What a dramaIJ
Resignation of Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi is pending in the Prime Minister Office (PMO) for almost a month. The actor-turned politician has stopped attending office to spread the words that he has quit the post in protest against the Union Cabinet’s approval for the formation of separate Telangana. However, sources said that he continues to work from home where his officials bring files for his approval on the important decisions.
Antony’s record
AK Antony set a record of sorts last week by becoming the longest serving Defence Minister of the country. Having completed seven years in office, he bettered Jagjivan Ram’s stint of six years. Known for keeping a low profile, Antony refrained from highlighting this achievement and politely turned down a request from defence scribes to have a cup of tea with him on the occasion.
IB vs Onion
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has a cocky sense of wit. Reacting to certain media reports on warning by Intelligence Bureau on steep increase of onion prices, Shinde said: “Hum bi padha. Yeh report padkar mere ankho me bhi aasu aa gaye,” Officials escorting Shinde were not able to control their laughter.
Babus hit back
last week saw a bitter fight between the CBI and IAS officers. The IAS Officers Association was agitated to see source based stories coming from the CBI against former Coal Secretary PC Parakh. The matter came to head when TV channels started flashing a letters of former Minister Shibu Soren to PM complaining against Parakh to PM. Certain IAS officers decided to take on the CBI. Soon Parakh’s all-round attack on political bosses and their role in coal mafia surfaced by way of a “leak” of his 2005 letter to Cabinet Secretary. last heard in the power corridors of South Block and North Block is that some more explosive materials on coal blocks can come out soon.
No more in attendance
The staff at Supreme Court feels much relieved with the change of guard. The present CJI P Sathasivam is busy setting right certain practices introduced by his predecessor that was not found to be in good taste by top officials in the apex court. It came as a surprise to the present CJI that every time he left court, the top five Registrars used to be in attendance. Initially, he thought it was the norm practiced in court, but on enquiry it came to his knowledge that this practice was introduced by his predecessor. Justice Sathasivam was quick to bury this ritual, much to the relief of the officials.
Kejriwal at Chajjupur IJ
Call it the popularity of Arvind Kejriwal as an RTI activist or his growing popularity in Delhi. The HRD Ministry last week was surprised when an RTI applicant identified himself under the care of (C/o) Arvind Kejriwal with the address of a nondescript location in Chajjupur (PIN: 110032). The information sought was details about the TA-DA, names of HRD Ministry officials and expenditure incurred on for the Teacher’s Day celebration with President Pranab Mukherjee as chief guest. The talking point of the RTI Celebration Day was possibility that Kejriwal might have already ‘owned’ up a place of residence in the constituency from wherever he desires to contest the Delhi Assembly polls.
lion’s roar
More than six months ago, Supreme Court had ordered shifting of some lions from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur in MP. later, an expert committee also gave green signal for shifting of at least 12 lions in the first phase. But Gujarat is not ready to listen. To this an environmentalist commented, “With the roar of lion getting louder and louder from the State, it is not surprising that other decibels are scarcely audible...” He was quick to clarify, “There are already 100 cubs in the sanctuary.”
Cash crunch
Cash strapped Roads Ministry is thinking of out of the box solutions to earn revenue. Director General (Roads) in a recent meeting proposed to open internet facilities on the highways. He also ideated on the possibility of levying a parking fee on the users to help boost Government coffers.