BJP High command tells state leaders

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

"keep quiet !”

BJP High command tells state leaders

Issue to be resolved in 3 days

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 30

The BJP high command has cautioned Maharashtra BJP leaders not to speak out of turn and avoid any comments detrimental to alliance with Shiv Sena in the state.

It was pointed out that neither BJP president Amit Shah and nor any central leader of the party has spoken on demands by the Shiv Sena raised day-in and day-out. There are certain elements in the Sena who are adding fuel to the fire and creating complications in the smooth sailing of the alliance.

In fact, the high command is watching the situation closely and all senior leaders like working president J P Nadda, Information & Braodcasting and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav are in loop. The party leaders will hold internal discussions once the Prime Minister is free from his diplomatic priorities. There is no hurry or pressure to seal the deal either.

A senior minister told Lokmat on the condition of anonymity, “We will solve the issue in three days.” He reminded that Sena was throwing similar tantrums before the Lok Sabha polls too and once BJP president Amit Shah held a close-door meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, everything was sorted out.

Of course, there will be power sharing arrangement between the two parties. But the BJP had roped in several smaller parties also in the alliance. Therefore, it is working out modalities of sharing power with its “historic ally” within its own set up first. There is a possibility that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis may make a brief trip to Delhi to brief the high command on the situation.

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Govt. worried over Tax Terrorism now

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Govt. worried over Tax Terrorism now

Amending act, to Check probe agencies 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 28

Realizing that anti-corruption agencies are causing immense damage to the business climate in the country in their zeal, the government has finally woken up to check them.

If the Corporate Affairs Ministry is contemplating to amend certain key clauses governing companies Act itself, all large bank fraud cases above Rs 50 crores are being examined afresh by a reconstituted Board with more powers. The board will examine, before an FIR is filed with the police, CBI or any other agency by the concerned bank, whether the case is fit enough for criminal intent and investigation.

There is virtual climate of fear among the bank manager to managing directors onward not to sanction loans and play safe. The bureaucracy is also wanting clear cut orders either from the top or from the committee of secretaries before taking decisions. Invariably, the matters are delayed, dragged and buried as no one wants to invite the wrath of the probe agencies later.

Several international companies of repute including the manufacturers of Rafale have cautioned the Indian government about the large scale registration of criminal cases of every financial act by various agencies.

There are as many as dozen agencies which are going after financial frauds in one way or the other. Its not merely the CBI or Enforcement Directorate (ED), but the CBDT & CBEC have also acquired criminal powers to prosecute now and issue look out notice against businessmen for tax evasion. Then there is Fraudulent Bankruptcy under the Banking Regulation Act, Illegal Foreign Trade and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Black Money Act, Company Frauds under the MRTPC Act, Information Technology Act for Online Frauds, and host of others.

Now the government want to ally the apprehensions of the Indian and foreign companies who want to set up shop in a big way particularly after tax concessions, that it wants to keep these agencies in check. This can't be done through oral orders. Therefore, systems are being put in place beginning with amending the corporate affairs act so that SFIO & other agencies do not run amok.

The advisory board will conduct the first level of examination in all major fraud cases before recommendations or references are made to investigative agencies such as the CBI, ED and others.

All cases involving officers of General Manager and above in respect of an allegation above ₹50 crore will have to now be referred to the board.

CVC Sharad Kumar told Lokmat that the advisory board will go a long way in achieving its objective to find a distinction between frauds and genuine business decisions.

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Verdict exposes Chinks in BJP armoury

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Verdict exposes Chinks in BJP armoury

Uncertainty in Haryana, Sena Flexes muscles in Maharashtra

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 24

The BJP's win with a slander margin in Maharashtra and hung house in Haryana has thrown the leadership into a tizzy. The party's parliamentary board went into a huddle to find out what went wrong particularly in Haryana where eight top ministers were trounced and party failed to win a majority on its own. Though BJP president Amit Shah congratulated the people of Maharashtra for the victory, he also thanked the people of Haryana for making BJP the single largest party. But the verdict has exposed chinks in the BJP's armoury and would have to undertake a thorough review as to what went wrong.

