Updates on Coal, Energy, IFIs, Land, Water and Forest: 22 May, 2015

A.Coal & Energy

1. India‘s Moribund power witnesses sea change after Modi launches major initiatives: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures.aspx?relid=121922
2. Cheyyur plant not viable: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cheyyur-plant-not-viable/article7233379.ece
3. CESC seeks to hike rates to recover levy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/CESC-seeks-to-hike-rates-to-recover-levy/articleshow/47378884.cms?
4. Coal linkage auction to have price safeguards: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Coal-linkage-auction-to-have-price-safeguards/articleshow/47377947.cms
5. India defends using coal for electricity at UN forum: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-defends-using-coal-for-electricity-at-un-forum-115052101585_1.html
6. Govt eases FDI norms for NRIs, PIOs, OCI: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/govt-eases-fdi-norms-for-nris-pios-oci/article7231969.ece
7. Adani Signs Deals to Sell 70% of Production From Oz Mine: http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/Adani-Signs-Deals-to-Sell-70-of-Production-From-Oz-Mine/2015/05/21/article2826293.ece
8. MoEF grants nod under CRZ Notification to Tata Power’s Trombay unit: http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/moef-grants-nod-under-crz-notification-to-tata-power-s-trombay-unit-115052101130_1.html
9. Conspiracy behind my name appearing in CAG report, says Gadkari: http://www.firstpost.com/politics/conspiracy-behind-my-name-appearing-in-cag-report-says-gadkari-2256560.html
10. Coal and solar power executives clash at Paris climate conference: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d47b5904-ffad-11e4-bc30-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3aqOz3njG
11. Coal and gas power dying out in Europe, says energy chief: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c8a17956-ff12-11e4-8dd4-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3aqOz3njG
12. Kingdom built on oil foresees fossil fuel phase-out this century: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/89260b8a-ffd4-11e4-bc30-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3aqOz3njG
13. ‘Biodiversity for Sustainable Development’: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121919
14. U.N. climate fund gears up to deploy cash after Japan inks pledge | Reuters: http://www.firstpost.com/world/u-n-climate-fund-gears-up-to-deploy-cash-after-japan-inks-pledge-reuters-2257120.html
15. Statkraft testing solar in four nations including India, in shift from hydro: http://www.sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?a=pfvudzgcgiiji&title=Statkraft_testing_solar_in_four_nations_including_India%2C_in_shift_from_hydro
16. Environment Ministry nod to Dibang project: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may2115/at051
17. Global news organisations agree to share climate change content: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/may/21/news-organisations-climate-change-content-guardian

B.IFIs

1. Japan vies with China to fund Asia infra: http://dc.asianage.com/business/japan-vies-china-fund-asia-infra-735
2. Japan unveils $110-bn plan to fund Asia infra, eye on AIIB: http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/japan-unveils-110-bn-plan-to-fund-asia-infra-eye-on-aiib-115052100785_1.html
3. Two water projects to improve supply: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/two-water-projects-to-improve-supply/article7234108.ece
4. World Bank gives Rs 2,500 crore loan to Andhra Pradesh: http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-world-bank-gives-rs-2500-crore-loan-to-andhra-pradesh-2088066
5. Rs. 2,500-cr WB loan for power network: Ajay Jain: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/rs-2500cr-wb-loan-for-power-network-ajay-jain/article7233188.ece\
6. $250mn loan for teachers: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150522/jsp/bihar/story_21380.jsp#.VV7AAfmqqko
7. Govt plans to set up consortium to part-finance inland waterways: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-plans-to-set-up-consortium-to-part-finance-inland-waterways-115052200041_1.html
8. Does aid help?: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/does-aid-help-115052200031_1.html
9. World Bank likely to fund for AP energy efficiency moves: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/world-bank-likely-to-fund-for-ap-energy-efficiency-moves/article7232029.ece
10. China, India, Russia to be Top 3 Shareholders of AIIB: Expert: http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/China-India-Russia-to-be-Top-3-Shareholders-of-AIIB-Expert/2015/05/21/article2826277.ece
11. World Bank team inspects GH: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/world-bank-team-inspects-gh/article7229227.ece
12. Review of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy on investments by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121914
13. Monitoring to ease FDI curbs on some nations: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Monitoring-to-ease-FDI-curbs-on-some-nations/articleshow/47378393.cms
14. Finance ministry sets up panel to allay foreign investors’ MAT fears: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Finance-ministry-sets-up-panel-to-allay-foreign-investors-MAT-fears/articleshow/47364108.cms
15. CM clears draft Metro report: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150521/jsp/bihar/story_21180.jsp#.VV6-kfmqqko

