M6.7 – Banda Sea
| Magnitude | 6.7 |
| Date-Time |
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| Location | 7.236S 123.040E |
| Depth | 549 km |
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Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Improving public healthcare through fiscal federalism
Improving public healthcare through fiscal federalism
UPCOMING 2-DAY CONFERENCE | Oct 29 and Oct 30, 2017 | Improving public healthcare through fiscal federalism
An opportunity to deliberate over the critical issues of public health in India and to discuss how we relate to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for improved healthcare. Speakers at the conference will include policy makers from the government, international agencies, academia, medical industry, NGOs, global experts and journalists concerned with Indian healthcare.
For more information: http://brook.gs/2hZ0kBJ
RSVP: healthconf@forumfed.org
For more information: http://brook.gs/2hZ0kBJ
RSVP: healthconf@forumfed.org
Opening of the Regional Consular Conference, New Delhi
Opening of the Regional Consular Conference, New Delhi, today, 24 October 2017, chaired by Director (Section IV – Service) Mag. Dr. Elisabeth Tichy–Fisslberger and Ambassador Mag. Brigitte Öppinger- Walchshofer.
20 fighter jets touch down on Agra-Lucknow expressway
The aircraft touchdown exercise is now taking place on the stretch near Bangarmau in Unnao district, about 65 km from Lucknow. Traffic has been restricted in the area.
The IAF’s Special Forces Garud commandos got off the C-130J transport aircraft with their vehicle, and took positions on either side of the expressway to secure “their airstrip” for the fighter aircraft.
This is the first time a transport aircraft – a Super Hercules, which can carry 200 commandos – is landing on an expressway. These planes were inducted into the air force in 2010.IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal SB Deo said on the sidelines of an event in Delhi ahead of the exercise that the IAF is also landing transport aircraft, the C-130 which is special operations aircraft.
For the next two hours or so, a fighter aircraft will carry out a touch and go manoeuvre on the expressway every few minutes.
For the next two hours or so, a fighter aircraft will carry out a touch and go manoeuvre on the expressway every few minutes.
Three Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft will be followed up by six Mirage 2000 aircrafts flying in two formations and then, two more formations of three aircraft each of Sukhoi-30MKI.
The C-130 will return for another short landing to extricate the Garud Commandos.
IAF fighter planes, Mirage-2000 fighters and Sukhoi-30, have twice landed on expressways in Uttar Pradesh. The first was in 2015 when a Mirage-2000 landed on the Yamuna expressway near Delhi.
Last November, six multirole combat aircraft Sukhoi-30 jets touched down on a 3.3 km stretch of the Lucknow – Agra expressway.
About a dozen highways that are wide enough and have a smooth road surface for the fighter jets – across the country have been identified for similar landing operations to be used in case of emergencies including disaster relief and war.
Govt waives off penalty on delayed filing of initial GST return
The government today waived off penalty on delayed filing of initial Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns for the months of August and September.
In a tweet, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the decision to waive off late fee on filing of GSTR-3B for last two months has been taken to facilitate taxpayers. He said, the late fee which has been already charged to businesses will be credited back to taxpayers’ accounts.
The government had earlier waived late fee for delayed filing of the maiden returns for the month of July under the GST regime.
Businesses have been demanding that the government waives penalty for delayed filing of 3B returns.
As per the data, around 56 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed for July, 51 lakh for August and over 42 lakh for September.
Preliminary returns GSTR-3B for a month is filed on the 20th day of the next month after paying due taxes.
ONGC plans to raise oil output
State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has drawn a blueprint to raise crude oil production by 4 metric tonne (MT) and almost double natural gas output by 2020.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, ONGC Chairman Shashi Shanker said, the Prime Minister had given a call to cut country’s oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022 and ONGC’s roadmap for meeting that is ready.
The state-owned firm will raise crude oil production from 22.6 MT in 2017-18 to 26.42 MT in 2021-22. The nation’s biggest oil and gas producer has prepared the ‘Roadmap for Import Reduction’ two years after Mr Modi set the target for reducing oil import dependence by 10 per cent, from 77 per cent in 2013-14.
India spend almost 1 trillion dollar on crude imports from financial year 2005-06 to 2015-16.
BJP Sinking Ship
Imperial ordinance of Rani Vasundhara Raje: Hangs The nation in shame? But she still thinks she is Queen:
Raje ordinance is an illegal act against Constitution of India. Raises Qs ,Gov, President, PM, ThyWisdom, Is BJP sinking ship now?, By self inflicted acts.
Raje govt refers black bill to House panel: Facing flak from various quarters, the Rajasthan government today referred a controversial bill, which seeks to protect public servants and judges from prosecution without its prior sanction, to a select committee of the assembly.
