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Ranchi: An Executive EngineerJawahar Sah of the Hazaribagh Rural Development, was caught red-handed by the Vigilance sleuths while taking a bribe of Rs. 45000 from a contractor Jyoti Pujara. The contractor had lodged a complaint with the Vigilance department as the said engineer was continuously harassing him for the bribe. A trap was laid to nab the culprit and he fell into the Vigilance dragnet.
The Engineer was arrested and sent to jail. It may be recalled that the Governor M O H Farook had instructed the Vigilance Department to be stern on the corrupt officials and other persons indulging in mal practices.

Ranchi: Hatia Legislator Gopal Nath Shahdeo passed away after vomiting blood. The young two time Congress legislator from the Hatia constituency in Ranchi was in Varanasi when he breathed his last. According to available information, the Ratu prince complained of nausea and was rushed to the BHU’s Sir Sunderlal Hospital as he started vomiting blood. The Hatia Legislator lost his life during the examination itself.
On hearing the news of the untimely death of the youth icon of Ratu, the entire city of Ranchi was plunged into a state of gloom. Many of his ardent fans and followers were reportedly in a state of shock.
Union Minister and Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay expressed his shock at the untimely demise of Gopalnath and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He said that Gopal has given such a pain to my heart on his demise which would live with me for the rest of my life.
The entire State Congress Party workers and leaders alike were in a state of disbelief and said that it was a great loss for the Party to lose a dashing and energetic youth like Gopal Nath Shahdeo at such an early age. They unanimously stated the loss as irreparable.
Even the leaders of opposition and other MLAs expressed their shock and disbelief at the untimely demise of the young Congress MLA.
The body of the departed leader is expected to be flown to Ranchi on Tuesday for the last rites.

Ranchi: The 29th meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) was held in Ranchi on Monday. Allahabad Bank’s Executive Director (ED)M R Nayak presided over the meet in which all the participating banks’, RBI, NABARD, and Government agencies’ representatives were present.State’s Development Commissioner S K Choudhary was the Chief guest.
Allahabad Bank is the convenor of SLBC in Jharkhand.
In today’s meeting the thrust was given on 100% financial inclusion, opening of more branches in the State especially in newly formed unbanked blocks and providing banking outlets to all villages with over 2000 population.
It was disclosed in the meeting that the NPA of the banks has shown a decrease to 3.56% but 91577 certificate cases were still pending. The assistance of the State was sought to clear these cases at the earliest.
The implementation of the Government sponsored programmes however was not satisfactory as only 77.08% was achieved in PMGEP and just 65.16% in SGSY.
The total priority sector credit of the State stood at 56.58%against the benchmark of 40% but the Agricultural Credit to Gross credit was only 12.23% as against the benchmark of 18%. The achievement under the Annual credit plan 2009-10 recordeda growth of 20.56% and stood at 87.49% as compared to previous fiscal year’s 66.93%
The overall CDR also increased to 45.02% as on March’10 from 43.68% of March’09.
The meeting was also attended by State’s Vishnu Kumar, A P Singh, B C Nigam, R S Singh, RBI Regional Director G Mahalingam, NABARD CGM M V Ashok, SBI GM J N Mishra, GM Bank Of India, Patna N V Dhamdhare, Allahabad Bank GM (HO) R P Singh, DGM U S Dwivedi, SBI DGM V S Ohri and executives of all the participating banks and financial institutions.
Allahabad Bank FGM (E) D Chakraborthy welcomed the guests and SBI GM Dr. J N Mishra gave the vote of thanks.

Ranchi: There was a pleasant surprise awaiting the Ranchiites when they went for their evening round of the marketing. The usually unhygienic looking street side ‘telahs’ were replaced with designer made stalls. “Streets India’, the creators of this hygienic cart said that the design would usher in a new concept of hygiene.
The cart operators would be seen wearing aprons and Chef caps and would serve the customers with gloved hands. The food items will be totally protected from the atmospheric dust as well as the flea menace.