C.Land, Water & Forest

1. Letters: Land in trouble: http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/letters-land-in-trouble-115052101541_1.html
2. Kerala Cabinet defers decision on Adani bid: LDF Proposed, UPA Shot Down Adani Bid: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/LDF-Proposed-UPA-Shot-Down-Adani-Bid/2015/05/21/article2825685.ece
3. India’s SEZ failures a cautionary tale for Land Acquisition Bill: http://www.rediff.com/business/report/special-a-cautionary-tale-for-the-new-land-acquisition-bill/20150520.htm
4. RSS, Sena unions to protest against state plan to amend Factories Act: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/RSS-Sena-unions-to-protest-against-state-plan-to-amend-Factories-Act/articleshow/47377336.cms
   

Updates on Coal, Energy, IFIs, Land, Water and Forest: 20 May, 2015

A.Coal & Energy

1. Public hearing on NTPC power project on May 23: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/public-hearing-on-ntpc-power-project-on-may-23/article7225845.ece
2. CSE welcomes proposed changes in emission norms: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cse-welcomes-proposed-changes-in-emission-norms/article7225483.ece
3. New emission, water consumption standards for thermal power plants: http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/new-emission-water-consumption-standards-for-thermal-power-plants-115052000043_1.html
4. CSE hails govt’s stringent pollution norms for thermal plants: http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/cse-hails-govts-stringent-pollution-norms-for-thermal-plants_1598063.html
5. Govt drafts rules for cleaner coal power: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Govt-drafts-rules-for-cleaner-coal-power/articleshow/47347011.cms
6. Coal block case: Court frames charges against Rathi Steel and Power: http://www.moneylife.in/article/coal-block-case-court-frames-charges-against-rathi-steel-and-power/41813.html
7. Govt ropes in PSUs for air monitoring stations in 12 cities: http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/govt-ropes-in-psus-for-air-monitoring-stations-in-12-cities_1597939.html
8. Fourfold increase in energy use in Asia-Pacific: UNEP: http://zeenews.india.com/news/science/fourfold-increase-in-energy-use-in-asia-pacific-unep_1597965.html
9. The rise and rise of the fossil fuel divestment movement: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/19/the-rise-and-rise-of-the-fossil-fuel-divestment-movement
10. Court charges framed against Delhi company in coal block scam: http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-60719.html
11. 6 govt depts get rules to monitor mining: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/6-govt-depts-get-rules-to-monitor-mining/articleshow/47348822.cms
12. Climate change boosting hurricane intensity: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/Climate-change-boosting-hurricane-intensity/articleshow/47340252.cms
13. Peabody Energy exploited Ebola crisis for corporate gain, say health experts: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/19/peabody-energy-exploited-ebola-crisis-for-corporate-gain-say-health-experts
14. India seeks clarity on sources of USD 100 billion climate fund: http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/india-seeks-clarity-on-sources-of-usd-100-billion-climate-fund_1598012.html
15. Environment Minister reiterates commitment to climate change: http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/environment-minister-reiterates-commitment-to-climate-change-115051901378_1.html
16. India will Work with International Community to Find Practical and Equitable Solutions to Climate Change: Javadekar: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121858
17. New ethanol emission norms for vehicles: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-ethanol-emission-norms-for-vehicles/articleshow/47350011.cms

B.IFIs

1. Government may do away with mandatory RBI approval for FDI:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/47345457.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
2. Help quake-hit Nepal by cancelling foreign debt – campaigners – TRFN: http://www.sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?a=pftru5bbhfdgj&title=Help_quake-hit_Nepal_by_cancelling_foreign_debt_-_campaigners_-_TRFN
3. Japan to earmark $100 billion for Asian infrastructure: Report: http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-japan-to-earmark-100-billion-for-asian-infrastructure-report-2087126
4. Progress on sustainable energy improving, but ‘world must move faster’: UN report: http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-60670.html
5. We will start commissioning Dedicated Freight Corridors by 2018″: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/we-will-start-commissioning-dedicated-freight-corridors-by-2018-115051900525_1.html
6. UPDATE 1-China-backed AIIB founding members to meet in Singapore this week: http://www.sify.com/news/update-1-china-backed-aiib-founding-members-to-meet-in-singapore-this-week-news-politics-pftkangiiefbg.html

