SACHIN TENDULKAR JOINS POLITICS

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, who has brought many a laurel to the country through his exploits in the game has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. He will fill one of 12 seats in the Rajya Sabha that are reserved for those persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service. Also he is the first sportsman to be nominated in this category, which has no election process. Along with Sachin, Rekha who is  known for her brilliant and emotional portrayals in Hindi cinema in the 80s, will become members of Parliament under a provision of the constitution. The musician Ravi Shankar, the singer Lata Mangeshkar and the artist MF Husain are the people were in the list to serve a six-year term MP post.

The nomination for Sachin came from the ruling Congress party, which is currently fighting political battles on various fronts. Party leaders feel that Sachin’s entry into the party will help improve its standing, especially after the series of debacles it has encountered in the recent past. But media and sources said that this is a move from Congress to divert the people’s attention from the criticism and attacks encountered. Media analyst and commentators felt if the nomination is an honor, it is fine but if it is an attempt at improving governance in India, then he doesn't have the experience. Please feel free to comment on this…

ELECTION RESULTS – 2011

The time has come for the beginning and ending of political drama in India. The elections were conducted some days back in five assemblies - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry and the votes were counted now. The first elections after the 2G spectrum scam surfaced appears to have had its devastating impact on the fortunes of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. When asked about the loss of DMK-Congress alliance, everyone was referring to the fact that the DMK's A. Raja, a former central communications minister, is behind bars in the 2G spectrum scam. Its MP and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been name co-conspirator in the multi-million rupee scandal and could land in more trouble with the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department questioning her over the scam. The Congress admitted to its election defeat by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and wished the best to J. Jayalalithaa, who is set to be the chief minister of the state for the third time. In West Bengal, Communists found themselves out with a massive defeat in its 34-year fortress West Bengal and a loss, although a narrow one, in Kerala, leaving them with just a narrow sliver of power in northeast's Tripura. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was tipped to win an incredible 226 seats of 294, leaving the Left with only 63. Even its Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee could not make it to the assembly.  As far as West Bengal is concerned, 34 years of rule by the CPI-M is a record. The results of West Bengal and Kerala will be a disappointment for the Left and democratic forces. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) narrowly lost with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) getting a slender majority of only two seats. This shows that there has been no anti-incumbency trend. However, some caste and religious forces have worked to influence the elections. Congress had a lead of 100 seats in Loka Sabaha elections in Kerala, but they are reduced to 65-70 because of the irresponsible utterances about the age of Achuthanandan by Rahul Gandhi. 

CONGRESS RETAINS POWER IN 3 STATES

The Congress along with its partners is all set to retain power in the three states (Maharashtra, Haryana, Arunachal) that went to polls. While the Cong-NCP combine is on verge of getting majority in Maharashtra, the Congress on its own is all set to regain power in Haryana and Arunachal. 

Maharashtra - Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and party’s points’ man in Konkan Narayan Rane have emerged victorious from Bhokar and Kudal respectively. Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s daughter Praniti has won from Sholapur Central constituency.  Kripashankar Singh from Kalina, and Amit Deshmukh from Latur City are in a leading path. 
Arunachal Pradesh - It is a clean sweep for the Congress in this Northeastern state. Out of the 57 sets for which elections were held it is leading in the 31 seats out of the 36 seats for which trends are available. The BJP is leading in one seat while others are leading in the four seats. Three candidates have been declared elected unopposed.        
Haryana  - Congress has managed to cross the half-way mark in the 90 seat Assembly. The Congress is now ahead in as many as 46 seats, while the INLD is ahead in 24 seats and the BJP flag flying high only in four seats. Congress’ Vinod Sharma and Savitri Jindal have been declared victorious from Ambala City and Hissar respectively. Incumbent Chief Minsiter Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also leading from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi.  What is turning out to be the real surprise is that OP Chautala is trailing behind  Birendra Singh in Uchana Kalan.

What's cheaper, what's costlier ?

Presenting the Union Budget for 2009-10, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee proposed reduced customs duty on LCD TVs to 5 per cent from existing 10 per cent, making the product cheaper. Prices of thin flat screen TVs and monitors will come down as the government lowered the basic customs duty on LCD panels used in manufacturing of such electronic goods to 5 per cent from 10 per cent. Besides, the government extended the exemption from full 4 per cent CVD on accessories, parts and components that are imported for making mobile phones, by one year. He also announced reducing basic customs duty on permanent magnets -- a critical component for Wind Operated Electricity Generators -- to five per cent from 7.5 per cent. But I don’t know what is done for bringing food items prices down? Just see any Daal is not lesser than Rs60/- per kg. Normal rice are being sold at 30-40/- per Kg. What is Congress doing by showing LCD prices lower by 5%. I feel that it’s a Third Grade budget by fourth class FM.

HIGHLIGHTS OF RAILWAY BUDGET 2009-10

- No hike in passenger fares, freight charges

- Rs 1,102 crore allocated towards improving passenger amenities

- Kolkata metro to be extended

- Rs 50 billion increase in budgetary support in 2009-10

- Freight target for 2009-10 set at 882 million tonnes

- Target set in interim budget unrealistic

- Freight cargo increased 5% in 2008-09

- One doctor to be posted on each long distance train

- Rs.25 monthly pass for unorganised sector employees with income below Rs 1,500 for travel up to 100 km

- New "Yuva" fully air-conditioned train for youth

- Yuva fares Rs.299 up to a distance of 1,500 km and Rs 399 up to 2,500 km

- Student concession to be extended to madarssa students

- Student concession of 60 percent on Kolkata Metro

- Introduction of trains for women during peak seasons

- 12 non-stop trains

- New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi

- 50 mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced

- ATMs on 200 mid and small-sized stations

- Integrated security scheme for 140 vulnerable stations

- Setting up of a 1,000 MW power plant

- Special recruitment drive for the physically challenged, minorities

- Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways' optic fibre network

- Private operation of freight terminals to be encouraged

- New factory in West Bengal for making 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually

- "Janta khana" (peoples' food) to be provided at railway stations

- Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment

- Seven nursing colleges to provide employment to railway spouses

- Medical colleges proposed to be opened through public-private partnership model

- Cold storages and cargo facilities to eliminate wastage of perishables

- 50 world class stations to be developed on public-private partnership model

- 309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities

- 50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities

- Infotainment facilities on Rajdhani Express for long distance passengers

- Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals

- Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices

- Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel

- SMS updates for wait-listed passengers

- 200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets

- Discount for press correspondents increased from 30 to 50%

- Discount of 60% on fare if press correspondents travel with spouse