Priyanka's security breached

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive story

Priyanka's security breached

CRPF aghast as Car entered her Lodhi Estate House

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 27

The Security and Intelligence agencies are shocked that the fortress like security cover to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been breached. The security breach is considered unprecedented for a high-risk protectee. Not only the Gandhis but the newly deputed CRPF VIP Security Unit is also aghast at the breach in the broad day light.

It was Monday afternoon when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was at her 35 Lodhi Estate residence with her family members. All of a sudden a car entered inside the porch and five person including a young girl alighted. They walked straight into her garden and requested for a photo opportunity. They claimed that they had all the way from UP to Delhi only to be photographed with her. A surprised Priyanka didn't know how to respond by visitors who had no prior appointment and nor she had told the CRPF guards about it either. She agreed for a photo session and before the CRPF guards could realise what was happening, the five visitors had gone. All hell broke as Priyanka wanted to know how these visitors were allowed inside without her permission and that too along with the car.

This is considered the worst security lapse as the VIP being guarded by a trained guards not only allowed the car to enter the premises but did not even check the identity of the occupants.

A DIG level of the CRPF rushed to the house to inquire and was surprised that the guards on duty did the blunder. They told the DIG that they thought the car belonged to Rahul Gandhi and hence did not stop it.

The Delhi Police officials are also worried as outer security is provided by them while inner security cover is with the CRPF.

When contacted, a senior police official told Lokmat that a high-level inquiry has been ordered by the CRPF and Delhi Police into the incident. The security guards responsible for the serious lapse on Monday have been sent packing.

Since the security cameras captured the car number of the occupants, the same has been traced. Detailed inquiries are underway about the antecedents of the occupants.

It may be mentioned that only last week the CRPF cover with Z plus status was provided to members of the Gandhi family including Priyanka.

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RS ticket behind Scindia tantrums

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

RS ticket behind Scindia tantrums 

BJP ready to welcome Jyotiraditya 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 26

A Rajya Sabha ticket seems to be at the heart of bitter battle within the Madhya Pardesh Congress and cause of recent twitter storm involving senior party functionary Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Biennial poll for three Rajya Sabha seats is due to be held in April 2020.

The Congress, with 115 MLAs in the House of 230, can easily elect elect one member while the BJP will also win one seat with the backing of 107 MLAs. The bitter battle will be witnessed for the third seat which could go either way. Digvijay Singh is retiring in April 2020 and a natural claimant for the re-nomination. Kamal Nath can ill-afford to deny him the ticket. Though its for the high command to select the candidates for two out of the three seats. But given the ticklish political situation in the state, the high command is likely to leave it at the wisdom of the state leadership to take a call on candidates.

Sensing that he may not have a place in Rajya Sabha next year and any major role to play in state politics, he felt increasingly isolated. With Rahul Gandhi taking a back seat, he is now finding going tough at the AICC level too.

It is in this background that rumours were rife for months that Scindia may walk out of the Congress and join the BJP. He has been having a running battle with the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh. Scindia was even denied the post of MPCC chief's post too.

An annoyed Scindia, changed his profile on the twitter where he removed his past association with the Congress and merely said:“Public servant, cricket enthusiast.” Though he clarified later that the changes were made a month ago and no politics be attributed to it.

When asked a senior BJP leader said, “Its up to the party high command to take a decision. But there is no recommendation from the state leadership in this regard.”

Two of his aunts; Vasudhara Raje Scindia and Yashodhara Raje Scindia are already in the BJP and playing a key role. The BJP is not averse to his joining the party particularly when it is following an “open door policy.”

After all, he is the only surviving Maratha dynasty though its property battle is being fought amongst the family members.

The real estate empire of the House of Scindias empire is worth Rs 20,000 crore alone.

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Rahul Gandhi’s absence Baffles all ……..

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Rahul Gandhi’s absence Baffles all ……..

 Goes Abroad again 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 24

Rahul Gandhi's continued absence in parliament since November 18 when the Winter session began, has left everyone baffled. Most likely, he will not show up in Lok Sabha tomorrow as well.

If sources are to be believed, Rahul Gandhi has left for an unknown destination abroad on Friday night. No one has a clue of when he will come back so far.

