Produces one of beneficiaries at a press meet
Hours after his return from London, a combative Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid countered point by point the charges of misuse of funds by a trust headed by him, and which works for the welfare of the physically challenged, and alleged that the so-called sting operation by the Aaj Tak television channel was motivated.
Flanked by his wife, Louise Fernandes who administers the Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, and cheered by several of his supporters the Minister said that he was ready to face any probe.
The U.P. government has already ordered an enquiry into the charges that camps for the visually handicapped were not held by the Trust on the dates mentioned on its records and the funds released by the Social Welfare Ministry for the project were diverted.
On the demand for his resignation, a visibly agitated Mr. Khurshid said that he was ready to put in his papers pending the outcome of the probe if the chief of the media group that had levelled the charges also agreed to step down.
There were several tense moments and heated exchanges at the 100-minute power-packed press conference. At one stage Mr. Khurshid got so agitated with the persistent questions from the Aaj Tak reporters he got up to wind up the conference on the plea that he was not being allowed to speak. However, he resumed his seat after his wife calmed him.
Mr. Khurshid and his wife stressed that all the camps where equipment for disabled persons were distributed had been held.
As proof, he displayed photos of the occasion and related media reports that the disabled persons had benefited. This was, however, immediately disputed by social activist Arvind Kejriwal, who said that the photos pertained to the financial year 2010-11 and not to 2009-10, the year under consideration.
Mr. Khurshid also presented one of the beneficiaries, Rangi Mistry, from his constituency, Farukhabad, whom the TV channel had earlier shown as saying that he had not received any equipment. On Sunday, Mr. Mistry said he had said so in the hope that it would help him get a replacement for the hearing aid he had received two years ago from the Trust. The Law Minister said he would also produce the two other beneficiaries that the TV Today group had shown on its channels, saying that the Trust had not given them anything.
Mr. Khurshid said he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explain to him the functioning of the Trust, which has been under scrutiny ever since the TV channel levelled allegations of diversion of funds against it, and a draft Comptroller and Auditor General report sought some answers.
He added that the Union Social Justice Ministry would also make available the necessary documents concerning the Trust to the CAG before it made its final report.
As for dispute over the veracity of the utilisation certificates and checklists and an affidavit questioning claims about camps being held, equipment being bought and distributed, Mr. Khurshid said the Trust itself had written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for an enquiry. Replying to questions, he said he would be happy if an independent enquiry was ordered into the functioning of the Trust provided it covered the role of TV Today Chairman-Cum-Managing director Aroon Purie.
Mr. Khurshid was equally upset with the CAG for not looking over his boundary wall to seek a response from him. “He is my next door neighbour. He had to just look over the fence to seek my response to his queries. Officials visited the Trust premises thrice and as it happened none was there then. They could at least have left a request letter behind and we would have answered their questions.”
This man Mr. Kejriwal disappoints more and more day by day. Seems his agenda is not the positive one it started out to be, but instead negative now. He does not realise that all it takes is a few of his 'victims' to be able to explain their position well enough without him being able to provide concrete proof, and then his whole gameplan will unfold in his own face and he will lose credibility.
He cannot build anything on the plank of negativity. All political parties win elections because they promise the electorate something concrete in terms of giving something in their (voter's) hands. They do not win elections by discrediting the other parties. He is promising the electorate that he will expose corrupt politicians. That is not good enough for the electorate - what do they care about corruption - they only want something for themselves.
You and I, so-called intellectuals, might go with the anti-corruption plank. But we are negligible in number compared to poor voters.
There are comments like kejriwal's personal attack on politicians is dangerous to democracy.I want to know how exposing/raising voice against the corrupt practise of our netas is a threat.?won't the Critics like these make system cautious and society aware? Won't this should be the regular job of opposition parties?
Speaking of appoarching the justice rather than gaining media attraction...many of us know how justice worked for Raja, Kanimozhi, and many more...
I say we support the arguments between kejriwal and rest and lets see the factuals to make our mind.
Thanks !! Mr Khurshid for furnishing this stuff a week after
allegation ,now who will investigate whether the picture is original
or tampered with date.If it was done absolutely why their isn't any
newspaper article or did the media neglected the honest activities of
minister ?
