Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter NITHYANANDA AND HALAPPA- DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT PLAYERS..

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

NITHYANANDA AND HALAPPA 

DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT PLAYERS… 

 All are equal before Law - they say. But in reality, some are more equal. The case in the point is the kid glove treatment being meted out to former minister Halappa and the ‘rude’ treatment to Nithyananda. While Nithyananda is doing penance in the Jail, Halappa is getting VIP treatment in Victoria Hospital and interestingly both are in Judicial custody for their amorous adventures. While Halappa is accused of raping his friend’s wife, who had given a complaint in this regard, the police are making all out efforts to make the devotees of Nithyananda to file a complaint against him. In one case the entire state machinery including the CM are behind the culprit, and the same is pitted against another . .

Political power is such a wonderful tool to do any damn thing and digest the same. Political power bends the rules of the game and even the law of the land. People with no power, let alone political, will always be at the mercy of the authority. The best example for this is Haratal Halappa, Minister who resigned in the face of allegations of rape on his friends wife. Technically Halappa is in judicial custody. But he had not seen the inside of the jail where he was supposed to be lodged. 

The moment he was remanded to JC, Halappa suddenly developed assortment of ailments and got admitted in the Meggon Hospital in Shimoga. Halappa had moved the bail application and it was rejected. He had applied for bail in the High Court. The doctors in Shimoga Hospital have decided to shift him to Bangalore’s Victoria Hospital as they said that Shimoga Hospital does not have facilities to treat Halappa’s ailments. Shimoga’s Meggon Hospital is one of the best. As Halappa suffered from ‘political’ ailments, there was not much the doctors could do. So, they shifted him to Bangalore and Halappa is ‘housed’, not lodged, in a VIP ward. He will continue to be in the VIP ward till he gets bail from the High Court. Halappa’s VIP ward is being visited by the politicians in power. The Victoria Hospital authorities are reeling out details of so called serious ailments suffered by Halappa. And the same Halappa before the episode, was a symbol of youthfulness, energy, dynamism etc. Nobody would have even dreamt that Halappa was a serious patient suffering from alteast a dozen ailments! 

 Just compare this with the case of Nithyananda alias Swamy Nithyananda. Nithyananda who ran a billion dollar spiritual institution both in India and abroad was exposed of his amorous adventures with women, by his driver who released the CD of his amorous adventures with a Tamil cine actress Ranjita. The police went in for a massive hunt for Nithyananda even though he had made it clear that he will come to Bangalore to meet the police. But the police went to Himachal Pradesh and arrested him. He was taken to Jayadeva Hospital when he complained of chest pain immediately after he was remanded to Judicial custody. Within a hour, he was sent to the Ramanagaram jail and is lodged since then. Nithyananda moved for bail but was rejected. His bail application is in the High Court. 

Despite the tell tale evidences in the CD, none has come forward to lodge a complaint against him. Even Ranjitha who was seen with Nithyananda in compromising position in force people to lodge complaint the Swamy. The police are opposing the bail plea on one or the other pretexts. Recently the bail plea was adjourned as the police have submitted that they are expecting complaints against the Swamy in few days. 

Even to this day, not a single victim (?) has come forward to lodge a complaint or despose against Nithyananda. The CID the CD, had not given any complaint, let alone evidence. The police are moving hell and earth to force people to lodge complaint the Swamy. The police are opposing the bail plea on one or the other pretexts. Recently the bail plea was adjourned as the police have submitted that they are expecting complaints against the Swamy in few days. Even to this day, not a single victim (?) has come forward to lodge a complaint or despose against Nithyananda. The CID police even have snatched the Rudrakshi Mala wore by on the pretext that he may commit suicide with the mala! 

 Nithyananda is spending his time in the cell of Ramanagaram jail and the only VIP treatment he is getting is the food from his ashram. The police have also freezed the accounts of the ashram making it difficult to his disciples to run the ashram. He is being treated as an ordinary criminal. 

 In case of Halappa, there is a specific complaint of rape and threat by the victim. In the case of Nithyananda, there is no complaint by any one including the victims (?) And while Halappa accused of rape and threat is enjoying VIP treatment and had not stepped into the jail, Nithyananda against whom not a single complaint has been filed, is cooling his heels in a solitary and that too, women’s cell in a Jail. 

Can there be a better double standard than this? It is time, the law should be applied equally to one and all to uphold the importance of law being supreme!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter JEWELLERY MARKET FRAUD- THE INSIDE STORY OF JEWELLERY FRAUD IT IS TIME CONSUMER ACTIVISTS TAKE SOME PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT THE CHEATING OF THE GULLIBLE PEOPLE…

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

JEWELLERY MARKET FRAUD 

 THE INSIDE STORY OF JEWELLERY FRAUD IT IS TIME CONSUMER ACTIVISTS TAKE SOME PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT THE CHEATING OF THE GULLIBLE PEOPLE… 

Yet another event has gone by in the name of Akshaya Tritiya, which was celebrated all over the country with much needed sprit and enthusiasm. And it's the auspicious time for buying the Gold. Buying Gold and Silver in various shapes and sizes especially on this occasion brings prosperity and multiplies the already acquired wealth by many folds such is the belief. People rush to the already prospered jewellery seller and make a beeline to purchase the ornaments made of Gold and Silver, and making him further prosper in his wealth and trade, irrespective of whether the purchaser prospers from the deal or not. The lucrative offers how much true? 

On a glance of any daily, one would come across innumerable number of advertisements in various colourful dimensions carrying messages pertaining to the credentials of the jewellery trader, about the types of the articles, ornaments and wares he sells and the rates at which all these wares are sold. One always claims to be more sincere, established, service oriented and sells his wares for minimal or no profit, and yet grows by many folds and achieves growth in his trade. How would this be possible? 

