Guest Gate
With the guest-gate whistle blowing in case of CBI director triggering major row, several offices including of a major national political party, which used to maintain list of visitors (including high profiles), have stopped adding all the visitors’ names in their guest register. Now, the names are entered only after getting a confirmation from the personal staff or the person to be visited. In the central office of a major political party, the guest register at the reception is nearly empty since the CBI director landed in soup after the “leakage” of his entry registers showed his meeting with accused in the 2G scam and Coalgate scandal.
PM’s choice
After her crusade against the practice of “political appointees” in the National Commission for Women, Maneka Gandhi announced the appointment of lalitha Kumarmangalam, a member of the BJP national executive, as the chairperson of the NCW on Wednesday. Grapevine has it that Maneka wanted to appoint a former judge to the post, but the law Ministry reportedly raised objections. When asked if she was happy with the appointment, Maneka said that the chairperson was appointed by the PM office.
Coal Firepower
CBI Director Ranjit Sinha was locked in a pitched legal battle last week in Supreme Court following allegation that he is trying to shield the accused in the coal scam case. The proceedings witnessed high-decibel arguments between senior lawyer Vikash Singh for CBI Director and lawyer Prashant Bhushan. Trying to cool down Vikash Singh Chief Justice RM lodha quipped,” Coal is a source of energy. But don’t spend energy unnecessarily.”
Soli Gets his Way
Italy made the right choice is getting former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee to represent the ailing Italian marine, who was allowed by the Supreme Court recently to visit his country for four months. Sorabjee secured the order without either the Government or the lone witness in the criminal case raising the slightest opposition. Chief Justice RM lodha remarked, “Mr. Sorabjee, when you appear nobody objects. Even the Union Government gives you a free passage.” Sorabjee had been Attorney General during the previous NDA Government and held in high esteem by people in the Government.
Meat carrier
The elite counter-terror force National Security Guards has floated a request for information (RFI) to procure a “refrigerated meat lorry” for transport of dressed meat and fowls. The NSG procures meat and chicken from the butchery at a supply depot of Army Supply Corp at Delhi cantonment thrice a week to cater to the requirements at its Manesar and Palam units. According to the RFI, the refrigerated truck will preserved the meat even in extreme temperatures. Presently, the items are transported through a truck modified by the research squadron of the NSG.
Diwali before Dussehra
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, who is presently in New York to attend the UN Climate summit and Major Economies Forum, had a good time in participating in “Diwali at Times Square” presented by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. “It was g8 hit. Dhol, dance, Indian and NRI artists, stalls, malkhamb, dahihandi and many attractions,” he tweeted. However, timing of the celebration coming before Dussehra has puzzled many.
Modi vs Rahul
The mixed results in recent by-polls where Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not campaign, prompted tongue-in-cheek remark from the BJP. Asked about the poor showing of the BJP, party National Secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said had Modi campaigned the BJP would have come out with flying colours.” If Modi had campaigned we would have won, but since Rahul did not campaign — Congress did better,” Singh reacted after Congress leader Sachin Pilot referred to Congress win in Rajasthan and claimed it was a sign of receding ‘Modi-wave’.