He stay put at his 12 Tughlaq Lane residence throughout the past week and did not mingle with the party leaders. He did not participate in any of the meetings called by Interim party president Sonia Gandhi relating to Maharashtra either. Though some media reports attributed him saying he was against any tie up with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. But his Man-Friday and party general secretary K C Venugopal and political “Guru” A K Antony gave the go-ahead for such a tie up at the CWC meeting.

The party leaders say in private that Rahul Gandhi is not responding to mobile calls & SMS messages too. In fact, Sonia Gandhi has been left alone to fight a tough battle all alone with Rahul Gandhi completely distancing from political developments.

Sources say that he is very dejected and feeling disappointed that things did not move the way he wanted in the party and leaders did not follow him. It was largely because of this very reason that he pushed off to Brazil on a private visit after coming back from Cambodia. He returned to Delhi on November 15 (Friday) and left the country again on November 22.

Rahul Gandhi did  not go to Shakti Sthal, where tributes were being paid on the birth anniversary of late Indira Gandhi on November 19. He did not step out even to go to Parliament to the Central Hall where floral tributes were paid by all top leaders of all political parties.

As many as 10 questions were listed against the name of Wayanad MP last week alone. But he did not show up to ask questions listed against his name. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noticed Rahul Gandhi's absence and said he had wanted to give him the chance to raise his question.

Rahul Gandhi is serving his fourth term as a Lok Sabha MP.

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Exclusive report with Time Line of events

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report with Time Line of events

How dramatic coup was planned, executed and ….....

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 23:

The BJP pulled off a coup in Maharashtra when it formed the government early Saturday morning after the Governor B.S. Koshyari recommended revocation of President’s Rule in the state at midnight. The recommendation was sent to the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs over fax and email and also through a special messenger by flight. The Union Home Ministry lost no time in forwarding the recommendation to the President, Ram Nath Kovind overnight.

The President used his special powers conferred upon him under Clause 2 of the Article 356 of the Constitution whereby he can revoke the imposition of the President's rule on his own without waiting for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. Otherwise, the President has to wait for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to revoke the rule. But the Constitution gives adequate powers to the President to take a decision in his own wisdom and powers under the law.

How events unfolded:

22 November

8.00 pm: Governor B.S. Koshyari cancels his scheduled visit to Delhi causes some surprises;

8.45 – 9 pm: Ajit Pawar leaves NCP-Congress the meeting

11.30 pm: Ajit Pawar finalises a deal with BJP

23 November

12 am: Devendra Fadnavis apprises Home Minister Amit Shah details of developments, Shah discusses within party, gives go ahead;

12.15 am : BJP and NCP leader Ajit Pawar send letters of support satisfying the Governor of reasonable and stable majority

1.00 am : Koshyari recommends revocation of President’s Rule in the State, sends report through fax/email to Union Home Ministry.

1.45 am : Amit Shah's secretariat at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence here worked in full swing preparing all necessary documents for the President;

5.00 am: Special messenger of the Union Home Ministry hands-over documents to the President's secretariat and keeps waiting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan reception which was specially opened

5.30 am: The President walks down to his official chambers;

5.47 am: Uses his special powers and revokes President's rule

6.00 am Activities begin at the Governor House in Maharashtra

7.50 am: Koshyari starts the swearing-in ceremony process and oath ceremony complete 

8.16 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Fadnavis and Pawar on the government formation.

New Govt. in Maharashtra Next Week only ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Govt. in Maharashtra Next Week only ?  

Koshiyari to Visit Delhi on Nov. 23-24

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 21

Even as the efforts of the Sena-NCP-Congress are in full swing to form the government in Mumbai within the next two days, the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari will be out of the State. He is traveling to Delhi to attend the two days conference of the Governors & Lt. Governors.

The President, Ram Nath Kovind has called a conference of Governors and Lt. Governors on November 23 and 24 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This will be the 50th such Conference to be held in Rashtrapati Bhavan and the third Conference to be presided over by President Kovind.

It is learnt that Koshiyari will be returning to Mumbai only on Monday i.e. November 25.

