The Himachal Pradesh Communist Party of India (CPIM) has lambasted the state government for failing to resolve the more than a year-long labour dispute at the 450 MW Shongthong – Karcham Power project in Kinnaur District.

Member state secretariat Tikender Singh Panwar charged that despite High Court orders the state government has failed in resolving the labour dispute.

“It’s been more than a year, since the labourers have been protesting for their basic rights. The state government instead of resolving the issue has been sheltering the Patel Company that is involved in the construction of the hydel project, which is being developed by the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPCL),” he charged.

He maintained that over 100 labourers had been arrested last year and are still languishing in various prisons of the state.

“The state government insensitive to the concerns of the labourers is sheltering the nexus between the Patel Company, HPCL and the local contractor lobby which is trying to prolong the dispute. They are responsible for non-implementation of labour laws,” he charged.

“Draconian and despotic approach are being adopted to crush the agitating labours. It is not a crime, if the labourers have been demanding for tribal allowance, tunnel allowance and other basic wages,” said Panwar.    

CPIM threatened that they would continue to support the labourers and the protest would assume a state wide stir, if the state government fails to intervene resolving the issue.

The Army chief Bipin Rawat on Friday gave a befitting farewell to the three brave hearts in a solemn ceremony at the Badami Bagh cantonement at Srinagar. The three soldiers were martyred in an ambush in Shopian in South Kashmir on Thursday.

General Rawat, who flew to Srinagar on Thursday immediately after reports of martyrdom of the three soldiers came in, paid rich tributes to the gallant soldiers, Lance NK Ghulam Mohi- Ud-Din, Sepoy Vikas Singh Gurjar and Sapper Sreejith MJ and expressed his grief and condolences to the bereaved families. He also conveyed his anguish at the unfortunate death of an elderly lady, Taja Begum in the terrorist attack and prayed to Almighty to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. 

Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and by Abdul Haque Khan, Minister of Rural development and Ghulam Nabi Lone, Minister for Agriculture besides other officials from Civil Administration and Security agencies. 

On his arrival on Thursday, the Army Chief had first met the other injured soldiers at the Army Base Hospital and wished them speedy recovery. 
After paying homage to the martyrs, the Army Chief alongwith Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt Gen D Anbu and Lt Gen JS Sandhu, visited Victor and Kilo Force headquarters where he was briefed on the prevailing security situation and on the recent operations conducted by the security forces. 

He also reviewed the collaborative measures of security forces towards ensuring peace and calm in the region and interacted with local commanders and troops urging them to continue discharging their duty with utmost professionalism. 

Reinforcing the need to maintain high vigil, the Army Chief also discussed the issue of stone pelting during operations and impressed upon all to synergise efforts with the other security agencies in dealing with such situations effectively. 

The General officer also appreciated the various humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the troops to bring succor to common people and exhorted them to sustain this positive engagement with the Awaam.

Buoyed after helping Australia gain a vital 155-run first innings lead, left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who got his maiden six-wicket haul in the first cricket Test against India, credited his skipper Steve Smith for helping him stay calm here on Friday.

Australia took a commanding 298 run-lead in the second innings, after ending the second day's play at 143/4, with Smith (59) and Mitchell Marsh (21) remaining undefeated.

Earlier in the day, the 32-year-old O'Keefe spun a web taking 6/35 to bundle out the famed Indian batting line-up for a paltry 105 in response to the Kangaroos' first innings score of 260.

Elated at the comparison, the left-armer who went wicketless in his first six overs in the morning session, said Smith's backing helped him regain the confidence to attack the Indian batsmen.

"The first six overs were ordinary. Then I got a change of ends and from there it spun a bit more. And Steven Smith reassured me, helping me stay calm after an ordinary spell in the morning," he said after the day's play. 

"I suppose I was just nervous, and I was trying to bowl the way I do in Australia. But made some subtle changes, got a tap on the head from Boof (Smith) in the dressing room and happy to turn things around," he added.

O'Keefe's feat prompted fans to draw comparison with English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who tormented the Indians during England's 2-1 Test series win in 2012.

"Nice to relate to Monty because he bowls the same stuff and had some success over here and S. Sriram has also been outstanding."

