MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
NEW DELHI: Speaking at a function to pay homage to late Congress leader Jaipal Reddy, BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, was reported to have remarked “I believe that today, there is a dire need of a leadership which expresses views clearly, can debate with the Prime Minister based on principles, without any hesitation and not worrying about making him happy or sad”.
Prof Joshi has certainly echoed the sentiment of a large section of Indians, including BJP cadres and a section of party MLA’s and MPs. It is believed that Prime Minister Modi is a very tough leader and does not like being contradicted or questioned. Prof Joshi had also observed that ‘there is no discussion cutting across party lines on issues of national and international importance’. According to him ‘this practice had almost finished and must be revived’.
It is true that, ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the unquestioned leader of BJP, there has been complete breakdown of visible debate within the party forums. It is true that, it is his grass root connects and his oration that has catapulted the fortune of BJP as never before. And he recognizes that. But sadly, he is not kind to dissent. It is ‘my way’ only, not even highway. In victory, being humble only increases the leader’s acceptability and respect.
In fact, the way he treated post 2014 election victory, those who were over 75 years, has left certain amount of avoidable bitterness. Prof Joshi is one of those unfortunate victims of PM Modi’s diktats. At least, both former Deputy PM L. K. Advani and Prof Joshi were graceful in their humiliation, unlike Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, who have been very vocal in their opposition to PM Modi’s shenanigans.
Therefore the latest observation by Prof Murli Manohar Joshi, how much it can cut the ice among leaders of BJP is a difficult question to answer. There are not many like Nana Falgunrao Patole, a former BJP MP from Bhandara, who could resign from parliament itself on differences with PM Modi. Indeed, there is a need of leadership in BJP who can debate with PM Modi without fear. Hope statement by Prof Joshi nudges some of the senior BJP leaders to rise to the occasion.
NEW DELHI: A report datelined New Delhi, informed, attributing to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, “India will never be a ‘Hindu’ country. This man Owaisi, with his no holds barred attack on RSS at every possible opportunity has only helped BJP grow in strength both numerically and electorally. This he fails to understand.
Addressing a meeting of intellectuals in Bhubaneswar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had remarked “we are a country of Hindus. Hindu is not the name of a language, a province or country but a culture, which is the legacy of all people living in India”. On the face of it, there is nothing wrong with the remark. Before Indian Muslims and Christians have become what they are now, surely they must have been Hindus. You cannot deny this dimension of Non-Hindus in India and there are enough Muslims and Christians who agree with it.
Mohan Bhagwat had also remarked that ‘Muslims in the country are happy’, to which Owaisi had tweeted “The measure of whether Muslims were happy or not is the constitution and not the magnanimity of majority”. What Owaisi fails to understand that in India, he enjoyed the atmosphere of being a free man and can utter any sense or nonsense and yet get away! Not because of the constitution, but because of the passivity of the majority among the Hindus. He should not forget what his brother had mouthed long ago about ‘a small number of Muslims can wipe out a large section of Hindus’, if a situation arises. He is still roaming free without any Hindu attacking him. What would have happened to a Hindu or a Non-Muslim in Pakistan under similar circumstances?
Owaisi should also remember what Chinese are doing with their Muslims and how Japanese government is not giving Permanent Residentship to Muslims to stay in Japan. Does he have any vocal outpouring on China or Japan, which he relentlessly unleashes in India on any and everything?!
BJP/RSS combine may have its own agenda of a Hindu nation, but, it is people like Owaisi and his ilk who are keeping it alive and may be even helping it grow. Do you hearken AIMIM Chief! Here it is pertinent to quote M.J Akbar. In “India: The siege within”, Akbar writes “Hindu fundamentalism, long the thrust of a section of the middle class, has never got much response in an India who’s population is 80% Hindu. It needs to be pointed out that India remains a secular state not because 1/5th of its population is Muslim, Sikh or Christian and therefore obviously has a vested interest in a secular constitution, but because 9 out of 10 Hindus do not believe in violence against minorities” (Penguin page/23).
NEW DELHI:There was this report in the print media, as the paper put it, “ambitious Ahmedabad - Mumbai high speed rail project”, on 21st October. It was covering the submissions from NHSRCL or National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. Being a company created for a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is certain to be in the business, controversy or no controversy. No wonder, its managing director, Achal Khare while speaking to the media remarked, “Bullet Train project will be the Bible for future ventures”.
There is no doubt that, India should grow, as quickly and as fast as possible. We are already 72 years + old, since our political independence from British colonial masters, who left us in penury after looting it for centuries. In 21st century, growth includes Shinkansen, the Japanese term for bullet train, as well. For Japan with its commanding position in international trade and finance, bullet trains are a clearly felt need, certainly not for India at the present situation of our socio-economic position. Japan is having a per-capita-income in the region of US$37000, whereas for India it is not even US$5500/-. Japan’s HDI is as high as 17, whereas India is at a low of 135, among some 190 countries. So we are no match to Japan. HDI represents Human Development Index as calculated by UNDP.
But our visionary leader, PM Narendra Modi wants to have it, at least for the benefit of his home state Gujarat, doesn’t matter the cost. No doubt India needs connectivity. There are many areas within all parts of India, which need crucial connectivities. It is true we have problems of resources to reach out to all parts of the country. With Ahmadabad / Mumbai bullet train project running ahead with some Rs.120000 crores cost, other areas have to wait for the resources to come by.
However, what concerned this writer was the track map published in the media while covering the interlocution with NHSRCL. There was this picture of the route the bullet train will traverse, from Sabarmati in Gujarat to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. There shall be some 10 stops between two terminals. However, there is one diversion in the picture which showed train travelling from BKC to Thane to Virar or vice versa. For a train travelling to Gujarat, there is no need to go to Thane then come back to Virar, which is almost 90 degree diversion with a fair distance. BKC to Virar is much shorter than BKC to Virar via Thane. Was it needed, when the cost of bullet train infrastructure is some Rs.230/- crores per K.M.? Or was it to please the huge Guajarati crowd living in Mulund next to Thane?! Hope it is not so.
NEW DELHI:‘Governments anywhere in the world, if it is a ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people”, has got to be people centric, nothing less- nothing more. Hence, there is logic in what the latest Economics Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee had to say on poverty alleviation in the world. According to him, as economist his fight is against poverty all the time, since economics is very much connected to issues concerning poor people.
Of course, it’s not a must that, we have to agree with everything that he propounds, as a celebrated economics professor! But clearly Nobel committee alluded to his thoughts, which according to them changed their perception about poverty and development economics. Lot of economic thinkers has written in the past about the issues of poverty and how to address them. Strength of Prof Banerjee has been the specifics, his commitment to details on the ground, to as near to the truth as possible by touching as close to the actual condition of the life they live. As he puts it “it was a rigorous experimentation with large number of samples, which lasted decades”.
While we congratulate Prof Abhijit Banerjee for his stupendous success in being recognized with Nobel Prize, like all theorists, he does not have readymade solution to the myriad problems India is facing. Of course, some of his ideas can be replicated like the minimum income guarantee scheme which was proposed by the Congress party during the last Lok Sabha election and they called it NYAY. He mentioned while talking to the press how the Chinese growth story was based on labour intensive industrial model, which led to growth in wages which in turn reduced poverty. There is absolutely no doubt that wages in the hands of people is empowerment in real terms. It is a universally accepted growth model.
However his suggestion about wholesale taxing the rich may not yield result in the long run at least in India. India’s richer class unlike their western counter parts, who want the government to tax them more, want all kinds of concessions and benefits, hence, taxing the rich in India is eminently debatable. Also, his disapproval of direct cash transfer of benefits may not have many takers, since Indian experience has proved positive.
However, when all is said and done, Prof Banerjee on his visit to India calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been a good gesture. It has certainly helped develop bonhomie which can only help the country positively, despite some contrary voices from members of Sangh stable.
NEW DELHI:That the GST has affected the sales of automobiles is not news anymore. A GST of 28% for an 800 cc Maruti Alto costing some 2 lac+ and for a Lamborghini which at its costliest is sold for Rs.6, 25, 00,000 that is 6 corers twenty five Lacs is clearly a mockery of the taxation principle of “what traffic can bear”, a logic the ministry of finance under Nirmala Sitaraman has clearly failed to understand.