Punjab National Bank has sponsored the programme and offered easy loan of Rs.15 thousand to 27 cart owners. The PNB Zonal Chief S S Banerjee said that the bank would continue to encourage all those who show their dedication to pursue hygienic vending. AGM C Sarangi and M R Biswal were also present.
Earlier inaugurating the first lot of designer carts, Union Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said that this was a commendable effort of the Streets India and bound to gain immense popularity as people would no longer hesitate to queue up to such stalls as the food items were properly protected and prepared as well as served hygienically.
The brain behind the Street India conception is IIM Bangaluru MBA, Tanishq. She said that she would soon launch the Street India cart in the rest of the cities of Jharkhand very soon.

Ranchi: Governor MOH Farooq’s Advisor VS Dubey held a meeting with the VC of all the universities of the State at the Project Bhavan in Ranchi and discussed in detail the college staff’s strike, disruption of studies and nomination and other matters related to the colleges.
The Advisor VS Dubey instructed all the VCs to seriously look into the grievances of the striking staff and take steps to end this strike. HE told the VCs to instruct the workers to return to work on the existing payscales and any shortcomings in the payscale would be revised later. In this context, HRD Secretary Mridula Sinha had already assured the striking workers that the revision of payscale would be looked into on priority basis. Turning down her request, the workers have demanded to abolish the current payscale and fresh notification for the new payscale be announced. The Secretary had turned down their request stating that it was not possible immediately.
Thereafter, the workers had decided to continue with their strike hindering the regular work, including studies and administrative jobs.
The fresh students were facing great difficulty in filing their application forms.

Ranchi: The Khunti police nabbed the killers of former MLA Ramesh Singh Munda in a raid at the Mosanga jungles in Jharkhand. The police raid team was lead by Khunti SP Manoj Kaushik.
Briefing mediapersons after the arrest, Manoj said that he received inside information that certain extremists had camped at the Mosanga jungles and acting on the information, the Adki PS incharge Anoop Karmakar along with Murhu PS incharge K.Murai and CRPF personnel raided the jungles.
Immediately on learning about the police raid, the assembled Maoists started their escape plans. The police followed them and were successful in nabbing Santosh alias Mantu Munda, a resident of Sonwa and Vipul Lohar , nephew of dreaded extremist Garuwa Lohar. The police recovered a rifle and four live cartridges each from both the culprits, Naxal bible, can bombs and country made bombs in large quantity.
The SP added that botht the arrested extremists were the right hand of the dreaded Naxalite Kundan Pahan. During questioning, the arrested culprits confessed that they were involved in the murders of former MLA Ramesh Singh Munda of Bundu, DSP Pramod Kumar and Adki Gramin Bank’s chowkidar.
The culprits also confessed to ten other crimes committed by them or involved in these crimes.

Ranchi: Speaking on the occasion of AJSU’s Foundation day celebrations at Morhabadi grounds in Ranchi, Party president Sudesh Mahto said that fresh elections were the only alternative if a popularly elected alliance did not get a chance to govern. He said that his party was still in the favour of a new alliance to end the President’s rule in the State but if the like-minded parties do not come together for the formation of a new government, AJSU would prefer fresh elections.
He urged the party workers present at the rally to put in a dedicated effort to ensure that one candidate is chosen to represent from every constituency, so that the party may continue with its pending developmental programs.
Earlier, Sudesh Mahto and the other four party MLAs were warmly welcomed by the workers, and unanimously passed five resolutions. These include ending of President’s rule, and announcement of mid-term election, inclusion of certain parts from Bengal and Orissa to the Jharkhand territory, proper Notification of the freedom fighters with compensation, reservation and rehabilitation.
The celebrations witnessed several thousand workers from the entire State assembling at the historic Morhabadi grounds and apart from Sudesh, the rally was addressed by MLAs Chandraprakash Choudhry, Umakant Razak, K.K Bhagat and Ramchandra.

Ranchi: The Vigilance department conducted one more raid at the premises of former JPSC Chairman Dalip Prasad’s house in Ranchi to gather more evidence against him in the appointment scam. Prasad was absconding from the house and the details of the raid could not be ascertained. The Vigilance department is tightening the noose on the accused and very soon arrests are expected.
It may be recalled that on the Governor’s instructions the Vigilance department had lodged FIR against the former Chairman, members and other officials of the JPSC in the appointment scam.
In this context, the Vigilance sleuths raided the Tamar residence of former member RadhaGobind Nagesh too but found the house locked. The raid, however, was conducted and important evidence seized. Again, details were not disclosed.
The former chairman had applied for an anticipatory bail against his arrest in the Supreme Court which was turned down. The accused have now applied for the anticipatory bail in the Jharkhand High Court.