Amid uproar from the opposition Congress, the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill was tabled in the assembly by Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria yesterday to replace an ordinance promulgated on September 7.
At the beginning of the Question Hour today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore informed the House that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had held a meeting of ministers last night to discuss the bill and that the home minister would apprise the House of the development.
The home minister said that prior approval of the President was sought before introducing the ordinance in September. Independent MLA Manik Chand Surana had yesterday raised the point that no approval of the President was attached with the bill.
Regarding GST
Several opposition parties today announced that they would observe November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as ‘Black Day’ and would hold protests across the country to highlight its “ill-effects” on the economy.
Announcing the decision at a joint press conference of the opposition coordination committee, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “This particular announcement made on November 8 is the scam of the century, which is why we are observing this as Black Day.”
He described the note-ban decision as the NDA government’s “most ill-conceived and hasty decision”.
“One can say this is a scam of the century. Eighteen political parties have decided to hold protests in every state in their capacity against the government’s decision which caused hardship to the people. Never ever in the world people have died because of a government policy,” Azad said.
Why BJP Sinking Ship ?
When Modi government is in midst of global recession and making imperative efforts to stay afloat the dashing economy, the poor managed demonetization and GST made severe adverse impact in corporate world, thus nosedives the GDP.
Modi government was struggling in Ministryskill to develop more employments but the concerned ministry fail to strike gold in this category of halo ministry with plethora of promises.Unemployment cross 8 millions touching 10 millions, with evey additional year pass half a million unemployed added.Corporate manufacturing structure in its slots of cost saving with automation and social security at its ebb the corporate investing in Alternate intelligence startup around the world brings Skillmin to harp on haze.
Synergy coordination nowhere for skill to develop the Skillministry after the change explored the new skipper, inexperience of skills but an eloquent speaker resorts to Greek and Latin, instead of skill thus employment government priority is in shelved in limbo or in shambles.
To get over the business of unemployment when media and other statistical organisation gave figure surging. Social media and opposition cried wolves then uprising in government with news diction of entrepreneur came to light. The Startup, ssi unit, new enterprise an entrepreneur in offing ,Government plundered the slogans and gave figure of 20K new Ssi units which are in actual the decimals of decimals and those winding-up entrepreneur in geometrical progression.
The government in its anxiety of unemployment hold the service sector on rise and paying dividend to let national economy move, this digital garb was again thrashed its lifeline by directing orders to curtailed cash flow switch to digital cash flow in the poor country where people live below 50$ per month capita, the small units exodus was imminent and millions of units exodus erupted, market reached levels of stagflation, cash crunch in policies and action poor or nil ,put economy in lame duck. Those understand business went in peel of laughter,the laughing stock of government policy against people at large. Brand saffron party with difference trolled with ideas but the failed to implement on the ground said mindful men on streets. Drum beaters made lot of reasons to give credibility to the policies. The saffron fertile thinkers had next go,directed to put government slogan of startup bigger goal but with no concrete proposal the startup deep down the in deathwell.
Next best ideas, as per the constitution an excellent one, Last man at last mile to get the benefit, the Aanthuday ! could not found any taker, but infrastructure did well thus a reprieve to Last man. But last man asked how Long to wait?. Reply, Wait.
Ks of VIP need no punishment, government servants are the best among the best, with their self growth with systematic secure veil of touch me not. They know more than Public, busy schedule, gather personal gain, know all the business of business of governance.For them, who cares about last man.With demigod status to elite government servants not satisfied, formed with the elected biggy Nexus to play safe. New strategy of public servants, the design of these system followers babu’s look for Godhood status. The nation’s Constitution feel, its let down, Its people feel let down.
Let’s us all Judiciary, Media, CAG, EC ,masses go for deep slumber for another year 2019, when people has chance to vote the bipolar forces in India.
Look for another common man to give wisdom to this land of lusty greedy natives on sale-spree for personal gain.
Moot questions arises, Is the system so embedded or submerged or knee deep in corruptible practice in each action. Most of common man aspire, BJP party and it’s Leader needs to exhibit it’s Lotus like virtuous to keep Modi brand shine not lose its sheen or not dilute or vitiate.
Be reliable dependable to stay long to create cherish history inspiring for our future generation and not shameful as that of history of thousand years under foreign yoke.
Interesting tweets
I urge Vasundara to take back her ill fated Gag Bill. It is a sterile exercise&receive a rap from SC when the apex court strikes it down.
It is reliably learnt that Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani now owns more than 51% of the NDTV shares through his associated companies and trading funds.
He owns about that much in India Today TV and all of CNN News 18.
Besides all of the ETV bouquet. THE TOI’s Jain family owns Times Now, ET Now and Mirror
Now. Subhaschandra owns Zee and WION.