Commenting on how the day panned out for the Aussies, he said: "Everything went to plan, well backed up in the field, especially Handscomb. And good finish to the day with the captain Steven Smith."

He however, expected India to bounce back in the second innings with such a strong batting lineup.

"I expect it to be different in the second innings, India have a long batting line-up," he said.

Neighbours, friends and family remembered Srinivas Kuchibhotla — an Indian engineer who was killed in a bar shooting in the US earlier this week — as a quiet and an outstanding human being.

Kuchibhotla was killed when former US Navy personnel Adam W. Purinton, a white, shot him and another Indian at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

His neighbours described him as "friendly". Kuchibhotla was married but had no children, KCTV5 News reported on Friday. 

"I know they have lots of support from people they know and people they don't," Jennifer Snyder, the couple's neighbour, said. 

"Anything we can do, we want to support. They're just the nicest couple you'd ever meet from what I've heard. It's not just your neighbour here, it's your family."

A GoFundMe page created to collect money to help Kuchibhotla's family crossed its $150,000 goal, raising nearly $250,000 in a few hours. More than 6,700 people, including Americans, donated $248,404 on the page created by Kuchibhotla's friend Kavipriya Muthuramalingam.

"Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He was brilliant, well mannered and simply an outstanding human being," the page said.

Meanhile, flowers lay outside Austin's Bar and Grill on Friday morning as the Olathe community continued to grieve the shooting incident.

Neighbours, friends and family remembered Srinivas Kuchibhotla — an Indian engineer who was killed in a bar shooting in the US earlier this week — as a quiet and an outstanding human being.

Kuchibhotla was killed when former US Navy personnel Adam W. Purinton, a white, shot him and another Indian at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

His neighbours described him as "friendly". Kuchibhotla was married but had no children, KCTV5 News reported on Friday. 

"I know they have lots of support from people they know and people they don't," Jennifer Snyder, the couple's neighbour, said. 

"Anything we can do, we want to support. They're just the nicest couple you'd ever meet from what I've heard. It's not just your neighbour here, it's your family."

A GoFundMe page created to collect money to help Kuchibhotla's family crossed its $150,000 goal, raising nearly $250,000 in a few hours. More than 6,700 people, including Americans, donated $248,404 on the page created by Kuchibhotla's friend Kavipriya Muthuramalingam.

"Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He was brilliant, well mannered and simply an outstanding human being," the page said.

Meanhile, flowers lay outside Austin's Bar and Grill on Friday morning as the Olathe community continued to grieve the shooting incident.

Out of power for over a decade, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is using the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to gain some of its lost ground in Haryana politics by taking an aggressive stand on this contentious issue.

Though the party's much-hyped call for re-digging the defunct Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal on Punjab border ended on Thursday without success, it did help the party in re-asserting itself as the main Opposition party in the state presently ruled by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which once used to be  INLD's junior partner.

Taking up this emotive issue of water in the agrarian state, the INLD has made it clear that it will not end its 'struggle' to get Haryana its share of river water from Punjab at any cost. With this, the 'regional party' has  gained some momentum on an issue, whereas its main rivals BJP and the Congress find it difficult to take an aggressive stand on the matter due to their political stake in  the neighboring Punjab.

After the SYL, the INLD next intends to take up another emotive issue concerning Haryana – the state’s right over its joint Capital with Punjab, Chandigarh. Punjab political parties claim sole right over Chandigarh as its Capital but Haryana maintains it has equal right over the joint Capital.

With top INLD leaders including chief O P Chautala and his son Ajay Chautala behind bars in a recruitment scam, the Jat-dominated party have been finding it difficult to get going.

As the INLD's ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is expected to be voted out of power in Punjab, the party can now afford to take an aggressive stand on contentious issues.

Under the leadership of O P Chautala, the INLD last ruled Haryana in 2004 and has lost three consecutive Assembly elections to the Congress (2005 and 2009) and the BJP (2O14). While the party has 19 legislators in the state Assembly and a Lok Sabha member, late Devi Lal's party currently has no representation in the Rajya Sabha.

With the BJP gains from consolidation of non-Jat votes in its favour and state's influential Jat community's votes largely divided between the INLD and the Congress, even the hopes of Jat-centric INLD returning to power remain bleak. But by taking up Haryana's issues, the INLD is trying to expand its shrinking vote bank. 

