MEDIA – November 2008

Evidence first defense against unfair firms: consumer group
Thanh Nien Daily, November 24, 2008

Competition panel hangs fire
The Asian Age, November 16, 2008

Local body bags India Power Award
Hindustan Times, November 10, 2008

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Competition panel hangs fire

By Dilip Cherian

THE PACE of recruiting members for the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had been slow since June this year when acting chairman Vinod Dhall put in his papers around the same time when the ministry initiated the selection process. But now it seems to have picked up pace again with coal secretary Harish Chandra Gupta, corporate affairs secretary Anurag Goyal and former chairman of the CBDT P.K. Mishra tipped to be members. Some insiders insist the panel will get a new chairman and full complement of six members by November-end — only a few days away now.

Clearly, finding Mr Dhall’s replacement is proving to be rather challenging. Apparently the selection committee has shortlisted two contenders — retired senior bureaucrat Ajay Dua and Dhanendra Kumar, executive director for India at the World Bank — but there’s no word yet on the final choice. Mr Dua retired last year as secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion, Mr Kumar has been with the World Bank since 2005 and also represents Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka there. He has long years of experience in finance and infrastructure. According to insiders, Arvind Virmani, chief economic adviser in the finance ministry, and Pradeep Mehta, secretary-general, CUTS International, a non-governmental organisation that works in the area of competition and consumer protection, had also applied for the post but the selection committee ignored their names.

As matters stand all, the initial talk of luring talent from the private sector has remained just that. Babus’ stranglehold on plum postings remains strong as ever.

The news item can also be viewed at: http://epaper.asianage.com

Local body bags India Power Award

Hindustan Times, November 10, 2008

Consumer Unity & Trust Society, a Jaipur based advocacy organization received this year’s prestigious India Power Award for recognition for Social and Community impact at Grassroots at a high level function held in New Delhi. The award was given by Dr M. S. Swaminathan, noted Agriculture Scientist and Member of Parliament. The council of Power Utilities and KW Conferences Pvt. Ltd. Have initiated a visible and credible platform – the India Power awards to recognize the achievements and contributions of organizations and individuals in this sector. The awards 2008 are being envisaged as a systematic and methodical approach to recognize excellence in power and energy development. The NGO was awarded for its outstanding networking and various outreach activities towards consumer empowerment.