How the maladies like ‘Opportunism’, ‘Sycophancy’, ‘Personality-cult’, and ‘Appeasement-approach’ got deeply entrenched in our system after independence
During the colonial rule it was an administrative compulsion to encourage the gullibles to chaperone around the ‘Raj’ functionaries thereby enabling the latter to control the large local population spread over vast area of the Indian sub-continent. Apart from the ‘employees’ segment (bound by service conduct rules), people from business/industry were also roped in as loyalists and the ‘most faithful’ ones amongst them (the Opportunists) were conferred title such as ‘OBE’ and ‘Rai Bahadur’ to entice their unwavering faithfulness. The Queen/King of Britain was projected as the ‘Idol-like’ person to give boost to the ‘Personality-cult’ culture. The inhabitants of remote and hilly areas were granted very liberal rights & concessions over the local resources to keep them happy enabling the ‘Raj’ to remotely control the administration. Thus, in a way, ‘Opportunism’, ‘Sycophancy’, Personality-cult’ and ‘Appeasement-approach’ formed an institutionalized mechanism which was necessitated and justified from the perspective of the ‘Colonial/Foreign Ruler’. People of India reasonably expected that all these four maladies would be deeply buried by the ‘Indian Rulers’ who succeeded the ‘Colonial Rulers’ after the attainment of independence. Alas! this did not happen and to the contrary, these maladies were blatantly promoted by Nehru and his Congress Party successors, which destroyed the very foundations of the basic institutions on which a ‘Healthy & Efficient Democratic System’ and the ‘Allied Institutions’ could have evolved in independent India.
The first cabinet of independent India comprised representatives from non-congress parties as well and thus Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee also became a Cabinet Minister and was entrusted with the department of industry. It is well known that Nehru was highly averse to criticism & dissensions and deeply nursed hatred against the dissenters & the detractors. Dr. Mukerjee’s dissensions on fundamental issues concerning national security & development coupled with his giant personality did not go well with Nehru-cult forcing the former to quit the cabinet. Even within the Congress party, the ‘Yes-men’, ‘Sycophants’, and ‘Opportunists’ were preferred to those who exhibited some sort of ‘independent thinking’, ‘straightforwardness’, and ‘non-toeing-attitude’. Owing to lower level of literacy, manipulability of the election system, ‘aggressive propaganda approach’ of the Congress party and dominance of the ‘western-influenced’ media, Nehru not only could manage to win successive elections but even managed to acquire a sort of charismatic image (or may be it was so made to be perceived by the pseudo-intellectuals). The combined effect of all this was that despite repeated counter-points made on all issues (Inflation/Price-rise, Poverty, Unemployment, Kashmir, Defense of the country (against Pakistan and China), Tamil issue in Srilanka, Internal security against terrorism and Foreign policy etc.) by the Bhartiya Jan Sangh consistently went completely unheeded and the country suffered terrible loss in terms of losing vast chunk of its territories to China & Pakistan and also getting deeply humiliated several times at the international fora. Those of the Congress men who could not toe Nehru line left the party and formed parties such as ‘Socialist party’, and ‘Praja Socialist party’. However, the deep rooting of the four maladies went unabated in the Congress party and being the sole ruling party in the country (centre & states), it greatly influenced the polity at large. The bureaucratic class, bound by the service & conducts rules, fell easy prey to the Nehruvian ethos and went whole hog in getting imbibed in the four maladies thus becoming the role models for the rest in the country.
May be Lal Bahadur Shastri could have changed the course but unfortunately his tenure of 18 months was too short and moreover the ‘food crisis’ and the ‘Indo-Pak war’ had to be given all the energy & attention during this period. Indira Gandhi took the reigns of the country in 1966 and found to her dismay that she would not be able to command unquestionable authority like her father did. 1967 elections also came as a setback to her when Congress base in the Centre and in many States shrunk substantially. The 1969 split in the Congress party was engineered by Indira Gandhi (defeating the official candidate of the party in country’s Presidential elections) with the twin objective of regaining control within her own party and to create some sort of populist façade (Nationalisation of Banks) to divert the attention of Indian masses suffering terribly under inflation/price-rise/poverty/unemployment. Despite managing to win large majority in the ensuing mid-term Lok Sabha polls (manipulability in polls was proved beyond doubt when Allahabad High Court struck down Indira Gandhi’s election on the grounds of serious poll malpractices), mass agitations started all around in the country when the problems got further aggravated and the illusion created by the façade got dismantled. Then started Indira Gandhi’s tirade against democracy in the country and she not only vehemently promoted the four maladies (Opportunism, Sycophancy, Personality-cult and Appeasement-approach) but started destroying the ‘institutions of democracy’ in a systematic & planned way. The ‘Executive’ became spineless after witnessing the horrors of ‘Emergency’; the ‘Judiciary’ became manipulable on account of ‘supersession-approach’ in the appointment of judges; “Legislature’ got crippled on account of imprisonment of the ‘dissenting leaders’, and; Constitutional Law of India was amended in such a way that the basic & fundamental structure almost got obliterated.
Fortunately, there came an interregnum in 1977 when Janata Party (comprising Bhartiya Jan Sangh, the Socialists and the ‘Break-away groups from Congress party) replaced Congress party at the centre after a humiliating, though befitting, defeat of the latter in the elections, held after extending the life of the then preceding Lok Sabha. Bound by the principles of Jan Sangh (the only partner-party in the conglomerate called ‘Janata Party’ which had a clear-cut philosophy and distinct principles- Respect for Democratic norms, Firmness in maintaining high standards of Discipline, Promoting merit/performance rather than personality-cult, Discarding Opportunism/Sycophancy and not following the Appeasement-approach), the Janata Party led by Morarji Desai as Prime Minister, did adhere to the approach which would have stemmed the growth of these four maladies to a great extent, had the Government not got throttled by the ‘self-seekers’ mid-way.
In 1980, Indira Gandhi came back to power, thanks to the disillusionment of the voters caused by the colossal selfishness & immaturity of certain leaders in the Janata Party, and she re-picked up the agenda of strengthening all the four maladies (opportunism, sycophancy, personality-cult and appeasement-approach) even more vigorously, obviously feeling increasingly emboldened to tread this path. Rajiv Gandhi more or less followed the footsteps of his mother in this regard. V.P.Singh got stuck in Mandal Commission report and neither had the perspective nor the time to pay attention to such laudable tasks.
Since Narsimha Rao headed almost a minority government, he could not have contributed much to either nation building or to even institution building. However, the much talked liberlisation is attributable more to the force of the contemporary circumstances rather than to the ingenuousness of Rao or for that matter even of Manmohan Singh (whose dullest performance currently as Prime Minister in the field of ‘Reforms’ speaks volumes about his ‘capability’ and ‘willpower’). Deve Gauda’s tenure followed by the Gujral tenure hardly need mention because both had shorter periods and remained too busy in managing the coalition partners to pay any worthwhile attention to any institution building tasks.
The second ‘interregnum’ deserving mention is the Vajpayee-led NDA regime. A sincere & honest effort was made during this period in repairing the damage caused to various institutions. Sincere efforts were also made to desiccate the four stated ‘maladies’ but the fifty year old root system would not let it happen so easily.
The main feature of the current UPA regime is the full blooming of all these four ‘maladies’. Earlier, the two ‘maladies, namely, ‘sycophancy’ and ‘personality-cult’ were the exclusive preserves of Congress party and the other partners in UPA suffered quite mildly from these. But now the parties other than Congress are far ahead of the leading partner (in the UPA) in practicing these openly. ‘Opportunism’ and ‘Appeasement-approach’ have always been the hallmark of policy & principle of all partners in the UPA.
Will all political parties in our country ever draw a national consensus to eradicate the four maladies- ‘opportunism’, ‘sycophancy’, ‘personality-cult’ and ‘appeasement-approach’- to enable emergence of an environment wherein the democracy & the allied institutions thrive in a sustainable manner.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
AI-IA Privatisation
AI-IA Disinvestment- An imminent necessity
Air India was in the first list of companies referred to the Disinvestment Commission in 1996. The Commission, after a thorough examination, made the following recommendations:
Ø Government to provide Rs.1000 crores as equity for financial restructuring of Air India, which would raise its paid up capital to Rs.1154 crores;
Ø Simultaneously, Government to initiate process of induction of a strategic partner (having the requisite financial, technical, marketing and managerial capabilities and commitment for AI’s fleet expansion) on the basis of global competitive bids through issue of fresh equity shares of the total face value of Rs.770 crores, which would enhance the paid up equity capital to Rs.1924 crores and will reduce government holding to 60%;
Ø Strategic partner should be a consortium of Airlines and investors, with at least 25% of equity held by Indian investors, and the Shareholders Agreement to provide for appropriate share in the management to the strategic partner;
Ø Thereafter, Government to disinvest 20% of total paid up capital by offering 10% to domestic institutional investors at the price paid by the highest bidder and the remaining 10% to the retail investors and the employees at a discount (shares not taken by retail investors/employees to be offered to domestic investors), which would bring down the government holding to 40%.
The Government broadly accepted the recommendations of the Disinvestment Commission except the one pertaining to infusion of Rs.!000 crores and decided as under:
Ø Government equity to be brought down to 40% through disinvestment process;
Ø 40% of the equity to be disinvested in favour of a strategic partner;
Ø Up to 10% of the equity to be offered to employees;
Ø The balance 10% of equity to be sold to financial institutions and/or on the share market;
Ø Foreign holding to be limited to a maximum of 26% of total equity if the strategic partner is a joint venture with foreign holding;
Ø Global Advisor to assist in disinvestment process.
On the other hand Indian Airlines was not examined by the Disinvestment Commission and instead the case was considered by the Government in the light of Kelkar Committee (set up to examine the financial restructuring of Indian Airlines) Report. The main recommendations made in this report were:
Ø Infusion of Rs.922 crores by way of government equity/ upfront contribution/ subordinated loan/ ATF subsidy/ IA contribution/ ESOP;
Ø Infusion of Rs.758.35 crores by way of public issue.
The recommendations of Kelkar Committee were examined in the Government at various levels and finally the following decisions were taken:
Ø Government equity to be brought down to 49%;
Ø 26% equity to be sold to a strategic partner;
Ø Balance 25% equity to be sold to financial institutions, employees and other investors;
Ø Foreign holding not to exceed 40% equity of the bidders, except for NRIs/NRI-controlled Overseas Corporate Bodies, if the strategic partner is a joint venture with foreign holding.
The process of disinvestment was undertaken as per the prescribed procedure. In case of Air India, 9 offers were received from the prospective bidders but only 6 of these could meet the pre-qualification criteria of minimum net worth. 4 parties did not submit the Initial Technical Proposal and finally only one party (Tata-Singapore Airlines Consortium) was left in the fray. The entire process had almost been completed and 75 steps (out of a total of 80 (major & minor) steps) were already over when suddenly, the bidder intimated their intention to withdraw. The prime reason, though, was some sort of discord between the Consortium partners, but one factor which might have acted as a scaring factor was the media reports regarding minimum expected price of 25000-28000 crores (quoting quite a few political Hi-Fis about this unimaginable estimates). With 23 aircrafts of average life 15 years and per aircraft manpower of 700-800 (vis-à-vis 200-300 global standard), such an estimation was not justified. However, the skills & reputation of the cockpit crew and the technical personnel being one of the superb selling point, the entrepreneurship & financial strength of Tatas coupled with the aviation management skills of Singapore Airlines would have provided the much needed support to Air India and there was a fair chance of Air India-Singapore Airlines getting to the top of the ladder globally. Alas! this was not to be then but may be the time is quite ripe now to make a second attempt.
In case of Indian Airlines, 6 offers were received from the prospective bidders, out of which only 4 met the pre-qualification criteria of minimum net worth. 2 parties did not submit the Initial Technical Proposal and finally no party was left in the field.
After the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, the combined entity becomes a very attractive one for any prospective partner. As it is, the aviation sector is fraught with numerous risks & adversities, having low margins in operation and cut throat competition, which necessitates mergers & acquisitions. There have been several mergers & acquisitions of major International/National Airlines overseas which need be taken note of, seriously, before it is too late. The loss of 2144 crore during 2007-08 and likelihood of incurring double the amount during the current year should sound quite frightening, both to the company as well as the Government. The most appropriate remedy lies in going in for immediate disinvestment of AI-IA entity and roping in of a good strategic partner to not only bailing it out of recurring financial trouble but more importantly, making it the top Airline globally (with due guarantee to sustain this position in perpetuity).
Air India was in the first list of companies referred to the Disinvestment Commission in 1996. The Commission, after a thorough examination, made the following recommendations:
Ø Government to provide Rs.1000 crores as equity for financial restructuring of Air India, which would raise its paid up capital to Rs.1154 crores;
Ø Simultaneously, Government to initiate process of induction of a strategic partner (having the requisite financial, technical, marketing and managerial capabilities and commitment for AI’s fleet expansion) on the basis of global competitive bids through issue of fresh equity shares of the total face value of Rs.770 crores, which would enhance the paid up equity capital to Rs.1924 crores and will reduce government holding to 60%;
Ø Strategic partner should be a consortium of Airlines and investors, with at least 25% of equity held by Indian investors, and the Shareholders Agreement to provide for appropriate share in the management to the strategic partner;
Ø Thereafter, Government to disinvest 20% of total paid up capital by offering 10% to domestic institutional investors at the price paid by the highest bidder and the remaining 10% to the retail investors and the employees at a discount (shares not taken by retail investors/employees to be offered to domestic investors), which would bring down the government holding to 40%.
The Government broadly accepted the recommendations of the Disinvestment Commission except the one pertaining to infusion of Rs.!000 crores and decided as under:
Ø Government equity to be brought down to 40% through disinvestment process;
Ø 40% of the equity to be disinvested in favour of a strategic partner;
Ø Up to 10% of the equity to be offered to employees;
Ø The balance 10% of equity to be sold to financial institutions and/or on the share market;
Ø Foreign holding to be limited to a maximum of 26% of total equity if the strategic partner is a joint venture with foreign holding;
Ø Global Advisor to assist in disinvestment process.
On the other hand Indian Airlines was not examined by the Disinvestment Commission and instead the case was considered by the Government in the light of Kelkar Committee (set up to examine the financial restructuring of Indian Airlines) Report. The main recommendations made in this report were:
Ø Infusion of Rs.922 crores by way of government equity/ upfront contribution/ subordinated loan/ ATF subsidy/ IA contribution/ ESOP;
Ø Infusion of Rs.758.35 crores by way of public issue.
