Kapurthala, September 26, 2013: Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala has been adjudged a “Par Excellence” organization in work place management. It has been bestowed upon with “Par Excellence Award” at 1st National Conclave on 5-S held by Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) at Chennai. QCFI is a non-profit organization promoting various good work culture concepts in all sections of society & industry. Besides RCF, NTPC, RINL, Parle etc. were among the 60 organizations from various spheres who were felicitated in the Conclave. Accounts section of RCF was awarded a special “Par Excellence” Award for best section in an organization.
The Conclave was attended by 221 delegates from 60 organisations amongst which Sh. B.Munduia, Chief Quality Manager/RCF, G.S.Hira FA&CAO/RCF and B.L.Bairwa Dy.CCMT/RCF represented Rail Coach Factory. A presentation was also presented depicting the implementation of 5-S system in RCF. The awards were presented by Chief Guest Uma Devi MD, Sh. T.R.Narasimhan, Conclave Director and Sh. P.V.Satyavartan, Director – QCFI.
5-S is a Japanese concept of work place management that uses five Japanese phrases viz. Seiri (Sorting), Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (systematic cleaning) Seiketsu (Standardising) and Shitsuke (Sustaining). The system encapsulates how to organize a work place for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying & storing the Items used, maintaining the area & items and sustaining the new order.
The implementation of system has helped in bringing improvement of work and safety in RCF. RCF was accredited with 5-S certification in 2008-09. Surveillance audit is held twice a year which helps in retaining the benefits reaped during the certification process which otherwise would wean away with passage of time. Last month such audit was conducted by QCFI Hyderabad headed by V.K.B.Dass.
It needs mention that Rail Coach Factory is the first unit on Indian Railways to be certified as    5-S organization. It was the lone unit of Indian Railways which was felicitated in National Conclave on 5-S.

Dharamsala, September 26, 2013: Special Gram Sabha meetings shall be called in Himachal to chalk out the right persons for the benefit of Right to food law.
This was stated by GS Bali, Minister for Food, Himachal Pradesh here on Thursday. He said, “The depot holders are instructed to display list of the guidelines, so that everybody shall be benefited.”
He said the Divisional commissioners are empowered to deal with the irregularities, if any.
He revealed that a state level committee to monitor the Right to Food Act is being constituted.
Bali said the there is some confusion over the supply and direct subsidy distribution of  LPG in the state after the courts’ ruling out the necessity of Aadhar Card. Bali said,” I shall be meeting the Petroleum Minister around first of next month in Delhi to sort out this issue. However the government of India is also filing a review petition regarding this shortly.”
He said that 1 lakh 20 thousand quintal of levy sugar is with the government as against 1 lakh 40 thousand quintal. But the majority of the depot holders are not depositing the money to lift their quota of sugar, and creating artificial shortage in the market.
Bali said directions have been given to impose fine on such depot holders.
 

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 26, 2013: The Special Judge, Chennai has convicted R. Ramesh Srinivasan; S.Chinathurai  & B. Rameshchandran, then Branch Managers of UCO Bank, Nagapattinam  Branch; N. Vinayagaselvam, partner of M/s  Murugan Builders, Nagapattinam and T.A. Noorjahan Gurantor for causing a loss of Rs.73 lakhs(approx) to UCO Bank.
The Special Judge has sentenced R. Ramesh Srinivasan; S.Chinathurai; B. Rameshchandran, then Branch Managers of UCO Bank, Nagapattinam & T.A. Noorjahan Gurantor to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs.27,000 and N. Vinayagaselvam, partner of said firm to undergo seven years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.3,00,90,000. Out of the total fine amount collected, a sum of Rs.3,00,00,000 (Rupees Three Crores only) shall be paid to UCO Bank, Nagapattinam Branch as compensation and the same shall be debited towards the loan account of N. Vinayagaselvam. The balance amount of Rs.1,17,000 (Rupees One lakh and Seventeen thousand only) is to be treated as Fine amount.
The case was registered by CBI. It was alleged that R. Ramesh Srinivasan; S.Chinathurai & B. Rameshchandran, then Branch Managers, UCO Bank, Nagapattinam; N. Vinayagaselvam & another partner, both of M/s Sri Murugan Builders, Nagapattinam and T.A. Noorjahan Gurantor entered into criminal conspiracy during the period from 1999 to 2002 in the matter of sanctioning/recommending of credit facilities like cash credit, adhoc cash credit, demand loan, working capital term loan & road transport operators loan by way of submitting forged work orders purported to have been issued by PWD, BSNL, etc.,  in favour of M/s Sri Murugan Builders. The then Managers of UCO Bank had sanctioned/recommended the said credit facilities to the firm and also facilitated to avail the loan by way of submitting forged and fabricated documents by impersonation, using the forged documents as genuine. A loss to the tune of Rs.73 lakhs (approx) was caused to UCO Bank, Naagapattinam branch in 2001. The accused persons committed the offence U/s. 120 B r/w 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC Sec. 13(2) r/w 13(1) of PC Act, 1988.
The Trial Court found five accused persons guilty and convicted them.

