It’s time Manmohan Singh must understand that silence and inaction can be equally harmful as dishonesty.
The expression "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion," is used by Dr. Manmohan Singh while addressing the AICC session in New Delhi. Forget Caesar's wife; should the Prime Minister, like Caesar, remain silent when people like A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi run away with aam aadmi's money?
His honesty and integrity have never been on the debating table or questioned. On these grounds he has been well above the watermarks of doubt, but his silence has not been so. Dr. Singh place in Indian history is assured with a sure credit must go to late P V Narsimha Rao who gave him a chance to become the Finance Minister, the image as the 'Deng (Xiaoping) of India' - the reformer who liberated India from the shackles of the command economy and unleashed the entrepreneurial forces that transformed this ancient land.
We, the people of India, know that your integrity is beyond question. In a world and time when ethics and honesty are at a premium, we rest assured that we are led by a person who, in his moral convictions, is pure as the driven snow. This is a given. Nobody needs to tell us how.
Here are some occasions when Manmohan Singh could have acted in time, but never did:
2G SPECTRUM SCAM
It took over a year for the Prime Minister to act; it took over a year for the CBI to wake up. Had it not been for the PIL in the Supreme Court, the scam would have dragged on and on. Why did Singh not act when the then Telecom Minister A Raja refused to listen? Why did the PM not act when Raja ignored Cabinet colleagues and asked them to keep off the Spectrum turf? Why did the government not bring out the facts when the issue was debated in the Rajya Sabha over a year ago? Why did the PM act only after the Supreme Court comments on the tardy progress and questioned the CBI on its monumental silence? Another point: If the PM had nothing to hide, why not agree for a JPC probe? On the point of the demand for a JPC in the 2G scam by the Opposition, PM have castigated the Opposition for disrupting a in the 2G scam by the Opposition, PM have castigated the Opposition for disrupting a whole session of Parliament.
"One wonders what kind of politics the Opposition believes in when they do not have faith even in Parliament," he thundered. While wasting a whole session of Parliament is 'despicable', surely the Joint Parliamentary Committee or the JPC is also a tool in the hands of Parliament. Demanding a JPC is surely not unparliamentary. It has been conceded before, notably in the Bofors and the Securities scams. Why the reticence now? It's not only the Opposition, but even your own allies. Mamata Banerjee for instance, has let it be known that she would not be unhappy if the UPA accepts a JPC probe.
NIIRA RADIA TAPES
How come the Prime Minister was not aware of the fact that private conversations were being secretly taped? Such acts are allowed only for national security. Even if they were taped, who leaked it to the media and why? The conversations were taped by a government agency and the tapes were in the possession of this agency. How come the tapes were leaked and what was the motive?
The PM was visibly upset while addressing the captains of the industry this month. But that shows that he was not under control of things. Even now, he is not able to pinpoint who leaked the tapes to the media and why. Now that the content of the tapes are in public domain, what action plan is prepared by you to hunt down culprits - incidentally, all of them are high and mighty. Sir, this is a historic opportunity for you to act tough to ensure people have faith in democratic values practiced by us.
CWG SCAM
For four long months, all the dirt on Commonwealth Games was out in the open. The stink too was there for everyone to 'smell' and squirm. But for the best part, the PM adopted the three wise monkey strategy with a twist in the tale: see-no- scam, hear-no-scam, tell-no-scam. Why did the PM not step in early and stem the rot? He appointed an overseeing committee only after the mess had spun out of control. Even now, Suresh Kalmadi is talking stupid; the CBI raided his establishments after full three months of uproar in the country. Sir, we are sure that 90 days are enough to put any house in order that we expect Kalmadi must have done to destroy evidences. Surely, he plans to bid for the Olympics.
THE CVC ROW
The Central Vigilance Commissioner is appointed by taking into confidence the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Three persons were shortlisted for the CVC post but the government ignored the dissenting note of Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj and appointed P J Thomas as the CVC. This despite the fact that he is an accused in the palm oil import scam in Kerala.
Sushma Swaraj had openly said that the Government was free to choose anyone among the two other officers on the list of three, not Thomas. But the PM paid a deaf ear and went ahead. The government knew all along that Thomas, as the CVC, will not be in a position to investigate the 2G spectrum allotment scandal in which his own ministry was involved. An official with such a shadow of x doubt should not have been made the CVC. Now, the matter is before the Supreme Court which has questioned the manner in which Thomas got the job. Why was the PM so keen on Thomas who was under a cloud of controversy? He could have picked up the next good officer on the list.
Well, like Caesar's wife, the PM should be above suspicion. But fact of the matter is that in all the serious corruption cases, it is Supreme Court rather than the government that is controlling the events hence leading to an impression that government has lost credibility and strength to stop the corruption and punish the guilty. The country has lost over Rs 2.5 lakh crore (over $50b) just because PM choose not to act in time.
ON FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Dr. Singh has argued that their multiple agencies investigating the various aspects of the 2G scam and therefore a JPC is unwarranted. "We have always strived to eradicate corruption and we will continue to do so. Our approach to corruption also gets clearly reflected in our actions," "These inquiries will be pursued vigorously. And it is my promise to you that no guilty person will be spared - whether he is a political leader or a government official, whichever party he may belong to and howsoever powerful he maybe."
Really, Prime Minister? "No guilty person will be spared"? Sorry to say, Prime Minister, we the citizens are not so sanguine. How many public servants have been prosecuted in Independent India for corruption? We can't think of any. And, it's nothing to do with our collective memory. We are waiting for your action plan to track down the culprits that are mentioned in Radia tapes. Therefore, if as you really say, that your "approach to corruption gets reflected in our actions", what have you done to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - an Act that should actually be renamed the 'Prevention of Prosecution of Public Servants". Allow me the audacity to suggest four simple amendments to give teeth and substance to the Act and make it a real deterrent for public servants from going to the devil, now that your government has not thought of it
One: Shift onus of proof on to the public servant. If Sukh Ram or Raja or any public servant is caught with assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, make it incumbent on him or her to show that the monies or assets were earned through legitimate means. If he can't, that should be a ground for guilt and prosecution.
