Raja Arrested

Share New Delhi: The arrest of former telecom minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is being seen as a move by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government to take the sting out of the Opposition's campaign for action against those involved in the alleged multi-crore scam.

Raja was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in New Delhi just two days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo M Karunanidhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Parliament's winter session was washed out over the 2G spectrum scam as the Opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, insisting on an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the case. The UPA remained adamant and did not relent to the Opposition's demand leading to an unprecedented stalemate in Parliament and the Government was keen on not letting the Budget session suffer a similar fate.

Following Raja's arrest the Government hopes that the Opposition's campaign will lose its sting and lead to the smooth functioning of Parliament during the Budget session.

The 2G scam become such a millstone around the Government's neck that even the Prime Minister's Office was forced file an affidavit in the Supreme Court rejecting the charge of inaction on the part of Singh's office in dealing with the request of sanction for prosecution of Raja in the 2G spectrum scam case as the Opposition kept on targeting the Government.

In an 11-page affidavit, filed through Prime Minister's Office Director V Vidyawati, it was stated that there was no inaction on the part of the PMO on the complaint filed by Janata Party President Subramaniun Swamy seeking the sanction for prosecution of Raja.

Numerous other scams like the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, the Commonwealth Games and Radia tapes gave more ammunition to the Opposition. But the 2G scam remained the big one with a Comptroller and Auditor General report saying that the spectrum allocation at undervalued prices resulted in a notional loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the state exchequer.

"All the doubting Thomases who doubted the sincerity of commitment to take action as per law should have been silenced. Law has takes its own course in the case. We are not concerned about the innocence or guilt of the accused. All those who raised questions, should be silent by now. The credibility of the Government stands enhanced," said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi in New Delhi.

Congress also took on the BJP with Singhvi asking it to act against Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa over his alleged involvement in land scams.

"BJP could have asked someone in Karnataka to step down. It is their double standard," said Singhvi and added that the arrest would not affect the Prime Minister.

"We have always maintained that party never comes in between legal procedure. It has nothing to do with our relation with the DMK. We have always said that investigations must go on," said Dwivedi.

However, the Opposition is unlikely to let the Government breath easy with BJP leaders saying that their demand for a JPC into the 2G scam remains.

"Our demand for JPC stands. The JPC will investigate other matters of how the minister was appointed. Some people allowed the loss of revenue to the state exchequer. The Prime Minister should not have lived in a denial mode and the Prime Minister should have acted earlier," said BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

Following Raja's arrest the Opposition is likely to target the Prime Minister with Jaitley already saying that the Prime Minister has been denying any wrong doing in the Telecom Ministry.

"Government was involved in the cover-up. Today's action is because of the media. The Prime Minister should not have lived in denial for three years," said Jaitley.

Calling the arrest of Raja as too little too late, another BJP Leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "CBI is under pressure because of its non performance."

The Government did not do what it should have done earlier. The Prime Minister has to do a lot. Be it inside Parliament or be it outside Parliament, Prime Minister should answer the questions of corruption. The demand for the JPC continues. Corruption is the most important issue," said Rudy.

Janata Dal (United), an ally of the BJP, also remained adamant of the demand for a JPC into the scam with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying, "Our demand remains the same on JPC. It's good for everyone."

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief J Jayalalithaa said that action should also be taken against Karunanidhi and a JPC should look into the scam.

"Raja's arrest was expected. The Supreme Court has forced CBI to take action. Government has nothing to do with it. The Government could have acted earlier," said CPI leader D Raja.

With none of the Opposition parties backing down on their demand for a JPC, the Budget session is unlikely to see much camaraderie between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

Also states like Tamil Nadu, from where Raja hails, and West Bengal, the home state of Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, are going to have Assembly elections in just a few months with corruption going to be the big issue.

While in Tamil Nadu the ruling DMK-Congress alliance is likely to face a tough fight from the AIADMK; Mamata Banerjee is going to make corruption in the Left Front government a big issue in West Bengal. With Congress having major stake in both the states, albeit as a junior partner, it could not be seen to be silent on scams.

UPA cannot breath easily because Mr. Raja is arrested....There are many in the row that include Kalmadi, Bhanot, Ashok Chavan, Deshmukh who are culprits... where as PM,Sonia, Karnataka Governor, Kapil Sibal, Karunanidhi have become saviors of culprits and some used their authority for illegal means.... It was Dayanidhi Maran who as Telecom Minister appealed PM to put spectrum rules outside Govt. guidelines, he should also be screwed....

Rajdeep, It is quite funny to see the Congress spokespersons keep raising the Yeddy issue all the time (I am no Yeddy fan). But the bottom line is that by implication Abhishek Manu Singhvi is conceding that the BJP is a much better opposition party that gets its way than the Congress is in Karnataka. The Congress has obviously failed as a ruling party at the center and also as an opposition party in Karnataka.

Well Singhvi should see his own fingers when accusing the others. The doubting Thomases will remain in doubt as long as the 'Tainted Thomas' is in because of the Congress's desins. What will Singhvi say now?

Does any serious reader think that these kind of actions will ultimately converge on punishment; this is an escape route by Congress to nail someone to escape from the scene.When Raja opens his mouth , they use people like Kapil sibal to whitewash deliberately to malign only DMK after the Assembly election and drag to any extent and lead this like the fate of Bofors, for they have a man like Manmohan who in front of all the cameras gave a clean chit to Raja as though he followed all the procedures in spectrum allocation , both letter and spirit of the rule book .

