A VERY INTERESTING INPUT ON ROAD TAX/TOLL TAX..............

 DEAR READERS,

WATCHOUT AS YOU TRAVEL TO ORISSA/WB. IT WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY FRIENDS AND THEN I FOUND SIMILAR INFORMATION ON A SITE. THE ENTIRE STORY IS APPENDED BELOW:-

" It isn't as easy. We have never faced such extortion in the past. But this time the officer at the checkpost was quite naive about his interpretation of the circular. If you look at it carefully, in Indrajits post, it desn't make it mandatory to collect taxes from vehicles entering the state. I pointed out the content to him. He indicated we either pay or not cross the checkpost into Orissa. He himself suggested that we find out from the Orissa Motor Vehicles dept.

Even if we file a RTI, they will come back saying it is not mandatory for vehicles entering on temporary basis. The officer will also be given a clean chit on grounds of the fact that it was a voluntary payment from us.

His motivation is that, he gets to show higher tax collection on his quota.

The very fact that the option of volunteering was a forced one, does not count.

Quote:

Originally Posted by indrajits Recently while travelling from Kolkata to Puri on 23rd December, we were forced to pay Rs 1050 as Motor Vehicles tax at the Orissa border for the Scorpio LX. Is this tax legal? Will our government do something about it? On questioning the authorities we were shown these 2 notices. Can anyone clarify and react to this, and what should be the course of action to repeal this permanently.Attachment 86957 Attachment 86958

Quote:

Originally Posted by senindra I did not do any questioning. There was a huge que and I was happy to pay and drive off asap.

I was not happy to pay and drive. I had almost put up a resistance, thinking other vehicle owners would join me. But they too were okay with paying and driving. While we were at the checkpost at least five other vehicles paid the tax and went ahead. In the end he just remarked politely "everybody is paying, see, know the rules first before you venture out to drive".

The big question is till what extent will we continue to be happy. Our "getaway" was more valuable than the money value, but at the cost of what?

Infact a truck driver, upon asking later that day, said "Sau rupiya deta aur nikal jaata saab"

Was he smarter than us?

I just wish that this is not just a beginning of deeper things to come."

I HAVE ALSO COME ACROSS REPORTED EXPERIENCES OF MANY WHERE THE TRUCKS CARRYING FAUJI"S HOUSE HOLD GOODS WITH SUITABLE TOLL/OTHER TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES  WERE STOPPED AND FORCED TO PAY , BY PRIVATE AGENCIES MANNING THESE POINTS. THE WORST WAS THE HELP LINE NUMBER FOR THAT PATICULAR TOLL POST WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL. FOR EXAMPLE : ASANSOL(WB).

THOUGH ONE CAN FIGHT BACK WITH CHITS THAT THEY GIVE AND CLAIM IT BACK WITH FINE, BUT IS THIS PROCESS PRACTICALLY VIABLE????

THINK IT OVER........

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/51311-kolkata-bhubaneshwar-puri-bhubaneshwar-gopalpur-kolkata-2.html