The recommendations of Kelkar Committee were examined in the Government at various levels and finally the following decisions were taken:
Ø Government equity to be brought down to 49%;
Ø 26% equity to be sold to a strategic partner;
Ø Balance 25% equity to be sold to financial institutions, employees and other investors;
Ø Foreign holding not to exceed 40% equity of the bidders, except for NRIs/NRI-controlled Overseas Corporate Bodies, if the strategic partner is a joint venture with foreign holding.
The process of disinvestment was undertaken as per the prescribed procedure. In case of Air India, 9 offers were received from the prospective bidders but only 6 of these could meet the pre-qualification criteria of minimum net worth. 4 parties did not submit the Initial Technical Proposal and finally only one party (Tata-Singapore Airlines Consortium) was left in the fray. The entire process had almost been completed and 75 steps (out of a total of 80 (major & minor) steps) were already over when suddenly, the bidder intimated their intention to withdraw. The prime reason, though, was some sort of discord between the Consortium partners, but one factor which might have acted as a scaring factor was the media reports regarding minimum expected price of 25000-28000 crores (quoting quite a few political Hi-Fis about this unimaginable estimates). With 23 aircrafts of average life 15 years and per aircraft manpower of 700-800 (vis-à-vis 200-300 global standard), such an estimation was not justified. However, the skills & reputation of the cockpit crew and the technical personnel being one of the superb selling point, the entrepreneurship & financial strength of Tatas coupled with the aviation management skills of Singapore Airlines would have provided the much needed support to Air India and there was a fair chance of Air India-Singapore Airlines getting to the top of the ladder globally. Alas! this was not to be then but may be the time is quite ripe now to make a second attempt.
In case of Indian Airlines, 6 offers were received from the prospective bidders, out of which only 4 met the pre-qualification criteria of minimum net worth. 2 parties did not submit the Initial Technical Proposal and finally no party was left in the field.
After the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, the combined entity becomes a very attractive one for any prospective partner. As it is, the aviation sector is fraught with numerous risks & adversities, having low margins in operation and cut throat competition, which necessitates mergers & acquisitions. There have been several mergers & acquisitions of major International/National Airlines overseas which need be taken note of, seriously, before it is too late. The loss of 2144 crore during 2007-08 and likelihood of incurring double the amount during the current year should sound quite frightening, both to the company as well as the Government. The most appropriate remedy lies in going in for immediate disinvestment of AI-IA entity and roping in of a good strategic partner to not only bailing it out of recurring financial trouble but more importantly, making it the top Airline globally (with due guarantee to sustain this position in perpetuity).
Reforms
Public Sector Reforms- A Landmark achievement of Vajpayee Government
The context prevailing at the time India attained independence, necessitated State involvement in various commercial activities. Post war economic depression had dampened the spirit of the private entrepreneurs and the task of reconstruction could be best undertaken by greater involvement of the State. Therefore, the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 adopted by Government of India stated as under:
Ø Complete State monopolies in the following sectors:
· Manufacture of arms & ammunition;
· Production & control of atomic energy;
· Ownership & management of Railways;
Ø 6 Basic Industries- Steel, Coal, Aircraft & Ship, Telegraph/ Wireless apparatus- to be developed in Public Sector;
Ø Other areas to be left to Private Sector under State Controlled & Regulated Economy.
5 Public sector companies with equity contribution of R.29 crores from Government of India came into being by 1951. The 1956 Industrial Policy Resolution of Government of India had the following main features:
Ø Concept of Mixed Economy
Ø Industries categorised into three groups:
· Exclusive State preserves: In addition to the 6 sectors mentioned in 1948 Resolution, 3 more added, namely, Zink, Copper and Lead;
· Concurrent/Joint/Mixed-Alluminium, Fertilizers, Other Minerals, Machine tools, Chemical industries, Road & Sea Transport;
· Private sector under regulatory mechanism of the State.
Despite the concept of mixed economy, the growth in the number of public sector companies continued unabated (Figures in bracket indicates financial involvement of the Central Government)- 21 in 1956 (Rs.81 crores), 47 in 1961 (Rs.948 crores), 73 in 1966 (Rs.2400), 84 in 1969 (Rs.3900 crores), 122 in 1974 (Rs.6200 crores), 169 in 1979 (Rs.15000 crores), 215 in 1985 (Rs.42000 crores), 244 in 1990 (Rs.99000 crores), 246 in 1992 (Rs.1,35000 crores) and 240 as on 31st March, 2000 (Rs.2,52,500 crores). Owing to the leftist’s pressure, the phenomenal growth of public sector companies, both in terms of number and financial involvement, occurred during the regime of Indira Gandhi,. Apart from nationalization of Banks, there was a spate of creation of all kinds of companies in state sector many of which later proved great liability to the exchequer.
The serious financial crisis of 1990-91 forced the government to adopt the 1991 Liberlisation Policy having following features:
Ø Deregulation/End of License Raj;
Ø Focus public sector on strategic, hi-tech and essential infrastructure;
Ø Selective opening of ‘Exclusive State Preserves’ to private sector;
Ø List of industries reserved for public sector reduced from 17 to 8 (further reduced in 1993 to 6);
Ø De-reservation of mining activity- coal extraction permitted for captive use by user industries;
Ø Private sector investment permitted in oil exploration & refining, roads, telecom and power generation;
Ø Divesting 20% equity in selected Public Sector Enterprises;
Ø Involvement of Financial Institutions/Mutual Fund Institutions offering shares to employees at a discount.
The selective disinvestment of minority shares was undertaken from 1991 onwards as follows: In 1991-92, minority shares of 47 companies were sold by auction method in bundles of “very good”, “good” and “average” categories; In 1992-93, shares of 35 companies were sold separately (without bundling) by auction method; In 1993-94, equity of 7 companies sold by open auction; In 1994-95, shares of 13 companies were sold by open auction; In 1995-96, equity of 4 companies auctioned while piggy backed IDBI for the 5th company; During 1996-99, GDR issue for 9 companies done in international market. More than Rs.19,000 crores were realized in this entire sale process.
Consequent upon the acceptance of recommendations of the Disinvestment Commission, the strategic sale of 74% equity in Modern Foods Ltd. was completed in 1999-2000, followed by Lagan Jute (60%), BALCO (51%), CMC (51%), CMC(IPO-26.25%), HTL (74%), VSNL(25% out of 52.97% equity held by Govt.), IBP(33.58% out of 59.58% held by Govt.), IBP(IPO-26%), PPL(74%), HZL(26% out of 75.92% held by Govt.), JESSOP(72%), IPCL(26% out of 59.95% held by Govt.), IPCL(IPO-28.95%), 19 Hotels of ITDC(all loss making), 3 Hotels(2 loss making) of HCI (Air India subsidiary), Maruti(4.2% out of 49.74%) and IPOs of Maruti(27,5%), DCIL(20%), ONGC(10%), GAIL(10%), and NTPC(10.5%). More than Rs.28,000 crores were realized as a result of these sales till October, 2004. A notable point in this process has been that the Government could unlock about Rs.25,000 crores of its resources by sale of just 1% of its equity of Rs.1200 crores (out of Rs.1,09, 000 crores).
As per the data given in the PSE Survey Reports for the year 2004-05, the total capital employed in 227 public sector companies was Rs.5,04,370 crores and their net worth was Rs.3,41,544 crores. 143 of these companies made a profit of Rs.74,432 crores and 73 companies incurred a loss of Rs.9003 crores (despite infusion of Rs.5090 crores under restructuring process). 60% of the profit was earned by the petroleum & power companies. 77% of the loss was incurred by the Heavy Engineering, Textiles, Coals and Fertiliser companies. The Government equity as on 31-5-2005 in these companies was Rs.1,77,787 crores and the debt was Rs.2,33,568 crores. With share application money pendency of Rs.6494 crores, the total financial exposure of government amounted to Rs.3,57,849 crores.
The commonly known infirmities of the public sector companies are: Low rate of return; High expenditure; Resource crunch; Constricted growth; Complacency/Inefficiency/Indecisiveness; Political & Bureaucratic interference; More attention to procedural formalities than result achievement.
The disinvestment would provide the following advantages: Enable increased outlays to social & development sectors; Facilitate reduction of fiscal deficit; Boost domestic investment by putting downward pressure on interest rates; Improve depth & breadth of national capital markets; Strengthens commercial focus; Improve management discipline & efficiency; Generate competitive environment; Enable objective regulation & control by the government; Enable achievement of technological excellence; Enable achievement of higher growth rate, higher productivity and higher job growth; Enable national industries compete globally.
While steering the arduous programme of public sector reforms quite successfully, the Vajpayee government took due care to protect the interest of the employees and due to subsequent improvement of the financial health of the divested companies, the impending loss of employment could get averted. Unfortunately, the coming in of the UPA government put a complete halt to this process and currently the situation is so bad that many government companies are in queue with their financial restructuring demands because of heavy losses. The unlocking of substantial public resources during the Vajpayee regime had visible impact in the field of infrastructure development as well as in the social, health & education sectors which got terribly retarded during the current UPA regime. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the UPA government, comprising pseudo-economists, has reversed the process of ‘Reforms’ in India and to top it all has seriously added to the woes of common man due to ever rising inflation & price rise. The only silver lining now is the coming in of Advani regime which not only can ensure economic/social development but also can prevent the disintegration of the country due to internal & external threats, generated & boosted by the corrupt/weak Manmohan Singh government.
The context prevailing at the time India attained independence, necessitated State involvement in various commercial activities. Post war economic depression had dampened the spirit of the private entrepreneurs and the task of reconstruction could be best undertaken by greater involvement of the State. Therefore, the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 adopted by Government of India stated as under:
Ø Complete State monopolies in the following sectors:
· Manufacture of arms & ammunition;
· Production & control of atomic energy;
· Ownership & management of Railways;
Ø 6 Basic Industries- Steel, Coal, Aircraft & Ship, Telegraph/ Wireless apparatus- to be developed in Public Sector;
Ø Other areas to be left to Private Sector under State Controlled & Regulated Economy.
5 Public sector companies with equity contribution of R.29 crores from Government of India came into being by 1951. The 1956 Industrial Policy Resolution of Government of India had the following main features:
Ø Concept of Mixed Economy
Ø Industries categorised into three groups:
· Exclusive State preserves: In addition to the 6 sectors mentioned in 1948 Resolution, 3 more added, namely, Zink, Copper and Lead;
· Concurrent/Joint/Mixed-Alluminium, Fertilizers, Other Minerals, Machine tools, Chemical industries, Road & Sea Transport;
· Private sector under regulatory mechanism of the State.
Despite the concept of mixed economy, the growth in the number of public sector companies continued unabated (Figures in bracket indicates financial involvement of the Central Government)- 21 in 1956 (Rs.81 crores), 47 in 1961 (Rs.948 crores), 73 in 1966 (Rs.2400), 84 in 1969 (Rs.3900 crores), 122 in 1974 (Rs.6200 crores), 169 in 1979 (Rs.15000 crores), 215 in 1985 (Rs.42000 crores), 244 in 1990 (Rs.99000 crores), 246 in 1992 (Rs.1,35000 crores) and 240 as on 31st March, 2000 (Rs.2,52,500 crores). Owing to the leftist’s pressure, the phenomenal growth of public sector companies, both in terms of number and financial involvement, occurred during the regime of Indira Gandhi,. Apart from nationalization of Banks, there was a spate of creation of all kinds of companies in state sector many of which later proved great liability to the exchequer.
The serious financial crisis of 1990-91 forced the government to adopt the 1991 Liberlisation Policy having following features:
Ø Deregulation/End of License Raj;
Ø Focus public sector on strategic, hi-tech and essential infrastructure;
Ø Selective opening of ‘Exclusive State Preserves’ to private sector;
Ø List of industries reserved for public sector reduced from 17 to 8 (further reduced in 1993 to 6);
Ø De-reservation of mining activity- coal extraction permitted for captive use by user industries;
Ø Private sector investment permitted in oil exploration & refining, roads, telecom and power generation;
Ø Divesting 20% equity in selected Public Sector Enterprises;
Ø Involvement of Financial Institutions/Mutual Fund Institutions offering shares to employees at a discount.
The selective disinvestment of minority shares was undertaken from 1991 onwards as follows: In 1991-92, minority shares of 47 companies were sold by auction method in bundles of “very good”, “good” and “average” categories; In 1992-93, shares of 35 companies were sold separately (without bundling) by auction method; In 1993-94, equity of 7 companies sold by open auction; In 1994-95, shares of 13 companies were sold by open auction; In 1995-96, equity of 4 companies auctioned while piggy backed IDBI for the 5th company; During 1996-99, GDR issue for 9 companies done in international market. More than Rs.19,000 crores were realized in this entire sale process.
Consequent upon the acceptance of recommendations of the Disinvestment Commission, the strategic sale of 74% equity in Modern Foods Ltd. was completed in 1999-2000, followed by Lagan Jute (60%), BALCO (51%), CMC (51%), CMC(IPO-26.25%), HTL (74%), VSNL(25% out of 52.97% equity held by Govt.), IBP(33.58% out of 59.58% held by Govt.), IBP(IPO-26%), PPL(74%), HZL(26% out of 75.92% held by Govt.), JESSOP(72%), IPCL(26% out of 59.95% held by Govt.), IPCL(IPO-28.95%), 19 Hotels of ITDC(all loss making), 3 Hotels(2 loss making) of HCI (Air India subsidiary), Maruti(4.2% out of 49.74%) and IPOs of Maruti(27,5%), DCIL(20%), ONGC(10%), GAIL(10%), and NTPC(10.5%). More than Rs.28,000 crores were realized as a result of these sales till October, 2004. A notable point in this process has been that the Government could unlock about Rs.25,000 crores of its resources by sale of just 1% of its equity of Rs.1200 crores (out of Rs.1,09, 000 crores).
As per the data given in the PSE Survey Reports for the year 2004-05, the total capital employed in 227 public sector companies was Rs.5,04,370 crores and their net worth was Rs.3,41,544 crores. 143 of these companies made a profit of Rs.74,432 crores and 73 companies incurred a loss of Rs.9003 crores (despite infusion of Rs.5090 crores under restructuring process). 60% of the profit was earned by the petroleum & power companies. 77% of the loss was incurred by the Heavy Engineering, Textiles, Coals and Fertiliser companies. The Government equity as on 31-5-2005 in these companies was Rs.1,77,787 crores and the debt was Rs.2,33,568 crores. With share application money pendency of Rs.6494 crores, the total financial exposure of government amounted to Rs.3,57,849 crores.