Be that as it may, the news “Maruti cuts production for 8th straight month” need not surprise anybody. With demand slowing down, with different options available for car users and Union government refusing to reduce GST on low priced low cubic capacity (cc) cars, the demand is sluggish. Despite Dasshera having come and gone and Diwali round the corner in a few weeks, the market do not seem to pickup from prolonged slowdown.
But quite frankly, is the cut in production the only solution?
You have a huge inventory of finished products. Anticipating pre/post monsoon pickup of sales most auto manufacturers have upped the production to reap the bonanza of festival sales. But sales have not happened? Some months ago, a farmer had remarked and media had picked it up “we farmers sell at all kinds of prices when we have bumper crops and sales are less, so why not car companies reduce the price and sell cars at lower prices?” Certainly the logic is not that simple. Agri products and automobiles are not same. But surely what the farmer had said make sense for some very valid reasons.
1. You have a huge inventory where equally huge money is stuck. It is an NPA or a Non Performing Asset for the company. 2. Prolonged parking in open yard, under relentless rain and scorching sun alternating at regular intervals can affect the quality of its exteriors including painting. 3. Both the above factors will only increase the ultimate cost, besides the unproductive or reduced productive overhead expenditure will continue to rise. 4. So it is an unenviable situation of cost overrun. 5. It certainly calls for a drastic action. Offer a “once in life time discount sale,” across the board. Say a 25% discount on select models would make buyers rush to the car show rooms.
This way car companies can stop the erosion in its market value, does not matter the reduced profit for a year or so. Up and down is a part of business venture. Industry, per se, should take it in its stride for the long term good. Hope car companies understand this rationale, without waiting for the government to act. The adage, Self help is the Best help, has its time tested relevance.
UTTAR PRADESH: Ayodhya dispute, decades old since the demolition of Babri Masjid, is reportedly on the verge of being resolved. Or is it!
Supreme Court has taken upon itself to bring the matter of land dispute in the Mandir Masjid imbroglio to a close by the end of next month or so. All the arguments by three parties to the dispute are over. The apex court in its wisdom is in a hurry to close the issue by delivering a judgement. How it will go about coming to a conclusion, of a deeply riddled issue like the ownership of the 2.77 acre land presently with the Sunni Central Waqf Board, is keenly awaited.
Allahabad High Court, on 30th September 2010, had delivered a judgement dividing the land equally between 3 litigants to the dispute. Under the circumstances, this was by far the best judgement. But none of the three parties accepted it, one of them went to the supreme court. Hopefully before the end of November 2019, the highest court of the land is expected to deliver the long awaited, almost 27 years old, judgement. But, what are the chances, that they will deviate from Allahabad High Court judgement?!
When the land was trifurcated in 2010, V.C of Pondicherry University, Prof Jaleel Ahmed Khan Tareen had written to the press, “The 1/3rd land should be gracefully gifted to Hindus to build the temple”. Echoing similar sentiments, a group of concerned Muslim gentlemen including retired bureaucrats, lawyers, journalists, doctors, soldiers and businessmen under the banner of ‘Indian Muslims for Peace’, expressed their desire to hand over the land held by Muslims organization in Ayodhya to the Supreme Court which may in turn, hand it over to the central government to be given over to Hindu organizations.
This is the secular dimension of this country, which Muslims in general must endorse for the larger picture of social harmony. According to sources in Muslims for Peace, Sunni Central Waqf Board chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui is supportive of the proposal. However, reportedly The All India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) convener Zafaryab Jilani has rejected such peace overtures to hand over the 2.77 acre disputed land to Hindus questioning the locus standy of this group of eminent Muslims, among ordinary Muslims. Similarly AIMPLB, (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) president Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi, thinks “Land dedicated to mosque cannot be surrendered for other purpose”.
Under the circumstances, Central Government should take the initiative further by establishing contact with this Indian Muslims for Peace to enlarge the scope of participation. Hope it happens.
UTTAR PRADESH:Despite claims to the contrary UP continues to be the worst when it comes to attack on women. No wonder, Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of late Rajeev Gandhi, had lamented in Rai Bareili “Shameful that UP tops in case of crimes against women”. She was reacting to the report “Two sisters raped, accused post videos online” in the print media.
The chief minister of UP, Mahant turned politician Yogi Adityanath is never tired of big mouthing about the “improved” state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. His encounter tactics, to some extent must have reduced attacks for money or other allied issues, but the life of women and young girls continued to be in danger in the hands of both law makers and law breakers.
If Chinmayananda and Sengar who were elected both as MP and MLA for many terms pocketed the law and order system for their carnal adventures, other rowdies and anti-social elements were not far behind in the race to get these female trophy for their bestial wants.
According to report from Bijnor in UP, two sisters were raped and their minor cousin was stripped and was attempted on 21st October under Nagina rural police station at Madhapur Sultan.
Reportedly 2 were arrested after Priyanka made noise and one is absconding. At this rate, Uttar Pradesh can never be an Uttam Pradesh, as routinely claimed by this Mahant turned politician chief minister. Will BJP ever be successful in bringing law & order under control in UP? It’s a question only Amit Shah can answer.
RAJASTHAN: Surely, live-in-relationship between two consenting adults is not a matter of concern for us at ISSUES & CONCERNS. But for a quasi-judicial body like Human Rights Commission to enter the bedroom of adult men & women calls to question the very motive of the commission. It is a question of freedom of choice and I&C is concerned. Some weeks ago, Rajasthan Human Rights Commission demanded that the state government in Jaipur enact a law to declare live-in-relationships as an unlawful act and therefore should be prohibited. The judges Mahesh Chand Sharma and Prakash Tantia have reportedly opined that the woman in such relationship is like a ‘concubine’.
According to Webster’s dictionary of English language, the word ‘concubine’ describes a woman who co-habits with a man without the sanction of legal marriage, a woman kept for lewd purposes, a kept mistress.
Here the question is how competent is the court to interfere in a relationship between a man and a woman, in this case state HRC! Prima facie, two consenting adults are free to choose the mode of co-habitation, as long as, it has not created any physical or mental problem to any follow citizens or have caused any law and order problem or caused any public nuisance, by acts which can be described as an act of moral turpitude. Therefore for a court or HRC to interfere or to infer a live-in-relationship should be prohibited because the court in its wisdom thinks the woman has lost her dignity when she lives with a man without legal marriage, tantamount to transgression.
Frankly there are any number of cases involving Human Rights in the state of Rajasthan, where the state HRC could have got worked up instead of an imagined state of unauthorized live-in-relationship between a man and woman! On the face of it, it appears to be a case of over-enthusiasm by the state HRC, especially now that the country has decriminalized physical relationship between man and man. Besides, how could a court surmise that, when a man and woman co-habits, it is only to have physical relationship! Despite living together, both man and woman may remain celibate!
Therefore under the circumstances, in fitness of things, the Rajasthan HRC should spend quality time to provide quality guidance for those who have their human rights truly violated by some lumpen elements in the Rajasthan society.
MAHARASHTRA: There is this humerous anecdote going round, when accounting or accounting practices are being talked about. “2&2, how much does it make”, was a question posed to a doctor, an engineer and a chartered accountant. According to this oft repeated humour, doctor had supposedly replied ‘its twenty two' (22), while engineer replied 'its four' (4). That left chartered accountant to answer in the end. He was supposed to have remarked “how much do you want?” implying, it need not be 22 or 4, it can be any number you fancy!
Thus, if there is a belief, that, numbers, especially critical ones, be it financial, be it research figures or even official statistics can be doctored according to the need of the situation, to be benefitted, or to let it affect a section to believe it, to part with its resources, or even get a certificate approval for those who rely on these certified figures.
Whether, it is the state of economy a government wants to inform the public, or electorates, or the state of law and order or other umpteen departmental statistics of performance they release, justifying their budgeted expenditure or the story of the recent past, pertaining to IL&FS going burst due to jugglery in the financial figures by auditors, the role of those who are managing or certifying figures, have come for scrutiny. And news reading public is aware about the suspension of American and English firms of auditors by the Indian government for their questionable role in IL&FS failures. The latest to hit the roof is the scam hit PMC or Punjab Maharashtra Co. operative Bank Ltd, where the role of its auditors in concealing the true picture of the bank in successive financial reports has come to light.
