The case involved an alleged corruption of about Rs 374 crore for the maintenance and modernisation of Panniyar, Chengulam and Pallivasal hydroelectric projects in Kerala
Allowing a petition filed by Pinarayi Vijayan, secretary of the state unit of the CPI (M) and former power minister, a CBI special court today exempted him from the list of offenders in the controversial SNC Lavalin corruption case.
The special court also exempted six senior former government and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) officials from the list. Rejecting the charge sheet filed by the CBI, the special court judge, R Raju, said the CBI had failed to establish a criminal conspiracy case against Vijayan and others in the case.
The court found the allegations levelled against Vijayan and others in the charge sheet filed by the CBI as baseless. As per the order of the court, the case is likely to be closed as the others accused in the case, SNC Lavalin Company and its senior vice president Claus Trendel, have not yet been questioned by the CBI.
The case involved an alleged corruption of about Rs 374 crore for the maintenance and modernisation of Panniyar, Chengulam and Pallivasal hydroelectric projects in Kerala. The agreement between the company and the Kerala government was cleared while Vijayan was the state's minister for power.
In his petition, Vijayan claimed it was nowhere mentioned in the charge sheet that he made financial gains from the scam and added it was registered only for political gain.
However, the CBI accused Vijayan of according the status of a distributor to SNC Lavalin after he became the power minister in 1997. Prior to this, the company was only a consultant. The CBI alleged, before vetting the agreement, the minister had made a trip to Canada to clinch a deal with the company unaccompanied by technical experts, who could advice him.
Further, the minister had made his decision without the approval from the KSEB or the Cabinet. He also chose to keep away important details of the deal from the state Cabinet and did not take interest to ensure the grant (Rs 90 crore),promised by SNC Lavalin to the Malabar Cancer Centre was realised on time. He also nominated his personal staff member, Sasidharan Nair, as special officer of the Cancer Centre to safeguard his interests, the CBI alleged. The CBI, however, did not allege Vijayan had made any personal gain through the deal.
HISTORY OF SNC LAVALIN SCANDAL
In 1992, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India rejected a proposal of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to renovate the three hydro-electric power projects at Pallivasal, Sengulam and Panniar instead the CEA recommended a capacity upgradation of the generators in these three power projects, after they found that these projects are in good condition.[3] KSEB disregarded this recommendation and went forward with the decision to renovate these projects.
Initial negotiations.
The initial negotiations with the Canadian company SNC-Lavalin - a company which had been present in the state's power sector for several decades - began during the tenure of United Democratic Front government,[7] under the leadership of the then power minister C.V. Padmarajan[9] and later, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SNC-Lavalin on 10 August 1995, when G. Karthikeyan of the Congress Party was the power minister, after the resignation of C.V. Padmarajan. Under the provisions of the MoU, the funds for the renovation were to be arranged by SNC Lavalin from the Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Later, it was also found out in a probe by CBI, that G. Karthikeyan also wanted a quid-pro-quo assistance from the Canadian government for the setting up a hospital for granting a project for refurbishment of Pallivasal, Shengulam and Panniyar Hydro electric stations in Kerala, after the revelation of a letter by G Karthikeyan to the then vice-president of Lavalin business operations, Klaus Triendl, who is also an accused in the Lavalin scandal.[4] It was only in September 1995, that the KSEB undertook a feasibility study on the proposal, by a retired Chief Engineer of the KSEB, who later became a consultant to SNC-Lavalin.[1]
Consultant's report.
Based on the consultant's report and further discussions, the KSEB under the leadership of G. Karthikeyan, signed the contracts
with SNC-Lavalin to provide technical services for management, engineering, procurement and construction supervision on 24 February 1996, to ensure completion of the projects within three years. The consultancy agreement did actually include the rates for various equipments to be purchased as part of the project. Consultancy agreements were converted into fixed price contracts for the supply of machinery and technical services as part of the renovation at a cost of 67.94 million Canadian dollars (Rs 169.03 crores). The final follow-up agreement with SNC-Lavalin regarding the renovation of PSP project was signed by Pinarayi Vijayan of Left Democratic Front - after they took office winning the majority in legislative assembly in 1996 - in February 1997.[9] Technically, the Left Democratic Front (Kerala) led government could not retreat from the agreements, even if they wanted to,[9] according to the provisions of the MoU which was already signed by their predecessors,
that is the ministers of United Democratic Front government.
Contract signed.