Many in the BJP leadership believe but for the Article 370, second surgical strike two days before the polls and the Prime Minister's addressing 16 rallies in two states, the results could have been more unpalatable for the BJP. It is clear that the economic slowdown, rising unemployment, banking crisis and denial mode of the BJP were some of the reasons for poor showing at the hustings.

Despite the win in Maharashtra, the BJP is not sure which way Shiv Sena will behave as it has the winning card. The Shiv Sena has projected Aditya Thackeray as its chief ministerial face and now with the BJP depending on Sena to form the next government, hard bargaining will begin. The Congress leadership under Sonia Gandhi is reported to have asked NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to take a decision in the best interest of the UPA. No one is sure what the NCP-Congress combine will do to stop the BJP from coming to power.

In Haryana too, the picture is hazy despite BJP hovering around 40 seats mark in the Assembly of 90. The Congress leadership under Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja succeeded in garnering only 30 seats only. But its the JJP of Dushyant Chautala and ten others who hold the key. While one INLD MLA and a few Independents who are BJP rebels may also support the BJP, no one is sure which way the Aaya Ram Gaya Ram state will behave. Dushyant Chautala (JJP) who holds the key with 10 MLA, is in Delhi to hold parleys. No one sure whether he will go with the BJP or Congress.

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Major shake up in the bureaucracy, dozens affected

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Major shake up in the bureaucracy, dozens affected

Harish gupta

new delhi, oct 22

In a major overhaul of the bureaucracy, the NaMo administration made nearly two dozen changes at the level of the secretary and upgraded/downgraded the posts of dozen odd officers of the level of joint secretaries.

Braj Raj Sharma (IAS:1984:JK) was appointed Chairman, Staff Selection Commission and moved away as Secretary, Department of Border Management (MHA). Sanjeev Gupta (IAS:1985:HP) appointed (in-situ) as Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs while Sailesh was appointed as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises. Presently, Sailesh is Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. Alok Tandon, an officer of the UP cadre was appointed as Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. In his new assignment he will hold the additional charge of the post of Secretary, Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare. Presently, he is serving as Chairman Noida Authority. Sanjeev Nandan Sahai (IAS:1986:UT) appointed (In-situ) as Secretary, Ministry of Power vice Subhash Chandra Garg (IAS:1983:RJ) who retires on October 31. Sahai is working as Special Secretary, Ministry of Power.

Pramod Kumar Das (IAS:1986:MP) appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. Presently, he is Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Nagendra Nath Sinha (IAS:1987:JH) who was Chairman, NHAI under Nitin Gadkari has been sent as Secretary, Department of Border Management (MHA).

Tuhin Kanta Pandey was appointed as Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management in place of Anil Kumar Khachi who was repatriated to Himachal.

Pankaj Kumar of Nagaland cadre, is the new CEO, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in the rank and pay of Secretary by temporarily upgrading the post. Presently, he is Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Rajesh Bhushan was appointed (In-situ) as Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat.

Pravir Krishna, MD, TRIFED in the rank and pay of Secretary.

Further, over a dozen of IAS officers belonging to 1987 batch of IAS were elevated (In-situ) as Special Secretary in the rank and pay of Secretary (GoI), in their respective ministries/departments presently serving in the rank of Additional Secretary. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet extended the upgradation/downgradation about 12 joint secretaries.

Finally, Lokpal gets a building, outside Lutyen's Delhi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Finally, Lokpal gets a building, outside Lutyen's Delhi

Harish Gupta 

New Delhi, Oct. 21 

Finally, the Lokpal has a got its own building to function. More than seven months after the 9-member anti-corruption watchdog came into being, it was functioning from the sprawling 5-star Hotel Ashok. It’s a different matter that the Lokpal was not paying any rent to the ITDC owned Hotel Ashok and bearing the loss. 

The Lokpal continues to struggle with the government for the rules to be framed for the past seven months. The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has not framed the rules so that Lokpal is able to function and look into the complaints of corruption against the Hugh and mighty people.

