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(By Yogesh K. Upadhyaya. Email: Yogesh@optonline.net)
The process for converting our institute to IIT is delayed. As stated in the past issues, the Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the parliament on August 30, 2010. The Bill includes 8 new IITs and conversion of IT-BHU to IIT-BHU.
The Bill was also sent to Standing Committee on Human Resource Development for review. The Committee has reviewed the Bill and sent its comments to parliament. Now we have to wait for the next parliament session (February budget session) to see whether the Bill is passed.
1) The parliament was pre-occupied with the discussion about 2G Spectrum Scam during the last winter session of parliament. With the opposition parties demanding formation of JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) to probe the scam, and govt. resisting it, the parliament session could not take up many pending bills and agenda for discussion.
2) As per Report tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD Ministry, it observed that some of the new IITs do not have their own land or infrastructure ready yet. Based on the report, the HRD ministry has contacted respective state govts. to release land; and ministry is trying to speed up the process of acquiring land and infrastructure by the new IITs.
3) HRD ministry has also meeting with IIT Council (the apex decision-making body of all IITs) on January 21, 2011 to discuss and sort our various administrative and academic issues.
About 2G Spectrum Scam:
The scam has taken our country and govt. by storm. The passage of IT Amendment Act in the parliament is usually a straight-forward process. However, the heated debate between the govt. and opposition parties about the recent scam may not allow any agenda in parliament to pass. Here is a brief report about the scam, based on recent news media reports:
The scam (known as 2G Spectrum Scam) was first reported by CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) of govt. of India. It stated that invitation for tender bids for allocating airwaves/spectrum of telecom frequencies for 2nd Generation telecommunications were allocated to various telecom companies without a proper bidding process. This cost our ex-chequer a loss of Rs. 176,000 crores (Rs. 1,760 billion or US 40 billion dollars). Subsequently, the minister in charge of telecommunications, Mr. A. Raja was removed from the post and put in a jail.
The CBI disputed the figure of CAG, and stated the actual loss to govt. at only about Rs. 22,000 crores, as stated by CVC (Central Vigilance Committee). The ruling party states that the actual loss to govt. was nil, as no govt. money was taken out and the loss is only a hypothetical value. CAG has been asked to testify in Supreme Court about the how the loss was calculated. This is based on petition filed by Subramanian Swamy (of BJP) in Supreme Court against govt.
The actual loss to govt. due to scam is still debated. However, many bogus companies which took part in auction sold the rights to bigger and established telecom companies at 10 times the price the very next day, earning thousands of crores of Rupees overnight. The extent bribe or kickback is also not known, but estimated to be around 10-15% (Rs. 18,000 – 27,000 crores or US 4-6 billion dollars).
This scam is haunting the govt. badly. The opposition (mostly BJP) is demanding JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) to probe into details. The ruling party (fearing that target of opposition is Prime Minister) is agreeing only for a weak PAC (Parliamentary Action Committee) for investigation. A compromise may soon be reached to avoid showdown in the parliament.
The scam is the biggest political corruption incident in India. It is far bigger than usual arms and weapons deal routinely signed with Russia and other countries, involving $2-5 billion deal.
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(if you having troubles, try posting your comment on this page or send an email to chronicle @ itbhuglobal.org)Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, UP