Friday, October 31, 2014

350 electronic toll plazas by December, some NHs to go toll-free: Gadkari

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said 350 toll plazas across the country will adopt electronic toll collection method from December 31 this year.
   
He said the government has also decided to make highways wherein less than Rs 50 crore investments have been made toll-free.
   
"We have decided to cancel toll on projects where investments of less than Rs 50 crore have been made, we have cancelled 27 tolls and in the next one year we will cancel another 45 tolls, we want them to be toll-free," Gadkari told reporters here after launching electronic toll collection (ETC) on the Delhi-Mumbai NH.
   
He said ETC will keep a check on fake toll plazas.
   
"As far as fake toll plazas are concerned after the implementation of ETC system, everything is recorded, traffic will be calculated," Gadkari said.
    
Under ETC system, when vehicles, affixed with a prepaid 'Radio Frequency Identification Device' tag known as FASTag on windscreens, crosses the toll plazas, the applicable toll is deducted automatically from the motorists' pre-paid account.
  
The prepaid accounts are created at the central clearing house set up by banks.
   
He said the Centre has asked state governments to come forward and adopt this method and use it free of charge.
   
He added that there are 18 toll plazas on the Delhi-Mumbai National Highway and it takes about 10 minutes for the vehicles to pay the levy at these junctions resulting in 180 minutes or 3 hours of time loss during the total journey.
    
"FASTag E-Toll collection will remove logistic inefficiencies at toll plazas and has the potential of saving Rs 60,000 crore of fuel bills," the Minister tweeted later.

 

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India would've been different if Patel was PM: Venkaiah Naidu

Speaking at the function at Vijay Chowk to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary as National Unity Day, Naidu said Sardar Patel was foremost among leaders who had made sacrifices for country's freedom.

Naidu said millions of people in the country have a feeling that history has not done justice to Sardar Patel, the first home minister of India.

Naidu also made a veiled attack on previous Congress governments, saying that both Nehru and Patel were like eyes and ears of Mahatma Gandhi but Patel had not got his due.

"Sardar and Nehru were like two eyes and ears of Mahatma Gandhi. But where does Patel lie in the scheme of things after his death (in 1950)," Naidu said.

He said Patel single-handedly unified India after Independence at a time of trial and tribulation.

"Such a great person. People used to think and I was also one among them that had Sardar Patel been the first prime minister of India, the fate of India would have been different, the situation would have been different. That was feeling of millions of people across the country. What has happened has happened," Naidu said.

He said history had often proved that "every crisis has found its man".

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that rulers of some provinces were toying with the idea of separation and ruler of Hyderabad was keen to join Pakistan but Sardar Patel brought about integration of the country with total resoluteness.

"Do our history books, school curriculum present a fair and balanced account of such legacies?... Should we not give a balanced account of history to our post-Independence generation? This is the objective  of our government's decision to observer Sardar Patel's anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Divas," Naidu said.

 

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2G case: Charges framed against A Raja, Kanimozhi

If convicted, Raja and others will face a maximum sentence of upto seven years.
  
This is the second case in the 2G spectrum allocation scam in which Raja, Kanimozhi and others, including Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, will face trial for their alleged involvement in the scam.
  
The court framed charges against 19 accused – 10 individuals and nine companies -- under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and fixed the case for commencement of trial on November 11.
  
It said there was enough material on record which makes out a "prima facie" case against all the accused who were chargesheeted by the Enforcement Directorate on April 25, for committing an offence punishable under the PMLA.
  
"Accordingly, I find that there is enough material on record to make out or to presume a prima facie case against each accused for committing an offence of money-laundering as defined under section 3 and punishable under section 4 of the (PML) Act," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.


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SAARC meet: Irani favours increased linkages between varsities

Chairing the second edition of the SAARC Education Ministers' meet here, she underlined the importance accorded to education in all SAARC Summits and stressed on harmonisation of academic standards and establishment of linkages between research institutions and think-tanks in the region.
  
"Education and cultural diplomacy is the only way forward to strengthen relationship between the SAARC countries. We should, therefore, like to have focussed university to university linkages between our countries for mutual capacity building in education, research technology and innovation," Irani said.
  
She said, "As we have various common challenges of development, our researchers need to work collectively to evolve technology to address these challenges and I would urge for enhanced linkages of our researchers."
  
She also emphasised on "institutionalization of students, academics, teachers and youth exchange programmes for long- term sustainable people-to-people linkages".
  
Use of information and communication technology as a supporting medium for learning should be taken up by all SAARC nations in a mision mode, she said, citing the 'Massive Open Online Course' initiated by her Ministry to provide learners an opportunity to upgrade their knowledge at an affordable price.