To the above comments
No System is perfect not even democracy. society should be part of
continuous development of a newer system by not relying only on self
defined marquess
It became common for UPA Ministers to counter attack to the allegations launched against them. Starting from 2G scam, CWG scam, Mining scam to the recent allegations on Khurshid for utilising the funds in unlawfull way. Mr.Salman Khurshid’s behaviour in press meet held on Sunday(15/10/2012) is absolutely meaningless and shamefull. Do they think that all are blind in our Country? , Thanks to Media’s effort in bringing out all the irregularities to the limelight of pitiable Public of this falsely meant democratic Nation.
To be fair, Mr. Kurshid did make a good attempt to clear his name. The arguments he put forward were plausible. In the current environment all politicians are assumed guilty unless proven innocent. This is on account of their own doing. I hope the law minister suffers the lengthy court process - at least 20 years - to get at the outcome. Or alternatively let him wake up and speed up ice delivery system.
Melas might have been held and few would have been given, no doubt,
but whether the whole amount was spent for the purpose is the
question. Beneficiaries names and details of money spent, if it is
publicised, it can clear the matter. photos reveal only tip of the
iceberg. blaming Kejriwal is not fair. Till now, even though the media
know something about Sonia's son in law's dealing, business, the other
family member's role , nothing is exposed. They are the fourth pillar
of democracy, and they have to educate public and they have some
responsibility. BJP bashing also, all are sinners. Congress before
1960 was different - now only the name there. But our memory, mindset
do not allow us to praise Congress, thinking Gandhi ( Mahatma) and
Nehru.Why we went for democracy and freedom. There were good kings and
rulers also and people were leading their life.
I browsed through all papers to see who is saying what about this
controversy today having watched all the programs on TV yesterday and
spent a good four to five hours of my time. Hindu, I regard as the
most objective daily and hence this was the last article I read. I was
not disappointed. This is the most balanced one. Agree that if
Khursheed has done something wrong he should be put to task, but
completely disagree with the method of Kejriwal asking for
resignations and Sonia Gandhi (yet again) and PM to speak. I was also
surprised to hear him on TV yesterday of (for the first time) trying
to distance himself from the channel who aired the sting saying 'they
need to defend themselves'. High time he spends quality time on his
manifesto and political ideology than make 'personal attacks' and do a
dharna. I can see that Kejriwal has got the 'internet' gen on his side
looking at all the comments after each of teh other articles I read,
but I wonder if they are the 'voters'..
The Law min. & his wife made a futile attempt at their Press conference to convince the National media & all undecided viewers about their innocence-Unfortunately, the proof against their wrongdoings are so overwhelming,that it is a fit case for the immediate dismissal of the Law minister & filing of FIR's against both the Kursheeds.
Some people are so habituated to the current politics that they think it is the way our country should run. They think politicians have right to steal money, scam and other illegal things. But a right person like Mr. Kejriwal has no right to change the system. Mr. Kejriwal is fighting for us to change the system. I am confident that he will change the way people think politics is.
I too like Dr.V Nageswararao is disturbed that the democracy is at peril but not because of Kejriwal but because of incompetent corrupt rule for decades and impotent people who cannot differentiate between a good governance and a bad one. Let us all be united and give a thumping majority to Congress in 2014 so that we all can be beggars forever.
It was worst Press conference I ever seen, Mr. PM should intervene in
this matter , How come investigation process would be fare if
Mr. Salam continues as Law Minister , He should resign first after all
it is related with physically disabled persons and it is a serous
allegation.
Can anyone recall an instance in India, wherein a sitting union minister
with his spouse had to come to the street to defend the acts of an
organization run by them, in response to relentless allegations by a
social activist based on a media report suggesting acts of fraud,
forgery and embezzlement of funds meant for the physically challenged?
In such a disgusting scenario, what should the party and government do?
The nation has now to judge the matters in their entirety, after getting
the truth through media power.
@Dr V Nageswara Rao, How you can assume no one will listen if he brings
clinching proof. BJP listens or not, people of India will listen. After
all, these are the people due to whom, Arvind is able to hold his
battle. But first let him bring any proof. Till now, we have just seen
shouting, aggressive behavior, bad words etc etc. I don't think any sane
person can think it is a proof.
