OPPOSING COAL BASED POWER PLANTS MUSHROOMING IN TAMILNADU

October 29, 2009 at 4:22 am (Open Debate, Tamil Fishermen)
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Public Hearing on the proposed 1820 MW Coal Based Power Plant by M/s. Tridem Port and Power Co. Ltd.,& 150 MW Coal Based Power Plant by M/s. Nagapattinam Energy Pvt. Ltd. 30.10.2009 at Karapidagai Village, Kilvelur Taluk, Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu.

The Collector of Nagapattinam District          &         Officials of Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board.

Respected Representatives of the Government of Tamilnadu

 On the eve of the public hearing on the proposed1820 MW Coal Based Power Plant by M/s. Tridem Port and Power Co. Ltd., & 150 MW Coal Based Power Plant by M/s. Nagapattinam Energy Pvt. Ltd, we are submitting our views to oppose the coal based thermal power plants.

We would like to bring to your notice that within Union Cabinet there is difference of opinion which came to public light after The Hindu, a daily carried out the following news:

▼ The Hindu, English daily reported on July 5 th of 2009 that Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has written to Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde seeking to put an end to laying of foundation stones for projects without proper and formal clearances and advising all state power PSUs like National Thermal Power Corporation, National Hydro Power Corporation , Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation to show greater sensitivity to environmental concerns at the highest level.

Under such situation we would urge the Nagapattinam District Administration and Tamil nadu Government to have a re-think on all coal based thermal power projects.

▼  Recent news from our neighbor China as reported in China Daily dated October 28 th of 2009 states that Chinese Environment ministry had suspended or rejected 29 applications of new construction in petrochemical, steel-making and electricity-generating industries with a total investment of 146.7 billion yuan (US$21.5 billion).Chinese government has promised that its economic stimulus plan would not compromise anti-pollution efforts and policies would not be loosened to allow more projects to pass environmental examinations. Environmental Protection Minister Zhou Shengxian said the government would abide by strict environmental standards when evaluating new projects.

Unfortunately Tamilnadu is not observing strict environmental standards. It craves for power at all costs. 

►Tamilnadu has 4 major thermal power plants producing 2970 MW of power. The Hindu, daily dated 6 th February 2009 carries a confession by the Chairman of Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board. Mr.R.Balakrishnan admits that thermal power plants in coastal areas of the state are not meeting pollution control standards. If truth could come out of Chairman’s mouth, our voices in protesting power plants stands justified by international, national and regional yardsticks.

 ► Thermal Power Plant in Tuticurin, a joint venture between Neyveli Lignite Corporation 89% and Tamilnadu Electricity Board with 11% stake is a 4000 crore project aiming to generate 1000 MW. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Tamilnadu Electricity Board have joined together to start 1600 MW power project at a cost of Rs.8700 crore in Tuticurin District.

The coal from Neyveli has to be carried by congested roads to Tuticurion. It can be argued that it goes within our state from one part to other. Also by sea route coal may get transported. One can say within the source of raw material i.e. our state power project comes up.

Even this could be assimilated for argument sake but not bringing 4.6 million tons of coal annually from Orissa to Ennore port in order to enable Tamilnadu Energy Company, a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation and Tamilnadu Electricity Board to generate 1000 MW at Vallur in Tiruvallore District of Tamilnadu. The cost is 4500 crores. 

█There is a national policy to set up power plants near mine heads, where coal is mined. Under such policy instead of bringing coal from Orissa to Ennore, Tamilnadu could have planned to set up power plant in Orissa and pass on power to national grid and then draw equal quantum here through national grid. By this way Tamilnadu could have had power as well as avoided unnecessary construction of new harbors and unnecessary pollution of our soil.

Mind boggling statistics reveals that Ashok Leyland Project, First Corp Petrochem project, UTL Utility Systems project, Essar Power, GMR Power, Trichy Power Project and Coal and Oil Company of Dubai’s project which have planned to produce 1000 MW power each could be avoided if the policy to set power projects at mine head is observed. After all even if power projects are set up same Orissa and Bihar labour have to be brought to work here, since all industries of Tamilnadu and Puducherry uniformly follow a policy to engage only Orissa and Bihar labour and never to disturb local labour from watching free television and eating Rs 1 per kg rice given by noble leader Dr.Kalaignar.

Empee Power and Infrastructure Ltd aim generation of 1200 MW. A company from Spain aims 2000 MW. Then comes the 4000 MW power project by National Thermal Power Corporation near Thirukuvalai, Chief Minister Dr.Kalaignar’s birth place. Central University coming in his home district is welcome but not polluting industries. The rice bowl of Tamilnadu should have agro-based industries and should promote agriculture and fisheries, the traditional people pursuing these professions for centuries or millennium. Similarly 2000 MW power project near Cheyyur also will erase the ecology of Kaluveli tank; a place of haven for migratory birds, and the tourism potential of ECR road will have to be wiped out to dump fly ash everywhere, congesting roads with coal transport.

We urge the Tamilnadu Government to re-think its energy policy. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with Tri-Sakthi Energy P Ltd for 525 MW of power. India Power project, SPIC Energy Private Limited, Chennai Power Company etc for 1000 MW each and Cuddalore Thermal Power Project to generate 1320 MW too are coal based. Reliance plans 3000 MW power project. All these projects are coal based environmental hazards. 

☼☼►Dravida Peravai lauds only 2 initiatives of Tamil Nadu Power Minister. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with an American firm for generating sea solar power is welcome. The Project that comes in Udangudi of Tuticurin District to generate 100 MW of Solar Thermal Power is welcome. As on January 31st of 2009 out of total national production of 9756 MW of wind energy Tamilnadu produces 42 percent and this is a good development. We whole heartedly welcome these solar, wind, and ocean thermal power projects. But we oppose the Coal based Thermal Power projects that are coming up in Nagapattinam Districts, for which this public enquiry is called for.

►National Thermal Power Corporation of India is pumping 500 million US dollars in a joint venture with Ceylon Electricity Board to set up a power project at Sampur in Srilanka. India that could not ensure safety sail for Indian fishermen in Bay of Bengal more particularly in Gulf of Mannar and Pak Straits is going to ferry coal to Srilanka from Orissa. From Anuradhapura in Srilanka to Thalaimannar of Tamilnadu both India and Srilanka had planned under sea link to transmit power at a cost of Rs 2200 crore. India that for 30 years had not linked its rivers to help Indian farmers, but now wants to link Srilanka and Tamilnadu by under sea link to bring power to boost the growth of all polluting industries in Tamil soil. If India had annexed Tamil areas of Srilanka and merged North and East Districts of Srilanka with Tamilnadu and created a Tamilnadu State within Indian Union on both sides of Pak Straits, then such link between Tamil states may be welcomed but not the current project.

► Dravida Peravai mooted an idea when the undersigned was Trustee in Tuticurin Port Trust, and took up with Planning Commission and through then Defence Minister Comrade George Fernandes apprised then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the need to create a National Seaway Authority like National Highways. Every state government has minor and intermediary ports under its control but they are idle monuments with no revenue generation with the exception of Gujarat’s minor ports. Hence to interlink these 138 minor and intermediary ports for passenger and cargo traffic, creation of such authority is must, we suggested. Accepting that during his visit to Kanyakumari, then Prime Minister announced Sagar Mala scheme for this purpose, which is yet to take off. We now also urge Indian Government and Tamilnadu Government to go for reviving that idea, to use existing harbors for passenger and cargo traffic, thereby creating jobs for educated fishermen coming out of maritime university. It will ease traffic congestion in roads. Unfortunately the regular hidden incomes through frequent laying of roads will be the only loss to the officials and political bosses. Instead of using Sagar mala scheme to purposefully use existing harbours there seems to be a craze to allow harbours under private only to ferry coal to coal based power plants. This ridiculous policy causes the new creation of Ports in Nagapattinam District which we oppose.

▼Tamilnadu must give clearance to biomass power plants. Times of India dated 29 th October 2009 states that 9 companies have approached Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency for permissions to start biomass power plants. Tamilnadu Electricity Board must give clearance for these 9 companies to generate 487 MW of power. The speed with which clearances came for coal based power projects is lacking here, that too for small quantum of power, which can be termed as tokenism too TN Government lacks political will. The biomass energy produced currently is 111 MW writes Vivek Narayanan in Times of India. Hence according clearances for clean energy is must in days when we sing lullabies on climate change.

▼If India has to reduce its carbon emissions; it would mean a major reorientation of her energy strategy, especially if that warranted a shift from its current coal-based to an oil and gas based energy system. Murthy, Panda and Parikh (2000) examined the consequences of alternative CO2 emission reduction strategies on economic development and, in particular, the implications for the poor by empirically implementing an economy-wide model across India over a 35-year time horizon. A multi-sectoral, inter-temporal model is used for this purpose. The model has specific technological alternatives and endogenous income distribution with dynamic behavior; it covers the whole economy in an integrated top-down-bottom-up model. Such alternative thinking must dawn on Tamilnadu Government.

▼International Seabed Authority under the auspices of United Nations has earmarked 1,50,000 square kilometers of sea bed in Indian Ocean for mining of cobalt, nickel , copper etc. We are not aware whether any such area is earmarked in Bay of Bengal. If the pursuit to mine sea-bed begins apart from natural gas to minerals, the traditional living sources of fishermen will be totally robbed from them. Even after Exclusive Economic Zones have been earmarked under International Law of Seas by United Nations, the fishermen of India particularly Tamil fishermen could not tap the fish wealth in their countries exclusive zones. Foreign fishing vessels creep in, sneak in, and poach in our zones, and fishermen with catamarans cannot compete. Fish wealth is near their eyes yet their country allows sharks from other nations to rob that instead of arming Indian fishermen with finances and schemes to make a better livelihood. The policy to uproot people from their traditional professions is suicidal, cynical, unethical and anti-national. Yet hand in glove with corporate world that greases their palms for petty gains and better lives today, our political masters are ruining traditional fishermen and agriculturalists depriving them a decent livelihood, thus earning a historical curse on them for their historical blunder.

▼ In precious stone rich Jharkand and Orissa, mining of this wealth which remained in the bowels of earth over which indigenous tribal peoples lived for millions of years is bartered to corporate world. Dravida Peravai had incorporated in its party manifesto that if a dam is constructed or project is set up uprooting people, such uprooted people and all villagers over which these projects come up must be made share holders in the projects that come up. Share the profits with the displaced people, compensate permanently elevating the lives of the deprived than throwing paltry pittance to political class, companies must be told. This includes the harbour and power project that comes up in Nagapattinam District. If a power project comes in Chief Ministers home village, all its villagers must be made share holders in that projects, all the jobs must be given to every educated youth forbidding total hiring of outsiders, and if talent is needed it should be only from Tamilnadu. No contracts labour system, because Chief Minister’s home village must emulate a national model for development. Let Tamilnadu plan projects that will not aggravate our climate change. Let Tamilnadu go for clean technologies to generate power like Sweden. If our Chief Minister cannot make Tamilnadu a Sweden in energy, a cleaner Singapore in environment, then no one else in India can envisage and transform people’s lives.

With Regards Yours fraternally

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

 

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POWER PLANT INSTEAD OF UNEARTHING SUBMERGED POOMPUHAR

October 29, 2009 at 4:13 am (Dravidian, Open Debate)

Public Hearing on the proposed 2×500 MW Coal Based Power Plant

 by M/s. PEL Power Ltd took place on 28.10.2009 at                           

Keezhaprumballam Village, Sirkali Taluk, Nagapattinam Dt. But I had mailed to the The Collector of Nagapattinam District on  23.09.2009 itself when earliar hearing was slated but cancelled in eleventh hour.

Respected Collector

 Subject: Historical and Environmental reasons cited to oppose the proposed Thermal Power plant regarding

 We appreciate the District Collector of Nagapattinam for calling for this public enquiry. Our views will be in Tamil’s historical interest and the traditional rights of indigenous communities like fishermen and farmers of Tamilnadu.

Pichavaram to Kodikarai is highly important area for unearthing our civilization since ancient harbours existed in this belt with hidden heritage at sea. It needs to be subjected to researches   highly important for marine archaeology and coastal archaeology.

Already 250 km out of 1076 km of Tamilnadu coast is without fishermen. The need for preserving the catamaran people and their traditional knowledge is important. Hence all development projects must aim at protecting indigenous communities like fishermen and farmers and should not uproot them from where for centuries they made a livelihood. In fact more assistance to these communities with new scientific equipments would enable them to earn more foreign exchange to our country’s coffers than offering soaps at the cost of public exchequer to projects of plunder. Generating alternative renewable energy like ocean thermal energy, ocean tidal energy will be more helpful. Developed countries have bid adieu to thermal power. Coal bearing ships and conveyer arrangement will be hazard for the coastal area and will stimulate global warming through carbon discharge. The waste generated from plant will create pollution at sea .Thoothukudi lost its pearl culture of the past cultural heritage by the non ocean oriented people. Bearing these in mind we urge the Government of Tamilnadu to stall all thermal power projects coming up in Nagapattinam District, more particularly the one near Poompuhar.

▼ We all are aware that apart from the Indus Valley excavations, equally important cities of our ancient civilization could not so far be unearthed in South India due to our own lethargy. We have stone inscriptions, copper plates and burial pots and this is not sufficient to establish the greatness of our past. Our literary evidences on submergence of ancient Tamil land illuminate us about our past but western scholars look for more scientific proof. Hence there is a need for undersea-archaeological search to find out our roots. No other ethnic group of Earth possesses so much literary evidences but remains lazy to go to the submerged cities of their ancient land. Though we have a place named as Poompuhar where Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi during his rule erected monuments to recapture the past, it could only serve as tourist spot and could not satiate a researcher’s quest to unravel a hidden city of our ancient civilization beneath the bowels of our sea in Bay of Bengal. We all know about the changes that continuously occur and the ancient Port City of Chozha Empire is not the Poompuhar of our times, but it is within the sea nearer or far to current Poompuhar’s coast.

▼ Graham Hancock wrote many books out of which Underworld: The Mysterious Origins of Civilization by Crown Publishers, New York 2002 containing 760 pages ISBN 1400046122 hardback priced $ 27.50 is of relevance to our Poompuhar. He undertook marine archaeology in 2002 and brought out as reported in Dinamani that a city with 9500 year old civilization remains hidden off coast of Poompuhar. [Dinamani news clipping enclosed] His earlier books Fingerprints of the Gods and Heaven’s Mirror had mentioned about his findings. But in this latest book, he lays out evidence “based on modern scientific research, comparative mythology, religious and spiritual observances, first hand diving exploration of underwater megalithic structures and ancient maps to demonstrate the likelihood that a technically advanced civilization unrecognized by modern science capable of navigating the globe and with a profound understanding of architecture and building existed and was washed out by global flooding”.

▼Inundation maps created by Dr.Glen Milne of Durham University shows vast tracts of mostly coastal land which were submerged by three waves of cataclysmic flooding between 17,000 and 8000 years ago. Nearly 5 percent of Earth’s surface or 25 million square kilometers of land stands submerged. These maps and other sources made Graham Hancock to set his foot in Tamilnadu. Graham Hancock used scuba diving and found many artifacts and evidences roughly 2000 pieces which he displayed in Bangalore exhibition, as per media reports of the day. Graham Hancock had updated Tamil history to 9500 years old.

▼We like parrots were repeating 2000 years as time limit of our ancient civilization, and when Graham Hancock updated Tamil history with fresh facts, the Government of Tamilnadu which is going to celebrate World Tamil Conference, must take pains to employ more scuba divers and marine archaeologists to find out about our Kaveripoompattinam. We should honour Graham Hancock in that Conference.

▼The coast or sea near Poompuhar should not be plundered and kept free from industrialization if our ancient glory brought out powerfully by Dr.Kalaignar had to be proven scientifically. Mr.Graham Hancock investigated about our “Kumari Kandam, an anti-diluvia civilization said to have existed thousands of years ago around South India. It is believed to have been a greater center of learning with magnificent academies which may have left a legacy of cartographic and astronomical knowledge which exists today in the ancient Indian texts. Interestingly the author spoke to local fishermen who described often diving to free their nets caught on underwater temples and columns, pyramidal pagodas and buildings with doorways”.

▼Coinciding to our Poompuhar, in Gulf of Cambay to city which is 7500 years old was found but media highlighted that and did not do justice to Poompuhar’s findings. If a scientist within few weeks with the help of National Institute of Oceanography could bring out so many artifacts, is it not the duty of Tamilnadu Chief Minister Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi who instilled in our hearts the greatness of Poompuhar by his powerful pen to employ all scientists, marine archaeologists, scuba divers, and constitute a multi disciplinary State-Sponsored Task Force under Anna University and Tamil University of Thanjavur to explore our exclusive economic zone and our territorial waters in Bay of Bengal at least to begin with to pick up the thread from where Mr. Graham Hancock left in 2002.

▼▼ Dravida Peravai hence appeals to the District Collector of Nagapattinam in the public hearing on Public Hearing on the proposed 2×500 MW Coal Based Power Plant by M/s. PEL Power Ltd to stop this power project.  Allowing such plants to be set up here with whatever technology will disrupt the scientific and historical research that is needed to unearth our past beneath Bay of Bengal off Poompuhar. We are enclosing a map which shows how much land near our coast had been submerged.

This is an indication of how much more land would have been submerged for centuries running into thousands of years back. My article Save the Coast in New Indian Express is enclosed.Letting out effluents or dumping waste into rivers and seas had been going on unabated though technically they will promise to use clean technology and blinded by that promise our environmental agencies will give them clearance. First of all we should bear in mind what all technology we get is outmoded and unwanted in developed countries, hence such technologies are dumped on developing countries like India. If we are really a super power we should follow the Swedish precedent to completely abandon thermal power projects to save its environment. Here it is not only to save our environment but also to prove to the world we are an ancient civilization, we need to keep Poompuhar coast and seas close to Poompuhar free from industrial garbage and litter.

▼Coal based power projects are being set up in Tamilnadu coast. There seems to be a policy which permits setting up of power plants near coal mines, so that through National Power grid equivalant quantum of power can reach the power seeking State. Under this policy a current Union Minister of State before he came to power got a Coal Block allotted in Orissa.In this project of a Tamilnadu politician Puducherry Government’s PIPDIC is a partner. This joint venture plans to set up power project in Orissa to generate power and pass on to the grid so that Puducherry Government will get power without polluting the Union Territory of Puducherry. If a tiny state like Puducherry could follow this route, what compulsion prevails for Tamilnadu to bring coal all the way by ships to set up a power plant in the Nagapattinam coast that too near ancient Port city of Poompuhar?

