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BSNL Penta Tpad WS802C Tablet Review

Bsnl tablet pc: Public sector telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had some time back introduced three low cost tablets in India. Manufactured by Noida based Pantel Technologies, the tablets fall in the Rs 3,000-Rs 14,000 price bracket. We have already done a first hand review of the cheapest BSNL tablet - Penta IS701R. During our first few hours with the costliest BSNL tablet, Penta Tpad WS802C, we liked the device and thought it good value for money. We further upped the bar during a month long intensive review process to find out its metal and here's how the BSNL Penta Tpad WS802C fared:     Look and feel The tablet looks decent in its pure white colour. The plastic body does not inspire much confidence and its slippery surface further makes things worse. So you have to be very careful while handling this 8 inch tablet. Further, there is unnecessary space around the display, which makes it look a lot bigger and you feel like you are handling a 10 inch tablet. Nonetheless, BSNL and Pantel have provided a number of buttons at convenient positions on the Penta Tpad WS802C. All the ports - 3.5 mm jack, USB, HDMI, reset button, OTG and charging port - are at the lower part of the tablet; the SD card slot, volume rocker and on/off button are on the lower right side while on the left, there is the SIM slot. There are two speakers on the top back side. You will find the front camera along with four capacitive buttons at the bottom of the display. Display Penta Tpad WS802C comes with an 8 inch capacitive multi touch screen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution and is undoubtedly one of the brightest among the low cost tablets we have seen so far. Courtesy the display, you would definitely enjoy watching your favorite movies and playing games on the tablet. Since the tablet has an Aldiko book reader, reading ebooks on it is also a pleasurable experience. Moreover, the tablet has a wide viewing angle which is handy especially when two or three persons watch a movie at a time - this is perhaps the quality I liked best about the tablet. All in all, BSNL and Pantel must be credited for the display. Processor, operating system and performance The Mobile Indian has always recommended that users check out the processor speed before buying any device as this is the brain of the device. Hence, when we saw the specifications of Penta Tpad WS802C we were delighted and were hoping for powerful performance. With a 1.2 GHz processor and 512 MB DDR III RAM, the Tpad WS802C does indeed look muscular. So it was expected to perform effortlessly from the very start. However, that was not to be. Though most of time it performed okay, on occasions it hanged badly, forcing us to do a hard reset. The under-performing processor further kills the thrill of games, which is quite a glaring issue. And, it takes a good 2-3 seconds to open most applications. The BSNL tablet runs on Android 3.2 Honeycomb, a tablet specific operating system from Google. But do not expect an upgrade to Android 4.0 ICS in the coming times as for that any device should have a minimum of 1 GB RAM. Battery Android devices are known for their battery draining function. However, this tablet passed the battery test with flying colours. Even after watching a movie for about two hours, playing games for half-an-hour, browsing the web for a couple of minutes and reading an ebook for a bit, the tablet managed to hold some battery juice. In short, the 3000 mAh lithium-polymer battery of the Tpad WS802C can manage to run for a day with full recharge if you use the tablet properly, that is, by shutting down 3G connectivity, WiFi and apps when not in use. Connectivity The notable factor of this tablet is the number of connectivity options it offers. It has a SIM slot, so you can opt for any operator's SIM for calling and net surfing. BSNL is offering additional data benefits with the tablet if you purchase it with the offer for Rs 13,500. Without the BSNL offer, Pantel is selling the tab for Rs 14,500. For internet, it has WiFi, Bluetooth and a USB dock for file transfer. Tpad WS802C has both mini and regular USB ports. Hence, you can enjoy content from removable storages like your pen drive as well. Besides, it has an HDMI output to let you enjoy content on your television. Let downs Though the tablet has many positives, in a few areas it has let us down. Apart from the obvious down sides like a slippery body and slow processor, the Penta Tpad WS802C has some other issues as well. The most irritating of which is the bug in its keypad. The bug does not let you type properly. In fact, you usually end up with a different letter from what you type. For example, if you type 'a', the keypad some times generates 'L'. However, we downloaded another keyboard from Android Market, which solved the problem. The bug may be limited to the particular device we reviewed, and if it is common to all Tpad WS802Cs then download a different keypad from Android Market. This would solve the problem. There also seems to be some issue with SIM connectivity. The tablet does not enable data connectivity through the SIM at one go. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to enable data connectivity, but many times it simply refuses to do so. Though BSNL has provided a 0.3 megapixel camera in the front, a back camera too should have been present. But even many high end tablets do not have a rear camera. Conclusion At Rs 13,500, the BSNL Penta Tpad WS802C sits pretty in the affordable tablet segment. When it was announced towards the end of February, it did create a buzz in the market. However, 30-days later the fizz seems to have vanished, especially considering the slew of tablets that have been launched in the Indian market. Just some days ago, three new low cost tablets were launched, including two Android 4.0 tablets from iBerry and Zync, which are priced Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 less than the Penta Tpad WS802C. Clearly, the tablet now seems over-priced and does not have any unique design or elements vis-à-vis features that would really compel people to go for it while ignoring the clutter of tablets around them. The tablet however performs okay relative to low cost tablets available in market.    