After the final contract was signed, the KSEB entrusted the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHEPCL) a study to justify the prices quoted by Lavalin, and they concluded in that study that in view of the grant to the proposed Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC), the purchase of Canadian equipment and accessories could be considered favorably.[3]
CAG FINDINGS
The CAG found that Lavalin was only a consultant intermediary and not the original equipment manufacturer and that the supply of goods and services was made by other firms at a much higher cost leading to excess expenditure. According to the CAG, the absence of due professional care in negotiating the foreign loan proved to be detrimental to the financial interests of the Board. The Board also could not ensure the quality of renovation work in the absence of technology transfer and training of its engineers. Owing to various technical defects in the equipment, the generation of power could not be maintained even at the pre-renovation level and the Board had to spend on repairs.
According to the CAG, failure to exclude the fee for technical consultancy from fixed price contracts resulted in an avoidable payment of Rs 20.31 crores, and failure to negotiate and exclude the exposure fee from the loan agreement resulted in avoidable payment of Rs 9.48 crores and future liability of Rs 2.21 crores. In the opinion of the CAG, there was also an avoidable payment of Rs 1.20 crores as commitment fee despite there being committed but unavailed advance.
The CAG found that the Government did not receive Rs 89.32 crores out of the grant of Rs 98.30 crores that was promised for the Malabar Cancer Centre as the MoU was not renewed in time during the tenure of United Democratic Front when Kadavoor Sivadasan was the minister in charge of powe
India will take its next major step forward in the space programme, after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, when scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launch their maiden mission to Mars on Tuesday, at 2:38pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.PSLV-C25, the 25th mission of PSLV and fifth in the XL configuration, will carry the 1,337 kg Mars Orbiter Satellite into a 250 km X 23,500 km elliptical orbit. The cost of the mission is Rs. 450 crore.
The formal countdown for India's maiden mission to Mars began at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 6:08 am today.
With the launch of Mangalyaan set at 2:38 pm on November 5 by the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO, the countdown will last for nearly 56 hours.
During the countdown, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - a giant 45-metre rocket - will be fuelled and its health checked. The PSLV carrying Mangalyaan will blast off from Sriharikota, which is about 80 kilometres from Chennai.
The launch of Mangalyaan, which was scheduled for October 28 initially, was postponed due to bad weather in the Pacific Ocean. Two Indian ships, SCI Yamuna and Nalanda, which will monitor the health of the rocket and satellite as it sails over the ocean after being launched from India, had been delayed due to bad weather.
In case the weather does not permit launch on November 5, the launch window is open till Novemmber 19. It is of critical importance that the Mangalyaan begins its over 200 million kilometre journey on its trans-Martian orbit latest by November 30 - any further delay could prove disastrous for the mission.
This will be the first ever launch that ISRO will conduct in November at India's space port, which is usually dogged by recurring cyclones at this time of the year.
The Mangalyaan mission will cost Rs. 450 crores and will study the Martian atmosphere.
The coasting phase between the third stage (PS3) burn-out and the fourth-stage (PS4) ignition is longer for this mission. The total flight duration before the Orbiter is injected is nearly 40 minutes. This is longer than the average time of 20 minutes for earlier spacecrafts.
“There are several technological and scientific challenges in this mission. This is India’s first interplanetary mission. We had to calibrate our hardware to withstand a territory not experienced before,” Isro chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said.
The spacecraft will move from the Earth’s sphere of influence and go to the heliocentric (sun-centric) orbit on December 1, 2013 at 12:42pm. It will remain in the trans-Martian orbit for nearly 300 days before finally entering the Mars orbit on September 24, 2014. It will then have to be re-oriented and slowed down to enter the Martian orbit or else it will vanish.
The Orbiter has five indigenously-designed payloads to carry different scientific experiments once it reaches the Martian atmosphere. The Methane Sensor is specifically designed to measure methane and map its sources on Mars.
Kerala's iconic Marxist and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan turned 90 on Sunday.
A leader whose life has been a relentless struggle not only against injustices and indignities of a class and caste riven society, but also "revisionist" trends in his own movement, his 90th birthday was devoid of any colourful celebrations.
But this time round, under gentle persuasion from and close aides and well wishers, the Communist Party of India-Marxist stalwart agreed to cut a birthday cake before joining lunch with his wife Vasumathi and other family members at his official residence Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram.
"As in the past, I will continue my struggle against corruption and anti-people policies...", Achuthanandan said in a brief birthday message and went on to blast the United Democratic Front government headed by Ommen Chandy over the solar scam.
A founder leader of CPI-M after the split in undivided CPI in 1964, he is no stranger to controversies.