▼ There seems to be a race to set up more and more ports without planning what products could be brought in or exported from these ports. The Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he visited Kanyakumari announced a scheme called Sagar Mala, which means Garland of the Seas. In fact I mooted the suggestion to create a National Seaway on the lines of National Highways to introduce ship connectivity to all the 138 minor or intermediary ports to bring inland cargo that was coming by Lorries and to ferry passengers. This suggestion through Planning Commission reached then Prime Minister who wanted to make use of existing infrastructure to connect all ports in Indian coast. At that time only Gujarat particularly Gujarat Maritime Board was making good use of its minor ports. Tamilnadu which launched a Poompuhar Shipping Corporation under DMK rule lost the race by making its vessels ferry coal and did not think of diverting cargo and passengers from road use to sea lanes. Roads could be re-laid year by year but traffic congestion, loss of lives, making more and more lanes, land acquisition etc could be avoided if our existing ports could be connected under the Sagar mala scheme of Vajpayee. Instead opening new ports with no cargo to handle breeds even sand smuggling to Maldives which was caught red handed by you, the Hon’ble Collector. Hence we Dravida Peravai, a splinter of DMK but with great regard for Dr.Kalaignar in view of personal friendship undiminished by parting of ways, urge Nagapattinam to accord to priority to unearth our ancient city of Kaveripoompattinam and keep this coast free from polluting industrialization.

▼Interestingly the National Institute of Oceanography , Chennai had announced that its scientists in collaboration with Experimental Design Bureau of Oceanological Engineering of the Russian Academy of Sciences  had developed a vehicle named ROSUB 6000 capable of exploring the ocean up to a depth of 6 kilometers and can be remotely operated. Though we have to go further deep not only off the coast of Poompuhar but also even beyond our exclusive economic zone, this vehicle could be used to gather further evidences on our submerged Port City of Poompuhar.

 ▼International Seabed Authority has allocated 150,000 square kilometers of seabed in the Indian Ocean to India for exploration of cobalt, manganese, nickel and copper which are in the form of polymetalic nodules. Well Government of India will be happily exploring Indian Ocean for minerals and metals but let Government of Tamilnadu explore Indian Ocean to discover the lost continent of Kumari and the Port Cities of Chera, Chozha and Pandyas, including the ancient capitals of Thonmadurai and Kavadapuram which our literature speaks.

 With Regards Yours sincerely

 N.Nandhivarman  General Secretary Dravida Peravai

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TAMILNADU GOVERNMENT MUST PUBLISH ANNA’s WORKS

October 3, 2008 at 1:33 am (Open Debate)
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“உலகப் பார்வை கொண்ட ஒப்பிலாத் தலைவர்”: அண்ணா – நா.நந்திவர்மன் பொதுச்செயலர்: திராவிடப்பேரவை

ஒன்றே குலம்! ஒருவனே தேவன் என்பதுபோல் ஒருவரே அண்ணன்! அவர் உலகத் தமிழரின் பொதுச் சொத்து! தனக்கெனத் தனிச்சொத்துச் சேர்க்காமல் தமிழர்க்காக வாழ்ந்த அரிய கருவூலம்! அறிவுப் பெட்டகம்! அண்ணாவை உள்வாங்கிக் கொண்ட உள்ளங்கள் பல கோடி! அவர் உருவாக்கிய அறிவியக்கம் அரசியல் பதவி தேடி வரும் பறவைகள் இடம் சாரும் ஆலமரம் அல்ல! எழுதத் தெரியாத ஏழைக்கும் எழுத்தும் பேச்சும் ஊற்றெனப் பெருக்கெடுக்க உள்ளிருந்து நல்லறிவு புகட்டிய ஆசான்! எவரும் எப்போதும் அவரிடம இரவல் கேட்காமலே எல்லார்க்கும் எல்லாமும் அளித்த அறிவுப் புதையல் அண்ணா!

சிலையாக வழிபட அல்ல அவர் நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைத்தது! அம்பேத்கர் பிறந்த மண் அவரின் நூல்களை மலிவுப் பதிப்பாக்கி பன் மொழிகளில் பெயர்த்து கருத்துப் பரப்புதலே கடமையெனச் செயல்படுகிறது. இங்கோ அண்ணா நினைவிடத்தில் எரிவாயுவை வீணாக்கி ஒளிவிளக்கு ஏற்றி கோயிலாக்கிக் குதுகலிக்கிறார்கள். சிலைகளுக்கு மாலை அணிவிக்கும் சடங்குகள் நடக்கின்றன. அவரின் படைப்புகள் அரசு முயற்சியாக அகில உலகமும் சென்றடைய திட்டமில்லை. மூலக்கதையை மறைத்து தழுவல் இலக்கியங்களை மக்கள் உள்ளங்களில் தவழ விடும் முயற்சி வெற்றி பெறாது, இயல்பான ஆற்றல் இருந்தும் முன்னோடிகள் முகவரிகளை மறைக்கும் மனப்பாங்கு வேதனையளிக்கிறது. தொல்காப்பியத்தை தொலைத்து விட்டு பூங்காவில் நறுமணம் நாடுக என்றால் மனம்ஒப்புமா? வள்ளுவத்தை இருட்டடிப்பு செய்துவிட்டு ஓவியம் கண்டு உவந்திடுக என்றால் உள்ளம் ஏற்குமா? இளங்கோவடிகளை மறந்து விட்டு அடியார்க்கு நல்லாரை மட்டுமே அகிலம் போற்றுமா? தன் நூல்கள் தரணியில் பரவ எவருக்கும் ஆசை எழுவது இயல்பு! அதற்காக முன்னூல்கள் மறக்கப்பட வேண்டுமா? வேரின்றி செடி ஏது?விதையின்றி மரமேது? அண்ணாவின்றி நாமேது? தமிழ்நாட்டுக்கே பெயர் சூட்டிய அண்ணாவுக்கு தமிழ்நாட்டரசு காட்டப் போகும் நன்றிக்கடன் அவரின் எழுத்தையும் பேச்சையும் கருத்தையும் எங்கும் பரப்புதலே ஆகும்! நூற்றாண்டிலாவது ஆடம்பரங்களால் அண்ணாவுக்கு சிறுமை சேர்ப்பதைக் காட்டிலும் அவர் நூல்கள் படித்து தம்பிக்கு மடல்கள் படித்து விழிப்புற்றெழுந்த நாம், நம் பின்னவர்க்கும் அறிவியக்க வாயிலை திறந்து வைப்போமாக! அறிவு கொளுத்து வோமாக! மாநிலங்களவையில் அண்ணா முன்மொழிந்த புத்தாக்கச் சிந்தனைகளை நினைவு கூறுவோமாக!

தேசிய இனங்கள் விடுதலையை மையக் கருத்தாக்கமாக வைத்தே மாநிலங்களவையில் 1962 ஏப்ரல் திங்களில் அண்ணா தன் கன்னிப்பேச்சை நிகழ்த்தினார். இந்திய விடுதலைக்கு முன் கபூர்தலா காங்கிரஸ் மாநாட்டில் நேரு நிகழ்த்திய உரையை நினைவு கூர்ந்து இந்திய ஒன்றியத்துக்குள் எல்லா மாநிலங்களையும் இணைத்து ஒன்றாக வைத்திருக்கவே காங்கிரஸ் விரும்புகிறது. ஆனால் எந்தப் பகுதியாவது பிரிந்து செல்ல விரும்பினால் காங்கிரஸ் இசைவளிக்கும் என நேரு பேசி இருந்தார். அதை நினைவு கூர்ந்து அந்த பழைய நெருப்பு இன்னும் நேரு பெருமகனாரிடம் கனன்று கொண்டிருக்கும் என தான் நம்புவதாகச் சொன்ன அறிஞர் அண்ணா ஏன் தென்னகத்துக்குச் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமையை தரக்கூடாது? எனத் வினா எழுப்பினார். இன்றளவும் காசுமீரச் சிக்கல் போர்களுக்கும் பல்லாயிரம் உயிரிழப்புக்கும் காரணமாக விளங்குகிறது. சுய நிர்ணய உரிமை மறுக்கப்பட்டதால் தான் தமிழ் ஈழமும் துன்பக் கடலில் தத்தளித்து நிற்கிறது.

நாடுகள் பலவற்றுடன் நட்புறவு என்பது நடைமுறையில் அந்த நாடுகளில் நம்மவர் படும் அவதிகள் தீர வழிகாண்பதில்லை என்பது அறிஞர் அண்ணாவின் வருத்தமாகும். 1966 ல் அண்ணா மாநிலங்களவையில் பேசிய சமயத்தில் அங்கேரி நாட்டு பிரதமர் இந்தியாவுக்கு வருகை தந்திருந்தார். தெருவில் இரு இளைஞர்கள் கிணடவாகப் பேசுவதாக அண்ணா சொன்னார். பசி (Hungry)நாட்டுப் பிரதமரை பார்க்க அங்கேரி (hungary) நாட்டுப் பிரதமர் வந்துள்ளதாக கிண்டல் செய்தாராம். இதைச் சொன்ன அண்ணா நட்புறவுப் பயணங்களால் நாட்டுக்கு என்ன பலன் என்று கேள்வி எழுப்பினார். பயன் ஏதேனும் இருந்திருப்பின் தென்னகத் திலிருந்து பர்மா சென்றவர்கள் ஏதிலிகளாய் எல்லாவற்றையும் இழந்து இந்தியா திரும்பிய சிக்கலுக்கு விடிவு காணப்பட்டிருக்கும். ஆனால் பலமுறை பர்மா போகிறார்கள்- வருகிறார்கள்- சுமுகத்தீர்வு ஏற்படும் என்று சொல்லி வருகிறார்கள். பயனில்லை. நட்புறவு என்பது இருநாட்டுத் தலைவர்களும் ஒருவர் நாட்டுக்கு அடுத்தவர் விருந்தினராகப் போய் திரும்புவதன்று. இரு நாட்டு மக்களின் பிரச்சினைகளை தீர்க்காத நட்புறவால் எள்ளளவும் பயனில்லை என்றார் அண்ணா. அடுத்து அண்ணா 1966 லேயே நாடாளுமன்றத்திலேயே கூறிய அறிவுரைகள் அவரின் தொலை நோக்குப் பார்வைக்குச் சான்றாகத் திகழ்கின்றது. பணக்கார நாடுகளுடன் பந்தபாசம் காட்ட போட்டா போட்டி போடும் தலைவர்களுக்கு மத்தியில் ஆப்ரிக்க நாடுகளுடன் இந்தியா தோழமை பூண்டிட வேண்டும் என்ற அண்ணா மாறுபட்டவர். ஏழைகளையே எண்ணி அரசியல் வியூகம் வகுப்பவர் என்பது வெள்ளிடை மலையென விளங்குகிறது. இன்று 12.4% இந்தியாவின் பணவீக்கம் எனில் ஆப்ரிக்க நாடான ஜிம்பாபாவேயின் பணவீக்கம் 1,500,000% விழுக்காடாகும். ஒரு தேநீர் பருக பெட்டி நிறைய பணம் எடுத்துச் செல்ல வேண்டிய நிலைமை! ஏழை நாடுகளை உயர்த்திட இந்தியா தன் பங்களிப்பை ஆற்ற அறிஞர் அண்ணா அன்றே அறிவுரை சொன்னார். அமெரிக்காவுக்கு வெண்சாமரம் வீச அல்ல அண்ணா சொன்ன அறிவுரை!

பிரிட்டன் தன் காலனி நாடுகளை ஒரு அமைப்புக்குள் அடக்கி வைத்திருக்க உருவாக்கியது காமன் வெல்த் அமைப்பு! தென் கிழக்காசிய நாடுகள் காமன் வெல்த் உருவாக்க இந்தியா முனைப்பு காட்ட வேண்டுமென அண்ணா பேசினார். ஐரோப்பிய யூனியன் உருவாகும் முன்பே தென் கிழக்காசிய நாடுகள் தமது பொருளாதார மேம்பாட்டுக்காக ஓரமைப்பிற்குள் திரள வேண்டும் என்றார் அண்ணா. சப்பானிய கூட்டையும் சப்பானிய தொழில் முனைவோர் பங்களிப்பையும் பெற்று இந்தியா ஏற்றமுற வேண்டுமென அறிஞர் அண்ணா எடுத்தியம்பினார்.

அண்ணாவின் பார்வை உலகநோக்குடையது, அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகப் பட்டமளிப்புப் பேருரையில் அண்ணா தன் உலக நோக்கை அழகுறப் படம் பிறப்பார்.

“கையேந்தி இரந்து நிற்கும் இரவலனே இல்லாத – கஞ்சநெஞ்சனின்இதயமில்லாக் கடும்பார்வை விழாத – தேவைகள், குற்றங்கள், பொய்மையே இல்லாத – பழிப்புரையே கேளாத உலகம் – உடலாலும் உள்ளத்தாலும் பிணிவயப்படாத மனித இனம் – எங்கே வாழ்நாள் நீடிக்குமோ எங்கே அச்சம் மடியுமோ -எங்கே இன்பம் சுரக்குமோ எங்கே அன்பு ஆழமாகுமோ – அத்தகு புன்னகை பூத்த நிலம் நோக்கி குடிசையில் – வாழும் மனிதனை இட்டுச் செல்லும் இலட்சியமே அண்ணாயிசம்”

அண்ணாவின் கொள்கைளை மறந்துவிட்டு ஆளுயர வெட்டுருக்களில் அஞ்சல் தலை அளவு அண்ணா படம் போட்டு நூற்றாண்டு எடுக்கிறார்கள். இருளைக் கிழித்து எழுஞாயிறாக கூழைகளுக்காக எளிமையான அரசியல் நடத்திய அண்ணாவின் புகழ் உலகில் ஓங்கும்! உண்மைக்கு அழிவில்லை!

நந்திவர்மன், பொதுச்செயலர், திராவிடப்பேரவை, புதுச்சேரி, இந்தியா

http://www.thamizhkkaaval.net/0908/nanthi.html

 

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robbing tsunami victims

July 6, 2008 at 5:16 pm (Open Debate, pondicherry)
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CAG REPORT INDICTS RANGASAMY GOVERNMENT ON TSUNAMI FRAUD: SONIA TO DECIDE on 7th JULY 2008

 

[The Chief Minister, who had lost the support of his entire cabinet, and enjoys the support of only 2 legislators of the Congress Legislature party, who had been avoiding going to New Delhi for past one week on the pretext of stomach pain, finally had been sternly summoned by the Congress high command, and he is scheduled to meet Congress President Ms.Sonia Gandhi on 7th July 2008 10.A.M, who may send him to AIIMS hospital for curing his stomach pain. We submit the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on his handling of the Tsunami funds, over which, Dravida Peravai had been spearheading a campaign for CBI enquiry. Let media men be in slumber by not even exposing CAG Report indictments, but like tsunami that struck by surprise, the Chief Minister who stage manages a clean image by throwing lavish advertisements even to monthlies, weeklies with less than 100 copy circulation, will be washed away to the dustbin of history. Of course he is the richest and purchasing power of that money will be witnessed from the day he steps down till next electoral verdict is written by the people of Puducherry….. N.N]

 

CHAPTER III PERFORMANCE REVIEWS 25 PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

This chapter presents two performance reviews on Tsunami Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Functioning of Government General Hospitals and one long paragraph on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

 

REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS

 

3.1 Tsunami Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Highlights: The Tsunami of December 2004 damaged 33 villages in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Government provided assistance in cash and kind to the affected families. There was no comprehensive action plan to utilize funds received from Government of India. There were deficiencies in identification of beneficiaries for immediate relief and rehabilitation of Tsunami affected people. Assistance for repair/replacement of fishing crafts was delayed by 4 to 17 months after the calamity. There was delay in providing assistance for rehabilitation. Considerable delay was also noticed in reconstruction activities. Consequently, Tsunami affected families were not resettled as of September 2006. Monitoring of the implementation was poor. – Disaster Management Authority was not functional when Tsunami struck. Government of India scheme for creation of coastal shelterbelt to reduce the impact of cyclone was not implemented during 2000-04.

(Paragraphs 3.1.6.1 and 3.1.6.2)

- Government of India sanctioned Rs 255.62 crore till March 2006 as against Rs 312.37 crore recommended by central team. The reported expenditure of Rs 175.44 crore included Rs 55.42 crore comprising amount kept unspent, inadmissible expenditure, diversion of funds and a case of excess expenditure. (Paragraph 3.1.7)

 

Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2006 – Though 2,006 houses were identified as damaged in Tsunami, Revenue Department did not restrict the payment of compensation only to house owners, but compensation was given to 5,247 families who claimed to live there. Scale of assistance prescribed by GOI was not followed. (Paragraphs 3.1.8.1 and 3.1.8.2)

 

- Government did not take action to claim and pay insurance amount due to active fishermen who died in Tsunami under the National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen. (Paragraph 3.1.8.3)

 

- Assistance to fishermen was given 4 to 17 months after the calamity. (Paragraph 3.1.8.6)

 

- No comprehensive programme was evolved for infrastructure development for utilizing plan assistance. Out of 7,567 numbers of houses planned to be constructed, only 595 houses were completed as of November 2006 and of this, 495 houses were not allotted to Tsunami victims. (Paragraph 3.1.9.1)

 

3.1.1 Introduction: Tsunami is a series of waves generated when a large body of water such as a lake or ocean is rapidly displaced on a massive scale due to earthquake or volcanic eruptions. The impact of earthquake that had its epicenter off the Coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia triggered the occurrence of Tsunami in the south eastern coast of India on the morning of 26 December 2004. The Tsunami caused extensive loss of lives and damages to both public and private properties along the Coastal States of South India including Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar islands. In the UT of Puducherry, which consists of four coastal enclaves1, Tsunami caused damages in Puducherry and Karaikal regions and Government notified (January 2005) 33 villages in Puducherry (16) and Karaikal (17) regions for the purpose of relief and rehabilitation. The details of damages reported to Government of India (GOI) are given in Appendix XV. The majority of affected families derived their livelihood from fishing, agriculture and rearing livestock. Immediately after Tsunami, Government accommodated 30,000 affected people in 48 relief camps2 and distributed ex-gratia payment to families of 1 Three (Puducherry, Karaikal and Yanam) in the eastern coast and one (Mahe) in the western coast 2 Schools, marriage halls, temples, community halls, etc.

 

Chapter III – Performance Reviews 2 7 the deceased, cash for funeral and medical expenses. Relief packages consisting of rice, kerosene, saree and dhoties etc., bed sheets and supply of textbooks, uniforms to affected children were also made during December 2004 to February 2005. Cash dole were given for purchase of utensils, repair of damaged houses, sustenance and loss of crop and livestock. Government also restored the essential services like water supply and electricity. As mid-term relief, the Government provided assistance for repair and replacement of fishing crafts and reclamation of agricultural land. Besides repairing public property like roads, bridges etc., the Government has undertaken construction of houses, public utilities and preventive measures such as construction of coastal protection belt as one of the permanent relief measures.

 

3.1.2 Organizational set-up: Immediately after the disaster, Government appointed (31 December 2004) Development Commissioner and Secretary (Education and Power) as the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (RRC) to manage and co-ordinate the arrangements for distributing relief supplies received from GOI, UT Government and other sources. The Revenue Department was placed under his control for this purpose. The immediate relief measures undertaken by five departments3 were monitored by State Level Relief and Rehabilitation Committee constituted in January 2005 with Chief Minister as Chairman. Government also established (April 2005) a Project Implementation Agency (PIA), a registered society, headed by a Project Director and assisted by Joint Project Director and other staff. The society has to implement the mid-term and long term rehabilitation and reconstruction measures through Revenue Department (now renamed as Revenue and Disaster Management Department) and other 134 departments. Besides, 185 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) were involved in construction of houses to resettle the Tsunami affected families along with PIA.

