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Debate on Black Money in Parliament: Highlights

After senior BJP leader LK Advani moved an adjournment motion on black money in the Lok Sabha today and accused the government of being soft on the issue, the Congress hit back at them by saying the problem of black money is a legacy issue. Here are the highlights of the debate. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Will not enter into a debate to win some brownie points $ 213 Billion lost by India from 1948-2008 suggest reports I want to have an authentic, authoritative assessment of the quantum of black money We have to deal with other sovereign countries - there are laws, international practices which we have to follow. Black money issue serious, must not politicise it Tax havens are not located in developing nations like India. They are located in developing countries. They had doggedly refused double-taxation agreements. They started negotiating only when G-20 countries, led by US, started putting pressure Today we have agreements with 60 nations; remaining 15 are in the process of negotiation Even with Switzerland the agreement for sharing information has been signed in September 2010; they said they would give us prospective information. No country in the world got information from Switzerland with retrospective effect. Adavni ji spoke of dirty money; we are fully aware of it and this Parliament has a legislation on it. All evasion or avoidance cases are not criminal cases in this country. Neither your government did it, nor our government did it. Income Tax department does not administer IPC. They collect taxes, check evasion If I share the information I have, our sources of information will dry up Disclosure of names would make offenders withdraw their money from foreign accounts, and we will not be able to trace the money. There is an element of surprise - how money is seized, how investigations are done. If there is an element of criminality, definitely the names can be disclosed. I am disturbed that Mr Ad LK Advani's address to Parliament: Should we wait for Assange to reveal black money offenders? Names of 782 Indian tax evaders being kept secret Black money stashed abroad needs to be brought back Supreme Court said Government is soft on black money Black money used for funding terrorists Issue of black money never taken up in House before Adjournment motion is a failure of government Government silent on the names of black money account holders Rs. 25 lakh crore stashed in Swiss banks Government has to explain why it wasn't proactive Government should disclose names of those connected to Hasan Ali Government must bring out white paper on black money PM, Finance Minister must bring a law on black money Shashi Tharoor's address to Parliament Wrong to say UPA not serious Can't name Swiss account holders Have to abide by treaties Congress' Manish Tewari's address to Parliament Problem of black money is a legacy issue Black money due to economic models we have followed Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Source NDTV Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-debate-on-black-money-in-parliament-157856&cp

Petrol Prices may be Hiked From Friday

Petrol prices may be hiked by Rs 0.65 per litre this week if state-owned oil firms manage to get political approval for the move. While a fall in the rupee to an all-time low of Rs 53.75 per US dollar has resulted in an increase in the cost of oil imports, international rates of gasoline -- against which domestic petrol prices are benchmarked -- have also increased. "The under-recovery on petrol is Rs 0.55-0.56 per litre. After adding local sales tax, the desired increase in Delhi comes to Rs 0.65-0.66 a litre," he said, adding that the oil companies will review prices tomorrow and any change will be effective from December 16. State-owned oil firms have cut petrol prices on two occasions in the past one month after international oil rates eased. The companies reduced petrol prices by Rs 2.22 per litre, or 3.2 per cent, from November 16 and followed this with a Rs 0.78 per litre cut from December 1.

TDP Strategy For Upcoming Bypolls in Telangana

With the state Congress-PRP seeking disqualification of their 17 rebel MLAs, by-elections in 24 constituencies including 7 already vacant seats have become imminent. Though notification for bypolls is yet to come, political parties in the state are getting ready to face them. The main opposition Telugu Desam Party, which is facing stiff resistance in Telangana because of the party's president Chandrababu Naidu's 'two eyes' policy on Telangana, is determined to gain as many seats as it can in these bypolls. According to party sources, TDP wants to bank on the development and local issues plank in its poll campaign. Many seniors in the party are of the opinion that Telangana sentiment is slowly vanishing and the electorate will be more inetrested in development of the region rather than pursuing the separate state demand, which is not going to materialise before 2014. Video Source: snehatv.com