Then add all the Indian language channels owned by these groups.
We are now assured of a free and vigilant media and our democracy will flourish.
Ab tumhare hawala watan saathiyon…
FROM THE WALL OF Mohan Guruswamy
He owns about that much in India Today TV and all of CNN News 18.
Besides all of the ETV bouquet. THE TOI’s Jain family owns Times Now, ET Now and Mirror
Now. Subhaschandra owns Zee and WION.
Then add all the Indian language channels owned by these groups.
We are now assured of a free and vigilant media and our democracy will flourish.
Ab tumhare hawala watan saathiyon…
FROM THE WALL OF Mohan Guruswamy
Rajasthan, amid protest and pandemonium by opposition in Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, BJP government today sent the controversial criminal amendment bill, 2017 to select committee for review and reference till next session of the House. However, Opposition parties and some legislators of the ruling party demanded that the government withdraw the bill altogether.
After the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s instructions to senior ministers yesterday evening, the government agreed to reconsider the bill. As the proceedings of the assembly began today, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria made his statement on the bill amidst the protest of opposition members. He said that government is ready to reconsider the controversial provisions of the bill.
He proposed to send the bill to the Select Committee by next session, which was accepted by the house. since past few days government was under deep pressure of opposition parties and other organisations on this controversial bill. Not only the opposition but also some members of the ruling party, the media organizations, the bar association and many more organizations are opposing this bill.
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
शीला दीक्षित की नाक के नीचे हुआ था करोड़ों रुपए का बैंक-घोटाला, अब अधिकारी जवाबदेही से भाग रहे
बैंक-घोटाला दबा रहे अधिकारियों के प्रति शीला दीक्षित दिखा रही हैं स्नेह
दिल्ली नागरिक सहकारी बैंक में साल 2012 में उस वक्त की दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री शीला दीक्षित की नाक के नीचे उक्त बैंक में बड़ा घोटाला अंजाम दिया गया, वर्तमान में दिल्ली सरकार के मुख्य सचिव शीला दीक्षित के उसी घोटाले के संदर्भ में जवाबदेही से बच रहे हैं और यही वजह है कि इन अधिकारी के प्रति पूर्व सीएम शीला दीक्षित का स्नेह उमड़ रहा है। आपको बता दें कि वर्तमान मुख्य सचिव पूर्व में शीला दीक्षित के प्रधान सचिव रहे हैं और यही कारण है कि आज शीला दीक्षित उक्त अफ़सर का बचाव कर रही हैं।
पार्टी कार्यालय में प्रेस कॉंफ्रेस करते हुए पार्टी के मुख्य प्रवक्ता और विधायक सौरभ भारद्वाज ने कहा कि ‘विधानसभा की कमेटी ने इस बैंक घोटाले के मामले में मुख्य सचिव से जवाब-तलब किया था और उनके मातहत काम करने वाले अफ़सर के ख़िलाफ़ एक्शन लेने का आदेश दिया था, मुख्य सचिव एम एम कुट्टी ना केवल इस मामले में कोई जवाब दे रहे हैं बल्कि कमेटी की तरफ़ से जो निर्देश मुख्य सचिव को दिए गए थे उस संदर्भ में की गई कार्रवाई के बारे में कोई जानकारी ही विधानसभा की कमेटी को वो नहीं दे रहे हैं। अब ऐसे में पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री शीला दीक्षित जी मुख्य सचिव एम एम कुट्टी और दूसरे अफ़सरों के प्रति अपना स्नेह दिखा रही हैं उसका कारण यह है कि कुट्टी साहब पूर्व में शीला जी के प्रधान सचिव रहे हैं और शीला जी की नाक के नीचे ही ये पूरा बैंक-घोटाला अंजाम दिया गया जिसकी जवाबदेही से अब ये अफ़सर भाग रहे हैं।‘
आपको बताते हैं कि आखिर ये बैंक घोटाला था क्या और कैसे इसमें सरकारी अफ़सर कांग्रेस के नेताओं और उस घोटाले के दोषियों को बचा रहे हैं-
1. साल 2012 में 40 लोगों की इस सहकारी बैंक में भर्ती में भारी गड़बड़ी की गई और एक योजनाबदध तरीक़े से कुछ विशेष लोगों को भर्ती किया गया जिसमें कानून और प्रक्रिया की अनदेखी की गई
2. ज़रुरी प्रक्रिया की अनदेखी करते हुए योजनाबद्ध तरीक़े से 62 विशेष लोगों को पद्दोन्नत्ति दी गई, जिसमें बैंक के एक डायरेक्टर ने तो अपने बेटे को ही प्रोमोशन दे दिया।