 

3.1.3 Audit objectives: The objectives of Audit were to assess: whether proper institutional mechanism had been set up byGovernment for disaster management, adequacy of funding for relief activities and whether utilisation ofthe funds was proper,3 Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Fisheries and Revenue4 Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Electricity, Fisheries, Forest and Wildlife, Health, Local Administration, Public Works, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Tourism and Women and Child Development5 Over and above, Government of Maharashtra has also undertaken activities pertaining to construction of houses

 

Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2006:28: the efficiency in providing immediate assistance and rehabilitation to affected families, the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of long term relief activities such as creation of assets and permanent infrastructure and resettlement of Tsunami victims, ?? The quality of monitoring and co-ordination mechanism to oversee rehabilitation activities.

 

3.1.4 Audit criteria

The criteria adopted in conducting the audit were: Rules in force on disaster management and policy adopted by the Government; conditions stipulated by GOI and UT Government while releasingfunds; the details of assistance received from various sources; norms prescribed by GOI for expenditure from National CalamityContingency Fund (NCCF);?? Target and schedule prescribed by Government for rehabilitation work and?? Monitoring mechanism adopted for extending relief and rehabilitation.

 

3.1.5 Audit coverage and methodology: Audit was conducted from November 2005 to March 2006 in Revenue and 13 other departments6, PIA and District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). Records relating to the period December 2004 to March 2006 on relief and rehabilitation activities maintained in the 14 departments covering all the 33 affected villages and status reports on the activities of NGOs in PIA were test checked in audit. An entry conference was held with the RRC in January 2006 and field visits were undertaken.

6 Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Electricity, Fisheries, Forest and Wildlife, Health, Local Administration, Public Works, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Tourism and Women and Child Development

 

Chapter III – Performance Reviews; 2 9: Audit findings

3.1.6 Disaster management

3.1.6.1 Institutional arrangement

Based on the GOI recommendations, the Government constituted a State Disaster Management Authority in September 2003 under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary to ensure co-coordinated steps towards mitigation and preparedness when disaster strikes. A District Disaster Management Committee was also formed (September 2003) for extending immediate relief to disaster affected people. However, no Disaster Management Policy has been framed. After occurrence of Tsunami, Government constituted (03 January 2005) a Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister to monitor and review the relief operations. Government also appointed a Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner to manage and co-ordinate relief operations. Thus, the institutions set up to manage disaster were not functional at the time of occurrence of Tsunami. After notification of the Central Act in December 2005, the UT Government was to initiate action to frame Rules. But the Rules had not been framed as of October 2006. No framing of Disaster Management Policy in time resulted in the absence of set framework of actions to be undertaken upon occurrence of Tsunami. Government stated (November 2006) that GOI had been requested (October 2006) to bring the Central Act into force in the UT with effect from 2 October 2006 and the Rules as well as the state policy would be framed and finalized on receipt of GOI notification.

 

3.1.6.2 Construction of coastal shelterbelt: All the four regions of the UT are located in coastlines and prone for cyclone. In order to create a belt of trees in coastlines to reduce the impact of cyclone, GOI sanctioned (January 2001) Rs 90.32 lakh to cover 448 hectare of land under ‘Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Project Scheme’. The scheme was to be implemented during 2000-02. GOI released Rs 20.12 lakh during 2000-01 as first installment. The Forest Department spent Rs 3.40 lakh for creating coastal shelterbelt during 2000-01, but stopped the work due to objection raised by fishermen. As the first installment was not spent in full, the balance amount was not released by GOI. Only after Tsunami, the Department spent Rs 5.48 lakh during 2004-05. The balance amount of Rs 11.24 lakh remained unspent as of July 2006. Had the Department implemented the scheme in 2001-02 by obtaining the entire funds sanctioned by GOI, the impact of Tsunami on the lives and properties could have been contained and reduced.Government stated (November 2006) that the Central scheme was not successful due to non-cooperation of the local fishermen community. This contention is not tenable as the Government failed to convince the Rules under ‘Disaster Management Act’ and Government policy on Disaster Management were not framed fishermen community regarding the benefits of the scheme for more than two years.

 

The UT Government sought (January 2005) Rs 465.99 crore for providing short term and long term relief to the Tsunami affected people. The activity wise details are given in Appendix XVI. The central team visited (January 2005) the affected areas and recommended Rs 312.37 crore. GOI sanctioned (March 2005 to March 2006) Rs 255.62 crore for Tsunami relief and released Rs 203.21 crore during the period March 2005 to March 2006. Government spent Rs 175.44 crore as of March 2006. The activity-wise details are given in Appendix XVII. Though the amount already released was not spent in full, GOI provided (2006-07) an additional plan assistance of Rs 220 crore for creation of infrastructure in Tsunami affected areas. Government stated (November 2006) that the report prepared in first week of January 2005 was tentative and did not include long term rehabilitation GOI sanctioned more funds than sought for, but the amount released was not spent

 

Chapter III – Performance Reviews: 3 1 requirement. This contention is not tenable as Rs 465.99 crore sought for by the UT Government included Rs 358.01 crore for reconstruction activities.

 

3.1.7.2 Overstatement of expenditure

The expenditure of Rs 175.44 crore includes Rs 107.15 crore drawn as advance by eight departments during December 2004 to March 2006, of which Rs 29.517 crore remained unspent as of March 2006. Test check revealed that Revenue and Fisheries Departments kept Rs 7.84 crore, released from funds received under RGRP, in bank (Rs 7.01 crore) and with PIA (Rs 0.83 crore).The remaining six departments kept Rs 21.67 crore received under plan assistance in bank (Rs 16.34 crore), with PIA (Rs 4.25 crore) and with DRDA

(Rs 1.08 crore). Thus, actual expenditure was only Rs 145.93 crore. Government stated (November 2006) that many works could not be taken up due to enforcement of model code of conduct on account of election. The reply is not tenable as the amount was shown as expended without completion of works.

 

3.1.7.3 Diversion of funds and charging of excess expenditure

 

Against Rs 32.01 crore released by GOI for giving subsidy to fishermen for purchase of boats, the UT Government paid a subsidy of Rs 46.60 crore.The excess amount was met by diverting Rs 9.07 crore available as savings out of Rs 39.78 crore received under NCCF and Rs 5.52 crore out of Rs 30 crore received for reconstruction activities. Government attributed the diversion to payment of higher scale of compensation. Though cartage and storage charges are to be levied on deposit works only, the Electricity Department also charged Rs 13.33 lakh as cartage and storage charges on Tsunami works, which are Government works. This resulted in inflation of expenditure under ‘Tsunami Relief’.

 

3.1.7.4 Inadmissible expenditure

 

Out of the plan assistance of Rs 100 crore released by GOI during 2005-06 to create infrastructural facilities in Tsunami affected areas, Rs 52.59 crore was allocated to Public Works Department. Of this, the UT Government sanctioned Rs 11.19 crore for providing infrastructure in areas not affected by Tsunami as detailed below: 7 Agriculture (Rs 2.75 crore), Education (Rs 0.36 crore), Fisheries (Rs 2.01 crore), Forest and Wild Life (Rs 0.86 crore), Health and Family Welfare (Rs 2.21 crore), Local Administration (Rs 14.41 crore), Revenue (Rs 5.83 crore) and Rural Development (Rs 1.08 crore) Unspent amount was shown as expenditure Infrastructure was provided in areas not affected by Tsunami

 

3.25 Though Yanam was not declared as Tsunami affected,the works have been executed in Yanam.Construction of Women and Children Hospital, Puducherry7.94 The expenditure incurred during 2005-06 under the ongoing scheme ‘Construction of Women and Children Hospital’ in Puducherry, taken up before the occurrence of Tsunami was transferred to the scheme ‘creation of infrastructural facilities in Tsunami affected area’.

Total 11.19 the expenditure was beyond the scope of the programme. Government stated (November 2006) that flood control works in Yanam were taken up as nearby East Godavari District in Andra Pradesh was declared as Tsunami hit area and the Women and Children Hospital was situated within half a kilometer radium from the coast. These contentions are not tenable as Yanam was not declared as Tsunami affected area. Besides, the hospital work was sanctioned before the occurrence of Tsunami.

 

3.1.7.5 Unutilized assistance from other sources

 

In addition to GOI funds, the Government received assistance in kind (cloth, groceries, utensils, etc.) from public for providing immediate relief to the affected families. The materials not distributed were kept in stock for future use. Besides, Rs 2.59 crore was received from Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme remained unspent as of March 2006. GOI also allocated World Bank assistance of Rs 158.28 crore (May 2005) under ‘Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project’ for undertaking long term relief measures. Out of Rs 75 crore received and deposited with PIA, Rs 2.68 crore was spent as of March 2006. Though, the allocation was made by GOI in May 2005, no concrete proposals were sent even by March 2006 resulting in non-utilization of funds received. Government stated (November 2006) that proposals for Rs 135 crore for Fisheries, Agriculture and Forest sectors were sent to World Bank (May 2006) and of this, seven projects for Fisheries sector were approved for Rs 117 crore. However, no project was taken up even by November 2006.

 

3.1.8 Immediate relief and rehabilitation measures Immediately after Tsunami, the Government paid immediate relief assistance of Rs 15.66 crore to families affected by Tsunami as ex-gratia payment to family of deceased (Rs 5 crore), cremation expenses (Rs 0.25 crore), medical expenses to injured (Rs 0.44 crore), housing subsidy to damaged houses (Rs 9.28 crore), compensation for crop damage/ha (Rs 0.28 crore) and compensation for loss of cattle/poultry Chapter III – Performance Reviews 3 3 (Rs 0.41 crore). In addition, rice, kerosene, cloth, cash dole for utensils (Rs 2000) and sustenance (Rs 3000) were given to the affected families by Revenue and Fisheries Departments. The deficiencies noticed in the disbursement of immediate relief to the families affected in Tsunami are discussed below:

 

3.1.8.1 Identification of beneficiaries for payment of compensation -Housing Though only 2,006 houses were damaged in Tsunami in Puducherry, the Revenue Department had not restricted the payment of compensation to owners of the houses but paid compensation to 5,247 families who claimed to live in these 2,006 houses. Government stated (November 2006) that the families residing in the damaged houses suffered the loss. This contention is not tenable as the assistance was meant for repairing of the damaged houses which could be carried out only by the owners.

 

3.1.8.2 Non-adherence to scale for immediate relief assistance

Government of India released funds for ‘Relief and responses’ from NCCF.Though the UT Government sanctioned expenditure for relief on account of injury, loss of crops, livestock, etc., as per the norms prescribed in NCCF, Rs 6.21 crore were spent by Revenue Department during January 2005 to May 2005 in excess of prescribed monetary limit for providing gratuitous relief for death and assistance for repair and restoration of damaged houses as detailed below:

 

3.1.8.3 Non-obtaining of insurance benefits Under National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen, GOI insured 24,500 active fishermen of the UT against accidents resulting in death or injury. Under the scheme, the Fisheries Department had to prefer the claims in case of accidents. Though 318 fishermen died in Tsunami in UT, the Department had not taken action to claim and pay Rs 50,000 per active fishermen who died. After audit had pointed this out, Government stated (November 2006) that action has now been initiated.

 

3.1.8.4 Deficiencies in identification of beneficiaries – Fishing Government have not enacted the Marine Fishing Regulation Act to issue license for fishing crafts under various categories owned by fishermen in UT. Consequently, the Fisheries Department could not identify the number of fishing crafts damaged or lost in Tsunami. This resulted in payment of assistance based on the affidavits given by fishermen. The Department paid assistance for repair/replacement of 7,878 fishing crafts in Puducherry and Karaikal regions till May 2006. While 17,208 men were required to operate 7,878 fishing crafts, only 13,867 active fishermen were available in Puducherry and Karaikal regions as per census (2000) conducted by the Department. Government contended (November 2006) that all crafts would not be operated at a given time for fishing and one fisherman would be engaged in more than one craft. The fact, however, remained that failure to enact the Marine Fishing Regulation Act resulted in non-identification of crafts damaged/lost and Government had to release assistance based on the affidavits. In Karaikal region, 2,067 fishermen were to be paid assistance for repair/replacement of fishing crafts as per survey conducted by a special team. Of this, 582 fishermen were given fishing crafts by NGOs. Against the remaining 1,485 fishermen requiring assistance, the Fisheries Department Paid assistance to 1,898 fishermen (Rs 15.49 crore) as of May 2006.Resultantly, assistance amounting to Rs 3.37 crore was also extended to 413 fishermen over and above the number of fishermen identified during survey by special team. Government contended (November 2006) that the NGOs would have extended assistance to fishermen who were already benefited from Government. This was indicative of poor monitoring.

 

UT Government for this purpose with other funds and kept them in savings bank account. This resulted in non-crediting of interest earned on the amount in Tsunami Fund for utilization in Tsunami Relief. Government attributed (November 2006) the delay to non-cooperation of village panchayatars and contended that the interest earned by the society would be spent only for the welfare of fishermen. These contentions are not tenable as the non-cooperation was due to improper assessment of beneficiaries and the interest earned on Tsunami Fund would be utilized for other schemes implemented by the society.

 

GOI approved (October 2005) the ‘Prime Minister’s Child Assistance Scheme’ which provided for deposit of Rs 51,000 in the name of the child who have lost one parent in Tsunami and were less than 18 years of age on the day of Tsunami. The monthly interest on the deposit should be paid to the surviving parent till the child attains the age of 18 years and the amount would be released thereafter to the child. The scheme was to be implemented from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).Though, the Director, Women and Child Development Department identified (December 2005), 172 children under the scheme and funds were received (September 2006), the deposits were not made as of October 2006.Government stated (November 2006) that the Department has been requested to release money. Assistance for repair/replacement of fishing crafts were given 4 to 17 months after the calamity Benefits under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund was not extended to people affected in Tsunami

 

Similarly, under Universal Health Insurance Scheme, approved by GOI(October 2005) for assistance from PMNRF, the persons in the Tsunami affected family were to be insured for death (Rs 2 lakh) and disability(Rs 1 lakh) due to accident. As a comprehensive insurance policy was not evolved, the scheme was not implemented (October 2006).Government stated (November 2006) that the list of fishermen to been rolled was sent to Insurance company and further action would be taken by the Insurance company. This indicates the poor co-ordination by Government with Insurance Company.

 

3.1.9 Infrastructure development and reconstruction

3.1.9.1 Delay in construction of houses

 

The UT Government decided (March 2005) to construct houses outside the Coastal Regulation Zone by purchasing land and allot them to families living in Tsunami affected areas. Out of 7,567 houses proposed to be constructed, 4,984 were to be constructed by NGOs and the Government of Maharashtra and 125 by PIA. The remaining 2,458 houses would be constructed by the beneficiaries with Government assistance. Besides, PIA had to provide infrastructure such as internal roads, drains, water supply etc., in all areas where houses were proposed to be constructed. As of November 2006, 595 houses were completed by NGOs, of which 100 houses were handed over to the beneficiaries and construction of 4,389 houses was under progress. While construction of 57 houses was taken up by beneficiaries using Government assistance in the land where the damaged houses were located, the remaining 2,527 houses were not taken up as of November 2006. As such only 100 out of 7,567 beneficiaries were resettled even by November 2006. Besides, construction of houses in the locations affected by Tsunami would defeat the objective of relocation.

 

3.1.9.2 Improper utilization of funds under plan assistance: Rupees 100 core received as plan assistance during 2005-06 from GOI were allocated to 12 line departments for development of infrastructure in Tsunami affected areas. Of this, Rs 84.09 crore were allocated to Agriculture (Rs 5.50 crore), Fisheries (Rs 6 crore), Local Administration(Rs 20 crore) and Public Works (Rs 52.59 crore) departments. Out of Rs 100 crore, Rs 97.91 crore shown as spent by the line departments. There was no comprehensive programme approved by PIA for utilising the plan assistance of Rs 100 crore. Consequently, the line departments treated the expenditure incurred under various ongoing works also under plan assistance for Tsunami. Test check revealed that the Public Works Department booked (March 2006) Rs 11.36 crore incurred on 13 ongoing Tsunami affected people were not resettled due to noncreation ofinfrastructure.There was no comprehensive programme to utilize the plan assistance given by GOI

 

Chapter III – Performance Reviews works8 which were sanctioned and work commenced even before the occurrence of Tsunami. Further, Rs 5.25 crore was spent on construction of court building which could not be termed as Tsunami related work. Government contended (November 2006) that the works were executed only in coastal areas, which are prone to natural calamity and many ongoing works were damaged in Tsunami. These contentions were not tenable as the GOI assistance was meant for creating assets in Tsunami affected areas.

 

Departments had to identify the works required, which resulted in diversion of funds and undertaking works not related to Tsunami. The failure to enact the Marine Fishing Regulation Act resulted in non-identification of beneficiaries for rehabilitation, payment of assistance on the basis of affidavits and extent to which the benefit was availed by victims of Tsunami being not ascertainable. Failure to claim insurance resulted in deprival of benefits to fishermen. There were delays in release of assistance to fishermen. Reconstruction works were delayed considerably and the funds received remained unutilized. Schemes to benefit orphans and families affected in Tsunami were not implemented. Monitoring of the various activities by RRC and PIA was also inadequate.

Recommendations

 

 Government should frame necessary rules to carry out the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 enacted by GOI.  Government should evolve concrete programmes for utilizing the unspent amount including Rs 220 crore sanctioned as plan assistance for 2006-07.  Construction of houses to resettle the Tsunami affected families should be completed early and allotment of houses already constructed should be expedited by speedy completion of required infrastructure. Government stated (November 2006) that the recommendations made were taken note of and would be followed in future.

 

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UNESCO SHOULD NOT SUPPORT AURO VILLAGE

July 1, 2008 at 4:28 am (Open Debate)
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APPEAL TO UNESCO AND INDIAN GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER FUNDING AURO-VILLAGE

 

The Other side, journal for Socialist Action and Thought Volume 17, Number 9 of October 1997 edited by Comrade George Fernandes published my interview titled Aurobindo Ashram Takeover by Central Government Demanded and a sub title Dravida Peravai General Secretary Speaks, wherein the editor gave his introduction as follows: “There has been a persistent demand for the take over of the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry by various individuals and institutions. In the forefront of this campaign is the General Secretary of the Dravida Peravai N.Nandhivarman.

 

Nandhivarman has over years been exposing for public view the unsavory goings on in the Ashram, which have brought this once hallowed place into disrepute. We are publishing here below a question answer report which is an interview with Nandhivarman. We hope the authorities will take note of this report and take action in the matter before it is too late to stem the rot.”

 

Aurobindo Ashram is a religious institution. The demand of various political parties for take over of the Trust by the Government amounts to interference in religious matters. What is your comment?

