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Aaj Ki Aawaz

This Cabinet Reshuffle epitomizes the adage ' khoda mountain aur nikla mouse'!!!

Reshuffle was touted that Sonia and Mohna will 'clean and straighten the house'!!

As expected the Big Four were not touched!!!

No consensus between Mohna and Sonia left them 'untouched'!!

Pawar was shorn of Food and Civil Supplies but given Food Processing!!

So now in Food Processing he will start messing!

Glib talker Sibal retains HRD and Communication….for the time being!!!

In Communication Mantri's office he'll drink water and in HRD Mantri's Office loo he will be peeing (and vice versa)!!

Highway Projects have been freed from Kamlanath's 15% cess!!!

Targets were not being met and the Sector was in a mess!!

Sahay will now worry about 'the athitee'……unhospitable Tourism Mantri!!

And believe me more than a welcoming host he'll behave like a Santri!!

Praful thought he'd get Cabinet Rank and also get a Malai Ministry!!!

Why he wanted Power is no mystery????

He's got Cabinet rank and a 'mundane' Ministry from which Deshmukh was itching to move out!

Many had thought this time Deshmukh would be 'sorted out'!!

But Deshmukh has in fact got a 'promotion'!!!

Protector of Moneylenders elevation to such a Ministry is causing a commotion!!

Did Reddy deserve the Petroleum charge viewing the CWG allegations????

Deora's shunting means Mukesh Bhai will have to keep mothballed RIL's petrol stations!

Ravi getting Aviation defies logic but then seems a 'cautious' Minister was needed!!

Indian Aviation Industry Praful literally 'bleeded'!!!

Now let us see if Indigo maintains its 'on schedule' record!!

They say this record was because in Indigo's Mentor's hand was the 'Industry's chord'!

Salman Khursheed thought he'd get law but Mohna poured 'water' over his hope!!

Now rather than legal matters with problems of H2O Salman will have to cope!!

Jaiswal from MOS Coal is now Cabinet Minister incharge of Coal!!!

He's part of Rahul's UP team which is preparing for the UP Poll!!

Corporate Affairs has been cursed with Murli!!

Now in this Ministry Murli will bajao Mukesh Bhai's murli!!

Gill from Sports got the boot!!!

He got the boot and Kalmadi has walked away 'with the loot'!

Seems his inaffectiveness in the preperation for CWG and 'baarat' comment did him in!

And then his trying to take credit for the CWG medals that our athletes did win!

These are just a few that come to my mind off hand!!

Reshuffle has not been able to wipe the scum on The Hand!!

Congress should bar Mani Shankar Aiyer from representing it on TV Talks Shows!

He either talks ludicrously or his fuse he blows!!

Aussie Companies have sued OC for non payment of Bills!!

Now the scum has gone above Kalmadi's 'gills'!!

But 'he's breathing' and seems unaffected!!!

His aides have been released from jail so he is being protected!!

As you will note Raja, Ex CJI Balki, Thomas, Niira are now no longer the news!!

And in PMO and 10 Janpath you get to hear on this 'whews' (expression of relief)!!

Confucius says….. our memories are short and we are easily distracted!!!

Because to the next scandal our attentions are attracted!!!

Adds…. Our Netas know this and when caught in a storm they 'wear it out'!!

On our fickle minds and our distractive nature they have no doubt!!!!

Bharat Kumar

BUREAUCRACY

K.P.Mishra's anointment as CRB, may be delayed?
As the grapevine has it elevation of K.P.Mishra Member Engineering Railway Board as new Chairman Railway Board (CRB) may be delayed, if Vivek Sahai present CRB gets one year extension. He is due to retire in June 2011.

Rajsekhar tipped to be GM, Kapurthala
As the grapevine has it, Rajsekhar on elevation is poised to be posted as General Manager (GM) Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala.

Arunendra Kumar to be GM, SECR-Bilaspur
As the grapevine has it, Arunendra Kumar is poised to be posted as General Manager (GM) of the South East Central Railway (SECR), Bilaspur.

Mahesh Kumar to be GM Western Railway
As the grapevine has it, Mahesh Kumar is poised to be posted as General Manager (GM) of the Western Railway (WR).

IAS officer to seek VRS
1977 batch UT cadre IAS officer J P Singh is seeking VRS to take up the job of the Member DERC.

