Comparison of Government’s Lokpal Bill with Civil Society’s Lokpal Bill

Comparison of Government’s Lokpal Bill with Civil Society’s Lokpal Bill
S No
Government’s proposal
Civil Society proposal
1.
Lokpal will not have any power to either initiate action suo motu in any case or even receive complaints of corruption from general public. The general public will make complaints to the speaker of Lok Sabha or chairperson of Rajya Sabha. Only those complaints forwarded by Speaker of Lok Sabha/ Chairperson of Rajya Sabha to Lokpal would be investigated by Lokpal. This not only severely restricts the functioning of Lokpal, it also provides a tool in the hands of the ruling party to have only those cases referred to Lokpal which pertain to political opponents (since speaker is always from the ruling party). It will also provide a tool in the hands of the ruling party to protect its own politicians.
Lokpal will have powers to initiate investigations suo moto in any case and also to directly entertain complaints from the public. It will not need reference or permission from anyone to initiate investigation into any case.
2
Lokpal has been proposed to be an advisory body. Lokpal, after enquiry in any case, will forward its report to the competent authority. The competent authority will have final powers to decide whether to take action on Lokpal’s report or not. In the case of cabinet ministers, the competent authority is Prime Minister. In the case of PM and MPs the competent authority is Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, as the case may be. In the coalition era when the government of the day depends upon the support of its political partners, it will be impossible for the PM to act against any of his cabinet ministers on the basis of Lokpal’s report. For instance, if there were such a Lokpal today and if Lokpal made a recommendation to the PM to prosecute A. Raja, obviously the PM will not have the political courage to initiate prosecution against A. Raja. Likewise, if Lokpal made a report against the PM or any MP of the ruling party, will the house ever pass a resolution to prosecute the PM or the ruling party MP? Obviously, they will never do that.
Lokpal is not an advisory body. It will have the powers to initiate prosecution against any one after completion of investigations in any case. It will also have powers to order disciplinary proceedings against any government servant.
3
The bill is legally unsound. Lokpal has not
Lokpal would have police powers. It will be able
been given police powers. Therefore Lokpal
cannot register an FIR. Therefore all the
enquiries conducted by Lokpal will
tantamount to “preliminary enquiries”. Even
if the report of Lokpal is accepted, who will
file the chargesheet in the court? Who will
initiate prosecution? Who will appoint the
prosecution lawyer? The entire bill is silent
on that.
to register FIR, proceed with criminal
investigations and launch prosecution.
4 The bill does not say what will be the role of
CBI after this bill. Can CBI and Lokpal
investigate the same case or CBI will lose its
powers to investigate politicians? If the latter
is true, then this bill is meant to completely
insulate politicians from any investigations
whatsoever which are possible today through
CBI.
That part of CBI, which deals with cases of
corruption, will be merged into Lokpal so that
there is just one effective and independent
body to take action against corruption.
5 There is a strong punishment for “frivolous”
complaints. If any complaint is found to be
false and frivolous, Lokpal will have the
power to send the complainant to jail
through summary trial but if the complaint
were found to be true, the Lokpal will not
have the power to send the corrupt
politicians to jail! So the bill appears to be
meant to browbeat, threaten and discourage
those fighting against corruption.
Deterrence has been provided against frivolous
complaints in the form of financial penalties
against the complainant, however, Lokayukta is
empowered to prosecute the corrupt and take
disciplinary action against them.
6 Lokpal will have jurisdiction only on MPs,
ministers and PM. It will not have jurisdiction
over officers. The officers and politicians do
not indulge in corruption separately. In any
case of corruption, there is always an
involvement of both of them. So according to