Why and how all these have happened, is being investigated by the sleuths of Economic Offences Wing (EOW). But clearly, the financials’ certifying agency, in this case, the bank’s audit firm, Lakdawala & Co, is under focus by the authorities. Reportedly they do not seem to have office, where its address is mentioned in the balance sheet of the PMC Bank Ltd. Thus, the trust deficit in the professional integrity of Lakdawala & Co is visible. Does this call for a brain-storming debate by the professional body of Chartered Accountants?!
MAHARASHTRA: We have heard of FIR being filed in Bihar against “intellectuals” for writing an open letter to PM on some of the ‘disagreeable’ things happening in India. So lot of sentinels of freedom of expression went to public space to air their unhappiness, shock etc.
We all know, two wrongs do not make one right. Ever since BJP came to power two things happened, besides many others. One, the power went into the heads of some of its leaders and cadres basking in the unprecedented victory of BJP. That led to motor mouths, bad mouths, street violence on weak and vulnerable in the name of nationalism, cow smuggling, Hindutva etc. Leaders who could have controlled it did not control it the way it was desired. They did make some right noises. But the questionable behavior continued. Police somehow did not play fair in most cases.
The second was the public posture of some of the members of our intellectual brigade. The award waapsi, and some other avoidable responses including the latest open letter to the Prime Minister. While what these intellectuals did, was not questionable but in expressing their outrage, they were very selective. India has not changed much of its stripes, below the veneer of development, an undercurrent of violent differences have been there all the while. Aberrations, we witness in these days of BJP rule, were happening earlier too, but these intellectuals were not around to complain. Thus they were fellow travelers. Of course the social media, which is rampant now was absent and therefore publicity was so much less and so was the public outcry and outpouring.
Hence both need course correction. BJP must improve its track record. So also intellectuals must take an unbiased stand, so that opposition can be taken more seriously.
And comes this news from Mumbai “6 students expelled for writing to PM”. Reportedly some 6 students wrote a letter to PM Modi, expressing their concern on mob lynching, sale of public sector undertakings like BPCL, privatization of railways etc. They were students of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, and its Vice Chancellor Rajnish Shukla is reportedly associated with RSS. The reason for expulsion was “violation of model code of conduct” informs the report. Where in the world, writing a letter to the PM of the country is covered under ‘model code of conduct for students’? is a question not being answered.
Now this is clearly a high handed behavior on the part of university. Was it to please the Prime Minister! It is another matter, after the public furor, the expulsion of students was reportedly withdrawn. Thank God for that.
MAHARASHTRA: Election to Maharashtra assembly is over. Election to Haryana assembly is also over. Ruling BJP/Shiv Sena combine lost some 24 seats from what they had earlier, but majority enough to form the government. Congress & Pawar Congress won more seats than they had earlier. So suddenly Electronic Voting Machines -EVM - are working fine. No complaints. So was the scene in Haryana. Unthinkable happened. Congress almost had a shot at the government formation. BJP lost majority. Chauthala became the possible kingmaker! Here again EVM worked perfectly well. None of those petty media men going round making story how BJP managed to rig the poll. Hello NDTV do you hearken! So when BJP does bad EVM functions alright. How bankrupt are some of our media men and men in public space. None asked how Pawar's NCP won despite there being enough and more issues of wrongdoing, people voted for the party candidates! And NDTV is trying to find out if they would offer CM gaddi to Shiv Sena and form government with Congress. Surely for sometime EVM will not be around making 'news'. Thank God for that.
MAHARASHTRA: A Mumbai datelined print media report informed ‘Not a Single Rs.2000 currency note printed this fiscal- RBI”. Replying an RTI query RBI had revealed that printing of Rs.2000/- currency notes has been stopped. According to officials the high circulation of Rs.2000/- notes might defeat the government’s objectives as it is easier to smuggle the high denomination notes. Is it something new! Or has the wisdom dawned on the government, so late in the day!
On 8th November 2016, in his wisdom, PM Modi had declared that Rs.500/- and Rs.1000 currency notes will cease to be legal tender from the midnight that day, ostensibly to attack on the circulation of black money. The new notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.2000/- were made available. Of course, Indians who dealt with the bank those days are aware how mostly Rs. 2000/- was made available instead of Rs.500/-. At that time itself, the whole rationale of issuing Rs.2000/- notes was questioned, primarily for its facility in hoarding less number of notes in place of earlier Rs.1000/-. It was a wrong move then itself.
No wonder, since 2016-17 itself RBI has been printing less and less of Rs.2000/- notes every year, and stopped printing them completely during 2019/20 period so far. As per data released by RBI, the amount of Rs.2000/- notes in circulation as at the end of March 2018 was 3.3% of the total volume of currency in circulation, but in terms of value it was 37.3%. So one can imagine the potential of Rs.2000/- notes in hoarding, something the powers that be, did not put their head into, while introducing it in the first place.
Better late than never. At least as a banker to the nation, RBI has stopped the printing of this eminently needless currency note of Rs.2000/-. Hope day is not far off, that this unwanted currency note is discontinued as a legal tender.
MAHARASHTRA: The problems between the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, BJP & Shiv Sena – do not seem to end, all in search of power.
Hunger for power is the only issue that is at stake, not the love of serving Marathi Maanoos, or those myriad shades of Indians living across the length and breadth of the state.
Five years ago, in 2014 too, they had this hick-up. Sharad Pawar’s NCP came to the rescue of BJP to save the day, when confidence vote was taken. This man, Uddhav Thackeray has gone blind with only power in mind.
The normal understanding that, the one who get more elected seats will have the greater share, never seem to be acceptable to them. This time round, NCP will not be supporting the BJP, since there is a rupture between BJP & Sharad Pawar after an FIR was filed against the Maratha strong man. Of course, FIR has its basis, but the attitudes is, ‘How Dare you ‘cock-a-snook’ at NCP supremo! While, it is too much to expect support from NCP in case of need on the floor of the assembly, this ever problematic Shiv Sena should be shown their place.
The BJP leadership should put its foot down and decide once and for all – either stay committed to the alliance or go separate way! Even if it means, going for a re-poll, it may be worth it. Either BJP should be in a position to form the government on its own or NCP/Congress combine should form the government. Shiv Sena should be isolated to let them know that they can be eminently dispensable. Surely, the voters in Maharashtra will certainly take the call to show Shiv Sena its place, in permanent opposition. Only then, Shiv Sena leadership will come to its senses.
MAHARASHTRA: Sometimes in late September, before the Maharashtra assembly poll, the Shiv Sena youth leader, grandson of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and son of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray was reportedly surprised at the “over whelming response” that he has been receiving from the people of Maharashtra.
Addressing his party workers, he was reported to have said “I have received immense love, blessings and respect from the people of Maharashtra. I feel as if we have already won the elections long before contesting it”.
Of course, show of good will or presence of people in election meetings and number of votes that have been polled are two different things. Shiv Sena had contested over 120 seats and their senior alliance partner was contesting over 160seats, in the 288 assembly constituencies. Both alliance partners, hoping to romp home better than their pre-poll position, not only couldn’t keep their old tally but lost some 24 seats together. In fact Shiv Sena lost more seats than BJP, their coalition partner, in all the over-120 seats Shiv Sena contested, they won only 56 seats, less than half they contested. Has over confidence; did them in!
Similarly Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more often than not, is a BJP leader, than the PM of the country. Quite often he gets into election mode. He was reported to have stated that both Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Sharad Pawar would get only 10 seats each. He was referring to the NCP’s clock symbol, showing the time- 10 minutes past 10. In the event both of them- CP & NCP- got almost 100 seats, NCP doing better than Congress Party, far better than the 10 seats predicted by PM Modi. Again, ‘has the over confidence did him in!’ It is true that BJP got the highest number of seats, in fact more than the combined strength of CP & NCP, but still short of some 30 seats for simple majority.
