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Lokpal Bill Introduced: MPs Ask Why Undue Haste

Even as a comprehensive debate on the new Lokpal Bill introduced today in Parliament is scheduled for 27, 28 and 29 December, legislators from various parties opposed the very concept and timing of the Lok Pal Bill. Though different MPs criticised the government and Anna Hazare on various grounds, the primary criticism of govt was around undue haste in tabling the lokpal bill in the House while Anna was criticised for bullying the government on the lokpal issue and trying to dictate the Parliament. Many parties were also unhappy over attempt to bring the Prime Minister under its purview and making it mandatory for states to form Lokayuktas. The inclusion of minorities' quota in the bill was also opposed by some and favoured by some parties. However, the government rejected the opposition of the legislators with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying, "It is for the 545 members of the Lok Sabha to decide on the bill. It is not undue haste. There is nothing illegal." Various parties, including BJP, Shiv Sena, RJD, AIMIM and AIADMK, opposed introduction of the bill in the current form and wanted the government to revise it. Parties like RJD, Samajwadi Party, AIMIM, AIADMK opposed bringing the Prime Minister under the purview of a body which would be "accountable to nobody". BJP, JD(U), BJD, AIADMK, DMK and CPI(M) objected to a provision in the Lokpal Bill, claiming that it made it "mandatory" for states to set up Lokayuktas and was an "attack" on the federal structure. Shiv Sena opposed the very concept of Lokpal saying that it is nothing but demeaning the parliamentary democracy. Video Source: ibnlive

Lokpal Bill: Salient Features at a Glance

The following are the salient features of the proposed anti-graft Lokpal bill introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha on Thursday: Lokpal and its role: The bill proposes to establish autonomous and independent institutions called Lokpal at the central level and and Lokayukta for states. These shall have powers of superintendence and direction for holding a preliminary inquiry, causing an investigation to be made and prosecution of offences in respect of complaints under any law for the prevention of corruption. Structure: The Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members of which fifty percent shall be judicial members. Fifty percent of members shall be from amongst Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), minorities and women. It has an inquiry wing for conducting the preliminary inquiry and a separate independent prosecution wing. Officers of the Lokpal will include the secretary, director of prosecution, director of inquiry and other officers. Process of selection: The selection of chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be through a selection committee consisting of prime minister, Lok Sabha speaker, Lok Sabha leader of opposition, chief justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by chief justice. Eminent jurist to be nominated by the president of India. A search committee to assist selection committee in the process of selection. Fifty percent of members of search committee shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, minorities and women. Jurisdiction: Prime minister has been brought under the purview of the Lokpal with specific exclusions. Lokpal can not hold any inquiry against the prime minister if allegations relate to international relations, external and internal security of the country, public order, atomic energy and space. Any decision of Lokpal to initiate preliminary inquiry or investigation against prime minister shall be taken only by the full bench with a 3/4th majority. Such proceedings shall be held in camera. Its jurisdiction to include all categories of public servants including Group 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' officers and employees of government. On complaints referred by Lokpal, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will send its report in respect of Group 'A' and 'B' officers back to Lokpal for further decision. With respect to Group 'C' and 'D' employees, the CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under the CVC act subject to reporting and review by Lokpal. All entities receiving donations from foreign sources in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs.10 lakh per year are brought under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. Lokpal will not be able to initiate suo moto inquiries. Other significant features of the Bill: No prior sanction shall be required for launching prosecution in cases enquired by Lokpal or initiated on the direction and with the approval of Lokpal. Provisions for confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending. Lokpal to be final appellate authority on all decisions by public authorities relating to provision of public services and redressal of grievances containing findings of corruption. Lokpal to have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for cases referred to them. Source: India Today.