But the Lokpal is now to move out of Delhi's five star hotel 'The Ashok' to Vasant Kunj in the building of the International Center for alternative Dispute Resolution. The building was identified by the PMO in the city for a great building hunt. The International Center’s building is a sprawling area outside the Lutyen’s zone in Vasant Kunj. Now the Lokpal will acquire it. It is at Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, Phase-II, Mahipalpur. The government had said recently that it is in the process of searching a permanent office for Lokpal in response to an RTI query. But it did not go further as to when it will identify and where. 

It said no payment has so far been made towards rental charges for the Lokpal office at 'The Ashok' hotel.  the government has taken over the building of Arbitration building in vasant kunj.

Meanwhile, the government appointed Senior IAS officer Dilip Kumar as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of Lokpal. It is perhaps the first official appointment of a bureaucrat in Lokpal. Kumar, a 1995-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, was working as the joint secretary of the NHRC when his appointment was announced.

The Centre is yet to notify a form for filing complaints with Lokpal.

Ex-CVC Chowdary Joins Reliance Board

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Ex-CVC Chowdary Joins Reliance Board

Govt. surprised

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 19

Former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) K.V. Chowdary was nominated to the Board of directors of the country's flagship company Reliance Industries.

The Mukesh Ambani-owned company informed the Stock exchange of the key appointment. The company said that the board had appointed Chowdary as a non-executive additional director.

Chowdary, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service, was chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Later, the Modi government appointed him as the CVC from June 2015 to June 2019. His four-year tenure was marked by some controversy in relation to a handful of politically-sensitive cases, particularly with regard to the infighting in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2018.

There was considerable surprise and even dismay in the government over Chowdary joining the board of a private company after remaining as top watchdog.

Though there is no legal bar on any retired officer joining private sector except that they have to undergo one year cooling period after retirement. But Chowdary retired in June as CVC and did not complete the cooling off period.

Big Fight Erupts between two Govt bodies

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Big Fight Erupts between two Govt bodies

Brings Sale of Sick companies to a Grinding Halt

1200 companies hit 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 18

A big fight has broken out between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Company Law Tribunal bringing the auctioning of sick companies to a grinding halt.

The Enforcement Directorate is firm in implementing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) which stipulates that assets of those involved in money laundering be attached along with the companies they owned. But the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) governing the NCLT and Appellate body are responsible for buying & selling the sick companies numbering nearly 1200.

The tussle brought the light the conflict between the ED under the Finance Ministry and the IBC under the Corporate Ministry with the ED attaching assets of sick Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL) which had been purchased by the JSW Steel. The JSW was about to pay Rs 19700 crores for the debt-ridden BPSL. But it withheld the payment after the ED attached its assets. The ED's action, in fact, brought the entire process to a grinding halt at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) which is supervising the sale/purchase of all sick companies in India. As on March 31, 2019, there were 1143 companies which are undergoing resolution process and its rising by the day.

Now the buyers are insisting that after payment of the bid amount, the companies should be free from all past liabilities including the criminal cases. The ED attached assets worth Rs 4000 crores of the Bhushan Power & Steel. The ED has refused to relent and so far the government has not intervened either. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has directed the ED that assets be released forthwith and even asked the JSW Steel not to make the payment until the assets are released. But the ED is not bound by the NCLAT order saying it is governed by the PMLA. The government will have to amend the act if it wants to speed up the sale/purchase of sick companies.

As if this was not enough, ED has gone in appeal to attach the assets of Tech Mahindra to the tune of Rs 822 crores in a fraud case relating to Satyam Computers Services which was acquired by Tech Mahindra in 2009. The matter is sub-judice but giving nightmares to the buyer.

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Lokpal sitting pretty as Govt. yet to frame rules

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report 

Lokpal sitting pretty as Govt. yet to frame rules

Ombudsman was created six months ago, function from Hotel Ashok 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 15

Even six months after the 9-member Lokpal institution came into being in March, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has not framed rules and procedures to govern country's anti-corruption watchdog.

