COVER STORY | Loot in name of the farmer!

COVER STORY

exposé nsel

Loot in name of the farmer!

This story is about possibly the biggest scandal of the decade spawned by the combination of a greedy businessman, a lackadaisical regulator, ever-willing investors looking to become millionaires overnight, shrewd politicians and cunning but easily pliable bureaucrats. The story is about the unregulated and reportedly illegal National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL). A story of billions of rupees changing hands in the name of the farmer but there being no produce or storage in the market, yet the commodity— which cannot be legally traded—being traded. Read more..

And the winner is...

Delhi Assembly Elections 2013

And the winner is...

...no one in particular. Delhi is heading for a hung assembly. While the BJP is ahead by a whisker, the Congress is by no means down and out. AAP has queered the pitch in many seats.

By Narendra Kaushik

Will it be Sheila Dikshit’s swansong? Does she have a future beyond her fourth consecutive assembly election? Where will the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) be after the Delhi polls and whether Arvind Kejriwal will be known as a spoiler after December 2013? Who will bag the majority? Or, will it be a hung house? Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 | Narela

Delhi Election 2013 | Burari, Timarpur, Adarsh Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Badli, Rithala, Bawana (SC)

Delhi Election 2013 | Mundka, Kirari, Sultanpur Majra (sc)

Delhi Election 2013 | Nangloi Jat, Mangolpuri (SC), Rohini

Delhi Election 2013 | Shalimar Bagh, Shakur Basti, Tri Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Wazirpur, Model Town, Sadar Bazar

Delhi Election 2013 | Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal, Ballimaran

Delhi Election 2013 | Karol Bagh (SC), Patel Nagar (SC), Moti Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Madipur (SC), Rajouri Garden, Hari Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri, Vikaspuri

Delhi Election 2013 | Uttam Nagar, Dwarka, Matiala

Delhi Election 2013 | Najafgarh, Bijwasan, Palam

Delhi Election 2013 | Delhi Cantt., Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi

Delhi Election 2013 | Jangpura, Kasturba Nagar, Malviya Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | RK Puram, Mehrauli, Chhatarpur

Delhi Election 2013 | Deoli (SC), Ambedkar Nagar (SC), Sangam Vihar

Delhi Election 2013 | Greater Kailash, Kalkaji, Tughlakabad

Delhi Election 2013 | Badarpur, Okhla, Trilokpuri (SC)

Delhi Election 2013 | Kondli (SC), Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Vishwas Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Gandhi Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Shahdara, Seemapuri (SC), Rohtas Nagar

Delhi Election 2013 | Seelampur, Ghonda, Babarpur...

Delhi Election 2013 | Gokalpur (SC), Mustafabad, Karawal Nagar...

Delhi Election 2013 Ghonda

Four-time BJP MLA and BJP Chief Whip in Delhi Assembly Sahab Singh Chauhan, who barely scraped through last time against his bitter rival Congress’ Bhishma Sharma, stands to win more comfortably this time.

Three-time Congress MLA Bhishma Sharma is weighed down by rising anger against the Congress governments in Delhi and at the Centre and seems to be in the fight only in the Yamuna Vihar Ward.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will attract a good number of voters dissatisfied with the BJP MLA, but it may not be enough to cause an upset.

Though Delhi Assembly polls are still two months away, Ghonda, the constituency bordering Seelampur and Babarpur seats, is already in the grip of an election fever. A virtual slugfest is on between BJP MLA Sahab Singh Chauhan (63) and his Congress arch-rival Bhishma Sharma (50), with each having taken recourse to choicest of adjectives and hyperboles to bolster his own image and run-down the other. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Matia Mahal

Four-time Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MLA Shoaib Iqbal looks set to enter Delhi Assembly a consecutive fifth time. Despite his controversial past and alleged unruly behaviour, Iqbal faces no challenge in Matia Mahal.

Though Mahmood Zia, the former Congress Councillor and 2008 runner up, has pockets of influence in Kala Masjid and Sitaram Bazar areas. But, that may not be enough to shake off Shoaib Iqbal.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) enjoys good support among youth and will be in a real fight for the number two spot.