He was in the news even on the eve of his 90th birthday for critical comments against the party's state leadership controlled by his bete noire Pinarayi Vijayan. The central party has openly voiced its displeasure at the damning comments he made against the state leadership.
Velikkakath Sankaran Achuthanandan was born on October 20, 1923 in a working class family at Punnapra in Alappuzha district.
Compelled to end formal education at the primary stage, he was soon attracted to the fledgling trade union movement in Alapuzha, a bustling commercial town in the early decades of last century.
His life since then has been inseparably linked with the history of the Communist movement in the state through all its vital moments like the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, nationwide ban on the party following the 'Calcutta thesis", split in the movement, arrest of CPI-M leaders during the India-China war and the internal emergency and faction feuds in the party.
An astute campaigner and shrewd strategist, Achuthanandan has played a vital role along with late E M S Namboodiripad, A K Gopalan and E K Nayanar in building the CPI-M as the biggest Communist group in the state after the 1964 split.
He became a CPI-M politbureau member in 1996 but was dropped from the top organisational body a few years back for speaking against the party's official line on a corruption case involving Pinarayi Vijayan.
Achuthanandan headed the LDF ministry in 2006-11, defeating designs by his rivals in the party to sideline him.
Though he has lost much of his hold in the organisation, he continues to be the most popular Left leader in the state, acceptable to even large sections who are not directly part of the CPI-M.
Instead of narrowly confining to party politics, in recent times he has taken up larger human concerns like threat to the environment and women's rights.
Dubbed by critics as a doctrinaire Marxist in the past, Achuthanandan has also in the last several years tapped the potential of legal processes in his fight against corruption.
The decades-long demand for setting up a High Court Bench in Thiruvananthapuram is once again in focus with the HC constituting a committee comprising five senior-most judges to conduct a feasibility study for the same.
As per the order issued by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, a committee headed by Justice K M Joseph and comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan, Justice K T Sankaran, Justice S Siri Jagan and Justice T R Ramchandran Nair will consider the request to set up a High Court Bench in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to highly-placed sources, the panel will examine all aspects relating to the matter and hear the pleas of the Advocates' associations.
Welcoming the decision, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor said it was unusual for a state capital not to have a High Court Bench. Given the large number of cases in which the state is a litigant, the government spends close to `3 crore a year in TA/DA for sending officials to depose in Kochi, leaving their work in Thiruvananthapuram unattended. "In other words, it leads to waste and inefficiency. A Bench in the capital would prove beneficial for the people of the southern districts of the state," Tharoor told 'Express'.
Tharoor said he had taken several steps since 2009, including speaking to three successive Chief Justices of Kerala and four successive Union Law Ministers. He had also introduced a Private Member's Bill to push the issue before Parliament. "But nothing can be done without the state judiciary coming on board," he noted.
"The Central Government has been sympathetic but feels that a final decision requires the concurrence of the Chief Justice of Kerala. When Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and I met Union Minister Kapil Sibal on October 4, he promised to press the Chief Justice for a decision that has been long delayed," he said.
When asked what are the difficulties in implementing the proposal he said, "there seem to be several issues, since the problem is as old as I am! But I would prefer not to ascribe motives to those who have so far opposed this proposal."
Thiruvananthapuram Bar Association president and High Court Bench Action Council chairman K P Jayachandran also appreciated the HC decision.
"Thiruvananthapuram had been the seat of the erstwhile Travancore High Court, but after the re-organisation of the states, it was shifted to Ernakulam. So we are demanding reconstitution of the Bench," Jayachandran said.
However, Kerala High Court Advocates' Association president Babu Paul said they will strongly object any move regarding the constitution of an HC bench. "We will submit our grievances before the committee when we there is an opportunity. A bench in the state capital will not serve any purpose," Paul said.
Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Friday braced for the "very severe" cyclone that is expected to hit the east coast with winds gusting up to 220 kmph on Saturday evening, as lakhs of people were being evacuated to safer places and the military kept on standby.
Cyclone Phailin – the biggest cyclone in years to hit Odisha – is expected to make landfall near Gopalpur in Ganjam district in the eastern state after crossing an area between Paradip in Odisha and Kalingapatnam in AP.
Five districts were in the eye of the storm with IMD Chief Dr L S Rathore identifying Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha and Srikakalum in AP as those that is likely to be worst hit.
Rathore said the cyclone storm over east central Bay of Bengal currently lay 450 km southeast of Gopalpur and warned that it will be accompanied by a storm surge of up to three metres in the districts that will bear the brunt.