C.Land, Water & Forest

1. No going back on land bill, open to changes: Gadkari: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/No-going-back-on-land-bill-open-to-changes-Gadkari/articleshow/47344996.cms
2. Way cleared for Metro Rail operations on single line: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121850
3. Posco’s Odisha journey: Travails of a big-ticket project: http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/posco-s-odisha-journey-travails-of-a-big-ticket-project-115051901647_1.html
4. Board of approvals cancels handicrafts and artisans SEZ in Kutch: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Board-of-approvals-cancels-handicrafts-and-artisans-SEZ-in-Kutch/articleshow/47341244.cms
5. Now, each state to have a score card on ease of doing business: http://www.rediff.com/business/report/now-each-state-to-have-a-score-card-on-ease-of-doing-business/20150519.htm
6. Union Minister for Steel & Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar Holds Discussions with Chief Minister of Assam on Issues Regarding Development of Assam and Other North-East Areas: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121862

Condemn Recent Atrocities Against Dalits

Condemn Recent Atrocities Against Dalits

Delhi Solidarity Group strongly condemns the killings of 3 dalits by the dominant caste Jats in Ajmer, Rajasthan on 15^th of May 2015. The 3 dalits were mowed down under tractors and a dozen others were wounded following the killings. The dispute over a piece of land turned violent when the Jats held a Panchayat to resolve the issue and summoned the dalits to attend. Fearing attacks from the Jats who had gathered there, the dalits fired at them which led to death of one. Following this, the crowd at Jat panchayat went berserk, attacked the dalits, bulldozed their houses, assaulted their women and chased the fleeing men on tractors and 3 were crushed to death while 14 others, including six women, were injured.  On the next day, hundreds of armed attackers reached the hospital and surrounded it to prevent doctors from treating the injured dalits. Police force from half-a-dozen police stations had to be called to ensure medical treatment to the injured, some of whom were later taken to Ajmer.

In another incident at Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh five dalit women were paraded naked and caned by 15 OBC villagers after a girl eloped with a Dalit boy. “They dragged us out of our houses on Saturday, stripped us in the middle of the village, beat us with batons and took us to a tea stall on the Saraya-Budhwana Road where passersby stopped to leer at us. This continued for about four hours before some other villagers intervened,” one of the victims, whose son has allegedly run away with the OBC girl, told the police.

The way dominant caste/class people deal with dalits remains unchanged. Just like the numerous atrocities that have taken place in the past, even in these incidents, the entire community was attacked in retaliation to a feud that was essentially between two individuals/families. Just like always, the dalit women were targeted and molested in order to thrust caste dominance over the dalit community. This has been the culture of caste atrocities since forever and it persists.

Such acts of violence and humiliation not only violate basic human rights of the dalits but also reflect upon the highly casteist feudal mindset that continues to prevail in our society. What essentially furthers such atrocities is the impunity that has continued in the cases of caste atrocities. We cannot forget how the perpetrators of violence against hundreds of dalits in the massacres at Bathani Tola, Khairlanji, Laxmanpur Bathe, Baghana walked away unpunished. The silence of civil society organizations and the larger society on the issue of caste has contributed to the nurturing of this culture of caste atrocities, which has taken such an ugly face for the dalits. Caste and its implications for the dalits need to be acknowledged by all and condemned strongly.

In times like these, we need to register our protest against such atrocities and pressurize the government to punish the perpetrators. We must be a part of the fight put up by dalits against caste oppression, else all our slogans for social change will remain mere rhetoric if the people belonging to the most marginalized communities continue to be humiliated and slaughtered.

—

In Solidarity,

Shefali

Delhi Forum

F 10/12 (Basement),

Malviya Nagar,New Delhi-110017

Phone: 011 – 26680883 (O), 9582671784 (M)

email: shefali@delhiforum.net

Khedut Chetna Yatra (Farmers’ Awareness Yatra) – farmers’ attempt to wake the slumbering government

Sanyukt Khedut Sangharsh Samiti – Gujarat

Jameen Adhikar Andolan – Gujarat (JAAG)

C/o Khet Bhavan, Near Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad 380 027

Contact: 94093 07693

19^th May 2015

PRESSNOTE

To,

Editor/Bureau Chief,

Khedut Chetna Yatra (Farmers’ Awareness Yatra) – farmers’ attempt to wake the slumbering government

The newly elected NDA government, in December 2014, had sought to undermine the newly enacted and hitherto unimplemented LARR Act, 2013 through an ordinance. The ordinance was met with severe resistance and protest at the ground level from people’s organisations and farmers. Looking at the groundswell of opinion against the provisions of the ordinance, it looked as if the government would heed this voice and repeal the ordinance. Looking at the popular discontent against the ordinance, the RSS and its affiliate organisations like the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh also joined forces and gave an impression of being in solidarity with the farmers.