The commonly known infirmities of the public sector companies are: Low rate of return; High expenditure; Resource crunch; Constricted growth; Complacency/Inefficiency/Indecisiveness; Political & Bureaucratic interference; More attention to procedural formalities than result achievement.
The disinvestment would provide the following advantages: Enable increased outlays to social & development sectors; Facilitate reduction of fiscal deficit; Boost domestic investment by putting downward pressure on interest rates; Improve depth & breadth of national capital markets; Strengthens commercial focus; Improve management discipline & efficiency; Generate competitive environment; Enable objective regulation & control by the government; Enable achievement of technological excellence; Enable achievement of higher growth rate, higher productivity and higher job growth; Enable national industries compete globally.
While steering the arduous programme of public sector reforms quite successfully, the Vajpayee government took due care to protect the interest of the employees and due to subsequent improvement of the financial health of the divested companies, the impending loss of employment could get averted. Unfortunately, the coming in of the UPA government put a complete halt to this process and currently the situation is so bad that many government companies are in queue with their financial restructuring demands because of heavy losses. The unlocking of substantial public resources during the Vajpayee regime had visible impact in the field of infrastructure development as well as in the social, health & education sectors which got terribly retarded during the current UPA regime. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the UPA government, comprising pseudo-economists, has reversed the process of ‘Reforms’ in India and to top it all has seriously added to the woes of common man due to ever rising inflation & price rise. The only silver lining now is the coming in of Advani regime which not only can ensure economic/social development but also can prevent the disintegration of the country due to internal & external threats, generated & boosted by the corrupt/weak Manmohan Singh government.
Nehru,s Legacy
Nehru’s Legacy--Numerous Issues out of Non-issues and further compounding to Nation’s jeopardy
The euphoria of attaining independence on the 15th August 1947 blurred the ability of many Indians to visualize the large ‘plethora of problems’ that were being bequeathed to them by the so called architect of India’s freedom & democracy- Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. It is well documented historical fact that the attainment of independence was the fructification of the undaunted efforts made by leaders of all groups/class/creed/caste/community and the masses at large. In this behalf the contribution of ‘Naram Dal’ (Non-violent Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi) was as significant as that of the ‘Garam Dal’ (Direct Action believers led by Subhash Chander Bose) and several others not catagorised as either. It would be a fallacy to draw a clear cut line and place each of the lower rung leaders in one or the other category, because their approach varied from time to time and event to event. However, after the ‘Quit India’ movement in 1942 and the emergence of ‘Azad Hind Fauj’, the colonial rulers had seen the writings on the wall quite clearly and started making visible gestures & postures to finally vacate their unauthorized occupation of the Indian soil enabling attainment of independence. Sensing the air, the prospective leaders of the ‘soil’ started dreaming of occupying the ‘Ruler’s Throne’. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Pt. Nehru had started projecting himself as the PM-in-waiting despite of the fact that Mahatma Gandhi had amply indicated his desire to entrust this onerous responsibility (1st PM of independent India) to Sardar Patel- to whom goes the credit of integrating major part of India by merging 531 erstwhile princely States and thereby reducing the ‘plethora of problems’ for the country. Owing to the threatening postures of Nehru, Mahatma (with strong support of Sardar) finally gave in with a heavy heart and let Nehru fulfill his insatiable ambition of becoming the first Prime Minister of India with the condition that eminent & capable persons (from various other organization) like Dr. Shyama Prashad Mukerjee would also be inducted into the cabinet and that the most sensitive portfolio like Home would be entrusted to Sardar Patel.
Partition: The first and the foremost problem was the acceptance of India’s partition despite Mahatma’s emphatic assertion of ‘Partition over my dead body’. Some sections of the polity believe that the personal ambition of Nehru contributed significantly to this disastrous decision. The post independence history of 60 years would not let anyone believe the pretext that ‘the Partition would eliminate the communal strife’. The facts & figures about the population of each community (Hindus and Muslims) in India and Pakistan establish beyond doubt that the Nehru-Liyaqat Pact- aimed at protecting the minority communities in respective countries- has remained grossly one sided i.e. the Hindu population in Pakistan & Bangladesh has reduced to a couple of Lakhs from 2.40 Crores (at the time of partition) and on the other hand the Muslim population in India has increased to more than 15 Crores from 3 crores (at the time of partition)-more than 5 times as compared to less than 3 times increase in the total population of India. In this context, it needs to be remembered that Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee quit as Minister (for Industries) from the Nehru cabinet on the issue of large scale massacre (accompanied with forced migration) of Hindus in the then East Pakistan. To compound the issue further, Nehru did not pay any heed to very practical & concrete suggestions of Dr.Mukerjee and instead wasted his energy in dubbing the ‘Sincere efforts of RSS/Bhartiya Jan Sangh to strengthen the foundations of Indian Nationalism & National Character’ as communal—a charge emanating more out of jealousy & ‘threat perception to his hegemony’ from the towering personalities of leaders like Dr.Mukerjee and Shri Guruji (M.S.Golwaker).
Kashmir Issue: That partition was a serious blunder proved soon with the Pakistani intrusion into Kashmir with colossal violation of not only the ‘Treaties & Agreements’ but most seriously the ‘Human Rights’. Despite having caught unaware, the Indian Armed Forces countered the attack and prevented total capture of Kashmir valley but one third Kashmir got forcibly occupied by the Pakistanis and later named as ‘Azad Kashmir’. The first seeds of ‘Appeasement Policy’ in independent India were sown by Nehru when he became soft on our legitimate claims over the so called ‘Azad Kashmir’, unauthorizedly occupied by Pakistan. The matter was further compounded by referring this issue to the UN- an act solely attributable to Nehru (through his Radio Speech), much against the advice/wish of the national polity duly & emphatically projected by Sardar Patel. Further complications of this issue occurred due to incorporation of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution, granting special status (purely as a temporary measure) to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a well documented fact that this was done at the personal insistence of Nehru, though Gopalaswamy Aiyyangar and Sardar Patel amongst several others strongly opposed it. The great visionary & real nationalist, Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee not only protested against this ‘disintegrative approach’ but ultimately sacrificed his life (intriguingly arrested on entering J&K and thereafter mysteriously dying in custody) to undo: ‘requirement of entry permit’; ‘institution of PM instead of CM in the State of J&K’; ‘Separate Flag instead of National Flag in the State of J&K’: thereby fulfilling his 3/4th promise to the people of India as expressed in his slogan—‘Ek Desh mein do vidhan (Art.370 and Permit requirement), do Pradhan, do Nishan, Nahin Chalega Nahin Chalega’. Except Art.370 all the rest were fulfilled immediately after his martyrdom. Nehru did not pay any heed to the well founded warning about the questionable national loyalties of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulla which later proved true and Abdulla had to be put behind the bar for anti-nationalism. That Nehru did not let an inquiry to be held in the custodial death of Dr.Mukerjee, was against the norms of justice & fairplay and the reasons for this omission were best known to him only. How big & monstrous was this blunder can be aptly gauged from the current happenings: withdrawal of a legal order alloting a miniscule piece of land, for management by the Amarnath Shrine Board, to facilitate the ‘Yatra’ (by Hindus) in a country inhabited by 82% Hindus where a ‘Huj Terminal’ facility and the ‘Huj House’ stand especially created in the country to facilitate the ‘Huj Yatra’ (by Muslims); open display of anti-national loyalties by the protesters in Srinagar with Pakistani Flag in their hands which has been clearly telecast by the national and the international TV Channels; undertaking of the ‘Muzaferabad march’ by the protesters in Srinagar; massacre of Hindus in Kashmir and creation of a dreadful atmosphere forcing the Kashmiri Pandit to flee and become refugees outside J&K; repeated ‘terrorist strikes’ killing several innocents and the army/police personnel; repeated incursions by Pakistan (though getting humiliated defeats every time) into J&K with the nefarious design of laying unlawful & unfounded claims over Kashmir.
Corruption: Social & Cultural organizations contribute more in building the moral fiber of a society as they act the guides & trend setters of the political parties. RSS is one such organization in our country which has established its credentials as an apolitical body sincerely devoted to the cause of building ‘national character’ and strengthening ‘nationalism’. Unfortunately, Nehru motivated purely on the basis of his personal hatred, started the vilification campaign against RSS and falsely attributed the murder of Mahatma Gandhi to this pious organization (despite strong disagreement of Sardar), and banned it, putting august persons of Shri Guruji’s stature in jail. RSS got more than vindicated when later on the flimsy excuse of ‘not having a written constitution’ was stated by the Nehru Govt. as the reason for their unlawful action against this organisation. The propaganda (branding RSS as communal & anti-national) perpetrated through both the Congress party-mechanism as well as the Govt.-machinery was made mischievously so aggressive that people got wrongly swept by it to the extent of completely clouding the truth and the realty of the ground situation. In the garb of this propaganda, the corruption spreaded in the country a mushroom-like manner, from top to bottom. Nehru shielded the corrupt despite clear-cut indictments by the successive ‘Enquiry Commissions’, thereby totally destroying the moral fiber of the Indian Polity. The ‘license-permit raj’ aggravated the corruption problem to extremely serious proportions reaching its culminations in ‘JMM Bribery case’ and the‘Cash for Votes’-like happenings, incidentally both occurring under the Congress-led regimes.
Unemployment & Poverty: Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation, had through and through propagated the idea of ‘Little Indian Republics’, thereby meaning that the each of the Indian Villages shall be developed in ‘Swadeshi’ manner to turn them into ‘Self-reliant’ entities vis-à-vis the mega models of Westernisation which are antithetical to the Indian traditions & ethos. Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee, as the Industry Minister of the first Indian Cabinet of free India, always insisted on promotion of ‘Cottage & Small’ industries (except for Railways and Fertilisers) to generate maximum employment opportunities and also remain within our financial resources (keeping external debt burden the least), but Nehru had personal fancy for ‘Westernisation’ and the Heavy Industries which proved disastrous for the nation resulting in colossal unemployment and heavy indebtedness. By completely ignoring the sane advice of Dr.Mukerjee and others the problem of unemployment and the connected problem of poverty got compounded seriously.
Lower Priority to Agriculture: At the time of attaining independence, 70% of the population in India depended on Agriculture for their livelihood and further, the country was deficient in food production for meeting the national requirement, forcing dependence on imports. Such a situation called for top priority to Agriculture in our National Plans & Policy. Unfortunately, Nehru getting blindly swayed & enamored by the ‘Western Model’ kept Agriculture at lower ebb and went full throttled after Heavy & Large Industry which ultimately (prior to ‘Green Revolution’) brought the country to the brink of starvation and the total dependence on PL 480-a string-attached food grains-aid programme of USA. It is well known that the policy initiatives bear fruits in due course of time and since the agricultural policies & plans initiated by Nehru were faulty, the country had to ultimately witness farmer’s suicides in large number, which is nothing less than ‘national shame’.
Miscellaneous: The problems like ‘Price Rise’, ‘Inflation’, ‘Internal security’ and ‘External Security’ were significantly seeded during the early post-independence period due to the wrong/faulty policy/planning initiatives. There was no perspective of financial prudence despite consistent rise of inflation, remaining mostly in double digits. There was colossal looseness in exercising control over ‘hoarding & black marketing’ which resulted in terrible and continuous price rise. Policy of ‘appeasement & vote-bank politics’ was followed so blindly & thoughtlessly that instead of putting the minorities in the main national stream it resulted in emergence of terrorism in every nook & corner of the country. The euphoria created by the slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai’ made Nehru completely oblivious to the repeated warnings (which proved prophetic) loudly & clearly aired by Shri Guruji and Dr.Mukerjee against the ill designs of China, resulting in loss of strategic territories much to the detriment of India.
Will there ever be an objective & nationalistic analysis of the entire gamut of issues to let the national polity see the truth and not get carried by the unfounded propaganda.
The euphoria of attaining independence on the 15th August 1947 blurred the ability of many Indians to visualize the large ‘plethora of problems’ that were being bequeathed to them by the so called architect of India’s freedom & democracy- Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. It is well documented historical fact that the attainment of independence was the fructification of the undaunted efforts made by leaders of all groups/class/creed/caste/community and the masses at large. In this behalf the contribution of ‘Naram Dal’ (Non-violent Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi) was as significant as that of the ‘Garam Dal’ (Direct Action believers led by Subhash Chander Bose) and several others not catagorised as either. It would be a fallacy to draw a clear cut line and place each of the lower rung leaders in one or the other category, because their approach varied from time to time and event to event. However, after the ‘Quit India’ movement in 1942 and the emergence of ‘Azad Hind Fauj’, the colonial rulers had seen the writings on the wall quite clearly and started making visible gestures & postures to finally vacate their unauthorized occupation of the Indian soil enabling attainment of independence. Sensing the air, the prospective leaders of the ‘soil’ started dreaming of occupying the ‘Ruler’s Throne’. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Pt. Nehru had started projecting himself as the PM-in-waiting despite of the fact that Mahatma Gandhi had amply indicated his desire to entrust this onerous responsibility (1st PM of independent India) to Sardar Patel- to whom goes the credit of integrating major part of India by merging 531 erstwhile princely States and thereby reducing the ‘plethora of problems’ for the country. Owing to the threatening postures of Nehru, Mahatma (with strong support of Sardar) finally gave in with a heavy heart and let Nehru fulfill his insatiable ambition of becoming the first Prime Minister of India with the condition that eminent & capable persons (from various other organization) like Dr. Shyama Prashad Mukerjee would also be inducted into the cabinet and that the most sensitive portfolio like Home would be entrusted to Sardar Patel.