"Cyclone Phailin is a very severe cyclone," Rathore said in Delhi. Rathore said the storm, which will hit the coast at 6 pm, is unlikely to develop into a super cyclone.
Phailin was named by Thailand and it means sapphire in Thai.
"The US Navy has also forecast that the wind speed will be above 240 kmph. Therefore, the cyclone is not less than any super cyclone for us," Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra told reporters in Bhubaneshwar.
Mohapatra said the IMD had declared the 1999 calamity as a super cyclone as the wind speed had crossed 220 kmph. An estimated 9,885 persons were killed in the super cyclone that pummelled Odisha.
"This time around, the wind speed is not much different than the previous super cyclone," he said.
Squalls with a wind speed of 45-55 kmph to 65 kmph have already started along Odisha coast since morning under the impact of Phailin. About 25 cm of rain has been predicted in 24 hours in the affected districts due to the cyclone.
The Odisha health department cancelled holidays and leave of all doctors in view of the impending situation even as the state government set a target of "zero casualty" and ordered speedy evacuation of people in seven coastal districts.
East Coast Railway planned to regulate and cancel about 24 passenger trains between Visakhapatnam and Bhadrak on the Howrah-Chennai Main Line route on Saturday.
Authorities began evacuating 64,000 people from the low-lying areas of three vulnerable districts in Andhra Pradesh, state Revenue Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said.
Emergency food supplies and shelters for people expected to flee the heavy winds and rains were also being readied in the vulnerable districts. Disaster management teams were also kept in readiness.
Odisha government set a target of "zero casualty" and ordered speedy evacuation of people in low-lying areas in seven coastal districts which is home to lakhs of people.
Defence Minister A K Antony ordered the Armed Forces to be ready to move in to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Two IAF IL-76 aircraft have already airlifted NDRF teams and equipment to Bhubaneshwar.
IAF assets have been kept on standby at various bases including at Raipur, Nagpur, Jagdalpur, Barrackpore, Ranchi and Gwalior.
It has also kept two C130J aircraft, 18 helicopters, 2 AN-32s aircraft on a standby to move at a short notice besides asking its Eastern Air Command to coordinate relief operation with the task force positioned at Barrackpore.
The Navy, Airforce, NDRF, ODRF were ready for relief and rescue operation as soon as the cyclone hits the coast, Mohapatra said in Bhubaneswar.
An anxious Odisha government held meetings and evaluated the developing situation.
"At least 28 teams of the National Disaster Response Forces are at the disposal of the Odisha government for evacuation and relief operations," a senior official said after one such meeting.
So far eight teams of NDRF, reaching having 20 personnel, have been deployed in Puri district, the official said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro said district collectors have been told to complete evacuation of people by Friday evening.
"We do not want to take any chance," Patro said adding that shelters were ready.
"The Collectors of all seven districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara, Nayagarh and Khurda have been directed to start evacuation and ensure 100 per cent evacuation of people to cyclone and flood shelters and other safe places by today evening," said Patro.
The Collectors of Bhadrak and Balasore districts have also been alerted, the minister said.
Appealing to the people not to panic, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked them to cooperate with the government in relief and rescue operations.
The IMD forecast a storm surge of 2.5 to 3 metres in Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Srikakulam districts.
A storm surge is a rise of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and winds associated with a storm.
Gales with a speed of 205-215 kmph are expected when the cyclone crosses the coast, according to A P Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy
"Sometimes the gale speed may even touch 235 kmph while heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 25 cm is also likely under the impact," he told reporters in Hyderabad.
The Minister said he spoke to Collectors of coastal districts and put them on high alert.
Army, Navy and National Disaster Response Force personnel have already been positioned in vulnerable coastal districts while IGP (north-coastal zone) Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao has been asked to coordinate with other departments to ensure effective communications in case of emergency.
"In 1996, we had a super cyclone and Phailin is expected to be of the same intensity," Reddy said.
Onam is the state festival of Kerala. Celebrated in the first month ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee Calender, it is also the annual harvest festival of the state. The festival falls in the month of August to September according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of Onam go ten days long up to Tiruvonam and in some cases to twelve days long until chatayam (twelfth day). The celebrations of Onam include elaborate rituals, music, dances, sports, boat races and of course scrumptious foods. There are several legends and stories attached with the festival. Read on to explore more about the festival of Onam i.e. its history, its origin and its significance.
Onam has been a part of Malayalee culture for centuries. The earliest record of the festival that has been found belongs to the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around i.e. around 800 AD. However, there are great possibilities that the festival was celebrated before this period also. Any ways, due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere around 800 A.D. as the harvest festival of the state. However, there are so many legends and stories attached with the day that it seems that the festival has been a part of the region ever since its origin.
Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.
The story of King Mahabali is found in the Bhagavata Purana (also known as Srimad Bhagavatam), the most sacred Hindu text. According to it, long long ago there lived King Mahabali, a powerful demon who ruled the nether world(underworld)
Read more at http://www.theholidayspot.com/onam/onam_history.htm#vbjmTGbrisbVjduI.99
Bali, or rather King Mahabali, was very strong and extremely pious. Powered by a boon granted to him by Lord Brahma, Bali was invincible and even gods failed to defeat him in battles. He had conquered the whole earth and became its master.
Soon Mahabali became a threat to the Gods by his position and huge popularity among his subjects. Once he went to war with Lord Indra, the king of demigods. A fierce battle followed whereupon Mahabali, the King of Asuras, defeated Indra and proceeded to occupy Indra's territory.
Having defeated the Indra and the other gods, Bali became the King of Heaven. Thus, he rose to be the undisputed ruler of all the three worlds. Violence was inflicted upon the Devas(demigods). To save themselves, the demigods collectively approached Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. Aditi, the mother of Lord Indra, was very much upset over her son's defeat at the hand of the demon king. On the advice of Kashyapa, her husband, Aditi prayed to Lord Narayana and observed a special ritual (Payovrata) with utmost sincerity. Pleased with Aditi's devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before her and informed her that he would himself place a child in her womb and help Indra. Later, on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, Aditi gave birth to a son of uncommon effulgence. That child, known as Vamana, was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Even when Vamana was a child, he demonstrated his divine powers by doing marvellous deeds.
Now, there was another side to Bali's character. Though a demon by birth, he rejoiced in doing good deeds and giving alms to the poor. No person coming to his door ever left empty-handed.
Once, while performing the sacrificial rite of Viswajith Yagna or Aswamedha Yagna on the banks of Narmada River, Bali declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this Yagna. Vamana, a young man by this time, was waiting just for this opportunity.
He went to the place where Mahabali was observing the ritual. Once he reached there, he was warmly welcomed by Mahabali who received him with all traditional honours and gave him an eminent seat befitting the status of a holy person. Bali was already warned by his spiritual master that the boy was actually Lord Vishnu and that he would not promise the lad anything. But Bali was a king and a man of honour. He was not a one to go back on his word. Inspite of his master's warning, Bali promised to Vamana to fulfill whatever he desired.
The small-statured brahmin demanded three paces of ground measured by his own foot. Bali boasted that he would surely deliver it. He asked Vamana to measure the three feet of land as desired by him.
At once, the little Vamana statred to grow in size. He grew and grew until he towered above the heavens. With one foot, he measured all of the earth. With the other, he claimed all of the heaven. There was still one foot of territory that Bali owed him. There was no place for his third step. Bali surrendered his head and asked him to step on it so that the Lord could have
some place to put his foot and he too could save his respect. Vishnu was pleased at the devotion of Mahabali. So he granted him rule over nether land. But Bali had a great affinity for his earthly kingdom. So he requested Lord Vishnu to allow him to visit his kingdom to see his people once a year. The Lord fulfilled this wish of Mahabali. He granted Mahabali the permission to visit his subjects once a year.
Mahabali's rule was considered as the golden era of Kerala. It is said that the demon king had brought great peace and prosperity to the land. The people believe that Onam is the time when Mahabali comes to Kerala annually to see his subjects. Till today, the Keralites celebrate Onam festival to commemorate the memory of the great King Mahabali who gave everyting to keep his promise. True to his name "Mahabali" (meaning Great Sacrifice), Bali fulfilled his name as the one who gave a great sacrifice for the sake of "Satya" (Truth).
This, in brief, is the history of the Onam festival. According to an alternate legend however, Onam is believed by many Malayalees to be the occassion when Parasurama visits Kerala. It is held to be the time when Parasurama recovered Kerala from the sea.
India's 200 crore space mission has run into trouble with the lift-off of India's heavy rocket geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle-D5 (GSLV-D5), carrying communication satellite GSAT-14, delayed due to a leak.
The countdown began on Sunday at 11.50 am at Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh, for the launch scheduled at 4.50 pm today.
It was halted one hour and 14 minutes ahead of lift-off, after some 'leakage' was detected. Officials say they are not sure when the countdown can be resumed.
The mission was called off at a fairly advanced stage of the 29-hour countdown, and with only a little over an hour left for the lift-off that was scheduled for 4.50 p.m., at the second launch pad of the Sriharikota spaceport near here.