IPL 5 2012 Schedule

IPL 5 2012: The schedule of the Indian Premier League 2012 (IPL 5) has been finalized. IPL 2012 (IPL 5) will feature nine teams and a total of seventy-six matches will be played from Wednesday, 4 April 2012, to Sunday, 27 May 2012. In the opening game, Chennai Super Kings, the defending champions, will take on the Mumbai Indians, the Champions League T20 winners, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.   IPL 2012 Schedule & Fixtures Date Match Details Time Venue GMT IST Ground City Apr 04 – Wed Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians, 1st Match 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Apr 05 – Thu Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils, 2nd Match 20:00 20:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata Apr 06 – Fri Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors, 3rd Match 16:00 16:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai Apr 06 – Fri Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab, 4th Match 20:00 20:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur Apr 07 – Sat Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Daredevils, 5th Match 16:00 16:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Apr 07 – Sat Deccan Chargers v Chennai Super Kings, 6th Match 20:00 20:00 ACA-VDCA Stadium Visakhapatnam Apr 08 – Sun Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders, 7th Match 16:00 16:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur Apr 08 – Sun Pune Warriors v Kings XI Punjab, 8th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune Apr 09 – Mon Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians, 9th Match 20:00 20:00 ACA-VDCA Stadium Visakhapatnam Apr 10 – Tue Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders, 10th Match 16:00 16:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Apr 10 – Tue Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings, 11th Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi Apr 11 – Wed Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals, 12th Match 20:00 20:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai Apr 12 – Thu Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 13th Match 16:00 16:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Apr 12 – Thu Kings XI Punjab v Pune Warriors, 14th Match 20:00 20:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh Apr 13 – Fri Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals, 15th Match 20:00 20:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata Apr 14 – Sat Pune Warriors v Chennai Super Kings, 17th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune Apr 15 – Sun Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab, 18th Match 16:00 16:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata Apr 15 – Sun Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals, 19th Match 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Apr 16 – Mon Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils, 20th Match 20:00 20:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai Apr 17 – Tue Rajasthan Royals v Deccan Chargers, 21st Match 16:00 16:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur Apr 17 – Tue Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors, 22nd Match 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Apr 18 – Wed Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders, 23rd Match 20:00 20:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh Apr 19 – Thu Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers, 24th Match 16:00 16:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi Apr 19 – Thu Chennai Super Kings v Pune Warriors, 25th Match 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Apr 20 – Fri Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 26th Match 20:00 20:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh Apr 21 – Sat Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals, 27th Match 16:00 16:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Apr 21 – Sat Delhi Daredevils v Pune Warriors, 28th Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi Apr 22 – Sun Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab, 29th Match 16:00 16:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai Apr 22 – Sun Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders, 30th Match 20:00 20:00 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Hyderabad Apr 23 – Mon Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 31st Match 20:00 20:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur Apr 24 – Tue Pune Warriors v Delhi Daredevils, 32nd Match 16:00 16:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune Apr 24 – Tue Kolkata Knight Riders v Deccan Chargers, 33rd Match 20:00 20:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata Apr 25 – Wed Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians, 34th Match 16:00 16:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh Apr 25 – Wed Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings, 35th Match 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Apr 26 – Thu Pune Warriors v Deccan Chargers, 36th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune Apr 27 – Fri Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians, 37th Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi Apr 28 – Sat Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab, 38th Match 16:00 16:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Apr 28 – Sat Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 39th Match 20:00 20:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata Apr 29 – Sun Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals, 40th Match 16:00 16:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi Apr 29 – Sun Mumbai Indians v Deccan Chargers, 41st Match 20:00 20:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai Apr 30 – Mon Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders, 42nd Match 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai May 01 – Tue Deccan Chargers v Pune Warriors, 43rd Match 16:00 16:00 Barabati Stadium Cuttack May 01 – Tue Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils, 44th Match 20:00 20:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur May 02 – Wed Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab, 45th Match 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru May 03 – Thu Pune Warriors v Mumbai Indians, 46th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune May 04 – Fri Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers, 47th Match 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai May 05 – Sat Kolkata Knight Riders v Pune Warriors, 48th Match 16:00 16:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata May 05 – Sat Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals, 49th Match 20:00 20:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh May 06 – Sun Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings, 50th Match 16:00 16:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai May 06 – Sun Royal Challengers Bangalore v Deccan Chargers, 51st Match 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru May 07 – Mon Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders, 52nd Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi May 08 – Tue Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals, 53rd Match 16:00 16:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune May 08 – Tue Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab, 54th Match 20:00 20:00 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Hyderabad May 09 – Wed Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 55th Match 20:00 20:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai May 10 – Thu Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils, 16th Match 16:00 16:00 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Hyderabad May 10 – Thu Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings, 56th Match 20:00 20:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur May 11 – Fri Pune Warriors v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 57th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune May 12 – Sat Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, 58th Match 16:00 16:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata May 12 – Sat Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils, 59th Match 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai May 13 – Sun Rajasthan Royals v Pune Warriors, 60th Match 16:00 16:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur May 13 – Sun Kings XI Punjab v Deccan Chargers, 61st Match 20:00 20:00 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium Chandigarh May 14 – Mon Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians, 62nd Match 16:00 16:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru May 14 – Mon Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings, 63rd Match 20:00 20:00 Eden Gardens Kolkata May 15 – Tue Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab, 64th Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi May 16 – Wed Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders, 65th Match 20:00 20:00 Wankhede Stadium Mumbai May 17 – Thu Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings, 66th Match 16:00 16:00 Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium Dharamsala May 17 – Thu Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 67th Match 20:00 20:00 Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi May 18 – Fri Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals, 68th Match 20:00 20:00 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Hyderabad May 19 – Sat Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils, 69th Match 16:00 16:00 Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium Dharamsala May 19 – Sat Pune Warriors v Kolkata Knight Riders, 70th Match 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune May 20 – Sun Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 71st Match 16:00 16:00 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Hyderabad May 20 – Sun Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians, 72nd Match 20:00 20:00 Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur May 22 – Tue TBC v TBC, Qualifier 1 (1st v 2nd) 20:00 20:00 Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Pune May 23 – Wed TBC v TBC, Eliminator (3rd v 4th) 20:00 20:00 M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru May 25 – Fri TBC v TBC, Qualifier 2 (Winner of Eliminator v Loser of Qualifier 1 ) 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai May 27 – Sun TBC v TBC, Final (Winner of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Qualifier 2) 20:00 20:00 MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai    