Out of power for over a decade, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is using the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to gain some of its lost ground in Haryana politics by taking an aggressive stand on this contentious issue.

Though the party's much-hyped call for re-digging the defunct Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal on Punjab border ended on Thursday without success, it did help the party in re-asserting itself as the main Opposition party in the state presently ruled by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which once used to be  INLD's junior partner.

Taking up this emotive issue of water in the agrarian state, the INLD has made it clear that it will not end its 'struggle' to get Haryana its share of river water from Punjab at any cost. With this, the 'regional party' has  gained some momentum on an issue, whereas its main rivals BJP and the Congress find it difficult to take an aggressive stand on the matter due to their political stake in  the neighboring Punjab.

After the SYL, the INLD next intends to take up another emotive issue concerning Haryana – the state’s right over its joint Capital with Punjab, Chandigarh. Punjab political parties claim sole right over Chandigarh as its Capital but Haryana maintains it has equal right over the joint Capital.

With top INLD leaders including chief O P Chautala and his son Ajay Chautala behind bars in a recruitment scam, the Jat-dominated party have been finding it difficult to get going.

As the INLD's ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is expected to be voted out of power in Punjab, the party can now afford to take an aggressive stand on contentious issues.

Under the leadership of O P Chautala, the INLD last ruled Haryana in 2004 and has lost three consecutive Assembly elections to the Congress (2005 and 2009) and the BJP (2O14). While the party has 19 legislators in the state Assembly and a Lok Sabha member, late Devi Lal's party currently has no representation in the Rajya Sabha.

With the BJP gains from consolidation of non-Jat votes in its favour and state's influential Jat community's votes largely divided between the INLD and the Congress, even the hopes of Jat-centric INLD returning to power remain bleak. But by taking up Haryana's issues, the INLD is trying to expand its shrinking vote bank. 

India head coach Anil Kumble sprung to his team's defense after they sensationally surrendered to Australia's inexperienced left arm spinner Stephen O'Keefe to be bowled out for 105 and concede a big first innings lead on day two of the first Test here on Friday.

The leg spin ace said any team, including India which is having a glorious 19-Test unbeaten streak, was bound to have one bad day even in this successful phase.

"Like you said, you are bound to have one bad day. It was disappointing. We were in a pretty decent position when (KL) Rahul and Ajinkya (Rahane) were batting out there. But once Rahul got out, we lost those four wickets in five or six balls. That certainty pushed us back. It was one of those things with a couple of soft dismissals," said Kumble after Australia took command of the opening skirmish of the four-game series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Malaysia-born O Keefe, in only his fifth Test and first in India, scalped six for 35 in a sensational spell of 6 for 5 in 24 balls to run through the home team's first innings as they lost 7 wickets for 11 runs to be 105 all out.

"And this pitch was certainly challenging, so we needed a lot more restraint and showed that if you put your head down, you could make those runs. It was unfortunate that once Rahul got out, we seemed to lose the bearing at that point of time, Kumble explained.

He described the surface, which has been at the focus of attention, as a challenging one.

"It is a challenging surface which requires application, aggression and a bit of caution as well. You need a mix out of that. And today was not our day. We have to give credit to the Australian bowlers as well. It was one of those days when you go back and start, Ok, how do we come back and pick those six wickets? 

It s a surface where you needed to adapt. We didn t adapt really well. Probably if you look at yesterday, the first 80 runs in the first session and the last 60 runs for the last wicket that slightly took us away from what we were wanting to restrict Australia to.

"And like I mentioned, we are bound to fail (at times).

A couple of batsmen are bound to fail, having been scoring exceptionally well. (Captain) Virat (Kohli) got out today and Pujara got out cheaply; and so did Vijay.

"Once Rahul and Ajinkya had that partnership of 50, that s when we could have consolidated and probably got closer to the target or probably even got a lead. But once we lost that wicket, the lower order has performed brilliantly over the last year or so, just had a poor day. I still feel there s a lot of cricket to be played in this Test match. Tomorrow is another day.

"You need to play your shots on this type of wicket.