3. फर्ज़ी कागज़ों के आधार पर करोड़ो रुपए के लोन दिए गए जो कभी वापस ही नहीं आए।
4. कुछ लोन तो ऐसे लोगों के नाम से दिए गए जो दर्ज़ कराए पतों पर रहते भी नहीं थे।
5. ज़मीन के नकली कागज़ात के आधार पर करोड़ों रुपए के लोन दिए गए और वो लोन का पैसा वापस भी नहीं आया। यह सबकुछ बड़े ही योजनाबद्ध तरीक़े से किया गया।
6. बोर्ड के डायरेक्टर बनाने के लिए उक्त सहकारी बैंक की मेम्बरशिप को लेकर बड़ा घोटाला किया गया जिसके तहत फर्ज़ी मेम्बर बनाए गए। खुद तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री ने 1000 मेम्बरशिप के फॉर्म खरीदे थे और ऐसे ही शीला दीक्षित जी के कुछ ख़ास लोगों ने भारी संख्या में मेम्बरशिप फॉर्म खरीदे और फर्ज़ी मेम्बर बनाए और फ़र्जी लोन भी पास कराए।
7. शीला दीक्षित जी की सरकार ने श्री जयभगवान नामक व्यक्ति को इसी बैंक का एडमिनिस्ट्रेटर बनाया और फिर बाद में फ़र्ज़ी मेम्बर्स के सहारे श्री जयभगवान जी को डायरेक्टर और फिर बैंक का चेयरमैन भी बनवा दिया जिनकी देखरेख में ही इस बैंक में बड़े घोटाले को अंजाम दिया गया, ज्ञात हो कि श्री जयभगवान जी को तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री शीला दीक्षित जी का आर्शीवाद प्राप्त था।
8. जब आम आदमी पार्टी की सरकार सत्ता में आई तो इस मामले की जांच को और तेज़ कराया गया। पूर्व में कुछ रजिस्ट्रार ने इस मामले की जांच तो की थी लेकिन कभी रिपोर्ट पेश नहीं की। अब विधानसभा कमेटी इस मामले में अफ़सरों से जवाब-तलब कर रही थी लेकिन अफ़सर इस घोटाले पर कोई जवाब नहीं दे रहे।
9. विधानसभा कमेटी ने पूर्व रजिस्ट्रार शूरवीर सिंह से इस घोटाले को लेकर जवाब मांगा तो उन्होंने कमेटी द्वारा पूछे गए किसी भी सवाल का जवाब नहीं दिया, जब शूरवीर सिंह की निष्क्रियता को लेकर मुख्य सचिव से जवाब मांगा गया और मुख्य सचिव एम एम कुट्टी को शूरवीर सिंह पर कार्रवाई करने के लिए कहा गया तो अब एम एम कुट्टी भी विधानसभा की कमेटी को इस बैंक-घोटाले पर कोई जवाब नहीं दे रहे हैं। यही कारण है कि वो विधानसभा कमेटी के सामने पेश ना होकर हाईकोर्ट में पहुंच गए।
10. अब पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री शीला दीक्षित जी एम एम कुट्टी समेत उन सभी अफ़सरों का बचाव कर रही हैं जो अफ़सर शायद उनको उनकी सरकार के वक्त ऐसे बड़े-बड़े बैंक-घोटाले और दूसरे तरह के घोटाले करने में ना केवल मदद करते थे बल्कि जांच के वक्त भी शीला जी के बचाव में ही काम करते थे। अब अफ़सरों के प्रति शीला जी के स्नेह का यही कारण है।
आम आदमी पार्टी जल्द ही इस बैंक-घोटाले में कांग्रेस के बड़े नेताओं के सीधे हस्तक्षेप का खुलासा करेगी, और वो खुलासा इस बात को और पुख्ता करेगा कि इस उक्त बैंक-घोटाले से शीला दीक्षित जी की कांग्रेस सरकार का सीधा सम्बंध था।
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
Kyrgyzstan President Elect Sooronbai Jeenbekov
Kyrgyzstan, former Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov has won Sunday’s presidential election. He was named by outgoing President Almazbek Atambayev to be his successor.
An innovative food safety initiative,THAT SOLVE AFLATOXIN
MARS AND PARTNERS LAUNCH UNCOMMON COLLABORATION TO CROWDSOURCE GAMING SOLUTIONS THAT SOLVE AFLATOXIN
Collaboration could spell “game over” for aflatoxin – the dangerous toxin found in peanuts, spices and corn
San Francisco, CA (October 16, 2017) — Mars, Incorporated and collaborators launched an innovative food safety initiative to crowdsource solutions to solve aflatoxin, a little known but dangerous foodborne toxin that can cause liver cancer and stunting. Today a series of aflatoxin puzzles will go online on Foldit, a platform that allows gamers to explore how amino acids are folded together to create proteins. The puzzles provide gamers with a starting enzyme that has the potential to degrade aflatoxin. Gamers from around the world then battle it out to redesign and improve the enzyme so that it can neutralize aflatoxin. One in ten people eat unsafe foods – like those containing aflatoxin – causing severe health, economic and social consequences. Through innovation and collaboration, Mars’ goal is to combat the causes of unsafe food and improve global food security as part of its Sustainable in a Generation plan.