A leading exporter and importer of the bullion has been inserting pages of advertisements announcing his entry into the retail business. He claims that buying the jewellery from him would result in saving from 10 to 20 per cent, when compared to the purchases made elsewhere. The advertisements claim that he intends to sell the gold at the 'real rate per Gram' and this offer is done for the first time in the world. His claims of this kind could be interpreted as to the jewellery sold by other traders is at the unreal and inflated rates or the rates which include the hidden costs, which means that the purchasers were fooled by the traders all these years and the jewellery, which is in their possession, is either not real or not worth the market value. 

The annual quantum of import of Gold exceeds over 800 tonnes and the amount of Gold traded in one year exceeds double the quantity of import. A quantum of about 200-300 tonnes of Gold is sold during the festivals such as Akshaya Tritiya, Diwali, etc. The rate of 22ct of Gold sold locally varies on a day-to-day basis, which again is based on the rate of Gold traded in the international market. While the current quoted rate of Gold (22ct) is above Rs.1700 per gram, the traders vying with each other publish their selling rate, which is always lesser than the one quoted officially. 

The trade secret 

Irrespective of the quoted current rate of the Gold, the traders always announce their offers discounting from Rs. 50 to 100 per gram. For example, if the quoted current rate is Rs. 1700 per gram of Gold, then the selling rate is anything between Rs. 1550 and Rs.1650, and some claim that the discounted rate is applicable on the rates sold at Chennai, Mumbai, etc., Is practically possible to sell a commodity at a rate much lesser than its prevailing market rate of availability? Going by the principles of trading it is definitely not possible to offer a commodity at a rate much lesser than what it costs. But the Gold is an exception, because it's always sold at such a discounted rate. If that's the case, then how do the traders flourish year after year and survive to cater to the needs of their customers? Because, there's always a catch embedded into their sale. 

Firstly, the pure form of Gold, which is never purer at 100 per cent is always referred to as 99.999 per cent pure, which is fragile at its purest form and therefore is not fit and suitable for making jewellery and ornaments that are worn. Blending the purest form of Gold (24ct) with other metals such as pure copper needs to be done in order to strengthen and making it suitable for jewellery. This is where the traders play their role more cleverly, cunningly and efficiently, because no ordinary man would understand from the very look of the Gold and make out about the percentage of copper that went into its blending. A slightest increase in the percentage of copper would tend to bring down the quantum of Gold content and thus the price of the blended Gold thereto. 

The purest form Gold is equivalent to 24 carats or 100 per cent an imaginary figure and therefore each carat is equivalent to 4.1666 per cent, multiplying this figure by 22ct we get 91.667 or 91.67. It's therefore the 22ct is termed as 91.6 or 916. Similarly, 18ct is equivalent to 75 and 14ct is 58.3. Jewellery made of 18ct is much sought after ones and is consumed more in the western countries, whereas, we, the Indians prefer ornaments made of 22ct and more. 

The components such as wastages incurred in the process of making jewellery, which varies depending upon the designs made - from simple to the sophisticated ones hand or machine made, use of metals for bonding, such as Zinc-Oxide or KDM constitute more in determining the final price structure of the product than the actual rate of Gold, and this is where the traders make their killing in the profit. The final rate offered by the customers, in every transaction carried out, would invariably exceed and camouflage the discounted rates announced and offered by the traders. 

The cost of the bonding metals that go into the augmentation of weight of the final product is negligible. The metal KDM costs nothing more than Rs. 1000 per kg and the traders claim to have incurred wastages ranging from 8 to 14 per cent of the weight of the final product, thereby gaining the profit ranging from Rs. 136 to Rs. 238, when the market rate of the Gold is at Rs. 1700 per gram. Imagine the amount gained by the businessman in case an ornament weighing a just 10 grams was traded, which would be not less than Rs. 2000 to the minimum, whereas his declared discount is in the range of Rs. 500-750 per 10 gram of Gold. 

Common man - the looser 

In general, the components of the price structure would be comparatively less when the price of Gold is on its high and more when it's less, that is, it remains always in versely proportionate to the rate of the Gold. It's how the traders collect the actual market rate of the Gold from the customers, without their knowledge and it's a fact that the customers always end up paying much more than the quoted and prevailing rate of Gold to the trader at the end of every transaction. 

Only time will tell us as to whether the new entrant, who has thrown himself into the retail market trading ring as a competitor to the already established traditional jewellers, would adhere and remain committed to his true offers announced in the media forever. If he does it then, his genuine intention of offering the jewellery at the 'real rate per Gram' would not only benefit the common man, but also create a new saga of dimension in the 'jewellery business' and redefine the chemistry of Gold held by every household in India, leading the purchaser to get the 'real value for money'.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter UNDER WATER SCAM- FISHY DEALS IN FISHERIES DEPARTMENT

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA      

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

UNDER WATER SCAM-  

FISHY DEALS IN FISHERIES DEPARTMENT

 The Fisheries Department issues fishing contract to an influential man for continuous five years without calling for a single tender. 

Many ambitious projects of the Government towards rehabilitation of displaced tribal in Forests have not borne fruit because of the bureaucrats and unscrupulous contractors reaping the benefits. One such scheme by the National Fisheries Development Board, program for Girijans in HD Kote, stands as a shining example for this phenomenon. In the guise of Public-Private Partnership, the Nugu Reservoir's fishing rights have been leased out to an influential person from Mysore. The contract was terminated mid way and the contractor was made a partner of the Nugu Reservoir Development Committee. Besides, this so called 'partner' has been given fishing contract for five years for a nominal rate by the Director of Fisheries, without allowing anybody else to bid for the same. The contractor, now the partner in NRDC, has become a lessee of the Nugu Reservoir. And since 2001, he has monopolized the fishing contract in Nugu Reservoir. 

The Nugu Reservoir a backwater area in Heggada Devana Kote is located amidst forests habitated by girijans particularly Jenu Kurubas, who, since generations have depended on the forests for their livelihood. With the Forest laws getting more vicious these fishermen inhabitants were forced to make a living by doing labour. 

The government under its various schemes trained many unemployed tribal youths in fishing to better their living conditions. These tribal youths after obtaining intensive training could have prospered in the fishing profession, but, the Nugu Reservoir Development Committee set up by the government changed the entire scene. The Nugu Reservoir Development Committee was established by the Fisheries Development Board and financed by the National Fisheries Development Board for the purpose of rearing many species of the fishes. 

