Swamy wants PC role probed in massacre

Swamy wants PC role probed in massacre SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT  New Delhi | 3rd Jun anata Party president Subramanian Swamy has accused Home Minister P. Chidambaram of having a hand in the shooting of 41 Muslim youth by the Police Armed Constabulary personnel during the communal riots in Meerut's Hashimpura in 1987. Swamy said he was going to file an application in the court to expand the scope of the inquiry to interrogate Chidambaram, who was then Minister of State for Internal Security. "Not as an accused at the moment, but I am entering the matter with new material. He (Chidambaram) will definitely be made an accused. If you ask me, personally, I will say he is an accused," said Swamy. However, he said he would file the application on a later date. Twenty-five years after the incident took place on 22 May 1987, the case is still going on at the Tees Hazari and the Ghaziabad Sessions Courts and the next date of hearing is 4 June. "The Muslim youth, aged between 15-35 years, were picked up from Hashimpura by UP PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) personnel and taken by truck to Ganga Canal near Muradnagar, 20 km away, ordered to get off the truck one by one and shot. The bodies were thrown into the canal. But obviously some were not shot, but they feigned death," said Swamy. Some of these youth later turned witnesses to the cold-blooded killing. Swamy said Chidambaram had visited Meerut during the communal tensions and even conducted an aerial survey of the area on 14 May 1987: "He (Chidambaram) admitted to this (aerial survey) in Parliament. On 20 May 1987, he took a meeting with the PAC people and the Chief Minister. He never admitted to this meeting. The then MP from the area, Mohsina Kidwai, was never called for the meeting." Swamy said he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that a special probe should be instituted to investigate Chidambaram's role in the incident that became infamous as the Hashimpura massacre, failing which he would approach the International Court of Justice under Article 17 of the Rome Statutes. Swamy had fasted unto death in August 1987, demanding an inquiry into the massacre by a Central agency. A year later, he took out a padayatra from Meerut to Lucknow demanding a probe in the killing. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/swamy-wants-pc-role-probed-in-massacre

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Government of Gujarat

Office of the Resident Commissioner

Gujarat Information Centre

Gujarat Bhawan,

11, Kautilya Marg, Chankyapuri,

New Delhi – 110 021

June 1, 2012

Gujarat Annual Plan for 2012-13 finalized at Rs. 51,000 crore: 34.21% higher than last fiscal

***

Low GDP growth rate is wake up call for GoI facing policy paralysis: Gujarat CM Narendra Modi

***

Indecision, adrift in Centre casting dark shadow on States

New Delhi: The Annual Plan for Gujarat for 2012-13 was finalized on Friday at Rs. 51,000 crore at a meeting held here between Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia.  The current plan size is 34.21 % higher than the previous year’s plan size of Rs.38,000 crore.

In the meeting, Gujarat CM expressed his concern that we are starting 12^th FYP with news that the growth rate last year was on 5.3%, in a scenario of low investor confidence, falling rupee, falling inflow of FDI and policy paralysis in the Central Government. He observed that there is no urgency or seriousness in tackling the economic crisis facing the country.

While answering questions from media, Shri Modi showed his surprise that there was no anticipation from the Prime Minister and the Central Government that the growth figures would be this bad. As late as March, the PM was confident of achieving 7% growth.

He further mentioned that global factors alone could not be held responsible for economic crisis. There is a policy paralysis and vital decisions concerning a wide range of issues have not been taken. The Central Government is in coma.

Shri Modi expressed serious concern regarding low GDP growth, falling rupee and inability to control inflation and hoped that this 5.3% growth figures would serve as a wakeup call for the GoI.

During Gujarat’s annual plan discussion, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed confidence that Gujarat is committed to observing fiscal discipline and meeting the targets for prudent debt management and credibility in budgetary operations fixed under the Gujarat Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2005. During the last three years gross fiscal deficit has been reduced from 3.5% of GSDP to 2.16% GSDP. On the revenue side, surplus has been achieved in the revised estimates for 2011-12. The debt stock is estimated to decline to 21.07% of GSDP below the target ceiling of 27.1%, he said.   

During the entire Eleventh Plan, an allocation of Rs. 53,830 crore was made for the social sectors, amounting to 42% of the total Plan Size. This reflects the commitment of the state government to inclusive growth and human development, he counted. Gujarat registered a growth rate of 9.10 percent in 2011-2012 as compared to national rate of 6.9 percent for the same period.