Chandigarh, September 27, 2013: Wreath was placed on behalf of Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil to pay respect to the departed soul of Lt. Col. Bikramjeet Singh, who sacrificed his life for the country in a terrorists attack in Kashmir yesterday, by DSP Balwant Singh.

Chandigarh, September 27, 2013: Former Punjab Chief Minister and Permanent Invitee to the Congress Working Committee Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday condemned the brutal terrorist attack on the soldiers of the Indian army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Hiranagar and Samba towns on Thursday. He saluted the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country while fighting the terrorists.

In a message Capt Amarinder expressed shock and grief over the loss of precious lives. He said, while the army had killed all the militants but precious lives of brave soldiers were lost.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of Lt Col Bikramjit Singh and others, he said this was an irreparable loss and he and his party stood with them in this hour of grief.

At the same time former Chief Minister remarked, "We must feel proud of our brave sons who took on the terrorists and confronted them with courage and laid down their lives for the country".

He said, "I salute their courage, commitment and sacrifice of which they have set an example for others to follow". Their sacrifice will always be remembered, he said.

And two years imprisonment to then superintendent of central excise & customs in separate cases of bribery
New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 27, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhapatnam has convicted Sri Rakesh Prasad Yadav(ITS: 1998), then Executive Engineer (Electrical), BSNL, Electrical Division, Chuttugunta, Vijayawada, Krishna District(Andhra Pradesh) in a bribery case and sentenced him to undergo three years Simple Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 20,000.
The investigation revealed that the accused was caught red handed while demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.3,000 from the Complainant (an Electrical Contractor of Vijayawada) for recommending Extension of Time (EOT) and for effecting the final payment of the bill related to the work of Electrical Installations & other works executed by his firm.
After conducting regular trial, the Court pronounced judgement convicting the accused person Sri Rakesh Prasad Yadav, for the offences U/s. 7 & 13(2) r/w. 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988.  
In another case, the Special Judge for CBI cases Mirzapur, Ahmedabad has convicted Jayantilal Kalidas Patel, then Superintendent of Central Excise & Customs, Vadodara U/s. 7 and 13(2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act 1988, and sentenced him to undergo two years Simple Imprisonment  with total fine of  Rs. 15,000 in a bribery case.
CBI had registered a case on October 19, 2000 against Jayantilal Kalidas Patel, then Superintendent of Central Excise & Customs, Range-IV, Division-III, Vadodara. Initially, the accused demanded illegal gratification of Rs.5,000. He was caught red handed for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.1,500 from the complainant as first installment for clearing the pending defacement of the Invoice of his firms. A charge sheet in the case was filed on November 24, 2000.
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