 Interestingly, the department, in stead of encouraging the local fishermen, gave the contract for rearing the fishes in the Nugu Reservoir to a private contractor by name Mr. Jagadish Gowda from Mysore. He was given the contract of rearing the fishes for three years and later renewed up to 2007-08. Though he is not a fisherman, he managed to get the contract and sadly did not allow any tribal men to enter the Nugu area. He carried out fishing with people brought from outside and cared a damn for the tribal. 

While he made millions rearing the fishes, the tribal were forced to seek alternative means for living. 

The tribal also tried to assert their rights, but in vain. They organized themselves and petitioned the Government, M.P., M.L.A, but for no outcome. The contractor already had established a nexus and was sharing the millions with concerned authorities. However, the tribal continued their fight against the injustice. They successfully organized themselves to form 'Nooraleeswara Nugu Jalashaya Fisherman's Co-op Society in 2004, but the registration was blocked by the Department authorities. 

Shockingly, there was no one to help these tribal. Even the so called elite people who publicize their support for the cause of tribal did not bother to assist them. Yet, the tribal marched ahead alone. They made several petitions to the Director of Fisheries, to give them license to fishing in Nugu Reservoir and to award the contract to Nooraleswara Nugu Jalashaya Fisherman's Co-op Society. Their last petition was on 17th November, 2007, when the state was under the President's rule. 

Now the contractor and the officials realized that they had to work out a plan to protect their interests and they did strike a novel idea. Mr. Jagadish Gowda was asked to handover the contract rights and thereafter his contract was terminated. Then, under Private-Public Partnership, Jagadish Gowda was made a partner in the NRDC. While, his fishing contract was terminated with effect from 18/12/2007, Jagadish Gowda became a partner in NRDC along with the Fisheries Department. 

 THE SHARK DIRECTOR! 

This entire episode was scripted by the Director of Fisheries who sent a proposal to the government on 20-11-2007, (3 days after the last petition by the Fisherman's Society) making out a strong case for making Jagadish Gowda, a partner under PPP for the NRDC. He eulogized Jagadish Gowda, and made a special mention of his contribution to the development of fisheries in NR. 

While the centrally sponsored scheme under PPP implies the Fisheries Department partnering with Individuals /Associations, the Fisherman's society was best suited for this partnership. It consists of local tribal whose occupation was fishing. Moreover, the government itself had given intensive training to many local fishermen and the NFDB scheme would have become fruitful. 

But, the top brass in the Fisheries department had no interest in these silly matters. The schemes meant for tribal, Adivasis etc are dry areas for them except some 'Tips' by the beneficiaries now and then. So, the government issued an order on 18-12-2007 accepting the proposal of the Director. It terminated the Fishing contract of Jagadish Gowda with immediate effect and made Jagadish Gowda a partner in the NRDC. Further, the Director had made strong recommendation to award the future fishing contract to Mr. Jagadish Gowda and astonishingly his recommendation was to award him the contract for 5 years. The Director also proposed the lease amount as Rs. 1,06,030/- for the year 2007-08 with 5 % increase every year for the next four years. This lease amount and the 5% increase ratio was proposed by the Director on his own. He had never opted for tenders and recommended the contract to be directly given to Jagadish Gowda. Shockingly, the Government blindly accepted the Directors proposal and issued the order. Even the lease amounts proposed were exactly implemented. 

EVERYTHING FISHY! 

There are many points to ponder over the activities of the Fisheries Department. 

1) The contract of Jagadish Gowda was to expire on 30/06/2008. What was the need to terminate this contract six months before its expiry? Further, it is understood that Jagadish Gowda surrendered his contract rights only after the assurance that he will become partner in NRDC and also will be awarded the fresh fishing contracts. 

2) What was the need for the Director to praise the Contractor in his proposal? Also there was no need for him to propose that the future fishing contracts be given to the same contractor? This could have been decided by the Government. Further, why should the Director propose that the contract be awarded for continuous five years? 

3) On what basis, did the Director fix the annual lease amount and what is the logic behind the 5% increase every year? The contract eventually fetches only 20% increase at the end of five years. Why weren't the tenders called for to decide the fishing contract? Whatsoever, the Department has no provision in the Transparency Act or in the rules governing the award of tenders, to award a contract without calling for tenders, and that too, for a period of five years. 

 4) The Nugu Reservoir has about 1500 hectares area with about 1000 hectares as the utility area for fishing. However, while the contractor fishes in the entire Nugu Reserviour, the area contracted is only 707 hectares, that too at a shocking rate of only Rs. 150/- per hectare.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter SHASHI THAROOR EPISODE WHAT ABOUT REDDY BROTHERS?

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

 SHASHI THAROOR EPISODE  WHAT ABOUT REDDY BROTHERS? 

 The AICC spokesman Abhishek Singvi was right to question the double standards and hypocracy of the BJP leadership and their so called ‘Moral High Standards in not taking action against the BJP ministers in Karnataka the Reddy Brothers who are accused of serious crimes. He wanted the BJP leadership particularly BJP’s National President Nitin Gadkari, senior leader L.K.Advani, Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj etc. to drop the Reddy Brothers from the cabinet. Abhishek Singvi’s poser came in the wake of the Congress directing the Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor to resign following a controversy over his involvement in building the Kochi Team for the IPL. 

It may be recalled that Shashi Tharoor had played a decisive role in getting the highest bid for Kochi Team in IPL. He has mobilised businessmen and other monied people to pool their resources to purchase Kochi team for an astronomical 1300 crores! Needless to say that his ministerial power has come in handi in this resource mobilisation. More than anything, it is the name of Sunanda Pushkar, a close friend of Tharoor and the “Sweat Equity” of 75 crores given to her by the Rendezvous company that purchased the Kochi team that became controversial. It was alleged that Tharoor was the beneficiary of the ‘Sweat Equity’ through his proxy Sunanda Pushkar. 