For the Twelfth Five Year Plan, Shri Modi emphasized Gujarat’s development strategy will continue on human development and inclusive growth while aiming at sustainable double digit growth with uniform development of agriculture, manufacturing and services. He further said that the State Government will make tedious efforts to increase the reach of its three flagship schemes – Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana; Sagarkhedu Sarvangi Vikas Yojana and Garib Samrudhhi Yojana.

Addressing the members of the Planning Commission, Gujarat Chief Minister raised the voice against the attitude and approach of UPA government and said doubts are being raised about the India Growth Story as “never before has the common man reeled under such heavy burden.” With rupee rapidly depreciating against the dollar, Sensex plummeting and RBI appearing helpless in controlling inflation in spite of raising interest rates, and prices of food items soaring high over 10 percent during last five years, the Government of India and Planning Commission should take concrete steps to improve macroeconomic fundamentals as the effects of indecision and adrift in the Centre are casting its dark shadow on the States, he said.

Shri Modi apprised  that with the sizable increase in current Plan size as approved by Planning Commission, the State Government would include number of new initiatives and schemes as under:

a)         Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana to provide financial assistance to BPL families to combat deadly diseases including cancer screening for women in remote locations. Plans afoot to open a medical college in Himmatnagar, two Ayurvedic colleges and one homeopathy college in a tribal area.

b)        To strengthen ICDS infrastructure, a provision of Rs. 551.91 crore is made for 12,045 new anganwadi Nand Ghars during 2012-13, out of which 4213 will be in urban areas.

c)         To institutionalize the successfully run School Assessment and Evaluation Programme (Gunotsav) by introducing Gujarat School Evaluation and Accreditation Council for effective implementation of continuous and comprehensive evaluation.

d)        Development of coastal tourism in all the port areas estimated at Rs 120 crore

e)         Nand Ghar and construction of Anganwadis of Rs 115 crore.

f)         10 new ITIs with five exclusively for women.

g)         It is envisaged to establish three new Bull Mother Farms and to cover more than 18 lakh animals under scientific breeding. Five new animal hostels during 2012-13.

There are many issues and instances of injustice done to Gujarat and mentioning just few Shri Narendra Modi said the Central government passed the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 without making any financial provisions and simply levied financial burden on the states. He also lamented that out of Rs 6500 crore under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), only 3400 crore was approved by the Centre. In contrast, he highlighted that the State government will construct 350 new secondary school buildings and 73 new model schools and girl hostels during the current year.

Gujarat produces the maximum vegetables in the country after West Bengal and is on the way of becoming the horticulture hub of India. Gujarat Chief Minister also criticized the anti farmer policies and decisions of the Central Government which has led to widespread distress, agitation and anger amongst farmers in Gujarat. He said Gujarat contributes 1/3rd cotton production in the country. More than 40% cotton seeds and 50% cotton export from India is from Gujarat.

He added that arbitrary banning on cotton export has laid to Gujarat farmers heavily loss of Rs. 14,000 crore in last year. They will also be losses in the current year. Textile Ministry attempts to bring the license raj stiffed in backward direction. 

In the meeting, Gujarat Chief Minister pointed out several issues which are pending with various Ministries in the Government of India which include considering DDP areas at par with DPAP areas for funding under A.I.B.P. Scheme, anti-farmer policy on cotton exports, discrimination against Gujarat for CST compensation, non-payment of royalty etc. Shri Modi said that these issues are affecting the development as well as pace of development of the State and its financial resources. Despite repeated representation from the State Government at various levels, there is no positive response from the Central Government. It is unfortunate that some issues remain pending for years together without resolution which leads to a feeling of injustice.

Shri Modi said that UPA has done great injustice to Gujarat by not allocating KG basin gas and low priced gas of LNG for transportation in Ahmedabad city gas network.

Referring  several successful initiatives taken on reduction of IMR, MMR and strengthening healthcare services in State during the Eleventh Plan  Shri Modi said “We were able to achieve reduction of four points in IMR in a single year (SRS 2010) and the current rate is 44 per thousand live births. Reducing IMR to thirty by 2015 is an important goal for Gujarat. As per SRS 2010, achieved Safe delivery rate is 91.2 and Institutional delivery rate is 79.8%”.

The expansion in irrigation and water management with the spread of drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation, provision of Soil Health Cards for all land holders, preparation of village wise soil fertility maps (including micronutrients) as well as several others innovations and initiatives like Krishi Mahotsav has resulted in Gujarat achieving 10.8% agricultural growth during the last decade. Under micro irrigation scheme it is proposed to cover 2.5 lac hectares in the current year.