This was a charade; their compromise with the ruling dispensation was imminent. Their past record of misleading farmers is there before us; this is an addition to that list. Today’s newspaper reports suggest that the RSS has “realised” that the ordinance is in the interests of farmers and labourers.

Such blatant double-speak is only possible by the RSS. No other organisation in the country has ever cheated the people of the country like the RSS, in the name of religion and ‘Indian culture’. There can be no greater or better opportunity for the people of the country to recognise the reality of the RSS than this blatant betrayal. The public proclamations are an eyewash, the reality is diametrically opposed to the public face. The common people should look through this farce and rid society of such back-stabbing forces.

Sagar Rabari                           Chandubhai Shingala                          Dahyabhai Gajera

Jayesh Patel                            Pradyumnasinh Chudasama               Bharatsinh Jhala

Naranbhai Chauhan                Bhavubhai (Sandhida)

Updates on Coal, Energy, IFIs, Land, Water and Forest: 18 May, 2015

A.Coal & Energy

1. ‘The govt has done a lot to set the investment climate right’: http://www.rediff.com/money/interview/interview-the-govt-has-done-a-lot-to-set-the-investment-climate-right/20150518.htm\
2. ‘West will have to pay for damage to planet’: http://www.asianage.com/india/west-will-have-pay-damage-planet-914
3. IPPs Are Objecting to Power Supply at Variable Cost: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/IPPs-Are-Objecting-to-Power-Supply-at-Variable-Cost/2015/05/18/article2820332.ece
4. Govt may bar multiple bids by one company in coal auctions: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-may-bar-multiple-bids-by-one-company-in-coal-auctions/articleshow/47322768.cms?
5. We got honest value of coal through auctions, says Piyush Goyal: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/We-got-honest-value-of-coal-through-auctions-says-Piyush-Goyal/articleshow/47322786.cms?
6. Piyush Goyal confident of 24×7 power supply to all: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Piyush-Goyal-confident-of-24×7-power-supply-to-all/articleshow/47322838.cms?
7. Solar power to shield energy tariff fluctuations: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Solar-power-to-shield-energy-tariff-fluctuations/articleshow/47322698.cms
8. ‘Our focus is to provide power at affordable prices’: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/our-focus-is-to-provide-power-at-affordable-prices/article7216694.ece
9. ‘NTPC, DVC owe Rs 9,000 crores to Coal India’: http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-ntpc-dvc-owe-rs-9000-cr-to-coal-india-2086615
10. Shell accused of strategy risking catastrophic climate change: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/17/shell-accused-of-strategy-risking-catastrophic-climate-change
11. Caution and optimism: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/caution-and-optimism/article7216727.ece
12. Don’t ape China: Jairam Ramesh: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Dont-ape-China-Jairam/articleshow/47321514.cms
13. Activists urge govt to include civil society in waste management programme: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Activists-urge-govt-to-include-civil-society-in-waste-management-programme/articleshow/47313120.cms?
14. Activists call on EU to shut down £100m ‘slush fund’ for coal: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/15/activists-call-on-eu-to-shut-down-100m-slush-fund-for-coal
15. Reopening of controversial Spanish mine halted over corruption allegations: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/15/reopening-of-controversial-spanish-mine-halted-over-corruption-allegations

