Tue, 09/02/2010 - 6:37am Justice Somasekhara commission resumes and party activists sought ban on Sangh Parivar

Bangalore
9th Feb-10
The Justice B K Somasekhara Commission of Inquiry resumed its hearing after submitting its interim report on church attacks, to the State Government.
Advocates Madhusudan Adiga, representing pro-Hindu organizations, and Prasad, appearing for Christian groups, entered into a heated argument over the issue of provocations for church attacks when the latter was cross-examining PSI Raghukumar. Adiga and another advocate Srinivas Reddy, representing the Home Department raised objections to Prasad’s cross-examination.
The advocates criticized Justice Somashekhar’s style of functioning. The chairman of the commission tried to bring order in the hall reminding the advocates that they were attending the court’s proceedings.
Prasad took objection to Adiga’s pronunciation of the word ‘pastor’ while referring to head of a Christian organisation. He continued with his pronunciation arguing that he was not well-versed in English as Prasad was. Vasanthkumar Bhavani, president of Srirama Sene’s Bangalore City wing, submitted an affidavit before the Commission objecting to the submission of the interim report without listening to activists of the group. He, in his affidavit, said, “So far none of the activists have been issued notices to appear before the Commission. But the organization has been listed among the accused in the interim report. This is not acceptable. The Commission should withdraw the allegations made against Srirama Sene
‘Ban Hindutva organisations’
Madikeri: The president of the Kodagu District Committee, Veena Achaiah, has said the Government should impose a ban on “Hindutva organizations for creating ‘anarchy’ in the State, including attacks on churches”.

Tue, 09/02/2010 - 10:15pm 'Jobs to dalits is private sector's social duty'

February 09, 2010
Dalit music and literature should be promoted while reservations for the community can continue, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik .

Are you satisfied with what industry has done so far on affirmative action for dalits?

In the last few years, a dialogue has been started and industry bodies like Assocham, Ficci and CII have adopted a code of conduct for their members for providing jobs to dalits. A group of officers headed by the secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, is looking into the matter.

But dalit groups say all this has not translated into action on the ground.

These goals can be monitored and one level of the government is looking at them.

What do you personally feel about quotas for dalits in the private sector?

When these chambers adopt the steps that they have promised to, we will see how far they are able to go. As for me, I think it is a social obligation that the private sector has to fulfil. We will follow what they do. A large number of people aspire for a place in the private sector. I think it should be through persuasion. Industry has to adopt measures voluntarily.

You recently said you were disappointed with the manner in which industry had almost ignored the incentives the government provided it for giving jobs to the disabled.

I didn't say I was disappointed. A scheme was started to encourage employment of the disabled in the private sector. Under the scheme, employers' contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will be paid by the government for the first three years. We expected that industry would come forward and a large number of people would get jobs.

But reports so far don't indicate that this scheme has been availed of in the manner we had expected. So, in the last session of Parliament, some questions were raised and I had a brief discussion with officials to find out the reasons.

Was it because of lack of awareness?