Controversy is the middle name of Matia Mahal MLA From allegedly beating up a North Delhi Municipal Corporation engineer for action against unauthorized constructions, to involvement in the construction of a boutique hotel on ‘enemy property’ in league with an international chain, to forcibly encouraging revival of an alleged Mughal-era mosque, to scaring away his opponents by allegedly telling his personal security guard to fire in air – Iqbal (55) and his family members are known for cocking a snook at law enforcement and civic agencies. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Okhla

First time independent MLA Asif Mohammad Khan has lost some of his sheen but is expected to make it up with Congress voters.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which was runner-up in the by-election, will attempt to wrest the seat once again through its State President Brahm Singh Bidhuri.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) enjoy stray support here and there, but are not in contention for the seat.

Asif Mohammad Khan (50) has pedigree in politics. His elder brother Arif Mohammad (72) was a four-time Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister in Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi governments. His nephew Dilnawaz Khan is a Congress MLA in Uttar Pradesh. Another close relative Mahmood Hasan Khan represented Bulandshahar in the Lok Sabha twice in the past. Khan, a former municipal councillor from Okhla Ward, caused a major upheaval in Delhi politics when he emerged victorious in a by-election, caused by elevation of Parvez Hashmi, former Delhi Minister and four-time MLA, to the Rajya Sabha. Congress nominee Farhad Suri ended up on the third spot behind Bahujan Samaj Party’s Delhi unit President Brahm Singh Bidhuri. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Deoli

Arvinder Singh Lovely, first-time Congress MLA and son of former Union Home Minister Buta Singh, who won by a big margin in 2008, has lost most of his sheen with the electorate giving him thumbs down in at least three municipal wards of the constituency.


Gagan, son of 2008 BSP runner up Shrilal Pradhan, is vying for the saffron ticket with Bhim Singh, the BJP candidate in 2008 and nephew of former Delhi Assembly Speaker Ch. Prem Singh.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) enjoys good support among youth and people living in resettlement and unauthorised colonies.

Despite being an MLA for close to five years, Arvinder Singh Lovely (47) faces an identity crisis. The son of former Union Home Minister Buta Singh, Lovely, who represents Deoli Assembly in Delhi Legislature, is often mistaken for Arvinder Singh Lovely, the Delhi Minister and the MLA from Gandhi Nagar. To ward off confusion, Lovely is seriously considering changing his surname from Lovely (his nickname) to Deoli. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Bawana

AThree-time Congress MLA Surendra Kumar’s hegemony is under serious threat as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) looks set to partake a chunk of JJ Colony voters.

The AAP enjoys good support among youth and lower middle class segments of the society and may damage prospects of the Congress.

Former party MLA Chand Ram is in contention for the BJP ticket with Satish Kumar Kataria, a former INLD worker in Bawana, and& Gugan Ram, a former BSP leader from Begumpur, snapping on his heels.

THE big, it seems, is not better. Not for the Congress at least. After Matiala, the largest assembly constituency in the National Capital where the grand old party is on a slippery ground, the party faces dim prospects in Bawana, another large constituency of Delhi which comprises around two dozen villages. Congress’ three-time MLA Surendra Kumar, who had entrenched himself largely due to overwhelming support from the lower middle class residing in JJ Colonies and slum camps, faces an arduous task this time around. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Rithala

Vijay Goel’s confidant BJP MLA Kulwant Rana appears set to add to his victory margin as people in the constituency, barring a part of Rithala Village and Buddh Vihar phase II, are happy with his performance.

The Congress will have to look for a strong candidate to mount a challenge against Rana. Its 2008 runner up Shambhu Sharma hardly fits the bill.

Aam Aadmi Party has presence in this BJP bastion, but only enough to fight for second position with the Congress.

KULWANT Rana (41) has as many enemies within the BJP as outside.

Rana, who was appointed Vice- President in the Delhi BJP recently, has had as many run-ins with his colleagues as with law enforcement agencies and his political opponents. He has ruffled the feathers of many people with his flamboyant and carea- damn attitude. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 New Delhi

Sheila Dikshit faces the prospect of getting dusted in her own backyard as the support for Arvind Kejriwal is fast developing into a crescendo and the Bharatiya Janata Party is making an attempt to break new ground.