Today’s Foldit aflatoxin launch is built on an uncommon collaboration of diverse parties including Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), the University of California, Davis, the University of Washington, Northeastern University and Mars, Incorporated. Foldit allows anyone in the world with a computer and an imagination to play. In fact, some of the best Foldit gamers have had no scientific training; the platform taps into humans’ innate puzzle-solving abilities to solve complex scientific problems. The top aflatoxin designs will be synthesized using the latest synthetic biology techniques and materials donated by Thermo Fisher Scientific. They will then be tested at the labs in UC Davis for their real world potential to eradicate aflatoxin. All player designs will be available in the public domain, free of patents, in order to maximize the positive impact that this project could have on global food safety.
The Foldit game was first released in May 2008, since then it has had a number of notable successes. For example in 2011 a dozen gamers took only 10 days to unravel the structure of an enzyme involved in a virus similar to HIV – a problem that had troubled scientists for decades.
Speaking at the launch event in San Francisco, Dr Howard-Yana Shapiro, chief agricultural officer of Mars, Incorporated, said: “4.5 billion people in developing countries are chronically exposed to aflatoxin through their diet – this simply cannot continue. We’re excited to bring together this partnership using the innovative Foldit computer gaming platform. I hope today kicks off the process to say ‘game over’ to this silent but serious threat to food security”.
The Foldit launch event marks World Food Day, the annual day designated to promote worldwide awareness of food security by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Justin Siegel, faculty director of the Innovation Institute for Food and Health and assistant professor of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular medicine at the University of California, Davis, said: “While aflatoxin has been a known issue for decades, advances in computation and biotechnology, coupled with the imagination of players from around the world, may finally result in a solution to this pressing problem. No single organization can tackle a problem this large, but the uncommon collaboration between the groups coming together here will enable us to not only discover a potential solution, but translate it in a way that has real impact.”
Helge Bastian, vice president and general manager of synthetic biology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “We are excited to tread this innovative path bringing together two leading corporations from different industries, prestigious universities, a crowd-sourcing computer game and the public to help build a safer food supply chain and address a major health issue. Biology runs on a digital code, DNA – the software of life, that we can now design, write, modify and manufacture to engineer more effective, scalable solutions to real-world problems. This project has the potential to demonstrate the power of synthetic biology as a key discipline for a sustainable future.”
David Baker, director of the UW Institute of Protein Design whose lab has been developing FoldIt along with the UW Center for Game Science and Seth Cooper at Northeastern, said: “It has been fascinating to work with FoldIt players over the years and see how they have been able to come up with innovative solutions to challenging problems. I look forward to seeing the solutions FoldIt players come up with to the important aflatoxin neutralization problem!”
Aflatoxin was first discovered in 1960 and it is estimated that it contaminates approximately a quarter of the food crops in the world. The substance has been linked to stunting in children who consume it and it is estimated to cause 90,000 cases of liver cancer each year. The toxin disproportionately affects people in poorer countries with less rigorous crop testing. Approximately 16 billion tons of corn are lost worldwide annually due to aflatoxin contamination. No current strategies to prevent aflatoxin infestation have been successful. Anyone keen to put their gaming skills to the test and join the initiative to eradicate aflatoxin can play the Foldit game at https://fold.it.
Happy Diwali
Dr. V. K. Garg <vinodkgarg1948@gmail.com>
To:nksagar@rediffmail.com,nksagar_1@yahoo.com
16 Oct. at 12:38 pm
Dr. V.K. Garg
Former:
CMD, Power Finance Corporation
&
Chairman, Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC)
Analysis of Assets & Liabilities of National Parties
Press Release
Date: 16th Oct, 2017
Analysis of Assets & Liabilities of National Parties – FY 2004-05 to 2015-16
Introduction
There are a set of accounting standards set for commercial, industrial and business enterprises and these accounting standards are issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI). Political parties fall under the non-commercial, non-industrial or non- business entity. Thus, the standard accounting formats of the other entities are not applicable to political parties.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) requested for recommendations from the ICAIto bring uniformity in the accounting and auditing practices of political parties. Thus, the “Guidance note on Accounting & Auditing of political parties” or the “Accounting guidelines” were formulated in February, 2012 by the ICAI on the request of the ECI, in order to improve accounting and auditing standards of political parties and improve transparency in their finances. These guidelines laid down principles of recognition, measurement and disclosure items of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities in the financial statements of political parties.