 

In the Shirur Mutt Case [AIR 1954 SC 282] the convention is laid down. “The Court noticed that while cl[b] of Article 26 guaranteed religious denomination to manage its own affairs in matters of religion, other clauses of the Article dealt with the right of a religious denomination to acquire and own property in accordance with law. The administration of its property by a religious denomination having thus been placed on different footing from the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion [page 290 of AIR] .The latter is a fundamental right which no legislature can take away, whereas the former can be regulated by laws with legislature can validly impose.

 

Mr.F.S.Nariman argues that Aurobindo Society was registered under Societies Registration Act 1960, and purely a religious society could not have been registered under Societies Registration Act. Section 20 of Societies Registration Act provides what kind of societies can be registered under the Act. It does not talk of religious institutions. Of course it includes a society with charitable purposes. The Memorandum of Association does not talk of any religion.

 

The Society professed to be a scientific research organization to the donors and got income tax exemption on the footing that it was not a religious institution. The Society has claimed exemption from income tax under section 80 for the donors and under section 35 for itself on that ground. Aurobindo Ashram was different from Auroville. The Ashram Trust had applied for Income Tax exemption and got on that very ground. The teachings of Aurobindo only represented his philosophy and not a religion.

 

It is evident from the excerpts of the Supreme Court judgment in the S.P.Mittal vs. Union of India [AIR 1983], that the teachings of Aurobindo are not religion. Hence we cannot be accused of attacking religion. Tax exemptions were obtained for specific purposes and we are within our limits in demanding the Government to oversee whether the exemptions availed is put into proper use. And if found contrary, cancellation of exemptions and take over of the trust is demanded.

 

Further Aurobindo in his writings categorically states: “An ashram means the house or houses of a teacher or master of spiritual philosophy. All depends on the Teacher and ends with his life time, unless there is another Teacher who can take his place. The Ashram is not a religious association [16th February 1934]

 

After Aurobindo and the Mother there is no Ashram. The Ashram ceases. The question before us is concern about mismanaged trust and its tax evasion. The responsibility of the Government to monitor conditions is a political affair and parties are within their rightful limits in raking up issues pertaining to Ashram…… so Nandhivarman continues the interview in The Other side. Like commercial break in TV serials, let us take a break here to know tampering of Aurobindo’s lines quoted above by two Americans.

 

Let me quote from OUTLOOK dated 15th March 1999 titled Editing Aurobindo: The Trustees of the Aurobindo Ashram are accused of tampering with his original works.

 

“SAAT was formed in 1956, six years after Aurobindo’s death and the copyright was obtained much after the death of the author, and hence SAAT has no authority to tamper with the original versions. The main grouse though is in the deletion of a sentence that actually calls for the ashrams winding up. Pranab Bhattacharya, the ashram’s physical education director, points out in his book I Remember “The editor must have thought, himself to be very clever in avoiding one line and bringing changes perhaps thinking that it could change the Ashram’s fate. The line in question is in The Teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Aurobindo Ashram” first published in 1934. In that Aurobindo explains his concept of an ashram. “An Ashram means the house or houses of a Teacher or Master of spiritual philosophy in which he receives and lodges those who come to him for the teaching and practice. An ashram is not an association or a religious body or a monastery, it is only what has been indicated above and nothing more. Everything in the Ashram belongs to the Teacher. The sadhaks [disciples] have no claim, right or voice in any matter. They remain and go according to his Will. Whatever money he receives is his property and not a trust or fund, for there is no public institution. Such ashrams have existed in India for centuries before Christ and still exist in large numbers. It all depends on the Teacher and ends with his lifetime, unless there is another Teacher who can take his place. By deleting the last line, which actually means the ashram’s rationale for existence ended with the passing of the mother, the trustees, say opponents are sustaining an institution against the teachings of Aurobindo. They point out that till the 1972 birth centenary celebrations; there has been no tampering with Aurobindo’s works. [Courtesy: outlook]

 

So far we have dealt on our party and other 10 political parties joint demand for takeover of the Ashram Trust, please note not the Ashram but Ashram Trust. We are not going into the debate whether ashram exists or not, as debated in OUTLOOK and later in Courts of this land up to Supreme Court. As public we know there is a samathi, which attracts his followers. It has been the practice in Tamilnadu over the burial places of Siddhars; idols of Gods will be installed and made into temples. In famous Palani Murugan Temple, the samathi of Bhogar, one of the 18 siddhars of Tamilnadu remains. Over that samathi the idol of Lord Muruga, made out of a combination of 9 poisons, known as navapashanam, was installed by that Siddhar. The idol contained medicinal properties, the blessed water cured diseases, people say. Nearer to Aurobindo Ashram in the famous Manakula Vinayagar Temple beneath has the samathi of Thollaikathu swamigal .So we are questioning the existence of samathis, temples and its worship.

 

We are attacking the mismanaged Trusts. Let us go back to continue from the break of the earlier part of my interview in The Other side.

 

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Trust Board is trending the wrong path, inmates lament, and any comments?

 

Nandhivarman: Lawrence Marshal Pinto son of Lawrence Belarmino Pinto is 90 years old. On 18th December 1967, he was instrumental in floating Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop Trust, which now is known as Sri Aurobindo Udyog Trust. All business units of erstwhile Aurobindo Ashram come under this umbrella organization. Still at 90 he wants to cling to the managing trusteeship of Udyog Trust. Apart from this he is also a Trustee in Honesty Engineers and Contractors Trust. [The word Trust will become lackluster in its usage. At the Ashram every activity needs only the suffix trusts] List of positions headed by the dreaded 90 year old L.M.Pinto alias Udhar Pinto is endless.

 

In Pre-cast Concrete work Trust also he holds a position. The complete control of the major businesses by an old man who refuses to retire proves the power craziness of the Ashram ruling clique. Oriya writer Manoj Das for undisclosed reasons resigned from the post of Aurobindo Ashram Trust. But he remains Trustee of Udyog Trust. Mr.Manoj Das Guptaji is against one-man one-post principle. He is the scheming Trustee who has his eyes on the coveted Managing Trustee’s post. He is also the Registrar of the Aurobindo International Center for Education. He is Chairman of Agricultural Coordination Committee in charge of all farm lands and agricultural activities of the Trust. He is in charge of Shantiniketan at Bengal.Manoj Das Gupta is also a Trustee in Auro Travels Trust. He is the Chairman of the Technical coordination Committee, even the president of USA has only 2 terms. Lifelong positions for Ashram Trustees only. Auroform Trust, Aurofurn Trust, Fragrance and Perfume Trust and numerous Trusts are there. In all a handful and their coterie will rule the roost.Manoj Das Gupta controls all farm lands.

 

[Break]

 

This is in 1997.Currently he is the Managing Trustee of Aurobindo Ashram Trust, wherein the President post occupied by French woman Mirra Alfasa is kept vacant. So a decade ago we campaigned against power mongers grabbing positions and multiplicity of sub trusts within Aurobindo Ashram Trust first initiated by Lawrence Marshal Pinto, a Goan. Now we see similarity in Auroville Foundation too. The information provided to us under Right to Information Act is given below, so that you can arrive at your own conclusions.

 

1. Artisana Trust: Mr.Michael Hutin and Ms.Mariam Isaac

2. Ankur Trust: Ms.Abha Tewari, Ms.Suzane Sabatier

3. Filaure Trust: Ms.Valerie Anne Tait, Mr.Michael Tait

4. Free Flow Trust: Mr.Frederic Laurent Codonnier, Ms.Martina Anna Maria Lj, Mr.Oliver Hetzel

5. Toujours Mieux Trust: Mr. Robert Leo Trunz, Mr. Jan V.D.Dikkenberg

6. Auromics Trust: Ms.Roberta Keeping, Mr. André Deplechin

7. Auroville Export Trust: Mr.Jan Imhoff, Mr.Hemant Lamba

8. Health and Healing Trust: Ms.Hilde D’Hiedt, Mr. Albert Zwaan, Mr. Jacques Verre

9. Auroville Service Trust: Mr.M.Ponnusamy, Mr. Ulrich Wolfgong Bretschneider

10. Arvinda Trust: Mr. Paul Pinthon, Ms.Laura Reddy

11. Kalki Trust: Mr.Paul Pinthon, Ms.Laura Reddy, Ms.Adelina Intanno, Mr. André Hababou

12. Altecs Trust: Mr.Clement Gruttman, Mrs.Christa Gruttman, Mr.Bernard Grenier

13. Guest House Trust: Ms.Simonette Smits, Ms.Srimoyi Rosseger, Ms.Afsaneh Bader

14. ABC Trust: Mr.Carsten Michelsen, Mr.Marco Feira

15. Kattida Kalai Trust: Mr.Moreno Jean Marc, Mr.Herrea Carlos, Mr.M.Palani

16. Discovery Trust: Mr.P.Karuna, Mrs K.Uma, Mr.Jean Francois Bertaux

17. Mereville Trust: Mr.Ragnetti Gianfranco, Mr.Pratap Chatterjee

18. Auromitra Trust: Mr.Peter Clarence Smith, Mr.E.Rathinam, Mr.Joss Brooks, Ms.Dee Decew

19. Inside Trust: Mr.Klaus Onken, Ms.Shama Dalvi

20. Auroville Village Action Trust: Ms.Dee Decew, Mr.M.S.Subhashchand, Mr.Alain Bernard, Mr.D.Selvaraj, Mr.L.Dhanapal

21. ADPS Trust: Ms.Van Der Vlugt, Mr.Franz Fassbender, Mr.Bobby Patel

22. Aurore Trust: Mr.Hemant Lamba, Mr.Theo Hekena Baetens, Mr.Gilles Alex Andre Guigan, Mrs.Suhasini Ayer Guigan

23. CSR Trust: Mr.Gilles Alxe Andre Guigan, Mr.Theo Helena Beatens, Mr.Hemant Lamba, Mrs.Suhasini Ayer Guigan

24. Aurosarjan Trust: Mr.Wolf Pfeifer, Mr.Stephen Himmer

25. Auromode Trust: Ms.Adelena Intannio, Mr. André Hababou

26. New Engineering Trust: Mr.Pierre Elouard. Ms.Joy Choudry

27. For all Pour Tous Trust: Ms.Francoise Gabelle, Mr. Oliver Hetzel

28. Swagatham Trust: Ms.Judith Robinson, Mr.Jean Francoise Bertaux

29. Sangamam Trust: Ms.R.Meenakshi, Mr.Joseba Martinez Burdaspar, Mr.Sanjeev Agarwal, Mr.M.Ponnusamy

30. Animal Care Trust: Ms.Shivaya Ruth, Mr.Kalyan Nag, Ms.Bhavana Dee Decew

31. Palayam School Trust: Mr.V.Gunaseelan, Mr.Jurgen Putz, Mr.Anto Keulaars.

 

APPEAL TO UNESCO and INDIA’s HRD MINISTRY TO INTROSPECT:

 

These are the sub trusts under Auroville Foundation and its Trustees. We have nothing personal against any one of them with clean records and service record to people. While I was discussing this with a BJP leader, he wondered, how come all Trusts have Christians as Trustees, and to him I told it surprises me why your Murli Manohar Joshi backed up these Christians  and gave approval for the Master Plan , which will make Tamils or Indians second class citizens in Auro-village of 1619 citizens. If for 1619 people there are 31 Trusts, what for, what purpose it serves for, why a Government of India organization under Human Resources Ministry should keep under its umbrella so many trusts, and do they have any relevance to the Integral Yoga of Aurobindo or any of his teachings ?. It is crystal clear, that as in Aurobindo Ashram Trust where in 1967 a Goan Christian, if that will be a word nice to the ears of next ruling aspirant party in Union Government, here also creation of sub trusts are for tax exemption and nothing else. These are commercial enterprises, said bold officials of Income Tax department and waged legal battles against Ashram sub trusts in various courts, before decades Courts gave favorable verdicts in favor of the Income Tax department. 

 

Dravida Peravai demands abolition of so many trusts under Auroville Foundation. There is no need to have so many sub trusts; they can be managed by Auroville Foundation as ONE DEPARTMENT under Human Resources Development Ministry. UNESCO and other donors, who get carried away by the beautiful language of Aurobindo and his teachings, should not encourage the set up of an international city in Indian soil. If an international city is to be set up, for just 1619 people it is criminal waste of public money which no way benefits local people. Let UNESCO spend money on the poorest of poor in Zimbabwe or African nations. Let donors around the world fund projects that will convert all coastal fishermen villages as modern mini towns with all infrastructures. Let world bodies fund Government of India to make all colonies of dalits better places to live with hygiene. If this mushroom growth of Trusts under the umbrella of Auroville Foundation is encouraged further, someone will come forward to create more and more sub trusts with high sounding words and phrases, which has no relevance to the teachings of Aurobindo or for betterment of the Tamil villagers under the clutches of poverty.

 

It is high time Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh takes note of this Social Injustice, and order for a high level probe into the working of these sub trusts, in order to abolish them and merge them under Auroville Foundation, which will have government control and accountability to Indian public, and I am exercising my birthright as Indian to appeal to Indian Government, and no foreigner can snatch that right from indigenous people in any country of our civilized world

 

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

2 Comments

TAMILNADU GOVERNMENT STOP PATRONIZING AUROVILLE

June 30, 2008 at 1:23 am (Open Debate)
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 AURO-VILLAGE DISCRIMINATES INDIANS

 

The separate city state of Auroville had debated its Official Language issue too, as per Auroville News dated December21st 2002.

 

“Regarding the language issue, I would like to notice that the Entry group recommends also to foreigners the knowledge of the English language. The official papers, the meetings, the assemblies, etc are in English, most of the people in Auroville speak English, so it would not be possible to interact with many members of the community and participate to what goes on in Auroville without knowing at least English. Let us face it, of the four official languages of Auroville, English is the easiest to learn, that’s why it is considered the international language of the world “wrote Claudio Djaima, an Italian. This brings to light that Auroville has 4 official languages, contrary to the three-language formula at Indian national level and the two-language policy at Tamilnadu state level. A community of foreigners living in Aurovillage naturally will speak their mother tongue. After all the French woman, Mirra Alfasa, who is The Mother to Aurovillians, spoke everyday in French her views, which are in audio form as well as book form titled “Mother’s Agenda” compiled by Satprem for 22 years running into 6000 pages of 13 volumes. In that 13th volume in her own words, she had told how people surrounding her are cheating her because of her fading eyesight. Our charge here is that this city state has its own official language policy.

 

The same Claudia Djaima in his reply to one Thiru.Gnanavel, who fortunately became Aurovillian but not his wife, writes “About institutionalized discrimination, I don’t understand whom you refer to. If I am right, 30% of Aurovillians are Tamils, in fact if you divide the Aurovillians by nationality, Tamilians are the largest group. So where is the discrimination? By the way you surely know Auroville should be a universal city or at least international. What kind of universal city will it be if 90% of inhabitants come from one single country and only the remaining 10% belong to other 185 countries of the world? Every big city around the world is like that, most of it made up of native population, and only a small part is made up of immigrants”

 

Dravida Peravai draws the attention of Tamilnadu Government to this statement, which clearly reflects the policy of Auroville IS NOT TO ADMIT TAMILS AS RESIDENTS. EVEN IF HUSBAND IS AUROVILLIAN, HIS WIFE WILL NOT BE MADE AUROVILLIAN. This was in 2002, and I am not clear about this individual Tamil’s case today. But the brazen manner in which an Italian state to a Tamil that his wife need not be made Aurovillian proves the Mother’s dictum that Auroville belongs to nobody but to everybody as failed promise. How can Indian Government or Tamilnadu Government allow the growth of a city, where its own sons of the soil will be shown the closed door?

 

We all are aware of the Amarnath row, even if we have missed it, the Chairman of Auroville Foundation Dr.Karan Singh, being a Kashmiri first and Universalist next, would have taken note of. “ The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday 27th June 2008 said that notwithstanding noises being made about the Government order diverting 39.88 hectares of land under compartment No: 63a /Sindh in Sindh Forest Division to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the fact of the matter is that the Government order No.184/FST of 2008 dated June 26th issued in this regard says in unequivocal terms that the diversion of land is for raising pre fabricated structures only for camping purposes of pilgrims without going in for construction of permanent structures at Baltal and Domail by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. The order lays down specific terms and conditions that the property status of the forest land shall remain unchanged and the land so diverted shall be utilized only for the purpose for which it has been diverted. It shall not be transferred to any other agency without approval of the Forest Department, the order further says. The land shall not be mortgaged, re-assigned or sub leased by user agency in any manner whatsoever to any other agency, adds the order” says Deccan Chronicle.

 

People’s protests and Jammu and Kashmir Government changing its decision are issues not related to the subject of this salvo against Auroville Foundation. Even for a temple, that too pilgrimage purposes, people of you Kingdom are not allowing Government to allocate land, Dr.Karan Singh, how come you are not going there, to gain Hindus land, in spite of you being a former Prince of Kashmir. All the way you come to Tamilnadu to grab our land to set up a neo-colony, we are sorry to pinpoint your double standards, since democracy considers a king or a cobbler, a prince or a beggar as equals.

 

“Auroville is situated in Vanur Taluk, Villupuram District and is comprised of the Panchayats of Irumbai and Bommayarpalayam. Small extent of this land is in Kattukuppam, Rajapudupallam, and Mathur Panchayats and in Melankuppam within the Union Territory of Puducherry.

 

In view of the difficulties in declaring the area- Auroville, under Town and Country Planning Act consequent to the Auroville Foundation Act 1988, envisaging autonomy to the resident’s assembly of Auroville, it was suggested to protect the area by separate legislation as that of Kalpakkam [Tamilnadu Nuclear Installation Authority ] or on the lines of proposals of heritage sites, towns declared by Tamilnadu” so goes on one of the proposals in the Report of Special Commission of Town and Country Planning dated 1st July 2002.

 

The Central Act itself needs review. It was done to take over the project from a mismanaged society, but its aims run contrary to Tamilnadu Town Country Planning Act. Yes, how can Tamilnadu call a VILLAGE of 1619 people as TOWN? So the master minds of this neo-colony want to give Auroville, the status of Kalpakkam. Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant generates power for our country, but Auroville through its sub trusts generate money for foreigners, who live in bungalows worth 3 crores, whereas all the Tamil villagers live in huts getting less than 30 $ per month as wages, as rightly pointed out by Ms.Rachel Wright in BBC.

 

The Auroville Foundation Act spells about Resident Assembly. “The resident’s assembly shall consist of all the residents of Auroville who are for the time being entered in the register of residents maintained under this section. The Secretary of the Governing Board shall maintain the register of residents in such manner as may be prescribed and all the persons who are residents of Auroville and who are of the age of eighteen years and above are entitled to have their names entered in the register on an application made to the Secretary in such form as may be prescribed”.

 

The Secretary, who as Carel Theime proudly proclaimed is Joint Secretary Grade. He has right to enter register of residents. It may appear as per the above clause that he has powers to admit residents once they are 18 years old. But this power is mirage, as next provision will establish.

