I/II. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Binayak-convicted--cannot-be-on-panel--Raman-writes-to-PM/792826/
<http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Binayak-convicted--cannot-be-on-panel--Raman-writes-to-PM/792826/>Binayak convicted, cannot be on panel: Raman writes to PM *Express news service <http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/ens/>* *Thu May 19 2011, 03:59 hrs**Raipur:* Stepping up pressure on the Centre, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to review the decision to nominate rights activist Dr Binayak Sen as a member of the Planning Commission’s steering committee on health. In a letter to the Prime Minister, who is also chairman of the Planning Commission, the CM says: “It is an accepted principle that any person convicted for life imprisonment cannot be nominated as a member of any national level forum or committee and there have been no precedents of this kind.” Reiterating that he has decided not to attend any Planning Commission meeting till the matter is resolved, the CM says that having been convicted by a trial court, Sen continues to remain a convict for sedition and also under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 as well as under Chhattisgarh Special Public Protection Act 2005. “It is imperative to note that while Dr Sen’s appeal is pending in the High Court, his conviction has not been set aside,” says the letter. Pointing out that the Planning Commission is the highest policy-making body of the country, the letter says: “Needless to say, institutional integrity of the Planning Commission is of paramount importance,” adding that Dr Sen’s nomination was shocking and against all norms of propriety. Reminding the PM that he had declared on many occasions that Left wing extremism was the biggest threat to internal security and democracy, the CM says the decision to include Dr Sen in the committee would confuse the people at this critical juncture when the country is fighting a major battle against LWE. “It appears strange that no other name in the entire country could be found for nomination in the Planning Commission’s steering committee on health. Moreover, the so-called contribution of Dr Sen to health sector has been hugely exaggerated and there was little on ground to support it,” says the letter. Dr Sen was convicted by a trial court in Raipur on December 24 last year for sedition and other charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. While the state High Court rejected his bail plea, the Supreme Court granted him bail “suspending the sentence” pending his appeal in the High Court. II. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2029975.ece NEW DELHI, May 19, 2011 Raman Singh writes to Prime Minister on Binayak SenAARTI DHAR Unhappy over the inclusion of human rights activist Binayak Sen in the Steering Committee on Health by the Planning Commission, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has conveyed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his government's decision of not to participate in the panel's meetings. “I am constrained and pained to take a decision to not to attend any Planning Commission meeting till this matter is resolved,” the Chief Minister has said while seeking Dr. Singh's intervention in reviewing the decision. In a letter written to Dr. Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Planning Commission deputy chairman, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister has said the plan panel is the highest policy making body of country. Needless to say, institutional integrity of Planning Commission is of paramount importance. In this backdrop, the nomination of Dr. Binayak Sen who has been convicted for waging war against the State is shocking and against all norms and propriety. “It is an accepted principle that any person convicted for life imprisonment can not be nominated as a member of any national level forum or committee and there have been no precedents of this kind,” Dr. Raman Singh said. *“Biggest threat”* “As you have declared on many occasions, Left Wing extremism is the biggest threat to internal security and democracy of our country; the decision to take Binayak Sen on this Committee will confound the people at large at this critical juncture when we are fighting a major battle against Left Wing extremism with the help and support of the Union government. It appears strange that no other name in the entire country could be found for nomination in the aforesaid committee. Moreover, the so called contribution of Dr. Binayak Sen to Health Sector has been hugely exaggerated and there is little on ground to support it,” the Chief Minister pointed out. Dr. Sen has been nominated to the steering committee on health where he will give his input for the 12th Plan period in dealing with malnutrition among children in the tribal areas. -- 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]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
