Jayalalithaa convicted in graft case

Press Trust of India
Bangalore, 27 September: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was today convicted in an 18-year-old disproportionate assets case by a special court, a verdict that raises questions over her continuance on the post.
Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha convicted the 66-year-old AIADMK Chief in a case of owning assets to the tune Rs 66,65 crores disproportionate to her known sources of income during 1991-96 when she was chief minister for the first time.
The quantum of punishment will be delivered at 3 PM, Special Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh said.
Miss Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi and her nephew and the chief minister's disowned foster son Sudhakaran were also convicted.
The verdict was delivered at a makeshift court in the Parappana Agrahara prison complex in the presence of Miss Jayalalithaa and the other accused.
If the judge sentences her to imprisonment for a period not less than two years, the AIADMK leader will stand disqualified immediately from the Assembly and may have to step down as chief minister.
Miss Jayalalithaa had to quit as Chief Minister immediately after her swearing in 2001 following the Supreme Court declaring null and void the action of the then Governor Fatima Beevi appointing her as the Chief Minister as she had been sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case.
O Paneerselvan, a junior Minister handpicked by her, was appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. By 2002, she was cleared of all charges and sworn-in again as the Chief Minister.
The area around the court was turned into a fortress as the platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, the city Armed Reserve and the Rapid Action Force were deployed, besides hundreds of police personnel, including those in plain clothes.
A large number of AIADMK supporters had gathered since early morning.
The prolonged trial saw five judges ~ A S Pachapure, A T Munoli, B M Mallikarjunaiah, M S Balakrishna and John Michael D'Cunha.
The case was transferred to Bangalore's Special Court in 2003 by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by DMK leader K Anbazhagan who had expressed doubts over conduct of fair trial with Miss Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister.
Security has been increased at the DMK headquarters and residences of its senior leaders. Police said that on a request from DMK, security had been increased at “Anna Arivalayam”, the headquarters of DMK, two residences of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi and the residence of Anbazhagan, party's general secretary.
Appearing before the court four times, Miss Jayalalithaa has answered 1,339 questions in closed door hearings during which she has maintained that the case was “politically motivated” and “fabricated” at the instance of her rival DMK.
Controversy also swirled around the case after Karnataka Advocate General B V Acharya quit as Special Public Prosecutor and Bhavani Singh came in his place. Questions were raised in the Supreme Court over appointment of Singh also.
The case was filed by Subramanian Swamy in 1996. She was arrested and jailed for some days after DMK came to power in the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
The Karnataka government has so far spent Rs 2.86 crore on playing host to the case, according to documents obtained by an RTI activist.

Source:-http://www.thestatesman.net/news/79138-jayalalithaa-convicted-in-graft-case.html?page=4

#Jayaverdict: Bangalore court convicts Jayalalithaa in DA case

Bangalore: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was on Saturday convicted by a Bangalore court in connection with 18-year-old Rs 66 crore disproportionate case against her.

Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha will pronounce the quantum of punishment at 3 pm, Special Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh said.

Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi and her nephew and the CM’s disowned foster son Sudhakaran were also convicted.

The verdict was delivered at a makeshit court in the Parappana Agrahara prison complex in the presence of Jayalalithaa and the other accused.

If the judge sentences her to imprisonment for a period not less than two years, the AIADMK leader will stand disqualified immediately from the Assembly and may have to step down as Chief Minister.

The AIADMK chief is accused of amassing Rs 66.65 crore between 1991 and 1996 when she was the Chief Minister of the southern state.

Jayalalithaa had to quit as Chief Minister immediately after her swearing in 2001 following the Supreme Court declaring null and void the action of the then Governor Fatima Beevi appointing her as the Chief Minister as she had been sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case.

O Paneerselvan, a junior Minister handpicked by her, was appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. By 2002, she was cleared of all charges and sworn-in again as the Chief Minister.

The area around the court was turned into a fortress as the platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, the city Armed Reserve and the Rapid Action Force were deployed, besides hundreds of police personnel, including those in plain clothes.

A large number of AIADMK supporters had gathered since early morning.

The prolonged trial saw five judges - AS Pachapure, AT Munoli, BM Mallikarjunaiah, MS Balakrishna and John Michael D'Cunha.

The case was transferred to Bangalore's Special Court in 2003 by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by DMK leader K Anbazhagan who had expressed doubts over conduct of fair trial with Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister.