government’s proposal, every case would
need to be investigated by both CVC and
Lokpal. So now, in each case, CVC will look
into the role of bureaucrats while Lokpal will
look into the role of politicians. Obviously the
case records will be with one agency and the
way government functions it will not share its
records with the other agency. It is also
possible that in the same case the two
agencies arrive at completely opposite
conclusions. Therefore it appears to be a sure
way of killing any case.
Lokpal will have jurisdiction over politicians,
officials and judges. CVC and the entire
vigilance machinery of government will be
merged into Lokpal.
7 Lokpal will consist of three members, all of
them being retired judges. There is no reason
why the choice should be restricted to
Lokpal would have ten members and one
Chairperson. Out of them four need to have
legal background (they need not be judges).
judiciary. By creating so many post retirement posts for judges, the government will make the retiring judges vulnerable to government influences just before retirement as is already happening in the case of retiring bureaucrats. The retiring judges, in the hope of getting post retirement employment would do the bidding of the government in their last few years.
Others could be from any background.
8
The selection committee consists of Vice President, PM, Leaders of both houses, Leaders of opposition in both houses, Law Minister and Home minister. Barring Vice President, all of them are politicians whose corruption Lokpal is supposed to investigate. So there is a direct conflict of interest. Also selection committee is heavily loaded in favor of the ruling party. Effectively ruling party will make the final selections. And obviously ruling party will never appoint strong and effective Lokpal.
Selection committee consists of members from judicial background, Chief Election Commissioner, Comptroller and Auditor General of India and international awardees (like Nobel prize winners and Magsaysay awardees of Indian origin). A detailed transparent and participatory selection process has been prescribed.
9
Lokpal will not have powers to investigate any case against PM, which deals with foreign affairs, security and defence. This means that corruption in defence deals will be out of any scrutiny whatsoever. It will become impossible to investigate into any Bofors in future.
There is no such bar on Lokpal’s powers.
10
Whereas a time limit of six months to one year has been prescribed for Lokpal to enquire, however, subsequently, there is no time limit prescribed for completion of trial.
Investigations should be completed within one year. Trial should get over within the next one year.
11
It does not deal with corruption of Bureaucrats. Corrupt bureaucrats continue in their job without any actions against them.
Lokpal will have power to direct disciplinary action, including dismissal of a corrupt officer from job.
12
It does not talk of investigation of complaints against judges
Lokpal will have powers to initiate investigations on complaints of corruption against judges.
13
Speaker would decide which complaints shall be enquired into by Lokpal.
Lokpal will not be able to dismiss any complaint from public without hearing the complainant.
14
Our entire governance system suffers from inadequate public grievance redressal systems, which force people to pay bribes. Lokpal bill does not address this issue.
Lokpal will have the powers to orders redressal in a time bound manner. It will have powers to impose financial penalties on guilty officers, which would be paid to complainant as compensation.
15
Large number of people raising their voice against political corruption are being
Lokpal will have powers to provide protection against physical and professional victimization
murdered. Lokpal does not have any powers to provide protection to them.
of whistleblowers.
16
Nothing has been provided in law to recover ill gotten wealth. A corrupt person can come out of jail and enjoy that money.
Loss caused to the government due to corruption will be recovered from all accused.
17
Under the present law, there is Small punishment for corruption- Punishment for corruption is minimum 6 months and maximum 7 years.
Enhanced punishment - The punishment would be minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment.