Two: Ensure that there will be no stays granted or adjournments in cases involving public servants. They should be ones fast-tracked with continuous hearing. Otherwise, like the case against Sukh Ram, even after a decade and a half, the culprits will have the last laugh to the bank, or wherever they have stashed the cache.
Three: Prime Minister, mere fines aren't enough for public servants who indulge in illegal gratification. Physical incarceration should be the minimum penalty for what amounts to looting the nation.
Just these three amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act should go a long way in instilling the fear of consequences in the public servants who are tempted to reach into the national exchequer. If you claim to be acting against corruption, I wonder why your government has not even taken the first baby steps. Unfortunately, Prime Minister, the impression we get is that you are hemmed in by the allies on the one side and the moods and whims of your party and its President on the other. To her credit, Sonia Gandhi has made it known publicly that you have her full support. We wonder why the Congress party and the allies don't get the message!
We urge you to stand up and be counted. And believe me, Prime Minister, we get this sense that the people of India will be with you, whatever your party and your allies may say. It's said that the only time you acted out of conviction was on the nuclear deal with the US. The grapevine has it that you even threatened to resign; if the Congress and your UPA allies don't throw weight behind the deal in Parliament. And, Prime Minister, you know what happened. Did the heavens fall or did you get your way? Should not that be a pointer to the way you should go? And, when and if you do go that route, of playing by your convictions, and hounding out the corrupt and those who bring us shame, we have no doubt in our mind that the citizens of India, to the man, will be behind you.
Sir, this is a historic opportunity for you to act tough to ensure people have faith in democratic values practiced by us in India, you are representing aspirations of over a billion people that is one-sixth of the human population hence the responsibility is enormous. God has been kind to you for providing you with a platform to deliver extraordinary service to our nation please act!!
Coalgate investigations, FDI in retail, coordination within UPA with allies, internal security and several key policy matters have seen UPA trebling without any leadership. The highest indicator of the multi-layer power center was exposed in the passing and sudden withdrawal of an ordinance related to keeping criminals out of active politics. The cabinet headed by Dr Manmohan unanimously passed an ordinance extending certain concessions to tainted politicians. It was forwarded to the President of approval though he refused to sign. This is the start of a new story wherein Congress VP Rahul Gandhi steps in and tore apart the credibility of the government by publically stating that this ordinance is useless, and to be thrown in the dustbin, The nation has witnessed tremendous turbulence due to multi-layer power system in the government that lacks accountability with one person. Surely, the PM is the man responsible to the public at large but the world's largest democracy has seen a rare multi-level amalgamation of power to run a complex country.
UPA's multiple dysfunctions created the perfect FDI storm, the government's decision to suspend the opening up of India's retail sector to foreign investors, 12 days after it was announced with much fanfare, marks a new nadir in the fortunes of the second UPA government. Optimists and there are a few, think retail FDI could play out like the nuclear deal, where it was initially put on hold after the Left objected, and later revived.
But the second avatar of the UPA appears to be difficult from the previous one, a number of ministers in the current government said, with key players often working at cross purposes. The ministers, as well as several politicians, both belonging to the Congress and the government's allies, largely spoke on condition of anonymity. The fiasco has highlighted what was till recently only whispered about - infighting in the cabinet and a rapid diminution in the authority of the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. Barely 24 hours after the cabinet meeting, for instance, senior ministers from the ruling and allied parties were expressing their reservations about the move, some openly. It soon became well known, for instance, that defence minister AK Antony and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh were opposed, though neither have spoken in public.
But the discord, according to the ministers and a number of political leaders, is not restricted to the cabinet. According to a number of people familiar with the matter, equations between Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President, and the man she appointed as Prime Minister more than nine years ago, are no longer what they used to be. "The Congress is like a three-legged animal, with each being pulled in different directions. So, if there is one section that is toeing Mrs Gandhi's line, there is another that appears to have Rahul Gandhi's mandate. And a handful of people supporting the PM," a cabinet minister said.
Sonia Gandhi's illness has been a complicating factor. "Who is in charge here? Sonia Gandhi is distracted with her illness and she is no longer as hands-on as she was during UPA 1. Rahul Gandhi is a landlord in absentia his interventions are few and far between and he keeps himself away from the government mostly. That leaves the Prime Minister whom his own party members don't take too seriously. His authority is constantly challenged ironically not as much by the allies but by Congress cabinet ministers. And it doesn't help when the PMO is perceived to be playing games with various ministers," another senior UPA minister says.
"This term of the UPA has killed the spirit of doing business in India," a top industrialist. "It's not just an activist judiciary, out-of-control law enforcement agencies wherein India's premium business houses were targeted. The recent CBI FIR against Birla group and rollback reflects a poor state of governance in the country. The issues such as inflation, internal law & order situation etc have dampened the spirits of the business world. Who can do business with interest rates at 16%? This government has some outstanding, bright individuals but nobody is willing to do anything," the industrialist says.
The division in the cabinet has not helped. "The FDI in retail is a classic example of how the PM was let down by his own cabinet. Which of the powerful ministers came out in strong support? Not because in principle they didn't support it but because they are upset and disillusioned by the PM," says a minister belonging to a party allied with the Congress.
According to this person, Chidambaram feels let down by the PM as he feels the Prime Minister's Office has not been particularly helpful at a time when he is under relentless attack from Subramaniam Swamy, the maverick politician who has petitioned the courts seeking the resignation of the home minister, who was finance minister in 2008 when a set of controversial telecom licenses were issued by A Raja, the former telecom minister. A controversial note from the finance ministry, which appeared to partly blame Chidambaram for failing to prevent the scam, has not helped matters.
One cabinet minister also points out that Kapil Sibal, the telecom and HRD minister, who till a few months ago did a fair amount of firefighting for the government, kept mostly silent during the FDI debate as he feels he went out on a limb opposing the popular anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare with little backing from the party.
Government officials say an attempt was made by the Congress high command to bring order by appointing Pulok Chatterji as the PM's principal secretary. Chatterji comes with the formidable reputation of being a professional, low-profile and no-nonsense bureaucrat. He has an onerous task at hand, say people in the know, with the relationships between some of the most powerful cabinet ministers at an all-time low.
