The Supreme Court on Friday held that "Doctrine of Pleasure" under which certain authorities hold office till s/he enjoys the confidence of the President or the Governor is not absolute and unrestricted and cannot be at the authority's sweet will, whim and fancy."It is of some relevance to note that the Doctrine of Pleasure in its absolute unrestricted application does not exist in India [ Images ]. The said doctrine is severely curtailed in the case of government employment," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.The court passed the order while curtailing the power of the Central government in removing Governors in the middle of five-year tenure without any valid reason.The Bench held that the court can interfere if such actions have been taken arbitrarily and the government has to explain before it."... at pleasure doctrine enables the removal of a person holding office at the pleasure of an Authority, summarily, without any [...]

7th May 2010Hyderabad ToShri Gulam Nabi AzadUnion Minister of Health and Family WelfareSouth Avenue LaneNew Delhi Dear Shri Gulam Nabi Azad ji, We appreciate your recent efforts on Alcohol Consumption Control Policy in States and towards ensuring that the respective State Health Departments develop and implement the same. Such a policy becomes crucial as consumption of alcohol is ruining lakhs of households in the nation. As you are aware, liquor has become major source of revenue for many State governments. In Andhra Pradesh successive state governments have generated income through liquor license auctions, sales tax, excise duties and other such avenues unmindful of the ill-effects that consumption of liquor has caused in over 75 lakh households in the State. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences for the World Health Organization; alcohol generates a revenue of Rs.21,600 crore while the losses caused by it in terms [...]

The Lok Satta Party today flayed the Andhra Pradesh Government for persisting with its policy of liquor auctions unmindful of the havoc liquor has played with the lives of nearly 75 lakh families in the State. When shops are auctioned to highest bidders, shop owners are forced to maximize their earnings by promoting and encouraging as many unauthorized outlets or belt shops as possible. A random survey by the Lok Satta has revealed that there are already 150,000 belt shops in the State. Talking to the media, Lok Satta Party leaders Mr.V.Laxman Balaji, Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao pointed out that the liquor has become the main source of revenue to the Andhra Pradesh Government. The State Government will be earning Rs.15000 crore in the Excise Year beginning on July 1 by way of license fees, excise and sales tax and other incidental charges. The Lok Satta leaders said the revenue the State Government generates by promoting liquor consumption is much more than what it spends on [...]

The Lok Satta Party today welcomed the Supreme Court in the Ambani brothers’ dispute over natural gas sharing and pricing. In a statement, Lok Satta Party leaders Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, Mr. P. Bahaskara Rao said the Supreme Court verdict upheld the sovereign right of the Government of India’s sovereign right on the pricing and utilization of natural gas. The Lok Satta leaders appealed to the Government of India to ensure that Andhra Pradesh’s gas needs are fully met.

Travelling, a teacher and his disciple were having a rest. At a certain moment, he took a melon from his saddle bag, he divided it in two and both began to eat it. While eating, the disciple said: -‘My wise teacher, I know that everything you do has a reason. Sharing this melon with me perhaps is a signal that you have something to teach me.’ The teacher continued eating in silence. ‘By your

DESARAJU SURYAHyderabad: Hyderabad will soon be home for yet another prestigious national institute, the National Institute of Urban Management (NIUM).NIUM will be developed as a world-class institute jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on a 20-acre site at Khanamet village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.“NIUM will be a premier institute for training urban managers in tune with the growing challenges of urbanization,” state Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy said.The key objective of the institute will be to provide policy prescriptions, innovations for better urban governance, information and training inputs to all those concerned with improving living conditions and quality of life for urban citizens.While the GoI would contribute Rs 50 crore, the state government would spend Rs 15 crore for building the NIUM and setting up the training facilities in the first [...]

A 19 year old ex-cheerleader (now an Air Force Security Forces Sniper) was watching a road that led to a NATO military base when she observed a man digging by the road. She engaged the target (i.e. she shot him). It turned out he was a bomb maker for the Taliban, and he was burying an IED that was to be detonated when a Canadian patrol walked by 30 minutes later. It would have certainly killed and wounded several soldiers. The interesting fact of this story is the shot was measured at 725 yards! (Folks, that's a shot 25 yards longer than seven football fields!). She shot him as he was bent over burying the bomb. The shot went through his butt and into the bomb which detonated; he was blown to pieces. And the last thing that came out of his mouth .. Was his ass! The Air Force made a motivational poster of her: That is Canada. If that had happened in India, the following would be the aftermath. 1. J& K state declares hartal and violent demonstrations follow.2. Civil Right [...]

The death sentence given to Ajmal Amir Kasab may take years to be executed as the lone captured terrorist of Mumbai attacks could be 30th in the list of prisoners who are waiting to be sent to the gallows. Today's order by judge M L Tahaliyani is the first step of a long process which will include appeals before higher courts and most importantly, if he exercises his right, a clemency petition before the President. Justice Tahaliyani will send his judgement to the Bombay High Court for ratification under Section 366 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The orders of a lower court are generally challenged in a higher court by either of the parties but in cases of death sentences, the orders are mandated to be confirmed by the High Court. Once before the Bombay High Court, all the evidence will again be examined by it. The High Court will then decide whether to uphold the decision or to convert it to a less harsher punishment. Even if the High Court upholds the death sentence [...]