 

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Lisa Haydon suffering from dengue, skips film promotion

"Lisa is very much in Delhi but she could not come for the promotions because she is suffering from dengue. She was supposed to come here for the promotion but she could not. She has apologized for not being able to make it to the event," Akshay said here during the promotion of 'The Shaukeens'.
  
Anupam Kher, who is also a part of the film, said she was in hospital before and recovered too but she again fell ill.
  
"Her mother has come from Mumbai to attend to her because she can't stand and walk. I feel, we have to admit her in the hospital," Kher said.
  
Also starring Piyush Mishra and Annu Kapoor, the film will hit theaters on November 7. The film is written by Tigmanshu Dhulia and directed by Abhishek Sharma.

 

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Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha grooves in Prabhu Deva style for 'Action Jackson' track 'Keeda'

The song which opens with a flash 'When he romances, he dance' has Ajay Devgn delivering some impressive moves along with Sonakshi Sinha who looks ravishing in her glam avatar in the song.

The song has its background dancers clad in bell bottom pants and groove to the trademark style of Elvis Presley.

The actor who enjoyed grooving in Prabhu Deva style said it was fun to dance in “Action Jackson'

“This is the first time in my career when I did rehearsals before my dance performance in the film,” he added.

Penned by Shabbir Ahmed the track is composed by Himesh Reshammiya. Himesh has also lend his voice to the song along with Neeti Mohan.

Apart from the hard-hitting action sequences, Ajay Devgn will be seen romancing two female leads Sonakshi Sinha and Yami Gautam in the trailer.

The action comedy also stars Yaami Gautam, Manasvi Mamgai, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Sonu Sood and Rocky Verma.

Co-produced by Ajay Devgn, the film is slated to release on December 5.

 

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'Kill Dil' cast promotes film on Comedy Nights With Kapil

The starcast of the film including Parineeti Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar and Govinda visited the sets of the show to promote their film recently. All of them seemed to have a blast with the cast members and the audience.



Actors were seen clicking selfies and posing with 'Bittoo Sharma's family' including Dadi, Gutthi, Palak and others. Before visiting the sets of the show, excited actor Ranveer Singh tweeted, “Ye humare @RanveerOfficial bhai hai na comedy nights pe itna aaye huwe hai log sochte hai ye kaam idhar karta hai - @KapilSharmaK9 #CantWait”.



Other members of the film also posted some candid pictures on the Twitter. Parineeti Chopra wrote, “Shot the craziestttt episode of Kapil yesterday!!!!! @RanveerOfficial @AliZafarsays”. Praising Kapil Sharma and his team, Ranveer tweeted, “Ranveer: Rollicking RIOT of an episode!!#comedynightswithkapil..EPIC television!!@ParineetiChopra @AliZafarsays @KapilSharmaK9”.



'Kill Dil' is slated to hit the theatres on November 14, 2014.

 
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Amitabh Bachchan dons a pot-belly avatar for Shoojit Sircar's 'Piku'

While the other stars of B-Town are busy flaunting their chiseled physic, the 'Shehanshah' of Bollywood will be seen in a pot belly avatar. Clad in a khaki shirt and a chequered jacket, Big B looks an adorable old man in the picture.

Amitabh who will essay the role of Deepika Padukone's father in the flick looks amazing sporting thick glasses and a fishing hat.

It will for the first time that the young talent of B-Town Deepika shares screen space with the Amitabh Bachchan.

'Piku' explores the father and daughter relationship between Bachchan and Padukone's characters.

Helmed by Shoojit Sircar, who is known for his successes like 'Madras Cafe' and 'Vicky Donor, 'Piku' also stars Irrfan Khan, Moushumi Chatterjee and Jishu Sengupta.

The movie which is slated to release on 30 April, is produced by Ronnie Lahiri.

 

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Rajpal Yadav dedicates role in 'Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain' to victims

The 43-year-old NSD graduate, mostly known for his comic roles in Bollywood, plays the character of a rickshaw driver around whom the whole story revolves.
  
"This film is my tribute to the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy. I am representing one of them in the film. It's one of the dreadful tragedies in world history and as severe as Titanic massacre. Revisiting the past with the film was a horrific experience for me," Rajpal told said.
  
The makers are also planning to hold a special screening of the film in Bhopal on December 3, two days ahead of its official release in Indian theaters on December 5.

"We are planning to do a premiere in Bhopal on the day the disaster will complete 30 years. We want that everybody should know how the chemical leak in Union Carbide led to the biggest man-made industrial disaster in history that killed over 5000 innocent people," Rajpal said.
  
'Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain' is directed by London based Indian director Ravi Kumar, who did an extensive research before helming the project.

The film also stars Hollywood actors Martin Sheen, Kal Penn and Mischa Barton besides Indian artistes Tannishtha Chatterjee and Rajpal.
  
Rajpal said he was not the first choice for the role but when he bagged the offer, it was not a tough job for him.
  
"This film marks my trilogy in showing various facets of common man after 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon', 'Main Meri Patni Aur Woh'. In these three films you will get three different psychology of the common man. 'Main Madhuri...' and 'Main Meri Patni...' were the films which Ravi watched of mine and finalized me from 12 actors," he said.
  
The 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' actor feels lucky that he will be able to break free of his funnyman image in the industry through this film.
  
"I feel an actor is an entertainer first then a performer. When somebody offers you a role which you might not have done for a long time then it becomes a challenge for you. I did play a troubled common man during my NSD days but it is the first time that I am dealing with such subject again," he said.
  
Rajpal said sharing screen space with Sheen is a learning experience for him.
  
"He (Martin) is a wonderful actor. He is a thorough gentleman and I got to learn so much from him. He is super energetic too," Rajpal said.

 

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Bollywood is getting more sophisticated: Hollywood's Michael Hoffman

"Bollywood is shifting and changing. Bollywood is getting more sophisticated and broader but still maintaining the roots of Indian cinema," Hoffman, who is here to promote his movie 'The Best of Me', said.

"It's getting more respect from all over the world, and even at the (international film) festivals it is making its place," he added.

“His keen eyes have noticed not just the growth of Bollywood; they seem to be in tune with the movies that matter. I have heard a lot about 'Haider' and 'Maqbool'. These are some interesting films," said Hoffman, praising Vishal Bhardwaj's two most appreciated works, which are adaptations of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and  "Hamlet".

Interestingly, his 'The Best Of Me' too is an adaptation. It is based on Nicholas Sparks' similarly titled romantic novel.

Despite making good movies, an Oscar is still a distant dream for Bollywood filmmakers. How so?

"I don't know that... Indian films are different. It has a more realistic approach, but one thing that gets difficult for India is the existence of the massive Bollywood tradition," he said.

But he was confident that it would one day hit the bull's eye. "I also feel that Bollywood is sort of coming up. People are a lot more interested and the marriage between the Bollywood style and strong content like 'Haider'... that kind of film (with) serious content and distinctive style will definitely get a crossover recognition," he added.

Hoffman's 'The Best of Me' hits the screens in India on Friday. Asked what prompted him to make a film on the novel, he said "I was going through a phase in my life where I had lost faith in love and this came along. So I thought I should make it and it worked."

Hoffman teamed up with James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan to bring this intriguing love story on the big screen.

Lately, quite a few Hollywood directors are inclined towards adaptations of bestsellers.

Talking about the trend, Hoffman said "In the case of these books, there is a huge readership. Everybody wants a brand that people can associate with because the audience is already educated about the story."

He felt that viewers can easily connect with adaptations. "If people are working on a fresh script, they are working on a standing start. There is a reason why we are here. There is an Indian audience for these kinds of films. In India, I walked into a bookshop and there were two shelves of Nicholas' novel.

"There you go, that's what Hollywood is attracted to branding. The adaptation of a novel has always been there and many of them ended up getting Oscars," added the director, who is known for films like 'One Fine Day' and 'Promised Land'.

 

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Probe ordered into pics bragging about 'king size' life of DIG

"Yes, probe has been ordered (into JK DIG's son posts pictures bragging about 'king size' life)," a senior police officer said.
  
Probe has been ordered by the Director General of Police (DGP) into the case of expose of DIG's picture posts.
  
The businessman son of Jammu and Kashmir DIG has created a row by sharing some photographs on a social networking site, in which the youth purportedly brags about the perks and privileges given by the government to his father.
  
The pictures posted on 'Instagram' by the son of the Deputy Inspector General of Police Jammu-Kathua range, Shakeel Ahmed Beig, have gone viral on several social networking sites, even though they were deleted from the original profile.
  
In one of the pictures, a man is seen tying shoe laces of the DIG while the caption next to the picture reads,"Real King --My Dad!! Last time he put his shoes himself was almost 15 years ago #BossLife #King xx."
  
The caption on another picture shows a police gypsy surrounded by the armed police personnel reads, "Motivation right here! Traffic and this is how police and gunmen clear traffic when my dad is on the road #power#king#guns."
  
In another picture, the DIG who was awarded Presidential police medal this year, is seen coming out of a building with his son and surrounded by policemen.
  
