UPA Government’s Faulty Policies & Administration have resulted in Price Rise

The Constitution of India assigns predominant powers to the Central Government in both the policies & administration matters concerning price control. Vital levers of Fiscal as well as Monetary control are with the Central Government. It is primarily the Central Budget which impacts the prices of essential commodities. Formulation & administration of Import & Export Policies is in the hands of Central Government and it is a well known fact that one of the vital tools of price control, especially the food items, is proper management of ‘Import/Export Mechanism’. Railways are under the sole control of the Central Government and so are the Ports. Management of both these entities (inland transportation from production-centers to the demand-centers by the former and import-handling by the latter) has direct bearing on the price, because of not only cost factor but also because of demand-supply gap which depends upon the availability of stocks at the demand center at any point in time. Since UPA has been in power at the central level for the past six years, and therefore, the sole accountability for price rise rests on their shoulders only.

Let us have a look at the per kilogram prices of poor man’s basic food items; wheat flour more than Rs.20, rice more than Rs.30, sugar more than Rs.45, pulses ranging from Rs.70 to Rs.100(Arhar), Haldi Rs.180, Masalas ranging from Rs.60 (Lal Mirchi) to Rs.250 (Bari Ilayachi) and oils Rs.50-60 (ordinary), Rs.80 and above (refined). Sugar prices have doubled over a period of less than a month. An excellent analysis of UPA Government’s inept handling of sugar management both at policy level and at administrative level has been brought out in the article titled ‘Time to quit Mr.Pawar’ (The Economic Times –Chandigarh- dated 10 January, 2010) by Nidhi Singh. A couple of startling facts- under estimation of demand, inability on the part of Railways to timely ferry the stocks to desired destinations, inability of central government to prevail upon the Uttar Pradesh Government in getting the imported stocks processed and failure in timely imports or their price goof ups etc.- stated in this article fully expose the UPA Government.

The plea of UPA government that State governments have primary responsibility in the price control of essential commodities is bereft of any rationale in view of the fact that the quota control of food items vests with the central government. Since supply to the States depends upon the release of quota thus in the often occurring eventuality of demand being higher than the supplies, the prices are bound to rise. Whereas the States can’t be absolved of their responsibility to strictly implement the Hoarding and Black Marketing Act, but the impact due to shorter supplies vis-à-vis demand can in no case get neutralized by any degree of strictness under the Act against the local traders. UPA government has not taken any steps in taking appropriate policy initiatives or establishing an effective regulatory mechanism to ensure the price stability of food items, especially the ones which directly affect the life of poor families.

The Fair Price shops meant to help the poorer people in getting food items at reasonable price are often starved of supplies due to central government’s failure to ensure timely dispatch of ration supplies to the States. Situation gets further complicated when the prices suddenly spurt higher in the general market and the customers at the Fair Price swell quite higher, tempting the shop owner/manager to indulge in exploitation of the customers.

Central government had created a Warehousing Corporation (WCI) with the objective of proper storage of food stocks for maintaining consistent supplies to the market according to the demand in order to maintain price stability. Unfortunately the warehouses are not so well managed and the losses of stocks over a period of time have had a telling effect on the health of the Corporation resulting in defeating the very purpose of creating this entity. Equally pathetic is the state of affairs in the Food Corporation-Godowns (FCI). Thus a vital buffer/cushion for bridging the gap between demand & supply has got weakened for which central government shoulders complete responsibility.

There is a system of multiple-point control in the central government on issues connected with price stability; Department of Agriculture looks after crop production and the MIS(Market Intervention Scheme); Department of Food controls the FCI & the WCI and the release of subsidies to various agencies; Department of Commerce regulates the imports & exports; Department of Food Processing Industries promotes the food processing industries. Most of the time the internal squabbles amongst various departments take precedence over the public needs for expediency & quick decision making which substantially adds to the suffering of the people, especially the poorer ones. The attention of the central government remains limited to the coordination at macro level and the micro issues remain totally neglected.