 

Under functions of Residents Assembly, it has powers to allow the admission or

Cause the termination of persons in the register of residents in accordance with the regulations made under Section 32”. This power of the Resident Assembly should be withdrawn. The Resident Assembly can only be a Community debating Integral Yoga; it should have no statutory role to confer citizenship of Auroville city-state, a historical legacy of the Roman city state. These powers are used by foreigners to deny wife citizenship while husband is resident, in case if he happens to be Tamilian.

 

Let me revert back to the Italian friend who sermonizes to Tamil Aurovillian. “One question arises in me. Your wife has been living in Auroville with you all these years, what will the big difference be for her if she will become Aurovillian? I always saw the status of Aurovillian as a help from Indian Government with visa for those people that are really dedicated to Auroville “says Claudio Djaima.

 

The cat is out of the bag. Visa to Auroville. Who recommends ? Is it Secretary, an Indian Government servant answerable to Indian Parliament, in view of himself holding office in a Parliament created Foundation? NO. NO.NO. The so called resident’s assembly, its working committee, literally foreigners recommend visa for fellow foreigners. This power poses grave dangers to Indian security, yet Indian Government is in slumber.

 

Having said that Tamils face discrimination, the rest of Indians should not think that the neo-colony will welcome them with red carpet. Let me reproduce news from THE HINDU:

 

Row over carrying bags inside Auroville: [By our Staff Reporter] Auroville Dec.26 : Visitors to Matrimandir in Auroville were engaged in a scuffle with volunteers over an alleged racial discrimination this evening. As per instructions at the entrance, visitors have to leave their belongings at a counter before entering to the Matrimandir. Trouble started when a group, which was not allowed to carry its bag inside, pointed that the authorities were allowing foreigners in with bags, but not Indians. “We have so much cash in the bag but they did not allow us to take it in. So we asked our servant to stay here with the bag but we spotted a foreigner inside with a bag. How can they treat us like that? asked Shubhara Singh.

 

Accusing the authorities discrimination, her husband U.K.Singh asked other Indians in the crowd to stage a dharna. His father K.K.Singh, the BJP Gaya District President from Bihar, challenged the volunteers saying “we will show them what BJP’s dharma means. Let them realize what Indians are”

 

The volunteers meanwhile tried to shut the gates and directed visitors who still wanted to go through another path. A scuffle emerged when the visitors attempted to keep the volunteers from shutting the gates and some were pushed around….. So reports national daily The Hindu. Hats off to Biharis, they protested for entrance but we Tamils denied resident status just murmur, which never could reach the ears of Government of India, through its eyes, namely Intelligence Bureau.

 

Meanwhile most of my blogs are getting good responses. Let me quote one response.

 

Sampradayak June 24, 2008 at 6:21 am

 

You are correct: The Act has entrusted the primary responsibility for organizing various activities, formulating the master plan, raising of funds to the Residents Assembly.

But what mess is there in reality?

 

Several criminal clans have illegally shared between them the powers and functions of the Residents Assembly. These criminal groups have effectively kept the Residents Assembly’s meetings to 1-2 times a year, and restricted it to some general policy-making.

The Residents Assembly in the past 20 years has not organized any activities, has not formulated (but ratified only) the master plan, has not raised any funds. Everything has been privatized.

 

A thorough investigation is needed in SAIIER’s criminal activities. Crores of the central government grants received specifically for research has been misspent: where are the reports of this research and what kind of research is it if there are no results, no publications of such “research”? It is fraud: grants were spent on anything but research. Grants were spent on salaries, tuitions for Aurovillian children, feeding them, taking them on tours, buying them expensive equipment.

 

LET SUCH RESPONSES TRIGGER NATIONAL DEBATE ON AUROVILLE

 

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

3 Comments

AUROVILLE RENAMED AUROVILLAGE

June 29, 2008 at 1:20 am (Open Debate)
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STORY OF DECEIT:  ANOTHER “VATICAN” AUROVILLE STATE HERE?

 

France was another great imperial power who decolonized after the Second World War although her reasons and methods were quite different from Britain. “Whereas the British realized the colonies were beginning to become a burden the French believed they had to re-assert their national prestige by keeping control of their colonies. This may explain why the French experience of decolonization was so different to Britain. French decolonization was bloody and bitter whereas Britain was quite peaceful and quite painless. France fought two costly and bloody wars over her colonies. The first of these was in Indo-China, which had been under French rule since the 19th Century. During the Second World War Indo-China was invaded and occupied by the Japanese.  Vietminh led by Ho Chi Minh fought a guerrilla war against the Japanese. At the end of the Second World War the French intended to retake control of Indo-China but before they could the Vietminh declared independence. Fighting broke out in 1946 and continued for eight years before the French suffered a massive defeat at Dien Bien Phu. This was the decisive point of the war with an armistice being signed soon after. France had lost much in the war including 91,000 men and their colony”.

 

“France’s African Empire started to decolonize after the humiliating defeat at Dien Bien Phu as riots spread across the French African states. France realized she could not hold her empire together anymore and begun decolonizing. All the French African colonies were granted their independence between 1956 and 1960 with the exception Algeria. Algeria held a unique place within the French Empire as it had been formally integrated into France thus making it not a colony but a part of France itself”.

 

“An armed rebellion led by the F.L.N. (Front d’Liberation National) in 1954 led to bloody civil war in Algeria. In 1958 General de Gaulle was persuaded to come out of retirement to end the conflict in Algeria. Charles De Gaulle realized that France could not win the war and that it would be a major strain on the economy to continue it. He begun talks for independence and he and the F.L.N. leader signed a settlement in 1962”.

 

French dream to colonize Pondicherry:

 

History of French in India is a monumental work written by Colonel G.B.Malleson, which narrates the events that lead to the founding of Pondicherry in 1674 to the capture of that place in 1761. In the reign of Louis XII, in the year 1503, two ships of the merchants of Rouen took to seas and were never heard thereof. This marks the first French attempt to set foot on Indian soil. Though many had the urge nothing concrete emerged. On June 1 1604 “a company was established under Kings letters patent, granting it exclusive trade for 15 years.” This also failed to take of due to faction feuds among the founders. 7 years later Louis XIII tried again in vain to activate the company. During 1615 two merchants sought transfer of the company to them, which was stiffly opposed by the company. Hence as compromise formula the King created a coalition of both sides and conferred on July 2, 1615 letters patent. The next year two ships set to sail to India. Commodore de Nets was in charge of the big vessel and Captain Antoine Beaulieu of the smaller vessel. The Dutch crew in Beaulieu’s ship obeying the diktats of their government left the vessel of Beaulieu. And Beaulieu had to dispose the ship and join the vessel of Commodore de Nets. In spite of all such travails the venture was profitable. So the company launched 3 more vessels on trip to India. “Montmorenci” with 162 men, 22 guns with 450-ton capacity, L’Esperance with 117 men, 26 guns and 400-ton capacity, “L’Hermitage” with 30 men, 8 guns and with 75-ton capacity, were placed under Beaulieu’s chief command. In that trip the Dutch sank L’Hermitage. Next 20 years no further efforts to reach east were undertaken. In 1642 a new company “La Compagnie des Indes with Richelieu was launched but before ships could set to sail he passed away. A resting place mid way to Indes became their passion. The first French vessel to Madagascar reached its shores in summer of 1642.The local people resisted French settlers. The company had to incur heavy losses in combating local people and ultimately gave up its claims to Madagascar in 1672.

 

In 1664 French “Compagnie des Indes” with a capital of 15,000,000 livres was formed. A charter by the Government granted the company exclusive rights for 50 years to trade with India with total exemption from taxation. Government also agreed to reimburse all losses if any. They first went for Madagascar. On March 7, 1665 with four ships and 520 men. They changed its name to Isle Dauphin. Earlier Portuguese had called it Saint Lawrence. The local revolt against French occupation continued and culminated in the fierce massacre of almost all within the walls of Fort Dauphine.

 

These abortive attempts gradually led to French setting foot on Indian soil and making it a colony of France.

 

Reason for India becoming a destination:

 

Why do all colonialists set their eye on India? It is needless here to narrate how French obtained a foothold on Indian soil and how they later became rulers. It is vital to know why India was colonized, be it by the British, French and the Portuguese?

 

“The East India Company was founded in 1600 to sell British woolen cloth to India. Their ships arrived in Surat in 1608 with vast quantities of broadcloth but the trade soon faltered and died out. What changed their fortunes was the discovery of cotton, which was completely unknown in the west,” says Ms. Crill who had coauthored a book Trade, Temple and Court: Indian Textiles from Tapi Collections.

 

Another author of the same book Ms.Ruth Barnes states that “Textile trade surfaces repeatedly in the social and economic histories of these times. For centuries textiles were crucial currency in the Indian Ocean trade. If you wanted a piece of the spice trade in the 14 th century, you did not have a chance unless you showed up in the Eastern Indonesia with high quality textiles.” Well these textile scholars have stated one reason for India being a popular destination for colonialists. Colonialists came to market their products but were drawn towards buying Indian fabrics. “ Millions of Indian cotton arrived in England at that time, so much so that the wool and linen weavers began to protest and a law prohibiting Indian textiles was passed in 1700” says Rosemary Crill of the V&A Museum, London in her book.

 

Decolonization of French India:

 

Let me quote verbatim the last rituals performed for decolonizing Pondicherry as written in the book Decolonization of French India, since I do not want to be drawn in controversies by writing a new version myself. “The procedure incorporated into the joint communiqué, which was simultaneously published from New Delhi and Paris, ran as follows Desirous of reaching a final settlement on the question of the French establishments in India, The government of India and the Government of the French Republic through their representatives in Delhi has engaged in negotiations. As a result of these negotiations the two governments have agreement on the following procedure. All elected members of the representative assembly and the Municipal Councils of the establishments will be met at a Congress on October 18 in the settlement of Pondicherry to consider the joint proposals of the two governments for a final settlement of the future of the settlements and record their decision on these proposals as an expression of the wishes of the people”.

 

“An arête of the Commissaire de la Pepublique was published on 11 October in the Journal official of Pondicherry with a view to acquainting the people the conditions of the consultation. The Pondicherry Government issued summons to the elected municipal members of the south Indian settlements and the Representative assembly to meet at Kizhur about 10 miles on the border of west of Pondicherry on 18 October at 10 o’clock to decide the future of the French settlements in India”.

 

“The members of the four settlements whose election was valid up to 1 st January 1954 had been asked to vote on that day either for the continuation of French rule in these settlements or for merger of these settlements with the Indian Union. The importance of the Congress and the necessity of the members to attend the Congress were expressed in a circular, which was signed by the Secretary General for French India and dispatched to the elected members accompanied by the topographical map of the place where the congress was to be held together with the admission card. There was a proposal to hold the congress at karaikal, but that was set aside. Kizhur, a tiny hamlet situated in Indian Territory was finally chosen in order to avoid the disturbances, which the presence of Goubert and Muthupillai might have provoked if the congress had been held at Pondicherry. Balasubramanian, President of the Representative Assembly acted as presiding officer of the Congress. Out of 178, 170 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger with Indian Union and 8 voted against. The results were declared in the presence of Pierre Landy and Kewal Singh. The period of suspense was over”.

 

“The usual scene of excitement tension and violence, which had tainted previous elections in French India, was totally absent here in this hamlet. It was so to speak a parody of consultation. France had to agree to this as a sop to satisfy her constitutional requirements and India had to accept this verdict given by the members of the municipal councils and representative assembly whose elections she had protested as irregular. The signing of the treaty at New Delhi on 21 October followed this. The remaining 10 days witnessed the French India authorities make hectic preparations for total withdrawal from Pondicherry and Karaikal. As fixed earlier Escargueil left Pondicherry for France on 31 st October handing over charge to Pierre Landy. The French national flag was removed from the top of the Governors house in the evening of the same day. On 1 November of 1954 at 6.45 in the morning a document of transfer was signed between Pierre Landy representing France and Kewal Singh, Indian Consul general and Indian Commissioner designate in the official residence of the former. In Karaikal too Boucheney aided by Duvauchelle, an Officer of the foreign department who had recently arrived here, handed over power to the India administration”

 

“Immediately after this the Indian national flag was unfurled over the government house to the tumultuous ovation of thousands of people who had gathered there marking the close of seven-year tortuous negotiations. Throughout the day there was jubilation everywhere in Pondicherry, In Karaikal, in Mahe and in Yenam and the rest of India in this hour of joy. As a result of the historic decision taken at kizhur more than 3 lakh people rejoined their mother country India at the dawn of 1 November thereby ending 240-year-old French rule on the four settlements of South India”.

 

The people of India welcomed the residents of the erstwhile French settlements into the larger fold of Indian citizenship. “A part of India separated from the motherland is coming back to us on its own freewill” Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Rajendra Prasad said “we shall be equal partners in a common endeavor to work for the progress and prosperity of India” The congress of Kizhur facilitated the dissolution of French colonial rule in the French pockets, but French sovereignty over them continued legally till dejure transfer had taken place in 1962.

 

FRENCH AND FRENCH CITIZENS IN INDIA PRESENT STATUS:

 

The colonial rule created a new class of citizens, Indian born yet French citizens by option. These Indians have roots in Pondicherry but have their work and homes in France. For those left in the soil of Pondicherry France has constitutional arrangements to look after the interests of Indian born French citizens. This arrangement is unique and deserves close appraisal.

 

The notification issued by the Rastrapathi Bhavan recently had stated that hereafter the Ministry of Non Resident Indians will be named as Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in English and Pravasi Bharatiya Karya Mantralaya in Hindi. But within our country we have residing Non Resident French citizens but who Indians by birth but French citizens are by option. It will be interesting to compare with what French does for Overseas French affairs. When French left their former colonies, they left large sections who opted to become French citizens. There are more than 20 million French citizens living abroad in various former French colonies including Pondicherry, which is a Union Territory under Indian Union.

 

One hundred and fifty five delegates are elected by direct universal suffrage by the French communities abroad for a period of 6 years and this body is presided by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France.  French citizens in America elect 32 delegates and from Africa 47 seats thus the total of “A series of constituencies” is 79. In “B series” there are 76 seats and the break up is 52 seats from Europe and from Asia-Oceania and the Orient 24. Within these 24 seats two are chosen from Pondicherry. Half of the Electoral College is renewed every 3rd year.

All former colonies are divided into 52 electoral districts, with one or more delegates per district. A country may have several electoral districts, just as an electoral district may cover several countries.

 
French people residing abroad through their 155 representatives elect twelve Senators to French Parliament. They get elected one-third at a time for 8 years in 2004 and for 7 years in 2007 and for 6 years from 2010.Twelve personalities appointed by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs for six-year terms “by reason of their competence in matters concerning the general interests of France abroad”. They are renewed one-half at a time every three years.

 

The Constitution of 27 October 1946 (IVth Republic) stipulated that the new Parliament would comprise a National Assembly and a “Council of the Republic” (as the Senate was called until 1958) within which “the French of the Exterior” would be represented. This may be like our lower and upper houses in Parliament. The National Assembly pondered and decided how to effect this representation. It decreed, in a resolution dated 13 December 1946, that three “Councillor of the Republic” seats (out of 320) would go to personalities representing Non Resident French citizens living in Europe, America and Asia-Oceania-Orient respectively.

 

For more than two decade the following associations were looking after the interests of Non Resident French citizens in Paris. They are the Union of French Chambers of Commerce Abroad, the French Overseas Teachers Association, the Non-Resident French War Veterans Federation, and the Overseas French Union (Union des Français de l´étranger, UFE), founded in 1927. These four bodies mooted a suggestion for creation of a “high council” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The then Prime Minister, Robert Schuman, and his Foreign Minister, Georges Bidault signed a Decree setting up the High Council for French People residing abroad. on 7 July 1948.

 
The first High Council was composed of 55 members: 8 ex officio members (the three Senator-Councillors of the Republic, the president and director of the UFE, the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce, of the Teachers Association and of the War Veterans Federation, 42 elected officials, and 5 members nominated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”.

 
The first CSFE elections of 1950 were held in seventy countries of Europe, America, Asia and Oceania, according to a protocol defined in a Ministerial Decree dated 10 December 1949 and signed by Robert Schuman..

 

Article 24 of the Constitution of 25 September 1958 states, “French nationals settled outside France shall be represented in the Senate.” Two Executive Orders were issued, on 15 November 1958 and 4 February 1959 respectively, for organizing this representation and providing the CSFE with new status. The CSFE, while retaining its advisory role, became the sole Electoral College for electing Senators from abroad.

 

 Their numbers   increased from three to six, two representing Europe and America, one representing Asia-Oceania and three representing Africa. It was thus divided into three sections for the Senatorial elections of 23 April 1959. The CSFE had 84 elected members   but it became clear that Europe and America were under-represented in comparison with Africa.  The number of Senators was therefore brought up to nine for 1962 elections.

 

After the creation of the Democratic Association of French Citizens Abroad (Association Démocratique des Français à l´Etranger – ADFE) in 1980, the CSFE was reconstituted in 1982. The Act of 7 June 1982 paved way for the election by universal suffrage of Delegates to the CSFE, which (with the exception of twenty-one members chosen for their competence but not having Senatorial voting rights) was no longer a body of appointed personalities. And the election of twelve Senators thereafter is only by the elected members of the CSFE.

 

The AFE is entrusted by law with the task of advising the Cabinet. The Minister of Foreign Affairs defines the objectives and priorities of the assembly chaired by him. The Senators place before the Senate, the National Assembly and the Economic and Social Council the propositions, motions, resolutions and wishes expressed by their electors. The twelve Senators, ex officio members of the AFE, can introduce Bills or legislative amendments reflecting the hopes and needs of French people living around the world.

 

British left India satisfied with getting 2 nominated M.P Seats in the Loksabha for Anglo-Indians. France did not plead for seats in the legislature for Franco-Indians. It worked out the above stated arrangements to manage the Indian born French nationals.

 

Problems galore left by colonial legacy:

 

In the colonies, decades, in some countries centuries of colonial rule had resulted in major changes. In many cases, the borders of the colonies had been unilaterally drawn by Colonial powers with little regard for ethnicity and history. The border disputes India has with its neighbours is a left over of the colonial legacy. The contiguity of Pondicherry is missing and the enclave territories separated by miles scattered as dots remain in Indian map, which is also an issue of the colonial legacy and poses problem for gaining statehood to be on par with other Indian states.

 

We in India are still facing the issues left by the colonial legacy. Let us see the experience of Singapore and Malaysia and the issues which will be of importance too from our standpoint. Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore stated once that “ empires never last forever, that either the master and subject races finally merged to a unified society or the empire ends with subject races clashes violently and finally emerging as separate nation and entity.” Ironically, his statement can equally be applied to the independent country of Malaysia where race and racial issues are still a sensitive and election issue. Ethnocentrism was and is still not something that can ever be stamped out.

 

The Kingdom at a Crossroads written by Marijke van der Meer tells the story of Surinam. In the late 18th century the British swapped their South American colony – now known as Surinam – for Manhattan, and then controlled by The Netherlands. For many years the Dutch reckoned they had the better of the of the deal, after all the British lost Manhattan quite quickly, while Surinam only gained its independence in on November 25 1975.

