The Government on Friday reached out to veteran social activists and Gandhian Anna Hazare and decided to set up a joint drafting committee to bring out a strict anti-corruption law.
From: http://ping.fm/l4Bjq
Friday, April 8, 2011
Anna Hazare: Govt offers drafting panel
The Government on Friday reached out to veteran social activists and Gandhian Anna Hazare and decided to set up a joint drafting committee to bring out a strict anti-corruption law.
The committee will have 10 members out of which five will be ministers and the other five will be from the civil society. Hazare will also be one of the members of the proposed committee.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that that all the points that were raised by Hazare's supporters have been met. The Government has also decided to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.
The committee will have 10 members out of which five will be ministers and the other five will be from the civil society. Hazare will also be one of the members of the proposed committee.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that that all the points that were raised by Hazare's supporters have been met. The Government has also decided to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.
"All points of substance have been met. We have agreed for a joint drafting committee. We will introduce the Bill (Lokpal Bill) in the monsoon session. The committee will have five nominee ministers of the Government and five members of Hazare," said Singhvi while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.
"The Congress is with the crusade against corruption. We have shown that whenever there are credible allegations the Congress party has taken concrete actions and full transparency has been maintained. We are with the nation and with the civil society in this crusade against corruption. We are taking steps for the Lokpal Bill," he said.
The convenor of drafting committee will be Law Minister Veerappa Moily.
However, the Congress also took a tough stand against some activists and questioned the role of the civil society.
The party said that accountability lies with politicians and no responsible government could accept some of the demands that had been put forward by the anti-corruption crusaders.
Reacting to the Government's proposal, Hazare's supporters said that the there should be co-chairperson of the committee and a Government order should be issued for the same. The demand for a Government order is a climbdown from their earlier demand for a notification.
Hazare has launched a fast-unto-death at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding strict anti-corruption law. His fast entered the fourth day on Friday and his crusade has spread like wildfire across the country.
Massive protests have been reported from several other cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna, Bhopal, Jaipur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Nashik, Ranchi, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram.
Anna Hazare :Letter to the Prime minister
Veteran social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare has written an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In the letter dated April 6, 2011, Hazare has raised many questions and sought the Prime Minister's reply.
The 72-year-old social activist, supported by eminent persons including Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal, has been demanding that the drafting committee for the Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption should include members of civil society.
He started his fast-unto-death at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to demand a stricter anti-corruption law that that is being proposed by the Government.
Below is the full text of Hazare's letter to the Prime Minister:
India Against Corruption
A-119, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad . 201010. UP Ph: 09868069953
www.indiaagainstcorruption.org
Date: April 6, 2011
To,
Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
New Delhi Dear
Dr. Singh,
I have started my indefinite fast at Jantar mantar. I had invited you also to fast and pray for a corruption free India on 5th April. Though I did not receive any reply from you, I am hopeful that you must have done that.
I am pained to read and hear about government's reaction to my fast. I consider it my duty to clarify the points raised on behalf of Congress party and the government by their spokespersons, as they appear in media:
1. It is being alleged that I am being instigated by some people to sit on this fast. Dear Manmohan Singh ji, this is an insult to my sense of wisdom and intelligence. I am not a kid that I could be "instigated" into going on an indefinite fast. I am a fiercely independent person. I take advice from many friends and critics, but do what my conscience directs me to do. It is my experience that when cornered, governments resort to such malicious slandering. I am pained that the government, rather than addressing the issue of corruption, is trying to allege conspiracies, when there are none.
2. It is being said that I have shown impatience. Dear Prime Minister, so far, every government has shown complete insensitivity and lack of political commitment to tackling corruption. 62 years after independence, we still do not have independent and effective anti-corruption systems. Very weak versions of Lokpal Bill were presented in Parliament eight times in last 42 years. Even these weak versions were not passed by Parliament. This means, left to themselves, the politicians and bureaucrats will never pass any law which subjects them to any kind of objective scrutiny. At a time, when the country has witnessed scams of unprecedented scale, the impatience of the entire country is justified. And we call upon you, not to look for precedents, but show courage to take unprecedented steps.
