Madhya Pradesh is misusing govt money, alleges Digvijay Singh

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh assailed Madhya Pradesh Government of "misusing government money" for "disinformation campaign against Christians and minorities.

February 5, 2011 - New Delhi

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh assailed Madhya Pradesh Government of "misusing government money" for "disinformation campaign against Christians and minorities.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of a book release here, Singh said: "On the one hand Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wants to go on hunger strike saying he has no money but on the other hand I have got the information that a sum of Rs 150 crore was spent on Narmada Kumbh."

He asked, "What was the purpose behind it?"

"The government money is being spent in Narmada Kumbh for disinformation campaign against Christians and minorities. This is outrageous and the government of India must take note of it," he said

Stressing on this aspect, he urged the Central Government to take a note of these trends.

"The government's money is being spent in Narmada Kumbh. I think it is outrageous and Government of India must take note of that," he said.

He also slammed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and expressed concern over "Sanghi" terrorism.

Referring to reported findings of Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the Gujarat riots that no records, documentations or minutes of the crucial law and order meetings held by the government during the riots had been kept, Singh said it is a "criminal offence" and needs to be probed thoroughly "at whose insistence it was done".

"If SIT has found some incriminating evidence against the chief minister (Narendra Modi) and from what I have seen in the media, I believe that incriminating records have been destroyed or tampered with, it's a criminal offence in itself and it needs to be thoroughly probed at whose insistence it was done," he added.

Jairam Ramesh hopes for second home for Asiatic Lions

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday pressed Gujarat to part with some of its lions, asserting that they should be translocated and have a second home in Madhya Pradesh.

January 27, 2011 - Sasangir (Gujarat)

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday pressed Gujarat to part with some of its lions, asserting that they should be translocated and have a second home in Madhya Pradesh.

Ramesh, who visited the Sasangir sanctuary in Gujarat's Junagadh district, the only abode of Asiatic lions, said he is hopeful that the Narendra Modi Government will agree to The Proposal of having a second home for Gujarat lions in Madhya Pradesh.

"Specialists believe that there should be second home for Asiatic lions and from past so many years we are in talks with Madhya Pradesh. So, I hope that soon we would be able to open this second home," said Ramesh.

"Many specialists believe, and I got letters of scientists from America, England and Germany saying that the way in Africa and Tanzania, 1,000-2,000 lions died some 25 years ago due to some disease. So there is a danger, because the population of Gir is inbred. There is not enough genetic diversification also," he added.

Gujarat Government has rejected Jairam Ramesh's proposal on Gir Lions, saying that there is no need to shift Gir Lions out of Gujarat and that the Asiatic Lions are safe in Gir. By Hanif Khokkhar

Professional Biography

Professional Biography

As Chief Minister of Gujarat

Modi became Gujarat's Chief Minister for the first time in October 2001 after his predecessor Keshubhai Patel resigned defeat of the BJP in by-elections. He got re-elected in December 2002 when he became the CM for the second time. Modi took oath as the Gujarat Chief Minister for the third consecutive time on December 25, 2007. He defeated Dinsha Patel from Maninagar Assembly constituency by 87,000 votes.

After failing to get the Compulsory Voting Bill stamped by Gujarat Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal, the Narendra Modi-led State Government, in April 2010 has decided to reintroduce the bill in the Assembly.

Modi slammed the central government for failing to tackle the Maoist violence.

In June 2010, he inaugurated the manufacturing plant of Nano at Sanand, a city and municipality in Ahmedabad district.

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/Features/Politics/Narendra-Modi.asp#ixzz1EJ1JYeju

Jairam Ramesh asks Narendra Modi to part with some Asiatic lions

Jairam Ramesh asks Narendra Modi to part with some Asiatic lions

In his maiden visit to Gir since he took charge of the environment portfolio, minister of state Jairam Ramesh stirred the hornet's nest by stating that Gujarat needs to part with some lions and that they need to be shifted to a second home in Madhya Pradesh.