The caption on the picture reads, "Dad and I. #Security, #Guns and #Umbrella even when there is no sun or rain."
  
Reacting to the news, the DIG told an English news channel on Wednesday, "I have served my entire life with respect and dignity, now that I am retiring, someone has done the mischief."

The DIG said that the Instagram account did not belong to his son. Commenting on the picture where a policeman is seen tying his shoe laces Beig said, "When you buy the shoes from a showroom, the salesman ties shoes to you".
  
The state government and police have distanced themselves from issue.
  
"I have nothing to comment on the issue, it is an individual issue and you contact the concerned DIG," Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Rajesh Kumar had said on Wednesday.
  
The son of the top policeman of the state has also posted his own pictures bragging about the position of his DIG father.
  
In a picture where the son of the DIG is seen playing golf, the caption reads, "Golf with dad before next (flight)."
  
An armed policeman is seen acting as the caddie while holding the flag for the son of DIG's son at a golf course.
  
Even before the pictures were deleted from Instagram site they were present on various social networking sites like Facebook, twitter and whatsapp.

 

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First BJP government in Maharashtra to be sworn-in tomorrow, Shiv Sena's presence unlikely

44-year-old Fadnavis, a four-term MLA from Nagpur, will be administered the oath of office by Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at Wankhede Stadium in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several of his Cabinet colleagues, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, corporate leaders, Bollywood stars and other celebrities.
  
A small Cabinet of around ten ministers including state BJP Core Committee members Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde besides MLAs from Schedule Castes and Scheduled tribes is also likely to be sworn in.
  
"A slim and trim government will take oath on Friday," a BJP leader said.
  
As talks with former ally Shiv Sena for a possible tie-up are still going on, no minister from that party was likely to be inducted on Friday.
  
"It seems unlikely that any Shiv Sena minister will be sworn in tomorrow. Talks with Sena are on in an amicable atmosphere for a possible tie-up in Maharashtra but there has been no outcome yet," BJP General Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

Maintaining that BJP was looking forward to a decision soon, he said, "This may not happen on Friday."
  
BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member state Assembly with 122 seats but one of its MLAs Govind Rathod died.
  
Though technically it will be a minority government until Sena joins it, declared support from 41-member NCP will act as a hedge for the BJP dispensation. It also has the support of several Independent MLAs and those from some smaller parties.
  
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is likely to hold discussions with senior leaders again this evening and announce the party's stand on joining the government.
  
Sena MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut said "positive talks" were on between the two parties and extended best wishes to Fadnavis and his team.

 

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Delhi government formation: Supreme Court finds LG's efforts positive

Referring to recent media reports, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said, "Whatever I have read in newspapers, it appears that the LG has made positive moves."

The bench asked Prashant Bhushan, counsel for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has filed a plea seeking dissolution of the Assembly, to wait for sometime as the LG had started the consultation process with the political players in the national capital and adjourned the matter till November 11.

During the brief hearing, the bench also comprising justices J Chelameswar, A K Sikri, R K Agrawal and Arun Mishra, said that if the LG feels that there is a possibility of government formation, then he should be given time to explore it.

On the possibility of government formation, the bench said, "There could be a minority government with an outside support of some political outfit."


Bhushan, however, said that there was no possibility of government formation in the national capital in view of the position of political parties in the legislative assembly.

"We should always live in hope," the bench said asking the counsel for AAP to wait till November 11 when it will again hear the matter.

The LG had yesterday decided to invite political parties to explore possibility of government formation in Delhi.

Earlier, the Apex Court was informed by the Centre that the President has given his consent to LG's proposal to invite BJP to form government.

The court had also rapped the Centre and the LG over the delay, saying that in a democracy, President's Rule cannot go on forever and questioned why the authorities failed to act expeditiously.
  
At the moment, a party needs the support of 34 MLAs for a simple majority in a House of 70 with three vacancies which are to be filled in by-elections late next month.

BJP had emerged the single largest party after the Assembly polls in December last year with 31 seats apart from the support of ally Akali Dal's one MLA in the 70-member House. But its numbers have now come down to 28 after three of its legislators--Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma--were elected to Lok Sabha.

 
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Kerala diaspora voters can register online

"Anyone sitting anywhere in the world in front of a computer that has internet facility can log on to www.ceo.kerala.gov.in and carry out their online registration," Chief Election Commissioner Nalini Netto told reporters here.

"Once done, a registration number will be sent through an SMS. Once the application is processed, the result of it would also be intimated through an SMS," Netto said.

"The voters can indicate their preference if they wish to receive the elector photo identity card through post. All non-resident Keralites, whose name did not figure in the electoral list, can avail the service...," Netto added.

