Kartik Lokhande's blog

* High-level meeting on May 12 to discuss the issue By Kartik Lokhande  Following the annoucement of the previous Government that thousands of hectares of zudpi jungle land would be freed for development, people in Vidarbha region were very happy. They were left disappointed on learning that the zudpi jungle to be ‘freed for development’ was only fragmented stretches not useful for forest management. Now, there is one more disappointment for people of Vidarbha -- Field Officers are facing problems while dealing with the problems pertaining to even this zudpi jungle land. Field Officers of Revenue Department and Forest Department both are facing problems while deciding the proposals for deforestation of identified fragmented zudpi jungle land. “The biggest problem is that the field-level officers are expected to prepare GPS maps of the identified sites and then ensure that they are superimposed on the topo-sheets, so that the portion of zudpi jungle under encroachment or

By Kartik Lokhande China is ‘poised to take de facto control’ of South China Sea. This warning by Philippines must  be taken in all its seriousness by all the countries of the world and not only the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). For, whatever steps China has been taking especially over the past few years in the global political economy, are well in tune with her ‘vision’ of realising her ambitions of territorial domination. While sounding the alarm over China’s ambitions in South China Sea, Philippines has also called on the members of ASEAN to ‘stand up’ to China. The concern expressed by Philippines has its roots in some latest ‘reclamation’ works taken up by China in disputed South China Sea, and especially at Spratly Islands. China has been dredging seven reefs. At some places, multi-storeyed structures have come up and at others the infrastructure development is adequate enough for docking of military ships. As per the reports, at one reef China

By Kartik Lokhande Mr Amit Shah, National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is ruling at the Centre and in several states, must be appreciated for his latest statement that rampant corruption is hampering development of North-Eastern states. For, despite pumping in thousands of crores of rupees in the past several decades, much has been left to be desired as far as development in the North-Eastern states is concerned. During his speech at Chumkedmia Police Complex near Dimapur a couple of days ago, Mr Shah rightly pointed out, “Developmental policies and funds provided by the Central Government for developmental purposes do not reach the people.” Of course, he is not the first person to have made such a statement. Right from political leaders to surrendered militants to retired bureaucrats to military officers to national-level policy planners, many have spoken about the issue of rampant corruption in the North-Eastern states and its adverse impact on dev

* As first step towards this, MSEDCL closes down Regional ED Offices * However, sources believe that abolishing the Regional ED Offices not needed at this juncture as several major decisions pertaining to power sector are being taken benefiting especially Vidarbha By Kartik Lokhande  Taking a major step, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has decided to close down the offices of Regional Executive Director at Nagpur, Pune, and Kalyan. While some sections in MSEDCL are calling the step as ‘unwarranted’, some believe that this is the first step towards realising in near future the long-pending proposal of setting up Regional Power Distribution Companies. The Board of Directors of MSEDCL passed a resolution regarding ‘closure’ of establishments of Regional Executive Director at Nagpur, Kalyan, and Pune, in its meeting held last month. With this ‘closure’ of the said offices, some officials/personnel in these establishments are being deployed

Staff Reporter In an effort to bring to book the fraudsters claiming to be ‘agents’ of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Nagpur Development Board, a top officer himself posed as ‘a person in need of MHADA housing unit’ and conducted a ‘sting operation’. Following the ‘sting operation’, an offence has been registered against the fraudsters in Wardha Police Station. Pradeep Kumar Dange, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and Chief Officer of MHADA Nagpur Board, conducted the ‘sting operation’ on the evening of Wedneday. “I had received complaints that some persons were posing as agents of MHADA and were assuring to secure enrolment for MHADA housing unit. For the purpose, they were collecting Rs 20,000 per enrolment from gullible persons,” Dange told ‘The Hitavada’. The accused are associated with Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha, which has its office in Bahujan Nagar in Sindi (Meghe) in Wardha district. As per the details, Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha had co

By Kartik Lokhande The recent comment of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has stirred up the atmosphere especially in political, judicial, and activist circles. Almost everyone is criticising the comment, apparently because it has come from Mr Modi as an individual, forgetting that he is the Prime Minister of India. In the cacophony of criticism, the point he wished to make, and to which many common citizens would agree, has been lost. Is he the first person occupying a seat of power to have said this? The answer to this question is ‘No’. Previously also, several of the dignitaries and luminaries ranging from sitting or former President of India, Prime Minister, to Chief Justice of India and Solicitor General have said this. Though they did not use the term ‘five-star’ activists, they often referred to perception-driven judgments coming from courts, having direct or indirect influence of some or the other activist group. In the recent past, the then Prime Minister Dr Man