Landmark legislation and reforms initiated by the UPA have had one characteristic. With the important exception of the nuclear deal legislation such as NREGA - which provides 100 days of guaranteed employment - and the Food Security Bill has been personally driven by Sonia Gandhi. The government's role has been to implement the party's wishes.
In the case of multi-brand retail, it was different, with the Prime Minister driving the initiative. The government had to sell this idea to the party once the core committee took a view. Many blame industry minister Anand Sharma for the fiasco. A Congress party member says Sharma was the wrong choice to hard sell the proposal. "First, he didn't even bother to sell the idea to his party men, forget about allies. "This government is being run by Rajya Sabha people some of who haven't even been municipal commissioners," says a Congress leader sarcastically. The criticism would apply to the Prime Minister, who is a Rajya Sabha member.
Several Congress ministers say it was a classic case of a bad presentation. "The policy should have been pitched as a special power that states were going to be given to avail foreign investment in infrastructure and retail if it so desired. As India gradually inches for the General Elections 2014 with massive rallies and election fever already set in the country, the stakes are higher than ever. It is a battle of Narender Modi-led BJP minus NDA to secure 200+ Lok Sabha seats in order to attract allies to form the government. It is true that Narender Modi is the most popular leader of the country today but the limitation of BJP is that it will contest national elections in 2/3 of India wherein it is having absolutely no presence in 1/3 of India hence success ratio required to translate 2/3 seats is extremely high, it makes Narender Modi task very difficult. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi must have to demonstrate extreme control over the party to settle himself as the undisputed leader. He must deliver goods through words and actions. India loves authoritative leadership so Rahul Gandhi has limited options. He will be fighting against the history of ten years of anti-incumbency of the UPA government. There is a generation shift within Congress leadership so the experience leaders may feel ignored by the young brigade; the balancing may require huge skills for Rahul Gandhi. Finally, he must take control of the party and government decisively to disseminate message to the country that he is in complete control of the entire governance and he is the BOSS. It will give Congress cadre a clear line of control and it will offer the country a clear option to vote or not vote for the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party for UPA III.
By Prashant Tewari
In 2011 comes a man from a village in Maharashtra who awakens the nation and says that it is our Dharma to eradicate corruption. Tens of thousands of Indian men, women, children, artisans, farmers and students of all age groups have joined Anna Hazare to cleanse the Indian society of corruption. It is a powerful movement that is absolutely apolitical. The movement has support of people of all walks of life who are votaries of all major and minor faiths of the world and they are all non-violent; absolutely peaceful. AHINSA or absence of violent means to achieve the end, is the basic Mantra of this mass movement of Anna Hazare. It is a unique feature of this peaceful protest. The whole world recognises the Rights of free thought and expression. Suppressing this freedom of Expression would amount to violation of Human Rights. It is his innocent and child-like smile that draws strangers close to him. He smiles even in adverse circumstances. He smiles when he fasts. He smiles when the jail authorities denied him water for a bath since he stayed on in the administrative building of the jail even after his official release. Anna Hazare does not raise the pitch of his voice even when the group discussion degenerates into a slanging match. Anna Hazare is as cool as a cucumber, calm as the sea-surface in non-tsunami nights and focused as a camera lens. He knows what to do, when to do and how to do. Indeed the secret of his success in all his projects lies in his planning, preparation and execution from A to Z. Further, Anna chooses his colleagues well and never lets a selfish person take undue advantage of his nearness to Anna Hazare.
Now the world media is taking interest in the Anna generated People's Movement for having a LOKPAL who would oversee the official work of all government departments, all government servants, even the highest of the high and thus leave no room for corruption. When corruption is got rid of, the people of Bharat will heave a sigh of relief. The demon of corruption and thereby generation of black money and consequent of stashing ill gotten wealth in foreign banks made our motherland poorest of the poor. The Indian Parliament unanimously resolved that the Standing Committee would consider Anna's three demands - including the lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal's purview, a central law for creating Lok Ayuktas in states and a citizen's charter for government departments providing public service. He has tapped into a nation's rising frustration and anger against corruption of the most scandalous proportions, and channeled it into a mass movement that has shaken the government to its foundation, and placed the entire political class on notice. With the elimination of the demon of corruption, the common man will improve his standard of living. His lifestyle will be in conformity with the norms laid down by the greatest lawgiver, It is a token victory for people of India but the real battle is just about to start now, Anna Hazare has lit a fire. It's for every one of us to keep the flame of hope alive.
Prashant Tewari
In 2011 comes a man from a village in Maharashtra who awakens the nation and says that it is our Dharma to eradicate corruption. Tens of thousands of Indian men, women, children, artisans, farmers and students of all age groups have joined Anna Hazare to cleanse the Indian society of corruption. It is a powerful movement that is absolutely apolitical. The movement has support of people of all walks of life who are votaries of all major and minor faiths of the world and they are all non-violent; absolutely peaceful.
AHINSA or absence of violent means to achieve the end, is the basic Mantra of this mass movement of Anna Hazare. It is a unique feature of this peaceful protest. The whole world recognises the Rights of free thought and expression. Suppressing this freedom of Expression would amount to violation of Human Rights.
It is his innocent and child-like smile that draws strangers close to him. He smiles even in adverse circumstances. He smiles when he fasts. He smiles when the jail authorities denied him water for a bath since he stayed on in the administrative building of the jail even after his official release. Anna Hazare does not raise the pitch of his voice even when the group discussion degenerates into a slanging match. Anna Hazare is as cool as a cucumber, calm as the sea-surface in non-tsunami nights and focused as a camera lens. He knows what to do, when to do and how to do. Indeed, the secret of his success in all his projects lies in his planning, preparation and execution from A to Z. Further, Anna chooses his colleagues well and never lets a selfish person take undue advantage of his nearness to Anna Hazare.
Now the world media is taking interest in the Anna generated People's Movement for having a LOKPAL who would oversee the official work of all government departments, all government servants, even the highest of the high and thus leave no room for corruption. When corruption is got rid of, the people of Bharat will heave a sigh of relief. The demon of corruption and thereby generation of black money and consequent of stashing ill gotten wealth in foreign banks made our motherland poorest of the poor.