With the wedding and party season around the corner, Cbazaar.com, the largest online Indian ethnic wear store has launched an exclusive & exquisite range of wedding collections specially for this wedding season. From engagement to mehendi , sangeet, wedding. The wedding outfits comprise of heavily embellished lehenga cholis, exquisitely designed sarees, gorgeous bridal salwars, magnificent sherwanis and many more. The collections of bridal outfit are available with all heavy zari, embroidery, beige, stone and gem embellishment.
One of the most significant Indian wedding attire is lehenga choli. These lehenga cholis at Cbazaar are available in a variety of designs and styles that includes fish cut lehenga, straight cut, and long choli style lehenga cholis. Each piece of this wedding wear serves to be the high spot for the exclusive artistry and stylishness.
Other than lehenga choli, saree the most beautifying bridal wear is available on Cbazaar in a variety of fabrics and art styles like Kancheevaram silks, benarasi sarees, Chiffon, velvet, and many more.  
Men too have plenty of choices on Cbazaar for sherwanis, kurta pyjama and suits. These suits are available in variety of designs , styles & fabrics
About Cbazaar.com:
Cbazaar.com is the largest online Indian ethnic wear store. Cbazaar offers a myriad of Indian ethnic wear for women, men and kids and has patronage in over 130 countries. It offers timeless Indian styles, as well as chic reinvented styles, in designer wear, party wear and everyday fashion. The collection includes over 20,000 exquisite designs. Be it, wedding wear or festive apparels or trendy daily wear, Cbazaar is a one-stop-solution to get Indian Ethnic Wear and Accessories online. It also houses designer sarees, salwar kameez, designer kurtis, lehenga-cholis, kids clothing, and Indian ethnic wear for Men, designer sherwanis, kurta pyjama, pathani suits and many more. Cbazaar offers customized products to suite your sizes and hence a preferred destination for online Indian ethnic wear.

New Delhi, November 11, 2013: The Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh today said that the government will “seriously and promptly” look into the question of the legality of CBI and assured that “it will do all that is necessary to establish the need of CBI and its legitimacy and protects its past and future work”.
Inaugurating the three-day International Conference on Evolving Common Strategies to Combat Corruption and Crime (XXth Conference of CBI and State Anti-Corruption Bureaux), Prime Minister while linking the increase in economic growth with that of the rise in corruption, said that police and investigative agencies should distinguish between intent of malafide and error of judgment by the executive.  He underlined the fact that policy making is a multi-layered & complex process and called upon the need to draw a line of confidence between police and investigative agencies on one hand and honest executive functionaries on the other.
Prime Minister also spoke of looking at the issues of corruption in its correct perspective and said that while utmost vigilance is required in preventing corruption , it is also important to ensure transparency, accountability and probity in public life so that  the work of nation building goes on at a quick pace.
Touching on the question of autonomy in investigation to the police agencies, Dr. Singh said that it is already guaranteed and if more needs to be done to further insulate the investigative process from external interference; the government will not hesitate to do it. Prime Minister also lamented that the debate of autonomy has acquired political overtone and termed it as ‘unfortunate’.
The Prime Minister lauded the initiative of the CBI for considering to set up a Centre of Excellence that will build knowledge partnerships with leading national and international institutions in the fields of investigation, prosecution, technology, forensics and management.
Prime Minister Dr.Mannmohan Singh also complimented the CBI for its achievement and said that though it was conceived as an anti-corruption agency, it has consistently been asked to investigate complex crimes as well, particularly those which have national or inter-state ramifications. He said that the agency has contributed significantly to the efforts to contain and punish cases of corruption and other serious crimes.
To mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the premier investigating agency, the Prime Minister also released a special commemorative postage stamp on CBI.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State(PMO and Personnel, PG & Pension) V. Narayanasamy said that the government has taken various measures to make CBI a modern and efficient organisation which includes improvement in training; infrastructure; housing; improved conditions of work and employment of staff of the CBI. He further stated that efforts are on to equip the anti corruption agencies with modern techniques, equipments and forensic science laboratories for enhancing their investigative capacity.
Narayanasamy also spoke of cooperation among Central and State level anti corruption agencies as well as international agencies in fight against corruption.
Delivering the Keynote address on the opening day of the Conference, Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Communication & IT said the  Anti corruption agencies need to build better understanding of the nuances of policy implementation and decision making. He said that there is scope for law enforcement agencies to better understand the challenges involved in trans-national anti corruption investigations and improve their capacities through sharing of best practices and developing standardized protocols.
Ranjit Sinha, Director CBI in his welcome address spoke of the future role of CBI is to reinvent the organization by absorbing knowledge across all areas of law enforcement. He said that CBI has conceptualized the building of a “Centre of Excellence” that will become the fulcrum of our organizational renewal and change. He highlighted that CBI has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Law School of India University, Bangalore for establishing a dedicated “CBI Chair in Law Enforcement” to strengthen CBI’s training, research and capacity building in areas of Law, Investigation and Prosecution.  Further, he also informed the august gathering that CBI is in advanced stages of finalizing an institutional partnership with the IIM, Bangalore to modernize the existing management architecture and processes. Similar agreements are underway with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences, Bangalore for Interactive partnership in forensic psychiatry and development of scientific interrogation techniques, Sinha stated.
On this occasion the Prime Minister also gave away Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service to six CBI Officers namely, L.M. Manjhi, SP, CBI, ACB Chattisgarh (Bhillai);  M.S. Hazari, Addl SP, CBI, BS & FC, Kolkata;  D.S.Dagar, Addl. SP, CBI, STF, New Delhi;  V.Ashok Kumar, Addl. SP, CBI SU, Chennai;  S.K.Tripathi, DSP, CBI, ACB, Kolkata and  Dilip Chakraborty, Inspector, CBI, EOW, Kolkata.