She said the non-resident people's names will appear under the NRI category in the electoral list and if they are in the state when a poll is taking place they can cast their votes.

The Chief Election Commissioner said the latest online registration of voters list begins November 1 and it will continue till November 25.

“This revision of the electoral list is an annual affair,” she said.

"We are planning to appoint campus ambassadors to promote awareness about this enrolment on all the college campuses," said Netto.

According to a recent study, the number of emigrants in 2014 from Kerala is 23.63 lakh.

The figure was 22.81 lakh in 2011, 21.93 lakh in 2008, 18.38 lakh in 2003 and 13.62 lakh in 1998.

The study also showed that 90 percent of the state diaspora lives in Middle East countries.

 

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

After wrapping up KBC, Big B focuses on movies

The 72-year-old is currently shooting for three projects 'Shamitabh', 'Piku' and 'Wazir'.

Director R Balakrishnan, fondly called Balki, is helming 'Shamitabh' that also features Dhanush and marks the Bollywood debut of southern superstar actor Kamal Haasan's daughter Akshara.

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar's 'Piku' will see Amitabh along with Deepika Padukone and Irrfan, while 'Wazir' is Bejoy Nambiar's directorial venture, which is written and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

The film also stars Farhan Akhtar and Aditi Rao Hyadri. "KBC over shall mean greater concentration on the films on hand .. with 'Shamitabh' and 'Piku' and 'Wazir' the Vinod Chopra produced Bijoy Nambiar directed film on the floors now…," he said in his blog post.

"All to be released by the year of 2015...and I await the verdict, as do many that are involved in it, when it shall reach the masses... the masses ... the final answer, the final question, the final outcome..." he wrote.

The grand finale episode of the eighth edition of KBC will be aired on November 9 on Sony Entertainment Television.

 

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Part of Rajkumar Hirani's bungalow turned into an editing studio

Earlier, Hirani used edit all his films at Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s office in Santa Cruz. A source said, “He recently bought a bungalow in Goregaon and has modified one of the rooms into an editing and dubbing studio. It is convenient as he does not have to go out of his house for the editing.”

Another source said when Hirani shoots in Film City Studios, also in Goregaon, he prefers to do the editing work at his place.

“But if he is in Santa Cruz, he works out of Chopra’s office like he used to earlier. It suits Aamir, too, as he drops by Raju’s house for the dubbing after completing his shoot schedules in Film City,” added the source.

Hirani’s spokesperson confirmed the story. Apart from Aamir, 'PK' stars Anushka Sharma and Sushant Singh Rajput.

 

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How Hrithik strategically dodged Sussanne in Goa

The actor, who is currently nursing an injured shoulder, was seen playing with his children, Hrehaan and Hridhaan.

A source said, "Sussanne celebrated her birthday with her family and kids. They were all in Goa since Diwali for a family get-together. But she left for Mumbai on Sunday night with her sister, Farah Khan Ali. It was only the next morning that Hrithik flew in to be with the kids."

The couple's sons had stayed back with Sussanne's brother, Zayed Khan and his family, the source added.

Hrithik is said to maintain cordial relations with his former in-laws even after his 14-year-old marriage fell apart. The divorce is expected to come through by the end of this month. Hrithik Roshan remained unavailable for comment.

 

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Big B, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan to come under one roof

"Our entire Kannada film fraternity will be joining hands for this programme. We've sent invitations to Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, Mammootty and Mohanlal. All of them are expected to attend the opening ceremony," HD Gangaraju, president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said

Touted to be one of the biggest events in Kannada industry, the memorial which includes a three-foot bronze statue of Rajkumar with an exhibition of photographs will be opened to public as well.

"The memorial is located on the premises of Kanteerava Studio. Members of Rajkumar Pratisthana will be supervising all activities related to the ceremonial programme. An 800-seater auditorium will also be part of the memorial," he said.

According to reports, a whopping Rs 7 crore has been spent on the memorial.

 

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'Rang Rasiya' team to inspire people for eye donations

The team is taking the initiative on November 1 at PVR Ambience Mall in Gurgaon in aid of Mahindru Foundation, which is dedicated to eradication of curable blindness.

They are 'proud' to be associated with the cause. The 'Rang Rasiya' team aims to raise funds for two upcoming eye banks one in association with Lotus Eye Hospital, Mumbai and another in association with Bhuvneshwari Madharai's Ashram, Rishikesh.

To promote the cause and encourage others to pledge their eyes, the team of the film including Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen, director Ketan Mehta and producers Deepa Sahi and Aanand Mahendroo, the singers and associates will also support this noble cause by pledging their eyes, read a statement.