Jagan Case: CBI Ready to File Chargesheet

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all ready to file the chargesheet in the illegal assets case of Kadapa MP and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. In all probabilities, the chargesheet may be filed tomorrow (30 March 2012) or at the latest by 2 April. According to CBI sources, a copy of the chargesheet has already been sent to Delhi headquarters and its clearance is awaited. It is expected that the clearance will be received by tomorrow and the chargesheet would be submitted to the court anytime after that. The CBI has listed 72 persons and organizations including Jagan as accused. The agency has already arrested Jagan’s confidant and auditor Mr Vijayasai Reddy in the case and is also gearing up for more arrests. The sources also informed that there is sufficient evidence to prove that some individuals and companies had invested on a quid-pro-quo basis in Jagan-owned companies such as Jagathi Publications, Indira Television, Sundur Power and Carmel Asia in return to favours from the YSR government. However, sources are keeping mum when asked whether Jagan would be arrested after the chargesheet is filed.  

Rajoana Hanging: 1 Killed in Police Firing

One person has been killed and another injured in police firing in Gurdaspur after two groups clashed over clemency for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh. Curfew was clamped on Thursday in Gurdaspur city following communal tension between Shiv Sena activists and Sikhs. Shiv Sainiks had given a call for Gurdaspur bandh on Thursday in the wake of registration of cases against some persons following clashes during Punjab bandh on Wednesday. During the bandh most of the establishments owned by Hindus were closed whereas those belonging to Sikhs were open, sources said adding that resisting the move of Sikhs the right-wing Hindu activists came face to face with them mounting tension in the city. In order to disperse the two groups, police allegedly opened fire in which one person died and another was injured, sources said. The right wing organisations were protesting against the registration of cases against 14 Hindus following a scuffle during Punjab bandh on Wednesday, sources said adding that the police opened fire in air to disperse the mob in Hanuman Chowk in the heart of the border town. During the Punjab bandh on Wednesday 14 Hindu youths had opposed the Sikh organisations to shut down the shutters of their establishments resulting in clash between the two groups.

Chandrababu, Harikrishna Differences Come to Fore

Ironically, on the very day when Telugu Desam Party is celebrating complition of 30 years in state politics, differences between TDP founder late NT Ramarao's son Harikrishna and present TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu have come into fore. Speaking to media on the occasion, Harikrishna said, "It's a fact that TDP is in shambles now. I fault the leaders for party's downfall, not the cadre. Now it is for the public and the party cadre to save the party from perishing." He even alleged that some party leaders at district level are colluding with Congress party for running their businesses. As if to contain Harikrishna's aggression, Chandrababu Naidu commented while speaking to media, "Whoever it might be, whether family memers or the party cadre, all are expected to follow the party discipline. Sitting together and dining is a family affair, but when it comes to party matters, discipline is more important."  

Army Chief May be Asked to go on Leave

The Indian Army Chief General VK Singh has come under attack for the various revelations and claims in the past few days. The political class is divided over the Army Chief. Some leaders have even called for the Army Chief to be sacked. A letter written by the Army Chief to the Prime Minister's Office claiming shortcomings in defence preparedness within the armed forces got leaked on Wednesday. The government may ask Army Chief General VK Singh to go on leave till May 31, the day he retires as to get out of the crisis precipitated by the General levelling bribery allegations against serving as well as retired Army officers and writing a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mentioning that the Army was ill-equipped to fight a war and defeat the enemy. Sources say both the government and the Opposition are against sacking General VK Singh and he may, therefore, be asked to go on leave till he retires. The Intelligence Bureau has begun a probe into the leak of the Army Chief's letter to the Prime Minister. IB Director Nehchal Sandhu also met General Singh on Thursday. The letter written by General Singh claims shortcomings in defence preparedness within the armed forces. Reacting to the leak of his letter to the Prime Minister, General Singh said, "This is an outrage, official communication with the PM or anybody for that matter with the Chief of staff is privileged information. I have nothing to do with the leak. The leaking of the letter should be treated as high treason, this cynical approach to tar my reputation has to be stopped. The source of leak has to be found and dealt with ruthlessly."    