Sunanda Pushkar is not in big name either in India or in Dubai where she claims to run real estate business. More than anything she could not have induced industrialists, and money bags to pool 1300 crores to purchase the Kochi team. This is simple common sense. Even Tharoor himself had admitted that he had played a prominent role in the Kochi team purchase. It was an open secret. It is Tharoor who had sweated it out to mobilise the funds for the purchase of Kochi team. If at all, if there is provision for ‘Sweat Equity’, that should have gone to Tharoor. Nobody would have taken exception if Tharoor received the ‘sweat equity’ and may be the opposition have raised the issue of abuse of ministerial powers. As this phenomenon is the ‘in thing’ in power politics, nobody would have taken the issue seriously. Tharoor, a Keralite would have become an instant hero in Kerala for having raised the Kerala Team. He would have earned greatness had he donated a part of his ‘Sweat Equity’ to sports activities in Kerala. 

But he did not do so. Instead Sunanda Pushkar was brought into the picture to become the beneficiary of the ‘Sweat Equity’. It is an open secret that Tharoor is all set to marry her after he gets divorce from his foreign wife. Even Tharoor had admitted that Sunanda Pushkar was his ‘Close friend. And the Sweat equity given to her is nothing but a proxy partnership to Tharoor. It is this fact that became controversial. The BJP stalled parliament proceedings for two days demanding the resignation of Shashi Tharoor. 

 Infact, the Income Tax department swung into action and raided the IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s offices and started digging about Kochi team owners. And the next day, Sunanda Pushkar returned her sweat equity to the owners of the Kochi team. Tharoor was not even allowed to defend himself in the parliament. The other day, he was summoned by the Prime Minister and asked to put in his papers. And Tharoor did as directed by resigning from the cabinet. 

The Congress High Command has patted its own back for having followed High moral stand by asking Tharoor who is ‘only indirectly accused’ to put in his papers. Definitely it can claim the credit for upholding moral values in public life. 

And Abhishek Singvi, the AICC general secretary who is also the spokesman for the Congress has now taken the issue to the BJP camp. Everybody knows that it is the BJP who took up spirited fight against Tharoor and accused him of abusing his ministerial powers and the sweat equity given to his friend Sunanda Pushkar. Abhishek Singvi has demanded the BJP leadership to take similar stand on the Reddy Brothers who are controlling the BJP government in the state as they are facing serious charges and running politics as business. 

But the BJP leadership including its top leaders simply do not have the guts to touch the Reddy Brothers let alone any action against them. They knew well that once they even hint at action against the Reddy Brothers their first ever government in South India is as good as dead! As on today, no BJP leader worth the salt would even dream of diciplining the Reddy Brothers. With the Leader of the Opposition in the Loksabha Sushma Swaraj being the godmother and the pillar of strength to the Reddy Brothers, it is unthinkable that the BJP is going to oblige Singvi in taking high moral stand. 

It is no secret that it is Reddy Brothers mountains of ‘mining’ money that brought the BJP to power in Karnataka. It is also true that it is the same Reddy Brothers money that almost toppled the Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa from the gaddi. It is the leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj who half heartedly enforced a cease fire between BSY and Reddy Brothers. Sushma Swaraj’s word was law to the Reddy Brothers. It is she who provided the ‘Delhi Connections and Links” to Reddy Brothers to prosper both in politics and business. Everybody knows that Reddy Brothers money bags are regularly delivered to many national (?) leaders of BJP. 

Ofcourse, the Reddy Brothers have become a law unto themselves. They have created their own state and fiefdom in Bellary and surrounding districts. Their illegal mining business is well known throughout the length and breadth of the country. Their strong arm tactics, use of muscle power, abusive of their ministerial powers etc. have become a sort of folklore. They have their ‘personal loyal’ bureaucrats in their Bellary district. Not a single official is prepared to raise their finger against their illegal activities. They have raised an army of loyal bureaucrats in Bellary whose duty is only to ‘serve’ the Reddy Brothers and not the public or the state. That is why when BSY effected enmass transfers of Reddy Brothers ‘loyal’ officials’, the Reddy Brothers declared ‘war’ on BSY and succeeded in not only getting back their loyal hordes of officials back to their seats but also grabbed the remote control of the government. All these were inevitable for their survival in political business. 

At the same time, the Reddy Brothers were facing troubled times in AP. The AP government and the entire opposition were united against their mining business in AP. The AP government ordered CBI enquiry into the illegal mining activities of Reddy Brothers -The CBI had already raided the offices of their flagship mining company. Obalapuram Mining company bordering Karnataka. There are serious charges against Reddy Brothers of encroaching the Karnataka area by destroying the boundary stones. The AP government had banned mining by Reddy Brothers and even the Supreme Court had upheld the ban. In addition to this, the Supreme Court had ordered joint survey of the area. The Survey team had already detected encroachments by Reddy Brothers. The Survey team is conducting survey to fix the state borders also. 

Tapal Ganesh, another mine owner who is hounded by the Reddy Brothers as he did not sell his mines to them, has taken the matter to the SC also. Even when the survey team was preparing to go out to the spot to survey, Tapal Ganesh who was to handover ‘sensitive’ survey records to the team was attacked in broad day light and was to be hospitalised. Everybody knows that the attack on Tapal Ganesh was to prevent him from accompanying the Survey team and to hand over vital documents. The SP of Bellary, a handpicked man of Reddy Brothers did nothing in the matter. Even after two days, he had not made any efforts to nab the attackers. Finally, the government to avoid embarrassment, promoted the SP as DIG and sent him out of Bellary. 

 If one goes on listing such instances, the list will be endless. What more, the Reddy Brothers have forced BSY to withdraw many serious criminal cases against them! As on now, the Reddy Brothers have been given immunity by BSY from the purview of the law of the land. They have abused and misused their offices in every conceivable means. At the height of their dissident activities, the Reddy Brothers uttered upprintable abuses against BSY which went against the collecting responsibility of the cabinet. In another case, when BSY took the decision to levy a special toll fee of Rs.1000 per load for the ore carrying lorries, the Reddy Brothers who are party to this cabinet decision, cried foul as they would have to pay around 200-300 crore for their mining lorries. Finally, BSY had to ‘defer’ the levy of the toll fee. As ministers in the BSY cabinet, the Reddy Brothers have acted against the interests of the state. 