Of course only some months ago, BJP had ‘cocked-a-snook’, at the opposition and walked away with over 300 seats in the Loksabha election on their own. When all they wanted was 272 seats for a simple majority. With their alliance partners, BJP/NDA strength is 350 in the house of 543 seats. This led BJP to think, that even in assembly election, they will repeat their Loksabha performance. Of course there is no way Shiv Sena could have won even the simple majority, on- their- own. As of now they are only half of what BJP is. Clearly, their over-confidence did-them-in.
MAHARASHTRA: After sudden burst of emotions, post PMC Bank imbroglio, now it appears to have settled down with authorities assuring that the money of all deposits holders is safe.
From beginning, from some quarters, it was suggested that RBI badly handled the case, without really going into the details of assets and liabilities of the bank. It is clear that there have been bad loans given to selected clients, so also misuse of position by CEO/MD of the bank as well as the Chairman, as report indicated. But reports also indicated that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who is reportedly the life time chairman of Vasanth Dada Patil sugar factory, because of whom, all the alleged irregularities have taken place in PMC Bank.
“For illegally sanctioning loans and also for selling a few sugar factories, Sharad Pawar could be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy and also for abetting the scam”, stated the report, although there is no mention of any direct relation of Pawar to the bank.
But then, this is how people in power wield their influence without any written instruction. They only order verbally. These days even phone conservation can be recorded and taken as evidence, hence, one-to-one, face-to-face, verbal instructions are passed by people who want to remain at the back, overshadowing the activity concerned. So, if complainant has imputed dishonest intentions to Sharad Pawar’s shenanigans, there may be truth in it, despite Sharad Pawar not being a director. Long ago, some over 25 years ago, a former director of a Co-operative Bank in the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada got some Rs.32 lakhs into his account in the same bank and used it for his personal purposes. Four of his known persons, who were associated with him in his business got Rs.8 lakhs each personal loans, for which some land belonging to the director was given as security. This director in connivance with the secretary of the bank got the security released and sold it. That has remained an NPA for all those past 30 years or so without any security. Including interest, outstanding is in crores. Of course the Co-operative bank in question has survived somehow, with all the difficulties. But this is how unscrupulous people at the helm, use their position to their advantage using the loopholes available to exploit these Co-operative banks belonging to poor shareholders and depositors.
Courts, as ultimate arbiter of justice have to take cognizance of the environment within which many Co-operative banks are covertly breaking banking norms to benefit some or the other influential vested interest. Will it ever happen, is a question staring at poor shareholders & depositors of these banks?
KARNATAKA :The news about this musical chair approach by MSCL is not surprising in shifting the proposed bus terminal in Padil outside Mangalooru city. The integrated transport hub is now being considered at Mahavir Circle. Planning with a sense of responsibility is a rarity among government functionaries in India therefore to suggest that the non- availability of land at Padil is the cause need not upset Mangaloorkaars. But how Mangalooru Smart City Ltd (MSCL) mandarins did not have the smartness to check on land availability prior to planning the hub! Is there anybody questioning the officials of MSCL? Is public aware of any blueprint or the roadmap for the elevation of Mangalooru to SMARTDOM! What keeps this outfit MSCL really occupied? Way things are there is remote chance of Mangalooru ever becoming smarter than what it already is. So why drain money on MSCL when it looks like going in circles only!
There was this news report some weeks ago about a BBM graduate couple printing and using fake notes. The couple reportedly is from Davangere. After using over 200 notes of Rs.200 denomination in different places in Dakshina Kannnada & Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka, an alert shopkeeper sounded the police and the duo got arrested and is in custody.
According to the sources in Mangalooru police, the couple was using these fake notes since over 6 weeks.
Report informs, probably as confessed by the couple, that they learnt this trick of printing fake currency through U Tube videos. Report does not say anything, if police have zeroed on to the source of U Tube. If true, shouldn’t the police try to know the source of this U Tube and even arrest, if possible those who are creating such criminal materials and abate crime!
Why there is no debate in the media or in legislative assembly, how currency notes can be printed so easily and circulated?
The issue of fake notes circulating in different parts of the country is routinely reported in the media. It appears to be a continuous enterprise of those who want to make quick money. Reportedly it is used for terrorist activities also. So what role police, government and the media playing in stopping such crime against the nation? There is nothing in the public space to assure concerned citizens that things are under control on the fake note issue.
It does not need intelligence or wisdom to realize that fake notes can destroy economy and therefore the country. So not only there should be heightened seriousness to stop, not just curb, this fake note menace.
One of the steps the legislative authorities must consider is death sentence for those who abate the crime by printing and initially starting the circulation of fake notes.
Public are not aware, what happens to those who are caught circulating and those caught printing these counterfeit notes! What is the penal action that has happened to them, to make people aware, how such crimes are treated by the majesty of the law. Hope the media debates such issues more often for authorities to act firmly and decisively against such anti-national acts by the enemies of society and the nation.
KARNATAKA : After being the guest of enforcement directorate and criminal investigation authorities for months, Doddalahalli Kempegouda Shivakumar or more known as D.K.Shivakumar, is finally out on bail. Was it right for the court to grant him bail is not clear, but why these authorities, couldn’t establish a water-tight case against DKS, is also not known.
Be that as it may, one thing is clear that there exist great deal of grounds, why he was hauled up so unceremoniously by the authorities. Details may be sensitive for the authorities. But what shocked the law abiding section of Indian public in general and Karnataka public in particular was the way, he was received both outside the Tihar Jail and Bengalooru airport, when DKS landed after the release. He was received like 'some Olympic Gold Medal winner', said twiteratti. It is indeed a measure of disgrace that he received a rousing hero’s welcome by party workers and their leaders. Indeed, as Justice Santosh Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta had observed “Instead of boycotting corrupt, we are honouring them”.
So, what is the difference between these Karnataka DKS bhaktas and those laity and clergy who welcomed lecherous sex hound Father Franco Mulakkal when he was unreasonably granted bail by a Kerala Court. Extremely sad, that Indians have fallen to such an abyss accepting routinely the crimes by these leaders, whether political or religious. Indeed it is a reflection of our changing values as a nation.
WORLD: There was this not so pleasant news datelined Dhaka in Bangladesh, “Bangla to relocate Rohingya to flood prone island in Nov”. In fact, it is sad that Rohingyas are suffering interminably. We are all privy to the knowledge that Myanmar has been difficult with Rohingyas for their own well founded fears.
Of course, Britishers, whenever they have vacated their colony have left behind festering wound, for the locals to fend for themselves. Britishers had taken these Rohingyas from the then East Bengal (present Bangladesh) and relocated them in Rakhine state of Myanmar, then Burma, for their own selfish needs.
Sometime in 1872, Britishers had taken a census of these Rohingyas, when it was 58255, which has grown into over a million in 2016/17. Myanmar had never considered them as their citizens and hence were denied all benefits available to its citizens. So, they have been living a miserable existence. Myanmar is not happy having them in their country. It’s a Buddhist country and has a population of some 52 million. Although Buddhists in Myanmar are over 90% presently, they are worried, by 2050, Royingyas can overtake them by the current rate of their population growth. They are clearly concerned and want Rohingyas out of Myanmar. They do not want to be minorities in their own country. Ethnic cleansing, although discreet, has driven Rohingyas away from Rakhine. Despite UN & European Union pressure, Myanmar has not yielded. So the suffering has continued.
Bangladesh too is experiencing social tensions, with locals not wanting Rohingyas, although both are Muslims. Now that the situation in Cox Bazar in Bangladesh, where Rohingya refugees are located, is serious, authorities are trying to shift them. But shifting them to Bhasan Char Island in Bay of Bengal, belonging to Bangladesh, is clearly fraught with serious issues. It is feared that, besides the island being flood-prone, it is not fit for human habitation. So, it’s like pushing them from frying pan to the fire itself. While it is true, that Rohingyas should take measures to control their uncontrolled growing numbers, there has to be some international intervention to stop this possible human catastrophe. Surely there are sandy deserts, in places like Sahara in Africa or empty quartet or Rub-al-Khali desert in Saudi Arabia, where some international effort can be coordinated to relocate this suffering section of the humanity.
While we are about it, it has to be acknowledged that the growing number of human beings all over the world is a matter of serious concern. There has to be small families from all sections of human society to save the world from social tensions leading to self destruction. There is no other option. Even a legislative action to control the new births should be an option; the leaders of the world should ponder. Hope in the larger interest of the world this happens.