Minority Clause Included in Lokpal Bill

Amidst uproar by RJD, JD(U), AIMIM, SP and some other parties that minority clause has been excluded from the bill, the Lokpal Bill could not be tabled in the Parliament till 2 PM on Thursday. According to sources the Prime Minister later gave clearance to the minority quota and it has been included in the bill. Congress Core Group, which met in the mornig today, has aslo cleared the proposal for minority quota. Now that the Core Group and the Prime Minister have cleared the proposal, there won't be any necessity for amendment of the bill. Several MPs led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad had earlier registered their protests with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against the exclusion of minorities from the quota in the Lokpal. Lalu was supported by Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Lok Janshakti Party and Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India leaders who have been opposing the Lokpal Bill in its present form. Even Congress MP Raj Babbar supported the demand. The leaders including Lalu, Babbar and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi met the Prime Minister to demand that quota for minorities be included in the Lokpal Bill. Lalu demanded that the Bill should be amended to include the quota for minorities after meeting the Prime Minister.

Anna Dares Sonia to Debate on Lokpal

Just taking a look at the 70 page new Lokpal Bill draft going to be presented in Parliament today, Anna Hazare declared it as useless and dared Sonia Gandhi to debate on it, if she feels it is a strong lokpal bill. "If Sonia Gandhi thinks the bill is strong, she should come out, sit across us, debate and explain how it is strong in front of the media," said the 74-year-old activist. Anna also announced that he would sit outside the homes of both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as part of his protest and jail bharo agitation. He said leaving out the CBI out of the control of the Lokpal, as the new Bill reportedly proposes, rendered the anti-corruption Bill "useless" and said he was now firmer than ever on launching his fourth hunger strike of the year and simultaneous protests in Delhi and Mumbai from December 27 next week, the day the Lok Sabha is expected to discuss and vote on the Lokpal Bill. Anna Hazare is planning for a three-day hungerstrike, followed by a three-day jail bharo agitation asking people to court arrest across the country and then follow it up with a focused targetting of the Congress party in five-election bound states, including Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai's Azad Maidan has been finalised as the venue for Anna and his team of activists, who plan to hold a protest camp in Mumbai for three days, starting December 27.

ORR Becomes Death Trap for VIP Sons

City Outer Ring Road (ORR) once again proved death trap for VIP Sons with two accidents on Tuesday, one of them involving fatalities. While former Congress minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy's son was killed in one, three others were hurt in a vehicle pileup. Pratheek Reddy, son of the minister and two of his young friends became the latest victims of the tricky Outer Ring Road (ORR) near Kollur in Medak district. It was only a few months ago that former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin lost his son in a bike mishap on the ORR in Cyberabad. Ayazuddin was riding a sports motorcycle along with his cousin Ajmal, when their bike crashed on Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road. Tuesday's accident snuffed out three lives while the condition of another, who was in the car and was grievously injured, is said be critical. Nineteen year old Pratheek Reddy was studying first year BTech at CBIT in Gandipet. He, along with his classmates Sujeet Kumar, Chandra Reddy and Arohan Reddy, was returning to Hyderabad from his college in his Skoda car (AP 24 AH 9999). According to locals, the youngsters were driving the car at a very high speed on the ORR service road. Minutes after they entered the ORR at the outskirts of Kollur, two sheep strayed across their path, forcing them to swerve.The driver lost control and smashed the car into the divider. postmortem was performed on Pratheek Reddy's body, which was then shifted to their house. Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, deputy chief minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, Union minister for petroleum S Jaipal Reddy and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu were among those who extended condolences to the bereaved families SOURCE SNEHA TV

VIPs Throng Komatireddy House to Express Condolences

Komatireddy son dead in Car Accident: Komati reddy son Prateek reddy and 2 other friends died in car accident on tuesday evening at Kolluru near Ramachandrapuram in Medak district on Tuesday evening. All the VIPscoming to Komati reddy House to convey their condolences to the family members of Komatireddy Venkatreddy and the family members of other students. Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, deputy chief minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, Union minister for petroleum S Jaipal Reddy and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu were among those who extended condolences to the bereaved families Source Snehatv

Komatireddy son Prateek Reddy Died In Car Accident

Prateek Reddy dead in Car Accident: Komat reddy son Prathik reddy and 2 other friends died in car accident on tuesday evening at Kolluru near Ramachandrapuram in Medak district on Tuesday evening. Prateek Reddy was going to a friend’s house at Patancheru in his car along with his friends Suchit Reddy, Chandra Reddy and Arava Reddy, when his car rammed into the road divider while he was trying to avoid a group of buffaloes coming on the road. The car made several somersaults before crashing on the road. All the inmates except Arava Reddy died on the spot.Prateek is the first year B Tech student at CBIT, Hyderabad and has been staying along with his parents in Jubilee Hills.