Alongside the special screening of 'Rang Rasiya', a special musical concert featuring Sunidhi Chauhan, Kailash Kher and Sufi folk singers from Rajasthan will also be held at 'The Leela', Gurgaon to support the cause.

'Rang Rasiya' is based on the life and times of 19th century painter Raja Ravi Verma.

 

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People spend Rs 8k cr on attestation; Govt for self-validation

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked the Central Government ministries to review the existing requirements of affidavits and attested copy by Gazetted officers in various forms in a phased-manner and wherever possible, make provision of self-certification of documents and abolition of affidavits.
  
"Some ministries have adopted the provision of self-certification of documents such as mark sheet, birth certificate, etc by the applicants or stakeholders. Under the self attestation method, the original documents are required to be produced at the final stage," it said in a letter.
  
The DoPT said the self-certification of documents is "citizen friendly" as making affidavits cost money to the poor and involves wastage of time of the citizens as well as of the government officials.
  
The state governments have also been asked to review the existing requirements of affidavits and attested copy of Gazetted officers in various forms in the departments and boards, corporations and field offices in a phased manner and wherever possible, make provision of self-certification of documents and abolition of affidavits.
  
"Affidavits impose their own cost on the citizens—buying stamp paper, locating a deed writer, payment to the Notary for attestation and, of course, the time and efforts consumed in these processes. On the other hand, affidavits have no particular sanctity in law and the same function can be easily performed by declarations," according to a background note on 'reforming public service delivery systems in India' made by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  
In Punjab alone, it is estimated that at least half the households file affidavits annually for one service or the other.
  
"Extrapolating this figure to India, the total number may be more than 20 crore citizens or affidavits and assuming a cost of Rs 400 per affidavit (one day wages plus stamps, fees and charges), the total expenses incurred by the citizens in India could well be to the extent of Rs 8,000 crores approximately," the note said.

Affidavits, therefore, need to be replaced by self-declarations for all services in the public utilities or agencies.

Affidavit is a declaration, and such, a declaration in itself is adequate for the purposes of law.

Attestation by the officials, thus, does not appear to be necessary. The applicant or signatory continues to be responsible for the statement made, it said.

"One advantage that the public agencies have is that they can also impose penal liability for making wrong statements in terms of suspension of the services (suspension of ration card facilities, disconnection of power supply),”  the DoPT said
  
"This practise of self declaration needs to be adopted in place of affidavits. This will save a lot of bother and sizable expenses in the citizen having to procure stamps or stamp paper which is mostly not available at the place where the affidavit is to be submitted. Some of the central government agencies (passport, income tax) have already adopted this practise,” it added..
  
The Ministry also cited various penal sections of law to check false information or declaration by an individual.
  
"There appears to be no legal problem in adopting this (self-certification) practise. The Indian Penal Code contains a number of Sections such as 177, 193, 197, 198, 199 and 200,” it said.

“These Sections specifically deal with the implications of any false information, evidence, disclosure or declaration made by the deponents and, any such instances have been included to be subjected to the imposition of penalties, fines, registration of criminal cases and even imprisonment," it further added..
  
The affidavits are required in support of facts given by the applicants for issue of various certificates, (residence etc.). Affidavits are affirmations by the applicants (supported in some cases by third parties).
  
"Historically, governance has been a prisoner of the colonial non-faith citizen-government exchange. The interaction of the state vis-a-vis the citizens continues to remain divergent, even antagonistic, in terms of realization of the claims, entitlements and the basic rights," the note said seeking to replace affidavits with self-certification.

 

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Congress welcomes SC directive on foreign account holders

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central government to furnish, in a sealed cover by Wednesday, the names of all Indian foreign account holders. Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said the court had come down heavily on the Modi government.

"The direction of the Supreme Court has vindicated the stand being articulated by the Congress ever since the government started playing this convoluted game of partial and selective leak of names," Maken said.

He said the government's "double speak" on the matter has been exposed in the two affidavits it had given in the court.Maken said that in the affidavit of October 17, the government had told the court that it was unable to disclose the names since it was bound by the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements.

He said the government revised its stand in the affidavit of Oct 27 "with the sole purpose of hoodwinking the court"."However, the court today rejected all of such devious attempts and it was a welcome step," he said.

Maken accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and Modi of misleading the people.

He claimed the BJP leaders had promised not only to disclose the names but also bring back to the country all the black money stashed abroad within 100 days.

"While Baba Ramdev had the put the number of such account holders at 50,000 and pegged the amount stashed away at Rs 4 lakh crores, Rajnath Singh had promised to bring back the same within 100 days," he said.

