Month-In-Perspective

MAHARASHTRA: There was this advertisement appearing in the Times of India, Mumbai edition, marketing, ‘NULIFE Resort Residence for seniors’, being ‘India’s First World Class Resort Residence for Seniors’ and many other exclusive adjectives hyped appropriately to appeal to rich section of our society. Facilities on offer appeared high end. Of course, all elders deserve a peaceful life, but there are those who have lived life on exclusive surroundings with all comforts of life.  It is probably true that they worked hard to live comfortably, but in the afternoon of life walking towards the evening and then of course the eventual sunset, can all of us ask few questions to ourselves, especially those who lived their 60 years in comfort, if we can give our time, if not resources, to those who are not as lucky as ourselves, by sharing knowledge, skill and whatever else that is possible, besides the time. May be these resort marketing companies can even offer some option to those who could be interested in such altruistic activities, some kind of a group transport some twice/thrice  a week, to places like orphanage, a tribal hamlet etc. Such approach could make life little more meaningful to all, both buyers and sellers, so that even so late in the day, life can become purposeful, of having given back little to society that gave us so much. Didn’t Vivekananda say that, ‘those who lived only for themselves have not lived at all’. 

There may be hundreds of reasons of the past for which CBI should have been outside the government influence or control. But the latest denial of permission by Governor K Sankaranarayana to prosecute former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is the latest in the innumerable hurdles CBI had faced all thru’ its existence.

The Adarsh scandal that rocked Maharashtra government, was investigated by CBI, despite resistance from the political class of the state. Ashok Chavan, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra had to quit under public pressure due to the flagrant misuse of power in the allotment of flats in Adarsh Housing Society in the up market Colaba area of South Mumbai.

CBI had sought former CMs prosecution for criminal conspiracy and cheating in his actions of commission and omission as Revenue Minister at that time. Surely CBI had prima facie evidence to prosecute Ashok Chavan, but the intervention by Governor, prompted obviously by the advice of Maharashtra cabinet, has put paid to the uncommon courage of CBI to take on a political heavy weight. It is indeed ironical that Maharashtra government & Governor acted even as Loksabha passed the Lokpal Bill. So much for fighting corruption. This is Yeh Mera India.

Former CIC Shailesh Gandhi is at it again. He is one of those who has not taken up any assignment, post retirement. May be because political bosses do not like honest and straight foreward bureaucrats, or because genuinely he was not interested and may be therefore became an RTI activist. To that job obviously he fits like a shot. As former CIC, he knows, it inside out. 

Thus, when state CIC Ratnakar Gaikwad had issued an order refusing RTI applicants details about building plans under RTI and citizens started complaining that not only the order curbed their rights, it made the job of unscrupulous builders’ easy, Shailesh Gandhi came calling on Gaikwad to convince him that the order is bad in law. No wonder Mr Gaikwad became wiser. He immediately withdrew the disputed order to the relief of all activists including Shailesh Gandhi. Wish there are more like him, who can hold the candle to the fighting aam aadmi.  

Sugar, as we all know, is a sweetner. But in politics it can even become bitter.

The recent package, supposedly intended to bail the sugar industry in the country, out of its-politician/industry combine created mess. If not elsewhere, at least in Maharashtra, sugar is a political commodity since both Congress parties – INC & NCP – get their sustenance from sugar co-operatives of the state.

These co-operatives were started by politicians in Maharashtra, and all of them enjoy political patronage. Started by the senior politician of the yore, Y B Chavan, continued by Vasant Dada Patil and other political heavy weights to the present NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, these sugar factories funded the politics and election of both Congress & NCP. Of course, being a political machinist NCP Supremo holds near absolute hold over these co-opearatives. No wonder, the GOM headed by Pawar gave a package of Rs: 7500 crores, with favourable terms like, restructuring the existing loans, incentive for producing raw sugar for exports, so also incentive for producing - ethanol blending in petrol – from the present 5% to 10%.

