Kamal Nath vs all
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath has rubbed several leaders the wrong way due to his style of functioning. His unilateral declaration that Parliament will function on Sunday did not go down well with anyone including Speaker Meira Kumar. Grapevine has it that the Speaker was already unhappy with the extension of the Session to September first week that scuttled her tour to South Africa. Finally, leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj put Nath in his place by making clear that the BJP would not attend the House if it was extended to Saturday. Soon it was time for the National Anthem.
One in all
While discussing the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla complained that on such legislations generally parties fielded only eminent lawyers to give their views. “I’m an exception so I can give an “outsider view” of the ills prevailing in judiciary,” he said. BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra took a dig at Shukla by pointing out that he is a former journalist, son of a lawyer, son-in-law of a lawyer, and brother-in-law of an eminent lawyer and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. The entire House broke into laughter on such detailed description of Shukla.
Going good at 90
Approaching 90 this week, the grand old man of the Indian bar Ram Jethmalani seems to have lost nothing. His active engagement with legal work, at this stage of life came in for appreciation in the Supreme Court last week. “At 90, he can speak with a pitch louder than anybody in court. Do you think he has lost anything,” Justice GS Singhvi commented. “We hope God gives him good life,” he added.
Owes it to Modi
A BJP Yuva Morcha leader recently complained to Narendra Modi that one Central office-bearer scolded him over phone for the way he was executing the Gujarat Chief Minister’s social media plan in Bihar. The trouble started when Bihar BJP leaders complained to this office-bearer that only leaders from Gujarat were handling the exercise, and it has not gone down well with local leaders. Subsequently, the Central office called up the youth leader and pulled him up. The matter was put to rest when Modi spoke to the BJP leader reminding that he owes his position in the party because of him.
Bush impact
Was former US president George Bush the inspiration behind change of name of “The land Acquisition Bill” to “Right to Fair Compensation and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill”IJ Grapevine has it that Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh took inspiration from Bush for an image makeover for the land Bill here. Ramesh was heard pointing out that Bush succeeded to push through a Bill seeking intelligence reforms after the 9/11 attack only when he changed the name of the Bill.
Waiting for Raju
A large number of students from ISM Dhanbad have been camping in the Capital demanding IIT status to the institute. The issue was raised by Chandan Mitra and Sanjiv Kumar in the Rajya Sabha. Several other leaders also extended support during three-day protest at Jantar Mantar last week. Ironically, while the students have been able to meet top leaders including Digvijay Singh of the Congress, BJP president Rajnath Singh to name a few, and submitted memorandums to Prime Minister and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the students’ representatives are yet to get an appointment with HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju and MoS HRD Shashi Tharoor.
Pharmacist day
Around 10 thousand pharmacists across the country can now find themselves in the limelight, even if for a day. The Pharmacist Council of India (PCI) has come out with a novel idea to observe ‘Pharmacist Day’ on September 25 every year after it felt that the issues pertaining to the sector, which represents the third largest healthcare professional group in the world, are being hardly covered by the media in the country.
Road Inspectors
Giving in to the huge demand from retired engineers from Government services for jobs, the Ministry of Roads has decided to re-induct them as “Road Inspectors”. Earlier this week, the Ministry advertised for 60 posts for these retired people. They will work as foot soldiers for the Ministry and send reports about quality of constructions and problem areas on highway stretches.
Pending clearance
Keeping pace with downslide of rupee is the growing number of pending projects in Environment Ministry. But not to worry, the green Ministry is mastering ways to perfectly balance this seesaw-like situation. Recently, when hue and cry was being raised on large number of pending environmental clearances, babus in Ministry promptly worked out an answer: “The Environmental Appraisal Committee that grants approval in this regard has to be reconstituted and we are in process.” And process continues to be on for more than three months now. And now may be turn for forest clearances. Standing Committee of National Board For Wildlife, which is statutory body that grants these approvals, also completed its term recently. Project proponents are already keeping their fingers crossed!