Vipul Mittra's "Pyramid of Virgin Dreams" soon to hit stands
Kartikeya, a well settled bureaucrat, is torn between the past and the present after he stumbles upon his first crush Revati - the girl he was smitten by in his college days. As he finally prepares to take the plunge and pursue his love, he finds, here too fate had other plans. Kartikeya Kukreja, is the protagonist of the book "Pyramid of Virgin Dreams" written by Vipul Mittra, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Government of
Gujarat. It is a funny satire around the life of Kartikeya -a middle class boy, his growing years, and his perceptions of bureaucracy and society. Several characters, including Kartikeya's immediate family, his college sweetheart and his very own conscience by the name of 'Selfmusing', find a place in the narrative. From a child to an adult and a bureaucrat, it is a story told differently with candour and ample tongue-in-cheek humour. In the witty and circumstantial accounts of Kartikeya's early years, the author provides a glimpse into the world of hierarchies, promotions, fawning subordinates and vacuous privileges that accompany growing status. He says "Writing while being IAS is the toughest."Mittra is an IAS officer of the 1986
batch who hails from the Gujarat cadre.Its publishers are Rupa & Co, Delhi.

Venkatraman to go Bucharest
V Venkatraman is moving from the MEA Headquarters to Bucharest as Second Secretary.

Thapliyal replaces Vijay Kumar

C B Thapliyal has replaced Vijay Kumar in Caracas as First Secretary.He was posted in the MEA.

Kudos to UP, CM: Ms. Mayawati
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister & Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)Ms. Mayawati has won a lot of accolades for her prompt action in rescuing a rape victim by freeing her from jail who was implicated in a false case by none other than her own party's sitting MLA. Sources close to Ms.Mayawati confided that the Chief Minister does not tolerate anything that is wrong nor does she concede to it provided she is apprised about the factual position.

Interview for Consul General, Jeddah today
As the grapevine has it, fray for the slot of Consul General in Jeddah has hot up. Interview for the post are slated for Friday.Main contenders now will be M.A. Saleem, IPS (Karnataka 1993) and Zahur Zaidi PS to E. Ahmed Ministers of State for External Affairs (MEA) E. Ahmed. Zaidi is an IPS officer 1994 batch from Himachal Pradesh cadre.

CBDT constitutes DRP Hyderabad
Central Board Of Direct Taxes has constituted the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP} comprising of three Commissioners of Income- Tax/Directors of Income-tax as its Members. Accordingly, DRP Hyderabad includes A.K. Aggarwal, DIT (International Taxation}, Hyderabad, Rakesh Bhaskar, DIT (Transfer Pricing}, Chennai and T Jayashankar, CIT-I, Hyderabad.

S.Jairaman Additional Director IB to be elevated
S.Jairaman Additional Director Intelligence Bureau (HQ) Delhi is likely to be promoted as Special Director in IB. He is an IPS officer of the1977 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Dr Alka Acharya nominated to National Security Advisory Board
Dr Alka Acharya has been nominated to National Security Advisory Board, reconstituted by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Jija Hari Singh DGP, Karnataka to retire
Jija Hari Singh DG Home Guards and Fire Services to the Karnataka government is going to retire on January 31, 2011. She is an IPS officer of the 1975 batch who belongs to Karnataka cadre.

IA & AS officer PR Acharya transferred
Services of PR Acharya (IA&AS :1985), Director of Accounts, Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi, have been placed at the disposal of Government of India to the post of Chief Financial Officer (Joint Secretary level) in the National Intelligence Grid under the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

Srinidhi is now Director of ISTM
T Srinidhi is now Director of Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM).Srinidhi is 1979 batch CSS officer.

Humayu Kabeer to be SP, Bardhaman district
Humayu Kabeer, SP, Birbhum (West Bengal)is likely to be transferred as S.P. of Bardhaman district.He is an IPS officer of the2004 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Manoj Malivya appointed as I.G. Forests, Kolkata
Manoj Malivya on his return from five year central deputation has been appointed as I.G. Forests, Kolkata .He is an IPS officer of the1986 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Ms. Niharika Barik appointed as Deputy Secretary Revenue
Ms. Niharika Barik has been appointed as a Deputy Secretary Revenue in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. She is an IAS officer of the 1997 batch who belongs to the Chattisgarh cadre.

