Satya Pal Malik May continue as LG in J&K ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive story

Satya Pal Malik May continue as LG in J&K ?

Home Ministry in a Fix

Harish Gupta 

New Delhi, Aug 7

With the President signing the bill bifurcating the State of Jammu & Kashmir and converting it into a Union Territory, the position of Governor Satya Pal Malik has become somewhat owkward. Under the new dispensation, the post of the Governor has been down-graded to that of the Lieutenant Governor as J&K has become a Union Territory and Ladakh has been made a completely new UT. Now Satya Pal Malik was appointed as Governor of the joint state of J&K  including Ladakh. 

The question bothering the legal luminaries is; can a Governor be down-graded as LG without his express consent. The President, Ram Nath Kovind has already signed the proclamation after the Parliament's both houses passed four bills dealing with J&K. But a fresh notification appointing new Lieutenant Governors for the Uts of J&K and Ladakh are yet to be issued. These appointments have not been notified so far as the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is still awaiting Satya Pal Malik's consent to continue as LG instead of as Governor. Secondly, the government wants a separate LG for Ladakh region to give the feeling of the people of Ladakh that its a separate state now. It doesn't want to continue Satya Pal Malik as LG of both the states. While the present arrangement can continue for sometime but the government is keen to appoint two separate LG s. 

Secondly, once the state of J&K converted into two UT s, rules of services and a lot of paper work need to be completed in accordance with law passed by Parliament. There are five Union Territories in the country as on date and with the creation of two more UT s, the number has shot up to seven. Now the state officers cadre of the J&K has to be merged with the UT cadre officers which is a cumbersome task. This is a unique situation where a full state has been bifurcated and converted into two Union Territories never witnessed in 70 years. Secondly, LG s have been promoted as Governors. But never a Governor will be demoted as LG. Therefore, it is yet to be seen whether Malik will agree to continue as LG. There is also a proposal that Malik may keep the designation of Governor “until further orders pending the framing of rules by the Union Home Ministry.” 

But certainly the creation of two new Union Territories has created some serious administrative complications. 

Ends

up

Jaitley wants to relinquish ministerial charge

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

exclusive story 

Jaitley wants to relinquish ministerial charge

To focus on Health, Keeps away from public glare

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, May 22

Capital is agog with reports of frailing health of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who has withdrawn from public glare for the past three weeks. He has not been attending office or public functions and rejecting invitations to address seminars and social functions. He has also stopped holding briefings for the party spokespersons for the past some time as well. Except for attending a book function at the IIC and visiting party office once, he has been confined to his 2A Krishna Menon Marg residence. He stopped visiting party office completely and did not attend yesterday's dinner meet too. He is meeting fever number of officials to dispose of urgent files only and senior party functionaries when urgently required.

If sources are to be believed, he has conveyed to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi that he would like to take complete rest to concentrate on improving his health. The public life has taken a heavy toll on his health and now he has decided to call it a day for at least six months. Jaitley's family members are also insisting upon him to not burden his body with work and devote time to recover first.

After considering all aspects, Arun Jaitley is understood to have conveyed his desire to the Prime Minister to quit the government immediately after the results are announced on May 23. He has also expressed his desire to relinquish the charge of the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha as well. He will not hold any government post until he recovers completely.

The Prime Minister, however, refused to accept Jaitley's request and told him firmly that he will have to be in the government in whatever capacity he so desired. Jaitley has been Modi government's main trouble-shooter and most trusted person of PM Modi. The PM is understood to have also told him that he already has a talent deficit in the government and he should remain in the government. The health of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is also a cause of concern. Sushma Swaraj did not even contest the Lok Sabha polls on health grounds.

Last word on the development is yet to be written.

Ends 

"We are flexible” says Rahul to G-21 parties

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive story

"We are flexible” says Rahul to G-21 parties

When Mamata said all are equal, DMK, RJD batted for Rahul

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec. 12

Congress president Rahul Gandhi told the leaders of G-21, at the conclave of Opposition parties that his party is “flexible” and willing to accommodate the views of others.

He told the leaders that in order to change the Modi dispensation, the “Congress is willing to change” and give space to others.

according to a senior leader who participated in the conclave told Lokmat that Rahul Gandhi responded with maturity and was clear-headed. 

Rahul Gandhi was responding to suggestions of some of the leaders at the meeting. In fact, it was West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who caused a flutter at the G-21 on Tuesday that “all parties are equal and no one is the leader here.” Mamata Banerjee reacted when the DMK leader M K Stalin who had said earlier that the Congress is the largest grouping in the Opposition and it should play the role of a catalyst. Tejashwi of the RJD who was also present at the meeting had echoed the same sentiments expressed by the DMK. When the turn of Mamata Banerjee came, she said that all parties have to fight the BJP. But no single party can lead it. “We all have to fight together and no one is the leader, “ she thundered.

At this juncture Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu rose to say that the very purpose of the G-21 meeting is to oust the BJP and not to elect a leader or project an individual. Interestingly, it was AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was having the last laugh at the G-21 meeting. It was first time that Kejriwal was invited to the Opposition conclave. It now transpires that he entered in the hall with Mamata Banerjee who had been fighting for AAP's entry. But it was Chandrababu Naidu who had also been persuading Rahul Gandhi not to make AAP untouchable. If Modi has to be defeated in 2019, AAP has to be acceptable in the grouping. Insiders say that the day is not far when AAP and Congress will have some sort of seat-sharing understanding in Delhi. It was because of this very reason that Kejriwal said at the meeting, “ I am with this thought of unity and I am with you.”

