The Weekly
Observer Volume 14 | Issue 16
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Two separate scams or one big Rs 1000 crore scam? Nikhil M Babu Two scams of 400 crore and 600 crore, where 5 lakh people all over India were cheated are alleged to be by the same group. The case on Hoshisms for a 400 crore scam has been registered in Vylakalavil Police Station and Bangalore City Crime Branch is investigating the Adooye case with 600 crore scam.
“Phone numbers of some of the suspects tracked down in both these cases are the same,” said, advocate Adithya, who is handling the case for victims in both the schemes. Hoshisms was a ponzi scheme which closed shop in November and around 3 lakh people have lost approximately Rs 400 crore. Two months back another online marketing company called ‘Adooye’ also
cheated people of around 600 crore. “I can assure you that both the schemes are from the same people,” said Vijay who had invested in both the schemes. “The advertisements, log in and the appearance of both the websites were the same,” he added. Both these companies promised
high returns for clicking on advertisements of companies and introducing new members to the company. “The template of the website, logos and even the spelling mistakes in both the websites also were similar. Also Hoshisms closed down hardly two months after Adoyee did,” said Adithya.
“There plans were very similar; Adoyee had a plan of Rs 3000 while Hoshisms has the same scheme for Rs 2800,” he added. The Vyalakalavil Police said that they are also tracing the email ids of the suspects. Arun Solanki, the CCB investigative officer of this case declined to comment on the case as investigation is ongoing.
M.L.A.’s assets in new Lokayukta probe Raya Ghosh An MLA who purchased state land at a knockdown price and allegedly failed to disclose assets is at the centre of a multi crore Lokayukta investigation. During the Karnataka legislative Assembly Elections 2008, Abdul Haq Surathi, a social worker, filed a case of disproportionate assets against Roshan Baig, Minister for Infrastructure, Karnataka, to the Returning Officer of the Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency. Abdul Haq Surathi said, “ Shivajinagar has been under his control for the past 25 years." From the RTI’s which Surathi had filed, he obtained several copies
of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of Roshan Baig and his family ranging through the financial years 2006 till 2011. He added, “I got these statements analyzed and they revealed several discrepancies apart from the assets acquired by Baig." Vijay Raghavan, prosecutor for Surathi in the Karnataka Lokayukta, said: “Surathi approached me in May 2011. The Lokayukta had filed a report based on their investigation on this case. From the report it is given that there is no case to proceed. However, we have filed an objection to this report with the investigating officer of Lokayukta. “On the twentieth of this month,
M.L.A. Roshan Baig, who could find himself at the centre of a Lokuyutka probe
we will be receiving the judgment. The hearing will take place soon after that with all the witnesses and proofs," he added. Roshan Baig was appointed as the Infrastructure Development Minister in 1989. Financial statements for the year 2005-06, disclosed that during his tenure as Minister, he bought government land from Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS), a Public Sector Undertaking. “Baig said that he wanted to build a small scale industry in Information Technology on this land," added Surathi. An extensive dossier on Baig's finances has been handed to The Weekly Observer. According to the financial statements of 2005-06, Baig obtained the land from KEONICS at a price of Rs. 19, 47, 175. However 2010-11 statements disclose the price of the aforesaid land to be Rs. 23, 27,021. Surathi added: “I had filed an RTI with the KEONICS which revealed that the land was worth Rs 38, 11,971. Also, a sum of Rs 4, 18,064 as building fees was not recorded in the statement.” From the details included in the documents, the difference between the deed of sale worth Rs 14, 84, 95 was not accounted for. Baig then entered into an agreement for the joint development of this land with Prestige Estates Project Private Ltd. Subsequently a Rs. 60 crores multistoried building was constructed by Prestige.