Shri Modi urged the Deputy Chairman to assist the State in expediting the requisite approval for the Sardar Sarovar Project as early completion of the Project would be in the overall interest of the nation. He further said it would be in the national interest for the Central Government to permit Gujarat and other States to buy imported gas and produce electricity and supply the same to NTPC.

“There is an urgent need for the Planning Commission to provide special allocations for urban areas in the Twelfth Plan. There has been considerable delay in announcement of a revamped JnNURM to effectively address the concerns of smaller towns and ensure proportionately higher allocations for the more urbanized states.”

Gujarat Ministers  Shri Vajubhai  Vala, Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, Shri Ranjitbhai Gilitwala, Vice-Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Chief Secretary Shri A. K. Joti and senior officers from the State Government participated in the meeting.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited to set up two units in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, 2^nd June, 2012: Today, the Automobile national leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) signed a State Support Agreement (SSA) with the Govt of Gujarat for setting up their first Auto Vehicle manufacturing facility in Gujarat adding a new feather in the automobile industrial growth in Gujarat, in the presence Hon. Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

          MSIL will set up two units in two phases in the backward Taluka of Mandal-Becharaji Amadavad dristric in Gujarat.  The 1^st unit (1^st phase)  will be near the historical town of Becharaji and 2^nd unit (2^nd phase)  will come up at a location of around 25 Kms from Becharaji.

              Gujarat Chief Minister, while Welcoming Maruti Suzuki to Gujarat Said that Gujarat has emerged as a prominent Global hub in Automobile Sector. The Journey started with TATA Neno, Ford, Peugeout, and how Maruti has entered in Gujarat  which will strenghten the brand Gujarat as a Globly preferred  business location. Maruti’s Auto plant will serve for other Golbal market also.

              Manufacturing and  engineering sector in Gujarat contributes over 27% to state GSDP and contributes overall 9 % to the national engineering out put, Shri Narendra Modi Said and added that there were more than 30 engineering clusters and there are more clusters are emerging like. Sanand- Viramgam, Mandal-Becharaji, Halol-savli, Anjar, santhalpur will make Gujarat a Global Hab in engineering sector as a whole.

              Gujarat has focused on skill development of youth man power the capacity has gone up with 54 engineering, 106 Diploma Colleges over 82000 seats & 253 ITI Gujarat has formed prestigious PPP model of skill formation training with industries.

              Shri Narendra Modi Said that with in a year Gujarat is succeeded to emerge as an attractive Auto hub for world known auto Manufacchuring companies.

              Shri SHINZO NAKANISHI, M.D. (MSIL) thanked the whole hearted support of Government Of Gujarat and said that Gujarat and India are rapidly emerged as  best markets for Automobile. He said that the two combined plants of Gujarat & Hariyana will manufacture two million vehicles in a year. He also praisd the very high Qaulity of skill manpower & port facilities in Gujarat.

          The 1^st phase of the plant is expected to be commissioned with a total anticipated investment of about Rs. 4000 crore. The 1^st phase in its full capacity will roll out 7,50,000 vehicles per year. 

There will be more than 2000 direct employment in each phase and more than 10000 indirect employment in each phase.  With MSIL’s entry, the surrounding area will develop as a Manufacturing Zone.  The export capability of Gujarat will also be enhanced.

MSIL and Govt of Gujarat will work together to set up a State of the Art Automobile Research Institute to take the automobile industry in Gujarat to a much higher level.

With the industry of Maruti in Mandal region, there will be holistic development of the industry manifold with automotive and engineering industry in the backward area.

 

DELHI AIRPORT LAND SCAM - PRAFUL PATEL RESPONSIBLE FOR RICHES

TO PVT COMPANY GMR AT FARMERS EXPENSE

Draft CAG’s draft report has brought out that the government exchequer incurred a loss of Rs 24, 000 crore due to manipulation in the original agreement and undue benefit worth Rs 1, 63, 557 were granted to  DIAL. The land in question is acquired compulsorily from farmers of Mahipalur, Nangal Dewat and Rangpuri for public purpose at the rate of Rs 4 per yard. GMR the private company developing the Airport, holding 74 percent stake in DIAL is leasing out this land to commercial enterprises at Rs 4 lac per yard.

As per the Operation, Management Development Agreement (OMDA) between Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL)  and Airport Authority of India DIAL was allotted 4799 acres of land on Rs 100 annual lease rent for 60 years. Even for commercial use, 190 acre lands were allowed to DIAL at throwaway price of mere Rs 31 lakh while in the original contract, out of entire lands of 4799 acre, only 240 acre or 5 percent earmarked for commercial use.