Naidu Assets Case: YS Vijayamma Goes to Supreme Court

In an unexpected twist to the alleged illegal assets case against Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu, the petitioner, YSR Congress party honorary president and Pulivendula MLA YS Vijayalakshmi, filed a petition in Supreme Court in Delhi Monday, seeking transfer of the case against Naidu to the apex court or a High Court in any other state. Curiously, three judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, including chief justice Madan B Lokur, have recused themselves from the case. In her transfer petition filed in the Supreme Court, Vijayalakshmi sought transfer of the case to the apex court or a High Court in any other state stating she had suspicions of legal bias in Hyderabad. The latest petition took the case to a new level as the petitioner raised serious doubts of legal bias.Senior advocate Susheel Kumar also expressed similar fears while appearing before a bench comprising justice G Rohini and justice Asutosh Mohunta in the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday. He said that justice Rohini had heard three different cases where verdicts were given in favour of Naidu. Further, the petitioner’s advocate explained that the bench need not accept the plea to vacate the case as the court has ordered a preliminary investigation into the allegations. Meanwhile, the hearing on the vacation petition filed by the counsel of Chandrababu Naidu and others has been adjourned for Tuesday. Source Sneha TV9

Congress MPs From Telangana Oppose T-council

While TRS, TDP and TJAC back home are busy in formulating strategies for the upcoming bypolls, the Congress MPs from Telangana region are trying to remind the people of their existence by still harping on the separate state demand. The T-cong MPs urged party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to desist from setting up a regional development council for Telangana in lieu of granting the separate state. Nine Lok Sabha MPs, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, Manda Jagannatham, Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Ponnam Prabhakar, S Rajaiah, T Balram Naik, Komati Reddy Rajagopal Reddy, Suresh Shetkar and Rajya Sabha MP K Keshava Rao met Sonia and presented a memorandum to this effect. The members also met the Prime Minister, AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sonia's political secretary Ahmed Patel and told them that anything short of a separate Telangana would not be acceptable to the people of the region. The two-page memorandum presented to the party president was clearly critical of the move to appoint the council and cautioned the party against antagonizing the people of the region with such worn-out experiments. The MPs, who have been aggressive on the T-issue, took the step amid reports that the party high command was toying with the idea of setting up a developmental council for the region on the lines of the one appointed for Gorkhaland in West Bengal. Earlier, the MPs staged a walk out of Lok Sabha against the delay in taking a decision on Telangana and attempts to appoint a council.

Gali OMC Case: Janardhan Reddy Files Bail Plea

Gali Janardhan Reddy, who is chargesheeted by the CBI in Obulapuram Mining Case, again moved a local court seeking bail on Tuesday. Reddy has been relentlessly trying for bail since he was arrested on 5 September this year. This is the fourth attempt by Gali Janardhan Reddy to secure the bail. In his fresh bail plea filed in the Special Court for CBI cases in Hyderabad contended that investigation against him has been completed and a chargesheet filed in the OMC case. In his arguements Reddy's counsel contended that there was no prospect of immediate trial till the prosecution (CBI) obtained sanction to prosecute senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, the fourth accused in the OMC case and that his client cannot be detained in judicial custody till such time for no fault of his. He further submitted that the prosecution case is based on documentary and oral evidence mostly of public servants and there is no scope for tampering with prosecution witnesses. The CBI, probing illegal mining and irregularities in allotment of leases to OMC, had arrested the Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law BV Srinivas Reddy on September 5 from Bellary in Karnataka and the duo are presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad. Srinivas is also likely to move a fresh bail plea on Wednesday.

Dazzling Meteor Spectacle in Sky on Wednesday

One of the most spectacular meteor showers, the startling streaks of multi-coloured Geminids meteor shower will brighten up the sky on Wednesday night enthralling astronomy enthusiasts. The meteor shower consists of shooting stars whizzing past in the skies. As the point of origin of the shower lies in the direction of the constellation of Gemini, they have been named Geminids, who produce up to 60 shooting stars. Geminid meteor showers will be seen on the night of December 14 and 15, Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) President CB Devgun said. The source of the meteor shower is not a comet but a rocky asteroid named 3200 Phaethon, which is in a highly elliptical 1.4 year orbit. The best time to view these multi-coloured bright, medium-speed meteors in the mesmerising night skies will be from 10:05 pm to midnight in the eastern horizon on Wednesday. The ZHR (Zenithal Hourly Rate which is a measure of how many meteors one can see in an hour) for Geminids is about 50-100, which is quite high, he said. To see the maximum shooting stars the area should have minimum light pollution, Devgun said, adding the best time would be around midnight above the horizon towards the East. The showers can be seen with a naked eye and no aid is required provided the sky is clear and not hazy.