3. It is being said that I have shown impatience when the government has "initiated" the process. I would urge you to tell me - exactly what processes are underway?
a. You say that your Group of Ministers are drafting the anti-corruption law. Many of the members of this Group of Ministers have such a shady past that if effective anticorruption systems had been in place, some of them would have been behind bars. Do you want us to have faith in a process in which some of the most corrupt people of this country should draft the anti-corruption law?
b. NAC sub-committee has discussed Jan Lokpal Bill. But what does that actually mean? Will the government accept the recommendations of NAC sub-committee? So far, UPA II has shown complete contempt for even the most innocuous issues raised by NAC.
c. I and many other friends from India Against Corruption movement wrote several letters to you after 1st December. I also sent you a copy of Jan Lokpal Bill on 1st December. We did not get any response. It is only when I wrote to you that I will sit on an indefinite fast, we were promptly invited for discussions on 7th March. I wonder whether the government responds only to threats of indefinite fast. Before that, representatives of India Against Corruption had been meeting various Ministers seeking their support for the Jan Lokpal Bill. They met Mr Moily also and personally handed over copy of Jan Lokpal to him. A few hours before our meeting with you, we received a phone call from Mr Moily's office that the copy of Jan Lokpal Bill had been misplaced by his office and they wanted another copy. This is the seriousness with which the government has dealt with Jan Lokpal Bill.
d. Dear Dr Manmohan Singh ji, if you were in my place, would you have any faith in the aforesaid processes? Kindly let me know if there are any other processes underway. If you still feel that I am impatient, I am happy that I am because the whole nation is feeling impatient at the lack of credible efforts from your government against corruption.
4. What are we asking for? We are not saying that you should accept the Bill drafted by us. But kindly create a credible platform for discussions . a joint committee with at least half members from civil society suggested by us. Your spokespersons are misleading the nation when they say that there is no precedent for setting up a joint committee. At least seven laws in Maharashtra were drafted by similar joint committees and presented in Maharashtra Assembly. Maharashtra RTI Act, one of the best laws of those times, was drafted by a joint committee. Even at the centre, when 25,000 tribals came to Delhi two years ago, your government set up a joint committee on land issues within 48 hours. You yourself are the Chairperson of that committee. This means that the government is willing to set up joint committees on all other issues, but not on corruption. Why?
5. It is being said that the government wants to talk to us and we are not talking to them. This is utterly false. Tell me a single meeting when you called us and we did not come. We strongly believe in dialogue and engagement. Kindly do not mislead the country by saying that we are shunning dialogue. We request you to take some credible steps at stemming corruption. Kindly stop finding faults and suspecting conspiracies in our movement. There are none. Even if there were, it does not absolve you of your responsibilities to stop corruption.
With warm regards,
(K B Hazare)
ANNA HAZARE SUPPORTERS: COME TOGETHER
Anna Hajare - has single handedly started a fight against corruptions at high levels in India. He has started a fast unto death in New Delhi.This fast has now entered the FOURTH day & a large number of people from various walks of life continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger anti-corruption law.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY OF US REALLY SUPPORT HIM. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SUPPORTERS , REPLY TO THIS POST & TELL THE WORLD WHY YOU SUPPORT HIM.
Stand with Anna Hazare : www.avaaz.org - Tell PM Singh to endorse Jan Lokpal and tackle corruption
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY OF US REALLY SUPPORT HIM. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SUPPORTERS , REPLY TO THIS POST & TELL THE WORLD WHY YOU SUPPORT HIM.
Stand with Anna Hazare : www.avaaz.org - Tell PM Singh to endorse Jan Lokpal and tackle corruption
Thursday, April 7, 2011
ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: ANNA HAZARE: DEMAND REJECTED
The government has rejected the demand of Anna Hazare to issue an official notification to constitute the draft committee
From: http://ping.fm/9kNGw
From: http://ping.fm/9kNGw
ANNA HAZARE: DEMAND REJECTED
The government has rejected the demand of Anna Hazare to issue an official notification to constitute the draft committee forLokpal Bill and also rejected the proposal for an outsider to lead the new committee of government and civil society.