Ramesh is on a two-day visit to the state, primarily to take a call on the Girnar Ropeway Project on Girnar Hill, allegedly passing through 26 endangered vultures' nests. During the day, Ramesh had a short closed-door meeting with forest officials and local leaders. Principal Secretary, environment and forest, SK Nanda said, "He has received the information he needed and has asked us to meet him in Delhi on February 2, where he will take the final call on the ropeway project."

Speaking to the media, Ramesh said the Gujarat government should consider translocating some lions to a second home in the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in MP.

The Gujarat government has already rejected the proposal several times before on grounds that the Gir lions were the 'pride' of the state.

During his visit to the sanctuary, Ramesh also visited the Maldharis nesses which are inside the sanctuary. He told the forest officials that the Maldharis should be moved out of the forest at the earliest and that the central government was willing to bear the rehabilitation expenses.

According to Nanda, the sanctuary houses some 1,200 Maldhari families and the cost of moving each family is approximated at Rs10 lakh. "He will put the proposal in front of the planning commission and seek a sanction of funds," Nanda said.

The issue of sharing Gir lions is a bone of contention between both the governments and the Centre. "More than 1,000 lions have died due to diseases in Tanzania. Here in Gir, the lions have an inbred population and the genetic diversity of the lionsis also limited," Ramesh said after a visit to the sanctuary.

"Many scientists are of the view that the lions should have a second home. Several international scientists have written to me to create a second home for the big cat. I have written several times to the Gujarat Government to transfer some lions to MP. But the government here thinks lions are their pride possession," Ramesh said, adding that someday the proposal will be accepted by the state government.

How Narendra ‘Modi’fied Gujarat

He might have faced more than his share of criticism, but one has to admit that Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, has been one of the better performers among India’s political structure. Here’s a look at this man’s political involvement so far.

Modi joined the BJP in 1987. Through the following years, he helped this party grow and was recognized as a master strategist, well qualified with a Masters Degree in Political Science.

Later in 2001, he was called upon by the BJP to head the Gujarat government, and as soon as he came to power, he faced one great challenge, the reconciliation and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the Gujarat Earthquake. However, Modi, being the man he is, took the bull by the horns. It is here, where Modi’s capabilities were witnessed. He made an international record of restoring 876618 houses in just 500 days. He converted Bhuj, from virtually nothing to a city of opportunity. Gujarat govt got UN Sasakawa Award for outstanding work in the field of disaster management, thanks to Modi’s efforts.

However, year 2002 was not too kind to him. Violence broke out across the state, resulting in a large number of deaths and injuries. The main cause was believed to be the Godhra Train massacre, where communal violence had taken place. However, there was no sufficient evidence of a single community’s involvement.

The after-effects of the riots raised quite a few questions against Modi, and some voiced that he should resign as the Chief Minister. Opposition parties pressurised the parliament for a change in rule. This was quite a bad phase, and he stepped down.

In the following state re-elections, the BJP under Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly. In 2007, Modi took charge of reviving Gujarat’s dormant economy. He implemented cost-cutting strategies and thoroughly went about formulating a new administrative structure for the state. There were immediate signs of improvement. Gujarat’s GDP had the highest growth rate amongst all Indian states. His zeal for development did not stop here. He formed numerous Yojanas (schemes) for state-wide growth and development. Through these Yojanas, he made sure that water of the state was used efficiently, infant mortality rate was decreased, electricity was provided to all rural areas in the state, agriculture research labs were set up, campaigns to improvesex ratio were implemented, government employees were educated and trained, steps were taken to empower education of women, and many more measures were taken to provide for a comprehensive state-wide revamping. Other states were suggested to look upon Gujarat as a model state in order to change our nation into a developed one.

Modi has stood out of the political crowd mainly because of his passion, knowledge and ability to lead. He was declared by India Today as the Best Chief Minister, a few years ago, and also has a few other honours under his belt. Some of his efforts have had a few critics, for instance, the height issue of the Narmada Dam. But the changes made by Modi, have improved the infrastructure of the state as a whole.

Clearly, it can be said that he is the heart of the Gujarat we know now.

He has also been a part of our “Best politicians of 2009” post.