Of course, the industry is in crisis due to its own bad management. This is despite the Rangarajan committee recommendations to regulate its working. These recommendation were never implemented. Basic problem was the implicit rejection by sugar mills the profit sharing formula of 70/30 with the sugarcane farmers. Sugar co-ops were reluctant to share the profit with the farmers, who naturally demanded more for their produce and caused the impasse. But then being perishable, they too have less holding power and hence end-up succumbing. Hence a package, more as a vote bank exercise, had to be resorted, now that April 2014 is only months away.

UTTAR PRADESH: “Fatwa says homosexual should be burned, stoned”, was the report in a Bangalore based English daily. The Deoband based Darul Uloom Islamic Seminary has the practice of issuing Fatwas on just about anything, it thinks to react. It was reacting on the Apex Court decision to set aside Delhi High Court’s judgement allowing gay sex as not illegal.

On 11th Dec., it was, as if hell broke loose on the media space, in Delhi & Mumbai, ostensibly the centres of so-called emancipated men and women, when Supreme Court said ‘NO’ to gays. It only showed that there are any number of deviant men and women. But that is not the issue at all. In privacy of your solitude what you do is entirely your business.  Section 377 of IPC has not forbidden, per se, the union of same sex. So what’s the big deal, especially when Delhi High Court had held this so-called ‘pervert act’ as not illegal.

In July 2009, when Delhi High Court expressed its considered opinion on the issue, it was hailed as a victory of individual freedom. In less than 5 years time, it was back to as usual. Understandably there were reactions across the socio/political spectrum. While there is no doubt that being gay is indeed a bit wonkey, it is best left to two consenting adults as to how they want to live their life without the baggage of the so-called moral standard of society. Of course, it need not be, because west is allowing gay marriages. We need not learn from west or white man. Let’s go by what is fair and unfair, especially when they cause no harm to another third individual. The union government should take the call to address the issue and make law more explicit. It should rest there.

MADHYA PRADESH: 29 years ago, on Dec 2, 1984, the toxic gas that leaked from the Bhopal pesticide plant of Union Carbide led to the greatest industrial disaster anywhere in the world. Some 20000 died and some half a million were maimed. After almost 3 decades of this manmade disaster, victims are still going in circles fighting for justice.

As usual it has always been the apathetic ways of the people in power, either federal or state or both, in giving better compensation, better treatment facilities for the living and the partially dead.

Then, of course you have this removal of hazardous waste from the plant site, besides rehabilitation with jobs, for affected people.  Reportedly only 350 tons of this toxic waste has been removed after all these years, leaving some 25000 tons still inside the abandoned factory. Ground water has been contaminated but government is doing precious little to improve things. And the incumbent government was again voted back. Yes, this is not a vote bank issue. According to people fighting the cause of suffering victims, hospitals do not provide appropriate medicines for the treatment of affected people. Hundreds of newborns continue to be deformed at birth. Of course, denial of adequate compensation from the Union Carbide has been the most important reason for the problems to escalate. 

Apparently American company has washed off its hands, Indian government has failed to pursue the claim. It is left to some committed groups of activists to keep the battle alive, since on 2nd Dec. none in the electronic media felt that the issue deserved to be highlighted. Indeed there is no sensation in development issues and hence it rarely makes to the electronic channels or headlines of the newspapers. Yes, like sugar industry, there is no committee of GoM to recommend sops, since it is not an election sensitive issue. This is Yeh Mera India.

WEST BENGAL: There appears to be a season for some people in the public domain, to appear in the news, for all wrong reasons.

Some months ago, it was Aasaaram and his son, and another high profile journo, the investigative snooping journalist Tarun Tejpal, followed, to occupy the media space for days on end. Then comes former Supreme Court Judge and the present WBHRC chairman Ashok Ganguli. All three are from different back grounds but they made news and were all in the media space for same wrong reason, for exceeding their limit with their female associates.

If Aasaaram, the septuagenarian forced himself on a teenaged girl, who was apparently a devotee of his ashram, Tejpal did it with his colleague half his age. And comes the Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice Ganguli, being accused by an intern, who worked with him, of sexual misconduct. So, suddenly men are told, that they are bad.