Ranchi: Governor M O H Farook held a meeting with the SPs of all districts in the State and gave several instructions. The Governor specifically told the police and administrative officers present at the meet to be more people friendly and listen to their grievances.
The Governor expressed his displeasure at the functioning of the police and the officers and instructed them to form a strict strategy to control the crime. The complaints of the general public especially the poor should be heard earnestly and proper action taken on it, added the Governor.
He advised the officers to ensure that all the government sponsored are implemented in earnest in the Naxal affected areas, so that the people look positively not only towards their personal life but help the process of development in the State too. He urged the police officers to adopt a proper work culture in the State.
The Governor said that the need for eliminating corruption from the State was utmost priority and the police personnel have to play a vital part. He sympathized with the problems being faced by the police force here and assured that necessary remedial steps would be addressed to remove these grievances on priority basis.
Farook expressed his worries on the traffic situation in the State and advised the officers to prepare a blue print for smooth traffic flow in the main cities of the State within a month so that proper implementation programme could be effectively scheduled.
He added that the hopes of the people accelerated during the President’s rule and police must show results within the next sixty days to live up to the expectations. He instructed the police to be extremely stern against anti-social elements and especially on the Land as well as Coal Mafia. He stated that all culprits should be booked and if need be unhesitatingly take CBI’s help.

|| National Industrial Conclave concludes ||
Ranchi: The Industrialists both existing as well as those planning to set up their units in Jharkhand should dedicatedly think on the lines of development of the society per se. The words were spoken by Governor M O H Farook on the concluding day of the two days National Industrial Conclave at the IICM in Ranchi on Tuesday. The conclave has been organized by Coal India Ltd.
Farook said that Jharkhand is a mineral rich State providing immense opportunity for the investors. Industries usher in the development. It is unfortunate that such a rich State has maximum number of families under the BPL.
New Industries should whole heartedly work on the rehabilitation of the displaced families who have given their land for industrialization. While the State will proper with the Industrial development the development of the society is also equally important. The welfare of the displaced families is a top priority matter and should be addressed as such asserted the Governor.
The Globalization era demands only the best and any individual aspiring heights have to live up to the demands of skill and expertise. It is a great challenge for the country to live up to the bench mark set by USA and other European countries. The basic idea of this conclave is to address to this challenge and find appropriate methods to meet the challenge, added Farook.
He further stated that the conclave can be termed as success as the cream of the Industry as well as the business class benefitted with the exchange of views. The Management students present at the conclave would undoubtedly benefit the most.
RIN’s CMD P K Vishnoi was awarded the life time achievement award whereas HEC’s CMD G K Pillai was felicitated with a special award for his meritorious service.

Nothing Is Impossible – Pillai

Speaking on the concludsing day of the NationalIndustrial Conclave HEC CMD G K Pillai said that if the will power was strong then nothing was impossible and any work could be done with ease. Even with limited resources the unattainable can be attained as shown by the HEC. He said that HEC was still working with the age old machines and helping hands but was successfully meeting all the challenges and accepting new ones.
Sharing his experience the CMD said that at one time it seemed practically impossible that HEC would recover from its losses but the change in mindset of the workers made the seemingly impossible task possible and noe the company is just forging ahead.
Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary in his address said that there was no alternative to hard work and proper guidance. These two form the crux of any challenge and if the State is to compete internationally then these two major factors have to be addressed foremost.
TATA Group’s Advisor R P Retolia stated in his address that the person who tries genuinely never fails. Problems should be handled on priority basis and success demands positive effort.
There was absolute pin drop silence in the auditorium during these addresses.

Ranchi: The agitated students of SS Memorial College blocked the Ranchi- Pethoria road for nearly three hours. They demanded the announcement of exam dates and complete the formality of application forms for the new students.
It may be recalled that the Ranchi University workers are on strike and the regular work badly affected. The students alleged that the University workers’ strike was posing a threat to their future as both the examination as well as the admission process was getting stalled.
The students were in no mood to relent till the VC himself came to the spot for giving assurance on the matter. Sadar DSP S. Tabrez, who had rushed to the spot on hearing about the road block had to ultimately call VC AA Khan to brief him of the students’ demands. The VC assured the students that their demands would be fulfilled and the University had already made alternate arrangements to ensure the completion of the admission and examination process. Extra personnel have been deployed for the job added the VC. Soon senior officials of the University reached the spot and assured the students that things would be brought to normalcy within a week.
Satisfied with the assurance, the students lifted the road block and hundreds of commuters stuck in the jam heaved a sigh of relief.
Union Minister of State for Coal, Sriprakash Jaiswal was also stuck in the jam for nearly an hour and the SSP Praveen Singh had to escort him via a different route as the agitating students were in no mood to relent.