Central Tourism Ministry For Chiranjeevi?

Amidst speculations that he will be made Central Minister for Tourism, a jubilant Mr. Chiranjeevi left for Delhi today on an invitation from Tourism Department. It is well known that after Chiranjeevi rescued the Kiran Kumar government from TDP tabled no confidence motion in the state Assembly, it became certain that he along with RLD chief Ajit Singh will be accommodated in the Central Cabinet. While Ajit Singh has been made the Civil Aviation Minister last week, for some unknown reasons reasons Chiranjeevi missed the bus. Since then, deliberations were going on at state and central levels in Congress about suitably accommodating Chiranjeevi and his group of MLAs. Now Chiranjeevi all of sudden received invitation from the Tourism department. Naturally this has set the guessing going that he will be made a central minister this time for sure. Observers say that going by the celebrity status of Chiranjeevi, the Congress high command may choose him to head the tourism ministry. Shall have to wait till evening to know how events take shape. Video Source: snehatv.com

TDP Finding Difficulty in Selecting Candidates For Bypolls

The Telugu Desam Party has started its exercise in selecting prospective candidates for the upcoming bypolls in the state. Though it could easily identify party contestants two constituencies, the party is facing difficulty in deciding candidates for several other constituencies. The TDP is facing problems in mainly Nagar Kurnool in Mahboobnagar, Narasapuram in West Godawari, Ramachandrapuram in East Godawari, Prathipadu in Guntur and Kamareddy in Nizamabad districts. The party chief Chandrababu Naidu is concentrating mainly on this issue currently.

Farmers Remember Cycle Only, Not Chandrababu

Telugu Desam Party supremo Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently on his 'Rythu Porubata Yatra' in Nizamabad district, has experienced a funny situation. While the TDP leader was passing through a village in Nizamabad district, he saw a 'toddy-tapper' on roadside and decided to talk to him. He asked the tapper how's the life and whether the present government is helping him in eeking out his livelyhood. The toddy-tapper lamented that the government isn't doing anything for their betterment. He said "When Chnadrababu Naidu was the chief minister, at least gave us bicycles, but this government isn't caring us at all." When local leaders accompanying Naidu told the tapper that the person he is talking to is the same Chandrababu Naidu. The tapper was pleasantly surprised and said that he couldn't reconise the former chief minister because of the turban on the head. Chandrababu Naidu and people accompanying him had a hearty laugh and resumed their padayatra.

Rythu Porubata : Slipper Hurled at Naidu

The former chief minister faced the ire of Telangana protagonists during his Rythu Porubata programme in Nizamabad district when Telangana activist Chinna Reddy of Argul village hurled a slipper at him during a public meeting at Jakranpally mandal headquarters on Thursday night. The missile, however, did not hit Mr Naidu and fell on the dais. Following this, TD leaders and workers present thrashed the Telangana activist before the police stepped in and took custody of the protester. Reacting to the attack, Mr Naidu later said that he was not against a separate statehood for Telangana. “We already clarified our stance on Telangana during the Mahanadu,” he said. He added that the Congress must end the political uncertainty in AP.

Chandhra Babu Rythu Porubata in Nizamabad

On Thursday, Chandhra Babu Naidu's Rythu Porubata Yatra entered Nizamabad district at Sone bridge and went through Bussapur of Balkonda, Mamidipalli, Govindpet, Devunipalli of Jakranpalli and Jakranpalli headquarters where a public rally was held in the night. Naidu interacted with farmers of Nizamabad rural constituency and enquired about their problems. Earlier at a meeting in Govindpet village Naidu blamed the government for looting Rs 1,500 crore per year in the name of free power. He said the TDP government had not provided free power with a view to improving the quality of supply.