You couldn t really blame the batsman (Rahul). In hindsight he could have held back," he added.

India head coach Anil Kumble sprung to his team's defense after they sensationally surrendered to Australia's inexperienced left arm spinner Stephen O'Keefe to be bowled out for 105 and concede a big first innings lead on day two of the first Test here on Friday.

The leg spin ace said any team, including India which is having a glorious 19-Test unbeaten streak, was bound to have one bad day even in this successful phase.

"Like you said, you are bound to have one bad day. It was disappointing. We were in a pretty decent position when (KL) Rahul and Ajinkya (Rahane) were batting out there. But once Rahul got out, we lost those four wickets in five or six balls. That certainty pushed us back. It was one of those things with a couple of soft dismissals," said Kumble after Australia took command of the opening skirmish of the four-game series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Malaysia-born O Keefe, in only his fifth Test and first in India, scalped six for 35 in a sensational spell of 6 for 5 in 24 balls to run through the home team's first innings as they lost 7 wickets for 11 runs to be 105 all out.

"And this pitch was certainly challenging, so we needed a lot more restraint and showed that if you put your head down, you could make those runs. It was unfortunate that once Rahul got out, we seemed to lose the bearing at that point of time, Kumble explained.

He described the surface, which has been at the focus of attention, as a challenging one.

"It is a challenging surface which requires application, aggression and a bit of caution as well. You need a mix out of that. And today was not our day. We have to give credit to the Australian bowlers as well. It was one of those days when you go back and start, Ok, how do we come back and pick those six wickets? 

It s a surface where you needed to adapt. We didn t adapt really well. Probably if you look at yesterday, the first 80 runs in the first session and the last 60 runs for the last wicket that slightly took us away from what we were wanting to restrict Australia to.

"And like I mentioned, we are bound to fail (at times).

A couple of batsmen are bound to fail, having been scoring exceptionally well. (Captain) Virat (Kohli) got out today and Pujara got out cheaply; and so did Vijay.

"Once Rahul and Ajinkya had that partnership of 50, that s when we could have consolidated and probably got closer to the target or probably even got a lead. But once we lost that wicket, the lower order has performed brilliantly over the last year or so, just had a poor day. I still feel there s a lot of cricket to be played in this Test match. Tomorrow is another day.

"You need to play your shots on this type of wicket.

You couldn t really blame the batsman (Rahul). In hindsight he could have held back," he added.

The BSF have proposed to set up shows similar to that performed at the Wagah border along the Indo-Pak border, albeit, a more friendly one with the BGB of Bangladesh in two BOPs in Meghalaya, an official said.

Two border out posts (BOPs) along Indo-Bangla border have been identified and a proposal of Rs.2 crore was sent to the Tourism ministry, Meghalaya Frontier BSF IG P K Dubey said.

"We have selected two BOPs Dawki in West Jaintia Hills and Kilapara in West Garo Hills for border tourism in Meghalaya," he said.

A proposal of Rs.1 crore each for developing these two BOPs along the Indo-Bangla border as tourist spots have been submitted and approval is awaited, he said.

The BSF here has plans to develop a similar show of that at the Wagah border but in a more friendly way.

"We will try some joint retreat ceremony in the evening where flag hoisting will be done jointly by the border security force (BSF) and border guards of Bangladesh (BGB)," Dubey said.

"The idea is to showcase the BOPs where tourists can visit and have first-hand information about the border," he said.

Photo exhibition, arms display and documentary are on the cards, he said adding that they have also proposed new items like games on the border.

A war memorial at Kilapara was built as a tribute to nine BSF soldiers who lost their lives during the 1971 Indo- Pak war.

The BSF IG, who had just returned from the BSF-BGB meet at Dhaka, also informed that a proposal was put forth for a expedition cycling, rock climbing besides joint training for better coordination between the BSF and BGB.

"BGB personnel can be trained here in border management so that they also understand the problem of Indo Bangla border. Courses will be conducted for them here in Shillong or Siliguri," he said.

With regards to the border haats, he said that four border haats have been approved by the government but they are yet to be constructed by the state.

"The MoU on this has expired and now it is expected to be signed once after the PM visit and they (border haats) will be activated in the next one year," Dubey added.