Partition: The first and the foremost problem was the acceptance of India’s partition despite Mahatma’s emphatic assertion of ‘Partition over my dead body’. Some sections of the polity believe that the personal ambition of Nehru contributed significantly to this disastrous decision. The post independence history of 60 years would not let anyone believe the pretext that ‘the Partition would eliminate the communal strife’. The facts & figures about the population of each community (Hindus and Muslims) in India and Pakistan establish beyond doubt that the Nehru-Liyaqat Pact- aimed at protecting the minority communities in respective countries- has remained grossly one sided i.e. the Hindu population in Pakistan & Bangladesh has reduced to a couple of Lakhs from 2.40 Crores (at the time of partition) and on the other hand the Muslim population in India has increased to more than 15 Crores from 3 crores (at the time of partition)-more than 5 times as compared to less than 3 times increase in the total population of India. In this context, it needs to be remembered that Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee quit as Minister (for Industries) from the Nehru cabinet on the issue of large scale massacre (accompanied with forced migration) of Hindus in the then East Pakistan. To compound the issue further, Nehru did not pay any heed to very practical & concrete suggestions of Dr.Mukerjee and instead wasted his energy in dubbing the ‘Sincere efforts of RSS/Bhartiya Jan Sangh to strengthen the foundations of Indian Nationalism & National Character’ as communal—a charge emanating more out of jealousy & ‘threat perception to his hegemony’ from the towering personalities of leaders like Dr.Mukerjee and Shri Guruji (M.S.Golwaker).
Kashmir Issue: That partition was a serious blunder proved soon with the Pakistani intrusion into Kashmir with colossal violation of not only the ‘Treaties & Agreements’ but most seriously the ‘Human Rights’. Despite having caught unaware, the Indian Armed Forces countered the attack and prevented total capture of Kashmir valley but one third Kashmir got forcibly occupied by the Pakistanis and later named as ‘Azad Kashmir’. The first seeds of ‘Appeasement Policy’ in independent India were sown by Nehru when he became soft on our legitimate claims over the so called ‘Azad Kashmir’, unauthorizedly occupied by Pakistan. The matter was further compounded by referring this issue to the UN- an act solely attributable to Nehru (through his Radio Speech), much against the advice/wish of the national polity duly & emphatically projected by Sardar Patel. Further complications of this issue occurred due to incorporation of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution, granting special status (purely as a temporary measure) to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a well documented fact that this was done at the personal insistence of Nehru, though Gopalaswamy Aiyyangar and Sardar Patel amongst several others strongly opposed it. The great visionary & real nationalist, Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee not only protested against this ‘disintegrative approach’ but ultimately sacrificed his life (intriguingly arrested on entering J&K and thereafter mysteriously dying in custody) to undo: ‘requirement of entry permit’; ‘institution of PM instead of CM in the State of J&K’; ‘Separate Flag instead of National Flag in the State of J&K’: thereby fulfilling his 3/4th promise to the people of India as expressed in his slogan—‘Ek Desh mein do vidhan (Art.370 and Permit requirement), do Pradhan, do Nishan, Nahin Chalega Nahin Chalega’. Except Art.370 all the rest were fulfilled immediately after his martyrdom. Nehru did not pay any heed to the well founded warning about the questionable national loyalties of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulla which later proved true and Abdulla had to be put behind the bar for anti-nationalism. That Nehru did not let an inquiry to be held in the custodial death of Dr.Mukerjee, was against the norms of justice & fairplay and the reasons for this omission were best known to him only. How big & monstrous was this blunder can be aptly gauged from the current happenings: withdrawal of a legal order alloting a miniscule piece of land, for management by the Amarnath Shrine Board, to facilitate the ‘Yatra’ (by Hindus) in a country inhabited by 82% Hindus where a ‘Huj Terminal’ facility and the ‘Huj House’ stand especially created in the country to facilitate the ‘Huj Yatra’ (by Muslims); open display of anti-national loyalties by the protesters in Srinagar with Pakistani Flag in their hands which has been clearly telecast by the national and the international TV Channels; undertaking of the ‘Muzaferabad march’ by the protesters in Srinagar; massacre of Hindus in Kashmir and creation of a dreadful atmosphere forcing the Kashmiri Pandit to flee and become refugees outside J&K; repeated ‘terrorist strikes’ killing several innocents and the army/police personnel; repeated incursions by Pakistan (though getting humiliated defeats every time) into J&K with the nefarious design of laying unlawful & unfounded claims over Kashmir.
Corruption: Social & Cultural organizations contribute more in building the moral fiber of a society as they act the guides & trend setters of the political parties. RSS is one such organization in our country which has established its credentials as an apolitical body sincerely devoted to the cause of building ‘national character’ and strengthening ‘nationalism’. Unfortunately, Nehru motivated purely on the basis of his personal hatred, started the vilification campaign against RSS and falsely attributed the murder of Mahatma Gandhi to this pious organization (despite strong disagreement of Sardar), and banned it, putting august persons of Shri Guruji’s stature in jail. RSS got more than vindicated when later on the flimsy excuse of ‘not having a written constitution’ was stated by the Nehru Govt. as the reason for their unlawful action against this organisation. The propaganda (branding RSS as communal & anti-national) perpetrated through both the Congress party-mechanism as well as the Govt.-machinery was made mischievously so aggressive that people got wrongly swept by it to the extent of completely clouding the truth and the realty of the ground situation. In the garb of this propaganda, the corruption spreaded in the country a mushroom-like manner, from top to bottom. Nehru shielded the corrupt despite clear-cut indictments by the successive ‘Enquiry Commissions’, thereby totally destroying the moral fiber of the Indian Polity. The ‘license-permit raj’ aggravated the corruption problem to extremely serious proportions reaching its culminations in ‘JMM Bribery case’ and the‘Cash for Votes’-like happenings, incidentally both occurring under the Congress-led regimes.
Unemployment & Poverty: Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation, had through and through propagated the idea of ‘Little Indian Republics’, thereby meaning that the each of the Indian Villages shall be developed in ‘Swadeshi’ manner to turn them into ‘Self-reliant’ entities vis-à-vis the mega models of Westernisation which are antithetical to the Indian traditions & ethos. Dr.Shyama Prashad Mukerjee, as the Industry Minister of the first Indian Cabinet of free India, always insisted on promotion of ‘Cottage & Small’ industries (except for Railways and Fertilisers) to generate maximum employment opportunities and also remain within our financial resources (keeping external debt burden the least), but Nehru had personal fancy for ‘Westernisation’ and the Heavy Industries which proved disastrous for the nation resulting in colossal unemployment and heavy indebtedness. By completely ignoring the sane advice of Dr.Mukerjee and others the problem of unemployment and the connected problem of poverty got compounded seriously.
Lower Priority to Agriculture: At the time of attaining independence, 70% of the population in India depended on Agriculture for their livelihood and further, the country was deficient in food production for meeting the national requirement, forcing dependence on imports. Such a situation called for top priority to Agriculture in our National Plans & Policy. Unfortunately, Nehru getting blindly swayed & enamored by the ‘Western Model’ kept Agriculture at lower ebb and went full throttled after Heavy & Large Industry which ultimately (prior to ‘Green Revolution’) brought the country to the brink of starvation and the total dependence on PL 480-a string-attached food grains-aid programme of USA. It is well known that the policy initiatives bear fruits in due course of time and since the agricultural policies & plans initiated by Nehru were faulty, the country had to ultimately witness farmer’s suicides in large number, which is nothing less than ‘national shame’.
Miscellaneous: The problems like ‘Price Rise’, ‘Inflation’, ‘Internal security’ and ‘External Security’ were significantly seeded during the early post-independence period due to the wrong/faulty policy/planning initiatives. There was no perspective of financial prudence despite consistent rise of inflation, remaining mostly in double digits. There was colossal looseness in exercising control over ‘hoarding & black marketing’ which resulted in terrible and continuous price rise. Policy of ‘appeasement & vote-bank politics’ was followed so blindly & thoughtlessly that instead of putting the minorities in the main national stream it resulted in emergence of terrorism in every nook & corner of the country. The euphoria created by the slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai’ made Nehru completely oblivious to the repeated warnings (which proved prophetic) loudly & clearly aired by Shri Guruji and Dr.Mukerjee against the ill designs of China, resulting in loss of strategic territories much to the detriment of India.
Will there ever be an objective & nationalistic analysis of the entire gamut of issues to let the national polity see the truth and not get carried by the unfounded propaganda.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Secularism- Origin & Meaning
It is a well documented fact that the word ‘Secularism’ has been coined by a British writer, namely, George Holyoake (1817-1906). The British writer first used this term in 1846 to promote a social order separate from religion, without actively dismissing or criticising religious belief. Nineteenth century British/European history is well known for liberation of State/Society from the undue dominance of Church or in other words this century was the ‘Age of Enlightenment’. It was in this context that the term ‘Secularism’ was coined. George Holyoake’s 1896 publication English Secularism defines secularism as:
Secularism is a code of duty pertaining to this life, founded on considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who find theology indefinite or inadequate, unreliable or unbelievable. Its essential principles are three: (1) The improvement of this life by material means. (2) That science is the available Providence of man. (3) That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good.
As explained in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the term connotes;…‘that certain practices or institutions should exist separately from religion or religious belief’; ‘…it asserts the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and freedom from government imposition of religion upon the people, within a State that is neutral on matters of belief, and gives no State privileges or subsidies to religions’; ‘…it refers to a belief that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be based on evidence and fact rather than religious influence’; ‘…in European laicism, it has been argued that secularism is a movement towards modernization, and away from traditional religious values’; ‘…in United States, some argue that state secularism has served to a greater extent to protect religion from governmental interference, while secularism on a social scale is less prevalent’; ‘…within countries as well, differing political movements support secularism for varying reasons’; ‘…in political terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of religion and government’; ‘…secularism can also be the social ideology in which religion and supernatural beliefs are not seen as the key to understanding the world and are instead segregated from matters of governance and reasoning…and in this sense, secularism can be involved in the promotion of science, reason, and naturalistic thinking’.
It is thus evident that the true meaning of the term ‘Secularism’ is more of philosophical & sociological nature rather than political. The pseudo-secularists, with calculated designs, have deliberately given this term a communal blend for bane political considerations by wrongly coining the Hindi-version of this term as ‘Dharamnirpeksh’. It has been done on the premise that the term ‘secular’ emanates from ‘Dharma’. That this premise is totally unfounded would be quite evident from the following points:
1) ‘Dharma’ connotes the ethical, moral and spiritual values;
2) The Hindi version of the Constitutional Amendment Act (by which the term ‘secular’ was incorporated) mentions ‘Panthnirpeksh’ for the term ‘secular’;
3) Our Vedic & Epics literature from where the term ‘Dharma’ originated in no way indicates only religious (certainly not communal) connotation of this term;
4) The following quotes from the Lectures of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on ‘Integral Humanism’ amply clarifies the real connotation of the term ‘Dharma’ and also discerns it from the term ‘Religion’:
a) “In Bharat the Principles of Ethics are termed as Dharma-The Laws of Life”;
b) “The Principles of Ethics are not framed by any one, these are rather discovered”;
c) “The English word Religion is not the correct word for Dharma”;
d) “When nature is channeled according to the principles of Dharma, we have culture & civilization”;
e) “Religion means a creed or a sect and it does not mean Dharma”;
f) “Dharma is very wide concept which concerns all aspects of life sustaining society”;
g) “The fundamental principles of Dharma are eternal and universal. However, their implementation may differ according to time, place and circumstances”;
h) “The nearest equivalent of Dharma can be ‘Innate Law’, though even that does not express the full meaning of Dharma. Since Dharma is supreme, our ideal of the State has been ‘Dharma Rajya’”.
In this backdrop, let us look at the approach being adopted by various political parties in India in the context of ‘Secularism’:
Congress/Leftists/Other Pseudo-secularists:
Ø Malicious propaganda to wrongly project ‘Secularism’ as ‘Dharmnirpeksh’;
Ø Appeasement of particular religious groups purely with the objective of ‘vote bank’ politics rather than their real well wishers;
Ø Wrong projection as being protector of the Minorities, whereas the historical realty points to the contrary- numerous communal riots triggered during their regime, the most notable being the anti-Sikh riots of 1984;
Ø Questioning the very fundamentals of Hindu religion by countering the well established facts about the existence of Ram & Ramayana;
Ø Maliciously branding the political opponents as ‘communal’ on the mere force of a false & baseless propaganda, deliberately launched immediately after attaining independence in 1947 with the sinister objective of perpetuating single party/family rule in the country under the garb of democracy;
Ø Misinterpreting the ideals/ideology/philosophy of the opposite political parties, especially the BJP, through unfounded propaganda so that people remain in dark not only about the real approach of BJP but also about their true protectors.
Bhartiya Janata Party:
Ø The philosophy of the Party-Integral Humanism- has been spelt out in the four lectures delivered by Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and the main features are evident from the excerpts 4(a) to (h) above and the following additional excerpts:
i) “Here in Bharat, we have placed before ourselves the ideal of four fold responsibilities of catering to the needs of Body, Mind, Intellect with a view to achieve the integrated progress of Man”;
j) “The longings for Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (the four kind of human effort) are inborn in man and satisfaction of these in an integrated way is the essence of Bhartiya Culture”;
k) “Unity in diversity and the expression of unity in various forms has remained the thought of Bhartiya Culture”
l) “A Nation is a group of persons who live with ‘A Goal’, ‘An Ideal’, ‘A Mission’ and look upon a particular piece of land as the Motherland. If either of the two-The Ideal and The Motherland-is missing, then there is no Nation”;
Ø The following excerpts (the Oath) from the Party’s Membership Form clearly spell the Approach of BJP:
A. “I believe in Integral Humanism which is the basic philosophy of the Bhartiya Janata Party”;
B. “I am committed to Nationalism and National Integration, Democracy, ‘Gandhian approach to socio-economic issues leading to the establishment of an egalitarian society free from exploitation’, Positive Secularism (Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava) and value-based politics”;
C. “I subscribe to the concept of a Secular State and Nation not based on religion”.
From the above exposition, is it not logical to conclude that Bhartiya Janata Party is secular in the true sense of the term and projects the actual meaning of the term ‘Secularism’ as coined by the original author and as evolved historically?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
11-Point Poser to UPA Govt.