Ranchi: The two day National Industrial Conclave was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Coal, Sriprakash Jaiswal at the IICM in Ranchi on Monday. Addressing the audience after the inauguration the Minister said that Jharkhand was mineral rich and offered immense prospects for budding industrialists.
He told the Industrialists to treat the displaced persons offering their land for the setting up of industries with utmost care on priority basis and just not think only about their profits.
The Industrialists should take it up as a responsibility to ensure proper rehabilitation of the displaced families so that these families have a secured future. He said that the State had a rich supply of Iron ore, Mica, Coal, Lime-stone, Copper and other minerals. Industries based on these should be properly encouraged by the State with its infra-structural help for boosting the Industrial Development in the State. He added that of the 62 thousand million tonnes of coal in the country, Jharkhand alone had 36% share.
He urged the State government to accord proper security to the CCL operated mines as it would improve the production by a huge margin.
Those among the present included the Central Coal Secretary Alok Parti, CCL CMD R K Saha,CMPDI CMD A K Singh and many distinguished guests from the Industry, Business and Professionals. XISS students were present to witness the Conclave.

Ranchi: Governor M O H Farook held a review meeting of the progress made in the Centre sponsored schemes. He urged the officers to work dedicatedly to complete the projects earmarked for this fiscal year on time. He warned the officers absenting from their districts, of stern action.

The Governor reiterated his early stand of ensuring timely supply of food grains to the BPL families. He specifically ordered the officers posted in districts to inform the headquarters of their presence in the region on daily basis.

The Governor told the officers at the review meeting to adhere to the schedules, especially those on the priority list. He once again urged the DCs to keep a strict vigil against corrupt practices and bring to book the corrupt persons involved in such practices.

He expressed the need of such review meetings at regular intervals, so as to monitor the progress on the various projects.

All the DCs along with senior officials were present at the meeting headed by the Governor and his three Advisors.

There has been many a time when you are expecting something beyond expectation but ultimately end up getting cheated. This is what the much hyped Maniratnam’s Raavan has handed us. Three years in making and considered to be the most expensive film till date of the ‘renowned’ director, the film is a huge disappointment for his ardent fans.

One went to the multiplex with high expectation of watching a classic from Mani but came out of the hall with disappointment writ all over. It was hard to believe that the director of such wonderful films like Bombay, Nayakan, Guru, Roja would hand us this mediocre flick.
Supposed to be based on the mythological ‘Ramayana’ Raavan has failed miserably in adapting it. The film’s ‘Raavan’ (Abhishek Bachan) shrieks and hams to the extent that he climbs on your nerves. Abhishek should stick to playing roles like Bunty or the one in Guru. The amount of ‘mud’ on his face amply symbolizes his acting in the film.

A R Rehman seems to be still busy counting his Oscar and Grammy trophies and had hardly any time to concentrate on this movie. The AR pulse and beat is sadly missing.

Full marks to Santosh Sivan and Manikantan for the breathtaking photography, the only high light of the movie. Choice of locales has been excellent.

Acting wise Abhishek, Vikram & Govinda have given routine performances. Aishwarya though looks good and polished in her acting.

The story line is the weakest point of the film. Even the dialogues have no punch.
Better save your money instead of giving it to ‘Mani’.
Rating: (Reluctantly)

P. Vijay Raghavan

Later in the day the Coal Minister held a meeting with Governor M O H Farook. The governor assured the minister that a high level committee would be set up soon to look into the grievances of the coal companies. The committee would comprise all the CMDs of the coal companies and the Secretaries of various State government departments. The Governor requested the minister to set up more medical colleges in the State. Jaiswal assured the Governor that the needful is being done and the coal companies have already completed the groundwork on this. He told the Governor that if adequate land was provided, the medical colleges could be set up soon. The minister added that the hospitals run by the coal companies would increase the bed strength to 300.
The Minister and Governor also discussed the rehabilitation package for the displaced. The Governor’s Advisors and Secretaries of various departments and the DGP Niyaz Ahmed were present during the meeting.