Chandra Babu Speech In Rythu Poru Baata

Rythu Poru Baata Adilabad: Chandra Babu Naidu on Wednesday toured Utnoor and surrounding villages as part of his 'Rythu Poru Baata', a programme aimed at studying the problems being faced by farmers because of the prevailing drought in the state.Though the Telangana protagonists threatened to block his tour, it went off smoothly barring a minor incident wherein one miscreant hurled an egg at one of Naidu's convoy vehicles. At Yenda village, police dispersed an unruly group of Telangana supporters. The Leader of Opposition asserted that he was never against Telangana. "I have always been clear on the issue, the TDP is not against Telangana. However, it is for the Congress to take a decision on the statehood issue since it is the party in power. But it has failed to act so far." The recent no-confidence motion in the Assembly (which was defeated) was a "slap on the face" of Kiran Kumar Reddy Government, the former Chief Minister maintained. "This Government is anti-farmer and has done nothing for the welfare of farmers. It washed its hands off after merely declaring drought in 876 mandals (tehsils) and took no further steps to rescue the distressed farmers." Video Source Sneha TV

Speaker Protecting Congress Govt in State: Nagam

Former T-TDP Forum Convenor and Telangana Nagaara founder Dr. Nagam Janardhan Reddy on Wednesday alleged that the Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar is protecting the Congress government in the state from falling in to minority. Speaking to the media, Nagam said that the Kiran Kumar government is sure to fall, if by-elections are conducted in all the 24 constituencies. Speaker should not delay the disqualification of 16 MLAs sought by the Congress by going through the lengthy process of serving notices and then giving them time to explain. "The Speaker has the responsibility of safeguarding the sanctity of the House. He should immediately disqualify the 16 MLAs and pave way for the by-elections," Nagam demanded. Video Source:snehatv.com

TJAC Fails to Block Rythu Poru Bata

Chandrababu Rythu Poru Bata: Amidst Telangana joint action Committee (TJAC) announcement that it will block TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu's Rythu Poru Bata in Adilabad, the TD chief has resumed his Rythu Poru Bata from Adilabad today. He received a grand welcome for his party leaders and workers at Sona in Nirmal mandal. Adilabad MP Ramesh Rathod, TDP district president Gone Hanumantha Rao and others welcomed Chandrababu. After his pada yatra, Chandrababu will address a public meeting at Utnuru in the evening. Source TV9

TRS Gearing up For Bypolls in Telangana

With the bypolls for seven assembly constitutions in Telangana region seeming inevitable, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi is gearing up for the occasion. TRS is mainly banking on the T-sentiment and hopes to win all the 7 seats in the region. TRS has already announced that it would nominate former MLAs who joined from the other parties as official candidates for the by-elections in their respective constituencies. TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday appointed four former MLAs as the in-charge of constituencies that they represented earlier. While Jogu Ramana was made incharge of Adilabad assembly seat, Gampa Goverdhan will be incharge for Kamareddy, Jupally Krishna Rao for Kollapur and T Rajaiah for Station Ghanpur constituency. These MLAs have recently resigned from the TDP and Congress to join the TRS. They have also resigned from the assembly membership which necessitated by-polls in these constituencies. Though it was a cakewalk for the party in case of Pocharam Srinivas Reddy's by-election from Banswada earlier. But this time, the T-sentiment seems to be on the wane in some areas of the region and TRS may have to adopt some other strategy to get through. Video Source: snehatv.com