He further informed that Indian government has decided to provide medical facilities in case of emergency to BGB in places where their medical facility does not exist.

"MHA has approved this and whatever medical facility we are having on the border will be extended to BGB personnel in case of emergency," he said.

The BSF have proposed to set up shows similar to that performed at the Wagah border along the Indo-Pak border, albeit, a more friendly one with the BGB of Bangladesh in two BOPs in Meghalaya, an official said.

Two border out posts (BOPs) along Indo-Bangla border have been identified and a proposal of Rs.2 crore was sent to the Tourism ministry, Meghalaya Frontier BSF IG P K Dubey said.

"We have selected two BOPs Dawki in West Jaintia Hills and Kilapara in West Garo Hills for border tourism in Meghalaya," he said.

A proposal of Rs.1 crore each for developing these two BOPs along the Indo-Bangla border as tourist spots have been submitted and approval is awaited, he said.

The BSF here has plans to develop a similar show of that at the Wagah border but in a more friendly way.

"We will try some joint retreat ceremony in the evening where flag hoisting will be done jointly by the border security force (BSF) and border guards of Bangladesh (BGB)," Dubey said.

"The idea is to showcase the BOPs where tourists can visit and have first-hand information about the border," he said.

Photo exhibition, arms display and documentary are on the cards, he said adding that they have also proposed new items like games on the border.

A war memorial at Kilapara was built as a tribute to nine BSF soldiers who lost their lives during the 1971 Indo- Pak war.

The BSF IG, who had just returned from the BSF-BGB meet at Dhaka, also informed that a proposal was put forth for a expedition cycling, rock climbing besides joint training for better coordination between the BSF and BGB.

"BGB personnel can be trained here in border management so that they also understand the problem of Indo Bangla border. Courses will be conducted for them here in Shillong or Siliguri," he said.

With regards to the border haats, he said that four border haats have been approved by the government but they are yet to be constructed by the state.

"The MoU on this has expired and now it is expected to be signed once after the PM visit and they (border haats) will be activated in the next one year," Dubey added.

He further informed that Indian government has decided to provide medical facilities in case of emergency to BGB in places where their medical facility does not exist.

"MHA has approved this and whatever medical facility we are having on the border will be extended to BGB personnel in case of emergency," he said.

Stung by repeated barbs by BJP leaders at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the voice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "feebler even than that of a mouse".

"The voice of PM, who has given the clarion call of Make in India, is not of a roaring lion, but even feebler than that of a mouse," Rahul told an election meeting in Mahsi assembly constituency here that goes to polls on February 27.

His retort came hours after BJP president Amit Shah at a rally in Azamgarh, nearly 300 km away, mocked Rahul for "often asking" as to what the Modi government has done for the country.

"Rahul Baba, the first thing that we have done is that we have given a PM who speaks. You had given a PM who did not speak for 10 years, and his voice was heard by you and your mother (Congress president Sonia Gandhi)," Shah had said.

Peeved over the remark, Rahul questioned, "What is the utility of these punchlines?" 

Ridiculing Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, he said almost everywhere items 'Made in China' are readily available. "Even my phone is made in China," he said.

The Congress leader accused the PM of spitting communal venom and spreading hatred since the SP-Congress alliance was forged.

Rahul said, "PM Modi has been benevolent towards the rich and has waived their loans, but not the loans of farmers." 

In an apparent reference to the PM's "adopted son of UP" remark, Rahul said Modi might claim relationships wherever he wants "but relationships should not be confined to lip service." 

"PM Modi made a film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (promising achchhe din), but it later became Sholay (of Gabbar Singh fear) when notes were banned," he said.

"Not a single person accused of keeping black money has been jailed and 94 per cent of black money is still stashed away in foreign countries," he added.

Stung by repeated barbs by BJP leaders at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the voice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "feebler even than that of a mouse".

"The voice of PM, who has given the clarion call of Make in India, is not of a roaring lion, but even feebler than that of a mouse," Rahul told an election meeting in Mahsi assembly constituency here that goes to polls on February 27.

His retort came hours after BJP president Amit Shah at a rally in Azamgarh, nearly 300 km away, mocked Rahul for "often asking" as to what the Modi government has done for the country.