IAF vice chief apologises for remarks

I WONDER : OOPS SORRY I SAID IT. SUCH ACTIONS R NOT GOOD FOR ARMED FORCES.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) vice chief, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora Thursday offered his apologies if anyone's feelings have been hurt by his remarks on induction of women fighter pilots, and stressed that the views were his own and not an official policy.In a statement, Barbora clarified that his remarks about women fighter pilots not having "offspring" and about "imposing some conditions" on their service reflected his own opinion and not of the IAF."I would like to clarify that my remarks concerning 'off-spring' and 'imposing some conditions' were my own personal opinion and not that of the IAF or the MoD (Ministry of Defence)," said Barbora Thursday."If I had hurt any groups' sentiments, I would like to state that it was not with any malicious intentions of hurting anyone's feelings or casting any aspersions on their ability," he added.Barbora said that the induction of women into actual combat roles is a tri-services issue and demands a careful orchestrated approach starting with grant of permanent commission to women."Considering many variables such as our country's societal environmental and cultural ethos of respect and status of women, a step by step approach would be the preferred option in respect of employability of women in the defence forces."I am quite confident, as I had also mentioned during the media interaction, that in not a distant future, we hope to see women pilots flying fighters in some form of combat roles. I say this as an 'air warrior' and one who abides by our constitution," said Barbora.During a curtain raiser before President Pratibha Patil's Sukhoi-30 MKI's flight, Barbora said Tuesday that inducting women pilots in the fighter stream will take a while and certain preconditions might be laid down before they are allowed to become fighter pilots."We can induct women fighter pilots for show purposes. But we spend exorbitant amount on training fighter pilots, and if we are not able to utilise them optimally, it may not be prudent to have women fighter pilots at the moment," Barbora told reporters here."Once the lady goes the family way, she will be off flying for 10 months. And when we have invested so much, it is not a fruitful development," he added."We may say (if women are allowed in the fighter stream) that till this age, you can be happily married but do not go for pregnancy till that time. After 14-15 years of service, the value (of the money invested) is recovered.... We are just looking into the area. Even for men, we do not allow them to leave the service before a certain period of time," Barbora added.The IAF currently has 784 women officers working in various fields, barring the fighter stream.

 

 http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=IAF+vice+chief+apologises+for+remarks&artid=vXO|XEqqgao=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=&SEO=IAF%20vice%20chief,%20women%20fighter%20pilots

MoD intervenes in tussle among Army top brass

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence has intervened in the ongoing tussle in the top Army rung after some senior officers came under scanner of a court of inquiry in an alleged land scam. The MoD has blocked the appointment of new Deputy Chief of Army Staff as he is facing an inquiry.Lieutenant General P K Rath, who was commanding 33 Corps, was appointed as Deputy Chief. He was attached to Kolkata where the court of inquiry is being held.Now a search is on for a suitable replacement for Rath and the frontrunner is Lieutenant General Rajinder Singh Sujlana, Commandant, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.Apart from Rath two other top Generals have been questioned by the court of inquiry being conducted in Kolkata whose presiding officer is 4 Corps Commander Lieutenant General K T Nair.The allegation against the Army officers is that they had given a no-objection certificate to an educational trust for procuring land at Sukhna military station in Darjeeling under the jurisdiction of 33 Corps. The Dilip Aggarwal Geetanjali Education Trust had reportedly acquired the land for opening a college.Among those who have been questioned includes Military Secretary (MS) at Army Headquarters Lieutenant General Avadesh Prakash. The MS was asked to appear before the inquiry as the trust’s brochure claimed that he would join it as its director after his retirement.The names of three Lieutenant Generals have figured in the court of inquiry so far raising serious questions that might embarrass the government. The MoD wants the inquiry to be completed as early as possible.In the shadow of the court of inquiry, the Army Headquarters is also abuzz with a turf war involving Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor and his senior officers. Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash is reported to have been handpicked to be the MS who is one of the eight principal staff officers of the Army Chief.The court of inquiry is taking place under the jurisdiction of Kolkata-based Eastern Army Command, headed by Lieutenant General V K Singh who is set to become the Army Chief next year.General Kapoor had overlooked him and appointed Northern Army Commander P C Bhardwaj as the Vice Chief in October.This was not the first case when Gen Kapoor ran into a tussle with his top officers. In 2008, Lt Gen H S Panag, the then Northern Army Commander, had complained to Defence Minister A K Antony against his transfer order

 

 http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=MoD+intervenes+in+tussle+among+Army+top+brass&artid=YguH6KGFVkY=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=&SEO=

Maj Gen DS Hooda takes over as GOC 57 Mtn Div

Imphal, November 19 2009: Maj Gen Shakti Gurung, VSM , GOC 57 Mountain Division has handed over the baton of the GOC to Maj Gen Deependra Singh Hooda, VSM** while also welcoming Maj Gen DS Hooda, VSM** to 57 Mountain Division and promised him a very challenging but professionally satisfying command in the year ahead.

A PIB (DW) release informed that Maj Gen D S Hooda, VSM** is a very highly qualified officer of the Indian Army who has been handpicked for the coveted command of the most professional Division of the Indian Army today.