India is a vast country having varied agro-climatic zones (tropical to alpine) to facilitate production of different food crops in accordance with the demand in the country. Central government operates a number of schemes to provide incentives in the form of subsidies and Minimum Support Price (MSP) to encourage the production of certain food crops keeping in view the demand-supply situation. Unfortunately, UPA government has not operated this tool prudently to ensure achievement of the objective of having this tool and consequently prices of food items have sky rocketed. Pulses (the poor man’s main protein source) and the Oils (an essential item of an Indian household-food) have to be imported while there is tremendous potential to grow both the pulses and the oilseeds to meet the total demand. Not enough has been done by the UPA government to use the levers at its command to do the needful in this vital area.

Can the UPA government still shirk its responsibility for failure to control the prices of food items, especially?

Forest Fires-Some Remedies to control them

High time to control the increasing menace of Forest Fires

Forest fires during the period April-June every year has become a common recurrence, particularly, in the Pine forests of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and J&K. The estimated direct financial loss on account of these fires during the current year (till July, 2009) in Himachal Pradesh alone has been computed by the HP Forest Department at more than Rs. 2.72 crores. The consequential ecological & environmental damage on account of such fires is not only many times the financial loss but at times is irreparable. As per the HP Forest Department statistics for the year 2006-07, area under Chir Pine is 1346 sq. km. and the growing stock is approximately 12.50 million cubic meters. Every year nearly 30% of the total area under Chir Pine gets affected due to forest fires. Though Chir Pine is considered a fire-hardy species but it has been observed that complete recovery is not possible and further, the recurring fires particularly, in consecutive years in the same patch causes almost a killing effect. These fires (coupled with the widespread impression that Chir Pine prevents growth of grass underneath) have created an obvious repulsion in the minds of the people, especially the farmers against further planting of Chir Pine.

Before suggesting any remedies to control the menace of forest fires, it is important to put the things in right perspective so that the misgivings do not come in the way of appreciation of these suggestions. The Chir pine forests exist over nearly 25% of the total wooded forest area in the State of Himachal Pradesh while the extent of area under broad-leaved species and the conifers (other than Chir Pine) is approximately 38% and 37% respectively. The growing stock of broad-leaved species and the conifers (other than Chir Pine) is approximately 16 million cubic meters and 69 million cubic meters respectively in Himachal Pradesh, as compared to the 12.50 million cubic meters growing stock of Chir Pine. The forest plantations have been raised by the HP Forest Department during the period 1950-2007 over an area of 9866.66 sq.km. (which includes both the blank areas and the blank gaps in the open forest areas), out of which Chir Pine has been raised over 2801 sq.km. while the broad-leaved species and the conifers (other than Chir Pine) have been raised over an area of 5080.13 sq.km. and 1600 sq.km., respectively. In this regard it need be understood that the choice of species is determined primarily by the agro-climatic situation, altitude, aspect and the edaphic considerations. Further, Chir Pine, being a pioneering species in the succession-chain, is the first one to come up on barren hills. Owing to the existence of vast barren areas in the State, there is ample justification for planting nearly 30% of the total planting area in Himachal Pradesh with Chir Pine during the period 1950-2007. Since there remained good market for Rosin (processed from Chir Pine Resin), until recently, there was also economic sense in maintaining the Chir Pine forests as pure blocks and not considering about the next step of succession i.e. conversion into broad-leaved forests. In this backdrop, the following are some of the remedies suggested to control the increasing menace of Forest Fires in Chir Pine Forests:-

Ø It is now the time that the Forest Department starts a massive plan to convert the Chir Pine forests into the broad-leaved (preferably Oak) forests as a long-term strategy to control the menace of forest fires. Apart from the Oak, the planting of wild-fruit plants is extremely significant as that would vitally help in mitigating ‘Monkey-menace’ as well- a serious threat to farmers livelihood in Himachal Pradesh. This task is not easy because of the practice of open grazing of large cattle population in almost all areas covered under Chir Pine. Secondly, the broad-leaved species are not hardy and cannot withstand the hazards of draught, fire and adverse biotic interference etc. Thirdly, the cost of planting would be higher compared to Chir Pine planting and that need be fully appreciated by the Government. Fourthly, the survival percentage could be lower and a particular area would need tending & protection for longer duration in comparison to the conifer species. In view of these factors, a policy decision is required to be taken at the highest level in the Government to duly factor the costs as well as the hardships likely to occur to the people on account of restrictions, so that this programme gets implemented smoothly rather than in a slip-shod or ad-hoc manner.