Rahu and Ketu

We will discuss in this article about some concepts in Vedic astrology. We will find out the meaning of Rahu and Ketu, their significance and the effect these ”planets” have according to the Indian astrologists.  

What are Rahu and Ketu?

Rahu and Ketu arise from Indian mythology and are important in Vedic astrology.

Rahu is the "Dragon's Head" and is associated with the North Node of the moon. Ketu is the "Dragon's Tail" and is associated with the South Node of the moon. Rahu rides a chariot of darkness drawn by eight black horses and is said to be responsible for lunar and solar eclipses.           

Rahu was the eldest of 100 brothers, born to Simhika and Viprachitthi. One day Rahu saw Lord Vishnu distributing amrit (ambrosia) to the Gods and Angels whilst denying it to Demons such as himself. Rahu decided to impersonate a God and succeeded in receiving the amrit which made him immortal.           

His pretence was discovered by Surya (the Sun) and Chandra (the Moon), who immediately beheaded Rahu. However he had already eaten the amrit and was by then immortal.           

His head continued to be known as Rahu whilst his torso became Ketu.           

Rahu and Ketu hold an eternal grudge against Surya and Chandra and Rahu takes every opportunity to devour them. This causes an eclipse, which ends when the Sun or Moon emerges from Rahu's severed neck.

What are the effects Rahu and Ketu have upon our lives?

Rahu is a planet of materialism and gives material gains in a particular area. It gives extremely good results in Kendras & Trikonas. If well placed it gives happiness. If well aspected it gives happiness, acquisition of wealth & a powerful position. But it also gives mental anxieties; it creates conditions wherein you really cannot enjoy material gains. If not well placed & not well aspected it can give loss of position, legal hassles & misfortune. Also it urges one to turn to the higher powers to seek mental peace. Ketu, on the other hand, will deprive a person of the benefits of the house it is transiting and force a person to think on a higher plane. It can result in turning the mind inwards to seek the ultimate truth.

           

Rahu or Dragons Head or North Node represents foreigners, foreign countries, foreign travel, engineering and the technical trades, smoke, old men, grand parents, theft, gambling, drinking, nonconformists, the underworld and the bad elements in the society. Its color is black, metal mixed-metal and gem is Gomedh. Rahu takes approximately 1-1/2 years to travel a sign and hence completes the round of the zodiac in 18 years.

Ketu or Dragons Tail or South Node represents grand parents, technical trades, spiritual inclinations, superstitions and electronics. Its colour is brown and gem is cat's eye. Ketu is always in the opposite sign to Rahu, i.e., exactly 180 degrees away. Ketu also takes approximately 1-1/2 years to travel a sign and hence completes the round of the zodiac in 18 years.

           

They are never considered really benefic in the sense of "all good", as they must always carry some of the heavy karma their birth is associated with, but they can be truly honorable in the right chart. They can be the source of things such as valor, endeavor, bravery, in ways, and certainly things like fleeing a hostile environment, being revolutionary, fighting bad governments, being the underdog, being a yogi or spiritualist of many good types, focusing on things such as mysticism, death, the afterlife, God's valor, God's ultimate law (Ketu especially is aware of this as he's dead because of it!).

           

Jan Lokpal at risk

Dear friends,

Corrupt politicians have launched a vicious smear campaign against civil society members of the jan lokpal committee. Our best hope for a strong jan lokpal is to fight these dirty tactics at every turn. Call on PM Singh to expose the ministers behind the smears and kick them off the committee. We'll deliver the petition in mobile billboards around Delhi:

Last week, millions of us were shocked to read that our anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was backing down on key demands of the Jan Lokpal Bill. But the reports were false. Who spread them? A Minister on the bill drafting committee.

Now the press is full of new allegations against other civil society representatives on the Committee. We knew those in power would do anything to stall and derail the Jan Lokpal Bill. Now they have put their media-spin machine into full-swing to smear our leaders and divide the movement. 

Our only hope for a strong Jan Lokpal is to stand up to every dirty tactic the politicians use to kill it. Let's raise a massive call for PM Singh to rein in the smear campaign, identify those Ministers responsible and kick them off the committee by the next meeting on May 2nd. When the petition reaches 100,000, we’ll cover Delhi with mobile billboards and follow PM Singh around until the Lokpal process is cleaned up:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?vl

Earlier this week, an anonymous Minister sent key journalists an SMS saying civil society representatives were caving to government pressure. The SMS said: “Civil Society members have Diluted their own draft a lot. It is now a far more doable draft than earlier. They have diluted the provision that Cabinet Ministers could be suspended. Judges cud be suspended. Also does not mention the Lokpal having powers of Appointing and Disciplinary Authority.” None of this was true -- the sms was a trap for the media to run a story that would sow doubtacross the nation, and pull our movement apart. 