“Baig does nothing for our community,” says Abdul Haq Surathi “After the construction, the building was rented to Siemens India, a multinational company who paid Rs 2.5 crores per annum as rent. Baig paid only fifty lakhs for the land,” said Surathi. “I have nothing personal against Roshan Baig. But I am extremely upset about the fact that Baig being a Muslim himself, does not do anything for our community,” said Surathi. Subsequently he had also filed a case against Baig’s wife Sabiha Roshan. Reportedly, an FIR was filed against Roshan Baig and his wife Sabiha Roshan accusing them of forging the signature of the real owners of a penthouse that is Ziaulla Sheriff, who heads India Builders. “Mr Baig purchased an apartment from us in 2009,” said
Rachita (name changed), an employee of India Builders. Surathi also mentioned: “The Karnataka Government had allotted an acre of land to each member of the Muslim community. But Baig registered that land in his name and bought it from the government at the rate of Rs 1500 per square feet. He wanted to construct a 3 star hotel on that land which covered an area of approximately 10,000 square feet.” Abdul Haq Surathi had filed this case in the High Court of Karnataka. However he withdrew it on May 23, 2013 as he wanted to file the case with the Lokayukta. “I am trying my level best to help Surathi in this case,” added Raghavan. Despite repeated requests for comment, Mr. Baig did not respond.
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Weekly Observer
Three years later, still no HIV centers Punita Maheshwari Bangalore University has still not considered the HIV testing centre proposal after AIDS Control Authority introduced it in 2011. The University is ahead of other universities in India as it bears counseling centers for HIV/AIDS cases at the Jnanabharathi Campus. As a promising follow up on the same, Karnataka State Prevention Society had proposed Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers in Bangalore University. The idea was two-folded. Thimmaraju S.N, Additional Director- ICTC, said: “The idea was to make the centers available to the most vulnerable section of the society i.e. youth. This would also reduce the burden of the NGO’s. Bangalore University was the first choice as it already had the
The Bangalore University campus required infrastructure and human resources at the department of health and sciences.” There are seven HIV testing centers which are under control of KSAPS, among which none of
them are established in a university campus. “There are increasing cases of sexual transmission of HIV virus. Several lives can be saved if it is controlled at the initial stage. We have sent a proposal to
Temple causing trouble for people living nearby Apoorva Choubey Residents of an apartment in Basavangudi claim that the temple in front of their building is creating nuisance and the establishment of idols on the pavements is narrowing the road. Devindra Mankare, a resident of Southall Apartments, said, "The Ayyappa Swami temple creates traffic obstruction and a lot of noise. We already put up with the nuisance but idols on our pavements will not be tolerated. A naga idol has already been established beside our gate. They have not taken permission to build it.
“I personally feel that they have contacts in the BBMP. Therefore, they are adamant about these constructions on the pavement. I wrote a letter to the Assistant Commissioner of the BBMP last week but got no reply,” he added. Preeti Joshi, another resident, said: “We support Devendre fully. The temple has been creating problems. They are planning to build 3-4 other compounds on the pavements nearby. We do not want ‘naga idols’ o other idols near our houses. It causes narrowing of the roads and is also against our beliefs.” Murli, a businessman, said: “We are against the temple since they
Construction work on the pavement in front of the temple
the university and are ready to train the personnel as well; but without any reciprocation from the university, nothing can be done,” Thimmaraju added. Even after the funding is
offered to be done by KSAPS, Bangalore University has bleak chances of a testing center. “We are looking forward to it. Once the formalities are completed with the Vice-Chancellor, we will surely take interest in the project. It will benefit the students and teachers equally,” said, Vishwaprasad, Medical Officer, Bangalore University. While some students were indifferent, many believed that centers would bring awareness and will help remove the taboo. “We should be open about diseases like AIDS. So a testing centre will help,” said, Nivedita Ghosh, research scholar in Bangalore University. “I think it is a good idea to bring testing centers under the vicinity of students, that way, educational institutions and colleges can work towards a similar aim,” said, Father Vince Mathew, Sneha Care Homes.
‘NAMMA’ metro not for everyone Pulaha Ray Laborers working for Bangalore’s “Namma Metro” claim that they haven’t been paid timely wages, and that the safety precautions aren’t being enforced on site. According to the existing law, all laborers registered with the Karnataka Building and other Construc-
BMRCL, denied all such claims. He said: “Nowadays it’s more difficult to find laborers. So if a laborer claims that he isn’t getting paid why would he work there?” He added: “BMRCL is absolutely clear about the safety measures. The laborers need to wear the safety jackets, boots and helmets. There hasn’t been a single case of any casualties
Devindra Mankere, who complained against the temple want to build compounds in the pavement in front of our houses. These kind of things though religious are illegal.” Aishwarya, Devindra’s wife, said: “This has been happening since October. All the ladies nearby are against the creation of the naga temple. The temple people are rude and act like they own the whole road.” Rateshwari, owner of the temple, said, “We do not want to discuss all these unimportant matters.” Devraj, who runs the temple, said: “We don’t care what people around here think. We are doing the right thing for the religion and the society.” Ramesh, an officer under the Executive Engineer, P B Ward, BBMP, said: “We will look into the matter. These constructions of idols on the pavements are no doubt illegal.”