Two of the three above are already in the process of accountability with the law enforcing authority, the police. However, the last one is valiantly holding on to his fast crumbling defence, despite the demand by the ruling Trinamool Congress, that Justice Ganguli resign as WBHRC. However inspite of ruckus in Kolkatta, police did not file an FIR, and as usual, there are always defendants for such persons as well, in public space. As it appears, prima facie, there is a strong case against Justice Ganguli and Union Government appears to have made up its mind for a presidential reference, since it is only president who can remove him from current position as WBHRC. It is very sad that there is a growing cult of people in authority misusing the trust of their juniors. Can India ever become a better place for women in workplace?

JAMMU & KASHMIR: Despite controversy of every conceivable kind, - NAMO -, Narendra Modi, remains a force that no-body in politics or in social space can ignore. Since quite some time he has been all over the place, primarily launching himself as a national icon. Of course, it is not for nothing that the principal opposition party BJP, has worked out its strategy arithmetics by plumping for NAMO to lead the party in the 2014 elections. There is nobody, I mean nobody, comparable to him in his party. He is bachelor and hence no vested interest. He visits his mother only at times and none else in his family. He grew from rank and can identify himself with masses. He is an extempore mercurial speaker with an absolute gift of gab. Who can be compared to him among the three aspirants for higher political office – L K Advani, Arun Jaitley or Sushma Swaraj. None, in any of his strength. Mother organisation, RSS, recognizes this. So all three have come to terms with the ground reality and have accepted NAMO as the PM candidate.

But as only expected, Congress and other parties have problem with the growing popularity of this man called Narendra Modi. They accuse him of lying, of ignorance of history or being wrong with statistics of some socio/economic indicators. Being controversial he surely shall have many disagreeable and unacceptable qualities, but they should not lead to distortion.

Just the other day, while in Jammu he has reportedly stated that there should be a debate on the status of article 370. And all pounced on him with variety of criticism from Congress, National Conferences, CPI. All that he asked was whether this special provision for Kashmir helped the purpose for which it was extended. The purpose of article 370 apparently was to help J & K integrate with the rest of the country. But for all 60 years, we have witnessed that this has not happened. Instead, it has served as a double edged sword against the country and was exploited by vested interests to fuel their separatist campaign. Hence questioning the very legitimacy of a democratic debate of the article 370 is to fall into the well in broad day light, which is clearly visible in the night. After all what is asked is a debate and not a demand to abrogate the contentious article 370! Hope all see the point in the larger context. 

TAMIL NADU: We always knew public sector units have been public money guzzlers. Although all of them were created with the lofty objective of empowering the local population within the ambit of national growth. Basic industries, infrastructures, like roads, railways, seaports, airports, industries involving huge funding have always be in the government owned PSUs in India. This was the main thrust of Nehruvian socialism of mixed economy. However over the years, these PSUs became a parking place for politicians as chairmen, and members of board of directors, for favouring with contracts etc. Hence many of these PSUs have become white elephants. Since all these PSUs are manned by workforce controlled by organized trade unions they couldn’t be closed, hence it continued its money guzzling activities. But not all of them were bad and some of them did exceedingly well in the later years of liberalization and globalization, with professional managers running the units. One of the signs of success of any enterprise is the cash surplus available at all times. As we all recognise that strength of any person is measured by the availability of cash at short notice for any activity that he decides. Same is the case with corporate entities. It is a very pleasant news to know that our public sector companies have a cash surplus of close to 2 lakh crores and they are lying in banks. This information was always available if one looked for it. But our mandarins in the Finance Ministry, who got overtly worked up for current account deficit (CAD) did not think about the ploughing back this bank stuck cash of these PSUs. Surely they have options. A CRISIL research report, recently released in Chennai, recommends a special dividend from these companies to help bridge the gap to cut the fiscal deficit. It is a view that always existed. But we act, as usual, only when cornered. Hope Finance Minister takes the call to make use of the positive option so freely available within the system.

NEW DELHI: The newest entrant into the political space of the nation’s capital, whom upstart Robert Vadra had the temerity to call Mango people in banana republic, Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) has arrived with a deafening bang. It was, by any stretch of imagination, a dream debut. Winning 28 seats in an Assembly of 70 was indeed a staple of fairy tales. Quite rightly, truth can be, at times, stranger than fiction. None in the political class gave any serious attention to this fledgling party, started only an year ago. They could have walked away with majority, and there were all indications, but the last minute entrapment techniques, probably by BJPs dirty tricks department, used on some of the AAP candidates, did cause some reverse. Or else, those who lost by few hundreds, could have romped home, to take AAP into an incredible cusp of glory.