 

Professor Oostindie opines that there was not enough time to find solutions too many of Surinam’s long standing issues. “The Dutch government did whatever was necessary to accomplish independence,” he says, “basically this was done by not solving several problems such as the border dispute with Guyana. They offered more development aid than had been conceived of before and they said that all Surinamers, even five years after independence, would be eligible for Dutch nationality, stimulating an exodus to The Netherlands. Today there are just over 400,000 people in Surinam but there are 300,000 people of Surinamese descent in The Netherlands. The whole demographic growth of this nation has been in The Netherlands rather than Surinam. The offer of French citizenship to people of Pondicherry origin by the French created a similar exodus which needs a comparative study.

 

AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL CITY

 

By historical accident India became a colony. It won independence. In British India, all became Indian citizens. But in French India, we still have French citizens of course Indian born. No one will find fault with this accidental occurrence of history. But they are not voting in Indian elections, but are electing Representatives to work under Foreign Ministry of French Parliament. Even this if we have to brush aside as accident of history, there is no need for international city. While the Mother of Ashram was alive lot of people donated their properties all over the India. She only registered a Trust in India’s Vanur Taluk, since there were no Trust laws in French India. Later after French India merged with Indian Union, she registered Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, inclusive of properties in and around Pondicherry. But all the properties throughout India were with Sri Aurobindo Society, a Marwari dominated society, under whose control Auroville was initiated, which ended in mismanagement and take over by Government of India. The Mother of Ashram hails from France and learnt occultism in Egypt. We have strong reservations about her international city concept. We link that dream to the other legacies left over by colonial rule, like French nationality which participates in French elections. Having lost French India, through her, France could have thought of bringing French men to reside in an international city. To practice yoga, many ashrams exist in India. Even along the East Coast Road, builders are planning New Cities, to meet the housing demand of growing population. This international city does not belong to that type of cities. Those cities are open to anyone who buys property there. But here they don’t admit Tamils as residents, allow mostly foreigners as residents, thereby sustaining the suspicion that this is another colony of the west in our midst.

 

POLITICS OF ANARCHY:

 

What political organization do you want for Auroville? To this question Mirra Alfasa replies: An amusing definition occurs to me: A divine anarchy. But the world will not understand. Men must be conscious of their psychic being and organize themselves spontaneously, without fixed rules and laws- that is the ideal. (Source: Draft II of a working paper on an international organization for Auroville September 2001)

 

Mirra Alfasa, as you said world in your time may not understand the DIVINE ANARCHY let loose by you, but in present day even a LKG child will understand that you are against the laws of the land and want to create a lawless society.

 

RE-COLONIZATION

 

A global campaign to raise $ 1 million or 5 crores by Mother’s birthday on 21 st February 2004. (From 1 st January to November 2003 $ 550.000 has been donated) This is twice the amount Land Fund usually receives in a year. An excellent boost for Land Fund, and the equivalent of about 65 acres of precious land for Auroville. (Source: Land Fund News Letter number 31 November- December 2003)

 

If $ 550,000 dollars can buy 65 acres what price is for 1 acre, and whether that price goes to the actual owner?

 

A SEPARATE CURRENCY

 

The mere idea of a separate currency for a community within India is the first step to establish a city state like Vatican here. Out of 191 member states of the world in United Nations, Vatican has opted out to remain outside the purview of UN, in spite of enjoying a status of a separate country. Similarly Aurovillians want to keep Auroville outside India and its constitution. THE FIRST STEP TO INTRODUCE AUROSE, a legal tender for Auroville is in place. (Source: Auroville News April 7 th 2001)

 

Who is the Finance Minister of this new state, not born out of Tamil extremism but a product of Auro extremism?

 

EMBASSY IN DELHI:

 

The newly yet to be independent country or a princely state or a colony of Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh’s son Karan Singh intends to open an embassy in the National capital of Delhi. “There is a possible opening for an Auroville “embassy” in Delhi through the possible help from Indian Habitat Centre.” (Source: Auroville News Feb 19 th 2000)

 

Before attaining freedom from India Auro extremists want an embassy. Will government of India allow Nagaland and other claimants of separate nations to open an embassy in Delhi?

 

All these questions need a national debate. Let Aurobindo Ashram and Matrimandir along with followers of Aurobindo become one entity, one unit, one Trust or one Ashram, and let them live as Ashramites preaching their philosophy like other Ashrams in India. They can build ashrams from Kashmir, where Dr.Karan Singh will willingly donate his palace, to Kanyakumari. No one will object that. But the International City concept creates suspicion that it contains seeds like Vatican type state, and this should not be allowed, that too under a Government of India organization, answerable to Indian Parliament in letter and spirit. We cannot be taken for a ride by Utopian dreams that undermines our nation’s sovereignty. It was a dream to house 50,000 but after 40 years only 1619 people reside. Hence international city is dead, why does Indian Government sustain a dead city concept. Let Auro village become Auroashram.

 

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

 

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AUROVILLE : TAMILS ALERT HRD MINISTRY

June 26, 2008 at 4:33 am (Open Debate, pondicherry)
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BEFORE PREACHING HUMAN UNITY DR.KARAN SINGH USHER UNITY AMONG 1619 AUROVILLE RESIDENTS and 1282 ASHRAM INMATES

 

First time in its history Auroville Foundation had realized that it is answerable to Indian public and is a Government of India organization and not one run by a neo-east India company. Under Right to Information Act they had partially provided the information sought, for which we thank the Secretary Mr.Ramasamy I.A.S, whose continuance irritates the whites conspiring to remove him. The rule by in-charge, who it seems, had amassed income beyond known sources of income dancing to the tune of the neo-colonialists suits vested interests who try always to clip the wings of clean officials.

 

Auroville Foundation in its reply No AF/G/4-A/2054 dated 23rd June 2008 states that “most of the areas of Auroville area lies in Villupuram District of Tamil nadu and comprises the Panchayats of Irumbai and Bommayarpalayam. Small area of this Auroville lands are in Kottakuppam, Rayapudukuppam, Mathur Panchayats and Alankuppam within the Union Territory of Pondicherry”

 

Thanks for the information given by Auroville Foundation. But we want to give additional information to Indian Government and Indian public. The villagers of Irumbai, Bommayarpalayam, Kottakuppam, Rayapudukuppam and Mathur Panchayats coming under Tamil Nadu Government had given representations to the District Collector of Villupuram District of Tamilnadu protesting the action of Tamilnadu Government giving in long lease government puramboke lands of these villages to Auroville Foundation. These representations are numerous signed by most of the villagers. For example to cite few representations, we would recall the memorandums dated 5.08.1998, 11.02.2002 and 20.10.2002. Not only memorandums, a peaceful Protest March also took place and in end a Memorandum was given to the famous Secretary-in-charge of Auroville Foundation. A copy of that memorandum was given to the District Collector. On that basis a tri-partite talks took place between the villagers and Auroville Foundation in the presence of Vanur Taluk Tahsildar, which ended in reaching no agreement. This is history of the continuing struggle of local Tamil people. Meanwhile Supreme Court Advocate Dr.L.M.Singhvi M.P writes a letter to then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Selvi J.Jayalalitha on 16th February 2002. In his letter it is said:

 

Dear Dr.Jayalalitha

 

I would like to call on you, inter alia, with regard to the project of Auroville, which has rendered great service to the neighbouring villages of the Villupuram District of Tamilnadu.

 

The Auroville project has received an accolade and endorsement from UNESCO. It aims at Education for Human Unity. It has a spiritual dimension and provides for unprecedented experiments and innovations in science of consciousness and pedagogy, which have a national and international importance. A large number of children in Villupuram District will also be receiving quality education under the project.

 

Auroville Foundation enshrines the vision of Aurobindo, which was elaborated by the Mother as a concept of collective yoga. That vision is embodied in the Master Plan of Auroville, which had now been prepared and approved in consonance with the mandate of the Auroville Foundation Act 1988. The Master Plan was prepared with the active participation of Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and has already been adopted and approved under the provisions of the Auroville Foundation Act. I am sending herewith a copy of the Master plan for your ready reference. I would request you to consider promulgating the Auroville Master plan and entrust the task of implementing all follow-up liaison measures to a designated officer of the Government of Tamilnadu.

 

As a Member of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation, I feel that this Master Plan will provide an excellent example of development and will benefit the entire bio-region in and around Auroville.

 

The development of Auroville, however, requires protection of the area from potential speculators, who want to take undue advantage of the ecological development made by Auroville. In order to achieve that objective the Tamilnadu Government has been approached by the Auroville Foundation for protection and help. It has been suggested that the Tamilnadu Government could issue an order in favour of Auroville Foundation similar to the one that had been issued, no one may develop, buy or sell any area, which falls within the Master Plan of Auroville, unless the Auroville Foundation gives a No Objection Certificate.

 

It would be gracious of you to extend your whole hearted support to the Auroville Project and its development which would be crucial at this juncture.

 

I would like to call on you personally to congratulate you and to explain the representation made by Auroville in the afternoon of March 2nd or March 3rd , if any of these dates is convenient to you.

 

I would also like you to visit Auroville whenever you can.

 

Yours sincerely

L.M.Singhvi

 

Addressed to: Dr.J.Jayalalitha, Poes Gaerdden, Chennai [as spelt in his letter]

 

In the party letter head of ALL INDIA ANNA DRAVIDA MUNNETRA KAZHAGAM dated 1st March 2002 J.JAYALALITHA, General Secretary A.I.A.D.M.K party, Chief Minister Designate of Tamilnadu, 81/80 Poes Garden, Chennai 600086 replies:

 

Dear Dr.L.M.Singhvi

 

I received your letter dated 16.02.2002 and thank you very much for the kind sentiments expressed therein.

 

I wish to inform you that I am in total agreement with you on the need to preserve the ecological balance attained in Auroville over the years, through its diverse and sustained efforts in fields such as development, environment, education and spirituality. I assure you that I will give my serious consideration to the request you made in this regard.

 

However, I think I may have to deny the pleasure of meeting you on March 2nd or 3rd in view of other occupations. I am sure we will be able to meet later. With kind regards, I remain. Yours sincerely J.Jayalalithaa

 

Addressed to :D r.L.M.Singhvi M.P Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Formerly India’s High Commissioner in U.K. 18 Willingdon Crescent, New Delhi.

 

BIG NAMES AND REPUTED MEN ARE ADVOCATING THE AUROVILLE CAUSE BUT THERE IS NO MAHATHMA GANDHI TO SPEAK FOR THE TAMIL VILLAGERS. In whole of India only Mehta Patkar comes to memory, when it matters fighting for displaced people. In big dams though people are displaced, the benefits reach millions of people who get water and electricity out of such projects. But from Auroville project is anyone in nearby villages benefited? Take for example the condition imposed on villagers that they should get No Objection Certificate from Auroville Foundation if they want to sell their lands. The fundamental right is curtailed to benefit a single buyer, who can dictate the price. And while an area develops people living there for centuries in poverty get a centuries chance to get a good price for their lands to redeem their families from the clutches of poverty. This chance is curtailed by the neo-colony set up here in Tamil soil.

 

Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi, current Chief Minister of Tamilnadu is a vociferous champion of State Autonomy. I would like to recall the State Autonomy Conference held at Annanagar of Chennai in 1970, wherein Punjab Chief Minister Gurnam Singh participated, in which I as Student DMK leader along with 4 other party functionaries of Puducherry handed over the State Autonomy Torch in the hands of Kalaignar.Kalaignar. He must know how East India Company obtained concessions from Indian Maharajas, who were blissfully unaware what future holds for their lands.

 

It may sound harsh statement. But I am duty bound to explain the reasons to Indian public.

 

To my question on how many Tamils are given citizenship in Auroville, or if this usage is not to your liking, how many Tamils are made Aurovillians, i.e. residents, the answer given by the Auroville Foundation is: “There is no separate enumeration of Tamil people of Auroville. Out of total 1619 Aurovillians, 472 are Indians” is the reply. Going through the information provided,

 

The approximate nationality wise break up is as follows : Americans 71, Argentinean  9, Australian 13, Austrian 9, 1 Bangladesh , Belgians 22, Brazilians 5, British 52, Canadian 27, Columbian 2, Dutch 72, Ethiopian 1, French 278, German 219, Hungarian 3, Israeli 6, Hungarians 3, Italians 79, Japanese 4, Kazak 1, Korean 11, Lithuanian 2,Moroccan 1, New Zealand 1, Russian 38, Ukrainian 21, Spanish 31, Srilankan 4, Sweden 11, Swiss 45, Tibet 7, Tunisia 1, Finnish 1, Bulgarian 1 Ethiopian 1, Irish 1. The Indians as per the statistics given are 472. [This will be corrected and updated soon]

 

1. Indian voter lists are available freely in internet. There never exists secrecy. Similarly instead of politicians like me seeking information under Right to Information Act, the Auroville Foundation must publish its residents list in its websites. It need not shy or avoid transparency. We have nothing against all foreigners staying there; our Tamil soil nourished in universal out look for centuries by our poets and philosophers considers humanity as one. “All country is our country, all men are our kinsmen” said our Great Poet Kaniyan Poongunran 2000 years ago. But we have strong reservations about some people sneaking into Tamil soil to make our sons of soil as second class citizens. The foreigners, few with criminal background, wanted in other countries, land here from countries with which India has no extradition treaty. They assume Indian pseudonym and their original names not known. Further Interpol red alerts or warnings are not updated in our CBI websites, neither the local police are aware of such Interpol warnings. The open admission by the BBC fame Mr.Carel Theime, of Auroville Working Committee that they just sent out only and one and only peadophile with a honourable farewell instead of handing over to Police thereby giving breathing time of few more years to Mr. Didier Kieme to continue his atrocities against children of Pondicherry till he was nabbed 4 more years after being sent out by Auriville, necessitated us, to campaign for publishing the original lists of Auroville residents with their nationality. It will help Intelligence Bureau to scan the list or it will help CBI to track down wanted criminals. Other foreigners who have clean records and original passports, who are really doing good to Tamil people, need not have any phobia about our campaign.

 

2. The admission by Auroville Foundation that it has only 472 Indians as its residents raised serious questions. The Aurobindo Ashram issues a Prosperity card to its inmates, which are more or less its membership list. As per 1999 list available with us the Ashram inmates are 1282 people. These 1282 people, if we take all of them as Aurobindo’s disciples in general, must have sought admission to become residents of Auroville. Naturally, Auroville is a dream of a French woman, they worship as their Mother, and Aurobindo Ashram inmates must have sought residence in Auroville. If they had sought, was it accepted or vetoed. If vetoed who vetoed it, and for what reason? Is Auroville exclusively a town for foreigners who are disciples of Aurobindo? Does it have place for Indian followers of Aurobindo or not? These questions the big names that associate with Ashram and Auroville must ponder and introspect.

 

3. Auroville has 1619 residents and Aurobindo Ashram has 1282 inmates. Is it written by Brahma in the head of Tamil people that they should become refugees in their own soil, parting their traditional lands, so that 3000 people can set up a colony in their midst ? They speak about human unity, and how can human unity be achieved by keeping away local Tamil people. Mother Theresa helped all the poor, why not such noble spirits exist in the Super minds of Aurobindonians? I have repeatedly charged that All Mutts in India are doing charity and only one ashram that does no charity is Aurobindo Ashram. Like Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the Ex-Kashmiri Maharaja ruled Auroville and like Indian side Kashmir, the Indian followers led by notorious egoist Mr.Manoj Das Gupta controlling the areas in Pondicherry, which they still proudly proclaim as white town, always feeling that colonialist are superior to Indians. Why this division? The Aurobindo-Mirra Alfasa samathi with Aurobindo Ashram, The Matrimandir with Auroville. After all both belongs to the followers of Aurobindo. I am not his follower. I am the follower of Aringnar Anna, wanting to establish Aringnar Anna Rationalist University under Aringnar Anna Foundation. I will not aspire anything within Aurobindo circle. But as rationalist, I could not see why there exists two Trusts one Government controlled Auroville Foundation and one Aurobindo Ashram Trust headed by the President’s chair that is kept vacant.

 

 If only foreigners understand Aurobindo’s philosophy, as it appears out of 1619 Auroville residents except 472 Indians, majority being foreigners, why not set up international city in a foreign country, than in a remote Tamil village ?

 

4. The Chairman of the Governing Board of Auroville Foundation Dr.Karan Singh, who hails from Kashmir owns Kashmiri Palace and he recently appeared in television and told that the rent he is getting is not lucrative. Dr.Karan Singh, my humble request to you, is please donate your Kasmir Palace to Auroville Foundation, set up an University there to propagate the philosophy of Aurobindo Ghosh, and people say you are a great scholar in that subject and can become the Vice Chancellor of that University. Instead of uprooting Tamil people from their traditional soil, go to your own soil where terrorism had wiped out all human unity from the minds of people filled with hatred towards each other; preach the gospel of human unity unmindful of terrorism. Mahatma Gandhi visited riot affected regions preaching the message of love and human unity. Why not you, after adoring so many posts under Government of India, lucky in a way from rest of the Maharajas who faded into oblivion with the abolition of privy purses by the Iron lady Indira Gandhi, spend rest of your like in your Kashmir teaching Aurobindo’s Human Unity concept, as you try to do here in a remote village called Auroville? A city which was originally planned for 50,000 people has only 1619 residents. It is less than miniature village. Hence I won’t hereafter call it international city, it is an international village, where so many trusts, sub trusts, show case their achievements with grandiose phrases and get all exemptions under the Sun in India, making us think it is tax haven that is why it attracts foreigners. We all know that only pirates searching for loot in mid seas and new lands were the early settlers in all colonies of the colonial era, subjugating indigenous people. Hence, sorry if we are suspicious about the real intention of the foreign settlers in our vicinity. We are cautious that history should not repeat. Should we remain nincompoops just because Dr.Karan Singh, who had not rehabilitated even his Kashmiri Pundits in Auroville, gives a clean chit to all Trusts, which are out of control by the Government created Auroville Foundation.

 

5. The larger question before Aurobindo’s followers is: The heirs of Mahatma Gandhi did not reap political benefits but other Gandhi’s, not his kith and kin, enjoyed uninterrupted power. Similarly the blood relatives of Aurobindo Ghosh were denied admission in Aurobindo Ashram, and they fought legal battles over Tampering of Aurobindo’s works by two Americans. It is a curse in India that all movements of great leaders and philosophers are hijacked by others who nourish their dynasties. I am not a warrior of your cause. All great names, who had filled their brains with every verse of Aurobindo, fight the colonial mind and their commercial trusts hidden under the guise of Auroville Foundation, masking their material aspirations under a spiritual camouflage. Liberate the Aurobindo ashram from the clutches of mismanagement and egoist life long Trustees, make it a place that treats Tamils too as human beings before they preach human unity to hoodwink the donors and world.