In a way, Tharoor becomes a Saint before the Reddy Brothers. Tharoor’s was an action of impropriety while Reddy Brothers actions all these years are everything but legal. The BJP which stalled the parliament proceedings and waged a high pitched fight for the head of Shashi Tharoor taking the high moral ground should now has much to answer. It has to take up the challenge from the Congress. But the BJP leaders are not fools. They are not prepared to lose Karnataka, just for the sale of high moral ground!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter BANGALORE NEEDS "POWER"FUL MAYOR WITH FARSIGHT...

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA 

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

BANGALORE NEEDS "POWER"FUL MAYOR WITH FARSIGHT... 

 After a gap of 3 years, the BBMP now has elected body to manage the affairs of Bangalore. But the beginning of the rule of the elected Mayor, was definitely, not a good one. The Mayor had to adjourn the council meeting which turned ugly. The need of the hour is co-operation and not confrontation. The noisy scences skirmishes and blame game are a routine in any democratic institution. But it must not be at the cost of Bangalore and Bangaloreans. It is time our city Fathers and Mothers, to concentrate on Bangalore to make it gain its prominent name in the world again . . . 

 At long last, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike now has the advantage of the first ever elected body. This is the first election after the BBMP was formed in 2007 by merging the seven CMCs, one TMC and 110 villages with the BMP. The area of BBMP is a staggering 850 square kms. This is equal to the size of many small states. 

Unfortunately elections were not held to BBMP since then. Even earlier, the elections to BMP was not held on the pretext of formation of BBMP. Infact, the BBMP was formed to get maximum grants from the JnNURM. The central government had put a condition that unless the state forms BBMP, it will not receive much grants under JnNURM. The then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy readily agreed to the condition and formed the BBMP. As a result, BBMP has been given a whopping grant of 22 thousand crores under JnNURM project to improve the infrastructure, spread over a period of five years. 

Ever since the formation of the BBMP it was under bureaucrats rule. The bureaucrats who do not understand the multidimensional problems of Bangalore have shown lackadaisical attitude towards solving the problems. All their activities were ‘adhoc’ and they simply lacked the will to prepare long term projects. If there were people’s representatives, they would be in a better position to understand the problems and the remedial measures to solve the problems. For the last three and half years, the BBMP has become cess pool of corruption. The bureaucracy ruled the roost and with thousands of crore grants from the central government under JnNURM, they literally looted BBMP. Unnecessary and unviable projects were started and because of the high level of corruption, sub standard and bogus works have become the mainsay in BBMP all these years. 

 The officials lacked farsight and all that they want is to implement few projects which can be ‘show pieces’ and as nobody questioned them about the cost, the cost of the projects were highly inflated. The case of underpass from Tagore circle to Nettakallappa Circle in Basavanagudi stands as the ¥sÀshining example for this phenomenon. There is absolutely no need for an underpass as the vehicular traffic is not much. Nobody asked for it also. But still, the BBMP took up the work and the work is going at a snail’s pace. The public have held demonstrations and agitations against the under pass but to no avail. The same is the case with National College Fly over which was built despite local resistance. It has not helped either to ease the traffic or problems of the people. Now that Metro line is passing through this flyover, the flyover had to be demolished! 

Forget about all these. Elections to the BBMP were postponed on one or the other contexts. First, the excuse was that the wards had to reorganised. The BMP had 100 wards and the government formed 145 wards to the BBMP. Then suddenly, the number of wards were increased to 198. Then came the reservation of wards etc. But the High Court and the Supreme Court had come to the rescue of democratic traditions by ordering the government to hold elections to the BBMP. Having no other go, the government was forced to hold the elections and BJP which bagged 111 seats out of 198, has come to power. 

As usual, S.K.Nataraj was elected as Mayor and Dayananda Deputy Mayor of the BBMP. It is they who have to guide the destiny of Bangalore for the next one year. One year term is very short for any Mayor to leave his footprints. But still, the Mayor could do a lot and earn public esteem. Definitely, it is a herculian task, given the numbers in BBMP. The BBMP has 198 elected corporators and the government could nominate 20 corporators. In addition to this, all the 28 MLAs, 3 MPs, MLCs in Bangalore will also join the BBMP as corporators. In toto, there will be 270 members in BBMP which is almost the total of MLAs and MLCs in the state. The Mayor despite presiding over the Meeting does not have sweeping powers like Speaker or Chairman of the legislature. In addition to this the Mayor is only the titular head with the commissioner monopolising the powers. The Mayor does not have any executive powers. As such, the entire BBMP council will have to perform at the mercy of the commissioner. 

Still, many Mayors in the past, have asserted their powers and forced the commissioners fall in line. This can happen only if the Mayor has good rapport with the Chief Minister. Otherwise, a Commissioner can simply refuse to implement any orders/directions by the Mayor. When this being the case how one could expect the Mayor Nataraj to perform well? The first meeting of the council chaired by him ended in fiasco as he could not control the opposition members who were creating a scene for providing water to the people. If the same trend continues, there will be no one to conduct the proceedings in an orderly manner. 

 True, Dharanas, jumping to the well, protests, noisy scenes by opposition has become a normal culture. But it needs patience, tolerance, presence of mind by the Mayor to cool the temperature so that proceedings can be held peacefully. 

The Mayor Nataraj, a three time corporator has experience on his side. He needs to take the opposition into confidence and run the show without politicising every issues. The Mayor should also get the support and co-operation from the MLAs, MPs and MLCs cutting across party lines. Only then the Mayor can take on the people’s problems and Bangalore’s chaotic conditions. 