Prof Joshi has certainly echoed the sentiment of a large section of Indians, including BJP cadres and a section of party MLA’s and MPs. It is believed that Prime Minister Modi is a very tough leader and does not like being contradicted or questioned. Prof Joshi had also observed that ‘there is no discussion cutting across party lines on issues of national and international importance’. According to him ‘this practice had almost finished and must be revived’.
It is true that, ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the unquestioned leader of BJP, there has been complete breakdown of visible debate within the party forums. It is true that, it is his grass root connects and his oration that has catapulted the fortune of BJP as never before. And he recognizes that. But sadly, he is not kind to dissent. It is ‘my way’ only, not even highway. In victory, being humble only increases the leader’s acceptability and respect.
In fact, the way he treated post 2014 election victory, those who were over 75 years, has left certain amount of avoidable bitterness. Prof Joshi is one of those unfortunate victims of PM Modi’s diktats. At least, both former Deputy PM L. K. Advani and Prof Joshi were graceful in their humiliation, unlike Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, who have been very vocal in their opposition to PM Modi’s shenanigans.
Therefore the latest observation by Prof Murli Manohar Joshi, how much it can cut the ice among leaders of BJP is a difficult question to answer. There are not many like Nana Falgunrao Patole, a former BJP MP from Bhandara, who could resign from parliament itself on differences with PM Modi. Indeed, there is a need of leadership in BJP who can debate with PM Modi without fear. Hope statement by Prof Joshi nudges some of the senior BJP leaders to rise to the occasion.
NEW DELHI: A report datelined New Delhi, informed, attributing to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, “India will never be a ‘Hindu’ country. This man Owaisi, with his no holds barred attack on RSS at every possible opportunity has only helped BJP grow in strength both numerically and electorally. This he fails to understand.
Addressing a meeting of intellectuals in Bhubaneswar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had remarked “we are a country of Hindus. Hindu is not the name of a language, a province or country but a culture, which is the legacy of all people living in India”. On the face of it, there is nothing wrong with the remark. Before Indian Muslims and Christians have become what they are now, surely they must have been Hindus. You cannot deny this dimension of Non-Hindus in India and there are enough Muslims and Christians who agree with it.
Mohan Bhagwat had also remarked that ‘Muslims in the country are happy’, to which Owaisi had tweeted “The measure of whether Muslims were happy or not is the constitution and not the magnanimity of majority”. What Owaisi fails to understand that in India, he enjoyed the atmosphere of being a free man and can utter any sense or nonsense and yet get away! Not because of the constitution, but because of the passivity of the majority among the Hindus. He should not forget what his brother had mouthed long ago about ‘a small number of Muslims can wipe out a large section of Hindus’, if a situation arises. He is still roaming free without any Hindu attacking him. What would have happened to a Hindu or a Non-Muslim in Pakistan under similar circumstances?
Owaisi should also remember what Chinese are doing with their Muslims and how Japanese government is not giving Permanent Residentship to Muslims to stay in Japan. Does he have any vocal outpouring on China or Japan, which he relentlessly unleashes in India on any and everything?!
BJP/RSS combine may have its own agenda of a Hindu nation, but, it is people like Owaisi and his ilk who are keeping it alive and may be even helping it grow. Do you hearken AIMIM Chief! Here it is pertinent to quote M.J Akbar. In “India: The siege within”, Akbar writes “Hindu fundamentalism, long the thrust of a section of the middle class, has never got much response in an India who’s population is 80% Hindu. It needs to be pointed out that India remains a secular state not because 1/5th of its population is Muslim, Sikh or Christian and therefore obviously has a vested interest in a secular constitution, but because 9 out of 10 Hindus do not believe in violence against minorities” (Penguin page/23).
NEW DELHI:There was this report in the print media, as the paper put it, “ambitious Ahmedabad - Mumbai high speed rail project”, on 21st October. It was covering the submissions from NHSRCL or National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. Being a company created for a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is certain to be in the business, controversy or no controversy. No wonder, its managing director, Achal Khare while speaking to the media remarked, “Bullet Train project will be the Bible for future ventures”.
There is no doubt that, India should grow, as quickly and as fast as possible. We are already 72 years + old, since our political independence from British colonial masters, who left us in penury after looting it for centuries. In 21st century, growth includes Shinkansen, the Japanese term for bullet train, as well. For Japan with its commanding position in international trade and finance, bullet trains are a clearly felt need, certainly not for India at the present situation of our socio-economic position. Japan is having a per-capita-income in the region of US$37000, whereas for India it is not even US$5500/-. Japan’s HDI is as high as 17, whereas India is at a low of 135, among some 190 countries. So we are no match to Japan. HDI represents Human Development Index as calculated by UNDP.
But our visionary leader, PM Narendra Modi wants to have it, at least for the benefit of his home state Gujarat, doesn’t matter the cost. No doubt India needs connectivity. There are many areas within all parts of India, which need crucial connectivities. It is true we have problems of resources to reach out to all parts of the country. With Ahmadabad / Mumbai bullet train project running ahead with some Rs.120000 crores cost, other areas have to wait for the resources to come by.
However, what concerned this writer was the track map published in the media while covering the interlocution with NHSRCL. There was this picture of the route the bullet train will traverse, from Sabarmati in Gujarat to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. There shall be some 10 stops between two terminals. However, there is one diversion in the picture which showed train travelling from BKC to Thane to Virar or vice versa. For a train travelling to Gujarat, there is no need to go to Thane then come back to Virar, which is almost 90 degree diversion with a fair distance. BKC to Virar is much shorter than BKC to Virar via Thane. Was it needed, when the cost of bullet train infrastructure is some Rs.230/- crores per K.M.? Or was it to please the huge Guajarati crowd living in Mulund next to Thane?! Hope it is not so.
NEW DELHI:‘Governments anywhere in the world, if it is a ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people”, has got to be people centric, nothing less- nothing more. Hence, there is logic in what the latest Economics Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee had to say on poverty alleviation in the world. According to him, as economist his fight is against poverty all the time, since economics is very much connected to issues concerning poor people.
Of course, it’s not a must that, we have to agree with everything that he propounds, as a celebrated economics professor! But clearly Nobel committee alluded to his thoughts, which according to them changed their perception about poverty and development economics. Lot of economic thinkers has written in the past about the issues of poverty and how to address them. Strength of Prof Banerjee has been the specifics, his commitment to details on the ground, to as near to the truth as possible by touching as close to the actual condition of the life they live. As he puts it “it was a rigorous experimentation with large number of samples, which lasted decades”.
While we congratulate Prof Abhijit Banerjee for his stupendous success in being recognized with Nobel Prize, like all theorists, he does not have readymade solution to the myriad problems India is facing. Of course, some of his ideas can be replicated like the minimum income guarantee scheme which was proposed by the Congress party during the last Lok Sabha election and they called it NYAY. He mentioned while talking to the press how the Chinese growth story was based on labour intensive industrial model, which led to growth in wages which in turn reduced poverty. There is absolutely no doubt that wages in the hands of people is empowerment in real terms. It is a universally accepted growth model.
However his suggestion about wholesale taxing the rich may not yield result in the long run at least in India. India’s richer class unlike their western counter parts, who want the government to tax them more, want all kinds of concessions and benefits, hence, taxing the rich in India is eminently debatable. Also, his disapproval of direct cash transfer of benefits may not have many takers, since Indian experience has proved positive.
However, when all is said and done, Prof Banerjee on his visit to India calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been a good gesture. It has certainly helped develop bonhomie which can only help the country positively, despite some contrary voices from members of Sangh stable.
NEW DELHI:That the GST has affected the sales of automobiles is not news anymore. A GST of 28% for an 800 cc Maruti Alto costing some 2 lac+ and for a Lamborghini which at its costliest is sold for Rs.6, 25, 00,000 that is 6 corers twenty five Lacs is clearly a mockery of the taxation principle of “what traffic can bear”, a logic the ministry of finance under Nirmala Sitaraman has clearly failed to understand.