The Vice President; Prime Minister; Union Ministers of Home Affairs; Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Law and Justice; Human Resource Development; Tribal Affairs; and Jal Shakti; the Vice Chairman and the CEO of NITI Aayog and other senior officials from various Ministries will also participate.

During his stay, Koshiyari is likely to meet the Central leaders too.

Thus, the process of government formation in Maharashtra will begin only next week.

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NCP-Congress form 10-member Committee

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive

NCP-Congress form 10-member Committee

Coordination Committee to prepare CMP by Friday

Talks with Sena to begin on Sunday

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 19

The process for installing the non-BJP government in Maharashtra moved further with the NCP and Congress parties agreeing to constitute 10-member coordination committee.

The committee will comprise five members each from both the parties. The first meeting between leaders of the two parties will be held tomorrow in Delhi.

Praful Patel, party general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP told Lokmat today that the two parties will prepare a Common Minimum Program (CMP) first. When asked why the two parties need a CMP, he said the two parties had contested on their own manifesto separately though they were partners. “We have to hammer out a our own CMP and then we will talk to Shiv Sena to evolve a CMP of the three parties,” he added.

He said this decision was taken when Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar held a meeting on Monday.

Bala Saheb Thorat, president of the Maharashtra Congress, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge and one more leader may represent the Congress Party at the coordination committee.

Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Sunil Tatkare and others.

Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar reported to have informally decided that the Congress-NCP CMP will be prepared within the next three days and then the talks with Shiv Sena will be held on the CMP of three parties.

Since Uddhav Thackeray has already cancelled his visit to Ayodhya on November 24 and has also called off his visit to Delhi to meet L K Advani, it indicates that he is now moving towards NCP-Congress to form an alternative government in Maharashtra minus BJP.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had invited Sena and NCP to prove its ability to form the government, failing which the President's Rule was imposed in the state on November 12. The assembly is in suspended animation. But can be revived anytime within six month if any of the parties stake claim to form the government.

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Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive 

Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

Governor’s rider Puts parties in the Dock

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 17

 A simple rider by the Maharashtra Governor to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress leaders to submit letters from individual MLAs of their respective parties in separate sheets “signed in Blue Ink”.

He wants that All MLAs should sign to say clearly that they support the formation of the new government. 

The Leaders of their respective parties must counter sign and certify that the signatures so submitted  are not obtained through coercion or other means.

Highly placed sources, on the condition of extreme confidentiality told Lokmat this evening that this rider has put spoke in the plans of the combined Opposition parties to form an alternative government. The leaders are now running after the MLAs to obtain their signatures individually and MLAs are putting their own conditions before signing these letters.

 In fact, the governor refused to allow the MLAs to be paraded. He simply told the leaders to give him signed support letters of each MLA of their respective parties. This precedent had been adopted by the Governors in the past and that’s why the Opposition parties are not making hue and cry and keeping quiet on the issue.  

Sources say at least half a dozen MLAs of Sena are unwilling to go with Congress or seeking their price for support. This is what the whole ruckus was making Uddhav Thackeray and his son to rush to the hotel to meet and pacify some of the MLAs yesterday. It’s the same story in Congress and NCP where each MLA is now wanting his own pound of flesh if he is not being made a Minister. There are more than 9 MLAs whose signatures had not been obtained until yesterday noon. 

It is because of this very reason that senior Party functionary Ahmad Patel is working round the clock to prompt the party leaders in Maharashtra to obtain signatures as early as possible.

 The crucial meeting of NCP chief Sharad Pawar with Sonia Gandhi has not been put off because of differences on Common Minimum Program (CMP) or power sharing arrangements. These continue to be on the table and under discussions.  But at least 15-16  MLAs of the three parties have not signed the letters of support. If the number is not right, the three parties cannot submit the letters to the Governor. Hence, the delay.  

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BJP's sermon to Top leaders: Don't attack Thackerays

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

BJP's sermon to Top leaders: Don't attack Thackerays

BJP Sole custodian of Hindutva Now

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 14

The BJP high command has issued strict instructions to all its Central leaders including spokespersons and ministers not to criticise Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray or his son and others personally.