In addition to this, the government has to provide executive powers to the Mayor unlike the present decorative powers. The Mayor is the first citizen of Bangalore and he should be given his due. The Mayors in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkatta etc. are veted with executive powers. In Chennai, the Mayor is elected directly by the people and the term of the Mayor is five years. As such, these Mayors can really do things in a better way. It is time the government accords better powers to the BBMP Mayor so that he can effectively try to solve the problems. The need of the hour is the Mayor with powers and long term, for the betterment of Bangalore.

Pee and Park

Pee and Park

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter ASHOK KHENNY OF THE NICE SCAM

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA     

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

ASHOK KHENNY OF THE NICE SCAM

  

Ashok Khenny is nicely fooling the people. Having turned the NICE Project into a highly lucrative real estate project. AK is fooling the people through mischievious and misleading facts and figures. for the last 15 years, he had not built a single KM of road between Bangalore and Mysore for which he begged the contract. 

In the last 5 years, he had built only the 42 Kms of link road between Tumkur Road and Hosur Road! AK who has the B.S. Yedyurappa in his right and government in his left coat pocket is taking on the might of the former PM HD Deve Gowda and planning to finish off him politically.

A mere contractor who happens to enjoy the backing of B.S Y government is fighting to finish HDD! and a section of educated still believes in AK's NICE Fooling.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter B.S. YEDDYURAPPA FOOLING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA     

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

B.S. YEDDYURAPPA FOOLING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE

B.S YEDYURAPPA had perfected the art of Fooling the people, his party and the state. B.S Yedyurappa who shed seaful of tears when North Karnataka area was submerged in floods promised building of three lakh houses for the flood victims who have lost everything except their lives. B S Y conducted "Begging Shows" to collect funds for relief to the flood victims. And six months after the deluge, B.S Yedyurappa had not built even 3000 houses, let alone 3 lakh houses as promised, despite the central government's liberal assistance of 1400 crores! 

B.S Yedyurappa had made promises after promises to make the state a heaven on earth. He is still making statements after statements that he is providing 23x7 power to Bangalore and 20x7 power to other areas in the state! And he wants the people to believe him! B S Y is uttering development Mantra at the drop of his eyelids. Most of the BJP leaders, ministers and legislators have seen tremendous developments, personally. 

And B.S Yedyurappa chants development Mantra styling it as development of people. By all accounts, B.S Y is fooling the people of the state and is fooling himself by believing that people believe him.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter REDDY BROTHERS HAVE INVENTED A STATE WITHIN A STATE

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA     

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

REDDY BROTHERS HAVE INVENTED A STATE WITHIN A STATE

REDDY BROTHERS:BELLARY- STATE WITHIN A STATE 

 If any body thinks that Bellary belongs to Karnataka, they are living in a fools paradise. Bellary though technically in Karnataka, has literally become an independent and sovereign state thanks to the Bellary Reddy Brothers who have exterminated the state's laws from the boundaries of Bellary district. 

The Bellary Reddy Brothers who are ministers, in B.S Yedyurappa's Government, have seen to it that nothing moves in Bellary without their consent and order. Even the chief Minister's writ does not run in Bellary. The CM is not prepared to touch the Reddy Brother's durbar even with a mile long pole. Just like Krishnadevaraya, the king who built Vijayanagara empire, The Reddy Brothers have built the Bellary empire. And they shocked the people by celebrating Krishnadevaraya's 500th year of coronation by spending 40 crores which was a simple gesture to show that they have now built the Bellary empire. 

Bellary Reddy Brothers New Inventing a state within a state.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter WE THE DIVIDED PEOPLE

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

 WE THE DIVIDED PEOPLE

 I know, there are so many people angry on all these senas and all.. but in this, not many us thought beyond Marathi Manoos issue.. My thoughts are mainly roaming around the political angle of all these recent happenings and trying to understand the Congress is playing very very smart political game here.. obviously there is nothing bad in it, afterall, everything is fair in love and war.. So how does this whole thing work? 

If you have noticed in this general elections, the Congress acted very differently from the earlier elections.. earlier, the party had to take the support of others to remain as the central government but this time if you see, they have made sure that at almost all the places they have the strong hold and they do not have to go begging for the seats.. so basically, they want to make a point that, in the whole India, Congress should not be depending upon anyone.. they are reaching out to poor people to get the votes.. You must have seen how Rahul Gandhi was visiting the small villages throughout the year.. 

Now, the game plan is, the opponent should be crushed and should not be able to stand on it’s own feet.. on the larger scale the opponent is BJP and the last election they made sure that, BJP is almost crushed.. and now they have stronghold in very few places… (Gujarat, Bihar [With JDU], Karnataka etc..), they managed to crush BJP/ Shiv Sena in Maharashtra too.. But still in Maharashtra, Bal Thackeray’s word holds more importance than any other political leader and that’s the fact.. so now how to break that? 

Let’s start the divisional politics and bring in the personal wars in.. and then break the ice.. So what did they do.. In the first chapter, we saw MNS vs Shiv Sena.. they both started fighting to show the strength of each other, Congress watched the game quietly and laughed over it.. yeah, on the name of “taking action” they arrested MNS chief Raj Thackeray but we all know what happened to it.. so let’s keep that aside and stick to the main topic.. 

So, in the elections, you saw the votes getting divided, and it certainly helped Congress to win the seats very very comfortably.. 

But this did not affect the ties of BJP – Shiv Sena.. so now how to break that? But I think without pushing much, Congress just got what they were waiting for.. Marathi Manoos issue is back..infact, back in full swing.. 

Senas targeting icons like Sachin Tendular, superstars like Shahrukh Khan, business tycoons like Ambanis.. Sena even threatens to stop screening of SRK starrer film, My Name is Khan.. BJP makes some statements which are not so in favor of Shiv Sena.. RSS makes statements which are again not in favor of Shiv Sena.. but what government is doing in this? Silent spectator.. Rahul Gandhi in Bihar, to get votes, makes some silly statements.. Shiv Sena strikes back on them in their own way.. Congress calls Shiv Sena leaders mental.. Shiv Sena sends notices to all theatre owners not to screen the movie.. Maharashtra government (kind of) tries to assures that no one can take law in their hands etc.. (Now that’s the different story that their statements do not carry much weight).. but in the middle of this, the war game does not stop.. sometimes it’s Shiv Sena or sometimes it’s MNS.. But if you notice.. 