UPA Govt. owes explanation to the Nation and the Indian Polity on the following Points
1. Downgradation of the office of Prime Minister and creation of 'Extra-Constitutional' (Unconstitutional) Centre of power/authority caused colossal deviation from the 'Rule of Law' & consequential misgovernance during the UPA rule;
2. Spiraling price rise (a distinct feature of UPA rule) has caused terrible miseries to the people but nothing worthwhile could be done except hollow assurances;
3. Suffering of farmers goes unabated and the mirage/illusory sop of debt waiver announced more with the objective of a vote-bank trick and an eye-wash has rather added to the agony of farmers due to imminent disillusionment;
4. Failure to keep up the great national pride achieved due to Pokhran II (during NDA regime) and compromising national interests by attempting to enter into the 'Nuclear Treaty' with USA not only resulted in humiliation but also exposed readiness of Congress Party to make India subservient to 'Foreign Power';
5. Dilution of Anti-Terror Law and deferment of execution of the convict in 'Parliament Terrorist Attack' has not only boosted the terrorist activities/attack/morale but has exposed UPA's scant concern for the life of innocent Indians as well as for those who sacrificed their lives in fighting against the militants;
6. Failure of UPA to maintain the tempo of building friendly bilateral relations (without compromising national pride) with various countries (particularly the immediate neighbours) so well created during NDA regime, resulted in such a chaotic situation that China could dare to threaten the sovereignty of our country by laying unfounded claim over parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim;
7. Seriously compromising the very fundamentals of Hinduism as enshrined in our great epic, the Ramayana, by filing a malicious affidavit in the court in Ramsetu case, which not only hurt the sentiments of 80% Indians but also exposed the evil designs of the Congress Party (and their other pseudo-secularist allies in UPA) to shake the foundations of beliefs on which rest the hope/vision of ultimately establishing Ram Rajya/Dharma Rajya so much envisioned by the Father of Nation and the other great Indian Visionaries;
8. Slowing down the process of infrastructure development in respect of National Highways, Airports, Water management which remained one of the major hallmarks during the NDA regime;
9. Completely shelving the process of 'Reforms' which was so well undertaken during NDA regime, and thereby putting the country in retrograde mode in governance as well as in development arena;
10. Failure to provide 33% reservation for women and merely indulging in an eye-wash drama as a vote bank trick has exposed the Congress Party and the sincere attempts made by the BJP have been brought to naught on a significant issue;
11. Dividing the polity by attempting to make reservation on the basis of religion and thereby exposing the appeasement trickery of the Congress Party and their Pseudo-secularist allies, particularly the Leftists.
1. Downgradation of the office of Prime Minister and creation of 'Extra-Constitutional' (Unconstitutional) Centre of power/authority caused colossal deviation from the 'Rule of Law' & consequential misgovernance during the UPA rule;
2. Spiraling price rise (a distinct feature of UPA rule) has caused terrible miseries to the people but nothing worthwhile could be done except hollow assurances;
3. Suffering of farmers goes unabated and the mirage/illusory sop of debt waiver announced more with the objective of a vote-bank trick and an eye-wash has rather added to the agony of farmers due to imminent disillusionment;
4. Failure to keep up the great national pride achieved due to Pokhran II (during NDA regime) and compromising national interests by attempting to enter into the 'Nuclear Treaty' with USA not only resulted in humiliation but also exposed readiness of Congress Party to make India subservient to 'Foreign Power';
5. Dilution of Anti-Terror Law and deferment of execution of the convict in 'Parliament Terrorist Attack' has not only boosted the terrorist activities/attack/morale but has exposed UPA's scant concern for the life of innocent Indians as well as for those who sacrificed their lives in fighting against the militants;
6. Failure of UPA to maintain the tempo of building friendly bilateral relations (without compromising national pride) with various countries (particularly the immediate neighbours) so well created during NDA regime, resulted in such a chaotic situation that China could dare to threaten the sovereignty of our country by laying unfounded claim over parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim;
7. Seriously compromising the very fundamentals of Hinduism as enshrined in our great epic, the Ramayana, by filing a malicious affidavit in the court in Ramsetu case, which not only hurt the sentiments of 80% Indians but also exposed the evil designs of the Congress Party (and their other pseudo-secularist allies in UPA) to shake the foundations of beliefs on which rest the hope/vision of ultimately establishing Ram Rajya/Dharma Rajya so much envisioned by the Father of Nation and the other great Indian Visionaries;
8. Slowing down the process of infrastructure development in respect of National Highways, Airports, Water management which remained one of the major hallmarks during the NDA regime;
9. Completely shelving the process of 'Reforms' which was so well undertaken during NDA regime, and thereby putting the country in retrograde mode in governance as well as in development arena;
10. Failure to provide 33% reservation for women and merely indulging in an eye-wash drama as a vote bank trick has exposed the Congress Party and the sincere attempts made by the BJP have been brought to naught on a significant issue;
11. Dividing the polity by attempting to make reservation on the basis of religion and thereby exposing the appeasement trickery of the Congress Party and their Pseudo-secularist allies, particularly the Leftists.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Agenda for governance in any Indian State
IDEAL AGENDA FOR GOVERNANCE IN AN INDIAN STATE
Broadly speaking, there are mainly four fundamental issues which need be kept in view for purposes of formulating the agenda for governance, in the present context, in any of the States of Indian Union. These are: the Good Governance; the Development; the Reforms (Administrative, Economic, Social & Cultural), and; the Resource Mobilisation.
1. Good Governance:- The important elements of good governance are: a) Performance & Merit based Work Culture; b) Transparency/Openness/ Public Accessibility ; c) Objectivity & Judiciousness in enforcement of Laws/Rules/Regulations/ Procedures; e) Effectiveness & Efficiency; f) Public Grievances Redressal Mechanism; g) Accountability, and; h) Mechanism for Monitoring & Evaluation.
2. Development:- Main areas for development are: a) Strengthening (vocational oriented) Educational Infrastructure; b) Strengthening Health Infrastructure; c) Strengthening Drinking Water/Irrigation Infrastructure; d) Strengthening Transport (Roads, Rails, Aviation and Waterways) Infrastructure; e) Improvement of Civic Amenities; f) Promoting Renewable Energy Sources (Solar/Wind); g) Strengthening Agro-processing Infrastructure, and; h) Requisite Interventions to resolve Man-Animal Conflicts.
3. Reforms:- The issues for reforms generally overlap the elements of good governance, especially in the area of administrative reforms, as would be clearly evident from the following:
A. Administrative Reforms
a) Simplification of Procedures
b) Reviewing Rules
c) Transparency Mechanism (Computerisation/e-governance)
d) Accountability Mechanism (Well defined responsibility & authority)
e) Effective Monitoring & Evaluation Mechanism (3-tier structure, having Implementation, Supervision and Direction levels with scrupulous Reporting System, periodical Review System and quick Corrective System in place)
f) Delegation & Decentralisation (Institutional-Panchayati Raj- Individual levels)
g) Strengthening Reliable Data Base
h) System of Rewards (for Merit & Performance) and Penalty (for Non-Performers & the Delinquents)
B. Social & Cultural Reforms
a) Elimination of Untouchability (through Education, Extension and Opinion Building
b) Elimination of Malnutrition (Diet education, promoting Ethnic Foods)
c) Elimination of Child Marriage Practice (through Education & Extension)
d) Promoting Family Welfare (Incentive for Small Family & Girl Child)
e) Strengthening Family Institution & Values (through Education & Extension)
f) Promoting Local Culture & Heritage
g) Promoting Local Art, Craft, Folklores and Folksongs
h) Promoting Hygiene & Cleanliness (Personal, Familial and Habitational) (through a 3-pronged approach of providing Governmental Support, Local-specific Incentives and the NGO Initiative)
C. Economic Reforms
a) Promoting Food Processing Industries
b) Sustainable Exploitation of Minerals
c) Tapping Hydle Power Potential
d) Promoting Herbal-based Industries
e) Promoting Eco-Tourism (Improving Infrastructure)
f) Promoting Land productivity, Appropriate Cropping, proper Agro-Horticultural Practices and Agro-waste utilization to get optimum return from Farm-based activities
g) Improving the working of Public Sector Companies to make them Revenue-Yielding rather than Revenue-Eating
h) Rationalising Governmental Expenditure
4. Resource Mobilisation:- The major areas of attention in this regard are as under:
a) Strict Tax Compliance:- The current level of Revenue on account of Sales/Excise Tax can be increased by eliminating leakages through strict supervision/IT application/simplifying collection mode/prohibitive penality imposition;
b) Hydle Power Sales:- The immense potential of hydle power generation needs to be exploited at the earliest to substantially enhance the revenue;
c) Levying Green Cess(more relevant for hilly States):- Imposition of a nominal ‘Green Cess’ on the Industrial Units in the State would not cause any pinch while the total annual collection could enhance substantially;
d) Complying with the provisions of FRBM Act:- Containing the State Financial Deficit within the limits prescribed under the Central Financial Responsibility & Budget Management Act would get enhanced central grants quite significantly;
e) Power Sector Reforms:- Complying with the Central Govt. directions regarding Power sector reforms would enable the State Govt. get additional financial grants;
f) Small sized Projects under Central Sector Schemes:- There is tremendous scope to seek funding under Central Sector Schemes being controlled by various central Ministries by posing small sized project proposals to get additional allocations;
g) Food Processing Industries:- The criticality of this activity is not only from the point of view of improving the value addition & preventing wastages but it will also enable the State Govt. in realizing several crores by way of taxes/cess;
h) Herbal based Industries:- Development of herbal based industries would not only enable exploitation of the tremendous potential lying dormant in the State but will get substantial revenue to the exchequer;
i) Reducing Unproductive Expenditure:- Economic Reforms/Public Sector Reforms/Administrative Reforms/ Rationalisation measures would result in substantial savings to the State exchequer.
Broadly speaking, there are mainly four fundamental issues which need be kept in view for purposes of formulating the agenda for governance, in the present context, in any of the States of Indian Union. These are: the Good Governance; the Development; the Reforms (Administrative, Economic, Social & Cultural), and; the Resource Mobilisation.
1. Good Governance:- The important elements of good governance are: a) Performance & Merit based Work Culture; b) Transparency/Openness/ Public Accessibility ; c) Objectivity & Judiciousness in enforcement of Laws/Rules/Regulations/ Procedures; e) Effectiveness & Efficiency; f) Public Grievances Redressal Mechanism; g) Accountability, and; h) Mechanism for Monitoring & Evaluation.
2. Development:- Main areas for development are: a) Strengthening (vocational oriented) Educational Infrastructure; b) Strengthening Health Infrastructure; c) Strengthening Drinking Water/Irrigation Infrastructure; d) Strengthening Transport (Roads, Rails, Aviation and Waterways) Infrastructure; e) Improvement of Civic Amenities; f) Promoting Renewable Energy Sources (Solar/Wind); g) Strengthening Agro-processing Infrastructure, and; h) Requisite Interventions to resolve Man-Animal Conflicts.
3. Reforms:- The issues for reforms generally overlap the elements of good governance, especially in the area of administrative reforms, as would be clearly evident from the following:
A. Administrative Reforms
a) Simplification of Procedures
b) Reviewing Rules
c) Transparency Mechanism (Computerisation/e-governance)
d) Accountability Mechanism (Well defined responsibility & authority)
e) Effective Monitoring & Evaluation Mechanism (3-tier structure, having Implementation, Supervision and Direction levels with scrupulous Reporting System, periodical Review System and quick Corrective System in place)
f) Delegation & Decentralisation (Institutional-Panchayati Raj- Individual levels)
g) Strengthening Reliable Data Base
h) System of Rewards (for Merit & Performance) and Penalty (for Non-Performers & the Delinquents)
B. Social & Cultural Reforms
a) Elimination of Untouchability (through Education, Extension and Opinion Building
b) Elimination of Malnutrition (Diet education, promoting Ethnic Foods)
c) Elimination of Child Marriage Practice (through Education & Extension)
d) Promoting Family Welfare (Incentive for Small Family & Girl Child)
e) Strengthening Family Institution & Values (through Education & Extension)
f) Promoting Local Culture & Heritage
g) Promoting Local Art, Craft, Folklores and Folksongs
h) Promoting Hygiene & Cleanliness (Personal, Familial and Habitational) (through a 3-pronged approach of providing Governmental Support, Local-specific Incentives and the NGO Initiative)
C. Economic Reforms
a) Promoting Food Processing Industries
b) Sustainable Exploitation of Minerals
c) Tapping Hydle Power Potential
d) Promoting Herbal-based Industries
e) Promoting Eco-Tourism (Improving Infrastructure)
f) Promoting Land productivity, Appropriate Cropping, proper Agro-Horticultural Practices and Agro-waste utilization to get optimum return from Farm-based activities
g) Improving the working of Public Sector Companies to make them Revenue-Yielding rather than Revenue-Eating
h) Rationalising Governmental Expenditure
4. Resource Mobilisation:- The major areas of attention in this regard are as under:
a) Strict Tax Compliance:- The current level of Revenue on account of Sales/Excise Tax can be increased by eliminating leakages through strict supervision/IT application/simplifying collection mode/prohibitive penality imposition;
b) Hydle Power Sales:- The immense potential of hydle power generation needs to be exploited at the earliest to substantially enhance the revenue;
c) Levying Green Cess(more relevant for hilly States):- Imposition of a nominal ‘Green Cess’ on the Industrial Units in the State would not cause any pinch while the total annual collection could enhance substantially;
d) Complying with the provisions of FRBM Act:- Containing the State Financial Deficit within the limits prescribed under the Central Financial Responsibility & Budget Management Act would get enhanced central grants quite significantly;
e) Power Sector Reforms:- Complying with the Central Govt. directions regarding Power sector reforms would enable the State Govt. get additional financial grants;
f) Small sized Projects under Central Sector Schemes:- There is tremendous scope to seek funding under Central Sector Schemes being controlled by various central Ministries by posing small sized project proposals to get additional allocations;
g) Food Processing Industries:- The criticality of this activity is not only from the point of view of improving the value addition & preventing wastages but it will also enable the State Govt. in realizing several crores by way of taxes/cess;
h) Herbal based Industries:- Development of herbal based industries would not only enable exploitation of the tremendous potential lying dormant in the State but will get substantial revenue to the exchequer;
i) Reducing Unproductive Expenditure:- Economic Reforms/Public Sector Reforms/Administrative Reforms/ Rationalisation measures would result in substantial savings to the State exchequer.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tribal Issues-II
IMPORTANT STEPS TO ENSURE TRIBAL WELFARE EFFECTIVELY
A.Fund Flow
i) Mechanism for direct flow of funds to field formations (instead of the prevailing system through State Hqrs.) ;
ii) To link release of Plan funds with earmarking requisite 8% to TSP (in proportion to ST population of the country);
iii) Funds allotted under TSP to be treated as non-lapsable on the lines of grants- in-aid under SCA to TSP and Article 275(I) of the Constitution;
iv) Funds under SCA to TSP to be treated as non-divertible to areas/activities not connected with tribal development;
v) Grants for PTG to be released early to allow maximum period for implementation and assessment of performance/results.