It transpires that the Chairman of the Lokpal Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, has been communicating with the DoPT for the past several months to expedite framing of rules. He is impressing upon the government to frame rules so that the body could start functioning effectively. The DoPT has to prepare a format under which complaints can be filed against the corrupt government servants including ministers by complainants. The government wants that the complainant has to to lodge a complaint against the persons occupying high office in a proper format rather than on a plain sheet of paper. But there is no format as yet.

The Lokpal was created in a historic decision by the Modi government to probe into the corruption charges against the Ministers including the Prime Minister.

Insiders say that in the absence of rules and procedures, the Lokpal is unable to handle complaints. It is also not clear whether the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) which is dealing with the corruption by the government servants minus political leaders will be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal or not.

At present, the office of Lokpal works from 'The Ashok' hotel in Chanakyapuri and search is on for an alternative building.

Justice Ghose is the Chairman while eight other members include four former chief justices of different high courts, justices Dilip B Bhosale, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Abhilasha Kumari and Ajay Kumar Tripathi and four ex-government servants. They include former IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram, ex-Maharashtra chief secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain, former IRS officer Mahender Singh and Gujarat cadre ex-IAS officer Indrajeet Prasad Gautam.

So far, the Lokpal has received over 600 complaints and it has disposed most of them. But it is handicapped in the absence of rules & procedures how to proceed. Various complaints are reported to be pending, say sources.

When contacted, a senior officer in the DoPT said, “it is engaging our attention on a priority basis. There are procedural issues and being sorted out.”

ends

Amit Shah ensured Ganguly election as BCCI Chief

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report 

Amit Shah ensured Ganguly election as BCCI Chief

Vetoed his son Jay Shah's name for coveted post

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct. 14

Contrary to popular perception that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was propping up his son Jay Shah for the coveted (BCCI) post, it transpires that he strongly pitched for a professional.

At a closed door meeting held at his residence on Saturday night when top guns of cricket associations from across the country called on Amit Shah, he flatly refused to allow his son to be appointed as BCCI chief. N Sriniwasan of India Cement fame who is a key player in Tamil Nadu, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur and host of other cricket association presidents attended it.

These top notches wanted to seek the indulgence of Amit Shah so that a consensus can be arrived at for the post of new president. The names of Sourav Ganguly, Brijesh Patel, Rajat Sharma, president of the DDCA, Jay Shah from the GCA etc. were doing the rounds for the coveted post. The BCCI polls are taking place after a long time and the Committee of Administrators (COA) will now seize to exist on October 23 when Saurav takes over.

Jay Sha who represents the GCA at the AGM in Mumbai, is the hot favourite. But Amit Shah vetoed his son's name saying that a professional be inducted for the post. Gone are the days when Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar used to call the shots. It may also be mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has been a former head of the GCA.

There are clear signals that the BJP leadership decided to throw its weight behind Saurav Ganguly for long term political interests as well. Anurag Thakur is reported to have played a key role in convincing Ganguly that after his term as BCCI chief, to campaign during the West Bengal Assembly polls in 2021. Saurav Ganguly will have a tenure of one year only under the new rules under which an office bearer can have a running administrative role for nine year and thereafter will have a cooling off period of three years.

Under the formula, Brajesh Patel may become BCCI chief after Ganguly demits office in September 2020. But for now, Ganguly's unanimous election has the clear stamp of Amit Shah.

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Malik to Continue as J&K LG

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Malik to Continue as J&K LG

Prakash Mishra may be new LG of Ladakh

State to be Bifurcated on October 31 as UTs 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 11

The Modi government has set the ball rolling for the appointment of new Lieutenant Governor of the newly carved out Union Territory of Ladakh. While it has been decided that Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik will continue to hold the fort in Srinagar after October 31, there will be a new LG for Ladakh. It is learnt that Satya Pal Malik will be re-designated as Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of J&K as per the J&K Reorganisation Act and he has no hesitation is continuing there. But Ladakh UT will have new LG soon.