Congress is not making any firm statements here.. they are letting these guys make the things worst, so people get angry and never bother voting these parties.. I am sure in all these things, a common man is least interested coz they are not bothered about what a superstar or a businessman is saying.. but after seeing these kind of acts by Senas I am sure, it’s hurting a common man somewhere and this is what helps the other parties.. the vote bank slowly moves towards the other party.. because Senas are not interested in development of Maharashtra, they are only interested in the communal fights between religions and languages.. (That’s what is being projected..) 

So moral of the story.. 

At the cost of a common man’s sentiments, these political parties are playing games and dividing people.. I am sorry to say but we are divided.. we are moving backwards.. And yes, many people will say that, Congress is in power because it’s a good party and people have elected them.. my take is… people have elected them because they did not have any options..

Firoz.T.Totanawala Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA 

Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. 

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him. 

 Morals of the story: 

 (1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. 

 (2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. 

 (3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE EXPIRED CM

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA   

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

THE EXPIRED CM 

 The Ex Chief Minister of Karnataka Mr. H.D.Kumaraswamy was so hard working that he even sanctioned certain projects after the BJP MLA’ withdrew their support to JD-BJP Coalition Government. 

 THE SMART ALLEGATION-

 H.D Kumara Swamy, made a serious allegation on current Chief Minister B.S. Yedyurappa of receiving Rs. 50 Crores from Udaya Garudachar for awarding the Ejipura housing cum commercial projects to his Maverick Holdings. B.S Yedyurappa unable to digest the allegation entrusted the same to the Lokayukta for a probe. Many Ministers close to B.S Yedyurappa also threatened to file defamation case against H.D Kumaraswamy for having made this serious allegation. Further, to silence H.D Kumaraswamy, BSY exposed some last minute major decisions taken by H.D.K after the BJP withdrew support and entrusted those scams to CBI for a probe. 

THE EXPIRED DECISION- 

 However, neither BJP nor BSY tried to unravel the biggest scam committed by HDK of gifting away more than 90 acres of prime land in Banashankari 3rd Stage, worth more than 1000 Crores, to a fraudulent Housing Society owned by B. Krishna Bhatt. It may be recalled that the BJP Ministers boycotted the cabinet meeting on 3rd Oct 2007 and withdrew the support and HDK passed the bulk allotment orders on 04-10-2007. It is also on the same day that HDK had taken many major decisions like Township projects etc. It is not a secret that HDK is involved and it is also a fact that few BJP Leaders including the area MLA is also neck deep involved. As both HDK and BJP leaders are involved, nobody had tried to raise this scam. 

In fact, A.T Ramaswamy Committee had exposed the frauds committed in the society by a real estate agency run by the society’s owner B.Krishna Bhatt. But, a few months later, HDK counting hours as the CM made bulk allotment of these lands to B.K Bhat and what more, the BDA officials under Governor’s regime honored the orders of HDK. It should also be noted that when the Governor took over the State administration under President’s rule, he reversed many decisions taken by HDK during his last days. But here too, the Governor tacitly approved the bulk allotment. The then BDA commissioner Shankaralinge Gowda, a favourite of H.D Deve Gowda family bend the rules backwards to make bulk allotment of lands to B.K Bhat. The biggest scam is the culmination of B.K Bhat’s decades old saga of fraud. The land in Banashankri 3rd stage (Girinagar) measuring about 90 acres was under litigation between the landlords and the tenants. BK Bhat entered into an agreement with the tenants for sale of the lands for which they had no rights. In the mean while, the BDA acquired the lands and the landlords went up to the Supreme Court against the tenants, that is, their agreement holder BK Bhat. 

 MY SHIP MY COMMAND- 

 As BK Bhat had money, Muscle and political VIP Support, he carelessly went ahead to form the layout and sell the sites to the purchasers, not necessarily members. He started to register the sites on the basis of mere sale agreement and also put a condition in Sale Deed that, he can cancel the registration of the sale deed unilaterally and without intimating the purchasers, for any violation of the other conditions. When L.R Shivarame Gowda, was the BDA Chairman and V. Somanna, the BDA Minister, BK Bhat struck a deal for the bulk allotment of these lands. He collected more than 20 Crores from the purchasers towards payment of bribe to the politicians and BDA officials. He paid a part of this collection towards the “deal”. 

WHAT A PRICE! 

 As a result, L.R Shivarame Gowda forced a resolution on BDA for bulk allotment of about 90 acres of land in favor of BK Bhat owned society, for an astonishing amount of only Rs. 5 lakhs per acre. It should be noted that the BDA’S allotment at that time under bulk allotment was 65 lakhs per acre. Besides, the BDA levied a nominal rate to BK Bhat for gifting 90 acres of land encroached by him. 

GET OUT! 

 The then BDA Commissioner Laxmi Venkatachala refused to accept the resolution and a couple of days later he was removed from the Chairman post of BDA and V. Somanna was also forced to resign as the Minister. Later, when H.D K became the CM, BK Bhat renewed his efforts to get the land allotted. He held a grand function in Girinagar and felicitated a share in land. He had earlier gifted few big sites to family members of HDK and interestingly, even the BJP leaders remained soft on BK Bhat. However, the A.T Ramaswamy Report on BK Bhat’s frauds put a brake on the proposed bulk allotment order. It is now time for the Government to include this fraudulent allotment of 90 acres of prime land to BK Bhat, to the Lokayukta for a probe.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter HOW ABOUT PRIVATISING GOVERNMENT?

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA  

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

HOW ABOUT PRIVATISING GOVERNMENT? 

