Sujjan Singh’s team wins the Pro-Am event of the CG Open 2015
Mumbai, December 6, 2015: The Pro-Am event of the CG Open 2015 was won by Chandigarh-based professional Sujjan Singh and his team at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club on Sunday.
The Pro-Am was played in the team scramble format where the team’s best ball was chosen on every shot including the putting green.
PGTI member Sujjan Singh led his team to victory with a score of 51.5. Sujjan’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Jaggy Shivdasani, Mr. Aman Bajaj and Mr. Rahul Sood.
PGTI member Shankar Das’ team posted a score of 51.9 to finish second. Shankar’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Krishna Kumar Raman, Mr. Ashish Chemburkar and Mr. Arjun Nohawar.
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The SourceAmerica Tapes – Background
AbilityOne
In 1971 the US Congress passed the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (JWOD), a law to create employment for people with significant disabilities who might not otherwise be able to find work. The Act addressed the need to provide employment to such people by creating the AbilityOne program. AbilityOne functions as follows:
A number of nonprofit agencies exist across the United States which provide services and support to people with serious disabilities. Some of these nonprofit agencies provide direct employment to people with serious disabilities, and produce supplies and services. If the majority of the employees of a nonprofit (over 75%) are people with serious to compliance with AbilityOne regulations, able to participate in the AbilityOne program, and is referred to as a JWOD agency, or JWOD nonprofit.
Under the AbilityOne program, a procurement list is curated and published of services and supplies which are offered by JWOD nonprofits under the AbilityOne program. If a federal government agency, such as a government department, requires one of those services, it is obliged to procure that supply or service through the AbilityOne program, from a JWOD nonprofit agency, until the supply or service is no longer required, or until it is no longer offered by any JWOD agency.
So for example, if the Department of Education wishes to procure mousepads, it must check the AbilityOne procurement list. The AbilityOne procurement list lists mousepads as a supply that is purchaseable through the AbilityOne program. The Department of Education is therefore required to purchase mousepads through the AbilityOne program, and is prohibited from procuring mousepads from a private supplier.
In this way, the needs of US government agencies are intended to create direct employment for people with serious disabilities.
Administrative Structure
The administrative structure of AbilityOne is as follows:
AbilityOne is overseen by the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled, which comprises a panel of fifteen presidential appointees, eleven of whom represent departments and agencies of the federal government, and four of whom represent the interests of people with disabilities. The current panel members are:
- James M. Kesteloot, Chairperson, Private Citizen (appointed Obama 2010)
- Lisa M. Wilusz, Vice Chairperson, Department of Agriculture (appointed Obama 2011)
- J. Anthony (Tony) Poleo, Chief Financial Officer, Defense Logistics Agency (appointed Bush 2007)
- Dr. P. Edward (Ed) Anthony, Deputy Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of Education (appointed Bush 2006)
- Jan R. Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics, Department of Veterans Affairs (appointed Obama 2011)
- Harry P. Hallock, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of the Army (Procurement), U.S. Army (appointed Obama 2011)
- Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Private Citizen appointed Bush 2003)
- Anil Lewis, Private Citizen (appointed Obama 2012)
- Karen J. McCulloh, Private Citizen (appointed Obama 2011)
- Thomas D. Robinson, Executive Director, Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force (appointed Obama 2013)
- William Sisk, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration (appointed Obama 2011)
- Virna L. Winters, Director for Acquisition Policy and Oversight in the Office of Acquisition Management, Department of Commerce (appointed Obama 2014)
- Rear Adm. Jonathan A. Yuen, Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and 47th Chief of Supply Corps, Department of the Navy (appointed Obama 2012)
- (vacant, not appointed)
- (vacant, not appointed)
The Committee for Purchase enjoys the responsibility of publishing the AbilityOne procurement list, and of implementing the program. However, the Committee for Purchase does not directly implement most of the AbilityOne program, and instead outsources and delegates much of the administrative and executive work to two “central nonprofit agencies” created for the task, which operate at a national level, and whose role is the direct implementation of AbilityOne.
When they were created 1974, these were known as the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH). NIB continues under that name, but in July 2013, NISH was renamed as SourceAmerica. Therefore, the direct implementation of the JWOD Act, and of the AbilityOne program, is carried out by two central nonprofit agencies which operate at a national level, NIB and SourceAmerica.
The publication concerns SourceAmerica, and not NIB. Therefore, hereafter, references to NIB will be omitted.
SourceAmerica
SourceAmerica has a number of responsibilities to the federal government, and by extension, to the taxpayer, to ensure that the AbilityOne program is run efficiently, fairly and accountably. When a government agency wishes to purchase supplies or services for which a number of different JWOD nonprofit agencies are in competition, it is SourceAmerica that awards the contract to one of its JWOD nonprofit agencies, on the basis of a fair assessment of the quality and value of the supplies and services offered.