The protesters announced that Kapil Sibal had conveyed about this decision to them and has also said that Pranab Mukherjee will head the committee.
Reacting to the government's stand, Anna Hazare announced country-wide Jail Bharo agiation on April 12.
However, later the date was changed to April 13 as organisers realised April 12 was a Ramnavami holiday and the agitation would inconvenience people.
An angry Hazare said that the people will teach the government a lesson by joinging the jail bharo agitation against the government.
Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, whose fast entered the fourth day on Friday, has said that he will not become the chairman of the proposed draft committee for the Lokpal Bill.
Addressing the thousands at the protest site, Anna Hazare said that he would only assist the committee in advisory capacity.
The fasting leaders announced that Anna Hazare will write a letter to Prime Minister manmohan Singh forwarding the names of Santosh Hegde and Justice GS Verma to lead the proposed draft committee.
The government has already rejected these names.
Hazare called for immediate decentralisation of power at the centre to ensure that there is end to corruption in governance.
Stating that Mahatma Gandhi stressed on decentralisation of power, he said his fast for Lokpal Bill was like the second fight for Independence. He said, Lokpal Bill will lead to decentralisation of power.
Hazare said Right to Information Act is an example for all to see. The RTI has led to devolution of power.
Taking a dig at the present set up, Hazare said all the agencies to tackle corruption at present are under the government and hence there has never been any positive outcome of any probe.
Hazare said we are demanding that all these agencies should come under the purview of Lokpal. This will ensure that all the corrupt will land in jail, he said.
The protesters announced that Kapil Sibal had conveyed about this decision to them and has also said that Pranab Mukherjee will head the committee.
Reacting to the government's stand, Anna Hazare announced country-wide Jail Bharo agiation on April 12.
However, later the date was changed to April 13 as organisers realised April 12 was a Ramnavami holiday and the agitation would inconvenience people.
An angry Hazare said that the people will teach the government a lesson by joinging the jail bharo agitation against the government.
Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, whose fast entered the fourth day on Friday, has said that he will not become the chairman of the proposed draft committee for the Lokpal Bill.
Addressing the thousands at the protest site, Anna Hazare said that he would only assist the committee in advisory capacity.
The fasting leaders announced that Anna Hazare will write a letter to Prime Minister manmohan Singh forwarding the names of Santosh Hegde and Justice GS Verma to lead the proposed draft committee.
The government has already rejected these names.
Hazare called for immediate decentralisation of power at the centre to ensure that there is end to corruption in governance.
Stating that Mahatma Gandhi stressed on decentralisation of power, he said his fast for Lokpal Bill was like the second fight for Independence. He said, Lokpal Bill will lead to decentralisation of power.
Hazare said Right to Information Act is an example for all to see. The RTI has led to devolution of power.
Taking a dig at the present set up, Hazare said all the agencies to tackle corruption at present are under the government and hence there has never been any positive outcome of any probe.
Hazare said we are demanding that all these agencies should come under the purview of Lokpal. This will ensure that all the corrupt will land in jail, he said.
Japan: Another Earthquake
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake rattled Tokyo over a minute on Thursday night. Weaker than the M 9.0 that struck on March11, the 7.1 scared many people.
A warning of a tsunami of up to 6 feet was issued by the Japanese meteorological agency after a M7.1 shake off the coast, 60 miles from Sendai and 90 miles from the crippled and leaking nuclear power plant at Fukushima. Tokyo, which felt the earthquake, is about 215 miles from the epicenter. The tsunami warning was lifted after 90 minutes. The earthquake occurred at 23.32 local time. At first the quake was reported at M7.4, later downgraded to 7.1.