6th May 2010 ToDr. IV Subba Rao, IASThe Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra PradeshElection Commission of India (ECI)New ‘H’ Block South Wing, AP SecretariatHyderabad Sub: Run up to the AP Legislative Council elections – widespread corrupt electoral practices reported – reg. Dear Sir, We would like to bring to your attention several, recent and credible reports carried by the print and electronic media, of widespread instances of bribing of voters, exercising undue influence (esp. by bussing voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and holding them there) and other attempts at voter intimidation by traditional political parties, their candidates and leaders, in the run up to the upcoming elections to the AP Legislative Council. Such brazen attempts by candidates and their parties, as reported, at vote-buying and intimidation would surely act an undue influence on the voters’ electoral choice. Therefore they constitute nothing but corrupt electoral [...]

The Lok Satta Party today represented to the Election Commission of India to take cognizance of the corrupt electoral practices in the elections to the AP Legislative Council on May 7 and act swiftly and decisively to curb them. In a memorandum presented to Dr. I. V. Subba Rao, Chief Electoral Officer, Election Commission of India, Lok Satta leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji, and P. Bhaskara Rao referred to reports of widespread instances of bribing of voters, bussing of voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and other attempts at intimidation. “Such brazen attempts constitute nothing but corrupt electoral practices under the Representation of the People Act.” The Lok Satta said that although vote buying through money and liquor has been a feature of elections, new depths were reached in elections to the Legislative Council in that such illegitimate expenses have already exceeded Rs.15 crore for one seat of the RR District local authorities’ constituency [...]

The Lok Satta Party is seeking non-party elections to municipalities and municipal corporations as also direct election of municipal chairpersons and corporation mayors and formation of ward committees. The party has decided to launch its campaign for municipal elections in 32 municipalities and 14 municipal corporations immediately. The State leadership of the party held a meeting with leaders of 16 districts here on May 4 and 5 to finalize the party strategy for the civic elections likely be held in September 2010. Giving this information to the media here today, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Ra, V. Laxman Balaji and V. Vijayender Reddy said the party would focus on the need for empowerment of local governments to improve governance. It would organize discussions and conduct ballots on the need for non-party and direct elections and ward governments. Preparation of ward manifestos and induction of youth and NGO representatives into the party would form part of the [...]

Mumbai paralysed but Mamata busy with Kolkata pollsMay 04, 2010 15:23 ISTShe was conspicuous by her absence. Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was not present in the Lok Sabha when the opposition members forced an adjournment on Tuesday, raising several issues, including the ongoing Mumbai motormen strike.More than 1,000 motormen from Mumbai's central and western railway, which form the backbone of the city's commuters, have been on a hunger strike for the past 30 hours and they refuse to resume their duties unless their demands are met.Three-hundred-and-ninety-seven Western Railway motormen and more than 600 Central Railway motormen have united at the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in south Mumbai, demanding a pay hike and weekly offs.Anticipating trouble, the Mumbai police had to increase security at CST, and 170 motormen were arrested for creating obstructions.As Mumbai is crippled by the strike and city administration gropes for a solution, angry questions [...]

Local deal sinks, play for Delhi honourOUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTCalcutta, May 2: Mamata Banerjee today said “the alliance had broken up in Bengal”, blaming the Congress for the collapse of the municipal poll tie-up but adding that she would stay in the UPA government as long as “I can do that with honour”.Predictably, she released the list of her party candidates for all 141 wards in the Calcutta Municipal Corporation this afternoon, a day after the Congress announced its nominees for 88 wards. Besides the CMC, 80 other municipal bodies are going to the polls on May 30.“The Congress has broken the alliance here (in Bengal) to help the CPM win the civic polls. We have not…. But we are not going to leave an inch of ground to those who have ruined the state for over 32 years. In order to oust the CPM, we have decided to field candidates for all the 141 wards in Calcutta though we had announced candidates for 115 seats earlier,” she told a media conference at her [...]

After starting off with its eon televison launch in Andhra Pradesh in September 2008 the company has finally laid out its road map for expanding its presence in the country.According to George Menezes, the next launch of the Eon LED TVs were scheduled in some parts of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Kerala shortly. The company plans of covering more states within six months time.The Godrej Group, is targeting a sales turnover of Rs 300 crore from its entire range of TVs in the 2010-11 fiscal from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra.According to Kamal Nandi, vice president, sales and marketing, Godrej Appliances, said, "The company aims to sell about 3 to 3.5 lakh units this fiscal from the four states."The size of the television market nationwise is Rs 15,000 crore, and Kerala amounts to Rs 600 crore. In Kerala, Godrej has a target of about 60,000 units this fiscal, the state has recorded over 200 per cent growth in LCDs, the highest in the [...]