This report analyses the assets and liabilities declared by the seven National Parties(BJP, INC, NCP, BSP, CPI, CPM and AITC) between FY 2004-05 and 2015-16.
Please refer to the attached documents for the Executive Summary in Hindi and Bengali along with the complete analysis in English.
Executive Summary
Frequently asked questions
· What is a balance sheet?
Balance sheet contains information on three main financial aspects of the entity, which is a political party in this case. a) The “Assets” of the party are resources such as cash, their bank investments, moveable and immovable properties, vehicles, etc.; b) The “Capital” or “Reserve Fund” portion of the balance sheet is the accumulated wealth of the political party which is essentially assets minus any liabilities of the party; c) The “Liabilities” of a political party includes borrowings from banks, unsecured loans, access to overdraft facilities, etc.
· What is special about assets and liabilities/ income & expenditure of political parties?
The accounting standards were created keeping in mind the nature of activities of the entities, be it commercial, industrial or business. While political parties do not perform any commercial activities, the purpose of the accounting standard i.e. maintain uniformity in presentation, is kept intact by merely modifying the terminology such as “Income and Expenditure” in place of “Profit and Loss”.
· What are ECI’s transparency guidelines?
Article 324 of the Constitution empowers the ECI with plenary powers which was established in the Supreme Court judgement (AIR 1978 SC 851) by stating that the Commission has the powers to fill any legal vacuum so as to promote free and fair elections. The transparency guidelines, circulated in 2014, were lawful instructions issued after consultation with all recognised parties and hence are binding. These guidelines were formulated to improve financial transparency in political parties and strongly advised the parties to follow the ICAI guidelines formulated and circulated in February, 2012.
· What information is captured in this report?
The assets, liabilities and capital declared by the seven National Parties (BJP, INC, NCP, BSP, CPI, CPM and AITC) between FY 2004-05 and 2015-16 have been taken up for analysis in this report. The assets include fixed assets, loans & advances, deposits made, investments, etc. while the liabilities include bank borrowings, sundry creditors, overdrafts, other liabilities, etc. The capital/ reserve fund is the amount set aside by the parties after subtracting liabilities from the total assets, every year, for party expenditure.
Declaration of assets by the National Parties – FY 2004-05 to 2015-16
· The average total assets declared by the seven National Parties during FY 2004-05 was Rs 61.62 cr which increased to Rs 388.45 cr during FY 2015-16.
· A decrease of Rs 95 cr was declared by the parties together between FY 2008-09 and 2009-10 while an increase of Rs 156.51 cr was declared between FY 2009-10 and 2010-11.
*The balance sheet of BSP for the FY 2006-07 is unavailable in the public domain
· During FY 2004-05, the declared asset of BJP was Rs 122.93 cr which increased by 627.15% to Rs 893.88 cr during FY 2015-16.
· CPM and AITC are the only two National Parties to show a steady increase in their annual declared assets. The total assets of CPM between FY 2004-05 & 2015-16 increased by 383.47% (Rs 90.55 cr to Rs 437.78 cr) while that of AITC increased from Rs 0.25 cr to Rs 44.99 cr (by 17896%).
· The assets declared by National Parties fall under 6 major heads: fixed assets, loans & advances, FDR/ deposits, TDS, Investments and other assets.
· During FY 2004-05, the National Parties declared maximum assets under FDR/ deposits which amounted to Rs 183.442 cr. This constituted 42.53% of total assets declared by the parties under various heads.
· During FY 2015-16, the highest asset category is other assets under which the parties have declared holding Rs 1605.114 cr which formed 59% of the total assets declared under various heads by the parties.
· It is to be noted that the only asset category to show a reduction in value was“Investments”. During FY 2004-05, parties invested a total of Rs 16.936 cr whose current value stands at Rs 4.018 cr.
Declaration of liabilities by National Parties – FY 2004-05 to 2015-16
· The seven National Parties declared a total of Rs 47.77 cr as liabilities during FY 2004-05, an average of Rs 6.82 cr per party. CPM declared highest liabilities of Rs 20.285 cr followed by BJP with Rs 14.298 cr.
· A marked increase in total liabilities of parties is observed during FY 2008-09 (Rs 134.429 cr), 2011-12 (Rs 145.844 cr) & 2014-15 (Rs 387.639 cr).