This latest strong aftershock has knocked out power in several areas in the Northeast and may have further damaged the Fukushima plant. Workers have evacuated the plant until the danger of a tsunami generated by this latest shock is past.
Plates warped and strained
This earthquake was 25 miles deep and is thought to be an aftershock or a continuation of the pressure release from the warping of the tectonic plates as the Pacific plate slides under Japan. Thomas Heaton, California Institute of Technology geophysicist, said after the March 11 earthquake that even one of magnitude 9 may not release the strain.Japan mostly lies on the Okhotsk Plate, which is long and moving in a southerly direction. On the west side of Japan is the Eurasian Plate, pushing eastwards, and on the opposite side is the Pacific Plate, moving to the west. The Okhotsk Plate is therefore sandwiched between the two massive plates and being assaulted from both sides.
Sathya Sai Baba shows signs of improvement.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is undergoing treatment for multi-organ dysfunction, is showing signs of improvement and doctors treating him are optimistic about his recovery.
“Sathya Sai Baba, who was admitted in this hospital on March 28, is showing positive signs of response to the treatment being given to him,” a health bulletin issued this morning by A.N. Safaya, Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences here, said.
“His blood pressure and other clinical parameters continue to be nearly normal and satisfactory. His kidneys are also showing signs of recovery. The state of his consciousness also continues to show improvement. Indices of other vital organs like the heart and liver have also shown improvement.
“He is in a stable condition of health, though he still continues to be on the ventilator and slow dialysis,” it said.
The panel of doctors treating him is optimistic about his recovery, the bulletin added.
85-year-old Sathya Sai Baba was admitted to the super-speciality hospital on March 28 following problems related to heart and lungs.
The doctors treating him have said he is suffering from multi-organ dysfunction and that he was responding positively to the treatment.
After Satya Sai Baba: Who?
Even as questions are being raised about the credibility of reports on spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba’s health, the question, ‘Who after Baba?’ is being seen as the raison d’etre for all the mystery and secrecy over Baba’s real condition.
A five-member team of Andhra Pradesh government, headed by principal secretary, health department, BV Ramesh, has been constituted to work out a smooth transfer of reins of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Trust in the event of 85-year-old godman’s demise.
According to sources, “It is this tussle for succession that is driving the government and the trustees to keep Baba out of the public glare. The trust has huge properties at Puttaparthi in Ananthapur district, Andhra Pradesh, and in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai. It also has property in several countries, including USA, and property alone is estimated to be worth over Rs40,000 crore. The trust is running numerous schools, colleges and two super-specialty hospitals, apart from implementing drinking water schemes in several places, including Ananthapur.”
Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakara Raju, one of the trustees, is being touted as the front runner to head the trust. But the issue is not simple, as there is now debate on whether the new head, in the event of Baba’s demise, should be chosen in a democratic manner or be one from Baba’s family.
Retired IAS officer Chakravarthi reportedly enjoys the confidence of many members, and could head the trust. Meanwhile, Puttaparthi is agog with reports of the Andhra Pradesh government trying to take over the trust, to manage the institutions of the Baba.
The five-member team of the AP government, which is camping in Puttaparthi, is in constant touch with trustees and members of Baba’s family. It has already started examining the flow of donations for the trust and whether funds are being managed properly.
Earlier, devotees heeded a prophecy that Baba would attain his heavenly abode only at the age of 96. Baba’s next reincarnation, according to that prophecy, would occur in Mandya district. Devotees see Baba’s reincarnation as the natural successor to Baba. But for that kind of succession, devotees expect to have to wait at least three decades. In the meanwhile, it is expected that the 85-year-old Baba would continue to bless his followers for at least another 11 years.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Anna Hazare: One man against corruption
Anna Hazare is one of India's well-acclaimed social activists. A former soldier in the Indian army, Anna is well known and respected for upgrading the ecology and economy of the village of Ralegan Siddhi which is located in the drought prone Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state. The erstwhile barren village has metamorphosed into a unique model of rural development due to its effective water conservation methods, which made the villagers self-sufficient. Earlier, the same village witnessed alcoholism, utter poverty and migration to urban slums. Inspired by Hazare’s unique approach of salvaging a hopeless village, the state government has implemented the `Model Village’ scheme as part of its official strategy. Hazare is now synonymous with rural development in India.