 

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

 

 

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STATUS REPORT ON CASES CONCERNING AUROBINDO ASHRAM

June 24, 2008 at 6:32 am (Open Debate)
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AUROBINDO ASHRAM UNDER SCANNER

 

We live in days when Right to Information Act is passed, thanks to all those who fought for it to become a reality. Aurobindo Ashram Trust had all these days expelled people who raised their voices from within. Using food as weapon to subjugate inmates was shamelessly practiced by the Trustees headed by Mr.Manoj Das Gupta. All institutions and religions had faced internal problems, that had been dealt by punishing those who erred or by eliminating the misdeeds and doers. Only here ego makes Mr.Manoj Das Gupta shield all wrong happenings within. The list of cases given below should help the activists fighting under Right to Information Act, to cleanse the system.

 

Mr.Shyamsundar Jhunjhunwala, Editor of Aurobindo Action, octogenarian and famous among Aurovillians, and me joined hands in nineties to see that a hundred year and more old Distillery situated in Pondicherry beach which was drawing more than 2 lakh litres of ground water, shifted from beach to a inland location. Supreme Court Advocate Sanjay Parikh got us success in Supreme Court. But politicians were not willing to comply. It was made an election issue in 1996, and the new Government shifted the distillery. This contact made many from within Ashram approach me for guidance when they formed associations to air their grievances from within. If complaints like peadophilia and sexual harassment had been dealt with iron hands instead of shielding culprits, so much dirty linen about Ashram would not have been washed in public.The arrogance of the trustees is the root cause of all that goes wrong, only time will give them the average consciousness of a human being in a civilized society, to see wrong as wrong and to weed out weeds, not those who point out the wrong happenings.

 

  N.Nandhivarman, General Secretary Dravida Peravai]

 

 

LIST OF CASES AGAINST AUROBINDO ASHRAM TRUST MANAGEMENT & OTHER CONNECTED MATTERS AS ON 21. 06. 2008

 

 

1.1985 C.C. No. 4 of 1985     Pondicherry CID of Police vs. Sonali Mukherjee & Ashatit Poddar. CJM, Pondicherry Punishment under Sec. 324 and 309 of IPC for causing injuries and attempt to commit suicide.

Accused pleaded guilty and released on payment of fine amount.

 

2.1986 S.C. No. 34  of 1986   S. Bhattacharya Vs. Sonali Mukherjee  & Ashatit Poddar         Dist Sessions  Judge Court,Pondicherry Murder committed by Inmate.

Presently holding important Position in the Ashram Management.

Pending in S.C.

 

 

3.1988 Crl. A. No. 502 of 1988 Sonali Mukherjee vs. S. Bhattacharya

Madras High Court       Punishment under IPC for Murder committed by Inmate.

Pending in SC.

 

4. 1988 Crl. A. No. 509 of 1988 Ashatit Poddar vs. Bhattacharya

Madras High Court       Punishment under IPC for Murder committed by Inmate.

Pending in SC.

 

5.1994 Tax Case No. 734 of 1994 The Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Sri Aurobindo Memorial Fund High Court: Madras            Tax evasion in the name of charity

Disposed.

 

6.1996 C.S No. 1725 of 1996 SAAT Vs. Institute doe Researche Evolutive and

others   Madras High Court       Copyright

Compromised.

 

7.1996 F.A. No. 570 of 1996  Sri Aurobindo Ashram vs. Jean Valentine Helene

Madras High Court Appeal on Dining Room Partition Suit

Compromised.

 

8.1996 Cr.No. 316 of 1996     State rep by SHO, Kottakuppam vs. Kake Johar

& Pradip Lal    Kottakuppam P.S, Tamil Nadu Punishment under IPC for House breaking, Forcible dispossession and theft.

Closed.

 

9.1996 O.S. No. 1987 of 1996 Kuntala Rout vs. HCP, Managing Trustee        I ADM, Pondicherry Food and facilities denied. Arbitrary expulsion of inmate.

Dismissed.

 

 

 

10.1997C.C. No. 117 of 1997            Bailochan Parida vs. Subrato Gupta      CJM, Pondicherry        Punishment under IPC for Criminal intimidation, threat to life and Trespass committed against an inmate by person close to Ashram Management.

Compromised.

 

11.1997 Cr. No. 64 of 1997 Odian Salai Police Station, Pondicherry SHO rep. by Odian Salaai P.S.,  Pondy Vs. Vasant Kumar Pati       CJM, Pondicherry        Punishment under IPC for Forgery and impersonation &  Money Swindling Rs. 45/- Lakhs.. By an Inmate close to Ashram Management.

Case Closed without trial. Accused discharged.

 

12.1997 O.P. No. 22 of 1997  N. Nandhivarman vs. SAAT & Trustees

PDJ, Pondicherry Furnishing of Audited statement of Assets and properties and accounts.

After 4 lawyers engaged backtracked petitioner gave up unable to spend more after exhausting nearly 8 years

:Dismissed.

 

13.1997 O.S No. 91 of 1997   Bailochan Parida vs. SAAT & Trustees III ADM,

Pondicherry Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Withdrawn by Plaintiff.

 

14.1997 O.S. No. 12 of 1997  Inmates’ Assn vs. Registrar of Companies, Saat and others       III ADM, Pondicherry            Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.      Dismissed.

 

15.1997 O.S. No. 89 of 1997  S Jivarajani vs. SAAT &Trustees          III ADM,

Pondicherry      Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Dismissed.

 

16.1997O.S. No. 90 of 1997   D. Agarwal vs. SAAT &TrusteesIII ADM, Court,

Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Dismissed.

 

17.1997 O.S.No. 89 of 1997   Kamal Dora vs. SAAT& Trustees        III ADM,

Pondicherry      Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Dismissed

 

18.1997Scheme Suit -Not numbered filed in 1997   N. Nandhivarman vs. SAAT

& Trustees PDJ, Pondicherry    Scheme Suit to frame rules and remove Trustees.

For nearly 8 years unnumbered case went on with lawyers engaged returning papers. Dismissed.

 

 

 

19.1998O.S. No. 287 of 1998 Banchanidhi vs. SAAT and others         III ADM,

Pondicherry Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Dismissed.

 

20.1998 O.S. No. 37 of 1998  Kamal Dora vs. SAAT and the another III ADM,

Pondicherry Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Dismissed

 

21.1998 Civil Rule No. 113(SH) of 1998 The Holy Mother of Aurobindo Ashram of Pondicherry vs. State of Meghalaya and ors.            HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI (SHILLONG BENCH)

Renewal of Land Lease.

Allowed.

MOTHER WHO WAS NOT ALIVE FILED A SUIT AND WON THEREBY CREATING A LANDMARK PRECEDENT.

 

22.1999 C- 2598 of 1999Anil Ghosh Vs. Manoj das Gupta & 9 others.CJM, Alipore,

Calcutta Punishment under IPC offences for Forgery, Cheating and conspiracy by Trustees & others.

Charges framed against Accused.

 

23.1999 CRR No. 1966 of 1999 HCP & others Vs. Anil Ghosh Calcutta High Court  Forgery, cheating and Conspiracy by Trustees & others.

Dismissed

 

24.1999 O.S. No. 57 of 1999  SAA Inmates’ Assn. Vs.SAAT and others III ADM,

Pondicherry      Suit for production of Accounts.

Dismissed

 

25.1999 S.C. No. 61 of 1999  State rep. by Inspector of Police Grand Bazaar P.S Vs. Kamal Shah and others Dist. Sessions Judge, Pondicherry

Rape & Murder committed by Inmate close to Ashram Management.

The brother of the accused is also accused is absconding.

Life imprisonment for A-1.

 

 

26.1999 Title Suit No. 117 of 1999    M. Guha Vs. SAAT & Trustees Munsif Court, Krishnanagar, Bengal    Tampering of Aurobindo`s works-Savitri by Trustees & others

Dismissed.

 

 

 No. 467 of 1999 S. Roy vs. SAAT       Calcutta High Court

PIL for removal of Trustees

Dismissed

 

28.2000 Tax Case No. 127 of 2000 The Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Sri Aurobindo Memorial Fund       High Court of Madras

Tax evasion in the name of charity

Disposed.

 

29.2000 C.C. No. 338 of 2000 Murugavel vs. RK Selvarajan

SDM, Pondicherry Punishment under IPC for Criminal Defamation.       Accused acquitted.

 

30.2000 C.M.A. No. 7 of 2000 SAAT vs. Kamal Dora PDJ, Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Closed.

 

31.2000 Crl. O.P No. 23831 of 2000 R.K. Selvarajan vs. IGP, Pondicherry

Madras High Court

Punishment under IPC for Forgery, impersonation and cheating

Directions to IGP given to REGISTER MAIL Complaint.

 

32.2000 HRCOP No. 95of 2000R.K.S Vs SAATPDM, Pondicherry

Forgery, impersonation and cheating

Pending.

 

33.2000 I.A. No. 270 of 2000 SAA Inmates’ Assn. Vs SAAT and others        PDJ, Pondicherry         Appeal for production of accounts.

Dismissed.

 

34.2000 O.S. No. 338 of 2000 SMV vs. RKS (SAAT Property)

ASJ, Pondicherry Defamation Suit

Dismissed.

 

35.2000 Tax Case No. 28 of 2000 Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop Trust vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT High Court of Madras

Cases filed challenging Income Tax.

Disposed.

 

36.2000 Tax Case No. 266 of 2000 Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop Trust vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT High Court of Madras

Cases filed challenging Income Tax.

Disposed.

 

 

37.2000 Tax Case No. 270 of 2000   Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop Trust vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT

High Court: Madras

Cases filed challenging Income Tax.

Disposed.

 

38.2001 CRP No. 2230 of 2001SAAT & others Vs. Jayasree Prasad and others High Court of Madras

Disciplinary.

Disposed.

 

39.2001 CRP No. 2534 of 2001Jayashree Prasad & others Vs. SAAT & others         High Court: Madras      Challenging Disciplinary action.

Disposed.

 

40.2001O.S. No. 215 of 2001 Hemlata vs. SAAT & others     I ADM, Pondicherry     Challenging Expulsion

Closed.

 

41.2001 C.C. NO. 610 of 2001 Inmates Assn. vs. SAAT & others      JMI, Pondicherry          Punishment under IPC for Cheating

Complaint Dismissed

 

42.2001 Cr.R.P.No. 1 of 2001 R.K. Selvarajan Vs.S.Murugavel

Addl. Sessions Judge, Pondicherry        Discharge on Crl.

Defamation on Property Scam reported in Media.

Discharge Revision

Dismissed.

 

43. 2001 Appeal (Crl.). No. 2799 of 2001 Union Territory of Pondicherry Vs. Sonal Mukherjee and others    Supreme Court of India

Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 2799-2800/2001 (From the judgment and order dated 22/09/2000 in CRLA 502/88 and 509/88 of

The HIGH COURT OF MADRAS)

Disposed.

 

44.2001 Appeal(Crl.).No. 2800 of 2001Union Territory of Pondicherry Vs. Sonal Mukherjee and others        Supreme Court of India Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 2799-2800/2001 (From the judgment and order dated 22/09/2000 in CRLA 502/88 and 509/88 of The HIGH COURT OF MADRAS)

Disposed

 

 

45.2001 Crl. appeal No. 673 of 2001

Sonali Mukherjee vs. Bhattacharya S.

Supreme Court of India

Punishment under IPC for Murder committed by Inmate.

Pending.

[To be taken up soon, SC journalists please track this case… N.N]

 

46.2001 Crl.O.P.NO. 16790 of 2001 R.K. Selvarajan Vs.

S.Murugavel     Madras High Court

Discharge on Crl.Defamation on Property Scam reported in Media        Discharge

Revision Dismissed.

 

47.2001 CRP No. 195 of 2001 SAAT & another vs. Kamal

Dora    Madras High Court

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and Facilities.

Allowed.

 

48.2001Misc. Appeal No. 20 of 2001M. Guha vs. SAAT & Trustees IV ADJ, Nadia

Tampering of Aurobindo’sWorks

Dismissed

 

49.2001 O.S. No. 253 of 2001 Jayshree & others Vs. SAAT & others

I ADM, Pondicherry     Suit challenging Show Cause Notice.

Dismissed on 09.03.2007.

 

50.2001 O.S. No. 769 of 2001 Srikant J vs. SAAT &

Others  II ADM, Pondicherry   Criminal Defamation

Acquitted.

 

51.2001 OS NO. 298 of 2001 RK Selvarajan vs. SAAT PDM, Pondicherry

To declare the shady deal as null and void.

Pending.

 

52.2001 STR No. 864 of 2001 Hemlata vs. HCP and others   JMI, Pondicherry         Criminal Defamation

Acquitted

 

53.2001 Suit No. 985 of 2001 Debkumar Ghosh vs. SAAT & others Delhi High Court

Copyright Suit

Pending.

 

54.2001 T. No. 581 of 2001Mandeep Mishra and others Vs. Union of India, SAAT

& Trustees       Calcutta High Court

PIL on the ground of Tampering Aurobindo’s Works

Pending.

55.2002 CRP PD No. 1050 of 2002   SAAT & others Vs. Jayasree Prasad & others  High Court: Madras

Disciplinary.

 

56.2002 CRP PD 787 of 2002 SAAT & others Vs. Hemalata High Court of Madras  Enquiry Commission.

Disposed.

 

57.2002 CMA NO. 1 of 2002            SAAT & others Vs. Srikanth    PDJ, Pondicherry

Appeal on mandatory injunction of implementing MOU passed by II ADM.       Allowed.

 

58.2002 Cr Appeal No. 836 of 2002  Bhattacharya S. vs. Sonali Mukherjee & State

Rep. by Pondicherry police.      Supreme Court of India

Punishment under IPC for Murder committed by Inmate.

Pending.

 

59.2002 Crl. Appeal No. 835 of 2002 Bhattacharya. S. Vs. Asthatit Poddar

Supreme Court of India

Punishment under IPC for Murder committed by Inmate.

Pending.

 

60.2002 CRR. NO. 2731 of 2002 MDG & others Vs. Anil Ghosh      Calcutta High

Court   Forgery, Cheating and Conspiracy

Allowed.

 

61.2002 O.S. N. 668 of 2002  Hemlata vs. SAAT & others     I ADM,

Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

62. 2002 W.P. No. 40514 of 2002 E. Dakshnamourthy Vs SAAT &

Others  Madras High Court       PIL for removal of Trustees

Pending.

 

 

63.2003 C.O. No. 2915 of 2003 Marjana Guha vs. SAAT and

Others  Calcutta High Court      Tampering Aurobindo’s Works

Dismissed.

 

64.2003 O.S. NO. 663 of 2003 Bailochan Parida vs. SAAT and

Others  I ADM, Pondicherry

Pending.

 

 65.2003 STR. No. 248 of 2003 State Rep. by SHO Grand Bazaar P.S. vs. Sunil Rajpal          CJM, Pondicherry

Trespass & wrongful restraint by Ashram Vasant close to Management.

Accused Acquitted.

 

66.2003 TOP NO. 11/2003 R.K. Selvarajan vs. SAAT & another       PDJ, Pondicherry         Transfer in House Grabbing

Closed.

 

67.2004 C.C. No. 173 of 2004 PP Raghavachary vs. Manoj Das Gupta and 9 others.       CMJ, Pondicherry

Punishment under IPC for House Breaking & Forcible Dispossession of inmate by Trustees & their henchmen.

Accused Discharged.

 

68. 2004 C.M.A. No. 18 of 2004 Patit Paban Ghosh Vs SAAT

And others ASJ, Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

69.2004 C.M.A. No. 23 of 2004 SAAT and others Vs. Raghavachary

ASJ, Pondicherry

Arbitrary denial of Food and facilities and harassment

CMA filed by SAAT & Trustees dismissed on 30.01.2007.

 

70. 2004 C.R.P. (PD) No. 860 of 2004 SAAT & others VS.

Bailochan Parida Madras High Court

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities.

Remanded to Lower Court.

 

71.2004 C.R.P. P.D NO 2369 of 2004  SrikanthVs SAAT and

Others  Madras High Court

Mandatory Injunction of implementing MOU.

Dismissed.

 

72.2004 Crime No. 28 of 2004 CB-CID, Tamilnadu, Chennai CB CID, T.N. Police Vs.

Vasant Pati     JM, Chennai

Medical Seat cheating by rowdy close to Management.

Pending.

 

 73.2004 Crl. M.P. No 1301 of 2004 in Crime No. 2 of 2003 by CID Police,

Pondicherry    Manoj Das Gupta vs. State Rep. be CID Police, Pondicherry

PDJ, Pondicherry

Anticipatory Bail by Ashram Managing Trustee in a   property scam.

Enlarged on Bail.

 

74.2004 Crl. R.C. No. 653 of 2004 SAA Inmates’ Association

Vs. Manoj Das Gupta and others          Madras High Court

Punishment under IPC Cheating by Trustees

Pending.

 

75. 2004 CRP N.P.D. No. 2641 of 2004 Kamal Dora vs. SAAT and

Another Madras High Court

Challenging abatement of Suit

Dissmissed.

 

76. 2004 O.S. No. 156 of 2004 PP Raghavachary vs. SAAT and others PDM, Pondicherry

Forcible Dispossession of inmate by Trustees.

Pending.

 

77.2004 O.S. NO. 478 of 2004 Patit Paban Ghosh Vs.SAAT and others         III ADM,

Pondicherry      Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

78. 2004 Professional Conduct Complaint No. 59 of 2004   SAAT rep. by Dr. Dilip Datta vs. PP Raghavachary      TN. Bar Council

Complaint made by SAAT with the allegations of divulging of information.

Complaint dropped as no prima facie case was made out.

 

79. 2004 S.L.P. No. 3919 of 2004 Anil Ghosh vs. MDG and 9 others

Supreme Court of India

Tampering Aurobindo’s works

Pending.

 

80.2004 STR No. 379/05 Crime No. 314 of 2004Villanur P.S. Vs.

Kasinath.JMI, Pondicherry

Criminal Assault committed by inmate close to Management,

On a woman worker

Acquitted

 

81. 2004 STR No. 7919 of 2004 in Crime No. 213 of 2004   Muthiyalpet P.S. VsJM I I, Pondicherry

Sexual Harassment committed by inmates close to Management.

Accused discharged.

 

 

82. 2005 C.C. No. 170 of 2005 in Crime No. 2 of 2003 by CID Police, Pondicherry   CID Police, Pondicherry, Vs. S.Murugavel and others CJM, Pondicherry       Punishment under IPC for offences of forgery, cheating, impersonation and Criminal Conspiracy and acquisition of  Property by Ashram Management by

Fraud.

Pending.

 

83. 2005 C.C. No. 233 of 2005 in Crime No. 202 of 2005 (Odiansalai P.S.) Odian Slai P.S vs. Vasant Pati    CJM, Pondicherry

Punishment under IPC for Criminal Trespass & Threat to life (506(2))   Accused Acquitted.

 

84. 2005 C.R.P. (PD) NO. 1628 of 2005 S. Murugavel vs. RKS & SAAT     Madras High Court       Revision on the ground of under valuation of Suit.

Dismissed on 27.10.2006

 

85.2005 CMA No. 7 of 2005 SAAT and 5 others Vs. Hemlata ASJ Pondicherry        Appeal on denial of food, shelter and facilities.

CMA filed by SAAT & Trustees dismissed on 30.01.2007.

 

86.2005 CMA No. 35 of 2005 Jayasree & others Vs.SAAT and others ASJ, Pondicherry.     Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and Facilities.