Vijay Jolly has ruled out the possibility of contesting from New Delhi. The saffron group may pull out another celebrity at the last moment to take on Dikshit.

The AAP leader has positioned himself as a serious candidate to give a strong fight to Dikshit.

FOR record, Pillanji is an intrinsic part of New Delhi, the elite part of India’s national capital which comprises Lutyens’ zone. Tucked behind Sarojini Nagar, the 250- house hamlet was to be developed as a ‘model urbanised village’ to fetch tourists about a decade ago. The village also is a part of New Delhi, the Assembly constituency, that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has represented in the Delhi Legislature for several years. Read more..

Delhi Election 2013 Sadar Bazar

Three-time Congress MLA Rajesh Jain holds an edge for now, for two reasons. Firstly, Muslim voter, which constitutes over 35 per cent in the constituency stands by him. Secondly, the Aam Aadmi Party has created an almost vertical division in the opposition votes.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s 2008 runner up Jai Prakash alias JP (44), who was recently designated the Delhi Pradesh General Secretary, is in contention for the ticket along with Praveen Jain, the husband of Councillor Pinki Jain.

The AAP has fielded Som Dutt, a local from Shashtri Nagar, for the seat.

ANAND Nagar and Inderlok only have a grill gate betweenthem. But there seems to be aworld of difference between the two localities. While most of the roads are broken and manholes jut out here and there in the former, the latter has glistening smooth and dense-carpeted Read more..

‘Life is not a bed of roses, roses also have thorns’

FIRST STIRRINGS

ss jog

‘Life is not a bed of roses, roses also have thorns’

By Shailaja Chandra

TWO months ago, when I set out to write about unusual retired civil servants, I hunted for suggestions. An IAS officer, generally known for his acerbic tongue and derisive comments, told me to write on SS Jog, a former Director-General of Police in Maharashtra. The suggestion itself was atypical; when I discovered that Jog had settled down in Amravati, I sensed an unusual story. Read more..

Redefining IAS?

GOVERNANCE

civil service mg devasahayam

Redefining IAS?

The Durga Shakti episode has turned the spotlight firmly on the deep depravity to which governance in the country has descended

L’AFFAIRE Durga Shakti Nagpal has probably brought out the true meaning of the three letters — IAS — that has been variously conceived and misconceived over the decades. One senior journalistcum- columnist calls it the Indian Association of Servants! Read more..

A Ray of Hope!

SILLY POINT

civil services mk kaw

A Ray of Hope!

THE story of Durga Shakti Nagpal is a case study of how the All India Services should fight their
battles. For many of us, it started with the name ‘Durga’ which immediately called to mind the picture of the goddess pitted against the wily and ferocious Mahishasura. Then we had the persona of the goddess in a photograph showing a young innocent face with a non-combative smile. We had the biodata of the 28-yearold with a brilliant academic record and a top rank in the Civil Services Examination, married to another IAS officer. We had the crime committed by the officer: she had dared to act against the dreaded sand mafia. Read more..

Stop using suspension as a tool

MY CORNER

rules & regulations amitabh thakur

Stop using suspension as a tool

In cases where no charge was substantiated against the suspended employee, a preliminary inquiry should be conducted and responsibility be fixed on the officers who played a key role in the  suspension

By Puneet Nicholas Yadav

THE issue of suspension of IAS and IPS officers is being widely discussed all over the country, in the aftermath of the suspension of the young IAS officer from the UP cadre, Durga Shakti Nagpal. There are two completely different versions on this issue, one being put forth by the State government and the other by a major chunk of the media. Being a government servant, I am bound not to disagree with the State government on any such issue and hence I do the same, whatever my personal and internal feelings might be in this regard. Read more..

The worst is yet to come

STOCK DOCTOR

dr gs sood

The worst is yet to come

STEEP correction in the market is something that was long overdue and the resilience shown by the Sensex was surprising. Instead of analysing reasons for the recent fall, the question that should
have been asked is why the market rose at all to touch a level of 20,000 when there was nothing to write home about with regard to fundamentals of the economy or, for that matter, corporate earnings. Read more...

