UP shifts out yet another honest officer

The axe finally fell on yet another honest and upright officer on Thursday when the Akhilesh government removed ADG (law and order) Arun Kumar, who oversaw security arrangements in Muzaffarnagar after communal riots erupted. Mr Kumar had camped in Muzaffarnagar during the riots to personally monitor the situation and had returned to the state capital only after normalcy was restored. Mr Kumar has been attached with the DGP headquarters and Mr Mukul Goel is the new ADG (law and order). Mr Kumar, last week, had moved an application seeking permission from the state government to go on Central deputation. The ADG’s move had come amidst reports of alleged political interference in police functioning during the riots. He had also gone on leave for a personal visit out of the station but had later joined earlier this week. Sources in the government said that Mr Kumar had been initially upset at the manner in which the state government had shielded SP leader K.C. Pandey, who was involved in cattle smuggling and was caught in a sting operation offering bribe to SP Gonda Navneet Rana. Instead of taking action against the accused, the government chose to transfer the SP instead.

*** Sheila backs Aadhaar use in schemes AGE CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, SEPT. 26

Following the Supreme Court’s order saying that Aadhaar card is not mandatory for every citizen, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday defended her government’s all Aadhaar-enabled schemes. The city government claims to have more than 90 per cent Aadhaar enrolment which brings transparency in the schemes. “We hope the Union government would ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its order on Aadhaar keeping in view the inherent benefits that the Aadhaar platform can offer in availing welfare and other services to citizens, specially the poor and vulnerable. Delhi is one of the first states to adopt Aadhaar platform for direct cash transfer of benefits. Later in respect of the nine centrally-sponsored schemes also direct cash transfer was started with effect from January 1, 2013,” she said.