Ajit Singh to be Sworn in as Aviation Minister

The Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh is the newest minister to be inducted in to the Union Cabinet. With the RLD joining the UPA government, on the first day itself, the RLD chief is tipped to take over the Civil Aviation portfolio, but is yet to receive official confirmation. On Monday, RLD party joined the ruling-United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre. The alliance came about with an eye on the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections due in a few months. Mr Singh handed over a letter of support from his party to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi yesterday and there were reports that he would be sworn into the Union Cabinet on December 14, Wednesday. He also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday. This will be the fourth time that Mr Singh will be sworn in as a member of the Union Cabinet.

Congress High Command, Botsa Drifting Apart

Going by the recent happenings, it seems that APCC president Botsa Satyanarayana and Congress high command are drifting apart. Sources say that inspite of camping in the national capital for the past two days, Botsa coudn't get appointment with the high command. It is to be recalled that during the TDP tabled no confidence motion against Kiran Kumar government in the state also, Botsa was not included in the deliberations to thwart the motion. High command directly dealt with the CM Kiran Kumar Reddy in this matter. Sources in the party say that the high command is keeping distance from the PCC chief with the opinion that he is encouraging Chiranjeevi more than it is required.

Team Anna to Meet Tomorrow For Future Deliberations

Team Anna, led by crusader against corruption Anna Hazare who is in Delhi protesting over the weak Lok Pal Bill draft tabled by the government, will meet in New Delhi for two days from Wednesday (14-12-2011) to chalk out future plans, including the proposed Ramlila Maidan agitation, if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Anna Hazare will be presiding over the meeting which is expected to take a final call on his decision to go on an indefinite fast from December 27 if a Lokpal law which addresses his concerns is not passed in Parliament. Team Anna sources said the Core Committee will also discuss how to go ahead with their campaign in the five poll-bound state if the situation warrants. "There will be preliminary discussions on all these issues," a Team Anna member said. The Core Committee will decide on the mode of Ramlila agitation like whether Hazare should sit on a fast or not and how to mobilise support for the protest, which will be held in chilly winter days. There are also concerns about Hazare's health and all these factors will be considered while deciding on the protest mode, sources said. Hazare has stepped up attack on the government on the issue bringing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the direct line of fire, saying the former "does not take any decision" and the latter was "watering down" proposals. Congress has been insisting that Hazare should wait till Parliament passes the bill before going on a protest.

Will Balayya-Babu Vaastu Changes Work Out?

Lately, there have been some vaastu changes carried out at NTR Bhavan, the Headquarters of Telugu Desam Party in Hyderabad. These changes were made by none other than Party founder NT Ramarao’s son and cine actor Nandamuri Balakrishna. Balayya was the one who suggested to Naidu that some changes to the building were imperative if Lady Luck was to smile on the party and its chief. His advice came at a time the party was smarting under a series of defeats in the general elections and by-elections. He even brought some Vaastu experts in September this year and had the necessary changes made to the party office. On Sunday, Balakrishna, accompanied by party leader Sujana Chowdary, Vaastu expert and chief executive officer of NTR Memorial Trust M Venkat, inspected the changes and expressed satisfaction over the changes, sources said. As per the suggestions of the Vaastu expert, the party demolished the existing security guard room and constructed a new one at the main entrance of NTR Bhavan. The old entrance was closed and a new one was constructed a few feet away from the old one. Now the irresistable question asked by the political observers and the Nandamuri fans, whether the 'vaastu-betterment' will bring better days for the Party. Ironically, some non-believers comment that, it was after the Vaastu changes were initiated in September, Naidu’s rival and YSR Congress honorary president YS Vijayalakshmi filed a petition in the High Court which ordered a CBI probe into the assets of Naidu and his family members. However, some die hard believers shoot back "It is not the first time for Naidu to make Vaastu changes to NTR Bhavan. He made several changes to it after the 2009 elections."