Ambani Hosts Party For Sachin100th Century

The who’s who from the world of Bollywood, Politics, Industry and cricket gathered at a lavish party hosted by Mukesh and wife Nita Ambani to celebrate Indian cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s milestone of hundred hundreds in international cricket. The Bollywood celebrities invited to Ambani bash included Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan, Raju Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Preity Zinta, Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha with Sonakshi, Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani, Ekta Kapoor, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh.   The ever humble Sachin apologized to his fans for scoring his hundredth century after such a long span. He thanked his family and friends for their patience and support. He also added that he was not planning to retire anytime soon. Nita Ambani called upon film actors and cricketers to share their memories of Sachin. One of the first to speak was Aamir Khan who lavished praise on the cricketer and fondly recalled the first time when he saw him. Abhishek Bachchan was also all praises for Sachin and in a speech delivered in his characterisitic humourous style, thanked him for giving hopes and dreams to cricket lovers.He added that Sachin's son Arjun was equally talented as his father and would surely score similar hundredth tons. Lata Mangeshkar also addressed the gathering and spoke of Sachin as her son. She got emotional and hummed a few lines of the song "Tu Jahan Jahan rahega, mera saaya saath hoga" for him.  

Petrol Price Hike in April Imminent

Going by the recent developments, petrol prices are likely to be hiked anytime in April, 2012. With crude oil prices soaring over $120 in the international markets, the petroleum companies have put pressure on the government to allow them to hike prices. It is reliably learnt that the government has already conceded to their demand and the prices can be hiked anytime. An increase of Rs. 5 per litre for petrol, 4 for Diesel and Rs. 20 for LPG cylinder are expected.      

Jayalalitha Stashed Money With MP Magunta?

According to knowledgeable sources, Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha has stashed huge amounts of money with Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy. It is said that Magunta family has very close rapport with many a businessmen and film actors in AP as well as several political leaders of Tamil Nadu. More or less, Magunta family is considered a 'Reserve Bank' for stashing away un-accounted money. It is alleged that these people are keeping their un-accounted money in the hands of Magunta family for the past 20 years and Magunta family invests those amounts in various businesses. When probed why these people are preferring Magunta family only over others, it is found that the family is well reputed for its integrity and sincerity. Whoever it might be, the family returns every rupee that is to be returned without fail, when asked for. And this consistency in maintaining accounts by the family is said to be the main reason behind people having so much of faith on them. It is said, even late NT Ramarao has stashed huge amounts with Magunta family for safe-keeping. On NTR's death, Magunta family was the only one source that has sincerely returned monies to the NTR family. The word got circulated and Magunta family's reputation rose to the sky. Earlier, Maguntas even handled amounts belonging to former TN chief minister Karunanidhi. Sources say that, Jayalalitha has also kept some her earnings with this family. Even megastar turned politician, Chiranjeevi too safe-deposited some amounts with Magunta family, it is said.  

Shirdi Saibaba Temple: New Trustees Appointed

In compliance with the court orders, the Maharashtra government has appointed new trustees to the the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (SSST) to replace the old set, sacked earlier this month. The government move to appoint the new board came late on Tuesday night to stick to the Bombay High Court deadline of March 28 for forming the new body. Veteran Congress member Jayant Sasane, who was chairman in the outgoing board, has made a comeback to the post for another three years, besides two other trustees who have been retained in the 17-strong SSST board. The other trustees include Vice Chairman Ghanshyam Shelar, state cabinet minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil as well as Surendra Kharde, Rajendra Pipada, Snehalata Kolhe, Ajit Kadam, Patingrao Shelke, Minnath Pandey, Namdeo Gunjal, Sumitra Kote, Suresh Wadhwa and Vilas Kute. The other three names are likely to be announced shortly, an official from the SSST said.