He said the BJP leaders also promised to distribute the black money among the people of the country.

A bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Madan B  Lokur on Tuesday told Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the government need not do anything but just disclose the names to the court and it will decide whether the matter should be investigated by the income tax authorities or by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

 

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Rahul directs elimination of bogus members in Congress

The Congress Vice President wanted the party polls to be "free, fair and transperent" and sought utilisation of the opportunity to "reinvigorate and rejuvenate" the organisation.

Gandhi said full powers have been given to the party's Central Election Authority (CEA), headed by senior leader Mullappally Ramachandran, so as to make the exercise truly effective.

He was speaking at a meeting of AICC General Secretaries and PCC Chiefs on the organisational polls, his first formal interaction with top party leaders here after the defeat of Congress in Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana.

Organisational polls in the past have often been marred by accusations of bogus members. Central leaders of the party now say that there are least chances of bogus membership in view of new safeguards, including photo identity cards.

Ramachandran, a former Union Minister, has claimed that Congress will have a "100 per cent transparent" organisational elections this time.

Party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said that this would be the first organisational polls after Congress amended its constitution in the Burari session in 2010 for party polls after five years instead of three years in practice earlier.

Dwivedi said that the PCC Chiefs who also attended the meeting along with AICC General Secretaries were told that the tentative schedule for the party polls released by the AICC would be followed.

The schedule says that the membership drive will be concluded by December 31 and the New Year would see conduct of polls from the block level to that of AICC members. The election of Congress President is scheduled in July.

Sonia Gandhi holds the record of having the longest tenure as the Chief of the party which was founded way back in 1885. She is at the helm since March 1998.

The organisational elections will not have a vote for the post of the Congress Vice President as there is no such post under the party constitution. Earlier, late leaders Arjun Singh and Jitendra Prasada had been party Vice Presidents while the late Kamlapati Tripathi was the party Working President.

 

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Vietnamese PM's visit will strengthen ties: President

During their interaction, when the President met Dung Tuesday,  Mukherjee said he was delighted to welcome Dung on his second state visit to India.

The visit will open up new areas of mutual assistance, cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, Mukherjee said, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement.

Adding that he was pleased with his visit to Vietnam last Month, Mukherjee hoped that Dung's visit to the holy town of Bodh Gaya and the Mahabodhi temple was successful.

Mukherjee said, "Buddhism symbolises the shared cultural heritage of the peoples of India and Vietnam."

"The Vietnamese prime minister warmly reciprocated the president's sentiments and said Vietnam was keen to work with India in taking the relationship to greater heights," the statement added. Dung, who is on a two-day official visit to India, reached Bodh Gaya in Bihar Monday.

 

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Jung meets Rajnath, will discuss govt formation with parties

Sources said the LG conveyed to the Home Minister that he will call all political parties to explore possibilities of forming a government in Delhi, which is under President's rule since February 17 after resignation of AAP government.
  
The Centre had on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted an LG proposal that BJP be asked to form the government.
  
The meeting lasted nearly 30 minutes, the sources said.       

Rapping the Centre and the LG over the delay, the court had said that in a democracy President's Rule cannot go on forever and questioned why the authorities failed to act expeditiously.
  
Presently, BJP, along with ally Akali Dal's lone MLA, has 29 legislators and will require the support of five more MLAs to prove majority in the assembly in its current strength of 67 if it decides to form the government.
  
The total strength of the Delhi Assembly is 70 with three vacancies which are to be filled in bye elections late next month.
  
AAP had formed the government in Delhi with the support of Congress. The government led by Kejriwal had resigned on 14 February after the party's pet project, the Janlokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress. President's Rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17.
  
Jung had not favoured dissolution of the Delhi assembly as recommended by the council of ministers headed by Kejriwal and kept the assembly in suspended animation.


AAP cries foul

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has targeted Jung for dilly-dallying in government formation in the national capital, with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal even branding the Lt Governor as a BJP agent.

Kejriwal in several interviews with private TV channels has alleged that Jung is working like an agent of the BJP.

AAP leader and former journalist Ashutosh also questioned why Jung wants to hold a chat with all parties when he knows views of all of them concerned on elections.

He further questioned that why did Jung came out of his slumber after a slap on the wrist from the Supreme Court.

“Why LG wants to hold a chat with all parties when he knows views of all of them concerned on elections ?And why now when SC has criticised ?” Ashutosh tweeted on Wednesday morning.

Ashutosh claimed that elections are the only alternative left now for government formation in the capital, alleging that the BJP is running scared of elections.

“A big farce will again be played on the people of Delhi ? Elections are the only alternative and fact is BJP DOES NOT Want TO FACE PEOPLE,” said another tweet by Ashutosh.

