The nomination is a resounding slap in the face of the Chhattisgarh government.
Sukla I/III. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sen-s-name-in-panel-shocks-Raman-Singh-home-ministry/Article1-696377.aspx <http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sen-s-name-in-panel-shocks-Raman-Singh-home-ministry/Article1-696377.aspx>Sen’s name in panel, govt shocked *Prasad Nichenametla and Chetan Chauhan<http://www.hindustantimes.com/Search/search.aspx?q=Prasad%20Nichenametla%20and%20Chetan%20Chauhan&op=Story>, Hindustan Times* New Delhi, May 11, 2011 * * * Binayak Sen's appointment as malnutrition expert in a planning commission's committee on health has not only surprised Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh but also the home ministry. On the day HT reported his appointment in a steering committee on health for the 12th Plan, the home ministry sought information from the commission on his appointment. The ministry wanted to know the context in which he has been nominated as a member but refrained from commenting on Sen’s appointment. The first displeasure came from Chhattisgarh CM Singh. "The chief minister had disapproved Sen's nomination as he is accused and out on bail. The case continues against him in the court," said N Baijendra Kumar, principal secretary to the chief minister. Kumar was not aware if Singh had called plan panel deputy chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia or not but panel sources confirmed that the two did have a conversation. Sayeeda Hamid, head of the steering committee, defended the decision saying Sen had worked among tribals "the worst sufferers of malnutrition, infant mortality in the country". Ahluwalia was more cautious and said much should not be made out of his inclusion in a panel with 40 experts. Sen, meanwhile, has agreed to be part of the committee, stating that his focus will be on health equity. (with inputs from Ejaz Kaiser) II. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2009422.ece NEW DELHI, May 11, 2011 Plan panel backs Binayak’s nomination AARTI DHAR Even as the Planning Commission on Wednesday strongly backed its decision to nominate human rights activist Binayak Sen on its steering committee on health, there was a loud note of disapproval from the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who questioned the rational behind the appointment as he was still facing trial. “The people of Chhattisgarh do not approve of the appointment,’’ he said. “The issues that we would tackle in the 12th Five Year Plan are extremely important including children’s health in the tribal areas. Since Dr. Sen has worked with the poorest of the poor, his contribution would be useful,’’ Syeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission, who chairs the steering committee on health told The Hindu here. Confirming Dr. Sen’s appointment as member of the steering committee on health to advice for 12th Plan, Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwali told reporters that it was Planning Commission's proposal to appoint him. However, the Commission is yet to get a formal acceptance from Dr. Sen, though informally it has been confirmed that he would accept the appointment and it was a matter of time before he did that. “We are bringing the best brains together from across the country to formulate policies to tackle issues like malnutrition, Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate, and our feeling was that Dr. Sen would help us in this,’’ Dr. Hameed said. The first meeting of the steering committee is scheduled for May 26. The 61-year old rights activist, a pediatrician, has worked in Chhattisgarh's tribal belt. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of sedition and links with Naxalites. However, the Supreme Court granted him bail in April, after which he was released from Raipur Jail. Meanwhile, questioning the rationale behind the selection, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said Dr. Sen was still facing trial in the Chhattisgarh High Court. “He has not been absolved of the charges by the court, but just given bail,’’ Dr. Singh told reporters here. Pointing out that generally for such appointments a proper procedure is followed, including scrutiny of the antecedents of the individual, Dr. Singh said: “Is there such a dearth of experts in the country that the Centre had to take the advice of a person accused of sedition? The people of Chhattisgarh do not approve of this,” he added. III. http://english.samaylive.com/nation-news/676486870/legislation-alone-will-not-help-binayak-sen.html 11 May 2011 07:41:48 PM IST Legislation alone will not help: Binayak Sen Championing the cause of human right for the people of Chattisgarh for many years, Dr Binayak Sen feels that genesis of corruption lies in the economic model of globalization and unhindered liberization adopted zealously by the government. Corruption can not be faught till people develop in them a comprehensive understanding of situation. This war