Ajit Sarkar likely to be appointed as SSP. East, Midnapore
Ajit Sarkar likely to be appointed as SSP, East, Midnapore.He is an IPS officer of the 2002 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Book by Dey attracts Mumbai Police
'Zero Dial' a book written by veteran journalist of Mumbai Joy Dey delves into the lives of informers, who form the backbone of the Mumbai police. It plots the lives of three informers, Ahmad, Rahim and Sadeteen and their shady underworld dealings and their

cunning ways with the police. The book gives a colourful sketch of an informers' life, his hardships and knowing how to survive in the bad crime world. An informer faces constant threat from the police, a rival gang member and also from within his own gang. Despite all this, most do not duck under pressure and emerge as winners and show their gritty side.

The book stresses on the importance for the police to cultivate a strong informer's base to deal with the growing threat of terror attacks in the country. In the back drop of the growing threat of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen and Riyaz Bhatkal, the mastermind behind scores of blasts in the country, the book deals with the role of informers in tackling terror.

It also stresses the importance of human intelligence, backed with advanced technical intelligence is the only way that the Mumbai police can tackle terror.

'Zero Dial' delves into the lives of informers, who form the backbone of the Mumbai police. It plots the lives of three informers, Ahmad, Rahim and Sadeteen and their shady underworld dealings and their cunning ways with the police. The book gives a colourful sketch of an informers' life, his hardships and knowing how to survive in the bad crime world. An informer faces constant threat from the police, a rival gang member and also from within his own gang. Despite all this, most do not duck under pressure and emerge as winners and show their gritty side.

The book stresses on the importance for the police to cultivate a strong informer's base to deal with the growing threat of terror attacks in the country.

In the back drop of the growing threat of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen and Riyaz Bhatkal, the mastermind behind scores of blasts in the country, the book deals with the role of informers in tackling terror.

It also stresses the importance of human intelligence, backed with advanced technical intelligence is the only way that the Mumbai police can tackle terror..

8 collectors changed in Kerala
In a bureaucratic reshuffle Eight Collectors were changed.Those who have been posted are: Anand Singh- Kannur, K.N.Satish- Kasargod, P.M. Francis Malappuram, P.G. Thomas-Trichur, Mohan Das-Idukki, Ravindran -Pathanamthitta, Lalitambika-
Kollam & Sheik Pareed -Ernakulam.

Prof Singh is new VC of Allahabad University
Prof. A. K. Singh of IIT Bombay has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad Central University.

Now Ombudsman for Aviation Sector
Government has now plans to appoint Ombudsman for Aviation Sector.The first Ombudsman will be in Delhi.

Kalyan Chand is IT Ombudsman in Bhopal
Kalyan Chand has been appointed Income Tax Ombudsman in Bhopal. He is retired 1975 batch IRS officer.

Tiwari suspended in Maharashtra
Maharashtra Governor K Shankaranarayanan has suspended the state Information Commissioner Ramanand Tiwari .

Larry Page to take over as CEO, Google
Google co-founder Larry Page will take over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google w.e.f. from April 2011. He will succeed Eric Schmidt.
Eric Schmidt to move as Executive Chairman, Google
Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Google will move as the Executive Chairman and will play an advisory role w.e.f. April 2011. Schmidt had became the CEO in 2001.
Kurien named CEO of Wipro
India's leading Software company Wipro has named T.K. Kurien as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He will take over w.e.f. February, 2011. Kurien is currently serving as the chief executive of Wipro's eco-energy division.
Wipro Jojnt CEOs Paranjpe, Vaswani to step down by Feb 1
The Joint Chief Executives (CEOs) of Wipro, Girish Paranjpe and Suresh Vaswani would step down by Feb 1 said a company release.

Misra appointed Additional Judge of Orissa High Court
Bira Kishore Misra has been appointed Additional Judge of the Orissa High Court, for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

Goswami appointed Additional Judge of Gauhati High Court
Arup Kumar Goswami has been appointed Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court, for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

Mrs. Roy appointed Judge of Jharkhand High Court
Mrs. Justice Jaya Roy, Additional Judge of the Jharkhand High Court has been appointed Judge of that High Court, with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office.

Additional Judges of Jharkhand High Court Appointed
Prashant Kumar and Pradeep Kumar have been appointed Additional Judges of the Jharkhand High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of two years with effect from 21.01.2011.

Additional Judges of Andhra Pradesh high Court Appointed
Gurijala Krishna Mohan Reddy and Kolla Surya Appa Rao have been appointed Additional Judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of two years with effect from the dates they assume charge of their offices.