Be that as it may, the news “Maruti cuts production for 8th straight month” need not surprise anybody. With demand slowing down, with different options available for car users and Union government refusing to reduce GST on low priced low cubic capacity (cc) cars, the demand is sluggish. Despite Dasshera having come and gone and Diwali round the corner in a few weeks, the market do not seem to pickup from prolonged slowdown.
But quite frankly, is the cut in production the only solution?
You have a huge inventory of finished products. Anticipating pre/post monsoon pickup of sales most auto manufacturers have upped the production to reap the bonanza of festival sales. But sales have not happened? Some months ago, a farmer had remarked and media had picked it up “we farmers sell at all kinds of prices when we have bumper crops and sales are less, so why not car companies reduce the price and sell cars at lower prices?” Certainly the logic is not that simple. Agri products and automobiles are not same. But surely what the farmer had said make sense for some very valid reasons.
1. You have a huge inventory where equally huge money is stuck. It is an NPA or a Non Performing Asset for the company. 2. Prolonged parking in open yard, under relentless rain and scorching sun alternating at regular intervals can affect the quality of its exteriors including painting. 3. Both the above factors will only increase the ultimate cost, besides the unproductive or reduced productive overhead expenditure will continue to rise. 4. So it is an unenviable situation of cost overrun. 5. It certainly calls for a drastic action. Offer a “once in life time discount sale,” across the board. Say a 25% discount on select models would make buyers rush to the car show rooms.
This way car companies can stop the erosion in its market value, does not matter the reduced profit for a year or so. Up and down is a part of business venture. Industry, per se, should take it in its stride for the long term good. Hope car companies understand this rationale, without waiting for the government to act. The adage, Self help is the Best help, has its time tested relevance.
UTTAR PRADESH: Ayodhya dispute, decades old since the demolition of Babri Masjid, is reportedly on the verge of being resolved. Or is it!
Supreme Court has taken upon itself to bring the matter of land dispute in the Mandir Masjid imbroglio to a close by the end of next month or so. All the arguments by three parties to the dispute are over. The apex court in its wisdom is in a hurry to close the issue by delivering a judgement. How it will go about coming to a conclusion, of a deeply riddled issue like the ownership of the 2.77 acre land presently with the Sunni Central Waqf Board, is keenly awaited.
Allahabad High Court, on 30th September 2010, had delivered a judgement dividing the land equally between 3 litigants to the dispute. Under the circumstances, this was by far the best judgement. But none of the three parties accepted it, one of them went to the supreme court. Hopefully before the end of November 2019, the highest court of the land is expected to deliver the long awaited, almost 27 years old, judgement. But, what are the chances, that they will deviate from Allahabad High Court judgement?!
When the land was trifurcated in 2010, V.C of Pondicherry University, Prof Jaleel Ahmed Khan Tareen had written to the press, “The 1/3rd land should be gracefully gifted to Hindus to build the temple”. Echoing similar sentiments, a group of concerned Muslim gentlemen including retired bureaucrats, lawyers, journalists, doctors, soldiers and businessmen under the banner of ‘Indian Muslims for Peace’, expressed their desire to hand over the land held by Muslims organization in Ayodhya to the Supreme Court which may in turn, hand it over to the central government to be given over to Hindu organizations.
This is the secular dimension of this country, which Muslims in general must endorse for the larger picture of social harmony. According to sources in Muslims for Peace, Sunni Central Waqf Board chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui is supportive of the proposal. However, reportedly The All India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) convener Zafaryab Jilani has rejected such peace overtures to hand over the 2.77 acre disputed land to Hindus questioning the locus standy of this group of eminent Muslims, among ordinary Muslims. Similarly AIMPLB, (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) president Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi, thinks “Land dedicated to mosque cannot be surrendered for other purpose”.
Under the circumstances, Central Government should take the initiative further by establishing contact with this Indian Muslims for Peace to enlarge the scope of participation. Hope it happens.
UTTAR PRADESH:Despite claims to the contrary UP continues to be the worst when it comes to attack on women. No wonder, Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of late Rajeev Gandhi, had lamented in Rai Bareili “Shameful that UP tops in case of crimes against women”. She was reacting to the report “Two sisters raped, accused post videos online” in the print media.
The chief minister of UP, Mahant turned politician Yogi Adityanath is never tired of big mouthing about the “improved” state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. His encounter tactics, to some extent must have reduced attacks for money or other allied issues, but the life of women and young girls continued to be in danger in the hands of both law makers and law breakers.
If Chinmayananda and Sengar who were elected both as MP and MLA for many terms pocketed the law and order system for their carnal adventures, other rowdies and anti-social elements were not far behind in the race to get these female trophy for their bestial wants.
According to report from Bijnor in UP, two sisters were raped and their minor cousin was stripped and was attempted on 21st October under Nagina rural police station at Madhapur Sultan.
Reportedly 2 were arrested after Priyanka made noise and one is absconding. At this rate, Uttar Pradesh can never be an Uttam Pradesh, as routinely claimed by this Mahant turned politician chief minister. Will BJP ever be successful in bringing law & order under control in UP? It’s a question only Amit Shah can answer.
RAJASTHAN: Surely, live-in-relationship between two consenting adults is not a matter of concern for us at ISSUES & CONCERNS. But for a quasi-judicial body like Human Rights Commission to enter the bedroom of adult men & women calls to question the very motive of the commission. It is a question of freedom of choice and I&C is concerned. Some weeks ago, Rajasthan Human Rights Commission demanded that the state government in Jaipur enact a law to declare live-in-relationships as an unlawful act and therefore should be prohibited. The judges Mahesh Chand Sharma and Prakash Tantia have reportedly opined that the woman in such relationship is like a ‘concubine’.
According to Webster’s dictionary of English language, the word ‘concubine’ describes a woman who co-habits with a man without the sanction of legal marriage, a woman kept for lewd purposes, a kept mistress.
Here the question is how competent is the court to interfere in a relationship between a man and a woman, in this case state HRC! Prima facie, two consenting adults are free to choose the mode of co-habitation, as long as, it has not created any physical or mental problem to any follow citizens or have caused any law and order problem or caused any public nuisance, by acts which can be described as an act of moral turpitude. Therefore for a court or HRC to interfere or to infer a live-in-relationship should be prohibited because the court in its wisdom thinks the woman has lost her dignity when she lives with a man without legal marriage, tantamount to transgression.
Frankly there are any number of cases involving Human Rights in the state of Rajasthan, where the state HRC could have got worked up instead of an imagined state of unauthorized live-in-relationship between a man and woman! On the face of it, it appears to be a case of over-enthusiasm by the state HRC, especially now that the country has decriminalized physical relationship between man and man. Besides, how could a court surmise that, when a man and woman co-habits, it is only to have physical relationship! Despite living together, both man and woman may remain celibate!
Therefore under the circumstances, in fitness of things, the Rajasthan HRC should spend quality time to provide quality guidance for those who have their human rights truly violated by some lumpen elements in the Rajasthan society.
MAHARASHTRA: There is this humerous anecdote going round, when accounting or accounting practices are being talked about. “2&2, how much does it make”, was a question posed to a doctor, an engineer and a chartered accountant. According to this oft repeated humour, doctor had supposedly replied ‘its twenty two' (22), while engineer replied 'its four' (4). That left chartered accountant to answer in the end. He was supposed to have remarked “how much do you want?” implying, it need not be 22 or 4, it can be any number you fancy!
Thus, if there is a belief, that, numbers, especially critical ones, be it financial, be it research figures or even official statistics can be doctored according to the need of the situation, to be benefitted, or to let it affect a section to believe it, to part with its resources, or even get a certificate approval for those who rely on these certified figures.
Whether, it is the state of economy a government wants to inform the public, or electorates, or the state of law and order or other umpteen departmental statistics of performance they release, justifying their budgeted expenditure or the story of the recent past, pertaining to IL&FS going burst due to jugglery in the financial figures by auditors, the role of those who are managing or certifying figures, have come for scrutiny. And news reading public is aware about the suspension of American and English firms of auditors by the Indian government for their questionable role in IL&FS failures. The latest to hit the roof is the scam hit PMC or Punjab Maharashtra Co. operative Bank Ltd, where the role of its auditors in concealing the true picture of the bank in successive financial reports has come to light.