The Indian Parliament unanimously resolved that the Standing Committee would consider Anna's three demands - including the lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal's purview, a central law for creating Lok Ayuktas in states and a citizen's charter for government departments providing public service.
He has tapped into a nation's rising frustration and anger against corruption of the most scandalous proportions, and channeled it into a mass movement that has shaken the government to its foundation, and placed the entire political class on notice. With the elimination of the demon of corruption, the common man will improve his standard of living. His lifestyle will be in conformity with the norms laid down by the greatest lawgiver,
It is a token victory for people of India but the real battle is just about to start now, Anna Hazare has lit a fire. It's for every one of us to keep the flame of hope alive.
India is a huge country, larger than a continent. Hetrogeneity, not homogeneity, has always been the mantra of Social Homogeneity of Indian ethos, which is a must for any progressive society. It boosts and develops adequate debates that ensure proper social and intellectual churning to have the much needed social fermentation for a change, the Vyavasthaa parivartan, as both Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare say. There is no alternative to free-thinking and frank expression for jettisoning the evil of hypocrisy. True, but that is why the pre- Independence type Common Platform(C.P.) is required, which, like the then Congress or the subsequent JP Movement, may not be bound and integrated forever, it will at least play a very important role in bringing the urgently needed Second Freedom. Corruption remains a restricted agenda for “have “ and certainly for not “have nots” in India hence the Anna movement created huge effect in urban India but it could not penetrate rural India. Secondly, the rural India is driven by caste & religious divide hence an all India movement could not be constructed by Anna & Co. Team Anna targeted ruling Congress party with special focus on Sonia Gandhi, Is not Mrs. Sonia Gandhi a honourable Member of our Parliament, elected by none other than Indians? Ask the electorate if you dare, not the M.P. She was a target for corrupt practices but important members of team Anna foucsed on secular image thus diluting core issue of corruption and the debate was expanded to Baba Ramdev and later Narender Modi type of polity. It ensured that right-wing people associated with RSS & BJP were thrown out of the movement resulting in instant collapse of the entire movement. Let us be free from doubts. Let there be a C.P. and adequate social and political fermentation. The nectar of required awakening will be born automatically. The concept of Hindu votes, though ideal and all-engulfing, is getting a shattering blow by the current I.T. and economic revolutions of modern age. Whether Hindu or Muslim, all vote banks will have to be treated in a common crucible, as for example, done by competent persons like Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar, and Shivraj Singh Chauhan who interpreted and transformed the Faith to mean developments in their respective states of Gujrat, Bihar and M.P. Ultimately, it is development, not any religious leaning, that will survive the fermentation oriented test of time. It will need various gears.
Look at China. Religion has utterly failed to bring social harmony, daal-roti, medicines, shelter and the sukoon for all, and above all the much needed National Pride and Gold for India, as possessed by a modern German or Japanese, and an old Brittisher. Anna group, not Anna Hazare himself. The confused group will get enlightened or dissolved in the healthy atmosphere created by the apologists of the RASHTRANEETI on a C.P. Then the corruption oriented politics will be transformed/ reformed or ousted. Parishkaar or Bahishkaar. They opposed Congress and Modi simultaneously, that created more confusion than bringing solution to the entire movement against corruption. Nobody should ever now venture to ignore the perenial sufferings of the hapless masses, which Maoists claim to highlight and amplify. It is a stark reality that is impossible to understand by the opulence born well to do ruling the roost in society, market, religion and the politics that intends to frame and tame all. Their representation on the C.P. will have to be there. Hegde seems to be a righteous and comfort-loving gem of society. He must be very happy to bless the C.P. once it is shaped. Let us pray that some apologist of the RASHTRANEETI becomes thread of the ANNA-RAMDEV needle to enter the flower like hearts of honest Indians of consequences from every walk of life to form a coveted garland for Bharat Mata. Is Arvind Kejriwal ready for that?
Classicial error of entering electoral politics is a death nail to the entire movement, Indian are immune to certain way of life when it comes to politics. It is a pure game of give and take, team Anna with extremely limited resources may not be in a position to offer any tangible benefits to hapless Indians, General Elelctions 2014 for team Anna will be a great disaster. What a waste of huge effort and public support!
The nation has witnessed a huge spectacle from a section of visible population with Anna Hazare's fast for getting the Jan Lok Pal bill being drafted and implemented. His fast unto death was an event in which not only we witnessed the 'Tsunami of Sentiments' but was also used by media to create an atmosphere as if it a 'second freedom struggle'. While one can see that the dissatisfaction of the people from the system was overflowing, one also registered that this is a response to the massive corruption scams which have been unearthed during last few years. While Government succumbed to the mass pressure and the media projection, the whole episode also raised many a question about the message which the fasting and Jantar mantar protest gave.
Unfortunately, the criticism of elected leaders and the doubting of the democratic system itself were taken to the cynical extremes. One concedes that there are serious flaws in the electoral system, the money power, muscle power and Corporate influence, but to paint all the leaders in the same brush shows the warped understanding of a section of leadership of Jantar Mantar movement. Surely our electoral system needs serious re-forms but this type of projection also needs to be seriously questioned.
Corruption is the big scourge to the system. We do need to look beyond the leaders and parties to realize that Corruption is primarily due to lack of transparency of the system, lack of accountability of the elected representatives and the very nature of our economic system and injustices inbuilt in the social system. While one lauds the tremendous response to the anti-corruption movement, one can just hope that the sectarianism of Anna Hazare should be totally bypassed and the religious tilt of the imagers should be done away with. One hopes that while working on the Lok Pal Bill, the collective leadership of the movement will take note of these points to ensure that this movement does not meet the fate of two similar earlier one's and that Right-wing divisive forces are kept at bay.