16 IAS officers promoted as Special Secretaries in Bihar
The Bihar Government also promoted 16 IAS officers as special secretaries. They include N. Vijaylakshmi, B. Rajendra, Arvind K. Choudhary, Uday N. Thakur, Suresh P. Sinha, Ramesh Lal, Masud Hasan, Daya Shankar Pandey, Indra Sen Singh, Arun Prasad, Arun Chandra Mishra and Arvind K. Singh all from the 1995 batch and Dev Dutt Verma and Kamal Kumar Sinha (Both 1996 batch) and Pankaj Kumar and Santosh Mal (Both 1997 batch)

RTI

Filing of RTI application by a Public Authority
The applicant requested for information pertaining to income computation with TDS Challan, Trading Account, Balance Sheet with Schedules, Audit Report, Assessment Order/ self assessment information etc. in respect of 4 persons from the Income Tax department. The applicant stated that they were themselves public authority namely The New India Assurance Company Limited. The information was sought to defend their position in a claim of Rs. 181 crore against the death of individual in a road accident. The CIC directed to provide the information holding that the disclosure would serve the ends of justice and is in larger public interest by causing an unwarranted discharge of public funds.

Comments

Filing of a RTI application by a Public authority against another is indicative of the pattern of evolution of RTI Act. Against the time tested method of using the official channel for securing documents, RTI is being considered as a more potent tool for protecting the commercial interest of the company. Many more applications of the
similar kind are likely to be filed in the times to come.

[Sh. S.S. Hira v. Income Tax Department, Jaipur in Appeal No.
CIC/LS/A/2010/001130DS]

- Weekly article by Dr. (Mrs.) Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in), RTI Consultant to IIM, Indore and Co-author of the book: RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE by Taxmann. (The views are Personal)

CORPORATE
CFS Operator of the year award bagged by CWC
The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has received the First Northern India Multimodal Logistics Awards for "CFS Operator of the Year (Public Sector)" during the International Conference - CONquest 2011 held at January 18, 2011. The award was received by T.K. Doshi, Director(Marketing), CWC. Operating 36 CFSs / ICDs, CWC has a pan India presence in EXIM logistics infrastructure. It handled 1.1 million TEUs during the year 2009-10 and is likely to handle 1.4 million TEUs during the current year.

Devadhar appointed Company Secy. Bank of Maharashtra
The Bank of Maharashtra has appointed Ms Medha Pramod Devadhar as Company Secretary of the bank with immediate effect.

Dash appointed Company Secy. Corporation Bank
Corporation Bank has appointed S.K. Dash as Company Secretary of the Bank and has taken charge on January 18, 2011.

Dogra appointed Nominee Director, Allahabad Bank
K.K Dogra, Officers Nominee Director of Allahabad Bank has ceased to be the Director of the Bank after completion of his three years term.

Orchid Chemicals appoints Addl. Directors
R. Sankaran and Bharat Shah have been inducted into the Board of Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd as Additional Directors with effect from January 19, 2011.

Ramasubramanian appointed MD, Aditya Birla Money
Aditya Birla Money Limited appointed Sudhakar Ramasubramanian as Managing Director of the Company for a period of three years with effect from February 1, 2011.

Jain appointed Workmen Director, State Bank of Bikaner
The Union Government has appointed D.K. Jain, as Workmen Employee Director, on the Board of State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur.

Vijayan appointed Director, Maharashtra Scooters
Maharashtra Scooters Limited has appointed Ms Kanchan Vijayan has been appointed as Director in place of Pramod Baliram Satam, w.e.f. January 17, 2011.

Holden appointed CEO, Canara HSBC Oriental
Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Company has appointed
John Holden as the Chief Executive Officer.

Bhadra appointed MD, NLC Nalco India
NLC Nalco has appointed Alok Kumar Bhadra as the Managing Director of its Indian subsidiary, NLC Nalco India.

Harpal moves on overseas assignment
Harpal Karlcut has now moved back to HSBC Insurance on an overseas assignment.

Maheshwari is MD Amar Ujala
Rajul Maheshwari is now new Managing Director of the Amar Ujala Group of News Papers.

Sekhara is Chief of ECC in AP
Former Press Secretary to the Anadhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Executive Director A.Chandra Sekhara has been appointed as the head of the newly created Energy Coordination Cell (ECC).