The matter of land use was considered by empowered group of ministers (EGoM)  in Jun 2005 which directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take the opinion of the Attorney General on “Use of Airport land and limit on commercial use of land at airport complex by the JVC” and legality of permitting the proposed Concessionaire to develop the airport for commercial uses unrelated to the airport under the provisions of the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994.

 

Attorney General Milon K Banerji in his opinion dated 17 Jun 2005 said that “It would not be lawfully permissible for the AAI to grant a lease to any person in respect of any airport property for the purposes of commercial activities listed in Schedule 19 of the draft OMDA like building of golf courses, business parks, high tech parks, commercial offices, leisure facilities, commercial arcades, sports complexes, shopping complexes and convention centres etc. unconnected with the scope of airport development and management, including provision of passenger facilities and amenities. If it was considered necessary to permit lease of land to the Concessionaire for undertaking commercial activities that go beyond the provision of passenger facilities at the airport, then it must be done only after an amendment was made to the AAI Act, 1994”.

 

The EGoM  had accordingly decided in its meeting held on 22nd June, 2005 that all commercial activities unrelated to the airport included in Schedule 19 of the draft OMDA be omitted from the final bid document, two major Indian real estate firms who were prominent bidders – DLF Limited and Hiranandini Properties - despite having initially shown considerable interest in the proposed airport modernisation projects, withdrew from the bidding process

 

This decision was reversed by former civil aviation minister Praful Patel who holds the distinction of placing purchase orders for 68 aircraft's; including still in design stage Boeing 787 Dream liner, amounting to 50 thousand Crore for an organisation with annual turnover of only 7 thousand crore resulting in present crisis from a stage in FY 2003- 04 when the company had booked profit of Rs 105 crore. He defended his decision saying it was not for any personal gains however as per a report published in a Canadian news paper, Canadian authorities are investigating payment of a bribe of 250 million dollar by Sholapur born Canadian national Navdeer Karigar to Praful Patel and former police commissioner Hassan Gafoor.

 

 His decision to provide illegal benefits by way of change in land use  to the private company GMR has resulted in loss of over 1.63 lac crore to the exchequer the other undue benefit of collecting Airport Development fee (ADF) from the passengers was also given to the company despite not being part of the original contract resulting in over 1200 crore being collected from passengers till Mar 2012.

 

The Delhi Airport has turned into a real Estate bonanza with 13 hotels being developed on land acquired for public purpose, the blatant exploitation of farmers does not draw any comment even from the Apex court which has earlier ruled that  it amounts to “fraud” on the part of the government to forcibly acquire land under the guise of a public purpose, only to have the property transferred to real estate developers or companies for their use. Bench of Justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhyaya in the matter of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, which acquired the land through the state government, but later backed out after the acquisition and possession of the land, citing poor financial health and transferred it to a real estate developer who wanted to develop a group housing scheme on the land had cancelled the acquisition proceeding terming it as misuse of state power of Emminent domain. 

 

Kissan Mahasangh a federation of farmers organisations during the meeting held at village Mahipalpur has demanded that Civil Aviation Ministry Compensate the farmers for their land and initiate resettlement and rehabilitation measures. A memorandum towards this effect will be presented to the Civil Aviation Minister and further action will be planned based on the response of the authorities.

 

 Scanned copy of Attorney Generals Advice obtained vide RTI, copy of award for land vide which payment for land was awarded to the farmers and photo of the site are attached with this mail

 

 Regards

Col Devinder Sehrawat (Retd)

Secretary- Delhi Gramin Samaj

Co Convener- Kissan Mahasangh

"Naresh"

