Supreme Court has bailed out Vodafone from paying Rs. 11,000 crore Income Tax, stating that the Government has no right to levy income tax on foreign companies for their international deals. The court also ordered that the Rs.2500 crore already paid by the company be returned with 4% interest within 2 months. The Supreme court issued this order on an appeal filed by Vodafone against the order of Bombay High Court asking the company to pay the Rs.11,000 crore income tax.

When the newly elected workaholic Chief Minister of Poschimbanga was busy inaugurating the Digha beach festival when farmer Tapas Majhi from Purbasthali in Bardhaman was forced to commit suicide being unable to obtain the minimum price for the paddy that he has grown. This however is not the only example of the government’s failure to implement its much hyped agricultural policies. Last Sunday potato farmer Haridas Ratna of Habibpur, Malda too had committed suicide unable to obtain even the cost he has incurred for growing potato. The same fate was met by another farmer of Kalna. But the tears of these poor farmers and their families could not move the Chief Minister. Her priorities were apparent when she remained busy in bringing Digha at par with Goa and remaining oblivious to the predicaments of the farmers. Distress selling of crops as paddy and potato had become rampant in the State. Complains of potatoes rotting in cold storages across the State has been pouring in since the end of 2011, when increasing salary of its ministers three folds remains the prerogative of the insensible and insensitive government of Ma-Mati-Manush. Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh, on Saturday had not only refused to acknowledge that there had been any farmer suicide in the State due to huge debt burdens; he also shamelessly accredited the two deaths that he could confirm to family feuds. But proving the government a liar, farmer Haridas Ratna’s wife has written a letter on 12th of January itself to the Chief Minister confirming that her husband was forced to commit suicide because he was unable to obtain price for his crops and hence could not pay back the moneylender.  (Courtsey: Ganashakti)

It was a long journey for me today from New Delhi to Kozhikode. I started at 0500 hours early morning from D-7 Telegraph Place to New Delhi Airport so that I can board the 0700 hours Calicut flight. The fog was so thick so that it was even difficult to see some 15 metres ahead. However I reached in time for check-in. I reached the boarding gate after security check by about 0615 hours. The boarding time was scheduled at 0620 hours.  Yes, all the passengers boarded by 0630 hours.I was feeling happy that despite the fog, the flight may start in time ie.0700 hours.That was my mistake.

Everybody were in their seats, mobile phones were switched off and seat-belts were tightened. Minutes ticked by and it was about half an hour.  Many have started sleeping also.  But the plane was standing still. There was no movement. Then came the announcement from the cock-pit. Due to severe fog, the vision is only up to 50 metres. The minimum vision for take off should be at least 125 metres. It is expected that by one hour, the vision may reach the minimum requirement. He also announced that break-fast will be supplied immediately ( to satisfy the passengers?)

Break-fast and tea/coffee were served. It was almost 0900 hours. But the visibility has not improved, announced the pilot. The TV screen in front of the passengers were put on and the cinemas/ songs started. Some started sleeping, some talking and others watching the cinemas.

It was by about 10.15 that the plane moved slowly. Pilot announced again that the visibility is above the minimum and plane can take off. Only one problem – there are about 5 other planes in the queue before us. At last, the flight took of at 1040 hours – after a delay of three hours and forty minutes.

After stopping at Mumbai and then at Coimbatore, the flight landed at Calicut at 1600 hours. About 9 hours, which would have sufficient to reach the Europian cities. All were very much tired. But defeating the fog, we have reached the destination.

This is not the case of today only. Whenever, there is heavy fog neither flight, nor train will be able to proceed in time or reach the destination in time. The technology and science have advanced far, but is there no system that can manage the fog? That will save a lot of difficulties for the people.

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