New Delhi, November 12, 2013: India has declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called bird flu, and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

India notified outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) at Poultry Production Unit, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg and Government Poultry Farm, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on August 5 this year.

The control measures adopted in the outbreak were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, litters and other infected materials in the radius of 1 k.m. around the outbreak location, restriction on movement of poultry, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises and subsequently issuing of the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP). The POSP was issued on August 12 this year.

Even though India is free from bird flu, regular surveillance to be continued throughout the country especially in the vulnerable areas bordering infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.

All North-Eastern States will start Implementation by next March

New Delhi, November 12, 2013: A meeting with Food Ministers of North Eastern States including Sikkim was held on yesterday at Guwahati to review the preparedness for implementation of the National Food Security Act. Various aspects of Strengthening of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) such as creation of additional storage facilities, doorstep delivery of foodgrains and computerization of TPDS were also discussed in detail, keeping in view the special circumstances of the North Eastern States in terms of terrain, accessibility, transportation of foodgrains, storage facilities etc.

The meetings was chaired by Prof. K.V.Thomas, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Food Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura attended the meeting, besides the Principal Secretaries/Secretaries in charge of Food and Public Distribution in all the NE States and other senior officers.

State Food Ministers informed about the steps being taken to implement the Act in their State an almost all the States indicated that implement the Act in their State and almost all the States indicated that implementation will begin by March, 2014 or latest by middle of 2014. They also raised State specific issues, mainly relating to impact of the Act on allocation of foodgrains and financial assistance from Central Government especially for intra-State transportation, handling of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin.

Prof. Thomas explained that not only allocation of foodgrains of all the states under National Food Security Act, would be higher than what they are currently receiving for BPL and AAY households under existing TPDS, it will also be at highly subsidized prices of Rs. 2/3 per Kg for wheat/rice whereas existing issue price for BPL allocation is much higher. Further, the Act provides for protection of average offtake of food grains of last 3 years. The existing APL households which are not likely to be covered under NFSA may also be covered out of the tide over allocation to be provided at existing APL prices to protect the average4 offtake. Therefore in terms of foodgrains allocation, all the States stand to gain. He also stressed on the need to stop leakages and requested expeditious implementation of computerization. On providing assistance to States for transportation etc., he stated that the Central Government is aware of the specific problems of NE States and all aspects will be kept in mind while deciding norms in this regard. On creation of additional storage facilities, he requested State Food Ministers to personally monitor the ongoing projects to resolve the issues hampering progress, if any. He also requested State Governments to create intermediate storage facilities, which is now included as a permissible activity under MGNREGA.

New Delhi, November 12, 2013: The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis during 1st April to 31st October 2013 were Rs. 77235.64 crore compared to Rs. 68634.26 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 12.53 per cent.

The total goods earnings have gone up from Rs. 47350.71 crore during 1st April – 31st October 2012 to Rs. 51876.33 crore during 1st April – 31st October 2013, registering an increase of 9.56 per cent.

The total passenger revenue earnings during 1st April – 31st October 2013 were Rs. 21247.79 crore compared to Rs. 18017.23 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 17.93 per cent.

The approximate revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs. 2187.32 crore during April - October 2013 compared to Rs. 1782.94 crore during the same period last year, an increase of 22.68 per cent.

The total approximate numbers of passengers booked during 1st April– 31st October 2013 were 4967.26 million compared to 4997.36 million during the same period last year, showing a decrease of 0.60 per cent. In the suburban and non-suburban sectors, the numbers of passengers booked during April-October 2013 were 2657.16 million and 2310.10 million compared to 2596.17 million and 2401.19 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 2.35 per cent and a decrease of 3.79 per cent respectively.