This was the eighth flight of the GSLV, the fourth developmental flight and only the second time in three years that the indigenously-developed cryogenic upper stage was flight-tested. The Rs. 205-crore expendable rocket’s mission was to inject the cuboid-shaped and 1982-kg weighing GSAT-14 in orbit to signal India’s entry into an ivy league of nations with frontier capabilities of launching 2,000-2,500 kg class of advanced communication satellites in outer space.
The GSAT-14, the 23rd geostationary communication satellite built by ISRO, would have joined a line-up of nine Indian satellites to help provide a host of satellite-based communication services, including tele-education and tele-medicine. The satellite’s mission was also to augment the in-orbit capacity of the extended C and Ku-band transponders in the INSAT-GSAT ecosystem to set the stage for new and exciting experiments driven by satellite-based communication.
The rocket port is located about 80 km from Chennai.
"The rocket cost is around Rs. 160 crore and the cost of the satellite is around Rs. 45 crore," an official of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS, preferring anonymity.
The key significance of this Rs. 205 crore launch is that the rocket's cryogenic engine is indigenously developed by ISRO.
This was the first mission of GSLV in the last three years, after two such rockets failed in 2010. One of the GSLV rockets flew with an Indian cryogenic engine, and the other one with a Russian engine.
The GSLV is a three stage/engine rocket. The first stage is fired with solid fuel, the second with liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine.
The successful flight of this rocket is crucial for India as it will be the first step towards building rockets that can carry heavier payloads of up to four tonnes.
An ISRO official, preferring anonymity, told IANS that several design changes had been incorporated in Monday's rocket after studying the past GSLV rockets and the issues faced in them.
Design changes were made in the lower shroud/cover that protects the cryogenic engine during the atmospheric flight, wire tunnel of the cryogenic stage to withstand larger forces during the flight, and the revised aerodynamic characterisation of the entire rocket.
"We have reverted to 3.4 metre heat shield to protect the satellite. The last GSLV rocket that failed had a four-metre heat shThe leak was reportedly observed in the second stage of the 49-metre tall GSLV-D5. The rocket adopts a three-stage fuel cycle — the core solid stage, liquid and a cryogenic upper stage. At about 4 p.m., ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, accompanied by a team of glum-looking scientists, met the media to formally declare that the GSLV-D5 mission had been called off.
“The countdown was progressing well. However, a few minutes ago, we observed a leak in the fuel systems of the second stage. Because of this, we are calling off the launch,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.
The immediate task for ISRO teams in the fuel leak situation was to quickly drain out the liquid propellants that had been loaded into the second stage, the four L40 strap-ons and the cryogenic stage, the ISRO chief said.
“We need to make an assessment of the cause of the leak and the actions that need to be taken before further preparations for the next launch,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said. The GSLV-D5 is also being hauled back to the Vehicle Assembly building, he said.ield. One of the earlier GSLV rockets had problems in its aerodynamics," the official said.
Other changes included video imaging of lower shroud movement during various flight phases, fuel booster in cryogenic engine, and ignition sequence of the cryogenic engine, he said.
ISRO said indigenisation of many critical systems including liquid hydrogen propellant acquisition system (to prevent possibility of outside contamination) was achieved.
ISRO officials told IANS that though the rocket's rated carrying capacity is around 2.2 tonnes, it was decided to carry a sub-two tonne satellite with minimum number of transponders (receivers and transmitters of communication signals), to be on the safe side.
ISRO's earlier attempts to fly a GSLV rocket carrying slightly over two tonne satellites have ended in partial/total failures.
Meanwhile, it is going to be tense 17 minutes for the ISRO scientists on Monday after the 49.13 metre tall rocket weighing 414.75 tonnes blasts off at 4.50 pm, till the GSLV rocket safely delivers GSAT-14 to augment the Indian transponder capacity.
ISRO is planning to launch an upgraded version of GSLV Mark III rocket next year with a dummy payload. The design payload capacity of GSLV Mark III is four tonnes.
During the countdown to the rocket launch, fuelling of the three stage/engine GSLV rocket's four strap-on motors and the second stage with liquid fuel will be completed by August 19 morning, while the first-stage core engine is powered by solid fuel.
The process of fuelling the cryogenic engine will begin around 10 hours prior to the launch.