 Already the water supplies in many places have been privatized, the power supply is also undergoing privatization, and health services are privatized partly. The airport is privatized. The BWSSB was almost privatized but for the public protest. Infact the company which eyed the BWSSB, had engaged the services of a NGO Janagraha mould the public opinion for privatization of the BWSSB. The same is the case with KSRTC. It was also divided to form new companies. The registration dept was privatized by entrusting the registration works to private contractors. The Karnataka state tourist development’s many hotels and projects have already been privatized. The important works of revenue department too had been privatized. The KEB was divided into many corporations so that the corporation can be privatized in at a later stage. With the roads that is, rural roads too are going to privatized. What govt is running is liquor business and it is the monopoly because there is heavy money in it. 

The govt had kept the police, commercial tax, finance in it possession. Shobha karandlaje has announced that the Govt will privatize all the roads in rural areas and state highways. 

This is nothing but converting the roads in the state as toll roads. Why should one pay toll fee to use the roads? The govt collects road tax from the vehicle owners. It also collects a certain amount in percentage of surcharge towards infrastructure projects. After collecting all these taxes its govt duty to provide good roads without collecting any further charges. 

If privatization is logic, than why not privatize govt itself, and highly qualified, efficient & intelligent person can be made chief minister and other ministers. There is a limit to privatization. 

Of course, there are certain sets of rules and procedures, state govt cannot encroach on the rules, Sobha Karndlaje may be the powerful minister she cannot gift the rural roads to private contractors. Thousands of crores of tax money is paid and Govt must look after rural roads. 

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter The wonder fuel and other fluids

BY FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA 

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

The wonder fuel and other fluids 

It is beyond any doubt that the crude oil is by far the largest traded commodity and its bi-products petrol and diesel are the mostly consumed ones worldwide. Wars were fought over these commodities and a few countries have lost their geographical identities too. Debates held over these tantamount to tilt the economy of a country from better to worst and vice versa. Bitter scenes were witnessed in the past whenever the price of these commodities increased and the political parties never fail to take advantage of the price change to their benefit.

However, one fails to compare the prevailing price of these commodities with that of other consumable fluids, which are sold at the sky-rocketing rates, but still consumed by the public without exerting any hue and cry.

Cost comparison

A can of 330 ml Coca-Cola costs Rs. 20/- (a litre to cost around Rs. 60/-), a bottle of 100 ml Dettol Antiseptic Lotion costs Rs. 21 (Rs. 210/-), 500 ml of Radiator Coolant costs Rs. 170/- (Rs. 340/-), 400 ml Pantene Conditioner costs Rs. 165/- (Rs. 413/-), 100 ml Listerine Mouthwash costs Rs. 45/- (Rs. 450/-), 100 ml of Corex Cough Syrup costs Rs. 57/- (Rs. 570/-) and 150 ml cup of coffee at any decent outlet would cost Rs. 30/- (Rs. 200/-).

Some other liquids would even cost in terms of thousands of Rupees. For example, Kores brand whitener costs Rs. 15/- for 15 ml making a litre to cost Rs. 1000/-, 100 ml of Old Spice after shave lotion costs Rs. 175/- (Rs. 1750/-), 25 ml of branded almond oil costs Rs. 68/- (Rs. 2720/-) and a mere 21 ml of branded Colour Ink Cartridge costs astonishingly Rs. 1900/- making the most expensive one among the other liquids to cost Rs. 90476/- a litre. Surprisingly all these above are consumed by every section of the society without any protests whatsoever.

The pricing of the commodity

The price of gasoline never has crossed Rs. 55/- a litre any time during the past. One may be surprised to know that the wonder fuel could be made available to the end-users at less than half of its current selling rate, in case the additional taxes, which are added to are taken away from its basic cost.

As per the available statistics the basic rate works out to be at Rs. 21.93 per litre of gasoline when a barrel of crude is sold at USD 130 in the international markets. Adding taxes such as, [1] Rs. 14.35 (Excise Duty), [2] Re. 0.43 (Education-Cess), [3] Rs. 1.05 (Dealer Commission), [4] Rs. 5.50 (VAT), [6] Rs. 1.10 (Customs Duty on Crude), [7] Rs. 1.54 (Duty on Petrol) and [8] Rs. 6.00 (Transportation Charges) increases the cost of gasoline by Rs. 29.97 for every litre of petrol. The taxes and duties imposed on the gasoline are much more than its basic cost; otherwise it could be sold at less than Rs. 25/- per litre.

Petrol Politics

It is evident from the above, that the wonder fuel generates more revenue to both the central and state governments, and to the Oil Companies, as well.  But the Oil Companies shed crocodile tears, whenever there is an increase in the price of petrol and diesel is done. And the governments carry on their business undeterred as usual.    

Quotes of the commoners

“The price of petrol should be increased several folds making it ill-affordable by the commoner thereby discouraging buying of own vehicles.  The effect will obviously reduce the pollution and the presence of CO2 level in the atmosphere” – commented by a college student Juzer.

“Petrol is one such a commodity, which drives a nation and determines its economy.    It is not that we are addicted to it, but we cannot live without petrol, come what may it has to be bought at whatever may be its price” – quoted by Taher a businessman.

“Increasing the price of petrol need not necessarily trigger the inflation of the economy. It is true that to some extent that it will kindle the inflationary effect, but will remain dormant after a point of time” – quoted by a research scholar – Zainab S Kalangi.

The least expensive commodity

However, on our next visit to the petrol bunk for refilling, we shall bear in mind that the fuel, which is to be filled with, is the least expensive one amongst the other liquids consumed by anyone. We shall settle with that thought and consider fortunate enough to using this wonder fuel to run our vehicles and not any other liquids.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter TELANGANA IMPACT

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA   

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER

TELANGANA IMPACT 

 Phillip to Separatists in the State? The proposed formation of a separate Telangana State by bifurcating or trifurcating Andhra Pradesh is slowly and steadily providing encouragement to separatist movements in the other States. 

The way in which the Central Government succumbed to the pressure tactics of K. Chandrashekara Rao for formation of Telangana had emboldened similar groups/parties in other States to move further to achieve their goal. More than anything, the effect is already felt among the leaders of North Karnataka region bordering AP. 

The North Karnataka region people who are under the impression that they are being slighted, may press for their own State. The muted demand for separate State may now come into open.