlier, CM Mayawati, while addressing the people highlighted that the park is one of the biggest ecological park in the world. “The park will attract people from all over the world,” Mayawati said. Talking about the challenges that she had to face, she indirectly hinted on the people who posed hurdles at the construction of the park. The eco park has been built after demolishing the old jail on Jail Road. The state government is yet to fix an amount that would be charged by the public. There would be an entry ticket for which the rate is yet to be decided. “The total amount spend on its construction will be recovered from the people who visit the garden. I hope more and more people from across the country come to visit it,” said the CM. Though the garden has been inaugurated, it requires finishing touches. Officials believe that it will take another month to complete it, and plant saplings.

...and the Maharashtra Government / PMC can't cobble together Rs.1,000 cr for Pune's planned Bio Diversity Parks on hill slopes !

Another Noida - Faridabad expressway proposed

In what will reduce distance and save travel time for thousands of commuters, the Noida Authority has proposed to build another expressway from Gautam Buddha Nagar to Faridabad. Once completed, the it will offer commuters direct connectivity to Faridabad and they will be able to avoid the massive jams seen on the route. The 75-m wide expressway will start from Sector 150, on the outskirts of Noida. A fourlane bridge will also be built on the Yamuna, taking the expressway to Faridabad. The plan has been included in Noida’s Master Plan-2031 by the planning department and the proposal has now been sent to the state government for approval. The expressway will have entry/exit points between sector 150-152 in Noida and close to Greater Noida’s Pari Chowk. The authority is waiting for a final nod from the state government and is expecting to begin work soon.

Somewhere in Jharkhand....

A social activist involved in exposing alleged irregularities in implementing MGNREGA schemes was beaten to death at Jeruwa village under the Manika police station in Jharkhand’s Latehar. The incident occurred on the intervening night of March 2-3. Niyamat Ansari (53) was associated with the former member of the MGNREGA council and present member of the National Advisory Council Jean Dreze. Latehar SP Kuldip Dwivedi said the sister of the victim, Shaida Bibi, had lodged an FIR in which she claimed to have identified the assailants. Quoting the FIR, Dwivedi said 10-12 people descended on Ansari’s house, dragged him out and beat him up with sticks. The Manika police were informed who brought Ansari to the Latehar hospital where he succumbed to injuries, the SP said.

Nashik airport

The Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the modernization of the Ozar airport in Nashik. The plan includes the setting up of a passenger terminal complex at the airport, which currently houses defence aircraft only. PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal said once the revamp was over in a year or so, the Nashik airport would serve as an alternative to the Mumbai airport. Bhujbal said plans were also afoot tosetup a 13,000-foot-long runaway at the Nashik airport and provide world-class facilities there.

On Bofors....

After the CBI spent Rs 250 crore on probing Bofors over 24 years, a Delhi court on Friday allowed its plea to withdraw prosecution of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, the lone surviving accused in the politically-sensitive case. Terming the investigations in the case as an exercise with no result, chief metropolitan magistrate Vinod Yadav chose to close the case against Quattrocchi in larger public interest and subsequently discharged him. This is no guarantee, however, that the last has been heard of the defence scandal, which is said to have led to the Rajiv Gandhi government’s exit in 1989. For, the intervener-advocate, Ajay Aggarwal, said that he would appeal against the order, which held that he had no locus standi in the case. Also the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal order on December 31, 2010, that kickbacks amounting to Rs 41 crore were paid to the late Win Chaddha and Quattroachi and withholding tax is illegal, the case is not fully dead yet. While rejecting Aggarwal’s plea that CBI’s reprieve to Quattrocchi was politically motivated, Yadav said Aggarwal was interested in “attaining cheap publicity” and had no public interest. The court’s decision comes one-and-a-half years after CBI moved an application seeking permission to withdraw the case against Quattrocchi. The CBI said his continued prosecution was “unjustified” in the light of various factors, including the agency’s failed attempts extradite him from Malaysia and Argentina. CBI had in October 2009 moved the trial court for closing of the case after withdrawing the red corner notice against Quattrocchi in April that year. While pronouncing the order, the judge said Rs 250 crore spent so far in the investigations of the case weighed heavily on his mind and became one of the main grounds to allow CBI’s plea.
Chronology of Bofors Howitzer Payoff Scandal
MARCH 24, 1986: A $15-billion contract between the Indian government and Swedish arms company AB Bofors is signed for the supply of over 400 155mm Howitzer field guns
APRIL 16, 1987: Swedish Radio claims Bofors paid kickbacks to top Indian politicians and key defence officials to secure the deal which was denied by then PM Rajiv Gandhi
AUG 6, 1987: A JPC is set up to probe the allegations. It submitted its report two years later NOV 1989: With the opposition making the Bofors kickbacks a poll issue, Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress party is voted out of power in the general elections
DEC 26, 1989: Then prime minister VP Singh’s government bars Bofors from entering into any defence contract with India
JAN 22, 1990: CBI registers a complaint in the case, following which Swiss authorities freeze bank accounts of Svenska and AE Services, which allegedly received unauthorised commissions for the deal
MAY 21, 1991: While the case was being investigated, Rajiv Gandhi assassinated
JULY 29-30, 1993: Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, who represented Italian fertiliser firm Snam Progetti for years, leaves India to avoid arrest
JAN 21, 1997: After four years of legal wrangles, secret documents running into over 500 pages given to Indian authorities in Berne
JAN 30, 1997: CBI sets up special investigation team for the case
1997: Letters rogatory issued to Malaysia and the UAE seeking arrest of Quattrocchi and former Bofors agent Win Chadha. CBI files a case against Quattrocchi, Chadha, defence secretary SK Bhatnagar, former Bofors chief Martin Ardbo and the Bofors company. Rajiv Gandhi’s name figures as “an accused not sent for trial” as he was assassinated in 1991
MARCH 18, 2000: Chadha comes to India to face trial
SEP 29, 2000: Hindujas issue statement saying funds received by them from Bofors had no connection with the gun deal
OCT 9, 2000: CBI files supplementary chargesheet naming Hinduja brothers as accused
DEC 20, 2000: Quattrocchi arrested in Malaysia, gets bail but is asked to stay in the country AUG-OCT, 2001: Former defence secretary Bhatnagar dies of cancer. Win Chadha dies of a heart attack
FEB 4, 2004: Delhi High Court clears Rajiv Gandhi of involvement in the scandal
MAY 31, 2005: Delhi High Court clears the Hindujas of involvement
FEB 6, 2007: Quattrocchi detained in Argentina on Interpol lookout notice but later released SEPT 29, 2009: Govt tells SC about its decision to withdraw the case against Quattrocchi
DEC 14, 2010: A Delhi court reserves its order on a CBI plea seeking to drop criminal proceedings against Quattrocchi
JAN 3, 2011: An I-T tribunal rules that commission in violation of Indian laws was indeed paid to Quattrochi and Chadha in the gun deal that cost the national exchequer 412.4 million some 23 years ago
MAR 4, 2011: A Delhi court allows CBI to drop all charges against Quattrocchi and to close the case

Somewhere in Mumbai....

A major fire engulfed Garib Nagar in Bandra (E) on Friday.The Harbour line was closed as a precautionary measure .