From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Should Air India Be Privatised'
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:26:56 +0000
This refers to the views expressed in the column 'Face Off'. Both the writer have missed some very vital points on the issue. Since I was the Joint Secretary Ministry of Disinvestment during 2000-2002 when Air India privatisation was almost done (as out of 80 broad steps we had covered 79 and the final financial-cum-technical bid was to come), I have first hand knowledge on the issue. Tata-Singapur Airlines Consortium were the sole bidder. The main reason for the deal getting aborted at the doorstep was the split in the Consortium due to reasons not in any way related to valuation or even the issues highlighted by the two writers. In fact the excellent skills of AI's cockpit crew as well as the technical staff had almost offset the higher Manpower-Aircraft ratio of Air India (700 vis-a-vis 300 in American/ European Airliners at that time). Further, the training and maintenance infrastructure available jointly with Indian Airlines in the country, forms an attractive carrot for any strategic partner. However, it is difficult to counter the point made by Rajiv Pratap Rudy that the beneficiaries of the largesse of State owned Air India will keep on opposing moves to privatise the entity. But let their be no doubt in anybody's mind that the best option available now is to immediately privatise Air India to restore its prestine glory and save the scarce financial resources of the country for better purposes.
K.K.Gupta, Retired IFS(HP:71)
C-90, Sector 3, New Shimla-171009
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Letters to Editor on various issues
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Think You'-ET dated 5 September, 2010
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 03:41:15 +0000
This refers to your front page write-up titled 'Think You' (ET 5 September 2010). Indeed the most timely & commendable task to focus attention on an issue of most urgent nature for India which has remained neglected for so long. Consequent to this neglect, the bureaucratic dominance in steering the governance system in our country has hindered the much needed process of 'Reforms', administrative as well as socio-economic. Support of India Inc. in this regard is very vital because government-funding invariably brings in the element of bureacratic control with it, which in turn consignes the research-findings of the 'Think Tank' to the files duly secured under a tight 'Red Tape' just to gather dust rather than see light of the day. Even if they want, the bureaucrats can not exhibit the kind of courage required to unshackle the Indian system from the procedure-oriented legacy of British-Raj. It is only the string-free funding from private sources (corporate and/or trust) which only can ensure autonomy, so vital to ensure boldness. Also, it is necessary to have an appropriate networking mechanism to ensure proper coordination amongst the Think-Tank institutions to avoide wasteful duplication of research work and provide desireable thrust to the research-findings. The reforms process which commenced in ninetees has already slowed down and only the activation of 'Think-tank' institutions can ensure that such a slip-shod does not occur in future and sustenance is ensured in any policy/programme of reforming the system progressively.
KK Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Calling political parties'-ET 8 Nov.'10
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 03:23:22 +0000
This refers to your edit 'Calling political parties' (ET, Nov 8). Undoubtedly, blame for low ranking of India in the HD Index of UN rests squarely at the doorstep of political parties. Programme & policies announced in the documents/manifestoes of all parties notwithstanding, the actions completely lack sensitivity to ensuring improvement in the delivery
system. Interest of politicians, in so far as the educational & health sectors are concerned, remains limited to transfers and postings of the personnels. Mere allocation of higher outlays in these sectors has little meaning unless the delivery mechanism is improved through good governance and reforms. There is an urgent need for some non governmental organisation to carry out a comprehensive survey in every State to know the ground truth in all nooks and corners of the country so that;1. programme & policy-related aberrations could be rectified to take care of the asea-wise disparities; 2. no State is able to claim laurels merely on a macro picture.
K.K.Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'It Pours'- editorial dated 21 April, 2011
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:51:10 +0000
This refers to your editorial (It Pours) dated 21 April. The three vital reforms suggested need be considered seriously by both the central as well as the state governments. Whereas export-import control and the subsidy/grant issues concern the central government, the elimination or reduction/control of intermediaries between the farmers and the consumers falls in the domain of the states. Not only do the intermediaries manipulate prices to the utter diadvantage of both farmers as well as the consumers but they also resort to cartelisation to prevent flow of benefits to either side (farmers or the consumers) through any positive interventions which the government might make. As very aptly mentioned the APMCs need to be scrapped because these favour the intermediaries rather than the farmers or the consumers. Another measure/reform which need priority attention is the greater boost to the processing industry in order to prevent seasonal wastages and make up for the out of season-scarceties. This will facilitate accrual of remunerative price to the producer and availability of food produce/product at reasonable price all the year around to the consumer.