Opposition leader, VS Achuthandan to approach the high court to highlight the lapses occurred in the solar scam investigations. CPM state Secretary has also given approval to this. Achuthanandan and Politburo member Seetharam Yechury meet with Ram jetmalani for his advice regarding this issue He will be lodging a complaint against some political top leaders and the CJM court.No investigations had been carried out so far based on Sreedharan Nairs statement. Jiku mon and Salim Raj who is accused of involving in solar scam has not yet been arrested. Considering all the details gathered so far, CM, his personal staff members, top police officers all are included in the case, but no actions has been taken so far. Instead of bringing the culprits into light the investigation team is trying to protect the accused including CM. The opposition leader will be pointing out all these lapses in the court and will request the high court for legal intervention in the solar scam.
The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state Director General of Prosecutions to file a statement by Tuesday as to who is conducting the investigation of cases relating to Solar Panel scam and other questions relating to the merits of the case.
The direction was issued by Justice S S Sateeshchandran during hearing of bail applications of TV actress Shalu Menon and Tenny Joppen, former private secretary of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, both accused in the solar scam, which is rocking the state for the past two months.
Investigation into the Solar scam is being conducted by Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ADGP K Hemachandran, while the chargesheet in some of the cases has been filed by another officer.
As the provisions of CRPC does not enable such a procedure, the Judge directed the Director of Prosecution to file a statement by Tuesday.
When Joppen's bail application came up, the court orally expressed its displeasure at not getting definite answers regarding investigation of the case from Advocate General K P Dandapani.
The court said having gone through the case diary, there should be not be a 'miscarriage' of justice.
The bail applications of both the accused were adjourned to Tuesday.
Though the AG made a request to prohibit the media from publishing the proceedings of the case, the court declined to accept the plea.
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport along with the Cochin International Airport joined six other elite airports in the country in issuing this passport to tourists when the country is celebrating its 66th Independence Day.
Citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia can get the T-VoA at these two airports.
Already the Ünion Ministry of External Affairs has asked the missions abroad to publicise the extension of T-VoA and to alert the holidaymakers in the 11 countries. “We are ready to grant the T-VoA from midnight,” an Immigration official said.
Infrastructure facilities, as mandated by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) functioning under the Ministry of Home, have been put in place.
A 250-sq.ft holding area has been set aside in the Immigration area and exclusive visa desks, special enclosure for photographing, foreign exchange counter, signage and display, and telephone connections have been put in place.
Intelligence Bureau (IB) will man the exclusive visa desks. Twenty persons, including 16 counter officers, have been posted.
Introduced as part of a plan of the Ministry of Tourism to double within four years the number of foreign tourists visiting the country, the T-VoA will help stakeholders get tourists round the year.
A tourist can get T-VoA with a maximum validity of 30 days. The objectives of the visit should only be recreation, sightseeing, and meeting friends or relatives and “no other purpose or activity will be allowed.”
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that no understanding had been reached with the Left Democratic Front on ending its Secretariat siege
CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has on Thursday said that no mediators had intervened in calling off the Secretariat siege led by the LDF. Those who are citing the name of industrialist M A Yousaf Ali might be his PROs, he said.
K Surendran is assuming the role of Yousaf Ali's PRO and is actually praising him by making such comments, Pinarayi insisted and added that he has no reply to those who have rented out their tongue to others.
Meanwhile the CPM central leadership has announced that the LDF agitation was not withdrawn through a mutual understanding. A mutual agreement between the UDF and the LDF is never possible in Kerala, said CPM Politburo member, S. Ramachandran Pillai, in Delhi. The agitation will be successful only if it realizes its aim of making Chief Minister Oommen Chandy resign.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Kodiyeri Balakriishan, said that people are wishing for the chief minister's resignation and the will continue till that end it met. CPI state secretary, Panyan Raveendran, in his statement, has made it clear that his party won't agree to a probe that would exclude the CM's office from it.
In a major offensive against the Congress-led United Democratic Front government in Kerala, thousands of the Left Democratic Front workers laid siege to the Secretariat here on Monday. The protest marked the beginning of the Opposition’s indefinite blockade to demand Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s resignation in the solar scam.
Three out of the four gates came under blockade from early hours, with hundreds of activists occupying the roads leading to them. Mr. Chandy and his Cabinet colleagues had to reach the Secretariat early morning to attend a special meeting of the Cabinet. They entered and exited the Secretariat through the Cantonment Gate, which the police had secured on Sunday. Though Central police personnel had been requisitioned, they were not involved in any operation.
Addressing the agitators, the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, said Mr. Chandy should quit and face an inquiry by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court. Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said Mr. Chandy should remember that the former Railway Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal, resigned when it became clear that his relative and office were involved in railway appointments.