Security has been increased at the DMK headquarters and residences of its senior leaders. Police said that on a request from the DMK, security had been increased at ‘Anna Arivalayam’, the headquarters of the DMK, two residences of former Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief M Karunanidhi and the residence of party's general secretary Anbazhagan.

Appearing before the court four times, Jayalalithaa has answered 1,339 questions in closed door hearings during which she has maintained that the case was ‘politically motivated’ and ‘fabricated’ at the instance of her rival DMK.

Controversy also swirled around the case after Karnataka Advocate General BV Acharya quit as Special Public Prosecutor and Bhavani Singh came in his place. Questions were raised in the Supreme Court over appointment of Singh also.

The case was filed by Subramanian Swamy in 1996. She was arrested and jailed for some days after DMK came to power in the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

The Karnataka government has so far spent Rs 2.86 crore on playing host to the case, according to documents obtained by an RTI activist.

Source:-http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/bangalore-court-convicts-jayalalithaa-in-da-case-20384.html

Timeline: 18 years of legal, politcal twists in the Jayalalithaa graft case

New Delhi: The special court today convicted Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa in Disproportionate Assets case.

Here goes the time line of the DA case against Jayalalithaa:

June 14, 1996: DMK govt files DA case against Jayalalithaa and others based on complaints filed by DMK leader K Anbazhagan and Subramanian Swamy, the then Janata Party President

June 4, 1997: Charge sheet filed against Jayalaithaa for Rs 66.65 crore DA

October 21, 1997: Charges framed against Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi

December 7, 1996: Jayalalithaa arrested from her Poes Garden residence in Chennai

May 2001: Jayalalithaa wins assembly elections, sworn-in as CM of Tamil Nadu

September 21, 2001: Jayalalithaa resigns from CM post as court allow plea against her appointment because of her conviction in Tansi case by trial court. But 2 months later, High Court acquits her.

March 2, 2002: Jayalalithaa wins by-election from Andipatti assembly constituency and is sworn in state CM once again.

November 7, 2002: The trial resumes in DA case

February 05, 2003: After Jaya became CM, K Anbazhagan moved Supreme Court to shift the trial out of Chennai

November 18, 2013: Supreme Court orders transfer of trial to a Special Court in Bangalore

May 11, 2006: Jayalalithaa loses state elections, DMK returns to power

May 16, 2011: Jayalaithaa comes back to power, takes over as CM of Tamil Nadu

August 28, 2014: Special Court says verdict will be announced on September 20

September 15, 2014: Jayalalithaa  requests for change of locations

September 16, 2014: Special Court allows change in location, postpones verdict to September 27

September 27, 2014: Special Court convicts Jayalaithaa in DA case

Source:-http://www.indiatvnews.com

Jayalalithaa Convicted of Corruption, Sentencing Soon

BANGALORE:  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has been found guilty of corruption by a Bangalore court, where she was present for the verdict. Jayalalithaa, who is 66, will most likely have to resign as Chief Minister - the Supreme Court ruled last year that a law-maker found guilty of a crime carrying a jail sentence of two years or more stands immediately disqualified from office.

Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this big story:

1. Jayalalithaa flew from Chennai to Bangalore this morning to attend the hearing, which took place in a makeshift court created at the Bangalore Central Jail on the outskirts of the city.
2. The case against her is 18 years old and was filed originally by Subramanian Swamy, now a BJP leader. "I feel vindicated...she cannot recover from this loss of credibility," he said to NDTV.
3. The case was pursued by Jayalalithaa's arch rival, the DMK, after it came to power in Tamil Nadu. She has been convicted along with three close aides, including Sasikala Natarajan, who lives with her. 
4. Tamil Nadu is tense amid concerns about clashes between workers of the DMK and Jayalalithaa's party. Stones were thrown at the Chennai residence of DMK chief M Karunanidhi after the verdict was delivered. 
5. The case against Jayalalithaa accuses her of misusing her first term as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1991 to 1996  to collect assets that were vastly disproportionate to her income.
6. The prosecution has argued that Jayalalithaa took a salary of just one rupee when she was elected Chief Minister, but used her five-year tenure to illicitly gather huge assets that added up to Rs. 66 crores.  
7. The alleged illegal wealth includes 2,000 acres of land, 30 kg of gold and 12,000 saris.
8. Jayalalithaa has denounced the case as political vendetta. She argued that the prosecution undervalued her earlier assets, ignored her income from other sources and exaggerated the value of her property.
9. In the national election this year, her AIADMK virtually swept the state, winning 37 of 39 Lok Sabha seats. The state votes for its next government in two years.
10. The case against her was shifted to a Bangalore court in 2001 when Jayalalithaa returned to power for the second time. A DMK leader argued that a trial in Tamil Nadu could not be unbiased while her party, the AIADMK, was governing the state.
11. Via:-http://www.ndtv.com/