can not be fought merely on the basis of legislation, though no doubt legislation will help it somewhat. Panini Anand, Editor, Samaylive.com talked to Binayak Sen on various issues including corruption when he came to attend a meeting of Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberty in Delhi recently. Excerpts You are out of jail. What now? Tell us your plans and proposals We have decided to launch a nation-wide campaign against the provisions and acts of sedition being followed by the state. We decided this in our PUCL meeting and we also had consultations with other human right organizations on the issue. To begin with we are going to launch a signature campaign where 10 lakh people are expected to participate. This list would be sent to Parliament as proof of citizens’ opinion on the issue. We are also opposed to special arms act. Campaign for repeal of this act is also going to launched soon. Operation Green Hunt is also being opposed by us. There is no place for such thing in democratic set-up. In the two days meet of PUCL we have deliberated upon many subjects and are now ready to take a plunge. How do you see the effort to monopolize the resources such as land, forest and water by some influential people? I do not support government<http://it.ph.affinity.com/ctrack0.php?&cmpubid=dca95&cmskps=&cmsite=english.samaylive.com&cmchannelid=&cmurl=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.samaylive.com%2Fnation-news%2F676486870%2Flegislation-alone-will-not-help-binayak-sen.html&cmref=&cmoe=&cmoq=&cmvd=800600-3301530&cmvc=null&cmtitle=Legislation%20alone%20will%20not%20help%3A%20Binayak%20Sen&rnd=1305175720101&q=government&at=XS&cmip=47&cmis=139&cmid=3&cmdt=p> act of capturing the resources and distributing them among private companies. Government should not displace people from his habitat on its whim and fancy. Common man can prosper only if the rule of justice and fair play are in vogue. Many human rights organizations are fighting against this tendency of government.From naxalite movement to your organization PUCL are waging war on this front. What kind of strategy could help to end this conspiracy against common man? PUCL and other organizations are fighting unitedly on this issue despite having difference on other issues.PUCL has a history. From the times of Jai Prakash Narayan we have launched many campaigns in democratic manner. Keeping our glorious tradition in mind we intend to wage many a fights in future too. How do you look at Anna Hazare’s protest We see it as very important the way Anna Hazare is leading the protest. There are many people associated with this campaign whom we respect a lot. We wish that fight against corruption should be strengthened and it should usher in changes in our economic policy. Do you think Lok Pal legislation can help us fight corruption? Can a massive protest be launched without political vision? No, corruption is a symptom alone. It is result of wrong economic policies of globalization and liberalization being followed in the country for last 20 years.There is corruptions galore. It can not be fought with a mere piece of legislation. We need to educate people on the resources available to them. How would you ensure this? Political maturity of people should not be underrated .If the legislation acts as a rallying point in the fight against corruption, it would be helpful. Thousands of people are caught in jails of the country like you were. How do you see fight for them in future Thousands of our friends are languishing in jail. This must change. As member of human right organization we try to free<http://it.ph.affinity.com/ctrack0.php?&cmpubid=dca95&cmskps=&cmsite=english.samaylive.com&cmchannelid=&cmurl=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.samaylive.com%2Fnation-news%2F676486870%2Flegislation-alone-will-not-help-binayak-sen.html&cmref=&cmoe=&cmoq=&cmvd=800600-3301530&cmvc=null&cmtitle=Legislation%20alone%20will%20not%20help%3A%20Binayak%20Sen&rnd=1305175720101&q=free&at=XS&cmip=47&cmis=139&cmid=3&cmdt=p> them from jail as soon as possible. How do you look at state sponsered terrorism and naxal terrorism. What is the differnece between the two Human Right Organizations never support violence ,neither do we support violence. But systematic violence in the shape of robbing poor of his natural resources are there. Perpetual hungry people are being robbed of their resources through Green Hunt. It must be stopped. Does any political Party stand firm in the fight from robbing of natural resources to fighting corruption in your estimate? Is there an alternative? We want participation of as many people in this fight as possible. We can succeed on their strength only. Political parties, I believe, would fall suit once the people are with us. As a rule we do not work from within a political parties . But if a political party joins us on its own volition, we would welcome them. * -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. 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