Nirmal Om newsline

A sitting Supreme Court judge today supported the inclusion of the Prime Minister's Office within the ambit of Lokpal Bill tabled in Parliament yesterday. "As a student of law, I see no substance in the debate that the Prime Minister should be outside the (Lokpal) Bill. A public office of such importance cannot shy away from public scrutiny," Justice AK Ganguly said,while attending book release "Corruption and Human Rights in India', authored by Professor C Raj Kumar, the Vice Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University. Justice Ganguly said,the Prevention of Corruption Act, which stipulates sanction by competent authorities before prosecuting any government servant, bureaucrat or politician on charges of corruption,dilutes prevention and anti Corruption Act.

Nearly 130 officials from different government departments, including the Central Board of Excise and Customs and Railways, have come under the lens of Central Vigilance Commission, CVC, for alleged corruption. According to its performance report for June, the CVC dealt with 420 cases of corruption received from individuals, NGOs and whistleblowers. Of the total of 131 officials charged with irregularities, the highest number of 25 is from Central Board of Excise and Customs, followed by 16 from Ministry of Commerce, 12 from Union Bank of India and 10 from Railway Ministry. The CVC recommended major penalty against one officials each from Ministry of Home Affairs, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and Northern Coalfields Ltd among others. It also recommended fine against several officials from nationalised banks.

SM Krishna Wednesday said India wished to have constructive relations with Pakistan, but wanted an environment free from terror and reining in of anti-India jihadi leaders. In a suto moto statement in Lok Sabha, the external minister said he had conveyed India’s desire to work with Pakistan to reduce the trust deficit with the neighbour. “I requested Pakistan to act on the assurance given to our home minister by Pakistan interior minister in June 2010, on the dossiers regarding seven specific individuals and the need to provide voice samples,” Krishna said. He said India was committed to build “a relationship of trust and mutually-beneficial cooperation in conformity with the determination of the people of both countries to see an end to terrorism and violence and to realise their aspirations for peace and development”.

A host of issues stalled the proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament on the second day on Tuesday. The issues ranged from price rise to demand for dismissal of Mayawati government and immediate execution of Ajmal Kasab. In the Lok Sabha, SP members trooped into the well seeking dismissal of the Mayawati government in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for committing atrocities against farmers. Members of BSP followed suit by carrying placards, blaming Congress-led government for the poor conditions of the peasantry. They demanded immediate passage of the Land Acquisition Bill. Shiv Sena MPs stormed the well raising slogans demanding that Mumbai terror attack culprit Ajmal Kasab and Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru be hanged immediately. In the Rajya Sabha, it was trouble from the beginning. Opposition BJP members made a strong pitch in the house for the suspension of Question Hour to discuss price rise. The situation was no different when the two houses met after every adjournment. T...

Ace fighter pilot Norman Anil Kumar Browne on Sunday took over as the 23rd chief of the Indian Air Force from Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, who retired after putting in 42 years of service. Soon after taking over, Browne said his priorities as IAF chief would be to "enhance operational capability, continue with the modernisation drive of the force and most importantly to look after our people." "To my mind that is the most important asset that we have," 59-year-old Browne, who has 3,100 flying hours to his credit, said. He has taken over as the IAF chief at a time when the force is undergoing massive modernisation and is looking to induct a large number of new weapon platforms, including the 126 combat aircraft, the C-17 strategic heavy-lift aircraft along with a host of different types of choppers. In his first address to air warriors, Browne said, "The IAF is well poised on path of transforming itself into a potent strategic force." Outlining his...