It was an unbelievable development in the democratic evolution of our country. No political party has used the methods of selection of candidates and campaigning to reach out to the electorate as AAP. Political class as well as so-called political pundits including media made fun of the ways of this unsuspecting giant killer. It almost wiped out Congress party, who ruled for 15 long years, and made it difficult to BJP to form its government. AAP has indeed arrived in the national capital, and it is only a matter of time that they will go pan-Indian. Of course it was to the credit of Rahul Gandhi, who not only congratulated AAP for their fine showing, but also expressed the desire that Congress should learn from AAP, their ways of politics. This was despite the drubbing Congress suffered at the hands of AAP. But the same grace was missing from Arun Jeitley of BJP, who branded ‘if AAP is merely a freak phenomenon’. Hope and earnestly wish, Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP with little experience of political governance but with only dream in their heart, do measure up to the challenge, and that its not a freak phenomenon after all. So its wishing all the very best for this political debutant, in the next year. 

“Government worried about NPAs” was a headline in the print media over a month ago, attributed to Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram. While expressing concern about non-performing assets of Public sector banks, PC was making a policy statement that authorities in government level will start monitoring big defaulters.

Right enough Bombay High Court intervened recently asking banks to publish loan defaulters’ photograph in newspapers.

For far too long, RBI, government and even bank management were only worried about the confidentiality of defaulting loanees and not of banks and the country. Therefore, the problem of increasing NPAs went unabated, into over a lakh of crore of rupees.

It is not just in public interest, as the court observed, but in the national interest, that details of all defaulters should be in public domain. It is the nation’s money and should be available for the nation building. Surely there should be an atmosphere of help and co-operation to the private sector to do well. But in most cases it is the company, which in the public eye, is suffering and not its promoters, or owner managers. Even the losses suffered by these private sector companies are not necessarily for economic or commercial reasons. There are any number of instances, where those who are managing or controlling promote their private interest at the cost of the company, enjoying bank loan and share holders' stake. It is an open secret that there are Political/Bureaucratic & Corporate (PBC) arrangements working against public and national interest. We are all privy to information in public domain about the national loot, in spectrum allocation, coal block allocation, land deals in Maharashtra, Haryana and many other places by this triangular PBC combination. Thus the expression of worry by the country’s Finance Minister has not come a day too early. Already great damage has been inflicted on the public by private plundering. Indeed, these defaulters should be publicly shamed in the larger national interest. Only then there shall be some financial discipline and better management of national resources.

Yes, Aam Aadmi Party made a grand entry into Delhi politics. It may make even national debut. That is a clear possibility. However what surprised just everybody, including Arvind Kejriwal, was the margin of loss Sheila Dikshit suffered. To lose by over 25000 votes, was very humiliating for any outgoing Chief Minister, more so, for somebody who ruled the state for 3 terms. The shock was little too much. She was truly humbled. But why? Was there so much pent-up feelings against Congress in general and Dikshit in particular? In fact before the start of the election campaign and even on the day of voting, she was a formidable candidate by any measure of comparison. Could there be more to it than what eyes could see?! Grapewine has it that, there were people within her party who left Sheila Dikshit alone to fend for herself. While she dreamt of 4th term, party insiders felt reportedly threatened, that any victory by Sheila would bring her within the striking distance of PMs office, should Rahul Gandhi declines to take up the gauntlet. Some senior Congressmen didn’t want her to be the Prime Minister in case Congress makes it to the parliament. They even accused her of running her own show by relying on her chosen bureaucrats and some MLAs close to her. So if you lose, you lose any way. But if you keep winning, then too, life is difficult. May be politicians should become less ambitious with advanced age. She is already 75, she could have said ‘its enough’, as Laltaanwala of Mizoram and Siddaramayya of Karnataka have reportedly expressed their desire not to contest after their current term is over.