The BJP leadership took this decision after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Working president J P Nadda held an informal meeting before the PM emplaned for BRICS meet. It was decided that Amit Shah will speak on the subject and present BJP's point of view through TV channels. Amit Shah was very guarded in his comments and nowhere he hit out at Sena for duplicity, expediency or personally attacked Thackerays when took the mike yesterday. The BJP's break-up is disheartening and discouraging as Sena was its oldest and ideologically closest ally and difficult to digest.

The trio decided that the developing situation be watched with an arms length and “let Sena-NCP-Congress prepare their eatable Khichdi and run the government as they wish to.” They decided to wait for the “Silver Line” in the next couple of months.

The BJP is extremely upset that it is losing a big state like Maharashtra after winning it and NCP leader Sharad Pawar played his cards very well by forcing Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi to change her strategy to support the die-hard ideological opponent to accept Sena's CM. The Maharashtra BJP is in a state of shock and Central Leadership is now hoping against hope for a “wind-fall gain.”

The hardliners in the BJP are excited about taking over the sole mantle of Hindutva with the departure of Sena.

They say its prime vote bank is confined to Thane-Konkan belt where BJP can work hard to make inroads in the months to come.

The BJP leadership also wants to see how Sena will carry out its own Hindutva agenda for which it was born and followed strident aggressive Hindutva policy with Congress and Sena.

Sena was at the forefront of the Ram temple agitation and even claimed its role in demolition of the structure.

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Why Amit Shah is angry with Sena Chief ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Why Amit Shah is angry with Sena Chief ?

Uddhav to Visit Delhi on November 24

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 13

Why did BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not travel to Mumbai to talk to Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree this time to end the deadlock ?

After all, Amit Shah took the initiative to hold one-to-one meet with Uddhav before the Lok Sabha elections when the Shiv Sena was talking tough on seat-sharing issue. The issue was resolved the moment Amit Shah and Uddhav held closed- door meeting.

But this time, Amit Shah neither visited Mumbai and nor spoke to Sena Chief over the phone. He chose to remain quiet after the Assembly polls. Before the polls, he did speak to Lokmat informally denying that there was any 50:50 power sharing formula. He took no initiative to resolve the emerging confrontation on 50:50 power sharing formula and allowed Sena to chose other options.

Grapevine has it that Amit shah was extremely upset with the statements made by Uddhav Thackeray in the media for “crossing the line”.

Amit Shah was seething with anger at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg as to how come Thackeray distort details of deliberations in a close door meeting with him to the media. Amit Shah was so particular about the sanctity of the talks that he did not take Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the Mumbai meeting. Amit Shah thought it fit to keep quiet and looked the other way. When Sena agreed to contest less seats in the assembly polls, how could it claim CM's post, wondered Amit Shah.

Sena rather changed the tune immediately after results came and went on the offensive and crossed the line.

Uddhav should not have mentioned what transpired with Amit Shah and twisted facts. This angered Amit Shah and doors are shut, at least for now for Sena.

The BJP sources say that Uddhav should have insisted for a meeting with Amit Shah again rather than going public. It would have put Shah in a quandary.

But what Uddhav did ? He crossed the line by going public and Amit Shah and PM Modi decided that let Sena do whatever it wants. There will be no talk with Sena at all, at least for now. PM also toughened his stand against Sena and allowed Sena to form a government headed by it.

Now there is a ray of hope on November 24 when Uddhav may travel to Delhi to meet L K Advani after visiting Ayodhya. All eyes are set on November 24 visit of Uddhav to Delhi.

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Ram Temple Trust may be headed by PM Modi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Ram Temple Trust may be headed by PM Modi

Law Ministry moves to form Temple Trust

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 11

The government is soon to begin the process of setting up of the Ram Temple Trust and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is all set to move a Cabinet proposal in this regard. Since the Apex court ordered that the Trust be set up within three months the verdict and the Parliament session is also to begin on November 18, the government has fast tracked the process.

In contrast to the Somnath Temple Trust where the Centre and State government of Gujrat could nominate four Life Trustees each, the Ram Temple Trust will be created solely by the Central government. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is member of the Somnath Temple Trust but not its chairman. However, in all likelihood, Ram Temple Trust will be headed by PM Modi and he will be life member. If Somnath Trust has eight members, Ram Temple Trust will have more trustees. The Law Ministry is studying the provisions of the temple trusts across the country to formulate a Deed for the Ram Temple.

