Shinde hints at big names in spot fixing

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has revealed that the Government came close to a consensus on Telangana, but following objections, the issue got stalled. Shinde said that there are differences of opinion from both sides, but the UPA government is working to bring a consensus. "There was consensus, but some people came and objected. From both sides, there are differences of opinion. We are trying to evolve consensus," he stated.

In a free-wheeling interview with The Hans India at his North Block office on Friday, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that it was for the State Government to take a decision on the tainted Ministers. On the two Andhra Pradesh police officers, N Balasubramanyam and Srinivas Rao, chargesheeted in Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, Shinde said that the investigations are continuing into the matter, hinting that action will follow. Apparently, the Centre has not come across enough clues on the Hyderabad blasts, with Shinde admitting that though the investigations were continuing in this case, the Centre has achieved greater progress into the incidents in Bangalore.

Speaking for the first time on the arrests of the cricketers and bookies, Shinde took credit for the Delhi Police success in cracking the spot-fixing in the IPL. In reply to a query whether an exemplary punishment should be given to the cricketers for cheating the public, he said that the police job is to present the facts to the courts and it is up to the courts to hand out punishment.

Shinde indicated that it was a big racket and many more big names were also involved, thus giving out more information than Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar. This assumes significance in the wake of Delhi Police now widening the net and ready to question Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra of Rajasthan Royals besides others.

Shinde, who is also Leader of the House in Lok Sabha, ruled out any special session of Parliament for passing the twin legislations on Food Security and Land Acquisition, though he was silent on bringing Ordinance for this purpose. He appealed to the Opposition to cooperate with Government in national interest to pass the two Bills, which are in the interests of the poor and the farmers.

Ruling out early polls, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in an exclusive interview with the Hans India that elections will be held as per scheduled. It is learnt that the Government will try to once again convince the Opposition in passing the key legislative Bills and if they do not succeed even in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, they will have no option but to bring an Ordinance.

When asked about the Ordinance, Shinde said, "I cannot say at this moment, but will try to first enlist the cooperation of the Opposition." So far, the Centre has tried to heed the request of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who is not in favour of passing the crucial Bills in haste and amid the din in the House.

Flaying the Opposition for paralyzing the Budget Session of Parliament, Shinde wondered why they were demanding the head of the Prime Minister on coalgate issue. Shinde, who happens to be one of the members of the GOM on CBI autonomy headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, stated that the panel, which is yet to meet, will work towards giving functional autonomy to the CBI. He said, "The GOM has been appointed to consider on all the issues relating to autonomy. We will work out whatever is accountable to Parliament and judiciary. That is the main thing."

The Union Home Minister found fault with the media for creating hype on the Chinese incursions, which normally take place on such a terrain. Shinde rejected Army's demand for operational command of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He said, "We have no intention of removing the ITBP.

Neither the Army, nor the Prime Minister, has asked for its removal. The ITBP protects the border area. As and when such a situation occurs, the Army will come forward." He said that India's borders along Pakistan and Bangladesh are virtually peaceful, with sharp decline in infiltrations. A Shinde is going to the United States to study the homeland security.

Anita Saluja