Tehelka in Tehelka may cause its eventual demise, with the kind of knots its founder owner has tied himself in. So some others may have to take its place, isn’t it? And comes Cobrapost. And the modus operandi is exactly the same as that of Tehelka website started in 2001, some 12 years ago. Like Tehelka, it too is a website, and who is the editor of this latest entrapment website. Believe it or not, guy is an ex-associate of Tarun Tejpal, and an ex-staff of Tehelka, Aniruddha Bahal. Tricks are same too. Same fictitious firms, making its round with enticements & baits, ranging from Rs. 50000/- to Rs Rs. 50 lakhs. Target is Members of Parliament. The only difference is, in 2001, it was BJP/NDA. Now its, reportedly 11 MPs of 5 political parties, including Congress. Mind you this time round it was not defence ministry and defence deals. Being Tehelka in the news, MPs are aware, not to touch defence deals. Hence, new money spinner in Hydro Carbon, oil exploration for the Union Ministry of Petroleum. Fortunately for minister Moili, he is not the target, unlike George Fernandese in 2003. As usual, ever hungry for money, some of these politicians just lapped up the offer of issuing recommendation letter for a fictitious foreign oil company seeking exploration rights in the north east. Reportedly some have already issued the letter for an undisclosed fee. Some were willing for 50 K and greedy ones asked for 50 lakhs. But, all were available to be bought for the highest bidder. What a fall! Poor Mother India. Shouldn’t they be disqualified immediately?

WORLD: Drug, the world over, is looked down upon as bad for humans and governments have made legislations that could go even up to death sentences for its illegal possession or trade. Every country, in all the so-called civilized world, have laws to enforce some or the other kind of ban. And comes Uruguay, the Latin American nation, to become the first country in the world, to legalise, production and sale of marijuana. That indeed was a quantum leap for free trade. This singular move, shall effectively kill the illegal trade in this drug.

All over the world, there is a whole administrative set up, involving inter- departmental personnel including police, to keep check on the trade and consumption of drug. There are huge monetary transactions involving billions the world over, among the underground mafias and drug lords. We are all privy to the truth that there is a significant % of youth in educational campuses, all over the world, consuming exotic substances secretly. Law enforcing authorities have a big headache in containing the trade and consumption of these substances. But the fact remains, there is huge money to be made by producers and traders, but it also remains a fact that its consumption for longer period can debilitate the consumer forever. Hence to protect the health of its citizens there are whole lot of measures by the authorities. Yet, the trade is near rampant in these substances. Because, it is not just the money, but the kick and pleasure, although transient, that it can give to its users, has kept alive the production and trade in these drugs, all over the world. 

If there are effective measure to control its production and consumption, state can effectively kill illegal trade and can make legal revenue for state, from both producers/traders and consumers. Legitimacy granted by law can only help the stabilization process. There are socio-economic lessons in the Uruguay move.

Visit of Japanese emperor Akihito and his empress, to India is a major development, which should work for the benefit of both countries especially India. After a long time, it is on the upswing. If in the past, the relationship between these two big players has not been as good, as was possible, it is partly due to the inability of MEA’s mandarins to see opportunities. Japan is a country with Buddhism as their official religion. India is a country where Buddhism had started, with many holy places of religious significance. All these holy places could have been jointly developed with Japanese participation as a tourist destination for Buddhists all over the world. India has a large presence of Buddhism followers, besides China, Thailand, Srilanka, Burma & others. This association, if properly road mapped, could have led to a permanent friendship between both India and Japan and strengthened the bond to a more meaningful level.

In the current geo political scenario, where China is asserting itself, it is important that India develop an ally and Japan can be an answer. In recent times, Japan too is feeling the heat of Chinese assertiveness in South China Sea and other disputed areas, and hence surely, must have thought, why not upgrade the relationship with another friendly country in the neighbourhood, and India is the best bet, for varieties of reasons. So, truly speaking, it helps both of us to go all out, to bolster our socio/economic association. If only we sensitively handle the entire gamut of relationship with Japan, it can pay very rich dividend to India in the long run, in economic terms. Hope people at the helm at PMO/MEA realise the lost opportunity and try to measure upto the latest overtures by Japan, even leading up to a possible friendship treaty, especially the help Japan may need in sorting out issues with China.

J.SHRIYAN