Furthermore, it is SourceAmerica that carries the responsibility of routinely monitoring the JWOD nonprofit agencies to ensure that the services they provide are adequate to the government’s needs, and to ensure that they are in full compliance with the terms and regulations of the AbilityOne program. For example, it is SourceAmerica which must ensure that 75 percent or more of the direct labor hours under JWOD contracts are performed by individuals who have severe disabilities.
But at the same time as it has obligations and responsibilities to the federal government and the taxpayer, SourceAmerica also has a set of responsibilities to the JWOD agencies themselves. It is SourceAmerica’s role to assist the JWOD nonprofit agencies in securing government contracts, and to represent the interests of the JWOD agencies to the Committee for Purchase.
Furthermore, SourceAmerica is empowered to charge a fee for each successfully concluded contract it facilitates between a JWOD nonprofit agency and the federal government.
These structural features of the administration of AbilityOne are the subject of some concern.
Conflict of Interest
A 2007 Congressional Report on Federal Disability Assistance (http://www.gao.gov/assets/260/255776.pdf) based on a study carried out by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified SourceAmerica’s dual responsibility as a conflict of interest.
In the summary of the report:
“[T]he Committee for Purchase delegates most of its oversight responsibilities to two central nonprofit agencies that also represent the interests of the JWOD nonprofit agencies they oversee. This arrangement, as well as the fact that they receive a percentage of the total value of the contracts from the JWOD nonprofit agences, raises questions about their independence and gives them little incentive to identify instances of noncompliance that could result in the JWOD nonprofit agency losing its federal contract.”
On page 11:
“The Committee for Purchase has also established regulations that require the two central nonprofit agencies to evaulate the qualifications and capaibilities of nonprofit agencies that apply for contracts and provide pertinent data concerning the JWOD nonprofit agencies, such as their status as qualified nonprofit agencies and their manufacturing or service capabilities. Additionally, [NIB and SourceAmerica] are to monitor and inspect the activities of participating nonprofit agencies to ensure compliance with the JWOD Act and appropriate regulations. For example, to maintain its status as a qualified nonprofit agency organized for the purposes of the JWOD program, an agency must employ persons who are blind or have severe disabilities to perform at least 75 percent of the work-hours or direct labour during the fiscal year to furnish such commodities or services (whether or not the commodities or services are procured under the JWOD Act).”
On page 25:
“The Committee for Purchase’s regulations create at least two problems for NIB and [SourceAmerica]: the potential for a conflict of interest resulting from a lack of organizatoinal independence as well as disincentives to perform their monitoring duties effectively. Specifically, these regulations require that NIB and [SourceAmerica], on behalf of the Committee for Purchase, monitor the compliance of JWOD nonprofit agencies, but, at the same time, represent them in their dealings with the Committee for Purchase. Moreover, the regulations also permit NIB and [SourceAmerica] to charge a fee based on JWOD nonprofit agencies’ sales to the government […] This system of compensation may create a disincentive for NIB and [SourceAmerica] to identify instances of noncompliance that could result in the JWOD nonprofit agency losing its contract, especially for those JWOD nonprofit agencies that are generating large volumes of JWOD sales.”
On page 28:
“[T]he current approach for overseeing nonprofit agencies operating under the JWOD program poses difficult challenges for [NIB and SourceAmerica] in managing the conflicts of interest that may exist because of their lack of organizational independence […] Ensuring program integrity is particularly important for JWOD since nonprofit agencies are given a competitive advantange over private business and industry in the federal procurement system to ensure that opportunities are provided to individuals with disabilities.”
A 2013 report from the GAO contains similar findings:
“The Commission has not recently taken an active role in setting or monitoring [SourceAmerica] governance standards—such as developing [SourceAmerica] ethics standards and reviewing alleged violations—to help protect the program from possible waste, fraud, and abuse […] Instead, the Commission is dependent upon the [SourceAmerica itself], as well as other governmental entities, such as the Internal Revenue Service, to set and enforce some of these standards. Without strong standards and oversight, however, the program is vulnerable to potential fraud, waste, and abuse of government procurement funds […] Should such improprieties occur, the program’s reputation could be harmed and this could decrease employment opportunities for people who are blind or have severe disabilities.”
60TH MAHAPARINIRVAN DIWAS.
AAM AADMI PARTY
CHIEF MINISTER ARVIND KEJRIWAL AND SPEAKER, DELHI ASSEMBLY, RAMNIWAS GOEL TODAY PAID HOMAGE TO THE VETERAN FREEDOM FIGHTER, EDUCATIONIST AND THE FATHER OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION BABA SAHEB DR. BHIM RAO AMBEDKAR ON HIS 60TH MAHAPARINIRVAN DIWAS.