Anna effect has forced government to act tough on corruption, of course the government has sensed the public anger against series of scams hence finally major crackdown is ordered. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested former head of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, in connection with irregularities in the contract for the Queen's Baton Relay (QBR), The CBI is also probing alleged irregularities in the hiring of Swiss firm Event Knowledge Services (EKS) as CWG's technical consultant. Kanimozhi, the self-effacing journalist-poet is today accused of being a co-conspirator in one of the biggest scams the country has seen. CBI has charge-sheeted Kanimozhi in the 2G scam hence her trouble are about to start in a big way with already jailed former Telecom Minister A Raja and several important political and business leaders.
The road ahead is challenging, the vested interest will try to block the cleanup process with their full might and resources. The key to success for the entire movement shall be the constant public pressure to be backed by honest effort from select upright government agencies and strict monitoring of Apex court.
Though its early days to judge Akhilesh wave that swept UP recently, the architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win, Akhilesh Yadav as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has a tough task on hand in tackling lawlessness and fulfilling promises made in his party manifesto.
His skill would be under test in dealing with the issue given the background of the militant image of SP workers, he has an uphill task of dispelling Samajwadi Party's image of being lax in tackling lawlessness. But within days of assuming office, Akhilesh Yadav has disappointed many people by giving the impression that these pressing concerns may be beyond his ability to deal with.
A disproportionately large number of ministers inducted into his government have long histories of crime, serious attacks on political opponents of the ruling party, and on dalits, have taken place.
If crime persists and “goonda raj” — which many thought characterised the SP’s previous tenure — returns, an environment hospitable to industry, social cohesiveness and political stability will prove elusive. We hope the CM can rise above the constraints imposed by the core social base that brought him to office.
Another uphill task for him would be in his dealings with the party seniors who may be upset at the sudden transition taking place in it. Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav initially relented the idea by putting Mulayam Singh’s candidature to head the UP government but Mulayam Singh was firm in putting Akhilesh on the driving seat hence trounce was made between them. Despite being aware of the power he wields in SP, Akhilesh always presented himself as a modest young man.
His challenges also include ways to fulfil his poll manifesto of providing tablets and laptops to high school and intermediate pass-outs, doling out unemployment allowance which would cause excessive burden on the state exchequer. Dispelling the common perception that the Samajwadi Party led by his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had an old school mindset, Akhilesh as the party's chief campaigner emerged as its modern face in the assembly elections.
Forging ahead against personal attacks from rivals, the civil environment engineer talked about development shedding SP's image of being anti-computers and anti-English. The architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win was also firm in denying election tickets to candidates with criminal antecedents.
Though to Akhilesh Yadav credit, he is growing in a mature mass leader with huge fan following amongst youth in the state. He is perceived to be the bridge between conventional ideology of samajwad and modern outlook in the party fold. Fortunately for him, he has tasted power in the past hence the present post will not make him berserk. Akhilesh remains a level headed young leader even after the coronation as Chief Minister of countries largest state. Now the serious business of governance will test the character of rising star of Indian politics.
In the UPA's scheme of things, politics appears to have taken precedence over economics, The big underlying positive message for this years is that high growth is here to stay, though global factors might periodically dampen it. Accompanying this prognosis is one that is as unpalatable as it is bold - inflation to is here to stay. In the next financial year, the economy could expand 9-9.25%, while higher savings and investment, coupled with India's demographic dividend, could propel it to an ever-higher trajectory in the years to come. But it sounds like a note of caution on infrastructure and the fiscal deficit. Higher growth would push up inflation by 1.5 percentage points, and capital flows from overseas are also adding to domestic inflationary pressures. The solution is familiar: strengthen food security, provide subsidised fertilizers, and ensure financial inclusion. The other part of the prescription might not be politically easy for a government reeling under an Opposition attack on price rise as well as corruption. In fact, it even talks of not cracking down on all forms of hoarding and compares it with cholesterol which can be good and bad.
Some of the suggestions evoke a strong sense of deja vu: for instance, boosting farm productivity through a second green revolution and stepping up investment in the sector which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the economy and supports over half the population. Another suggestion that is a blast from the past is on plugging leakages in government schemes, especially the public distribution system. The recent survey cites studies to show that leakages in the PDS are anywhere between 40% and 55%. The way out is also something that has been talked about for at least half a decade: direct cash transfers. The UID could help the cause and a beginning could be made with kerosene. One clear break from the past is arguably also a telling indicator of the mood of the times - there is a moral science lecture of sorts against the backdrop of a string of scandals that, corporate chiefs say, is also affecting policy-making. The document talks about the need to foster a culture of honesty and trustworthiness for rapid and robust growth. The Union budget 2011 however failed to tackle the two most urgent issues namely inflation and corruption affecting millions of Indians at the lowest level, but I assume that this is the cost that we will be paying to sustain high growth rate momentum. Furthermore, Supreme Court ordered the removal of CVC PJ Thomas has put the government on the mat And has dented the brand Manmohan tremendously.
India is the second fastest-growing economy in the world after China and with a projected population growth of 180 million people every ten years, the country needs a lot of housing. The Government of India's Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation recently reported an immediate need for 26.53 million houses with additional growth of 7.37% from 2007 to 2012. Meanwhile, India's middle class is growing exponentially. A recent report by McKinsey Global Institute, the economic research arm of the international consulting group McKinsey and Company, states that India's middle class currently constitutes 50 million. By 2025 this will exceed to 583 million - roughly 41% of the population. These household incomes will grow to 51.5 trillion rupees, ($1.1 trillion USD), the report says, 11 times today's level and 58% of total Indian income. This means India's housing industry needs another 62.8 million houses by 2025." According to the Government of India approximately US$200 Billion will be required over the next 7-10 Years for Basic Infrastructure Projects". In India alone, The Economic Intelligence unit estimates that an 80 Million unit housing shortage exists, 40 Million of this in urban areas. It is evident that the infrastructure of our nation has to be addressed in all areas and modernized to the levels of developed nations. The numbers quoted are enormous and of a truly staggering proportion. Frankly, the state of the nation's infrastructure remains severely out of date and built to the requirements of many decades ago and is not capable of supporting the largely increased population which is expected to surpass that of China by 2050.