For these articles and more, connect with us on the Nourishing the Planet website! Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!    Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Research in Real Time Dear Naresh, Today is World Environment Day, a day when millions of people around the world raise awareness of the need to take positive environmental action to protect the future of our planet. We live in a world where nearly one billion people go to bed hungry each night while another one billion suffer from health problems related to obesity. And agriculture contributes to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. But sustainable food production and agricultural practices can help mitigate climate change, provide nutritious food, and preserve biodiversity—not only on World Environment Day, but every day. Nourishing the Planet collaborated with the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition to produce Eating Planet–Nutrition Today: A Challenge for Mankind and for the Planet to show agriculture’s potential, if done right, to address many of our global problems. In this book, experts and activists around the world suggest specific reforms to the food and agricultural systems that can help nourish people and the planet. We've attempted to bring our World Environment Day message from the book to the general public in cities and states across the United States. We've had op-eds that highlight local innovations published over the last couple of weeks in major newspapers in the following states: Alabama, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. You can also check out our World Environment Day themed-op-ed in Kenya’s The Nation, which is co-written with Founder of First Peoples Worldwide, Rebecca Adamson. Today, as you take part in events across the globe, remember that small steps, such as reducing food waste or buying food from your local farmers’ market, can do a lot to help protect the environment. Happy World Environment Day from all of us at Nourishing the Planet! All the best, Danielle Nierenberg Nourishing the Planet Project Director Worldwatch Institute www.nourishingtheplanet.org Email: dnierenberg@nourishingtheplanet.org Phone: +1-202-590-1037 Please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!     Here are some highlights from the week: Five Microcredit Programs That are Breaking the Cycle of Poverty One of the best ways to encourage economic growth in poor areas is to provide affordable small loans to farmers and small business owners. Called microcredit or microloans, these programs can inject capital into communities that lack the collateral required by conventional banks. In this post, we present five innovative microcredit programs that are encouraging economic growth in poor communities.   UNDP Highlights Food Security in First Africa Human Development Report The United Nations Development Programme has released its first-ever Human Development Report focused exclusively on Africa. The report, Africa Human Development Report 2012: Towards a Food Secure Future, argues that establishing food security must become a top priority among governments to achieve sustainable human development in Africa. Despite a wealth of natural resources and recent economic progress, sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s most food-insecure region. According to UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, “the specter of famine, all but gone elsewhere, continues to haunt millions in the region.”     Senna obtusifolia: From the Sidelines to Center Stage Senna obtusifolia is a hardy and indigenous leafy vegetable that grows in the Sahel. According to the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Africa (ICRISAT), concentrated, intentional planting can result in a significant harvest during the “hunger period,” generally June–October, when farmers have exhausted their store of grain and money, leading to the threat of starvation. Interestingly, ICRISAT found that planting Senna with young Acacia trees improved yields substantially. This provides the farmer with both food and a potential source of revenue while his Acacia crop is still young.     New UCS Report: Improve Crop Insurance and Credit Availability According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a nonprofit science advocacy group, current farming laws are the biggest obstacles in the way of achieving healthier eating in the United States. In a recent report, Ensuring the Harvest: Crop Insurance and Credit for a Healthy Farm and Food Future, UCS recommends reforming policies that make it more difficult for farmers to grow healthy crops like fruits and vegetables.    Citywatch: Japan’s Earthquake The world is still reeling and shaking from afterthoughts of what happened in March 2011 when Japan was hit by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, which exposed how vulnerable all basic institutions have become when nature acts up—something bound to happen anywhere or anytime in this era of climate change and global transmission of hard-to-treat infectious diseases. Lessons from a tsunami are a terrible thing to waste, so the Food Policy Research Initiative, based at the University of Toronto, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health recently hosted a symposium of Japanese food and agricultural experts and Toronto public health leaders to survey what others can learn from Japan’s response to the crisis.     The Last Hunger Season Our friend Roger Thurow, senior fellow for Global Agriculture and Food Policy at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, recently released his new book, The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change. The book is an intimate portrait of the lives of four smallholder farmers in western Kenya who are working with the One Acre Fund to move from subsistence farming to sustainable farming, allowing them to move from farming to live to farming to make a living.    Social Science Research Network Lists Food and Agriculture: The Future of Sustainability in Top 10 Social Science Research Network recently listed a paper co-authored by Daniele Giovannuci, Sara Scherr, Charlotte Hebebrand, Julie Shapiro, Jeffrey Milder, Keith Wheeler, and Nourishing the Planet’s project director, Danielle Nierenberg, entitled Food and Agriculture: the Future of Sustainability as a Top Ten Download for the Sustainability Research & Policy Network. The paper, commissioned by the United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs, highlights vital and up-to-date information on the current and likely trends of our global food and agricultural systems.     NtP in the News We received some exciting news coverage this past week. Our op-eds that discuss how food and agriculture can address our most pressing environmental challenges and features Eating Planet was published in Fort Worth’s Star-Telegram, the Boston Herald, the Providence Journal, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Tennessean, Detroit News, Northwest Indiana Times, the Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal, and the Albuquerque Journal. You can also check out our World Environment Day themed-op-ed in Kenya’s The Nation, which is co-written with Founder of First Peoples Worldwide, Rebecca Adamson.  Copyright © 2012 The Nourishing the Planet Project, All rights reserved. You have received this email because you opted-in on our website or signed up at one of our events. 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