Ø The cleaning & silvicultural operations in Chir Pine forests have to be done very meticulously and regularly so that the highly inflammable pine-needles are removed before the onset of fire season (April) every year and the thinning of the congested crops is done on a regular basis as per the norms of scientific forestry. Since local inhabitants from adjacent areas do not collect these needles from the entire Chir Pine forest, there has to be specific & ample budget allocation for this task to clear the entire stretch. The prevalent policy of complete ban on green felling needs a serious review.

Ø The extension work has to be undertaken quite aggressively to educate people about the adverse effects of forest fires on their life & property and particularly on their livelyhood-base of farming & agro-pastoral practices. The currently prevalent myth, about having good grass growth as a result of burning of the ‘Ghasanies’, has to be completely wiped out of the mind of the farmers.

Ø The system of engaging Fire-Watchers during the fire season needs to be strengthened and may be it should get linked to some NREGA- like scheme of the Central Government in order to provide sustenance to the fire protection programme in Chir Pine forests.

Ø The Fire-Lines need be created and properly maintained in all the Chir Pine forests in order to put in place fire control systems so that the spread of the fire, in case of its occurrence, could be prevented from engulfing the entire stretch thereby threatening the life & property of the adjoining inhabitants.

Ø The technological advances made world over in the field of forest-fire fighting should be made use of and proper infrastructure (machinery & equipments) should be provided to the Forest Department. Also, the training & skill development programme should be undertaken to have a professional manpower ready to fight & control the forest fires without endangering their lives.

Ø Appropriate penal provisions have also to be provided in the relevant Acts (Forest Act as well as Cr.PC/IPC) to create deterrent for the recalcitrant elements.

It is time for all sections to awaken and make a beginning to undertake the remedial measures to control the ever increasing menace of ‘Forest Fires’ in Chir Pine areas before it is too late and the menace becomes monstrous.

लौर्ड मैकाले द्वारा 2 फरवरी सन 1835 को ब्रिटेन संसद में जब भारत में अंग्रेजी भाषा सीखा कर पश्चिमी सभ्यता से भारतीय सभ्यता को दबाने का प्रस्ताव रखा तो उन्होंने अपने भाषण में भारतीयता के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित अत्यंत महत्वशाली बातें बोली थी
“मैं भारतवर्ष के हर कोने में गया और मैंने एक भी व्यक्ति नहीं देखा जो भिखारी हो या चोर हो। मैनें इस देश में ऐसा धन, ऐसी नैतिकता, ऐसे काबिल लोग देखे हैं कि मैं सोच नहीं सकता कि हम इस देश की संस्क्रिति और धर्म, जो कि भारतवर्ष की रीढ़ की हड्डी है, को तोड़े बिना कभी भी इस देश को अपने कब्जे में कर पायेंगे।

इसलिये मैं यह प्रस्ताव प्रस्तुत करता हुं कि हम भारतवर्ष की प्रचीन शिक्षा प्रणाली एवंम संस्क्रिति बदल कर पश्चिमी पदृती को स्थापित कर दें, ताकि भारतीय लोग यह सोच अपना लें कि जो भी विदेशी व इंगलिस्तानी है वह न केवल अच्छा है बल्कि भारतीयता से बहुत ज्यादा अच्छा है। ऐसा करने से भारतीय लोग अपना आत्म सम्मान व अपनी संस्क्रिति खो बैठेंगे और तभी भारतवर्ष में हमारी प्रभुसत्ता पूरी तरह से स्थापित हो सकेगी।“

मैडीकल कालेज खोलने के बारे में जानने योग्य तथ्य
1. मूल सँरचना स्थापित करने केलिए कम से कम 500 करोड़ रुपये का पूँजीनिवेश अनिवार्य;

2. करीब 2000 कर्मचारियों के वेतन इत्यादि पर प्रति वर्ष कम से कम 100 करोड़ रुपये व्यय;

3. सरकारी क्षेत्र में ही मैडीकल कालेज खोलने का अर्थ है स्वास्थ्य-क्षेत्र के बजट का ज्यादातर भाग इसमें खर्च हो जाना और परिणाम स्वरूप आम जनता की सुविधा-हेतू स्वास्थ्य-केन्द्रों की स्थापना, स्टाफ व रख-रखाव (जो कि हमारे पहाड़ी राज्य में बहुत महत्वता रखता है) करने के लिए बजट में कमी पड़ जाना;