Minister Balaraju on Land Grabbing Spree

State Tribal Welfare department minister P Balaraju is nowadays making news for his land grabbing spree. It can't be said how far he is serving the tribals of the state, but it is certain that he is usurping their lands. There are many reports of land grabbing are coming in against the minister. According to sources, the minister has already grabbed old ITDA office land at Paderu, Electricity Board's land in Chinthapalli and land the belonging to Coffee Board in Gudem village. It is also said that, freshly he is trying to get hold of another 300 acres of land in the agency area. Former MLA Goddeti Demudu has already sent complaints about the minister's land-grabbing activities to the state and central governments. Demudu alleges that minister Balaraju isn't doing anything for the welfare of the tribal people, but is only concerned with his own enrichment. Demudu alleged that apart from land grabbing, minister Balaraju is resorting to many an illegal activities also. He is not only threatening the local officials, but also managed that no IAS officer is appointed to the Paderu ITDA office, so that there won't be any hindrance to his activities. He also managed to get the sub-collector Karthikeya Mishra transferred and is trying to get an RDO rank official of his choice appointed there.  

14 Crore Bribe Scam: Army Chief to Confront Defence Minister

The 14 crore bribe episode has paved way to confrontation between Defence Minister AK Antony and the Army Chief VK Singh. According to sources, the army chief has chosen to challenge the version of events offered by the defence minister. Yesterday, AK Antony had said that though he urged General VK Singh to take action after the kickback was offered to him in 2010, the army chief refused. The minister also said he did not initiate an investigation because General Singh did not submit a complaint in writing. Sources close to the army chief say that he took whatever action he could. The lobbyist who allegedly visited him in his office and offered the money was Lt General (retd) Tejinder Singh. He allegedly wanted General Singh to clear the purchase of 1600 "sub-standard" Tatra trucks that are used to transport artillery and troops. Speaking to reporters, the retired officer said that he had not offered the army chief any money and that their meeting focused on his possible nomination as the head of the NTRO. General Singh's supporters say that he did not sanction the appointment. They also say that the chief did not allow the army to buy the new consignment of trucks from BEML, a defence Public Sector Unit that supplies Tatra trucks and other equipment to the army. Though Tejinder Singh has denied offering the chief any money, a taped recording of the conversation has allegedly been delivered to the CBI, which was ordered on Monday to investigate the controversy. It's not clear who recorded the meeting between Tejinder Singh and the chief. Press Trust of India cites sources to state that the chief can be heard shouting on the tape. The authenticity of the tape has not yet been established. The CBI met the army chief on Monday but he will record his formal statement when he returns to Delhi after an official tour. It is to be recalled that General Singh and Mr Antony spent most of last year engaged in a public battle over the army chief's age. General Singh wanted Army records amended to reflect that he was born in 1951 and not 1950, which is his year of birth according to the government. The issue could have affected when he would have to retire. General Singh became the first serving military chief to take the government to court but he withdrew his petition after Supreme Court judges suggested they would not be able to rule in his favour. General Singh will step down at the end of May.      

Earthquake Hits Indo-Nepal Border Area

A mild earthquake of 4.9 magnitude hit the Indo-Nepal border area near Bihar at 05:10 am (IST) on Wednesday. As per the Indian Meteorological department (IMD), the earthquake measured 4.9 of the Richter scale with the epicentre at Latitude 26.1°N and Longitude 87.8°E near Biratnagar in Nepal. According to the US Geological Survey earthquake monitoring system, the epicentre lay at a depth of 40 km from the earth’s surface. The epicentre was 63 km south east of Biratnagar, 63 km north north east of Katihar in Bihar and 395 km north of Kolkata (Calcutta). The US Geological Survey put the magnitude at 5 on the Richter scale. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported as yet. Today’s earthquake is the 19th to have been recorded in India this year.  