Congress accuses Jung of helping BJP to poach MLAs

The Congress on Tuesday had slammed Jung for the delay in taking a decision on government formation in Delhi, accusing him of giving enough time to BJP to poach MLAs from other parties.

The party had also disapproved of BJP's bid to form a government in the national capital saying the latter does not have a majority in the Delhi Assembly.

"That is what we were asking for that the LG should take a decision. In order to please his masters at the Centre—Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team--he (Jung) was resorting to delaying tactics to give the BJP enough time and opportunity to poach MLAs of other parties," AICC general secretary in-charge for Delhi Shakeel Ahmed said.

 

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Modi glad with 'wonderful' response to his radio address

"Have been going through the wonderful comments, ideas & good governance examples received for 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme on November 2. It is very gladdening to read views on diverse range of issues, rich insights & interesting anecdotes shared by all of you,” said Modi.
  
"Do keep sharing your ideas on the MyGov Open Forum. I will read them & share some of them during the Radio programme," he tweeted on Wednesday, adding he read several thoughts on Swachh Bharat mission, agriculture, irrigation issues, empowerment of women and skilled India.
  
Modi has invited people to share their thoughts, comments and examples of good governance initiatives that have left an impression on their mind ahead of the broadcast of the programme on November 2.
  
He had first used the medium of radio on October 3 to reach out to the maximum populace.
  
Modi had then given a a pep talk on shedding despondency and use of skills for the country's betterment and prosperity.
  
He had promised to make the radio broadcast a regular affair and invited ideas from citizens while noting that he was encouraged by the number of suggestions he had received since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio.

 

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All foreign bank accounts will be assessed by March 2015: Attorney General

He said that the court directed that the sealed envelope with the names be given to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and also allowed the Centre to put its "problems regarding treaties with foreign nations" before the SIT.

"After that we shall request them to submit the report in the court by November 30," the AG said.

"There are about 627-628 accounts along with a status report which we have submitted in the Supreme Court today in a sealed cover. Last date for investigation and assessment into all these accounts is March 31, 2015.

"The court after hearing both sides, did not open the cover but directed that the sealed envelope be given to the SIT itself. The SIT will thereafter see what it has to do and proceed in accordance with law," Rohatgi said.

Speaking to the media immediately after the hearing, the AG also said that this same list had been submitted to the SIT in June earlier this year.

"The apex court has asked SIT to verify the list given by the government and carry on with probe in accordance with law," he said, adding, "The court has permitted us to place our problems regarding treaties with foreign nations before the SIT".

 

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LPG rate hiked by Rs 3 per cylinder

The commission paid to dealers was last week hiked by Rs 3 per 14.2-kg cylinder to Rs 43.71. Consequently, retail selling price of subsidised LPG too have been increased in the same proportion, officials said.
  
Dealers' commission was last revised in December 2013 when it was hiked by Rs 3.46 per cylinder to Rs 40.71.
  
The increase in commission — which as per practice is passed on to consumers — has been effected from October 23.
  
Subsidised LPG in Delhi now costs Rs 417 per 14.2-kg cylinder as against Rs 414 previously.

  
In Mumbai, subsidised LPG will cost Rs 452 per 14.2-kg cylinder as against Rs 448.50 previously.
  
Prior to the December hike in LPG rates, price of cooking gas was raised in October 2012 when because of an increase in dealers' commission the rates were raised from Rs 399 per cylinder to Rs 410.50.
  
Dealers' commission has also resulted in the rate of non-subsidised LPG, which a consumer buys after consuming his quota of 12 cylinders at below-market rates, being hiked to Rs 883.50 per 14.2-kg bottle from Rs 880 previously.
  
The decision will benefit 13,896 LPG distributors across the country.

 

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Proposal to legalise prostitution to be placed before SC panel: NCW

"The proposal for legalising prostitution will be put forth in the National Consultation scheduled to be held on Nov 8 by Supreme Court panel," NCW said in a statement.The apex court had constituted the panel after a public interest litigation was filed 2010 on the rehabilitation of sex workers. Further in its order dated Aug 24, 2011, the court had directed NCW to attend the meetings of the panel.

"The panel has to make certain recommendations for the possible amendments in Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 [ITPA] in the light of conditions conducive for sex workers to live with dignity in accordance with the provision of Article 21 of the Constitution," added the statement.

The Supreme Court constituted panel would deliberate on the existing provisions of ITPA, loopholes, implementation of the law and the impact of such implementation on the sex workers and their lives. She denied media report that she was planning to put forward the proposal of legalising prostitution at the Cabinet meet.

 

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