CAG report pulls up govt. bodies, finds ₹1,701.14 cr. loss in 500 cases 

Delhi Transport Corporation incurred ₹3,843 crore loss, states report
 
04/12/2019 , Staff Reporter , New Delhi

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday criticised different government bodies for their lapses and laxity which has cost hundreds of crores of rupees to the exchequer.

Under assessment/short levy/loss of revenue and other irregularities involving ₹1,701.14 crore in 500 cases was revealed during test check of the records of 70 units of the Department of Trade and Taxes, State Excise, Transport and Revenue conducted during 2017-18, the report said.

Transport and tourism

The CAG report came down heavily on the Department of Transport and the Department of Tourism.

“Due to failure of Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited [DTIDC] to provide work fronts timely, the upgradation work of ISBT Kashmere Gate could not be completed even after more than eight years of stipulated completion date, resulting in raising of claims of ₹113.80 crore by contractor and DIMTS,” the report read.

“Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited incurred avoidable payment of interest of ₹2.76 crore due to default/delay in filing of ITR and default/deferment in payment of advance tax,” the report said. It also pointed to the lapse of not establishing ISBTs at North and South West entry points of Delhi in Dwarka and Narela even after Supreme Court directions 20 years ago.

“The objective of reducing air pollution in GNCTD [Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi] by establishing these two ISBTs could not be achieved as 516 and 1,243 inter-State diesel operated buses arriving from Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh continue to ply to/from ISBTs at Sarai Kale Khan and Kashmere Gate respectively on daily trip basis,” it said.

“In the case of Narela ISBT, after releasing payment of ₹10.30 crore to DDA, the land for establishment of the ISBT has not yet been finalised even after the lapse of 11 years,” the report said. It also read that even after over five years after being assigned the responsibility of managing the bus queue shelters (BQS), the DTIDC failed to construct any new BQS.

“Injudicious decision of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation to enter into an agreement with a firm for the operations of Coffee Home without seeking consent of New Delhi Municipal Corporation [land owning agency] has resulted in loss of revenue of ₹3.05 crore,” the report said.

During the period — July 2017 to March 2018—, 70% to 98% taxpayers had filed their returns. The report also said as, on March 31, 2018, there were 18 State PSUs which included 16 government companies and two statutory corporations. Of this, 13 PSUs (other than Power Sector) incurred overall losses during the five year period from 2013-14 to 2017-18.

“Major losses were incurred by Delhi Transport Corporation to the tune of ₹3,843.62 crore as per the latest finalised accounts of the corporation. As per the latest finalised accounts for 2017-18, out of 13 PSUs, five earned profit of ₹70.32 crore and four PSUs incurred losses of ₹3,859.78 crore and four incurred marginal profit and loss,” the CAG report said.

During the last five years, the turnover of five power sector undertakings recorded compounded annual growth of 2.81% and compounded the annual decline in debt was 6.97% due to which the debt-turnover ratio improved from 1.87 in 2013-14 to 1.25 in 2017-18.

No scam found: CM

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the CAG is the most admired auditing agency in India and in the last 70 years, it had unearthed many scams like 2G, Coal and CWG etc.

“In spite of harsh scrutiny, the CAG couldn’t find out anything wrong with the Delhi government in the last five years. We have fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted to us by the public,” he added.

BSNL VRS window closes
 
04/12/2019 , Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI

The voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) being offered by BSNL and MTNL seems to have been a success, with nearly one lakh employees opting for it.

While a total of 78,569 BSNL employees have opted for the scheme, the number for MTNL stood at 14,387 employees, a source said.

“The application window which was opened on November 4, closes on December 3. Till evening today [Tuesday], the combined employees count who opted for VRS for the two PSUs stood at 92,956. We should be able to give the final figures on Wednesday,” the source added.

Police bust scam of job aspirants producing fake sports certificates 

Kabaddi coach and constable in police net
 
04/12/2019 , D. J. Walter Scott , RAMANATHAPURAM

After launching a sting operation and laying a trap, the district police have busted a scam of candidates producing fake certificates to seek recruitment under sports quota in the just-concluded recruitment conducted by Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) for grade II constables, jail warders and firemen.