Godrej, has expanded its range of televisions by introducing Godrej Eon LED TVs in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Not only has it introduced LED TVs but it also introduced its line of current LCD and CRT TVs that the company sells.The new range of Eon LED TVs come with a range of features, apart from being equipped with advanced LED TV engine the TVs have a 10 bit HDP processor that has advanced flesh tone and a multi-colour enhancement that boosts the video quality.The new Godrej Eon LED TV is a 32-inch model (GL32T43KAB) that comes embedded with a HDTV/VGA encoder. It produces a perfect high bandwidth input signal that the company claims brings images to life making TV viewing a refreshingly different experience.Kamal Nandi, vice president, sales and marketing, Godrej Appliances, spoke on the launch of the Eon LED TV, “Godrej has always focussed its efforts on innovative design and technology aimed at delivering the most efficient and enjoyable products. With our expertise [...]

In recent weeks, I've been working on a bit about who gets to time travel in films and what would happen if people of color, and specifically myself, ever got a chance to change the past.Then today, my friend Courtney sent me a picture of...THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN:"A black militant, a white supremacist, and a time travel device tangle in a fight to rewrite history and eternity."OH MY GOD.I had never heard of Black in Time by John Jakes before today, but I now know I must purchase this book.Here is a further description of the book from a review on Amazon.com:"A scientist has introduced a time travel device in a near-future America that's on the brink of a major race war. A black militant and a white supremacist both attempt to use the time machine to go back and alter history for the benefit of their respective races. The protagonist Harold, a peaceful black scientist, tries to prevent both bad guys from the unknown effects of time travel (the handy "don't [...]

The tale of a disgruntled Ministry of External Affairs official turning into a spy for Pakistani intelligence agencies is gradually unravelling with investigators saying Madhuri Gupta allegedly had a “relationship of personal affection” with Jamshed, an aide of her “principal handler”, Mubashar Raja Rana. More importantly, the three had set up a common email id — sultanarao@ gmail.com — to access information stored as drafts. Some emails were also exchanged, and all this is now a subject of investigation. Investigators say Gupta was constantly egged on by her handlers, who used her disenchantment with the Indian officialdom to good effect. Though she has denied taking money for the alleged dealings, her bank accounts reportedly show a healthy cash balance and this is being investigated. According to sources, the “spying” story began when Gupta, a 1983-batch IFS-B officer, got acquainted with a journalist of a reputed media group in Pakistan. Known for his [...]

A girl tells me "I want to have something sweet!!"I respond "Lemme buy  you an ice-cream".The reply is "Naah I don't want an ice-cream".Then she spots the Amul kiosk and promptly asks me if cornetto is available there?I am flabbergasted but still manage to reply "Its an Amul Kiosk it will not have cornetto but amul kone". Arey woh hi..She goes in. Lo and behold she comes out with....A kulfi in her hand.I am speechless for the next five minutes.Another IncidentI have three girls alongside me and I unfortunately for me and the Pan Wallah decide to offer them Paans.Me: Paan anyoneThree of them: YesNow the ordeal beginsG1: I don't want giri.G2: I don't want that red syrup.The Panwallah prepares three meetha pans for them.G1:You didn't put that red syrupPanwallah out of reflex action puts the red syrup and giri in one swoop.G1: No giri....G2: The paan is huge. I want only a half.G3: White White cheej kam hainPanwallah and I are utterly confused by now. [...]

MEDICAL COUNCIL of India president Dr. Ketan Desai and two others were arrested on 22April, allegedly for taking bribe of Rs 2 crore to grant recognition to a medical college in Punjab. CBI searched the office of MCI president Ketan Desai following information that president Ketan Desai along with his associate Jitender Pal Singh was allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 2 crore to grant recognition to a medical college. Late in the night CBI arrested Ketan Desai along with his two aids. CBI spokesperson Harsh Bahal said on Friday that Desai along with another associate Dr Kanwaljit Singh of Gyan Sagar Medical College in Punjab have been arrested by CBI on corruption charges. After receiving complaint that the MCI president is asking for bribe, the CBI laid trap and caught the accused allegedly with Rs 2 crore, which was to be delivered to Desai. The spokesperson added that the three were interrogated and searches were going on at six places including Delhi. The MCI is highest [...]

The spy who spooked IndiaBy M J AkbarYou don’t have to be beautiful to be Mata Hari; you merely have to be available. Margaretha Zelle, the Dutch-born, Paris-based, World War 1 German agent who made spying synonymous with sexual frisson, was actually a bit of a podge who couldn’t get a job in a vaudeville chorus line because she wasn’t “cute” and became a circus horse-rider.One pithy observer thought she was as attractive with clothes as without them, which may or may not have been a compliment. She was driven to striptease by despair: she fled her husband, an officer in the Dutch colonial army, posted to Indonesia, and an alcoholic who beat her regularly and mercilessly.But she had an extraordinary talent, the ability to trump the real with the surreal. She reinvented herself as an expert in the secret and mysterious arts of “Indian” erotica (hence the name ‘Mata Hari’), learnt during her interlude in Java, and became a sensation. She was not much of a [...]