TOP CORPORATE POWER HOUSES IN INDIA
1. Mukesh Ambani & Anil Ambani
Reliance Group
Apart from heading one of India's biggest and diverse business conglomerates, Mukesh Ambani is the man keenly watched globally. For the record sake Mukesh's worth is over US $27 Billion as per Forbes list and he may be the richest man in the World by 2014. So, it is hard to believe that his footprints are not behind any major policy initiatives, especially that relating finance, taxation or trade and commerce. Mukesh's Man Friday in Delhi, Bala Subramaniam, takes care of the group's networking. He has unhindered access to all power centres in Delhi be it Congress party's Pranab Mukherjee or Motilal Vora, BJP's L.K. Advani or Nitin Gadkari, Communist party's Sitaram Yachuri or D. Raja, RJD's Laloo Yadav or other smaller parties. His aim is to get a Bharat Ratna award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani - his father and founder of Reliance Group - besides, total allegiance of the country's bureaucrats and politicians. His team is feverishly working along with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. However, the row over lobbyist Neera Radia tapes and her conversations that became public have tarnished the image of the company still, he is not the one who can just be stopped over by such minor irritants.
His younger brother, Anil Ambani had already enjoyed unhindered access to the -corridors of power and ever since the patch up with the elder brother is trying to consolidate his gains. His team is active round the clock keeping a tab on critical issues in governance.

2. Shashi Ruia and Ravi Ruia
Essar Group
They are number four in Forbes list of richest Indians with assets worth nearly US$ 15 billion, but maintain an extremely low profile. The government is said to have supported them in the attempt to restructure their group in recent years and they enjoy the most unhindered access to all political parties. The fact that they have no political ambition has stood them in good light with all political parties. Their man in Delhi is Sunil Bajaj, who enjoys an easy access to all political bigwigs and bureaucratic strongholds. They only travel to Delhi when work calls for their presence and their coming and going go unnoticed as they travel unobtrusively with the minimum noise. Of late, the Group's networking too has acquired a higher crescendo, what with all the expansion plans, and acquisitions in foreign countries.

3. Gautam Adani
Adani Group
Forbes has placed him at number 7 in the richest Indians list with a worth of more than US $ 10 billion in kitty. Adani's is the fastest growing group in the country's Corporate landscape forcing observers to say that he is the Dhirubhai Ambani in the making. His political connections are fantastic. His claim to fame is for having been caught on the wrong side of the law more than any other business man in the country. However, he sails out of trouble every time and moves ahead with greater conviction. His strong political connections with BJP patriarch L.K. Advani, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Congress' Ahmed Patel is the talk among observers and the envy of his competitors. His key aide Puneet Sharan presides over the Public Relations activities of the group in Delhi.

4. Ratan Tata
Tata Group
From salt to heavy vehicles to the most high tech IT set ups, Tata's is one of the oldest Indian conglomerates, having touched the lives of every Indian. People have learnt to live with Tata, for Tata's stood for quality, conviction and growth with humility. Though the contents of the Radia Tapes have done great damage to the reputation of Ratan Tata, still his is the most revered business house in the country. For the record, Forbes does not have him on their rich list. Is he a billionaire? No, Ratan Tata is not a billionaire. Of course he is the Chairman of Tata Group having 96 businesses out of which 28 are publicly listed and are worth more than US $ 70 billion. Well, to be a billionaire, on your financial statement, your assets must be worth billions of dollars. The main bulk of the shares of its 96 Businesses are not on Ratan Tata's personal financial statement. Tata Group's Key holding Company, Tata Sons has 65 per cent ownership to various Tata group charitable organizations out of which Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir J.R.D. Tata Trust are the main holders. About 18 per cent of the holdings in Tata Son's are with Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry who maintains low profile and is known as "Phantom of Bombay House". Ratan Tata himself holds less than 1% of TATA Sons, the key holding Company of Tata Group. This is the reason why he is not a billionaire.
Ratan Tata given his respect among common man should have been number one in this list but his public spat with TMC leader Mamata Banerjee over the Nano project and land acquisition in Singur, West Bengal have left his image tarred. Moreover, the shifting of his pet Nano small car project to Narendra Modi's Gujarat has marred his chances of getting a Bharat Ratna, as long as the Congress is in power at the Centre. His personal office general manager, who happens to be son of a senior lady journalist in Delhi, is RNT's networking man.