If reports are to be believed, former CRPF Director General Prakash Mishra is the front runner for the Ladakh UT. He belongs to the Odisha cadre of the IPS and had a running battle with the Naveen Patnaik government. He was removed as DGP following which he was inducted as special secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry by the Modi government. Later, he was posted as DG, CRPF. The 1977 cadre IPS officer later joined the BJP after retirement.

It is learnt that Prime Minister Modi is keen to induct only bureaucrats and top police officers in Union Territories. There are five union Territorires and all of them have retired IAS or IPS officers barring Dadra, Nagar & Haveli where Praful Khoda Patel was appointed. He was Minister of State for Home Affairs in Gujrat. Otherwise, Kiran Bedi (Pudduchery), D K Joshi (A&N), Farooq Khan (Lakshadweep) and Anil Baijal (Delhi) belong to regular services. IN chandigarh, V P Singh Badnore is the Administrator by virtue of his being the Governor of Punjab.

Sources say, that Prakash Mishra fits into the government's scheme as he was an outstanding officer and Ladakh needs an experienced hand.

However, a final decision will be taken within the next two weeks. Currently, the Union Home Ministry is busy bifurcating the IAS, IPS cadres between the UTs of J&K and Ladakh and work is going on at a faster pace in North Block.

Ends  a

Ram Temple Tops RSS agenda at 3-day conclave

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report 

Ram Temple Tops RSS agenda at 3-day conclave

RSS brass' 3-day meet in Bhubneshwar

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 10

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) working committee will brainstorm on key issues of Ram Temple, Article 370, National Citizenship Register and other key issues in Bhubneshwar. There are reports that the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) may also come up during the brainstorming running into five days. While on October 15, all senior RSS workers will be part of the congregation- first major exercise in the Odisha Capital. The next day, members of the executive committee which is a larger forum will review the overall situation including the political situation.

Thereafter, three days Working Committee will be convened between October 17-20 where key policy decisions of the past will be reviewed and agenda next will be debated and finalised.

The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and General Secretary Bhayyaji Joshi will participate in the meeting apart from joint general secretaries Dattaterya Hosabole, Krishan Gopal, Manmohan Vaidya and others. The chiefs of 55-odd frontal organisations have also been invited at the three day conclave. There is a likelihood that BJP president Amit Shah and working president J P Nadda may take part for a day. VHP International Chief Alok Kumar has been specifically asked to be present as the Ram Temple issue is to be discussed in great detail. It seems a strategy is to worked out as the Ayodhya verdict will be out in November. The VHP has already said big preparations for the Ram Temple construction will begin.

There is a view in the RSS that UCC can wait for sometime as Ram Temple is of prime importance and process of construction must begin at a faster pace after the verdict.

The state of the economy and global warming, Upcoming Legislative Assembly elections

are among other subjects. The RSS also wants the government to seriously take up the issue of religious conversions and population control. Since the RSS chief has openly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on more than one occasion, its a clear sign of bon-homie between the RSS and the BJP. 

Diwali Eve Bonanza, Centre Opens its coffers

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Diwali Eve Bonanza, Centre Opens its coffers

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 9

The Modi government opened its coffers and gave a huge Diwali bonanza for Central government's 45 employees and 62 lakh pensioners.

Though Diwali is 20 days away, but the government doled out Rs 16000 crores Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees and pension holders. This will be highest ever DA, as high as 5%, never given before. The DA now stands for 17%.

The Union Cabinet which met this morning, also doled out Rs 5.50 lakhs per family for 5300 families who fall under “displaced persons category”. This will benefit those who migrated to Jammu & Kashmir from PoK and other Pakistan areas during the past 70 years. These families were left out of the financial aid which the Cabinet cleared today.

The Cabinet also opened its pandora's box by deciding that 40,000 more wellness centers will be opened across the country under the National Health Mission.

Evewn those farmers who could not link their PM-Kisan scheme with Aadhaar, have been allowed to get their Rs 2000 installment without hiderance. At least 6 crores farmers have benefited under the scheme so far.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar apprived the Cabinet of the decisions today.