These rumors keep on coming-T.L. Ravi Prakash tion Workers Welfare Board are entitled to receive accidental insurance cover, minimum wages and compensation to the family in case a laborer dies on site. “I haven’t been paid for three months now. I have a family to feed and I have to send money to them” said Lori, a daily wage laborer from Jharkhand who has been working in the Deepanjali Nagar-Vijaynagar metro corridor in Bangalore. Manoj, another laborer from Uttar Pradesh, added: “When I was working in Delhi I used to get paid for overtime. In Bangalore I have been working overtime but they are yet to pay me.” But T.L. Ravi Prakash, Senior Manager (Public Relations),
recorded. Even if it’s a minister, he has to follow the protocol.” But according to Manoj there were instances when the laborers entered the site without taking any precautionary measure. His colleagues and he are also not aware of any accidental insurance that covers them.
T.L. Ravi Prakash dismissed such claims. He said: “These rumors keep on coming. We have already paid our contractors. It’s between the laborer and the contractor. BMRCL doesn’t interfere in such cases.” When ‘The Daily Observer’ got in touch with one of the contractors, Mr.Reddy, who works for Ahluwalia Constructions, he declined to comment.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Weekly Observer
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Laws to prevent child labor in the country failing to protect children rights Elizabeth Mani It is difficult to eradicate child labor from the city as many parents prefer their children to work rather than study. Parents in the city send their children to work in various fields so that they could earn extra income for the family. “My child should take care of us anyway, so why wait for years for them to complete their studies. They can work now and do the same later,” said Kannagi, mother of Sharath, 8, who earns Rs. 20 a day as a rag picker in Jayanagar. Manjavva, 10, who begs near Kumbalgudu said: “My mother sends me to beg. I will go to school if my mother allows me. We start our work at 8 in the morning and we go home when it’s dark.” Another child, Mariyakka, 8, who begs near Kengeri said: “I beg by beating myself with a whip, but it doesn’t hurt. My mother is ill and I have to earn money to take care
of her. I earn around Rs 50 a day.” Both these children are from Bommanhalli. They come to Kengeri to beg as their family depends on their income. Kiran, 12, from Gulbarga works at a construction site, where he earns Rs 80 a day. He said: “I came here with my father. My mother sent me here to work so that we could get more money.” Rajan, 8, a child near K.R market said, “My sister and I sell balloons near traffic signals and we earn Rs 200 to 300 a day.” Kasthuri, 6, Rajan’s sister said “I will go to school when we will go back to our village.” Their mother, Meera, said, “We are from Varanasi and we came to Bangalore five years ago, we live under flyover and we get no help from the government.” “People blame us for not sending our children to school but what is the use of education. I will have to anyway marry off my daughter to someone. Education is not
Meera with her kids who sell balloons near K.R. Market
12-year-old Kiran working at a construction site near B.G.S. International Residential School going to change that,” she added. Jasoda bai, 50, said: “We have heard children being abused by teachers. I want my children to be safe. When they work, they are with us. We can take care of them and they will also be safe.” Lakshapathy, founder of Association for Promoting Social Action said, “We have collaborated with 62 police stations in Bangalore, and we are trying our maximum to prevent child labor.” “It’s not only the responsibility of NGO’s. The public and the officials should work towards eradicating child labor and spread awareness on a larger front. It is a so-
cial evil that can be killed only if everyone works together for it,” he added. An official from Child Welfare Committee said: “Government is already promoting many awareness programs to prevent child labor. They have imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the employer whoever employs the child.” Vikram, lawyer and member of Child Rights Protection said: “Education is a basic need of a child. Whether the parents like it or not it’s their duty to educate their children. On the other hand it’s also the duty of the state government to prohibit child labor but they fail to work towards it.”