  * Of 22 projects with this much of irrigation potential, three have been omitted from the list citing ‘technical reasons’ * Permission lapses for Ranbodi feeder canal in Nagpur district By Kartik Lokhande  At least 33 irrigation projects in rainfed region of Vidarbha are affected by forest issues. In fact, of these projects with combined irrigation potential of 4,56,185 hectares, Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) has been able to complete only four projects with combined irrigation potential of 8,011 hectares only so far. Even if one considers the latest claims of VIDC that work on seven projects with total irrigation potential of 2,56,040 hectares is in progress, it still leaves irrigation potential of 1,92,134 hectares caught in the tangle of issues pertaining to diversion of forest land. “In short, only 1.70 per cent of targeted irrigation potential has been created in 8-10 years. This clearly shows callous and casual attitude of Maharashtra Govern

* Accuses civic administration of effecting the rise in development charges without consulting Standing Committee or General Body Staff Reporter Friday brought a double delight for Nagpurians. For, on this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing tour of France yielded an agreement under which France will be investing in developing Nagpur as a ‘Smart City’. And, on this day, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Standing Committee stayed the implementation of usurious hike in development charges that was haunting the Nagpurians for past some time. “For the past few days, media has been pointing out that the hike in development charges was exorbitant and would prove to be a hurdle for commoners in realising their dream of building own house. Several complaints were received at the offices of Mayor, Standing Committee, and Ruling Party Leader. Hence, in the meeting held today, Standing Committee decided to stay the implementation of the hike,” said Ramesh Singare, Chairma

* The Shah of parallel cinema and one of the finest and most acclaimed actors reveals the story of his life, makes candid observations about movies and theatre By Kartik Lokhande And Then One Day -- to be precise, Thursday evening -- Naseeruddin Shah descended on the cultural scene of Nagpur, after a long gap. Nagpurians welcomed this Shah of parallel cinema and one of the finest and most acclaimed actors, with a standing ovation. And, while a part of the city was getting drenched in a candid conversation inside Deshpande Hall, the Rain God kept drenching the other part of the city outside. Watching and listening to actor-director-producer Naseeruddin Shah live on stage at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall was a revealing and rewarding experience, in a way that this actor does not mince words. His expressive eyes sizing up the person in front, without batting an eyelid, gave a clear indication of being serious in business. In a relaxed mood, Naseeruddin Shah faced a comforta

  By Kartik Lokhande The latest research report of Pew Research Center on the ‘Future of World Religions’ has once again triggered a heated debate on growth of population leading to rise or fall of a particular religion in various parts of the world. The report has many dimensions for different segments -- rising population for those crying hoarsely to emphasise that population growth must be controlled; concerns for leaders of religions projected to get reduced to minority from majority in several countries; vindication for those professing for long that growth of population of a particular religion must be encouraged to strike a ‘balance’ in the global politics of faith, etc. The report has come at a time when the world is already facing several problems revolving around two keywords -- religion and population. Here, one would not wish to go into the details of the report findings as those have been published widely in media only a few days ago. Still, the prominent

* Grants approval to revised package of Rs 445.65 cr including State share of Rs 277.98 cr, keeping in mind the financial condition of these banks on March 31, 2015 * Asks for appointment of administrative board headed by respective District Collector Staff Reporter In what could be a big relief for beleaguered Nagpur, Wardha, and Buldhana District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs) in Vidarbha region, Maharashtra Government has cleared revised revival package for these banks. Also, State has released Rs 212 crore for their revival as its share in the package that involves contributions of Central Government and National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD). The revival package, however, is conditional. The conditions include appointment of an administrative board headed by respective District Collector, 50 per cent of recovery against non-productive assets (NPA) of these banks to be deposited with the Government for share capital, no fresh recruitment or

* Supplies Department appeals to people willing to surrender LPG subsidy, to fill up Form-5 and submit the same to respective distributor By Kartik Lokhande  Nagpur, the Second Capital of Maharashtra, has always been at the forefront in responding to good initiatives. In a latest, around 5,000 consumers from Nagpur city have surrendered subsidy they availed on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders for domestic use. Central Government offers subsidy on LPG cylinders for domestic use. Every cylinder for domestic use carries a subsidy of about Rs 200/-. This results into a huge annual subsidy burden on the Government. It also drains precious resources that otherwise could have been used in developmental activities. The Government has been of the view that subsidy on domestic LPG instead of being broad-based, needs to be focussed at truly needy. Keeping this in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to the citizens who could afford non-subsidised LPG cylinde