"Rahul Baba, the first thing that we have done is that we have given a PM who speaks. You had given a PM who did not speak for 10 years, and his voice was heard by you and your mother (Congress president Sonia Gandhi)," Shah had said.

Peeved over the remark, Rahul questioned, "What is the utility of these punchlines?" 

Ridiculing Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, he said almost everywhere items 'Made in China' are readily available. "Even my phone is made in China," he said.

The Congress leader accused the PM of spitting communal venom and spreading hatred since the SP-Congress alliance was forged.

Rahul said, "PM Modi has been benevolent towards the rich and has waived their loans, but not the loans of farmers." 

In an apparent reference to the PM's "adopted son of UP" remark, Rahul said Modi might claim relationships wherever he wants "but relationships should not be confined to lip service." 

"PM Modi made a film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (promising achchhe din), but it later became Sholay (of Gabbar Singh fear) when notes were banned," he said.

"Not a single person accused of keeping black money has been jailed and 94 per cent of black money is still stashed away in foreign countries," he added.

A senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Sudhir Kumar now posted as the chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) was arrested on Friday from Jharkhand in connection with the test paper leak scandal which surfaced earlier this month. This is the second arrest of IAS officials in the state in the past six month for their alleged involvement in fraud, extremely worrying the IAS association.

Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer, was arrested along with his four relatives by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the paper leak scandal.

The SIT was looking for the chairman for another round of questioning but he mysteriously went missing since the scandal surfaced in the first week of this month.

Soon after arrested, all were brought to Patna and interrogated by the police, police said. The details of their quizzing, however, are not known. Those also arrested include IAS official’s brother, his sister-in-law and nephew. Reports said two of the relatives arrested by the police had also appeared at the clerical test which was conducted by the BSSC although the tests were cancelled later by the state government following reports of question paper leak.

“The SIT has arrested the chairman on the basis of concrete evidence of his role in the test paper leak,” Patna’s zonal inspector general of police NH Khan told reporters on Friday.

However, his family alleged the IAS officer was having a good track record and was being implicated under political conspiracy. The IAS association too opposed his arrest saying it would provide all support to Kumar and even bear the legal expenses incurred on fighting his case in the court.

Questioning his arrest, the association sought for a CBI probe into the matter to bring out the truth.

What was further surprising RJD chief Lalu Prasad too wondered over his arrest saying the later is known as an honest and upright officer. “Sudhir Kumar is known as a “kada” (strict) officer. It has to be seen now under what circumstances, his arrest was made. Until I get facts, it will not be fair for me to comment over the issue,” said Prasad.

Earlier this month, BSSC secretary Parmeshwar Ram was arrested after police came to know about his close links with the big racket involved in illegal appointments in government’s departments after taking hefty money ranging between Rs.10 lakh to Rs.15 lakh per student.

Ram’s arrest followed a massive raids at his Patna-based residence during which the police seized candidates’ admit cards, attendance registers and other such incriminating documents pointing to the official’s direct involvement in the racket. So far, 27 people have been arrested in this case since the probe was handed over to the SIT.

This is the second arrest of IAS officials in the past six months, indicating the “steel frame” is slowly getting rusted. Earlier in July last, a younger IAS officer of 2013 batch Jitendra Gupta was arrested by the vigilance sleuths for allegedly taking bribe of Rs.80,000 from truckers plying on the GT road in Kaimur district. This was his first posting as the IAS officer. At that time as well, the IAS association has strongly protested his arrest.

A senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Sudhir Kumar now posted as the chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) was arrested on Friday from Jharkhand in connection with the test paper leak scandal which surfaced earlier this month. This is the second arrest of IAS officials in the state in the past six month for their alleged involvement in fraud, extremely worrying the IAS association.

Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer, was arrested along with his four relatives by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the paper leak scandal.

The SIT was looking for the chairman for another round of questioning but he mysteriously went missing since the scandal surfaced in the first week of this month.

Soon after arrested, all were brought to Patna and interrogated by the police, police said. The details of their quizzing, however, are not known. Those also arrested include IAS official’s brother, his sister-in-law and nephew. Reports said two of the relatives arrested by the police had also appeared at the clerical test which was conducted by the BSSC although the tests were cancelled later by the state government following reports of question paper leak.