The government has to decide two basic things; who all will be part of the Ram Temple Trust and whether the Temple be constructed through government funding or it should be through people’s participation. While the funding will be a ticklish issue as a lot of Hindu organizations would like to be part of it.

The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is on record to say that it was not RSS’ task to construct Ram Temple. “But we would certainly give our suggestions with regard to the formation of the trust to the government,” he said.

Most likely it will be a mega body with PM heading it.

It will be interesting to mention that the task of construction of the temple was undertaken K M Munshi, who was the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of India headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad. Later it was handed over to a Trust.

With regard to the funding of the Ram Temple construction, VHP International president Alok Kumar remained non-committal. He said 60% work of pillars and domes of the Temple had been completed in Ayodhya by the VHP. “Now we will await government move,” he said.

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Post Ayodhya Verdict: PM kept eagle's eye

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Post Ayodhya Verdict: PM kept eagle's eye

Talked to Amit Shah regularly from Amritsar

Modi, Shah tweets hail verdict

Sangh Parivar jubilant 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a tough time today as he had the task to monitor the situation situation post Ayodhya verdict, Chulbul Cyclone in West Bengal and inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor check post on the Indian side. He left Delhi for Dera Baba Nanak to inaugurate the check post in Punjab early morning and returned only after flagging off the first Jatha of pilgrims which included Dr Manmohan Singh & others.

Sources in the PMO said that he took a stock of situation and discussed at length all possibilities with Union Home Minister Amit Shah before leaving and was in regular touch with him even after landing at Amritsar. Amit Shah is stationed keeping a close watch on the situation.

As the situation remained calm post Ayodhya verdict, the PM posted a series of tweets around 1 pm wherein he said that it will "reaffirm people's faith in judicial process" and appealed for peace and unity.

The tweets gave a clue of Prime Minister's thinking when he said "The temple of justice resolved the decades-old case amicably. The Halls of justice have amicably concluded a matter going on for decades.”

The PM went on to say, “This verdict shouldn't be seen as a win or loss for anybody. Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail!" PM Modi tweeted.

Hailing the Supreme Court for the judgment, the prime minister said that the verdict was crucial because it shows why it is important to follow legal procedures while resolving any dispute.

“I request 130 crore Indians to give an example of peace and harmony as per our ancient tradition," he said.

Earlier, Amit Shah went to twitter at 12.30 saying that the historic verdict will be a milestone and strengthen unity, integrity and rich culture of India.

If sources are to be believed, Amit Shah spoke to the PM several times to apprise him of various developments particularly sensitive districts in Delhi, Mumbai, UP and elsewhere.

These sources say that the Sangh Parivar is extremely thankful to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for successfully implementing the agenda; be it abrogation of Article 370 or Ram Temple. Both the issues were hanging fire for several decades and "Modi showed his grit and boldness in taking the bull by the horn", said a RSS functionary.

It was precisely because of this very reason that RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat was stationed in Delhi. 

PM determined to reform ‘Babus’

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report 

PM determined to reform ‘Babus’

Lateral entrants hiring begins

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 8

As the bureaucracy continues to function in its own stubborn style, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is introducing a “target-oriented and ground-to-earth” work culture in the system.

with the bureaucracy continuing to work in silos and creating one hurdle after the other, the PM has already introduced the Lateral entry route for recruitment of officers at the level of the Joint Secretary who is the backbone. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)  has already recruited nearly a dozen Lateral entrants in the rank of Joint Secretaries as Domain experts. Now the NITI Aayog and DoPT are set to hire 50 officers through this route. But these will be in the rank of Deputy Secretaries and Directors, a step below the JS. The last date of seeking application by NITI Aayog is November 17 and 50 Domain experts will be hired in the rank of Deputy Secretaries and Directors. “All these new recruits outside the regular IAS and other Central Services routes will herald a new era in the Indian bureaucracy and administration,” said a senior officer in the Department of Personnel under the Prime Minister.

He said that the Prime Minister is tired to reforming the monolith bureaucratic culture ever since he came to Lutyen’s Delhi in May 2014. They opposed the bio-metric system for all. Then they all wanted to have two hour lunch break and evenings free for parties. At least 30 such administrative reforms were brought in. Yet, the culture hasn't changed. 