* Marathi movie ‘Court’ featuring city-based activist Vira Sathidar has won the National Award for best feature film, apart from awards in various categories in several International Film Festivals By Kartik Lokhande He is a farmer’s son who grazed cows, completed education up to Class X; worked as a factory worker, construction labourer, volunteer with an NGO, devoted time to social movements, sold and wrote books. Now, he is an actor winning national and international acclaim for his stellar performance as protagonist in Marathi movie ‘Court’, which has won National Award for best feature film.  But, not many know that the man with such a biographical sketch -- Vira Sathidar -- is from Nagpur. When one congratulates him for ‘Court’ winning the biggest award in Indian cinema, Vira politely remarks, “I have only represented this city and common people of this country. All of us, the entire city, and citizenry must be congratulated for this stupendous success.” An eff

By Kartik Lokhande  A visit to ‘Koshwahini’ website of Finance Department of Maharashtra Government exactly at 12.01 AM on April 1, 2015; revealed the financial indiscipline in the State. For, the total number of pending bills between April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015 in the State stood at a whopping 76,743; and these bills were worth Rs 9469,74,29,898/-. If you thought that this is shocking, read on. Of these many pending bills, as many as 37,545 were put up on March 31, 2015, that is, the last day of the financial year 2014-15. And, the worth of these pending bills put up on March 31, was a whopping Rs 4793,20,51,736/-, slightly less than half of the amount of total pending bills for the entire financial year. If division-wise comparisons are to be made in number of pending bills and their amount, politically influential Pune Division is the ‘top-notcher’ with 7,312 pending bills worth Rs 1241,19,77,678/- on March 31. Within Pune Division also, the highest number of pen

* Govt takes cognisance of complaint filed by Nagpur-based NGO ‘Jan Manch’ and orders probe   By Kartik Lokhande  The BJP-led Maharashtra Government, on Tuesday, ordered probe into various irregularities in execution of Gosikhurd national project, Jigaon, and Lower Painganga irrigation projects in Vidarbha region. Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) started open enquiry into the irregularities in these projects. Girish Mahajan, Water Resources Minister, disclosed this to media after the Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day in the afternoon hours. While announcing that ACB will conduct the probe, Mahajan said that the probe into Gosikhurd national project across river Wainganga was being ordered taking cognisance of a complaint lodged by Nagpur-based organisation Jan Manch. Earlier, on February 18, Maharashtra Government had ordered the ACB to conduct open enquiry into irregularities alleged in two different petitions regarding irrigation projects under VIDC. Accor

By Kartik Lokhande Kiran Bedi, Shazia Ilmi, Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Ajit Jha, Anand Kumar, Medha Patkar... The sequence of names indicates something. All of these persons have something in common. All of them have either resigned or were removed from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They have another thing in common -- all of them talked of ‘disappointment’ and ‘dictatorial’ attitude of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. Whatever may be the reason behind the recent episode of sacking, expulsion, criticism and allegations and counter-allegations from opponents and supporters of Kejriwal, one thing is clear that AAP may not ride high on its popularity as it did after Lok Sabha elections last year. For, the recent episode and happenings in various states brings to fore that something is very wrong with AAP. Some say it is ‘hunger for power’, some blame it on to ‘dictatorial’ attitude of Arvind Kejriwal, some say transparency has become a casualty in the party that owes its bir

Staff Reporter Taking a serious cognisance of the ‘copy, deceive, paste’ job done by consultancy firm CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory while preparing draft City Development Plan (CDP), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) administration has decided to look into the matter. “I shall look into the matter and examine the details,” said Shravan Hardikar, Municipal Commissioner, on Friday. He also sought the relevant documents from ‘The Hitavada’ to go into the details. Pravin Datke, Mayor, said that he would ask the Municipal Commissioner to conduct an enquiry into the matter and see that due credit of original researchers was given to them. Through a report published on CityLine front page on March 22, ‘The Hitavada’ had exposed the intellectual property fraud committed by CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory while preparing the draft CDP. The consultancy firm ‘copied’ and ‘pasted’ the findings from original research conducted by Yashwant Bhasker Katpatal, Professor, Department of

* Chinese delegation led by Consul General (Mumbai) Zheng Xiyuan hold talks with NMC officials led by Mayor * The delegation to visit MIHAN on Saturday By Kartik Lokhande  Nagpur appears to be gaining deserving prominence on investment horizon, with the keen interest taken by BJP-led Maharashtra Government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Close on the heels of French delegation’s visit to the city, a Chinese trade delegation led by Zheng Xiyuan, Consul General of China in Mumbai, also arrived on two-day visit to the city on Friday. The 14-member delegation proceeded to a Radisson Blu hotel, where it had an ‘informal’ discussion with Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) officials. Tanaji Satre, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of MADC; Sumit Mullick, Chief Protocol Officer; S J Moghe, Additional Secretary were present prominently. The delegation will pay a formal visit to Multimodal International Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) on Saturday morning.