” If the state is soft to a large extent, especially in terms of the unholy nexus between the law makers, the law keepers and the law breakers, the moral authority and also the moral incentives, to exercise suitable control over the society would vanish. Large unaccounted monies are generally an indication of theat” – Observation of Supreme Court on 4th July in Black Money case.
A true picture of the present day affairs of the Government. The government is not only a silent spectactor, but in fact seems to be against taking any action on black money since many of the top politicians of both the ruling and the main opposition party are involved it in a big way.

The UPA II government is taking interesting decisions. Now the Finance Ministry has refused to compensate BSNL for the development/expansion of services as part of the social commitment of the government. It means that the BSNL need not take works with out getting the compensation.
Both ways it means that the government is withdrawing from its social commitment.

It has once again been proved that the CBI is not that independent. The last two days CBI drama is a complete evidence to this. Even before examining Amar Singh, SP leader, the CBI has given the statement that neither Congress nor SP leaders are involved in the cash-for-vote scam. And the media reports indicate that the questioning of Amar Singh later was only an eye wash.
The government which made a cover up of the Boffors scam can easily do another cover up. Whether the Supreme Court will be able and prepared to do an aggressive action as done in the case of 2G scam? Whether another public cry as in the case of ‘Justice for Jessica’ an be done to expose the cash-for-vote scam?

The Anti-PFRDA Convention held at Delhi today, 22nd July has decided to organise sustained struggles against the PFRDA Bill presented in the Parliament to ensure that it is defeated or withdrawn. The Convention decided to submit a memorandum signed by lakhs of workers and people to the Prime Minister to drop the anti-worker bill. A one day strike is also decided, the date for which will be decided by a Steering Committee elected by the Convention.
The Gujarathi Samaj Hall, New Delhi, where the convention was held was full to the brim. A presidium consisting of Coms. Kulkarni (AISGEF), P.R.Menon (AIRF) S.K.Vyas(Confederation) and myself conducted the proceedings. The Resolution against the PFRDA Bill was presented by Com.Sukomal Sen (AISGEF). Comrades Basudev Acharya, M.P., Tapan Sen M.P., M.K.Pandhe (CITU) and other leaders addressed. From BSNLEU, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke and supported the resolution. Com.K.K.N.Kutty, SG, Confederation presented the action plan.
The resolution was unanimously adopted along with the action plan.
The Convention has given the call for strugle. The PFRDA Bill has to be defeated.
( For Detailed report visit BSNLEU website http://www.bsnleuchq.com )

The All India Anti-PFRDA Convention will be held at New Delhi on 21st July. It is being participated by Central Government, Railway, Defence, State Government, Teachers, BSNL employees and Pensioners.
The government’s aggressive move to pass the PFRDA bill can not be accepted. Government is implementing the directions of the US and the MNCs against the interests of the lakhs of pensioners. As such this has to be resisted and defeated.
I hope that the Convention will take suitable decisions in the matter.

Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister, has stated that he proposes to mop up Rs. 40,000 crore in this fiscal year 2011-12 by selling shares of the PSUs. So far an amount of Rs. 1144.55 crore has been received through disinvestment this financial year.
The government decision to disinvest PSUs are not only to mop up funds for government. In fact there are other reasons which go deep. The implementation of the neo-liberal policies include enriching the MNCs and big business by handing over to them the scarce natural resources and manufacturing units with the government for a meagre amount. The government want to implement its slogan that ” Business is not the business of the government”. Unless the democratic movement in the country and the united work force put a stiff fight, the wealth of the nation will be in the hands of the MNCs and big business within a short time. Maximum propaganda among the people is a must to stop this loot of the PSUs.

It seems that another Broadband (BWA) Spectrum auction may take place. Though the DOT was telling about the scarcity of spectrum, it seems that it has got surplus BWA spectrum.
Another reason for the present move to auction spectrum is that some of the major telcos do not have licences in all the circles and they are pressurising the government for a fresh auction. The Government is also in a hurry due to the fact that they want money to finance the government projects and programmes.
I hope that the government will not do the same mischief and corrupt practises as they have done in the earlier auction.

The 5 lakh coal workers will go on a three days strike from 8th August 2011 demanding five years wage revision which is due from July 2011. Their last wage revision was from July 2006.
The National Convention of Coal workers held at Ranchi on 28th June under the auspices of the coal workers unions affiliated to INTUC, CITU, AITUC, BMS and HMS has taken the decision to go on strike.
The National Convention also condemned the disinvestment of 26% shares in Coal India Limited, which is completely against the interest of the company and its workers.
The coal workers struggle will start similar struggles in other sectors also for a five years wage agreement. It is to be noted that the BSNL wage agreement does not mention the period since the Union wanted 5 years and the management wanted 10 years. Now after the five year period is over after 2012 the BSNL Unions can also demand for a new five year agreement.

If any body has thought that the issue of the high level drama in Parliament showing crores of rupees received for voting in favour of the government in the confidence motion is over, they are mistaken. The Government was silent and naturally the CBI was prolonging the case. But the sharp remarks of the Supreme Court has made the CBI move.
The disclosure coming through the statement of one Sohail Hindustani, the intermediary, that he has been contacted by Samajwadi Party Leader Amar Singh and some Congressmen close to PM and Sonia Gandhi in this connection are really disturbing. The UPA Government is really in a mess.
If the accusations are proved, where is the credibility of the Government? Is it that any wrong can be done to continue in Government?

There is no stopping of the soaring price of gold. It has reached an all time record. Yesterday the price for a soverign was Rs. 17,630.
There seems to be two main reasons for the soaring prices. One, the price of the gold never comes down and hence it is a good investment. Second the tendency of Indians to accumulate gold as also make jewellery for the women to wear. And for the past few years the practice of males, young and old wearing heavy gold chains has come to stay.
Unless the present trend of aggressively accumulating is not changed, the price of gold is will go higher and higher.