Then, an audio CD was anonymously delivered to the media that allegedly records Shanti Bhushan, the civil society co-chair of the drafting committee, bribing judges to influence decisions. The Bhushans quickly proved through an independent lab that the CD was doctored, but yesterday the government laboratory issued a report that disagrees, claiming it needs more material for a conclusive finding.

Only an independent investigation with adequate evidence can make a judgment on the CD story. But what is already clear is that the government has used spurious sources, deception and inconclusive evidence to wage war in the media to create a storm of public confusion.

Let us have no doubt the Jan Lokpal Bill is a serious threat to high up officials and politicians who are used to the shroud of impunity. For 42 years governments have found ways to bury it, and this smear campaign is not a surprise. But this is our Bill and if we are vigilant and stick together with one voice over the next few months, we have a unique chance to truly take on corruption. 

Let's tell the government that we condemn the smear tactics and are not distracted by conspiracy and doubt. Sign the petition to stop the slander and start the clean up: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?vl

“Divide and Rule” is how the British oppressed us for 200 years and that is exactly what the Government is doing now. As we come together to free ourselves from the deception and impunity that handicap our great nation, let’s demand that our political and civil society leaders act as the exemplars they should be, and start work to get a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to rid India of the scourge of corruption.

With hope and determination, 

Ricken, Saloni, Shibayan, Ben, Alice and the whole Avaaz team. 


SOURCES: 

The Lokpal plot thickens: 
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/guest-writer/the-lokpal-plot-thickens/articleshow/8033546.cms

Efforts underway to delay Lokpal bill:
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/efforts-underway-to-delay-lok-pal-bill-feels-insider/20110419.htm

Lokpal activists -- smear campaign to discredit us: 
http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?718979

How the Government is keeping the Lokpal at bay:
http://www.governancenow.com/views/columns/keeping-lokpal-bay

Anna Hazare’s letter to Sonia Gandhi about the smears: 
http://www.sahilonline.org/english/news.php?cid=3&nid=10798

Sonia Gandhi responds to Hazare’s letter: 
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/sonia-gandhi-plays-safe-on-anna-hazare-letter/1/135871.html

India Against Corruptions posts SMS and smear campaign details: 
https://www.facebook.com/IndiACor?sk=notes 

The Bhushan fight continues: 
http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/21/stories/2011042160370100.htm

ANNA HAZARE from Air Marshall Raghu Rajan

I met Anna Hazare,in1998,during a visit as an Air Cmde from DSSC,alongwith my friends,Ravi Burli and Kalaichelvan.We were then in Ahmednagar at the Armd Corps Centre and school.Having arranged a veh to take us to Ralegaon Siddhi,we drove along the Nagar-Pune rd,till a friendly ex-army sub directed us.As we entered RS,the road was lined with trees on either side!

The road then took a dip and we entered a verdant village,full of greenery .We met Anna rebuilding the temple with other villagers.My idea was to find out how a Naik ASC driver,could have transformed a village,steeped in the making of hooch,to this green village,and had been awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri.

When Anna arrived in his village,everything was in his  words,imported.The villagers were busy collecting wood to burn and heat the still,and when they started removing th temple wooden beams,it was the last straw!He had Rs20,000/ as his commuted pension,and he used this to buy bricks to replace the beams ans make the walls stronger.The villagers were ashamed at this,and joined hands.He identified water availability as the crux,and with the advice of the Irrigation dept,he made a series of check dams,using chain-link pieces and stones,to hold the small runoffs,till the base,where he built a concrete dam to hold the water during the rains.