LOGO of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ unveiled

Mahatma’s spectacles with the bridge in tricolor suggests united effort for ‘Clean India’

Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu says, Cleanliness and India were the two eyes of Mahatma

Prime Minister to launch the Mission for clean India on October 2

Over Rs.62,000 cr to be spent on ensuring cleanliness in urban areas

 

Ahead of the launch of ‘Swasth Bharat Mission’ by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the LOGO for the five year long cleanliness mission was today unveiled by Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development and Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation here today.

Explaining the features of the Logo, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, the spectacles of Mahatma with its bridge in the Tricolor signifies the nation uniting to achieve the vision of Mahama for a Clean India. He further said, for the Mahatma, cleanliness and India were like his two eyes through which he envisioned a clean India. The Minister recalled Gandhiji saying that ‘Cleanliness is Godliness’ and ‘Sanitation is more important than political freedom.’

From the ideas received from the public, the pictorial depiction of Gandhiji’s spectacles with ‘Swachh Bharat’ written on the glasses suggested by Shri Anant Khasbardar of Kolhapur, Maharashtra was chosen by the government. The tag line of ‘Ek Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore’ was suggested by Ms.Bhagyasri Sheth of Rajkot, Gujarat. They will be rewarded with Rs.50,000/- and Rs.25,000/- respectively.

Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, Prime Minister is keen about building a “Jan Andolan” during the next five years to realise clean India by 2^nd October, 2019 the day that marks the 150^th birthday of Mahatma, as a befitting tribute to Gandhiji. Giving details of the efforts being made by the government in this regard, Shri Naidu said he personally spoke to all the Governors and Chief Ministers besides addressing letters to spiritual and religious leaders, all Members of Parliament, trade and industrial bodies, iconic personalities to take lead in creating a people’s movement for clean India. He said, a massive campaign will be launched in the national capital with pro-active involvement of over 60 agencies.

Shri Naidu informed that while launching the cleanliness campaign, Prime Minister would administer a ‘Cleanliness Pledge’ at a public function on October 2, 2014. Shri Naidu appealed to all government employees and the public to take the pledge likewise.

Shri Venkaiah Naidu informed that as per the approval of the Union Cabinet for the Swasth Bharat Mission last evening, an expenditure of Rs.62,009 cr would be spent on cleanliness in urban areas over the next five years. He said, the focus would be on- elimination of open defecation, conversion of insanitary latrines into pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, prevention of pollution of water sources, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in public areas, awareness generation and capacity building.

Giving the details of the scheme, Shri Naidu said, over 104 lakh household toilets would be constructed besides 2.52 lakh seats as community toilets and 2.56 lakh seats as public toilets. Over 30 cr people would be helped in solid waste management.

The Minister informed that centre’s share of expenditure would be Rs.14,623 cr and the rest would be mobilized through Public Private Partnership by States and urban local bodies, from private sector, levy of user charges, Corporate Social Responsibility, Swachh Bharat Kosh and other innovative measures. 

Via:-http://postalinspectors.blogspot.in

SpiceJet announces 50% discount on base fares

NEW DELHI: In yet another low-fare offer, SpiceJet on Thursday announced 50 per cent off on base fares on limited tickets for travel till March next year on sale till Saturday. 

The offer would allow customers avail 50 per cent discount on available fares for travel in two phases — between October 28 and December 15 this year and from January 15 till March 31 next year.

A customer can save up to 50 per cent on tickets booked between Thursday and Saturday midnight, a SpiceJet release said, adding fares under this offer are non-refundable and non-changeable, barring taxes and fees.

The offer is valid on the no-frill carrier's entire domestic network, though the fares would vary from sector to sector depending on the travel distance. International sectors do not feature in this sale.