4. निजी-क्षेत्र में उपलब्ध पूँजी व प्रबन्धन सँसाधनों का सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र की साँझेदारी के साथ जोड़कर जो गति विकास की देश के कुछ दूसरे प्रदेशों में हुई है वह इस बात का प्रमाण देती है कि ऐसी साँझेदारी आम जनता के हित में होती है;

5. टाँडा मैडीकल कालेज जल्दबाजी में खोलकर न केवल उस कालेज का सँचालन ही प्रभावित हुआ बल्कि शिमला मैडीकल कालेज को अपँग बना दिया गया, और यह मुख्यता वितिय अभाव के कारण हुआ जो कि सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र अकेले वहन करने में असमर्थ था;

6. मैडीकल कालेज (सरकारी हो या गैर-सरकारी) के साथ हौसपिटल जुड़ जाने से मरीजों पर केवल थोड़ा सा वितीय बोझ पड़ता है जबकि उनको स्वास्थ्य सुविधा उच्च स्तर की उपलब्ध होती है;

7. मैडीकल कालेज से जुड़े हौसपिटलों में विशेष बिमारियों का इलाज करवाने के लिए ही मरीज जाते हैं न कि आम व छोटी-मोटी बिमारियों का इलाज करने के लिए, और ऐसे इलाज में खर्च सरकारी व गैर-सरकारी सँस्थानों में लगभग बराबर होता है;

8. निजी-क्षेत्र द्वारा चलाए जा रहे ज्यादातर सँस्थान सरकारी सँस्थानों से पीछे नहीं हैं, और न ही उन सँस्थानों से शिक्षा प्राप्त डाक्टर योग्यता में किसी से कम हैं;

हिमाचल प्रदेश राज्य की स्थापना से लेकर काँग्रेस कुशासन के कारण उत्पन्न समस्यायें

1. बेरोज़गारी का लगातार बढ़ना;

2. गरीबी का उन्मुलन न हो पाना;

3. शिक्षा सँस्थानों का विकास व्यवसाइक न हो करके केवल अध्यातमिक-केन्द्रित होने से शिक्षित बेरोजगारों की अत्याधिक बढ़ोतरी होना;

4. वनों व पर्यावरण का प्रभावशाली ढँग से सँरक्षण करने में असमर्थता;

5. प्रशासनिक प्रभावहीनता के बढ़ने से आम आदमी की कठिनाइयों का बढ़ना;

6. सार्वजनिक इकाइयों में एक के बाद एक का घाटे में डूब जाना;

7. सामाजिक व आर्थिक सुधार लाने में पूर्ण असमर्थता;

8. सड़क, रेल व हवाई सँरचना विकास करने में ढीलमढला रवैया;

9. मिझौलियों द्वारा हो रहे किसानों के शोषण को न रोक पाना;

10. स्वास्थ्य सुविधायें उपयुक्त ढँग से आम लोगों को प्रदान करने में असमर्थता;

11. शिक्षा सँस्थानों में उपयुक्त सँरचना व शिक्षक दे पाने में असमर्थता;

12. क्षेत्रवाद की भावना को बढ़ावा देना;

13. जातिवाद को बढ़ावा देना;

14.  भतीजा वाद को बढ़ावा देना।

राज्य (हिमाचल प्रदेश) में काँग्रेस सरकार द्वारा 2003-08 की अवधी में किए गए दुष-प्रभाव वाले कार्य

1. क्षेत्रीय भेद भाव को राजनैतिक व प्रशासनिक स्तर पर बढ़ावा दिया और इस बात की झलक सामाजिक व आर्थिक विकास में भी नज़र आई;

2. भ्रष्टाचार चरम सीमा तक पँहुच गया;

3. सड़क निर्माण व मुरम्मत कार्य बिल्कुल ठप पड़ गया;

4. केन्द्र में अपनी ही पार्टी की अगुवाई वाली सरकार होते हुए भी राज्य की काँग्रेस सरकार न तो सँरचना विकास हेतू कोई विशेष आर्थिक सहायता प्राप्त कर सकी और न ही किसी केन्द्रीय शिक्षा या स्वास्थ्य सँस्था की स्थापना करवा सकी;

