Appointments, lack of minority representation in Karnataka CMO raises concerns
Bengaluru: The appointment of Dr. Rajneesh Goel as Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sparked debates due to concerns about his previous actions. As the former Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), Dr. Goel has faced criticism for allegedly neglecting to take legal action in significant cases during the BJP government's tenure. These cases include the PSI scam, allegations of 40% commission in the Public Works Department (PWD), hate speeches inciting communal violence, and remarks urging violence against Siddaramaiah, likening him to Tipu Sultan.
N Jayaram, who served as Secretary of the Revenue Department, has also faced scrutiny for granting gomala land illegally to the Sangh Parivar's Rashtrothana Parishat and Jana Seva Trust. Several locations, including Haveri, Kalaburagi, Chikkamagaluru, and Mysuru, were involved in these questionable land grants. Despite these allegations, Jayaram has been appointed as Secretary to the Chief Minister, raising concerns about the fairness of the appointment process in the new government.
The lack of officers from minority communities in the Chief Minister's office has drawn attention, despite the significant contribution of minority community votes to the Congress party's victory in the recent elections. Critics highlight the absence of representation and demand the appointment of eligible Muslim or Christian officers. Concerns are also being raised about appointment of officers from Kuruba Community to which Chief Minister belongs, as Joint Secretaries and Officers on Special duty.
The objection to Dr. Goel's appointment stems from criminal cases filed against numerous activists associated with the BJP and Hindutva organizations like the Bajrang Dal. Although the cases were pending in court, Dr. Goel submitted a file to the Cabinet advocating for the withdrawal of these cases. Moreover, Dr. Goel's office refused to provide information regarding the withdrawal of cases against the PFI and the SDPI activists, despite Siddaramaiah's inquiry during his time as Leader of the Opposition. Additionally, Dr. Goel did not instruct to take action against Minister Dr. Ashwath Narayan, who made provocative statements inciting violence against Siddaramaiah.
During a joint meeting with top police officials, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, concerns were raised about the Police Department's failure to address hate speeches and incitements to violence against Siddaramaiah, resulting in societal turmoil and unrest. The meeting also highlighted the issue of police officers harassing Priyank Kharge, who exposed documents related to the PSI scam. Dr. Goel, in his capacity as Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, attended the meeting. The lack of opposition to Dr. Goel's appointment despite these controversies has become a subject of discussion. Siddaramaiah had previously accused the Police Department of corruption in officer transfers and delays in obtaining statements from ADGP Amrit Paul, who was suspected of involvement in the PSI scam. However, as Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Dr. Goel did not take any action in response to these allegations.
The appointment of N Jayaram, who served as Secretary of the Revenue Department under the BJP government, as Secretary to the Chief Minister has garnered mixed responses from officers. During Jayaram's tenure, illegal grants of gomala land were made to the Sangh Parivar's Jana Seva Trust and the Rashtrothana Parishat. The Jana Seva Trust was granted 35 acres of land at a 5% rate, resulting in a loss of over Rs. 139 crores for the government. Siddaramaiah, who previously expressed ideological differences with the preceding BJP government, has now appointed an officer involved in granting fertile land illegally to Sangh Parivar-affiliated organizations as his secretary, leading to further discussions and debates.
In summary, the appointment of Dr. Rajneesh Goel as Additional Chief Secretary, the appointment of N Jayaram as Secretary to the Chief Minister, and the lack of representation from minority communities in the Chief Minister's office have raised concerns and sparked debates.
About 90 per cent of the Muslims and Christians have voted for the Congress in this year’s elections and have played a major role in getting the Congress to power in the state. There are many eligible and capable officers who are either Muslims or Christians. Questions are now being raised on the sidelining of such officers for appointment to the posts in the Chief Minister’s office. The Chief Minister should pay attention to the matter immediately and appoint eligible Muslim or Christian officers, demanded Ida Margaret, General Secretary of the Indian Christian United Forum.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