SpiceJet's chief commercial officer Kaneswaran Avili said, "The highest load factor over last few months also means SpiceJet is now India's favorite airline and rightly so, for its innovative and tireless efforts to make flying affordable for everyone."

Travel technology platform TripFactory.com CEO Vinay Gupta said, "Advance booking for trips are always good for people flying as it allows purchase of tickets at comparatively lower fare, while it also helps airlines to get a higher load factor."

No Indian university on top 200 list

IIT Delhi takes 235th place in the list

IIT-Bombay ranked 222 and IIT-Delhi at 235 while those in Kanpur, Madras and Kharagpur are in the 300 range.

Not a single Indian higher education institution has made it to the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings, which were released on Tuesday morning.

The first Indian presence on the list is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, ranked 222.

IIT Delhi comes in second at 235 while those in Kanpur, Madras and Kharagpur are in the 300 range.

Delhi University comes in the 420 to 430 band.

Other Indian institutions that have made it to the rankings are Calcutta University, Benares Hindu University, Pune University, the Indian Institute of Science and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

All the top 10 positions in the rankings list are taken by the U.S. and U.K.-based universities with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology retaining the first position for the second year running.

The National University of Singapore leads the pack as far as the Asian continent is concerned and is ranked 22nd.

The poor showing of Indian institutions in world university rankings has become a cause of concern among educationists in the country and efforts have been under way for a couple of years now to evolve an India-generated ranking system.

A ranking committee – set up by the United Progressive Alliance government – has already submitted its report.

As per the proposal, an India-generated ranking system would ensure that the large set of institutions across the country are properly ranked and placed in proper perspective, factoring in aspects that are peculiar to India like the quota system.

Besides providing an Indian benchmark that can be used by world ranking lists as an indicator, a domestic ranking list would also help students and parents make a more informed choice instead of just going by lists brought out by media houses.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/ dtd 17/09/2014

British woman faces 20 years in hellhole Iranian jail for Facebook comments 'critical of the country’s leadership'

A British woman has reportedly been sentenced to 20 years in a hellhole Iranian prison for posting comments on Facebook allegedly criticising the country’s leadership.

Roya Nobakht, 47, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was arrested last October when she was visiting the south-western city of Shiraz.

She was accused of gathering crowds, putting national security at risk and insulting Islam after criticising former Iranian supreme leader the Ayatollah Khomeini on the social media site.

She is thought to have described the government as being ‘too Islamic’.

Ms Nobakht had been held at the notorious Evin prison in the Iranian capital Tehran before being sentenced earlier this week.

It had been feared that Ms Nobakht could have faced the death penalty.

The part-time student at Stockport College has dual British-Iranian nationality and has been living with her husband for more than six years.

A source close to the family said: “Roya is devastated. She is not doing well.

“She is just a housewife and is not an activist. She has said she would rather die than be there for 20 years.

“She has been tortured and the conditions at the prison are terrible. She is under a lot of pressure.

“They have taken confession under duress that she has said something against the Iranian republic.”

Mrs Nobakht, who is among eight people jailed in Iran this week on charges of insulting the country’s leadership on Facebook, had been on a three-week holiday to Iran last year to visit friends and family.

A family friend said her husband, Daryoush Taghipoor, 47, had gone to meet her from Manchester Airport but she did not appear.

He spent two months in Iran searching mortuaries, hospitals and police stations.

Ayatollah: Ruhollah Khomeini

He was eventually told his wife was in prison because she had not been respectful of Iran and he was allowed to visit her for 10 minutes.

Mr Taghipoor has not returned to Iran for fear of being arrested himself.

Negotiations between the UK and Iranian governments have been complicated since the British embassy in Tehran closed following the 2011 attacks by Iranian protesters.

Andrew Stunnell, MP for Hazel Grove, who has been fighting the family’s cause, said: “Unfortunately the Iranian justice system is pretty incomprehensible to us in the Western world.

“What we regard as fundamental human rights are regarded as crimes and Roya is in the midst of it.

“It’s absolutely preposterous. The Iranians have pounced on her and charged her with offences which would be laughed out of court here but they have gone on to impose an outrageously large sentence.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware that a British national has received a custodial sentence in Iran.

“We are seeking to establish the full facts and are following up the case with the Iranian authorities.”

The case is the latest in a growing row over internet freedom in Iran. Last week six young Iranians were arrested after they posted a video online of their version of Pharrell William’s song Happy.