Regrettably, the Indian system works to frustrate the transaction, for example, in certain areas such as Land Registration, Title Clearance and Land Conversion there is a convoluted and arduous process here at best. This can be made completely transparent and easily accessible through legal reforms with appropriate laws enacted and a well-managed, organized electronic database. These simple procedures would increase global and national competitiveness, encourage entrepreneurship and simultaneously increase national productivity, development and distribution of higher-quality products and services resulting in lower consumer pricing. This is a reason why since 1980, Our Northern neighbor China has attracted approximately $345 billion USD in FDI, while India has languished behind at a mere $18 billion USD.
Few realize that while 54% of the US's $13 trillion GDP is linked to its organized realty industry, India's real estate currently constitutes only 3% of the GDP, (projected to reach 12% by 2015.) India's real estate sector has only been open to foreign investors since 2004. Foreclosure laws were introduced the same year under the Securitization Act. No residential mortgages existed until early 2000 and no land loans, construction loans, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) nor conventional construction finance like we know it in the West exist to this day.
Indian real estate development has declined in the last year because of the global economy, primarily a knee-jerk reaction but it will resurge strongly due to the country's projected population growth (180 million per decade and 70% growth in major metro areas per decade.) Cushman & Wakefield Research is equally optimistic. A recent paper, it states that India's real estate will remain robust, especially in its residential market.
Addressing India's Housing and Infrastructure requirements is an immense task that will require everyone's cooperation at all levels. It is now very clear that we need to continue to create this alternative framework or system in the Urban Infrastructure & Housing sector through aggressive and rapid reforms. The corporatizing of this sector to international levels and making it attractive to FDI can and will bring great benefits to us through large FDI flows in this sector.
So the time has come to jump the ravine in one giant leap. A series of feeble jumps can only lead to inertia and a further lack of productivity. So the question in front of us is whether we have the industry resolve to enact the necessary measures required at the policymaking level. If we can, the results will be immediate and relief will be clear as we tap into the enormous power of the international money markets. Their favor to our nation will in effect provide an invaluable equity component when channeled into our infrastructure projects and their financing provision will affect massive infrastructure and housing developments greatly benefiting the nation of India and her children as well as all parties involved.
Corruption is a global phenomenon hence we cannot be critical about ourselves regarding practicing corrupt practices yet India is suffering because the corruption is affecting lowest strata of our country badly. We must support person of conviction, integrity and high morala namely Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, Subramanian Swamy who has single handily fought the most complicated 2G scam of the present time. Fortunately, we have a large number of honest people living in India but with no unity unlike dishonest people who tends to form a close syndicate to protect respective interest. Raja & Radia duo investigation is likely to lead to many more surprises if the investigation is done honestly wherein the trail of money split can led to many Cabinet ministers, bureaucrats, media persons. All the progress in the CWG, 2G scam, Food scam is having to common indicator that our honest Prime Minster is gradually loosing authority over governance leading to formation of lobbyist both within and outside government that takes and influence crucial decisions for the government. Unfortunately it is proving a simple point that Dr Manmohan Singh honeymoon of UPA1 is over, secondly it reflects Sonia Gandhi authority is diminishing fast within the party (ref Jaganmohan Reddy challenge, Digvijay Singh's conduct) and outside the party in the UPA II alliance (conduct of DMK, NCP and TMC). The cross-connection of Raja & Radia duo in the opposition parties and media and judicial domain in India do establish a point that money can influence high and mighty with ease. The non-ethical practices adopted by certain powerful families by forming political party to give official colour to the fudual proxy power is a blot to the largest democracy in India.
The politicians with access over huge unaccounted cash generated out of corrupt system have established tremendous stronghold over bureaucracy, Judiciary and media and the fallout is natural. The people with power are now in a position to flex muscles blatantly without fearing of the consequences. Anil Ambanis, Vijay Mallya, Satyam Raju are the icon for new emerging India, uncensored ridiculous films and television shows are high on demand that is breeding moral corruption in our society, convicted stars like Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan are having the biggest following amongst youth of the country and off course lobbyist Radia and cabinet minister A Raja are running our government, Suresh Kalamadi and Lalit Bhanot are assigned by us to run the sporting arena of the country, surely even a man with limited common sense can predict the fallout for the nation. It is a must for people of India to think again, because people of the country have the ultimate power to elect government. The democracy has matured a lot in India but the crucial question is that whether our citizens at large have understood the value of honest competent governance. For me, we lack political options hence people are running out of option to identify a right cord.
Congress Party is grasping to breath, opposition parties are focused on immediate gains ignoring the long term national interest. Why BJP and left has deliberately ignored to raise CWG and Food grain scams earlier? 2G scam is focused on DMK and putting pressure on Congress party to take action that shall lead to DMK exit hence fall of government is their primary motive, but the corruption must be raised without party affiliation to punish the guilty. Supreme Court intervention in the 2G scam to monitor the investigation is a welcome step and country must seek an explanation from the ruling elites to come out clean or perish.
Commonwealth Games 2010: Incompetent and Deceptive
An amazing sequence of comedy of errors led to national shame, but the player on the ground are unfazed. Just when you think you have seen the last joker of the Commonwealth Games organizing committee, someone would come forward and prove you wrong. The latest addition to this illustrious list is Lalit Bhanot. From Scam to Sham, from Game to Shame, it seems we have it all in our endeavour to organize the so-called best CWG ever. This is turning out to be a melodrama which could even send all Ekta Kapoor's serials packing. The antiques and our responsibility-ducking attitude have yet again brought a truck full of shit and a whole lot of shame to our nation.
What was initially thought of as a scam (Indians shouldn't complain, as scams are in our blood) has turned out to be a grand-scale deception. I am now sure of their modus operandi - Keep on dragging your feet and don't act till the point someone presses the panic button. Then the last minute the Jugad funda of us Indians would come into play and funds would be released. No questions asked and then it's all about filling our pockets and fooling a billion-plus population. If it was not an attempt at deception, then why was the media was shown only a few selected Games village towers 10 days ago? Why were rosy pictures drawn before all of us? When reality came asking about its legitimacy, 10 days later we have fallen apart like a pack of cards. Suddenly all are critical of the Games, including the two Mikes (Hooper & Fennell). When the same pair were all praised for a brilliant Games village 10 days back, why are they critical now? Why are they running around with threats and giving us 24-hour deadlines to clean our posteriors or forget the Games? Uncomfortable but mandatory questions need to be answered in a hurry.