The Cabinet meeting was held today as Prime Minister Modi is traveling to Tamil Nadu tomorrow for meeting Chinese President Xi. However, no deisions were taken relating to Indo-China relationship.

War on Acquiring 5G Technology

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

War on Acquiring 5G Technology

Spectrum auction worth Rs 5.60 lakh crores goes for a Toss 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 7

India is on horns of a dilemma in acquiring commercial fifth-generation (5G) technology network as global war seem to have broken out. The war has led to the huge delay in deploying 5G technology and auctioning of 5G spectrum capable of fetching Rs 5.60 lakh crores. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has left the decision to acquire technology and date of auctioning at the discretion of the political leadership.

While the USA is pitching for its “most trusted and secure technology”,the Chinese have mounted huge pressure not to dump Huawei. The Chinese gear maker which penetrated deep inside India through its 2G, 3G & 4G networks for decades, has now threatened that it won't invest more if it was denied 5G permission. In order to add fuel to the fire, Sunil Bharati Mittal of Airtel has openly advocated bringing Huawei in 5G. Jay Chen, CEO of Huawei in India, put further pressure saying, his company invested over $3.5 billion in India till date and will be forced not to invest.The Finnish equipment maker Nokia is very much in the race too.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is yet to come out with a road map for field trials even as the 100-day deadline — announced in June this year for the start of 5G trials — has passed. On June 3, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said his priority would be to initiate 5G trials within 100 days. But the high-level committee on 5G headed by Principal scientific adviser K Vijay Raghavan said on June 13 came out with a shocker. It said, India should “go for (5G) trials immediately with all, except for Chinese vendors”. Since then, the issue is in cold storage.

The issue cropped up between India and the US when PM modi met US officials and President Trump. Later, a high-level delegation visited New Delhi led by Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary of state for Cyber and International communication and Information Policy. He met top Indian officials and wanted it to work with “Trusted sources”. Now the Chinese President is visiting India from Friday and the issue is bound to crop up during the one-to-one talks with PM Modi.

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Good days for Rajnath Singh return, Finally

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Good days for Rajnath Singh return, Finally

PM seeks his counsel more often now

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 5

The clout of the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh is rising in the Modi Establishment lately. Though he conrinues to be No 2 in the Mofi government. But he took somewhat a political hit when he was shifted from Home ministry to Defence to make room for Modi's Man-Friday Amit Shah. Even in the Modi.1 he always had an uneasy situation as the PM relied more on then then Finance Minister late Arun Jaitley, BJP president Amit Shah and even Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

But times have changed and the first clue came on October 2 when the PM visited the Central Hall of Parliament to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Late Lal Bahadur Sashtri. Immediately after the brief ceremony, the PM took Rajnath Singh to his chamber and closeted with him for more than 30 minutes. This is reported to be the third one-to-one meet between them. Next day after the October 2 meeting, Rajnath Singh's most trusted lieutenant and spokesman of the BJP Sudhanshu Trivedi was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Trivedi was waiting in the wings for almost six years to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha while all his juniors made it to the Upper House. Even this time, it was clear that UP unit was pushing for Laxmi Kant Vajpayee while supporters of Amit Shah wanted Manoj Sinha to be accommodated. Manoj Sinha had lost the Lok Sabha polls by a very narrow margin and Vajpayee was party's UP unit chief. But Trivedi made the cut after the 30-minute tete with the PM.

Trivedi's nomination surprised political watchers as he had been in virtual political wilderness. But finally, the Gods (read PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah) smiled on him and he was told over the telephone that BJP will send him to the RS from UP on October 3 night. The seat fell vacant after the demise of Arun Jaitley on August 24 due to prolonged illness. He will be in Rajya Sabha until 2022. Its a clear indication of rising clout of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The PM has been regularly seeking his counsel as there is hardly senior leader after the demise of Manohar Parrikar, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj. Rajnath Singh being a very composed and mature leader and man of few words has gained in stature. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is there. But sometimes he opens his heart out and that causes problem. But Rajnath Singh has been measured in his public utterances. He had on the margins for rather too long.