Via:-http://www.mirror.co.uk

DirecTV reportedly in talks with Disney for Internet deal

(Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Following Dish Network's lead, DirecTV is in discussions with Walt Disney to offer the media giant's content as part of an Internet-based offering, the satellite TV provider told Reuters.

The licensing discussions are part of a programming pact that would replace a contract set to expire in December, Reuters reported. The deal is reportedly similar to an agreement announced Monday that gives DirecTV rival Dish the right to stream video, live and on demand, as part of an Internet-delivered television service.

"The deal and terms are not unexpected as the Dish contract was the most recent in the Disney timeline to expire," DirecTV spokesman Darris Gringeri told Reuters on Wednesday. "The DirecTV contract is up next, and we're in the process of working with Disney on a similar long-term agreement of our own."

CNET has contacted Disney for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

In addition to providing both companies with new revenue streams, the deal is expected to help DirecTV better compete with Netflix and Hulu as more consumers switch to Internet streaming for their entertainment delivery.

Dish reached its deal with Disney as part of an agreement over its contentious Auto-Hop feature on the Hopper remote DVR. The feature lets customers automatically skip commercials on broadcast television recordings, but broadcasters say the technology could destroy the industry since program owners depend on advertising revenue to produce programming.

In order to renew an agreement that ensures Dish will be allowed to continue carrying Disney networks, the satellite television distributor agreed to disable the automatic ad-skipping feature on its Hopper network DVR for three days after a program is broadcast.

source:-http://news.cnet.com

Reservation to the Other Backward Class (OBC) students in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs)

Reservations in schools under the KVS and the NVS are subject to the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009 as applicable to the specific mandate of these two organizations. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has already inter-alia provided reservation for the Other Backward Class (OBC) students within the provision of reservation of 25% of seats in Class-I admission for Schedule Caste / Schedule Tribes / Economically Weaker Section / Below Poverty Line / OBC (Non-creamy layer) applicants as per the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009 and as per its admission guidelines. The admission in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are district- specific with a provision of atleast 75% seats for rural children. The JNVs do not take admission in Class I hence the 25% clause is not applicable to them.

Above statement was submitted by MoHRD in reply of undermentioned Lok Sabha question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4112

ANSWERED ON 19.02.2014

RESERVATION FOR OBCS IN KVS NVS

4112 . Shri HARISH CHOUDHARY
M. ANJAN KUMAR YADAV

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has not made any provision to grant reservation to the Other Backward Class (OBC) students in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) despite a strong demand for the same by the people and their representatives;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the action taken/being taken by the Government to provide reservation for the OBC students in the said schools on the lines of the reservation for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a) to (c) *** see above ***

Electric passenger bus launched

The electric bus in Bangalore on Thursday.

BMTC, Utopia join hands for initiative

In a first-of-its-kind in the country, an electric passenger bus, with zero emission level, was inaugurated by Transport Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy here on Thursday.

An initiative taken up by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), in co-ordination with Utopia, the air-conditioned 31-seat coach has a range of 250 km with a full battery charge (four to six hours).

The BMTC will operate the bus on trial basis for three months between Kempe Gowda bus depot and Kadugodi. It will be used on other routes subsequently.

With a battery capacity of 324 kWhr, the bus can make about eight trips on the route, with a full charge. A battery charging station has been set up at Depot 7 in the Majestic area.

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy said that with zero emission level the bus will be eco-friendly. “The bus will run on free trial basis for the first three months, following which the BMTC will decide on its purchase. The passenger fare will be equivalent to the Volvo bus fare,” he said.

He said that the bus is expected to cost Rs. 2.7 crore. The bus, manufactured by BYD Auto, has two sliding doors and two roof hatches which could serve as emergency exits and two CCTV cameras in the saloon area.

Apart from this, there is a small hammer attached next to the windows for every row on either side for passengers to break open the glass in case of emergencies. The battery management system also monitors the voltage and temperature of the electric cells to ensure safety.

BMTC managing director Anjum Parvez said that the bus comes with a fire detection system. “There are sensors that will detect a spark or smoke and this will be automatically indicated on the dashboard to alert the driver,” he said.

About tinted glass on the bus, Mr. Parvez said that the model is manufactured that way but if the BMTC decides to purchase it, specifications will be adhered to.