5. Lakshmi N. Mittal
ArcelorMittal
Steel tycoon and the chairman of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaking company is placed by Forbes at the number two position with a net worth of US $ 26.1 billion. His journey to become one of the richest man in the world, has been very controversial from his association with former
Indonesian President Suharto to British Prime Minister Tony Blair who allegedly helped him in his business ventures. In India his association started with for Union Minister N.K.P. Salve and this helped him move closer to power centres in India. He enjoys personal rapport with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress' Political Secretary Ahmed Patel and enjoyed equally close relationship with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's family.

6. Sunil Mittal
Bharti Enterprises
With a worth of US $ 8.6 billion the telecom czar, Sunil Mittal is placed at number 9 in the Forbes list. Son of a father who was MP from Ludhiana of the Congress Party, he started business with manufacturing cycle parts at the age of 18. He is a risk taker and known to have best networking with political masters in Delhi. His office door conference room) near Qutub Minar says it all SULTANAT. His aim is to be Emperor of telecom world and he has already taken steps in that direction looking for joint ventures, acquisitions and mergers in Africa and elsewhere in Asia.

7. K.P. Singh
DLF Limited
Forbes pitches him shade ahead of Sunil Mittal at number 8 in the India rich list with a worth of US $ 9.2 billion. His chance meeting on the road with late Rajiv Gandhi turned him from a small time builder of south Delhi to the biggest builder in India. His controversial tie up with Dubai World company Emaar Group has tarnished his image and probably made him loose a few billions. He is regarded as the Ambassador of Good times by the political glitterati in Delhi. He is said to be richest person in the national capital.

8. Venugopal N. Dhoot
Videocon Industries Limited
Videocon Industries limited being headed by its Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Venugopal N Dhoot, is the flagship company of US $ 5 billion Videocon Group having diversified business interests in white and brown goods, power generation (both conventional and renewable energy). Exploration and Prospecting Oil and Gas, Providing GSM Mobile Telephone Services, last mile retail, and Direct to Home Delivery of Television Contents. Its activities are well spread out in India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and Mozambique, with employee strength of more than 15,000. Venugopal N Dhoot, a second-generation entrepreneur and an engineer by training, transformed Videocon from a conference room-sized assembly line in 1979 into a conglomerate across the verticals of consumer electronics and home appliances, office automation, telecom, power, crude oil and natural gas. Dhoot has a vision to led Videocon and make it a Fortune 500 company in the next five years. Dhoot is an environmental enthusiast having successfully completed a project of planting 2,00,000 teak saplings across India.

9. Subrata Roy Sahara
Sahara Group
Chairman of the Group having India's biggest - land bank, NBFC, Media & Entertainment Company, Service & product company, exclusive Aamby Valley City along with Major housing & commercial building projects including Malls, Premium Apartments, Hotels and Hospitals, Life Insurance Company, Mutual Fund House, Housing Finance Co., Consumer products & Retail Chain, Integrated travel & tourism services. Subrata Roy Sahara's worth is about US $ 3.3 billion and as Chief Guardian of world's largest family, providing livelihood to millions, directly touching the life of one out of every fifteen Indian, believing in collective sharing & caring for collective growth, proved over decades through CSR projects and activities carried out all over India and particularly in UP & Bihar, one of world's poorest regions, up to the assistance to families of Martyr's of Kargil war and 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Biggest supporter of Sports, being a character builder of nation, more than 60 % medal winning Indian athletes in CWG 2010 sponsored by Sahara India Pariwar. Extended critical support which made the event wonderful for India. Exploring overseas value adding acquisitions like England's legendry soccer club Liverpool, one the oldest Hollywood Studios MGM, iconic London Hotel Grosvenor House. A visionary par excellence, one of the all time great entrepreneur, dedicated to nation building.

10. Kumar Mangalam Birla
The Aditya Birla Group
Like Tata, the name Birla is synonymous with Indian Industry and has been among I the country's oldest business houses. Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the US$ 29 billion Aditya Birla Group, a global conglomerate with operations spanning 27 countries. An iconic figure, Birla holds several key positions on various regulatory and professional boards. He is a Director of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India and Chairman of the Staff Sub-Committee of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. He serves on the Prime Minister of India's Advisory Council on Trade and Industry. Birla group has however,not changed like other business groups. They still believe in traditional business style and instead of expanding their empire are trying to consolidate their present business establishments. They do not want to walk on the waves of the time.