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Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa saga

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive report

Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa saga

Income Tax wants to visit his residence

Son's company got funds from Mauritius

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 2

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is in a catch 22 situation whether to dispatch Income Tax sleuths at the residence of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa.

The dilemma is that the Income officers want to quiz Abir Lavasa, son of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa who is not responding to its notices. The Invesitgation wing of the Income Tax department has sent five notices during the past 45 days asking him to appear before it. But he has refused to appear on one ground or the other.

Tired of his delaying tactics, the CBDT wants to send a team of its officers at the residence of Abir Lavasa who is an independent businessman. But the catch is that he lives with his father at his official bungalow. Lavasa is a constitutional authority. The CBDT has sought the indulgence of the government whether it would be within the parameters to quiz Abir Lavasa at the residence of a Constitutional authority.

The IT authorities revealed that Abir Lavasa became a director in Nourish Organic Foods in November 14, 2017. This company received Rs 7.25 crore from Mauritius-based Saama Capital in March 2019 when senior Lavasa was Election Commissioner. The Corporate Affairs Ministry's records show that Saama Capital was allotted 50,000 shares at Rs 1,500 per share on March 29, 2019. If this price is taken into account, Abir’s shareholding of 10,000 shares is valued at Rs 1.5 crores.

The Income Tax wants to quiz Lavasa with regard to this ESOP shares given to him and what value he brought to the company as a director and how the funds came from Mauritius. But Abir is neither responding to the notices and nor appearing before the tax authorities.

While separate probe into the financial dealings of Ashok Lavasa's wife and sister are going on, the IT authorities wants to expedite questioning his son's company and funds obtained through Mauritius route.

If sources are to be believed, the CBDT has sent a confidential report to the government if Income Tax officers can inspect the premises of Ashok Lavasa.

It has also sent a copy of the report to the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sharad Kumar.

The government is not in a hurry and hoping that Ashok Lavasa will himself pave the way by quitting from office. Alternatively, the government will take legal course available under the provisions. It is most likely that after the current round of Assembly polls, decision on Lavasa will be finalized.

Ends 

PM orders review of Centre's 45 Lakh work force utility

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report

PM orders review of Centre's 45 Lakh work force utility

88 ministries, Deptts. told to justify manpower

Lowering retirement age too under consideration

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct. 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking upon another exercise on a massive scale to review the very utility of Central Government's massive workforce of 45 lakh employees.

He has  ordered a review of all kinds of under 88 ministries & departments. Never before a Prime Minister initiated an exercise of this scale to review manpower planning of the government's recruitment policy.

Sources in the PMO say that this is being done to tame unemployment and boost fresh recruitment. These administrative reforms will create new jobs as times have changed and obsolete manpower has to be discarded.

In a notification issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) buried in a corner of the website under “Cadre Review Division” on September 17, the government said, “In order to formulate manpower planning and policies, service profile of various services/cadres/posts in the govt. is required. In view of the above, all ministries and departments are required to furnish the required information by September 30.”

All 45 lakh employees will have to account for their utility & purpose of employment by their departments with a vision of the future. Each one of them will have to explain in writing their utility and why they require such a huge structure. The deadline for these departments ended yesterday.

The Centre is also toying with the idea of lowering of retirement age of its employees and fix their years of service to reduce stagnation and expedite promotions. But this is at a very preliminary stage. Its main object is to to reduce the government expenditure. The proposal doing the rounds in the PMO is to retire employees who have completed 33 years of service or on reaching 58 years of age, whichever is earlier. The proposal is being processed by the Department of Expenditure, which is looking into its financial implications.

At present, the retirement age in most of the services is 60 years, though for teaching and medical professionals, its 65 years. The latter category may not be affected. But their pay may be frozen if they want to continue, said a senior officer dealing with the proposal. Curiously, Economic Survey 2018-19 had made a strong case for increasing the retirement age in the wake of the rising life expectancy rate in India.

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