SC quashes 122 licences of 2G spectrum scam: Justices Singhvi and Ganguly

Thursday quashed all 122 spectrum licences granted after January 2008.

NEW DELHI: In a major setback for the government, the Supreme Court on Thursday quashed all 122 spectrum licences granted after January 2008.

The apex court left it open for the trial court to decide whether home minister P Chidambaramneeds to probed in the 2G scam.

The SC said that there was no need for SIT to monitor the 2G scam probe.

The SC verdicts came on Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy’s petition seeking a CBI probe into the alleged role of home minister P Chidambaram in the spectrum scam, and on two pleas by lawyer Prashant Bhushan seeking cancellation of 2G licences and setting up of an SIT to monitor probe into the scam.

Swamy has demanded a CBI probe into the role of Chidambaram with regard to the 2G scam. The Janata Party chief, who is the petitioner in the 2G case, has alleged that Chidambaram, then the finance minister, could have prevented jailed former telecom minister A Raja from giving away spectrum at throwaway prices to select companies, but chose not to do so.

Swamy had won a success in the court on Tuesday when Justices Singhvi and Ganguly upheld his right to seek the prosecution of Raja for the 2G scam and indicted the PMO for delaying prosecution of the sacked telecom minister.

Source: TOI with Ref Sources.

Dahej to Gogha 300km no way its 30km Soon Ro-Ro Ferry Service – foundation stone laid by CM at Gogha

Chief minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for constructing the Ro-Ro terminal at Gogha, 20 km from Bhavnagar today, January 25. Development of Ro-Ro ferry service terminals at Ghogha in Bhavnagar and at Dahej in Bharuch, will help in drastically changing the passenger and vehicular traffic in the region, says CM.

The purpose of the project is to facilitate the establishment of a vehicular and passenger ferry service across the the Gulf of Khambhat, Due to its peculiar geographical configuration, the Gulf of Khambhat has advantage for the operation of Ro-Ro ferry service. “We plan to run ferries that can carry maximum number of passengers and vehicles on this route once the terminals are ready. Initially, we will be running 2-3 ferry vessels and looking at its utility, the number would be increased,” said Shri Pankajkumar of GMB. The circuitous road distance around the Gulf of Cambay between the Gogha and Dahej is 360 km. However, the distance will reduce to just 31 km using the sea route.

The construction of terminals at Ghogha and Dahej will be completed in 15 months.The project cost of the ferry service is estimated to be Rs 296 crore and commenced in 2013. According to officials, the project will include construction of berthing jetty, structure for pontoon, access bund, access trestle, link-span bridge, dredging, land reclamation, parking, provision of passenger amenities and terminal connectivity, among others.

Ro-Ro ferries are special vessels on to which vehicles can drive and be accommodated for the sea journey on special vehicle decks. The maximum capacity ferry vehicle is expected to have capacity to accommodate more than 100 vehicles including trucks, buses, cars, etc and more than 1,000 passengers in each of its trips.

The state government is also planning to construct approximately 6.5 km four-lane rigid pavement connecting Ghogha ferry terminal from the state highway.

“Gujarat government, through its visionary policies and proactive measures, has ensured that these natural advantages are not wasted. Government has led Gujarat to become number one maritime state in the country,” CM Narendra Modi said.

The Revolutionary Project of Gogha Dahej Ro-Ro Ferry Service at a glance: * Facilitates safe and speedy movement of vehicles with cargo/passengers in the Gulf of Kambhat between Gogha and Dahej * Reduces the journey distance from 360 km by road to 31 km by sea route * Approved budget of Rs.296 crores * Results in saving of fuel and contributes towards a pollution free, cleaner and greener Gujarat.

Mother, I salute thee!

Mother, I salute thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Green fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When swords flash out in seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Thou who saves, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foe drove
Back from plain and sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-tone,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleems,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jewelled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

translated by Sri Aurobindo