Why and how all these have happened, is being investigated by the sleuths of Economic Offences Wing (EOW). But clearly, the financials’ certifying agency, in this case, the bank’s audit firm, Lakdawala & Co, is under focus by the authorities. Reportedly they do not seem to have office, where its address is mentioned in the balance sheet of the PMC Bank Ltd. Thus, the trust deficit in the professional integrity of Lakdawala & Co is visible. Does this call for a brain-storming debate by the professional body of Chartered Accountants?!
MAHARASHTRA: We have heard of FIR being filed in Bihar against “intellectuals” for writing an open letter to PM on some of the ‘disagreeable’ things happening in India. So lot of sentinels of freedom of expression went to public space to air their unhappiness, shock etc.
We all know, two wrongs do not make one right. Ever since BJP came to power two things happened, besides many others. One, the power went into the heads of some of its leaders and cadres basking in the unprecedented victory of BJP. That led to motor mouths, bad mouths, street violence on weak and vulnerable in the name of nationalism, cow smuggling, Hindutva etc. Leaders who could have controlled it did not control it the way it was desired. They did make some right noises. But the questionable behavior continued. Police somehow did not play fair in most cases.
The second was the public posture of some of the members of our intellectual brigade. The award waapsi, and some other avoidable responses including the latest open letter to the Prime Minister. While what these intellectuals did, was not questionable but in expressing their outrage, they were very selective. India has not changed much of its stripes, below the veneer of development, an undercurrent of violent differences have been there all the while. Aberrations, we witness in these days of BJP rule, were happening earlier too, but these intellectuals were not around to complain. Thus they were fellow travelers. Of course the social media, which is rampant now was absent and therefore publicity was so much less and so was the public outcry and outpouring.
Hence both need course correction. BJP must improve its track record. So also intellectuals must take an unbiased stand, so that opposition can be taken more seriously.
And comes this news from Mumbai “6 students expelled for writing to PM”. Reportedly some 6 students wrote a letter to PM Modi, expressing their concern on mob lynching, sale of public sector undertakings like BPCL, privatization of railways etc. They were students of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, and its Vice Chancellor Rajnish Shukla is reportedly associated with RSS. The reason for expulsion was “violation of model code of conduct” informs the report. Where in the world, writing a letter to the PM of the country is covered under ‘model code of conduct for students’? is a question not being answered.
Now this is clearly a high handed behavior on the part of university. Was it to please the Prime Minister! It is another matter, after the public furor, the expulsion of students was reportedly withdrawn. Thank God for that.
MAHARASHTRA: Election to Maharashtra assembly is over. Election to Haryana assembly is also over. Ruling BJP/Shiv Sena combine lost some 24 seats from what they had earlier, but majority enough to form the government. Congress & Pawar Congress won more seats than they had earlier. So suddenly Electronic Voting Machines -EVM - are working fine. No complaints. So was the scene in Haryana. Unthinkable happened. Congress almost had a shot at the government formation. BJP lost majority. Chauthala became the possible kingmaker! Here again EVM worked perfectly well. None of those petty media men going round making story how BJP managed to rig the poll. Hello NDTV do you hearken! So when BJP does bad EVM functions alright. How bankrupt are some of our media men and men in public space. None asked how Pawar's NCP won despite there being enough and more issues of wrongdoing, people voted for the party candidates! And NDTV is trying to find out if they would offer CM gaddi to Shiv Sena and form government with Congress. Surely for sometime EVM will not be around making 'news'. Thank God for that.
MAHARASHTRA: A Mumbai datelined print media report informed ‘Not a Single Rs.2000 currency note printed this fiscal- RBI”. Replying an RTI query RBI had revealed that printing of Rs.2000/- currency notes has been stopped. According to officials the high circulation of Rs.2000/- notes might defeat the government’s objectives as it is easier to smuggle the high denomination notes. Is it something new! Or has the wisdom dawned on the government, so late in the day!
On 8th November 2016, in his wisdom, PM Modi had declared that Rs.500/- and Rs.1000 currency notes will cease to be legal tender from the midnight that day, ostensibly to attack on the circulation of black money. The new notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.2000/- were made available. Of course, Indians who dealt with the bank those days are aware how mostly Rs. 2000/- was made available instead of Rs.500/-. At that time itself, the whole rationale of issuing Rs.2000/- notes was questioned, primarily for its facility in hoarding less number of notes in place of earlier Rs.1000/-. It was a wrong move then itself.
No wonder, since 2016-17 itself RBI has been printing less and less of Rs.2000/- notes every year, and stopped printing them completely during 2019/20 period so far. As per data released by RBI, the amount of Rs.2000/- notes in circulation as at the end of March 2018 was 3.3% of the total volume of currency in circulation, but in terms of value it was 37.3%. So one can imagine the potential of Rs.2000/- notes in hoarding, something the powers that be, did not put their head into, while introducing it in the first place.
Better late than never. At least as a banker to the nation, RBI has stopped the printing of this eminently needless currency note of Rs.2000/-. Hope day is not far off, that this unwanted currency note is discontinued as a legal tender.
MAHARASHTRA: The problems between the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, BJP & Shiv Sena – do not seem to end, all in search of power.
Hunger for power is the only issue that is at stake, not the love of serving Marathi Maanoos, or those myriad shades of Indians living across the length and breadth of the state.
Five years ago, in 2014 too, they had this hick-up. Sharad Pawar’s NCP came to the rescue of BJP to save the day, when confidence vote was taken. This man, Uddhav Thackeray has gone blind with only power in mind.
The normal understanding that, the one who get more elected seats will have the greater share, never seem to be acceptable to them. This time round, NCP will not be supporting the BJP, since there is a rupture between BJP & Sharad Pawar after an FIR was filed against the Maratha strong man. Of course, FIR has its basis, but the attitudes is, ‘How Dare you ‘cock-a-snook’ at NCP supremo! While, it is too much to expect support from NCP in case of need on the floor of the assembly, this ever problematic Shiv Sena should be shown their place.
The BJP leadership should put its foot down and decide once and for all – either stay committed to the alliance or go separate way! Even if it means, going for a re-poll, it may be worth it. Either BJP should be in a position to form the government on its own or NCP/Congress combine should form the government. Shiv Sena should be isolated to let them know that they can be eminently dispensable. Surely, the voters in Maharashtra will certainly take the call to show Shiv Sena its place, in permanent opposition. Only then, Shiv Sena leadership will come to its senses.
MAHARASHTRA: Sometimes in late September, before the Maharashtra assembly poll, the Shiv Sena youth leader, grandson of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and son of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray was reportedly surprised at the “over whelming response” that he has been receiving from the people of Maharashtra.
Addressing his party workers, he was reported to have said “I have received immense love, blessings and respect from the people of Maharashtra. I feel as if we have already won the elections long before contesting it”.
Of course, show of good will or presence of people in election meetings and number of votes that have been polled are two different things. Shiv Sena had contested over 120 seats and their senior alliance partner was contesting over 160seats, in the 288 assembly constituencies. Both alliance partners, hoping to romp home better than their pre-poll position, not only couldn’t keep their old tally but lost some 24 seats together. In fact Shiv Sena lost more seats than BJP, their coalition partner, in all the over-120 seats Shiv Sena contested, they won only 56 seats, less than half they contested. Has over confidence; did them in!
Similarly Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more often than not, is a BJP leader, than the PM of the country. Quite often he gets into election mode. He was reported to have stated that both Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Sharad Pawar would get only 10 seats each. He was referring to the NCP’s clock symbol, showing the time- 10 minutes past 10. In the event both of them- CP & NCP- got almost 100 seats, NCP doing better than Congress Party, far better than the 10 seats predicted by PM Modi. Again, ‘has the over confidence did him in!’ It is true that BJP got the highest number of seats, in fact more than the combined strength of CP & NCP, but still short of some 30 seats for simple majority.
Of course only some months ago, BJP had ‘cocked-a-snook’, at the opposition and walked away with over 300 seats in the Loksabha election on their own. When all they wanted was 272 seats for a simple majority. With their alliance partners, BJP/NDA strength is 350 in the house of 543 seats. This led BJP to think, that even in assembly election, they will repeat their Loksabha performance. Of course there is no way Shiv Sena could have won even the simple majority, on- their- own. As of now they are only half of what BJP is. Clearly, their over-confidence did-them-in.