The district police busted the scam after a person from Karisalkulam called Superintendent of Police V. Varun Kumar through the police helpline 94899 19722 and alerted him to the racket. After investigation, two special teams carried out a sting operation and arrested Seeman, a Chennai-based kabaddi coach, attached to Tamil Nadu Amateur Kabaddi Association (TNAKA). The special teams, headed by Sub-Inspectors Guganeshwaran and Muruganathan, also arrested Rajiv Gandhi, a police aspirant, who acted as a conduit between aspiring candidates and the coach, and an Armed Reserve police constable, who had joined the police force last year by allegedly producing fake sports certificate.

As investigation revealed that five candidates produced fake certificates issued by Seeman this time. The SP, suspecting that the scam could have wider ramifications, has written to the TNUSRB, suggesting verification of certificates produced by all candidates, who had joined the force under the sports quota.

“After arresting three accused, we have launched a hunt for six others – a person who had joined the forest department, and five candidates, who had reached the final stage in the just-concluded recruitment process,” the SP said. The five candidates hailed from the district and were relatives of Rajiv Gandhi, he added.

Investigations revealed that Seeman had issued certificates to at least five candidates, who were relatives of Rajiv Gandhi as if they had represented Tamil Nadu in the National Junior Kabaddi Championship held in Kasargod in 2014.

The modus operandi was that Seeman would not issue certificates to the substitutes and distribute those certificates to others after receiving a lump sum, the SP said. He demanded ₹50,000 be transferred to his bank account for a certificate when the special teams launched a sting operation and laid a trap, he said.

Registrar in-charge at MKU resigns
 
04/12/2019 , Sanjana Ganesh

Registrar in-charge of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) R. Sudha has resigned from her post.

Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan, who accepted her resignation letter submitted on Friday last, said that only those below 58 years of age and, hence, could complete a three-year term as Registrar, could be allowed in the post.

However, considering that Ms. Sudha, one of the senior-most professors in the university, was appointed only as an in-charge until a permanent appointment was made, a section of faculty members felt there was no need for her to resign. “There have been instances in the past where professors, who were aged 58 years or above, were appointed as Registrar (in-charge),” a faculty member said.

Ms. Sudha was appointed on June 9. The process for appointing a full-time Registrar began in June.

Welcoming the intent to adhere to the university statute in the case, Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association (MUFA), in its letter to the Vice-Chancellor, questioned the non-adherence of the rules in the appointment of Public Relations Officer, National Service Scheme Coordinator, and Rastriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Coordinator.

Stating that this was not acceptable, the association urged the Vice-Chancellor to enforce the rules for all posts.

Ms. Sudha told The Hindu that she intended to resign from the post on November 7 to follow the rules laid down by the administration. “The Syndicate had then requested that I stay on until they find a full-time Registrar. So, I obliged. Recently however, certain associations at the university raised questions regarding my appointment and I thought it was time,” she said.

Mr. Krishnan said that a meeting of the special Syndicate would be convened on Wednesday to decide on her successor.

On MUFA’s letter, the Vice-Chancellor said that he was aware of the issue and would take steps to address them.

Court rules on considering previous service for pension 

270 petitions had been referred to HC
 
04/12/2019 , Legal Correspondent, CHENNAI

In a significant verdict, the Madras High Court on Tuesday held that government servants appointed in non- provincialised service or on consolidated pay or honorarium or daily wage before April 1, 2003 (when the contributory pension scheme was introduced) and absorbed in regular service after that date are not entitled to count half of their past service for the purpose of determining the qualifying service for grant of regular government pension.

A Full Bench comprising Justices R. Subbiah, P.T. Asha and C. Saravanan gave the ruling while answering a reference made to it by a Division Bench of the High Court due to conflicting verdicts on the issue.

A batch of over 270 writ petitions were referred to the Bench constituted by the Chief Justice for answering the reference.