Let's see how it all started and what Mr. Bhanot has to say when the CWG directors turned psychotic about the hygiene factor in the Games village. Instead of accepting the flaws, he tried to teach all of us the theory of relativity in terms of hygiene. I am not sure how violently Albert Einstein would have turned in his grave. This brilliant attempt of his which might not win him a Nobel Prize left all of us high and dry. His statement was bizarre, ridiculous, disgusting and shameful - all at the same time. Does he have any idea that the whole world would be watching him blabber and would be dropping to the floor laughing at us? What he meant, when he said we have our hygiene standards and they have theirs, is out of my wavelength. Does he want to suggest that we Indians are filthy and living in the dark ages without an idea what hygiene is all about? Does he want foreigners should come to teach us about hygiene? Does he want to say that we are Jaahil and uncultured as a nation? You might be thick-skinned Mr. Bhanot but for all of us, your jingoisms are shameful, to say the least. Forget the scam, forget the incompetence - for this bizarre statement of his, he should be sacked at once.
If you think you are done with all the gimmicks then look at another genius - Maj (Retd) Dalbir Singh (Games village mayor). When hounded with the same hygiene questions, he was clueless and was at sea to say the least. I can't elaborate on what he said about various factors, as nobody can. So I better just list them one by one
It was for sure a bad day and the best was reserved till the last. Out of nowhere a foot overbridge near the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium gave in. This eventuality made the queen of the opera to come to the stage with her polished Miranda house ac-cent. How I can forget her flamboyant cotton Saree? When asked how each day a new bloody thing can happen to the CWG, this is what she has to say - The foot over the bridge was for the aam admi (so shouldn't be attached with CWG), not the players. So? Aam aadmi can die as long as you can save your back from the CWG ghost? Mam, can you imagine what would have happened - if a few athletes were right below and the bridge
crashed on their heads? Don't bother how many of the aam aadmi the bridge might take a long while crashing on the poor athletes' heads. As per her, the builder is blacklisted and some bloody enquiry would be carried out with reports expected in three weeks. So for the next three weeks, we shouldn't bother her by showing our filthy and unhygienic faces. Let me admit - I am still in dilemma, whether to cry or laugh at these stupid statements. To top all this, a section of the roof in the wrestler's arena of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed, and the Delhi CM, Ms. Sheila Dixit's riposte was that small things keep happening.
The Games are fast turning out to be more irritating than anything. It is only because we have walked (read fooled ourselves) too far, we have no option left but to save our face and restore some respect of our nation, which was badly maligned by a few crooks. M.S. Gill can promptly walk away from the cameras (no single word uttered) without taking any responsibility or even bothering to explain how he allowed so much mess to continue for years altogether. But we are not shameless like Mr. Gill and continue to pray our typical Indian Jugad might just see us save our already blackened face and red ass a little, one more time. I will offer a coconut at the nearest Ganpati temple from my side if we manage to do so. But on second thought - why can't all these rascals go somewhere and hang themselves instead? Skunks!
However, a serious follow-up of the ongoing much-published public loot would be crucial to ensure growing India's international clout. The government of India must take the blame for the mess because the entire responsibility of the mess, Urban Development ministry is the apex body to control the various agencies including Indian Olympic Association headed by legendary Suresh Kalmadi. Indian PM owes a responsibility to explain the inaction despite the media and opposition parties have raised the doubts since last year or so.. UPA chair-person has assured strict action against the guilty but we know how justice is delivered in India hence keep no hopes there.. Very soon we may locate Kalmadi & Co in a seven-star hotel rubbing shoulders with top leadership and media people for the damage control PR exercise to bring calm and sanity, Indian are by and large considered accommodating people hence they will forgive the guilty. But the core question here is who will pay for the dent of India Inc global brand? The CWG mess will affect the India Inc brand, and business environment, it will put Indian diplomacy on the back foot leading to political chaos.
Rs 1 lakh crore CWG scam? Will Manmohan Singh speak up
New Delhi: Upping the ante over the alleged corruption in Commonwealth Games, the Opposition parties claimed that the scam is to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore. The CWG scam rocked the Parliament, Indian media and people at large.
"The total money involved in CWG scam is Rs 1 lakh crore. I have the documents to prove it," JD-U chief Sharad Yadav said.
"There are so many areas of corruption uncovered," said RJD chief Lalu Yadav amid demands that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must answer.
Even as the Opposition aims to target the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in Parliament over the issue of alleged financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, fresh allegations have surfaced against Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi suggesting he was aware of payments made to controversial UK-based firm AM films and its sister concern AM Car and Van Hire.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said those found guilty of corruption in the upcoming Commonwealth Games will be punished once the event is over. "The Prime Minister is looking into the corruption charges against the Commonwealth Games " said Gandhi, at a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP).
"The Commonwealth Games are not related to any political party or individual. It is a national pride and efforts should be made to hold them successfully," she added.
The destructive face of CWG 2010 - Kalmadi
As the soon-to-start Commonwealth Games (CWG) is getting mired in one controversy after another and is being flagged as a national shame, the people of one village in Karnataka are upset more than anybody else. It's Kalmady, the native place of CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi near Udupi.
Suresh Kalmadi's father and grandfather used to live in this village but moved out 50 years ago. As Suresh Kalmadi's name has been popping up in the media in connection to the Games, the locals of Kalmady village feel that the name of their village is getting tarnished. "We are not worried about the conduct of the Games, we are perturbed because the name of our village keeps popping up for the wrong reasons on national media every time Suresh Kalmadi's name is mentioned," said the Kalmady Yuvaka Sangha members.
Former president of the Udupi Town Municipal Council Somashekar Bhat, also a close associate of the new state minister of higher education VS Acharya said, "I feel bad about the controversies surrounding Suresh Kalmadi and CWG. People have been asking me and my party workers about what's been happening." Sudharkar Salian, a political leader in Kalmady told DNA, that he plans to send a letter to the media saying: "We disown the name Kalmady attached to a controversial person like Suresh Kalmadi. However, there is one comforting factor that Suresh Kalmadi's surname is being spelt as 'Kalmadi' and not 'Kalmady', the name of our village."