Ranchi: Union minister of State for Coal, Sriprakash Jaiswal blamed the State government for not taking preventive action to curb illegal coal mining. He asserted that the Centre depended on the support of the State to root out corruption. He added that in the past twelve months CBI has conducted raids at various premises as the Centre has taken the task to put lid on corruption.
He however added that the stain of corruption accumulated for the past 30 years could not be erased in just 12 months and needed a continuous effort and the State government needs to play a positive role in this aspect.
Jaiswal was in Ranchi to review the progress of both Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and CMPDI and addressed the media in the afternoon.
The Coal Minister’s visit to the State after the imposition of President’s Rule holds significance as the persistent Naxal threats and frequent bandh are putting a dent on the revenue collection. It may be recalled that Jharkhand contributes 36% of the country’s coal production.

Ranchi: The Cabinet meeting of Governor’s advisor under the chairmanship of Governor MOH Farook was held today and cleared nine proposals in all. In an important decision the Cabinet approved hiking the DA of State’s employees at par with the Central government workers under the Central city classification. This will cover the House rent and transportation expenses.
The second important decision related to the compensation to the election officials for injuries sustained during the Lok Sabha/Vidan Sabha elections. The compensation slab has been fixed at Rs.1lakh for 20-25% disablement, Rs.3 lakh for 25-50% disablement, Rs.4 lakh for 50-75% and Rs.5lakh for 75% and above disablement of the body.
The Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Finance department to give Family pension, disability pension and incapacitated persons pension for the State government employees joining duty after December 2004.
The Cabinet exempted Rama Krishna Mission’s two units of Ranchi and One unit of Jamshedpur from paying VAT on purchases of Stationery, Medicines, Sports goods, Vehicle tyres and paintings up to March 31, 2011.
The Cabinet decided to merge the Rs.11 VAT on LPG with the subsidy. The proposal after approval has been sent to the Food General Distribution and Department of Consumer relations for working out modulation.
The Cabinet also approved the pay revision of Junior and Seniot Trainer officers in the Hazaribagh Jail Training Institute.
The Cabinet put its stamp of approval on the MOU between Unique Card Centre (UIAI) and the State government.
The Cabinet briefing was done by Cabinet Secretary D K Saxena.

Ranchi: A joint delegation of Congress and JVM led by Babulal Marandi met the Governor M O H Farook at the Raj Bhavan and submitted a list of demands.
The delegation demanded that the State be declared Famine hit and ration cards and food grains supplied to poor families at cheap price. Babulal said that the Kharif season was on and the State should make adequate arrangements to supply seeds to the farmers. There are 17lakh hectare of agricultural land in the State and the State has made provision of just 97 thousand quintals of seed at subsidized rates.
He urged the Governor to supply fertilizers at a lower cost and the timely payment of harvest insurance to the farmers. He demanded immediate remedy steps for attending to the drinking water crisis prevailing in the entire State.
Congress leader Rajendra Singh wanted the Governor to take immediate action on the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Yojna, presently moving at a snail’s pace. The delegation demanded an CBI enquiry into the Rs.200cr Tourism department scam. They urged the Governor to take criminal action against the culprits. They pointed out that the matter was raised in the Vidan Sabha too.
The delegation included Pradeep Yadav, Samresh Singh,Sabha Ahmed,Saurabh Narain Singh, Nirbhay Shahabadi, Mistri Soren, Rajesh Ranjan, Yogendra Sav, Anant Pratap Dev, Sawna Lakra, Geetashri Oraon, and Madhav Lal Singh. Office bearers of the two Parties were also present.

Ranchi: BJP National President Nitin Gadkari took strong exception to the action of Jharkhand MLA Ram Chandra Baita for abstaining from yesterday’s Rajya Sabha election voting. BJP’s Ajay Maru lost with just 17 votes in his favour.

Ranchi: Nominated MLA to Jharkhand Vidan Sabha J P Guiliesten breathed his last in Patna after a long period of illness. He was suffering from cancer. There was a pall of gloom in the political arena of the State. All the legislators offered their condolences to the grieved family.