B. Health Sector
(i) Relaxation of norms for setting up of Sub-Centers (2400 instead of 3000), PHCs ( 13,500 instead of 20,000) and CHC (55,000 instead of 80,000).
(ii) A Health Guide in each Village;
(iii) A Trained Birth Attendant in each Village;
(iv) Good accommodation and other incentives to doctors and para- medical staff in tribal areas;
(v) Awareness about Family Planning Programmes and Communicable Diseases;
(vi) Priority to local ST boys & girls in appointment as Health Workers;
(vii) All CHCs to have Operation Theatres;
(viii) Provide one Ambulance Vehicle in each CHC;
(ix) Mandatory for each tribal doctor to serve initially in tribal area for a minimum period of 3 years;
(x) Concessions / weightage in promotion to those tribal doctors/ para medical staff who have served in tribal areas.
C. Education Sector
(i) Awareness campaign to be launched;
(ii) To provide at least 2 teachers in Primary School;
(iii) Funds meant for education not to be diverted;
(iv) State Government to be advised:
a. To open more Schools;
b. To appoint teachers from tribal communities and provide incentives;
(v) Proper maintenance of school hostels meant for SCs/STs;
(vi) Providing incentives to parents of girl child;
(vii) Starting Shiksha Karmi Projects in those States where ST education level is poor;
(viii) To have uniform educational and examination system in the country so that ST students do not get disadvantaged.
(ix) Make use of visual media in distance learning effectively for tribals,
(x) Providing economic incentives to parents for Schooling of their Children.
(xi) Raising income ceiling levels for Post- Matric Scholarship from Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 2 Lakh per annum and also to raise Scholarship amount;
(xii) Dissemination of information through Websites of respective Tribal Welfare Departments ;
(xiii) Early disbursement of scholarships to students and if possible through their Bank Accounts;
(xiv) Provision for financial assistance for pre-admission coaching of ST student for Management and Technical Courses.
(xv) Providing one set of books to each student in Degree Courses on the lines of Post Graduate Professional Courses;
(xvi) Making all Eklavya Model Residential Schools completely functional
(xvii) Opening Schools of Excellence in Tribal areas;
(xviii) Scope of reservation for ST to cover Schools receiving Government concessions in various forms;
(xix) 7.5% reservation for STs in awarding fellowship and scholarships
(xx) 7.5% reservation in Schools & College hostels
D Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Displaced Tribal People
i) Need for Central Legislation, either exclusive or as part of Land Acquisition Act 1894;
ii) The Resettlement & Rehabilitation Package to provide for :-
a) Giving similar quality & legal status as the land from where displaced or providing compensation to the satisfaction of the displaced persons;
b) Stable livelihood to all members of displaced families.
iii) The State Govt. to ensure :-
a) Finalization of Resettlement & Rehabilitation Package before commencement of Acquisition process;
b) Compensation Rates based on market rates at the time of Acquisition and the enhanced value on account of industrial status rather than the rates of old registries;
c) Minimum displacement of Tribals and their resettlement & rehabilitation in the tribal belts only to protect their cultural heritage;
d) Preference by Project/Industry Authorities to affected tribal families for running tea-shops/ snack-bars/ canteens in the Project area;
e) The tribal families cultivating the assigned lands for 10 years or more are treated on par withholders of patas or those having ancestral land.
E Misllaneous
i) Enhancement of amount of construction Dwelling units under Indira Awas Yojna (from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 per unit in plain areas, and from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 75,000 per unit in hilly areas);
ii) Data base regarding tribal habitations without road connectively and time bound programme to provide roads to such habitations with the involvement of Local Bodies, also to do metalling of all approach roads;
iii) Devise effective mechanism to prevent black marketing of PDS items in order to ensure adequate supply to poor families;
iv) Status of implementation of Prime Minister’s announcement made on 15th August 2002 regarding Drinking water Supply with reference to Tribal Areas;
v) Survey to identify Tribal areas yet to be covered under Drinking Water Supply Schemes;
vi) Proper monitoring of the work regarding sanitary latrines;
vii) Maintenances of Separate data by each State on the Rural employment guarantee Scheme for effective monitoring;
A.Fund Flow
i) Mechanism for direct flow of funds to field formations (instead of the prevailing system through State Hqrs.) ;
ii) To link release of Plan funds with earmarking requisite 8% to TSP (in proportion to ST population of the country);
iii) Funds allotted under TSP to be treated as non-lapsable on the lines of grants- in-aid under SCA to TSP and Article 275(I) of the Constitution;
iv) Funds under SCA to TSP to be treated as non-divertible to areas/activities not connected with tribal development;
v) Grants for PTG to be released early to allow maximum period for implementation and assessment of performance/results.
B. Health Sector
(i) Relaxation of norms for setting up of Sub-Centers (2400 instead of 3000), PHCs ( 13,500 instead of 20,000) and CHC (55,000 instead of 80,000).
(ii) A Health Guide in each Village;
(iii) A Trained Birth Attendant in each Village;
(iv) Good accommodation and other incentives to doctors and para- medical staff in tribal areas;
(v) Awareness about Family Planning Programmes and Communicable Diseases;
(vi) Priority to local ST boys & girls in appointment as Health Workers;
(vii) All CHCs to have Operation Theatres;
(viii) Provide one Ambulance Vehicle in each CHC;
(ix) Mandatory for each tribal doctor to serve initially in tribal area for a minimum period of 3 years;
(x) Concessions / weightage in promotion to those tribal doctors/ para medical staff who have served in tribal areas.
C. Education Sector
(i) Awareness campaign to be launched;
(ii) To provide at least 2 teachers in Primary School;
(iii) Funds meant for education not to be diverted;
(iv) State Government to be advised:
a. To open more Schools;
b. To appoint teachers from tribal communities and provide incentives;
(v) Proper maintenance of school hostels meant for SCs/STs;
(vi) Providing incentives to parents of girl child;
(vii) Starting Shiksha Karmi Projects in those States where ST education level is poor;
(viii) To have uniform educational and examination system in the country so that ST students do not get disadvantaged.
(ix) Make use of visual media in distance learning effectively for tribals,
(x) Providing economic incentives to parents for Schooling of their Children.
(xi) Raising income ceiling levels for Post- Matric Scholarship from Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 2 Lakh per annum and also to raise Scholarship amount;
(xii) Dissemination of information through Websites of respective Tribal Welfare Departments ;
(xiii) Early disbursement of scholarships to students and if possible through their Bank Accounts;
(xiv) Provision for financial assistance for pre-admission coaching of ST student for Management and Technical Courses.
(xv) Providing one set of books to each student in Degree Courses on the lines of Post Graduate Professional Courses;
(xvi) Making all Eklavya Model Residential Schools completely functional
(xvii) Opening Schools of Excellence in Tribal areas;
(xviii) Scope of reservation for ST to cover Schools receiving Government concessions in various forms;
(xix) 7.5% reservation for STs in awarding fellowship and scholarships
(xx) 7.5% reservation in Schools & College hostels
D Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Displaced Tribal People
i) Need for Central Legislation, either exclusive or as part of Land Acquisition Act 1894;
ii) The Resettlement & Rehabilitation Package to provide for :-
a) Giving similar quality & legal status as the land from where displaced or providing compensation to the satisfaction of the displaced persons;
b) Stable livelihood to all members of displaced families.
iii) The State Govt. to ensure :-
a) Finalization of Resettlement & Rehabilitation Package before commencement of Acquisition process;
b) Compensation Rates based on market rates at the time of Acquisition and the enhanced value on account of industrial status rather than the rates of old registries;
c) Minimum displacement of Tribals and their resettlement & rehabilitation in the tribal belts only to protect their cultural heritage;
d) Preference by Project/Industry Authorities to affected tribal families for running tea-shops/ snack-bars/ canteens in the Project area;
e) The tribal families cultivating the assigned lands for 10 years or more are treated on par withholders of patas or those having ancestral land.
E Misllaneous
i) Enhancement of amount of construction Dwelling units under Indira Awas Yojna (from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 per unit in plain areas, and from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 75,000 per unit in hilly areas);
ii) Data base regarding tribal habitations without road connectively and time bound programme to provide roads to such habitations with the involvement of Local Bodies, also to do metalling of all approach roads;
iii) Devise effective mechanism to prevent black marketing of PDS items in order to ensure adequate supply to poor families;
iv) Status of implementation of Prime Minister’s announcement made on 15th August 2002 regarding Drinking water Supply with reference to Tribal Areas;
v) Survey to identify Tribal areas yet to be covered under Drinking Water Supply Schemes;
vi) Proper monitoring of the work regarding sanitary latrines;
vii) Maintenances of Separate data by each State on the Rural employment guarantee Scheme for effective monitoring;
Tribal Issues-I
IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING TRIBALS
1. Land Alienation Problem
Amendment in Land Acquisition Act 1894 to make it compatible with PESA Act 1996 in respect of consultations with Gram Sabha in cases of resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons;
Amendment in Indian Forest Act 1927 to make it compatible with PESA Act 1996 in respect of Ownership of Minor Forest Produce;
Advise States to ensure compatibility of State legislation on Panchayats with customary law, socials& religious practices and the traditional management practices of community resources, and to take corrective action wherever required;
Need for early implementation of Land Ceiling Laws through Fast Track Courts/Mobile Courts;
State Govts. to ensure:-
(i) Suitable entries about allotment of Surplus lands (under Land Ceiling Act) to tribals and actual possession status;
(ii) Pattas to be granted to tribals who have been assigned land by Govt. or who have been cultivating land for more than 10 years;
(iii) Copy of Khasra Khatauni with Map of the Holding, on demand, to every tribal family without charging any fee;
(iv) Details of revenue records to be in Gram Panchayat;
(v) Entries in revenue records to be made by the Patwaris with the approval of the Gram Panchayat;
(vi) Consolidation of holdings for economic viability and convenient cultivation;
Uttranchal Govt. to restore lands to tribals which was illegally transferred to non-tribals under the provisions of law, and to register cases against non-tribals who are in illegal occupation of tribal land;
States to review laws to plug loopholes to prevent land transfer to non-tribals without observing the laid down procedure;
Harmonization of provisions of State land laws with PESA Act 1996 to endow powers to the Gram Sabhas;
State Govts. to amend their land laws on the lines done in Himachal Pradesh (Transfer of Regulation) Act 1948 (in January, 2003), making it mandatory to obtain previous permission of respective State Govts. for transferring any tribal land to a non- tribal;
Pending such an amendment, the State Govt. to instruct District Collectors/ Deputy Commissioners against delegation of authority to lower functionaries for granting transfer permission;
Need for extending application of PESA Act to Tribes residing outside Scheduled Areas;
State Govts. to ensure compliance of Court orders in regard to granting land possession within a reasonable time frame;
Bar on appeals in cases where Deputy Commissioner/ Collector has decided in favour of tribals in land alienation cases on the lines of Orissa where provision exists for only one appeal to the Revenue Court;
The Fifth Scheduled States to make provisions in their respective State Acts regarding conferring of ownership of MFP on tribals in conformity with PESA Act;
Tribals to be allowed collection of MFP from forests declared as Protected Forests;
Tribals to be allowed Collection of fuel wood/ dry wood from Protected Forests/ Wildlife Sanctuaries;
Ensure implementation of 1974 guidelines regarding making local tribal communities Co-sharer in the mining & industrial activities in the region;
Giving preference to STs in granting mining concessions in Scheduled Area;
States to ensure:-
(i) Compliance of directions of Supreme Court in Samatta case- Not to transfer Govt. land by way of lease etc. in Scheduled Areas to a non-tribal;
(ii) making consultations mandatory with Gram Sabhas before grant of lease about minor minerals;
Safeguarding the rights of the Tribals over water and other natural resources in Scheduled Areas;
2. Problem of Displacement of Tribals their Resettlement & Rehabilitation
Need for Central Legislation on Resettlement & Rehabilitation of persons likely to be displaced due to developmental projects, either exclusive or as part of Land Acquisition Act 1894;
The Resettlement & Rehabilitation package to provide for :-
(i) Giving similar quality & legal status as the land from where displaced or providing compensation in cash or kind, should the displaced person so desire;
(ii) Stable livelihood to all members of displaced families;
· The State Govts. to ensure :-
(i) that resettlement & rehabilitation of tribals is finalized to their satisfaction before the commencement of acquisition process of their lands;
(ii) determine compensation rates on the basis of prevailing market rates at the time of acquisition and the enhanced value on account of industrial status rather than the rates of old registries;
(iii) minimum displacement of tribals and their resettlement & rehabilitation in tribal belts to protect their cultural heritage;
(iv) preference by Project/ Industry authorities to affected tribal families for running tea shops/ snack bars/ canteens in the project area;
(v) the tribal families cultivating the assigned lands for 10 years or more are treated on par with holders of pattas or those having ancestral lands;
1. Land Alienation Problem
Amendment in Land Acquisition Act 1894 to make it compatible with PESA Act 1996 in respect of consultations with Gram Sabha in cases of resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons;
Amendment in Indian Forest Act 1927 to make it compatible with PESA Act 1996 in respect of Ownership of Minor Forest Produce;
Advise States to ensure compatibility of State legislation on Panchayats with customary law, socials& religious practices and the traditional management practices of community resources, and to take corrective action wherever required;
Need for early implementation of Land Ceiling Laws through Fast Track Courts/Mobile Courts;
State Govts. to ensure:-
(i) Suitable entries about allotment of Surplus lands (under Land Ceiling Act) to tribals and actual possession status;
(ii) Pattas to be granted to tribals who have been assigned land by Govt. or who have been cultivating land for more than 10 years;
(iii) Copy of Khasra Khatauni with Map of the Holding, on demand, to every tribal family without charging any fee;
(iv) Details of revenue records to be in Gram Panchayat;
(v) Entries in revenue records to be made by the Patwaris with the approval of the Gram Panchayat;
(vi) Consolidation of holdings for economic viability and convenient cultivation;
Uttranchal Govt. to restore lands to tribals which was illegally transferred to non-tribals under the provisions of law, and to register cases against non-tribals who are in illegal occupation of tribal land;
States to review laws to plug loopholes to prevent land transfer to non-tribals without observing the laid down procedure;
Harmonization of provisions of State land laws with PESA Act 1996 to endow powers to the Gram Sabhas;
State Govts. to amend their land laws on the lines done in Himachal Pradesh (Transfer of Regulation) Act 1948 (in January, 2003), making it mandatory to obtain previous permission of respective State Govts. for transferring any tribal land to a non- tribal;
Pending such an amendment, the State Govt. to instruct District Collectors/ Deputy Commissioners against delegation of authority to lower functionaries for granting transfer permission;
Need for extending application of PESA Act to Tribes residing outside Scheduled Areas;
State Govts. to ensure compliance of Court orders in regard to granting land possession within a reasonable time frame;
Bar on appeals in cases where Deputy Commissioner/ Collector has decided in favour of tribals in land alienation cases on the lines of Orissa where provision exists for only one appeal to the Revenue Court;
The Fifth Scheduled States to make provisions in their respective State Acts regarding conferring of ownership of MFP on tribals in conformity with PESA Act;
Tribals to be allowed collection of MFP from forests declared as Protected Forests;
Tribals to be allowed Collection of fuel wood/ dry wood from Protected Forests/ Wildlife Sanctuaries;
Ensure implementation of 1974 guidelines regarding making local tribal communities Co-sharer in the mining & industrial activities in the region;
Giving preference to STs in granting mining concessions in Scheduled Area;
States to ensure:-
(i) Compliance of directions of Supreme Court in Samatta case- Not to transfer Govt. land by way of lease etc. in Scheduled Areas to a non-tribal;
(ii) making consultations mandatory with Gram Sabhas before grant of lease about minor minerals;
Safeguarding the rights of the Tribals over water and other natural resources in Scheduled Areas;
2. Problem of Displacement of Tribals their Resettlement & Rehabilitation
Need for Central Legislation on Resettlement & Rehabilitation of persons likely to be displaced due to developmental projects, either exclusive or as part of Land Acquisition Act 1894;
The Resettlement & Rehabilitation package to provide for :-
(i) Giving similar quality & legal status as the land from where displaced or providing compensation in cash or kind, should the displaced person so desire;
(ii) Stable livelihood to all members of displaced families;
· The State Govts. to ensure :-
(i) that resettlement & rehabilitation of tribals is finalized to their satisfaction before the commencement of acquisition process of their lands;
(ii) determine compensation rates on the basis of prevailing market rates at the time of acquisition and the enhanced value on account of industrial status rather than the rates of old registries;
(iii) minimum displacement of tribals and their resettlement & rehabilitation in tribal belts to protect their cultural heritage;
(iv) preference by Project/ Industry authorities to affected tribal families for running tea shops/ snack bars/ canteens in the project area;
(v) the tribal families cultivating the assigned lands for 10 years or more are treated on par with holders of pattas or those having ancestral lands;
Action Points for Power Department
ACTION POINTS FOR POWER DEPARTMENT
1. Total Hydle Power potential identified in the State to be kept as the target for achieving in a particular time frame and the phased programme to be planned;
2. Identifying the Solar Energy potential in the State and making a definite plan to exploit it and plan its utilization in the most optimum manner;
3. Identifying the Wind Energy potential in the State and plan its generation in a specific time frame;
4. Strengthening the ‘Transmission & Distribution’ infrastructure to reduce losses to below 15%;
5. To eliminate theft and wastage and conserve energy to add to the State revenue substantially;
6. To take effective measures in the Project catchment areas to minimize silt flow to increase project life;
7. To reduce unproductive expenditure of the Power Board;
8. To maximise revenue by proper regulation of sale & purchase of Power with other States/Entities;
9. To implement the ‘Power Reforms’ in the State immediately and get financial support form the Central Govt. to carry out infrastructural development not only in the Power Sector but also in the Social/Health/Education sectors.