TJAC to Block TDP Rythu Porubata In Telangana

With an eye on the upcoming bypolls 7 consituantions in the telangana region, Telangana joint action Committee (TJAC) is planning to block Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Rythu Porubata padayatra in the region on December 14 and 15. The TJAC leaders on Tuesday called upon the people, particularly the farming community, to boycott the Rythu Porubata programme or Mr Chandrababu Naidu. TJAC district convener I. Gopal Sharma, TNGOs employees’ union president Gaini Gangaram and TRS senior leader A.S. Poshetty warned that they would prevent the tour of TD chief in Nizamabad district on December 15. Speaking to newsmen in Nizamabad on Tuesday, the TJAC leaders said that there Telugu Desam president has no moral right to tour in Telangana region as he is the main hurdle for the carving out of separate state. It is known fact that Mr Naidu was anti-Telangana and anti-farmer leader, they said. Telangana protagonists are firm to prevent the tour of former chief minister in Nizamabad district, they added. The TJAC leaders suggested that the TD leaders cancel their party supremo’s tour in the district, otherwise face the consequences. In Adilabad, police security has been intensified in the Agency ahead of Mr Naidu’s Porubata at Utnoor on December 14. TRS leaders and activists staged protests and burnt Mr Naidu’s effigies in Asifabad, Nirmal and Adilabad opposing his yatra on Tuesday. Meanwhile, all the roads leading to Utnoor which will be covered during the yatra wore yellow look with TD flags and banners welcoming Mr Naidu. TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram appealed to the people to obstruct Mr Naidu’s yatra as it was aimed at improving party image and chances of its candidates in the bypolls but not to highlight the farmers’ problems.

AP High Court Stays CBI Probe Against Naidu

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday has stayed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. The High Court, in an interim order, stayed the investigation till further orders. The high court on 14 November directed the CBI to conduct a Preliminary Enquiry into the assets of Chandrababu Naidu basing on a petition filed by former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy widow YS Vijayamma. Though Naidu approached the Supreme Court, but the apex court refused to stay the CBI probe. However it gave Naidu the liberty to approach the state High Court for modification or vacation of its interim order. Accordingly Naidu filed a vacate petition in the high court and after hearing arguements on both sides for a couple of days, the court has stayed the investigation till further orders.

AP Congress Seeks Disqualification of 16 Rebel MLAs

After much dliiy-dallying and sparking speculations, the Congress initiated process to punish its rebel MLAs in A. P. Government whip Kondru Murali submitted a petition to Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar seeking disqualification of 16 Congress MLAs who defied the party whip and voted against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government during the no-confidence motion tabled by TDP in the state Assembly on Monday last. These MLAs had been sailing with YSR Congress president and Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy for over a year now. Incidentally, the Congress "condoned" another MLA Putalapattu Ravi who abstained from voting on the no-confidence motion in violation of the whip. Ravi, who hails from the Chief Minister's native Chittoor district, met the PCC leaders and explained the reasons for his abstention at the time of voting in the House. Satisfied with his version, the Congress decided to "condone" Ravi, who once displayed his loyalty to Jagan. The Praja Rajyam Party that merged with the Congress had already petitioned the Speaker seeking disqualification of its MLA Sobha Nagi Reddy who too violated the whip and voted against the government. Sobha is related to Jagan and has been sailing with him along with her husband Bhuma Nagi Reddy. The MLAs against whom the Congress sought disqualification were: Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, Konda Surekha (all former ministers), Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy (brother of Nellore MP Rajamohan Reddy), Dharmana Krishna Das (brother of state R&B Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao), M Sucharita, Amarnatha Reddy, T Balaraju, G Babu Rao, G Srikanth Reddy, Kapu Ramachandra Reddy, Srinivasulu, Prasada Raju, Gurunath Reddy, Chennakesava Reddy and P Ramakrishna Reddy. The Congress was initially in a dilemma over axing the 16 rebel MLAs fearing by-elections even as Jagan openly threw a challenge at the ruling party to act against his loyalists. However, Chief Minister Reddy was firm on acting against the MLAs and took up the issue with party supremo Sonia Gandhi during a meeting on December 10. She immediately gave her nod for the action but the local leadership took two days to complete necessary formalities.

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