There is a camera and electrically adjustable mirrors for rear viewing. There is also a ramp for wheelchair-bound passengers.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/

Why Facebook is buying WhatsApp for a whopping $19bn

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook is betting huge on mobile with an eye-popping cash-and-stock deal worth up to $19 billion for Internet Age smartphone messaging service WhatsApp.

The surprise, mega-deal announced on Wednesday bolsters the world's biggest social network -- which has more than 1.2 billion members -- with the 450-million-strong WhatsApp, which will be operated independently with its own board.

It fits with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's focus on being at the center of lifestyles in which billions of people around the world share whatever they wish over the internet using smartphones or tablets.

It is Facebook's biggest acquisition and comes less than two years after the California-based internet star raised $16 billion in the richest tech sector public stock offering.

Zuckerberg said that WhatsApp -- a cross-platform mobile app which allows users to exchange messages without having to pay telecom charges -- was worth the steep price because its blistering growth around the globe has it on a clear path to hit a billion users and beyond.

"Services with a billion people using them are all incredibly valuable," Zuckerberg said while discussing the purchase price during a conference call with analysts.

The deal came from a chat Zuckerberg had with WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, whom he described as a "valuable thought partner" and friend of many years.

"Last Sunday evening, about 11 days ago, I proposed if we joined together that would help us really connect the rest of the world," Zuckerberg said.

"He thought about it over the course of the week, came back and said he was interested."

The purchase includes $12 billion in Facebook shares and $4 billion cash. It calls for an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp founders and employees that will vest over four years.

Facebook reportedly sought to acquire another hot messaging firm, Snapchat, for $3 billion last year. In 2012 Facebook closed its deal for Instagram, worth some $1 billion at the time based on stock value. 'Powerful capabilities'
Koum, who joins Facebook's board under the deal, said: "WhatsApp's extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide."

In a blog post, Koum added: "Almost five years ago we started WhatsApp with a simple mission: building a cool product used globally by everybody. Nothing else mattered to us."

The tie-up gives WhatsApp "the flexibility to grow and expand," Koum said.

Zuckerberg and Koum, who both took part in the conference call, did not discuss details about WhatsApp revenue, saying the focus for the foreseeable future would be on growth, not making money.

WhatsApp software is available free, but after a year, users are asked to pay annual subscriptions of 99 cents each. Bubble fears
The acquisition represents likely the biggest-ever price for a tech startup, trumping the $8.5 billion paid for Skype -- which allows users to make voice and video calls over the Internet -- by Microsoft in 2011.

"The size of this deal is really massive and it will get people talking about a bubble," Greg Sterling at Opus Research told AFP.

Sterling said the deal is a risk for Facebook because "in social media you have a flavor of the month, and next year we might have another app with extremely rapid growth."

"I think (the high price tag) comes from the frustration of not being able to buy Snapchat, and then there is the youth factor," Sterling added.

"Facebook really needs to have vehicles to attract younger users, and Instagram is not going to do that by itself."

With this strategy, Sterling said Facebook "is becoming a kind of holding company for different social media properties that appeal to different groups."

Sterling said Facebook may have some ability to "monetize" WhatsApp by delivering ads over the messaging service.

Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies said WhatsApp has become one of the most popular mobile applications worldwide "because it allows you to message anybody anywhere for free."

Kay said the deal makes sense on one level because of Facebook's record stock run-up.

"When you have a stock like that which has run up quickly and created a lot of paper value, it's good to trade that for other value," he told AFP.

"It's not obvious how they can get $12 billion out of this but it's been clear for a while that WhatsApp is very interesting. It reminds me a little bit of Skype."

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

No Change in Refund Rules Pertaining to Cancellation of Confirmed Train Tickets

A section of media, have published news regarding changes in the Railway Refund Rules. In this regard, the Ministry of Railways  clarifies that there has been no change in the Refund Rules which have been notified in June 2013 and have been brought into force with effect from 1^st July, 2013. According to the notified refund rules, passengers on a confirmed ticket can avail refund upto 50% of the fare provided the ticket is cancelled within 2 hours of the departure of the train.