Officials ignore education rights to worker’s kids C.L. Ramakrishnan The Welfare Board for construction workers in Bangalore has provided educational assistance to only a small fraction of their children from January 2013 to July 2014. The board has 1,43,967 members in Bangalore, but the scheme reached only 1588 of their children which amounts only to Rs. 39,81,710 bringing average to Rs. 2,507 per
child. Construction workers who are members of Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (KBOCWWB) are entitled to be provided with educational assistance for their children ranging from Rs.2000 to Rs.25000. Professor Rajashekar, Labor expert and a core member of Labor Department of Karnataka said, “The KBOCWWB has provided limited assistance for education to
Construction workers working at a construction site
the children of construction workers.” He added, “The KBOCWWB must create awareness so that more children of construction workers can obtain assistance for their education.” Lack of awareness among the workers about the scheme is considered to be the reason they cannot avail the benefits. Palanikumar, General Secretary of Karnataka State Construction
Workers Central Union said: “There are 6 lakh construction workers in Bangalore who are members of Karnataka State Construction Workers Union. Many workers do not know how to apply for beneficiaries.” He added: “We have demanded the KBOCWWB to give advertisement in print and electronic media so that more construction workers can be aware of the beneficiaries they and their children are entitled to. But they have not done anything so far. ” Selva, a mason said: “It’s been 10 years since I have been working in construction field. Neither I nor my colleagues have heard about KBOCWWB. Till date I have been spending money from my own pocket for my children’s education.” On the contrary, Manjunath, Joint Commissioner & Joint Secretary of KBOCWWB claimed that there are enough applications every day. He said, “I don’t think there is a lack of awareness because we receive thousands of applications everyday and hundreds of those beneficiary
Professor Rajashekar, a labor expert applications are processed every day.” A senior official of KBOCWWB who did not wished to be named said, “I can’t pin point and tell the exact reason behind less number of construction workers opting for educational assistance for their ward. “The problem can be due to lack of awareness or even due to the children of construction workers not preferring to go to school. We are analyzing the problem and we will come out with a suitable solution,” he added.
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Weekly Observer
Bike ambulance scheme fails to hit the roads in the city Soumya Chatterjee Sameer Deshpande
Books distributed to encourage deprived children to read Ridhi Agrawal A Friday afternoon was brightened when children from Mysuru and Tumkuru said aloud in unison, “Books are my friends.” In a campaign organised by ChildFund India, free books were distributed to children who had come from Mysuru and Tumkuru. The agenda of this campaign was to nourish the minds of children by reading books and spread awareness on how books can make a difference in a child's life. This three-year programme will be distributing 14,000 books in nine languages to reach out to children between six to fourteen years. There are around 9,000 children in Karnataka who are enrolled and supported by ChildFund India. Children who are deprived, excluded, and vulnerable are identified and helped. Around 15 children each from Mysuru and Tumkuru danced and
performed plays to showcase the importance of books in the growing years of a child. They were enthralled to receive 18 different kinds of books in Kannada and English. According to the children, a house without books is like a body without a soul. Anil Kumble, the chief guest of honour addressed the children in the local language. He said, “If children are given toys, they will not share it but books will be shared with friends.” He added: “Sports and studies go hand in hand. We need to encourage children in the right way to bring about a social change. The advantage of sports is that, children are not questioned about the background they come from that there is no hierarchy. It is all about performance.” If free sporting is given in school, children will automatically come to school and they will receive education. He depicted a real life instance of
his son, elaboration on how his tenyear-old son has no restrictions on the number of books he buys but on the type of books he buys. Neelam Makhijani, Asia Regional Director, ChildFund India said, “It is important that children read outside the academic books as there is a need to stretch beyond academic needs.” She added: “Children should be looked at from a very young age to adulthood. An intervention in the first twenty four years of life should result in these individuals becoming independent and mature citizens of the country.” Geoffrey Petkovich, National Director, ChildFund International, said, “We need to engage more corporates and other foundations to reach out to more children.” Vinay, 13, from Kriyia Pushpa, an NGO in Mysore said: “I am very happy to receive these books. I will make full use of them and share it with my family and friends.”
--The ‘bike ambulances’ with life saving equipment which were due to hit the roads of Bengaluru have suffered an indefinite delay. The ambitious bike ambulance scheme was to be launched this November, but it is still in the planning phase, as prototype has not yet been finalized. The scheme was to be beneficial to victims of accidents in congested areas and during heavy traffic on the roads. The Bike ambulance scheme was announced on August 1, by the Karnataka State Health and Family Welfare Minister, U T Khader. The scheme was to start in November in Bengaluru, and then extended to other city corporations like Mangaluru, Mysuru, others. “The motor bikes will be equipped with first aid kits, oxygen cylinders, and a driver who is trained in caring for the injured persons,” said U. T Khader. Khader had also stated, “The bike ambulances will cost about Rs. two lakhs a piece, and the department has decided to acquire 100 such vehicles. Out of them, 20 motor bikes will exclusively serve Bengaluru.”