MS Reddy Cremated at Panjagutta

Veteran film producer and lyric writer Mallemala Sundararama Reddy, popularly known as 'Mallemala; and 'MS Reddy', was laid to rest at Panjagutta Shmashana Vatika today (12-12-11). Mallemala’s son and film producer Mr M. Syamprasad reddy conducted the final rites. Several prominent film personalities and political leaders participated accompanied the funeral procession which started from the residence of Mallemala at Film Nagar.

No Question of Joining Congress Party: Nagam Janardhan Reddy

Alleging that the Congress party is the real betrayer of Telangana state, former TDP leader and the founder of Telangana Nagaara, Dr. N Janrdhan Reddy said that there is no question of him joining Congress at any point of time. Nagam, who has completed his tour in Karimnagar district, talked to the media. He said that if by-elections are going to take place, he will act accordingly with the people's diktat, but will not join Congress at any rate. If the people wish, he would even think of floating a new party as well. The government can no more suppress the Telangana movement by using force, if it does so, the people alone will teach it a good lesson.

Mallemala MS Reddy Passed Away

Popularly known as 'Mallemala', the veteran film maker and lyricist MS Reddy passed away at his residence in Film Nagar in Hyderabad on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 87. Sundara Rami Reddy was born on August 15, 1924 near Nellore. He was also known as 'Sahaja Kavi' for his lyrical simplicity in penning poems. He penned more than 5,000 lyrics and played a vital role in the shifting of the Telugu film industry from Chennai to Hyderabad. One of the most respected personalities of the Telugu film industry, Reddy, during a career that spanned about 60 years, produced hit films like Ankusam, Talambralu, Ahuti, Baala Ramayanam, Ankusam, Ammoru, Agraham and the more recent Arundhati. Top celebrities from the cinema field and political leaders thronged to pay last respects to the Sahaja Kavi at his Filmnagar residence. Teluguone prays the Lord to rest his soul in peace. Video Source: snehatv.com

Anna Hazare Seems Have Bent The Government

Crusader against corruption Anna Hazare sittingsat on a day long fast at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on Sunday (11-12-11) protesting against the weak lok pal bill draft tabled by the government. Anna Hazare's Jantar Mantar venue became a common platform against the government for all opposition parties, who criticised it in tandom with Anna. Seemingly bending under pressure, the UPA government at the Centre, is planning to bring in some of the crucial points included in Anna's Jan Lok Pal Bill draft like the legislative bills, including Judicial Accountability Bill, Citizen's Charter Bill, Food Security Bill, etc. The UPA is now eager to bring its allies and the opposition on board. Sources say that the Union Cabinet will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Lokpal issue. UPA allies will be meeting as well. This ahead of an all-party meeting called by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Anna Hazare on Sunday during his token fast for a strong Lokpal Bill attacked the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying he no longer has any decision making powers and that he has turned into a mute spectator. Anna also blamed Rahul Gandhi for the Lokpal draft debacle. National Congress Party leader Narayanasamy said, "Jantar Mantar is like a public meeting where people go and make a 'bhashan'. Ultimately the result will be zero, where in a place like Parliament, there will be a proper debate. Members of Parliament from various political parties will give their views and ultimately Parliament wisdom will decide the Lokpal Bill." Meanwhile, Team Anna says that it will closely watch Parliament debates to see if the government and the Opposition are going to keep their promise. However, a clear picture of government's mind will emerge only after the all party meet on Wednesday, say the sources.

