Kartik Lokhande's blog

Maha Govt notifies amendments to LBT Rules, relaxes penalty provisions * The transaction limit has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh * Major changes have been made to reduce interest and penalty provisions, much to the relief of traders Staff Reporter Even as the rumours about scrapping of Local Body Tax (LBT) were afloat in the city on Friday evening, Urban Development Department (UDD) of Maharashtra Government notified changes in LBT Rules. Issuance of the gazette notification ruled out any possibility of scrapping of LBT. Notifying the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations (Local Body Tax) (Amendment) Rules, 2013, UDD stated that transaction limit was raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. The raised limit will be applicable in case of municipal corporation having population equal to or more than 20 lakhs as per Census-2011. Raising the transaction limit will help hawkers and small vendors as they will be out of the ambit of LBT. Amendment has been effected to Rule 19 regar

Published in The Hitavada CityLine and Vidarbha Line on April 22, 2013 Gosikhurd: Silver jubilee of a disappointment! * Even after 25 years since April 22, 1988, the mega irrigation project is still incomplete. Barely 15 per cent of planned irrigation potential of 2,50,800 hectares has been created so far despite spending Rs 6,073.71 crore, which is over 16 times the original estimated cost of the project * While farmers are still waiting for irrigation benefits to the desired extent, the project got mired into controversies with several official committees pointing out irregularities, violation of norms, sub-standard work etc By Kartik Lokhande Bigger the dream, bigger the disappointment. This is true in case of Gosikhurd mega irrigation project. Conceived in the year 1983, the project attracted much attention as none other than the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performed its bhoomipujan on April 22, 1988. Since bhoomipujan, 25 years have passed by. On ground, the

Published in The Hitavada on April 19, 2013 CAG report confirms ‘The Hitavada’ expose By Kartik Lokhande ‘The Hitavada’ was the first to expose unholy nexus of contractors-bureaucrats-politicians in siphoning off thousands of crores of rupees meant for irrigation development of rainfed region of Vidarbha.  In its multi-episode series titled ‘Black Paper on Irrigation’, ‘The Hitavada’ had pointed out how irrigation projects were deprived of funds first and then how massive cost escalations were allowed in the name of revised administrative approvals. Despite massive cost escalation of over Rs 26,000 crore in case of 38 projects in Vidarbha region in the year 2009 alone, many projects are still incomplete.  The latest CAG report has confirmed ‘The Hitavada’ reportage on the issue. Previously also, CAG report had vindicated ‘The Hitavada’ reports on irregular grant of mobilisation/machinery advance to contractors in violation of norms. CAG observations in the latest report

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on April 17, 2013 Set Top Box: TRAI favours no activation, installation charges n After digitalisation in 38 cities, TRAI releases Draft Tariff Order for STBs and invites comments till April 26 n Monthly charges to be based on bouquet of channels, subscriber opts for By Kartik Lokhande After digitalisation of cable television in 38 cities across the country including Nagpur, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released Draft Tariff Order for Set Top Box (STB). In the draft order, TRAI has favoured ‘nil’ installation and activation charges for STBs. In the draft order, TRAI has worked out standard tariff package for STB and has specified details like rent per month per STB, security deposit that is refundable, deduction from refundable security deposit spread over the period of five years, repair and maintenance cost etc. Surprisingly, this has come after 11 days since digitalisation of cable television in 38 cities of the coun

The Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, published a white paper on China's armed forces, on April 16, 2013. It is titled 'The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces'. The full text was made available by Xinhua.  For the benefit of my friends who have got interest in studying China, I downloaded the full text of what is touted as the first such document providing details of Peoples Liberation Army. The paper unveils military strength, military thought, military command, and designations of combined corps directed by the military command. From this and many other points of view, the document/text is extremely important for India.  THE DIVERSIFIED EMPLOYMENT OF CHINA'S ARMED FORCES Contents Preface I. New Situation, New Challenges and New Missions II. Building and Development of China's Armed Forces III. Defending National Sovereignty, Security and Territorial Integrity IV. Supporting National Eco