B.IFIs

1. Central Nod to AP Government’s Mega Industrial Clusters: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Central-Nod-to-AP-Governments-Mega-Industrial-Clusters/2015/05/18/article2820544.ece
2. Revised plan for Metro rail ready for CM: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150518/jsp/bihar/story_20622.jsp#.VVl0sPmqqko
3. Border Infrastructure: Modi government driving strategic projects with radical changes:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/47303236.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
4. BJP urges Bihar govt to hand over bridge project to Centre: http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/bjp-urges-bihar-govt-to-hand-over-bridge-project-to-centre_1595991.html
5. Kochi’s Rs 200 crore Mundamveli sewage plant may lose ADB funding: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Kochis-Rs-200-crore-Mundamveli-sewage-plant-may-lose-ADB-funding/articleshow/47290714.cms?
6. World Bank Team Unhappy Over Delay in DPR on Dams: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/World-Bank-Team-Unhappy-Over-Delay-in-DPR-on-Dams/2015/05/18/article2820457.ece
7. The building of the BRICS bank: http://www.thehindu.com/business/the-building-of-the-brics-bank/article7214558.ece
8. Global seminar on business opportunities: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/global-seminar-on-business-opportunities/article7216149.ece
9. DFCC optimistic of $650-mn funding for freight corridor: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/dfcc-optimistic-of-650-mn-funding-for-freight-corridor-115051600956_1.html
10. World Bank-aided Govt project envisaged: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may1515/city052
11. IL&FS bags $1-billion funding from Industrial & Commercial Bank of China:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/47322957.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
12. ndia Inc saves Modi’s day in China- 27 entities seal deals: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150517/jsp/frontpage/story_20546.jsp#.VVl_Xvmqqko
13. Deals worth $22 billion signed with China firms: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/478045/deals-worth-22-billion-signed.html
14. IL&FS inks MoU with ICBC for infrastructure finance: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/ilfs-inks-mou-with-icbc-for-infrastructure-finance/article7213940.ece
15. Indian, Chinese firms sign 26 pacts worth USD 22 bn: http://www.sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?a=pfqnagighdjjh&title=Indian%2C_Chinese_firms_sign_26_pacts_worth_USD_22_bn

C.Land, Water & Forest

1. Government to set up expert panel on Companies Act next week: Jaitley: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Government-to-set-up-expert-panel-on-Companies-Act-next-week-Jaitley/articleshow/47309658.cms?
2. Campbell canal bridge gets administrative sanction: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/campbell-canal-bridge-gets-administrative-sanction/article7216145.ece
3. Flood of new dam projects threatens world’s last wild rivers: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/may/16/hydropower-dams-projects-wild-rivers-worldwide

Fractured Forest: The Political Ecology of the Delhi Rdige

The Delhi Ridge hardly figures in the public imagination of the city. This was not always so. As recently as 2006, sizable protest movements rallied to preserve Ridge land.
Although the Ridge is discussed in various domains, the narratives remain scattered and hardly capture the vital interconnections between the Ridge and larger struggles for land and resources in the city.
Intercultural Resources (ICR) is bringing out a report in an attempt to renew focus on the Delhi Ridge whose survival is essential to Delhi’s environment and social well-being.

Fractured Forest:  The Political Ecology of the Delhi Ridge by Thomas Crowley, attempts to revive the long history of the Ridge along with the recent contestations over Ridge land as well as lay the foundation for a socially sensitive and historically informed approach to ecological justice in Ridge areas and in Delhi as a whole.

SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE 70 PAGE BOOK IS RS. 100/-
PLEASE ORDER YOUR COPY AND SUPPORT OUR WORK.

To Order your copy, write to: ihpindia@gmail.com

Jaya-Math-Error

Jayalalithaa Math-Error

Justice CR Kumaraswamy excelled himself in the Jayalalitha disproportionate assets case, by “miscalculating” Rs 10.67 cr loans as 24.17 cr on page 852 of the judgment. As a result of this miscalculation, he could then show that her assets were not disproportionate compared to her known sources of income, as her balance loan (after deducting income) was Rs 18.17 cr… whereas actually, the balance loan is only 4.67 cr.

So, although there is no explanation for Amma’s assets worth 13.5 cr, Justice Kumaraswamy takes the help of his arithmetic error to say that there is!

http://tinyurl.com/Jaya-math-error

His judgment says:

Pg. 901 – “The immovable properties were acquired by borrowing huge loan from the Nationalised Banks. It is difficult to infer that the properties were acquired by means of ill-gotten money. Therefore, in my view, confiscation of the properties by the Trial Court is not sustainable in law.“

Pg 909: “The case of the prosecution that Accused No.1 amassed

wealth and acquired agricultural lands, sites, floated firms, became Directors of the companies cannot be believed because the money that has been spent for acquiring the said properties can be inferred from the loans borrowed from the Nationalized Banks.”

Pg 912: “The assets possessed by the appellant were thus in excess of the surplus income available to him, but since the excess is comparatively very small – it is less than 10%, of the total income of Rs.1,27,715.43 – we do not think it would be right to hold that the assets found in possession of the appellant were disproportionate to his known source of income.”

Read this judgment: http://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/noticeBoard/CRL-A-835-838-2014.pdf

It is a given that Justice CR Kumaraswamy has earned Amma’s blessings, and these blessings may manifest themselves as plum posts in Tamilnadu or elsewhere in her vast sphere of influence.