1. Total Hydle Power potential identified in the State to be kept as the target for achieving in a particular time frame and the phased programme to be planned;
2. Identifying the Solar Energy potential in the State and making a definite plan to exploit it and plan its utilization in the most optimum manner;
3. Identifying the Wind Energy potential in the State and plan its generation in a specific time frame;
4. Strengthening the ‘Transmission & Distribution’ infrastructure to reduce losses to below 15%;
5. To eliminate theft and wastage and conserve energy to add to the State revenue substantially;
6. To take effective measures in the Project catchment areas to minimize silt flow to increase project life;
7. To reduce unproductive expenditure of the Power Board;
8. To maximise revenue by proper regulation of sale & purchase of Power with other States/Entities;
9. To implement the ‘Power Reforms’ in the State immediately and get financial support form the Central Govt. to carry out infrastructural development not only in the Power Sector but also in the Social/Health/Education sectors.
Action Points for Irrigation & Public Health Department
ACTION POINTS FOR IPH DEPARTMENT
1. 100% coverage of all villages under the ‘Drinking Water Supply Scheme’ in a time bound manner;
2. Ensuring consistent supply of drinking water for the specific time period under the announced time table- on a daily/weekly/any other frequency basis, depending upon the water availability at the source, so that people make adjustment accordingly;
3. Adopting a definite programme to cover the most fertile areas under irrigation schemes-Flow/Lift/Sprinkler/Drip as per feasibility;
4. Providing requisite extension services to the farmers about the irrigation regimen as per soil/crop requirements;
5. Developing Farmers Self-Help groups for sustainable management/upkeep/maintainance of the completed schemes;
6. Establishing a strong mechanism for monitoring the operation of all the irrigation schemes so that ‘stitch in time’ approach is followed to repair/revamp the schemes with utmost economy & efficiency;
7. Having stronger contingent of technical staff at the cutting-edge level and leaner at the higher levels;
8. Strengthening the technical skills of the staff through a rigorous training programme in the reputed training centers as per requirements.
1. 100% coverage of all villages under the ‘Drinking Water Supply Scheme’ in a time bound manner;
2. Ensuring consistent supply of drinking water for the specific time period under the announced time table- on a daily/weekly/any other frequency basis, depending upon the water availability at the source, so that people make adjustment accordingly;
3. Adopting a definite programme to cover the most fertile areas under irrigation schemes-Flow/Lift/Sprinkler/Drip as per feasibility;
4. Providing requisite extension services to the farmers about the irrigation regimen as per soil/crop requirements;
5. Developing Farmers Self-Help groups for sustainable management/upkeep/maintainance of the completed schemes;
6. Establishing a strong mechanism for monitoring the operation of all the irrigation schemes so that ‘stitch in time’ approach is followed to repair/revamp the schemes with utmost economy & efficiency;
7. Having stronger contingent of technical staff at the cutting-edge level and leaner at the higher levels;
8. Strengthening the technical skills of the staff through a rigorous training programme in the reputed training centers as per requirements.
Action Points for Horticulture Department
ACTION POINTS FOR HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT
1. Identifying appropriate horticultural crop variety according to agro-climatic/altitudinal/soil conditions for each zone the entire State;
2. Promoting a proper mix of ‘Table’ and ‘Processing’ varieties in each of the Fruits in the State to facilitate remunerative marketing and achieve higher productivity levels;
3. To develop proper marketing mechanism, bye passing the ‘Arhatiya Circuit’, to enable the farmers get maximum return for their produce;
4. Developing ‘Primary Processing’ finacilities nearer the Farms and developing the ‘Central (Secondary) Processing’ facilities in selected places in the form of ‘Food Parks’ to reduce the post-harvest crop losses as well as to produce the high quality processed products;
5. To establish a strong network/inter-connectivity between the Farmers and the Industry by promoting the ‘Backward Linkage’ scheme which will enable easy marketing of farm produce on the one hand and assured availability of raw material to the industries on the other hand- a win-win situation for both;
6. Massive promotion of Mushroom (both the White Button and the Oyster varieties) Industry in the State which will not only improve farmer’s economy but will significantly add to the nutritional component in the diet of the consumers;
7. Improvement of the requisite infrastructure to facilitate quick transportation of fruits from farm to market;
8. Strengthening the network of ‘Market Information System’ to enable the farmers take appropriate decision in regard to market destination for their produce according to demand thereby enabling him in getting the best price.
1. Identifying appropriate horticultural crop variety according to agro-climatic/altitudinal/soil conditions for each zone the entire State;
2. Promoting a proper mix of ‘Table’ and ‘Processing’ varieties in each of the Fruits in the State to facilitate remunerative marketing and achieve higher productivity levels;
3. To develop proper marketing mechanism, bye passing the ‘Arhatiya Circuit’, to enable the farmers get maximum return for their produce;
4. Developing ‘Primary Processing’ finacilities nearer the Farms and developing the ‘Central (Secondary) Processing’ facilities in selected places in the form of ‘Food Parks’ to reduce the post-harvest crop losses as well as to produce the high quality processed products;
5. To establish a strong network/inter-connectivity between the Farmers and the Industry by promoting the ‘Backward Linkage’ scheme which will enable easy marketing of farm produce on the one hand and assured availability of raw material to the industries on the other hand- a win-win situation for both;
6. Massive promotion of Mushroom (both the White Button and the Oyster varieties) Industry in the State which will not only improve farmer’s economy but will significantly add to the nutritional component in the diet of the consumers;
7. Improvement of the requisite infrastructure to facilitate quick transportation of fruits from farm to market;
8. Strengthening the network of ‘Market Information System’ to enable the farmers take appropriate decision in regard to market destination for their produce according to demand thereby enabling him in getting the best price.
Action Points for Agriculture Department
ACTION POINTS FOR AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
1. Strengthen the linkages between Extension wing and Farmers to: transfer technologies to field; encourage adoption of best practices for production & crop management; promote use of Farm Yard/Organic Manure; use of the best/most viable/certified seeds.
2. Encourage growing of crops strictly according to soil suitability, agro-climatic conditions and economic considerations.
3. Encourage field terracing to prevent loss of soil.
4. Promote 'Organic Farming'.
5. Promote Sprinkler/Drip irrigation to optimize the use of water.
6. Encourage management & maintenance of 'Irrigation Infrastructure' by Farmer's Self-Help Groups/Co-operatives to develop a sustainable mechanism.
7. Development of requisite infrastructure for proper Post-harvest management to reduce losses.
8. Facilitate development of the marketing infrastructure enabling the farmers to sell their produces at the most remunerative prices directly in the markets without getting exploited by the 'Intermediaries'.
9. Promote 'Applied Research Projects' to find solutions to the problems being faced by the farmers.
1. Strengthen the linkages between Extension wing and Farmers to: transfer technologies to field; encourage adoption of best practices for production & crop management; promote use of Farm Yard/Organic Manure; use of the best/most viable/certified seeds.
2. Encourage growing of crops strictly according to soil suitability, agro-climatic conditions and economic considerations.
3. Encourage field terracing to prevent loss of soil.
4. Promote 'Organic Farming'.
5. Promote Sprinkler/Drip irrigation to optimize the use of water.
6. Encourage management & maintenance of 'Irrigation Infrastructure' by Farmer's Self-Help Groups/Co-operatives to develop a sustainable mechanism.
7. Development of requisite infrastructure for proper Post-harvest management to reduce losses.
8. Facilitate development of the marketing infrastructure enabling the farmers to sell their produces at the most remunerative prices directly in the markets without getting exploited by the 'Intermediaries'.
9. Promote 'Applied Research Projects' to find solutions to the problems being faced by the farmers.
High Priorities for Good Governance in States/UTs in India
HIGH PRIORITY AREAS REQUIRING ATTENTION FOR REALISING THE OBJECTIVE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN A STATE GOVERNMENT/UT UNDER THE UNION OF INDIA
I.Enforcement of Accountability to ensure implementation of Govt. / CM,s Directives / Programmes/ Policies:- Activating the Monitoring Cell, Having a Precise & to the Point Reporting System in place (Weekly for critical matters and Monthly for all others) on the specially designed ‘Single Page’ Proformas enabling CM to have a ‘Bird’s Eye’ view at a glance about the flow of ‘Activities’ in each of the Departments;
II. Augmentation of Financial Resources (Revenue):-
Ø Strict Tax Compliance:- The current level of Revenue on account of Sales/Excise Tax can be increased by at least 80% (could be even 100%) by eliminating leakages through strict supervision/IT application/simplifying collection mode/prohibitive penalty imposition;
Ø Hydle Power Sales:- The immense potential of hydle power generation needs to be exploited at the earliest to substantially enhance the revenue;
Ø Levying Green Cess(more relevant for hilly States):- Imposition of a nominal ‘Green Cess’ on the Industrial Units in the State would not cause any pinch while the total annual collection could enhance substantially;
Ø Complying with the provisions of FRBM Act:- Containing the State Financial Deficit within the limits prescribed under the Central Financial Responsibility & Budget Management Act would get enhanced central grants quite significantly;
Ø Power Sector Reforms:- Complying with the Central Govt. directions regarding Power sector reforms would enable the State Govt. get additional financial grants;
Ø Small sized Projects under Central Sector Schemes:- There is tremendous scope to seek funding under Central Sector Schemes being controlled by various central Ministries by posing small sized project proposals to get additional allocations;
Ø Food Processing Industries:- The criticality of this activity is not only from the point of view of improving the value addition & preventing wastages but it will also enable the State Govt. in realizing hundreds of crores by way of taxes/cess;
Ø Herbal based Industries:- Development of herbal based industries would not only enable exploitation of the tremendous potential lying dormant in the State but will get substantial revenue to the exchequer;
Ø Reducing Unproductive Expenditure:- Economic Reforms/Public Sector Reforms/Administrative Reforms/Rationalisation measures would result in saving of hundreds of crores to the State exchequer.
The above measures can help the State Govt. in coming out of the vicious cycle of the Debt-Trap, and ultimately would enable achieving very high economic growth for the State.
III. Reforms:- Administrative, Economic, Public Sector, Power Sector, Institutional;
IV. Development through Perspective Planning:- Having a Perspective for each of the Departments to prepare a Long-term Plan from which should emerge the Short-term Plans, as well as the requisite Straregies /Policies /Programmes /Projects /Schemes.