5. पालमपुर में विवेकानन्द ट्रस्ट द्वारा सँचालित सँस्थान को प्रभावी ढँग से चलाने में निम्न स्तर की राजनीती खुलेआम खेलकर प्रदेश की जनता को होने वाले महत्वशाली लाभ से वँछित रखा गया;

6. रोहताँग टनल का कार्य बिल्कुल ठप पड़ गया;

7. रेल नैटवर्क का राज्य में कोई विस्तार नहीं करवा सके;

8. हवाई सेवा में विस्तार होने के बजाय उल्टा उन्मुलन हो गया;

9. मैडीकल कालेजों में डाक्टरों व अन्य टैक्नीकल पदों की अत्याधिक रिक्तियां होने के कारण जनता को इन सँस्थानों से पुर्ण लाभ नहीं मिल सका;

10. शिक्षा सँस्थानो में रिक्तियां होने के कारण और उपर से चन्द रिक्तियों को अपंग व्यवस्थानुसार भरकर बच्चों की पढ़ाई पर बुरा प्रभाव पड़ा;

11. आम जनता की भलाई वाली स्कीमों को क्रियान्वयन करने वाले विभागों में रिक्त पदों को न भर करके एक ओर जनहित को क्षति पँहुची तथा दूसरी ओर मिलने वाले रोज़गार से प्रदेश के युवाओं को वँछित रहना पड़ा;

12. पन-बिजली योजनाओं सम्बन्धी एम.ओ.यु. में राज्य हितों को नज़र-अन्दाज किया गया;

13. राज्य में चल रहे निजी-उद्योगों में 70% हिमाचलियों को नौकरी पर रखने वाली शर्त का कड़ाई से पालन न करके राज्य के बेरोजगार युवकों को नौकरी से वंछित रहना पड़ा;

14. एच.पी.एम.सी., एग्रो-इन्डस्ट्री तथा एग्रो-पैकेजिंग जैसी किसान-हितैशी सार्वजनिक इकाइयों की दुर्दशा इतनी बढ़ा दी कि ये बन्द होने के कगार पर पँहुच गई;

15. हौरटीकलचर-मिशन के अन्तर्गत केवल प्रचार किया गया और कोई ठोस योजना फिल्ड में लागु न करके लोगों को इससे होने वाले महत्वशाली लाभ से वँछित रखा गया;

16. किसानों व बागवानों को आढ़तियों द्वारा किए जा रहे शोषण से बचाने केलिए कोई भी ठोस कदम नहीं उठाये गए;

17. सिंचाई परियोजनाओं का सुधार करने की बजाय घोटाले करने की ओर ही ज्यादा ध्यान दिया गया।

यु.पी.ए. सरकार के कार्यकाल की मुख्य त्रुटियां

1. गैर-संवैधानिक सत्ता-केन्द्र स्थापित कर, प्रधान मन्त्री सँस्था का भरपूर उन्मुलन करना;

2. देश की आन्तरिक व बाह्या सुरक्षा करने में पूर्ण असमर्थता;

3. आतँक-विरोधी कानून रद कर आतँक को प्रोत्साहन देना और आतँकी हमले में काफी मासूमों की जानें गंवाकर एक अपंग कानून बनाना;

4. महँगाई नियन्त्रण में पूर्ण असमर्थता;

5. किसानों की समस्याओं का उन्मुलन करने में पूर्ण असमर्थता;

6. सच्चर-कमेटी की रिपोर्ट बनवा कर साम्प्रदाइकता को बढ़ाना;

7. रामसेतू मुद्ये पर धार्मिक भावना से खिलवाड़ करना;

8. अमरनाथ श्राईन बोर्ड को यात्रा हेतू भूमी देने बारे राजनैतिक-साँप्रदाइकता का खेल खेलना;

9. एन.डी.ए. सरकार द्वारा गति से किए जा रहे सँरचना विकास को ब्रेक लगाना;

10. पड़ोसी देशों से सहयोग मिलने के बजाय आतँकवाद की सौगात पाना;

11. श्रीलँका में तामिलों के हितों की रक्षा करने में असमर्थता;

12. आर्थिक सुधारों की प्रक्रिया को बिल्कुल ठप कर देना;

13. महिलाओं के लिए 33% आरक्षण-बिल पारित करवाने में असफलता;