*The balance sheet of BSP for the FY 2006-07 is unavailable in the public domain
· The total liabilities for FY 2015-16 declared by the National Parties is Rs 383 cr, an average of Rs 54.71 cr per party. INC declared the highest liabilities of Rs 329.43 cr followed by BJP with Rs 24.99 cr.
· CPM is the only party to declare a decrease in liabilities from Rs 20.285 cr during FY 2004-05 to Rs 5.14 cr during FY 2015-16.
· The liabilities declared by National Parties fall under 2 major heads: borrowings (from banks, overdraft facilities and sundry creditors) and other liabilities.
· During FY 2004-05, the National Parties declared maximum liabilities under “other liabilities” – Rs 31.43 cr while during FY 2015-16, the highest liabilities were “borrowings” where the parties declared a total of Rs 333.14 cr.
· CPM has declared nil liabilities under “borrowings” for all years except during FY 2010-11 when the party declared Rs 44.70 lakhs under this head. “Other liabilities” amount to Rs 5.14 cr for the party for FY 2015-16.
· Highest liabilities declared by INC was during FY 2014-15 during which the party had liabilities amounting to Rs 327.54 cr under “borrowings”.
Capital declared by National Parties – FY 2004-05 to 2015-16
· The total Capital/ Reserve fund set aside by the National Parties during FY 2004-05 was Rs 383.56 cr, and Rs 2336.17 cr for FY 2015-16.
· BJP has the highest capital at present after declaring Rs 868.889 cr followed by Rs 557.38 cr of BSP and Rs 432.64 cr of CPM.
· The reserve funds of BJP, between FY 2004-05 and 2015-16 increased by 700% while that of INC increased by 169%. Highest percentage increase was seen in AITC with13447% followed by BSP with 1194%.
Observations & Recommendations of ADR
Observations
1. According to the ICAI guidelines, parties are directed to declare details of the financial institutions, banks or agencies from whom loans were taken. The guidelines specify that the parties should state the “terms of repayment of term loans” on the basis of due date such as a year, 1-5 years or payable after 5 years – not declared by the National Parties.
2. Details of fixed assets received as donation by the parties should be declared such as original cost of the asset, any additions or deductions, depreciation written off, cost of construction, etc. The same should also be declared for fixed assets purchased by the political parties – not all National Parties declared this information.
3. Details of loans given by the parties in cash/ kind should be specified and if it constitutes more than 10% of the total loans, nature and amount of such loans should be declared specifically by the parties – not declared by the National Parties.
4. ICAI guidelines on auditing of political parties which were also endorsed by the ECI in order to improve transparency in the finances of political parties, remainguidelines only and have not been actively taken up by the political parties as a mandatory procedure to disclose details of their income. These guidelines were meant to standardize the format of financial statements of parties apart from improving disclosure of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the unique association, political parties. Details of disclosure included:
a. Classification and disclosure of details of donors (individuals, companies, institutions and others) – classification not declared by the National Parties.
b. Revenue from issuance of coupons of different denominations to be disclosed separately – not declared by the National Parties.
Recommendations
1. Changing of auditors every three years:
a. The amended Companies Act, 2013, which came into force on 29thAug, 2013, stated that no Company shall have an auditor for more than 5 years but this rule was not applied for political parties. Hence, designating a firm/person for auditing of accounts of parties for long durations is not desirable as there is a feasibility of making finances of parties as opaque as possible.
b. Indian laws do not permit foreign auditing firms to operate directly in India but they might have a tie-up with domestic auditing firmswhich may enable foreign companies to have access to the parties’ internal accounting.
c. The 255th Law Commission report has recommended that the accounts of political parties be “audited by a qualified and practicing Chartered Accountant from a panel of such accountants maintained for the purpose by the Comptroller and Auditor General.” However as per the current practice, political parties choose their auditors entirely on their own. This needs to change.
2. As the income-expenditure statements of political parties are assessed rarely (even those of National Parties), authenticity of the accounts submitted remains doubtful. When the authenticity is not verified, the auditors who might be under-reporting the accounts, remain out of purview of punishment. With online submission of IT Returns, political parties do not submit details of income, expenditure and assets and liabilities as attachments. Thus, the IT department too does not have enough information on the finances of political parties! Annual scrutiny of documents submitted by political parties is recommended.
3. The 170th Law Commission report recommended introduction of Section 78A in the RPA and proposed penalties for political parties defaulting in the maintenance of accounts. This needs to be introduced and implemented.
4. Section 276CC of the IT Act penalizes individuals who fail to submit their IT returns. Similar legal provisions should be applicable to political parties too. Supreme Court judgement in Common Cause vs. Union of India & ors. had stated that when parties default in filing their returns, prima facie they violate provision of IT Act.