Rajoana Hanging Issue Puts Punjab on High Alert

Protests against the proposed hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana sentenced to death for killing former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh have put entire Punjab on a high alert. Radical Sikhs outfits Dal Khalsa and Khalsa Action Committee have asked the people to observe a 'bandh' on Wednesday. Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal is also likely to meet President Pratibha Patil in Delhi today in this regard. Referring to today's bandh, the two Sikh groups said "we appeal to a cross section of Punjabi society to close their business establishments, schools, colleges and shops to protest against the hanging that has been fixed for March 31. Prohibitory orders were clamped and police and paramilitary forces personnel conducted flag marches in parts of Punjab which was on high alert ahead of the proposed Punjab Bandh on Wednesday. Security forces conducted flag march in the state for the third day on Tuesday including in Moga, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana to instill a sense of confidence among the residents. Activists of some Sikh organisations took out a protest march at some places today and raised slogans in favour of Rajoana and demanded clemency for him. Security around the Central Jail at Patiala, where Rajoana is lodged, has been beefed up by erecting additional security check points and restricting the entry of those going towards the prison side. Official sources said that only persons with bonafide work are being allowed to proceed towards the Central Jail. Rajoana, as per a court order, will be hanged on March 31 at Central Jail Patiala. The SAD-BJP government and the Congress in the state have demanded grant of clemency to Rajoana. Punjab's DGP Sumedh Singh Saini has directed the district police chiefs to take all preventive and necessary steps to maintain peace. Police have set up special control rooms to monitor the security situation. Extra forces have been deployed around sensitive installations. A few companies of paramilitary forces and of the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) have been deployed at Amritsar, Patiala, Batala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and other places. The All India Sikh Students Federation said it will extend its full support to the Punjab Bandh. Trade and industry bodies have appealed to the Punjab government to ensure peace in the state in the wake of various Sikh organisations giving a bandh call in view of the possible execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana.  

Rs 2 Lakh Crore Waqf Board Scam Reported in Karnataka

The Commission report on the alleged scam over Rs 2 lakh crore involving Waqf lands is to be tabled in Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday. The Karnataka government appointed committee submitted the 7,000-page report to Chief Minister D Sadananda Gowda on Monday. The panel was constituted by the government in November last year following complaints and media reports on the role of politicians and Wakf Board officials in the illegal sale of land to individuals. Chairman of the Committee and Karnataka Minorities Commission Chairman, Anwar Manipaddy said "I have submitted a report on the alleged Wakf Board land scam running into more than Rs. 2 lakh crore to Chief Minister which will be tabled on the floor of the Assembly. Apart from powerful politicians, several Wakf Board members, Wakf officials, middlemen and land mafia are involved in the scam." Mr Manipaddy declined to reveal the names of politicians involved in the scam, saying "it is left to the Assembly to do so." According to the report, out of the Wakf Board's 54,000 acres of registered land, there has been misuse of about 22,000 to 27,000 acres. "Many middlemen, land mafia and politicians have been involved in the scam...Misappropriation of Wakf land has taken place in city areas rather than in rural areas...About 85 per cent of misappropriation has happened in city areas," he said. Mr Manipaddy said he has recommended the government to set up a high-power committee to check corrupt activities taking place in the Wakf Board and appoint a task force to retrieve Wakf properties sold illegally to "some powerful and influential people".  

Meteor 1: Soviet Satellite to Fall on Earth

According to NASA information, Meteor-1, the Soviet Union's first fully operational weather satellite, will Monday night re-enter the Earth's atmosphere after more than four decades in orbit, the web site of the US Strategic Command said. The Meteor satellite series was developed in the Soviet Union during the sixties. On March 26, 1969, a Vostok rocket launched Meteor-1, the very first version of the Soviet Meteor satellite network, into orbit. The satellite terminated operations in July 1970. The spacecraft is expected to begin falling at 3:13 am Moscow time March 27 with debris estimated to fall into the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka, the US Strategic Command said. Weighing between 1,200 and 1,400 kg, the spacecraft was originally placed in orbit at an altitude of 650 km, the Space Safety magazine said. Two solar panels were automatically oriented toward the sun to provide the spacecraft with the maximum amount of solar power. Meteor-1 provided near-global observations of the earth's weather systems, cloud cover, ice and snow fields, and reflected and emitted radiation from the dayside and nightside of the earth-atmosphere system for operational use by the Soviet meteorological service. Some of the processed data and TV pictures from the satellite were distributed to meteorological centers around the world. Source:ibnlive.  