Roulette turns again

Bric-a-brac

dealers & feelers

Roulette turns again

cong replaces delhi in-charge

CONGRESS ticket-seekers in Delhi are an extremely worried lot. They do not quite understand their party’s revolving door policy. Just when they thought they had won over and made themselves known to Birendra Singh, central in-charge of Delhi, by delivering milk, lassi, sweets, dry fruits and other gifts to his doorstep, the party high command has replaced Singh with Bihar leader Shakeel Ahmed. The reshuffle means they will have to queue up at a new door and perform the entire charade again. This is true, particularly for the B and C grade leaders who are little known at the national level. Read more..

A cat that gets the cream

Bric-a-brac

dealers & feelers

A cat that gets the cream

cong pr team sour

THERE is a lot of heartburn in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) media cell. The foot soldiers there toil day and night to impress journos for a full 5 years. But the moment the elections draw near, the media committee of the party hires a private public relations firm and advertising agency to be its public face and run the campaign. It is believed the party has zeroed in on three private agencies and is about to launch a campaign blitz to bring the disgruntled voters around. Read more..

Punjabi at heart!

Bric-a-brac

dealers & feelers

Punjabi at heart!

ambika sends feelers

AMBIKA Soni is feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof. Despite her loud protestations, there is no end to rumours (some say, fanned by the RSS) that she is one of the contenders for the post of Delhi Chief Minister after the Assembly elections — if the Congress wins. Reports are quoting her gender, minority status and proximity to 10 Janpath to buttress their claim. Read more..

A rebel and an insider

Bric-a-brac

dealers & feelers

A rebel and an insider

rao inderjit keeps ’em guessing

NOBODY in the Congress knows whether Rao Inderjit, Lok Sabha MP from Gurgaon and a known bête-noir of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is in or out. While Hooda would not want Inderjit, son of former Chief Minister Rao Birendra and descendant of Riwari’s feudal clan, in the party for a day more, the Congress high command has refused to do his bidding. Read more..

Gymkhana polls get rolling

...by the way

Gymkhana polls get rolling

Every two years in September, the national capital’s elite club, the Gymkhana, lands itself in a silly frenzy over the elections of its officebearers and committee members. Retired and serving bureaucrats and service personnel leave no stone unturned to get elected to the few posts. Over the years, the whole process has become very elaborate and even gets a mention in the media. Spending for these seemingly ornamental posts has gone up exponentially if one considers the lavish dinners and cocktail parties. The campaign this year has already started in earnest. One of the candidates is Vijay Chibber, Secretary to the Government of India for Road Transport and Highways. One really wonders whether a Secretary to the GOI with such a heavy portfolio involving the vital infrastructure of the nation Read more..

Canary can’t be left alone!

...by the way

Canary can’t be left alone!

Allowing a man who knows too much about you to roam free is always a risky proposition. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will vouch for this. Hooda has just got his former Principal Secretary Chhattar Singh, who hung his boots last month after serving for around four years that included two extensions, appointed in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The 1980-batch IAS officer, who was empanelled as an Additional Secretary in July 2010, has been appointed the member of the UPSC. The catch is that till now only Secretary and Director Generallevel officers have been appointed as the UPSC Read more..

Not-so-civil conduct

...by the way

Not-so-civil conduct

The civil servants in the Central government are
upset about the unceremonious way former Home
Secretary RK Singh had to demit office in June this
year. Singh, who had major disagreements with Home
Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, retired on a Sunday,
two months after his successor, Anil Goswami, a seasoned
Jammu and Kashmir cadre IAS officer, was
brought into the Ministry as Officer on Special Duty
(OSD). Goswami’s appointment as OSD, a section of
bureaucrats feel, was done to clip the powers of Singh
and left a bitter taste. They point out that though
Goswami, Read more..

Not the proper channel!

...by the way

Not the proper channel!

The time-bound promotion of IAS officers is
creating a peculiar problem at the Centre. It has
created a hierarchy which nobody takes seriously.
Take the case of Additional Secretaries and Special
Secretaries. There are too many of them in the
government. The Joint Secretaries are supposed to
report to Additional Secretaries and the latter, in
turn, report to Special Secretaries. But it has been
observed that every time the minister wants to
convey something to the bureaucrats, he conveys it
directly to the Joint Secretary. Read more..