‘India has itself to blame for the Commonwealth Games 2010 chaos’
India has only itself to blame for the gigantic mess of the Commonwealth Games, says Mike Hooper, the CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
"We have a host city contract that clearly says that the responsibility for the implementation and delivery of all those promises that were made, all the standards, etc were the Government of India, the Delhi Government and the Organising Committee. We don't have the resources to deliver that. That comes down to the host. We pass on all the rights associated with the games to the host. What we try to do is to support and work with the Organising Committee. But ultimately to get the work done and to do it, that is the responsibility of the stakeholders in India, " Hooper told NDTV.
The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation added, " The buck stops with all the stakeholders. We now hope that between now and October 14, we see a successful celebration of the games. “
In this last week, the Athletes' village was found in a such filthy condition that a few countries lodged formal complaints with the Organizing Committee. Apartments meant for use by participants and officials were described as "un-liveable." New Zealand has hired its own cleaners to prepare for its contingent's arrival.
Hooper denied stating in the past that the Games Village was better than the one used in Beijing for the Olympics. "we were aware of the filth in the Village on September 15," Hooper said, emphasizing that he went public with details of the unhygienic conditions only after assurances on cleaning up the village were not met. Toilets were found choked with human refuse. One bed had been soiled by a dog.
Hooper also trained his guns on the Indian Sports Minister, MS Gill., describing his "monsoon wedding" re-mark as unacceptable. He said, " There is a reason why the Games are awarded seven years earlier and that is because there is a huge amount of work to do. The Minister of Sport talks about the monsoon wedding approach. That is unacceptable. The reality is, the venues did not start on time. Had they started earlier, we wouldn't be in half the predicament we've seen in recent months." In July, Gill had said, "Commonwealth Games is like an Indian monsoon wedding. Everything is being done at the last minute."
The yawning gap between concept and execution
Now that the commonwealth games are less than a fortnight away and the monsoons showing no signs of abating, the preparations are really going down to the wires. Honestly, I am more than a little confused about whether to support the games or not. At one level, I have started feeling bad for the organisers.
The rains have been so relentless that even those who are well-intentioned and want to do a genuinely good job are frustrated. Also, most of us don't want to be embarrassed. But then, I tell myself that some of these jokers, which basically means the top guys in the organising committee and the civic administration and their political masters, have had 7 years to get things ready, and delayed things deliberately to create panic so that no question asked funds are released. So they deserve no mercy.
And then again, the thought creeps up. Why should the nation be embarrassed for the folly of these individuals, especially when we know that those responsible for the mess are thick-skinned?
The Prime Minister and his boss, Sonia Gandhi, have promised that the guilty will 'not be spared' once the games are over. But do you really believe that one bit? I can almost envision the games being projected as a grand success and in the ensuing euphoria, all would be forgotten, including the fact that what should have cost X has cost us 20 X and that the quality has been shockingly sub-standard, the excessive makeup and magical illumination of games venues notwithstanding. Of course, those responsible would move on and perhaps even bid for the Olympics to build on the hugely successful commonwealth games.
While all such issues, be it quality, games a success or not, who's guilty and who's not, etc will be discussed thread-bare for times to come, I have a few very basic observations, borne mostly out of my walking and cycling trips all around the city these past few days. I am sharing a few of them very briefly with the intention of getting feedback from you all.
If you are in the car, the newly laid stones on the sidewalks around Delhi look beautiful. But looks can be deceptive. Step out of the car to know what the reality is. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I say one can't walk more than 20 steps before encountering some obstacle. It could be in the form of a broken tile, a missing tile, the stump of a discarded light pole, a sudden depression that has been plastered over, or a sudden change in level. If the intention was to provide walkways that care for the pedestrian, it has fallen flat. And the experience is uniform, whether it is VVIP areas or areas around the event venues. Even the tactile tiles, that have ostensibly been put to help the blind, as is done in the developed world, have been done without a thought. You could end up in a bush or in a pile of debris.
Also, in an attempt to make the sidewalks more disabled-friendly, ramps have been built. But like a lot else, it seems to have been done just because they were asked to build a ramp. No thought has gone behind why it needs to be built in a particular way so that it actually helps those in need. There is no uniformity in the gradient or the access points and that is just part of the problem.
Another heartening feature visible, if you are moving around in cars, is the cycle lanes being created at a number of places.
Little excites me as much as this, for I genuinely believe a bicycle is ideal for travelling short distances. But like the sidewalks, their execution leaves a hell of a lot to be desired. The lane's width can switch from a few feet to a few inches, and worse, it can often lead to a dead end or into a tree.
Basically what is happening is that all these are being done just because some worthies thought all this is needed in an international city, without a clue as to how it is to be executed. There is science behind tactile tiles, or the angle at which disabled-friendly ramps are to be built, for example, but it'd be churlish to expect that anyone is even aware of these aspects. It hurts.
It really hurts. How we are being milked can be gauged from the fact that most of those involved in the implementation of these projects have spent a considerable amount of taxpayers' money on overseas study tours to learn the implementation of such projects. In the absence of any feedback or accountability, one just ends up spending a lot of money with almost zero benefits.
Just some training and awareness could have resulted in the creation of civic facilities that Delhi perhaps deserves as the capital of a growing economic power.
But instead, we are creating infrastructure that is neither here nor there. In fact, if one were to sincerely follow the signage put up all over, one could actually get into a spot of bother.
A number of our readers, I am sure, are aware of what is being done and have an opinion on how it should be done. They would have travelled the world too. Would appreciate your feedback and suggestions and put them together to be shared with the authorities. I can only hope this will somehow help in future. It is easy to give up and live with the rot, but then that is taking the easy way out and we don't want that.
(Indian Press reporting on CWG mess, by Rajesh Kalra courtesy TOI)
FREE Download
OPINION EXPRESS MAGAZINE
Offer of the Month