“The operational guidelines and the vehicle prototype are under finalisation. It will form part of the '108' system,” said Health Secratary, N Sivasailam. When contacted over the phone, Health Commissioner, PS Vastrad said: “We are working out the plan. They allocated certain amount for the vehicles, but not for the equipment. We need to add more equipment.” He refused to give the amount of money spent till now and the launch date of this scheme.
Karnataka State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U. T. Khader
‘Sex education’ is important: NIMHANS Divya Kishore City counselors claim that lack of ‘sex education’ in the youth is a reason for the rise in increasing rape cases in Bengaluru. Experts from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) think that violence against women and children are mainly due to lack of awareness and sex education. “We teach history and geography. Also we teach our kids how to behave; then why don’t we teach them or answer their curiosity related to our body,” said Dr. V.L. Sateesh, Medical Superintendent, NIMHANS. “We can’t expect anyone to know European-history, until they are taught; then how can we expect our kids to know the difference between sex and rape. How can we expect them to understand their body on their own? Today, technology is there but kids are kids, they don’t know what to watch and what not to. If we can’t guide them properly, it’s natural for them to go for wrong sources and then it’s not their fault to be on wrong path. The word, ‘sex-education’ is not so appropriate,
“If we can’t guide them properly, it’s natural for them to go for wrong sources,” says Dr. Kavita V. Jangam especially for school kids but yes knowledge is really important,” said Dr. Kavita V. Jangam, Assistant Professor, NIMHANS. “Kids imitate everything that they see. These nuisances like kiss of love and pride parade are contributing a lot in distracting our kids,” said Shreeramainhya, Principal, Government Boys High School, Hombegowda Nagar. He added: “I don’t think that ‘sex-education’ is as important in
boys’ school. It is more important in girls’ school, as they are more vulnerable to crime and they should be taught, how to behave and all. “I think there should be teachers’ training program for us, so that we can know how to handle these lessons. Also young teachers are suitable for the education; they can guide kids in a more friendly way than us. Parents should also get the training.” According to Devika Rani,
mother of two daughters and also Biology teacher at a government school, said, “I think regular counseling of parents as well as children will help in curbing these issues. Teachers should also get training and more young people should be employed to handle kids.” “Personal safety programs along with those related to gender and sexuality are very important in school at regular intervals. Teachers and students should also share a cordial relationship. Our institute is conducting awareness programs in different schools and also advising them to do a strict background check of the staffs they employ. Paper work is not only important but there should also be a team to monitor the behavior of the person. Moreover if a person is really sick to commit a crime like rape, we can always find out if we observe carefully enough,” said Dr. Kavita. “Our institute has also published 5-6 sets of books for the school children and teachers namely ‘On Track’. It is a workbook series on Life Skills and Personal Safety by Dr Shekhar Seshadri, a well known child psychiatrist at NIMHANS. However, the books are available in
“Kids imitate everything that they see,” said the principal of Boys School school libraries and awareness campaigns but are not prescribed or mandatory,” she added. “We can’t introduce a course like, ‘sex-education’ in the school curriculum as it is India, and it will create a great amount of nuisance. However, we encourage kids and their parents as well as teachers to read books that will help in safety issues. We also encourage awareness programs in schools and counseling for parents too so that they can guide their kids,” said M. R. Maruthi, Senior Program Officer, Sarva Sikhskha Abhiyaan.
OBSERVER Team: Editor - Asmita Kundu, Chief Sub Editor - Apoorva Choubey, News Editor - Divya Kishore, News Desk - Pulaha Roy, Raya Ghosh, Elizabeth Mani, Sub Editors Punita Maheshwari, Agnivesh Harshan, Aparna Singh, Design Head - Nikhil M Babu, Design Desk - Devdatta Sukhadev, Saheli Sen Gupta, Picture Editor - Aadhira Anandh, Proofreaders - Darshan Rane, Natasha Singh.