The PM himself gave a clue of his utter dislike  when he addressed ‘combined foundation course’ for 400 young officers that young IAS  officers should go to people, and change the legacy of colonialism. He was addressing the 'combined foundation course' comprising 400 young officers from various services including IAS officers in the in the  'tent city' of Kewadia in Gujarat, “We don’t expect status quo from you. The presence of silos and hierarchy does not help our system.”

The PM had directed that all senior officers must stay for at least one week in a backward district to understand their problem. But he also found that the officers didn’t have the heart in the job assigned. The PM has already shown the door to at least 30 secretary level officers for their poor showing until now. The PM’s sermon is that officers are service providers and its their duty to increase the ease of living of the people.

Babus unwilling to come on Central deputations

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Babus unwilling to come on Central deputations

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 7

The Babus, IAS, IPS and other officers of Central services are unwilling to come to Delhi to serve the NaMo administration.

Be it Maharashtra or Modi’s own state of Gujrat, the story continues to be the same. The Babus don’t want to serve in Delhi and are happy to be in the cozy environment of the states. Surprisingly, the Central deputation under the central staffing scheme (CSS) in 2018-19 was lowest in the last five years as only 153 IAS officers were appointed on central deputation.

Maharashtra had a quota of 78 officers to be placed at the disposal of the Centre. But only 24 were sent by the state on the ground of paucity of officers. The case of Gujrat was no different when only 17 showed in contrast to the quota of 64. (see the table). As many as 340 IAS officers were appointed under the CSS during 2014-15 and 320 in 2015-16 and 247 during 2016-17. This number came down to 211 during 2017-18. The number is falling at the alarming rate as per the official data available.

Surprisingly, the trend was encouraging in earlier years for the Indian Revenue services (IRS) and Indian Postal Services (IPS). But that started sliding. For example, the IRS & IPS as many as 196 appointments were made under the CSS in 2014-15. This rose to 237 on central deputation in 2015-16 and 246 in 2016-17. But it fell to 171 in 2017-18 and 195 in 2018-19, the data said.

The total authorised strength of IAS officers is 6,500 as on January 1, 2019, and the CDR is 1,381. Out of these 1,381 IAS officers, there were 507 IAS officers working at the Centre. UP was supposed to sent 134 officer. But it spared only 44.

RSS stepped in to resolve Maharashtra political crisis

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

RSS stepped in to resolve Maharashtra political crisis

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 6

The RSS has finally stepped in to resolve the political crisis engulfing the state for the past ten days. If sources in the Sangh Parivar are to be believed, the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat may speak to Sena Chief Uddhav Thacheray in order to resolve the stand-off between the two parties.

The process of RSS intervention began with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis touching base with Road Transport & MSMEs minister Nitin Gadkari two days ago. Both the leaders gave no clue as to what transpired between them. But it is presumed that Fadnavis wanted Gadkari to intervene in the political crisis as he has good relations with Sena leadership too.

It was following this meeting that Fadnavis went to Nagpur to meet the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to apprise him of the developing political situation.It may be informed that the BJP-Sena seat sharing deal was clinched before the May Lok Sabha polls with efforts of Mohan Bhagwat. The BJP conceded as many as 23 Lok Sabha seats to Sena and climbed down a bit.

These sources say that Mohan Bhagwat is extremely busy with the Ram Temple issue as the Supreme Court judgment is expected anytime between November 11-13. Shiv Sena has been part of the long struggle for the Ram Temple movement and integral part of the Parivar.

Therefore, the RSS chief is may make an effort to resolve the crisis and also impress on the BJP to be magnanimous in any power sharing arrangement. He wants political tempers to cool down as big Ram Temple issue will come up next week.

The Sena's position also has become somewhat may awkward after NCP Chief Sharad Pawar had withdrawn from the BJP-Sena infighting saying the NCP-Congress have the mandate to sit in the Opposition.

The change in tune came after Congress president Sonia Gandhi stood firm in telling Sharad Pawar that her party would find it difficult to support Sena led government from inside or outside. In view of these developments, the prospects of resolution of crisis may be on the radar.

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