Now who is there to ask the Manmohan for misleading the Nation? Or CBI is wrong? We are thought to be brainless genders by these Congressmen who never think we have little brains also.I feel pity for myself who never married in my life to do some business from being an employee and risked my savings by doing my business to at least give employments to some families which I could not run since I was so honest not being able to withstand the onslaught of corrupt officials .

Disgusting I never went abroad to use the chance of making money. Living under these self seeking leaders is disgusting and bile comes to my mouth. Still I have hope on Mr.Narendra Modi.

Australia Cyclone

Cyclone Yasi Wipes Out The Mess Left By The Floods
By Harold Hisona.Level: Platinum. Harold is a writer with more than 3 years of experience writing in different niches.

Cyclone Yasi which is a category 5 super storm hit Australia, specifically Queensland, and destroyed millions of properties and lives. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that Yasi is probably the worst cyclone to ever hit Australia.

Just about three weeks ago, the government of Australia proclaimed that it could take years and years to bring the cities affected by flood back on their feet; however, Yasi is getting in the way to realize such plans. With rushing winds more than 280 km/h, the cyclone will surely damage more properties and establishments than the flood did.

The super storm hit Australia with thousands of residents trying to fit into evacuation centers just to be safe. Those people were expecting that after the storm has passed, they could go back to their homes and start to make their lives better, however, the properties they have invested for years were wiped out in a blink; they have nothing to return to.

Literally, the mess that the floods left has been wiped out by the strong winds and rains of Yasi. Now, the question that the people of Australia are how long Queensland will be able to recover from the disasters it has received in the first two months of the year 2011. If it would take years for it to recover from the flood, how many years would the restoration be after the super storm?

The people of Innisfail are more experienced when it comes to cyclone survival techniques because they are used to these kinds of disasters. In 2006, cyclone Larry literally destroyed the town and it happened again. But what the mayor, Bill Shannon, don't want to happen is when lives are lost. He said that it is understandable that houses and buildings will be destroyed as they can easily be built after the storm. But lives cannot be restored when destroyed.

The only assurance that the Prime Minister, Gillard, gave is that all the people of Australia are thinking of those who were victimized by Yasi. But as the storm progresses, that's what the federal government can do because rescuers cannot even be dispatched to help others; the government is also thinking for the safety of the rescuers. It is only after the storm has passed that they can help others.

For people who are left behind or don't want to stay in evacuation centers are on their own. They were advised to get enough food, water and other things they may need during the storm. However, they were also advised that no one will be available to help them should things happen during the progression of the cyclone.


The cyclone Yasi is the worst and most costly disaster in the history of Australia. Further details about the latest happenings in Australia are accessible at several news sites, particularly in the sites offering Australian news. You can also learn what the Australian government is doing to help the citizens through latest political news section.

Snow Ice Cream

Makay Combs, 11, of Hannibal scoops a container of snow which a few minutes later was transformed into snow ice cream. By Danny Henley.

In the wake of Tuesday’s 18.5-inch snow, Thursday afternoon’s snow-bound monotony was broken by Linda Spaun, who visited Destyni Combs, 14, and Emily Hayes, 17, at the Combs’ home in Hannibal, MO., with a recipe for making homemade snow ice cream.

“I was pretty young, but I can remember sitting out on the porch with my Aunt Connie as she used a hand crank to make homemade ice cream,” she said. “I was the bratty kid. While everyone else was sitting in the house, I’d sit out with her saying, ‘Hurry up!’”

“It’s an opportunity to remember old times,” she said. Shelia Combs suggested that not only could making snow ice cream provide a link to the past, but it also provides a fun pastime for bored youngsters.

“So many people dreaded the blizzard because it meant being cooped up with their kids,” she said. “But things like this give parents the chance to cherish the time they have with their kids.”

When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency.

Chicago Weather Hour by Hour

Chicago - As a light snow began to blanket the city Monday afternoon, the Dept. of Streets & Sanitation deployed 174 snow-fighting trucks to Chicago's streets.

At 3:15 p.m., Snow Command notified 174 snow trucks to report to their pre-assigned routes on major streets and Lake Shore Drive, a release from Streets & San said.

The city has been getting some lake effect snow and Snow Command wanted the trucks out to patrol and treat the routes and to be able to assist rush hour traffic, the release said. Snow Command will also monitor side street conditions and is prepared to go to the side streets and treat them once snow subsides and main streets are in good shape.

According to the National Weather Service, a localized area of heavy snow showers has developed over portions of southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. Most areas will receive a half-inch or less of snow Monday evening, but heavier, more extensive snow showers may produce isolated swaths of 1 to 2 inches, mainly over Lake and northern Cook counties, according to the weather service.

Of greater concern, the weather service said, will be sudden reductions in visibility to a half-mile or less during Monday’s evening rush.

Bob Marley Birthday

Today would mark the 66th birthday of the king of Reggae. The iconic Jamaican musician is regarded as the most recognized man in reggae music.

With hit songs like “One Love,” “ Jamming,” and “Three Little Birds,” Marley is credited with spreading the sounds of Jamaica to the outside world. Through his music he gave a voice to Jamaica, through songs like “I Shot the Sheriff” Marley shed light on the social issues and cultural problems that faced his land.

His album Legend that was released after his death in 1984 became the best-selling reggae album of all time, selling 20 million copies worldwide.

Marley, a Rastafarian, was married to his wife Rita. They shared five children. In total, Marley had eleven children with different women.

In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Marley decided to perform until he couldn’t anymore and by 1981 he decided to fly home to Jamaica. As he landed in Miami, he was taken to the hospital seeking emergency medical attention where he passed away at the age of 36-years-old.