The General officer has qualified on the most prestigious courses of the Armed forces - an alumni of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College as also the National Defence College, New Delhi he has served as the Chief logistics officer of a United Nations Mission in Asmara (Ethiopia) and other distinguished appointments in the Army headquarters.

The General officer arrived with his wife Mrs Rashmi Hooda from Army Headquarters, New Delhi on November 15 to assume command of the formation.

Maj Gen Shakti Gurung, VSM a dynamic and professional soldier needs no introduction to the people of Manipur.

A very highly qualified officer in his own right, he has served as the Defence Attache in Myanmar and for the last thirteen months was one of the most approachable generals of the Division.

His humane nature and the projects initiated under his able command for the betterment of Manipur and convenience of the people of the state needs no elaboration.

The General was assisted in ensuring the successful completion of all the projects initiated by the formation by his graceful better half, Mrs Madhu Gurung as the Convenor of the Family Welfare Organisation of the Red Shield Division.

Both the General and Mrs Gurung will leave a vacuum as they move to Army Headquarters, New Delhi, where the General will assume his next appointment in December, the statement conveyed.

As he prepares to leave, Maj Gen Shakti Gurung, VSM requests the people of Manipur to be more proactive towards the process of peace and prosperity because without their will and support this will remain an elusive commodity.

He thanks all sections of the society, Government officials and the media for the unstinted support provided to him for carrying out his tasks.

The General and his wife said God Bless and God Speed as they wished the people of Manipur an abundance of GOD's blessings for peace in the days ahead coupled with prosperity and happiness, it added.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=20..201109.nov09

Yak, army’s new beast of burden

I WONDER : SOMETHING NEW TO CALCULATE FOR AQ/DQ's !!!!!!

The yak may take the place of the mule in  carrying food, arms and ammunition for the Indian army on the uppermost reaches of mountains.

The army's 190 Mountain Brigade is in collaboration with the National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY) here for an experiment to replace mules with yaks for forward posts at high altitudes. 

The results of the experiment, headed by NRCY Senior Scientist K.P. Ramesha and Lieutenant Colenel Nirbhay Kumar, were published in the Indian  Veterinary Journal (IVJ) and the Indian Journal of Animal Sciences.

“A study was conducted at (an) altitude (of) 14,400 feet in a forward army post area to determine the suitability of using yaks as pack animals during snowfall. There was no effect of snowfall on (the) speed of (the animals) as well as on (their) physiological status. Trials indicated that yaks could be used as pack animals even during heavy snowfall at high altitudes,” the summary report in the IVJ said.

A similar exercise by China apparently prompted the trial.

It snows for four months at 7,500 feet or higher along the northern frontier - from Arunachal Pradesh to Kashmir. 

Posts at those heights remain virtually cut-off during this period, exposing them to possible raids from across the borders.

The yak is a hairy, bovine creature that cannot live below 7,500 feet. Its double-coat protects it from icy winds, and its high red blood cell count helps it to breathe normally up to 15,000 feet.

It can be easily trained as a pack animal.

 

 http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/arunachalpradesh/Yak-army-s-new-beast-of-burden/Article1-478231.aspx

Eastern Air Command celebrating 50 years of service

 

Akash Ganga team with members of 11 TAC.

Dimapur, November 18 (MExN): Eastern Air Command (EAC), one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force, is celebrating its golden jubilee on its completion of 50 years of service to the nation. The IAF aerobatic team, para-jumping by the Akash Ganga team, motorcycle expedition and power hang gliding expeditions were on display as part of its yearlong celebration.

The power hang gliding expedition, which was flagged off from Air Force station in Bagdogra, Silliguri, on November 6, will cover a distance of 2000kms enroute to Hasimara, Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Chhabua, Dinjan Mohanbari, Dimapur and Kumbhigram in Silchar. The team has been providing free air experience to schoolchildren in each base enroute and will be finally flagged in at Shillong on November 19. The expedition team is being led by Squadron Leader Ramakant, a veteran of many such expeditions in the past, who is supported by co-pilot, Sergeant M L Yadav.