11. Anil Agrawal
Vedanta Group
Vedanta Group is an LSE-listed diversified FTSE 100 metals and mining company, and India's largest non-ferrous metals and mining company. Anil Agrawal, the NRI Chairman of the Vedanta Group has a worth of US $ 7.9 billion. Agrawal's ambition is to become the richest businessman in India. If things would have gone as he had planned out with the IPO and the expansion of mining activity in Orissa, Agrawal would have overtaken Mukesh Ambani as the richest Indian businessmen. He is said to have a direct access in the Ten Janpath.

12. G.M. Rao
GMR Group
Founder Chairman of GMR Group-global Infrastructure major the Group is well
diversified and professionally managed with focus on business verticals of Airports, Energy, Highways and Urban Infrastructure including SEZs, apart from interests in Agri-business. Born on July 14, 1950 in a small town of Rajam in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, G M Rao established the GMR business empire starting from a single jute mill in Rajam in 1978.G M Rao expanded the group's presence in the infrastructure sector by leading the group's foray into Highways. The group bagged its first global project by winning the bid to modernise the Sabiha Gokcen International (SGA) airport at Istanbul, Turkey and also ventured into the new business sector of Urban Infrastructure. The group will set up a 3300 acre multi-product SEZ in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu. It is marching ahead on lines of the Adani group. With a strong desire to serve the needs of the marginalised sections and the rural society, Rao set up the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, to raise their living standards. The Foundation is active in the areas of education, health and hygiene, community development and empowerment.

13. Gopichand Hinduja
Hinduja Group
Hinduja is worth billions of dollars, but he still shares a kitchen with his three brothers. He co-chairs the Indian multinational corporation Hinduja Group with his eldest brother Srichand. Srichand, 75, and Gopichand, 70, are based in the exclusive district of Mayfair in London. The third brother, Prakash, 65, is in Geneva, while the fourth, and the youngest, Ashok, 60, remains in Mumbai. In each country, there is a house with a joint kitchen for all four of the brothers and their families to use. They are estimated to be worth a total of about US$9.5 billion (Dh34.89bn), according to The Sunday Times 2008 Rich List. At one stage they had fast emerged as a force to reckon with in the corridors of power, but now seem to have preferred lying low.

FORUM
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Tainted Ministers retained

We a small group of Supreme Court Justices are pained to share these thoughts with the Indians through your forum. Our Prime Minister yesterday reshuffled his cabinet. We have certainly no business to interfere what is PM's prerogative.

However we cannot help but see a pattern in some of the ministers changed and the cases pending before the courts.

Let us give you some examples.

1. Vilas Rao Deshmukh was moved from Heavy Industry to Rural development and Court recently held him guilty of not allowing a farmer to register a case against money lenders.

2. Ex Highways Minister Kamalnath was moved to "Complete" Urban Development as Courts are seized of the matter of Radia where he is tagged as 15 percent Minister.

3. Jaipal Reddy Ex Urban Development who was responsible for the development works in CWG games and courts are now seized of the matter was moved to Petroleum Ministry which affects just not sports lovers but entire countries Fuel needs on daily basis.

4. Petroleum Minister Murli Deora was moved to Corporate Affairs Ministry when courts were looking to into allegations of discrimination against an International Petroleum Company.

5. M.S.Gill Sports Minister under whose former Ministry the CWG scam was Implemented" has been moved Program Implementation of the entire country while we are seized of the matter.

6. Praful Patel former Civil Aviation minister who also prominently figures in Radia tapes for the alleged bungling and we are seized of the matter was moved to Heavy Industries to look after all industries in our nation.

There were 37 changes and we don't wish to go into all of them but we think the above examples prove our point beyond reasonable doubt.

Supreme Court Lordships

UPA - II, the worst govt so far !

If today a public opinion survey is carried out on the question 'which is the worst ever government seen by the country?' then I feel that UPA II will win hands-down. At least I am sure that I have not seen a worst government then this in my life span of over seventy years. Even the British Government was more sensitive then this one. God please save my nation from these jokers.

Mohan Das

Order demolition of Central Secretariat atop Raisina Hill !

Jairam Ramesh should order the demolition of the Central Secretariat atop Raisina Hill. The British built it without obtaining environmental clearance or doing an environment impact study. To this day the monkeys who reside on this hill undergo untold suffering as they have to confront Secretaries to the GOI suddenly in the corridors of power in the North Block. The monkeys are no match to the Secretaries as they are far more agile and quick to jump. Jairam was also strangely silent when over one lakh mongrels of Delhi were herded like jews and exterminated mercilessly just before the CWG. The ruling nazi clique of Delhi just brushed their hands and proclaimed the success of the Final Solution. Is this Indian culture?

