Government has at last agreed to constitute a Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) on 2G spectrum scam. As per the understanding reached in the all parties meeting called  by the Government, the Government will announce on the floor of the Parliament on 22nd February the constitution of the JPC. 2G alone will be the issue of JPC and not other scams also as demanded by the opposition.

The Government should have taken this decision at the time of the winter session of the Parliament itself and saved that session.

An article by senior journalist P.  Sainath is published  in the Editorial page of  Hindu dated 21st February (today) titled ‘Hard  questions about soft questions’. It is about the 2G scam and the ignominious role played by the Government. It ridicules the stand of the Prime Minister.  A very good article worth reading.

It has been decided to hold the next Central Executive Committee meeting of the BSNL Employees Union at Chennai from 22nd to 24th March 2011. The meeting is important since it is being held after the big victory in the recent Membership Verification, that too the fourth time victory in a row.

The CEC is being held on the 10th birth anniversary of the formation of BSNLEU. This will be an opportunity to review the growth of the organisation for the last ten years, to review the verification and also to plan our strategey and demands for the coming period.

The CBI is expanding its enquiry to many places. Yesterday CBI raided the office of the Kalaignar TV in Chennai, owned by the DMK in connection with the 2G scam. It is also reported in the papers that Ms. Kanimozhi, M.P., daughter of K.Karunanidhi  is going to be questioned by the CBI.

Shahid Balwa, owner of DB group, who is in Tihar Jail in connection with the 2G scam is further remanded till March  3rd.

CBI officials are also enquiring about the accounts of Sadiq Batcha, close aide of A.Raja, former communications minister, in Dubai connected with hawala transactions and also 2G scam..

Gradually the 2G scam may involve many big and mighty in the society.

After the press conference by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a question has arisen. Whose statement is correct, whether that of the Prime Minister or that of the Finance Minister regarding the suggestion made by the Finance Ministry on 2G allotment.

It was stated by the RBI Governor Subba Rao before the PAC (Public Accounts Committee )that the Finance Ministry has objected to the DOT regarding granting allotment of 2G spectrum with out auction. This was stated by the Finance Ministry also earlier. Now in the press conference held  on 16th February, the Prime Minister has stated that ‘ the finance ministry and DOT were on the same page on the spectrum pricing’. Both statements are contradictory. The question naturally arises, who is correct?

Any way, this issue will be raised by the opposition  in the PAC or the JAC.

It is really news! The Income Tax Department has caught one of the biggest evader of tax, Hasan Ali,  Pune based owner of race horses, who is wanted for money-laundering and tax evasion of thousands of crores of rupees.Much of the money seems to be put in the Swiss Banks.

The Income Tax Department has initiated proceedings against Hasan Ali and filed case in Mumbai Court for concealment  of income and also to approach the Swiss Government for the information of the concealed amounts.

There is no doubt that there are many more such thugs who are evading tax and are involving themselves in all kinds of illegal activities. The Government should catch them.

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ONGC has started processing the disinvestment programmes for an additional 5% to get an estimated amount of Rs. 12,000 crore to the Government. The present share of government will fall from 74.14% to 69.14% after the sale. A meeting was held two days back in which the Fund managers LIC, SBI and others were there.

It is understood that the disinvestment of SAIL will be the next. Government is selling family silver one after another at cheap prices!

After the global recession,  there has been a revival of interest in the ‘Capital’, the famous three volumes book of Karl Marx. Now it is republished by the Left Word Book Publications, New Delhi.

The book was released on 4th February 2011 at a meeting in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)  attended by a large number of scholars and political leaders.

Our comrades should certainly read the book.

I along with Coms. Suresh Kumar, General Secretary and Ashokababu, Dy. General Secretary, BSNLEU met Shri R.Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DOT and discussed important issues facing the BSNL employees. The discussion took about one hour. Secretary, DOT assured that the Cabinet Note on ITS absorption will be submitted to the Government shortly and he expects that final decision may come by March. Regarding Pension Revision for pre-2007 BSNL retirees, the order will be issued without any further delay. Other issues connected with the development of services etc. were discussed. A detailed note will be published in the BSNLEU website.

Former Communications Minister A.Raja has been remanded to judicial custody 14 days and have been sent to Tihar Jail .

Big business czars are being questioned by the CBI – Reliance boss Anil Ambani questioned by CBI in connection with the 2G scam. Will Tata be the next?