But the moot question is: Who else has secretly earned her blessings? Was the chief justice of Karnataka High Court part of this “mistake”-making process? Did this “arithmetic error” have the blessings of the Chief Justice of India? And what about the Law Ministry and the Prime Minister’s office? Was this brilliant arithmetic part of Namo’s political arithmetics?

And last question: If Justice C R Kumaraswamy is not immediately pulled up and this judgment is not corrected, is higher judiciary still worthy of our respect? Or is it worthy of our utter contempt?

Regards,

Krishnaraj Rao

9821588114

News updates on Land, water, forest, IFIs, coal and Energy: 15 May, 2015

A.Coal & Energy

1. Prevented coal pilferage worth thousands of crores: CVC: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/prevented-coal-pilferage-worth-thousands-of-crores-cvc-115051401388_1.html
2. Goyal calls for more efforts to meet renewable energy generation target: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/goyal-calls-for-more-efforts-to-meet-renewable-energy-generation-target/article7205529.ece
3. Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurates New Solar Passive Building of the National Institute of Solar Energy: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121733
4. DVC, CIL get 3 months to stop river pollution: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/DVC-CIL-get-3-months-to-stop-river-pollution/articleshow/47281512.cms
5. Former CBI chief Ranjit Sinha must be investigated: Supreme Court : http://www.oneindia.com/new-delhi/former-cbi-chief-ranjit-sinha-must-be-investigated-supreme-court-1746532.html
6. Essar lobbied with state governments, exhorted MPs to write to Manmohan Singh, says affidavit: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-essar-lobbied-with-state-governments-exhorted-mps-to-write-to-manmohan-singh-says-affidavit-2085732
7. Australia lobbies Unesco to stop it from listing Great Barrier Reef as ‘in danger’: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/14/australia-lobbies-unesco-stop-listing-great-barrier-reef-as-in-danger
8. New climate deal seen aiding GDP, lacking sanctions – U.N. chief | Reuters: http://www.firstpost.com/world/new-climate-deal-seen-aiding-gdp-lacking-sanctions-u-n-chief-reuters-2243170.html
9. ‘Not just 6, all 24 hydro projects would be detrimental’: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Not-just-6-all-24-hydro-projects-would-be-detrimental/articleshow/47271874.cms?
10. The new coal frontier:  http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2015/may/15/carbon-bomb-australia-the-new-coal-frontier

B.IFIs

1. Investors pin high hopes on industrial corridor: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/investors-pin-high-hopes-on-industrial-corridor/article7207755.ece
2. African Development Bank presidential candidates outline their aims: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/may/14/african-development-bank-eight-presidential-candidates-outline-aims
3. Bridging the housing deficit in the country: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/477574/realty-bytes.html
4. India must move to a new equitable green energy system: http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-must-move-to-a-new-equitable-green-energy-system-2085576
5. India to grow at 8.1% in 2015-16: UN survey: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-to-grow-at-8-1-in-2015-16-115051500040_1.html

C.Land, Water & Forest

1. For ‘Make in India’ to happen, Modi government must move from cheap rhetoric to difficult action:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/47281579.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
2. 83% FRA claims disposed: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/83-FRA-claims-disposed/articleshow/47287252.cms?
3. Government to re-promulgate land ordinance for the third time: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-government-to-re-promulgate-land-ordinance-for-the-third-time-2085909
4. VS Flays Handing Over of Vizhinjam to Adani: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/VS-Flays-Handing-Over-of-Vizhinjam-to-Adani/2015/05/15/article2814693.ece
   

Narmada: 30 Years of Resilience – a Calendar (April 2015- March 2016)

Narmada: 30 Years of Resilience – a Calendar (April 2015- March 2016)

Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement)has completed 30 years of its prolonged struggles against big dams in the Narmada Valley. It’s a time for saluting the resistance and resilience, a time for celebrating the resolve to save the valley. But, also a time to confront the looming crisis after Central Government’s decision to raise Sardar Sarovar Dam to its final height.  Here are some images from the Calendar.

Order soon. Rs. 300/- per copy. Write to: ihpindia@gmail.com

Narmada: 30 Years of Resilience – a calendar

Narmada: 30 Years of Resilience – a Calendar

The Narmada Calendar is released: Suggested contribution: Rs. 300 per copy

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Narmada: 30 Years of Resilience – a calendar