D Choudhary

An interesting observation

Rs. 65 : Onion, Petrol and Beer Can

It happens only in India where the necessity, convenience and luxury are available at same price

The necessity (Onion), convenience (Petrol) and the luxury (Beer Can) are priced at Rs. 65 / unit.

Mera Bharat Mahan.

S Sharma

Key area of corruption is real estate

One of the key areas of corruption in the country is real estate. Our Urban Development Authorities are notoriously corrupt and at times one is puzzled to even hear the level of black money generated in these urban bodies. Within these urban bodies two key areas of minting money are Land Allotment particularly to Group Housing, Commercial and Industrial categories and second clearance of architectural drawings.

For example if you are a builder in Noida or Ghaziabad then the going rates for allotment of Group Housing Projects and thereafter clearance of their architectural drawings are well known and payment channels are quite open. All this payments are in cash and thus the country is also devoid of its taxes. Most surprisingly this fact is known to all and the transactions are also by and large quite open. It is also known that the booty gets distributed from top to bottom of power echelon. It is also known in UP bureaucratic circles as to how the posting can be taken in Noida or Ghaziabad but the cycle keeps going from Sarkar to Sarkar and the system has not changed even a wee bit over last so many years as the vested interest is so lucrative that no politician or bureaucrat will ever attempt to reform the system. I believe that system is not unique to UP alone the same type of system operates in all other Urban Bodies of the country be it HUDA PUDA HIPA MAHADA and the scale of corruption and black money is also no different. If our political system had any will to rid our country of corruption then first thing any government would have done was to reform the Urban Bodies by instituting far more transparent systems in these. However since these bodies serves the black economy requirements of our politico-bureaucratic system therefor no political party would even think of making an attempt towards reforms and bureaucrats are all too happy to keep enjoying the fruits. Therefore to me all this talk about reforms and checking corruption appears to be gastronomic talk and real challenge to corrupt would never be there in this country. I am ready to bet on this. Mr Kejriwal of-course would continue to cry hoarse.

Jai Hind

MB

Corruption is in connivance with bureaucrats

The corruption is not only at Ministers' level, but in connivance with bureaucrats. Once beauracrats are held responsible by courts & punished severely & sent to jail like Mr. Ramaraju of Satyam, corruption will drastically reduced & ministers will not be able to indulge in corruption.

Ashok

True, Stop post-retirement appointments to check corruption

I agree with the views of Rajendra that corruption can be reduced by stopping all post-retirement appointments. One case is of a past Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry. When he was in service a PSU-Jessop was privatized. He then became Chairman-BIFR. During his tenure Jessop went out of the purview of BIFR. Post Chairman-BIFR, today he is a Director on the Board of Jessop. Please explain.

A Srivastava

In bad taste

While opinions may differ about the wit and wisdom of Bharat Kumar, his reference to Ms Ambika Soni as 'horse face' was certainly in bad taste.

Prof. N. C. Saxena

God in favour of tax collectors

Every Income tax official was praying for extension of the beloved, honest and hardworking Chairman Sudhir Chandra.

S Kumar

Pay scles should be at par

I fully agree with V.P. Sharma and V.S. Rana, Shimla, regarding the issues related to Stenographer Cadre in the Government Sector. As far as the Pay Scales/pay bands concern, the Stenographers either working in CSSS or in the Field Offices should be in the same Pay Scales/pay bands because the work of both is same. And, as far as the promotional channel is concerned, the Vth Pay Commission was better than the VIth Pay Commission, because in the Vth Pay Commission, after 10 or 20 years, when the stenographer was being promoted, he was entitled for the next Pay Scale. In the VIth Pay Commission, when the Stenographer is being promoted, he is entitled for next Grade Pay and the difference in the Grade Pay is Rs.200/- or Rs.600/-. I think this is not fair.

Ravinder Mohan Shimla

People with exceptional qualifications be retained

The people in Government with exceptional qualifications like law and other social science need to retain for the some more periods as said in other professions like medical and technical grades. These need to be taken and raise in the age limit if granted from 60 to 65 years (initially it can be taken to 62 years) and the services are utilised.

K Ram Singh