CMA filed by SAAT & Trustees dismissed on 30.01.2007.

 

87.2005 Crl. Appeal No. 477 of 2005 Hemlata vs. Veda Praksh Johar & others

Madras High Court Defamation of a Woman inmate.

Pending.

 

88.2005 Crl.O.P. 16626 of 2005 Hemlata vs. Veda Praksh Johar & others     Madras High Court       Defamation of a woman inmate.

Disposed.

 

89.2005 Crl. R.C. No. 1601 of 2005  PP Raghavachary vs. Manoj das Gupta and 8 others     High Court, Madras

Punishment under IPC for House Breaking, theft and Threat to life.

Pending.

 

90.2005 I.A. No. 21 of 2005 in UN. – Numbered As No. of 2005Kamal Dora vs. SAAT     PSJ, Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of Food and facilities

Pending.

 

91.2005 O.S. No. 409 of 2005 Jayashree P & 4 others Vs. SAAT & 5 others I ADM, Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

92.2005 SLP NO. 11463 -11464    /2005 Srikant vs. SAAT & 4

Others  Supreme Court of India

Injunction.

Dismissed.

 

93.2005 STR NO. 4900 of 2005 Crime No. 31 of 2005 (Muthialper P.S)     Muthialpet P.S. vs. Vasant Pati & Rajnish Rai       JM-I I, Pondicherry

Criminal Trespass & Violence

Pending.

 

94. 2005 TCMP No. 267 of 2005 Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT High Court: Madras

Petition on the objections raised by the Income Tax Department.

Disposed.

 

95.2005 TCMP No. 268 of 2005 Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT  High Court: Madras

Petition on the objections raised by the Income Tax Department.

Disposed.

 

96.2005 TCMP No. 269 of 2005 Sri Aurobindo Ashram Harpagon Workshop vs. Asst. Commissioner of IT  High Court: Madras

Petition on the objections raised by the Income Tax Department.

Disposed.

 

97.2005 CRP No. 2272 of 2005 Mayura Malliah vs. SAAT High Court: Madras         Fixation of Fair Rent

Disposed.

 

98.2006 C.C. No 16/2006 (Crime No. 297/05, Grand Bazaar P.S)  Grand Bazaar P.S. Vs.

Vasant Pati & Nirmal Swain CJM, Pondicherry

Punishment under IPC for witness tampering, criminal intimidation and Wrongful Restraint

Pending.

 

99. 2006 Crime No. 1 of 2006 by Orleanpet P.S. SHO, Orleanpet P.S. Vs.

Bimal, Jithu and Jeyabal            Chief Judicial Magistrate

Crime under Protection of Civil Rights Act.

Pending investigation

 

100.2006 Crime No. 164/2006 SHO, Grand Bazar PS

Attempt to Trespass & House Breaking

Pending Investigation

 

101.2006 CC. No. 411/2007 in Crime No. 85/2006 (Muthialpet P.S.) SHO Muthialper P.S. vs. Bimal & 3 others   JM I I, Pondicherry

Fraud, Forgery, Cheating, & Impersonation by Ashram inmates close to Management.

Pending Investigation.

 

102.2006 Crl. O.P 13433 of 2006 Nivedita Rout Vs. SI of Police, Muthialpet,

Pondicherry      Madras High Court

Punishment for committing Forgery, Cheating & Conspiracy

Pending

 

103. 2006 Crl. O.P. 24421 of 2006 Devbrat Das vs. SHO, Muthialpet, P.S.,

Pondicherry & others    Madras High Court

Transfer of the Session case from Pondicherry Court to any other Court in

Tamilnadu.

Pending.

 

104.2006 Revision Petition No. 3 of 2006 against Orders in Professional Conduct Complaint No. 59 of 2004 SAAT rep. by Dr. Dilip Datta vs. PP Raghavachary            Bar Council of India

Revision preferred by SAAT to set aside TNBC Order dated 06.08.2005.

Revision Petition Allowed.

Stayed by BCI in the Review Petition filed by PP Raghavachary.

 

105.2006 O.S. No. 1371 of 2006 Vasant Pati vs. SAAT and another III ADM, Pondicherry

Suit for a permanent injunction

Decreed on 18.04.2007.

 

106. 2006 Crl. R.C. No. 582 of 2006 Ramnath Patnaik Vs M.Anbazhagan     Madras High Court       Punishment under IPC for Breach of Peace & Tranquility.

Pending.

 

107.2006 Crl.R.C. No. 280 of 2006   S.Murugavel Vs Inspector of

Police (CID), Poncicherry         Madras High Court

Discharge of the accused.

Dismissed.

 

108. 2006 M.C. No. 421 of 2006 U/s 145 Cr.P.C.A-PARTY

M.Anbazhagan, B-PARTY Gayadhar Ramnath & 5

Others  SDM, Pondicherry

Criminal Breach of Peace and Public tranquility

Pending.

 

 

109.2006 O.S. No. 533 of 2006 Nivedita Rout Vs

Abvazhagan      I ADM, Pondicherry

Injunction involving Ashram inmates

Pending

 

110.2006 O.S. No. 534 of 2006 P.C. Rout Vs. Anbazhagan    I I ADM,

Pondicherry

Injunction involving Ashram inmates

Pending.

 

111.2006 O.S. No. 566 of 2006 Heritage Builds. Vs Bimal &

Others  I I I ADM, Pondicherry

Injunction involving Ashram inmates

Pending.

 

112.2006 O.S. No. 583 of 2006 Gayadhar Dash Vs Heritage I I I

ADM, Pondicherry       Injunction involving Ashram inmates

Pending.

 

113.2006 O.S. No. 584 of 2006 Ramanth Patnaik. Vs Heritage Builders & another      I I I

ADM, Pondicherry       Injunction involving Ashram inmates

Pending.

 

114.2006 Review Petition (Criminal) No. 75 of 2006 Anil Ghosh Vs. Manoj Das

Gupta & 9 others          Supreme Court of India

Tampering of Aurobindo’s Works

Dismissed.

 

115.2006 S.L.P No 4830 of 2006 S.Murugavel vs. Inspector of Police CID, Pondicherry        Supreme Court of India

For discharging the Accused Person

Dismissed.

 

116.2006 SC. No. 30/2006 in FIR- Crime No. of 61/2004

(Muthial Pet P.S.)         Muthialpet P.S. vs. Rani, & 7 others.    ASJ, Pondicherry

Suicide leaving a death note

Pending.

 

117.2006 CRP PD 841 of 2006 Nibedita Rout vs. Anbazhagan High Court: Madras   Apartment Cheating case.

Pending.

 

118.2007 CRP No. 255 of 2007 T. Mayura Malliah vs. SAAT High Court: Madras    –         Pending

.

119.2007 Crl. O.P. No.    2879 of 2007 PP Raghavachary Vs. State rep. by SHO, Grand Bazar P.S., Pondicherry & 2 Others  High Court, Madras      Transfer of Crl. Case from Pondicherry Court to any other Court in Tamilnadu.

Dismissed on 06.02.2007.

 

120. 2007 Criminal Review Petition No. 29 of 2007 S. Murugavel vs. Inspector

Of Police CID, Pondicherry      Supreme Court of India

For Discharging the Accused Person

Dismissed on 30.10.2007.

 

121.2007 8/341/2007/NCW/SS/NK Devaki Rout vs. Dr.Dilip Kumar Datta         National Commission for Women

Sexual Harassment by Dr. Datta, Executive Trustee of Ashram Trust

Pending.

 

122.2007 SLP (Civil) No. 2223/2007 S. Murugavel vs. RKS & SAAT

Supreme Court of India

Challenging the Stamp duty of a property in a scam.

Pending

 

123.2007 O.S. No. 201 of 2007 Harekrishna Das vs. SAAT & 6 others, Puducherry   Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

124.2007 SLP (Criminal) 1967/2007 PP Raghavachary vs. SHO Grand Bazar P.S. & 2 others          Supreme Court of India

Transfer Criminal Case CC No. 16/2006 on the file of CJM, Pondicherry to any court in Tamilnadu

Disposed.

 

125.2007 SLP(C) No. 3217 of 2007 (DN 8988/2007            Kamal Dora vs. SAAT             Supreme Court of India

Challenging abatement of suit.

Withdrawn.

 

126.2007 C.M.A. No.10 of 2007 Harekrishna Das vs. SAAT & others

Addl. Sub. Court, Pondicherry

Arbitrary expulsion and denial of food and facilities.

Pending.

 

127.2007 C.R.P. NPD   No. 1239 of 2007     Kamal Dora vs. SAAT High Court: Madras      Fraud on Court, wrongful dismissal of suit denial of food etc.

Dismissed.

 

128.2007 Review Petition No. 3 of 2007 against Orders in Rev. Pet. No. 3/2006 by BCI      PP Raghavachary Vs. SAAT rep. by Dr. Dilip Datta   Bar Council of India      Review preferred by PP Raghavachary to set aside BCI Order dated 20.01.2007.        Disciplinary proceedings Stayed by BCI on 02.02.2008.

 

129.2007 C.No.9211 (14)/CIT/PDY/2007-08 RTI Application filed by PP Raghavachary       C IT, Pondicherry         For furnishing of information of Accounts of SAAT  Application allowed but information not furnished.

 

130.2007 C.No.9211 (15)/CIT/PDY/2007-08 RTI Application filed by PP Raghavachary       C IT, Pondicherry         for furnishing of information of Accounts of SA Udyog Trust.

Application Rejected.

 

131.2007 F.No. H.Q. 27A (2)/2007-08 RTI- First Appeal by SAAT.            CCIT-VI CHENNAI   Appeal against furnishing of information of Accounts of SA  Ashram Trust.        No orders passed within the statutory period of 45 days.

 

132.2007 F.No. H.Q. 27A(1)/2007-08 RTI- First Appeal by PP Raghavachary CCIT-VI CHENNAI            For furnishing of information of Accounts of SA Udyog Trust.

No orders passed within the statutory period of 45 days.

 

133.2008 CIC/PB/A/2008/00016 RTI- Second  Appeal by PP Raghavachary CIC, New Delhi           For furnishing of information of Accounts of SA Ashram Trust.    Pending.

 

134.2008 CIC/PB/A/2008/00015 RTI- Second Appeal by PP Raghavachary CIC- New Delhi          For furnishing of information of Accounts of SA Udyog Trust.

Pending.

 

135.2007 AS No. 20/07 SAAT vs. Vasant Kumar Pati Prl. Sub Judge, Puducherry      Challenging the Suit for a permanent injunction

Pending.

 

136.2007 AS No.  24/07 Jayashree Prasad vs. SAAT & 5 others        Prl. Sub. Judge, Pondicherry Appeal against the dismissal of suit challenging show-cause notice.  Pending.

 

137.2007 TOP No. 85/07 Jayashree Prasad vs. SAAT & 5 others. PDJ, Pondicherry  Transfer of connected suits to any one of the Munsif Courts.

Pending.

138.2007 CRP (PD) No. 3037/07 SAAT vs. Hemlata High Court: Madras     Denial of Food and basic needs of inmates.

Pending.

 

139.2007 CRP (PD) No. 3314/07 SAAT vs. Jayashree P & 4 others. High Court: Madras      Denial of Food and basic needs of inmates.

Disposed off.

 

140.2008 Crime No. 18/2008 SHO, Muthialpet Vs.Bailochan Parida SDM, Pondicherry         Breach of Peace u/s 107 of Cr.P.C.

Closed.

 

141.2008 Crime No. 21/2008 SHO, Muthialpet Vs.Bailochan Parida & 2 others.        Judicial Magistrate II, Pondicherry Sec. 294, &323 of IPC

Pending investigation.

 

142. 2008 Crime No. 22/2008            SHO, Muthialpet Vs.Mousumi Ghosh Judicial Magistrate II, Pondicherry Sec. 294, &323 of IPC

Pending investigation.

 

143.2008 HRCOP. No. 10 of 2008 Dilip Ghosh Dastidar vs. Bailochan Parida PDM, Pondicherry

Restoration of Electricity.

Pending.

 

144.2008\O.S. No. 94/2008    Dilip Ghosh Dastidar vs. Bailochan Parida         I ADM, Pondicherry

Suit for injunction.

Pending.

 

145.2008\Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No(s).2883/2008            Kamal Dora vs. SAAT Supreme Court of India\Expulsion & Denial of Food and basic needs of inmates.   Dismissed.

 

146.2008 CRP (PD) No. 1432 of 2008\SAAT & 5 others Vs. PP Raghavachary

High Court: of Madras

Denial of Food and basic needs of inmates.

Pending.

 

147.\    2008    CMA No. 10 of 2008  Srikant J vs. SAAT & 5 others Prl. Sub Judge

Pondicherry      Breach of MOU-Injunction restraining appointment of a new Trustee     Pending.

 

148.2008/T.O.P. No. 85 of 2007\Jayashree Prasad & 5 others Vs. SAAT & others    Prl. District Judge at Pondicherry            Transfer of Suits

Pending.

149.2008\TC No. 153/2008\SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax

High Court of Madras   Tax matter.

Pending

 

150.2008TC No. 154/2008 SAAT vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax

High Court of Madras

Tax matter.     Pending

 

151.2008TC No. 155/2008 SAAT vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax          High Court:

Madras            Tax matter.

Pending

 

152.2008TC No. 156/2008     SAAT vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax

High Court: Madras

Tax matter. Pending

 

153.2008 TC No. 157/2008    SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras            Tax matter.    Pending

 

154. 2008 TC No. 158/2008   SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras            Tax matter.    Pending

 

155. 2008 TC No. 159/2008   SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court: Madras Tax matter. Pending

 

156.2008 TC No. 160/2008    SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras

Tax matter. Pending

 

157.2008TC No. 161/2008SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax High Court:

Madras

Tax matter.     Pending

 

158.2008 TC No. 161/2008    SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras            Tax matter.    Pending

 

159.2008TC No. 162/2008     SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court: Madras Tax matter.            Pending

 

160.2008TC No. 163/2008     SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras              Tax matter.   Pending

 

161.2008 TC No. 164/2008    SAA vs. Dy Commissioner of Income Tax        High Court:

Madras              Tax matter.   Pending

 

162.2008 O.S. No. 1555/2008 Sri Aurobindo Udyog Trust vs. Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press Employees Union affiliated to INTUC & others PDM,

Pondicherry

Injunction against Worker’s Agitation         Pending

 

 

 

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SAVE AUROVILLE FROM FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES

June 23, 2008 at 12:07 pm (Open Debate)
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 AUROVILLE : LET GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ORDER A PROBE

 

[In a letter  dated 07.10.2006   to the Secretary-in-charge of Auroville Foundation , the President of Institute of Public Auditors of India, had spelt out his comments on the working of the Auroville Foundation. Dravida Peravai urges the Government of India to institute a high level multi pronged probe into all the aspects and functions of the Auroville Foundation. When China could construct rail and road in the Himalayan heights, the Matrimandir constructed for 4 decades is not an engineering marvel. The Aurovillians themselves in their in house publication displayed a cartoon, wherein two Aurovillians near Matrimandir site will be looking at ants

will and commenting if only the contract had been given to ants, Matrimandir would have been completed]

 

The Report says :

 

We wish to submit that our proposals were aimed at strengthening the Administration/ management of the Foundation, a statutory body, to enable it to be fully informed, exercise vigilance over entities that are not legally recognized/or incorporated and be accountable to the Govt. and Parliament on the one hand and the Donors and the Public on the other, It is for this reason that we recommended an examination of the relevance of the present system of Trusts and Units and, the manner of incorporation of their financial results  in the Foundation’s Account. This was in the context of a not so well defined supervisory role for the Foundation and the dilution of financial controls, reporting systems etc, Our misgivings were confirmed during the course of the internal audit of a few entities and the preliminary systems review (Report dated12TH May)

 

We accept that the Organizations owe their existence to the ACT must satisfy the following basic requirements:

 

Ø                  Conform to the ideals set for the Auroville Residents Promote the aims and advance the Vision given to Auroville by the Mother. (Some of these are based on the principle of renunciation of ones needs and rights for common good)

Ø                  Meet the expectations of Donors and supporters. 

Ø                  Be responsible for discharging the obligations to the Govt./ public institutions in respect of Grants and Assistance for various public purposes.

All these obligations have to be discharged within the strict requirements of the laws of India.

 

We have serious doubts about the appropriateness of the present arrangement to the basic functions of the Foundation in carrying out the objectives of the Act. The Act envisages that the Foundation will be primarily a facilitator and exercise control and supervision to the extent required to stay on course. Additional obligations on the Foundation, its organs and officials arise due to the legal and contractual requirements such as accounting for public moneys. foreign donations, to appreciate the needs for supervision and control or guidance to the entities functioning it will be useful to classify their activities:

 

a)                  Social and Cultural including the promotion of the ideals of Auroville Services to residents

b)                  Education including research and training technology development and

c)                  Scientific research, Trading and manufacturing emphasizing local/ethnic products and crafts development of an international village emphasizing unity in diversity

d)                  Providing opportunities for the residents to be usefully engaged.

 

Some of these activities are supported internationally and are primarily non-profit though they may be commercial in the sense of defining the relationship of the unit with the public. Given these attributes it is important to reexamine the nature of organizational arrangements, management and reporting relationship and above all enforcing their public accountability.

 

Firstly, when the Foundation promotes a Trust as a settler    (after following the requirements of sponsorship by the Residents Assembly) it can not have any link with the Trust except as stated in the Deed of Trust. There is therefore no place for incorporating the financial results of their operations in the Accounts of the Foundation.

 

Secondly, there are a large number of units that are treated as part of Trusts, some in large numbers. These have apparently no legal status and are not incorporated. At the most they can be division or Branch of a Trust. It is understood that these units have been set up at the initiative of individuals. In that case they are either proprietary or partnership concerns or have to be treated as such. The Act has entrusted the primary responsibility for organizing various activities, formulating the master plan, raising of funds to the Residents Assembly.

 

The responsibility for constituting various bodies including trusts has been given to the Working Committee. This is of course subject to the approval of the Governing Board. The role of the Governing Board, it appears, is one of guiding the Residents Assembly rather than act on its own behalf in establishing the organizations required for furthering the objectives of Auroville. The establishment of new trusts with the Foundation taking the role of a settler is perhaps to ensure some minimum norms in the running of the Trusts, keep a watchful eye on their activities and intervene where necessary through disciplining the Trustees. This is easily done by removing and appointing Trustees, introduce the concept of Managing Trustees responsible to a Board, their rotation etc. Where necessary, the Foundation and the Residents Assembly should initiate legal proceedings against the erring trustees.  The power of review of performance and directions to the Trustees must be with the Residents Assembly.

 

[ These extracts and many more reports aimed at bringing the trusts run as private empires without no accountability enriching the vested interests under the guise of being protected by the umbrella of a Government Foundation, must force the Government of India to intervene, and effect a complete overhaul of the Foundation and its activities detrimental to the Indians living there from ages….. N.Nandhivarman, General Secretary Dravida Peravai]


 

 

 

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