BSP MP Dhananjay Singh Arrested in Double Murder Case

After 20 months of investigation, the Lucknow police on Sunday arrested BSP MP from Jaunpur, Dhananjay Singh, for his alleged involvement in a double murder case. Lucknow DIG D. K. Thakur said the mafia don-turned-politician has been sent to Jaunpur after his arrest. "Sanjay Nishad, a contractor of Belav-Navghat village under Kerakat police station, and tea kiosk owner Nandlal Nishad had been killed by Ashutosh Singh, an aide of the MP, in April 2010," the DIG said. It is believed that Sanjay was killed because he won the toll-tax contract of a pontoon bridge and Nandlal, who was with Sanjay, died of the bullet injuries he received in the incident. "Ashutosh was arrested and the case was handed over to the CB-CID, which found the MP was also involved in the murder," Thakur added. The MP had been suspended from the party on September 21 by Chief Minister Mayawati for his anti-party activities. He was suspended after he visited ailing rebel SP MP Amar Singh at AIIMS in New Delhi. But it was revoked on November 21, a week before the BSP's OBC Kshatriya rally in Lucknow. Singh had stopped attending party meetings, fuelling rumours that he was trying to get close to the Opposition SP.

Congress to Get Jagan Loyal MLAs Disqualified

According to party sources, the Congress high command has given its nod to initiate disqualification proceedings against 17 rebel legislators in Andhra Pradesh for violating the party whip during a no-confidence motion in the assembly last week. The central leadership nod came after chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy called on party president Sonia Gandhi and other central leaders today (10-12-2011) in New Delhi and briefed them about the political situation in the state. The CM is likely to make a formal announcement shortly. As many as 16 legislators loyal to YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy voted for the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition Telugu Desam Party while another legislator abstained. The ruling Congress defeated the motion with the help of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). The Congress is now likely to submit petitions to Speaker N. Manohar Monday seeking disqualification of the rebels. The speaker will then issue notices to them, calling for their replies. The PRP also submitted a petition Friday to the speaker, seeking disqualification of its legislator Shoba Nagi Reddy, a Jaganmohan Reddy loyalist, who violated the party whip in the trust vote.

Congress-RLD Deal: Ajit Singh to Meet Sonia

As per RLD sources, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh is likely to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the weekend to finalize tie-up for the coming elections in Uttar Pradesh. Buzz is also that Ajit Singh may be made the civil aviation minister. As per the proposed deal, the RLD will become a part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Singh will get a cabinet berth, the sources told. The RLD will also be allotted 40-50 seats for the state polls. The state has 403 assembly constituencies. The deal was reached at a meeting between Singh and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Friday, the sources said. RLD sources said that Singh was expecting a ministry which suits his "seniority and experience". If the deal is finalised, Ajit Singh will be sworn in as a minister this month, the sources added.

Chandrababu Vacate Petition Hopping From One Bench to Another

In an unprecedented manner, the case related to CBI's preliminary enquiry (PE) into Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu's alleged disproportionate assets is getting transferred from one bench of the High Court to another. On Friday, a division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court transferred the case from itself to another bench after the advocate representing YSR Congress honorary president Y.S. Vijayalakshmi attributed political motives to one of the judges. Chandrababu Naidu's petition was originally meant to be heard by the Justice Lokur bench and it came up for hearing on Thursday. However, the chief justice recused himself from the case on the ground that he had owned several shares in Reliance Industry Limited, owned by Mukesh Ambani. The CJ pointed out that RIL had impleaded in Naidu's case as Vijayalakshmi accused the company of being a major beneficiary during Naidu's regime. According to her, RIL had invested in the Eenadu Group owned by Ramoji Rao. On Saturday the division bench comprising Justice V. Eshwaraiah and Justice K.S. Appa Rao, was to hear the petitions filed by Naidu and others in the morning. They were seeking the vacation of the HC's earlier directive, ordering the PE into the assets the TDP chief acquired during his regime as chief minister between 1995 and 2004. However, Vijayalakshmi's counsel Sushil Kumar refused to argue the case. He said he had serious doubts about the credibility of Justice Eshwaraiah's judgments, as his family had connections with the TDP. He alleged that Naidu's manoeuvring had ensured that his petitions were referred to the bench that included Justice Eshwaraiah. He pointed out that the judge had, in the past, delivered several judgments in favour of the TDP. In spite of the judges trying to convince, Counsel Susheel Kumar didn't relent and the judges announced that the case would be referred to another bench in on the discretion of chief justice M.B. Lokur and posted the hearing for Monday. While some senior political observers point out that it was not proper to attribute political motives to the judges, some expressed doubt whether Babu "cleverly" got the petitions transferred, as alleged by the YSR Congress Party.

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