Without passing any judgement it looked like Mr. Salman Kurshid was uncomfortable to answer pertinent questions posed by HT journalist in the news conference. Few questions needs to be looked at and answered as a result of this episode.
1. Is it ethical for a minister to obtain funds for his trust and spend it on his own constituents? Is this not a conflict of interest and should election commission not take note of this and act on it.
2. When government grants money to NGOs is it not incumbent on it to see that the managing committee of the NGO is broad based and that there is a proper management that will implement the programs for which the funds are granted.
3. Is it routine for the government to sanction funds to husband & wife team of NGOs? It raises the question as to how many such husband and wife teams are siphoning money out of the government. Is this not a disguised corruption by government in the name of funding NGOs?
Salman Khurshid is confident that he can commit any crime and get away with it. Recent appointments of the corrupt troika of A Raja, Kanimozhi and Suresh Kalmadi to various standing parliamentary committees, and the "defense" of a "private citizen" Robbert Vadra has emboldened Salman Khurshid so mush that he is openly threatening India Today/ Aaj Tak, Arvind Kejriwal and others on the TV. This spectacle is really a disgrace to our country which has truly passed all the tests for being declared a "banana republic". In the press conference Salman and his wife openly admitted that most of the certificates about camps held contain forged signatures. He also admitted that the affidavit that his wife "obtained" to support her claim that the camps were indeed held contain forged signatures. But he and his wife wants us to believe that "someone" in UP govt is doing this on purpose and they have no role in that. He wants us to believe that SP govt in UP will conduct an honest "inquiry"!
Proof of innocence , before media:
Think, ( may be wrong), Khurshid and co are very defenvive;I dont see a reason to go public. All these picts can be manufatrured in a room and they are no proof.
A sound audit must disclose the datails, Mrs K's salary, benfites etc. NGOs in general are scams evry where even in USA.Disclosing/investigating corruption is most difficult as all parties are corrupt and almost each leader has hidden skeleton in the Closet/kothri.
Though one may disagree with some of his tactics, Mr Kejriwal has done a good job of highlighting how deeply corruption is entrenched in the country. The corruption amongst politicians and their kith and kin has to be stopped.
Shooting the messenger who is telling the truth is the norm for Salman
Khurshid,Congress and UPA. Unfortunately since 2G scam all grand
standings seem to be hitting back and they are worse off than before.
Look at the picture above "PARTLY ASHAMED" !
Partly corrupt is as bad as fully dishonest.
Nageswara Rao : what a poor comparison between Kejriwal and Naxals.
Wow.. no words.
Considering what the Congress has done for last 4 years in bankrupting
the country to the very core, we should be thankful there is at least
one sane voice asking some questions... can you imagine where we would
be if we let the current govt run unquestioned. Can't wait for the next
election to see these so-called foreign educated morons out of office.
Khurshid failed to check the DATE on the banner which is visible in the picture. The pictures is very old, then the date of sting operation. Kejriwal pointed this out from parliament street.
Mr.Kejriwal and his associate have no business, In India now it becomes
a trend to throw allegations against anyone, I think this is not good
for a vibrant democracy, These kind of things are instigated by BJP,
there is no doubt in that. Media is supporting BJP for the reason which
is obvious.
BJP has to understand that this will boomerang, they are very desparate
to rule this country again, there are so many leaders there who want to
become PM, These kind of things will not improve anything.
These all incidents shows that now days everyone trying to misuse the
system in India. There is no any fault in our system its users are
faulty. There is no need to change the system, must change ourselves
require. Stop conspiracy against the system.
I feel deeply distrubed by the drama on the street played out by all players. Although I strongly feel corruption not just in public life but in our every day life, including by us, must be put to an end, i dont agree with the street fight tactics. This is degenerating into an anarchy like situation. The currect procedure is a court case, and the media house and IAC must also be made party to the case. The truth will be out once and for all.
Dear Mr. Rao, When the established powers are questioned, there will be trouble. In
fact I am proud of the fact that Kejrivwal and IAC have decided to
contest the elections instead of staying out of the electoral process.
At the end, it is upto the people to decide who is going to represent
them in the Parliament or legislative assemblies. IAC's and Kejriwal's
actions are in no way a threat to Indian democracy. It will further
strengthen it by jolting the complacent Congress party and inefficient
opposition from its deep slumber.