Anna Team Comes Under Attack For Disrespect

Team Anna is under attack from angry parliamentarians of all parties for disrespecting democratic institutions during the day-long protest fast at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on Sunday. Unlike earlier times, a scathing attack was launched by leader of opposition and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj who stated that by speaking against democratic institutions (Parliament), Team Anna were indirectly inviting dictatorship. Sushma Swaraj was supported by a visibly angry Sharad Yadav, Janata Dal (U) leader and NDA convenor, who slammed Team Anna of targeting him. Asking as to how many Team Anna members have gone to jail for raising public interest issues, Yadav said Hazare should have stopped his team from targeting parliament and using derogatory language against them. Interestingly, during Anna’s Sunday fast, clips of Yadav’s speech on Lokpal in Parliament was played on a large screen. Team Anna issued a rejoinder pointing out that parliamentarians have lost people's faith and failed in their duty of upholding the rights of the citizens. Team Anna's Arvind Kejriwal said "Has those parties not insulted Parliament who gave ticket to MPs, with criminal records. Is parliament not insulted when these people (Rajneeti Prasad) tear the Lokpal Bill. Is it not insulted when MPs throw chairs? Is it not insulted when MPs are bought? The same constitution, which has given them right to make laws, has given us right to protest." As Team Anna was being blasted by opposition parties itself, who demanded a resolution against them for using derogatory language, Congress members were happily seen thumping desks in support. Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam stated that some 'outside powers' were trying to destabilise India's system.

Liquor Benamis on The Run

The persons who have obtained liquor shop licences in the state on benami names by investing crores of rupees are in a fix. Many of the wine dealers in state got licences on the names of their drivers, clerks and even servants by showing crores worth properties on their name. And for this, they were given petty jobs in wine shops or in the household. Now the problem started with ACB raids on the liquor syndicate. Things have changed now. Now the actual owners, who have been minting money by operating syndicates and selling liquor for more than MRP rates, are now incurring losses. Many of them are shutting down their businesses. Now the shop owners have started to withdraw from the guarantee amount they have deposited earlier to pay monthly instalments to the excise department. On the other hand, banks, who have paid monies to excise department are pressurising the licence holders who have borrowed from them. These licence holders (Mostly Benamis) are very poor and in no way can repay the amounts. When these benamis ask for money to repay the banks, the owners are avoiding them on one excuse or the other. The hapless benamis are fleeing their homes to undisclosed places. The bank people are trying very hard to trace them. Some benamis, those who are not able to run away, are approaching excise officials for help admitting that they are just benamis and have acted according to what theiur employers have asked them to do.  

Jalagam Venkata Rao to Join Jagan Party

Former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Jalagam Venjgala Rao's son Jalagam Venkata Rao is going to join the YSR Congress party, inform the sources. Persons close to Venkata Rao also say that he is going to contest the next general elections from Khammam on YSRCP ticket. The news is substantiated by recent happenings during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's Khammam to console the parents whose children have died in a school bus accident. It has been noticed that number of Venkata Rao's followers have been hanging around Jagan throughout the trip. Moreover, Venkata Rao's followers are telling openly that their leader is going to join the YSRC party. It is to be recalled that during last elections Venkata Rao was suspended from the party for defying party diktats. Though later he tried to re-join the party, but failed to do so. Having come to a conclusion that he has no place in Congress anymore, he is opting to join YSRCP, it is said.