Moga , November 14, 2013: BJP Kisan Morcha National Secretary Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal has demanded a high level-inquiry into the serial blasts near the prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi rally.
He condemned the Bihar state government of not making proper security arrangements for the party Hunkar rally.
In a press statement here today, Grewal rejected Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claim that there was no input from the state and central intelligence on the blasts, adding security should have been strengthened in anticipation of a large turnout. He said after visiting the injured in hospital that there were inputs from security and intelligence agencies before the serial blasts in Bodh Gaya, but the terror attack could not be prevented. Grewal said the Bodh Gaya serial blasts and arrest of Indian Mujahideen Co-founder Yasin Bhatkal in Bihar in the past three months were reason enough for the Bihar state government to arrange proper security for rally.
He claimed that Narendra Modi, a public person with a high threat perception, was not provided an SUV with a capacity to withstand an explosion, when a demand was made for it. He said that Modi alleged that district officials were casual after the first blast at the Patna railway station, while senior officials were unaware about it. He said that in spite of that, the Bihar state government failed to increase security measures for the rally.
Grewal demanded a high-level inquiry into the serial blasts near the prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi rally. He said the violence has no place in democracy. He said everyone has the right to reach out to the people anywhere in our country.

Chandigarh, November 15, 2013: Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today clarified that he had purchased the land in Majrian village in Mohali way back in 1997 like many others as an ordinary citizen as he was neither an MLA nor an MP at that time.
He categorically said, if it is established that those who sold him the land did not have its rightful ownership and it belonged to the government, he was prepared to return it to the government.
He also clarified that he had purchased only 120 kanals of land and not 795 kanals as mentioned in the report published in an English daily today.
Referring to the report, Capt Amarinder asserted that he had purchased the land under due process of law like many others and there was nothing illegal about it nor had he any reason to doubt the ownership of those who sold him the land as they produced all the documents on the basis of which the registration was done after due verification. He said, he had mentioned the land transactions in his Income Tax returns also.
He pointed out, at no stage during the process of registration of the land any questions were raised about the legal ownership of the sellers of the land.
However, he added, if the land transaction is found to be unauthorised or illegal at any stage, he was prepared to return the land to the government.
The former Chief Minister maintained that the land was purchased by him in March/April 1997 when he was neither an MLA nor an MP. He said, the total land he purchased was about 120 kanlas and not 795 kanals as mentioned in the news report.
Giving the break up he said, the first registry was done on March 14, 1997 for 42 kanals and 7 marlas (reg no: 2205), two separate registries were done on April 1, 1997 for 24 kanals and 40 kanals (reg nos: 13 and 15) and another registry was done on April 25 for 13 kanals and 13 marlas.
Capt Amarinder pointed out, as the records show the registries were done under the due process of law in a transparent manner and he had no reason to suspect at that time that the land did not belong to the people from whom he had bought it as they had produced all the documents which were duly verified before the registration.
He said, although he was never asked by the commission to clarify his stand on the matter, Capt Amarinder however, reiterated, if Justice Kuldeep Singh has found that the transactions and the registrations were illegal and if it is established so that the land did not belong to the people who sold it to him and was actually the government land, as a law abiding citizen of the country he will return the land to the government.

Ludhiana, November 15, 2013: Seeking the status of the National Martyr for Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister and Ludhiana MP Manish Tewari has written to the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde saying that Sarabha’s contribution to the cause of national freedom was exceptional and unparalleled and needed to be recognised and acknowledged in the same measure.
Paying tributes to Shaheed Sarabha on the eve of his ninety-eighth martyrdom day, Tewari also sought the renaming of the Pakhowal Road after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. He said, it will be a great tribute to the great martyr who had given up a life of comfort in the United States and come back to India and joined the freedom movement.
Born and brought up in village Sarabha in Ludhiana district, Shaheed Kartar Singh went to study in the US, but was deeply drawn towards the plight of his countrymen who were being ruled by foreign rulers. He was hanged on November 16, 1915 for his participation in the freedom movement.
Tewari hoped that the Union Home Ministry will take a decision at the earliest. He assured that he will pursue the matter till its logical conclusion.