Kushal Kumar
New Shimla
Ph. (0177) 2671960
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: "Sense on Lokpal"-Editorial dated 22 Aug 2011
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:35:12 +0000
This refers to the edit 'Sense on Lokpal' (ET Aug 22). Your editorial and write-ups can provide excellent guidence to the terribly confused UPA government in resolving the undesireable deadlock. By way of summing up positive points of both sides in order to form a balanced view, the following points are submitted:- Anna is right in 1.Giving a clarion call against rampant curruption in the country; 2.Rallying masses for fighting against this menace; 3.Creating a strong opinion for creating effective mechanism to ensure accountability; 4.Making people aware of the advantages of peaceful agitation in accordence with Gandhian way to raise vital issues. The flip side is:- 1.Solution of any menace has to be found in accordence with the Constitutional Law of India; 2.Since our country has numerous diversities, the suggestion of 'Referendrum' entails opening a pandora's box which is bound to endanger integrity of the country; 3.Lokpal can tackle only a part of the problem and that too at macro level whereas the brunt of curruption faced by the common man at grassroot level in day to day life can only be solved through effective governence and simplification of rules/regulations/procedures and decentralised mechanism; 4.Keeping NGOs outside the purview of the Lokpal niether fits in the very basic principle of Anna agitation nor does it inspires credibility.
K.K.Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Fast unto Power'-Editorial Dt. 20 Sep.'11
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:40:30 +0000
This refers to "Fast unto Power" (ET Sep. 20). There should be no other consideration in entrusting the leadership of BJP at the national level to Narendra Modi except that the party at this juncture need be led by a strong person having the requisite perspective and the right kinds of commitments (to governance; to development). A national party can play significant role even as a strong oppsition party in shaping destiny of the country. So even if NDA breaks let there be no fear in the mind of BJP leadership because firstly this apprehension may prove unfounded and people may give BJP 250 plus seats in 2014 Parliamentry elections attracting allies to its fold and secondly if BJP has to remain on the Opposition side at least the prevailing bewilderment is bound to disappear thereby facilitating restoration of the Jan Sangh era glory when the voice of a couple of MPs used to be heard so intently.
Kushal Kumar
C 90 Sector 3
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Wind up Air India'-ET dated 27 May 2010
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 03:11:18 +0000
This refers to 'Wind up Air India' ET dated 27 May 2010. Privatisation of this 'national carrier' is the only solution and sooner the better as otherwise it is bound to become a 'national shame'. It would not be surprising if current year's loss is in five digits. In 2002, privatisation of the then Air India was almost done but got aborted due to last minute withdrawl by the bidder. Government has tried many options (including the most disastrous one-merger of AI & IA) but the situation has gone from bad to worse. Any delay in privatisation could only degrade Air India to such an extent that no private player would come forward as 'bidder'.
K.K.Gupta,IFS(Retd.)
Former Joint Secretary (Disinvestment), GoI
C-90, Sector-3, New Shimla-171009
Ph.-0177 2671960, 09418704785
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Think You'-ET dated 5 September, 2010
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 03:41:15 +0000
This refers to your front page write-up titled 'Think You' (ET 5 September 2010). Indeed the most timely & commendable task to focus attention on an issue of most urgent nature for India which has remained neglected for so long. Consequent to this neglect, the bureaucratic dominance in steering the governance system in our country has hindered the much needed process of 'Reforms', administrative as well as socio-economic. Support of India Inc. in this regard is very vital because government-funding invariably brings in the element of bureacratic control with it, which in turn consignes the research-findings of the 'Think Tank' to the files duly secured under a tight 'Red Tape' just to gather dust rather than see light of the day. Even if they want, the bureaucrats can not exhibit the kind of courage required to unshackle the Indian system from the procedure-oriented legacy of British-Raj. It is only the string-free funding from private sources (corporate and/or trust) which only can ensure autonomy, so vital to ensure boldness. Also, it is necessary to have an appropriate networking mechanism to ensure proper coordination amongst the Think-Tank institutions to avoide wasteful duplication of research work and provide desireable thrust to the research-findings. The reforms process which commenced in ninetees has already slowed down and only the activation of 'Think-tank' institutions can ensure that such a slip-shod does not occur in future and sustenance is ensured in any policy/programme of reforming the system progressively.