Enroute to Kumbhigram at Silchar on its final lap, the team was welcomed at the Rangapahar Military Station by the Commander and personnel of 11 TAC, Air Force, on November 16 and flagged off on November 17. Informing this in a Defence release, it was also stated that through this expedition, the Air Force hopes to spread the spirit of goodwill and awareness to the youths of the North Eastern about career prospects in the Indian Air Force and to motivate young boys and girls to join the defence forces.

http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/37862.html

Armed IAF copters for Maoist terrain

SUJAN DUTTA

 

An Mi-17 helicopter

New Delhi, Nov. 17: The Union home ministry has recommended arming helicopters of the Indian Air Force that are being used in the counter-Maoist operations.

The IAF is using armoured Mi-17 helicopters to transport state and central police forces in Maoist zones. Arming would involve weaponising the Mi-17s with light or medium machine guns.

The guns will be manned by the Garud special force, whose main task is to protect the assets of the IAF.

The Union home ministry’s recommendation comes after the Indian Air Force sought the permission of the government to open fire in self-defence.

Air chief marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik disclosed on October 1 that he had sought the permission of the ministry of defence but that “it was really up to the home ministry” because the IAF’s helicopters were being deployed as aid to civil administration.

A senior air headquarters source said here this evening that the IAF was still to get the “rules of engagement” that would govern its role as the Centre and states step up the offensive against Naxalites.

“The CCS (cabinet committee on security) has to clear it. Nobody wants collateral damage,” the source said. The government and the IAF are equally aware that use of lethal air power, even in self-defence, can harm non-combatants.

Air Chief Marshal Naik has said that the IAF will not go “into Rambo-style operations”.

But the IAF’s plea is that its helicopters have been shot at — Sergeant Mustafa Ali was killed — by Maoists firing automatic weapons from the ground.

The IAF has already created a task force headed by a Group Captain to co-ordinate with a multi-agency authority of the Union home ministry that will oversee the counter-Maoist operations across states.

The air headquarters source said IAF helicopters were being deployed because the central paramilitary forces did not have the wherewithal to reach the difficult zones by air. 

Of the central troops that are directly involved in the operations, only the Border Security Force has helicopters. But it does not have them in adequate number.

 

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091118/jsp/nation/story_11754589.jsp

Politics hurting military modernisation

Two days after he sparked a controversy with his remarks about women flying fighter aircraft, Air Force’s Vice Chief Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora (59) on Thursday again raised eyebrows by saying political squabbling was hurting the military’s modernisation.

At a CII seminar, Barbora blamed successive Opposition parties for blocking critical military acquisitions for narrow political goals.

He said defence proposals cleared by one government were contested by the Opposition, while the same parties would change their position after coming to power.

“This impinges very badly on our defence requirements,” said the second-in-command of the world’s fourth largest air force, which has been hamstrung with shortage of fighter jets. It is managing with 33 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned 39 and a half.

Top officers rarely make public comments on the political establishment, but this 38 year Air Force veteran from Assam, who has flown every single fighter aircraft the Indian Air Force possesses has always been a little different. “Please pardon me for saying things which must be said,” Barbora said.

He blasted the culture of referring everything (defence deals) to the Central Vigilance Commission. “Rumours of kickbacks affect purchase process as everyone looks at each other with suspicion.”

He said India was satisfied assembling tools and kits, while China had streaked ahead in the defence sector. “Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is pleased to produce doors and undercarriage for Airbus whereas China is producing the whole damn thing.”

He said India should be bold enough to allow more foreign direct investment in the defence sector. At present, foreign firms are allowed to invest only 26 per cent in Indian companies.

Barbora asked private firms to emulate reverse engineering of technologies from China. “Forget about ethics. Has anyone ever had the courage to ask China why are you doing it? If you can’t do it yourself, you should know how to reverse engineer.” On Tuesday, Barbora had said that considering the large investment the government made on fighter pilots, women wishing to pursue the vocation should devote themselves entirely to it for a certain number of years and avoid having children during that period to prevent any disruptions. 

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/Politics-hurting-military-modernisation/Article1-478238.aspx