MAHARASHTRA: After sudden burst of emotions, post PMC Bank imbroglio, now it appears to have settled down with authorities assuring that the money of all deposits holders is safe.
From beginning, from some quarters, it was suggested that RBI badly handled the case, without really going into the details of assets and liabilities of the bank. It is clear that there have been bad loans given to selected clients, so also misuse of position by CEO/MD of the bank as well as the Chairman, as report indicated. But reports also indicated that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who is reportedly the life time chairman of Vasanth Dada Patil sugar factory, because of whom, all the alleged irregularities have taken place in PMC Bank.
“For illegally sanctioning loans and also for selling a few sugar factories, Sharad Pawar could be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy and also for abetting the scam”, stated the report, although there is no mention of any direct relation of Pawar to the bank.
But then, this is how people in power wield their influence without any written instruction. They only order verbally. These days even phone conservation can be recorded and taken as evidence, hence, one-to-one, face-to-face, verbal instructions are passed by people who want to remain at the back, overshadowing the activity concerned. So, if complainant has imputed dishonest intentions to Sharad Pawar’s shenanigans, there may be truth in it, despite Sharad Pawar not being a director. Long ago, some over 25 years ago, a former director of a Co-operative Bank in the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada got some Rs.32 lakhs into his account in the same bank and used it for his personal purposes. Four of his known persons, who were associated with him in his business got Rs.8 lakhs each personal loans, for which some land belonging to the director was given as security. This director in connivance with the secretary of the bank got the security released and sold it. That has remained an NPA for all those past 30 years or so without any security. Including interest, outstanding is in crores. Of course the Co-operative bank in question has survived somehow, with all the difficulties. But this is how unscrupulous people at the helm, use their position to their advantage using the loopholes available to exploit these Co-operative banks belonging to poor shareholders and depositors.
Courts, as ultimate arbiter of justice have to take cognizance of the environment within which many Co-operative banks are covertly breaking banking norms to benefit some or the other influential vested interest. Will it ever happen, is a question staring at poor shareholders & depositors of these banks?
KARNATAKA :The news about this musical chair approach by MSCL is not surprising in shifting the proposed bus terminal in Padil outside Mangalooru city. The integrated transport hub is now being considered at Mahavir Circle. Planning with a sense of responsibility is a rarity among government functionaries in India therefore to suggest that the non- availability of land at Padil is the cause need not upset Mangaloorkaars. But how Mangalooru Smart City Ltd (MSCL) mandarins did not have the smartness to check on land availability prior to planning the hub! Is there anybody questioning the officials of MSCL? Is public aware of any blueprint or the roadmap for the elevation of Mangalooru to SMARTDOM! What keeps this outfit MSCL really occupied? Way things are there is remote chance of Mangalooru ever becoming smarter than what it already is. So why drain money on MSCL when it looks like going in circles only!
There was this news report some weeks ago about a BBM graduate couple printing and using fake notes. The couple reportedly is from Davangere. After using over 200 notes of Rs.200 denomination in different places in Dakshina Kannnada & Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka, an alert shopkeeper sounded the police and the duo got arrested and is in custody.
According to the sources in Mangalooru police, the couple was using these fake notes since over 6 weeks.
Report informs, probably as confessed by the couple, that they learnt this trick of printing fake currency through U Tube videos. Report does not say anything, if police have zeroed on to the source of U Tube. If true, shouldn’t the police try to know the source of this U Tube and even arrest, if possible those who are creating such criminal materials and abate crime!
Why there is no debate in the media or in legislative assembly, how currency notes can be printed so easily and circulated?
The issue of fake notes circulating in different parts of the country is routinely reported in the media. It appears to be a continuous enterprise of those who want to make quick money. Reportedly it is used for terrorist activities also. So what role police, government and the media playing in stopping such crime against the nation? There is nothing in the public space to assure concerned citizens that things are under control on the fake note issue.
It does not need intelligence or wisdom to realize that fake notes can destroy economy and therefore the country. So not only there should be heightened seriousness to stop, not just curb, this fake note menace.
One of the steps the legislative authorities must consider is death sentence for those who abate the crime by printing and initially starting the circulation of fake notes.
Public are not aware, what happens to those who are caught circulating and those caught printing these counterfeit notes! What is the penal action that has happened to them, to make people aware, how such crimes are treated by the majesty of the law. Hope the media debates such issues more often for authorities to act firmly and decisively against such anti-national acts by the enemies of society and the nation.
KARNATAKA : After being the guest of enforcement directorate and criminal investigation authorities for months, Doddalahalli Kempegouda Shivakumar or more known as D.K.Shivakumar, is finally out on bail. Was it right for the court to grant him bail is not clear, but why these authorities, couldn’t establish a water-tight case against DKS, is also not known.
Be that as it may, one thing is clear that there exist great deal of grounds, why he was hauled up so unceremoniously by the authorities. Details may be sensitive for the authorities. But what shocked the law abiding section of Indian public in general and Karnataka public in particular was the way, he was received both outside the Tihar Jail and Bengalooru airport, when DKS landed after the release. He was received like 'some Olympic Gold Medal winner', said twiteratti. It is indeed a measure of disgrace that he received a rousing hero’s welcome by party workers and their leaders. Indeed, as Justice Santosh Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta had observed “Instead of boycotting corrupt, we are honouring them”.
So, what is the difference between these Karnataka DKS bhaktas and those laity and clergy who welcomed lecherous sex hound Father Franco Mulakkal when he was unreasonably granted bail by a Kerala Court. Extremely sad, that Indians have fallen to such an abyss accepting routinely the crimes by these leaders, whether political or religious. Indeed it is a reflection of our changing values as a nation.
WORLD: There was this not so pleasant news datelined Dhaka in Bangladesh, “Bangla to relocate Rohingya to flood prone island in Nov”. In fact, it is sad that Rohingyas are suffering interminably. We are all privy to the knowledge that Myanmar has been difficult with Rohingyas for their own well founded fears.
Of course, Britishers, whenever they have vacated their colony have left behind festering wound, for the locals to fend for themselves. Britishers had taken these Rohingyas from the then East Bengal (present Bangladesh) and relocated them in Rakhine state of Myanmar, then Burma, for their own selfish needs.
Sometime in 1872, Britishers had taken a census of these Rohingyas, when it was 58255, which has grown into over a million in 2016/17. Myanmar had never considered them as their citizens and hence were denied all benefits available to its citizens. So, they have been living a miserable existence. Myanmar is not happy having them in their country. It’s a Buddhist country and has a population of some 52 million. Although Buddhists in Myanmar are over 90% presently, they are worried, by 2050, Royingyas can overtake them by the current rate of their population growth. They are clearly concerned and want Rohingyas out of Myanmar. They do not want to be minorities in their own country. Ethnic cleansing, although discreet, has driven Rohingyas away from Rakhine. Despite UN & European Union pressure, Myanmar has not yielded. So the suffering has continued.
Bangladesh too is experiencing social tensions, with locals not wanting Rohingyas, although both are Muslims. Now that the situation in Cox Bazar in Bangladesh, where Rohingya refugees are located, is serious, authorities are trying to shift them. But shifting them to Bhasan Char Island in Bay of Bengal, belonging to Bangladesh, is clearly fraught with serious issues. It is feared that, besides the island being flood-prone, it is not fit for human habitation. So, it’s like pushing them from frying pan to the fire itself. While it is true, that Rohingyas should take measures to control their uncontrolled growing numbers, there has to be some international intervention to stop this possible human catastrophe. Surely there are sandy deserts, in places like Sahara in Africa or empty quartet or Rub-al-Khali desert in Saudi Arabia, where some international effort can be coordinated to relocate this suffering section of the humanity.
While we are about it, it has to be acknowledged that the growing number of human beings all over the world is a matter of serious concern. There has to be small families from all sections of human society to save the world from social tensions leading to self destruction. There is no other option. Even a legislative action to control the new births should be an option; the leaders of the world should ponder. Hope in the larger interest of the world this happens.
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