KK Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Calling political parties'-ET 8 Nov.'10
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 03:23:22 +0000
This refers to your edit 'Calling political parties' (ET, Nov 8). Undoubtedly, blame for low ranking of India in the HD Index of UN rests squarely at the doorstep of political parties. Programme & policies announced in the documents/manifestoes of all parties notwithstanding, the actions completely lack sensitivity to ensuring improvement in the delivery
system. Interest of politicians, in so far as the educational & health sectors are concerned, remains limited to transfers and postings of the personnels. Mere allocation of higher outlays in these sectors has little meaning unless the delivery mechanism is improved through good governance and reforms. There is an urgent need for some non governmental organisation to carry out a comprehensive survey in every State to know the ground truth in all nooks and corners of the country so that;1. programme & policy-related aberrations could be rectified to take care of the asea-wise disparities; 2. no State is able to claim laurels merely on a macro picture.
K.K.Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'It Pours'- editorial dated 21 April, 2011
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:51:10 +0000
This refers to your editorial (It Pours) dated 21 April. The three vital reforms suggested need be considered seriously by both the central as well as the state governments. Whereas export-import control and the subsidy/grant issues concern the central government, the elimination or reduction/control of intermediaries between the farmers and the consumers falls in the domain of the states. Not only do the intermediaries manipulate prices to the utter diadvantage of both farmers as well as the consumers but they also resort to cartelisation to prevent flow of benefits to either side (farmers or the consumers) through any positive interventions which the government might make. As very aptly mentioned the APMCs need to be scrapped because these favour the intermediaries rather than the farmers or the consumers. Another measure/reform which need priority attention is the greater boost to the processing industry in order to prevent seasonal wastages and make up for the out of season-scarceties. This will facilitate accrual of remunerative price to the producer and availability of food produce/product at reasonable price all the year around to the consumer.
Kushal Kumar
New Shimla
Ph. (0177) 2671960
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: "Sense on Lokpal"-Editorial dated 22 Aug 2011
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:35:12 +0000
This refers to the edit 'Sense on Lokpal' (ET Aug 22). Your editorial and write-ups can provide excellent guidence to the terribly confused UPA government in resolving the undesireable deadlock. By way of summing up positive points of both sides in order to form a balanced view, the following points are submitted:- Anna is right in 1.Giving a clarion call against rampant curruption in the country; 2.Rallying masses for fighting against this menace; 3.Creating a strong opinion for creating effective mechanism to ensure accountability; 4.Making people aware of the advantages of peaceful agitation in accordence with Gandhian way to raise vital issues. The flip side is:- 1.Solution of any menace has to be found in accordence with the Constitutional Law of India; 2.Since our country has numerous diversities, the suggestion of 'Referendrum' entails opening a pandora's box which is bound to endanger integrity of the country; 3.Lokpal can tackle only a part of the problem and that too at macro level whereas the brunt of curruption faced by the common man at grassroot level in day to day life can only be solved through effective governence and simplification of rules/regulations/procedures and decentralised mechanism; 4.Keeping NGOs outside the purview of the Lokpal niether fits in the very basic principle of Anna agitation nor does it inspires credibility.
K.K.Gupta
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Fast unto Power'-Editorial Dt. 20 Sep.'11
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:40:30 +0000
This refers to "Fast unto Power" (ET Sep. 20). There should be no other consideration in entrusting the leadership of BJP at the national level to Narendra Modi except that the party at this juncture need be led by a strong person having the requisite perspective and the right kinds of commitments (to governance; to development). A national party can play significant role even as a strong oppsition party in shaping destiny of the country. So even if NDA breaks let there be no fear in the mind of BJP leadership because firstly this apprehension may prove unfounded and people may give BJP 250 plus seats in 2014 Parliamentry elections attracting allies to its fold and secondly if BJP has to remain on the Opposition side at least the prevailing bewilderment is bound to disappear thereby facilitating restoration of the Jan Sangh era glory when the voice of a couple of MPs used to be heard so intently.
Kushal Kumar
C 90 Sector 3
New Shimla
From: kushal_g@hotmail.com
To: editet@timesgroup.com
Subject: 'Wind up Air India'-ET dated 27 May 2010
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 03:11:18 +0000
This refers to 'Wind up Air India' ET dated 27 May 2010. Privatisation of this 'national carrier' is the only solution and sooner the better as otherwise it is bound to become a 'national shame'. It would not be surprising if current year's loss is in five digits. In 2002, privatisation of the then Air India was almost done but got aborted due to last minute withdrawl by the bidder. Government has tried many options (including the most disastrous one-merger of AI & IA) but the situation has gone from bad to worse. Any delay in privatisation could only degrade Air India to such an extent that no private player would come forward as 'bidder'.
K.K.Gupta,IFS(Retd.)
Former Joint Secretary (Disinvestment), GoI
C-90, Sector-3, New Shimla-171009
Ph.-0177 2671960, 09418704785
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