Contact Details
Media and Journalist Helpline: +91 80103 94248, Email: adr@adrindia.org
Dr. Ujjaini Halim
Coordinator – West Bengal Election Watch
033-24836491
98302 99326
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Maj. Gen Anil Verma (Retd.)
Head – NEW/ADR
+91 11 4165 4200
+91 88264 79910
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Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad (Retd.)
Founder Member- NEW/ADR
+91 99996 20944
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Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore
Founder Member- NEW/ADR
+91 94483 53285
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Association for Democratic Reforms
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‘Plant of Excellence’ from amongst the PSU Steel Plants
Steel PSUs must finalize and implement all SPVs and Joint Ventures in a time-bound manner, says Steel Minister Shri Birender Singh.
All Steel Plants must aim for achieving international benchmarks of performance and quality
Ministry of Steel to adjudge ‘Plant of Excellence’ from amongst the PSU Steel Plants
New Delhi: 16th October, 2017
The Brainstorming Session with key stakeholders in the Steel industry, chaired by Steel Minister Shri Birender Singh, Union Steel Minister in Chandigarh today witnessed free flow of ideas and exchange of views.
Birender Singh directed the CMDs of PSUs under Ministry of Steel to finalize and implement all SPVs and joint ventures in a time-bound manner. The ramping up of modernized units also, has to be completed with all seriousness and commitment within stipulated timelines, he added. The Minister remarked that there are pockets of excellence in each Plant & Unit, which need to be replicated and the whole Steel Plant should become a hallmark of excellence. That is possible only when the Plant aims to achieve international benchmarks of excellence in production and quality. To encourage a healthy competition amongst the PSU Steel Plants, Ministry will assess and declare a ‘Plant of Excellence’ based on overall performance vis-à-vis international standards, he added. The Minister stated that he would himself review the performance at Plant and Unit level, and production performance will be closely monitored by the Ministry. Responsibility for time and cost overruns will be fixed as a norm from now on, he emphasized. Any genuine difficulties and constraints could be highlighted in such review meetings so that quick remedial action could be taken. Shri Birender Singh underscored the critical significance of synergy and teamwork at Board level in each company. Lack of coordination, one-upmanship, groupism, egocentricity, micro-vision at Board level not only impact the company adversely in short term but also lead to long term harmful consequences, he added. Accountability and responsibility has to begin from the top, and mechanism for rewarding good performance and disincentives for poor performance should be applicable at all levels, he stated.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Steel, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Secretary Steel, Dr. Aruna Sharma, senior officials from the Ministry, CMDs and other officials from the PSUs under Ministry of Steel.
Gujarat Hungry, Malnourished & Stunted
Researcher view only Not ours
October15, 2017 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
It is all Bakvas about Gujarat’s Bikas. In this both ruling and opposition are pathetic. Gujarat can’t be claiming any BIKAS when it ranks 13th out of 17 States in HUNGER – ahead of MP, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhatisgarh all BJP states and 12th is Orisha also NDA state. Here are some data –
Milk Production Growth 30% in 5 Years – Milk Animals 27.5%.
Milk Productivity Growth Rate 0.5%.
As per data in SER2017, Milk Production in Gujarat increased 30% from 7.9 MT in FY2007-08 to 10.3 MT in FY2012-13 five year period – in this period number of In Milk Cattle & Buffalos also increased substantially from 6.9m to 8.8m or 27.5%. [P-S72, S74.]
In 20 Yrs Population Growth in Gujarat was 45% – Food Production 20%.
Year
|
Foodgrains
|
Oilseeds
|
Cotton
|
Sugarcane
|
1997-98
|
5709.8
|
3837.6
|
3180.0
|
11836.2
|
2016-17
|
7420.0
|
4781.3
|
8220.0
|
11950.0
|
20 Yrs
|
30%
|
12.4%
|
1%
|
Gujarat’s Share in India’s GDP 7% in 1994 – 1998 and 2016
GSDP Share
With only 4.99 per cent population share, Gujarat accounts for 7.3 per cent share to National GDP. [SER P-20]
In this Large Industry accounts for 30% to 35% which are National Projects largely owned by Indians – are of little benefit to Gujarat. Excluding these Gujarat GDP is reduced to 4.75% of India for 5% of India Population.
Gujarat 44.7% Children Under 5 Underweight
Power Generation 8%, Installed Capacity 9%
http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/powersupply/2017/psp_energy-09.pdf ,http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executivesummary/2017/exe_summary-08.pdf
H1 2017-18 Power Generation in Gujarat was 48.8BU compared to India generation of 611 BU. This is exactly 8%. Installed Capacity in Gujarat is 9%.
Chhatisgarh 55 BU & MP 52 BU Produce more Electricity than Gujarat.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770 [4G], 9871056471, 9718280435,
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects
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