Dharamsala, November 16, 2013: Congress leader Major Vijay Singh Mankotia (retired) had made it for the 10th consecutive time, when he was once again unanimously elected the chairman of the Ex-Services League for next five-year term at Dharasmala on Saturday.
The elections were held on the final day of the two-day meet of 34th annual general meeting (AGM) of Indian Ex-Services League,(Himachal Pradesh). Major (Retd.) Mankotia was first elected as the chairman of the league in 1984.
Himachal Army Persons and Ex-Services League has a value as it has the distinction of producing four Param Veer Chakra - the highest gallantry award in the country – recipients. "Hundreds of brave soldier from Himachal have sacrificed their lives for the country. However, in return successive Central and state governments have done little for the welfare of the vast community," he said  after the elections.
 
He further said that the league has decided to organise a state level rally of ex- servicemen soon, where the chief minister will be the chief guest. “We have also requested the chief minister to invite either Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Defense Minister AK Antony to this rally and make some declaration with regard to the ex-servicemen's long pending demands, including 'one rank, one pension," said Maj. (Retd.) Mankotia.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Major Mankotia said, "We also urge the state government to take of the issue of increasing recruitment quota in Indian Army for the unemployed youth of Himachal Pradesh."

New Delhi, November 16, 2013: The Government has decided to confer, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award on eminent scientist Prof C.N.R.Rao and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Prof. C.N.R. Rao is an eminent scientist and a well recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry. He has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books. Prof. Rao`s contributions have been recognized by most major scientific academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships. He has been honoured with several national and international awards.

Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer - a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe. During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country. He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports. His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary. That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, November 18, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a charge sheet in the CBI Special Court, Bangalore against the then Deputy Port Conservator, Belekeri Port, Karwar; then Port Officer, Karwar Port; the then Asstt. Conservator of Forests, Ankola Sub Division, Karwar; the then Range Forest Range Officer, Ankola; MD of a Bangalore based Mining Industries and his firm U/s 120-B r/w 409, 420 IPC, U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1) (c) & (d) of the PC Act-1988 in a case related to alleged illegalities in the export of iron ore from Belekari Port in Karnataka.

It was alleged that the accused persons had conspired with each other in the matter of exporting 34555.06-MT of iron ore from Belekeri Port which was seized by the Forest Department of Karnataka Government and handed over to the Port authorities for safe custody, by violating the orders of Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka, Bangalore.

The case was registered by CBI 13.09.2012 on the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP(Civil) 562 of 2009 and other connected matters to investigate into the illegalities committed by various persons in the export of iron ore from Belekeri Port in Karnataka.

During the course of investigation, CBI had arrested then Port Officer, Karwar Port; then Assistant Conservator of Forests, Ankola Sub Division, Karwar and then Range Forest Officer, Ankola.  All the arrested accused are in Judicial Custody.

Further investigation into the role of other exporters is continuing.

The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.

Ludhiana, November 20, 2013: Harpreet Sandhu, Author and Practicing High Court Lawyer (India) stated today in Ludhiana that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel really deserves the Indira Gandhi Award for peace and it is indeed a good and positive move by our country to bestow upon the Indra Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2013) for the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who recently created history in election era attaining the third term as Chancellor of Germany.
In a statement here on Wednesday, he added no doubt it's a validation of Merkel leadership and her leadership style as the Germans have valued Angela Merkel as their sole choice for their country i.e. Germany which is renowned for the trade mark, "Made in Germany". Hence Merkel has already proved having established close relations with India in her previous tenure as chancellor of Germany. Its commendable that during the recent term of Chancellor Merkel, the German economy was still above euro decline as Germany is the largest economy in the European Union and the third largest in the world, this is something our country needs to learn.  As witness earlier during the Day of India in Germany 2012-13" in Berlin it was held by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that, “Germany and India share the view that new initiatives in the area of trade, bilateral investment, energy, energy security, the environment, culture, education, training, research, technology and defence can catalyse and activate the great potential of their bilateral ties,”.
“Let’s hope Germany and India can further expand their cooperation in higher education, research and technology - dynamic core areas of the Indo-German Partnership - and open up new and innovative areas of cooperation as it’s time India must initiate more and try to strengthen its strategic partnership with Germany under the Merkel dispensation”, said Sandhu.