May be Salman Khursid is right or may be he is wrong. But how many people in India will believe a politician, except those who are attached to a party ideologically or to a Politician based on his religion or caste ?
I think "Arvind" is targeting those who played negative role during last year "janlokpal movement". May be Arvind's tactics are not ideal but what choices he have now? "Jan Lokpal" is not passed even in its soft form after we have a promise from "one of the most honest" Prime minister?
Whether or not Mr Khurshid has managed to prove his innocence or the
guilt of India Today group in trying to 'frame' his as he claims is
another matter what he has indeed managed to do is that like an
accomplished lawyer in the court of the media he has managed to turn
at least one witness hostile and that witness his saviour is Mr Rangi
Mistry whose credibility now is in question thanks to his own
contradictory statements, one in front of the Aaj tak camera and the
other in front of many more TV camera's. Whether the two statements
made by Mr Mistry was under some influence or his own independent
display of somersault we will perhaps never know. But we all know now
is the star of Mr Khurshid press conference Mr Rangi Mistry is now a
spent bullet, although strangely a bullet that has been fired twice
once at Mr Khurshid and then again by Mr Khurshid at the India Today
Media Group.
Plainly speaking these people(Corrupt politicians) are of no use to the
nation,so are the allegations being thrown at them and the time spent on
debating about it!.If they really have conscience they will mend
themselves,Mr.Kejriwal you alone cannot do this Herculean task!!!.If the
thieves are hellbent to thieve then who can stop them!,only their inner
sense of humaneness(If at all they have it!)or the electorate, which
predominantly is a freebie seeking mass,As the people are so are the
rulers(Yatha Praja Tatha Raja!!!).
I think the claims may be false on kurshid. come on, which congress
politician will do a scam for this less amount, the congressian's will
always aim for the ocean not for a 'mere' drop.
One photo defending help in 17 districts?? another 'zero loss' kind of ploy by congress leader :)
Whole conference was disaster. Nothing new was mentioned.
My Dear government ,
This is the Best opportunity to blame IAC now .Because you have no
answer for whatever is happening . Atleast now break the tranquility and
Reply why you have Degraded my Country
People like Kejriwal can be more productive by listing what
contributions they have made to the society rather than throwing
allegations only for wasting resources and time. If he is so sure about
such corrupt practices then he should approach the temple of justice and
fair practices to recover the losses.
Law Minister and his Wife makes the worst tamsaha on the streets Of Delhi To shout at the journalist advising him to shut up is the worst and then projecting a person having received the hearing aid is the worst of thing. He challenges that he will quit politics knowing very well that it takes years and years for the courts. Where is Mrs Sonia and the PM are they sleeping. Hats of to KejiriwaL AND THE iNDIA TODAY JOURNALIST.
Mr Salman Khurshid and Mrs Louise can be sure that, no matter what clinching proof that they show, the orchestra of Khejriwal and BJP "spokes"persons will continue to demand SIT investigation. All political parties should realize that Khejriwal's tactics are dangerous to our democracy and clearly declare that political process cannot be subverted who claim to clean up. The, what is the difference between Naxals and these people? At least, Naxals openly declare their intentions.
Mr. Khursheed says when CAG people visited his house his old parents were not there. IT was THE REGISTERED / administrative address of a big NGO dealing in crores and not a pocket small NGO, HENCE someone, an employee should have been in the office of the NGO. The phtographs shown may not tell the whole truth. The audience was deliberately not shown in the photos. The authority registering the NGO should probe into it. why not cag/ cbi / collectors are called to give a quick reply in the matter? UP politicians will always like to shield Mr Khursheed because they have been protected in several CBI cases by Central Govt politicians. If public in general not to support IAC cause, the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats will further continue to ruin the country. India is bound to go to Naxalism, the Nepal way.
One cannot say who is totally right or wrong in this game of words.
Arvind Kajrewal is also being supported by CAG report if I am not wrong.
One thing is clear that things will become murkier and murkier day by day till general elections are not over. The thing is people are listning to Kajrewal so eagrly because they have lost cofidence in UPA.
Is it the photographs of the 10 camps in question and show the time
it was supposed to have held? How is proved that is not doctored
photographs.
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