It also transpires that senior Congress leader Ahmad Patel is talking to all the leaders of the Opposition parties to bring them on the table. But this will continue to be a informal arrangement.

Ends 

Another jolt by Modi govt. : Congress controlled clubs evicted from Lutyen's Delhi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive story

Another jolt by Modi govt.   

Congress controlled clubs evicted from Lutyen's Delhi

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 11

The Congress -Mukt Bharat campaign of the Modi dispensation moved a step ahead when several prestigious clubs functioning in the Lutyen's Delhi were evicted from their premises.

Be it Aero Club of India, Gliding Club of India or Ballooning Club of India, all have been evicted from the Safdarjung Airport complex from where they were functioning for 30 to 60 years. Incidentally, all these clubs were controlled by senior Congress leaders ever since their inception. Though the Safdarjung Airport has been shut down, the vast complex is used primarily for office purposes by various government bodies, tribunals and clubs.

The Aero Club of India was founded during the British regime over 100 years ago and was known as Royal Aero Club of India. After Independence, it became Aero Club of India and the Gandhis were in control as Rajiv Gandhi was a full-fledged pilot himself and late Sanjay Gandhi evinced keen interest in flying activities too. After their death, it was Capt Satish Sharma, a former Union Minister and family loyalist took control of the Club. The Aero Club of India's life members include Amitabh Bachchan which has 12 other life trustees mostly from air force and flying community. In 1984, the Aero Club's lease was renewed again for 30 years for a fee of Re one as it was a non-profit body. But the Modi government refused to renew the lease and the Club premises has been taken back by the government one fine morning.

Capt Satish Sharma who was also a pilot with Rajiv Gandhi and ruled the roast at Aero Club of India for almost 30 years and his writ ran all over flying activities in the Capital, was thrown out of the premises.

Even Vishwa Bandu Gupta who was heading the famous Ballooning Club of India, was forced to shut shop at the Safdarjung airport complex. He is also a Congressman and was a member of the Rajya Sabha. But he too was served with a notice though he had constructed a massive building on the main Safdarjung Road of the club. But the battle with the Airport Authority of India was lost as the government decided that these private clubs can't be given premium land for a song without serving any public purpose. In fact, the thinking had begun even when the UPA government was in power that these clubs should find new premises and they should conduct only training activities from the area. But the matter proceeded an a snail's pace.

With Modi government at the helms nothing works at a snail's pace, said a top official in the AAI which controls the land at the Safdarjung Airport complex. But Vishwa Bandhu Gupta proved a little smarter as he locked the building and took the Ballooning Club of India office outside the complex. He confirmed that most of the clubs have been evicted. 

Even the Gliding Club of India was forced to shut shop and all the activities relating to Gliding has come to a grinding halt. The 30-year lease of Ballooning club also ended and they too were evicted unceremoniously.

The only saving grace is Delhi Flying Club (DFC) which is also under the control of Capt Satish Sharma. But the Airport Authority of India is determined to evict it on the ground that the entire area is secured and the Club is used for marriage receptions and parties. The government's prime land cannot be used for such activities, said the senior AAI official.

PM-FM Brainstroming over Budget

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive story

PM-FM  Brainstroming over Budget 

meetings on a daily basis for hours

Both worried over the state of economy 

Focus on Farm & Job Creation 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 8 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started holding pre-Budget meetings with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and top officials of the PMO and Finance Ministry.

Extremely worried over the state of economy and voices of concern emanating from various quarters, the Prime Minister has set a new precedent by actively playing a role in the Budget making exercises. 

Highly placed sources in the PMO say that Jaitley is meeting the Prime Minister virtually on a daily basis for hours together and later officials of the finance ministry also join to provide required information. These sources say such meetings go until late in the night. Normally, the Prime Ministers have adopted hand-off approach to the Budget-making exercise and interact with their finance ministers once or twice on policy issues. Even Modi had adopted hand-off approach since 2014 with regard to the Union Budget. Jaitley used to visit Modi and apprise him of important points and take a few suggestions. 

But the 2018 Budget will be different, it seems. It will have a clear stamp of Modi as he is going into the details of all major proposals and wants to understand everything to get at the bottom. Modi is now hands-on PM and policy issues and giving direction to the Budget. It is clear from the deliberations that Modi is looking for a one Big Idea to hit upon the farm sector which is in great distress. Modi wants agriculture and farm sector to be the main focus of his budget which can also lead to job creation. He was also toying with the idea of bringing a new agriculture minister. but it has now been kept in abeyance. Jaitley has already made it clear that the government's priority will,  be to accelerate growth momentum, employment generation and focus on farm sector. 

Instead of raising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crop, Modi government is focusing on reducing cost of farming, providing technology, giving the farmer fertilizer needed for his soil, storage and marketing facilities. For the first time in the country, 12 types of fertilizers will be provided in the country to the farmers as per their soil health cards. All fertilizer companies have started implementing the scheme. The import of agriculture produce is being restricted and export of sugar and other crop is being liberalised.  The focus will be on increased allocation for NREGA. The allocation will go up from Rs 69000 crores to Rs 80,000 to provide immediate help to the people in the villages.