‘Commitment on IoE for varsity if quota continues’
Minister seeks MHRD assurance
 
04/12/2019 , Staff Reporter, CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagan on Tuesday said that the letter of commitment from the State government on the Institute of Eminence status for Anna University will be provided only after assurance from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) that the existing reservation policy in the State can continue.

In a brief interaction with the media after the 40th convocation of the university here, the Minister said the State would have no hesitation in issuing the letter of commitment the moment MHRD provided confirmation on the reservation policy.

He insisted that IoE status to Anna University should not affect the 69% reservation followed for Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Muslims in student admissions and faculty recruitment.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address and presenting the annual report, V-C M. K. Surappa appealed to the State government to issue the letter of commitment.

A Phenomenal Six Months

Modi government has hit the ground running as it starts its second term

Prakash Javadekar

04.12.2019

Last Saturday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government completed six months in office in its second term. Within this six months several historic and transformative decisions have been taken by Modi 2.0 touching positively, in particular, the lives of poor, downtrodden, farmers, women, youth, middle class, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes.

The overarching principle and spirit of all decisions by the Modi government has been “India First”. In line with the mandate and faith re-imposed emphatically by the people of India, the government under Modi’s dynamic leadership has engaged in realising and fulfilling the promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto.

With the larger vision of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”, Modi 2.0 is steadfastly working and seeking “Sabka Vishwas”.

Several core promises of the BJP have already been fulfilled. One Nation, One Flag, One Constitution became a reality under the Modi government.

It was a historic moment when the bill to abrogate Article 370, piloted by BJP president and Union home minister Amit Shah, was passed by Parliament. The passage of the triple talaq bill has delivered gender justice to Muslim women.

The six months’ tenure of Modi 2.0 in the country also saw the historic verdict of the Supreme Court on Ayodhya, paving the way for the construction of a magnificent Ram temple on “Ram Janmabhoomi”.

Significantly, some of the key political opponents did everything to delay the judgement on Ayodhya. However, as mentioned by Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” programme, the spirit of peace and harmony that prevailed post-Ayodhya verdict was a testimony to the strength of Indian democracy.

India is on the right path to become a 5 trillion dollar economy soon. With major decisions like strategic disinvestment of PSUs and reforms like tax, labour and banking, the Indian economy is strengthening.

Corporate tax rates have been slashed to 22% for existing and 15% for new domestic manufacturing companies. India now has one of the lowest tax rates, making it one of the most competitive global economies.

Today, the world looks up to India for providing solutions to global issues like climate change and sustainable development and we are no more back benchers.

During the recent Climate Action Summit in New York, the world was taken by surprise when Modi announced that India is going to increase energy produced from non-fossil fuels to 175 GW by 2022, and will further take it to 450 GW. At the same summit the PM also launched a Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

On the domestic front we have transferred Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds to the tune of Rs 47,436 crore, to 26 states and Union territories for afforestation. We have ensured that tribal rights are protected fully and tribals continue to be important stakeholders in forest development.

Government is taking all efforts for the mitigation of air pollution in the country. The central government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024.

The Modi government is determined to take all steps to fight the menace of air pollution and I can assure you that New Delhi will take less time than Beijing to improve its air quality.

Flying clean and high, the Modi government has brought Rafale to India. With this, the litany of false allegations against the government has fallen apart.

Strengthening its outreach to the far-flung areas, the Union government is in the process of setting up of 118 more community radio stations. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication has been tasked with training and capacity building for the same.

In order to enhance the accessibility of television programmes for the hearing impaired, we have asked for the implementation of Accessibility Standard for TV programmes.

Countering fake news has been high on the government's agenda. We are setting up a fact checking unit in order to identify and effectively counter fake news narratives related to government and its policies.

Modi believes in public participation by which behaviour can be changed. He had proved this through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and building toilets.

Now he has given a clarion call for “Say No to Single Use Plastic”. During just 15 days’ campaign, 13,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected.

He has also appealed to people to do “plogging”, that is, while jogging or walking, picking and properly disposing of polythene littered on the streets or pathways.

Though six months are a very short period, when we look back, a phenomenal achievement has been made by Modi government 2.0.

The writer is Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Information & Broadcasting; Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises



The central government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024