His efforts were so successful,that in one year,the water table rose by 12 ft,and water from then on was available to the village on a perennial basis.He then convinced the villagers to adopt-Nasha Bandhi,Nas Bandhi,Chara Bandhi(they were to cut the grass and feed it to the cattle,instead of letting them roam at will and denude the hillsides of precious grass),100% literacy,no caste discrimination and care for the girl child!Water made Ralegaon Siddhi self sufficient in grain,fruits(they started selling Mangoes,Chikoos,Bananas,Papayas etc),and in his words,the GDP of each villager to Rs 3000/.

They built a double storey building for their residential school,were no student would be failed-a revolutionary idea!

When an SC person was facing financial difficulties,he mustered funds,got the person out of trouble,and even collected funds to arrange for his daughter's marriage!

When I asked why I did not see a domino effect,he put it to leadership.He told me that he did not marry,as it would have diverted his attention from bringing up the village-it took 20 years of hard toiling effort.He did not accept any financial help from my side,as he said that it would lower him in his eyes-he had refused to accept 1000$ from a German TV unit for that same reason.

When we left,I saluted him,as I felt deeply humbled in the presence of a man who had achieved so much, in his life

That is Anna Hazare.........................................................

--

So long as you see a man love another only to get something from him, you know that that is not love; it is shopkeeping. Wherever there is any question of buying and selling, it is not love. So, when a man prays to God, "Give me this, and give me that", it is not love. How can it be? I offer you a prayer, and you give me something in return; that is what it is, mere shopkeeping.

 

Swami Vivekananda

Airtel Broadband Data Usage Check

Hello Friends,


Few days back I had shifted to Airtel's limited usage plan, from a unlimited usage plan, therefore I was interested to know my broadband Data usage.


And as me many others using the Airtel connection would be having the same query. So for all others a small tutorial is here. Hope it may be useful to you all.

How do I check Airtel Broadband usage?

You can easily check your Airtel Boardband connection usage using the following steps:

Step # 1: Login To MyAirtel

First, you need to register youreslf at http://airtel.in/

Click on My Account > Register now

You need to provide your telephone number and other information. Just follow on screen instructions to register yourself.

Step #2: Check Usage

Login at http://airtel.in/ > My Account

Once logged in click on Account Information:

Fig.01: Airtel Account Information

Click on your Airtel DSL number.

You will get two options as follows:

Fig.02: Airtel Broadband Usage

Click on View Unbilled Amount to see current months data usage (information is in KB):

Fig.03: Airtel Broadband Total Data Usage

Fig.04: Airtel Broadband Tracking DSL Usage‎

You can convert KB into MB by entering Google query as follows (e.g. click here):
XXXXXX KB in MB
OR
XXXXXX KB in GB

Eleven Hints for Life

1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return. But what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.

2. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

3. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

4. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

5. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

6. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

7. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

8. Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

9. A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life. A timely word may level stress. But a loving word may heal and bless.

10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

11. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Don't Drink And Drive...

I went to a party Mom,

I remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom,

So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,

The way you said I would.

I didn't drink and drive, Mom,

Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,

I know you are always right.

Now the party is finally ending, Mom,

As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,

I knew I'd get home in one piece.

Because of the way you raised me,

So responsible and sweet..

I started to drive away, Mom,

But as I pulled out into the road,

The other car didn't see me, Mom,

And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,

I hear the policeman say,

"The other guy is drunk," Mom,

And now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom....

I wish you'd get here soon.

How could this happen to me, Mom?

My life just burst like a balloon..

There is blood all around me, Mom,

And most of it is mine.

I hear the medic say, Mom,

I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,

I swear I didn't drink.

It was the others, Mom.

The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.

The only difference is, he drank

And I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom?

It can ruin your whole life.

I'm feeling sharp pains now.

Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,

And I don't think it's fair.

I'm lying here dying

And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.

Tell Daddy to be brave.

And when I go to heaven, Mom,

Put "GOOD BOY " on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,

Not to drink and drive.

If only they had told him, Mom,

I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.

I'm becoming very scared.

Please don't cry for me, Mom.

When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.

Before I say good bye.

I didn't drink and drive,

So why am I the one to die?