This man has single handedly started a fight against corruptions at high levels in India. He has started a fast unto death in New Delhi.This fast has now entered the third day & a large number of people from various walks of life continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger anti-corruption law.
Seventy-two-year-old Hazare’s protest has led to the resignation of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Group of Ministers on corruption after the Gandhian took potshots at him.
The activist is demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill as the legislation proposed by the government was not adequate and lacked teeth. He has maintained that a joint committee, comprising representatives of the government and civil society, should be set up to firm up the bill.
Let us all support this noble cause & extend our support to this movement.
Satya Sai baba: Condition improving
A tense Puttaparthy heaved a sign of relief 10 days after Satya Sai Baba was admitted at a super speciality hospital. Doctors attending the world-renowned spiritual leader, now say that though Sai Baba's condition is critical, he's showing signs of improvement."Satya Sai Baba has shown slight improvement, he continues to be in a serious state of health, we believe that ultimately he should have the sankalpa of coming out of this," said Satya Sai Institute of Medical Sciences Director Dr Safaya.Even as people pray for Sai Baba's recovery, the devotees in Puttaparthy believe that an idol that they had immersed recently was the reason why Sai Baba is in a critical condition. A huge procession was undertaken to recover the idol and place it back in the temple.
"We believe in Sai Baba. What Puttaparthy is now its all because of Sai Baba, we are praying for him to get well," said Abdul, a resident of Puttaparthy Village.
Hopes of countless people continue to swing between despair and hope. Devotees continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the 85-year-old spiritual guru, who helped millions of people by answering their question.
Doctors attending on spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthy said that his health condition was stable and there were signs of improvement
http://ping.fm/RwTb7
http://ping.fm/RwTb7
SATYA SAI BABA:CONDITION STABLE
Doctors attending on spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthy said that his health condition was stable and there were signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys.A bulletin issued by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Puttaparthy, Andhra Pradesh, this morning said Sai Baba, who was admitted to the hospital ten days ago, "is in a stable state of health as he was yesterday".
"There are signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys although he is still on dialysis. He continues to be on the ventilator for assisting his respiration," it said.
"The blood pressure and all other parameters are satisfactory. The panel of doctors treating him is keeping a constant watch over his health condition," the bulletin added.
The 85-year-old Sai Baba was admitted to Satya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthy on March 28, following pneumonia and respiratory problems.Monday, April 4, 2011
Satya Sai Baba's condition critical.
Condition of Sri Sathya Saibaba, who was admitted to hospital following chest and lung congestion on March 28, has turned critical, doctors treating him said. 
According to an emergency medical bulletin issued by Sri SatyaSai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Puttaparthy, vital organs of Sai Baba were not functioning normally.
According to an emergency medical bulletin issued by Sri SatyaSai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Puttaparthy, vital organs of Sai Baba were not functioning normally."The doctors are doing their best," said A N Safaya, director, SSSIHMS.
Doctors performed dialysis on Sai Baba today using the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy method, he said. They said that Sai Baba's condition took an alarming turn in the afternoon.
The latest information has sent waves of concern among the thousands of devotees who have thronged the Ashram town of Puttaparthy, specially the super specialty hospital to inquire about his condition.
Sai Baba, whose millions of devotees are spread all over the world, that include nig names from the diverse worlds of politics, business and films, rule over a massive network of socio-religious organisations with assets running in to several thousands of crores.
Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital, set up by him near his sprawling Prashanti Nilayam Ashram, on March 28 with the complaints of difficulty in breathing.
85-year-old Sathya Saibaba was admitted to the super speciality hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparty near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh following respiration-related problems.
Friday, April 1, 2011
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