“The SIT has arrested the chairman on the basis of concrete evidence of his role in the test paper leak,” Patna’s zonal inspector general of police NH Khan told reporters on Friday.

However, his family alleged the IAS officer was having a good track record and was being implicated under political conspiracy. The IAS association too opposed his arrest saying it would provide all support to Kumar and even bear the legal expenses incurred on fighting his case in the court.

Questioning his arrest, the association sought for a CBI probe into the matter to bring out the truth.

What was further surprising RJD chief Lalu Prasad too wondered over his arrest saying the later is known as an honest and upright officer. “Sudhir Kumar is known as a “kada” (strict) officer. It has to be seen now under what circumstances, his arrest was made. Until I get facts, it will not be fair for me to comment over the issue,” said Prasad.

Earlier this month, BSSC secretary Parmeshwar Ram was arrested after police came to know about his close links with the big racket involved in illegal appointments in government’s departments after taking hefty money ranging between Rs.10 lakh to Rs.15 lakh per student.

Ram’s arrest followed a massive raids at his Patna-based residence during which the police seized candidates’ admit cards, attendance registers and other such incriminating documents pointing to the official’s direct involvement in the racket. So far, 27 people have been arrested in this case since the probe was handed over to the SIT.

This is the second arrest of IAS officials in the past six months, indicating the “steel frame” is slowly getting rusted. Earlier in July last, a younger IAS officer of 2013 batch Jitendra Gupta was arrested by the vigilance sleuths for allegedly taking bribe of Rs.80,000 from truckers plying on the GT road in Kaimur district. This was his first posting as the IAS officer. At that time as well, the IAS association has strongly protested his arrest.

The ISRO's record launch of 104 satellites including 90 that belonged to the US, a country which once denied visa to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is proof of India's development, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday.

"Once America denied visa to Modi… But recently India launched 104 satellites, of which 90 belonged to the US. This is proof of Indian development," Vardhan said here as he stressed the country was now witnessing all-round development.

The Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences was in Madurai with his family members to offer prayer at the famous Meenakshi temple.

The minister declined to comment on the Hydro carbon exploration and extraction project at Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, but said the Centre was implementing programmes for the development of a nation as a whole.

BJP national secretary H Raja had said on Thursday that the Centre was ready to reconsider the proposal to set up the project if public felt that it was against the interests of farmers.

On BJP's resounding victory in Maharashtra civic polls, including Shiv Sena's citadel of Mumbai BMC, Vardhan said the verdict reflected people's support to the various policies, including demonetisation, of the Modi government.

"Our victory in Maharashtra civic polls shows that people like the BJP government and support its various policies like demonetisation.

"Throughout the country Modi is getting good support and we will get good support in Tamil Nadu and are confident of forming the government," he said.

The Union minister also said the BJP's prospects in Uttar Pradesh were bright and asked the opposition parties to give up criticising the Prime Minister in "intemperate" language.

The ISRO's record launch of 104 satellites including 90 that belonged to the US, a country which once denied visa to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is proof of India's development, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday.

"Once America denied visa to Modi… But recently India launched 104 satellites, of which 90 belonged to the US. This is proof of Indian development," Vardhan said here as he stressed the country was now witnessing all-round development.

The Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences was in Madurai with his family members to offer prayer at the famous Meenakshi temple.

The minister declined to comment on the Hydro carbon exploration and extraction project at Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, but said the Centre was implementing programmes for the development of a nation as a whole.

BJP national secretary H Raja had said on Thursday that the Centre was ready to reconsider the proposal to set up the project if public felt that it was against the interests of farmers.

On BJP's resounding victory in Maharashtra civic polls, including Shiv Sena's citadel of Mumbai BMC, Vardhan said the verdict reflected people's support to the various policies, including demonetisation, of the Modi government.

"Our victory in Maharashtra civic polls shows that people like the BJP government and support its various policies like demonetisation.

"Throughout the country Modi is getting good support and we will get good support in Tamil Nadu and are confident of forming the government," he said.

The Union minister also said the BJP's prospects in Uttar Pradesh were bright and asked the opposition parties to give up criticising the Prime Minister in "intemperate" language.