silkboard's blog

Anti-corruption law for states, IAC proposal, formatted version

28 March 2011 - 9:15am — silkboard

Follow up to the previous post (with proposed Jan Lokpal bill), here is formatted version of Jan Lokayukta Bill that IAC is proposing to all states of India. For ease of side by side comparison, also uploaded is the current Lokayukta Act of Karnataka (from year 1984, with amendmenets, last one done in 2000).

Jan Lokpal Bill from IAC, and Govt Lokpal bill, latest versions

28 March 2011 - 9:12am — silkboard

[Update, Aug 20: Took out reference to the reformatted 1.8 version, embedded latest (version 2.3) Jan Lokpall Bill draft, and the one that was introduced in Lok Sabha]

'no longer need to grease palms' - Bihar leads while Karnataka waits

11 March 2011 - 8:10am — silkboard

As per this DNA report today, Bihar state has notified Right to Services (RSA) Act, and just look at what it promises to do

City station visit - report

10 March 2011 - 10:07am — silkboard

Though it was a bit disappointing to see no-show / last minute drop-out from at least 5 guys, we enjoyed strolling around an almost empty city station on Sunday morning. Sanjeev (our resident Railways expert), Sathya, Srivatsava, Murali sir, dvsquare and myself walked end to end. Took some pics as well, here are some:

Bus Day at Mysore - got ideas for KSRTC?

7 March 2011 - 6:29pm — silkboard

KSRTC is all set to start Bus Days in Mysore, they will announce firm dates and plans real soon. Their sister concern BMTC are passing all logistics related learnings from Bangalore Bus Days, and KSRTC is keen to take in input from all who care about public transport in Mysore.

Mysore fleecing tourists? What's the thought behind steep hikes?

22 February 2011 - 8:25am — silkboard

If the reports are to be believed, entry and usage fees at some popular tourist spots in and around Mysore have been increase. The hikes seem STEEP. Sample these (source: Business Standard, Feb 22):

BMRDA approved sites for sale, seriously

10 February 2011 - 12:43am — silkboard

Hello to everyone from silkboard builders private limited. We have 60x40 sites for sale in a luxurious layout near Devanahalli. It is a BMRDA approved project, approval number is BIAAPA/TP/LAO/84/2008-9.

'Metro is ruining the aesthetics of the city'

9 January 2011 - 10:40pm — silkboard

That is the quote Bangalore Mirror found best to use as the headline for an interview with Charles Correa.

So BBMP, when to demolish the Windsor Manor bridge?

4 January 2011 - 8:52am — silkboard

Leave aside cutting down five hundred trees for a moment. Lets get into engineering and traffic planning specifics. What BBMP is trying to do is widen this of stretch Bellary Road. There is some justification, stretch from Mekhari circle to Windsor Manor is a bit narrow to manage four lanes of traffic. The Cauvery junction Magic Box is tight on space.

Is Yeddy misusing BMTC buses?

26 November 2010 - 8:24am — silkboard

Wouldn't you like to know if Yeddy is paying from his pocket for the self promoting Ads that are appearing on the back of BMTC Buses? If Karnataka government is paying for these ads, then what is the justification for this spending? Even if there is a legally justifiable reason, why should these ads have full body picture of Yeddy?

'Suggestions for BESCOM'

18 November 2010 - 9:09pm — silkboard

Action seems to be picking up at BESCOM, with a new Power Minister few months ago, and a new commissioner now. Pasting below, from an email exchange, some ideas for BESCOM and Energy situation in Bangalore, from Mr. MC.

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Business-Standard's double standards - worse than Tata's?

17 November 2010 - 8:40am — silkboard

Since I read almost all editorials carried by Business Standard, read their (Mr T N Ninnan's?) take today on Tata's Rs 15 cr remark as well. To quote the editorial:

Mr. Tata has neither been brave nor has he served the cause of good governance. His tangential remarks this week ... make him look smaller.

Domestic Tourism - Bangalore and Karnataka

12 November 2010 - 9:06am — silkboard

Domestic tourism is a powerful economic activity. It holds the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide in our state. We live in a very beautiful state, with range of tourism options - leisure, pilgrimage, nature, history or health/medical. Karnataka has a tourism ministry, but its performance and focus on domestic tourism is largely unchecked and not monitored.

The FIFO concept to reduce corruption

10 November 2010 - 9:44am — silkboard

Its probably time for some Praja-style talk on the subject of corruption. What would be some quick win and practical measures to start dealing with this "elephant in the room" we have accepted to live with?

Chennai Metro contractors - anything new, different?

2 November 2010 - 9:11pm — silkboard

Just out of curiosity, was looking at home page of Chennai Metro Rail corporation (CMRL) to find the list of awarded tenders. Wanted to see if it is the same set of companies (as in Bangalore) carrying out works there, or if there are any new & different names.

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