Communist Party of India general secretary K. Sudhakar Reddy and RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan also demanded Mr. Chandy’s resignation.
Though the bulk of the LDF workers, drawn from all over the State, observed restraint, minor skirmishes occurred at two or three points. Quick intervention by LDF leaders and restraint exercised by the police ensured that there was no flare-up. At one point, CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had to reach a sensitive spot near the RBI office to urge the activists to remain calm.
The government claimed that 67 per cent of the Secretariat employees attended office. However, the functioning of the Secretariat remained hit, forcing the government to declare holidays on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chief Minister made the announcement after a meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and coalition leaders. The meeting also reportedly decided to hold informal talks with LDF leaders to end the stand-off.
Active participation of the party officials are giving more encouragement to the cadres who are involved in the secretariat strike. Ignoring the heavy rainfall in morning party cadres and officials have stood still in front of the secretariat.
Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the protestors to keep discipline and not to provocate the police. He has also said that the strike is the emotion of the common man and it will be part of the history. Party secretary has also stated that barricades are not at all a hindrance to peoples emotions.
Police have registered a case against the LDF strike by making VS Achuthanandan as the prime accused. Case has also been registered against thousands of other people who have participated in the strike.
Chief minister has told that there will be no provocation measures from government side. Chief minister has asked other ministers to not to stay in secretariat offices as that will provocate the protestors.
Ministers vehicles has been stopped by the protestors near bakery juction. In baker junction protestors from districts like kozhikode, kasargod and wayanad were assembled and they didn’t allowed the official vehicles of Aryadan Mohammed and VS Sivakumar to pass by but the vehicle of Chief Minister oommen chandy has surpassed the protestors and reached governors residence in vellayambalam. Chief ministers office has told that it is just a routine visit.
There was minor disturbances in the trivadrum city with regard to ldf strike as stones has be thrown against a police vehicle in vellayambalam, trivandrum and the driver got injured. The vehicle which was bringing secretariat employees has been attacked. Employees has entered the secretariat through the cantonment gate.
Chief minister has told that there will be no delay of judicial inquiry in the solar scam. Shri oommen chandy has also said that the police inquiry into the solar scam is in its final state and after that judicial inquiry can be conducted.
During the Inauguration meeting Prakash Karat has blamed chief minister oommen chandy for the solar scam as he was aware of what was happening. He also stated that chief minister should resign if he has got some responsibility towards the common man of kerala while officially inaugurating the strike. He also said that the railway minister Pavan Kumar Bansal has resigned just because his relative was involved in the railway scam.
The blockade and siege organized in front of secretariat by the LDF has started in trivandrum with party members from various districts of kerala thronging trivandrum.
LDF WITHDRAWN SECRETARIAT UPARODHAM
Pinarayi vijayan has told that the indefinite strike organized by LDF will be part of the history and declared that the strike has been concluded as government has ordered for Judicial Inquiry.
LDF protestors are in a state of joy and it is expected that the strike will end in a short while from now. All the party members from different parts are joining in front of secretariat. LDF camp considers declaring a judicial inquiry is the first step towards the resignation of the chief minister.
It is expected that the indefdefinite strike orderd by LDF will conclude on the second day. Pinarayi Vijayan and other eminent leaders of the LDF are reaching the centre stage of the strike infront of secretariat. An urgent LDF meeting will be convened considering the present situation.
Oommen chandy has asked the LDF to withdraw the blockade strike as the chief minister has declared a judicial enquiry. Terms and reference for the judicial inquiry can be discussed with LDF and suggestions from opposition will also be considered. The inquiry which is underway by the special investigation team will be concluded in a couple of days and no government money is wasted or misused with regard to solar scam. Chief minister has also stated that all the culprits in the solar case will be brought before the law.
In the press conference Chief Minister Oommen chandy has said that a judicial enquiry in the solar scam and it will be conducted by a sitting judge and official declaration will be given in the next cabinet meeting.
Government is willing to and taking steps to finish off the siege by agreeing some demands put forward by the LDF. This was a decision taken in the all party meeting of UDF in Trivandrum. The decision was taken to go forward by declaring a judicial inquiry in the solar scam. By agreeing to the demand for judicial inquiry 1 need put forward by the LDF will be fruitful.
Today is the second day of secretariat siege organised by LDF. Two days holiday has been declared for secretariat but the siege will continue. The preparations for the independece day parade is underway in central stadium in Trivandrum. A police vehicle has been stoned by protestors today morning near by bakery junction. CPM has told that the event has become a success.
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