Taking oath in Allah's name valid: SC

The legislators taking oath in the name of ''Allah'' at the time of their swearing-in is legal and Constitutionally valid, the Supreme Court on Friday said. The apex court said swearing-in in the name of ''Allah'' did not amount to ''infraction'' of the Constitution. ''If somebody is unable to read English the oath is translated in language he/she understand. Then will it be the infraction of the Constitution,'' a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan observed while dismissing a petition challenging the Constitutional validity of MLAs and MPs taking oath in the name of ''Allah''. ''Allah is an Arabic word for God so what is the problem,'' the Bench also comprising Justice R V Raveendran, said. Madhu Parumala, vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Kerala unit, had filed an appeal against the Kerala High Court's July 21, 2006 order which had upheld the validity of the oath taken by 11 MLAs in the name of Allah after last year's Assembly elections. Madhu had contended that taking the oath in the name of Allah was violative of Article 188 and third Schedule of the Constitution under which a Member of the Legislature or Parliament has to swear only in the name of God or solemnly affirm. When Madhu's counsel said oath by the MLAs in the name of Allah were taken for publicity, the Bench shot back ''by filing such petition you are also seeking publicity''. The 11 MLAs of the Indian Union Muslim League, Indian National League and Congress had reportedly taken the oath in the name of Allah on May 24, 2006.

source : http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070033049

TNTJ Condemn Police excess in Muthupettai

TIRUVARUR: Tamil Nadu Thouheed Jamaat (TNTJ) has demanded the immediate transfer of four police officials, including the Tiruvarur District Superintendent of Police (SP), allegedly responsible for the police ‘excesses’ following the recent violence in Muthupettai.The volunteers of TNTJ, led by its state president P Jainul Abideen staged a demonstration here on Saturday, condemning the ‘‘excesses’’ by police in Muthupettai.

Later, talking to reporters, Jainul Abideen blamed the police for the communal violence."Not the People from other communities but only the police are responsible for the violent incidents in Muthupettai”, Jainul Abideen charged.The police should not grant permission for any communal organisation to take out a rally in Muthupettai. Voilent incidents take place in Muthupettai as the police grant permission to such organisations, he adds. He charged that the police entered the houses of Muslims in Muthupettai and dragged the innocents to the station and indulged in ‘excesses’ on the garb of interrogation. They, however, did not attempt to arrest the real culprits, he added.He further charged the police with blowing the issue out of proportion and inciting communal violence. He also demanded registration of case against Tiruvarur District Superintendent of Police Anisa Hussain, Deputy Superintendent of Police Perisamy, Sub-Inspector Chandra and Head Constable Chandramohan and immediate transfer of these officials along with all the police personnel attached to Muthupettai police station.Earlier, the demonstrators raised slogans against police personnel responsible for the ‘excesses’.

Finance Minister in right direction!

NEW DELHI: Just as it's getting to the time when most politicians, especially ministers, would be planning media blitzkreig through ads in newspapers, magazines, hoardings and TV commercials, there's bad news from the Finance Ministry. Playing party pooper, the Finance Minister has sent out the message - elections or no elections - the government has no surplus money to waste and hence it is time for austerity. In order to meet the cash crunch, the Finance Ministry has for the first time, ordered putting brakes on expenditure on publicity. Ministries are now required to regulate advertisements and publicity campaigns, according to Times Now. Also under the axe are budgets for purchase of new vehicles, maintenance, new furnishings and furniture for government offices and residences. There is also a serious cut imposed on the number of conferences and seminars held by ministries. The FM has also put a cap on foreign travel by officials and goodwill trips by ministers barring the PM, President, Vice President and Lok Sabha Speaker. He has also slapped an across the board 5 per cent cut in Non-Plan expenditure or what is avoidable expense. This featured among the issues discussed in a meeting between Finance Ministry and financial advisers of all ministries earlier this week The meeting also set in motion what is called a pre-Budget exercise but the officials were also told to be prepared for a Vote-on-Account The Finance Ministry has ordered that ministries will only be given 33 per cent of budget allocations to spend in the last three months of the budget year January- March 2008. He has also ordered a complete freeze on money transfers to states until they finish money already given to them.
Courtesy : Economic Times of India

Really the way our FM thinks, if all the minister's in the cabinet think the value of spending Public money before spending! surely, our budget deficit will be reduced to Nil level. At the same, time we would like to bring to the attention of law makers that, they should frame a scheme in which the previous year's spending should be reveiwed currenty year by which avoidable expenses can be reduced in the coming years! ofcourse, this type of excercise are done in most of the corporate body! it is time to think the similar view for Governance too to have healthy & wealthy management of fund!