Remembering Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Arvind Kejriwal said that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was great son of India, a top legal luminary, an outstanding social reformer, a statesman of international repute, a patriot and a scholar par-excellence. He as a father of Indian constitution gave India one of the top constitution of the world for ensuring and establishing the best democracy in India. As a revolutionary he fought for the rights of the have-nots and for changing the plight of millions and millions of oppressed, suppressed and deprived people of India. His contribution to the Nation will always be remembered, said Arvind Kejriwal.
He hailed the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in order to reduce and check pollution in the Capital. He further thanked and appreciated the decision taken by Judges of Supreme Court for car pooling and said that if Judges of the Supreme Court have taken decision for Car pooling, it will be a big support for Delhi Government as it will encourage the lacks of people of Delhi for car pooling which will certainly check and reduce the pollution in Delhi.
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Swaraj Abhiyan!
We invite you all to attend a Google Hangout with Swaraj Abhiyan Leader, the Well Known Supreme Court Lawyer & Crusader of Anti Corruption Movement of IAC, Mr. Prashant Bhushan on “JAN LOKPAL BILL” and to understand the difference between 2014 Lokpal Bill and 2015 Delhi Lokpal Bill.
He will explain why the “2015 Delhi Lokpal Bill” is the murder of JanLokpal: A betrayal of anticorruption movement unparalleled in history of movements.
Please do join us and feel free to ask questions at “http://www.swarajabhiyan.org/ content/Hangouts“.
You can also ask your questions on Twitter using #PBonJokepal
The Hangout will be streamed live at “http://www.swarajabhiyan.org/ content/Hangouts“
Time: 8PM, Indian Standard Time
Date: 6th December, 2015, Sunday
Amitabh Cant ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ – Three ‘Ds’ Extreme Dullard
December06, 2015 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
Amitabh Kant makes WILD or Misleading Claims of Make in India program likedemocracy, demography and demand – [We Have Stinking Democracy – Most of Our Leaders are in Politics From School Days, demography means for every job there are over 1000 Applicants and Demand is Barely $400b Household Expenditure for India $300 Per Capita Annually in this 50% is food products.] and as annexed in pdf details of the initiatives but facts is Manufacturing Growth is barely 2.6% or in per capita not even 1% annually.
23% Of GDP India HH Expenditure – USA 46% [Direct Marketing]
Here in the RBI sector wise contribution to India GDP – Industry Contribution is barely$350b [Rs.22,88,100 Cr] and this includes, Mining, Power, and Manufacturing includes Food Processing etc.https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Publications/PDFs/T00332F89AED58574469B591FE0D8D242FE3.PDF
Amitabh Kant admits everyday India is Zero in IPR when he is serving Industry ministry since August2009.https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=16474
Population Growth 2007-2015 – 12.5%
But it is appalling in Basic Goods too the manufacture in 2007-2015 is barely 0-50% for even low value goods [Credit to Industry TRIPLED in 7 Yrs] –
Computer Manufacture Index is Worst of All down to 68.6 from 200.3 when Amitabh Kant claimed to have set up Electronics CLUSTERS. This is the only category in this list which is High Tech products like Hard Drives, Storage, Cameras, Tablets, Mobile Phones etc. Highest growth relates to Cars, Mostly Foreign Companies, Petroleum, Cement, etc all polluting Basic Industries.
Even Edible Oils, Sugar, Synthetic Yarn growth was below population growth rate, Apparel growth Index was modest 173.6% to 199.4 or roughly slightly more than rate of population growth or Zero Per Capita Production. Forget exports.
2007-08. The growth rate achieved by the mining, manufacturing and electricity sectors during April-July, 2007 was 3.1 percent, 10.3 percent and 8.1 percent respectively as compared to 4.0 percent, 12.3 percent and 6.1 percent during corresponding period last year. [Non Petroleum Imports were $124b for 2006-07.]
2014-15. The IIP growth in September 2015 was 3.6 per cent, mainly due to higher electricity growth at 11.4 per cent and moderate growth in mining sector and manufacturing sector at 3.0 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively. [Non Petroleum Imports werre $124b for 2014-15.]http://finmin.nic.in/stats_data/monthly_economic_report/2015/indoct15.pdf
Amitabh Kant is Worst QUALIFIED – Political Science Post Graduate – Since 1990 – 25 years there is not a Single Minister Or Secretary in MoI/DIPP who is both Qualified, Experience & Capable of Serving Critical Job AND Understands IPR, Can LEAD India into High-Tech Manufacturing & EXPORT LED GROWTH.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation, Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects.
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