I.Enforcement of Accountability to ensure implementation of Govt. / CM,s Directives / Programmes/ Policies:- Activating the Monitoring Cell, Having a Precise & to the Point Reporting System in place (Weekly for critical matters and Monthly for all others) on the specially designed ‘Single Page’ Proformas enabling CM to have a ‘Bird’s Eye’ view at a glance about the flow of ‘Activities’ in each of the Departments;
II. Augmentation of Financial Resources (Revenue):-
Ø Strict Tax Compliance:- The current level of Revenue on account of Sales/Excise Tax can be increased by at least 80% (could be even 100%) by eliminating leakages through strict supervision/IT application/simplifying collection mode/prohibitive penalty imposition;
Ø Hydle Power Sales:- The immense potential of hydle power generation needs to be exploited at the earliest to substantially enhance the revenue;
Ø Levying Green Cess(more relevant for hilly States):- Imposition of a nominal ‘Green Cess’ on the Industrial Units in the State would not cause any pinch while the total annual collection could enhance substantially;
Ø Complying with the provisions of FRBM Act:- Containing the State Financial Deficit within the limits prescribed under the Central Financial Responsibility & Budget Management Act would get enhanced central grants quite significantly;
Ø Power Sector Reforms:- Complying with the Central Govt. directions regarding Power sector reforms would enable the State Govt. get additional financial grants;
Ø Small sized Projects under Central Sector Schemes:- There is tremendous scope to seek funding under Central Sector Schemes being controlled by various central Ministries by posing small sized project proposals to get additional allocations;
Ø Food Processing Industries:- The criticality of this activity is not only from the point of view of improving the value addition & preventing wastages but it will also enable the State Govt. in realizing hundreds of crores by way of taxes/cess;
Ø Herbal based Industries:- Development of herbal based industries would not only enable exploitation of the tremendous potential lying dormant in the State but will get substantial revenue to the exchequer;
Ø Reducing Unproductive Expenditure:- Economic Reforms/Public Sector Reforms/Administrative Reforms/Rationalisation measures would result in saving of hundreds of crores to the State exchequer.
The above measures can help the State Govt. in coming out of the vicious cycle of the Debt-Trap, and ultimately would enable achieving very high economic growth for the State.
III. Reforms:- Administrative, Economic, Public Sector, Power Sector, Institutional;
IV. Development through Perspective Planning:- Having a Perspective for each of the Departments to prepare a Long-term Plan from which should emerge the Short-term Plans, as well as the requisite Straregies /Policies /Programmes /Projects /Schemes.
Four Vital Pillars to raise the Edific of Progress in India
I.GOOD GOVERNANCE
1. Improvement of Work Culture
2. Recognition of Merit
3. Incentives for Performance and Disincentives for Non-Performance
4. Objectivity in enforcement of Laws, Rules & Regulations
5. Effective Mechanism for Redressal of Public Grievances to inspire People's confidence
6. Effectiveness & Judiciousness in the working of the Police to restore People' Faith in the System
7. Greater Transparency & Openness in the governmental working
8. Mechanism for easy Public accessibility to Governmental Functionaries through rigorous field touring and regular reporting system by the officers at all levels
II.DEVELOPMENT
1. Strengthening Education System (Better Infrastructure, Vocation oriented curricula)
2. Strengthening Health Infrastructure
3. Drinking Water and Irrigation
4. Roads, Rails and Aviation Infrastructure
5. Improvement of Infrastructure relating to Civic Amenities
6. Infrastructural improvement to facilitate tapping of Renewable Energy Sources based on Solar and Wind for local energy requirements
7. Effective steps to contain Man-Animal conflict and control crop damage by wild animals- Eco-restoration
8. Improvement of infrastructure to facilitate reduction of crop losses in Agro-Horticulture sector
III.SELF-RELIANCE
1. Rationalising Government Expenditure
2. Plugging leakages of Government Revenue Sources and ensuring Tax Compliance
3. Hydle Power Sales & Cess
4. Cess and Tax revenue from Mineral based industries
5. Cess and Tax revenue from Tourism & Eco-Tourism
6. Cess/Fees/Tax revenue on account of Food Processing Industries
7. Cess/Fees/Tax revenue on account of Herbal based industries
8. Enhanced Central Grants on account of Power Sector Reforms and compliance of the Provisions of Central Act/Regulations relating to State Budget Deficit
1. Improvement of Work Culture
2. Recognition of Merit
3. Incentives for Performance and Disincentives for Non-Performance
4. Objectivity in enforcement of Laws, Rules & Regulations
5. Effective Mechanism for Redressal of Public Grievances to inspire People's confidence
6. Effectiveness & Judiciousness in the working of the Police to restore People' Faith in the System
7. Greater Transparency & Openness in the governmental working
8. Mechanism for easy Public accessibility to Governmental Functionaries through rigorous field touring and regular reporting system by the officers at all levels
II.DEVELOPMENT
1. Strengthening Education System (Better Infrastructure, Vocation oriented curricula)
2. Strengthening Health Infrastructure
3. Drinking Water and Irrigation
4. Roads, Rails and Aviation Infrastructure
5. Improvement of Infrastructure relating to Civic Amenities
6. Infrastructural improvement to facilitate tapping of Renewable Energy Sources based on Solar and Wind for local energy requirements
7. Effective steps to contain Man-Animal conflict and control crop damage by wild animals- Eco-restoration
8. Improvement of infrastructure to facilitate reduction of crop losses in Agro-Horticulture sector
III.SELF-RELIANCE
1. Rationalising Government Expenditure
2. Plugging leakages of Government Revenue Sources and ensuring Tax Compliance
3. Hydle Power Sales & Cess
4. Cess and Tax revenue from Mineral based industries
5. Cess and Tax revenue from Tourism & Eco-Tourism
6. Cess/Fees/Tax revenue on account of Food Processing Industries
7. Cess/Fees/Tax revenue on account of Herbal based industries
8. Enhanced Central Grants on account of Power Sector Reforms and compliance of the Provisions of Central Act/Regulations relating to State Budget Deficit
IV.REFORMS
A.Administrative:- 1. Organisational Restructuring 2. Simplification of Rules & Procedures 3. Decentralisation & Delegation of Powers 4. Strengthening Data Base & Reporting System. 5. Effective Monitoring Mechanism 6. Computerisation of Records 7. Setting up System of e-governance 8. Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
B.Social & Cultural:- 1. Elimination of Untouchability 2. Elimination of Malnutrition 3. Elimination of the practice of Child Marriage 3. Population control through self-motivation and positive incentives 4. Strengthening the Family institution to ensure proper care of the young & the Old ones 5. Protection of local culture & heritage 6. Promotion of local art, culture, folksongs and crafts 7. Promotion of Yoga for physical & spiritual well being 8. Promotion of Hygiene & cleanliness.
C.Economic:- 1. Promotion of Food Processing Industries 2. Sustainable exploitation of minerals 3. Realising the Hydel Power potential 4. Promotion of Software & Hardware Industries 5. Promotion of Tourism Industries 6. Development of Travel & Transport infrastructure (Roads, Rails, Aviation, Ropeways and the intra town transport systems) 7. Promotion of Agro-Horticulture & Herbal crops most suited to the hilly areas & the agro-climatic conditions of the State 8. Promotion of Herbal based Industries (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
My Bio Data
Personal: Born in a farming family in a small village of Himachal Pradesh (situated in Mid-Himalayas), in July, 1948. Got school education at the village and college & university education at Chandigarh from Punjab University.
Academic Qualifications: Post Graduate in Public Administration and Bachelor of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics).
Professional Qualifications: Joined the Indian Forest Service (an All India Service under the Government of India) in the year 1971. Passed out the Foundational Course in Administration & Management from Administration Academy Mussoorie, and the Diploma Course in Forestry from the Forest Academy Dehradun.
Training Exposure (Domestic): Attended 11 short term training courses, covering the topics of Management, Financial Management, Co-operative Management, Project Management, Project Formulation, Monitoring & Evaluation, Forestry, Soil & Water conservation, Agro-Exports, Food Processing, Remote Sensing and Management of Rural & Urban Development Programs.
Training Exposure (Overseas): A 14 weeks Course (with Certificate) in Policy Planning & Management of Social Forestry Programs at the Commonwealth Forestry Institute, Oxford (UK), and a 4 weeks Course (with Certificate) in Managing Agricultural Irrigation Systems at the Colorado Institute of Irrigation Management, Fort Collins (USA).
Work Experience:
i) Forestry, Soil & Water Conservation, Wildlife and Environment: During 20 years (1973-93) managed projects covering all these fields in High altitude Arid Zone, Alpine, Temperate and the Sub-Tropical areas of Himachal Pradesh. Prepared 15-years Management Plan for the Forests in Mid & High Hills. Managed the Logging, Transporting and Marketing operations of Forestry Estates in Low, Mid & High hills. Managed the Policy Formulation & Planning Processes in the State relating to Land Use & Environmental Conservation. Headed the Wildlife Wing of the State to oversee the management of 32 Wildlife Sanctuaries and the 2 National Parks in Himalayan Region.
ii) Agriculture & Horticulture: Worked as the Secretary to the State Government to oversee the task of Policy Formulation, Planning and the Program implementation in the State of Himachal Pradesh.
iii) Corporate Management: Worked as CEO of 4 State Companies of Himachal Pradesh Government (the Horticulture Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation, the Industrial Development Corporation, the General Industries Corporation and the Electronics Development Corporation). Participated in International Events relating to Food Processing Industries, Nutritional Programs, Mergers & Acquisitions of Government Companies and International Bi-lateral co-operation programs, visiting various countries in American, European and the Asian Continents.
iv) Food Processing Industries: Worked as Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, having special assignments of Policy formulation, Nutritional Program management and Strategic sale of a Bread making Company.
v) Divestment/Strategic Sale of Equity in Federal Companies: Steered the process of first strategic sale of equity (74%) in Central Governmental Company (Modern Foods). As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Disinvestment, steered the process of strategic sale of 22 Hotels [owned by the Federal PSUs-ITDC and HCI(Air India)], CMC(an IT Company), PPL(a Fertilizer Company) (concluded), Shipping Corporation of India, Air India, Indian Airlines, National Fertilizers and 5 Hotels (80% Process completed but remained inconclusive due to change in Government of India policy).
vi) Regulatory & Surveillance: Worked as Secretary in the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Government of India, to oversee & ensure the strict implementation of safeguards provided to the Scheduled Tribes under the provisions of Constitutional Law of India relating to service matters, protection against atrocities and the socio-economic development under the Federal and the State Governments.
G. Miscellaneous: Took Pre-mature retirement from Government Service in July, 2007, joined BJP and working as State (Himachal Pradesh) Convener of Intellectual Cell of the Party since October 2008. Professionally, providing consultancy services in Forestry, Wildlife, Soil Conservation, Ecology and Bio-diversity as part of Environment Quality Management Services (EQMS), (India) Pvt. Ltd., acting as Principal Advisor of the Group; Also, by virtue of working experience, have capability to assist in the task of Project preparation in the fields of Food Processing, Forestry/Environment & Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Eco-Tourism, Rural & Urban Development Infrastructure.
Academic Qualifications: Post Graduate in Public Administration and Bachelor of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics).
Professional Qualifications: Joined the Indian Forest Service (an All India Service under the Government of India) in the year 1971. Passed out the Foundational Course in Administration & Management from Administration Academy Mussoorie, and the Diploma Course in Forestry from the Forest Academy Dehradun.
Training Exposure (Domestic): Attended 11 short term training courses, covering the topics of Management, Financial Management, Co-operative Management, Project Management, Project Formulation, Monitoring & Evaluation, Forestry, Soil & Water conservation, Agro-Exports, Food Processing, Remote Sensing and Management of Rural & Urban Development Programs.
Training Exposure (Overseas): A 14 weeks Course (with Certificate) in Policy Planning & Management of Social Forestry Programs at the Commonwealth Forestry Institute, Oxford (UK), and a 4 weeks Course (with Certificate) in Managing Agricultural Irrigation Systems at the Colorado Institute of Irrigation Management, Fort Collins (USA).
Work Experience:
i) Forestry, Soil & Water Conservation, Wildlife and Environment: During 20 years (1973-93) managed projects covering all these fields in High altitude Arid Zone, Alpine, Temperate and the Sub-Tropical areas of Himachal Pradesh. Prepared 15-years Management Plan for the Forests in Mid & High Hills. Managed the Logging, Transporting and Marketing operations of Forestry Estates in Low, Mid & High hills. Managed the Policy Formulation & Planning Processes in the State relating to Land Use & Environmental Conservation. Headed the Wildlife Wing of the State to oversee the management of 32 Wildlife Sanctuaries and the 2 National Parks in Himalayan Region.
ii) Agriculture & Horticulture: Worked as the Secretary to the State Government to oversee the task of Policy Formulation, Planning and the Program implementation in the State of Himachal Pradesh.
iii) Corporate Management: Worked as CEO of 4 State Companies of Himachal Pradesh Government (the Horticulture Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation, the Industrial Development Corporation, the General Industries Corporation and the Electronics Development Corporation). Participated in International Events relating to Food Processing Industries, Nutritional Programs, Mergers & Acquisitions of Government Companies and International Bi-lateral co-operation programs, visiting various countries in American, European and the Asian Continents.
iv) Food Processing Industries: Worked as Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, having special assignments of Policy formulation, Nutritional Program management and Strategic sale of a Bread making Company.
v) Divestment/Strategic Sale of Equity in Federal Companies: Steered the process of first strategic sale of equity (74%) in Central Governmental Company (Modern Foods). As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Disinvestment, steered the process of strategic sale of 22 Hotels [owned by the Federal PSUs-ITDC and HCI(Air India)], CMC(an IT Company), PPL(a Fertilizer Company) (concluded), Shipping Corporation of India, Air India, Indian Airlines, National Fertilizers and 5 Hotels (80% Process completed but remained inconclusive due to change in Government of India policy).
vi) Regulatory & Surveillance: Worked as Secretary in the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Government of India, to oversee & ensure the strict implementation of safeguards provided to the Scheduled Tribes under the provisions of Constitutional Law of India relating to service matters, protection against atrocities and the socio-economic development under the Federal and the State Governments.
G. Miscellaneous: Took Pre-mature retirement from Government Service in July, 2007, joined BJP and working as State (Himachal Pradesh) Convener of Intellectual Cell of the Party since October 2008. Professionally, providing consultancy services in Forestry, Wildlife, Soil Conservation, Ecology and Bio-diversity as part of Environment Quality Management Services (EQMS), (India) Pvt. Ltd., acting as Principal Advisor of the Group; Also, by virtue of working experience, have capability to assist in the task of Project preparation in the fields of Food Processing, Forestry/Environment & Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Eco-Tourism, Rural & Urban Development Infrastructure.
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