For the purpose of clarification, the refund rules relating to cancellation of unused confirmed reserved tickets are summarized here below:-

 i.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation more than forty eight hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, a minimum per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of rupees one hundred and twenty for air-conditioned first class/executive class, rupees one hundred for air-conditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for air-conditioned III-tier/ 3 economy/air-conditioned chair car, rupees sixty for sleeper class and rupees thirty for second class.

 ii.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation between forty eight hours and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be twenty five per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge.            

iii.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation within six hours before departure and upto two hours after the actual departure of the train, the cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge.

iv.            No refund shall be granted on the reserved ticket if it is surrendered for cancellation after two hours of the actual departure of the train.                 

Passengers may continue to avail refund of confirmed tickets under the above rules as there is no change in the Refund Rules.

Again the refund rules relating to cancellation of Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets are summarized here below:-

If a Waitlisted/RAC ticket is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be admissible after deducting the clerkage as per following:- 

a.             The ticket is presented for cancellation upto three hours after the actual departure of the train irrespective of the distance.

b.            The passenger may get the tickets cancelled from any PRS counters or the designated current counters.

c.             No refund of fare shall be granted on RAC ticket /Waitlisted ticket after three hours of the actual departure of the train.

d.            In case no current counters are available at journey originating station for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours(actual departure , refund shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation office.

e.            In remote and hill areas as identified by the Zonal Railways with the prior approval of the General Managers and print in their Time Tables for train leaving between 1900 hours and 0600 hours (actual departure) refund shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation/booking office, in case there is no reservation counters/booking office/ current counters. Available in that area.

Similarly, the refund rules relating to cancellation of e-tickets and Tatkal Tickets have also been notified which are effective from July 1, 2013.

Further, under special circumstances like bandhs or agitations or floods, etc. where the passengers could not reach the reservation counters or stations for cancellation of tickets, a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) shall be issued to the passenger upto three days after the scheduled departure of the train and the passengers may apply for refund of fare within ten days from the scheduled commencement of journey to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds), of the Zonal Railway concerned. The refund application shall then be considered on its merits based on the circumstances of the case.

Commercial circular no. 6 of 2014 dated 21.2.2014 is an internal circular seeking to remove the inconsistency between the computerised application (based on earlier circular of 2004) and the notified refund rules. Under this circular of 21.02.2014, CRIS has been advised to make requisite changes in the computerised PRS application so that the computerised application is aligned and made consistent with the Refund Rules and to ensure that the refunds are issued in accordance with the notified rules.

Passengers shall continue to get refunds across the counters for all waitlisted and confirmed tickets as per refund rules provided such refunds are sought within the prescribed time limits.

Source:-PIB

NFSG and MACP benefit for UDCs of CSCS: Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

RAJYA SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO-386

ANSWERED ON-20.02.2014

NFSG MACP for UDCs

386 . SHRI MOTILAL VORA

(a) whether the Ministry, vide letter no. 20/49/2009-CS-II-B dated 22nd June, 2011 has done injustice to those UDCs who have completed more than ten years of regular service in UDC Grade and got the benefit of Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) of nearly `400/- from `2400-2800;

(b) if so, the reasons for denying them Non-functional Selection Grade (NFSG) from 1st January, 2006; and

(c) the steps taken by Government to do justice to senior UDCs who were neither granted NFSG nor MACP from the actual date of their completing the ten years of service in UDC Grade?

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.



STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS(a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 386 FOR 20.2.2014 ASKED BY SHRI MOTILAL VORA REGARDING “NFSG/MACP FOR UDCs”.

(a) & (b): The Government decided to create a grade of UDC ‘Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG)’ in Central Secretariat Clerical Services (CSCS) in the grade pay of `4200/- in Pay Band-2 vide O.M. No. 20/49/2009-CS-II(B) dated 22.6.2011. As per the O.M. mentioned above, UDCs of CSCS with 5 years of approved Service are eligible for grant of Grade Pay of `4200/- (NFSG) subject to the condition that the total number in the grade will be restricted to 30% of the sanctioned strength. The NFSG grade came into being from the date of issue of the said O.M.

(c): Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme came into operation w.e.f 1.9.2008. The Scheme ensures three Financial up-gradation in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay bands as given in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years of continuous regularservice subject to the provisions of Scheme issued vide DOP&T O.M. No. 35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 19.5.2009. MACP benefits are granted with effect from the actual date of completion of 10 years of regular service in any grade since its inception from 1.9.2008 by the concerned cadre units. The benefit of NFSG could not be availed of by the beneficiaries as the Select List 2003(extended) of UDCs of CSCS is sub-judice.

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