Supreme Court refuses Maharashtra govt's plea to close Enron investigation

Current Affairs:

The Supreme Court declined Maharashtra government’s plea to close the case of alleged bribing in the Enron-Dabhol power project. It was reported that the then bidders of the project, Enron, had paid money to politicians and bureaucrats to clinch the deal.

A three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, while turning down the plea moved by the state, asked it to submit by March 13 a plan on how it intended to bring the case to a logical conclusion. The Bench also asked the state to submit details of the steps it had taken so far on the recommendations of a committee that has suggested judicial probe into the power project in 2001.
In 1992, US Energy conglomerate Enron started the process to set up a gas-fired power plant at Dabhol in Maharashtra. Work on the project soon ran into trouble on allegations of corruption and bribery at the highest levels. A new government took charge in Maharashtra in 1995 and on recommendations of a committee scraped the project. Enron then entered into arbitration with the government but came to a new agreement one year later.

Later in 2000, when another government took over, it stopped the payment of $22 million to Enron for December 2000. The state then sought to cancel the power purchase deal, which promoted Enron to stop work on phase-II of the project and sell phase-I.


 The Maharashtra government in 2001 had ordered another probe led by Indian Administrative Services (IAS) Officer Madhav Godbole. The committee criticised the renegotiated terms for the power plant and recommended a judicial inquiry to fix administrative and political accountability.

Govt begins hunt for Lokpal chief and other members, issues advertisement

Current Affairs:

The government has sought applications for chairman and members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, nearly five years after the Lokpal Act came into force, officials said Wednesday.
An advertisement seeking applications from desired and eligible candidates has been issued by the Personnel Ministry.

For the appointment as the chairman, a person who is or has been Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge is eligible to apply.

Besides, individuals with "impeccable integrity and outstanding ability" having special knowledge and expertise of not less than 25 years in matters related to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, and law and management are eligible to apply.

Those with less than 45 years of age are not eligible to apply.
According to rules, there is a provision for a chairperson and a maximum of eight members in the Lokpal. Of these, four need to be judicial members.

"Not less than 50 per cent of the members of the Lokpal shall be from amongst the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women," the advertisement seeking the applications reads.


 Upon selection, the chairperson and members shall hold office for a term of five years or till they attain 70 years of age.

Anna Hazare's fast enters Day 2; Ralegan Siddhi locals observe bandh

Current Affairs:

Social activist Anna Hazare's hunger strike entered the second day on Thursday as he remained defiant on his demand for appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra and resolution of farmers' issues.

A bandh was also observed by locals in Hazare's native Ralegan Siddhi village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district in support of his demands.

Hazare is sitting on a hunger strike in his village since Wednesday against "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of the Lokayukta Act in the state.

The 81-year-old Army man-turned-activist has also been demanding appointment of Lokayuktas in states where such statutory anti-corruption watchdogs do not exist.


 He has also been demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations on ways to address agrarian distress, besides some electoral reforms...Read More